As of yesterday, we have Google’s newest suggestion tool – Google +1. I’m guessing it’s a way to eventually cut the cord with Facebook since it’s becoming an imminent threat.

Google’s +1 is a wicked tool that will show up next to search results (rather than just influencing it behind the scenes). Your +1 is a social endorsement of a website. According to Google, +1 is “your stamp of approval.” This is quite similar to a direct link used in factoring PR.

Differing Results

I’m not sure if you all have noticed, but if you are logged in to your Google account, you would yield different search results.

The more endorsements you gain – whether by peers or strangers – the better your search rankings will be. Here’s how it will look on a search result.

I know that it’s another thing to add to your website, but it helps. And I’m sure that Google would give itself precedence over other suggestion tools.

Get +1 Now

If you’re using Blogger, I’m sure Google has added that feature already.

For WordPress users, you can use the following plugin. It’s not great because it doesn’t allow for customizations (yet).

If you want to install it manually, it’s not too difficult.

Header
Go to your header.php file or master head file and look for </head>. You’re going to need to add Google’s API code there. Paste the following codes right before </head>.

<script type="text/javascript" src="http://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js"></script>

Post
Next, go to your post area (single.php for WordPress) and paste the following codes. I would add it on top and bottom of the post.

<div style="float:right; margin-right:10px;">
<g:plusone size="medium"></g:plusone>
</div>

You’re welcome to change “medium” to any of the four button types:

• size=”small” – displays +1 at 15px height
• size=”medium” – displays +1 at 20px height
• size=”standard” – displays +1 at 24px height
• size=”tall” – displays +1 at 60px height

You could also display the +1 count or hide it. More information can be found here along with a lot of other nifty customizations.

Join Experiment

Start stamping your approval across the web by joining this Google +1 experiment. To learn how to do this, go to Google’s Experiment page and click “Join Experiment” on the upper right corner.

What to do next…

If you haven’t already, please add the Facebook “like” button. Afterwards, integrate Google’s new +1 suggestion tool. Since I’m not Matt Cutts, I cannot guarantee that it will change your results, but I have a good feeling it will.

For non-believers of SEO, I just have a one simple question. “When was the last time you used Google or another search engine?”

As for me, 2 seconds ago, so I guess SEO is not dead. Don’t wrack your brains on this one…

Anyway, if you have found this helpful, I always love -

1. for you to share with your friends via Twitter, Facebook and I guess +1 buttons below
2. comment one thing you’re doing this weekend

Catch you later,

Lawrence Chan

P.S. I’m going to try to convince Julie to watch Super 8 this weekend – yikes!

P.P.S. Some kind words from readers of my psychology for pricing e-book…

Good news and bad news. Good news is that many people were able to take advantage of the workshop and videos. Bad news is that all good things must come to an end.

The SEO DVDs will still be available, but the $200 discount is going to end today at 11:59PM PST. Discount codes are floating around everywhere so pay attention – email subscriptions, twitter, etc.

Here are some emails that I received regarding the step-by-step video tutorials videos. They not only show what needs to be done, but why it is done.

Dawn Davis:

I just wanted to let you know that we reviewed your SEO videos and they are FANTASTIC. They reiterate everything you talked about at your workshop and more. They are so easy to follow and so well made that we can’t wait to take the time to put into practice everything you have taught us.

Louise Beattie

Whilst I am here, I thought I might give you a little feedback. One thing that jumps out at my is the way you have broken the DVD down into bite sized chunks with good titles. Makes it so much easier to come back to and find what you are looking for. I also like that each video is concise and cleanly presented. Great job, itching to put it all into action but having to wait whilst my blog url is updated to a separate domain as per one of the free video recommendations (should be ready this morning).

David Bock

Your vid turned out the awesomes!!!

Curtis Moore

Watching the amazing blogging videos from @tofurious and just got to the boat video… So freaking funny! Great info!

For more reviews, please check back on the older posts – here and here.

Good luck,

Lawrence Chan

NOTE: I just shot out an email and I realized how POORLY it was written so I apologize in advance. I am just a little bit excited as well as tired. Thanks for understanding!

In the last two months I was hosting the nationwide SEO workshops. In the last three days, I released some sample content.

• Blogging techniques (for converting traffic)
• SEO – Google PageRank 101
• SEO – Battle of blogs

I’ve been getting a number of questions regarding the SEO digital downloads, so I took this morning to answer everything.

