Saturday, July 18, 2009

Differences between Social Channels

Social sharing sites. From written reviews to rich media, users share information of all forms on social sharing sites. This includes videos, photos, and more. And all of this user-generated content can be made instantly available to millions of users and site visitors. Think YouTube, Vimeo, and Flickr. These are three popular examples of social sharing sites.

Social networking sites. If you've ever heard of a little site called Facebook, you are familiar with a social networking site. Basically, these sites build communities of users that share a common interest -- hobbies, high school, ex-girlfriends, you name it. They serve as a means for people to meet new people and stay connected with friends and families (and even enemies). They also allow businesses to connect with other businesses or individuals. Communication is a huge part of social networking sites and includes tools such as email, instant messaging, and real-time posts on an individual's profile. Today's other popular social networking sites include LinkedIn and MySpace.

Social news sites. Just as the name says, the main purpose of a social news site is to exchange newsworthy information. Digg, Technorati, and Reddit are good examples. On these sites, users submit photos, videos, news articles, blog posts, and more for others to view. Often, other users can vote on which pieces of newsworthy information they like the most. The submissions with the most votes will usually appear on the social news site's front page, increasing the chances that others will see it.

Social bookmarking sites. One example of a social bookmarking site is Delicious. Users of Delicious can store, organize, search, and manage their favorite web pages online. They can also make their bookmarks public, or choose to share them with just a few specific individuals or groups. Other examples include Diggo, Blinklist, and Simpy.

Social review sites. These are sites that give consumers a platform to be heard. Users can submit reviews on specific products and companies, including advice, testimonials, and personal recommendations. Examples of popular social review sites include Epinions, Viewpoints, Yelp, Omgili, and Buzzillions.

Friday, July 17, 2009

Be focused

Vagueness is often our first impulse when we're getting things down.But it's specificity that gives our descriptions power.In your first draft, use as many clichés as you need to, just get the story down. In your revision, however, treat every single cliché as an opportunity for brilliance. Ask yourself how you can describe this in an entirely new way.

Part of being specific in description is also being original, avoiding the usual path. But there may be times when you use a mix of vague and specific details to highlight certain qualities in your characters.To work on this: Ask yourself the most naïve questions possible to access the sensory cues that conjure the situation for a reader (and that in life we absorb subconsciously): What sounds evoke the scene for you? What smells? What images? What physical responses would you have to this situation? And if questions don't work for you, find some other way to visualize the scene. If you can't picture it, how will you enable your reader to do so?

In fiction, description should not only paint a picture for the reader, but also contribute to the plot and reveal something about character. Choose your details carefully. There's a fine line between lush description and the kind that chokes the reader.If you fear you're in danger of crossing that line, consider which elements of your description serve the primary elements of your plot and which are gratuitous.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Direct marketing - a measure to tracking

Direct marketing is a sub-discipline and type of marketing. There are two main definitional characteristics which distinguish it from other types of marketing. The first is that it attempts to send its messages directly to consumers, without the use of intervening media. This involves commercial communication (direct mail, e-mail, telemarketing) with consumers or businesses, usually unsolicited. The second characteristic is that it is focused on driving a specific "call-to-action." This aspect of direct marketing involves an emphasis on trackable, measurable positive (but not negative) responses from consumers (known simply as "response" in the industry) regardless of medium.

If the advertisement asks the prospect to take a specific action, for instance call a free phone number or visit a website, then the effort is considered to be direct response advertising.

Sales Diagnosis

Most sales reps think that they're uncovering customer needs by merely asking about them.  Unfortunately, most of the time, the customer is either too close to the problem, or lacks the knowledge required to figure out what's wrong.  As a result, the wrong needs are surfaced, resulting in a solution that won't work.

The analogy between a B2B sales rep interviewing a customer and a physician interviewing a patient.  Here are three conversations:

VERSION 1:
Patient: My stomach hurts.
Doctor: No problem. I have a special introductory offer…

VERSION 2:
Patient: My stomach hurts.
Doctor: What do you think is causing the pain?
Patient: I ate too much last night; I need a strong antacid..
Doctor: No problem. Here's a prescription…

VERSION 3:
Patient: My stomach hurts.
Doctor: In what way and at what times?
Patient: After I eat pizza, I get this burning sensation.
Doctor: Have you noticed an itchy mouth when this occurs?
Patient: Well, now that you mention it, yes.
Doctor: It sounds like you may have an allergy.
What kind of pizza have you been eating?
Patient: Actually, it's been pepperoni the last few times.
Doctor: We'll run a few tests, and if it's from the pepperoni,
a change in diet will take care of your stomach problem.

Most sales reps tend to have conversations with their customers that are either like version 1 or version 2.   Version 1 is the old "pitch whatever you've got" routine.  Version 2 is what usually passes for "consultative" selling — it assumes that the customer knows the problem and simply needs a solution to that problem.

Version 3 corresponds to the way the B2B sales world really works.  Most of the time, the stuff that you're selling is outside of the understanding of the customer and probably addresses problems that the customer doesn't really understand.

