Archive of "Resources" Category
November 12, 2010
//
No Comments »
It’s great to build email lists, and we know that your subscribers love to hear from you – but how often? If you are a prolific emailer, your favorite subscribers may end up hitting the delete button before the ever open your message. Eventually, they may even unsubscribe just to lighten up their email boxes.
So why not help them lighten their load? With a couple of content changes and technical switches, you can create email lighter frequency lists that give your subscribers the options to get your broadcasts weekly, bi-monthly or monthly. Here’s how:
Condense your content:
- Highlight the top news stories or tips each day
- Remove any announcements for timely events that will be obsolete
- Merge related articles
- Create topic lists that link back to the full story on your Web site
Tweak the Opt-In
- Make sure that your subscribers who opt in to lighter frequency aren’t still on the original daily deluge list
- Create a self-explanatory Web form for each list that makes it clear they are signing up for fewer emails
- Create confirmation messages that spell out what they have signed up for and when they will get emails
If you make the decision to offer lighter frequency email content, now may be the perfect time to reach out t your subscribers who haven’t opened your emails in a while. Send them an email that lets them know they can opt- in for your email lite version. Write a subject that lets them know it’s a new opportunity. Ask them to select a frequency option and link them to a Web form that will set them up seamlessly. It may be just the way to get their attention again!
Posted in
Clients, Customer Service, Marketing, Resources, Small Business, Virtual Assistants
November 3, 2010
//
No Comments »
If you aren’t using some type of Web analytics and Web usability tool, you should be. Now we have new, free usability tools springing up that are worth checking out and running on your site, even as a test. The latest cool tool is called Youseeble, a brand-new Internet tool that lets you see your Web site the way your visitors do.
Do you have your most important content in the right place? What are your visitors (and potential customers) really looking at? What gets ignored?
Youseeable doesn’t really replace a comprehensive Web analytics tool (Google Analytics is one that you can use for free), but it does let you see how people interact with your Web site, which is really the name of the game these days. Here’s how it works:
- Youseeable records the activity of each visitor then creates three different “heat maps” that show where people go on your site
- The Interaction heat map shows where visitors go and what they ignore; the Attention heat map shows cursor movement; and the Visibility heat map shows what visitors actually see on your pages based screen resolutions and browser differences
- Just insert a couple of lines of segments of HTML code into all your pages, then create a test
- Youseeable also offers a playback function that lets you watch the actions of a real visitor
The real benefit to Youseeable is the ability to take your visitor numbers and actually understand them by looking at the behavior patterns. It’s free to try – all you need to get started is an email address and the ability to add the code onto your pages.
Today’s Web marketers must be relevant, real and responsive. Tools like Youseeable help you create and place content and design to keep visitors on the site and to give users the information and applications they are looking for in Web 3.0.
Posted in
Marketing, Resources, Small Business, Software, Technology
October 21, 2010
//
No Comments »
If you can’t get through a flight without a trip to Facebook or to check your email, then check out which fights offer in-flight Wi-Fi services with HasWiFi.com. While in-flight Wi-Fi is becoming more common, especially on longer flights, it’ not offered consistently and you may not know until you are on board or about to board whether or not you’ll be able to get connected during your flight.
So far, HasWiFi only offers fight information for six airlines:
- Airtran
- Alaska Airlines
- American
- Delta
- US Airways
- United
- Virgin America
Because airlines commonly switch out aircraft for scheduling changes, the HasWiFi system can’t be 100% accurate, but it’s still pretty helpful; and the sit even offers you the chance to give feedback on accuracy with a “You Tell Us” links to vote on whether or not the flight information was accurate.
The creator of HasWiFi, Anthony Petito, also plans to expand the listings with other carriers and also offer an Interface so that travel sites like Expedia.com can also search the database info for in-flight Wi-Fi.
Heard of SeatGuru? SeatGuru.com also provide Wi-Fi information, along with other details on particular flights like the arrangement and comfort of seats available. SeatGuru currently offers a larger database of carriers an flight information.
If you are going to get that report done while you are traveling, better make sure your boss isn’t checking up on you with HasWiFi!
Posted in
Resources, Small Business, Technology
September 20, 2010
//
No Comments »
Going green has surged into the computer market this past year. Hybrid computers are the “new” environmentally-friendly choice of computers, with its power-saving laptop components, use of recycled materials and minimal packaging. Dell has recently introduced The Studio Hybrid, which starts at $500 a unit (Dell Hybrid). It is a impact and Eco-friendly choice to make if you are in the market for a computer.
