A current hot topic that will not go away is the question of privacy on social media such as Facebook and Google Plus. If you wish to limit what others can find about you on the Internet, then how should you go about this. Most social media have a clearly stated policy on privacy. For example this link will take you to Google’s Privacy Policy.

In essence this policy puts the onus on the individual to take whatever steps that may be required to block Google’s access to sensitive information. Since the privacy policy is somewhat complex, this is a challenging task and will not be100 percent effective.

An indicator that even Google may have concerns on how much it knows is the announcement by Google that it will block all facial recognition software on its favorite current project, Google Glass, until privacy issues are addressed.

Some information must be shared with Google if you wish to fully benefit from the various Google services. Given this, many people do give complete access but perhaps this behavior is overly trusting. Let us examine why this is so.

There Are Two Googles

To understand the potential perils in this privacy question with Google, it is important to realize that there are really two Googles. One is corporate Google including all the individuals who work for Google. For simplicity we will use Google when we are talking about this corporate Google. The other is the Google search engine. For simplicity we will use the name Goggle when we are talking about this Google search engine. As we describe these in greater detail, perhaps you will understand why we suggest that Google and Goggle have similarities with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde as portrayed by Robert Louis Stevenson.

The Corporate Google – Google

Who has not heard of that immensely successful corporation, Google. It dominates the search field and around this core activity has created a financially successful company based on advertising. You can find more details in the company overview on its website. It is a company based on technology founded by two doctors from Stanford, which has hired a huge array of other extremely bright people including many doctors.

As a company, its mission is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful. That might be a somewhat worrying goal to the rest of us but in general the people in Google seem to have high ethical standards. Indeed at one time their mantra was ‘Do No Evil‘. Surely we have nothing to worry about here.

The Google Search Engine – Goggle

Only a minority of the population are probably aware of the company details discussed in the previous paragraph. However almost everyone has heard of or uses the other Google, the search engine. When someone needs an answer, they are often advised by their colleagues to use Google to find the answer. In this article we are using a short name for this Google search engine, Goggle, but we should emphasize that this is not a word that Google uses to describe its search engine.

A search engine is software that runs in this case on banks of computers as illustrated in the Goggle image below. Goggle has server farms like this around the world connected in networks. Surprisingly these computers are in essence no different from that first programmable computer that Charles Babbage was developing in his lifetime before 1871.

It goes without saying that the system is billions of time more powerful than Babbage’s machine and works with billions of times more data. However in response to an input command or query, Goggle calculates by its internal logic the most appropriate response. There is no human intervention involved in outputting the response.

Of course after Goggle spits out its answer, the Google engineers may well consider whether or not this is the most appropriate answer that Goggle could have produced. Clearly this would be impossible to do for each individual query but is done in the aggregate and considering whether users seem to find the answers satisfactory. If an individual answer is wrong there is no easy way to be aware of this or to correct it.

Goggle works extremely fast and in general keeps many users satisfied with the answers, which is why Goggle has the majority share in the search market. The spoiler in this situation is that Google revealed that links into websites are an important factor in whether web pages will appear early in the search results. Unfortunately this has meant that a significant number of website owners have resorted to spam methods to create vast numbers of links. As a result the Google engineers often have many hundreds of improvements to Goggle in any given year. This is an indication that there is always room for improvement in Goggle’s results and conversely that there will be a proportion of answers which are wrong.

Not To Be Confused With Google Goggles

Some may be aware that there is an app for mobile devices (iPhones, iPads, Android phones and tablets) called Google Goggles.

This has nothing at all to do with the Goggle we are reviewing here. Google Goggles allows you to take a picture of an object in front of you and the app will then attempt to search the web and give you information on that object. It works well with Text, Landmarks, Books, Contact Info, Artwork, Wine and Logos as examples.

Who Knows What Goggle Really Knows

Certainly the Google engineers can predict with a reasonable degree of certainty what Goggle is likely to know about any given entity, be that a person, a place, an association and so on. However there will be many mistakes even though this may be a small proportion of the total information base.

One feature of Goggle that the Google engineers seem particularly proud about is the Knowledge Graph.

We announced the Knowledge Graph – our map of real-world people, places and things – less than a year ago and since then have been adding more depth. With just the tap of a mic or flick of a finger, millions of people across the world can easily tap into the entire world’s knowledge and find what they need to make their lives better, or just have their day run a little smoother. That’s why we’re so excited about the new search experience we’re building at Google and it will change how we experience life.

Bold words and a challenge to live up to. However it does raise the fear that Goggle may know too much about us.

The further fear is that no one will know that Goggle knows perhaps damaging information until it delivers such information to someone else who is doing a search. It is not obvious how any individual can become aware of such damaging information and eliminate it before others may have seen it.

