How Google Made Search Better

By Kamea Zelisko

In September Google made search better with the launch of its new search algorithm Hummingbird.

Why is it better?

Because it comes up with answers based on the context of your questions, rather than the older algorithm which based search results solely on keywords.
While keywords were and still are valuable to Google to track what people are searching for, they are no longer the main basis for how Google tracks searches. A lot of people were taking advantage of the keyword-based algorithm, packing their websites with keywords and sometimes terrible (I mean, really terrible) content that was not at all useful to the general population but was still ranked on the first page of Google.
Google, being the dynamic and responsive company that it is, saw this growing trend and after some previous updates which improved search but didn’t quite fix the over arching problem, they decided to come up with Hummingbird.

So what does this mean for you and your website?
Basically the new algorithm bases your site’s ranking on the quality of the content on your site. So if you’re doing Search Engine Optimization (SEO) right, which means creating useful, relevant content for your targeted audience on a fairly consistent basis, then your ranking will actually improve.
But if your SEO person didn’t put an emphasis on the creation of useful content then you probably saw your site’s ranking decrease pretty much over night.

So what should you do now?
If you’re one of those companies that saw its rankings decrease, talk to your SEO expert. Tell them you want new, quality content on your website ASAP.
And hey, if you need help creating that content Contact Us – it’s our specialty

Calgary Stampede fashion show coming up!

Only 2 weeks left until the Glam Up your Stampede event! If you like fashion then this will be right up your alley! Check out details on the QE Facebook Page: http://ow.ly/kZUnW

Get ready for the Calgary Stampede 2013!

Looking for a way to celebrate the upcoming Calgary Stampede 2013? How about glamming up yor Stampede? Queen Esther Education Foundation is holding its Glam up Your Stampede event on June 20 & it’s gonna be fun! Check out the QE Facebook Page for more info!

Father's Day - how my dad changed my life

By Kamea Zelisko
This is a very personal story, but one I'm proud to share. It's about how my dad changed my life.
My dad was truly the anchor of my family and he led by example. He spoke little, worked hard and instilled in us good values and lessons. By nature, he was the kind of person you wanted to make proud, and all of his children felt this way.
In fact, this is what drove me to graduate high school, go into Journalism and then write for his favourite newspaper, the Edmonton Sun. He kept every single article I ever wrote in a drawer of his desk (then in a box when the drawer got full). I knew at that moment I had succeeded in making my dad proud.
He died 3 years ago on June 4. About 2 weeks from Father's Day and his birthday, which was on June 19. His death was, and still is devastating to our family. Each year around this time we struggle with the loss, feeling depressed, anxious and sad.
But what I want to share with you is the gift I received through his death - an appreciation for life. Before his death, like many people, I took things for granted - people, experiences, etc.
Now I live every second like it could be my last - I work hard, play hard and make time for the important things in life, including family, friends and experiences. I eat healthier, run marathons and enjoy nice long walks every chance I get. I have experienced more and met more amazing people in the past 3 years than I ever had before.
And while I have always enjoyed a strong passion for writing, I now have another passion - helping others. My friends and family mean the world to me and I always make time for them no matter how busy I get. In my professional life I sit in great meetings and brainstorm on all the creative ways I can help other businesses market themselves, and when those plans start to unfold I get an excitement I've never had before. I feel invigorated with a new drive and passion to live and experience life.
I will always miss my dad. But as they years go by I see that through his death he has given me the greatest gift of all - the gift of life. Thank you daddy, we miss you <3>

Win a Father's Day Golf package!

Win dad a $100 gift card to the Elbow Springs Golf Club for Father’s Day!
Elbow Springs is a championship, 27 hole semi-private golf course located just west of Calgary. It features natural ponds & streams in the scenic Elbow River Valley.
The $100 gift card can be used for a round of golf, to get some golf necessities at the pro shop or for some delicious breakfast or lunch offered at the course.
To enter, LIKE Red Queen Creative on Facebook & tell us your sweet, funny or touching Father’s Days story below this photo on our timeline! The winner will be announced on Father’s Day – good luck everyone!

