Im sure you have heard of Google Alerts! Well I am here to show you how they have helped me and could help you, no matter who you are, what business you run or what you do... :) First of all a little explanation is in order. Google Alerts are... well let me just quote from them :)
Monitor the Web for interesting new content
Google Alerts are email updates of the latest relevant Google results (web, news, etc.) based on your choice of query or topic.
Enter the topic you wish to monitor, then click preview to see the type of results you'll receive. Some handy uses of Google Alerts include:
- monitoring a developing news story
- keeping current on a competitor or industry
- getting the latest on a celebrity or event
- keeping tabs on your favorite sports teams
For example I received an alert about this linking service called "photo links" in the Mt. Shasta area because of Google Alerts. It was a new service other photographers were signing up for when I was notified. So of course I signed up too!
Check out the link below. Make sure you scroll down past the sponsored links to the few that are listed for our area...
If you list some of your google alerts as Northern california photography, or Mount Shasta photography then not only when new linking or advertising services arise but when things happen in our area that are listed online, you will be notified. I remember one time I received a google alert about a company that had listed me as a vendor. So I clicked on the alert to go see there website and my information listed. Well they had put a link to my website as a local photographer and when I clicked on the link it was broken "aka it didnt work" or take me to my website. So I contacted this company and they were grateful to know so they could fix it. Priceless!
My personal favorite is to put in your name and your childrens names to be "in the know". So far the only time my childrens names have come up (because they are pretty young) is when we were in the Mt. Shasta Herald for the blog I wrote about the January 2010 epic snowstorms! Here are a couple more examples alerts I got...
This one actually just came the other day about that same snow storm...
Snowstorm coverage earns first place award
Mount Shasta Herald
The papers that were judged also featured contributions by community members including Jim Gilmore, Audra Gibson and Karrie Ann Snure. ...
Mount Shasta Herald
The papers that were judged also featured contributions by community members including Jim Gilmore, Audra Gibson and Karrie Ann Snure. ...
This one came to notify me that my facebook page was now listed in Japan in Japanese lol. When I first clicked on it, it was actually written in Japanese. But now it shows up in English... they must have a filter set up to know that I am looking at it from the states...
Google Web Alert for: living shasta photography
| Living Shasta Photography | Facebook 「Living Shasta Photography」 |
Or this one when I donated a portrait gift certificate...
Google Web Alert for: living shasta photography
| Benefit is for Domestic Violence Crisis Center - Mount Shasta, CA ... This Saturday, October 10, the Wayside Grill in Mount Shasta is hosting a ... a photo session withLiving Shasta Photography, a deluxe auto detail from ... |
There are hundreds of alerts that I have deleted over the years that have either mentioned my business name or directed me to something that had to do with the phrases I was watching. Have fun with this! And I hope it helps all of you as much as it has me. <3 K
Here is a link to "free" google alerts to get started
On another note... I would love to hear (in comments below) what you think about this "new" photo and technology tips section I have started on my blog. So far this is the first :)
View more of Living Shasta Photography portfolio here http://www.livingshasta.com/, or follow me on facebook here http://www.facebook.com/pages/Living-Shasta-Photography/112450425635?sk=wall