Therefore, it's your job to correctly diagnose those needs and, only then, figure out what's good for what ails them.


Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Direct Marketing

Direct marketing is a form of marketing most commonly done via leaflets, brochures, letters, catalogs, or print or digital ads mailed, emailed, or distributed directly to current and potential consumers.

The direct marketing process should also include database management, telecommunications, and digital media access.

Marketers should take full advantage of the technological advancements made to enhance direct marketing outreach.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

What is Twitter?

Twitter is a free service which enables its registered members to send and read other members' updates or short text-based messages known as 'tweets', of up to 140 characters in length. Members can share URL's of web pages as well.

A member can post messages which will be displayed on his profile page, but to receive messages from other members or friends, a member has to follow or subscribe to their Twitter accounts. This way, members can follow and start receiving messages from each other. Members can send and receive 'tweets' through mobile phones as well.

Twitter.com, which received about 1.2 lakh unique visitors in India as per comScore data released in February 2009, is still nascent in the country and not many brands are using it.

Some of the brands which have started experimenting with Twitter are Zapak.com, Naukri.com, Business Line, The Times of India, Mint and DNA, but these are still striving to get traction on it.

Brands using Twitter to converse with and inform consumers is not an India specific phenomenon. Some of the brands which are using Twitter effectively in the US include Dell, JetBlue Airways, Pizza Hut, Samsung Mobile, Ford Motors and Kodak.

Why do we need Online Reputation Management

Online Reputation Management, ORM, is the practice of managing an individual or business reputation within online media. Online media, including search engines, are managed to make positive information visible to the public and downplay any information which could negatively affect the individual or business. Reputations are earned. Years of hard work and building trust can be destroyed online, often anonymously.

The net has given us a huge opening to broadcast any kind of information that we intend to share. Well, the same net enables our competitors, angry customers, upset employees to also announce their negative viewpoint towards us. Just the way we have freedom to mention what we like they too can exercise the same freedom and can mention what they like ...rather don't like. The advent of social media, communities, and networking sites, has been useful to many companies. They have positively affected the majority of businesses by allowing them to directly communicate with consumers about products and services they offer. However social media has also opened doors to malicious behavior of the minority, which has proven to be damaging to individual and corporate reputations. Individuals and the small business to the fortune 500 companies have been harmed by malicious online postings. Part of this pain is self inflicted and some is the handiwork of unhappy customers, disgruntled former employees or chronic complainers.

Due to the number of people who use search engines as a research tool, online reputation management is becoming a big industry. Ruthless competitors and angry clients now have open access to blogs and web sites. They can define a person or company's online identity. Their words have far reaching effects- whether they are true or not.

This is why ORM is necessary. Because it is difficult, if not impossible, to eliminate traces of thoughtless actions or malicious attacks on the web, online reputation firms disseminate positive information on their clients. The goal in online reputation management is to bring public attention to positive blogs, articles and other online media written on behalf of the company. The positive online publicity takes the higher search engine result rankings, thus minimizing the damage of any attack.

So happy writing!

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Freelance Job

Total new jobs: 184

Blogger - freelance writer

Examiner.com - BUFFALO , NY

Blogger - Freelance Writer:Examiner.com Better than a BloggerMore Fun than being a Freelance WriterWrite for Examiner.com! At Examiner.com we are seeking passionate people with...
View job - Recently Yahoo.com

Blogger - freelance writer

Examiner.com - JACKSONVILLE , FL

Blogger - Freelance Writer:Examiner.com Better than a BloggerMore Fun than being a Freelance WriterWrite for Examiner.com! At Examiner.com we are seeking passionate people with...
View job - Recently Yahoo.com

Blogger - freelance writer

Examiner.com - LEXINGTON , KY

Blogger - Freelance Writer:Examiner.com Better than a BloggerMore Fun than being a Freelance WriterWrite for Examiner.com! At Examiner.com we are seeking passionate people with...
View job - Recently Yahoo.com

Blogger - freelance writer

Examiner.com - CINCINNATI , OH

Blogger - Freelance Writer:Examiner.com Better than a BloggerMore Fun than being a Freelance WriterWrite for Examiner.com! At Examiner.com we are seeking passionate people with...
View job - Recently Yahoo.com

Blogger - freelance writer

Examiner.com - KANSAS CITY , MO

Blogger - Freelance Writer:Examiner.com Better than a BloggerMore Fun than being a Freelance WriterWrite for Examiner.com! At Examiner.com we are seeking passionate people with...
View job - Recently Yahoo.com

Blogger - freelance writer

Examiner.com - MEMPHIS , TN

Blogger - Freelance Writer:Examiner.com Better than a BloggerMore Fun than being a Freelance WriterWrite for Examiner.com! At Examiner.com we are seeking passionate people with...
View job - Recently Yahoo.com

Blogger - freelance writer

Examiner.com - AUSTIN , TX

Blogger - Freelance Writer:Examiner.com Better than a BloggerMore Fun than being a Freelance WriterWrite for Examiner.com! At Examiner.com we are seeking passionate people with...
View job - Recently Yahoo.com

