THE STICKY BOOMERANG | LOUD! CREATIVE WEBLOG

“The harder the conflict… the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap we esteem too lightly. Tis dearness only that gives everything its value.”

THOMAS PAINE

Okay, this post is probably overdue. We get asked all the time… “Does LOUD! Creative provide SEO (Search Engine Optimization for you newbies) services?” Our answer is always “no.”

Well… that’s not entirely true. While we don’t market or sell SEO services per se… we certainly understand it, and we offer our knowledge on an unpaid, value-add basis to our clients. We don’t sell SEO services… simply because the average US consumer wants to get an immediate gratification for their hard-earned dollars spent. There are SEO companies that ask for thousands of dollars up front, and thousands of dollars per month, and then the client has to wait around for 6 months to decide if they’re happy with the vendor’s performance.

The truth is… providing SEO services is a risky proposition, because it requires companies to educate their markets, and they risk losing their credibility of Joe-customer doesn’t beat the other 8 billion or so website listings for the front page of Google.

So… while we don’t sell SEO services… we don’t mind sharing with you a few tips on optimizing your website. We hope this is beneficial to you and your business development efforts. Happy SEO’ing.

1. THE CODE NEEDS TO BE AS BEAUTIFUL AS THE DESIGN
When building the front end of your site, make sure to use semantic code. By using descriptive tags to structure your pages, search engines will be able to read and have a better understanding of your content. This will also make the process of styling your site much easier and cleaner.

2. KEEP YOUR KEYWORDS UNDER SUBMISSION
Keywords are the words that describe your content. It’s important to have them appear in strategic places throughout your page, such as: URL, title tag, and main heading tags. It’s also important to have it appear often in the body of the content, but not too often, which might cause your content to be penalized for keyword stuffing.

3. KEEP YOUR PAGE TITLE UNIQUE
Each page on your web site should have a title attribute, and each title should be unique. If you use the same title for every page, search engines will think that every page on your site is about the same subject.

4. YOUR IMAGES ARE IMPORTANT TOO
Make use of the alt attribute of an image to properly describe it. As smart as search engines are, they can’t see what an image looks like. Failing to this can cost you substantial traffic from image searches.

5. DON’T USE IMAGES TO REPLACE TEXT
As designers, we always want to make things look as good as possible. This means sometimes replacing ugly browser rendered heading text with a nice smooth image. Try to avoid doing this. Again, search engines can’t see the contents of an image, and this is where you should be putting your keywords.

6. SUBMIT YOUR WEBSITE TO SEARCH ENGINES
To get your site indexed in search engines in a timely manner, try getting it linked to by a popular site in a related niche. Submitting it to Google also works, but sometimes it can take several days if not weeks.

7. BUILD INCOMING LINKS
The number and quality of incoming links plays a big role in the placement of your site in search results. Having quality and unique content is a good way to get people to link to your site. Another way is to be generous with your own links.

8. KEEP THE URL CONSISTENT
When you build a site, decide from the beginning if you want to use or drop the “www”. Once you decide, stick with it. Search engines, for example, see www.webdesignledger and webdesignledger.com as two different sites and as duplicate content, which they do not like.

While I am pressed for time… I am compelled to write this post in spite of a very full schedule today.

I am about 75% of the way through Seth Godin’s new book; Tribes, which I’d highly recommend to anyone that’s in search of a fresh perspective on leadership… specifically business leadership, in our modern culture. FYI, Seth has written several best-seller books like
The Dip, All Marketers Are Liars, Purple Cow and Unleashing The Idea Virus to name a few.

In today’s reading… Seth reflected upon a recent 2 week vacation, at which his close-by friend noticed that he was checking his email on his Blackberry. The friend gasped… “I can’t believe you’re on vacation, and you’re checking your email.”

It was unfathomable for this friend that Seth would have any interest in his normal day-to-day life, while taking his 2 week vacation. In turn, Seth was even more amazed that this friend could only enjoy 2 weeks of his life a year, and that the other 50 weeks were miserable, or mundane at best.

