Google is enacting a new algorithm that is going to penalize over-optimized content.  As a communications professional who has been actively blogging for more than 6-years now, I’ve been wondering when Google was going to put their foot down.

I, like many online content writers have spent countless hours writing content that our readers find valuable; not to mention the attentive nurturing it takes to comment, connect and cultivate the online relationships we develop,  into invaluable professional and personal friendships. Over the years, I found it unnerving to think that businesses with an abundance of money could “Out Do” me online with their multitude of unscrupulous links – many of which were not generated from  authentic content.

Google has changed the playing field and we are in the midst of a new day.  I say, “Allelujah”!

Last week, at SXSW, Matt Cutts, the head of Google’s search spam team, announced that Google developed a new tweak to its algorithm that will punish sites that are too optimized for SEO.

In a recent Hubspot article, Matt explains the changes in this way….

“trying to make the algorithm more adaptive,” or being more understanding of sites that have good content even if it isn’t search engine optimized like many marketers have learned to do. The sites that will be penalized are those that “throw too many keywords on the page, exchange way too many links, whatever they’re doing to go beyond what a normal person would expect.”

Read the article in it’s entirety on Hubspot

Kara works with legal marketers and small to mid-size businesses to create a more clearly defined focus and distinctive business strategy that will provide them with a competitive advantage for new business, higher reputation recognition, and enhance their ability to attract, win & retain the clients they really want.

You can reach her at 917-856-5410

In the spirit of a tradition bestowed to me  by my Tuskegee Airman, Freedom Fighter, College Professor Dad – Arthur C. Smith, who annually said,  “All Black People should be working TWICE as hard on MLK’s birthday…” I’m spending my day  at The Rainmaker Institute supporting attorneys in the development of their firms.

I can’t think of a more befitting form of self-expression of my admiration and commitment to humanity. Even as a very little girl, I remember my dad’s teachings and the sound of Martin Luther King’s voice resonating through our living room. I distinctly recall how incredibly privileged I was to have a family around me who loved me so much.

Growing up, my parents made sure I had friends from across the globe from every imaginable faith, and ethnicity — yes, the little person in pink & gray is me!

Mom, Valerie Moultrie, reading to my nursery school class, at Oak Lane Day School in Blue Bell, PA - 1966

I quickly realized how strong and huge hearted my parents were and that they worked along with their friends and Martin Luther King to create our incredible United States as I know it. True – we have much work to do as humans in the realm of communication, compassion and cohesiveness. I am the last one to “sugar coat” anything!

I invite you to revisit Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream” speech today — and allow yourself to be moved. I’ve no doubt his words will inspire you to continue manifest your dreams and serve those that matter most to you.

Our nation’s acknowledgement of Martin Luther King’s Birthday and the wonderful honor bestowed on The Tuskegee Airman — provides us all with an opportunity to remember the past and see how incredibly far we have come! Many, Many Blessings and Much Joy to you today as you celebrate human-kind!

Kara works with legal marketers and small to mid-size business to create a more clearly defined focus and distinctive business strategy that will provide them with a competitive advantage for new business, higher reputation recognition, and enhance their ability to attract, win, and retain the clients they really want.

Facebook topped Google to become the most visited U.S. Web site, indicating a shift in how Americans are searching for content I talk to literally dozens of attorneys a week and they’re in one of two places when it comes to social media.  If you’re a lawyer or small business owner reading this, you’ll most likely find yourself in one of 3-places regarding your online platform:

1. You have a website and may even blog… when you have the time.  You already have Facebook and Linked In profile that you look at sporadically.
2. You have a website that either looks great or needs revamping, either way it is not enhancing your client intake or bottom line, and you’re “skeptically curious” about using social, so you haven’t set up any profiles.
3. You haven’t started developing an online presence yet.   But since the efforts and money that used to work when marketing your firm that used to work aren’t producing the return you’re looking for you’re curious and want to get started and aren’t sure how…

Here’s some “breaking news”, the entire world is using social media — so it’s very probable that Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter are viable resources for reaching viable consumers of your goods and services!