Blogger - freelance writer

Examiner.com - FORT WORTH , TX

Blogger - Freelance Writer:Examiner.com Better than a BloggerMore Fun than being a Freelance WriterWrite for Examiner.com! At Examiner.com we are seeking passionate people with...
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Blogger - freelance writer

Examiner.com - SAN ANTONIO , TX

Blogger - Freelance Writer:Examiner.com Better than a BloggerMore Fun than being a Freelance WriterWrite for Examiner.com! At Examiner.com we are seeking passionate people with...
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Blogger - freelance writer

Examiner.com - OAKLAND , CA

Blogger - Freelance Writer:Examiner.com Better than a BloggerMore Fun than being a Freelance WriterWrite for Examiner.com! At Examiner.com we are seeking passionate people with...
View job - Recently Yahoo.com

Freelance writer

Demand Studios

Hiring Freelance WritersTake control of your writing career with Demand Studios. We give you the tools and flexibility you need to earn a living while pursuing your passion for writing....
View job - 4 days ago PostJobFree.com

freelance writer

Beyond.com

Are you looking for an opportunity to get your ideas and articles published and build your network of contacts? Do you want to share your expertise, observations and opinions with...
View job - Recently Beyond.Com

Online managing editor

Lynn Hazan & Associates - CHICAGO , IL

Online PublishingOnline Managing EditorJob 0571Chicago trade Association embarking on a major strategic initiative to reach consumers directly using web 2.0 technology. Need Online...
View job - Recently Jobvertise.com

Freelance writer / blogger *part time/ft* get paid to write $7000-$3500/wk *apply now*

Freelance Writing Co - PITTSBURGH , PA

Would You Like To Make Extra Income?There is currently a great demand for work at home writers as the internet is starving for content. We do not know how much longer we will be accepting...
View job - 1 days ago Yahoo.com

Freelance writer / blogger *part time/ft* get paid to write $7000-$3500/wk *apply now*

Freelance Writing Co - MINNEAPOLIS , MN

Would You Like To Make Extra Income?There is currently a great demand for work at home writers as the internet is starving for content. We do not know how much longer we will be accepting...
View job - 1 days ago Yahoo.com

Freelance writer / blogger *part time/ft* get paid to write $7000-$3500/wk *apply now*

Freelance Writing Co , MO

Would You Like To Make Extra Income?There is currently a great demand for work at home writers as the internet is starving for content. We do not know how much longer we will be accepting...
View job - 1 days ago Yahoo.com

Freelance writer / blogger *part time/ft* get paid to write $7000-$3500/wk *apply now*

Freelance Writing Co - ATLANTA , GA

Would You Like To Make Extra Income?There is currently a great demand for work at home writers as the internet is starving for content. We do not know how much longer we will be accepting...
View job - 1 days ago Yahoo.com

Freelance writer / blogger *part time/ft* get paid to write $7000-$3500/wk *apply now*

Freelance Writing Co - STAMFORD , CT

Would You Like To Make Extra Income?There is currently a great demand for work at home writers as the internet is starving for content. We do not know how much longer we will be accepting...
View job - 1 days ago Yahoo.com

Freelance writer / blogger *part time/ft* get paid to write $7000-$3500/wk *apply now*

Freelance Writing Co - ALEXANDRIA , VA

Would You Like To Make Extra Income?There is currently a great demand for work at home writers as the internet is starving for content. We do not know how much longer we will be accepting...
View job - 1 days ago Yahoo.com

Freelance writer / blogger *part time/ft* get paid to write $7000-$3500/wk *apply now*

Freelance Writing Co - BIRMINGHAM , AL

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Freelance Writer Jobs

Blogger - freelance writer

Examiner.com - BUFFALO , NY

Blogger - Freelance Writer:Examiner.com Better than a BloggerMore Fun than being a Freelance WriterWrite for Examiner.com! At Examiner.com we are seeking passionate people with...
View job - Recently Yahoo.com

Blogger - freelance writer

Examiner.com - JACKSONVILLE , FL

Blogger - Freelance Writer:Examiner.com Better than a BloggerMore Fun than being a Freelance WriterWrite for Examiner.com! At Examiner.com we are seeking passionate people with...
View job - Recently Yahoo.com

Blogger - freelance writer

Examiner.com - LEXINGTON , KY

Blogger - Freelance Writer:Examiner.com Better than a BloggerMore Fun than being a Freelance WriterWrite for Examiner.com! At Examiner.com we are seeking passionate people with...
View job - Recently Yahoo.com

Blogger - freelance writer

Examiner.com - CINCINNATI , OH

Blogger - Freelance Writer:Examiner.com Better than a BloggerMore Fun than being a Freelance WriterWrite for Examiner.com! At Examiner.com we are seeking passionate people with...
View job - Recently Yahoo.com

