Changing Landscape of SEO

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) continues to evolve through the years.  Many businesses have either evolved with time or have completely lost their way. And with that being said so have the SEO companies. Important questions to ask yourself, do your visitors bounce quickly, have you adopted a social media marketing strategy, are you focused on organic traffic visitors. 

In the beginning it was about keywords and trying to rank for what the consumer is searching for through search engines like Google.  Search Engine Land’s definition of SEO was spot on for business owners and franchisees to grasp. I used the video often in my training sessions to build the base of understanding.

Keywords Are King - NOT

My job as a marketing manager is to hold the SEO vendors that my franchisees use accountable to increase the website organically. A few years ago I remember a vendor stuffing keywords into articles that did not make sense to read. It was a challenge for me to wrap my mind around the concept.  The goal of content is to deliver natural information unlike keyword stuffing.

The Consumer Lands On Your Site – Do They Bounce?

That’s another question that needs to be answered. If they land on a website page and it’s not what they searched for Google takes note.  Take them where they want to go – and make sure what they search for is what they land on. Huge pet peeve of mine J Do they engage with the content? SEO focuses on that and you should too. If the website has a high percentage of bounce rate your SEO quality will drop. Which will hurt your rankings. Focus on the right keywords, your target market and land them where they expect to go is a huge step in the right direction.

The Importance of Social Media Strategy 

Twitter, Facebook, Google+ Authorship and at times Pinterest are now showing up in search engines. So why is this important for SEO? The more people engage with your brand the more relevant you become with SEO. Social Media is another way we share and receive content and this is not going away. What’s better than spreading information that’s relevant virally across the web!!

Fall and Winds of Change

This is one of my favorite times of year.  It's one of the many changes that we face, but this change you don't mind accepting. It brings football games, soccer, routines and schedules!

Just the sound of anything pumpkin, the cool breeze and fresh air blowing through the windows. Fall Fashion! Fall Colors! Love, love, love! I'm ready for a new beginning and to start another chapter with this season.  I welcome this change and I hope everyone reading this will too!

What are you looking forward to about fall? 

Semi Homemade - Charro Beans

Those who know me know I'm not much of a cook :)  Well that was before I became a single mom! Now, I love to cook! I love to figure out shortcuts and ways to blend spices and tastes.  I love making things feel fresh and that I worked for hours in the kitchen! I actually learned that from my Pop-Pop many years ago! In honor of him, H.T. Sexton,  I'm going to share one of my favorites that you can have with BBQ or mexican food.  Charro Beans!

The Photo above is what I use.  You'll need a can of pinto beans, fresh onion, fresh cilantro Pace Mild Chunky Salsa and optional green bell pepper. Next you dice the onion, when I buy the large can of beans I will use the whole onion.  If I buy the small I use 1/2 of onion.  

Add diced onion in your pot and splash some extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) as they beging to  sauté. I also dash some spice to the onions.  You can use season salt or Nature's Seasoning.

Circus is Coming

The Circus is Coming to Town

What's the big deal in planning a carnival for a 4 year old birthday party.  Everything especially if you are me!  Ideas have been running crazy through my mind for the last 5 months.  I also wanted to make sure that I would be able to help other moms take short cuts that I wish I would of thought about.  So here is the approach I took and I hope it helps you.




10-12 Weeks Out:

1. Picked a Date -- I like before nap time for younger kids so that's my rule of thumb planning this party.
2. Entertainment -- Especially clowns in smaller towns the more advance date you can give the bette. I found  a local advertising book and asked friends for referrals.
3. Venue -- I picked a venue that I could use both in and outdoors.  I wanted to maximize the space in every aspect. However, I needed a backup plan in case the weather wasn't in my favor.  

6-8 Weeks Out:

1. Make a Guest List 
2. Invitations and Thank You's:  Where to order? What to order or to print?  I found my circus invitations and thank you cards on Etsy. I based all colors and finished theme around the invites. 

Stay Tuned for part 2 of the circus!

Decorating with Fabric

Once Addison turned four, I wanted her room to transform from baby to toddler. I fell in love with the Fabler line from Ikea. I purchased the bedding and fabric to use as the base of her room.

So let's talk about fabric decorations. I purchased different size canvas and red polka dot tissue paper. I put the tissue paper on the canvas first with Modge Podge. After that dried I cut the fabric to wrap around the canvas. Once I found how I wanted it to look, I tucked it and stapled to the back.

It's that simple!! I hope you have fun with your projects.

Undercover Boss Fun

What a busy month!!  I'm not sure how many of you watched Mr. Rooter Plumbing on "Undercover Boss" but how exciting was it to see my company featured.

Whitney Wyatt, Mr. Rooter Plumbing Mascot, and Fawn Barlow
Waco, TX

This was a great success with over 10 million viewers who watched the show. I have never been more proud to work for The Dwyer Group and for a wonderful CEO and Chairwomen, Dina Dwyer-Owens. I told Dina she would be America's next sweetheart, and I believe she was just that!  Our company has a strong foundation built around the Code of Values and we were able to show America that great companies still exist.  I love what I do and who I do it for.  Live RICH (Respect, Integrity, Customer Focused and Having Fun in the Process)!

The Christmas Pile

After months of planning all the perfect gifts and planning the perfect lunch with the family, it seems to me as long as you are truly happy you will not feel depressed. When everything is opened and everyone is gone is when I was fulfilled. The meaning of Christmas sunk in for me this year. I am blessed and I am loved.

This was one of the best Christmas's I've ever had. Addison was so overwhelmed with her presents and so happy. For a brief moment she looked up from opening one of her many presents and says "Merry Christmas". It was so sweet and pure.

A few years ago when Addison and I started living on our own, my mom and I started the tradition of having her spend the night on Christmas eve and being with us for Christmas morning. I love this because we get to experience the love of our lives in pure joy.

Spending the day with my family and cooking for them the way our grandparents used to do to listening to the girls laughing and playing and of course bickering. The fun part is we like each other its not a must we love it we have grown closer over the past few years. Christmas eve night, we looked at Christmas lights and sang carols and opened the famous, 1 present, jammie's!! Yep that mom;)

Christmas morning one of my favorite is to empty the gifts around the tree and making piles for all too see. Then once we have it opened the gifts all that's left is one huge pile of bows and wrapping paper. And for some, those little things are overlooked but for me putting on the bows and picking out the best paper is fun. Even if it ends up in a big pile!

Now that Addison is with her other family I get to be the little girl and play with her toys!! Until next time. Have yourself a Merry Christmas even if the day is over.