Search Engine Optimization

I recently was hired full time by the technology company, Boston Logic. And I have learned so much about Search Engine Optimization (SEO) even since I started here as an intern in February.

If you have a website, you need to know about SEO. SEO is an attempt to increase your ranking when your customers or potential leads search for you in Google or other major search engines. So when you have a web page, Google spiders your pages in a formula that has to do with relevant keywords, web page age, and unique content. It's a lot to understand, but here are some tips you can use to get your SEO Campaign started!


1) Pick your keywords. These are the words your customers are typing into Google to find you - put yourself into their minds and select 10-20 appropriate keywords, and stick to them.

2) Optimize your web pages. This is a fancy way of sprinkling your keywords all over your pages. Doing this consistently and repetitively will increase your relevant content and ranking with search engines.

3) Categories are your meta tags. This is applicable for etsy, but you can find what your website uses for meta tags by going to the "Page Source" on your browser from the "View Menu". Choose categories that are ideally your keywords: things that your customers are looking for. Your meta tags will be in quotes after the meta in between <>'s.

4) The beginning of your shop announcement is your meta description. This is true for etsy as well as other websites: your first sentence of your website is your meta description, and will show up in google search results underneath your website. Have this sentence be straight, to the point, and hopefully full of your keywords!

5) If you don't have a blog GET ONE. Create categories, labels, and tags for all of your keywords, then optimize your old posts with them and tag them appropriately. Keep blogging posts around your keywords. To get a blog to rank, it depends on the age, links that you are adding to your text, relevant content (i.e, keywords), and amount of posts. A good goal to shoot for would be 100 posts.

6) Keep track with Google Analytics Don't just do all of this stuff, monitor your progress! I recommend keeping track of keyword rankings each month for progress - I'll write a separate post on Boston Logic's Keyword Placer later, which is a great tool to check how your site is ranking for your keywords each month. But check Google Analytics frequently, see what posts are popular, where your traffic is coming from, etc. (You can read more about actually installing Analytics here)


There is also a TON of information out in the cybersphere about SEO with theories and other methods you can try. So in your downtime, experiment: what have you got to lose?

I've recently been attempting to optimize my mother's blog and website. The website may be due for an upgrade soon: but there was recently a post written about how to silk screen, and I submitted it to StumbleUpon: our visits went through the roof! So don't forget to syndicate (fancy word meaning to spread it around via social media) your content: if you have a website or blog, letting it sit there will not let leads come to you!

Blue Striped Shell Earrings

These Blue Gray Striped Earrings are my most recent creation and now available for sale on Etsy. The instant I saw these shells while shopping for routine calligraphy supplies one day, I was drawn to them. I love using shells in my handmade jewelry, and the unique look of these was very interesting. The blue-gray iradescent shell with contrasting black stripes really draw the eye in and pop. I used a freshwater pear to offset the darkness of the shell and to make the earring glow. And, I am going to admit, the shell reminded me of cinnamon toast crunch.

Look at the cereal.

Now look at the earrings.


Not quite as delicious, and shameless, I know. But beautiful nonetheless. These are also just one of the hundreds of pairs I make every year, using all different stones and shells, pearls and quartz, and sell for a reasonable $10. So make your purchase on etsy or stay tuned for the craft show nearest you if local!

Yoga On Top of Boston!

Last Tuesday, my coworkers and I participated in a free offer with FP3, in collaboration with South Boston Yoga Studio and Plank at an FP3 penthouse! (I'm in the above picture on the bottom left, in the black tank top!) First was a fast-paced *warm* session of yoga, taught by very bendable and funny David Vendetti of South Boston Yoga. On the way out, there were some spa goody bags provided by Bliss: which had tote bags, facial samples, a book and a ton of other stuff. There was also amazing fresh-fruit-infused cocktails provided by Cold River Vodka. And yeah, after an intense session of yoga, a cocktail or two is required. I also got a FREE artistic and eco-friendly Plank yoga mat that was designed by a very talented yoga guru, Doreen Hing. And it was all free. Yeah.



Soooo you should check out FP3's blog for future events. Because, in case you don't remember, here's what I got:

• Free booze - fruity mango and strawberry drink with Cold River Vodka
• Free yoga lesson, in a PENTHOUSE overlooking BOSTON (see above photoness)
• Free yoga mat to do said-yoga on - mine was the plank design, and apparently these are $95 ea.!
• Free booze again
• Free hor d'oerves in the form of fruit, sushi, and chicken on a stick (not all on the same stick)
• Free gift bag with a book, facial samples, book, 2 tote bags, etc..
• One more free booze

:)