Cover To Cover

Posted: Facebook Connect, Facebook Info, Internet Marketing

This is a bit lengthy, a little over one hour, but it is totally worth the information that you will glean! The one thing I learned was about “Facebook Connect” and fortunately, WordPress here has a plugin for “Facebook Connect”.

Because of the changes that Facebook made in October, you will notice that the URL for your Facebook is “https” (meaning that you are on a secure IP or server – so, I went back to my hosting agency and have purchased the SSL Certificate for this domain – this is important because the “Facebook Connect” will not work unless one secure network is talking to another secure network.

Posted: Creative Advertising, Heart Core Women, Internet Marketing, Success Online

Let me just say that there are so many things to know – Helping the small business entrepreneur be a success on the internet is key – however, that entrepreneur needs to have an open mind.  Clearing your mind of all preconceived notions, well intentions from others etc.  you will only be creating more of a mess.

This video says an awful lot!  I highly recommend that you watch this and that you sign up for the “7 day free training” – you will be glad that you did!

Posted: All Things Digital, Business Notes, Internet Marketing

I know, us Baby Boomers did not grow up with Technology! We grew up with typewriters, calculators, pencils and pens. Everything we did was manual – and hey, we thought that ol’ typewriter with the corrective ribbon was a HUGE big deal!

Since I am a Baby Boomer, I feel the growing pains, the confusion, the reluctance to move into the digital age. But with the internet and how fast technology is changing, it is a must for us Small Business Entrepreneurs to get with it!

I have been in the computer industry for 40 years! Whoops – that may give away my age – but I am the exception to the rule. If I had been told that in my career growth that I would be affiliated with the computer – I would have told you a few choice words there!

A BIG part of what I do is to help my client get up to speed on the computer – some just have a hard time with email alone – but “IF YOU WANT TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN BUSINESS YOU NEED TO BE ONLINE!”

Here are some pointers to help you out:

• Get comfortable with your email – sending, receiving, attaching documents etc.
• Do NOT try to create your own website – you will be totally frustrated and ready to pull your hair out
• Do understand that Social Media is here to assist you in growing your business and displaying your area of expertise
• Transforming your networking methodology to include the internet is imperative for your business growth
• Schedule a time each day that is your internet time – whether it is early morning, late afternoon or evening – figure out the best time for you to sit quietly and be able to concentrate
  
• Go to a class – Your Local SCORE holds many different classes (many of them free) for the entrepreneur – from Facebook or social media to business plans and accounting
  
• Join related discussion groups – Click Here for All Things Digital For The Small Business Entrepreneur
  
• Read – subscribe to newsletters that relate to your area of weakness – like the Kim Komando Daily Computer Tips

Some food for thought:

1. Make a list of the things you are not familiar with
2. Ask questions to other networks
3. Be honest with yourself and seek out those people that have the expertise you are lacking
4. Remember, you can’t do it all – yes, you need to be informed and understand how things work – others cannot speak for you ~ while there are many area’s that someone else can monitor or update – when speaking about your business that has to come from you – know one knows your philosophy or information as well as you do.
5. Know the internet rules – there is an internet etiquette to follow – find out about the spamming laws, and proper marketing techniques
6. Email Marketing is a phenomenal way to announce your business specials or discounts – but do it the right way – utilize Constant Contact - an email marketing company – that will track your click through, unsubscribe those that don’t want to be on the list and has a huge program to assist you in tying in your info to the social networks like, Facebook, Linked in and Twitter.

There is so much more – but that will be in a later post and please Join the Discussion Group on Linked In, it is a great way for you to learn about other people’s mistakes and triumphs.

Posted: Internet Marketing

Social Networking is taking the time to get to know your people network. Spending time each week to update, connect, refer and learn are key to building a strong network of people that want to learn more about you! 

Yes, you are going to have to learn to blog a bit – you are going to have to learn to correspond with your network. Just pretend that you are sitting down for coffee and sharing bits and pieces that may help others.

Staying in front of people, learning more about them, their likes, their dislikes, their preferences are key to growing a successful network of people.

Email marketing is key to staying in touch with these people. It is NOT to spam, or tell people how great you are! It is to connect to your friends and clients, and it is to share something useful that will help them with their business success.

Want to introduce other talented people to your network? Share something grand and create an email marketing campaign that will introduce people to someone or a group of someone’s that you find simply awesome.

Posted: Internet Marketing

VIV Mag Motion Cover – iPad Demo from Alexx Henry on Vimeo.

Posted: Internet Marketing, Something Cool

Posted: Internet Marketing, Software

Posted: Business Notes, Internet Marketing

From ~ EM+C Online Marketing - Interesting read on:

A March survey of 552 small business executives across the U.S. revealed:

• 37 percent of small businesses haven’t used a website for marketing or expanding their business in the last year
• 84 percent haven’t used e-commerce to sell their products or services
• 62 percent aren’t using basic email for marketing their business
• Among those businesses that do have a website, 74 percent said their site has been effective at generating more business

When it comes to more advanced methods of online marketing, and increasing reach and influence, the survey’s findings were similar:

• 65 percent of small businesses aren’t placing online ads to expand their businesses
• 67 percent haven’t used search engine optimization

The survey also uncovered a disconnect:

• 63 percent of respondents said word-of-mouth is the most effective way to market their businesses and find new customers
• 81 percent said they haven’t used social media sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter.

Among those not using social media:

• 47 percent don’t believe these sites are of value to their business
• 21 percent believe these sites are more for personal use than business use
• 18 percent said they don’t know enough about how to use the sites.

At the same time, many small businesses said they plan more online activity in the next 12 months.

Consider the following findings:

• 72 percent are likely to use a website for marketing or expanding their business in the next 12 months — up 14 percent from those who do today
• 24 percent will likely use e-commerce to sell their products or services over the next 12 months — up 50 percent from those who do today
• 30 percent said they intend to use social networking sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter for marketing or expanding their business — up 58 percent from those who do today.

Age makes a difference . . . . .

The survey also revealed that when it comes to leveraging online tools for business growth, small business executives 45-years-old and older are less likely to use online tools than younger small business executives.

• 27 percent of small business executives under the age of 45 used social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn as marketing tools in the last 12 months
• 16 percent of their peers aged 45 and over used them
• In addition, more younger survey respondents said they’re likely to use a company website for marketing purposes (81 percent versus 69 percent of older respondents) and SEO (52 percent versus 35 percent of older respondents) to market their business in the next year.