We Welcome 1984 With Open Arms

In discussing this with Gail Gardner (GrowMap), she likened this to the situation described in George Orwell’s book, 1984. In that case people were concerned that the state would know too much about them and tried hard to avoid such information being picked up by the state’s microphones or by the many checkpoints as they travelled around.

Now so many people with their desktop PCs or with their mobile devices allow Goggle to follow their every move on the Internet. They do that in order to benefit from the many free services that Google provides. However at the same time they allow Goggle to build up a bank of information about them that is much more complete and detailed than any state could possibly assemble. Viewed in that light, Goggle’s operations certainly create some real concerns both for us and indeed for Google.

Photo credit: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde image courtesy of danielweiresq via photopin cc

Post from: BPWrap

Google And Goggle – Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Technorati Tags: android, Charles Babbage, Goggle, Google Goggles, iPad, iphone, Knowledge Graph

Social media has definitely influenced the way we work and live. With more than 90% of the population using the internet every day and a majority of them using some type of social media network, there’s no doubt that social media has the potential to change the world. But how, and in what specific ways?

In the days before the internet and “friending,” following, Liking and Digging, we got our news, current events and entertainment through newspapers, magazines, TV and radio. The content we saw was largely determined by the owners, editors and publishers of these resources. For the most part, traditional media is still run this way — a select few control what “the masses” get to see through those outlets.

Game Changer

However with the advent of the internet and social media in particular, the game has changed. Traditional media still covers the news, but fewer people than ever get their news through traditional media outlets. More than ever, people are influenced by the “buzz” and chatter around a news or entertainment item on social media. If it’s been “Liked” a lot or has a high number of “Diggs,” chances are others are going to look into it too and see what all the fuss is about. Popularity grows accordingly in a genuine way. If a product or company generates a lot of chatter and positive buzz on one of the social media networks and that business follows through with excellent quality and service, chances are it is going to translate into more sales going forward.

Power to the People

No longer does “the establishment” solely governs what’s news, what’s hot and what sells; more than ever, the masses are gaining some measure of control. Bloggers, Tweeters, Vloggers (video bloggers) and other everyday people now get to have their say, and for perhaps the first time in history they are contributing to the dialogue on a nearly-level playing field. If a user has a talent for self-expression and has something meaningful to say, their message could “go viral” — fast. Reaching the masses is far less about your “connections” and more about how the general public responds to you, whether “you’re” an individual, a business, a product, a movie, a news item or an idea.

How exactly is social media changing the world? Here are some examples:

The Marketplace

From clothes to cars to home furnishings, social media is changing the way we shop. Online marketplaces like Amazon and eBay have greatly influenced the way we buy the things we need. Business and restaurant rating sites like Yelp and Urbanspoon help consumers to find the best services and cuisine. In addition to their own rating systems for each product, many of these accounts will likely link into social media accounts to help consumers connect with the best of the best.

Politics

Sure, we already live in a democracy, but social media is taking “power to the people” to new levels. In the future, perhaps citizens will be allows to vote online on the bills and measures that our politicians currently vote for? At any rate, social media has already helped some candidates to win elections, and it is helping to hold politicians to an even higher standard of performance and integrity.

Work and Business

Social media is also democratizing the workplace. With sites like LinkedIn, people are able to post feedback about their experiences working for corporations or dealing with specific vendors or subcontractors. When everybody has a voice, the truth eventually comes out. There will likely be a lot more transparency and fairness in corporate structures, business relationships and workplaces going forward.

Entertainment

Music, television shows and movies, once controlled by corporations and available only through sanctioned outlets, are now readily accessible through peer-to-peer networks. Though it is technically illegal to do this, it would be impossible to catch and prosecute all who download their entertainment for free. The business structure of the entertainment industry must change and it is in the process of doing so. Meanwhile, it is the public who decides who and what’s best, with many people voicing their approval (or disapproval) via social networks. The next great sensation will be selected by the genuine “vote” of the people — not whoever has the backing of a giant media conglomerate.

The winds of change are blowing, and social media continues to influence just about every area of life. Businesses would be wise to take notice and adjust their strategies accordingly. It’s an exciting time; social media is here to stay, and who knows where it will take us!

Author Bio: Matt Smith is a Dell employee who writes to help raise awareness on the topic of Social Media and other network management subjects.

Photo credit: social media image courtesy of Photo Giddy via photopin cc

Post from: BPWrap

How Social Media is Changing the World

Technorati Tags: digg, Facebook, foursquare, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Twitter

A good domain name can catch attention, biasing people to prefer your company over competitors, and making it easy to reach the website if and when they decide to use it. A bad domain name can sink you. Like a storefront and location in the offline world, your domain name is the very first vehicle by which potential investors/customers/employees evaluate your company before they even engage.

