Live From SES Sweden Oct. 27 - 28 2004

[rustybrick]

Search Engine Strategies is on its way to Stockholm, Sweden during Oct. 27 - 28 (http://www.jupiterevents.com/sew/sweden04/index.html) and I hope to be covering the conference and sessions I attend in real time, if possible.

I am not sure of the Internet hook up at the hotel, but rest assured that if there is a wifi or landline connection - I will be posting threads for each session I attend. I hope to be arriving Wednesday morning and be able to catch the end of the last session.

Check back here starting Wednesday morning for live updates from Stockholm.

[Nacho]

That's awesome Barry! Thank you & Good Luck!

[rustybrick]

First session I was able to cover (was the second track) and can be read at European Search Landscape thread (http://forums.searchenginewatch.com/showthread.php?t=2405). Interesting stuff, even for an American. ;)

[rustybrick]

To be honest, the Search Engine Marketing: Outsource or In House? (http://forums.searchenginewatch.com/showthread.php?t=2407) session turned out to be much better then I expected. Really good!

[rustybrick]

Link Building Basics (http://forums.searchenginewatch.com/showthread.php?t=2408), mostly basics. :)

[rustybrick]

Next one, Writing for Search Engines (http://forums.searchenginewatch.com/showthread.php?t=2412).

[rustybrick]

First session of the morning, Successful Site Architecture (http://forums.searchenginewatch.com/showthread.php?t=2431)... And you wonder why I have such a high post count.

[rustybrick]

Next up was Search Term Research & Targeting (http://forums.searchenginewatch.com/showthread.php?t=2433).

[rustybrick]

Advanced Link Building Session (http://forums.searchenginewatch.com/showthread.php?t=2436) done.

[rustybrick]

I am going to head out shortly, I doubt I will be able to write on the remaining two sessions. I wish I could have stayed a bit longer but I have a tight schedule for personal reasons.

Hope you enjoyed the sessions I covered. I also hope Mikkel or Chris can post a little something on the Search Marketing in Scandinavia: Past, Present, and Future (http://www.jupiterevents.com/sew/sweden04/agenda2.html#300-2) session.

[GoogleGuy]

Thanks for writing up notes on the sessions, rustybrick. I'm glad that Magnus got to speak; it's always good to rotate different engineers in, so that they get to hear feedback and get a feel for the kinds of things that people are asking about. Plus Magnus is much more in touch with life in Scandinavia than I am. :)

[Nacho]

Hello GoogleGuy!

Although this is your first post, I imagine you come visit us every day, right? ;)

BIENVENIDO a Search EngineWatch Forums. Please make yourself at home. Nuestra casa es su casa.

Saludos,

Nacho

[GoogleGuy]

Thanks Nacho. I know AdWordsRep stops by here to check on things, and it sounded like there were some good discussions going on. Things always seem busier and busier these days, so I don't know how often I'll be able to post, but I had to send props out to Magnus on the occasion of his first Search Engine Strategies conference. :)

[randfish]

It's like Christmas in the Trenches...

Almost disconcerting to see the enemy in our territory, but I suppose by now we should know they're here.

Rusty - nice coverage; I have to say, I wasn't very excited about this one, but you've done a good job sorting the wheat from the chaffe.

[pmac]

Deja frekin Vu.

[bluedevil]

the biggest news was Barry from Makemetop announcing that the UK.com domain has been sold, they provide a ccTld service with almost 500,000 users..

not sure who it has been sold to but its big..

[ThomasB]

I was there when Barry was there and I think he should be honest enough enough to name his sources and name who told him. If not he's just a guy who wants to have a good reputation without earning it.

[Nacho]

Barry, I know you had to take off early for your next flight, but really want to thank you for your great coverages. Hopefully more of us can help you on the next SES. Have a good trip home.

Buen viaje!

[rustybrick]

Thanks for writing up notes on the sessions, rustybrick. I'm glad that Magnus got to speak; it's always good to rotate different engineers in, so that they get to hear feedback and get a feel for the kinds of things that people are asking about. Plus Magnus is much more in touch with life in Scandinavia than I am. :)

Magnus was great, maybe have him sign up here as GoogleKid?

We missed you of course. :)

[DaveN]

Magnus agreed there i spent some time talking about index shards he is a good guy

[ThomasB]

Yep, Magnus did a very good job, must have had a good teacher from the beginning. ;) He was also good in answering questions after the sessions and happy to help people.

[Mikkel deMib Svendsen]

Hope you enjoyed the sessions I covered. I also hope Mikkel or Chris can post a little something on the Search Marketing in Scandinavia: Past, Present, and Future session.