As I read this… it was consistent with so many people that I’ve met. Where is the passion anymore? Where is the energy for positively affecting people’s lives, adding value, doing something worthwhile, and being a part of something bigger than ourselves?

If you can relate to Seth’s friend on that vacation… if you look at work as a necessary-evil, then I’d highly recommend that you either perform a self-examination on your character and values… or simply move on if it’s actually that bad. Do this for yourself, your family, friends, co-workers, clients, church members, customers, and everyone around you. Life is too short. Both you “and” your co-workers deserve so much more… and so much better.

Don’t get me wrong. I am an advocate of a healthy work-life-balance… and there are most certainly cases in which workaholics don’t know how to take a break. But there’s an irrefutable epidemic of dispassionate, uninspiring and self-centered individuals that infect their workplaces with mediocrity, and that are likely to never be happy or successful… regardless of where they are. And to add insult to injury… these people will typically see themselves as victims, and in no way responsible for the quality of their lives. It will always be someone else’s fault. In their eyes… there’s nothing to fix, only someone to blame.

My encouragement. Be a THERMOSTAT, not a THERMOMETER. A THERMOMETER is nothing more than an indicator of it’s environment… while a THERMOSTAT affects change in it’s environment. Put differently, a THERMOMETER complains about it… a THERMOSTAT does something about it.

Do something that’s worthwhile, that fits your strengths and purpose in life. Be a positive agent of change. Do something to inspire us, and that’s worth noticing. Do something that will benefit someone other than yourself.

When you’re passionate about what you do for a living… your vacation is a merely time of rest, family and friends… not a prison break.

CLICK HERE to visit the demo for this new website.

LOUD! Creative is proud to announce the completion and launch of our most recent website project, in partnership with Coca-Cola & SEED Studios of Dallas, Texas.

Coca-Cola has teamed up with The Boys And Girls Clubs Of Greater Dallas, The Dallas Mavericks, Heart Of A Champion, and others… to bring a unique program to students in Dallas, Texas Metroplex. The “Elevators” program was developed to give inner-city kids an opportunity to elevate their lives, through a dynamic curriculum and a series of unique professional experiences that teach values, leadership and strong decision making. Utilizing the highly acclaimed “Heart Of A Champion” multi-media based curriculum materials, and numerous reinforcement elements makes this program the first of its kind in the U.S.

Our team was recruited to design a website that would be fun, highly interactive, visually compelling, and effective in engaging their younger demographic audience… while remaining consistent with the existing online marketing products of Coca-Cola. The beautiful skyline of Dallas, Texas spans the backdrop for this website, and is complimented with a host of motion elements like a flying aerial advertising airplane, flickering streetlights, a traffic signal, moving clouds, an elevator style navigation panel, and more.

Of course… this entire Flash website is powered by XChange, our easy-to-use website management system. XChange will allow the sponsors, partners and management at “Elevators” to totally manage this website with ease and convenience. “This is precisely just one more reason that our very own XChange content management system is superior to other (out-of-the-box) content management systems.” said Brian Webb, Principal at LOUD! Creative. Brian continues… “This website was created with no boundaries on the creative direction and possibilities we wanted to explore. This was possible because we didn’t have to worry about creating a website that would “snap” or “conform” into a more limited and in-the-box content management system.”

We were thrilled to partner with Coca-Cola on this incredible new endeavor, and we’d be equally as thrilled to partner with you in your own marketing efforts. LOUD! Creative works with both large and small businesses alike. You can reach our office at 281.778.5726.

I’ve known business owners that have made a strong marketing case for becoming and/or being the low cost provider… but it’s been my observation that the low cost position can kill a business.

The great low cost providers are vulnerable from multiple angles. Just when the system for lowering costs has been fully refined… somebody else always comes up with a better system and cheaper suppliers. And as if this problem isn’t enough… these business owners find it virtually impossible to inspire their employees due to limited budgets, meager surroundings… and a constant need to recruit under-paid and under-appreciated workers.

