Survey Says, “How is your Business Doing?”

This year is proving to be full of new opportunities. I anticipate 2010 to be the “Year of Communication.” In today’s competitive marketplace it is essential to adapt to your clients needs and to deliver. You need to be in touch with your successes and frustrations to learn and properly grow your business.  So are you ready to learn how your business is doing? The next part is technical. To learn how your business is doing, “ask.” ~:-) (more…)

Here is a question from my bag of Internet FAQs. “How do I get my web site listed at Google?”  a more geeky version is “how to I get Google to index my web site?” When they “index” your site they review all of the content of your site and add this info to their database so that when someone searches they can deliver relevant content. Hopefully your web site.

Just in: according to Compete.com Google is now getting 1 in 8 page views. This means 13% of web site views are Google. Let’s get you listed at Google.

1. Submit to Google.
   This is free and quick way it submit your site directly using their “Add URL” page. The page allows you to add as many sites as you’d like. Unfortunately, Google doesn’t add all of the pages to it’s index. Additionally they don’t guarantee when or if they will ever check out your site. This is very popular way to attempt to get listed, but I recommend you read on….
2. Submit to Yahoo! and the ODP (DMOZ.org)
   The second way is to submit your site to the Yahoo! Directory and/or ODP. Years ago (remember the 90s?) Yahoo!’s free submission service worked very nicely and the directory was very useful.They then created a paid submission service. This created a barrier that resulted in less web sites being submitted and thus a less comprehensive tool. The “Directory Submit” was a one time fee to get listed.

   Today however they charge $299/year. Consequently I no longer recommend using the paid tool. You can submit to the free service, but don’t hold your breath waiting to get listed.

   Another directory to consider getting listed with the the Open Directory Project. This free directory is owned by AOL/Netscape. It takes some time to get listed, but getting in the back door of AOL can help you get listed with Google.

3. Get Linked to from a Google Friendly site.
   The Google preferred method is for them to find you. Google is much more impressed by your web site if other sites that they already have indexed link to you.The more popular the site linking to you the better. Do some research to find who links to your competitor and ask them to link to you.

   Our BLOG has become popular site that is very effective for launching web sites. Google visits our site virtually everyday looking for fresh content. This allows us to get clients listed in less than a week after a new site is launched. Getting one popular site to link to you is good. Getting more is even better. This is why It can be worth it for you to take some time with Yahoo! and ODP.

4. Advertise
   Funny thing. Google advertisers seem to be automatically added to Google.Setting up a Google Adwords account and setting up a budget of $30/month or more seems to work wonders for getting listed very quickly as well. Tip: Before you jump into Adwords give me a call, I can get you $50 in Google money to get you started.

Today we’ve discussed 4 ways to get listed with Google. For best results I recommend a combination approach of the above and stay clear of Submit to Google, the thought is if no one else knows about you they are not terribly interested either.

Go get listed! Now your site has a fighting chance to be found!

Don’t forget the Map
The Map results show at near the top of the page for local searches. The Map is independent of your regular listing and advertising. You actually don’t even need a web site to get listed on the Map.

You are listed, Now What?
It is good to be indexed at Google, but that doesn’t mean people are going to find you. Your site should be built with Search Engine Optimization in mind. The bottom line is that – Google wants to give relevant results. If you want to be found give them content that talks about what you think people will search for. SEO is crucial for your web sites success. If you have the time and desire, you can research the best way to optimize your site or consult with an expert to build and grow your site in a way that moves you to the top.
~:-)

Oscar Myre IV is the owner and Creative Director of omOriginals Marketing! If your business has web development, social marketing or internet marketing questions or want some help with plans, please stop by or give us a buzz at the studio: 360.575.9839 or online @ omOriginals.com

Social Networking is THE modern day cocktail party. All of the cool people are there! The deal is that everyone is invited and there is no cover charge. For the sake of brevity lets just focus on the most dominate Social Networking site. Facebook just announced that they have 350 Million users. Now that is a big party! Ponder this, there are more people on Facebook than there are in the US! According the the latest census the US population is only 304 Million. Does that mean that everyone one in the US is on Facebook? Well, not yet. Facebook’s users are all over the planet.

Welcome to the new Party!

I invite you to look around and connect. Don’t be a wall flower. Enjoy and connect with friends and friends of friends. You are now your own channel. You can broadcast whatever you want to those around you and those around world. This is truly amazing. Before the internet, the guy down the street would have to stand on his soap box to be heard. Now he can sit in a comfortable chair and connect with hundreds if not thousands of people.

Business Friendly Mixer

It’s also an amazing tool that is changing the way people interact with businesses. People can get updates from a business that they work with or check them out to see if they’d like to work with them in the future. Businesses that have invested in building a good reputations over the years are now having us help them establish and maintain good reputations online. This is crucial to understanding the power of the internet.

But, before you jump in, I feel it is my responsibility to share how this party is different.

1) The Party is HUGE!

