Free Resources for Building a Media List for ROI

Free Resources for Building a Media List for ROI

   May 08, 2014       prabhakardalvi

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Below 14 Free Resources for Building a Media List : 

The Internet Public Library

The Internet Public Library includes a list of popular magazines and newspapers organized by their respective subject area or geographic focus. Each individual listing includes a brief description of the outlet’s coverage area, along with a link to their website. Other similar directories include World Newspapers & Magazines (some of these listings are outdated, but it’s still a good starting point), the Yahoo! News and Media directory and Mondo Times.

LinkedIn Search

LinkedIn is a great resource for finding professional journalists. With LinkedIn’s new search features, you can dive deeper into user data to find contacts that fit your criteria. For example, I recently created a search to find contacts with “reporter” as their professional title within a 30 mile radius of my zip-code. 

There were more than 18,000 contacts, but I could easily narrow this search by limiting other fields or adding a keyword like “business”. LinkedIn also lets you save five searches, so you can be alerted to new contacts that join LinkedIn matching your criteria.

MediaOnTwitter Wiki

We’ve talked about the MediaOnTwitter wiki several times in this blog already, but it’s worth mentioning again. The database is currently going through an upgrade and will soon be much easier to use. 

As Twitter continues to experience explosive growth, no doubt will it continue to expand as a medium for reaching journalists and bloggers. You can learn more about the MediaOnTwitter wiki from PRSarahEvans.com. While MediaOnTwitter is the most comprehensive list, there’s also a Media People Using Twitter wiki that was created by My Creative Team (in case you wanted more).

Alltop

Alltop is an alternative to setting up RSS feeds for all your favorite blogs on a subject. Alltop has a team of keen-eyed experts that work to aggregate “All” the “Top” blogs on a particular subject. I regularly read the “PR” and “Journalism” categories on Alltop to keep up with current trends and developments relevant to the subjects I write about on this blog. With a few mouse clicks, Alltop will show you any number of the “top” outlets you’ll want to consider for your media list.

Technorati

Technorati is a blog search engine. You can use it to search for blog posts on any subject. The company also manages a list of the Top 100 Blogs, which is a great place to find the world’s most popular blogs on subjects you’re interested in. You can also explore Technorati by many different categories to find relevant blogs. Some of the more popular categories include Technology, Business, Entertainment, IT and Finance.

Congress.org Media Guide

This is a useful directory of media outlets organized by your geographic area. You can click on an interactive map to find newspapers in different areas of the country. Each listing includes a description of the outlet, along with some contacts for the publication (geared toward those that cover politics, but still useful).

Audit Bureau of Circulations

The Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) lists its members on its website, including Business Publications, Consumer Magazines and Newspapers.

PRSourceCode

PRSourceCode provides a variety of paid PR services for agencies and professionals working in technology-related sectors. While the company provides paid services, it has a free listing of business and technology publications on its website, linked to the sites. This is an excellent place to start if you’re building a tech-focused media list.

FAIR’s Media Contact List

This organization provides a list of media outlets – really designed for you to voice your opinion (or complaint) about media bias and censorship. Most of the contact information is generic, so you could use it as a jumping off point for major outlets. This list has basic contact information for outlets like CNBC, CNN, Fox News Channel, USA Today, Newsweek and Time.

HARO (Help A Reporter Out)

I’m sure you’ve heard about HARO. If you’re not one of the nearly 80,000 people using the service, it’s a free service that connects journalists with expert sources. Each email (there are three a day) includes reporter queries that you can respond to (provided you have a relevant pitch or expert to offer up). 

But what if you’re not a fit for the opportunity, but are for the outlet? Keep track of journalists and bloggers that regularly write about topics related to your subject areas – then research those outlets and contacts to add to your media list. What better way to learn what a journalist is interested in than to see the types of experts they regularly reach out to through HARO.

Regator

Regator aggregates the best blog posts on different subjects. While Alltop will show you the best blogs on a subject, Regator shows you the best posts, saving you even more time. I’ve just started using this service (it’s another of our favorite Atlanta-based startups), and its useful for finding the most relevant posts on subjects I’m interested in. The best posts are hand-selected by experienced journalists, so you’ll find nothing but great quality here.

TradePub

TradePub works with business and trade magazine publishers to market free subscriptions to qualified professionals. This is your one-stop-shop for subscribing to a wide-range of free business and trade publications of interest to you. It’s also a great place to find outlets you’ll want to add to your media list.

TVA Productions

TVA Productions is a top independent studio that just happens to have an awesome directory of media outlets in many different categories. The directory is well-designed and easy to navigate. The only downside is the directory only lists the name and location of each outlet per category, so you’ll still have to find the outlet’s website to continue your research from there.

None of these resources will provide anywhere near the volume or accuracy of information found in commercial media databases like Vocus or Cision. It’s true that you get what you pay for when it comes to media research. If you’re managing media relations for several organizations, consider investing in one of these solutions. If you just need to create a media list for your small business or startup, you can do this for free with a moderate amount of effort, using the resources I’ve provided in this post.

Is there another resource people should know about? Do you have other suggestions for building media lists on the cheap? Please share your thoughts.

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Deliver Your Message With Short and Compelling Sound

Deliver Your Message With Short and Compelling Sound

   May 08, 2014       prabhakardalvi

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                          The demands on our time are overwhelming, constant, relentless. Everyone is rushing around at break-neck speed trying to jam more than is humanly possible into already overloaded schedules. Getting people to listen seems impossible because they're frantic, have a million things on their minds and can't spare a millisecond. If you ever pin them down, you're given little time, you're constantly interrupted and you realize that they have the attention span of minnows.

