SEO Hacker Review of 2012 | SEO Hacker Blog - Internet Marketing in the Philippines

So the year is coming to a close. The US have decided that Obama should still be the one making the shots and we've survived the Mayan Apocalypse. The SEO Hacker team would like to thank you for helping us grow into a community that helps up-coming SEO specialists learn their way through the slippery road of SEO.

Love is not Rude

You and I have our rights. And it isn't a bad thing. Having rights as a person can come in handy. But sometimes having rights leads us to a mentality of entitlement - that we 'deserve this' and we 'deserve that'. We are called to a higher, more noble concern.

List of Things I Praise God for in 2012

2012 is almost at and end, and we're all probably thinking about how time flies. Another year is coming to a close, and the new year is just a few days ahead. Looking back, I want to give God glory on the things that He has blessed me with (and He has blessed me with so much!)

Human Emotional Filter and its Effects on SEO

The web is a place for people. Truth is, the Human Emotional Filter (HEF) plays a big role in SEO. That's plain, simple fact. SEO has extended to just being a technical, code guru into a job that requires multiple masteries that extend to the field of marketing, copywriting, functionality, and even design. So what's the human emotional filter and how does it affect SEO?

The Creative Side of On Site Optimization

On Site Optimization doesn't have to be all about codes. There's more to it than that. It's also split up to have a creative side - a side for artists. No, you don't have to be a Michelangelo to have a dashing, creative side to on site optimization (but that might help), you just need to make things a little nicer to look at, and perhaps a little nicer to read.

How do you Surrender the Blessing you Love Most?

God is a loving God. He desires to bless us. But more than that, He desires to mold our character to becoming more like Christ. Why? Because that is what holds eternal value. Earthly blessings will fade away. But then there are times when we're so attached to our blessings that we don't want to let go. So how do you surrender the blessing you love most?

How to Be more Patient | How to Check if you are a Patient Person

I've been reading the book 'A Love worth Giving' by Max Lucado a second time. It's taught me a lot about love. "Love is patient..." is at the top of the famous 1 Corinthians 13 series of how love's should be. It is love's flagship - bearing all other attributes of love behind it. This entry is taken from Max Lucado's book about love being patient - and is meant to remind us about true patience in love.

The Less Links, the Better – How SEO Hacker Achieved PageRank 5

So there's that recent PageRank update that finally put me through the PageRank 5 barrier. There is no real 'quantity' as to when you are going to have that numerical increase in your PageRank score - but I'm pretty sure that my (approximately) 20,000 inbound links is not anywhere quantitatively enough to put me on PageRank 5. So how did it happen?

Bad Company Corrupts Good Character

About a month ago a couple of friends and I decided to brave the highlands of Baguio City, with hopes for a temporary escape from the busy life of the metro.

Monitoring your Backlinks pays a Crucial Role

First situation: Domain of the backlink which you bought/sold expired

Problem 1: You buy an advertisement or a backlink from website "A". How do you find out if "A" website has expired or the domain has been parked? Problem 2: You sell a backlink or advertise a banner from your "B" site, but you will forget to renew the domain (which will also affect your client, because he will lose some link juice).

Link Management Tool by Jetrank

The New Kid on the SEO Block: Jetrank With so many companies and businesses vying for the top spot in search engines, there can be no doubt that internet marketing and in particular, search engine optimization (SEO), is on a roll. Whether you're a professional marketer or part of your company's in-house marketing team, I'm sure that you'll need (and want) to acquire tools that can make your job easier.

There's Treasure Everywhere!

Many times, we fail to see the beauty of things because we are too caught up with OUR OWN agenda and how WE LIKE things to go OUR WAY. And then when the time comes that it doesn't, we say, "LIFE SUCKS!" This post was inspired by the message in our church a few Sundays ago. This title really stuck to me because it emphasized how OUR MINDS AFFECT AND CAN INFECT EVERYTHING. Psychology calls it the power of the mind; which emphasizes on positive thinking. However, based on personal experience, positive thinking can be quite exhausting. It places the pressure of accomplishing things and doing well on YOUR PLATE. Power of the mind also instills the person to find positive things out of something; desirable and undesirable. This can work. In fact, in many occasions I'm sure it has. But let's be honest, when emotions are flying around the place, do you think POSITIVE thinking can still work? Proverbs 25:20 says, "Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on soda, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart." Recall the time when you were so down and troubled, didn't you JUST need a listening ear? Or an understanding heart to whom you can lighten up to? Positive thinking IS helpful just NOT ALWAYS. So why is there treasure EVERYWHERE? From God's Word Joshua 1: 9, "Have I not commanded you? BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you WHEREVER you go." (emphasis mine). When Moses died, God gave the responsibility of leading His People to the Promised Land to Joshua. Joshua knew how hard headed the Israelites were. He has heard about their constant nagging and complaining. Not to mention how easily their hearts can turn away from the Lord- Golden Calf (Exodus 32). More so, Joshua knew that the land God promised is still being occupied by armies of various people. There was a lot to take in for this guy. And he was scared. But Joshua trusted God. There's treasure everywhere because our God is everywhere. His thumbprint can be found on that unreasonable boss who does not notice how hard you have been working for him. It can be found on the deteriorating health of your mom. It is written in your family's disbelief of your new found faith. It can be EVIDENT in your everyday seeking of the Lord's message. And surely, GOD is there in that broken relationship you are having with your boyfriend. Calvin found treasure as he was digging a pit full of ROCKS. Psalms 55: 22 says, "Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall." God knows your heartache, He knows your EVERY problem,your major and minor concerns. He is and was with you since the very start. THERE IS TREASURE EVERYWHERE. Let Him help YOU find the treasure that is still being written in your life story. Trust HIM when the perfect timing of finding that treasure WILL BE. But know that there is and it lies within GOD'S STORY IN YOUR LIFE. Jeremiah 29: 13, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Perhaps another reason why you don't find the treasure is because you are NOT LOOKING for it? via h3sean.com