Always remember, your clients and consumers can almost always find a cheaper way to get your products and services, and few efforts are less rewarding than trying to compete with the cheaper ways of those bottom-dwellers.

Stay away from the rock bottom.

This post is the second of a 2 post series based on the book “Think And Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill. The first post of this series highlights the differences between a leader and a follower. This post will highlight the 10 common causes for failure in leadership.

To be an effective leader… it’s equally as important to know what “not to do” as it it to know what “to do.” I hope this is helpful as you lead in your own organization.

1. INABILITY TO ORGANIZE DETAILS: No genuine leader is ever too busy to do anything which may be required of him in his capacity of leader. When a leader admits that he is too busy to change his plans, or to give attention to any emergency, he admits his inefficiency. A successful leader must be a master of all details connected with his position.

2. UNWILLINGNESS TO RENDER HUMBLE SERVICE: Truly great leaders are willing; when occasion demands, to perform any form of labor that they would ask another to perform. “The greatest among ye shall be the servant of all.” is a truth which all able leaders observe and respect.

3. EXPECTATION FOR WHAT THEY KNOW, INSTEAD OF THAT WHICH THEY DO WITH WHAT THEY KNOW: The world does not pay men for that which they know. It pays them for what they do… or what they induce others to do.

4. FEAR OF COMPETITION FROM FOLLOWERS: The leader that fears that one of his followers may take his position is practically sure to realize that fear sooner or later. A true leader empowers his followers, and embraces their talents and accomplishments for the betterment of the team and organization, without the baggage of insecurity.

5. LACK OF IMAGINATION: Without imagination, the leader is incapable of meeting emergencies, and for creating plans from which he can guide his followers efficiently.

6. SELFISHNESS: The leader who claims all of the honor for the work of his followers is sure to be met by resentment. The really great leader claims none of the honors… and is content to see the honors go to his followers.

7. INTEMPERANCE: Followers do not respect an intemperate leader. Balance… and control of emotion are two critical ingredients for the success and effectiveness of a leader.

8. DISLOYALTY: Perhaps this one should be at the top of this list. The leader that is not loyal to his trust and to his associates… those above him and those below him cannot maintain his leadership for very long. Disloyalty marks one for being less than the dust of the Earth… and brings contempt.

9. EMPHASIS OF THE AUTHORITY OF LEADERSHIP: The efficient leader leads by encouragement, and not by trying to instill fear in the hearts of his followers. If a leader is a “real” leader, he will have no need to advertise that fact except buy by his conduct, his sympathy, understanding, fairness and a demonstration that he knows his job.

10. EMPHASIS OF TITLE: The competent leader requires no title to give him the respect of his followers. The man who makes too much of his title generally has little else to emphasize. The doors to the office of the “real” leader are open to all those who wish to enter.

I am reading a book right now entitled “Think And Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill, at the request of Andrew Carnegie. Whether or not you’d like to grow rich… Napoleon’s classic addresses the differences between a leader and a follower.

Decide at the outset of your career/ministry/path whether or not you’d like to remain a follower, or become a leader. The difference in compensation and influence is vast. The follower cannot reasonably expect the compensation to which the leader it entitled… although many followers make the mistake of expecting such pay. While it is certainly no disgrace to be a follower… it is no credit to remain a follower.

Most great leaders began in the capacity of followers… and they became great leaders because they were intelligent followers. With few exceptions, the man who cannot follow a leader intelligently cannot become an efficient leader. The following are the important attributes of an effective leader…

1. UNWAVERING COURAGE based on one’s knowledge of self and one’s occupation. No intelligent follower wishes to be dominated by a leader who lacks self-confidence and courage. No intelligent follower will be dominated by such a leader for very long.

2. SELF CONTROL: The man who cannot control himself cannot effectively control others. Self control sets a might example for one’s followers, of which the more intelligent will emulate.

3. A KEEN SENSE OF JUSTICE: Without a sense of fairness and justice, no leader can retain the respect of his followers.

4. DEFINITENESS OF DECISION: The man who wavers in his decisions shows that he is not sure of himself. He cannot lead others successfully.

