April 1, 2012
Business Matters, Marketing Matters
No Comments
**Is YOUR business ready for the mobile revolution?**
It seems like everyone is talking about mobile devices these days, but what does it all mean for YOUR business?
If it all sounds very complicated and you are not sure where to start in order to put your brand or business in front of mobile users, this guide is designed with you in mind.
Top Internet marketer Joan Mullally and technology consultant Andrew Simon review the mobile revolution:
+how it started
+where it is now
+its potential effect upon your business.
They discuss how mobile device users use the Internet to search for information, particularly local information. They will even show you the three main myths about mobile that cause even the top companies on the Internet to fail when it comes to delivering mobile-optimized websites.
You will discover:
+the three most common mobile myths;
+why you need to stop believing these myths, so you can take your business to the next level;
+the three things you must do if you want to go mobile with your business;
+three top trends in mobile marketing that you will want to keep an eye on;
+how to get started optimizing your site for mobile,
and much more.
At the end of each chapter, you will get clear action steps to get started transforming your business to a mobile-friendly one. This guide also contains suggestions for further reading and resources.
If you feel completely at a loss to understand what all the fuss is about regarding mobile marketing, this guide will get you off to a great start creating highly-converting mobile-friendly content and other mobile marketing materials for your business.
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3 MOBILE MYTHS, 3 MOBILE MUSTS: A Beginner’s Guide to Growing Your Business by Making It Mobile-Friendly
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 1: WELCOME TO THE MOBILE REVOLUTION
CHAPTER 2: HOW THE iPHONE TRANSFORMED THE INTERNET
CHAPTER 3: HOW MOBILE USERS ACCESS THE INTERNET
CHAPTER 4: WHY MOST WEBSITES ARE NOT MOBILE FRIENDLY
CHAPTER 5: THREE MOBILE MYTHS
CHAPTER 6: THREE MOBILE MUSTS
CHAPTER 7: THREE HOT MOBILE TRENDS TO TRY
CHAPTER 8: TRACKING YOUR MOBILE MARKETING SUCCESS
CONCLUSION
FURTHER READING
APPENDIX 1: HOW TO SET UP CLICK TO CALL AND GOOGLE MAPS ON YOUR OWN SITE
APPENDIX 2: SETTING UP YOUR NEW WORDPRESS SITE
===
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Joan Mullally has worked in digital publishing and as a marketing consultant for a wide range of firms for over 16 years, with expertise in the health, finance and small business niches. A former educator and the author of over two dozen how-to guides, she excels at providing clear, practical action steps to help readers and her clients grow and transform their lives for the better.
Andrew Simon has worked in the technology departments of some of the world’s leading financial institutions, including Dow Jones, the New York Stock Exchange, and NYSE Euronext. He is an avid follower of new and emerging mobile devices and is now perfecting the art of developing Android apps for his clients.
Together, Joan and Andrew have launched the Mobile Matters series of guides in order to help non-technical business owners make the most of the great new money-making opportunities that mobile marketing offers.
Buy Now:
3 Mobile Myths, 3 Mobile Musts: A Beginner’s Guide to Growing Your Business by Making It Mobile-Friendly (Mobile Matters)
March 7, 2012
Business Matters, Marketing Matters, Non-Fiction
No Comments
Many people get started with a website but soon get stuck when it comes to creating more content. Yet having great content is the key to having a site that is a magnet for traffic. Having high-quality content at your site allows you to attract more customers and clients naturally, through the search engines. Once your content is posted, you will have more pages at your website of potential interest to the people in your niche.
So how do you get more content without hiring a team of writers? One fast way is Private Label Rights (PLR) content, produced by professional writers, which you can use as the inspiration for content at your site.
1-Edit the content for your blog or website
2-Use the content for your clients’ website
3-create paid products such as ebooks, courses, audio, video and more.
4-Add the reports to your paid membership site
5-Use the content to create audio or video products
6-Use the content as an outline for your successful webinars
7-Use PLR as a bonus for signing up for one of your newsletters
There are many more ways to use PLR as the foundation for a successful information marketing business or as an additional stream of revenue at your website.
If you create free and paid products, each product you create will also be an additional stream of revenue. The more streams of revenue you have, the more potential income. That is truly the foundation of any successful business.
Let’s face it, not everyone is a natural writer, and even great writers lack inspiration on occasion, or the time to start digging to do a lot of research. If you are at a loss for words, consider giving PLR a try to help spur your site’s growth and the revenue for your business.
FURTHER READING
Information Marketing Success
How to Make Money from Private Label Rights Products
How to Host Successful Money-Making Webinars
March 6, 2012
Business Matters, Life Matters, Non-Fiction
No Comments
These days, most job hunters are aware that one of the best ways to find a job is through networking. Up to 70% of available positions never get advertised, but are filled through people in the know networking with others.