Posted via email from h3sean's posterous

How to Develop your Branding through Content Strategy and its Effects on SEO

Content Strategy is now a rocket taking off to take your website to the moon - it has generated a lot of buzz and news and is the trending topic for SEO sites. We all know that branding is important, especially with the latest launch of Google's EMD update - which is Google's way of cleaning up the web from spammy, EMD-dependent money sites. So how does Content Strategy Relate to branding? Better yet, how does branding affect SEO?

Dating God's Best

Would you agree with me if I say that some Christians miss God’s best because they have been in search for God’s will? How the statement is ironically paradoxical. While seeking God’s will is right and a wise thing to do, I hope we do our seeking the right way. Most of the time in our desperate search for His will, we forget what our faith is all about – moving forward with confidence that God is in control.

Cognitive SEO: Post Panda-Penguin Backlink Analysis Capabilities

With the Penguin and EMD updates you really need to understand your links. The time when having a bunch of links that would increase your rankings (no matter where they are coming from) is long gone. After the Penguin update, Google has become much smarter and can analyze link profiles like never before.

Holding on to a Relationship

We live in this world where lots of good things exist. We're blessed with a family, a house, a car perhaps, and then some time in our lives, we're blessed with a relationship. How do you react when that someone you hold so dear to you suddenly needs to leave? For whatever reason, your relationship has to stop. What do you do then?

SEO Hacker History

I think it's about time to give due credit to whom credit is due. Let me tell you how SEO Hacker first started and the history of my journey as its first managing director. WARNING: This is NOT a post about SEO nor Internet Marketing

Why You Feel Used

Recently, I have been thinking about talents. I believe that our talents are given for 2 reasons - to glorify God and to bless others. And since we have a God who is unselfish and loving, He uses us to be channels of blessings to others. This post has been inspired by the series of events in my life this week that showed how giving, forgiving and good our God is. In my line of work, I try my best to be well aware of the skill sets and talents of the people I work with. This is one of the many things I picked up from the book, 'How to Win Friends and Influence People' by Dale Carnegie. I use this as an instrument to encourage and build up their morale especially during difficult times. I couldn't recall the number of times I have witnessed how compliments and encouragements changed the mindset of people. They gained faith, strive harder, went the extra mile and achieved the goal. Unfortunately, personally I did not have someone who do the same for me. I felt like I needed to have my emotional tanks filled too. Don't we all? Have you ever felt like you have given much and none was left? It's like you had worked so hard, but still was unappreciated? Or you have forgiven, understood their side and been patient and now you're asking, was it really worth-it? In short, your mind goes, "WHAT ABOUT ME"? Call me selfish. But be honest with yourself. If you've had this feeling, I have good news and bad news. Good news is, you're human. Bad news is you have forgotten who loved you FIRST. Okay, another good news, I had gone thru the same feeling and I want to share with you the things God told ME. Lesson number 1- Use your gifts to bless others. (2 Cor. 9:11). God told me that He has given me the gift of encouragement. Highlighting: GOD GAVE ME. Let me emphasize that it is God, Creator of the Universe, the Ultimate Provider of His children who blessed me with a gift/s. So how in the world will I run out? You ought to know what your skill sets are. If you do, then use your gifts to bless others. CCF, our church reminds us that we are blessed to be a blessing. It was not meant to be kept for yourself. Nor was it meant to be hidden because you're shy. Knowing your gifts hold so much blessings. Aside from the fact that: A. SURELY, you will be joyful in doing so; B. You will also grow in maturity with this God-given gift. C. you will bless others. But more importantly, YOU PLEASE GOD. And isn't that what our life's purpose should be? (1Cor. 10:31, Col. 3: 17). Tip: Being joyful as you do something is one way to find out your God given gift. (i.e. giving-charity works or acts of service, writing, singing). Lesson number 2- Draw your strength from the Giver. Everything good comes from God. All our thoughts, initiatives, speech and good works are from Him. "I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out." -Romans 7:18. Having the goal to please God and understanding that all good things come from Him and not from us, takes the attention and credit away from self. We become less mindful of what we THINK WE DESERVE and more in tuned with HOW MUCH GOD HAS BLESSED US. Again as previously mentioned, to please Him. Drawing your strength from the Giver-whether it be love, wisdom, humility or patience also heightens the NEED to commune with God. For how can we be informed what to do if we don't listen? I would like to end on a statement that Sean shared with me. He said, "Someday when I meet God, I would like to show Him that I used up ALL the talents He has given me in this world." I agree. Wouldn't you too? Our God deserves our all. via h3sean.com

Posted via email from h3sean's posterous

Using Yes Content for Effective Emotional Content Strategy

You and I are created as emotional beings. We fear. We hate. We love. We laugh. We want. We feel. Feelings have a lot to do with your decisions - especially quick ones. Ones made when browsing the internet.