I’m Just Starting Out, Can I Still Benefit?

Lots of People Have Taken Your Workshop, Can I Still Compete?

SEO Is Complicated

SEO Is All About UGLY Titles

Are You Saying That Word Of Mouth Is Useless?

I Suck At Blogging

Best regards,

Lawrence Chan

P.S. I am releasing the videos tomorrow Thursday, December 3rd at 12pm PST. There will be coupons floating around. If you are considering to get a copy of this program, you should DEFINITELY check out these videos to see whether this is a right fit for you.

Should it be

www.yourwebsite.com/blog

or

www.yourwebsiteblog.com

Another free video tutorial

There is no subscription form or anything (but I do appreciate your interest). Just download it directly! Keep in mind that this is subjective. However, I do have a preference and you will realize it in the free video.

Click here to download

Just remember that my marketing videos (SEO and blogging) finally go on sale on Thursday, December 3rd! There will be some coupon codes floating around to kick off the sale…trust me, you’re going to want to get your hands on one!

Which Blog Platform?

I already wrote a whole article here talking about why I love WordPress. It’s free. And I even have a free theme! No excuses.

Ciao bella,

Lawrence Chan

P.S. Okay, maybe I shouldn’t have put my cell as an option because I am getting lots of text messages with questions rather than comments or email. Anyway, tomorrow I will answer them all. So if you have any questions about …anything, feel free to contact me.

I mentioned that the videos will be ready December 1st, but I have to postpone it to Thursday 12pm PST (December 3rd) because I am filming a few more videos to add to the series.

Check out the samples; I’m confident you all will like them!

SEO Volume I and II = 19 VIDEOS
Virtually every nugget of knowledge I have about SEO is all video recorded with easy to follow instructions

Subscribe to the following email list to download one of the videos! It is SEO 101 about Google PageRank (PR) and how it works.

Blogging Techniques = 36 VIDEOS
Learn how I convert my traffic into inquiries

Read the sample blogging techniques I shared on [b]school’s webinar here.

Questions?

I imagine that there will be questions about the DVDs, so ask away. You can contact me at any medium that you feel most comfortable with:

Email
tofulawrence@gmail.com

Comment
below

Twitter
@tofurious

Facebook
www.facebook.com/tofurious

I will address all of the concerns in a video in the next couple of days. I want to make sure that everything is ironed out before the sale date on December 3rd.

Cheers,

Lawrence Chan

P.S. I’m not a vegetarian anymore (was for about 5 years though), but I love tofu more than anything else. That’s why when I saw that Jasmine Star and Lauren Hillary were eating tofurkey, I smacked my forehead – why didn’t I get that?! Instead, I passed on the turkey this year and had Chinese food. Keep in mind that I’ve never seen or had a tofurkey before, so all I can imagine right now is a golden brown block of tofu. Am I right? I’m pretty sure not. Either way, I’m salivating…

Two months ago, I had the privilege of sharing what I had learned about strategic online marketing with many photographers ranging from top 10 in the world to those with less than 10 months in business.

My workshop focused on two items:

1. SEO (Search Engine Optimization) – being found on Google
2. Blogging Techniques – converting traffic into inquiries (examples)

Reasons Why I Chose SEO

The traditional form of advertisement (word of mouth) is only effective amongst the current client base. Outside that circle of influence, there is a large audience that is untapped. The goal is to be found by those who do not know you.

Why This?

There is probably a ton of options out there all claiming to be SEO experts, but when it all boils down, I can prove it with my inquiries and online ranking. Plus, it’s more than just SEO that makes a sale.

Being found is only half of the battle. The rest is strategic marketing (sample) through blogging, which will convert traffic into clients.

Some Testimonials

I didn’t have the chance to put together everyone’s testimonials, so it’s incomplete and a bit scattered.

Lots Of My Heroes

Aaron Dieppa, Becker, Ann Hamilton

Jasmine Star

Gene Higa, Keats Elliot, Catherine Hall

Dane Sanders

Sara France, Jose Villa

Mike Colon

Robert Evans, Doug Boutwell, Shaun Austin, Peter Garr, and more…

Catherine Hall

Tiffany Fosnight (Adeline & Grace Photography)

Doug Boutwell (Totally Rad Actions)

Kameron & Lyndsay (Shooting Gallery)

Kara Schultz

If Interested…

There will be a digital download coming very very soon so subscribe!

