The Source of the Problem with Google News
Friday - October 23, 2009Sorry, we just couldn’t resist that headline for this blog article. But, we promise you will learn how to use Google News (and Yahoo News) better if you get to the “Source of the Problem” and remember “Location, Location, Location.”
You see, what brought all of this up is that Fred Berns is going to Dubai again to speak to some huge design convention filled with rich mucky-mucks and large multi-national companies (can you tell we’re not jealous?!)
We’ve written about Fred and how he can use Google News in Breaking a Leg in Dubai (over on our business blog). Much as we hate him for gallivanting all over the world, while we’re speaking in Yada Yada, Washington, he’s still one of our favorite speaker friends.
And, we’ve just written about how other speakers can use Google and Yahoo News in the September issue of Speaker Magazine. It’s called Destination: Imagination Station. We mention both of those articles because you’ll cope a lot better with this one if you read those (and because, let’s face it, we like a little limelight for ourselves once in a while).
Location, Location, Location
Fred is one of the featured speakers for the annual convention of the International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers. If he wants to grab a little current news about the interior design industry for his speech or for his blog he should go straight to the “News.”
Certainly, he can search Google or Yahoo News for phrases like:
- “interior design” dubai
- “interior design” business
- “interior design” “middle east”
- “interior design” “united arab emirates”
But, he can also search the news in particular nooks and crannies by using the word “location:” It works like this:
- “interior design” location:dubai
Now, all he gets are recent news articles from publications in that area of the world, like Eye of Dubai, Middle East Events and Gulf News.
One thing about searching a location is that you will want to use fewer words. If you’re too specific, you won’t get any results. Fred wants to just use the word “design” or maybe “interior design” – not “interior design” “business meetings” dubai. That’s because he’s searching a smaller sample of just publications in Dubai.
The savviest readers among you will quickly figure out that each of these articles are not the real gold. The real gold is the publications themselves. Eye of Dubai, Middle East Events and Gulf News are all searchable themselves – and will likely give Fred even better results.
The Source of the Problem
But, that’s not all, folks! Fred can also dig deeper into the latest news in his area of expertise by using the word “source:” It works like this:
- dubai source:design
Admittedly this is a fishing expedition. What he’s doing here is to isolate just publications with the word “design” in them. And, it worked – giving him articles that mention Dubai in a number of design related publications around the world.
Wild Card Fishing
Source is kind of a wild card. It works great for searching U.S. cities (see our article in Speaker Magazine), but it also works great to dig more strategically into certain topic areas, like health or business or leisure activities.
- “clinical trials” source:cancer
- “spring training” source:baseball
- conferences source:design
Try these yourself – and then try some of your own variations for your business and interests. You’ll be amazed what you find.
What’s That Other Convention?
So, we couldn’t help but notice. Many of our searches turned up another interior design convention in Dubai just a few days after the one Fred is speaking at. He better get on the phone now and call them. Let them know he’s gonna’ be in town.
Another great article. This information makes it possible to get current and relevant information that will give us credibility with our clients. Thank you Michael and Sheryl for another lesson on Google and the Internet.
Michael and Sheryl – You always have great ideas and keep it simple so that I cam implement right away! Thank you for sharing so much.
Sam was the winner of our SpeakerPalooza workshop puzzle almost two years back – and we promise to have another puzzle hidden in our NSA Fall Conference session. What can you say about Shep — other than thank him for being a booster of ours since day 1.
Thanks to you both.
Let’s face it. We’re paid to be smart. This is a great way to learn more in your preparation. And, if it generates a lead or two, all the better.
Thanks, Jim,
“Smart” is what Jim is. I’ve always liked his suggestion for Twitter – not “what are you doing,” but instead, “what are you thinking.”
Wow. What a great strategy. If I ever decide to add content to my presentations, I’ll know how to make it relevant and timely!
Very funny, Ron
Oh, but that’s what you do, isn’t it. Humor can have content, too. Ron is proof of that.
Since I’d rather speak at home than on the road, it would be nice to find conferences hosted in Denver on my topics of Six Sigma and Statistical Process Control. So, I’m going to test drive:
“Six Sigma” location:Denver
Denver source:statistical
Thanks for the tips on refining Google alerts.
Hi Jay,
The thing about you is that you are always willing to learn (wish I could say the same about my willingness to learn Six Sigma!). And, you take our examples and apply them to your situation. Let us know what you find – and we’ll do a “Find Local Speaking Gigs” article featuring you.
I just dived into the deep end of your material. Wow. It’s refreshing and exhilarating. Already I’ve found ideas to incorporate as of now!!
It always takes us a lot longer to get our point across, sell something, or establish a relationship than it does Nicholas (a much published author on those subjects) Thanks, Nick, and let us know which of the tips you put to use. It’s time to write about you again!
Maybe it is because I have been on the road, or maybe it is all the snow in Denver since I left that is making my brain buzz…I have read your article twice and it is sinkng in and brilliant as usual. Thanks for the terrific advice. And is it a set of initials I lack that excludes me from the wonderful list of NSA Speakers on your list? What do I need…LSD? DPS? AKA? Let me know.
Hi Debra,
Debra’s brain may be buzzing – it may even be with the things we’ve written about her on our blogs. Search either of them for her name and you’ll come up with some good stuff. She’s one of our favorite people, period.
As for the list you mention, Debra – You may be referring to the “blogroll” over on the right hand side of this blog, called “NSA Speakers.” We have not added or subtracted to it for ages – and but we will. However, they are links to other speaker’s blogs – and we dearly wish you’d write one. When you do, we’ll link to it right away. Promise.