So if you get an opening, you better make good! You better be ready to say what you mean

• quickly
• clearly and
• compellingly

Write A Sound Bite

                                 Create a sound bite, a message, that you can deliver in less than 30 seconds. Cut it down to 10 or 15 seconds for the media. The purpose of a sound bite is to turn listeners on, it's a verbal business card to deliver when you're introduced to new people. It's your "elevator speech:" a snappy, self-description that you can rattle off in the time it takes an elevator to rise from the lobby to the fifth floor.

The more you say briefly, the better the sound bite. As David Belasco said, "If you can't write your idea on the back of my calling card, you don't have a clear idea."

Radio news segments come in ten second increments, so "if you can't express what you want and why it's news worthy in ten seconds, you're off the phone," advised a news director for a major NBC affiliate.

              Your sound bite must be a grabber, a memorable message that makes listeners want to buy your products, champion your causes and fight your wars. If it's short and gets their attention, it buys you more time to sell them. Your sound bite must be

1. INTERESTING enough to attract immediate ATTENTION
2. POWERFUL enough to be REMEMBERED and
3. CONVINCING enough to STIR overloaded listeners into action.

In 30 seconds or less, your sound bite must explain:

• Who you are
• What you represent and
• Why you make a difference.

Examples of a variety of short, effective sound bites are:

I used to weigh over 300 pounds; now, I'm a size 8. I can quickly teach you how to lose weight and keep it off. (Diet book author).
My name is _________ and I free folks from financially worry. Give me a call and I'll do the same for you. (Financial consultant).
I teach people how to look rich, even if they aren't. (Fashion advisor).
I'm the James Bond for the new millennium. I make computers secure, detect break ins and restore lost data. (Computer security expert).
I train your brain and set free your imagination. (Biofeedback instructor).
Most people aren't accustomed to promoting themselves. So when it's time to blow their own horns, they don't know what to say or they tend to over do it. However, in business, with so many competitors vying for the same dollars, you must distinguish yourself. And the best way to start is with a sound bite.

source : rickfrishman.com/article_deliver_message.html

Shine Your Star - Be creative, make yourself sound like a star or make your product or service seem groundbreaking. In our celebrity-obsessed society, the media desperately seeks new faces. It loves to splash their names in headlines, tell the world their stories and ride their coat tails to fortune and fame. Help the media, do a good deed, write a sound bite that captivates them, show them that you have star potential and make them want to move mountains to advance your career.

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Five Content Marketing Trends to Watch - Digital 2014

Five Content Marketing Trends to Watch - Digital 2014

   May 08, 2014       prabhakardalvi

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As the third annual Digital Content NewFronts unfold, digital marketers are eyeing emerging trends. The Internet Advertising Bureau event, which took place from April 28 to May 7 in New York City, is a hub for the launch and discovery of digital marketing innovations with a focus on video.

The cast of featured presenters includes key players such as BuzzFeed, Hulu, The New York Times, AOL, Google, and Yahoo. The NewFronts are designed to imitate the TV upfront marketplace and are geared toward digital publishers and networks that want to compete with traditional media for advertising dollars.

As an ex-media planner from the world of digital advertising, it’s interesting for me to observe the NewFronts through a content marketer’s lens. Although they’re targeted at media planners and buyers, content marketers can learn from trends in the paid media landscape to shape strategies and identify integration opportunities. Here are five themes to watch:

1. Integrated Analytics

Measuring the impact of integrated marketing strategies that span both traditional and digital channels is one of the most significant challenges for marketers today. To more effectively report on multichannel performance, AOL and Yahoo announced partnerships with measurement giants Nielsen and comScore at the NewFronts.

The collaboration between comScore and Yahoo aims to streamline integrated measurement by offering advertisers access to comScore’s validated Campaign Essentials metrics, which equate video, display, and mobile performance to TV metrics.

AOL and Nielsen’s partnership focuses on testing gross rating points (GRPs) to measure audience reach for AOL’s original programming. GRPs allow marketers to report on impressions by a percent of the total audience reached rather than the exact size. The growth of cross-media measurement is a trend that content marketers should similarly incorporate into measurement strategies to prove return on investment (ROI) alongside other media forms.

2014  NewFronts: Five Content Marketing Trends to Watch   Christine Warner 

2. Original Programming

Publishers and networks are focused on promoting original programming to expand their audience and subscriber bases and to develop an authentic presence.

According to Mike Hopkins, Hulu’s CEO, the company is planning to quadruple its investment in original programming. Similarly, AOL is launching short-form, unscripted shows featuring stars such as Ellen DeGeneres and James Franco.

“Our main goal is to go after authentic voices,” said Ran Harnevo, AOL’s president of video.

The growth of original video series underscores the power of original content to engage online audiences based on its authenticity and viral tendencies. As advertisers shift budgets toward original programming, content marketers can bask in the industry’s increased respect for original content.

3. Real-Time Measurement

Brands increasingly want to monitor and participate in real-time digital events and conversations. Therefore, it’s critical to be able to measure the results of real-time engagements.

At the NewFronts, DigitasLBi and SimpleReach launched the NewFront Brand Content Index, a measurement tool developed to provide comparative performance data within a brand’s industry and across the Web. Enabling both real-time and historical insights, this tool optimizes content distribution.

“As content marketing becomes an increasingly important way to build brand equity, agencies and brands have struggled to prove the ROI of their efforts,” SimpleReach CEO Edward Kim said while summarizing the tool’s impetus.

Google-owned YouTube also announced a new feature that allows advertisers to measure brand interest according to real-time searches as a result of its collaborations with comScore and Nielsen. Content marketers should also seek to develop measurement strategies that capture the impact of real-time content responses.

