This Digg post won't boost your business, but it may increase your productivity. Here are some great, free wallpapers to try for your HD monitor. There are some beautiful selections here. Just be sure to do a virus scan before you install them. I chose "Age is Beauty" and one of the crayon wallpapers (you're never too old to color!)
Virtually Yourz,
Dana Neuts
Follow me on Twitter: VirtuallyYourz
Find me on Facebook: Dana Neuts
Connect with me on LinkedIn and Biznik
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Learning Twitter & The Golden Rules
I find this blog posting this morning via Twitter. It shares with users the Golden Rules of Twitter. Here are a few quick tips. Please read the full article for a better explanation.
1) You must follow those who follow you.
2) Use hashtags (#hashtags) to make your subject matter easier to follow. For example, if I post something about marketing, I would include "#marketing" in my post so it is easier to find for those who search by topic.
3) Reply: a normal Tweet goes to all of your followers; Retweet (RT): goes to all of your followers but is easier for the intended recipient to find; Direct Mail (DM): private email and the author of the original blog post discourages DMs.
4) Whale: A whale is the Twitter nickname for someone with more than 10,000 followers.
Virtually Yourz,
Dana Neuts
Follow me on Twitter: VirtuallyYourz
1) You must follow those who follow you.
2) Use hashtags (#hashtags) to make your subject matter easier to follow. For example, if I post something about marketing, I would include "#marketing" in my post so it is easier to find for those who search by topic.
3) Reply: a normal Tweet goes to all of your followers; Retweet (RT): goes to all of your followers but is easier for the intended recipient to find; Direct Mail (DM): private email and the author of the original blog post discourages DMs.
4) Whale: A whale is the Twitter nickname for someone with more than 10,000 followers.
Virtually Yourz,
Dana Neuts
Follow me on Twitter: VirtuallyYourz
Friday, April 10, 2009
Avoid the Five Most Common Article Writing Mistakes
Nothing turns off readers more than typos, misspelled words and long sentences lacking punctuation. Here are some tips to help you avoid the five most common article writing mistakes.
1. Lack of content. The single biggest mistake you can make is to dilute content by drumming up keyword content. While keywords are important, they should be used sparingly and not at the expense of your content. Ensure that your subject material is well developed and organized efficiently.
2. Grammar and Spelling. Simple grammatical and spelling mistakes can make even the most knowledgeable author appear ignorant or uneducated. To convince the reader of your expertise, it is imperative that your article be articulate, authoritative and error-free. Take full advantage of your word processing Spell and Grammar Check utilities or have the article professionally proofread.
3. Punctuation. Improper use of punctuation (lack of punctuation, improper use of exclamation points, etc.) will detract from the overall quality of the article.
4. EXCESSIVE CAPITAL LETTERS. Using Caps Lock to emphasize a certain word may be appropriate, but overuse of capital letters tends to make the reader question the device: is this article a sales gimmick? Is the author an amateur?
5. Poor formatting. One-sentence paragraphs, run-on or nonsensical sentences, sentence fragments, and excessively long bulleted lists will all reflect negatively on the article’s quality. A properly formatted article will contain, at minimum, an introduction, followed by several paragraphs of 5-7 sentences, each separated by a blank line, with paragraph headings appropriately delineated from the text following, and ending with a conclusion paragraph.
Use of these tips in your article will further enhance your online image, cementing you in your client’s mind as the professional to whom they should entrust their business.
Virtually Yourz,
Dana Neuts
1. Lack of content. The single biggest mistake you can make is to dilute content by drumming up keyword content. While keywords are important, they should be used sparingly and not at the expense of your content. Ensure that your subject material is well developed and organized efficiently.
2. Grammar and Spelling. Simple grammatical and spelling mistakes can make even the most knowledgeable author appear ignorant or uneducated. To convince the reader of your expertise, it is imperative that your article be articulate, authoritative and error-free. Take full advantage of your word processing Spell and Grammar Check utilities or have the article professionally proofread.
3. Punctuation. Improper use of punctuation (lack of punctuation, improper use of exclamation points, etc.) will detract from the overall quality of the article.
4. EXCESSIVE CAPITAL LETTERS. Using Caps Lock to emphasize a certain word may be appropriate, but overuse of capital letters tends to make the reader question the device: is this article a sales gimmick? Is the author an amateur?
