tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58889927646626469322024-02-20T20:43:17.734-08:00Virtually YourzThe marketing and PR solution for small businessDana Neuts, Virtually Yourzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05969656754737005581noreply@blogger.comBlogger118125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888992764662646932.post-44485151834027319722010-05-03T18:14:00.000-07:002010-05-03T18:19:35.705-07:00Step away from the computer: how to react to scathing emailsToday I saw this article on Twitter and had to pass it along. In this article titled <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/worklife/05/03/cb.got.email.rage/index.html?eref=rss_tech&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_tech+%28RSS%3A+Technology%29">"Do you get email rage?,"</a> Nance Guilmartin writes about that feeling we all get...the urge to immediately reply to an email we deem unfair, cruel or downright wrong. Guilmartin tells us how to avoid snapping back a snippy reply and, in so doing, saving our jobs, relationships or reputations.<br /><br />Some of her tips include:<br /><ul><li>Step away from the computer</li><li>Type your reply but don't send it. Save it as a draft or print it and tear it up instead.</li><li>Give the sender the benefit of the doubt.<br /></li></ul>Anyway, great advice. I only wish I'd thought to send it first!Dana Neuts, Virtually Yourzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05969656754737005581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888992764662646932.post-9479302655435954422010-02-11T12:13:00.000-08:002010-02-11T12:19:36.199-08:00Manage Social Media with One ToolSocial media is one of the best new ways to deliver your marketing message - and to show your business personality - to your target market. With so many tools like <a href="http://facebook.com"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Facebook</span></a> and <a href="http://twitter.com">Twitter</a> to use though, how do you manage them all? How do you make time to do it all?<br /><br />I use <a href="http://hootsuite.com"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">HootSuite</span></a>, a free Twitter-related application that allows me to set up my various accounts and to write, manage and measure my marketing messages with one tool. It currently works hand-in-hand with Twitter, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Facebook</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Facebook</span> pages, <a href="http://linkedin.com"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">LinkedIn</span></a>, <a href="http://ping.fm/">Ping.<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">fm</span></a> and <a href="http://wordpress.com">Word Press</a>. You can even schedule messages to go out automatically - so you don't skip a beat when you're out of the office!<br /><br />And what's even better, this tool is FREE! I love it - check it out and watch how easily you can transform your social media marketing plan into a manageable, measurable task.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://virtuallyyourz.com">Virtually <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Yourz</span></a>,<br />Dana <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Neuts</span><br /><br />Follow me on Twitter: <a href="http://twitter.com/virtuallyyourz"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">VirtuallyYourz</span></a><br />Find me on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Facebook</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Biznik</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">LinkedIn</span>Dana Neuts, Virtually Yourzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05969656754737005581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888992764662646932.post-29338828193808375592010-01-12T09:41:00.000-08:002010-01-12T09:57:05.544-08:00Some of my favorite free Twitter toolsWith so many social media tools out there, it is hard to know which tools are worth using and which aren't. Here are three of my favorite Twitter tools, and all are FREE. They are applications created by nonTwitter entities, but they work hand-in-hand with Twitter. I have found them to be easy to use and big time-savers.<br /><br />1) <a href="http://socialoomph.com">Social Oomph</a>: If you have more than one Twitter account, this tool is a great one to use for managing all of those accounts. You can auto-follow, auto-unfollow, send a DM to all followers, screen followers (accept, ignore, spam or block) and more. I have 10+ accounts so this is a real time-saver to be able to ignore all of my Twitter emails (I auto-filter them into a special Twitter folder in my inbox) and then view all new followers 3 days a week (M, W, F). If I skip a few days, Social Oomph automatically accepts all followers after 72 hours so no one gets ignored. The tool I use is free, but there are upgrades for a fee.<br /><br />2) <a href="http://hootsuite.com">Hoot Suite</a>: Colleague Kirk Davis (GRCC's Small Business Assistance Center) told me about this gem. Again, I can manage multiple social media accounts in one place. It manages a variety of social media - including Facebook - but I primarily use it for Twitter. Here I can manage my tweets, scheduling them in advance. I choose the account, type my tweet, "shrink" my URL if needed, and choose the date and time to go out. I can even get an email confirmation that the tweet was sent. Want to delegate this task? You can add users to your account, so others can manage your Twitter accounts for you. The tools I use on Hoot Suite are free.<br /><br />3) <a href="http://twellow.com">Twellow</a>: There are dozens if not hundreds of Twitter search tools out there. I use different ones for different reasons. One of my newest (and, of course, free) favorites is Twellow. You can search for keywords under a variety of pre-selected categories. For example, for my iLoveKent.net site, I want to focus on Twitter users who are in the Puget Sound area. I click on a specific area of interest like real estate, dining or shopping, and then type in "Seattle" in the keyword area or I can select "Kent, Washington" in the keyword box and choose all categories. Twellow returns a list of Twitter followers that match those criteria. If I'm logged into my free Twellow account, I can follow them right there on the spot! This is a great - FREE - way to narrow your followers' list to those who are most likely to fit into your target market.<br /><br />Have a favorite Twitter tool? Post your comments here. I'd love to hear your suggestions! In particular, I'd be interested to hear how Twitter users screen and purge their followers' lists.