Archive for the ‘Business Resources’ Category

Two historic events have made tremendous changes in the way we disseminate information and communicate. Around 1440 German Johannes Gutenberg perfected the printing press and movable type, which made possible the mass production of books that more than just the elite could have. Almost immediately, the issues of intellectual property ownership, censorship, idea exchange and free speech popped up.

Fast forward a few centuries and those same issues affect the second event–the Internet. We are still struggling with the protection of individual works versus mass information, but this time the media is digital instead of paper.

Juggling the creator’s right to protection and the public’s right to know has always been tricky, but even more so now that anyone who has an Internet connection can express an opinion, either original or based on someone else’s work. That’s where the copyright issue comes in.

Keep in mind that even if you do not see the standard copyright wording (Copyright [date] by [author] All rights reserved) that material, whether words, music, film or any other form of expression, is automatically copyrighted on the Internet, via the international Berne Copyright Convention in 1989.

What can and can’t you do with material you find on the Internet? When you see something on the Internet that you would like to reproduce, ask the author for permission. Most likely you’ll receive a positive reply as long as you describe how you want to us the material. However, you must attribute that material to the original source author.

Use material that you like as inspiration for your own words. CAUTION – Doing a re-write is called a derivative and is still under copyright law, but you can modify an IDEA and write about that in your words.

Searching for a picture to illustrate your blog? Doing a Google search for, say, Pomeranians, and downloading a dog picture without the permission of the poster is a violation of the copyright laws.

There is the fair use issue. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has a good description of fair use, which allows using a small part of someone else’s work if the excerpt is used for a review, as a parody, a comment or a criticism. The EFF is a non-profit group that encourages digital rights and protection on an international basis.

We like Brad Templeton’s readable explanation of copyright issues. Brad is an EFF board member, Internet expert and software developer who also dabbles in photography. All around, a very interesting guy who explains complex issues in an easy-to-understand way.

In this age of instant gratification and easy access, the temptation, or just ignorance of using someone else’s work and passing it off as your own is very real. On the plus side, by honoring copyrights you can exercise your own imagination and write or produce something that is uniquely your own, and you’ll meet interesting people when you do ask for permission use their work.

In a nutshell

Google is a search engine; so Google Voice is… Searchable voice? In a way, yes. Google takes the traditional method of calling, leaving/checking voicemails, and communication in general and puts it in a whole new light. Google Voice users can sign up for a Google number; one single number to use that will ring any combination of your other numbers. This eliminates confusion of voicemail boxes, and eases the process of getting back to someone. Users can define when certain numbers should be called, and can send particular callers to particular phones as well. In addition, Google has streamlined the voicemail process to include voicemail transcription, as well as sharing voicemails, and the ability to archive voicemails.

Why is it useful?

Users of Google Voice can streamline the way people get a hold of them. For instance, a user can designate a Google Voice number, and get notified of a voicemail via SMS, email, or the mobile application. They can make international calls through Google Voice’s app, or the dialer on some phones at just pennies per minute to most countries. Google Voice makes archiving, searching, and organizing voicemails simple, through its online portal.

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Top Alternatives

RingCentral

Line2

3Jam

VoxOx 2

Ribbit Mobile

The Facebook vs MySpace debate is long running.  While many users have profiles on both, some people only utilize one or the other.  For a business, questioning which platform is worth your time and marketing budget is a valid question.

What are Your Customer Demographics?

The MySpace audience is a slightly younger group.  While the average age is 31, a full third of their users are under the age of 17.  Facebook’s average customer age is 36.  Facebook’s male to female ratio is almost even at 57% female, where MySpace is 64% female.

As MySpace has evolved, they have lured more high school users through their customizable pages and heavy focus on music and bands.  Facebook has gone out of their way to appeal to an older generation by being user friendly and looking professional.

Do More People Use Facebook or MySpace?

In early 2010, Facebook boasted more than twice the number of users than MySpace.  While Facebook has grown rapidly over the last few years, MySpace growth has stayed steady or declined.

How Much Time is Spent on Facebook and MySpace by the Average Users?

By January 2010, the amount of time an average user spent on Facebook had grown to over seven hours a month.  While MySpace doesn’t offer as many analytics to the public,vusers spend about a fourth of the amount of time that site as they do Facebook.

The Bottom Line, Which is Better for My Business?

It depends.  If your business targets teenage music lovers, you might be better off focusing your attention on MySpace.  If your business targets any other demographic, Facebook is the better choice.

In a nutshell

A web search engine is a way for people to find information on the Internet, and for businesses to advertise their services to potential customers. Searches are shown on the computer screen as a list with links for users to follow. Search engines reduce the amount of time needed to find specific information and make a direct contact for merchandise and services. Search engines use automated software called spiders or bots, continually sweeping for information, compiling that information for searches and presenting websites that rank high in hits, or visits. This information changes every nanosecond.

Why is it useful?