Just back from Stockholm and to be honest, totally busted :)

I promise to write up some notes on the Scandinavian session tomorrow but right now I think it's probably better for everyone that I go to bed :rolleyes:

[Mike Grehan]

Just a quick chip in from me...

I thought Magnus was great. Most of the GoogleGuys have to put up with my nonsense at these events. Considering it was the first time that Magnus had encountered any of this I thought he was excellent.

Public speaking is not as easy as people sometimes assume, so I think he handled it very well. Plus, he's a genuinely nice guy.

(And I should also mention that, the content in Thomas Bindl's link basics is absolutely superb for anyone just coming into the game.)

[Jill Whalen]

I'm just back from Stockholm too.

Met a lot of old and new friends, which is always great. Since some of us had to get up early this morning to catch a taxi to the airport, we just stayed up all night!

Had some interesting conversations with DaveN during that time. Nice guy! Also got to go with Joe Morin to the airport and we got to sit together for the flight to London. You might even say we slept together, since we pretty much slept the entire 2 hour flight!

Always good to see Christine, Mike G, Danny, Chris Sherman, and the rest of the regulars!

[Buddha]

Sounded like a great event. I wish I could have gone but I'm busy preparing for the holidays. I hope the Vegas conference is just as good.

[Joseph Morin]

Ha...there you go Jill...spreading rumors....just remember who saved your life at that traffic intersection in Stockholm.

I've been back a few hours now and believe I had 7 hours sleep in the last 3 days....very much a 'Lost in Translation' effect with the jetlag. This was probably one of the most informative SES conferences I have attended due to the smaller size and closeness of the attendees, I was really impressed with the European folks DaveN, Thomas B and Jimmy and of course Mike Grehan, who kept me in stitches for the most part with his storytelling and I cant wait to see his views on the conference. My favorite session was actually the site clinic conducted by Bakedjake and Christine Churchill because every single example was different requiring a different solution and they were not easy yet these two managed to pull off a great and informative session.

It was also a pleasure meeting Alan Perkins and Paul McGroary and hanging out with Matt Bailey, and for those attendees of the 1 a.m. to 5.am 'site clinic' hosted by DaveN and Mike G, thanks for the SEO insight and all the laughter.

Chris Sherman put on a great show and this is the most relaxed I have ever seen Danny Sullivan at a show, it was great seeing you folks there.

Christine thanks for the dancing prawn on my dinner steak and Erika thanks for helping me pack when I only had 15 minutes to throw everything together and catch a cab back to Arlanda (I made my flight with Jill - but barely).

Altogether a great show, thanks everyone.

Joe

[Jill Whalen]

Here are some SES Stockholm (http://www.highrankings.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=13) photos that Christine took.

You'll notice that Mike did eventually end up passed out on a park bench...again! :D

[rustybrick]

One thing I regret, is not coming a day early. I had no time to (1) see Sweden and (2) spend time with the SES regulars. The one night I was there, I had to hit the bed at 8ish Sweden time (after being up 36 hours with no sleep).

Next time... :)

It was great at least saying hello in person to all of you.

[Christine]

My favorite session was actually the site clinic conducted by Bakedjake and Christine Churchill because every single example was different requiring a different solution and they were not easy yet these two managed to pull off a great and informative session.

Ahhhh, Joe. What a nice thing to say. Truth is much of the credit goes to my Boy Genius Site Clinic partner Jake Baillie. Jake is nothing short of phenomenal at evaluating sites and homing in at the core problems. The Sweden Site Clinic was especially fun - enhanced by the great audience participation. :)


Chris Sherman put on a great show and this is the most relaxed I have ever seen Danny Sullivan at a show, it was great seeing you folks there.

Joe, I totally agree. Well deserverd kudos to the unflappable Chris Sherman, Danny Sullivan and JupiterMedia for putting on one of the best conferences ever. I was especially impressed with Chris who managed to finish writing his new book on Google while organizing multiple overseas conferences.

I think I share the sentiments of all conference participants when I give special recognition to Karen DeWeese and her team of professionals who effortlessly handle all the behind the scenes work at these conferences. Karen makes putting on a conference of this size in a foreign country look easy. She and her magical folks make the rest of us look good. Thanks Karen!

