Finding Your Video's Place on the Web

Everyone knows video is a beneficial addition to any web site because, for one reason, it raises the SEO (Search Engine Optimization). The big question is how does this happen? There are three major factors contributing to this jump in rankings: video markup, video sitemaps, and syndication.


* Markup looks at the way in which a video is incorporated into a site; and includes ensuring the video has a proper title, effective keywords, is embedded in the actual web page, and is linked to other material. *

* Video Sitemaps are essentially the same as a standard sitemap for a web page, except it contains information specific to the videos, explaining where the file is located on the site - which is also similar to the information for “markup”. This map helps search engines find each clip embedded on a site.*

* Syndication comes from sharing a video amongst several web sites. For example, if a video is placed on your homepage but then shared on Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, etc. search engines have a better chance of finding it - and ultimately you!*

Each of these factors plays a role in how effective your video will perform be once it is uploaded to the internet. Once a quality video has been created, with the assistance of a web designer, it can be added your site and start generating interest in your organization.

What steps did you take to ensure the effectiveness of videos added to your web site?

That’s the Golden Perspective...what’s yours?



*source: searchengineland.com

Giving the Best You

Have you ever found yourself standing in the middle of a room, in complete awe of your surroundings, and not knowing where to look first?  As I entered into this "indoor courtyard" I was in total amazement.  Somehow designers were able to create an indoor space with the look and feel of being in the courtyard of a southwestern or Spanish villa!

Every direction in which I looked there was a different piece of artwork adorning the wall, tile mosaics on pillars, ornate lighting...the list goes on.  Several times I had to stop and remind myself that I was standing inside during the middle of a cold January instead of outside on a bright sunny, summer day.  When I looked through the window, though, and saw piles of snow I was quickly reminded!  I was enjoying this room so much I didn't even want to leave - and if not for my next appointment I would have stayed a little longer.

How much care was taken when designing this building to give visitors a unique, unforgettable experience?  As a business owner I can relate to that sentiment.

If you, too, are a business owner what can you do to ensure your customers receive the best experience possible...something they will not forget for a long time?

What can you offer that is completely unexpected, but completely "you"?

After a few minutes of basking in the sunshine of this Southwestern excursion, I had to re-enter the realities of a Northeastern winter...but with a new found inspiration.

That's the Golden Perspective...what's yours?

What Do You Do Now?

I suddenly felt old as I passed this playground recently.  Where are the swings and the monkey bars; and what happened to those big domes that you could climb over, under, or through?  Are modern, sleek playgrounds another sign of a "technologically advanced" society?

This was not the first time I had seen this playground, but it was the first time I actually stopped to try and figure it out...and "figure out" is not an exaggeration.  There were odd little stool-type things positioned around these large octagons, some with springs for bouncing while others were secured firmly to the ground.  I stood there wondering if you actually have to be a child to understand what to do on such a playground.  Now, I've always thought of myself as a creative person with a pretty good imagination, but that still didn't help in this situation.  Aside from climbing up these geometric shapes, what else can you really do?  How can you imagine flying through the air without a swing or climbing through and between tall trees without monkey bars?  Have I reached another plateau in my life: the time when there is yet another thing that I don't understand from the younger generation?

Maybe this playground is supposed to be like life: an open slate for you to make of it whatever you wish.  This is your chance to fill the empty space with your own wishes, dreams, goals, and eventually achievements.

Even still, I wish I could do my dreaming on a swing!

That's the Golden Perspective...what's yours?

Adding a Little Excitement!

Yes, I know, it has been awhile.  Were you all beginning to think that Golden Perspectives had gone by the wayside like so many other blogs...a great idea at the outset, but then when time comes to update on a regular basis the author always seems to find something better to occupy his/her time.  Not necessarily the case.  Sometimes taking a step back helps you refocus and alleviate "burn out".  I also didn't have anything that was worthy of sharing, something that would make you stop and say, "That's cool" - until recently!

In the spirit of Christmas I recently took a trip into New York City to visit all of the "seasonal sights": Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, all of the store windows up and down 5th Ave, and those infamous Christmas lights along 6th Ave.  There is something about a string of lights standing nearly 10 feet tall to put you in the holiday spirit - fun, carefree, and memorable...all the makings of a great holiday!  When you start to feel overwhelmed with all of the "jobs" that go along with this time of year, take a step back and refocus.  If you are not giving anything your best effort it essentially is a waste of time.  Look for that inspiration to get you excited again, so the task you are trying to accomplish has true meaning. 

Sometimes even in work we have to take a step back and say, "What am I really trying to do and am I being effective?"  When you start to get overwhelmed and weighed down with certain jobs, look for that inspiration to reinvigorate yourself.  When you do sit down to finish that particular project, you will probably do a much better job.

Maybe you need to go in search of your own 10 foot high Christmas bulb!

That's the Golden Perspective...what's yours?

...it takes a little practice.

Repetition...repetition...repetition.  At the root of learning and retaining new information, as well as creation of fascinating sights, is repetition.  When this occurrence is man-made it can be important and noteworthy, but not as amazing as when it is natural.  I was at a shoot recently when this wall of slate caught my attention.  Each layer rested atop another, building a solid "wall" around 10  - 15 feet tall of pure slate.  This stone barrier was originally a sharp decline near a construction site, but had to be excavated to allow for vehicles and a new building.  What remains is a true work of nature.

