Ottawa’s jam-packed June
June 23, 2010
I’m not sure if it was intentional or not – trying to beat a pre-summer vacation frenzy? – but this past month, Ottawa has been jam-packed with with web-related events. Which is, of course, excellent news for our fair city. Our web-ian community grows!
A quick round up of those I was able to catch:
- GovCamp Ottawa, our local version of GovCamp Canada: “an open environment for conversation about the role of municipal, provincial and federal governments in cultivating the growth and prosperity of Canada’s vibrant communities…”. My first ‘un-conference’, and an intriguing experience. After hearing from a kick-off panel, the audience created the agenda on the spot. I joined a debate about how valuable (or not) subject matter experts are in an open government model, a discussion about inter-jurisdictional (federal, provincial and municipal) applications and a session about how to measure the impact of open government data using examples and success stories. Overall though, my favourite part was the live Twitter feed during the panel itself; highly amusing to be part of a top-trending topic on Twitter for a day…
- “Winning the War on Google” featuring Rebecca Lieb, presented by the nascent Ottawa Web Marketing Club.ca. Rebecca has an impressive search pedigree and covered a lot of the fundamentals of search. Unfortunately, the most interesting material – the future of search – came at the end with little time left. She touched on implications of universal search e.g. the blending of search results – organic, news, images, video, social, etc. to illustrate why it’s – truly – no longer about rankings. Also, intriguing stats from comScore: “In early 2008, 17 percent of searches contained some type of blended result. In late 2008, it was 31 percent of all search results.” Look out marketers!
- “Social Media Marketing Experts Reveal All” with panelists Scott Lake from SWIX, Erin Blaskie, Lifestreamer (my new favourite word – see BabyCenter’s research segmenting social moms) and Michele Bedford-Thistle from Microsoft, presented by OCRI‘s, Zone5ive technology marketing speaker series. Each panelist had an extremely different take on social and how they’ve incorporated it into their professional selves and businesses. Finally – concrete evidence about why organizations don’t need to panic about the ‘right’ way to ‘do’ social.
There were still other events I was not able to attend, including:
- “Wikibrands – Reinventing Your Business in A Customer Controlled Marketplace”, featuring Sean Moffit and presented by SMB Ottawa (Social Media Breakfast Ottawa). For reasons that I’m unclear about, there’s no reference to the event on the SMB Ottawa web page, but you can find the presentation on slideshare. Perhaps they are pure-Twitterists?
- MARCOM 2010 – “professional development and educational forum for public and not-for-profit marketers and communicators”
- Your Facebook Business Account – Turn “Fans” into Customers Session 3 of Using Social Media to Drive Business featuring Erin Blaskie, presented by the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce. Fortunately for me, Erin posted the presentation on slideshare.
If you were able to attend any of these, comment away – I’d be curious to hear what you learned at each.
And finally, although it not exactly an event, there is a deadline worth noting – CMA Ottawa is touting the fact that the entry deadline for the 2010 Canadian Marketing Associations Awards is June 24th, 2010.
Go Ottawa!
Building Your Nonline Library Community
May 3, 2010
I’m very pleased to be speaking at the upcoming Manitoba Libraries Conference 2010: The Power of Many – The Power of Partnerships: May 17 – 19th in Winnipeg, Manitoba. My session is entitled “Building Your “Nonline” Library Community”: A Blueprint for Success”.
My intention is to explore a challenge faced by many organizations today – the struggle to stay relevant to an increasingly distracted group of stakeholders. All of us, and libraries in particular, need to take full advantage of any and all available tools to help us to build and remain connected to our communities.
In fact, for today’s library, the availability of online tools can be a double-edged sword – a profusion offering overwhelming opportunity. Should you use these tools to build an online community? Or are they best suited to build our ‘offline’ community? Or, should we stop trying to differentiate, and embrace “non-line” marketing – with thanks to http://www.nonlinemarketing.com – in our community building efforts?
Could your library use these online tools as a gathering place for book lovers? Or to harness enthusiastic members willing to increase non-member awareness of your library’s facilities and programs? Or to help identify potential donors, volunteers or Friends? What about using these tools to influence your community ‘influencers’? Which approach makes the most sense for your library?
On May 19th, I hope you’ll be able to join me in exploring examples of nonline communities and be inspired about ways you can use today’s online tools to enhance your library’s community building efforts.
Is Your Search Marketing Missing In Action?
April 16, 2010
Many thanks to CMA Ottawa, the Ottawa chapter of the Canadian Marketing Association, for inviting me to speak at their upcoming luncheon on April 27th, 2010.
I’m especially pleased about the about the topic I get to tackle – search engine marketing. Back in December 2008, I was fascinated to read a study describing how business owners find search campaigns more scary than filing taxes. Since then, I’ve concluded that this might indeed be the case – which is not a good thing.