4. Influencer Content

Publishers and networks alike are leveraging the personal brands of celebrities and influencers within new video programming. Condé Nast Entertainment introduced digital video series across several of its publications featuring people like actress and fashion icon Sarah Jessica Parker and fashion blogger Leandra Medine.

Similarly, AOL’s programming will include stars such as actress Nicole Richie, stand-up comedian Mike Epps, and Olympian Bode Miller.

“We’re trying to get people with a meaningful digital footprint who can help us push the shows and market the shows,” Harnevo said.

Influencer engagement isn’t a new phenomenon for content marketers, but its multimedia prevalence reinforces its relevance and impact. Influencer content appeals to marketers who want to team up with individuals who capture their brand essence and messaging, and it boosts the content’s viral potential.

5. Interest Targeting

Digital content in all its forms should be constructed to appeal to specific personas and audiences. BuzzFeed highlighted this trend as a core component of its strategy to produce highly targeted content that engages consumers and inspires social sharing.

Ze Frank, BuzzFeed’s executive vice president of video, and Jonah Peretti, BuzzFeed’s CEO and founder, outlined the benefits of interest targeting in appealing to an audience’s identity, emotions, and information needs. BuzzFeed applies this personalized strategy to both editorial and video content.

YouTube also announced Google Preferred, a new targeting technology that lets brands target pre-roll ads to the top 5 percent of the most popular content within specific topics on YouTube. This ensures that a brand is aligned with quality, interest-based content that audiences are consuming and sharing.

Despite the tactical differences between video advertising and content marketing, new digital trends are affecting both. Marketers should take an integrated approach to strategy development and measurement methodologies across all platforms and content types. Industry events such as the Digital Content NewFronts help marketers identify areas to implement parallel efforts.

For more insights and sound bites from the NewFronts, search the #NewFronts hashtag on Twitter.

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Novelty gift ideas for Offices and Home

Novelty gift ideas for Offices and Home

   May 07, 2014       prabhakardalvi

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Novelty gift ideas for Offices and Home

Subcategories for  Novelty gift ideas for Offices and Home

• Album, Photo
• Baby Gift Sets
• Basic Leather Keychains
• Basic Metal Key chains
• Basic Plastic Keychains
• Beeswax Products
• Ceramic Products
• Collectible Memorabilia And Souvenirs
• Colour Changing Mugs
• Culinary Art Bottles
• Cultural Icons
• Designer Lunch Boxes
• Digital Voice Recording Keychains
• Emblem Or Button Badges
• Emblem Or Lapel Pins
• Executive Magnetic Or Kinetic Novelties
• Fancy Or Cartoon Keychains
• Flashing Pins And Magnetic Body Lights
• Gift Boxes 
• Gift Tins
• Glow In The Dark Novelties
• Idols
• Incense 
• Led Keychain Lights
• Maps And Historical Prints 
• Memento
• Mobiles
• Money Clips 
• Mugs
• Multifunctional Keychains
• Music Boxes
• Nautical Gifts
• Novelty Aquariums 
• Novelty Calculators
• Novelty Cards
• Novelty Digital Voice Recorders
• Novelty Flags And Windsocks
• Novelty Lamps
• Novelty Lanterns
• Novelty Pens
• Optical Fibre Lamps
• Pinwheels
• Tea Coffee Coasters
• Thermoware And Plastic Giftware
• Trinket Jewellery Boxes
• Trophies And Medals
• Watch Giftsets

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Type of Handicrafts for House and Office for Lifetime

Type of Handicrafts for House and Office for Lifetime

   May 07, 2014       prabhakardalvi

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Subcategories :

Type of Handicrafts for House and Office for Lifetime

• Alarm Clocks
• Aluminium Wares
• Animal Figure
• Antique Reproductions
• Ash Trays
• Baby Dolls
• Badges And Emblems
• Bags Beaded
• Bar Accessories
• Barbeque Equipment
• Basket Ware
• Bath Accessories
• Beads 
• Bed Borders
• Beer Mugs
• Belts And Accessories
• Bone China Mug
• Bone China Ware
• Bone Handicrafts
• Book Cases And Shelves
• Bookends
• Bouquests Garland Arrangements
• Boxes, Piles
• Boxes- Gift
• Boxes-jewellery And Decorative
• Brassware
• Bridal Gifts
• Bronze Figures
• Brush Sets
• Brush, Brooms, Mops
• Buntings Flags
• Candle Holders
• Candle Lamps
• Candles
• Carnival Article
• Ceramics Arts And Crafts 
• Chess Sets
• Children Furniture
• Christening Presents
• Christmas Cards
• Cigar Boxes
• Clocks
• Collectibles
• Copperware
• Cord Pulls
• Corkscrews
• Cotton Bags 
• Covers
• Crafted Fashion Accessories
• Crafts Kits
• Crystalware
• Curtain Tiebacks
• Decoration Material
• Decoration, Plain, Dyed And Printed Fabric
• Decorations
• Decorative House Hold Products
• Decorative Objects
• Door Handles
• Door Mats
• Drapery Woven Fabrics
• Dried Flowers
• Dry Flowers

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Window Air Conditioners Categories for Home

Window Air Conditioners Categories for Home

   May 07, 2014       prabhakardalvi

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Window Air Conditioners Categories for Home