Going Back to God

"There's just too many questions, aren't there?" He's wearing white slacks and long sleeves that seemed to glow as he smiled. No, I didn't see the smile but i felt it - strongly. I nodded unknowingly, "Why did you come?" He was looking for me ever since - it's just he decided to finally meet me. "You've come a long way. Why now? Why me? Why all the trouble?" I shrugged my shoulders, "And what now?" He shifted his weight on the old black leather couch that seemed too comfortable. "You've stolen from me. I want it back." "What did I steal from you?" Again that smile - this time, it felt as if He was amused. "What you've given me before - your heart." I was astonished, "That just doesn't happen in one seating" "Oh, I believe this is exactly what you need." "And how do you plan to do that?" "Do you remember the time when you were hungry? The time when you wanted this girl and you didn't know if you were sure? The time when you needed an encouragement?" "Yeah, well, that's all in the past, isn't it?" He stretched pointed out to me as if He was going to say something important, "What about that goal of getting married you've been working so hard for?" I didn't know what to say. "Aren't you tired? Your eyes seem so. They've lost their joy. Their glow. Your shoulders are slumped. Your cheeks sag. Oh you may not have noticed this but I do. I know you better than you think." He stood up as if to model His words, "You've forgotten to stand up straight and walk as if there is hope. Now you toil ahead as if you're dragging the weight of your past." I felt tears welling up, "And what would you do to bring me back?" "It's not about what I would do. It's about what you would do. Walk with me." I shook my head and looked away, "I stole from you, dishonored you, spat on your face and shamed you in front of my friends, there is nothing more between us." "That's not true!" His voice boomed through the walls, "There is something that will always be between us." He grew silent. "My Son. Jesus." He walked towards me, "Remember I gave my Son up for you as a sacrifice for your sins - He took your place of death on the cross. You can never say that there is nothing between us." I just stood there in shame, "Yes... I remember..." He held out his hand, "I will take you back. Walk with me." I reached out for His hand, "I'm no longer worthy to be called your son, Lord." I shed my first tears in years. "But because of Jesus, you are. And I love you and I will take you back." I remember my addictions, my respectable sins, my deceits, my bad habits, even my empty and dishonoring relationships. I'm letting it all go. "Okay God. I surrender. Take me back."

Posted via email from h3sean's posterous

Taming the Tongue

Words are powerful. That's a fact I've come to know in my years of writing, counseling, talking, reading, and dealing with other people. The written word can be carefully thought about before we put it out for the world to see. But how about the spoken word? How many times have we said some things that we wish we could've taken back? A Little Background I consider myself an emotional person - and I think there are pros and cons to that. The pros being, I can relate to other people and make a better connection with them without much difficulty. I'm a speaker in conferences and seminars and I teach online in my SEO School. I'm also a wordsmith - I love writing and voicing out my ideas. The cons? Well, let's just say, it's so easy to let my emotions out - whether good or bad. Thank God that I've learned about taming the tongue early in life! And I want to impart to you the reasons why I'm living a life in constant surrender of my tongue to the Lord. Life and Death "You're hopeless" ,"You're good for nothing", "You're better off dead". How many times have we heard these words? Discouraging, heart-breaking, life-scarring words. How many times have we said them? "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit." - Proverbs 18:21 It's such a small thing - this tongue we have installed in our mouths. But the Bible says it has the power of life and death. How can that be? Can you kill someone with your tongue? "A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. " - Proverbs 15:4 We may not be able to kill someone physically but we will be able to break someone's spirit. God has given us the power of the spoken word. It's so easy to let a word or two out of our mouths to satisfy what we feel. It's so easy to make a comment or two about someone's attitude. It's so easy to tell a friend about someone's fashion statement gone wrong. "There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. " - Proverbs 12:18 A Spiritual Sting Words can hurt. Perhaps more than a physical wound can. It can be excruciatingly painful to the spirit of the receiver. I've been a victim. I'm sure you were too. There are a lot of people who have no awareness of their tongue's power over someone else's life. "All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. " - James 3:7-8 Unwilling and Rogue The tongue cannot be tamed. It has to be surrendered. "...Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. " - James 3:5-6 Surrendered to God's grace, mercy, healing, wisdom, courage, love. So that we will be able to say words that are glorifying to God. "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. " - Ephesians 4:29 Or at the very least, to keep silent if we have no good thing to say. "Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. " - Proverbs 21:23 "Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent. " - Proverbs 17:28 Let's not inflict on other people the harsh, life-marring words we've heard in our lives. Instead, let's commit to speaking out only what is good and encouraging and loving to other people.

Posted via email from h3sean's posterous

SEO Hacker in MorCon 2012

It's been a crazy, wacky, fun-filled weekend for the SEO Hacker team. We traveled to Bataan with the rest of the seo.org.ph members and other guests in an attempt to learn more about SEO in that conference.

What is Real Love?

In a world where the word 'Love' has lost its real meaning in a flurry of shallow statements such as "I love chocolate", "I love books", "I love Facebook", how do we know what it really means when someone tells you "I love you"? This entry has been inspired by Max Lucado's book "A Love Worth Giving" which has taught me a huge deal about real love. Parts of this entry has been taken from a part of his book on "Love Believes all Things" I'm writing this entry as the first of a series based on his book. His writings have been a wonderful experience to me. A Dead Man's Story "By all rules, Skinner was a dead man." With these words Arthur Bressi begins his retelling of the day he found his best fiend in a World War II Japanese concentration camp. The two were high-school buddies. They grew up together in Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania - playing ball, skipping school, double-dating. Arthur and Skinner were inseparable. It made sense, then, that when one joined the army, the other would as well. They rode the same troopship to the Philippines. That's where the were separated. Skinner was on Bataan when it fell to the Japanese in 1942. Arthur Bressi was captured a month later. Through the prison grapevine, Arthur learned the whereabouts of his friend. Skinner was near death in a nearby camp. Arthur volunteered for work detail in the hope that his company might pass through the other camp. One day they did. Arthur requested and was given five minutes to find and speak to his friend. He knew to go to the sick side of the camp. It was divided into two sections - one for those expected to recover, the other for those given no hope. Those expected to die lived in a barracks called "Zero Ward". That's where Arthur found Skinner. He called his name, and out of the barracks walked the seventy-nine pound shadow of the friend he had once known. As he writes:

I stood at the wire fence of the Japanese prisoner-of-war camp on Luzon and watched my childhood buddy, caked in filth and racked with the pain of multiple diseases, totter toward me. He was dead; only his boisterous spirit hadn't left his body. I wanted to look away, but couldn't. His blue eyes, watery and dulled, locked on me and wouldn't let go.