<br /><br /><a href="http://virtuallyyourz.com">Virtually Yourz</a>,<br />Dana Neuts<br /><br />Follow me on Twitter: <a href="http://twitter.com/virtuallyyourz.com"> VirtuallyYourz</a><br />Find me on Facebook, Biznik and LinkedInDana Neuts, Virtually Yourzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05969656754737005581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888992764662646932.post-62351560941114197872010-01-04T19:47:00.000-08:002010-01-04T19:55:33.801-08:00Why a press release?People often ask me why press releases are important. The primary goal is to attract media attention and to stay top-of-mind with potential customers. The second goal is to drive traffic to your site so web visitors can learn more about you.<br /><br />Any time I do a press release, I use both channels for announcing my client's product launch, fundraising campaign, event, business anniversary or other noteworthy news. First, I create a media list specific to my client, the industry and the market. Second, I distribute the press release to both free and paid online press release distribution sites. There are dozens, if not hundreds, to choose from so I try them out to see who gives me the most for the least. Some charge a fee, others do not, and results - specifically SEO - will vary depending on the service. Here are a few I like:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.prweb.com">PRWeb.com</a> (paid service)<br /><a href="http://www.prlog.org">PRLog.org</a> (free)<br /><a href="http://www.free-press-release.com">Free-Press-Release.com</a> (free and premium)<br /><a href="http://www.i-newswire.com">i-Newswire.com</a> (free and premium)<br /><a href="http://www.1888pressrelease.com/">1888PressRelease.com</a> (free and premium)<br /><br />To determine which services you like best, take a current press release and submit it to each of the services. After 2 or 3 days, do a Google search on the client name or news item to see where it ranks in the search engines. If you've done a good job, you should see your press release listed on page 1 of Google's results.<br /><br />Questions? Comments? <a href="mailto:dana@virtuallyyourz.com">Email me</a> or post something here.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.virtuallyyourz.com">Virtually Yourz</a>,<br />Dana Neuts<br /><br />Follow me on Twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/virtuallyyourz.com">VirtuallyYourz</a><br />Find me on Facebook, Biznik and LinkedInDana Neuts, Virtually Yourzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05969656754737005581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888992764662646932.post-16170279164249243982009-11-20T18:43:00.000-08:002009-11-20T18:54:06.231-08:00Use Google Alerts to See Your Impact on the WebBy now, most of us have "googled" our names to see what shows up in the mighty search engine about us. But do you use <a href="http://www.google.com/alerts">Google Alerts </a>the same way? If not, you should check it out. Go to Google Alerts, type in your search criteria (I suggest putting your search terms in quotation marks; e.g., "Dana Neuts" or "Virtually Yourz"), what alerts you wish to receive (news, blogs, web, video, groups or comprehensive), how often you want to receive them, and where you want those alerts emailed.<br /><br />I set at least one alert per client to come to me on a weekly basis. That way I can monitor how successful my marketing efforts are as well as what others are saying about my clients online. It is easy to set up, easy to monitor and FREE. You've gotta love FREE. When I get the alerts, if there is anything noteworthy, I forward it to my client so they can benefit from that knowledge as well. Check it out: <a href="http://www.google.com/alerts">Google Alerts</a>.<br /><br /><br />Virtually Yourz,<br />Dana Neuts<br /><br />Follow me on Twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/virtuallyyourz">VirtuallyYourz</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/ilovekentwa">iLoveKentWA</a><br />Find me on Facebook, Biznik and LinkedInDana Neuts, Virtually Yourzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05969656754737005581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888992764662646932.post-89326621357195568422009-10-28T05:28:00.000-07:002009-10-28T05:43:13.808-07:00#1 Copywriting Rule - Don't Steal ContentWithin the last month, I have witnessed at least a dozen cases of blatant theft of copyrighted material. In most cases, they were articles taken off websites and reused elsewhere under different authors' names. In another case, an agency took the copy I wrote for a client on one website to use it for someone else's website. In the latter case, I can't claim copyright infringement because I did the writing as "work for hire," but my client can take action against the offending party.<br /><br />Don't get me wrong - I think the sharing of ideas is a wonderful way to learn from others, but stealing their work is not acceptable any any circumstances, particularly when passing off the work as your own. Instead, take the time to provide original material. Here are some ways to do that:<br /><br />1. Research your topic of interest online or at your local library.<br />2. Interview experts.<br />3. Consult books and periodicals that address your subject of interest.<br />4. Subscribe to relevant trade magazines.<br />5. Do field research. For example, if you are writing about a new fitness program, try it out.<br /><br />The bottom line - don't steal content. You might not get caught today or even tomorrow, but you will get caught. The Internet provides tools for writers and other content providers to discover whether or not their content is being used on unauthorized sites or by unauthorized parties. The penalties can be steep...including the loss of your reputation. Make it original, make it yours. Your readers will appreciate it.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.virtuallyyourz.com">Virtually Yourz</a>,<br />Dana Neuts<br /><br />Follow me on Twitter: VirtuallyYourz or ILoveKentWA<br />Find me on Facebook, Biznik and LinkedInDana Neuts, Virtually Yourzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05969656754737005581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888992764662646932.post-16394981806541355452009-09-15T19:06:00.000-07:002009-09-15T19:11:01.459-07:00Virtually Yourz blog on hiatusDue to other client and volunteer commitments, I am putting this blog on hiatus. If you find that you really miss it or have topics you'd like me to cover, please post a comment on this blog.