Now, I've come to realize that I shouldn't have been so easily impressed. Google just released Google Instant (by now you've likely already experienced for yourself) which provides results literally the instant you begin typing. Pretty amazing…pretty cool!

This instant result paradigm presents some interesting implications for internet marketing. As a sort of predictive search, Google is using its vast database of previous searchers to guess what I am looking for and displays results that it thinks I want to see even before I finish typing the words. As a user, I find myself altering my search approach and, at times, selecting the keyword "best guesses" that Google came up with rather than finishing my own typing. While this seems innocent enough, we have to remember that Google is largely funded through its ad business and certain keywords demand higher prices. Google's own suggested results could inherently lead searchers towards certain ads/content. Intentions aside (after all, Google tries to "do no evil") Google is in a precarious position in terms of how they can influence the world of search and the associated advertising. Some argue that this doesn't change anything but try for yourself and see if you find yourself changing the way your search for information.

On a side note, as I monitor my ranking for terms like "internet marketing buffalo" and "marketing professor", I am seeing differences that seemed to be attributed to the data center where results are pulled from. For example, when I search for the term "internet marketing buffalo" from my office in Buffalo, NY, I see that www.kevintrainor.com comes in at the #1 or #2 spots. Meanwhile a friend of mine residing in Arizona who executes the same query finds this site on page 3! The same holds true for the term "marketing professor". It seems that I need to continue to optimize and will continue monitoring these differences.

I am pleased with where my site stands given how new my site is and how little time I have spent optimizing the site for search engines. Now, it's time to refine my strategy and incorporate some techniques such as link building (getting other sites to include a link back to yours) and microsites (niche landing pages that link to my site). I have started with a couple links from my e-marketingclass blog. In addition to this, keyword analysis reveals that my site is a little light on the keywords I want to be visible for so I need to do more writing!

In the meantime, I will include relevant RSS feeds from other marketing blogs (on the right side of the page) in hopes to pull in meaningful content/keywords.

Key takeaways:

1. Social media is (and will continue to be) a useful tool for just about any business.
2. Businesses need to become comfortable with the social media landscape and listen, engage and act responsibly.
3. It might be OK to admit faults and apologize.
4. Failing to acknowledge #2 or #3 can lead to this excellent example of how not to use social media in a business context.

Having spent my college days and about 12 years of my post-college working life in either Tucson or the Phoenix/Scottsdale area, I am glad to have the seasons back.  My wife, on the other hand, would be happy giving up the fall colors and sweaters for a couple more weeks of sun but she is also happy that the kids get a chance to enjoy winter activities (rather than waiting around for the snow to be trucked in for annual Scottsdale Winter fair…again, seriously!).

So returning to the question, "why Buffalo?". Well, before accepting a great position as a marketing professor at Canisius College, my wife and I performed our due diligence and were pleasantly surprised at all the positive things we found. First and foremost, we heard a consistent message about how "family friendly" the area is and the abundance of excellent school districts serving the area. We are happy to confirm both of these accounts! Forbe's also picked up on this and recently named Buffalo as one of "America's Best Places To Raise A Family 2010".

In addition to the family-friendliness, good schools, and seasons, we have already enjoyed the nearby sites of Letchworth State Park, the Strong Museum of Play , Coca-Cola Field (home to the Buffalo Bisons) and of course, Niagara Falls. I'll say we've added much more to our list of funt things we want to do than we have checked off. Well, the kids just got back from the beach (I stayed home with their sister) so I'll have to cut this posting short. Off to the batting cages!

Having recently completed my first academic year at Canisius College and getting settled into the Buffalo Metro area, I’ve decided it’s finally time to turn my attention to my own online presence. My current graduate course in Internet Marketing (a.k.a. MBA 638) also encouraged me to get things going. So, with any luck I should have things up and running in no time (relatively speaking). In the meantime, be sure to check out the discussions we’re having in class by reading our e-marketingclass blog.