Starting this week, any search results you get on Yahoo! are going to start looking more and more like the search results you get on Bing.

Late last month, Yahoo!’s search marketing blog announced the Yahoo! and Microsoft Search Alliance would start to be implemented by August or September. What this means is that the organic search results listed on Yahoo! will be, in essence, replaced with Bing’s search results. This idea isn’t revolutionary by any means; AOL has been using Google’s search index for some time. However, if you’re concerned about the ranking of your websites, there are some things to consider.

According to Yahoo!, there are three main ways for companies to make sure they are prepared for the transition:

1. Look at your rankings on both Yahoo! and Bing to see which keywords you should focus on.
2. Consider modifying your paid search in order to better align your campaigns with the organic search results.
3. Begin to optimize your website for the Microsoft platform crawler.

There are plenty of more in-depth analyses on how this transition will affect different groups. But for most people, this transition should work toward leveling the playing field with Google – which continues to be the search leader. Microsoft will continue to heavily advertize Bing – on TV, online, etc. – which will help to build both Bing and Yahoo!.

For paid search, it’s just going to mean you’ll have to keep testing your ad campaigns. There shouldn’t be any drastic changes in the effectiveness of any ads you currently have out, but you’ll want to keep a close eye on it for the next few months to make sure nothing crazy happens.

This transition should be beneficial for all parties involved, so keep updated with what’s going on and you shouldn’t have any problems.

Professional Marketing International was honored to receive a Freedom Team Salute Commendation from the U.S. Army, recognizing our support as an Army employer. We are proud of our employees who have bravely served our country in the Armed Forces and we are dedicated to supporting them in this crucial role. Our solemn commitment to them is that they will always have employment waiting for them when they return, regardless of when they are called up and where they are stationed. It is a privilege for us to offer this small token of our appreciation for their selfless service. 

Hundreds of thousands of Army National Guard and Army Reserve Soldiers serve our country in a unique dual role, both here at home and overseas. They are often called to assist states in times of emergencies, such as earthquakes, fires and floods. Additionally, they can be activated for federal missions in the Middle East and elsewhere. While the U.S. Army strives to give as much warning as possible, these brave individuals are often called up on extremely short notice. Their sacrifice, as well as the sacrifice of their families, is an inspiration to all of us. 

For more information on PMI’s involvement support of our troops and other community affairs, please click here.

PMI employees have recently faced off against XanGo employees in series of intense soccer games on the Real Salt Lake field. Additional reports and information from these games can be found on our new site, PMIgames.com. Check out the updated sports information today and feel free to comment on the posts. 

While soccer is definitely a favorite sport of many PMI employees, there are many other activities our employees regularly participate in. From softball leagues to renowned races like the Wasatch Back, PMIgames.com has something for everyone. If you have any suggestions for athletic events PMI employees could participate in, we’d love to hear from you! And if you’d like to challenge PMI employees to an athletic competition, we’re always game!

Regrouping from a heartbreaking loss in their inaugural game, PMI put on an impressive display of offensive firepower in round two. Playing together for only the second time, the team found their rhythm early and kept things tight against an experienced XanGo squad. Much of PMI’s improvement can be attributed to new coach Jim Taylor, who brought organization and strategy to the PMI sideline. According to PMI player Hank Christensen, the difference in tone was immediately noticeable. “We really came together as a team,” he explained. “We were more aggressive and it showed.” 

A definite highlight of the game was exceptional play from both goalies. XanGo’s goalie put on another impressive showing, while PMI player Ryan Hughes excelled in only his second time playing in the box. With the goalies playing so well, both offenses were forced to get creative and play at full-bore. 

XanGo drew first blood in the match, but PMI capitalized on great field position and fired in two goals of their own. As the second half wore on, XanGo was clinging to a 3-2 lead and the PMI offense gave them all they could handle. In a tragic chain of events, no less than three PMI shots ricocheted off the post and crossbar, rendering potential equalizers pointless. PMI player Hayley Stembridge recalls, “Any one of those shots would’ve changed the game. It’s just crazy how close they were.” 

As time ran out on the Real Salt Lake field, XanGo had again prevailed. The PMI team was greatly encouraged by their strong showing and know that the bad luck of three straight ricochets isn’t likely to repeat itself. Round three is already in the works and both teams will get another opportunity to win the latest installment of the PMI – XanGo Challenge!

It is regularly proven that diet, exercise, and genetics are the strongest determining factors of an individual’s health.  I propose we add one more to that list: knowledge.  If you don’t know how healthy you are, what hereditary tendencies you have, or how to improve, your health will invariably suffer.  If you are made aware of your personal health strengths and risks, you can take steps to improve.

Last week, PMI took action to push us out of our health-related ignorant bliss by hosting a health fair where employees could test their blood pressure, body fat, cholesterol, and blood sugar – basic statistics that can help you gauge your overall health.  I, for one, feel renewed motivation to get moving and eating better now that I know how I stack up statistically.  Costco, Gold’s Gym, Flash Factory and a local chiropractor were also in attendance handing out samples and giving consultations on the spot.  All of the data that was collected at the health fair was submitted (anonymously and voluntarily) to PMI so they can figure out how to provide us with the best possible health insurance for the lowest possible price.  Healthy employees = cheaper insurance, and healthy you = less money spent at the doctor’s office, so everyone wins when we know where we stand.

