Search is the gateway to the web and Google has undoubtedly dominated this arena for quite some time. With a current share of 85% of web searches, Google has become the leader in connecting people to the web.

Google Search

Google search is incredible, no doubt about it, and until recently was the only source I used for searching the web. Google can’t index everything, but does a pretty good job connecting results with queries. Notice I said “pretty good”. For the most part, I can find what I’m looking for – but not always. Let’s say, for instance, I want to see what people are saying about our “economic crisis” in real time. Hmm, can’t do it. Google indexes websites, not conversations. Sure, you could argue that Google indexes Blog comments, forums, and other discussions online… But not in real time.

Twitter Search

Say hello to Twitter, or more specifically Twitter Search. Twitter Search allows you to search for what people are talking about right now.

Example

For example, let’s say I just finished watching the latest episode of 24 (my favorite TV show) and want to see what people are saying about it online.

1. Google Option: If I use Google search, I may stumble across a few websites on 24 and might (if I get lucky) find a couple threads with some comments where people are talking about the latest episode. But, it’s a needle in the haystack at best, and most likely buried behind a trail of clicks and dead-ends.
2. Twitter Option: And what about Twitter search? It’s easy – I simply enter “24″ in the search field and click search. Not only do I find what people are saying about 24, but it’s in chronological order. So I have no problem finding the most recent conversations.

Conclusion

Google search has it’s advantages, don’t get me wrong…but Twitter search has uncovered a whole new level of search capabilities. Being able to see what people are talking about in real time is incredibly valuable. And, yes…much more valuable then seeing what people are saying about Jack Bauer. :)

Ok, so what? Should I stop using Google and just use Twitter search? No. They both have their purpose, but the fact of the matter remains – the more Twitter becomes mainstream the more valuable it becomes.

Bonus

Ohh, and if you’re a Firefox user (which you should be) take a look at this for integrating Twitter search with Google search. It’s a simple greesemonkey script that plugs into your Firefox browser adding Twitter search results to the Google search results page.

We all know what the big bad wolf looks like right? Well no, not always. The internet is a fairly anonymous environment. Sure, we all have a unique IP address, but from the onset most look like innocent little red riding hoods.

In my post TV vs. Internet I talked about how great the internet is, but we all know it’s not perfect.

I just recently topped 5,000 spam comments on my blog and continue to receive 30+ a day. Some big name bloggers receive 10x that amount. It shouldn’t be much of a surprise really, considering the net is an open invitation to all kinds of activity.

I’m sure you’ve heard about this woman and how she got tricked out of $400k. Deceived by Little Red Riding Hood? You bet.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying we should tighten the reigns and smother our own freedom, but where are we headed? Hopefully not down the same path as China. Every +1 spam we have to deal with is -1 freedom from that opportunistic web we all grew up to love. How long before we experience a diminishing return?

I don’t have the answers. I’m hoping someone does or this could get ugly.

Having a Drip, Drip, Drop mentality isn’t always easy. Especially when crawling up, what seems to be, an impossible hill to climb.

Most never start, some begin but give up, and few make it. It’s difficult, no doubt about it, but the reward is magnificent.

Seth Godin’s written about The Dip before, and I think it’s a great way to look at life’s adventures. However, I want to focus on the slant that faces so many of us soon after we start something new. This steep hill, or (apparent) “brick wall”, usually surfaces when we experience difficulties such as: we hit a learning curve, things start falling apart, we encounter road blocks, etc, etc. We all know what it looks like, but how do we become that 1% that takes a deep breath, and runs up the hill as fast as we can? Determination, perseverance, resiliency? Yeah, sure…these are all necessary but I would argue that passion is the driving force behind these qualities.

Why is the hill so steep!

Of course, the hill is steep for a reason. It exists, simply to discourage the masses. And give, a select few, the opportunity to be great. Mediocre won’t cut it. Being average won’t do. In fact, good isn’t good enough. The only way to make it to the top of the hill is to struggle. Yes, struggle.

I’m not talking about running a 10k, I’m talking about finishing well in the New York Marathon. Of course, we all live in our own little worlds. I have what I consider to be an impossible climb. You have what you consider to be an impossible climb. Each hill is unique for that individual…but what we do with that hill is what matters. It’s a choice really. Will you settle for being average? I struggle with this each and every day…but it’s a struggle I don’t think we can pass up.

Let’s face it, we all get a little frustrated and disappointed when people don’t notice or embrace what we’ve written, created, or talked about. Whether it be your own blog, product, or presentation, people may not care and trust may not have been built yet.

I’ve talked about wanting attention before and how it can be a slippery slope, but on the other hand we also need others to notice and interact with what we’ve done, before they become fans or followers.