Once you have selected that name, there is more involved than just paying a registration fee to some domain registration service. Whether it’s a new business or one that has been in operation for a while, every enterprise needs a positive web presence. Register Your Domain, which is easy to find at register.com, can help professionals determine what is needed to make their web presence more effective.

For those just starting out, it can help them determine how to create an effective website. Many use this service because they are seeking the cheapest domain name registration. Register Your Domain is a full-service system that provides help at whatever level that a person needs. Customers include everyone from individual entertainers to busy nonprofits to major entrepreneurs. It can even help customers create their own online store. All it takes is the will to do it.

The site is loaded with information about SSL security certificates, SEO optimization, marketing tools and the best value domain name registration services. Even people who already have a website can learn from the helpful information at register.com.

With so much in one place, it is easy to get answers to even your most difficult eCommerce questions. The free domain name search is a really helpful tool. The blog offers up-to-date advice for optimal return on your online presence. Register.com offers customers a variety of ways to accomplish the same goals. From do-it-yourself website creation to customized design, Register Your Domain helps people do business in a modern and forward-thinking way.

Photo credit: domain names image courtesy of ivanpw via photopin cc

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Post from: BPWrap

Build Your Online Presence On A Solid Domain Name

Technorati Tags: domain name, Domain registration, register.com, website

For all the horrors of the current economic climate, there is one good thing to come out of the recession; there’s never been a better time to look for new staff. Jobs are scarce and as a result, there’s never been more talented people without one.

Should you find yourself at the helm of a small business, now is therefore a very good time to invest in your workforce. Here are eight simple tips for doing so wisely.

Define the Position

First off, you’re going to have to answer one very important question, what exactly is the job? Many small business owners fail to clearly define the position that they’re offering.

And unfortunately, a vague job description makes finding the right person to do it incredibly challenging. The best way to figure out exactly what you’re looking for is to make a list of every single task that you see your new employee doing.

Make Sure You Need Someone

Some small business owners rush into the decision of hiring a new employee. This is a major mistake as it can easily result in a monthly pay check that they don’t need to be paying. Before advertising any position, always look into alternatives.

• Is there any way that you could handle the job yourself?
• Could one of your existing employees take on the tasks?
• Would you be better off hiring an independent contractor for a limited period of time?
• Should you experiment with a temp while you’re answering these questions?

Pay What the Position is Worth

If you can’t afford to pay the market rate to fill a particular position, think long and hard before trying to fill it. The best employees aren’t cheap and the cheapest employees are rarely worth hiring. To determine the market rates for a position, take a look at your local competitors. How much are they offering? Resist the urge to undercut them, what you save in wages, you’ll lose in job performance.

Make a List of “Must Haves”

What exactly are you looking for in your new employee? What are the specific requirements that they must meet? If you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for, your odds of finding it are slim to none. Make a list of specific requirements and cross out all applicants that fail to meet them. Keep in mind that you’re operating in a buyers market. In other words, you can afford to be picky.

Sell the Small Business Angle

When advertising the position, don’t try to hide the fact that you are a small business. Instead, highlight the advantages of this fact. Working for a small business generally involves far less paper work. Ideas are more likely to be heard, names are more likely to be known and regulations tend to be lot less rigid. Think about the perks that you can offer too i.e. a more flexible working schedule or perhaps the ability to telecommute.

Pay Attention to Personality

Don’t underestimate the importance of hiring somebody with the right attitude. Large businesses don’t really need to worry about this but small businesses do. This is because they tend to have significantly fewer employees and adding one bad apple to the mix can really change the working environment. Make sure that you find somebody who will complement rather than clash with your companies existing employees.

Use Your Experience

If you’re hiring somebody to perform a task that you have performed many times yourself, take full advantage of this fact. Avoid text book interview questions and focus on the challenges that you have personally faced in the past. Ask potential candidates what they would do if faced with similar challenges. By avoiding text book interview questions, you will be encouraging candidates to show you how they really think.

Be Realistic

Finally, just because you love your business, that doesn’t necessarily mean that everybody else does. When talking to potential candidates, try not to oversell the position. If you set an applicant’s expectations too high, they’re unlikely to stick around when those expectations are not met. It’s therefore very important to be brutally honest about both your business and exactly what the position entails.

Author Bio: Adrian Matthews owns a water bottle manufacturing plant. He keenly follows business developments and suggests fellow businessmen to  follow his word of advice on hiring matters mentioned in today’s post.