5. Poor formatting. One-sentence paragraphs, run-on or nonsensical sentences, sentence fragments, and excessively long bulleted lists will all reflect negatively on the article’s quality. A properly formatted article will contain, at minimum, an introduction, followed by several paragraphs of 5-7 sentences, each separated by a blank line, with paragraph headings appropriately delineated from the text following, and ending with a conclusion paragraph.
Use of these tips in your article will further enhance your online image, cementing you in your client’s mind as the professional to whom they should entrust their business.
Virtually Yourz,
Dana Neuts
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Attracting New Business Through Article Writing
How do you attract new business? A very popular method is writing and distributing online articles, which not only help you establish your online presence, but further cement your expertise within your field. However, it is not enough to simply publish an article with popular keywords. Your article must lure the reader away from similar articles in their search engine results and keep them fixated through the resource box, where they will be directed to your website.
1. Use a catchy title. Captivate the reader with an informative or exciting title. If you were choosing a link among the many Google search results, would you be more likely to read an article entitled “Advanced Golf” or “How to Golf Like a Pro in 4 Visits to the Links”?
2. Write as the expert. If you are the owner of an Interior Design business, do not write about computer motherboards or popular diets. Write about what you know: preferred fabrics for the bedroom or living room, new finishes of paint, current home decorating trends, or flooring alternatives.
3. Maximize the resource box. Unless you would like your article to read like sales copy, do not include any promotional information within the body of the article. Instead, utilize the resource box to its fullest potential. Include your name, company’s name, a brief statement regarding your expertise, and your contact information, including relevant URLs, email and phone numbers.
4. Issue a call to action. Motivate your potential client to action by providing a FREE estimate, newsletter, ebook, tips, or consultation. Your reader found your article due to a targeted internet search, but it is up to you to close the deal!
If writing articles is a part of your marketing plan, ensure that the articles that you write properly reveal the person behind the article, leading to new client relationships.
Virtually Yourz,
Dana Neuts
1. Use a catchy title. Captivate the reader with an informative or exciting title. If you were choosing a link among the many Google search results, would you be more likely to read an article entitled “Advanced Golf” or “How to Golf Like a Pro in 4 Visits to the Links”?
2. Write as the expert. If you are the owner of an Interior Design business, do not write about computer motherboards or popular diets. Write about what you know: preferred fabrics for the bedroom or living room, new finishes of paint, current home decorating trends, or flooring alternatives.
3. Maximize the resource box. Unless you would like your article to read like sales copy, do not include any promotional information within the body of the article. Instead, utilize the resource box to its fullest potential. Include your name, company’s name, a brief statement regarding your expertise, and your contact information, including relevant URLs, email and phone numbers.
4. Issue a call to action. Motivate your potential client to action by providing a FREE estimate, newsletter, ebook, tips, or consultation. Your reader found your article due to a targeted internet search, but it is up to you to close the deal!
If writing articles is a part of your marketing plan, ensure that the articles that you write properly reveal the person behind the article, leading to new client relationships.
Virtually Yourz,
Dana Neuts
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Friday, April 3, 2009
10 Powerful Tips for Marketing Your Small Business
I love Marketing.About.com. It's a great resource for all kinds of ideas for every kind of business. Here's a great article I found by Ann Marie Rubertone: 10 Powerful Tips for Marketing Your Small Business.1. Print your best small ad on a postcard and mail it to prospects in your targeted market.
2. No single marketing effort works all the time for every business, so rotate several marketing tactics and vary your approach.
3. Use cross promotion to market your business.
4. Answer your phone in a new way.
5. Add stickers and handwritten notes to your print materials.
6. Send a second offer immediately to first-time customers.
7. Use newsletters to focus your marketing on repeat business.
8. Host events.
9. Exchange services.
10. Enclose special offers and promotions in your outgoing mail.
Read the full article here.
Virtually Yourz,
Dana Neuts
Friday, March 27, 2009
The Difference Between PR & Publicity
I found this link on a Tweet. Check out this short comparison by Seth Godin: The Difference Between PR & Publicity.
Virtually Yourz,
Dana Neuts
Virtually Yourz,
Dana Neuts
Thursday, March 26, 2009
What is marketing?
