Archive for June, 2010
What is Windows Live?
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Windows Live is part business productivity tool and part social networking. The service seems to integrate the two seamlessly. What makes it even better is the fact that there are a number of ways you can utilize it, even if you don’t want to use it as another social network.
1. If you use MSN Messenger you already have “friends” who you can interact with using Windows Live. There are currently 299 MSN messenger users/accounts created, which means if you are an active user, it may behoove you to utilize the services of Windows Live.
2. In addition to being able to add your own original status updates, your Facebook feed can also be imported into Windows Live. This means that your status updates, photos, videos, etc. can be published to your Live account. This feature is also available for MySpace, Blogger, YouTube, Digg, StumbleUpon and soon, LinkedIn. You have the ability to comment on your friends updates in those networks directly from Windows Live.
3. One of the best features is free access to Microsoft Office online. Within Windows Live there is an Office tab and you are given a drop down where you can create Word, Excel, PowerPoint and One Note documents. The service is quite scaled down, but many of the basic and intermediate functions have been included. When you are finished, you can also share the documents with others. This would work very well in a team environment. The programs look almost the same as the ones installed on many computer systems, so if you like the feeling of familiar, you’re going to LOVE this feature.
4. Windows Live gives you the option to store your photos. Like many other social networking services , you can upload and store your photo files for quick retrieval. Plus you can also attach your Flickr, PhotoBucket and other accounts to the Windows Live platform.
5. Privacy seems to be of the utmost importance in Windows Live. When you first sign up you are placed in what seems like stealth mode, meaning you are the only with access to your account. You have to go through numerous steps under each individual piece of your profile to determine whether it will be public, shared with your friends or private. Unlike Facebook, Microsoft has made it clear that you own all of your data.
I know what you’re thinking, who needs another social network? But with the extra tools provided by Microsoft, Windows Live may bear some looking into.
Marketing Monday – Using Email Newsletters
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There are so many marketing tools to choose from. It can be difficult to know which will work best for your business. However, a weekly e-mail newsletter is an effective and easy marketing tool for any business owner. Here are a few reasons why you will benefit from publishing a weekly e-mail newsletter of your own.
Sending out an e-mail newsletter is inexpensive. There are no printing or mailing costs associated with contacting prospects via e-mail. You will need to use a newsletter management program to send out your newsletter, but you can look for one within your price range. Newsletter management programs allow subscribers to manage their own subscriptions, so you don’t need to pay anyone for that service. Some even offer templates for you to use so you won’t need to hire a designer either.
You can track your marketing. Many newsletter management programs offer tracking so you can see how many of your subscribers are opening your newsletter. You can also see which links in your newsletter they’re clicking on. This will tell you what it is about your newsletter that interests your readers the most, and you can make the appropriate changes.
You are marketing to people who are interested in what you sell. Your subscribers signed up for your newsletter because they were interested in the information you offer. This can make it easier for you to convert them into buyers.
Your subscribers will become familiar with your products or service. It’s said that people need to hear about your product or service at least seven times before they will think about purchasing it. If you send out a weekly newsletter, that’s a great way to tell them about your product, over and over again. Remember to include helpful information as well, so they won’t feel like you’re sending them a sales pitch every time.
You will become a reliable resource, not just a salesperson. If you regularly publish helpful information in your newsletter, you will become a trusted expert. Your subscribers will think of you as a helpful resource they can go to for advice. This means they will be more likely to purchase from you when they’re ready.
You will build relationships with your subscribers. People buy from people they know, like and trust. When your subscribers hear from you on a regular basis, you will become familiar to them. They will feel like they know you and get to like you. Because you’re consistently providing good information, they will come to trust you. When they’re ready to purchase, everything will be in place for them to buy from you.
An e-mail newsletter is a great marketing tool that any business owner can use. Not only is it simple to manage, it will help you turn more of your prospects into customers.