5. DEFINITENESS OF PLANS: A successful leader must plan his work and work his plan. A leader who moves by guesswork, without practical definite plans, is comparable to a ship without a rudder… sooner or later he will land on the rocks.

6. THE HABIT OF DOING MORE THAN PAID FOR: One of the penalties of leadership is the necessity of willingness upon the part of the leader to do more than he requires of his followers.

7. A PLEASING PERSONALITY: No brash or careless person can become a successful leader. Leadership calls for respect. Followers will not respect a leader who does not grade highly on all the factors of a pleasing personality.

8. SYMPATHY AND UNDERSTANDING: The successful leader must be in sympathy with his followers. Moreover, he must understand them, and their problems.

9. MASTERY OF DETAIL: Successful leadership calls for mastery of details of the leaders position.

10. WILLINGNESS TO ASSUME FULL RESPONSIBILITY: The successful and effective leader must be willing to assume the responsibility for the mistakes and shortcomings of his followers. If he tries to shift this responsibility, he will not remain a leader. If one of his followers makes a mistake and shows himself to be incompetent, the true leader must consider that it is “he” who may have failed.

11. COOPERATION: The successful leader must understand and apply the principle of cooperative effort, and be able to induce his followers to do the same. Leadership calls for power, and power calls for cooperation.

My next post will highlight the 10 major causes of failure in leadership. See you there.

John Dane III is 58 years old and has spent the last 40 years of his life trying out for the Olympic Sailing Team. He finally made it this year with his son-in-law, Austin Sperry.

Dane’s efforts to qualify for the Olympics led him to 4 separate failures… each by just a few minutes. He didn’t give up after each loss… he simply kept pushing forward, and improved his sailing skills. The easiest path for John Dane would’ve been for him to quit after 1 or 2 failures. John Dane decided that failure wasn’t an option… and persevered.

Checkout this video of John Dane sailing with his son-in-law. Let’s root him onto victory. He’ll be competing between August 15th and August 20th.

In September of last year… I boldly but sympathetically posted an article titled “The Myth Of Perfection.” This post actually spoke to business leaders and organizations that find themselves being paralyzed by the need for certainty and perfect decisions. Clearly this will cause any leader or organization to fall short of their potential and end up in a stall.

Well, I recently stumbled across this video that humorously and accurately depicts the agony of analysis paralysis. Whether your a business or a non-profit organization… do your appropriate due diligence… but MOVE ON! Don’t allow research to prevail over progress. Sometimes the right move… is simply to do “something!”

There’s been a lot of discussion around our office lately around the topic of being a RAINMAKER. The term RAINMAKER is more strictly defined as one… specifically someone in sales, who consistently brings in large clients and significant streams of revenue.

Clearly this term is also used more loosely to describe those that seem to rise to the top, as opposed to those that settle for mediocrity. I’ve taken a few of hours this morning to run a comparison analysis… on the differences between a RAINMAKER and an AVERAGE EMPLOYEE. The following comparisons are based solely on my own experiences and observations. Feel free to leave your comments… let me know if you agree or disagree… or if perhaps any additions need to be made to this list.

A RAINMAKER: does whatever it takes to get the job done right & on time.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: settles for delays, poor performance and inferior standards due to justified obstacles and personal setbacks, and typically cloaks their laziness with the appearance of virtue.

AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: identifies problems.
A RAINMAKER: introduces solutions.

A RAINMAKER: measures success by the progress itself.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: measures success by an honest effort towards progress.

AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: says… “I hope we don’t fail.”
A RAINMAKER: says… “Failure is not an option.”

A RAINMAKER: has a spirit of urgency, and says… “Let’s get to it now.”
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: has a spirit of hesitancy, and says… “There’s always tomorrow.”

A RAINMAKER: strives to “give” first, and “gain” later.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: wants to define “gain” first, and then decide whether to “give” later.