Blogger - freelance writer

Examiner.com - KANSAS CITY , MO

Blogger - Freelance Writer:Examiner.com Better than a BloggerMore Fun than being a Freelance WriterWrite for Examiner.com! At Examiner.com we are seeking passionate people with...
View job - Recently Yahoo.com

Blogger - freelance writer

Examiner.com - MEMPHIS , TN

Blogger - Freelance Writer:Examiner.com Better than a BloggerMore Fun than being a Freelance WriterWrite for Examiner.com! At Examiner.com we are seeking passionate people with...
View job - Recently Yahoo.com

Blogger - freelance writer

Examiner.com - AUSTIN , TX

Blogger - Freelance Writer:Examiner.com Better than a BloggerMore Fun than being a Freelance WriterWrite for Examiner.com! At Examiner.com we are seeking passionate people with...
View job - Recently Yahoo.com

Blogger - freelance writer

Examiner.com - FORT WORTH , TX

Blogger - Freelance Writer:Examiner.com Better than a BloggerMore Fun than being a Freelance WriterWrite for Examiner.com! At Examiner.com we are seeking passionate people with...
View job - Recently Yahoo.com

Blogger - freelance writer

Examiner.com - SAN ANTONIO , TX

Blogger - Freelance Writer:Examiner.com Better than a BloggerMore Fun than being a Freelance WriterWrite for Examiner.com! At Examiner.com we are seeking passionate people with...
View job - Recently Yahoo.com

Blogger - freelance writer

Examiner.com - OAKLAND , CA

Blogger - Freelance Writer:Examiner.com Better than a BloggerMore Fun than being a Freelance WriterWrite for Examiner.com! At Examiner.com we are seeking passionate people with...
View job - Recently Yahoo.com

Online managing editor

Lynn Hazan & Associates - CHICAGO , IL

Online PublishingOnline Managing EditorJob 0571Chicago trade Association embarking on a major strategic initiative to reach consumers directly using web 2.0 technology. Need Online...
View job - Recently Jobvertise.com

freelance writer

Beyond.com

Are you looking for an opportunity to get your ideas and articles published and build your network of contacts? Do you want to share your expertise, observations and opinions with...
View job - Recently Beyond.Com

Freelance writer

PCMS LLC

We are looking for skilled freelance writers with at least 2 years of experience in academic, essays, research papers, term papers, case studies, and business plans.Please provide a...
View job - Recently PostJobFree.com

korean bilingual freelance writer

Zagat Survey - NEW YORK , NY

Zagat Survey is seeking an experienced New York-based freelance writer who is bilingual in Korean and English to write Seoul restaurants reviews based on surveyors? comments in Korean....
View job - Recently Yahoo.com

Freelance writer

Today.com - MORRISVILLE , PA

Today.com, one of the fastest growing blog communities on the web, is looking for new bloggers of any skill level. Whether youre a novice blogger, or have been at it for a while, this job...
View job - Recently Jobster.com

Freelance writer

Today.com - MORRISVILLE , PA

Today.com, one of the fastest growing blog communities on the web, is looking for new bloggers of any skill level. Whether youre a novice blogger, or have been at it for a while, this job...
View job - Recently Jobster.com

Freelance technical writer

Connexion Systems and Engineering - SALEM , MA

Connexion Systems & Engineering, a Boston based IT and Engineering Solutions Company immediately seeks individuals with the following skills: Job 11131AFreelance Technical WriterWe are...
View job - Recently Nettemps.com

senior editor/writer-technology

The American Institute of CPAs - DURHAM , NC

Senior Editor/Writer-Technology Durham, North Carolina Return to Search ResultsSend job to a friend Company Overview: The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants is the...
View job - Recently Jobcircle.com

Ny1 news writer - freelance

Time Warner Cable - NEW YORK , NY

PostingJob Title NY1 News Writer - FreelanceRequisition 111893BRLocation United States - New York - New YorkArea ofInterest Cable Television ProductionEditorialNetwork Television...
View job - Recently Job.com

Freelance staff writer

Heritage Web Solutions - PROVO , UT

Freelance Staff WriterTelecommute - Work from Home anywhere in the Nation! Earn $25-$50/hour or more! Heritage Web Solutions is an IT Industry Leader ranked in the top 1% of web hosting...
View job - Recently PostJobFree.com



Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Freelance writing is being a specialist

Today the demand is for good 'niche writers'. Restrictive though it is, like everything else, even here, the need for specialization is at an all time high. Travel writers, Creative writers, Copywriters, Resume writers, Content writers, Technical writers, Essay writers, you name it, and there is a market for it. If you are slowly able to, after a few initial experiments, carve out a niche for yourself by specializing in any one such field and you get published (usually without payment first!) you are almost there. Once you manage to sell your ideas, you are home and running.

Freelance writer - How to get started

Your best bet is to email/call up editors and constantly surf the net for opportunities. Make Search Engines (google, yahoo) your trusted lieutenants and use them to help you seek, search and finally apply to advertised or possible opportunities.

If you find good websites you could write for, look for submission guidelines or send in your query. A query letter is not a waste of time. On an average three out of every five will elicit some kind of a response that will take you forward.