First, as we said, there are a lot more people here than your old school party. I have 375 precious FB Friends. ~:-) And they have friends of their own. If they all had just 100 friends each, our party would be over 37,000 strong. Disclaimer: Many of us share the same friends so the numbers are skewed…

2) Social Networking Never Forgets

Now you are partying with elephants. At your typical cocktail party you can complain or brag about something stupid that you did (or would like to do). In the morning, everyone will likely forget about what you said.  There is no “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.” When you make a post on a wall it remains forever (at least til Jesus returns). Let’s say that again. What you write on a wall stays online forever.

If you are going drink too much, talk bad about (boss, clients, friends, yo mamma, etc etc), skip work, or tell a lie…. Moral police! Don’t do it, and definitely don’t FB it.

Things like breaking the law hurting people and the like should be common sense to just not do.

3) No one can keep a secret

Some savvy folks might tell me that only their FB friends can read their stuff. Did you hear that FB just updated their privacy policy?! Founder of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, said, “We have focused on giving you the tools you need to share and control your information.” He is correct they have given us the tools. Those tools can and do change. The more public they make our information, the more profitable it is for their company.

Get a Life & Job

More employers are utilizing social networking sites to screen potential employees. Forty-five percent of employers reported in a recent CareerBuilder survey that they use social networking sites to research job candidates, a big jump from 22 percent in 2008. Another 11 percent plan to start using social networking sites for screening.

Enjoy Life & Network responsibly. ~:-)

God Bless, Oscar Myre IV

Oscar Myre IV is the owner and Creative Director of omOriginals Marketing! If your business has web development, social marketing or internet marketing questions, please stop by or give us a buzz at the studio: 360.575.9839

Two problems (for a geek artists) have possibly been solved with one devise.
If you’ve seen the movie Minority Report, you saw a glimpse into the future of computers.  Their computer used human hands instead of a mouse.  For that last couple years I’ve been very ready to get rid of my mouse.

But, why do I still use a mouse at my desk?!
Because a touch screen monitor is completely how do I say,  “un-ergonomic?”  30 minutes or so of computer work or play would be a major pain in the neck (and shoulders).  The iPhone’s uses similar gestures (finger strokes on the iPhone’s screen).  You can also do a bit of it on my MacBook’s trackpad.  Unfortunately the trackpad is just too small.  So, I’ve been waiting for Apple to create a larger trackpad like devise that would allow me to control my computers with my hands.

And.
I sometimes I consider myself an artists.  I used to love to draw, you know with a pen or pencil.  Back in the 90s I tried a drawing pad, but I was not impressed with the results.  The mouse is now my pen, but there is something about using a pen.  As of late I’ve had a strong desire to start drawing and creating some fine art.  I’ve been checking out some of the newer pen & tablet combination,  but I don’t see them as mouse replacements.

And then I found this.

Wacom Bamboo Pen and Touch Fun Small Tablet

I know.  I know.  The name is a bit long.
So what is it?!

The WBP&TFST allows you to control your computer with you hand (I’m not sure if you can use 2 hands).  And most importantly the devise can sit on your desk so you can have your hands rested in front of you.  I think you’d place it where you mouse pad used to be.  Goodbye Mouse.  And it also includes a cordless pen so you can do draw digitally.

In the future I would suspect a larger devise would replace the keyboard all together.  Maybe by that time they will have a better name for IT as well.

Take a look.
http://www.wacom.com/bamboo/bamboo_pen_touch.php

I hope to find one under the Christmas Tree this year. ~:-)

Welcome back to GeekSpeak. Last month I gave you a primer on Social Networking. For this month we are going to go “old school”. Before there was Facebook, before there was MySpace or Linkedin, even before Google- there was eMail. In preparing this article, my Dad and I reminisced about sending our first eMail back in 1986. It was with General Electric in a Fantasy Basketball league. (We drafted Michael Jordan 23 years ago).

The point is that eMail is old.

So why with all of the “new media” should you consider eMail marketing?

1. Inexpensive: The cost per message is very low.
2. Trackable: eMail marketing makes it easy to track the results of a campaign. You can tell who open the message and what links they clicked on.
3. Effective: With the low cost of entry and the ability to track results, businesses can continue to fine tune their offerings to a targeted audience. The end results can be powerful.

Ready to start? I like your enthusiasm, but first some eMail marketing tips.

Let’s determine your audience.

The best place to start is with current your current customers. You can export addresses and names from your computers address book, add a newsletter subscription link to you website and if you have a retail location you can have a box on your front desk inviting people to join your list. Don’t forget the social networks, be sure to put invites on these sites for your eMail offering.

Delivering Value. Before we get too far we should figure out what your eMail is going to offer. Most people think they need to write a elaborate newsletter. This can be a lot of work. These same “most people” don’t have a ton a free time to invest in this type of project. But, they do have something of value that they can share with their customers. Sometimes it is information (as I hope you find this article) it can also be savings or coupons. When I meet with clients we determine how to deliver the greatest value to the readers with the best ROI (Return on Investment) for the client.