Infographic design by Nick Sigler

“Facebook is squarely at the center of this new universe, and much of what people do online these days starts there. But Facebook’s masterstroke has been to spread itself across the web and allow others to tap your network of friends. As a result, thousands of websites and apps have essentially become satellites that orbit around Facebook.”

Ready to jump in the pool, here are the steps to getting started:

Create Your Profile:
The first step to build your law firm or business presence on Facebook, is to create a personal profile.  Sign up for Facebook, upload a picture and add contact info in your profile. Once that’s done,  upload your existing contact database to see which of your contacts are already on Facebook and ask whichever ones you want to become your Friend.  This will get you up and running quickly rather than completely starting from scratch!

Create Your Company Page:
Once your  personal profile is set up, you can create a Company page for your law firm or business .   the best topics to fill your page with are, news, upcoming events, photos, etc., (Bear in mind that the most effective way to manage your social media platforms is with your blog as the master mind control panel!)
There are also applications that increase the functionality of the page.

If you already have a business website, having a business profile page on Facebook is still estremly important.  Your website is your storefront, your blog and social media are the doors and windows that enable people to find you, contact you and become clients and customers.   After all, you want to have a presence where your existing and prospective clients are spending their time online.

If you already know there’s tremendous potential of Return on your investment by using social to promote your business or legal practice and are looking for content management, relief and strategical maximization, call me at 917-856-5410.

Other articles you may be interested in:

A Great Legal Marketing Firm Tool to Optimize Twitter

Legal Marketers: Responding to social media inquiries is more important than you think

A Very Simple Twitter Formula for Generating Legal Marketing Business

Kara works with legal marketers and small to mid-size business to create a more clearly defined focus and distinctive business strategy that will provide them with a competitive advantage for new business, higher reputation recognition, and enhance their ability to attract, win, and retain the clients they really want.

You can reach her at 917-856-5410

I didn’t realize how incredibly blessed I was living in Harlem, in a world full of future-driven, forwad thinking folk from all over the planet.  Don’t get me wrong, I truly adore the sunshine and overwhelming generosity of the many new friends I’m making.

While living in my fabulous corner of Manhattan, it wasn’t possible for me to see how much, New York with all of its issues, was a very safe coccoon brimming with intellectual, humanly rational and empathetic people.

It occurs to me now that I was living in a microcasm of the country where the  -isms are openly discussed, debated and not tolerated.  I’m also painfully aware of how much I went unthwarted because of them.  Obviously, I’m not oblivious.  I fully realise that inequality exists over the entire planet.  That’s not what I mean…

After moving to Phoenix, and meeting the countless number of people that I have, I feel it is important to note that many of my new friends encounter racist and sexist behavior and commentary on a daily basis.  Since arriving here at the end of January, I’ve experience several instances myself.  This is human behavior that I have been the focus of in the past.  Before moving here, I liked to believe was behind me.  However, it is behavior that I’ve been reawakened to.

I have found myself deeply disappointed and angry.  When I witness this behavior, there is a physical pain I feel, like a fast, deep heart break.  It truly hurts.  Just yesterday, I realized that I  truly hoped this antiquated ideology had ceased in the 1980’s and we still have far to go!

With the issues of human civility facing me, the reason I chose my vocation is extremely clear.  I adore working with attorneys, and fully respect and admire them for their mastery of  United States Law.   The structure of our laws maked them adaptable with the capability of being reworked over time.  I belive this construct was put in place in order to provide the best possible life for our citizens and standing for the law is what attorneys do.

You may think that I have an idealistic viewpoints, but I lived in Manhattan for more than 22-years, studied the rulings of Thurgood Marshall during his reign on the Supreme Court, and pay attention to civil justice changes, so I thoroughly believe in the brilliance of our legal structure. So, please realize that my opinion is only mine – not meant to be fodder for agreement or disagreement…

To all attorneys –KUDOS to You!

One of my older aunties used to tell me, “Don’t worry baby, what doesn’t kill you will make you stronger.”  She wasn’t kidding either!  I’m still getting squeezed to be more than I ever thought I could be. So I guess I’m a full fledged butterfly Ready To Soar!

