The Buyer Group PR + SEO News

By Lisa Buyer

The best cocktail for marketing these days is public relations mixed with online media – the more social, the better. The 2008 Search Engine Strategies conference in San Jose, CA saw online PR industry heavy hitters come together to discuss the SEO “state of the union.”

Lisa Buyer, PR/SEO expert and CEO of The Buyer Group was among the invited list of search engine optimization conference panelists along with Dana Todd, Lee Odden and Greg Jarboe. Her presentation, discussed the ins and outs of online PR and social media relations, plus its interaction with the consumer.

Optimized Press Releases
Optimizing press releases is the easiest way to reach today’s 24/7 journalist. These journalists often work for multiple publications, leaving less and less time to deal with PR professionals directly. The optimized press release has effectively, and for all intensive purposes, taken place of media relations. In fact, most journalists prefer to be contacted via email with a link to an optimized press release on PRWeb.

Lisa’s Online PR Tips
Looking for a guaranteed front page story headline in a top tier online media outlet? Lisa’s latest tip is a new resource called Newsforce, the first and largest online PR Network for guaranteed news placement that also offers cool tools to help clients gain exposure in news search engines.

Social Media Gains
Don’t neglect your social media options either. The majority of journalists now use Facebook, LinkedIn and other social media sites to find sources for their articles.

Online PR By The Numbers:

•    64 percent journalists report they use Google or Yahoo! online news services to follow the news
•    70 percent reporters check a blog list on a regular basis
•    61.8 percent say blogs were having a significant impact on the “tone” of news reporting
•    1/2 journalists report visiting a corporate Web site or online newsroom at least once a week
•    85 percent journalists report visiting a corporate Web site or online newsroom at least once a month
•    3/4 reporters see blogs as helpful in giving them story ideas

Online PR and the Consumer
Lastly, always remember journalists aren’t the only key stakeholders online. Potential leads and consumers have access to optimized online content through a variety of channels. Google news, social media, and just plain search engine use can provide this key group with access to your client’s brand and message online.

Search Engine Strategies (SES) is the leading global conference & expo series that educates delegates on search engine marketing (SEM), including optimization (SEO) and advertising strategies, tactics and best practices. SES Search Marketing Events provide instruction from the industry’s top Search experts, including representatives of the Search Engines themselves.

Searching for me this week?

Find me in San Jose, California at Search Engine Strategies Conference where I will be mixing, mingling, and speaking.

While I am there, here are some hot topic sessions I plan to attend:

• Universal and Blended Search - Industry gurus share exclusive advancements in the world of search.
• Mobile SEO - Mobile search is all about getting found at the tap of a PDA, don’t get left behind. This session highlights best practices to make existing Web sites mobile-ready.
• Pay Per Conversion - The state of the economy makes every click matter. It’s not just clicks, it’s all about conversions.
• Landing Pages - Getting the most out of your pay-per-click campaign and how it integrates with online PR.
• Google Analytics and Web Optimizer - How to increase the ROI of your Web site? Google continues to innovate around bringing power, flexibility, and accessibility to web analytics.
• Building a Search Friendly Site - Tools on how to please both crawler-based search engines as well as end user and visitors.
• SEO Through Blogs and Feeds - How to improve client blogs and generate feed subscriptions.
• News Search SEO - I’ll be in good company speaking on this topic and sharing insight on how optimized press releases and online PR improve search results. Fellow speakers include search-rock stars, Dana Todd, Lee Odden, and Greg Jarboe.
• Social Media Analysis and Tracking - Facebook, Wikipedia and YouTube can be part of a successful PR campaign. This session shares monitoring tools and tips on increased profitability.
• Facebook, Feeds, and Microblogging - Social networks enable the streamlining and exchange of information, what does this mean for your PR future?

If you want to catch up with me at SES or when I return, just let me know. I’d be happy to set up a time to discuss your online public relations and search engine strategies.