Malaria. Amebic dysentery, Pellagra. Scurvy. Beriberi. Sinner's body was a dormitory for tropical diseases. He couldn't eat. He couldn't drink. He was nearly gone. Arthur didn't know what to do or say. His five minutes were nearly up. He began to finger the heavy knot of the handkerchief tied around his neck. In it was his high-school class ring. At the risk of punishment, he'd smuggled the ring into camp. Knowing the imminence of disease and the scarcity of treatment, he had been saving it to barter for medicine or food for himself. But one look at Skinner, and he knew he couldn't save it any longer. As he told his friend good-bye, he slipped the ring through the fence into Skinner's frail hand and told him to "wheel the deal" with it. Skinner objected, but Arthur insisted. He turned and left, not knowing if he would ever see his friend alive again. What kind of love would do something like that? It's one thing to give a gift to the healthy. It's one thing to share a treasure with the strong. But to give your best to the weak, to entrust your treasure to the dying - that's saying something. Indeed, that's saying something to them. "I believe in you," the gesture declares. "Don't despair. Don't give up. I believe in you." "[Love] believes all things" - 1 Corinthians 13:7 I've been counseling a friend about his personal problems. His life's a mess. He's been following his own desires. His own passions. Until it ruined him - emotionally, relationally, spiritually. It marred his life. And you know what brought him back up to his feet? I reminded him that God believes in him. Want to know what happened to Skinner? He took the rnig and buried it in the barracks floor. The next day he took the biggest risk of his life. He approached the "kindest" of the guards and passed him the ring through the fence. "Takai?" the guard asked. "Is it valuable?" Skinner assured him that it was. The soldier smiled and slipped the ring into a pocket and left. A couple of days later he walked past Skinner and let a packet drop at his feet. Sulfanilamide tablets. A day later he returned with limes to combat the scurvy. Then came a new pair of pants and some canned beef. Within three weeks Skinner was on his feet. Within three months he was taken to the healthy side of the sick camp. In time he was able to work. AS far as Skinner knew, he was the only American ever to leave the zero ward alive. All because of a ring. All because someone believed in him. God gave you a ring once. Jesus talked about it in the story of the prodigal son. The tale involves a wealthy father and a willful son. The boy squandered all his inheritance in wild living. He sated all the desires of his heart through fleeting, temporary pleasures - until nothing was left for him. Living in misery and loss, he went back to his father's house. And you know what? The father ran out to him in compassion. Instead of crossed arms, a furrowed brow and a stern lecture, the first things his father gave him were gifts. "But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate." - Luke 15:22-23 Do you know what a ring meant during the time? Rings were symbols of delegated sovereignty. The bearer of the ring could speak on behalf of the giver. It was used to press a seal into soft wax to validate a transaction. The on who wore the ring conducted business int he name of the one who gave it.

"When you speak the truth, you are God's ambassador. As you steward the money he gives, you are His business manager. When you declare forgiveness, you are His priest. As you stir the healing of the body or the soul, you are His physician. And when you pray, He listens to you has a father listens to a son. You have a voice in the household of God. He has given you His ring." - Max Lucado

The only thing more remarkable than the giving of the ring is the fact that he hasn't taken it back! Weren't there times when He could have? When you promoted your cause and forgot His? When you spoke lies and not truth? But you still have a Bible, don't you? You could still pray? And you still have resources to manage? Then it appears that God still wants you to have the ring. He still believes in you! And I wonder, could you take some of the belief that God has in you and share it with someone else? Could you believe in someone? Arthur gave Skinner much more than a ring he gave him a proclamation, a judgment that said, "You are worth this much to me! You life is worth saving. Your life is worth living." He believed in him and, as a result, gave Skinner the means and the courage to save himself. Speak words that make people stronger. Believe in them as God believed in you You may save someone's life. Arthur did. His friend Skinner survived. Both men returned home to Mount Carmel. One day, soon after their arrival, Skinner came over for a visit. He had a gift with him. A small box. Arthur knew immediately what it was. It was an exact copy of the high-school ring. After a lame attempt at humor - "Don't lose that; it cost me eighteen dollars" - he gave his friend a warm smile and said, "That ring, Artie... It saved my life." May someone say the same to you. May you say the same to God.

Posted via email from h3sean's posterous

How to Extract Meaningful Keywords using Ranktracker

I've been blogging for quite a while about SEO and I realized that I haven't really blogged about how to track keyword rankings effectively. This post is all about directing your online marketing efforts towards meaningful, performing keywords and decreasing efforts for non-performing ones.

