50 most insightful takeaways from #ConnectSEW 2016

We're back from Miami now, filled to the brim with ideas, enthusiasm and inspiration.

Connect was the first of our brand new search marketing events, focusing on the user and their journey.

During the two-day event, our attendees got to enjoy three excellent and deeply fascinating keynotes, as well as 30 other sessions across two tracks, concentrating on both organic and paid search, and together they featured more than 40 speakers, all picked for their ability to educate and entertain in equal measure.

There was also a variety of networking events, round-tables, beach parties and pool parties that helped our delegates get closer to the experts.

Without wishing to blow our own trumpet, it was a triumph. But for those of you who missed out on the fun, I've collected together all the most insightful quotes right here...

Daniel Loebl on customer-centricity:

Daniel Loebl, our opening keynote: "you cannot decide if you're customer-centric on your own. Your customers will tell you" #connectsew

-- Search Engine Watch (@sewatch) February 4, 2016

Key to customer-centric marketing is "deep customer empathy" - need to look at the persona beyond the data #ConnectSEW #marketing

-- Marc Engelsman (@marc_engelsman) February 4, 2016

A persona is a description of your customers. A mindmap is who you want to be your next customer #ConnectSEW

-- Gerald Murphy (@GeraldSearch) February 4, 2016

Great quote from Daniel Loebl "Don't ever use surveys. Surveys are used to reassure on a decision already made" #connectsew #customercentric

-- Chris Bishop (@cpbishop) February 4, 2016

Stephanie Wallace, Nebo, on integrating SEO with PPC:

Struggling with integrating PPC & SEO strategy? Tip 1: Use PPC ad copy A/B testing to inform site content messaging #ConnectSEW

-- iProspect (@iProspect) February 4, 2016

Tip 2: pull your top traffic PPC & SEO keywords and identify the gaps for new PPC keywords or SEO content opportunities #ConnectSEW

-- iProspect (@iProspect) February 4, 2016

In the last quarter Rich Snippets and Knowledge Graph has increased 40% in Google #ConnectSEW

-- Gerald Murphy (@GeraldSearch) February 4, 2016

In the last quarter Rich Snippets and Knowledge Graph has increased 40% in Google #ConnectSEW

-- Gerald Murphy (@GeraldSearch) February 4, 2016

When a paid ad & organic result show on the same page, CTR increases 20%. Collaboration not cannibalization. #connectSEW @swallaceSEO

-- Amanda Dodge (@amandaedodge) February 4, 2016

Allison Fabella, Careerbuilder, on SEO diagnostics:

Top 4 technical #SEO audit elements:

Penalties

Robots.txt, meta robots, canonicals

Crawlability

Status codes#ConnectSEW

-- Gerald Murphy (@GeraldSearch) February 4, 2016

you must know where you stand; can't optimize in a vacuum! #connectSEW #investigativeSEO @alli12

-- Mackenzie (@mackclayton) February 4, 2016

Google bots and #SEO are in essence visually impaired. Use UX principles (LV-HA links, alt tags on images...) #ConnectSEW @eskins

-- Gerald Murphy (@GeraldSearch) February 4, 2016

Todd Malicoat, FishingCharters.com, on ranking factors:

There are approximately 200 Google ranking factors. #CTR (click through rate) is probably the most influential. #connectsew

-- Kelly Shelton (@kellyshelton32) February 4, 2016

Chris Chang, Elite SEM, on retargeting:

Don't stalk customers with Remarketing #ConnectSEW @ChrisWChang pic.twitter.com/fIYmzMPGws

-- Christi Olson (@ChristiJOlson) February 4, 2016

.@chriswchang : "Segment users by frequency to engage them on terms that relate to where they are on their consumer path." #connectsew

-- Shannon McDonough (@shnmcd) February 4, 2016

How to use rlsa and customer martch @chriswchang shows examples @sewatch #connectsew #ppc #retargeting pic.twitter.com/ZTKXuF5yOO

-- kelly sullivan (@kellylsullivan) February 4, 2016

Carl Larson, AT&T and Travis Tillotson, Surgo Group, on mobile search:

@eMarketer predicts mobile advertising will surpass desktop advertising in 2016 at around $40 billion. #connectsew

-- Kelly Shelton (@kellyshelton32) February 4, 2016

"If someone tells you this is the year for mobile, give a deep bellied laugh and walk out of the room." BlogThis!