My Test Blog

This is a test blog. I'm testing out Google's site-flavored search. I have set up certain preferences on this site, so the searches conducted may result in different listings than searches conducted on Google's main site or other site-flavored sites. Please let me know what you think.

Comments

[STEVE B.]

Bambi, I really like your commentaries and the way you present the info. Me and my friend rick also run web sites using google revenue products.
Also you might want to review my site www.marketpit.com for info on current finacial forecasts on markets, bonds,gold and currencies.

Regards,
Steve B.

[Lorenzo Cremona]

Bambi:

First and foremost, I read your very informative articles, great work!

Searching on the web is becoming so common practice that I think search engines (Google, MSFT, and Yahoo!) will drive the commoditization effect, drive the prices that advertisers pay the big searchers down due to extreme competition. Creating a new source of shared revenue will have a temporary effect...but the future lies in demographics. Simply put, the ability through the search-to-revenue model in the context of where the actual buying happens will have a radical effect on how advertisers react to the real value of pay-for-performance.

Let's just say that a "model" is being developed that will provide advertisers data and key indicators on the geographical locations of their buying customers that is exact, non-intrusive to buyers, and will have the ability to make recommendations based on set criteria.

In a test case we conducted a recommendation of moving a retail location from location 1 to location 2 (about 200 feet apart) resulted in an increase in revenue of 17% in the first six months post-relocation. Most (53%) of Company A revenue was from web purchases. Factors such as seasonal buying, etc. were taken into account and had no impact on results.

Oncce advertisers "see" and feel the power of web searches-to-revenue we will be able to redefine value which the MSFTs and Googles of the world will be competing for and protecting their IP on how that data is interpolated to show actual value to advertisers.

Until such time (which is sooner than most expect) I think all this is a "nice to have."

Thanks.

[Alex]

Bambi -

Great blog. Insightful. Concise. Touching. I laughed; I cried. Two thumbs up - way up!

Alex

[Trader Mike]

Good article Bambi. I've been debating whether or not to implement Google's site-flavored search on my site. I'm still not convinced that it would be that useful to me. I can find what I want very effectively at Google's main page.

So is this JUST a test blog or can we expect to see more from you over here?

[John]

Bambi. You're beautiful. You can blog me anytime.

[Tom]

Candletrader, you might as well trade off of astrological signals. You're just as likely to pick winners, and just as likely to piss away all of your profits on commissions. And you're definitely less likely to ever see an intelligent, insightful, and yes, beautiful woman like Babmi's legs. Don't despair though, you'll always have your internet porn.

And hey, if that post is any indication, your obvious insecurities and egomaniacal sense of self would probably just leave you intimidated by a girl who is smarter than you if you ever met Ms. Francisco anyway.

Oh, and another interesting article Ms. Francisco. The test-blog is definitely a nice touch and illustrates the concept much more clearly--next time you might want to turn off comments though!

[Anil]

Bambi, we're glad to have you trying out TypePad, and I think, as other TypePad users have seen, contextual ads can be a very valuable addition to a weblog.

Oh, and there's a full suite of comment management tools that make it easy to delete or edit offensive comments from readers as well.

[Bambi]

Thanks to those who took this blog test serioiusly. I am looking for insightful comments. So, please be discerning about what you choose to share.

To Tom - with regards to not displaying comments, that would defeat the purpose of a blog, I believe. Thanks for being my blog monitor :-)

To Lorenzo - I think the future of advertising is not just demographics, but interests and location. With the Web, advertisers can get far more granular. As I've written in the past, we've been living in an increasingly pluralist world. That means the extension of the cable culture -- a world of splintered interests and choices. It's not one size fits all -- it's made-to-order goods. That means advertisers don't just market to demographics, but to varied interests at a particular location at a particular moment.
Just some quick thoughts. More later.

[tom graham]

bambi, i love you sweets, you are soo bright smart

[Danny Hertz]

With a name like Bambi Francisco, what is there not to like! Your column is the only "smoke and mirrors" chatter that gets behind the smoke and mirrors! Thanks.

[jimmy]

site flavored search is yummy!

[Kent]

Bambi,

I am entranced as much by your beauty as your business commentary. Nice write-up and comparison of the e-commerce sites (recently on CBSMarketwatch.com), and your observations are poignant. I do think a few of the sites do offer something tweaked a bit different to make themselves stand out. Such as OSTK--no serious online competitors in their corner of the market, and they offer something you usually can't get from physical stores/shops: endless variety of overstocked goods without having to be the first in the store to grab the items. Just my 2 cents...

The blog is nice. It will be great to keep up with you via this medium! Of course, a personalized e-mail with swimsuit photos would also be nice.....oh, I get so carried away...

The google search seems to work just fine.

Well, write often!

Kent

[Brian]

You are refreshingly insightful and comprehensive in the interviews you give. I hope you are booted to something higher than internet interviews some day...maybe your own television newsmagazine.
Nevertheless, if you are going to do a blog, I wou,d be honored to read about your insights and philosophies about other things in life than just your views and reportings on the business world.
It is a real pleasure to have encountered you.

[Brian (again)]

A better access to my blog:
http://www.livejournal.com/users/kittenkissies/
I hope you read through some of it sometime.

[strategist]

Wonderful! Great way to test out the internet and how it is changing everyday. BTW, keep writing those wonderful articles at CBS MarketWatch.

[Patrick Chanezon]

Yes, the web will bring very granular interest information to announcers.
For location we're not there yet.
Google using ip addresses in order to determine location is a quick and dirty start (I work from France but sometimes my proxy's in Holland, other times in the US).
Geourl is a much better option but I think too techie an approach to be used mainstream. Good for bloggers though.
Until then i guess it will be preferences setting in the various services.

Good to see you start a blog. Interesting post.
look fwd to read more.

P@

[Doug]

Bambi, good to see you blogging. I have a few questions. First, I watch the CBS Marketwatch Weekend show every Sunday here in Pittsburgh, why haven't you been on lately?

Also, why isn't the SpikeTV market updates with you and Trish Regan on at 9 and 5 anymore. I thought they were nice, quick and informative.

Best wishes.

[scooter]

Bambi es caliente

[Stanley Simon]

What is a "blog"?

[Bill Wright]

Hey Stan, you're posting a message on a blog!
WAKE UP!

[Karine]

I too agree with most readers. While the google founders are very bright and they are specialists in their field. Their expertise is not the stock market at large. At this price I also believe it thins demand for the stock which may NOT drive it up, rather it may fall. I will be on the look out like many others.

[FRANCISCO]

People don't realize that the reason you buy any stock is the hope(?) that, someday, someone will pay you more than you paid for it.

[alewando]

Bambi,
I like it. Nice touch to the great insight you already provide on the marketplace. I also sent you a note on adding Video (just a thought).
Best Regards,

-Art

[Bubba Franks]

Bambi,

Obviously since the market will be actually driving the price, whatever the auction derives the price to be will be fair by definition to those investors. The main difference here is that instead of the shares being sold by Google going out at some artificially deflated price (e.g.; the dot com haze), the company and those other investors/employess will actually get the current fair market price. You used to have to do a secondary to accomplish this but this is more effective I think for an IPO.

I personally would not buy the stock above $50 as I think Google is too hyped right now. I would agree the Auction process would be worth being a part of though.

BF

[Steve Richard]

Bambi is not that cute - too skinny for me. She is short in real life too.

Go Yankees!