Even knowing this, the majority of job seekers are not taking advantage of networking opportunities because they are too shy, ‘don’t want to ask for favors’ or just don’t seem to think they are a ‘people person.’
The good news is that with a bit of practice and preparation, you can learn how to network like a pro in order to let the world know that you’re ready, willing, and able to help their business be all that it can be. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.
*Set up a Facebook profile.
Don’t use your personal profile if you already have one. Set up a profile specifically for your professional career. Post your resume and befriend everyone that looks like they might be able to help.
*Create a profile on LinkedIn.
LinkedIn is the professional’s version of Facebook. Use the tools to create a profile and contact others who you already know on there. You never know who is connected to your friends and colleagues. Create as full a profile as possible, complete with your list of skills.
*Always carry business cards with you.
They are a handy way to give people your contact information with fishing around awkwardly between you for a paper or pen. Even if you are the one who wants to get into contact with them, give out your card and take down their details and the reason for contacting them on the back of your own card. You never know when you’re going to meet someone that might have the ability to help in your job search and you want to be ready.
Also consider printing a QR code on your business card so that people who are interested in dealing with you can scan the code with their Smartphone. The code can input a virtual business card into their contacts area of their phone and it can also send them to a special URL that you have created with your resume and a portfolio of your work.
*Blog about your profession.
You’ll attract people in the same field and also demonstrate your expertise if you have your own website with blogging capabilities. If you don’t yet and do not have the money, start with a free site at WordPress.com or Blogger.com to get started.
*Follow the top blogs in your industry.
Subscribe to the top blogs in your industry, and leave short, relevant comments that add to the discussion but are not overtly promotional. In many cases, you will be able to give a simple link back to your site.
To really become an established expert, contact them to ask if you can write some content for the blog. It’s another way to get your name and experience out in the public eye and link back to your own site. It can improve your SEO credit for your site as well (Search Engine Optimization) and improve your page rank, to drive more traffic to your site.
*Let all your friends know that you are looking.
You might think you don’t know that many people, but if you think of six degrees of separation, you will know that we are all interconnected and you have a wider network than you think. Tell everyone what you are looking for. You might be surprised who can help.
*Let everyone in your immediate area know you are actively looking.
Many people feel embarrassed about having lost their job or shy about asking for help, or both. Your neighbors, members of any clubs to which you belong, your mail carrier, the bus driver, and more could all be helpful.
*Get a Twitter account.
Follow everyone in your field. Follow everyone you can in the geographic location you wish to work. See what they are chatting about and contribute in a useful but not too pushy manner. You will soon start to gain a reputation as someone worth listening to.
Also encourage your friends to retweet your work. . For example, one Retweet of a great blog posting of yours could help land you the job of your dreams.
*Have your elevator pitch ready.
You should be able to fire off in 30 seconds who you are, what you do, and what problems you can solve.
*Get a professional email address.
Superstud1953@xxxxxx.com might be who you think you are (not!) but doesn’t sound very professional. John.Smith@xxxxxx.com sounds better. Gmail addresses rather than yahoo also carry a certain aura about them of professionalism. You can also access a lot of great free tools through your Gmail account once you set it up.
Looking for a new job is about as much fun as going to the dentist if you don’t know how to approach it or don’t feel you are really a ‘people person’. But you can learn to network like a pro if you are willing to use as many tools at your disposal as you can to find a great new job as quickly as possible.
There is someone out there looking for someone exactly like you; you just have to find them. Use the ideas above and be creative; these are just the tip of the iceberg. Networking on the wider social network can not only help you find a job, it can also enable you to position yourself as an expert in your field who is well worth listening to.
For more information on how to create an prominent professional profile online, see: How to Raise Your Professional Profile Online
To learn more about interviewing skills, see: Questions You Need to Ask on Your Next Job Interview
To learn how to go viral on Twitter, see: How to Use Twitter for Viral Marketing
March 1, 2012
Business Matters
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February 26, 2012
Business Matters
1 Comment
by Annabelle Stevens and Erin Kennedy
In the modern business world, time is money. If you want to gain a competitive edge in your industry or your job or small business, you need to learn to work smarter, not harder. In this guide, the authors give over 101 tips on how to make the most of your working hours and become more productive and efficient.
From the best ways to start your work day, to how to maintain focus and get results through your day, to how to end your work day on a high note, you will find advice to suit every work situation and your own working style.
You will also learn how to ensure a good work/life balance in order to remain productive and efficient and how to make sure you remain productive working out of the office and working from home.
If you struggle to focus and concentrate at work, learn some of the best ways to stay on task. If you are constantly under pressure to multi-task and produce, learn the best ways to take the pressure off, produce high-quality work, and meet your deadlines with time to spare.