Though it is usual practice in established writing circles not to start writing till an understanding is reached, you the newbie can take no chances. So, till you have sufficient work, give them what they've asked for, quickly, whatever the subject, or send them something you have already written. Odds are that they will use it and pay you with a nice "Thank you for your submission' letter or not at all, but if rejected or if you don't hear from them ever again, which is highly likely, don't lose heart. Move on. Just keep those articles as ready-reckoner samples for later use. Stockpile them in a folder for the future, to be sent on to other editors who may seek samples of your written work.

If they are freelance writing markets, narrow in on the popular ones. Subscribe to their newsletters. Most of them are free. It will give you a fair idea of their reliability. Generally avoid those that promise you the moon. Look for those that seem sincere. But do not subscribe or pay for anything till you are sure of a website's credentials. Also, remember to check out the various published lists of dishonest and fly-by-night operators often. Soon you will be able to sift the wheat from the chaff.

Emails or SPAMS?

When trying to sell on the net what is most necessary is a good healthy active database. If you meet this requirement then you can send your emails easily. If you send to the right people you have almost made it across half the battle.

Normally when your emails go to wrong people, or when your email message on the subject line and withing the internals of emails are not so good be prepared to face with the below:

Are YOU faced with these challenges...?
1. Almost NOBODY subscribes to your email list... You've posted a web form on your site, but no one ever seems to enter their name and email address like they're supposed to... and you have no idea why!

2. You get hardly any response to your email offers... You send out promotions that you think are pretty good -- but you never see more than a handful of sales or leads... Frequently, your subscribers don't even OPEN your messages!

3. Your subscribers don't receive the email you send them... As far as you can tell, hardly any of your subscribers are even getting the emails you're sending them. You think it has something to do with spam filters, but you have no idea what to do...

4. People are complaining, asking to be taken off your list... And you're getting frustrated because people who ASKED to be subscribed are sending you angry, threatening messages, demanding to be removed! What's their problem, anyway?

5. Your list-management chores are "out of control"... You know you need to remove people who request to be "unsubscribed"... and you know you shouldn't mail the same subscribers twice with the same promotion... or send customers ANOTHER offer for a product they already own. But you have no idea how to "automate" these time-consuming tasks!

6. You want to send email -- WITHOUT looking like a spammer! You're confused about what's acceptable and what's not when it comes to mailing to your list. After all, once you've mailed them ONCE, you can't just send them the same offer again, can you? So then what?

7. You haven't even TRIED sending email campaigns yet... Sure, you know you're missing out on massive income and profits, but where should you even begin?

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Digital Marketing

Digital Marketing is the practice of promoting products and services using digital distribution channels to reach consumers in a timely, relevant, personal and cost-effective manner.

Whilst digital marketing does include many of the techniques and practices contained within the category of Internet Marketing, it extends beyond this by including other channels with which to reach people that do not require the use of The Internet. As a result of this non-reliance on the Internet, the field of digital marketing includes a whole host of elements such as mobile phones, SMS/MMS, display / banner ads and digital outdoor.

Previously seen as a stand-alone service in its own right, it is frequently being seen as a domain that can and does cover most, if not all, of the more traditional marketing areas such as Direct Marketing by providing the same method of communicating with an audience but via a digital touchpoint.

Your web and blog simple analytics

You take special care to develop your blog and web. Especially when you are interested in monetizing it. You may wish to earn from this, or giveaway information etc. What you would require to know is how is your blog or your website interacting and relating to your visitors. For this you may want to track the site / blog.

The aim is to use your website traffic statistics to figure out how well or how poorly your site is interacting with its visitors, and then take the actions to improve your website's performance.

What you need to do:
1. Study your statistics, those that are important for your particular site.
2. Set your goals.
3. Formulate a strategy, based on your goals and current website's statistics.
4. Implement your strategy, making the necessary changes on your site.
5. Measure the effects of your implementation, comparing current statistics with previous ones, after a given period of at least 1 week.
6. Start again at step 2.

This process is ongoing and continuous.

What will your web / blog counter give you?

  • Complete and easy to understand statistical information.
  • Tracking multiple Web sites (With one account you can have independent statistics for an unlimited number of Web sites/projects.)
  • Summary with Page loads, Unique visitors, First time visitors and Returning visitors.
  • Referring URL's.
  • Search engine keywords used to reach your website.
  • Popular pages.
  • Most active countries.
  • Visitor browser, screen resolution.
  • And more...
  • So Happy tracking!




    Wednesday, April 22, 2009

    Social Networking Sites

    Online networking and online social bookmarking are more popular now than ever. But its hard to know which social network is right for you if you haven't tried all of them. This is why many Internet users find social network reviews valuable.

    When reading the reviews, however, you may find vastly different judgments about their content. Many folks fight for their choice of online social networking sites vehemently. That may be due, however, to being unaware of all the available options, so they invested all their time without further investigation. Some people defend their choice without even knowing the differences Online social networks , like LibraryThing have book reviews and other features created just for people who love to read.