<br /><br />If demand is high, I'll return to the blog. In the meantime, you can find me on<a href="http://www.ilovekent.net"> iLoveKent.net</a>, <a href="http://blogs.spjnetwork.org/region10/">SPJ's Region 10 blog</a>, and <a href="http://blogs.spjnetwork.org/freelance/">SPJ's Freelance Blog</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.virtuallyyourz.com">Virtually Yourz</a>,<br />Dana Neuts<br /><br />Follow me on Twitter: VirtuallyYourz, iLoveKentWA, SPJWash<br />Find me on Facebook, Biznik and LinkedInDana Neuts, Virtually Yourzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05969656754737005581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888992764662646932.post-4930946016284713302009-09-06T15:36:00.000-07:002009-09-06T15:38:05.036-07:00Kent Writer Elected to the National Board of the Society of Professional JournalistsFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Kent, Washington, September 6, 2009</span> – Last week freelance writer Dana Neuts of Kent was elected to the national board of the Society of Professional Journalists during its annual conference. Serving a two-year term, Neuts was named to the position of regional director for Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. She will serve SPJ chapters and members in those states as well as act as their representative on the national SPJ board. She has also been asked to serve on the national freelance committee.<br /><br />Previously, Neuts served as the president of the Western Washington Pro Chapter of SPJ, which was named Large Chapter of the Year for the third time at last week’s conference. In addition, the chapter received Circle of Excellence awards for its work in diversity and campus relations. Hilary Reeves, managing editor for The Business Examiner in Tacoma, succeeds Neuts as chapter president.<br /><br />“Our industry is changing rapidly with new business models and communication tools emerging daily,” Neuts said. “At the same time, journalists are concerned about the future of our industry and our continued ability to serve as a valuable ‘check and balance’ for democracy. I look forward to contributing what I can to those challenges while also renewing the public’s trust in quality journalism and its role in open government.”<br /><br />Dana Neuts is a freelance journalist based in Kent, Washington. Her work has appeared in publications including Seattle Business, the Business Report, Kent magazine, Renton magazine, The Seattle Times, South Sound magazine, Seattle Metropolitan and more. She is also the owner of Virtually Yourz, a writing, editing and marketing firm that serves small businesses and nonprofits, and the owner and publisher of iLoveKent.net, a community-based news and events website. She is a member of the Kent Downtown Partnership, serves on the board of the Halo Network Foundation, and recently founded Kent Connects, a local “no rules” networking group.<br /><br /><br />For more information, please contact:<br /><br />Dana Neuts<br />Virtually Yourz<br />360-920-1737<br />dana@virtuallyyourz.com<br /><a href="http://www.VirtuallyYourz.com">www.VirtuallyYourz.com</a><br /><a href="http://www.iLoveKent.net">www.iLoveKent.net </a><br /><br />###Dana Neuts, Virtually Yourzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05969656754737005581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888992764662646932.post-11921672516235381752009-08-27T10:32:00.000-07:002009-08-27T10:32:00.334-07:00Twits, Tweeps and Tweetups - Virtually Confused?If you're like me and having a hard time with all of the new language inspired by social media - particularly Twitter - than you'll love this <a href="http://twitter.pbworks.com/">Twitter Fan wiki site</a>. Filled with information, you can not only learn the lingo but what to do with it. Like this post? Retweet please, my tweeps!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.virtuallyyourz.com">Virtually Yourz</a>,<br />Dana Neuts<br /><br /><a href="http://www.twitter.com/VirtuallyYourz">Follow me on Twitter: VirtuallyYourz</a><br />Find me on Facebook, Biznik and LinkedInDana Neuts, Virtually Yourzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05969656754737005581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888992764662646932.post-5022556238177204872009-08-23T11:57:00.000-07:002009-08-23T12:01:17.812-07:00Tweet Later - a great productivity toolIf you manage more than one <a href="http://www.twitter.com">Twitter</a> account like I do, you know how time consuming it can be to follow your followers, reply with a Direct Message, etc. To help me manage multiple accounts, I use <a href="http://www.tweetlater.com">Tweet Later</a>. This productivity tool is free and it allows me to manage all of my Twitter accounts from one place. I can even "vet" my followers. In other words, I can auto-follow or I can review each follower to see if I want to follow back. I can even mark those I don't want to follow - such as the numerous porn sites - as spam. It's a useful tool. Check it out.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.virtuallyyourz.com">Virtually Yourz</a>,<br />Dana Neuts<br /><br />Follow me on Twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/virtuallyyourz">VirtuallyYourz</a><br />Follow me on Twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/ilovekentwa"> iLoveKent</a>Dana Neuts, Virtually Yourzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05969656754737005581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888992764662646932.post-33482227512774241382009-08-13T04:38:00.000-07:002009-08-13T04:38:02.008-07:00Ten ways to market in a recessionLate last year I reconnected with an old business contact of mine, a financial planner. This man has been in business for 20+ years and has always been successful because he is a stand-up guy with a unique niche in his business. He is the financial adviser who takes the time to get to know his clients and to really learn what makes them tick before helping them design a financial plan. He is happier if he has helped a businessman or a family get closer to their long-term goals than if he gets a big fat commission check.<br /><br />Unfortunately, the economy has hit his business hard, and he isn't seeing many of those checks. People are either afraid to invest or don't have the assets left to do so, so his business has dropped significantly. He came to me to help ramp up his marketing efforts, something he's been able to avoid doing for a long time.<br /><br />I thought I'd pass along some of my suggestions to those of you who might find some of yourselves in a similar position:<br /><br />1) It is tempting to cut marketing expenses in a recession, but according to an SBA expert in Seattle, marketing is the last expense you should cut when the economy is down. In fact, if your year-round marketing efforts are consistent, you may only have to increase things a little bit (greater advertising frequency, for example) or maintain the<span style="font-style: italic;"> status </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">quo</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>until the economy evens out. Bottom line: <span style="font-weight: bold;">do not cut your marketing now.