Featured images:

• Resume image is License: Royalty Free or iStock from this Andertoons source
• Money image courtesy of radiant guy (Bashar Al-Ba’noon) via Flickr
• High profile image is License: Royalty Free or iStock from this Andertoons source 

Post from: BPWrap

Eight Tips For Small Business Hiring Decisions

Technorati Tags: Employment, hiring, interview, Small Business

There used to be a time when search engines and social networking sites had completely different purposes. Search engines were used to find relevant information whereas social networking sites were used to interact with family and friends from all over the world. These days, social media has expanded its reach such that it now serves search purposes as well.

This has given rise to what is now known as social search optimization. The growing influence of social media on consumers has made SEO experts realize the importance of optimizing content not only for search engines, but for major social networking sites as well.

Facebook and YouTube are two of the most popular social networking sites today and it is only logical for businesses to work on optimizing content for these two sites. In so doing, you need to examine their capabilities for search, particularly these major points: what each site offers in terms of social search, which demographics are generally using each site’s search feature, and how you can optimize your content such that it fits your target market’s search needs. Read on to find out exactly how you can work on social search optimization for Facebook and YouTube.

 Facebook

Photo credit:  Flickr.com photo by aleske

If Facebook were a country, it would have  the world’s third largest population. You can just imagine how high engagement is on this social platform. Now, with the introduction of its Graph Search feature, the site is slowly integrating social with search.

The biggest advantage of this search tool over traditional search engines is the fact that it provides users such targeted information as the kind of movies their friends watch and the fashion style their friends appreciate most. That’s definitely something you can’t find on a regular search engine.

Now, here’s something you’ll be sure to find interesting: more than half (65%, to be specific) of Facebook users are aged 35 and above. In terms of gender, about 53% of users are male. More importantly, 80% of users expressed preference for connecting with brands through Facebook. Now, you’re probably starting to realize there’s indeed some value to optimizing your content for this particular social network. How exactly do you accomplish that?

1. Content Planning

The four most popular types of Facebook posts are visual, topical, expressive, and target-specific. All four adhere to the foundation of marketing on Facebook, which is to keep content relevant and engaging. Therefore, you really need to gain an understanding of your target audience and use images to your advantage when posting content on Facebook.

2. Content Optimization

Most businesses these days have succeeded in getting customers from Facebook to a certain extent. If you want to increase your chances of converting likes, shares, and comments into sales, then you need to start taking advantage of such features as the timeline and company milestones. In so doing, you should be able to connect with your target market more easily and build your credibility. You’d also benefit greatly from using Facebook Ads, Sponsored Stories, and Promoted Posts. Remember that when someone uses the search feature on Facebook, Sponsored Stories will show up right below “top hits.”

3. Brand Optimization

Photo credit: Flickr.com photo by luisar

To increase visibility for your Facebook page, make sure that all information categories are filled in. You should indicate your business location, provide related links, and offer regular updates. Remember as well that profile pictures appear on search results, so it’s a good idea to use your brand name or logo as your profile picture.

YouTube

You probably think of YouTube only as a video sharing site. The truth is that this is the world’s second most popular search engine. Think about it. What do people do on YouTube? They search for videos, right? Therefore, if you use videos as part of your overall marketing strategy, then you should definitely optimize for YouTube. Take note that people now use this site not only to check out the latest music videos, but also to learn how to make sushi, engage in a dance workout, or watch videotaped reviews, among other things. So, how do you optimize for YouTube?

1.Content Planning

When you take the time to observe which videos get the most number of views on YouTube, you’ll realize just how diverse the top videos are. This means you can harness the power of this site regardless of what topic you address or what particular industry you belong to. If your business caters to a global audience, then you’ll be sure to appreciate the fact that about 70% of YouTube users are from outside the United States. You therefore need to plan your content such that it is sure to catch the interest of people from all over the world.

2. Content Optimization

Photo credit: Flickr.com photo by ##Erika**

The content you post on YouTube should encourage users to subscribe to your channel. Towards this purpose, you need to make sure your content directly addresses the needs of your target audience. This is where keyword optimization and tagging enter the picture. Be sure to use brand-related and industry-related keywords in your video titles, tags, and descriptions. Remember to place your keywords towards the beginning of your titles because Google tends to truncate titles that go beyond 66 characters.

3. Brand Optimization

Remember to create a channel name that’s as direct and simple as it can be. This helps ensure that your audience will find what they’re looking for whenever they enter queries using your business name. Remember as well that search optimization for YouTube requires you to complete your “About” section. It’s also a good idea to add links that can help improve your channel’s visibility.

Social items such as Facebook posts, YouTube videos, comments, and updates are now the main driving force of online conversations. This makes it all the more important for you to take advantage of these items for marketing your business. The best way to take advantage of social items is to apply the best optimization strategies you use on traditional websites to major social networking sites. While you’re doing this, you should never stray from the ultimate social media marketing goal, which is to build a loyal following.

