Comma splices are a common mistake in today's writing. This video is helpful for anyone looking to improve their writing. It has plenty of useful information and gives great advice.


https://youtu.be/SGqGWMoRJC0

Advancements in the Search Engine Marketing Industry

The SEM (search engine marketing) industry has faced many changes throughout the year. Google, the leader in market share for search advertising, has changed the layout of their SERP (search engine results page) earlier this year. This new format removes 4 PPC (pay-per-click) ads from every SERP. By no longer having positions 8-11, advertisers must make the necessary optimizations in order to remain within the first page. Google continues to reward ads based on relevance, so it is important to match the ad text, with the landing page.

Google has developed an algorithm called Ad Rank, which calculates the cost and positioning of every eligible PPC ad. Many factors are taken into consideration with Ad Rank such as the expected CTR (click through rate) and the quality of the landing page. The landing page should be transparent and easy to navigate around. CTR’s allow advertisers to see how engaging the ads are. Having a high CTR improves the Ad Rank which also lowers the CPC (cost-per-click). If the CTR is low, the advertisers may want to change the verbiage and create a more compelling message.

Google also updated the format of their text ads later in the year; increasing the amount of characters allowed per line. The description line increased from 35 to 80 characters including spaces and punctuation. Advertisers are already taking advantage of these expanded text ads. The additional ad space gives marketers more freedom when creating text ads. The deadline to transition from standard ads to expanded ads is January 31, 2017, so this gives marketers plenty of time to make the necessary updates. 

Smart phones and tablets play an important role in the SEM industry. With all the technological advances in the past decade, phones continue to be a big part of our daily lives. Companies are now making dynamic webpages that adjust websites for different screen sizes. When optimizing for mobile devices, pop-ups should definitely be avoided. The small screen sizes from mobile devices tends to generate a lot of accidental clicks. Another factor to take into consideration is the font style and size. The text from the landing pages should be clear and easy to read, for both mobile and tablet devices.  

In conclusion, the SEM industry is constantly changing and finding new ways of targeting internet users. Google continues to lead the way with innovative and new ideas, but they are not the only ones. The Yahoo/Bing network is also a force to be reckoned with. This network has steadily increased in market share since the two networks first merged in 2009. Although the future is uncertain, 2017 will be an interesting year for search advertising as Google strives to stay ahead of the competition. 

This video did an excellent job of explaining Google Ad Rank. This is a must see video for anyone looking to get started in the SEM (Search Engine Marketing) industry. 

https://youtu.be/PjOHTFRaBWA

“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing."

-- Walt Disney

Both of my parents are successful entrepreneurs who taught me the importance of hard work. This is a excellent quote that I felt I could relate to. The message is clear, to the point, and has no limitations. 

This is a great video for anyone who needs help with writing a resume. Linda Spencer effectively explains how to properly market oneself to potential employers. The video is only three minutes long and has plenty of interesting information.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAthQKLhBTs&feature=youtu.be

Overcoming Trouble

          Ever have a friend that would give his life for yours? I can say I did. I was fortunate to have great friends by my side throughout my youth. At the age of eleven, my best friend Andres, and I decided to go swimming in a nearby lake. We made our way to the designated swimming area but quickly grew bored of the waist-high waters. In an effort to challenge ourselves we agreed to swim to the other side of the lake. I swam about forty feet from the shoreline when I came to the realization that my life was in danger. Unable to swallow my ego anymore, I yelled towards my friend in panic, "What if i don't make it to the other side?" He responded with a smile I could never forget and yelled back, "Don't worry, I won’t let that happen to you, and swim on your back. It's easier." I switched my swimming position and felt immediate relief. Eventually I made it to the other side of the lake unharmed. I am forever grateful for Andres and how he helped me get through this troublesome situation. 

Why Do Photographers Charge So Much?

This is an interesting article from my coworker. The author explains why photographers charge hefty fees for photo shoots. He makes key notes about common expenses photographers incur, fees that most people wouldn’t consider. I highly suggest this article it’s very informative and to the point. 

http://www.derekcasas.com/single-post/2016/09/13/Why-Do-Photographers-Charge-So-Much