If you feel as if all you do is work, it is time to take your life back. Learn how to work smarter, not harder, starting today, by taking the action steps in this handy guide.
WORD COUNT=15,500
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
101 STRATEGIES
CHAPTER 1: AT THE START OF YOUR DAY
CHAPTER 2: DURING YOUR DAY
CHAPTER 3: THINGS TO AVOID DURING THE DAY
CHAPTER 4: AT THE END OF YOUR DAY
CHAPTER 5: DAILY PRODUCTIVITY BOOSTERS
CHAPTER 6: TOP TIPS FOR PEOPLE WHO WORK AT HOME OR TELECOMMUTE
CONCLUSION
FURTHER RESOURCES
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ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Erin Kennedy is a frequent contributor to Guru-Goddess.com and InsiderSecretsCorp.com and the author of several handy self-help guides.
Annabelle Stevens is one of the main writers and editors for the popular health site Healthful-Goddess.com, and the author of over three dozen health and self-help titles.
Buy Now: How to Work Smarter, Not Harder: 101 Strategies to Make the Most of Your Working Hours and Become More Efficient and Productive (Business Matters)
February 19, 2012
Business Matters, Money Matters, Non-Fiction
No Comments
Once you have created your small business budget, you will have to try to stick to it. Most people love the world budget as much as they love the word diet. But if you think of your business budget as your financial plan for the future, you will have a more positive view of it, and hopefully see your budget as your friend rather than the enemy.
A budget helps a business to keep on top of everything that is going on in the business financially. Once you create the budget, have it on your computer desktop in an Excel spreadsheet and look at it every day, or at least once a week.
If you are relying on your business to support you and your family, don’t leave things to chance. And if you want to make sure you don’t let down any of your customers and any employees you might have, then that is all the more reason to keep track of your progress every week and every month.
There are a number of ways to keep track of your budget each month to make sure you are on target for all of your financial goals. Here are a few of the best ones.
* Using good software
This works for accounting purposes and taxes but also so that you can see a variety of warning signs before you get into real trouble. The software will help you see if you are spending too much, offering your product for too little or if you are over the budget in different areas.
Before buying any software, have an idea of what items you need to track to find a comprehensive program to fit all your needs. This includes time tracking and payroll software for employees. Quickbooks and Quicken are two popular accounting software programs which you might consider using in conjunction with Excel to keep track of all the numbers related to your business. Each of these programs has basic up to deluxe and professional editions, so compare features to see which version is right for your business. Also check to see if they work in conjunction with popular tax preparation software.
Other software you will need will help you track your inventory, your performance in selling online, and so on. Use software as the ‘dashboard’ to help you see what is going on with your business, but also remember to keep your hands steady on the wheel, keep your eyes and ears open, and take your feet on and off the gas pedals and the brakes as needed to keep your business on the road to success.
* Do a monthly evaluation at a minimum.
We personally look at our books on the 15th and the last day of each month to review the books and the budget, but if your income is fairly steady each month, once might be enough. If you have hired an accountant, you can make an appointment with them to discuss the bottom line. Prepare reports that can be archived, showing each month’s statistics. If you see on the 15th that you are having a good month, congratulations, and keep up the good work. If you see on the 15th of the month that things are slower than you anticipated, do more promotion, send out more emails and so on to try to generate more sales and revenue. Your budget will help you see how far off you are in meeting your monthly obligations and help you get back on track.
* Use credit to build credit and gain benefits
Banks extend businesses lines of credit that help owners keep track of their expenses through a monthly report that shows the tax categories in reference to where their money is going. You can use this line of credit to pay for capital purchases, business expenses like client lunches or dinners, supplies and so on. With your online account you can quickly reconcile purchases to a specific line item to balance it and see what is left. Just remember to keep all physical receipts for the IRS-credit card statements are not accepted as proof of the expenditure.
* Regularly evaluate vendor performance and pricing
If you are relying on other third-party vendors to help you run your business, check to see that you are getting value for money and good pricing. Don’t take this for granted. Just because you have been given a good price today doesn’t mean that your current vendor will be the most economical six months from now. Always run a check each quarter to see if things can be done faster, smarter and/or cheaper than your current practices. Check the costs of everything and if you are not satisfied with the service you are receiving, consider making a change.
* Use online banking to schedule payments and savings
Avoid late payments to vendors or other creditors by scheduling regular payments each month through automatic bill pay through your online bank. You can view your statements to see when the payments cleared. It keeps your credit rating high and also helps you budget better. You can also schedule savings into an emergency fund or investment fund for the future needs of your business. If the money is automatically saved in this manner, you will rarely ever notice it is there and not be tempted to touch it.
