BlogIN Tags and SEO

[John Uhri]

I'll start the discussion based on our conference call.

Here's the suggestions for keywords to use on flickr, twitter, and our blogs:
#BlogIN
#BlogIN2008

Anyone have suggestions for the SEO words to use?

[Lorraine Ball]

Would it make sense to also use:
Blog in Indiana
Indiana Blogs

[John Uhri]

Ok, we still have some inconsisnency in the meeting notes (uses "Blog-IN") while the logo is "BlogIN".

Which is it?

[Lorraine Ball]

It shoudl be BlogIN no hyphen..

[Nicki Laycoax]

Blog, Indianapolis, event, blogging, blogger, creative, fun, technology, writing, authors, IUPUI, downtown, Indy, Smaller Indiana, business, marketing, stunts, ideas, ideating

[Jim Brown]

Indianapolis blog
Indianapolis blogging
Indianapolis blogger
Indianapolis technology
Indianapolis writers
Indianapolis authors
downtown Indianapolis
IUPUI
Smaller Indiana
(Also consider putting the word "Indy" in place of "Indianapolis" as more people search for the shorthand version)

Note: Words like creative, fun, technology, stunts, ideas, ideating - while fun, won't do anything on the search engines.

[Ken Zweigel]

Thanks for everyone's input on this issue. Based on the conversation during our conference call on Saturday morning, the Smaller Indiana BlogIN committee's attempt to gain some visibility on the search engines has been narrowed to focus on the primary keywords associated with the upcoming conference on April 26.

Given the amount of time available, the committee felt a concentrated effort focused on a few primary words stood a better chance of success than a diluted attempt to gain rankings for a larger set of secondary keyword phrases.

The designated primary keywords for the BlogIN are: Indiana, blog, blogging, blogger, conference, and Indianapolis.

Our keyword research shows a significant audience of people searching for phrases containing combinations of these primary keywords. With enough participation, we could actually gain a presence in the search engine rankings and perhaps drive significant new traffic to the Smaller Indiana website as a result.

I will start the ball rolling by posting a blog that includes and expands upon this information. I will also try to post an optimized blog daily between now and the conference to help with our efforts. Finding the time is easier said than done, but I will do my best.

[Lorraine Ball]

If you can post one optimized blog, and send links to it so we can see the format, that would be awesome. There are enough other folks on SI, that if we follow you lead, you should not have to do it every day.

[Ken Zweigel]

I'm trying, but the phone keeps ringing. I should have the first one up soon.

[Nicki Laycoax]

What if we all posted a blurb on our own personal blogs? Hmmmm?? :)

[Ken Zweigel]

Excellent idea, Nicki. It is definitely helpful to link to your optimized Smaller Indiana blog from your personal blog by using a text link that contains the BlogIN keywords. The search engines like that type of link. Here is a link to my recent post about the subject: Calling All Smaller Indiana Bloggers: Blog for a Cause!

[Erik Deckers]

I posted my blog entry, using a lot of the keywords everyone suggested, and cross-posted it on IChooseIndy.com. A quick Google search of "Indianapolis bloggers" and "Indianapolis blogging" puts the I Choose Indy entry at #3 and #7 respectively.

So, have YOU blogged about BlogIN and BlogMOB?

[Lorraine Ball]

I have posts on www.indy-biz.com and www.lorraineball.com/blog. I also started a discussion on LinkedIn. Now is a good time for everyone to jump in, to talk about the BlogMob on Monday and the BlogIn Unconference on the 26th.