Search marketing may be the great leveler and I don’t like the idea of business owners shying away from it. Instead, I’d be much happier if they at least understood enough about the tactic to decide if it should be included in their marketing mix or not.
My hope is to demystify search marketing and in particular, talk about:
- Measuring visibility instead of worrying about rankings
- Why it’s not really about your home page anymore
- How you can leverage your own subject matter expertise
I’ve just returned from eMetrics Marketing Optimization Summit in Toronto and Canada’s Search Marketing Expo, SMX Toronto, and my head is brimming with search ideas and issues; I’m really going to have to rein myself in…
I hope to see you on April 27th!
Event details:
When: Tuesday April 27th, 2010, from 11:45 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.
Where: Hampton Inn and Conference Centre, 100 Coventry Rd, Ottawa
Cost: $40.00 for CMA members, $55.00 for non-members
Ottawa Web Analytics Wednesday: Feb 10th, 2010
February 3, 2010
Join us on Wednesday February 10th, 2010 for Ottawa’s next Web Analytics Wednesday!
As usual, it will be held at the Black Rose Room (downstairs, at the back) of the Heart and Crown Pub at the Byward Market location, 67 Clarence Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 5P5.
However, on the “not as usual” front, our presenter will be Jim Sterne, web analytics guru extraordinaire. Among other guru-like accomplishments, Jim is the Founding President and current Chairman of our Web Analytics Association.
Jim is visiting three of our fair Canadian cities and in Ottawa in particular, will also be speaking the next day, February 11th, 2010 at OCRI’s Zone5ive Marketing Forum.
Also – please note that this month’s Web Analytics Wednesday begins at 7PM (as opposed to the usual 6PM).
See you there!
Get the web analytics edge – enter to win $675.00 of learning!
January 26, 2010
Attend OCRI Zone5ive Marketing Forum on Thursday February 11, 2010 in Ottawa, Canada and enter to win $675.00 CAD worth of learning from UBC’s Award of Achievement in Web Analytics!
The Web Analytics Association (WAA) has collaborated with The University of British Columbia (UBC) Continuing Studies to offer the UBC Award of Achievement in Web Analytics. This series of courses is delivered 100% online so that this educational commitment fits into your schedule and is available to working professionals around the world!
Supported by Online Authority, this month’s Zone5ive speaker is Jim Sterne and his topic is “Translating Web Intelligence into Business Value.” Jim Sterne is Chairman of the Web Analytics Association and Founder and Chairman of the eMetrics Marketing Optimization Summit
Contest details:
- Contest open to paid registrants and attendees of the OCRI Zone5ive Marketing Forum, Thursday February 11th, 2010 at the Travelodge Ottawa Hotel and Conference Centre Centennial Ballroom from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
- Course voucher will be awarded via random business card draw to be held following the speaker’s closing remarks. The winner of the draw must be present to receive the course voucher.
- Course voucher is issued by University of British Columbia Continuing Studies and is valued at $675.00 CAD. The course voucher may be used by the bearer towards the tuition fee (before taxes) for one online UBC Continuing Studies Web Analytics Course beginning on or before March 1st, 2011. The course voucher must be surrendered at the time of registration (in person, by mail or phone). No refund will be made should the course tuition be less than $675.00. Course voucher not redeemable for cash.
Jim Sterne in Ottawa, Canada February 11th, 2010
January 22, 2010
Online Authority, OCRI and Zone5ive are pleased to announce that Jim Sterne, Chairman, Web Analytics Association and Founder and Chairman of the eMetrics Marketing Optimization Summit will be returning to Ottawa, Canada on Thursday February 11th, 2010. Jim’s topic is:
Translating Web Intelligence into Business Value
Session Summary:
We started out counting hits just to prove that our website was being seen. Then we started measuring more closely in order to make our websites better. It turns out that web data can be valuable much more broadly. Jim Sterne walks us through the stages of using web intelligence to get to know our customers better, to optimize our marketing and finally to improve the business as a whole. Web analysis is now about what customers want, how they respond, and what they will buy. Marketing analysts can now deliver actionable insights that lead to higher profits, lower costs and improved customer satisfaction. Come to this session and learn how simple tools and techniques can help marketing get down to business.
Speaker’s Biography:
Jim Sterne is Chairman of the Web Analytics Association and Founder and Chairman of the eMetrics Marketing Optimization Summit. As an author, a consultant to Fortune 500 companies, and a public speaker, Jim Sterne focuses his twenty years in sales and marketing on the changing landscape of the Web as a medium for creating and strengthening customer relationships. With a special focus on Web metrics, his company, Target Marketing, is dedicated to helping companies understand the possibilities and manage the realities of conducting business online.