* Track inventory carefully
This is important for businesses that sell their own products. When filling orders, you want to know that you have all the materials in stock for production. Falling short could mean last-minute vendor ordering which might come with a hefty rush fee. You can cut back on items that customers aren’t buying, or eliminate them entirely. Just be aware of the inevitability of damaged goods and things being lost in the mail. Do what you can to offset these issues, but also recognize that these expenses will have to be funded by the company, as will a good customer service system.
Creating a business budget is just the first step, and the easiest one. Sticking to your budget will be much harder. However, if you use top technology and plan ahead for future expenses carefully, you should be able to not only stay on track, but survive and thrive in your business.
Further Reading
Essentials For Setting Up Your New Small Business
How To Transform Your Hobby Into A Home-Based Small Business
How to Start a Successful Small Business Even if You Don’t Have Much Cash
February 16, 2012
Business Matters, Marketing Matters, Money Matters, Non-Fiction
No Comments
Many people are eager to earn extra money these days to get out of debt and start saving more for the future. But with the economy in an uproar and unemployment high, earning more can seem like an impossible dream.
If you have some spare time and some saleable skills, however, the good news is that you can earn extra money online. Businesses all over the Internet needs people just like you, with keyboard skills and a reliable Internet connection, to help them run their business and above all, produce content for their website and drive traffic to it.
Here are just a few of the possibilities you might like to explore to earn extra income online.
Virtual assistant.
If you are good at the Microsoft Office Suite, in particular Word and PowerPoint, many companies will pay well for you to create professional looking documents and presentations. They will also pay for you to help with basic day to day chores, such as business letters, formatting resumes, invoicing clients, and more. If you already have the software, put it to good use and earn extra money at the same time by becoming a virtual assistant.
Many sites have now sprung up which offer support, advice and connections with clients. Sites like HireMyMom and VirtualAssistants.com help virtual assistants (VAs) match their skills with what clients are looking for and also offer sample contracts, payment advice and more.
*Translate documents.
If you’re bilingual, check out job sites looking for translators to translate documents from one language to another. Businesses moving into new markets will be eager to connect with native speakers of a language and help them with other essential documents. Two of the top freelance websites, eLance and oDesk, not only offer Virtual Assistant opportunities, they also have jobs for to translating documents for pay or producing original material in a second language. You might also be interested in TranslatorsCafe.com, which allows you to join and put your translation skills up for hire. At TranslatorsCafe, you can also browse available translation and interpreter jobs and apply for them.
*Being a social media marketing manager
If you love all things Facebook and Twitter, why not put these skills to use on behalf of businesses? Many marketing managers are already pressed for time without having to add social media networking to their busy day. If you can set up a great profile page for each of the top social media sites and represent the company in a responsible and professional-looking way, both established brands and new businesses are looking for you.
The top freelance sites mentioned above will have postings and will usually want you to focus on a particular topic of interest, such as electronics, health topics or cars. If you have a hobby or favorite topic you love to chat about online, and visit all the top blogs, discussion boards and chat rooms about your topic (commonly referred to as a niche) then being a social media manager could be a great paying gig you can do any time from your computer at home.
*Being a ghostwriter/ebook writer/blogger
If you have a passion for your niche topic, consider applying for one of the many positions at the top freelance sites to be a ghostwriter. Many people want to be authors, but few have the skill to take a complex subject and boil it down to its basics. Or, they want to write creatively, but their writing is flat and dull.
If you enjoy writing and are passionate about certain subjects, there are people who are willing to pay for your work. A ghostwriter will deliver a complete project or book and allow the person paying to put their name on it as the author. You would give up all rights to the book once they paid you. However, having said that, all the research and knowledge is still yours, and can be spun into a number of different products you can earn money from, including ebooks, emails, blog posts and more.
*Being an online lecturer or coach.
As we have discussed above, if you possess in-depth knowledge and expertise and can write well, you can create online courses and/or coaching packages that people will pay money for. Some people might want personal interaction with you over the phone, while others will be happy with video or audio recordings of the material you wish to present.
Some coaches use AMember membership software and sign up clients to pay a monthly fee automatically each month, for example, $9.99 a month, even $99 a month depending on how much content and how specialized it is. Others use online educational software to create virtual classrooms, such as the one at Wiziq.com, to teach classes and get paid for their teaching.
Even if you are ‘camera shy,’ if you can create attractive PowerPoint presentations, PDFs, or speak into a microphone, you can become an online teacher or coach.
These are just a few ideas for taking your knowledge and skills to the next level by offering your expertise online in order to earn extra money. Investigate the various options we’ve discussed in this article, and see if one or more of these opportunities is right for you.
Further Reading
Coaching Business Secrets: How to Create a Highly Profitable Coaching Program
How to Start Using Twitter as an Effective Marketing Tool for Your Business
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