Archive for May, 2010
Brilliant Business Coach Blogger
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Soloprenuer.biz has been featured as a Top 50 Brilliant Business Coach Blogger. Go here and check out the top 50. There are a number of blogs listed that I read everyday. Hop on over and grab some of the RSS feeds, both your feed reader and your mind will thank you.
Before you head on over, let me know what your favorite blogs are. I’ll get it started:
Seth Godin’s Blog
Coaching Commons
E-Myth Worldwide
Self Employed Success
I’m Starting to Understand the Buzz of Google Buzz
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Google Buzz intrigues me because there seems to be a mystique about it. The mystique could be that no one really seems to understand its role as a social media platform. Plus because it’s in its infancy, its role and dynamic can change at any time.
However among faithful Buzz’rs it is becoming known as THE place to go for following up and building more intimate relationships with your closest followers. Here are some reasons why:
- Google Buzz content does not have much space restriction.
- It’s a cross between microblogging and blogging and it’s up to you how to use it.
- It’s easy to use and operate.
- You can increase interaction because of the space provided.
After reviewing Google Buzz, I have come to the conclusion that it, perhaps, may be a less noisy way to communicate with others. With Twitter you have the hustle and bustle of keeping up with all of your social media contacts in short bursts of energy. However with Google Buzz, it seems like you follow less people because many Buzz’rs are more prolific and require much more thought and energy when interacting with them.
I’ve decided to partner with my virtual assistant, Becki Noles of Virtual Accuracy Companies, to bring you, “Why Google Buzz Shouldn’t Be Ignored”. During this 60 minute call you will learn:
- What Buzz is and is not
- Why Google Buzz is different than other social networking platforms
- How to use Buzz to build a deeper relationship with your followers
- and more
Teleseminar details:
Date: Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Time: 2:00- 3:00 pm ET (New York, USA)
Also, just for signing up for this call, you will receive a complimentary copy of the Google Quick Start Guide, which contains tips, hints and tricks you can use right now in your business.
Sign up for Why Google Buzz Shouldn’t Be Ignored now at:
http://solopreneur.biz/teleseminar/
If you are unable to attend the teleclass on Wednesday, May 26th at 2:00 p.m. ET (New York, USA) we’ll send you a link for the streaming audio as well as a downloadable .mp3.
Pamper Your PCs and Laptops
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Your computer is like a best friend. You spend time with it just about every day. But have you looked at it lately? Yes, it can get pretty dirty just like you would if you sat all day long in one spot and had everyone’s dirty hands all over you! Here are some tips for cleaning your laptop or PC.
The first thing to remember is even though your computer screen or monitor resembles a television screen, you don’t clean it the same way. Spraying Windex on your screen will create bigger problems. Computers work hard but they are delicate. Take the soft approach.
Cleaning the Screen
Whether a laptop or a PC, the screen will get dirty. You touch it and dare we say, probably have sneezed on it (deadlines still exist even when you are under the weather). Over time, all of this stuff builds up on your computer and needs to be cleaned off.
To see just how dirty your computer is, turn it off and stare at the blank screen. Before you scream, grab a lint-free cloth. You can buy them at any computer store.
Gently apply even pressure as you wipe dirt and dust off of the screen. Be aware that pressing too hard could damage the components in the screen. This is especially important for the newer flat screen monitors.
If the screen is still not clean, you can apply a little cleaner specifically for computer monitors to the screen. When the hard stuff softens, wipe it away with a lint-free cloth. Commercial cleaners may say that they are safe for computers but using an approved one is best and won’t leave a film on your screen.
Cleaning the Keyboard
The worst looking place on your computer is the keyboard. Over time, dust, lint, dirt, food and other small particles get wedged between keys. Since the keys are so close together, it is nearly impossible to clean between them with a cloth and not pop your keys off.
Instead, use a can of compressed air to clean your keyboard. Start at one end of the row of keys and direct the spray towards the other to move all the dirt out in one direction. Use some of the screen cleaner to wipe skin oils from the keyboard keys. Follow all of this up with a computer brush or computer vacuum to remove the last bits of debris.
Try to perform this maintenance on a monthly basis. It prevents sticky key situations and you scratching on the screen to remove dirt. Not to mention, those nasty germs will no longer linger and make you sick again! Take care of your computer and it will take care of you.
Connect With Your Market 24 Hours a Day
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One advantage of being an internet entrepreneur is the fact that you earn money around the clock. Technology enables you to bill and even respond to people while you’re sleeping, marketing or planning your business or simply enjoying the day. However, in order to earn money around the clock and build your business, it’s important to be connected to your customers around the clock.
