Trademarkia Post Pubcon Trademark Highlights

Trademarkia Blog: Nintendo Files Trademark Application for It's On Like Donkey Kong
F the Facebook map pin?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Last week, I went to Pubcon 2010, a Las Vegas Internet Conference about Search, Social Media, Internet Marketing and Website Operation. This conference was the epitome of ironic. Let me explain...

• Flew on Virgin Airlines...for the first time...to a conference that I have never attended before.
• 10th year anniversary of a conference that originally met in a pub, I probably didn't even understand the concept of alcohol back then.
• Lost my name badge in Vegas...sober.
• I have business cards with my twitter handles on them, however I couldn't attend some of the tweetups because of Las Vegas age restrictions at clubs.

Okay okay, all chides at my age. Yes, I was probably the youngest person in attendance, and yes it was intimidating, but who doesn't get a little nervous at these kind of events? I was very thankful for the opportunity to represent www.Trademarkia.com and learn from all the wonderful speakers and attendees. The first and hopefully not the last Pubcon!

Monday

• Ran into Tony Wright (@tonynwright) and Shilpa Nicodemus (@shilpanicodemus) of Wright IMC on the first day "tweetup". Tony spoke and moderated six Pubcon sessions! 
• Informed a few individuals that they received Office Action letter's on their trademarks...don't they have lawyers that are supposed to tell them?
• Personal note: Ate YUM sushi and watched a Cirque du Soleil show. 

Tuesday

• Learned about Raven Tools and other exhibitors at the Exhibit hall.
• Spoke Russian with Tim Ash (@tim_ash), author of Landing Page Optimization.
• Alan K’necht (@aknecht) gave me a signed copy of his book The Last Original Idea.

Wednesday

• Matt Cutts (@mattcutts) "Trends: Mobile, Social, Local, Real-time, HTML5" [Funny quote "If spam falls in the forest and no one sees it, did the spam show up on Google search results?"]
• Bought Unmarketing a book by Scott Stratten (@unmarketing).
• SEO Meatball Dinner with Greg Boser (@gregboser) and David Snyder (@davesnyder) of BlueGlass Interactive LLC.  Attendees: Scott Cowley (@scottcowley) of SEO.com,  Barbara Boser (@barbaraboser), Danielle Culmone (@dculmone) of Searchmetrics.com, Donna Snow (@snowwrite), Mike Ramsey (@niftymarketing), Linda S. (@i80equipment09). 
• Rode in a limousine for the first time EVER. 

Thursday

• Because I am a Dummy, I bought Search Engine Optimization for Dummies :D
• Tim Mayer Keynote: "The future of search is prediction and suggestion" i.e. Google Instant
• Sean Jackson from Copyblogger Media (@seanthinks) quoted Theodore Roosevelt, "There is no effort without error and shortcomings".
• Learned about Blekko, the new slashtag search engine.
• Started editing Facebook custom tabs for Trademarkia fan page. Added Deals and Services tabs.

Quick Tips...

• Just because your not an expert, doesn't make you any less qualified to attend, we are all here to learn!
• If you are a women, don't pack heels, pack shoes you KNOW you will be comfortable in for 10 hours. And perhaps 1-2 extra pairs of stockings in case yours' rip from all the walking...
• If you have a one sided bag/purse, SWITCH SIDES or else you may get blisters on the feet that holds the most work.
• If you are a coworker (*ahem* Cliff *ahem*) don't forget your toothbrush and floss
• If you are a klutz like me, don't lose your name badge!
• Don't forget to follow the #pubcon twitter stream!

Food For Thought...

1. A few people suggested I change my title from "Publicity and Media Relations" to something else. I can easily do that when this batch of business cards runs out, however I wear a lot of "hats" and it's hard to classify or constrain what I do... I do social media monitoring/marketing, content writing (blog, newsletter, press releases..), public relations,....what title fits all of that?
2. Is it just me or do a lot of popular pubcon speakers have really short names? I have three syllabules just in my FIRST name! "Maria" is probably the most popular name EVER, and "Orlova" is surprisingly common as well. And if you search for me, Google will try and ask you "Did you mean: marina orlova"? Thank you Google, I understand our names are SUPER similar, but I am not an etymologist, nor am I Hotforwords.

More reading...

*Quick Tip* Scott Cowley (@scottcowley) has great recaps of the events. Also SearchEngineLand.com has a big recap.

-------------------------------------------------------
Facebook Pubcon 2010 photo album.
---------------------------------------------------------

Thursday Night RoundUp: Edition 3 - Trademarkia Top News

Read the latest Trademarkia blog posts here: http://blog.trademarkia.com/
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Did you know? Common Trademark Mistakes and Myths

 

Apple: Ping = Facebook + Twitter for Music

Facebook “Targets” pay-to-play gift cards

Apple’s New Social Networking Website!

How to Begin Creating Your Company's Online Presence by Shane Russell

You may have already owned your company for many years, or are just beginning the journey. Regardless, you are very aware the Internet is creating wealth like never before. However, you don't have a clue how to market yourself online, nor do you know where to begin. Never worry, here are some basic fundamentals.