So, how do we build trust? Do we bombard them with information and overwhelm them with enthusiasm? Trick them? Deceive them? No. It’s all about the Drip, Drip, Drop – that steady stream of value, accumulated overtime, until finally, unexpectedly they become a fan. A true follower, once a skeptic now a believer. Which drip was responsible for convincing them to cross over? No one knows. But each drip, as small and as minuscule as it may seem was part of the flood that they now trust and respect.

The Drip, Drip, Drop requires patience, perseverance, and dedication. You can’t just expect people to latch on and become die hard fans over night. It takes time, commitment and most people give up just before it starts paying off. Seth Godin talks about “Drip, drip, drip goes the Twit” and how it can help you build a strong foundation for something you want to launch in the future. I think it’s a great idea, and that’s partially why I joined Twitter.

One thing we have to remember though is the Drip has to be something great. Nobody wants to read a mediocre blog post, use a worthless product, or listen to a boring presentation. Every single drip must be excellent. After all, a potential fan may just see one drip. That’s it.

I finally gave in and decided to give Twitter a try. I know, I know – dangerous. Like I need one more thing demanding my time and energy online…but I don’t think it’s all a waist.

For those who haven’t heard, Twitter is a free social messaging utility for staying connected in real-time. Sounds incredibly simple, and it is. One of Twitter’s high points, is you can let others know what your up too, without having the internet attached to your hip – nice for those who actually have lives.

Basically, it’s an awesome way to let others know what you’re up to without obtrusively interrupting them via phone, email, etc. If they want to know what your up to, they just “follow” you. Simple.
So, having said all that, if for some reason you would like to know what I’m doing on a somewhat regular basis, click here to follow me and get the inside scoop.

Do you use Twitter? Want me to start following you? Leave a comment and a link to your profile and I’ll add you to my watch list. :)

Whenever someone pours time and energy into a business, blog, product, project, etc their is a chance something will go ‘Red’. ‘Red’, meaning something is broken.

It could be a new marketing strategy you just implemented, an investment you just purchased, or a business’ finances operating in the negative. Ideas turn sour, things go wrong and you’re left with a mess.

The tendency for most, is to simply blame it on some external factor: economy, customers, oil prices, competitors, you name it. Or, just simply throw up there hands in frustration and give up.

Of course one of the most obvious reasons for not wanting to label something as Red, is nobody likes to admit they screwed up. But, as we all know, settling for something that is Red or mediocre at best is no way to be successful. After all, recognition of failure is a vital component in growth.

Business, Marketing, Blogging – it all seems so forced sometimes. The push/pull mentality that often surrounds these services is what ends up being corrosive. Why is it that we tend to look for the benefit of the transaction, instead of the joy in making a contribution? I’ve talked about attention and the effect it can have on economics. But is attention what we really ought to be seeking after? What is the benefit for the one giving the attention? Is there a benefit?

Most would say it’s our instinct to look out for ourselves first, make sure we are taken care of, receive something for our efforts. But do we actually gain anything by forcing others to listen to us? Would the intention of serving others perhaps fulfill the original desire of ‘receiving’ something for our efforts? There is a lot of concern as to whether the US market economy is unstable and tipsy at best, but what about the Gift Economy? Granted, the market economy is important and does have a close tie with our lifestyle, career, and security but where does the Gift Economy come into play? Does it matter?

The Gift Economy holds together the most vital characteristic of society – Love. Without love everything else falls apart. The market economy could be at its peak, but without the steady heartbeat of the Gift Economy, money holds no value, trust doesn’t exist, security is worthless, and freedom is useless.

What would happen if we took a different approach? What if we changed our strategy? What if we cared more about the customer than ourselves? What if we truly wanted to serve instead of take? Would we be setting ourselves up entirely, at the mercy of those “devouring” our precious gifts? Yes, probably. But who would win? For me, it all comes down to what constitutes winning. When the dust settles, what prize matters most? Is it money, popularity, knowledge, power? All of these are natural acquisitions when participating in the Gift Economy, but no that’s not really what I care about. I care about loving others well. And the only way to successfully accomplish this is to be part of the Gift Economy.

Are you participating in the Gift Economy? What are your thoughts on the Gift Economy and its effect on Business, Marketing, Blogging, etc?

I just finished reading Seth Godin’s new book, Meatball Sunday. I absolutely loved it. Seth does it again by explaining how New Marketing is king and whoever sticks to the old “secure” ways of Old Marketing will be left behind.

Basically selling average stuff, at an average price, to as many people as you can, won’t work anymore. As Seth points out in his book and Hugh MacLeod mentions in this article, “too many people are locked into the mass-market, neither-cheap-nor-remarkable bracket” and expect to receive attention. But attention is no longer free and easy to come by. With the wide variety of options available to us wherever we go (TV, Internet, etc) we now have the ability to choose what we watch, what we listen to, and who earns our attention. Yes, earn. The point that Seth makes is if we stick to the Old Marketing habits without embracing the ever changing dynamics of the New Marketing, people will take there attention and give it to someone else that creates something remarkable and worth talking about.