    Many social media users arent aware of the difference between one form of social networking and another because there is a tremendous amount of cross-over in the platforms. Sites such as MySpace can be used just for fun or for serious business networking, or both! And there are literally tens of thousands of Ning sites, such as bookmarket.ning , which specialize in narrow niches. These type of [online social networking] sites are significant because theyre completely user-driven and allow focused conversations surrounding peoples interests. Interests can be as specific as book aficionados, who now have many online communities geared just to them. social networking is social bookmarking, which has become very popular. Sites that feature social bookmarking, such as Mister Wong, allow logged-in users to save their online bookmarks for free. Social bookmarking sites also are a great help to Web searchers, because keyword tags that allow for easy searching can be assigned to each bookmark. Keyword tagging also makes social bookmarking sites of great interest to online marketers, because they know they will lead to backlinks for their sites. One social bookmark doesnt really mean anything in terms of backlinks but when you add them all together, they become influential in search engine rankings. Also, like with Digg, if a blog post is entered on one of these sites, it can often achieve high search engine rankings if the keywords were researched and the listing was entered correctly.

    Be A Guest Writer Here

    Hi,

    Am sure when you read this blog there would be your idea that you may want to express as well. If this is the case then why not be a guest writer. Submit your article here related to this blog and who knows you will have people reading and following you. So go on write and share your article with me. If it is good i will publish it here mentioning your name. Go on be a guest writer here.

    When you send me your article ofcourse mention "authorized to publish in your blogs" . I will publish if i have this mentioned from your end.

    Happy writing.

    If at all you want to be furnished with more information on other topics then do visit the sites given here on your right hand. Check the two sites under the head "

    Check this!".



    Saturday, April 4, 2009

    Are you a Shopaholic?

    Do you often wonder who would be a typical Shopaholic? What is it that drives them? And why are they so stuck onto it? Well, for few of us the bug would be within us as well!

    You Know You're a Shopaholic When You or lets put it midly shall we we say others.....
    • See shopping as a hobby, activity, and sport.
    • Spend every last penny in your coin purse, go over your overdraft and max out all your credit cards. Well almost do.
    • Buy something just for the free gift.
    • Make up excuses so you feel less guilty buying your 8th pair of blue jeans.
    • Do not feel satisfied unless you're carrying 2 bags in each hand.
    • Have items in your closet that you dont remember purchasing and have been out of date for quite a while.
    • Secretly like and can't avoid perfumes.
    The uses of being a Shopaholic!
    • You have something to do for hours during the purchasing time – you can look around past time and no compulsion / obligation to buy – most of the time
    • You have something to tell the next day!
    • You have grabbed the right offer and discount at the right time
    • Stress buster
    Well there is use to most of the evil

    Happy shopping!

    Friday, April 3, 2009

    Email and Mobile - what blasts better?

    The recent understanding goes that email blasts are obsolete - when you compare this with mobile SMS.

    Naturally mobile is more on the move. It goes wherever one takes it. BUT how much can you feed into the mobile? How much colourful can you make it? How much easy on the eye can you really bring it?

    And then does email really work inspite of it rating above than mobile on certain parameters.

    The truth is that the possibilities of what mobile can offer are only growing, and rapidly. The channel offers direct marketing at its best: reach to a mass or targeted audience virtually anywhere, a remarkably high "open-rate," and the ability to drive specific, instant action. It is unfiltered. It is intimate. It is relevant. And it is quite understandable why marketers who so often turn to email are uncomfortable. Instead of shunning it and living in denial, a better approach is to add mobile as a weapon to your consumer interaction arsenal, and make both avenues collectively stronger.

    Mobile and email: Complementary, not competitive.
    Mobile offers what marketers have long wanted: direct access to the consumer any time. It acts a strong ally to the email channel, which will continue to be a primary digital communication mechanism, with a richer interaction. Combining the two paths can give a brand a cohesive strategy that naturally deepens awareness, drives stronger engagement, and in the process, delivers increased value to the consumer.

    What say?

    Friday, March 27, 2009

    Lead generation is actually “bad lead elimination.”

    Almost every lead generation program operates under the assumption “the more leads, the better.” Hey, want a lot of leads? Buy a booth at a trade show and run a raffle for a new iPhone. You’ll have business cards coming out your ears. But your cost of sales will go through the roof because the sales reps will be chasing geese. Effective lead generation only results in as many leads as the sales team can close, and only leads that are likely to close.

    What is Freelance?

    A freelancer, freelance worker, or freelance is a self-employed person who pursues a profession without a long-term commitment to any particular employer. The term "freelance" was first coined by Sir Walter Scott (1771–1832) in his well-known historical romance Ivanhoe to describe a "medieval mercenary warrior" (or "free-lance"). The phrase later transitioned to a figurative noun around the 1860s and was then officially recognized as a verb in 1903 by various authorities in etymology such as the Oxford English Dictionary. Only in modern times has the term morphed from a noun (a freelance) into an adjective (a freelance journalist), various verb forms (a journalist who freelances) and an adverb (she worked freelance), and then from the verb into the derived, now commonly-used, noun form "freelancer".

