The back of my brain

Which term/topic is best?

Can't decide if people are more likely to look for "social work programs" or "social work degrees" when looking for an M.S.W. degree? Writing a story about memory loss and wonder what to focus on?

Give Overture's keyword selector a try. The tool is designed to help you choose keywords for online ad campaigns, but it can be useful for other purposes, too.

Here's what I found for suggestions for "M.S.W.":
Searches done in June 2006

Count   Search Term 

 1880    msw 

  274    msw program 

  186    online msw degree 

  178    msw degree 

  166    msw logo 

  146    msw online 

  128    online msw program 

   94    accredited msw program 

   88    2006 msw 

   88    msw jobs 

Now I have some data to suggest that I should use the term "program" rather than "degree." Since the numbers are so close, it might be best to use both terms where possible. If the degree program in social work offers any online courses, I might want to lead with that information because it looks like there's lots of interest. Adding a note about acreditation might also be wise.

Here are recent searches regarding momory loss:

Searches done in June 2006 

Count    Search Term 

11241    loss memory short term 

 7054    loss memory 

 1368    lipitor loss memory 

  534    cause loss memory 

  441    cause loss memory short term 

  278    depression loss memory 

  176    alcohol loss memory 

  153    loss memory menopause 

  152    loss memory sudden 

  150    long loss memory term 

  136    loss memory statins 

This suggests that people are interested in short term memory loss--no surprise there. But I would not have known that people associate memory loss with Lipitor. So I might be sure I write about statin drugs and any connection they have with loss of memory. (And I think I'll read up on this since my 83-year-old mother takes Lipitor.)

I don't doubt that the results from Overture's suggestions can also mislead. But for those of us who operate with a lack of market research resources, this gives us some dat worth concidering.

Plus Overture is fun. I put in my last name expecting to see "rocky" and maybe "natasha" as suggestions. Those are there, put so is "pet supply." I might have a long lost relative selling pet food or there might be a dog toy out there I need to buy. And there's "bullwinkle family fun center." I've got to go there for my next vacation!

More e-mail tips

From EduWeb in Baltimore:
Almost Live from EduWeb 2006: Research and Tips to Use Mass Emailing Effectively

A sampling:

• Over 60 percent of email users have the ability to receive HTML email, which gets twice the response rate as text emails. (JupiterResearch)


• Email open rates were 12.5% higher and click-through rates were 75% higher when the subject line contained 49 characters or less. (EmailLabs)
  


• When sending the emails DO send on weekdays after 9 am, but before noon. DON’T send on Friday afternoons and weekends