How old do think these stones are?

How did the "ingredients" for each layer wind up in that location...and what are they?

What gives it the variety in color and textures...some bright, some muted, some hard and some soft?

Am I the only one amazed by how after thousands of years, this hill (technically, I was standing on the side of a hill that has over many years been carved out for different buildings) could form in such a colorful, symmetrical way?

With each layer of slate that piled on, the hill reached higher and higher above the adjacent valley, and built an even more amazing piece of artwork.

There is a lesson here that I have to keep in mind myself.  Often, when I am trying to learn a new skill or technique, I expect to have it mastered in a matter of minutes.  I forget that it takes practice and repetition. When I was first learning to shoot and edit over a decade ago, I did not walk out of the room an expert.  After years of practice I reached the skill level at which I work today.  Sometimes we are all hard on ourselves, with crazy notions of becoming proficient at a job after one day...give yourself time.  Study, practice and after a week or so you will start notice improvement...after a couple of months even more...and then a year later you will be completely confident, reminiscing of the days when you used struggle over focusing a camera on the fly - or maybe that was just me!

If you ever start to get discouraged, think about how long it took to build this wall - you'll feel better in no time!

That's the Golden Perspective...what's yours?

Are Really You Effective At Multi-tasking?

I think this is probably the ultimate in multi-tasking.  What do you do when snow and leaves cover the ground at the same time?  Which job do you try to tackle first: raking the leaves or shoveling the snow?  Maybe you do both simultaneously? Is it possible to clear the snow off and then pile up the remaining leaves?

It is probably easy to look back now and say, "Wow that was kind of crazy.  I've never had to deal with so many leaves and nearly a foot of snow at the same time!"  During the storm, however, I'm sure you did not think the situation was so amusing.  You were probably not thinking about the irony, but rather, removing the mess that seemed to overtake your yard; or how you desperately wanted electricity back to warm your house and prevent the food from spoiling in your fridge.  A few days removed, I am able to look at things in a different way...how effective can you really be when multi-tasking?

There are usually two clear sides to this argument: those that feel multi-tasking is not only possible, but something at which they excel; and those that feel it is useless.  Women swear they were born multi-taskers, while men can't even consider working on two things at once.  I have to admit, I'm not the best at doing two things at once.  My most successful attempt is reading e-mails while I eat breakfast, but that's pretty much it.  Even though I may have several programs/projects open on my computer during the day, I'm not effectively working on each of them simultaneously.  I usually have to complete one, clear my head, then move on to the next.

Honestly, how much focus can you give to one project/task if you are thinking about another one at the same time?

Isn't it difficult to concentrate on writing a report (or in my case editing) if you constantly check your e-mails to see if anything new arrived?

Won't you eventually get things confused, and put the wrong name or price on a document?

While snow piled on top of leaves is not as serious as work issues, you have to admit, a snowstorm in the middle of Fall does give new meaning to the term "multi-tasking"!

That's the Golden Perspective...what's yours?

Why Try to Do It Alone?

There is no denying it or any way to hide it - I am a Penn Stater down to my very core!  After attending one of the best universities in the country (that is not just opinion, by the way, there is factual evidence to back me up!) it is hard to not be completely obsessed with everything "Penn State".  People often marvel at  other alumni and me, wondering what it is that makes us so crazy about our alma mater...I simply tell them to spend a day in State College and they will understand.  There is something unique about that small utopia affectionately known as "Happy Valley" - and no day where that is more evident than on a football Saturday!

People all across the country, football fans or not, have heard about Penn State football.  They have heard about the history behind "Linebacker U", incessant tailgating, the legend that is Joe Paterno (known to most of us as JoePa), and how once you have experienced a game in Beaver Stadium nothing else could ever come close.  Since my first game as a freshman to my most recent experience this season, the excitement has never diminished.  Rival players and coaches, even broadcasters, marvel at the intensity among the 110,00 fans -  often commenting on how a home game against the Nittany Lions is made even more intimidating as a result of the fans!  That feeling is not forced, it is genuine!   It is the kind of feeling that comes from a bond connecting over half a million people worldwide.  On gameday everyone is united.

The experience felt among students and alumni is not limited to gamedays; Penn Staters look out for each other and are always willing to lend a helping hand.  With such a large number of allies in your personal and professional life how could you ever go wrong?  The trick is how to best capitalize on that support system.  Alumni are usually willing to make introductions or help set-up job interviews; offer advice on business decisions; or even better, present a job offer to a fellow alum.  You're probably thinking, "I don't have to be a Penn State alumni to experience all of those things.  I can accomplish that on my own."  You're right, you can, but the question is do you?  Penn Staters did not invent any of this, they just unconsciously live it!  Without even thinking, we set-up groups of friends or business associates initially based upon our experiences at Penn State, but then build on those relationships over the coming years as a way enriching our lives.


Do you have a tight circle of friends or business associates to whom you can turn for advice?

Have you taken the time to build a referral network with whom you can share work and help each others businesses grow?

Do you have strong allies that will provide support during crazy economic times like we are currently experiencing?


Although there are quite a few included, my network does not consist solely of fellow Penn Staters - and when it does we certainly discuss more than how well the football team played over the previous weekend.  With those people I meet who did not attend the same college, I have built relationships based upon other similar interests or experiences.  Building a strong network is never easy but definitely worth the effort.

That's the Golden Perspective...what's yours?