Subcategories

• Baking Trays And Pans
• Basket Storage Or Bins
• Can Or Jar Openers
• Casserole Pots, Dishes
• Clay Or Earthen Cooking Pots
• Colanders
• Confectionery Making Accessories
• Cookware Parts
• Cookware Sets
• Double Boilers And Steamers
• Fish And Egg Poachers
• Food Defrosting Products
• Food Presser, Cutters, Slicers, Crushers
• Food Squeegees Rollers
• Food Thermometers 
• Garbage Bag Holders
• Garment Hangers
• Gourmet Kitchen Knives
• Graters
• Griddles And Grill Pans
• Hand Beaters 
• Hand Juicers 
• Hand Operated Food Processors 
• House Hold Pumps
• Household Cleaning Chemicals
• Household Storage And Organizers
• Household Sundries 
• Household Utility Hooks 
• Household Washing Machines Dryers
• Kitchen Barbecue Lighters
• Kitchen Food Scales 
• Kitchen Scissors
• Knife And Scissors Sharpeners
• Laundry Supplies
• Luggage Locks
• Marble Kitchenware
• Measuring Cups And Spoons
• Microwave Oven
• Non Electric Air Pots
• Non Electric Food Peelers And Choppers
• Non Electric Kettles
• Nutcrackers 
• Oven Mitts 
• Paper Towel Holders
• Pasta Machines
• Pepper Salt Grinders Mills Sets
• Platewarmers
• Press Iron
• Pressure Cookers
• Salad Bowls And Sets
• Saute And Sauce Pans
• Serving Food Trays
• Serving Mixing Bowls
• Serving Tools Utensils
• Skillets Frying Pans
• Spatulas Whisks Mashers 
• Stock Soup Pasta Pots
• Strainers
• Thermoware Cookers Containers
• Tissue Box Holders
• Vacuum Cleaner Hose
• Vacuum Flasks
• Waffle And Pancake Makers
• Washing Machine Hose
• Water Filters

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Kitchen Electronics Appliances Parts Categories

Kitchen Electronics Appliances Parts Categories

   May 07, 2014       prabhakardalvi

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Kitchen Electronics Appliances Parts Categories

subcategories :

• Air Coolers 
• Air Curtains
• Box And Tower Fans
• Ceiling Fans
• Desk Fans
• Dish Washers And Dryers
• Electric Airpots
• Electric Blenders
• Electric Bread Makers
• Electric Coffee And Tea Brewers
• Electric Cookers And Warmers 
• Electric Food Dehydrators
• Electric Food Grinders And Choppers
• Electric Food Mixers 
• Electric Food Processors 
• Electric Home Heaters
• Electric Hot Plates And Grill Tops
• Electric Juice Extractors 
• Electric Kettles
• Electric Knives 
• Electric Pans And Deep Fryers
• Electric Sandwich, Pizza Waffle Makers
• Electric Slow Cookers 
• Electric Stoves 
• Electrical And Electronic Pest Repellents
• Electrical Household Brushes
• Floor Standing Air Conditioners 
• Hot And Cold Water Dispensers
• Household Air Purifiers
• Household Sewing Machines
• Household Sterilizing Equipment
• Household Vacuum Cleaners 
• Humidifiers And Dehumidifiers
• Ice Cream And Yogurt Makers
• Microwave Ovens
• Oven Toasters And Slice Toasters
• Popcorn Makers
• Refrigerators Freezers
• Residential Ventilating Fans 
• Rotisserie Convection Ovens
• Soybean Milk Makers
• Stand Fans
• Steam Cleaners
• Wall Fans 
• Wall Split Air Conditioners
• Washing Machine
• Water Heaters 
• Window Air Conditioners

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Fashion, Beauty, Cosmetic Items Categories

Fashion, Beauty, Cosmetic Items Categories

   May 07, 2014       prabhakardalvi

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Fashion, Beauty, Cosmetic Items Categories

Subcategories : 

• Anti Perspirants Deodorants Oand Body Sprays
• Aromatherapy And Spa Products
• Artificial Flowe Bow
• Baby Products
• Bath Beauty Body Sets
• Bathing Brushes Sponges Scrubbers
• Beauty Appliances And Accessories 
• Beauty Bar Soap
• Cosmetic Accessories
• Cosmetic Applicators
• Cosmetic Pocket Mirrors
• Cosmetics
• Cosmetics And Perfume
• Depilatory Waxes Accessories
• Ear Wax Remover
• Electric Shavers
• Electric Toothbrushes
• Eye Make Up 
• Face Foundations
• Facial Tissues
• Fashion Accessories
• Feminine Hygiene Products
• Hair Care Products 
• Hair Care Styling Products
• Hair Combs, Brushes And Shapers
• Hair Crimper
• Hair Cut Bibs And Shampoo Capes
• Hair Dryers 
• Hair Removal Apparatus 
• Hair Shampoo And Conditioners
• Herbal Products
• Lipsticks Glosses And Liners
• Make-up Kits
• Manual Toothbrushes 
• Nail Cuticle Care And Styling Products
• Perfumes And Fragrances
• Personal Care Items
• Razors And Razor Blades
• Rechargeable Hair Trimmer
• Skin Care Products And Treatment
• Stainless Hair Dressing Scissors 
• Sunscreens
• Toilet Tissues
• Toiletry
• Toothpaste, Mouthwash, Breath Fresheners
• Travel Toiletry Sets

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Gifts Handicrafts and Beauty Care with Home And Office Products

Gifts Handicrafts and Beauty Care with Home And Office Products

   May 07, 2014       prabhakardalvi

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Categories  : Fashion, Beauty, Cosmetic Items , Gift And Novelties , Handicrafts , Home Appliances , Stationery , Sport, Play And Leisure , Toys And Games , Advertising And Promotion , Office Automation Products , Festive, Holiday, Party Supplies , Jeweler Products