Author Bio: Emma-Julie Fox writes for Pitstop Media Inc, a top rated Vancouver SEO company that provides services to businesses across North America. If you would like to invite the author to guest post on your blog please contact www.pitstopmedia.com.

Post from: BPWrap

How to Optimize for Search on Facebook and YouTube

Technorati Tags: Facebook, Social search, YouTube

For those new to blogging, the attraction of Adsense isn’t difficult to understand. It’s easy to get accepted, easy to install and easy to get paid regardless of what you are blogging about. As a result, it’s how most bloggers make their first dollar online.

While there’s nothing inherently wrong with monetizing a blog with Adsense, it’s important to be aware of the fact that Adsense isn’t the only game in town. And more importantly, the other options happen to pay a hell of a lot better.

Should you find yourself blogging without much of a return, here are seven alternatives to Adsense that can get you the money that you deserve for your blog.

Amazon’s Affiliate Program

Probably the most well known alternative to Adsense is Amazon’s Affiliate Program. The idea behind it is incredibly simple, direct traffic to Amazon and in return, you get paid a percentage of whatever is purchased.

The primary benefit of Amazon’s Affiliate Program is that you get paid regardless of what your readers buy. In other words, if you’re blogging about socks but one of your readers decides to purchase an expensive pair of shoes, you still get paid.

The result is a blog monetization technique that can be incredibly lucrative.

Other Affiliate Programs

While Amazon is certainly the most well known affiliate program, it’s but one of thousands of companies that are more than happy to pay you a commission for selling their products.

The primary benefit of other affiliate programs is that you tend to get a much bigger piece of the pie. Commissions of up to fifty percent are not unheard of. You can also choose from a wide range of both physical and digital products.

Banner Advertising

One thing that I don’t like about affiliate programs is that you’re very much at the mercy of conversion rates. And the resulting income fluctuation isn’t exactly ideal for paying your non fluctuating rent.

A much more stable alternative to affiliate marketing can be found in banner advertising. Banner advertising involves renting space on your blog directly to advertisers for a monthly fee. Banner advertising is not only lucrative, it’s stable.

The primary downside to banner advertising however is that it’s not always easy to find a company willing to do business with you. You need to be attracting an audience that advertisers care about and you need to be attracting them in significant numbers.

Sponsored Reviews

If you’re attracting enough readers each month, the likes of SponsoredReviews.com can help you to find companies that will pay you to post reviews of their products. You are not obligated to write a positive review either.

The primary benefit of this type of blog monetization is that it can be used in conjunction with any of the other methods outlined above. And provided you choose a product that your readers are likely to be interested in, you’ll be increasing your blog’s value in more ways than one.

Sell Informational Products

While there’s nothing wrong with promoting other people’s products, there’s always going to be more money in promoting your own. Once you begin to attract a loyal readership, it’s therefore well worth asking yourself what kind of information they’d be willing to pay you for.

If you know your way around a keyboard and you can come up with something original, there’s no shortage of money to be made in selling your own e-books. And what’s better, you won’t be lining other people’s pockets in the process.

Sell Physical Products

Most bloggers are well aware of the benefits of selling informational products but did you know that you can easily sell physical products too? Companies such as CafePress.com allow you to design your own clothing, stickers and cups to sell to your blogs readers.

It’s also worth noting that sites such as CafePress are generally free to use. They make money by taking a commission out of every sale generated. In other words, you can design your own merchandise without investing a penny.

Sell Your Time

Finally, there’s the small matter of your time, how much do you think it’s worth? If you’ve been investing heavily in your blog, you’ve also been investing in your reputation. Maybe now is the time to start leveraging it.

Provided your blog is somewhat educational in nature, why not offer people hands on training/consulting for a fee? Or if you have any skills that you feel your readers could benefit from, why not use your blog as a platform to launch your freelancing career?

Author Bio: Craig Watts is a marketing and communications manager with a top SEO company in the country. He enjoys writing blog articles in his free time.

Image Credits via Flickr

• striking banner image courtesy of tmzasso
• physical products sold on line image courtesy of Mat Packer

Post from: BPWrap

Seven Alternatives To Adsense For Blog Monetization

Technorati Tags: Adsense, Advertising, Affiliate marketing, Amazon, CafePress, Monetization

Many small business owners believe that blogging is completely unnecessary. And many more believe that it’s an activity that’s both expensive and time consuming. Upon closer inspection however, both of these assumptions prove to be completely false.

Should you find yourself at the helm of a small business, it’s important to get all the facts before you rule out business blogging as a viable marketing strategy. Basing business decisions on false information is obviously never wise and this is no exception.

