Archive | August, 2008

So, about owning that name space.

29 Aug

When I do a Google search for “katie shedd” (as I do quite regularly…yes, I’m just that arrogant), my blog pretty much owns the space. My LinkedIn profile shows up. So does my Naymz profile (that I never update). There are a few rogue Facebook profiles. But, I pretty much own the phrase.

This is great, except, my last post is appearing in the number two spot on Google. And when it comes to self-branding, I don’t want to be known as the one who always talks about being naked. Oops. There I go again. Stop saying that word!

Anyway, I quickly had to produce a post. So I thought I’d discuss why I wrote what I wrote without saying the “n” word.

Basically, I wanted to conduct a little experiment. Headlines are important. In the blog-world, if you say something shocking enough, people are interested. We just can’t help ourselves. And yes, it helped that I used and tagged the word, “n”. David Hassolhoff was just icing on the cake.

It was a cheap trick, but my stats were glorious. Sorry, Mom, if I offended you.

My next post, which really is intended to be about landscaping, is going to require a lot more creativity because I know what you’re thinking…

Landscaping, that’s neat, really neat.

Up next...landscaping

Up next...landscaping

Did you just picture me naked?

27 Aug

So, I’ve been thinking lately that I need to come up with more engaging content for my blog. Maybe something a little more edgy. Thus the title. They say that in order to capture your audience you should ask a question. You’re still reading, so it must have worked. It’s also been recommended that one pair a compelling image with a story. (pause) Never mind.

Anyway, back to point. I was looking at my blog stats and it seems my most popular blog post was my “Lessons in Humility” post. Perhaps I need to fall down more often.

Sadly, my most searched for post is “Men in Dresses“. I’ll let you figure that one out.

I could always start a series on the 101 reasons why David Hasselhoff needs to simply fade quietly into the night…

David Hasselhoff forgot his clothes

David apparently forgot his clothes




















You’re right, I don’t need to do a whole series when there are pictures like that floating around the Web…when was posing with dogs, naked EVER a good idea? Ridiculous. But, hey, at least now you don’t have to picture anyone naked.

This post is going down hill quickly.

Anyway, if you have any suggestions on what you’d like me to write about, let me know. If you don’t feel like participating that’s fine. David Hasselhoff isn’t the only washed up Hollywood actor who has “compelling” pictures on the Web.

Just kidding.

Up Next: Katie’s Adventures in Landscaping.

How to Close a Deal…Oh Wait.

25 Aug

I had the greatest conference call on Wednesday. What’s so great about a conference call, you ask? Well…

We were not more than thirty seconds into the call before the guy started pitching his consultative services. To make matters worse, he refused to answer most of our questions. He said that SEO was simple and that he understood Google. I thought that was a bold statement. He was all about driving traffic with no regard for quality. He even called inbound link strategy death on a stick. But that wasn’t the icing. No, that came at the end of the call.

When asked about his knowledge of our industry, he openly admitted that he hated our profession. I’m not joking. He laughed to himself and then suggested we participate in a “fun exercise.” He asked us to pull up Google and to type in the name of a specific business (possibly a competitor). So, we typed in their name. What did we find? In the fourth spot was this gentleman’s blog. On his blog he ripped into this business telling others to seek services elsewhere. After he had shown us his “victory,” he laughed and said that he had warned them two weeks before. I wanted so badly to ask, “ok, but what happens to us when we make you mad?”

WOW!

…can anyone say loss prevention?

For Sale, For Sale, For Sale!

6 Aug

2007 Saturn Vue For Sale



2007 Saturn Vue

2007 Saturn Vue

Indianapolis area – The 2007 Vue has barely been used. It belonged to my grandfather, who passed away earlier this past month.

Only has 6,900 miles. Perfect condition. Has an AUX plug-in for those of you who own iPhones.

Great car for the money and great gas mileage. Up to 27 highway miles per gallon. Serviced at Saturn of Fishers. Call Brad at 317-710-5584

Click Here For Details!

Thoughts on Brevity

3 Aug

Original Date – July 24

HGTV is my failsafe. If nothing good is on TV, I turn to the home and garden channel. Well, sometimes I don’t even surf the stations…but that’s not important. For those that don’t know what HGTV is, the station plays a lot of home improvement/design shows.

Last night I was watching House Hunters – neither a home improvement or design show, I know. This is a show that allows viewers to observe the house hunting trips of those looking to buy a home. We see three homes and then the buyer decides which one they prefer. At the end of the show, the camera crew returns to the buyers home months after the purchase to show the changes the buyer has made to the home since the purchase.

As I watched last night I came to probably the same realization that many of you had as you read that last paragraph. Why. Why would you watch that show? Why do you care what homes they buy? Why does it matter?

The reality is it doesn’t matter. Nothing really matters…

As many of you know, this past month my grandpa (Papa Hayes) passed away. He was 85 years of age. On July 1, he lost his battle with congestive heart failure. When I received the news, I had just left church. It was a Tuesday night. I sat in my car, listened to my mom speak over the phone and felt the tears run down my face.

I was sad.

It’s that realization that anything unsaid will remain that way. Forever. Did I tell him that I loved him enough? Did I visit enough? Did he know how much he meant to me?

The viewing was on Friday and the service was on Saturday. I was honored to meet so many of Papa’s former players, students and friends. I was proud to be his granddaughter. I was happy to celebrate his life with others. You can touch a lot of people in 85 years.

The military burial was beautiful. The sound of “Taps” made me cry, but I was at peace.

Mom and I returned home late Sunday night. By Monday, I was exhausted, but ready to get back to work. I seemed to be getting back into the swing of things when it happened. Friday morning, July 18, my cell phone began to ring off the hook. At first, I didn’t answer because I had a lot to do. But, after several calls from different people I became concerned.

Sarah called again and I answered. I heard her crying, unable to speak. She managed to get one word out, “Chiv.” And I knew. Our roommate/teammate/friend was gone.

Suddenly, work didn’t matter. Where I ate lunch, didn’t matter. Meaningless.

Carrie (Chivington) Roeth, a life-long athlete, had been diagnosed with cancer just three short years ago. And on July 18, three days before her 27th birthday, she lost her battle.

Why?

There is no answer. I don’t understand why God would allow someone so full of life to be taken so early. I don’t understand why Justin will have to raise their three-year-old little boy without his wife. It doesn’t seem fair.

I am confused. I am sad. And I am humbled. I am humbled by the brevity of life. Death is a reminder of everyone’s destiny. We are not guaranteed any certain number of days on this earth. How we spend our time matters. Perhaps HGTV isn’t the best use of my time.

Who shall go up into the mountain of the Lord? Or who shall stand in His Holy Place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted himself up to falsehood or to what is false, nor sworn deceitfully. – Psalm 24:3-4

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