Eternal Questions

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Check out the Connectual blog for my musings on 2 eternal questions recently posed by MediaPost...

Where Are We Going? (What will the future of media look like?)

You Asking Me? (Who will buy Ask.com?)

Still Learning From Google: The Horse Ain't Dead Yet!

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In this week's Search Insider column, I continue down the path of lessons learned from Google. This time the topic is general business and I've stretched it out to a 3-parter.

After this list is done, I'll do the obligatory Search Insider Summit buzz-o-meter before shifting back the Google meme and focusing on life lessons learned from the Big G, starting with dating. Tweet your suggestions to @LearnFromGoogle.

Also, FYI, I'm in final negotiations with a major global publisher around a book deal for "Everything I Need to Know About Marketing I Learned From Google." Keep an eye on LearnFromGoogle.com for all the updates and submit your email to be notified when the book comes out.

Here's the blurb from my last columm...

More On: Everything I Need to Know About Business I Learned From Google
OK, kids. Class is back in session. Once again, we're studying business lessons learned from Google. As you'll recall, last time we covered these five Google-isms: 1. Innovate or die. 2. Automate or die. 3. Tap the long tail. 4. Keep your head in the cloud. 5. Don't scare users. Today, we'll discuss numbers six through eight. So get those pens and papers ready...
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Hunch Reader Census

Just added this cool widget from Hunch.com to my sidebar. Recall, Hunch is a decision engine (a real decision engine, unlike other impostors) that I've written quite a bit about this year.

Take a couple minutes to play through and then click over the Hunch site at the end to see how well its algo does in predicting your responses to various questions based on your answers here. I've found it to be very accurate so far.

Powered by Hunch.com

Open Casting Call for Search Engine Idol!

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This could be you!

We are now casting for the first season of Search Engine Idol to be held on December 4th at the Search Insider Summit in Park City. We're looking for new and innovative search engines or search alternatives that would like the opportunity to demonstrate their wares to a panel of judges and audience of search experts.

To be considered, please comment here or tweet me with under 140 characters (make sure to include your URL) on why you deserve a slot. Selected contestants will appear on stage at SIS with the chance to do a live demo audition and convince the audience why they're the best thing since sliced Google.

Sorry, reps from Google, Yahoo, Bing, and Ask are not eligible.

Session Overview:

Join us for the first season of Search Engine Idol, a unique talent show focused on finding the next superstar search engine or search alternative. Each contestant will have 5 minutes to conduct a few live search queries and state their case for why they deserve Google-Killer status. Then the judges will weigh in before the audience votes for the winner.

Hosted by: Your Truly

Update 11/25: I'm excited to report that Charles Knight, editor of AltSearchEngines.com will be a guest judge for this event. Still a few slots left for contestants so, if you're interested, drop me a line.

Update 12/1: OK, the lineup is pretty much set. Here are the contestants...

1. Mark Watkins, CEO & Co-founder, Goby
2. David Fireman, Co-Founder & CEO, Search3
3. Paul Pederson, Founder and President, Factery Labs
4. Stephen Scarr, Co-Founder & CEO, Info.com

We may have last-minute entrants from Milo and Leapfish so you'll have to tune in to hashtag #MPSIS-UT09 to get the final lineup and follow the real-time buzz.

We'll also be inviting 2 guest judges from the crop of esteemed marketer VIP's to weigh in on all the action. They'll be focused on the advertising/monetization opportunities inherent within each contestant's platforms while Mr. Knight will cover the end-user utility and application of technology.

Should be a jolly good show!

Update 12/3: Ted Dziuba, Lead Engineer & Co-Founder at Milo.com, will be joining the field. And check out this fancy certificate that will be presented to the winner...



Update 12/3 #2: Happy to announce 2 more judges to round out our panel...
Mark Scholz, Senior Manager SEM & SEO, HP
Robert Pettee, Director, Search Marketing, LendingTree

Update 12/4: And the winner of the first season of Search Engine Idol is... Milo! Just posted a full recap. Looking forward to season two in April!