Here are seven surprisingly popular myths about business blogging that hold little to no basis in truth.

Business Blogging is Difficult

If you’re even remotely computer savvy, setting up a business blog is incredibly straightforward. And if you’re not, you can easily outsource the task for less than a hundred dollars.

Once your blog is up and running, all you’ll need to do is upload posts and respond to any comments that those posts receive. Advanced technical knowledge is in no way required.

Small Businesses Don’t Need Blogs

Contrary to what many small business owners believe, business blogging is becoming an increasingly vital component of having an online presence. In other words, if it’s not a requirement now, it soon will be.

Here are four reasons why every small business should have their own blog.

• Blogs attract more traffic than traditional websites (more traffic, more sales).
• Blogs allow small businesses to communicate directly with their customers.
• Blogs encourage two way communication and can therefore facilitate market research.
• Blogs allow companies to demonstrate their expertise on the industry in which they operate.

 A Business Blog Might Harm Your Company’s Reputation

While it’s certainly possible for a poorly managed business blog to harm a company’s reputation, provided you’re careful about what you post, this need not be a concern.

It’s also worth noting that the absence of a business blog can be equally damaging. When your competitors are blogging and your business is not, what does that really say about your company’s level of professionalism?

You Need to be a Good Writer

There are two reasons why this is completely false.

• Blog content is supposed to be simple and it’s supposed to be written in a conversational tone. Provided English is your first language and you’re willing to take your time, you can write for a blog.
• If you want to, you can easily outsource the task. In other words, if you’re not confident in your blogging abilities, you can easily hire a freelance writer to do the job for you.

Business Blogging is Time Consuming

Small business owners are rarely exactly time rich. In fact, most of them are rushed off their feet. The small matter of whether or not they actually have time to run a blog is therefore a pretty common concern.

The fact of the matter is, you can easily get away with only updating your business blog once a week. Throw in some promotion and you’re looking at a project that requires no more than three hours of your time each week.

And considering the benefits of blogging, most people would agree that this would be three hours well spent.

Business Blogging is Expensive

While e-commerce websites tend to be pretty expensive, the same cannot be said about business blogs. As I stated above, you can pay somebody to set one up for less than a hundred dollars.

You can also use your existing domain and hosting package. And as your blog will be attached to your primary website, you won’t need to invest too heavily in promotion/search engine optimisation.

You Need a Lot of Traffic

 Finally, there is the small matter of traffic. This is something that many small business owners worry about but the reality is that you don’t need a lot of traffic for a business blog to be successful.

How many people visit your blog is largely irrelevant, what matters is how many of those people actually go on to purchase something.

In other words, if a business blog is generating sales, it’s a success. And you might be surprised to learn that you don’t actually need that many blog visitors to generate a sale.

Author Bio: Jacob Simpson works for Vayu Media which is a leading and successful internet marketing firm. When he is not busy managing the company’s marketing and communication department, he likes to blog about his interests and opinions.

Image Credits:

• business blogger image source: http://www.andertoons.com/internet/cartoon/6471/just-let-me-retweet-this-repin-of-that-reblog/
• time is running out image courtesy of bogenfreund (Alexander Boden)

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Post from: BPWrap

Top Seven Myths About Small Business Blogging

Technorati Tags: communication, Corporate blog, customer, Small Business

This is a guest post by Angie Picardo.

In today’s age of sophisticated spam-filtering software, it’s more difficult than ever to effectively market your business online. Hundreds, even thousands, of emails to potential customers may never see the light of day, consigned instead to the darkness of recipient’s SPAM folder. The problem grows worse by the year, and there are no guarantees to avoiding the SPAM trap. But, with a few simple tips, odds are good your message will make it past the slings and arrows…and to the eyes of paying customers.

1. Don’t Purchase Lists

We’ve all seen them – lists of “targeted leads” – and we’ve all been tempted. But these “guaranteed’ lists of potential customers are usually a guaranteed trip to the SPAM folder. Filled with dead emails and spam traps, they’re a sure sign that you’re one of those people who send a lot of unsolicited emails. Don’t buy lists. Ever.

2. Watch Your Tongue (or Type)

Spam filters are set up to analyze your message. And, while there are no guaranteed “right” words, there are plenty of wrongs ones. Words like porn, enhancement, prize, win, promo, or offer, are likely to cause you problems in delivery. Avoid these words and others like them – words that imply you’re trying to persuade someone to do something – as much as possible. And if you must use them, do it VERY sparingly. Moreover, it’s best to avoid putting individual words in bold or italics – or changing the font size in mid-sentence.