5 Reasons why I was going to Hell

I believe that there is a place called hell where eternal fire and suffering exists. Where nothing but eternal pain, horror and excruciating torture is felt. I believe that this hell is one of two places where people go when they die. I believe I was headed down there. 1) I'm a Liar I lie. I don't remember when I did it the first time. But I'm sure it wasn't far from when I was born. I don't remember when I did it the last time either - but I'm sure it wasn't far from today. 2) I'm a Thief I steal. Something grabs my attention, piques my desire, arouses my greed - I take it. It's not mine. But I store it away anyway. I've stolen some things. 3) I'm an Adulterer My eyes wander to and fro. My heart yearns for the forbidden. I lust after another woman who is not my wife. My heart darkens. I've fallen deep and fallen often. 4) I'm a Fornicator Taken deep by my lust, I wandered out to sate my appetite for my fleshly yearning. I go after another woman. I can never go back. There is no second virginity. 5) I'm a Murderer I am guilty of murdering the only Son of God. He was crucified in my stead - a sinless man took away my sins on the cross. An excruciating, tortuous and painful death that should have been mine. Jesus Christ was the only qualified substitute for me. I was well on my way to hell - inherently evil. Trapped in my sinful desires. But God, in His great grace and love for me, sent His Son - Jesus Christ, to die for my stead so that I won't have to go to hell. Because of Jesus' sinless life, death could not hold Him. He was raised again to life on the third day and I await His return - to go and join Him in His Kingdom in heaven. He did it for you too, you know?

Posted via email from h3sean's posterous

How Rel Author Tag Affects SEO | Implement Authorship Markup

Rel=”author” is Google's authorship markup where authors link their page content on their Google profile. Google's authorship markup is one of the most popular on site optimization factors. It shows up in the search engine results page as an eye-catching picture, it connects all your published works, it leverages trust in you as an author and much more. So how does it affect SEO?

Relationships are Messy

It was the resonating voice of reality that echoed through my head as I looked outside the window on a shuttle bound for the city. I breathed a sigh as the thought repeated itself; “relationships are messy.” Author’s Note: I just had to write this one. Scenarios are fictional. There was a show on TV last Saturday night that talked about relationships – romantic relationships. And with the volley of questions and answers it seemed there were no concrete answers to anything. I don’t know. Every attempt to answer questions seemed to only bring more questions. And it’s not like the world will stop until we find those answers. No, we are left to live life with such questions hovering over our heads – dumbfounded and confused on what to do when confronted with the issue. I paced across Krispy Kreme and saw a group of young adults engaged in what seemed to be a very serious conversation. My imagination would suggest they probably have conflicts with some members of their group, discussing their concerns collectively in hopes of coming up with a solution, or maybe just to gain agreement from their peers. I can imagine what they might be saying, “I have my concerns”, “why can’t we just do this instead?”, “I don’t understand.” The litter on their table hinted they might have been there for hours, probably talking about the same issue with the same intensity, and yet still to arrive at a conclusion. As I was walking to the terminal, a young man passed by. He was talking to someone on the phone, his countenance rather grim and his gestures quite tensed. It could be a problem with a colleague he was working with – frustrated with his seeming apathy and disinterest in the work he does, somehow this young man is left stressed to do what his colleague couldn’t (or perhaps wouldn’t) do. He tried reaching out to no avail. He raised his concern but it was as if he wasn’t heard, and probably at that moment he was on the brink of quitting. An old lady was sitting at the terminal. Her face was hinted with disappointment, perhaps over a relationship she thought was perfect. She recounted her younger years and traced where she went wrong in her decisions. She must have been reflecting on it for months now. Scars and bruises were on her arms and neck. She had a cane beside her, and from the looks of it she seemed to have purchased it rather recently to aid her limping right leg. Probably her limping leg was also just recently. Her bag was held closely to her chest as she waited for the bus. A young boy, dressed in white and carrying a backpack, was sitting beside me. He had his headset on, and the volume of his music was probably at its maximum. Despite the noise of traffic, the incessant honking, the sound of engines and the ruckus of ongoing construction, I could hear what he was listening to. It was familiar. It was Simple Plans’ Perfect. His lips were moving with the melody; I can tell he was singing along with it. I wondered what else was on his playlist aside from a song about a son’s efforts to live up to his father’s expectations, and then fail. I sat down on my office chair, closed my eyes, and thank the Lord for bringing me safely to work. And in my casual talk with God I whispered the same haunting line, “Lord, relationships are messy.” I opened my bible and read His word. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. – Philippians 2:3-4 And then it hit me. Relationships are messy because people are messy. But God didn’t mind getting His hands dirty in the mess of my life. And if I am to confess God in my life, I should also be ready to dive into the mess of relationships. It’s not what I can get, but what I can give. It’s not what people do (or don’t do) to me, but what I do (or don’t do) to them. It’s not how I expect to be loved, but how I am to love them. It’s not about me. It’s about the One whom I belong to. And He gives me these commands: to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love others as yourself.(1) Relationships are messy because people are messy, but God doesn’t mind getting His hands dirty. And so should we. (1) CF Luke 10:27, Matthew 22:37-40, Mark 12:30-31

Posted via email from h3sean's posterous

Youtube SEO

Youtube is the second largest search engine. A lot of people are doing SEO for Google - which usually ends up with Bing and Yahoo rankings following suit. What we fail to see is that Youtube SEO can gain you far more search traffic than Yahoo and Bing does. So if you're not doing Youtube SEO, you're missing out.