</span><br /><br />2) <span style="font-weight: bold;">Take advantage of the social media surge</span>. Leverage sites like <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Stumple</span> Upon, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Digg</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Facebook</span>, Twitter and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Squidoo</span> to get your message out there. There is no "hard cost" to using these sites, but be cognizant of how much time you spend on them and be sure your message is consistent across the board.<br /><br />3) Remember that the "hard sell" turns off many of today's consumers. Instead, take your time by <span style="font-weight: bold;">offering them tidbits for free</span> with a blog or posting tips on Twitter.<br /><br />4) <span style="font-weight: bold;">Position yourself as an expert</span> in your field through <a href="http://www.submityourarticle.com/affiliates/idevaffiliate.php?id=341_5_1_4">article marketing</a>, blogging, tweeting or commenting on others' blogs.<br /><br />5) Interact with others online and through face-to-face networking <span style="font-weight: bold;">without the expectation of a sale</span> and, while doing so, remember to be yourself. If they need you down the line, they'll remember you or perhaps refer you to someone who might.<br /><br />6) <span style="font-weight: bold;">Keep your marketing efforts consistent</span>. We all know that it takes 7+ times for a prospect to see our name, brand, product or service before it sticks or becomes top-of-mind. So make sure you get in front of your target audience on a regular basis (e.g., advertising 1x/week in local paper, 4 radio spots/day during rush hour, weekly blog posts, daily Twitter & <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Facebook</span> updates, etc.)<br /><br />7) <span style="font-weight: bold;">Try "new" marketing tools</span>. When finances are scarce, people are afraid to spend money so "doing what you've always done" may no longer work. If that's the case, try new (or new-to-you marketing tools - advertise in a different publication, try a TV ad, join an online network, join your local Chamber or downtown organization, investigate <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">PPC</span> or CPA advertising, place an ad on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Facebook</span> - whatever will put you in front of prospective customers.<br /><br />8) <span style="font-weight: bold;"> Keep the customers you have. </span>It costs less to keep a customer than it does to acquire a new one, so make sure your existing customers continue to have the great selection and service they are used to. Continue to woo them with special offers, free newsletters, thank you events, etc. to make sure they feel appreciated.<br /><br />9) <span style="font-weight: bold;">Be flexible</span>. I know it is hard to be open-minded when business is slow, but you have to be flexible in order to adjust your marketing mix to what will work for you during a recession.<br /><br />10) Perhaps most importantly, make sure you can <span style="font-weight: bold;">measure whatever marketing tools you are using</span>. That's the only way to see if what you are doing is working. If you are using online marketing tools, make sure you check your website or blog stats frequently to see what keywords, referral sources, days, times, etc. are bringing you traffic. For advertising, be sure to include a specific Coupon or Offer code so you can track the origin of the promotion and, if all else fails, ask your new customers, "How did you hear about us?" or "Who can I thank for your business?" You'll need this information when determining the success of your efforts.<br /><br />Still not sure where to begin? Contact me to discuss your situation. My initial phone consultation is complimentary.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.virtuallyyourz.com/">Virtually <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Yourz</span></a>,<br />Dana <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Neuts</span><br /><br />Follow me on Twitter: <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">VirtuallyYourz</span><br />Find me on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Facebook</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Biznik</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">LinkedIn</span>Dana Neuts, Virtually Yourzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05969656754737005581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888992764662646932.post-51982845596944576692009-08-09T06:00:00.000-07:002009-08-09T06:00:02.165-07:00Face to Face Connections Remain Essential in Social Media WorldToday I read a great article, the Meltdown Survival Handbook, in the August 2009 issue of <span style="font-style: italic;">Seattle Metropolitan</span> (<a href="http://www.twitter.com/seattlemet">@SeattleMet</a> for Twitter fans). This witty, refreshing article contained 20 ways to survive the recession while having a little fun. Tip #10 - <span style="font-weight: bold;">Network the Smart Way</span> - reminds us that social media networks like <a href="http://www.biznik.com">Biznik</a>, <a href="http://www.linkedin.com">LinkedIn</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com">Twitter</a> are wonderful ways to meet and connect with people, but old fashioned face-to-face connecting is still an essential tool to succeeding in the real world both, personally and professionally.<br /><br />By connecting face-to-face, we are solidifying online connections, diversifying our contact base and having fun getting out of the house and away from the computer. Thanks to Dan McComb, co-founder of Biznik, for the much-needed reminder!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.virtuallyyourz.com">Virtually Yourz</a>,<br />Dana Neuts<br /><br /><a href="http://www.twitter.com/virtuallyyourz">Follow me on Twitter</a><br />Find me on Facebook, Biznik and LinkedInDana Neuts, Virtually Yourzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05969656754737005581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888992764662646932.post-73986447467531626392009-08-05T20:42:00.000-07:002009-08-05T20:45:41.788-07:00Four Differences Between Websites & BlogsSome clients have asked me why they need a website AND a blog. There are a lot of good reasons to have both, but here is a quick rundown from my perspective:<br /><br />1) A website is a great place for an online store. A blog is a better place to promote individual products.