RQ's Kamea Zelisko to take part in Enerflex MS Walk 2013

RQ’s Kamea Zelisko will again be participating in the Enerflex MS Walk 2013 on Sunday, June 2, 2013. “This is going to be a busy couple of weeks for me,” says Kamea, who is also participating in the Calgary Scotiabank Marathon just a week earlier on May 26. “But it’s more than worth it. A close friend of mine was diagnosed with MS recently and I have other friends whose lives have been devastated by this disease. I want to help any way I can – it just feels right.”
For more info on the MS Walk or to donate visit Kamea’s page @ http://bit.ly/ZpGKcL

RQ giving away Father's Day gift!

Father's Day is one month from today - and RQ Creative will be giving away another great gift to help make your Father's Day a special one! Stay tuned for our Father's Day contest to be announced soon!

RQ helps Newcomers to Canada get an education

“I’ve met far too many brain surgeons driving cabs & engineers cleaning houses just to get by,” says RQ Partner Kamea Zelisko. “Newcomers to Canada need any help they can get to further their education here in Canada.”
Kamea will be participating in the Scotiabank Calgary Marathon on May 26 in support of Queen Esther Education Foundation, a registered charity that helps provide educational opportunities for Newcomers to Canada, such as getting help applying for loans, bursaries, getting counselling, getting document translation and just overall help navigating Canada’s education system.
To support Kamea in her walk visit http://ow.ly/kZoV6

RQ participates in the Calgary Scotiabank Marathon 2013!

RQ is participating in the Calgary Scotiabank Marathon 2013 on Sunday, May 26!

The Calgary Scotiabank Marathon is one of Calgary’s biggest fundraising events of the year, where thousands of runners & walkers join together to support their charities, and RQ’s Kamea Zelisko will be there in support of Alberta-based charity Queen Esther Education Foundation.
“I’m very excited to be participating in this this great event for such a great cause,” says Kamea Zelisko, who will be walking 21K during the event. “QE is truly a great charity that I believe in so I’m happy to be able to help in any way I can.”
Queen Esther is a registered charity that uses 100% of the funds raised to provide educational opportunities for Newcomers to Canada including offering services such as assistance in applying for bursaries, one-on-one counselling, ESL services and document translation. You can visit QE’s Facebook Page or www.queenesther.ca for more info on the charity.
RQ is accepting donations. If you would like to donate to Kamea’s page visit her Personal Page.

Calgary fundraiser a success!

What a fun night @ Queen Esther Education Foundation’s Arabian Nights fundraising event @ Mango Shiva restaurant! It was a great turnout with more than $3,000 being raised to help newcomers to Canada get a better chance @ a post secondary education! “We’re really happy with the how the night turned out,” says Marija Pavkovic, one of the volunteers who helped organize the event which included a free drink, free appys, free massages, belly dancing lessons & a silent auction. “Everyone had a great time and it was for a great cause!”
A big thank you to everyone who made it out and/or supported the event through promotions or volunteering their time. And a special thank you to Mango Shiva for donating the space – we could not have chosen a better venue for our first fundraiser here in Calgary!
Photos of the event will be posted soon, so keep your eye out!

Win $50 to Mango Shiva restaurant in Calgary!

Do you like free food & drinks? If so you may want to buy tix to Queen Esther Education Foundation’s Arabian Nights Fundraiser @ Mango Shiva restaurant in Calgary!

If you buy your tix before April 20 you’ll be entered into a draw to win a $50 gift card to Mango Shiva! This is going to be a fun night out for a good cause – and now you can even win yourself some spending cash for the night! A big shout out to Mango Shiva for their contribution of this draw item & for donating their wonderful space for our event! Get your tix @ http://ow.ly/jVWj8

RIP Ralph Klein

By Kamea Zelisko

Growing up I always had an affinity for Ralph Klein, who first became Premier of Alberta when I was only 12 years old. Since I'm originally from Edmonton, Alberta I wasn't really aware of his reputation here in Calgary, and this wasn't uncommon in the City of Champions. I remember the hoopla surrounding his win - statements such as "A Calgary Journalist and Mayor becomes Premier? This is ridiculous!" albeit with maybe a bit more curse words, were commonplace throughout Edmonton's blue collar community members, who generally hated any Calgary person who even dared to throw their hat in for the coveted provincial seat (not that I think this has changed much).