This health fair will likely be the first of many that PMI will host in the years to come.  This new focus on employee wellness will help us all save money and live longer.  Cheers to our long and healthy future!

Employees from PMI recently faced off in a friendly soccer battle against employees from XanGo on the Real Salt Lake practice field. The field was constructed by XanGo in 2007 as a professional-grade practice facility for the Major League Soccer champions Real Salt Lake squad and it was a perfect setting for the match.

Despite the competitiveness of the players from both sides, there were backslaps and smiles all around as they took the field. The PMI team started off strong, controlling the ball and getting several great shots on goal. XanGo’s goalie played an incredible first half, however, and stymied every scoring opportunity. As the first half wore on, the strikers from XanGo found their groove and were able to tally multiple goals. The 45-minute half ended with XanGo’s squad in the lead and the PMI fans cheering for a comeback.

After halftime, the PMI offense regained their swagger, moving the ball aggressively and scoring with authority. Both teams exchanged goals and fought hard for the victory. When the dust settled at the end of the match, XanGo had prevailed in the inaugural PMI – XanGo Soccer Challenge. But the story’s not over, because the teams are already planning a rematch and look forward to taking to the field for another battle!

The entire SEO industry owes a big thank you to Rhea Drysdale this week.

Rhea Drysdale is a young woman who spent two years and almost $20,000 of her own money fighting a ridiculous application to trademark the term “SEO.” Should this application have been approved the applicant, Jason Gambert could have theoretically have sent out Cease and Desist orders to anyone using the term SEO to describe the services they provide. Whether or not he could have won any court battles related to those actions is debatable, but it would have caused a great deal of wasted resources fighting his claims.

And keep in mind, that at the beginning of this fight Drysdale did not even own an SEO company (Outspoken Media was launched in early 2009) and she was 25 years old.

The USPTO officially terminated Gambert’s trademark registration on March 11, 2010. Since then there have been some informative articles and blog posts written about Drysdale’s efforts, including the one she wrote on her own company blog.

Listening to Drysdale recount the experience yesterday on WebmasterRadio.FM was especially poignant. (It was also a great deal of fun to try to keep up with chat during the broadcast. Faster than a Twitter stream!) Many listeners were extremely impressed with her when she graciously refused to disparage SEMPO though given a huge opening to do so. Classy.

Drysdale spent $17,004.33 of her own money on this fight. The other party fighting to the end was Jonathan Hochman, and although it was not his complaint that ultimately resulted in the victory, he incurred $10,000 in costs. That took guts and dedication.

Professional Marketing International could have felt  the impact of this had the decision come down another way. Providing education on how to create a successful online business requires us to use the term SEO within our marketing.

Thank you Rhea Drysdale! No wonder your avatar is She-Ra.

On January 12, 2010 a 7.0 magnitude earthquake stuck the Caribbean nation of Haiti. The epicenter of this major earthquake was 10 miles from the Haitian capital of Porte-au-Prince, home to 2 million of Haiti’s nearly 10 million inhabitants. Within minutes the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere was devastated, only to be repeatedly rocked in the following hours and days by 33 aftershocks ranging in magnitude from 4.2 to 5.9.

As the news and images have come out of Haiti, the realization of the scope of destruction and suffering has affected ordinary people in all walks of life. It would be difficult to see such devastation and not want to reach out and help.

Such is the case with the owners, management and employees of Professional Marketing International. The desire to somehow ease the misery of the people of Haiti, and send a message of hope to those struggling for the very basics of survival, inspired our organization to step forward with a donation toward Haitian relief.

In addition to the generous monetary donation from the corporation itself, PMI has extended a simple donation option to all of its employees through payroll deduction. While the total donated has yet to be calculated, the opportunity to donate was well received by employees.

“Even in the current economic situation, the owners and employees of PMI feel blessed. It is difficult to watch the events in Haiti,and see the people suffering there and not step forward in this simple way to ease some of the misery there.” said Phil Smith, President of Professional Marketing International. “We are grateful we are in a position to help.”

This donation continues PMI’s charitable giving, which in the past has included participation in programs providing holiday help for struggling families, donation of blood to the local blood bank, and other worthy causes worldwide.

If you are serious about introducing your business to a broad audience, efficient advertising is a must. Marketing can take on many different forms, so it is important to keep a limber approach to the following information. These are some tips from PMI Education for improving and managing your marketing so that it can reach the most people in the best possible way.

1. Target Your Marketing: Your advertising should be directed at a niche market. You may think that by keeping things broad you will appeal to more people, but the opposite is actually true. Get the best bang for your buck by honing your marketing to those who actually care what you have to say.
2. Have a Consistent Image: You cannot underestimate the importance of having a recognizable image. Although you may not come up with an icon as memorable as the Macintosh Apple, you will at least maintain a consistent feel and people will even begin to recognize your materials.
3. Prove It: Show people why you are the best for the job. Highlight your advantages and successes. Some entrepreneurs come up with ads are fun and gimmicky but never actually get a message across. These ads will likely be forgotten.
4. Evaluate Your Ads: This can involve tracking software and such, or be as simple as asking people how they heard about you. Identify the most effective marketing mediums and stick to them. With that being said…
5. You Still Must Diversify: For the most part, you don’t want to completely focus on any one thing. Find your most lucrative niches and use them as efficiently as possible.