Vermont Shortbread Company

Web Content Awareness Day: An Information Celebration

Don't Miss Web Content Awareness Day 2007: An Information Celebration. Get instant access to trusted service providers, advice from top web marketing experts, great offers and more. WCAD runs Jan 9 to Feb 9, 2007.

What's Web Content Awareness Day (WCAD)?  Let's just say if you're in a web-based business, WCAD is for you.  All the answers to your questions about copywriting and marketing on the web are answered by the experts here.  Be sure to sign up for daily email notices of events and information by dropping your email address in the form at the bottom of the page. 

Come join us!  This year will be even more fun and action-packed than the first WCAD in 2006!

The Origins of Shortbread: Wikipedia

The little elves here at Vermont Shortbread Company have written about the origins of shortbread before (see our shortbread rticle archives).

What's really cool, however, is that we're in Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia.  Not too shabby, huh? 

And we're still on page one of Google using the search word "shortbread".  Sometimes we move onto page two and then we know it's time to up the article marketing or other search engine attention-grabbing efforts.  Best thing of all, these efforts don't cost a penny.  While many people pay for search engine placement, we've done it the old fashioned way; creatively and with consistent effort. 

You, too, can achieve the same results for your business.  Find out how today.   

The Buddy System

Not only is the buddy system essential safety protocol for swimmers, but I do believe it should be a requirement for internet marketers as well. 

It's been rainy in the northeast for about a month.  I've been working my tail off in my full time job.  I have great help with my business (ezine, web site, baking, bookkeeping), but the bottom line is: if I'm not keeping on top of things, nothing new can happen.  Yes, the world does revolve around me. 

So, this morning an internet marketing buddy gave me a gentle nudge.  "Hey, I haven't seen any of your compassionate, wise blog ramblings lately.  I love your mix of marketing and personal story telling...so c'mon, hit us with something fun and Ann-ish," he said. 

Shortheads don't live on marketing alone.   They like humor, stories, rambling blog entries about trilliums, cats, dogs, and life in Vermont.  That's my brand, for heaven's sake! 

It's another rainy day.  My head is foggy.  And I'm glad I have buddies to remind me what shortheads crave. 

Practice safe internet marketing.  Use the buddy system in swimming AND in your online marketing efforts.  Find a buddy and give each other gentle nudges.  Keep it fun. Keep it simple.

Buddy up today. 

All I Really Want to Do...

Is eat and write about great food while teaching small businesses about internet marketing.  I went to an internet marketing local seminar a few weeks ago and realized how little my local entreprenuerial friends know about things like blogs, keyword-rich copywriting, free publicity, e-zines and mailing list management, and newer technologies such as podcasting.  I could have taught the seminar!  All I want to do is teach the  little guys how easy it is to market without a huge budget...and create new food products...and make a lot of money with my writing and teaching skills. 

What would this job be called?   

Ann Goes Platinum

Today I went platinum.  No, I didn't win American Idol, but pretty darn close! 

I am now a platinum author on ezinearticles.com.  It's simply recognition for good content.  Alas, I don't own any platinum jewelry...just platinum article author status. 

The Article Marketing Dance of Joy

Wheee-haw! 

On the same day I was doing the Goofy Google Dance of Joy, I was featured in the author spotlight on ezinearticles.com.  Check it out - it's brought me quite a bit of traffic recently.  So now I have to make up a new dance. 

Suggestions anyone?  I am not known for my physical grace on the dance floor.  The word "dork" comes to mind.  :-) 

I'm Doing the Goofy Google Dance of Joy

Pray tell, Ann, what is the Goofy Google Dance of Joy? 

Gather 'round dear friends, while I tell the tale of the Goofy Google Dance of Joy. 

Not so long ago, in the far away land of New Jersey, a plucky, intrepid copywriter/internet marketer spontaneously invented the Goofy Google Dance of Joy when she discovered how the right combination of article marketing, keyword-rich, emotionally charged web copy, and the mysterious power of the blog could push her web site up through the Google rankings and ultimately increase her business.   As her web hits and ezine subscriber list grew, so did the Goofy Google Dance of Joy.  It goes like this:

1. Stand straight near your computer screen (preferably displaying YOUR web site, your articles, near the first Google page for your keywords). 
2. Begin to flap your arms wildly around your head and torso.  (Be very careful and do not attempt this move if small children or pets are in the room.)
3. With your arms flapping wildly, begin running in place.  This requires coordination. 
4. With arms and feet moving, yell the phrase, "Wa-hoooooooo!" while randomly bobbing your head and spinning your body in circles until you either get dizzy or throw up. 
5. Perform step 4 until your family begs you to stop. 

Why am I telling you this silly tale? 

Because today, I did the Goofy Google Dance of Joy over and over.  Now I'm hooked and I don't know what to do.  I can't stop.  I don't want to stop.

How did this come about?  Today I Googled the term "shortbread" and guess what?!  My company, Vermont Shortbread Company, came up on PAGE 1!  Right under the venerable Walkers Shortbread.  Walkers is HUGE and they've been around forever!

Dear readers, this is no small feat.  I have not spent a penny on paid internet advertising.  My company is on page one thanks to article marketing, keyword-laden copy in my blog and web site, constantly changing content, strong branding, and some amazing efforts on my behalf by my um..."dance teacher".

Do YOU want to do the Goofy Google Dance of Joy?  Are you ready for the Goofy Google Dance of Joy? 

Ask me how.  But beware, it's addictive.