<br /><br />2) A website is useful for containing information that doesn't change often (products, services, contact info., About Us, etc.). A blog is an ideal place for information that changes frequently.<br /><br />3) A website is ideal for presenting a "brand" to prospective clients. A blog is better for creating and solidifying connections with prospective clients.<br /><br />4) Websites are formal and professional. Blogs are casual and interactive.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.virtuallyyourz.com">Virtually Yourz</a>,<br />Dana Neuts<br /><br /><a href="http://www.twitter.com/virtuallyyourz">Follow me on Twitter</a><br />Find me on Facebook, Biznik and LinkedInDana Neuts, Virtually Yourzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05969656754737005581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888992764662646932.post-12894492362426355912009-07-27T19:57:00.001-07:002009-07-27T20:06:40.401-07:00Three Ways to Get More Twitter FollowersSo you've jumped on the Twitter bandwagon and you know the difference between a Tweet and a #<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">hashtag</span>. Now you just need followers. Here are three ways to ensure that you get faithful followers who are interested in what you have to say:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1) Post regular updates to Twitter, but not too many.</span> Some suggest that two to four updates per day is sufficient. To me, it depends on your purpose for tweeting. If you are a news organization, for example, regular updates are expected. If you are updating your status while on vacation, one or two a day should do it.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2) Interact with other Twitter users. </span>Twitter is popular because it connects people to each other. It isn't just about what we as individuals have to say; it is also about contributing to other conversations and replying to popular threads or trending topics. It also means participating in Follow Friday (#FF) and Music Monday (#<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">musicmonday</span>).<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3) Offer useful content. </span>If you are constantly selling your products or services via Twitter, people will get tired of your updates unless you offer something else useful...like advice, links to interesting articles., etc. Post links to helpful articles, breaking news and pithy quotes in addition to your own updates.<br /><br />By using these three techniques, your number of Twitter followers will grow and you'll not only receive interesting updates from interested followers but you'll grow your own online community. Happy Tweeting!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.virtuallyyourz.com">Virtually <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Yourz</span></a>,<br />Dana <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Neuts</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Follow me on Twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/virtuallyyourz"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">VirtuallyYourz</span><br /></a></div>Find me on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Facebook</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Biznik</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">LinkedIn</span>Dana Neuts, Virtually Yourzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05969656754737005581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888992764662646932.post-58594761183418150992009-07-21T06:43:00.000-07:002009-07-21T06:43:00.813-07:00Appreciate Your CustomersEvery customer wants to be appreciated, so make sure you thank yours regularly. Thank them verbally each time they visit your store, whether or not they make a purchase, and <span style="font-weight: bold;">treat your frequent buyers with extra TLC</span>. Here are a few ideas to show your customers how much you appreciate their business:<br /><br />- Holiday or birthday cards<br />- A frequent buyer or customer appreciation program<br />- Monthly specials or coupons<br />- Special events like an anniversary or customer appreciation party<br />- A monthly email newsletter that gives them unique promotions, coupons, etc.<br />- Reward them for referring potential customers to you<br /><br />By embracing your customers, you will make them feel special and appreciated so they are more likely to shop with you again soon. Good luck!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.virtuallyyourz.com">Virtually <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Yourz</span></a>,<br />Dana <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Neuts</span><br /><br />Follow me on Twitter: <a href="http://twitter.com/virtuallyyourz"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">VirtuallyYourz</span></a><br />Find me on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Facebook</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Biznik</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">LinkedIn</span>Dana Neuts, Virtually Yourzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05969656754737005581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888992764662646932.post-79355270771781674792009-07-18T21:38:00.000-07:002009-07-18T21:52:24.117-07:00Consistent Contact: The Beauty of Email MarketingTo grow your business, you need a steady flow of new clients and prospects. To achieve that you need to <span style="font-weight: bold;">get in front of potential customers an average of seven times</span> before you become "top of mind." This can be achieved through consistent contact...either through advertising, a website, blogging, press releases, or a combination of methods to reach out to potential customers.<br /><br />One of my favorites is <span style="font-weight: bold;">email marketing which is easy and affordable to do</span>. Start by creating an email list of potential customers by collecting names and addresses on your website or blog, setting an email sign-up sheet out on your store counter or collecting email addresses on drawing or sign-up slips. Next, choose an email service like YourMailingListProvider.com or ConstantContact.com, and set-up a regular email marketing campaign to reach out to prospects and existing customers.<br /><br />Not sure what to write about or how often? Review my blog for ideas or <a href="mailto:dana@virtuallyyourz.com">contact me</a> for a complimentary consultation. I'd be happy to help.