The many benefits of going for this type of computer is the simple fact, that when you don’t need the extra power as you would for high graphic websites, video games or editing, you can simply hit the power save button. Using minimal power, you are still able to surf the web, check email and use most office software without noticing any difference. This can be used effectively for email purposes, web surfing or using office documents. You save on power, heat and noise. Especially with a notebook, you want to preserve that battery life when you can.
Another piece of equipment to keep in mind when you are looking to cut cost on energy and to help out the environment, is the energy saving power strip. One particular model, The Smart Power Strip, offers power surge protection and line noise filtering, while being able to sense the flow of electrical current through the strip’s control outlet. So if your computer or printer has not been in use for a while, it will automatically power it down. Although a great idea, it is important to remember to save your work before leaving the computer idle.
Going green applies to much more than recycling and using re-usable bags these days. If you are in the market for a new computer, consider going green and purchasing a hybrid!
Posted in
Resources, Technology
September 3, 2010
//
No Comments »
If you host small online meetings or conferences, teach online or have any need to share content but don’t want to pay high prices, then you should check out the latest desktop sharing tool – Mikogo.
Mikago lets you share any screen content or application over the Internet with up to 10 users simultaneously. And it’s free for both commercial and private use! Here are some of the applications:
- Web conferences
- Online meetings
- Product demonstrations
- Web presentations
- Remote support
- Team projects
- Webinars
Mikogo comes from BeamYourScreen, who offers a number of Web collaboration solutions. Most of BeamYourScreen’s products are not free – they offer more sophisticated features like a greater number of participants (up to 25), an HTML viewer and live customer support. The free version is great for small, simple applications. All of Mikogo’s features work on a Windows platform – a number will also run on a MAC platform.
Here’s how Mikogo works:
- The organizer initiates a phone conference.
- The organizer starts a Mikogo session, gets a unique 9-digit session ID from the Mikogo server, and distributes the session ID to the participants.
- Participants open their Internet browser, go to www.mikogo.com, and click on “Join Session”. No installations or registrations required for the participants. They simply join the session by entering the session ID.
- A connection is instantly established, and the participants can view the organizer’s screen in real time via the Mikogo viewer window.
Download it here and give the application a try. It’s cool, it’s free and it’s available in several languages.
Posted in
Resources, Small Business, Software, Technology
April 4, 2010
//
No Comments »
It’s a common problem; you have to get a file to a client immediately but it’s too large to go through regular email as most email programs have a limit of the size file you can send. A free, safe and easy way to do this is to use DropSend.com, where you can send files up to 2GB The Lite Version is free if you only need to send a few large files a month. If you need to send more you can sign up for a Business account in which you can customize with your own logo, web address and the ability to send and receive an unlimited number of files.
Dropsend is ideal for sending jpegs, pdfs and MP3′s and you can download files straight from your desktop with their free desktop tool. In addition dropsend also offers online storage where you can storing all your files and keep them safe in the event your computer crashes. It is simple to get started as there is no no software to download.
Posted in
Resources
November 9, 2009
//
No Comments »
Is your in box a nightmare? Do you have a desk full of papers? What about a to do list that is longer than your arm? Well you are not alone. Managing your own business, clients, home and a life can be tough when you have too much work bogging you down. Make the time now to save time later by using these simple steps to tame the anarchy:
*Take 15 minutes a day to wade through your desk
Yes, just 15 minutes a day can make a big difference. Throw away unimportant papers; put away manuals or books you are not using, file bills and other important documents. Binders and cabinets are an organizers best friend. Put important loose papers in a binder for safe keeping and put notebooks and books in cabinets so they are out of the way and off your desk.
*Keep a disciplined email system
An entrepreneur’s email can get up to a hundred emails a day or more! Who has time for that? Start bulking down by unsubscribing all that “junk” that you just thought you would read but has been sitting in your inbox for 2 months. Color code clients and make separate folders to put “to do’s” in. Try out an email management program like Outlook or Windows Mail to keep your emails in check. Using a Virtual Assistant to manage your daily in box is easy and can save you hours!
*Return calls in batches. Leave specific messages and the time you called if the person you’re trying to reach isn’t available.
*Have a master to-do list for each day at your desk. As simple and as obvious as it sounds, just by doing this you will be able to focus on exactly what the priorites are for the day. It also helps to give a sense of accomplishment, nothing feels better than crossing off one of those tasks!
So in the morning before you do anything else, spend 15 minutes today and get to work. I also recommend also a great book called Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress Free Productivity by David Allen that is a great resource for your office. Now get started!
Posted in
Resources, Small Business