Other articles you may be interested in:

How to Create a Personal Brand as a Civil Rights Lawyer – Using Speaking Engagements, Published Articles & Social Media Web Sites as a Way to Make a Name for Yourself

The Most Racist Thing That Ever Happened To Me, by Toure -The Atlantic.com

I am an advisor at The Rainmaker Institute.  The Rainmaker Institute provides business development knowledge and Done-For-You services of Blogging and Social Media and Customized Newsletter Writing services that small to mid-size firms need.  Please please feel free to give me a call at 888-588-5891 Ext. 402 or send me an email at kara@therainmakerinstitute.com.

September is my birth month, so it has always been a month of full of contemplation for me.  I was a New Yorker who, until the end of January, 2011,  worked on Wall Street for more than 15-years.  Thus, the occurrences of September 11th have made this time of remembrance all the more prevalent for me.

This year, the state-of-mind most prevalent for me is CHANGE and the manner in which I’ve implemented it over the last 10 years. So, this post is about honoring the people I’ve lost, not the sadness that I still feel over not having them in my life.  Instead, I’ve chosen to write about CHANGE.

For 10 years now, on September 11th, we’ve see an abundance of media images illustrating that day.  Personally, I avoid them.  Instead, I focus on my own good memories about the people I lost.

Today, I am in the midst of my annual thought processes, I am present to the changes I’ve put into place over the last 10-years.  I completed undergraduate and graduate school, started my own company, and recently relocated to Phoenix, Arizona and am working in the realm of one of my passions:  working with attorneys.

My vision for all of us feeling moved on this day is to bask in the memory of people we’ve lost by ‘riding the wake of their spirits’ and create, re-create, prosper & love each other fully.

Heather Morse over at the Legal Water Cooler made mention of CHANGE in her article “Best Quote Ever“.

Heather’s looking at the speed that we communicate now vs. only 7-years ago, and if legal marketers are ready take to take it on…

Honoring the memory of my friends and family who have passed,  and all those young spirits surrounding me, I’m going to shift this conversation into one about quality of life aka “business development and lifestyle”.

Heather’s right on point here…

I began educating attorneys about how social media works and the importance of it for their firm’s growth more than 3-years ago.  When I realized that what they needed was not only more information, it became obvious to me that I could not provide them with the services that supported their needs as a sole-proprietor.  This is why I implemented CHANGE, and began working as an Advisor at The Rainmaker Institute.

Keeping in mind this idea of a hyper-connected world, there are a few questions I think we need to ask ourselves:
*    Am I up to the challenge?
*    Am I willing to invest the time, money and resources to advance my practice/my business?
*    Am I willing to let the world continue to pass me by at hyper-speed?
*    If I do nothing different, what results will I achieve?

If you are an attorney or a marketing person working with a law group, your time is best spent practicing what you have mastery in, not talking on Facebook all day!  The Rainmaker Institute provides knowledge and Done-For-You services of Blogging and Social Media and Customized Newsletter Writing services that attorneys need.

Please give me a call at 480-648-2628 if you’re seriously ready to take on CHANGE.  I look forward to working with you on your firm growth goals and putting a plan into action!

You may already realize that I relocated from New York City to Phoenix, Arizona and I am very proud to announce my new position as a Rainmaker Advisor with a remarkable legal marketing company, Stephen Fairley’s Rainmaker Institute.

Over the last 3 years, I’ve talked with literally hundreds of solo practitioners and partners in small law firms who were faced with the need to manage their firms as successful business enterprise.  Unfortunately, my do-it-yourself seminars were not products in high demand from lawyers who already worked 60-80 hour work-weeks.

One, cold Saturday evening in mid-January, after returning from an annual visit with my mother in Arizona, I was writing a press release in my apartment office. That was the moment I decided it was time for a dramatic change in my life.

So, I bought myself and my cat a plane ticket, started taking pictures of my belongings for Craig’s List and posted an announcement of my impending departure.

Shortly after I published my relocation announcement, I received this Direct Message from Stephen Fairley on Twitter.

In April of 2009, I wrote this article for Stephen’s magazine, The Rainmaker Advisor, “7 Essential Tools You Need to Manage Your Law Firm’s Online Reputation & Position Yourself as an Expert”, so I was acutely aware of The Rainmaker Institute’s dedication to excellence and integrity.