If you asked 10 people what "marketing" means to them, you would likely get 10 different answers. You'd probably get a mix of advertising, branding, promotion, public relations, social media, business development, planning, marketing mix and more.
In my mind, marketing is all of the activities and tools that a person or company uses to promote its products, services or ideas. It should include all of the items mentioned above and so much more. So the next time you think about marketing and the tools available to you, don't limit your thinking to one aspect of marketing. Think of the entire gamut of possibilities, and you'll find a wealth of tools and opportunities available to you.
Virtually Yourz,
Dana Neuts
In my mind, marketing is all of the activities and tools that a person or company uses to promote its products, services or ideas. It should include all of the items mentioned above and so much more. So the next time you think about marketing and the tools available to you, don't limit your thinking to one aspect of marketing. Think of the entire gamut of possibilities, and you'll find a wealth of tools and opportunities available to you.
Virtually Yourz,
Dana Neuts
Monday, March 23, 2009
Create a plan, draw yourself a map - Part 2
Continued from March 20, 2009 blog post:
2. Pick one goal at a time and think backward of how to accomplish this goal.
Increase number of subscribers to company newsletter by 10%.
a. Put a guest book in front of store asking people to sign up for email newsletter from the company. Also, post a printed display copy of the newsletter so that customers can see actual newsletter.
b. Add “Forward to a Friend” function to newsletters to encourage word-of-mouth referrals to newsletter.
c. Ask other respected business owners about their newsletter readership and trade ideas.
d. Track number of subscribers today and continue to check subscription numbers in order to see progress.
3. Add deadlines to goals.
a. Increase number of subscribers to company newsletter.
i. Put a guest book in front of store asking people to sign up for email newsletter from the company. Also, post a printed display copy of the newsletter so that customers can see actual newsletter. Complete by: April 2009
ii. Add “Forward to a Friend” function to newsletters to encourage word-of-mouth referrals to newsletter. Complete by: May 2009
iii. Ask other respected business owners about their newsletter readership and trade ideas. Complete by: June 2009
iv. Track number of subscribers today and continue to check subscription numbers in order to see progress. Complete by: Check number each month at the start of the month for the remainder of the year. Set reminder for 1st of each month.
I hope this helps you see that while it may seem daunting at first, but by writing out an actual plan, large, seemingly overwhelming goals are within reach. When you draw out a plan for your company, you are much more likely to achieve your goals and improve the health of your company.
Virtually Yourz,
Dana Neuts
Friday, March 20, 2009
Create a plan, draw yourself a map - Part 1
Think back to how you felt about your progress at the close of the year; were you happy, indifferent or disappointed? Did you meet your goals? Did you make any goals?
It’s easy to have vague, haphazard goals that never get met, especially when they exist only in the dark, forgotten corners of your mind. Why not consider making a plan for this year? Yes, it’s already nearly second quarter – who cares? Just like it’s never too late to quit a bad habit, it’s never too late to get it together and make a plan.
Start simply by making a short list of specific, measurable goals. Next choose one of those goals and think backward about how you will get there. Continue with each goal until you’ve created a path to your desired success. Be sure to consider factors like your busy times of the year and set deadlines.
Here’s an example for a small business owner:
1. Make a short list of goals.
a. Increase number of subscribers to company newsletter by 10%.
b. Create targeted advertising campaign for remainder of 2009.
c. Cut operating costs by 15%.
Virtually Yourz,
Dana Neuts
It’s easy to have vague, haphazard goals that never get met, especially when they exist only in the dark, forgotten corners of your mind. Why not consider making a plan for this year? Yes, it’s already nearly second quarter – who cares? Just like it’s never too late to quit a bad habit, it’s never too late to get it together and make a plan.
Start simply by making a short list of specific, measurable goals. Next choose one of those goals and think backward about how you will get there. Continue with each goal until you’ve created a path to your desired success. Be sure to consider factors like your busy times of the year and set deadlines.
Here’s an example for a small business owner:
1. Make a short list of goals.
a. Increase number of subscribers to company newsletter by 10%.
b. Create targeted advertising campaign for remainder of 2009.
c. Cut operating costs by 15%.
- continued in part 2 to be posted March 23, 2009-
Virtually Yourz,
Dana Neuts
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