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.virtuallyyourz.com">Virtually Yourz</a>,<br />Dana Neuts<br /><br />Follow me on Twitter: VirtuallyYourz<br />Find me on Facebook, Biznik and LinkedInDana Neuts, Virtually Yourzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05969656754737005581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888992764662646932.post-18437873491107435552009-07-10T08:36:00.000-07:002009-07-10T08:36:00.247-07:00Five Tips to Make the Most of Your Business Cards<span style="font-weight: bold;">Business cards are an affordable way to keep your business "top of mind" when meeting new people</span>. Here are some ways to make sure your business card stands out from the rest:<br /><br />1) Have it <span style="font-style: italic;">professionally designed</span>. An attractive, well-designed business card speaks volumes about you and your business. So does a cheaply-made online template version.<br /><br />2) Your card's look should be <span style="font-style: italic;">consistent with your other print materials</span>. As an extension of your brand, or your business's personality, your business card should include your logo, your colors and any other common elements that visually depict what your company is about.<br /><br />3) Spend the extra money to have <span style="font-style: italic;">a glossy coating</span> put on the card. Some companies offer this at no extra charge, but even if it costs you a few extra bucks, the smooth finish is worth it. It adds a professional touch you won't find on everyone's card.<br /><br />4) Use the <span style="font-style: italic;">back of the card</span>. When I redid my cards earlier this year, I added a list of my services to the back of the card. That way when I meet someone knew, he or she doesn't have to remember what I do. They can refer to the back of the card for some of my more popular services.<br /><br />5) <span style="font-style: italic;">Give everyone two copies</span> of your card, one to keep and one to share with a friend or colleague.<br /><br />Use these five tips when creating your next business card to ensure that your card is one that gets saved!<br /><br />Virtually Yourz,<br />Dana Neuts<br /><br />Follow me on Twitter: VirtuallyYourz<br />Find me on Facebook, Biznik and LinkedInDana Neuts, Virtually Yourzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05969656754737005581noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888992764662646932.post-1666134633729615362009-07-06T13:51:00.000-07:002009-07-06T13:51:00.996-07:00Albert Einstein on Imagination<div style="text-align: center;">“Imagination is more powerful than knowledge.”<br /><br />~ Albert Einstein<br /></div>Dana Neuts, Virtually Yourzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05969656754737005581noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888992764662646932.post-39582518625829381402009-07-01T08:04:00.000-07:002009-07-01T08:04:00.818-07:00Newsletter Basics: How to Create an Effective NewsletterSo you've finally decided to give email marketing a try, and you've chosen a service like Constant Contact or <a href="http://ymlp.com?a=SXX07U">Your Mailing List Provider </a>to send out mo nthly newsletters. Where will you begin? What will you write about? What elements should an effective newsletter have? Here are some ways to <span style="font-style: italic;">create an effective newsletter</span>.<br /><br />1. First, decide if you want to <span style="font-weight: bold;">send one topic or more each month</span>. It depends on your audience and how much time you want to devote to your newsletter each month. For a one-topic newsletter, I recommend talking about a particular product or service that you'd like to highlight. For example, you could announce a new product line that you are carrying, a new service that you're offering or an upcoming event you are participating in.<br /><br />For multiple topics, I have an ideas folder that I tuck notes into as they come to me. Maybe I've run across a great new website that I like or I have a snippet of info. or a cool quote I want to share. It goes into the folder which I review for ideas when I'm developing my next newsletter.<br /><br />2. The goal of each newsletter should be to<span style="font-weight: bold;"> increase your customers' awareness of your business</span>. Each time they hear or see your name, the more likely they are to remember your business the next time they need what you offer. To keep your name "top of mind," make sure you: a) Include your business name in the From: portion of the email; b) use a compelling headline to draw readers in (July 2009 Specials: 20% off any spa service this month only); and c) offer them something (a discount, a coupon, free information) so they agree it is worth their time to read each newsletter.<br /><br />3. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Write the newsletter in a conversational tone</span> so that it flows smoothly and it is easy to read. I like to open mine with a brief paragraph about something topical whether it is a note about the weather, the economy, or a news item that has affected us all. This helps my readers relate to me.<br /><br />4. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Include topics of interest to your readers</span>. The newsletter is for them, so include topics they care about. For example, if you own an accessories shop, you could include an item about how to choose the right purse for a casual outfit or 10 ways to tie a scarf. If you are financial planner, you might include a list of useful websites where they can track their investments or monitor retirement savings.<br /><br />5. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Make it as interactive as possible</span>. Engage your readers by asking them to submit topic ideas, Q&A items, a list of their favorite products and services, or testimonials. This lets your readers know what others are thinking and it helps to involve them in the process. The newsletter is not about you as much as it is about them, so create a forum for them to provide feedback.<br /><br />With these tips in mind, you can create an email newsletter that readers will look forward to seeing in their inbox each month. Give it a try - I think you'll pleased with the results!<br /><br />Virtually <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Yourz</span>,<br />Dana <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Neuts</span><br /><br />Follow me on Twitter: <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">VirtuallyYourz</span><br />Find me on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Facebook</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Biznik</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">LinkedIn</span>Dana Neuts, Virtually Yourzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05969656754737005581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888992764662646932.post-21136860958084515862009-06-25T18:25:00.000-07:002009-06-25T18:25:00.209-07:00Blogger vs. Word Press: Which is better?