I am excited to say that going forward, all of the legal marketing business I conduct will be through The Rainmaker Institute in my position as a Rainmaker Advisor.

For the last 12 years, the programs Stephen developed have helped more than 7,000 attorneys create successful and sustainable law practices, with over 22 of the largest state and local bar associations having sponsored his live law firm marketing seminars & Rainmaker Retreats to their members.

This white paper on How to Market Your Articles is specifically for lawyers. It is a sample of the exemplary free information we make available on a regular basis, so be sure to connect!

Keep me posted on your accomplishments and let me know if I can help.

Kara works with  small to mid-size business and  legal marketers to create a more clearly defined focus and distinctive business strategy.  This new design provides a competitive advantage for new business, higher reputation recognition, and enhance their ability to attract, win, and retain the clients they really want.

You can reach her at 917-856-5410

Over the last few weeks, I’ve had some fascinating conversations with J.R. Hunn and have grown very fond of him, which is why you’re hearing about him now…

We’re talking a great deal about finance, our fast shifting world economic status and managing debt.  No doubt you know that these conversations can be overwhelming for many of us to comprehend, let alone actually work with effectively on a personal level.

J.R. has the uncanny ability to give fresh perspective to all of these concepts and situations and provide solutions that are exceedingly easy to comprehend.

More importantly, he shares his knowledge empathetically and has a great sense of humor, which just makes life in general more manageable, and a heck of a lot more fun for those around him.

Growth & decay are constantly happening.  Expansion / Contraction — change is always happening. Some people benefit more than others from any given change.  Learning to benefit from change makes a difference.

The distinction is the magnitude of the changes that are happening now,  The growth is going to be bigger than the rise of the U.S. or Soviet Union.  Collapse is going to be bigger — A really big magnitude shift.

The economic distinction is the size of the shift.   Commitment to benefit from changes is one possible commitment.  Commitment to growth is another.

J.R. Hunn

We shot a very funny video together on the historical impact of oil and the strength of political systems.  Off-camera, this was my first time playing full out with J.R. and we had a ball!

It’s a marathon of jokes, and I literally fell off my chair from laughing so hard.  We’ll be fine tuning as we create more, so stay tuned.

A Brief History of Oil

J.R. consults people on creating financial shelters and prudently manages the assets within the shelters and settles & negotiates debt and prefers to work with people who shelter their finances before they settle their debts.

For some background on the term The DominOil Effect, see J.R’s 2004 article, “…The REAL US Deficit: Oil,” For his more recent research and analysis, see his blog, http://jrfibonacci.wordpress.com/.

Looking forward to your thoughts!

Kara works with  small to mid-size business and  legal marketers to create a more clearly defined focus and distinctive business strategy.  This new design provides a competitive advantage for new business, higher reputation recognition, and enhance their ability to attract, win, and retain the clients they really want.

You can reach her at 917-856-5410

I’ve attended several networking events since moving to Phoenix at the end of January.  Recently, I connected to the meet-up group Java & Justice
through my membership with the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce.

Alex & Gaxiola, Serious Injury and Wrongful Death Attorneys based in Phoenix, have a terrific marketing & internet services manager, Rhonda Robbins , who I’ve become great friends with.  Rhonda is an SEO queen, and is also creating some stimulating, “out-in-the-world events for her firm.

In speaking with Rhonda, she said that one of Andrew Alex’ primary concerns is his client’s quality of life.  He is also strongly committed to educating them in a way that that will protect them if or when the time comes.

The video linked below to the firm’s YouTube Channel is a terrific example of how an accident with a truck can change your entire life…

One of the primary business growth challenges for a accident attorneys is that their clients don’t need their services until something catastrophic happens.  Since chasing ambulances is unscrupulous at best, having relationships with potential clients, long before they require services is all the more important..

They’re doing a MeetUp Series called JAVA & JUSTICE.

These semi-weekly gatherings allow the firm’s attorneys to interact with their community hands on, providing them with a venue designed for face-to-face communication.

