The Comment Tater

I'm so thankful to be able to blog. It feels great to exercise my right to free speech. What a relief. When the dark clouds gather over your head, it is healing to write and to have conversation with others.

Posing a Question
How many websites do you manage? How many blogs do you manage? Would you be surprised to learn that I am responsible for three websites (two public and one internal) and one business blog? Would you further be surprised to learn that I have six personal blogs? Here's a reality check to put things into perspective on my accomplishments (more for me than for you):

• Through the power of Search Engine Optimization, a certain website that I manage has increased Google referrals by 300%.
• Approximately 95% of all inbound calls that are sales inquiries are a direct result of having been found in a search result yielding a listing for above mentioned site.
• The most recent week's log analysis revealed that the business blog ranked 4th place as a referrer to the site.
• The business blog has opened doors to presentations at industry events and publishing opportunities in industry publications.
• Blog referrals to website are becoming returning visitors. Returning visitors = conversions.
  

Tools of the Trade
What are your tools? Mine are Macromedia Studio - Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Flash (to a lessor degree). I also am skilled with Pagemaker, Illustrator, Photoshop. I have used Freehand, Golive, FrontPage. I am a deliberate user (one that is aware) of RSS feeds, which sets me apart from many users who are completely unaware. I also use Click Tracks, Stat Counter and Google Analytics.

I was largely responsible for every effort that made the accomplishments in the perspective piece above possible. My skills are in the areas of search engine optimization, online marketing, graphics design and online communications. You probably didn't know this about me, how could you with such a basic blog? I keep some of my blogs in a separate profile.

The Spice
What else you don't know about me, I am a green belt in Tang Soo Do. That is middle of the way from beginner to black in the style that I am training in. I am learning Korean in my training as it is a traditional Korean style martial art. I am also learning Mandarin Chinese through Chinesepod.com. Bless those people who put that program together. They are doing a fine job with their teaching methods.

My bands and drummers promotional blog is really picking up steam. I've had a number of requests lately to promote bands and drummers. I bet you didn't know that about me, either.

Then there is my beloved Smyrna blog. This blog was designed for the small, but growing, community of Smyrna, TN residents. It is a vehicle of communication and offers viewpoints of the residents of the town. I've offered my services to businesses to promote, at no cost, their business and job openings. I'm looking forward to a growing readership and positioning myself as a go to person in this community.

My interests in blogging and all things technical and cutting edge led me to form the Smyrna Blogger and Podcaster's Group which grew to the Rutherford County Blogger and Podcaster's Group and grew even still to the Middle Tennessee Blogger and Podcaster's Group. Through this group I have made a number of connections throughout Middle Tennessee.

The Blogger's A List
Blogging has led me to meet many unique and talented people such as Joey of TV on The Fritz. Joey is BRILLIANT, well written and sure to be a success in life. There is the future published author, Aunt B. of Tiny Cat Pants, a lady who I adore though I don't always agree with her viewpoint. The talented and intelligent Katherine Coble, who I stand in awe of. She uses words like nerd-bait and I like that. Though we've not met in person, I have admired her from afar. There is also the near future mega music superstar, Newton Dominey. If you haven't heard of Newton, pay close attention... his fame is coming. He has talent, he has the devilishly good looks as well. If there is any futures betting on musicians, put your money on Newton. Let us not forget Jag. Jag is a lady with whom I'm sure I could get myself into a lot of trouble with. Beautiful, smart and very funny.

My list would not be complete without mentioning the three closest friends that I have made through blogging: Ivy, Chip and Michael. These three hold a very special place in my heart. They have tugged on emotional strings that remained hidden for a number of years. Chip is one of the hardest working people I know. Ivy knows the world. She is a people person and a great discussion facilitator. My friend Michael... what can I say. He can take one paragraph and turn it into three pages. He is so passionate about the Vols that it is almost beyond imagination. Without these three people, I don't think the Middle Tennessee Blogger and Podcaster's Group would exist. I also like to think that I inspired Kathy T to create the LaVergne blog.

Among the blogs mentioned above, I also have a family blog and a blog on drumkits that my dad makes. Suffice it to say, I am busy.

Looking Forward
What does the future hold? I'd like to gather together the brilliant minds that I have made connections with and develop a videocast show of some sort. I'm interested in Comedy. As you can probably tell from reading previous posts, I have the hots for Jon Stewart. I'd love to have a show that blends Jon Stewart and Monty Python... though they kind of are one in the same.

Tags: Comedy, Videocast, SEO, Search Engine Optimization, Community Blogging, Smyrna, TN Blog