<span style="font-weight: bold;">Blogger</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">WordPress</span> are two of the most popular blogger programs. They are both free, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Here is a quick analysis to help you figure out which one to use:<br /><br />1. Blogger is EASY to set-up, learn and use. This is a great starter blog program for someone who isn't comfortable with technology or who is short on time and patience.<br /><br />2. Word Press is not as easy as blogger to set-up but it is fairly simple. It requires a little more time and effort to get going. For a truly robust site, you'll want to use the self-hosted version of Word Press, rather than the version hosted by WordPress.com.<br /><br />3. Blogger offers a handful of templates from which to choose and colors, fonts, etc. are fairly easy to edit. Graphics are also easy to upload.<br /><br />4. The WordPress.com version of Word Press has five pages of templates from which to choose. Most of these designs are simple and streamlined, but editing them and adding widgets to the blog takes a little more time.<br /><br />5. Blogger blogs often look like other Blogger blogs. You can customize them, of course, but they are still remarkably similar. Word Press, however, has more options, particularly if you move to the WordPress.org versions.<br /><br />My vote is for a Word Press blog. I like its versatility, the ability to have multiple pages (not just blog posts one page) and it seems more search engine-friendly. Whatever you choose, make sure it meets your needs and know that if you start with Blogger for its ease of use, you can import it into Word Press later. Good luck!<br /><br />Virtually Yourz,<br />Dana Neuts<br /><br />Follow me on Twitter: VirtuallyYourz<br />Find me on Facebook, Biznik and LinkedInDana Neuts, Virtually Yourzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05969656754737005581noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888992764662646932.post-23438987508118527412009-06-20T17:55:00.000-07:002009-06-21T13:15:20.738-07:00Five Low Cost Ways to Market Your Small BusinessAs the recession continues into the summer, businesses struggle to stay afloat, particularly newer, smaller businesses. It is times like these that the SBA advises business owners to maintain or step up their marketing...not to cut back. Here are some low cost ways for businesses to reach out to their customers without breaking the bank:<br /><br />1. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Issue a press releas</span>e. Have news about your business - maybe a business anniversary, a key hire, new product or service? If so, shout it out to relevant media as well as online. Even if your story doesn't get picked up, the online exposure will boost your search engine ranking.<br /><br />2. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Start a blog</span>. If you haven't jumped on the online bandwagon, you are behind schedule. It isn't too late to get started though. Create a free blog using Blogger or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">WordPress</span> to tell people about your business, offer advice, advertise product and service specials, etc.<br /><br />3. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Embrace social media</span>. If you are not already on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Facebook</span>, start a personal account and a business or organization page now. You can tie it directly to your blog, so when you post new info. to the blog, it automatically updates your <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Facebook</span> page. Are you tweeting? If not, you need to be. Twitter is growing faster than anyone predicted. Get a free account today, find followers, post tweets, etc.<br /><br />4. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Host an event</span>. If you have a brick-and-mortar location (retail store, office, etc.), get customers in the door with a special sale, promotion, anniversary, open house or fundraiser for a popular charity. Anything that brings people in the door is worth the effort, so make sure you publicize the event to current and potential customers to get the biggest bang for your marketing buck.<br /><br />5. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Email marketing</span>. This is one of the easiest, most affordable ways to stay in front of current customers. Starting with a contact list of your present customers, create an email database and start a regular email newsletter or promotional campaign using a service like Constant Contact or <a href="http://ymlp.com?a=SXX07U">Your Mailing List Provider</a> (my favorite). I recommend emails once a month to stay in touch with your customers without being intrusive.<br /><br />By adding one or more of these items to an existing marketing plan, small businesses can increase their marketing presence during these challenging economic times without a lot of cash. To your success!<br /><br />Virtually <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Yourz</span>,<br />Dana <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Neuts</span><br /><br />Follow me on Twitter: <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">VirtuallyYourz</span><br />Find me on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Facebook</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Biznik</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">LinkedIn</span>Dana Neuts, Virtually Yourzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05969656754737005581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888992764662646932.post-47046067616423904302009-06-01T06:00:00.000-07:002009-06-01T06:00:00.674-07:00Twitter Tools to Improve ProductivityNow that I have multiple accounts on Twitter (for different audiences), it has become difficult to maintain them. Here are some tools I discovered to make using Twitter a bit easier.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.tweetlater.com/">TweetLater</a>: Helps you manage your different Twitter accounts, including automatically following those who follow you - a big time saver<br /><br /><a href="http://www.wefollow.com/">WeFollow.com</a>: A searchable directory for top Twitter users by category<br /><br /><a href="http://www.tweetdeck.com/">TweetDeck</a>: A customizable dashboard/browser to maximize your Twitter experience<br /><br /><a href="http://www.orangatame.com/products/twitterberry/">Twitterberry</a>: A mobile application for using Twitter on your Blackberry<br /><br />[Note: I'm just scratching the surface here. If you've found a Twitter tool that you just love, post a comment. I'd love to hear about it!]