Barry – you should definitely schedule an extra day with the overseas conferences. Your body needs the adjustment time and how many times do you get the excuse to visit a cool place like Sweden???? Next time treat yourself and schedule some time to see the country. Heck, I imagine without too much prompting, you can talk Mike Grehan into showing you the best park benches in every town. :D

Oh and Jill, thanks for letting me fall asleep on your shoulder in the lobby the last night. Tell me again why we thought it was a good idea to stay up all night???? ;)


Christine thanks for the dancing prawn on my dinner steak


LOL, oh yes, the dancing prawn. You'll be glad to know that the dancing prawn has promised a return visit at the next SES – so stay tuned. Only next time in a tutu...

Great show! It was fantastic to visit with everyone. Glad to hear everyone made it back in one piece. :)

Christine

[rustybrick]

Christine, it was a pleasure meeting you.

[Joseph Morin]

Heck, I imagine without too much prompting, you can talk Mike Grehan into showing you the best park benches in every town. :D

Oh and Jill, thanks for letting me fall asleep on your shoulder in the lobby the last night. Tell me again why we thought it was a good idea to stay up all night???? ;)

LOL, oh yes, the dancing prawn. You'll be glad to know that the dancing prawn has promised a return visit at the next SES – so stay tuned. Only next time in a tutu...

Seeing those park benches was classic, it would have been criminal for Mike to have not ended up there.

Christine I'm still wondering why it was a good idea to stay up all night...

The return of the dancing prawn??? NOOOOOO

[Christine]

Thanks Barry. It was a treat to finally put your name and face together - I realized I've seen you at many conferences but you were usually furiously writing something so I never wanted to disturb you. :)

Thanks also for your live coverage. Your dedication provides a much needed service. Even those of us who are lucky enough to be at the conferences can't possibly hit every session so it's nice to have a recap to read about what we missed. Thanks for your hard work. ;)

Christine

[Jill Whalen]

Oh and Jill, thanks for letting me fall asleep on your shoulder in the lobby the last night.

My pleasure! Reminded me of when my kids were younger and we'd be somewhere out late... :p

Tell me again why we thought it was a good idea to stay up all night????

It WAS a good idea. It worked for me at least. I didn't get hung over, cuz I was able to get the alcohol out of my system, plus I was so tired I could actually sleep on the planes, which I can never do normally. And it also put me back on EST pretty easily.

Now, we certainly could have gone with drinking about 4 or 5 less beers, but that's another story!

Where's the pics of the prawn? I didn't get those ones...

[GoogleGuy]

DaveN, you were talking index shards with Magnus? That sounds like quite a hoot. I forgot to debrief Magnus about you. ;)

Which way did you introduce yourself: "I was the fellow that suggested only updating external PageRanks every 3-4 months," or "I was the fellow that suggested showing backlinks from all pages equally, not just high PageRank pages"? I'll have to ask Magnus if you sent any more useful suggestions back. :)

[Joseph Morin]

Hey GG, in case we haven't made it official, welcome to SEW, glad to see you here. yes DaveN was in rare form, he made the trip quite enjoyable. Stop by anytime.

[DaveN]

Good to see you Old Friend and welcome

Well I should be in vegas soon so i will meet up with the new slim Matt Cutts, and he can report back too you and have a word with him if Thomas Korte can go for dinner with me i'm sure Matt can. :)

DaveN

[Mike Grehan]

Soooo busy, only just found time to file my report...

Day one:

I'm awake at 4.00 a.m. to get to Stansted airport, just outside of London, to catch the only flight to Stockholm from the UK which will get me there in time for my first session.

The flight is delayed... and I have to connect with a coach at the airport at the other end for a 90 minute ride. We arrive with 15 minutes to spare and I still have to pick up my case.

At the luggage carousel I have to forget my usual polite approach and deftly push my way through old ladies and children to get to my case. I had no idea that old ladies could use the type of language I heard on the way through. Nonetheless, I try to forget this unfortunate incident and lack of good manners due to my haste, and assume they may also.

I make the coach and discover that... it has been held back for some old ladies who were on the plane from London. Realising how much danger my life is now in if they find me, I promptly hide in the back seat of the coach.

By now I've been up for a very long time and as soon as the coach starts moving I fall asleep. I awake at the other end as the coach is emptying. I look out of the window and there are no old ladies. So I go around to the other side for my case... and walk straight into... yes, the old ladies!

Here they form a human wall and do everything they can to prevent me from collecting my case. They're still using the type of language usually reserved for convicts and cackling like witches pointing at me.

Eventually, I get my case and rush into the hotel where I note that I have only 25 minutes before my first session... I see a reflection of myself in the mirror behind the desk and realise why the old women were laughing... My hair is like a burst straw mattress.