3. Use A Reputable ESP

Email Service Providers are evaluated by SPAM software based on the reputation of their IP addresses and the domains of their clients. ESPs that send solicited emails and refuse spammers as their customers have greater credibility with mailbox providers. Their customers are more likely to make it past the filters, and into the inbox. So research your provider. If it isn’t very reputable, then your messages will suffer as a result.

4. Avoid Bad Practices

Your email campaigns may contain risky elements that are detrimental to the deliverability of your messages. Here’s a brief checklist to go through before you hit the “Send” button:

• Avoid terms associated with the language of sales. If it sounds like you’re selling, you probably are. And you might be a spammer.
• Avoid bombast. Don’t use a lot of exclamation marks, or CAPS!!! (In fact, it’s best not to use either. At all.) Exclamation marks are like laughing at your own jokes, and capital letters are for shouting. You’re unlikely to use either in a business email to an established client, so don’t use them in your email marketing.
• Avoid hyperlinks as much as possible. When you must use them, link only to reputable domains.
• Avoid images as often as possible. We all need to use them at times, but keep them to a minimum. And when you must use them, host them with credible services.

 5. Monitor Your Output

Need a simple way to test the effectiveness of your email campaign? Add a “test” list of email addresses using ISPs from many of the most popular email providers – ones like Gmail, Yahoo, and Hotmail.

Set up at least five mailboxes at each provider and include the test email addresses in your mailing list. After each marketing message has been sent, check the accounts to see if it was delivered. If it made it to all of the test accounts, it likely made it to your customers. If not, it’s time to consult this list of tips again.

6. Keep Communicating

Sending emails once every month can be more dangerous than sending one every week. Why? Because your customers may forget about you.

If subscribers fail to recognize the address in your From field, they’re likely to delete you unopened – or worse yet, mark you as SPAM. There are lots of good reasons to maintain steady communication. Surprising as it may seem, avoiding the SPAM trap is even one of them.

Author Bio: Angie Picardo is a staff writer for NerdWallet. Her mission is to help consumers stay financially savvy, and save money with an Alienware coupon.

Photo credit: Cut the Spam image courtesy of hegarty_david via photopin cc

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Post from: BPWrap

Cut the Spam: Tips for Successful Email Marketing

Technorati Tags: Email service provider, Email spam, Internet service provider, IP address, Spamtrap

This is a guest post by Thomas McMahon.

A major part of inbound marketing to your website is obtaining backlinks that point towards your site by active link building. There are thousands of places on the internet that will tell you how to build links, but it’s ultimately up to you to decide how you’ll go about gaining backlinks in order to drive natural traffic to your site, but also to improve your search rankings.

Whether you’re guest posting, or using another tactic to score backlinks, there are plenty of resources that will tell you to only target sites that are above a certain PageRank, Alexa Rank, Domain Authority, or some other metric. While these statistics can help you to discern a good site from bad, you shouldn’t limit yourself by using PageRank (or other another metric) as the sole determinant for attempting to get a link on the site.

Not an Accurate Measurement

Google loves to be secretive and to keep its workings under wraps, which means all of the tools we have to judge how well a site does in the SERPs or how much PageRank it has is, at best, a guess. PageRank tools are often far off the mark and give a skewed perspective of how a page is actually doing. Deciding which sites to target based solely on a PageRank tool – or any one tool – would be like a carpenter trying to frame stairs with a warped level. When it’s all said and done, the best tool you have at your disposal is your brain. You should be able to see a logical relationship between the two sites before you even attempt to get a link.

Stay in Your Niche

One major reason why using PageRank as the main determining factor is a bad idea is that it can weed out sites that are relevant to you, and lead you to what looks like green pastures that are nothing more than manure in the eyes of Google.

The metaphor might be a bit extreme, but allow me to explain. If you run a site that sells cat beds and get a link from an authority site on neurosurgery that has high PageRank, do you think that link will really help you in the long run? The two sites have absolutely nothing in common with one another and Google can and will see this. It’s better to stick with sites that are in the same niche as you, or closely related niches, since Google is putting more and more weight on the relevancy of your backlinks. It just makes sense. Why would it matter if a neurosurgeon links to your cat bed site, if nobody in the cat bed universe knows you exist? The opinion of professionals and users in your niche is valued higher than the professionals in other niches.

It Looks Natural Because It is Natural

SEOs and inbound marketers are a fan of the term “look natural” in the sense that their link building campaigns look like natural links pointing towards a site. Rather than striving to make your link portfolio look natural, why not make it natural to start with? Granted, the term “link building” makes everything associated with it unnatural since the links you’ll be making are inorganic, but tactics like guest posting to relevant blogs, or asking to be listed as a resource on a related site are natural!