Subcategories for : Sports, Play, Leisure

• Abdominal Training Equipment 
• Aerobic Exercise Equipment 
• Archery Crossbow Equipment Accessories
• Arms Ammunition Accessories
• Ball Games
• Baseball Bats And Balls
• Basket Balls
• Basketball Hoops 
• Beach Balls
• Beach Wear
• Bicycles And Cycling Supplies
• Billiard Snooker Tables And Equipment
• Body Building Equipments
• Body Strength Training Equipment 
• Boxingtraining Equipment 
• Camping Beds
• Camping Field Gear
• Camping Track And Field
• Cardiovascular Gymnastic Training Equipment
• Cricket Equipment Supplies
• Cross Trainers Ellipticals
• Darts Dartboards
• Diving Gear 
• Exercise Bikes
• Fishing Lures Baits
• Fishing Poles And Rods 
• Fishing Reels
• Fit Balls And Swiss Balls 
• Golf Apparel
• Golf Bags
• Golf Balls And Tees
• Golf Club Head Covers
• Golf Gadgets Training Accessories
• Gymnastic Fitness Mats
• Hammocks
• Hiking Backpacks And Rucksacks
• Ice Field Hockey Gear 
• Inflatable Boats Accessories
• Inflatable Floaters 
• Jump Ropes
• Leisure Goods
• Motorcycle Auto Racers Wear
• Musical Instrument
• Oil Kerosene Gas Lamps
• Outdoor Adventure And Leisure Supplies
• Outdoor Beach Sleeping Mats
• Outdoor Camping Tents
• Outdoor Survival Kits
• Pedometers Pace Meters
• Picnicware Supplies
• Play Games
• Push-pull Or Motorized Golf Caddie Carts 
• Racquets 
• Rock Climbing Gear And Equipment
• Roller Skates Or Skateboards And Accessories
• Rollerblades Or Roller Shoes 
• Rowing Machines
• Rugby Balls , American Footballs
• Sailing , Windsurfing Equipment
• Skiwear
• Sleeping Bags
• Soccer Balls
• Sports Caps
• Sports Flasks 
• Sports Gloves
• Sports Jerseys And Track Tops
• Sports Safety Or Protection Body Padding And Guards
• Sports Safety Or Protection Goggles And Masks, Helmets And Hats
• Sports Shorts And Trousers
• Sports Socks
• Sports Visors
• Sportswear And Accessories
• Swimwear
• Table Tennis Tables And Accessories
• Telescopes
• Tennis Balls 
• Tent Setting Supplies
• Training And Jogging Suits
• Trampolines
• Travel Mugs
• Treadmills 
• Volleyballs
• Water Or Aquatic Sports Accessories
• Water Or Aquatic Sports Goggles And Masks
• Water Sport
• Wetsuits 
• Winter Sports Accessories And Equipment

These are our Futures  Sports, Play, Leisure for all Worlds.

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Outside of the Search Engines want traffic - Explaination

Outside of the Search Engines want traffic - Explaination

   May 06, 2014       prabhakardalvi

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Build Traffic Sources Outside of the Search Engines Nick Stamoulis

When it comes to marketing your business online and generating traffic to your website, the search engines should be a primary driver of traffic. After all, when people are looking for a product, service, or information that is typically the first place that they turn to which is why an SEO program is so important today. However, even as an SEO firm we will be the first to admit that the search engines shouldn't be the only source of traffic to your website. Putting all of your eggs in one basket like that can be risky which is why it’s best to have a presence in many places across the web that can generate traffic to your website.

Build Traffic Sources Outside of the Search Engines

It’s important to consider where your target audience is spending time on the web (outside of the search engines) and seek out opportunities to build a brand presence (and a link) on those sites. Typically these sites are sites that are in some way related to the products or services that you sell. If you sell computer software, it might be a popular computer software industry blog. 

There could be advertising opportunities on the blog, or even better- guest blog posting opportunities. Getting a guest blog post published on an industry blog is ideal because it’s a way to share your expertise and gain attention in the industry. Niche sites like these can be the best source of traffic because the visitors are highly targeted and it’s likely that what your site offers correlates with their needs. In addition to industry blogs, industry forums, directories, and message boards are also great spots.

Social media is another important outlet to build up a brand presence today. People are visiting social media sites for a variety of reasons. Like the search engines, the major social networking sites all include search features. Those that are social media savvy might be more likely to conduct a search in social media as opposed to the search engines, to get insights from users or to find additional content outside of the static pages that exist on your site. 

For B2Bs, LinkedIn can be a great source of referral traffic as long as you are using the medium correctly. It’s important to join groups that attract like minded people and share any informational content that you create with these groups. It’s a significant source of traffic and again, these visitors are highly targeted. There are many opportunities within social media to share links that will deliver traffic back to your site.

Building links on industry sites and within social media is going to improve your SEO, but that is really just an added benefit. The main benefit is that these links will generate traffic to your site from those that are most interested in what you have to offer. The search engines are an important source of traffic, but the search engines are also unpredictable. You never know when an algorithm change could affect your placement for certain keywords. That’s why it’s important to build traffic from a variety of sources. If for some reason your SEO takes a hit, your business will still be able to survive because targeted traffic is still finding your site in other ways.

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The Most Important Component of B2B SEO is Content

The Most Important Component of B2B SEO is Content

   May 06, 2014       prabhakardalvi

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With all of the SEO rules changing as often as they do, and SEO tactics that were once beneficial now on the “bad” list, website owners that want to improve their search engine presence are now left wondering, “what can we do?” What we always tell our clients is that the most important thing that they can do to help improve their B2B SEO efforts is to produce quality content on a regular basis. This can be in the form of blog posts, guest blog posts, articles, white papers, press releases, webinars, etc.