But the controversy surrounding Ralph is what made him so interesting. In fact, if it wasn't for him I'm not sure if I would have ever been interested in politics at all. Because of him as a young person I began to understand our provincial debt, and I knew it was a negative thing.

Ralph's hell bent desire to eliminate our province's monumental $23 billion debt is his most memorable and successful political achievement, and it came at a cost. And this cost hit home for me. My father was laid off from his job at the University of Alberta which lost huge amounts of funding as part of Klein's plan. Our family lived in turmoil over the next 10 years with my dad, who had always been a hard worker and steady income earner, now struggling to find and keep a job in Alberta's poor economy and tight purse strings.

I also remember the anger, resentment and daily political rallies in my home town, and while you would think all of this would make me have a strong hatred for this man, in reality that for me would be pretty illogical. You see, you can't lower debt without cutting costs, and while debates abound on whether or not Klein took the right actions, you can't debate the result - a debt-free, rich province which made the most of its only money making resource, and saved money for things like the Heritage Fund and of course the ridiculous Ralph Bucks. 

More importantly, I look up to King Ralph and appreciate the man he was. A man who was genuine, (rarely reciting scripts like all of today's politicians); a man who did whatever it took to reach his goal; a man who knew how to break down a message so the regular every day Joe could understand it; a man willing to do whatever it took to reach his goal, and a man willing to receive whatever criticisms that resulted from the decisions he made. These are amazingly admirable traits. And for these reasons and many more Ralph Klein will always be remembered and missed. RIP King Ralph, you were one of a kind.

RQ attends Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra's Cork and Canvas Fundraiser!

RQ's Kamea Zelisko attended the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO) fundraising event Cork & Canvas Willow Park Wines & Spirits last night! The night included wine tasting from more than 10 wineries, great hors d'ouevres from some of Calgary's finest artisan shops and restaurants, a silent auction, a live auction and even some salsa dancing. 

"It was a great time,' says RQ Partner Kamea Zelisko. "There were tons of people who turned out to support the CPO, the auction items were fantastic and there was an excellent selection of food and wine - you can't get much better than that!"

The Cork and Canvas event is part of a month long festival to to help raise funds for the CPO. The dates for the next ones are: 

March 14: Craft Beer Night 

March 16: High Tea in Style 

March 19: La Chaumiere Luncheon 

March 21: The Art of Whisky 

April 6: Winemaker's Dinner 

To get more details or to by your tickets visit www.cpo-live.com

RQ helps organize a fun fundraising event!

RQ is helping organize a fun event to raise funds for Queen Esther Education Foundation!

We’re inviting people to attend an Arabian Nights themed party on April 27 at Mango Shiva restaurant. The night will begin at 9 p.m. and will include a signature martini, appetizers, a silent auction, door prizes and even a belly dancing lesson!

“This will be a really fun event,” says RQ partner Kamea Zelisko. “It’s going to be a relaxed evening out with some great prizes, including a special RQ SEO and Social Media Marketing Package worth $1,000.”

Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Contact Us for more info or to get your tickets!

RQ donates services to Queen Esther Education Foundation

RQ has decided to donate its time and resources to help an Edmonton charitable organization.

Queen Esther Education Foundation seeks to improve the lives of those in the community through the transforming power of education by providing bursaries for post secondary schooling, ESL training and assistance, the translation of foreign documents into English for post secondary enrollment purposes, providing free career counseling and offering job skills training and assistance.

“This is a great organization,” says RQ partner Kamea Zelisko, who will be providing free social media marketing services to Queen Esther. “RQ has a lot of background with immigrant populations and we realize the struggles they face when trying to get an education here in Canada. We’re happy to partner with this organization to help more newcomers to Canada build a new life for themselves here in Canada through education opportunities.”