    You Too Can Tweet

    Define Your Goals.
    A marketing campaign's just alchemy until you know what your objectives are. Once you know what you hope to achieve on Twitter, you can better assess how to represent yourself, who to "follow," and what kind of content you want to share with the vast community of tweeters.

    Target the Right People. Apart from its obvious SEO benefits, your Twitter stream's only as valuable as who's reading it. Run keyword searches on search.twitter.com for topics relevant to your brand or industry, then add influencers, evangelists, haters and interesting people that may not have heard of you to your cadre. Acknowledge them from time to time, and be sincere; they'll dig that.

    Supplement blog posts by tweeting your topic du jour and promoting it with a tinyURL. Twitter marketing tool HootSuite also has a URL shorting feature that enables you to frame the page with a subtle ad.

    The Po!nt: To tweet well is easier than you think. Once you match your brand and your goals to a little technology, and start linking to your current Web content, it soon becomes second nature to join the daily Twitter conversation.

    Monday, March 23, 2009

    As a writer be aware of words

    1. Simplicity: use small words. The more simply an idea is presented, the easier it is to understand – and, therefore, the more credible it will be.

    2. Brevity: use short sentences. This is less about self-restraint than it is a matter of finding exactly the right piece of the language jigsaw puzzle to fit the precise space you’re trying to fill.

    3. Credibility is as important as philosophy. If your words lack sincerity, if they contradict accepted facts, circumstances or perceptions, they will lack impact. Tell people who you are or what you do. Then be that person, and do what you have said you would do.

    4. Consistency matters. Repetition. Repetition. Repetition. Remember, you may be making yourself sick by saying the same exact thing for the umpteenth time, but many in your audience will be hearing it for the first time.
    5But offer something new. If something doesn’t shock us or bores us, we move on to something else. If what you say generates an ‘I didn’t know that’ response, you have succeeded.

    6. Sound and texture matter. The sounds and textures of words should be just as memorable as the words themselves. The rhythm of language is in itself musical.

    7. Speak aspirationally. Messages need to say what people want to hear, to touch people at the most fundamental, primal level, by speaking to their deepest hopes, fears and dreams. The best speeches make idealists of us all.

    8. Visualise. Paint a vivid picture. Take M&M’s: ‘Melts in your mouth, not in your hand’. The slogans we remember for a lifetime almost always have a strong visual component, something we can see and almost feel.

    9. Ask a question. A customer complaining to the shop manager that her meat has too much fat in it is less effective than if she asked: ‘Does this look lean to you?’. Similarly, asking ‘What would you do if you were in my shoes?’, puts direct pressure on the recipient of your complaint to see things your way. Making a statement in the form of a rhetorical question makes the reaction personal.

    10. Provide context. You have to give people the ‘why’ of a message before you tell them the ‘therefore’ and the ‘so that’.

    Your words make the difference

    1. Simplicity: use small words. The more simply an idea is presented, the easier it is to understand – and, therefore, the more credible it will be.

    2. Brevity: use short sentences. This is less about self-restraint than it is a matter of finding exactly the right piece of the language jigsaw puzzle to fit the precise space you’re trying to fill.

    3. Credibility is as important as philosophy. If your words lack sincerity, if they contradict accepted facts, circumstances or perceptions, they will lack impact. Tell people who you are or what you do. Then be that person, and do what you have said you would do.

    4. Consistency matters. Repetition. Repetition. Repetition. Remember, you may be making yourself sick by saying the same exact thing for the umpteenth time, but many in your audience will be hearing it for the first time.
    5But offer something new. If something doesn’t shock us or bores us, we move on to something else. If what you say generates an ‘I didn’t know that’ response, you have succeeded.

    6. Sound and texture matter. The sounds and textures of words should be just as memorable as the words themselves. The rhythm of language is in itself musical.

    7. Speak aspirationally. Messages need to say what people want to hear, to touch people at the most fundamental, primal level, by speaking to their deepest hopes, fears and dreams. The best speeches make idealists of us all.

    8. Visualise. Paint a vivid picture. Take M&M’s: ‘Melts in your mouth, not in your hand’. The slogans we remember for a lifetime almost always have a strong visual component, something we can see and almost feel.

    9. Ask a question. A customer complaining to the shop manager that her meat has too much fat in it is less effective than if she asked: ‘Does this look lean to you?’. Similarly, asking ‘What would you do if you were in my shoes?’, puts direct pressure on the recipient of your complaint to see things your way. Making a statement in the form of a rhetorical question makes the reaction personal.

    10. Provide context. You have to give people the ‘why’ of a message before you tell them the ‘therefore’ and the ‘so that’.

    Wednesday, March 11, 2009

    Rejection - not a problem

    To be successful at sales, you need to be able to cope with rejection — an even to turn it into a goad that creates more success. Rejection is essentially a subjective experience. Once you understand this, rejection loses is power over you, and your ability to sell.