1. SEO Volume I and Volume II
2. Blogging Techniques (sample)

Invest into your business by arming yourself with new marketing strategies (auspiciously for the new year).

Sincerely,

Lawrence Chan

P.S. If there is one thing you could get for XMAS, what would it be? My Honda Civic is looking a bit bleh… Hmmm…

On Tuesday, October 20, 2009, Showit is hosting a FREE webinar that will elaborate on some of their newest features while I expound on basic topics of how SEO (search engine optimization) can help your business.

REGISTER HERE

We’ll review in detail all the SEO specific features of Showit and how to trick out the SEO for your Showit website. Tofurious will also be doing a basic overview of SEO topics like Page Rank, links and source linking, Google Analytics, Google Webmaster Tools, and social media integration. -Showit

UPDATE: SEO Q&A with Tofurious

The webinar was pretty cool! The video was slightly corrupted, so Showit shared the answers online:

Want my slides?

See you there!

Lawrence Chan

P.S. I will be doing this webinar in New York at the gracious Jason Groupp‘s studio during his workshop and my workshop. That guy rocks!

If you are a bride, please check out the photographers below! If you are a photographer, follow @tofurious and subscribe to the mailing list!

The San Francisco SEO and marketing workshop was hosted at Hilton in the Financial District. I had the privilege of staying in one of their business suites and had a pretty wicked view (not the best, but very nice at night). I don’t mind having an office like this.

Right next door was Chinatown where R&G Lounge was a skip away. For those who have not been there, try the salt-and-pepper crab!

Awesome San Francisco (and Canadian) Wedding Photographers

The Memory Journalists – wedding photography led by Jennifer Dunham Starr based in Folsom, CA
Tiffany Fosnight – Adeline and Grace are wedding and boudoir rockstars in Napa Valley
Marin Kristine – Bay Area boudoir and wedding photographer
{ WLQ } Photography – San Francisco based engagement and wedding photographer
Rebecca Wilkowski Photography – SF and Bay Area Green photojournalist
Jessie Cho Photography – SF and Bay Area wedding photojournalist
Dave Shilling Photography – a tall white guy from Sacramento who shoots rad pictures
Lori Paladino Photography – SF and Bay Area wedding and lifestyle photographer
Jerry Yoon Photography – San Francisco wedding photographer woot
Kirstie Tweed – wedding and portrait photographer based in Banff, Canada
Sara Goetz – wife of Chris Goetz and operate from the Bay area
Ashley Summer – a girl who shoots all types of things – bang!
Kameron Olds – Shooting Gallery with brides as targets

I love the city of San Francisco. I’ve even considered to move to the Bay Area and start a new wedding photography business. Who wants to let me second shoot?

Be well,

Lawrence

P.S. Seattle’s Dick’s Burgers < In-N-Out

P.P.S. I am using this post to do some test If you guess right, I’ll think of a cool prize to give away.

I am not saying that I am a super expert in this area, but I have been pretty successful with targeted search results, wedding inquiries and web traffic. This article will expound lightly on these topics:

1. Why Google loves WordPress
2. Google does not use meta keywords, but others might

Google Loves WordPress

I have been a long time supporter of WordPress and trying to sing their good graces everywhere I go. WordPress is (in my opinion) the most powerful web / blogging platform. Don’t take my word for it, Matt Cutts (head of WebSpam for Google since 2000) even says it in his presentation (slide 12).

WordPress takes care of 80-90% of (the mechanics of)
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Google Does Not Use Meta Keywords

Yes – you heard right! Google Webmaster Central Blog announced that Google does not use meta keywords in their indexing (elaborated by Matt Cutts).

Now, you should know by now – I LOVE Google. I trust Google for my entire business – planning, discussion groups, mobile apps, everything is Google!

However, keep in mind that Google is only 65% of the search engine user market (pre-Bing) as of April 2009. See for yourself.

What about the other 35% of the market that includes Yahoo, MSN, Bing, and AOL, just to name a few. What about them? Google might not use meta keywords, but these guys might. Therefore, why would you potentially cut yourself off from 35% of the market by not using meta keywords when it’s already there anyway? I’m just sayin’…why not? It’s more business! I don’t know about you, but I like more business

I hope this article demystifies my point of view on which blogging platform to use and the importance of meta keywords. I welcome feedback on this matter!

Cheers,

Lawrence Chan

P.S. Of all Mexican foods, I like tamales the most. Mmmmm…