Here are seven ways to be more connected with your market:
1. Automate blog posts. Blogging is a great way to connect with your audience on a very personal level. Unlike articles, blog posts can be written in first person and create a connection in which no other medium allows. The great thing about blog technology is that you can write your blog posts in advance and schedule them to be posted each day.
2. Incorporate RSS. RSS technology enables customers and website visitors to subscribe to your online content. You can utilize RSS for your website and blog to notify your audience each time new content is added. It’s a great way to connect to your customers on a regular basis.
3. Automate Twitter posts (but don’t forget to interact too). Twitter is a handy social marketing tool because it can also be set up to post on Facebook. And with one of any number of tools, like Seesmic, you can write your posts in advance and schedule them just like a blog. This give you double the opportunity to market your new content, promotions and business-related news, and also provides you with an ongoing opportunity to connect with your customers around the clock.
4. Consider outsourcing 24/7 customer service if you sell products. Customer service is a valuable tool but if you sell products it’s a must have. It enables your customers to ask questions right away and enhances the possibility that they’ll actually make a purchase. You can outsource this type of customer service or utilize a software solution like Kayako Help Desk Software. Services like Live Chat have improved conversion rates for some businesses by as much as 20%.
5. Autoresponders for inquiries. There’s nothing more frustrating for a customer than to send a question or comment and not know whether your comment has been received. Autoresponders can be set up quite easily to confirm receipt and to let your customer know how soon they’ll be hearing from you. It’s just good business to respond to customers immediately and autoresponders enable you to do this even when you’re away.
6. Autoresponders for purchases and opt-ins. Another great use for autoresponders is to set up thank you messages for purchases and opt-ins. Let your customers know you appreciate them automatically. You can also use this opportunity to up-sell or to provide more value by offering them something like a coupon on their next order. You can set up a series of autoresponders to be emailed weekly to stay in touch with customers too.
7. A consistent flow of valuable information. While e-newsletters have diminished over the past few years as blogs and social networking has taken off, newsletters, report clubs, and a consistent flow of valuable information is still appreciated by your online customers. Consider using regular emails to stay in contact with your customers on a regular basis and provide them with content and promotions they’ll appreciate.
As the internet becomes more and more competitive and customers become more and more demanding, it pays to be available to them 24/7. Use technology to help you get the job done. A bigger, better bottom line will be the reward.
Blogging Software: Make An Informed Decision
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The popularity of blogging is increasing by the minute. Because of this, the need for blogging software is also increasing. Using a software that caters specifically to blogging can simplify the entire process. The task of selecting a software package is overwhelming because there are many different packages available.
The process of choosing the most appropriate blogging software is not as difficult as it may seem. Since you’re a virtual business owner, you spend a great deal of your time online. Do some research and you will find helpful websites that can simplify the software selection process.
These websites can provide you with comparison charts so that you can compare the different software packages.
You can save a lot of time by making use of the comparison charts because they have all the information you’ll need in choosing the right software. However, for the purpose of choosing the appropriate software using the charts, you need to look for other important information such as the methods used for comparing the software, understanding the charts, and some helpful tips in selecting software.
Before you attempt to compare the different blogging softwares which are available, you must understand certain criteria. You have to understand the minimum requirements for the server, design, post editor and data storage. If you can understand these things, you can compare the different software packages.
There are many different types of blogging platforms, but the preference of many is to install the software on their server. Take some time to talk to your current webhost to learn more about your server’s capabilities. Depending on the software you choose, you may have additional costs for the license requirements of the software.
In comparing the different blogging software packages on the market, it is imperative that you find the best blogging software for your needs and for your business. Be sure to identify your needs, in advance, so that you can choose the appropriate software package.
Do I want to just use the software as a blog?
Do I want to incorporate my website into this software?
Do I just need a simple sales page?
Do I just need a squeeze page?
Once you’ve evaluated the packages, it’s now time to install the software or use the software housed on the blogging server you chose. This is a very important decision so you need to think things out carefully.
As an educated consumer, you shouldn’t forget about versatility and cost. There are free software packages as well as paid packages. You need to choose between the free packages or purchase one that can exactly meet your needs.
The personal preference for Solopreneur.biz is WordPress.org. This software is available free as an open source option. The software is installed on your server and you have complete control over the look and feel of your completed blog and/or website. Additionally because the software is located on your own server you own all of your links. But best of all you have all of the control.