Imagine if Google (and other search engines) weren’t around and the only way to get around on the web was through links. Where would you want your links to be coming from? Some random site that a lot of people go to but is far removed from your target audience, or a site that is relevant to yours whose visitors could turn into customers or followers because of a well-placed link that offers them something of value?

Once again, in the end it is always up to you about what methods you choose to go with. Marketing within your marketplace will always get better results than wasting efforts outside of your niche because your target audience is already there, and when you’re online – Google’s crawlers and algorithms become your target audience as well.

Author Bio: Thomas McMahon is a white hat SEO proponent who link builds for Page One Power, a relevancy first link building company that serves a global clientele.

Photo credit: targeted links in image courtesy of Armando Moreschi via photopin cc

Post from: BPWrap

The Grass Is Greener on Your Side – Staying Relevant With Backlinks

Technorati Tags: backlink, PageRank, Search engine optimization, Search Engines, SERP

This is a guest post by Annie Harrington.

Over the years, I’ve learned people love it when you talk to them, engage them, and relate to their interests. It’s basic interpersonal communication. What they don’t like is when you talk at them.

In advertising, a similar thing occurs. When an advertisement “speaks” to individuals or groups, they take notice. Conversely, when advertisements “speak” at people, they’ll still notice the ad and maybe remember it, but their reaction will likely be automatically negative. Many ads I’ve had the experience of interacting with tend to do this. They talk at people, throwing phrases, imagery, and various messages to whichever eyes or ears will take in the message.

They’ll choose to ignore or accept the message.

Regardless of the choice, they saw the ad. The message the advertiser wanted to communicate was communicated. I can’t count the sheer amount of advertising I’ve seen or heard in an average day and at the end of every day, I certainly can’t remember any of it. Then again, I usually have no interest in remembering any of it. Who does?

Many younger people, especially the more internet-focused, social media savvy, who spend too much time in front of a screen, can take measures to block advertising. I’ve downloaded web browser applications which block a vast majority of ads, including video ads and banner ads. It’s gotten to the point that when I’m working on my computer all day, I’ll see less than ten ads, if that.

The reason I block the ads is simple. They’re annoying. They’re generally ugly and add clutter to my user experience. I can’t stand ugly ads and I most definitely can’t stand clutter. However, people have the right to make money and in some cases the only way they can do that is to advertise. They do it via banner ads online, posters and billboards around the city, and vocally on the radio and visually on the TV. So, how can they capture my eyes and ears, and the eyes and ears of the people whose lives are heavily influenced by what goes on, online?

Show them something they’re familiar with, and not just peripherally familiar with, but tangibly. We’ve entered the era of social advertising, brought on by the overwhelming presence of social media. It’s important to integrate this fact into print advertising, which still remains very important, especially in metro areas such as Vancouver where foot and bike traffic is heavy. Printed posters and banners continue to be an effective means of advertising, and they can survive the move into the socially-driven era if they can “speak” to the people who have made the web an integral part of their lives.

Follow Online Trends

Ads can also evolve to catch eyes in a non-repulsive way, that at the end of the day, there’s a chance it’ll be remembered, and maybe if it really speaks loud and clear, pictures will be taken with smartphones and posted it online. Ads can utilize current internet trends to accomplish this. These trends can usually be found by browsing popular social media sites for a few hours. Take the trend of steam punk, for example. It’s defined by strong brown and gold colors, accompanied by gears and other moving parts, with a very industrial art deco look. It exists in art, costumes, and countless other creations. People who spend hours a day online and consistently use social media sites have more than likely run across something steam punk.

So, why not advertise using the steam punk aesthetic? Make an ad pop in the style, with the browns and golds, the metals and the hand-crafted wood appearance, and you’ll capture plenty of attention. You’ll not only catch the attention of people who recognize the style, but others who have yet to run across it and will look out of sheer intrigue. They’ll take a pic and share it with their friends online.

My point is, take something popular online and run with it, but don’t try to make it your own. As art and as something embraced by online communities, it belongs to everyone, whether its steam punk, pixel art, cats, or the tons of other ways people express themselves and share ideas online. It’s important when using art styles and trends with internet influence to be respectful to sources. Pay homage and make it an acknowledgement. Speak to your audience and the advertisement can easily become a success in the current era of communication.

Author Bio: Annie Harrington is a small business owner, writer, and amateur photographer. In her free time she enjoys writing about ways other business owners can positively impact their brand image with unique poster printing and custom banners.

Photo credit:

• no trumpeting image courtesy of Mr Jaded via photopin cc
• steam punk image courtesy of Tinkerbots via photopin cc

Post from: BPWrap

Personalized Advertising for a Young, Internet-Savvy Vancouver Audience

Technorati Tags: Advertising, Steampunk, Vancouver, Web banner