Here are 2 key reasons why content is a necessary part of a B2B SEO campaign:

Content generates inbound links

In the early days of SEO there were plenty of ways to get inbound links back to your site and the focus was on getting as many inbound links as possible. Quantity was the goal, not quality. Link exchanges were common as part of a “you link to me, I’ll link to you” agreement. As the search engines cracked down on this sort of practice that was meant to manipulate the search results, it became much more difficult to generate inbound links. 

The best types of inbound links are the ones that occur naturally when a third party website owner thinks that you are worth linking to. Think about what kind of link this would be. Are they going to be linking to your service pages? Maybe, but not all that often. Third party sites are going to link to informational content that their audience will find beneficial. By consistently creating quality content you will be viewed as an authority in your industry and links to your content will serve as reference points that can supplement the content of others.

Content fuels a social media campaign

A social media campaign is a necessary component of online marketing today. After all, social media is where people spend lots of time online. It’s important to have a brand presence there and to keep your social media accounts active. There is no point in having a social media page for your business or brand if you never update it. One of the issues that businesses have is trying to figure out what they should be sharing in social media. If you are creating quality content on a regular basis, you will always have a steady stream of social media posts to coincide with when the content is published. If it’s possible, try and publish evergreen content as often as you can. 

This kind of content can be published in social media multiple times, since it will continue to be relevant for months or even years in the future and it’s doubtful that all social followers saw it the first time around. For SEO purposes, it’s necessary to get links shared in social media in order to improve your social signals, which indicates to the search engines that a page of web content is beneficial.

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Social Signals and Their Impact on Link Building - Brickmarketing

Social Signals and Their Impact on Link Building - Brickmarketing

   May 06, 2014       prabhakardalvi

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Social Signals and Their Impact on Link Building - Shawna Wright

There is no denying that traditional link building is getting harder and harder. Earning “natural” or “editorial” links relies heavily on your content marketing and content promotion efforts. But site owners and bloggers may be more likely to link to established industry sites and authority figures than the new kid on the block, simply because they don’t want to link out to an un-trusted and untested source. In order to earn that social credibility and authority, websites need to start building their own online community of loyal fans and followers and establish themselves as a real player in their niche.

While many search marketers are on the fence as to whether social signals will completely replace traditional links, many are confident that social Social Signals and Their Impact on Link Buildingsignals will impact the value of a natural link. As Erin Everhart pointed out, “Links will always matter, but links without social signals could easily be coming under scrutiny.” The search engines are looking to reward websites that are transparent, honest, and forthcoming with their link building efforts and a link from a website with no social presence could very easily been an unnatural link. That is not the kind of link the search engines want to place a lot of value on.

Search marketer Marios Alexandrou says that “social signals, voting in particular, allow a broader set of people to weigh in on what is good content. This isn’t a new concept and was actually described back in 2009 by Mike Grehan in New Signals To Search Engines, ‘Signals from end users who previously couldn’t vote for content via links from web pages are now able to vote for content with their clicks, bookmarks, tags and ratings.’”

While it’s getting harder and harder to fake your link profile (and not get pegged for it), it’s much harder to fake true social engagement. The search engines aren’t just looking at how many followers you have, but how many followers your followers have. Are they real people with real social presences of their own? Do they share other content, have their own opinions and points of view, or do they only exist to regurgitate your brand’s information? A real social figure sharing your content, even one with a relatively small social footprint, is worth a lot more than a bot account doing all the dirty work.

The reason that Google and Bing have relied on links for so long is links were supposed to be how one website gave their stamp of approval on another. Unfortunately the spammers took link building to the extreme and just looked for any link without regards for the quality of the site they were getting that link from. The search engines have since learned that just because a website has a lot of links it doesn’t mean it provides a lot of value. By adding social signals into the mix the search engines can weed out spam sites that just care about links for links sake and reward those sites that are providing real value to their audiences.

While a tweeted link or a link from a LinkedIn group might not carry the same weight as a traditional link from an industry website or citation (and who knows, someday it might!), those social signals do add credibility to your online presence overall because they tell the search engines you are a real brand with a real personality and a real commitment to growing your overall online presence.

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Social Networking App Skout Acquires Nightlife App Nixter

Social Networking App Skout Acquires Nightlife App Nixter

   May 06, 2014       prabhakardalvi

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Mobile Social Networking App Skout Acquires Nightlife App Nixter  by Kim-Mai Cutler

Skout, a social networking app that’s backed by $22 million from investors including Andreessen Horowitz, just acquired nightlife app Nixter. 

Skout’s CEO Christian Wiklund (pictured above) said he pursued the deal to find a better way to marry offline and online interactions in Skout’s app with real-world events. While Skout is an app that helps connect strangers all over the world, Nixter’s platform lets party seekers find upcoming nightlife events in their city, buy tickets, see the guest list or get VIP accommodations.

“This will be a huge value-add service to our users. I also think it’s highly monetizable and it will build even stronger loyalty from our users,” Wiklund said.

Wiklund didn’t close the amount Skout paid for the company. The deal was a mixture of cash and stock.

Nixter, which came out of Santiago, Chile, was founded about two years ago and it now operates in New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles. It had raised about $200,000 in angel funding, largely from a group of angel investors down in Chile.

The company’s co-founder Francisco Saez says the company weighed a bunch of different options. They’re competing against a number of other apps including San Francisco-based WillCall, which focuses on live events.

“We had other offers, but we worried about losing a lot of power and autonomy until we started talking with Skout,” Saez said.

Wiklund said that Nixter will be kept as a separate app and brand, although it will be heavily integrated into Skout.