SPAM

We can’t forget SPAM or unsolicited bulk eMail.  I strongly recommend that only send permission based-eMail, that is opt-in mail.  Sending SPAM will have a negative impact on any legitimate business. To learn more about SPAM and the whole eMail process I recommend that you read “Internet Marketing Best Practices.” See below under Speak with a Geek to see how to get a free copy.

Once you have an audience in mind and a plan for you offer please keep these 3 keys in mind.

1. Personalization: How valued do your customers feel if a marketing piece is addressed to “Valued Customer?” With a up-to-date client list you can address the message to “Mike.”
2. Branding: You want this eMail to clearly and consistently communicate your message.
3. Call to Action: The “call to action” is one of the most important concepts in marketing and promotion. Simply put, after you’ve established that you have something of value to offer and that you’re the perfect choice to deliver it, you want to ask your prospect to take the next step. You deliver a call to action.

Realistic Expectations: Don’t expect to sell a ton of stuff with your first newsletter. You need to be in it for the long run. Try out some ideas and continually improve on your offer. eMail marketing allows you to build a positive relationship with your readers.

The reason main reason that I write GeekSpeak is to open your eyes about web and geek stuff and to let you know when your business needs it – I’m here to help. ~:-)

Speak with the Geek! If you run a business and want to find more customers—or connect more powerfully with the customers you have, I offer a Free Initial Consultation for eMail marketing to identify needs, opportunities and present a clear plan of action to succeed!  I will also share with you a free report “eMail Marketing Best Practices.”  A good read and valuable tool to read before starting a campaign.

~ Oscar is the Creative Director for omOriginals Marketing! You can take him up on his offer of a free consultation by visiting omOriginals.com or calling 360.575.9839.

Here is my take on an interesting article.

Google made content more accessble in a no-nonsence way that had never been done before.  When optimizing websites for Google and other search engines we often hear “Content (data) is King.”

Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive! Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound! (”Look! Up in the sky!” “It’s a bird!” “It’s a plane!” “It’s Social Marketing!”)

Data is big.  Social Relationships are HUGE.

http://ow.ly/w8Bi

Attention Online Retailers,

If you sell products and/or services online you need to check out this article.

VISA/MASTERCARD REQUIREMENTS FOR MERCHANTS WITH ECOMMERCE WEBSITES

The rapid growth of electronic commerce and new Internet business models continues to pose risk management challenges for Acquirers/Processors. Visa and MasterCard have mandated that all merchants who process and/or accept credit card orders using a shopping cart, web hosting company or other internet means  (often referred to as “ecommerce transactions”), must adhere to the following regulations to remain compliant.
Websites now must display all of the information listed below.  Account Executives can provide this information as a checklist for their merchants.
A complete description of the goods and/or services offered.
Business and contact information, including the business address and telephone number. The address displayed must match the physical address of the business.
Alternate contact information (including email address and fax number).
The currency in which the transaction will be conducted.
Customer service telephone number.
Delivery standards, including delivery method (i.e., FedEx, UPS, USPS, etc.) and time standards i.e., product will arrive within three business days). Both domestic and foreign import/export shipping time standards must be included (if applicable).
Merchants must disclose the business’s country of origin (i.e., United States).
Card association logos must be displayed.
Terms and conditions, as well as export and/or legal restrictions (including for international transactions, if applicable) must be displayed on:
The same screen as the checkout screen (where the total purchase amount is displayed), OR
Within the sequence of Web pages the cardholder accesses during the checkout process.
A clear and concise privacy policy. This must also disclose what information is collected, how it is tracked and with whom it is shared.
The business’s refund/return policy must be described in full detail, so that cardholders are aware of their options before purchasing the product or service. It must also include a “Click Here to Accept” function.
The Website’s security method for the transmission of payment data (i.e., SSL Secured 128 bit).
Customers must be able to review all information prior to completing the sale and have the option to cancel the sale.
Contact information for the Web hosting service must also be displayed.
The above information will be reviewed by Underwriting when an ecommerce application is submitted. The deal will be pended if the website does not display all of the above information. Account Executives must inform their merchants who process ecommerce transactions of the above Visa/MasterCard requirements.  In addition to the initial underwriting review, annual reviews are required by VISA and will be conducted by the Transaction Risk Department for each ecommerce merchant.   Merchant will be contacted if non-compliant items are noted.  If not corrected, the merchant account may be subject to termination.

Hello Friends,

It is an exciting time to be in marketing and to be a geek! Internet Marketing has and continues to transform the marketing landscape.  The latest buzz is Social Networking. Sites like facebook and twitter are some of the most talked about sites on the planet. There is lot of talk, but I’d like to offer a little education. (more…)

Google has launched new web browser to change the world. A web browser is an application that you use to view web sites. Most people (in the windows world) are still using Internet Explorer. For many users,  people have just used what came with the computer and never really consider other options. Google would like for you to consider Chrome.

 (more…)

Being a geek I get asked a fair amount of tech questions. Some are answered by a simple cntrl-Z others a bit more complicated. Recently, I’ve been asked a bunch of Mac questions. (more…)