Black Friday - Attention Shoppers: Create your shopping list
It is to be behind the scenes. Secretly passing notes in the hallway. Password protected boards sharing anonymous resources of the Black Friday deals. But no more - either it’s publicized with the merchant’s blessing or black listed with the threat of lawsuit.
Now there’s a one stop shop to create your Black Friday shopping list at Black Friday Info. Deals are grouped into categories. And if your favorite store hasn’t released its ad then sign-up for email notification
The Point
Save time and browse the ads on-line at Black Friday Info. Then select your choice buys and create your shopping list. No more fumbling through ads to find what you want when you’re still half asleep.
WordPress Blog – The How To Video Series
As a business owner, it is vital that you establish a blog for your business that relates specifically to your target audience. Your blog should identify you as the authority for the subject that you are discussing and that is of interest to your potential clients. Provide quality information related to your subject in the form of tips, resources, and courses of actions.
The mechanics of setting up a blog are honestly not that difficult. A resource was shared with me in the SSWT Elite membership forum that contains video tutorials.
The video series by the 10-minute Expert shows how to set-up a Wordpress blog The tutorials are comprised of 10 videos. Topics are:
• How to Create a MySQL Database Using HostGator.com
• How to Download and Install WordPress
• How to Configure WordPress Options Part 1
• How to Configure WordPress Options Part 2
• How to Add a Post or Static Page to WordPress
• How To Manage Blog Posts in WordPress
• How to Manage Comments In WordPress
• How to Manage The Blogroll in Wordpress
• How To Change, Edit, or Install a Wordpress Theme
• How to Configure WordPress Plugins
The Point
It couldn’t be made any easier. Simple step-by-step instructions on how to set-up a Wordpress blog provided in short segments that are easy to digest. Makes it as easy as pumpkin pie.
Outlook Shortcuts - Time Savers
Entrepreneurs today seem to always be seeking new devices and the latest softwares to quickly accomplish more. We seek the trendy self-help books that are to lead us out of chaos and show us how to save time, manage effort and get more out of our day.
Start by looking at what you already have in place. An easy way to reduce time wasted is utilizing Outlook shortcuts. While it seems taxing in the beginning, once implemented, shortcuts become a thoughtless habit.
Just Tweet It - Find Followers and Promote Your Business
Are you new to Twitter and not getting the quality of followers that you would like to have? Not finding those that have like-minded interests? Tired of scrolling through what someone is eating for breakfast and lunch? Just Tweet It will help you find those that want to network with the same intent and with quality information to share. As stated on Just Tweet It’s website:
“Add your name to the directory and get found or find others like you!”
Just Tweet It is a directory listing for Twitter users. There are over three dozen categories, both business and personal. Create a listing with your name, twitter url and a brief bio. This is a great resource to promote your business and interests.
I discovered this tool from none other than a tweet from @GrantGriffiths , a self-described Home Office Warrior who gives information freely and who I follow. Grant tweeted his latest blog post Twitter Tool – Just Tweet It. The Twitter caveat is that Grant found out about Just Tweet It from a tweet made by someone he was following.
The Point
Finding Just Tweet It is a perfect example of how Twitter works; tweets become viral and spread rapidly. Information is shared and passed on to others. Incorporate Twitter into your daily routine. Create a Twitter profile, list yourself on the Just Tweet It directory and then find others that share your interests and start following them. See how far you can spread yourself around Twitter World.
Photo by Jacob Whittaker
How Do You Say - It’s a Pleasure to Meet You!
In my previous post, I shared Tweet Later; a Twitter tool that sends auto-responses to new followers either publically or through direct message. While I don’t subscribe to all “twitter etiquette” that many feel businesses should adhere to, there are a few common sense “rules” that should not have to be explained but it seems more often than not, it does.
So, how do you welcome your new followers on Twitter? Or, do you even acknowledge them?
When you set-up an auto-response to acknowledge a new follower, it should be just that. Links to your products or services should not be included. It is just simply not proper etiquette; it’s spam! If you have set-up your profile properly, then your website is listed. More times than not, a new follower has already checked out your website; unless they are the ones that have 1200 followings and only 100 followers; their intent then is to spam you.