Men and Scoreboards

Men are being graded everyday. I hate to admit this to the world, but it's true. This article is for men out there who would really know how to love his girl the way she wants to be loved. This blog is also written in agreement with Dr. Steve Stephens' book Lost in Translation, specifically on The Point System chapter. Do you recall the last time you told your partner, "You're moody again". That most probably is true, but really you just GAINED a NEGATIVE SCORE. It must be that you are so low, the feelings had to show. Women are born to be wooed. Whether you as a man like that or not, or whether your girl admits that or not, IT IS TRUE. It was how she fell in love with you, it was how why she gave her "YES" and it will be how she will REMAIN. Men who go out telling other men that women are hard to understand are lazy. These are guys who forgot how capable they were to making their partner happy. They just simply gave up. Scores can be gained and/or lost everyday. You have to understand that a point translates to the SMALL things you do for her. Sometimes, due to lack of time, resources and other excuses, men are lured into the BIG gifts: a new watch, an expensive gadget, a surprise date in a fine dining restaurant, etc. I hate to break this to you, but that still translates to a point; if she's nice, 2 points may be. Now do you get it why she is not content? It's really the little thoughts and gestures that touches a girl's heart. CONSISTENCY is KEY. This will definitely give you flying colors. If you could consistently do something, then this is most probably what is in your heart. So if you consistently do not inform her of your whereabouts, she understands this as you don't want her to know where you are. Whereas if you regularly bring home something you know she likes, she understands this as you thought about her. POINT! It pays to know her language of love as well. Once you know that, MASTER it. I promise you, you won't regret it. So what are you waiting for? Score those points today!

Posted via email from h3sean's posterous

Google+ Local Optimization

If Google Places has been your de-facto method of driving online customers to your brick-and-mortar business, big changes are on the way. Google is importing Google Places into Google + Local, and this means big changes for businesses and consumers who use the internet to find local establishments. This post is all about Google Plus Local Optimization.

3 Wrong and Ineffective Ways to Deal with Sin

Why did Jesus have to die on the Cross? Why did it have to take the blood of the Son of God to cleanse us from our sins? Can't doing good make the cut? Can't living a 'good' life get us to heaven? In looking at the gravity of the cross, we first have to understand the gravity of sin to understand its necessity. This entry has been inspired by Joshua Harris' book 'Boy meets Girl' Minimizing Sin This is, by far, the favorite. It's our natural tendency to just minimize sin, isn't it? We try to justify and reason and name why we committed a certain sin so that we will not have to face the reality of its gravity. We justify: "We were young and wild..." We reason: "But I was in a cinch - I had no choice!" We name: "It was just one night of love. I didn't mean to get her pregnant!" All this and more - we know what we're guilty of. "Sin isn't so serious" We try to assure ourselves. "Besides, we're only human." Sin is serious In fact, it is so serious, that the only way to deal with it is for us to spend an eternity in hell or for God Himself to die on the cross to pay for its rewards. God never downplays it. He felt its gravity on His own physical body. And more than that, he felt its gravity on His Spirit. Whenever you minimize sin, you minimize the loving sacrifice of our God on the extremely painful and tortuous death of the cross. Ignoring Sin God is Holy. That is a fact. But there are times when we try to label our sins as 'excusable' for God. We downplay God's Holiness to our level - trying to make God in our image and likeness - as someone who is willing to just overlook sin and ignore its consequences. "These things you have one and I kept silent; you thought I was altogether like you. But I will rebuke you and accuse you to your face" - Psalm 50:21 God hates sin. He abhors it. He had to send His own son to die for it. God isn't like us. His standards have never changed. Holiness. Living Self-Righteously "I just can't believe I did that..." Ever heard yourself saying this? Perhaps even thinking it? Why, do you think, did it ever even occur to you? Are you surprised? You shouldn't be. You're were not born as someone inherently good. We are inherently evil. You don't teach a child how to lie. How to steal. How to cheat. We have the root of sin in our flesh. Dealing with sin as if you're shocked to commit it is a wrong approach. You're sorry not because you disobeyed God, but because you have failed to live up with your own 'standard' you've set for yourself. "I just can't forgive myself..." Ever heard yourself think this one? "Maybe God can, but I can't..." It might appear noble, but statements like these are a form of 'reverse pride' which indirectly says "My standards are higher than God's" It is also a form of a lack of faith which means that you're telling God that His grace is not big enough and His death on the cross is not payment enough. Dealing with sin in this way either means that you wallow in guilt, bear your own punishment or earn God's favor through obedience - all of which will simply not remove the burden of sin from yourself. If we could deal with our own sins with our own efforts, we are in no need of the cross. We have no need of a savior. We have no need of grace. But we have no righteousness of our own. We can't pay enough penance for our verdict in hell. Nothing we can do save us. If sin is no big deal, the cross is no big deal either The good news is: no matter how big of a deal sin is, it's already been deal with. Already been paid for. Already been overcome. Christ's death on the cross has freed you. There is one thing you can do to deal with sin - receive His grace and forgiveness. Recognize Jesus' death for you on the cross. Accept Him into your life as your personal Lord and Savior and decide sin no more. Oh I'm not going to tell you that you're never going to sin again. You probably will. It is a life-long war that you'll be facing. But in the end, you know you're free. That's what matters.

Posted via email from h3sean's posterous

SEO Copywriting Best Practices

When you're writing a story or an article, you make sure to give your users a great read. You make sure that the story's great. The grammar is impeccable. The facts are all sorted out. In SEO Copywriting, you take all that and mix it with a great user experience - making sure that User Activity within that page sends a positive signal to Google.