As for Skout, while Wiklund didn’t share overall audience numbers, he said the company hit profitability about six months ago. The app sells points, which are like a virtual currency that can be redeemed to unlock special features like the ability to see who has checked you out. Wiklund says that 30 percent of Skout’s users are in the U.S., while the remainder are abroad.

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WalmartLabs Buys Adtech Startup Adchemy

WalmartLabs Buys Adtech Startup Adchemy

   May 06, 2014       prabhakardalvi

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WalmartLabs Buys Adtech Startup Adchemy, Its Biggest Talent Deal Yet

the retailer’s Silicon Valley-based innovation lab and R&D center, has now made its twelfth acquisition with the purchase of e-commerce technology company Adchemy, its biggest deal yet in terms of people. Founded in 2004, and backed by nearly $120 million in outside funding, Adchemy had experimented with a number of business models over the years. And though it had been making steady progress, CEO Murthy Nukala admitted as recently as last November, that it was not yet profitable.

Adchemy founder and CEO Nukala is not joining as a part of the deal, we’re told.

While deal terms are not being disclosed, we’re also hearing that Adchemy was mainly a talent acquisition for the retailer.

The team of 60 who are joining @WalmartLabs include a number of skilled engineers, including Rohit Deep, previously the Chief Architect and Engineering Lead at WebEx; Ethan Batraski, formerly the head of search innovation at Yahoo; and data scientist Esteban Arcaute, a Stanford Ph.D., also previously at Yahoo.

“They built an incredibly strong team of talented folks who understood product search, product relevance, SEO, SEM, and data scientists and Ph.D’s who could build this technology,” explains Jeremy King, who leads @WalmartLabs.

The Adchemy team’s combined skill sets overlap with many of the same things Walmart itself is working on today, including improvements to its product search engine and product classification systems, for example.

We also understand that Adchemy’s technology and IP is not going to replace Walmart’s existing infrastructure, but instead it will be about enhancing the talent pool in three specific teams working at @WalmartLabs today.

For starters, Walmart has been working on improvements to its sites’ search engines (e.g., Walmart.com and SamsClub.com) over the years, having acquired semantic search company Kosmix back in 2011 for $300 million to help it build up its team.

Though Kosmix’s founders later left the company, the engineers remained. Together, they built on top of Kosmix’s “social genome” technology to launch a new version of Walmart.com search, dubbed “Polaris” in 2012. Those changes immediately improved conversions on Walmart.com by 20%, the company now tells us. With the Adchemy buy, a number of that company’s engineers will now be tasked with continuing the efforts started by that team.

Another area where Adchemy’s engineering talent will help in product classification. Walmart added 6 million products to its site over the last year, and plans to add millions more in the months ahead, we’re told. Walmart, like other online retailers, has to classify items using the data provided by the manufacturer, reseller, or marketplace provider, to determine what the item is, how it should be categorized within Walmart’s own product database, how it should be tagged, and more.

Adchemy’s engine was a bit different from Walmart’s in this case, however, as it was focused more on ad targeting. That is, it would determine if a page was about shoes or electronics, for instance, while Walmart’s tech goes deeper, trying to determine things like “which shoe,” or “which gadget.”

Finally, Adchemy’s in-house expertise in SEO and SEM who will also be joining the @WalmartLabs’ team.

Adchemy had a complicated history, detailed here on Business Insider last winter. The company began with six products but killed off five of them over the years, including its lead gen business, sold to XL Marketing in November 2013. Its most recent efforts had focused on semantic search technology, which why it ended up with the high-caliber talent that attracted Walmart’s interest. The idea was to extract the “meaning” from a retailer’s catalog, so it could respond with better product listing ads in Google based on that deeper understanding, rather than just keyword matching.

It customers included Macy’s, ModCloth, Overstock.com, American Eagle Outifitters, Finish Line, Resolution, and a couple dozen others. Those customers were alerted about this deal, and will have their contracts terminated when it closes. - by Sarah Perez

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Celebrity Makeup Artist Tips for Summer seasons

Celebrity Makeup Artist Tips for Summer seasons

   April 30, 2014       prabhakardalvi

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Celebrity Makeup Artist Tips That Are Perfect for Summer

Celebrity makeup artists have to make sure that the stars look fab under all those flashing lights, and some of their tricks for achieving the perfect golden red carpet glow can also be used to create a sexy summer beauty look.

Here's a look at a few celebrity artist makeup tips that will help you shine like a star under the summer sun:

Prime and Protect

Kerry Washington's makeup artist, Carola Gonzalez, told Pop Sugar that she doesn't just use Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Tough Sunscreen to protect Kerry's skin - she loves the radiance that it gives the "Scandal" star's skin. She mixes it with Neutrogena Healthy Skin Primer before applying it all over Kerry's face. Gonzalez then uses a little Neutrogena Shine Control Primer on the T-Zone before moving on to applying under eye concealer with a small brush. She recommends using a concealer that's a shade lighter than your skin tone. The makeup artist finishes Kerry's fresh-faced look by using a wet Beauty Blender sponge to apply her foundation. This is the perfect summer look because it gives you sunscreen and shine control, and the double primers will keep your makeup in place. The wet sponge also ensures that your makeup won't look too heavy.

Layer Your Blush

"Scandal" makeup artist Sheri Knight also has a great makeup tip. She told Allure that she layers Kerry Washington's blushes to make sure that they don't melt off under the hot studio lights. You might want to try the trick to keep yours from melting off under the sweltering summer sun. Knight starts by applying a cream blush on the apples of the actress's cheeks. She then seals it in place with a dusting of shimmery pink powder blush. She likes to use Stila Convertible Color in Camellia followed by Neutrogena Healthy Skin Blush in Pure.