<br /><br />Virtually Yourz,<br />Dana Neuts<br /><br />Follow me on Twitter: VirtuallyYourz, iloveKentWA, SPJWash<br />Find me on Facebook, Biznik and LinkedInDana Neuts, Virtually Yourzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05969656754737005581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888992764662646932.post-33623844736059726852009-05-26T06:00:00.000-07:002009-05-26T06:00:00.548-07:00How to Plan Your Next Event<span style="font-weight: bold;">Event planning isn't rocket science, but it can easily be overwhelming if you've never done it before or if you are in charge of a large event.</span> I've found that event planning can be easier to manage if you break it down into bite-size chunks. For example:<br /><br />- Clearly define the event<br /> - Where will the event be?<br /> - Who will attend the event and why?<br /> - What's the purpose of the event?<br /> - When will it be? How much time do you have to plan it?<br /><br />- Outline a budget and funding sources. Is it for-profit or not-for-profit? What is your break-even point?<br /><br />- Identify key functions - marketing, promotion, fundraising (if needed), planning, logistics, refreshments, volunteers, etc.<br /><br />- Calculate timing. Start with the event date and work backward to see when things need to be done. If you have an event six months away, what needs to be done the week before? the month before? three months before, etc.?<br /><br />- Create a committee or core group of volunteers to help iron out the details. Let each person take a role that suits their skills, talent and availability. Meet regularly but make each meeting productive with clearly defined goals.<br /><br />- After the event, host a fun "recap meeting" to get input from the parties involved. What worked well? What could be improved upon next time? Did you achieve your goals?<br /><br />Good luck - it isn't as hard as it seems when you break it down into manageable tasks.<br /><br />Virtually <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Yourz</span>,<br />Dana <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Neuts</span><br /><br />Follow me on Twitter: <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">VirtuallyYourz</span><br />Find me on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Facebook</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Biznik</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">LinkedIn</span>Dana Neuts, Virtually Yourzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05969656754737005581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888992764662646932.post-18718385348382220742009-05-20T08:00:00.000-07:002009-05-20T08:00:00.197-07:00Are you doing a quarterly marketing review?Are you monitoring your marketing efforts on a quarterly basis? If not, you should be, particularly in this economy. Why? You need to know what's working and what's not, so you can figure out what shifts need to be made.<br /><br />For example, <span style="font-style: italic;">where are your advertising dollars going</span>? Are you doing it regularly? If not, you may be wasting your money. If you are advertising consistently, are you choosing the best media (online, radio, TV, print, other) for your business?<br /><br />Also, consider your current and new customers. Are you getting the kinds of customers you want - your dream customer, for example? If not, what do you need to do differently? It could involve creating a new brand, adding new products or services, or simply advertising in places where you will get "face time" with your prospects.<br /><br />What tools are you using to market your products? Are you taking advantage of social media tools like blogging, Twitter, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Facebook</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">LinkedIn</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Biznik</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Plaxo</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Digg</span> and other sites? Could your business benefit from one or more of these tools?<br /><br />No matter what you're doing, you want to be sure to <span style="font-weight: bold;">review it quarterly</span> and to try to <span style="font-weight: bold;">measure it</span> if possible.<br /><br />If you aren't sure where to begin, talk to fellow business owners, ask a marketing consultant or discuss your options with your local small business development center, branch of SBA or SCORE. Marketing doesn't have to be expensive, time-consuming or overwhelming. It is a question of considering your options and what works for you and your customers. Then track it, evaluate it, and change it as needed.<br /><br />Virtually <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Yourz</span>,<br />Dana <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Neuts</span><br /><br />Follow me on Twitter: <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">VirtuallyYourz</span><br />Find me on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Facebook</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Biznik</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">LinkedIn</span>Dana Neuts, Virtually Yourzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05969656754737005581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888992764662646932.post-68669400954018024972009-05-15T16:08:00.000-07:002009-05-15T16:15:02.279-07:00Seven Free Ways to Promote Your BlogSo you've finally started that blog you've always wanted. You have the occasional reader, but not the type of traffic you'd hoped for. There's a quick fix for that - promote your blog. Here are seven free ways to do that with little or no cost to you except for, of course, your time.<br /><br />1. Twitter - Tweet your latest blog posting on Twitter.<br /><br />2. Facebook - Link to your latest blog posting on Facebook or, better yet, create a business page and automatically link it to Facebook so it updates whenever your blog does.<br /><br />3. Linked In - If you have a profile on Linked In, you can also have your profile automatically updated with your latest blog postings.<br /><br />4. Biznik.com - Add your blog address to your Biznik profile.<br /><br />5. E-mail signature - Add your blog address to your e-mail signature.<br /><br />6. Marketing materials - The next time you update your marketing materials (biz cards, letterhead, brochure, etc.), be sure to include your blog address.<br /><br />7. Encourage comments - On one of my blogs (http://www.ilovekent.net), I offer a monthly drawing for three $10 Kent Station gift cards for qualifying posts. Winners are chosen randomly from those who post each month.<br /><br /><br />Virtually Yourz,<br />Dana Neuts<br /><br />Follow me on Twitter: VirtuallyYourz<br />Find me on Facebook, Biznik and LinkedInDana Neuts, Virtually Yourzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05969656754737005581noreply@blogger.com0