    According to masters, your experience of rejection depends entirely upon three qualitative, subjective measurements:

    1. Frequency. Everyone can deal with some rejection, but how much rejection can you experience before you start taking the negative feedback to heart? How many times can you contact a qualified prospect and get a negative response before you begin to take it personally? Increase your tolerance, and rejection loses its hold over your future performance.

    2. Emotional Involvement. How emotionally involved can you become with somebody before you feel that the other person might know you so well that criticism hurts? For example, you might be reluctant to close because you’re afraid that your customer might feel “buyer’s remorse” and stop liking you — a form of rejection.

    3. Perceived Importance. As a sales rep, you’re likely to feel most comfortable contacting people who are of a similar (or lower) social class or educational background. However, you might find yourself avoiding people whom you feel are more important than yourself, because their rejection of you might seem to carry more weight or authority.

    Each elements is easily changed, fortunately. Here’s how:

    1. Frequency. To make yourself less vulnerable in this area, you must differentiate between valid and invalid rejection. If the rejection is based upon something valid (like your basic approach), then you blame your approach and then change it. If the rejection is invalid — as when a prospect “dumps” frustration — it has nothing to do with you, so you can easily ignore it.

    2. Emotional involvement. The cure for this subjective ailment is to believe in yourself and in your product. If you truly believe in both, then there is absolutely NO reason why you shouldn’t want your true friends to be your customers. If it turns out that your friend doesn’t want or need your offering, it’s not a rejection of you, but of the product and firm. So it should have no power over you.

    3. Perceived importance. Look: most bigwigs are exceedingly average people who’ve stumbled into their success. Their opinion means nothing in the long run, so don’t let it have any power over you.

    Saturday, March 7, 2009

    What is Skype

    Skype is a little piece of software that lets you make free calls to anyone else on Skype, anywhere in the world. And even though the calls are free, they are really excellent quality. If you and your friends, family or business contacts are using webcams, you can also make free video calls. You can even call landlines and mobile phones at really cheap per minute rates.

    Happy chatting!

    Friday, March 6, 2009

    Consumer complaint book

    I have found this amazing website that actually helps consumers. It is called complaintbook.com.

    If you have a complaint against an individual, an organization or a government, then this is where you should register it.

    So go on and set you voice online

    Status of complaints as of today.
    Resolved 9%
    No action required 1%
    Forwarded 21%
    Details requested 5%
    Pending action 64%


    What are people Complaining against?
    An Individual 7%
    A Community 2%
    A Government 5%
    A Service 68%
    A Product 17%
    Nobody in particular 1%

    Elance.com or any other freelance site

    To have an idea on how Elance works and what kind of projects people are posting. Visit this link:

    Elance.com

    There are plenty of great resources to hire a freelancer. These are:

    • http://www.rentacoder.com/
    • http://www.guru.com/
    • http://www.ebookhelper.com/GhostWriting.html/
    • http://thewritetouch.no-frills.net/
    • http://www.theghostwriter.net/

    To post your project on Elance.com or any other freelance site you should first open a free account with them, and then open a bid request. Your bid request should include:

    • A clear description of your project without giving a lot of details.
    • Maximum Bid. This is the highest bid offer you will accept. Freelancer can bid lower to gain your business, but not higher.
    • Bidding Close Date. This is the date (in U.S format--mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm:ss) you want to close bidding and not accept any more bids.
    • The number of days the freelancer have to work on the project and deliver the final work. If you omit a deadline, then the he is under no time obligation to deliver!

    Before accepting any bid you should verify that the person you are selecting is apt to handle the project effectively. You can do this by:

    • Asking the ghostwriter for his references.
    • Asking for a sample of his work.
    • Visiting his profile page, where you can find more information about him and also what people who worked with him have to say about his work.

    Elance.com or any other freelance site

    To have an idea on how Elance works and what kind of projects people are posting. Visit this link:

    Elance.com

    There are plenty of great resources to hire a freelancer. These are:

    • http://www.rentacoder.com/
    • http://www.guru.com/
    • http://www.ebookhelper.com/GhostWriting.html/
    • http://thewritetouch.no-frills.net/
    • http://www.theghostwriter.net/

    To post your project on Elance.com or any other freelance site you should first open a free account with them, and then open a bid request. Your bid request should include:

    • A clear description of your project without giving a lot of details.
    • Maximum Bid. This is the highest bid offer you will accept. Freelancer can bid lower to gain your business, but not higher.
    • Bidding Close Date. This is the date (in U.S format--mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm:ss) you want to close bidding and not accept any more bids.
    • The number of days the freelancer have to work on the project and deliver the final work. If you omit a deadline, then the he is under no time obligation to deliver!

    Before accepting any bid you should verify that the person you are selecting is apt to handle the project effectively. You can do this by:

    • Asking the ghostwriter for his references.
    • Asking for a sample of his work.
    • Visiting his profile page, where you can find more information about him and also what people who worked with him have to say about his work.