Use Lip Gloss on Your Eyes

Here's a creative way to keep your eyeshadow in place during the summer. Beyonce's makeup artist, Sir John, told Elle an interesting trick for giving eyelids a glossy glow. First he recommends applying a waterproof eyeshadow like Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo 24 Hour Cream Gel. You might want to try blending Bold Gold and Pomegranate Punk to create a bronze smoky eye look worthy of Queen Bey. Now you simply dab a little lip gloss on the end of your finger and apply a tiny amount of it on top of your eyelids. Since the eyeshadow is waterproof, you don't have to worry about it smudging. Sir John says that the gloss will reflect light, so your lids will look lustrous when you whip off your shades before hopping on your surfboard.

Give Your Lips a Golden Glow

You might prefer to rock pink and coral lipstick shades during the summer, but don't be afraid to wear dark red for a sexy summer night. Lupita Nyong'o's makeup artist, Nick Barose, has a great tip for tweaking red lipstick - simply apply a little gold eyeshadow to the center of the lip using your finger. Barose told Byrdie that a golden lip looks especially stunning on dark skin. For Lupita's BAFTA Awards look, he used DiorAddict Gloss in Cygne Noir and Sisley Paris' Phyto Ombre Glow Eyeshadow in Amber. - 

(source) http://goo.gl/1PK7Pm

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Once Upon a Time - Crowded with Disney Characters Appear on Show

Once Upon a Time - Crowded with Disney Characters Appear on Show

   April 30, 2014       prabhakardalvi

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'Once Upon a Time' Is Crowded, but These Disney Characters Should Appear on the Show

The "Once Upon a Time" fairytale world is already crowded with a hodgepodge of characters from almost every animated Disney movie inspired by a storybook. However, there are some popular characters who haven't appeared on the show yet, and it would be fun to see them pop up in the future. Here's a look at the princesses, villains, and heroes who should make an appearance before Emma Swan and her family finally get their happily ever after:

Chernabog from "Fantasia"

The Evil Queen, Peter Pan, and The Wicked Witch look like those chubby-cheeked "Fantasia" cherubs next to this mountain-sized demon. The massive creature looks like something out of an H. P. Lovecraft novel, and he has the power to control an undead army of harpies, skeletal ghosts, and impish demons. If Chernabog ever makes an appearance in "Once Upon a Time," the show might become just a shade darker. I could see the monster getting a Cthulhu-like story with evil, obsessive members of his cult trying to awaken him from his slumber. Regina, Emma, and Mr. Gold also might need to summon another powerful sorcerer to defeat the beast, so this would be an excellent time for Merlin to make an appearance.

The Headless Horseman from "The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad"

Headless characters have been pretty popular recently. There's the "Sleepy Hollow" Headless Horseman, Kathy Bates' decapitated head from "American Horror Story: Coven," and Hershel's zombified head from "The Walking Dead." The Headless Horseman was one of Disney's spookiest characters, so it would be fun to see the character haunting the Enchanted Forest and chucking flaming pumpkins at terrified residents of the fairytale world.

Princess Tiana from "The Princess and the Frog"

Isn't it about time for someone to kiss a frog on "Once Upon a Time?" Many "OUAT" fans were probably disappointed to discover that "The Walking Dead" star Sonequa Martin-Green was playing one Peter Pan's magic-hating minions, not Princess Tiana. If "OUAT" ever does try to cast a Tiana, I would love it so much if Sonequa could talk "The Walking Dead" costar Danai Gurira into going for the role. It would be awesome to see Tiana re-imagined as a swashbuckling heroine who knows how to use a sword, and perhaps her frog could be another jealous green-skinned character from Oz (envy actually makes you turn green in the Wonderful Wizard's world). Better yet, maybe Tiana could become Mulan's new love interest after failing to find love by kissing a cursed toad.

Elsa from "Frozen"

Now that the Evil Queen character has pretty much been redeemed, it's time for another resentful and powerful ruler to get her chance at redemption. We've already seen quite a few far away lands on "Once Upon a Time" and "Once Upon a Time in Wonderland," including Victorian England, Wonderland, Neverland, Storybrooke, and Oz. Since there are so many vastly different worlds out there, surely one of them is covered in ice (Santa just has to be real on "Once!").

Cruella de Vil from "101 Dalmatians"

Pongo already exists on "Once," so his sadistic nemesis has to show up eventually. It would be interesting to see her re-imagined as a powerful, puppy-hunting sorceress. Another idea would be to combine her character with that of Yzma from "The Emperor's New Groove." Obviously she would turn whoever she's upset with into a Dalmatian instead of a llama.

Princess Jasmine and Aladdin from "Aladdin"

It seemed inevitable that these two would pop up in "Once Upon a Time in Wonderland" since that short-lived series featured Jafar and genies, but perhaps the beloved princess and wannabe prince are being saved for "Once." We've already visited Agrabah a few times and didn't get to stay long, so perhaps we'll go there again. Prince Eric once said that the land is separated from the Enchanted Forest by a vast desert, so maybe our heroes will end up having to trek there in search of another important magical MacGuffin.

Hades from "Hercules"

A wise-cracking Hades would certainly be a formidable foe for Mr. Gold, and we already know that at least one character from Greek mythology used to exist in the "Once" world (RIP, Medusa). If Jafar's floating fortress from "Once Upon a Time in Wonderland" is a possibility, surely a powerful sorcerer would be capable of creating a fiery underground lair.

Which Disney characters would you like to see on "Once," and do you think any characters would be a bad fit for the show? - Aida Ekberg

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