Why your Passion shouldn't Define your Identity

Writer's Note: To see the whole context of this post, I'd just like to share that aside from my day job as a web marketing officer, I run my own video game blog and moonlight (wow do people still use that term) as a game reviewer for an online web forum. Prior to this post I used to believe that since I work within the video games industry, being a gamer defines who I am, aside from being a Christian. Because of that mindset, I have formed my own beliefs around that fact and have acted accordingly, and because of this specific mindset I hurt someone who was truly dear to me. So without further ado: While I was reading the book “What God Does When Men Lead” on the LRT while I was on my way to work. There was this part where Bill Peel (the author) Quoted Tony Dungy:

It was the first time I was able to look at football as something that God was allowing me to do, not something that should DEFINE me. I couldn’t take my identity from this sport; I had to consciously make sure that God was in first place. Tony Dungy, in his book Quiet Strength, mentioned on page 47 of "What God Does When Men Lead".

The statement struck a nerve since Dungy's words reminded me of my stand when it comes to video games. Dungy’s realization after his subsequent inactivity for a season as a NFL player redefined his way of thinking as an American Football player. The same goes for myself since I once claimed that video games is part of me and that it defines me. It was when I read that statement that I finally realized and understood the folly of my thoughts. God allowed me to work within the grounds of the video game industry. God allowed me to have a passion on it because He wants me to go into it in His own way. It shouldn’t have been part of me in the first place. I would’ve saved myself from heartaches and well, hurting someone else if I just realized that a year ago. Christ should be the one that DEFINES me, not anyone or anything else. So what now? All I can say is that my passion is still in the video games industry. Now I am firm on what defines me. While it may be hard for me to let this go since I have been so immersed in it already. But when the time comes to decide. I know and I will, let go of video games if He so tells me to. Because above all else, I am His son. This entry is originally from Vincent's blog.

Posted via email from h3sean's posterous

Monitor Backlinks Tool | Backlink Checking Tool

  Anyone who's been exposed to search engine optimization (SEO) will definitely say that links play a BIG, if not the biggest, part in it. If you think about SEO as the elections, what would it take to win in it...the answer: VOTES. SEO (BACKLINKS) = ELECTIONS (VOTES) Backlinks are incoming links to your website. It's simple really...you vote for a candidate that you fully support or find most interesting. Similarly, you link to websites (or anything for that matter) that you think gives great value. As an SEO specialist, backlinks are one of the things you strive for in order to outrank your competitors. Here's where it gets juicy...what if, one day, you find out that your backlinks have suddenly vanished into thin air or have undergone a "nofollow" transformation? (Nofollow links don't give out "link juice" or "link love" which is used by Google for their PageRank system.) Well, one developer by the name of Daniel Damian has done the tough part of solving this problem through his backlink monitoring tool at MonitorBacklinks. Let's check it out:

Why God Answers Prayers | God and You

Are you seeking for answers today? Do you have a request you long for God to answer? Have you prayed about this? How often have you prayed about it? This post is an inspiration of my quiet times with the Lord, the circumstances in our country right now, from the movie Hachiko and the book 'Too Busy Not to Pray" by Bill Hybels. It is interesting enough that our social media today allows us to connect to one another as easy as a site, as fast as a button and as diverse as a click. Many times, I see posts such as "I wish I had this" and a photo of a modern car or gadget, or something like "I want this for my birthday" and another photo of a desired object. Nothing wrong with this. But I was reminded today and so in turn, also encourage you that as soon as a desire pops in your heart, would you pray? Pray that God is pleased with that desire (2 Cor. 10: 5). If He is, then pray expectantly and unceasingly (Micah 7:7). God is Able. Due to the gravity of damage the non-stop rains and typhoons have caused, I couldn't help but ask God for help. I know that He alone can stop the rains. If He Wills it, He will rescue the people. And that He loves our countrymen more than I ever could. Admittedly, there are times when I feel that my petty request may not have reached God's ears, that perhaps my desires may be shallower compared to the desires of others. But God through Bill Hybels' book, told me 'NO'. He hears my every prayer, He knows my every desire and He can answer (Psalms 50:15). Today, I was made aware that those times when I didn’t pray with much confidence, it was because I did not have much faith. It was NOT because God was too busy to hear my concerns, rather I did not believe it enough that my prayers could be answered. It was not God with the problem; it was my impatient, faithless heart that is the cause of my prayer-less walk. If you have felt or understand where I am coming from, dive into Gods Word and know that:

1. In Joshua 1, Joshua was led and comforted by God in leading the Israelites to the Promise Land.

⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

1. In Exodus 16, God provided manna from heaven as food for the Israelites in their journey.

^15b Moses said to them, “It is the bread the Lord has given you to eat. ¹⁶ This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Everyone is to gather as much as they need. Take an omer^[a] for each person you have in your tent.’”

1. In John 9, Jesus heals a blind man from the goodness of his heart.

¹¹ He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.”

1. In Exodus 11: 1-8, God changed the hardened heart of Pharoah to let the Israelites go.

God is Willing. In line, with His ability, is God’s generosity. Our God owns the world. He created and made everything possible. He willingly gave you your life, those opportunities, your family and friends; all blessings. How then therefore, could He not answer your hearts' desires if it so pleases Him? Matthew 7: 9-11, "⁹ “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? ¹¹ If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! " Don't leave 1% to doubt or laziness. Learn to pray in 100% confidence to God. If a dog could wait patiently for his mater, as God's child, won't you also faithfully wait for Him?  