A RAINMAKER: learns and executes the goals & priorities of the company, over those of their own.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: ignorantly executes his personal goals and priorities first.

A RAINMAKER: takes leadership and initiative without being asked.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: waits for a directive, title or personal gain before acting.

A RAINMAKER: is passionate, enthusiastic, insatiably positive winner.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: is defeated, un-energetic and chronically negative.

AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: sees the obstacles.
A RAINMAKER: sees the opportunity.

A RAINMAKER: constantly evaluates his performance, tactics and strategies for the purpose of improvement.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: chooses to blindly walk through life, neglecting to evaluate… for the fear of discovering or acknowledging that he might be flawed.

A RAINMAKER: says… “We can!”
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: says… “Can we?” or “We can’t!”

A RAINMAKER: can’t wait to cross the finish line.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: can’t wait for the whistle to blow, and the work day to end.

A RAINMAKER: offers no excuses, and takes full personal responsibility for his actions for his mistakes and losses.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: offers excuses, justifications, and takes little to no personal responsibility.

AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: takes more than he gives.
A RAINMAKER: gives more than he takes.

A RAINMAKER: inspires others.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: meanders about virtually unnoticed.

A RAINMAKER: can seem to accomplish the impossible.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: will sometimes fail at that which is easily possible.

A RAINMAKER: effectively manages large sums of stress.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: can barely manage small to moderate sums of stress.

A RAINMAKER: sees the prize.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: sees the price.

A RAINMAKER: lives for tomorrow’s successes.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: chooses to relish in yesterday’s victories and rest on their laurels.

A RAINMAKER: insists on having and being the very best.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: believes “the best” is unattainable.

A RAINMAKER: is an asset, and is sought after by others.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: is a liability, and is warned about to others.

A RAINMAKER: is a speeding blur, viewed by his competitors from behind.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: typically has his view impeded by the “Rainmakers” that are racing past, and that are in front of him.

A RAINMAKER: embraces challenges and overcomes.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: is resentful and defeated by challenges.

A RAINMAKER: craves freedom, and a higher financial ceiling.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: craves financial security, and a higher guaranteed floor of income.

A RAINMAKER: embraces change.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: is threatened by change.

A RAINMAKER: asks… “What can I do for my company?”
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: asks… “What can my company do for me?”

A RAINMAKER: chooses progress over pain.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: chooses comfort over progress.

A RAINMAKER: speaks with his actions.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: speaks with empty promises.

A RAINMAKER: serves his team and those around him.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: waits to be served by others.

A RAINMAKER: seeks wisdom and knowledge.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: is intimidated by those more wise and knowledgeable than himself.

A RAINMAKER: leads others.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: is typically led by other “Rainmakers.”

A RAINMAKER: measures themselves against the best, even when it hurts.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: inflates their self-worth & value, and personal accomplishments, due to insecurity… and the inability to see themselves as they actually are.

A RAINMAKER: will surround himself with others that are better, smarter & more talented than himself.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: will surround himself with only those that are inferior.

A RAINMAKER: says… “I could do more.”
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: asks… “Haven’t I done enough?”

Wow! What a great time our team had while meeting so many great people from Greater Houston Partnership at Minute Maid Park last night. We watched the Houston Astros take on (and beat, 4 to 3) the Texas Rangers. Awesome job Astros!

It was great seeing you Tracey… first time in a long time. You’re such a first-class lady. We also enjoyed meeting Caesar Grantham with
The Salvation Army… welcome to Houston Caesar. Let us know if we can do anything for you. It was also a pleasure meeting Gio Tomasini from Linear Marketing… I know we’ll be talking soon. Tonya and Kelly from Apple One… it was a blast getting to know each of you… and of course… Andrew Somerville from Oasis Landscape Design… we’ll be in touch soon.

there were so many more we met that are too numerous to mention.

We had such a great time… and we’re thrilled to be a part of the GHP. We’re happy to be serving, adding value… and meeting so many talented business leaders from the Houston Metroplex. We’re here for each of you.