Step 1: Blogging, Email/eZine Marketing, and eBooking.
Just imagine. About 10-15 years ago, none of these words existed, however, they have become a few of the most important words in today's world to guide you towards your path to success. You no longer can be successful by cold-calling. Today's successful business owners write "Value Messages" to their clients. These value messages include items which will help individuals, or build value in their lives, but will remain directly related to your business.
Great Ideas for eZine articles. Here are a few "teach tips" to get your team to the next level...

• Teach EVERYONE that attitude is the foundation of success, both personal and business
• Teach EVERYONE the importance of friendliness
• Teach EVERYONE that speed of response is not an option
• Teach EVERYONE how to respond to customer complaints
• Teach EVERYONE that service is as important as sales
• Teach EVERYONE to ask for more business
• Teach EVERYONE to suggest more
• Teach EVERYONE to thank the customer for their business

Other topics to write about: The following are just some ideas you may use to write value messages to your customers. Please, feel free to use or alter them in any way you see fit.
1. How and why you decided to start your business "X" years ago.
2. The struggles you went through in the beginning stages.
3. The success you experienced over the years.
4. How you initially obtained clients.
5. What you did to keep the clients coming back.
6. How long it took you to become profitable.
7. What you would do different if you had to do it all over again.
8. Why new and existing customers choose you over the competition.
9. What is unique about your product and/or service.
10. Your short-term and long-term goals.
11. How you could help a business owner build their business by purchasing your product or service.

Step 2: Partnering with other companies
Once you re-program your mind to focus on helping other people, you will quickly begin to see the rewards come back ten-fold.
The search engines rank your website/business based off the relativity and quality of content, and even the popularity of your page. Your primary goal is to get to the top of the search engine when a potential customer/client is searching for information. The higher your ranking, the more traffic your site will receive.
One great way to do this is to research for companies you could partner up with to send each other referrals. For example, if you own a printing company, find another company who could refer business to you and vice versa.
I am recommending you contact and build partnerships with such companies in the industries closely related to your business. Once you have built the relationships/partnerships, offer to put a link to their website on yours and once it's completed, ask for the same in return.

Step 3: Never stop learning
The moment you stop improving yourself and/or growing your business will be the moment your company begins to decline in success. It may take five or ten years, but eventually the competition will surpass you. Don't ever get comfortable. Don't ever get content. Company B is always working just as hard, if not harder than you, to become Company A.
Step 4: Using the tools available
There are many great services available to help you build your online presence at little or no cost. Every one of the following sources are imperative to your success so please, make sure to create an account for each of them.
Don't forget to put all the accounts in your business name. This is very important to increase your web presence. No one will know who you are unless you tell them.
Due to editorial guidelines, we are going to list the accounts types based off the most popular search engines and other social and media sites out there: Email, Business Solutions, Site Analytics, Site Pay-Per-Click for Search Engine Optimization, Blogs, Social Networking, Forums, Video Upload Sites, and any other related site out there.

I am the Author, Creator, and President of CloakA.com. I am an entrepreneur and a visionary as well as a motivator and mentor. I will teach you how to build your own successful online business. My 1st book, Money Does Grow on Trees, is a motivational and inspirational book and my 2nd book, How Money Grows on Tress, teaches the nuts and bolts of how to grow your business along side my step-by-step coaching program.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shane Russell is the President of  CloakA Communications (www.cloakaco.com) His weekly CloakAzine is designed to take situations you deal with on a daily basis and relate them to business as well as improving your life. Twitter: @CloakAdotcom
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Opinions expressed in this article are those of the guest author and not necessarily that of Trademarkia or it's representatives. Read the latest Trademarka Blog post here.

How to Use Social Media to get a Job

Read Trademarkia's latest blog post here.
--------------------------------------------------------------

Many internet start-ups and small businesses advertise their hiring positions on sites likes Craigslist, Twitter, Linkedin, even Trademarkia! For example, we are currently looking for a Superstar Interaction Designer.

The Search Engine Journal recently posted an article on How to Use Social Media to get a Job.

Some helpful tips and highlights of the article mention having a complete profile: picture, full name, links to your social network profiles, and even your blog (if it is relevant). However, make sure you act professional and separate work from play on your social media accounts. For example, it is a good idea to have separate twitter accounts for your personal opinions (i.e. I just ate a YUMMY sandwich) and your work (i.e. relevant links to news articles, blogs, people, etc...). Twitter utilizes a useful keyword search that may help you find a job! I learned today that Mashable is hiring a Community Assistant via a retweet by @benparr from @ckanel.

Make sure to request recommendations from former employers on Linkedin. You can also link your blog and twitter to automatically update on a news feed, as well as use many of the useful profile applications Linkedin has.

Be aware though, keep your personal social media profiles private, or fix up your Facebook. According to onrec: the global online recruitment resource, there is list of no-no's that employers are turned away from:

1. References to drug abuse
2. Extremist / intolerant views, including racism, sexism
3. Criminal activity
4. Evidence of excessive alcohol consumption
5. Inappropriate pictures, including nudity
6. Foul language
7. Links to unsuitable websites
8. Lewd jokes
9. Silly email addresses
10. Membership of pointless / silly groups