Posted via email from h3sean's posterous

Why Women Worry more than Men

Women are multi-taskers. They could be talking on the phone on one hand and preparing her child's sandwich on another. A friend of mine was talking to me about her experience in zipline in Cagayan de Oro then in the middle of it, she remembered her unfinished report on climate change and started talking about that! Random? Not exactly, more on REAL if you're a girl. Dr. Stephens describe women as sponges and men as turtles in his book Lost in Translation. Here, I'll talk about how and why I personally agree with him. Sponges absorb liquids as much as it can. It doesn't spill unless you press them. It just takes everything in. I’m reminded of a conflict between my sister and her husband. For the millionth time, she reminded him about locking the car doors once they start moving. Unfortunately, John just doesn't find this necessary. So in frustration, my sister said, “If I don’t think about these things, who would?” Studies say that women are more stressed than men. A probable reason for this could be because just like a sponge, they try to take in as much stress, responsibility and pressure as they can. Another reason could be is that women find it hard to say 'No' when faced with a task. Still another, they find it hard to let go of a concern and have it go over their minds in all possible angles they know. Men as turtles, however, do not react this way. When faced with stress, the natural reaction would usually be to roll on their backs. They would not pay much attention to something that makes them feel unsure, undecided and unstable. This way, their shells remain hard, strong. As my dad would say, “Sleep on it. Maybe in the morning, you’ll get a new perspective on how to solve the problem.” “What if I don’t? How sure are you that I would?”, was how I usually responded. Let’s have a quick comparison of the two: Sponges (Usually Women)

1. Overanalyze concerns. Check every possible detail, look at different scenarios (“what-ifs”) which can add stress
2. Internalize and admit feelings
3. Socialize thoughts and feelings

Turtles (Usually Men)

1. Deny or postpone concerns. Dislike the feeling of uncertainty so would rather think of other things
2. Suppress “unmanly” emotions
3. Strategize and act on what to do

Studies also say that men are more stressed than they realize. They don’t pay close attention so they don’t notice stress related behaviors such as forgetfulness, binge eating, smoking, drinking and the like which may already signal stress to their partners. One important condition that both the turtle and sponge should be careful about is overcompensation. This often times happen without the couple's knowledge. When a turtle’s shell is too strong, the sponge feels she has to absorb MORE. This way, the sponge says, we can get things done. Then the turtle counteracts what he sees by having a STRONGER shell in order to avoid more drama. This is where it gets ugly. In reality, turtles and sponges both need to be more familiarized on how each other react in order to work together. Sponges admittedly envy the strong shells of turtles and really hope they could worry less. Turtles on the other hand should come out of their shells and step up to the challenge.

Posted via email from h3sean's posterous

Learn SEO Copywriting

As a writer, we paint. We make sure that our words create visions in our reader's minds. We play. We create art. Wordplay is one of a writer's most important skills. In SEO Copywriting, that is tuned up a bit to Wordsmithing. What's the difference?

3 Signs that you Should Break Up

"Breaking up is Hard to Do" says Neil Sedaka (I'm pretty sure you know this song). And I believe that this is completely true. I also believe that staying with the wrong person is even harder. This entry has been inspired by Craig Groeschel's book ' Going all the Way - Preparing for a marriage that goes the distance' We dread breakups because of the emotional pain and trauma that it brings along. No one likes a breakup. And there is no such thing as a 'good breakup' because you have just given away part of your self to another person and now, you have to 'break it off'. The Love Binge Maybe you're with someone who has 'potential' and you're not so sure if you have a future together. At times you want to end it. At times you don't understand each other. At times, it feels like heaven and you think 'Maybe - just maybe - this could work.' How can you really know if you should break up with someone? A Question of Integrity The first thing you need to check with your girlfriend or boyfriend is if he or she lives without integrity. Integrity covers a lot more than just that he or she is nice and makes you feel special. A person with integrity measures his or her inner desires and values by the standard of God's truth - and that inner commitment is matched by outward behavior, even in the little things that no one else sees. "The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity." - Proverbs 11:3 I'm not perfect. And chances are, neither are you. But I'm not saying that we should search for perfection, rather we are looking for someone who is saying to God in his or her life, "Lord, change me. Make me more like You." When your girlfriend or boyfriend does something against God's Word, see how quickly he or she repents. A good mark of maturity is a short time span between sin and repentance. If she lies, admits it quickly, and asks for forgiveness, she's on the right track. If, on the other hand, he lies, covers his tracks, lies again, then yells at you for not trusting him... you have a problem. You are looking out for a person with integrity because whether you like it or not, integrity will protect your marriage. Marrying a person with a huge hole in integrity can mean that your marriage will suffer - for life. Imagine the damage it can do to your family. To yourself. To your relationship with God and other people. A Question of Influence If you're with someone who pushes you into sin - dishonesty, drugs, alcohol, rebellion, sexual immorality, law-breaking - don't fight it. Run from it. "Bad company corrupts good character" - 1 Corinthians 15:33 If the person you're dating lacks self-control in one area, he'll likely lack it in several other areas. Ask yourself: Is dating this person drawing me closer to God? Or am I finding myself drawn away from Him? Don't flirt with anyone or anything that hurts your walk with Christ. A Question of Belief If your boyfriend or girlfriend isn't committed to Jesus, the two of you are trying to build a life together using different sets of blueprints - two opposing worldviews. Two conflicting sets of values. Chances are great that this person will pull you away from God, that that you'll pull the person closer to God. "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?" - 2 Corinthians 6:14 If you life is surrendered to Christ, and his or hers isn't, I'm sorry to say this, but to continue the relationship is cruel for both of you. Do yourselves a Favor Save your heart. The fact is, you can't marry the best when you're dating the runner-up. While you're searching for Mr. Right, don't settle for Mr. Right Now.

Posted via email from h3sean's posterous