Put it into perspective as it relates to your physical surroundings. If you are meeting someone for the first time, you wouldn’t be shaking their hand and asking them to buy your product. Would you?
The Point
Twitter is to socially connect with those that you have common interests in, whether it is personal or business. Yes, it is a great tool for internet marketing and promoting your blog; just not in a spammy way. Treat that your followers the same as you would if you were meeting and chatting face to face. Great them openhanded; a warm friendly thank you note is simple and genuine! It doesn’t mean you have to follow them, just be polite and say hello.
Photo by rumpleteaser
Do You Tweet? 9 Tools to Enhance Your Twitter Experience
Despite its critics, Twitter is a useful micro-blogging tool entrepreneurs can utilize in a social networking setting to build relationships, promote their blog and market their business. This post is not to debate the pros and cons of Twitter; whether it’s viewed as professional or otherwise; nor is it to cover proper tweeting etiquette or what is and is not considered spamming your followers. My intent is to provide you with nine tools that will simply enhance your Twitter experience.
Ping.FM
Do you have multiple social network profiles that you want to keep a daily presence without spending all day doing it? Ping.fm saves you the time and effort. Ping.fm will send a single post across 26 social networking platforms at one time. It utilizes the same 140 character limit as Twitter. Sites in addition to Twitter include: Facebook, Plurk, LinkedIn, MySpace, Google Talk, Delicious, and many more.
Tweet Later
Tweet Later works for you while you are away; whether you’re traveling, focusing on a project or simply living life. Tweet Later can be set-up to welcome new followers automatically either publically or by direct message. It will, at your election, automatically follow those that follow you. You can also schedule pre-scripted Tweets to broadcast while you’re away. Scheduled tweet is a great tool to alert followers of a new post on your blog.
What a Tangled Web We Weave with Web Analytics
Photo by josefstuefer As an entrepreneur in e-commerce, an enormous amount of effort and focus is placed on web presence. Countless hours can be spent on the aesthetics of your website, the cascading pages and catchy graphics. While you can have the snazziest website in your industry, if your visitors spend just seconds before bouncing elsewhere then it is all for not. So how do you know if your efforts are paying off? How can you discern where to make changes? Do you need a magic ball to see behind the scenes? No, a web analytics program will capture the data needed.
Web analytics provides detailed statistics that can assist with the analysis and fine tuning of your website or blog. By gathering data, it paints a clear picture of the visitors that find your site and provides the results from marketing efforts and website design. Here are four key areas to examine.
Discovering New Features in Old Friends
Photo by pigstyave
I am always thrilled when I find a new product, gadget, or program that makes being efficient ……. well, efficient. While doing research on a topic this week, I discovered that my tried and true friend Microsoft Outlook had a feature that I did not know about. It’s Outlook’s Post Reply to Folder (Post). Simple words, simple feature but filled with many possibilities towards being efficient.
Post’s intended purpose is to collaborate in public folders. This feature is located in the Actions menu tab of an opened email – Post Reply to Folder. It can also be activated from an Inbox and shortcut keys CTRL+SHIFT+S. Thinking that the feature has the potential to fulfill other needs, I tinkered around with it and did a bit of brainstorming.
Free Web Authoring Tool - Are you a KompoZer?
Photo by chrysti
Creating a website for your business can seem like a daunting task for those with little or no experience in HTML (HyperText Markup Language) or CSS (Cascading Style Sheets). For a small business business, the cost of hiring a web designer or purchasing an HTML/CSS editing program can put a heavy strain on most budgets. There are alternatives that work for not only for the experienced but for the beginner as well. I discovered a great resource - KompoZer. I used this program to create the website for my business and the big bang for your buck is ……it is free!
Going Up! Free Resource to Create an Elevator Speech
Photo by annia316
As an entrepreneur, getting your name out there and making new connections is the name of the game. So how many times have you stumbled through introducing yourself and your business to a potential client? Have you walked away knowing you didn’t get your message across? Do you find yourself wanting another chance to make a better impression? I would venture to guess that you haven’t perfected your elevator speech.
Then it’s time to get in the game! It’s not as painful as you might guess. I have discovered a free resource to assist with developing your elevator speech and they’ve made getting started easy!
The 15SecondPitch describes itself as:
“n. An introduction that is concise, compelling and conversational. No elevator required!”
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