I throw on a crumpled suit which I have no time to iron and get to the conference stage with five minutes to spare, looking for all the world like a scarecrow!

My new Jeeves/Teoma team-mate Michael Palka is up first and gets subject specific. He's followed by Magnus Sandberg of Google who's on his first SES outing. And then it's time for my usual links basic presentation.

I open with a little sketch about who's the leading search guy in the world and introduce Karlsson as the real expert. The Swedes and northern Europeans love it, he's a hero in Sweden... The Americans are lost completely on what this is all about. I discover later that, Karlsson is banned in America for being politically incorrect... Sheeesh!

By early evening it's time to let the drinking and merriment commence...

In a restaurant in the old town there are myself, Jill Whalen, Mikkel deMib Svendsen, Barry Lloyd, Erica Schmidt, Sante Achille and Christine Churchill. Much is discussed about SMA variations and many Snails are eaten. I decide, having invited the ladies myself, that I should pay the bill. Later, back in the hotel bar, it's time to close, so I decide... Everybody back to my place!!!

By this time, some very skilled seo's are sitting in front of my laptop. These experts (who cannot be named for legal reasons - DaveN, BakedJake, ThomasB and ...ooops!)...

I call room service and have a trolley load of beer and wine delivered to my room. And so the sport begins... I'm lying on my bed watching the experts dissecting yet another web site. This is not hacking: This is equivalent to sophisticated open heart surgery.

I suddenly realise there are two women, a Blonde and Brunette in very Abba-esque Swedish style, sitting on the bed next to me... Strange, I thought, I don't remember ordering room service a second time...

At some point, everything goes black...

Day two:

I'm sitting at the end of my bed... I see the receipt from the night before... I remember how much I LOVE those friends of mine... but still begin to weep...

Later in the day, I join Barry Lloyd and Paddy Bolger for the organics listings session. It is high-jacked pretty quickly by some Poker web site guy who tends to hog it and then Danny Sullivan has a few points to make.

Barry Lloyd ends with comments on a uk.com site which has out-sandboxed Google. Some scratch their head, some people frown, and Paddy Bolger points out that the guy working the sound mixing desk has fallen asleep.

Time for the end of show dinner with organiser Chris Sherman, and off we head into the old town. Chris wants us to eat in some underground caves he knows...

Later, we're leaving the restaurant, I walk into the most beautiful and historic square in the city and "IT" catches my eye... It's ancient and beautifully crafted by people hundreds of years ago... Yes, it's a 17th century park bench!

Forced to leave my bench, I end up back at the hotel. Joe Morin, DaveN, Jill Whalen, Erica Schmidt and myself become engrossed in a site clinic (of sorts). My business associate Christine, is busy throwing z's in the air and developing a new way of doing some sort of human origami in an armchair.

The bar is closed, so I go to my room and order room service. The waiter arrives with the beer and the wine... and I follow him straight back down in the elevator. He simply looks at me and smiles
with a kind of "oh no" look about him.

It's too late for bed... So we sit up all night until it's time for the first people to start leaving for the airport. Some have to be assisted into their taxis!

I go to my room and pack my case... I sit on the bed...
At some point everything goes black again.

I'm awake... I'm late... I seriously need a fast taxi.

The G-Force inside the taxi has me pinned to the back seat as we race at frightening speed to Arlanda airport.

The cab drops me at terminal one and then I realise I'm flying Brussels Airways this time and they fly out of terminal two. I ask a lady on the help desk for directions to terminal two. She looks into the distance and seems to be pointing at somewhere on the Finnish border...

By the time I arrive at terminal two I'm beginning to panic. There are only minutes before boarding closes. I begin to push my way through old ladies and children to get through security on time.

Looking like scarecrow which hasn't slept for 36 hours I check the monitor to see which gate I leave from... Only to discover that... my flight is not for another two hours!

I sit in the airport lounge and begin to weep as I realise that, on my schedule, I have been looking at the time of my arriving flight to Stockholm not departure...

Still, it's 10.00 a.m. and the airport bar is open!

Eventually, I board the plane to Brussels.

At some point, everything goes black again.

[Joseph Morin]

Classic post as usual Mike, glad to see some of the details were conspicuously absent (or perhaps you didn't remember (http://www.highrankings.com/photos/displayimage.php?album=13&pos=18) ). Definately a great time had by all. Looking forward to next year.

[rustybrick]

Classic indeed. Always on the edge of my seat when reading your stories.

I am just sorry I was too lazy to get to see you on the bench. Good thing for digital cameras.