I’ve been following my friend, Ryan Kelly’s company, Pear Analytics’ progress over the last two years in their approach of what I would call the democratization and self-empowerment of SEO.

While I know SEO is important, I’ve always had a problem with the notion that being forced to use certain key word, and sometimes certain phraseology, could possibly compromise the quality of my writing and more importantly, my voice.

New Year’s Resolution #1:  Being Found

One of my New Year’s resolutions was to improve my SEO and be found.  As a High Tech PR consultant I work in a very competitive field and wanted to improve my search results not only through better writing, but writing that could be found.

Pear Analytics offers a variety of services, and as a start, I tried their Keyword Research offering, which at $249.00 is a great value. For a little more, Pear can provide the keyword research, competitive analysis (reverse engineering your competitors rankings), and a full site audit on their Starter Plan for just $899.

Upon receiving the initial report (see 2 samples here), I also had a 30-minute phone consultation that helped me understand and focus what I should be aiming to write about in the context of key words.

While most of this turned out to be common sense, the real benefit of this particular service was that it shed light on a ranking of priority of search terms I should be using, and how, without compromising my writing style and voice, I could benefit from their research methodology.

30 Days Later…It’s Working.

I took my Pear Analytics Consultant’s advise and I’ve already seen a difference:  I’m on page one on certain terms, and in some cases page two;  a dramatic improvement of what I was experiencing before.

At the end of the day, this is a combination of common sense, good writing, and on-going publishing. 

 And therein lies the real challenge for many of us:  finding the time and having the focus to write quality, helpful, relevant and searchable content that can be found.

It’s the later where Pear Analytics came through.

Highly Recommended.

Artwork courtesy of Pear Analytics

One year ago, the iPad was announced.  

A little over two months later, on April 3, 2010, a bunch of knuckle head friends all convened at some crazy early hour in the morning to make the trek to the Apple Store LaCantera in San Antonio so we could stand in line to buy an iPad.

SalesBy5’s Chief Inspiration Officer, Nan Palmero joined in, as did Wes Wilson, CEO of Upstack and Brandstack, who bought one to do presentations for potential investors and partners.  Ryan Kelly, CEO of Pear Analytics bought one because his company has an app for the iPhone and wanted to explore the idea of replicating it for the iPad.  Rackspace’s Robert Taylor, bought one for his personal use.  He is an Apple fan and thought it was important buy one and be an early adapter.  (note how Mr. Taylor and I are wearing the same Apple Mothership T-Shirt.)

Almost one year later.. I still love my iPad.  

I'm using mine primarily as a content platform to read and keep on my desk to watch my social stream while I work.  I also like it for trade shows and conferences, so I don't have to lug my regular MacBook Pro to the show.  It's great for movies when I am up in the air.

Very Interesting InfoGraphic from OnSwipe

So, how about you?  

Did you buy an iPad?  Waiting for the refresh model?  Maybe getting or got a Samsung or other brand?  Waiting for Honeycomb?

Chime in and leave a comment.  

Last night I had the opportunity to take part in watching a series of new company pitches based on a method known as 3DayStartup.  As its name implies, participants spend an intense three days with the end game of trying to start a technology company in three days.

Most of the students were from Trinity University, and mirrors the initiatives that local entrepreneurs and investors Pat Condon and Dirk Elmendorf have taken with the recent creation of a new entrepreneurial program at Trinity University.  Recently, Trinity announced the hiring of Luz Cristal Sanchez Glangchai as Associate Director of the program.

The video here are interviews from four people I spoke to, three of which -  Pat Condon, Matt Reedy, John Engates are local entrepreneurs / investors, and the final interview is with Cam Houser, who is a Director with 3 Day Start Up.  I also have a CinchCast interview with Dirk Elmendorf who elaborates about the Trinity Center for Entrepreneurship.

Special thanks to  Ryan Kelly and Vid Luther, who invited me to the event. Ryan and Vid collaborate on running locally based, Pear Analytics.