We were having one of those conversations the other day. You know, the ones you have when various people in related parts of an industry are still online at weird hours cause they don’t have the good sense of an air traffic controller and just go to sleep when they’re tired.

One of the new guys chimed in with a comment that, considering we were in the Directories section of a webmaster forum was possibly meant as a dig, but at least it explained why he was doing marketing instead of motivational speaking.

“Seriously… Does anyone ever USE a directory anymore?”

For starters I do, but I’m in the directory field, so I’m not exactly the average user. Can’t speak for everyone, but I find for some purposes they’re easier than search engines. More targeted, less unrelated stuff to wade through. Just a matter of picking the best tool for the job.

For example, when I was trying to figure out where the nearest pizza delivery joint was the other night I *could* have just used a search engine, but instead I hopped on BOTW Local and typed in the name of the town and “pizza” and got a list in order of proximity.

Couldn’t I have just done so in a search engine? Absolutely. Of course I’d get a certain number of returns that involved people in that town with blogs that had the word “pizza” in it or something, but I’d have gotten there.

The thing is, the “there” I’d have gotten to was the search engine returning results of local directories for the most part. Whether he uses directories or not, the search engines definitely do.

Kinda like saying “No, I don’t use any dairy products, I get my milk at the grocery store”.

Hope everyone had a great weekend. – Rob

No, they aren’t sending staff to charm school… we’re talking Social Media in this case. If you peruse the various BOTW products you’ll start seeing more social media integrated into the listings and pages.

For example, on BOTW Local even the FREE “Jump Start” listings have newly added fields for Twitter, Facebook, and Linked in. Not bad for a freebie.

Incidentally, while most directories SAY they offer a free option but pretty much just ignore their free queue… I can assure you the Jump Start queue in BOTW Local is very actively worked. In order to not accidentally over-promise, our documentation says we’ll make an up or down call inside 6 months… BUT… the Local Team had actual times down to a month a while back.

Oddly, even though that’s a fraction of what’s needed to meet our promise, even *that* wasn’t good enough. Staff asked us to add people to that team so we could get it down even lower. Last I checked it was hovering around 2 weeks out. If we add anybody else in there we’ll be approving them before you send ‘em.

Anyway, just thought I’d mention that if the marketing budget’s too tight to go for an upgraded route at present, do NOT just walk away empty handed. The BOTW Local Jump Start listing is IMO one of the best bargains you’ll ever find on the web. “Free” is a tough price to beat… and if the business qualifies for a listing it WILL get listed in a timely manner.

Hope everyone has a great week out there. ~ Rob

Finally Happening…
Best of the Web is happy to announce they’ve reached an agreement in principle to purchase the DMOZ Directory (Aka – ODP) for an undisclosed sum.

Though a nondisclosure clause prohibits the parties from disclosing details prior to finalization, discussion of some facets of future plans for the venerable directory product are still an open topic.

The New Dmoz to take on Google?
There will be massive changes on the user side, including a highly functional state of the art search interface that offers an option to search the Dmoz database only or to combine results with a metasearch of major search engines. It is hoped this will evolve into dmoz going head to head as a competitor in the search engine field.

New Dmoz Logo Contest
In celebration of the move to compete as a major search apparatus as well as a directory, there will be a makeover of the external appearance, with a green and blue color scheme and a new logo. The logo will be selected in a contest (open to he public) after closing of the transaction. Those that want to get a headstart need to be working with ideas that incorporate a monkey, a tree, and the letters Dmoz.

Things We Cannot Yet Discuss
Though plans for managing and monetizing the new acquisition are already settled, these are subject to the aforementioned nondisclosure clause and cannot be announced until after the sale is complete.

It is known that the sale only includes the assets including the name, the database, and the interface… but does not involve the existing volunteers that work the database. Unconfirmed rumors indicate they may be sold to Yahoo, though the legality of selling humans in a post 14th amendment world may limit that transaction to those outside the continental US.

Stay tuned to this space or Twitter… http://twitter.com/botw/
We’ll use this blog and Twitter to provide additional news as it develops. Please be sure to take into account the date of this announcement when discussing it with anyone (as in Happy “April Fools Day”) , and for those of you that just read headlines and skim… fellas, you’re on your own.

Hope you guys have a great weekend. ~ Rob

Hey, now that I have your attention, I’ll point out it wasn’t just a line to get your attention this time. I understand our crew really *will* be providing free beer at SES New York this coming week.*

SES New York will be talking place March 21 – 25th, and as always the BOTW crew will have a booth there. This is the 12th year for Search Engine Strategies “SES Conference & Expo Series”. It will be at the Hilton New York in NYC. If you’re going you’ll be among 5000 or so internet professionals gathered to get Search Smart. Full details on the site linked HERE.

*  Traditionally our group returns exhausted from all the hard work,  mysteriously without photos.  If you take any juicy pictures of said work, send the negatives, we’ll split the profit.

Anyway, to those attending… have a great time, and stop by and have one on us.

Hope you have a great week. ~ Rob

Last call eh? Now you know where I spent all my time in college.

Just a note to remind you you have until midnite to use the BOTW February 2011 promo code. Don’t miss out on this chance to save 20% on one or a combination of the following directory products… BOTW Directory, the BOTW UK & Ireland Directory, and the BOTW Blog Directory. For details, see 20% Off BOTW Submissions.

Promo code is FEB20. Be the first kid on the block to get your shiny new discounted BOTW submission. You’ll be the envy of the neighborhood. ~ Rob