Event Information:
Date: Thursday, February 11, 2010
Time: 11:30 a.m.– Registration/networking lunch, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Presentation
Place: **NEW LOCATION** Centennial Ballroom, Travelodge Ottawa Hotel & Conference Centre, 1376 Carling Avenue
Cost: Early Registration (received by OCRI no later than 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday February 9, 2010)
$40.00 – OCRI and Web Analytics Association (WAA) Members (plus 5% GST)
$80.00 – Non-members (plus 5% GST)
$15.00 – Students (plus 5% GST)
Late and On-Site Registration (received by OCRI after 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday February 9, 2010)
$50.00 – OCRI and Web Analytics Association (WAA) Members (plus 5% GST)
$90.00 – Non-members (plus 5% GST)
$25.00 – Students (plus 5% GST)
Event pre-registration closes February 10th at 5:00 p.m.
Register online* or contact Tanya Calvo, Conference Administrator, Membership & Corporate Programs, OCRI at (613) 828-6274 ext 224 or tcalvo@ocri.ca.
On-site registrations are welcome.
*Online registration must be made by credit card
Looming Deadline for SMX Session Pitches
December 14, 2009
Toronto’s April 2010 Search Marketing Expo (SMX Toronto) session pitch deadline is December 15th, 2009. For anyone new to this conference, SMX Toronto runs alongside eMetrics Marketing Optimization Summit.
If you or an organization you work with would like to talk about a search (search engine optimization, marketing, analytics and onsite search) project you’ve completed of late, the conference organizers would love to hear from you:
Read about planned session tracks and submit your pitch
Web Usability for Business Results
November 25, 2009
Our next OCRI Zone5ive Marketing Forum has been announced – join us on Thursday December 10, 2009 at our new location, the Travelodge Hotel Ottawa and Conference Centre in the Greenery Room. Our speaker is Dominira Saul, Director of User Experience Design, Akendi.
Session Overview: If you’re responsible for a website, whether you work with outside agencies or do everything internally, you need to understand: what drives good usability; how to recognize poor usability; and how to work with your external and internal partners to get what you need.
It’s common knowledge that the easier a website is to use the happier users will be. This can translate into increased sales, greater brand awareness, and decreased support costs among other benefits. In today’s web-driven world, usability is more important than ever.
In his talk, Dominira Saul will outline what we should all know about web usability; the right questions to ask; and what steps you should take to ensure a better user and brand experience.
Thursday November 10th, 2009
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – registration and lunch
12:30 p.pm to 1:30 p.m. – presentation
Prepare to Defend Your (site) workshop goes on the road
November 1, 2009
CASLIS, Canada’s Association for Special Libraries and Information Services is sending Online Authority’s “Prepare to Defend Your (site)!: Website Performance Measurement” workshop on a cross-Canada roadshow.
Join Kelly Kubrick this fall in Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary, Ottawa or Montreal for an entertaining workshop on Internet Performance Measurement. Learn how to:
- Prove you are using your website to offer better service to clients;
- Ensure your website remains accountable; and
- Secure resources to improve the website going forward.
It’s an Internet call to arms!
This three hour workshop will be offered by the following CASLIS chapters:
- Winnipeg, Manitoba – November 3rd, 2009 – 2:00 pm
- Edmonton, Alberta – November 4th, 2009 – 12:30 pm
- Calgary, Alberta – November 5th, 2009 – 9:30 am
- Ottawa, Ontario – November 12th, 2009 – 1:00 pm
- Montreal, Quebec – November 24th, 2009 – 1:oo pm
Register for your preferred city at each chapter’s website, or contact Online Authority for assistance.
Customer Engagement through Social Media
September 25, 2009
On behalf of the OCRI Zone5ive Marketing Forum programming committee, I’m pleased to share details about our ‘season opener’ which will be held on October 8th, 2009.
Our speaker is Natasha D’Souza, Founder of Virtual EyeSee, who will be presenting Customer Engagement through Social Media:
If you are like many organizations, you have likely begun to add some elements of social media to your marketing tactics. But how do you leverage these new channels to truly engage customers in meaningful conversations, and to gather and respond to market feedback?
In this Zone5ive session, you will learn how to use Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Blogs to listen to and engage your audience, and to build your own online community using open source tools and hosted services.
Some of the takeaways will be:
- skills to help you learn to listen to your customers
- approaches for successful customer engagement
- crowd sourcing your product development; and much more.
Natasha D’Souza from Virtual EyeSee will take you on a social media adventure and inspire you to engage with your customers. Whether you are on a shoestring, moderate or large budget there is solution for everyone.
Date: Thursday October 8, 2009
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Location: Ben Franklin Place, Council Chamber – Main Floor, 101 Centrepointe Dr.
Register online or by contacting Tanya Calvo, Conference Administrator at 613-828-6274 ext. 224 or tcalvo@ocri.ca.