Do connect to  Alex & Gaxiola on Facebook and Twitter …

If you’re in the Phoenix Arizona area, stop by a MeetUp.  Either way, I encourage you to connect with the group so you can stay in the loop!

Join the Java & Justice Meet-Up in Phoenix

Kara works with  small to mid-size business and  legal marketers to create a more clearly defined focus and distinctive business strategy.  This new design provides a competitive advantage for new business, higher reputation recognition, and enhance their ability to attract, win, and retain the clients they really want.

You can reach her at 917-856-5410

After 22 wonderful years in New York City, Kara Smith, the principal and founder of Karasma Media is relocating to Phoenix, Arizona.   As of Sunday, January 30th,  I will be operating out of Phoenix and support New York clients and travel to NY City and other locations from there.

In addition to operating Karasma Media, I’m actively searching for a position as a marketing/communications/social media manager and adjunct college teacher and will be getting my certification to tutor elementary & secondary English once I arrive in Arizona.

My mother is 82-years old and very active and I want to enjoy this very special time of our lives together.   We’d been talking about my moving there fore several years, and during my last Christmas visit, I saw that now was the time to migrate West…   I also met a very special man whose family is close to ours, so this move is the beginning of new adventures for me on multiple levels!

If you have friends & colleagues in the area who may be able to assist in my “life-recreation, please do to connect us!

Kara works with  small to mid-size business and  legal marketers to create a more clearly defined focus and distinctive business strategy.  This new design provides a competitive advantage for new business, higher reputation recognition, and enhance their ability to attract, win, and retain the clients they really want.

You can reach her at 917-856-5410

Thinking about being a leader in legal marketing community, in New York City, in my my life  — is daunting at times to say the least.

For the last few days, I’ve been in the midst of being overwhelmed by “the thinking about”  of the responsibilities I’ve taken on in my community, my family  and myself…  There were days when I can hardly breath, let alone write!

It’s all occurring to me like — There’s no time to feel like this.  This is Horrible!

But what if that’s not “The Truth”.  What if occasionally I just need a “pick-me-up”?  What if all that I’m going through is simply a human phenomena, rather than there being something wrong.  Ahhhh — I just exhaled…

For the next year, I’m in Landmark’s Wisdom Course, and incorporating fun into my life.

This is a photo of my “Community Circle” as a work in progress, illustrating the groups of people or “Communities” I interact with on a daily basis.

With all of the pressure I constantly put on myself, no wonder I’m so exhausted some days that I don’t want to get up and moving, let alone write…

There are times when the thoughts I have about hearing a “No”, or not getting a response, or getting negative feedback — keep me from being very enthusiastic about taking any more actions at all that could actually be positive or result in an affirmative.

You know the craziest thing… I always feel awful when I get “bogged down” . Inevitably,  inactivity for self  business generation will show up in my Google Analytics and the results I produce at the end of the week.  See, I’m a terrible person!  And Oh!  Let’s not forget — People are watching!

No wonder I’m so tired all the time!!!

All this being said, I think it’s time to shift my daily writing and morning routine from a “Have To” to a  reward I give myself?  I’m also shifting what I call my daily exercise from “Working out” to “Going Out to Play.”

No wonder life was so much fun as a kid!  Look what us adults end-up calling  the things we need to do!

Writing for me is extremely therapeutic, as is the completion of  most things I frequently avoid responsibility for.  So I have some catch-up to do,  but only because I made up that there’s somewhere else I’m supposed to be.

The goals we set for ourselves are great inspirational / motivational tools, but when they start to take the joy out of living — It’s definitely time for some reinvention!

I’ll keep you posted about the results of my Self Generation of Business is Fun — and playing more.

Other articles you may be interested in…

Creativity and Play Intertwined in Legal Marketing and in Life

Chris Brogan on Legal Marketing: An Interview With Karasma Media

The Space Between Center Rejuvenates the Creative Spirit of Legal Marketers

Lawyers Preparing to Launch Your Own Boutique – Here’s a video you’ll want to see

Kara works with legal marketers to create a more clearly defined focus and distinctive business strategy that will provide them with a competitive advantage for new business, higher reputation recognition, and enhance their ability to attract, win, and retain the clients they really want.

You can reach her at 917-856-5410