As billions of people incorporate the Internet into their lives and shopping habits, and as advertising declines in newspapers, radio and through direct mail, it is crucial for business owners take this medium seriously to increase market share. According to searchenginewatch.com, search engines are the primary way Internet users find information.

People these days are very impatient for information and want instant gratification. If your business does not have an Internet presence, the consumer may very well move onto another company that shows up on a search. Which is not to say that traditional advertising should be abandoned–your Internet presence is a part of your total marketing approach.

Top Alternatives
Search engines are as varied as a user’s interest. Far and away, Google accounts for 69.97 percent of all U.S. searches, followed by Yahoo! Search, Bing, and Ask. Dogpile is another all-purpose search engine while sidestep.com sweeps the Internet for the best travel deals. Do you want to make a donation to a worthwhile charity? There’s a search engine for that. Looking to buy or sell a home? Zillow’s search engine presents mortgage rates, available properties, maps and local neighborhood information. Thefind.com helps shoppers locate the best deals, as does shopzilla.com. Customers and clients have an infinite number of choices to find what they need on the Internet. Business owners should recognize this marketing opportunity as an integral part of sales.

The Second most visited website in the United States is …. FACEBOOK, according to Alexa.com. Businesses continue to struggle how best to utilize this very popular social media. Recent research suggests advertising online with Facebook convert considerably higher that Googles online advertising at usually HALF the price or less.

Another reason businesses are paying attention is the average Facebook user is now 38 years old. Within a 50 mile radius of Saint Louis, MO, there are an estimated  735,500 people, age 25 and older.

Business FACEBOOK users may login as  1. Personal Profile (which can get you marked by FACEBOOK as SPAM), 2. Group Page, or 3. Fan Page . Many businesses choose fan pages to advertise and promote their brand. Here are how some of our favorite uses of Fan Pages:

COUPON Ritz Crackers  Great news for fans — more free samples of new RITZ Munchables! Get them now; supplies are limited! Just go to the Open for Fun Tab and click on the offer.

SWEEPSTAKES Olive Garden Italian Restaurant  We’re giving away 4 trips for 2 to Italy! This is your chance to experience Rome, Florence and our Culinary Institute of Tuscany. Enter once a day for the culinary tour and you could instantly win one of 500 $25 gift cards!

ENGAGING NEWS ESPN  When “Dancing with the Stars” kicks off its new season tonight at 8 ET on ABC, our very own Erin Andrews will be putting her feet to the test against the likes of Chad Ochocinco and gold medalist Evan Lysacek. Who’s your pick to win?

SALES Better Homes and Gardens  From our April issue: Vitamins B and C make cucumber a natural to combat skin swelling and sunburn, and to reinforce skin’s health. Our beauty editor’s picks include Earth Therapeutics Recovery-E Cucumber Eye Pads, $6

DISCUSSION BOARDS St. Louis Children’s Hospital  Send us your nutrition questions by clicking on the “Discussions” tab. In recognition of National Nutrition Month, here is another tip from dietitian Tara Todd. Learn about the most important things to include in your grocery cart.

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Social networking expert Melissa Wilson addressed social media as marketing and business tool for Paule, Camazine & Blumenthal, P.C. and the Crestwood-Sunset Hills Chamber of Commerce

St. Louis, MO–The impact of social media for businesses in successful marketing was the topic addressed by Melissa Wilson, founder of YourSocialMedia and Wilson Monnig Creative. She discussed new opportunities with Paule, Camazine & Blumenthal, P.C. Attorneys at Law and the Crestwood-Sunset Hills Chamber of Commerce.

Wilson advised that social media should be a part of any business or organization’s marketing plan, just as traditional marketing, such as print advertising and radio and television commercials. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter are the most popular now.

“While it is gratifying that companies are eager to begin a social media campaign,” says Wilson, “research, planning and analysis upfront will make that plan professional and easy to launch. The greatest benefits of business social networking are lead generation, sales, industry relevance and customer satisfaction for repeat sales. Devising a solid plan in the beginning will make all that work worthwhile.”

Facebook has become a big marketing aid and is used by companies to promote such items as coupons, sweepstakes, news, sales and discussion boards. Reasonably priced advertising is another plus for small companies. Facebook ads convert to considerably higher distribution and at half the price or less than Google.

Mary Ann McWilliams, executive director of the Crestwood-Sunset Hills Chamber of Commerce, says that “Melissa approached her subject in plain English and understandable terms. Our members are excited to take what Melissa told them back to their office and implement.” Wilson’s presentation was sponsored by the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE).

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About YourSocialMedia.com
YourSocialNetwork.com is an initiative by Wilson Monnig Creative to help businesses and individuals understand the effectiveness of the different social media tools available to them, and integrate them into their marketing plans.

About Wilson Monnig Creative
Wilson Monnig Creative LLC is an innovative marketing, public relations, advertising, website, Internet search engine optimization and print design company. A leading provider for social networking and new media projects, Wilson Monnig also helps clients understand and use new marketing methods to compete in today’s business climate.

The group’s nationwide client base includes companies in real estate, agriculture, automotive, folk artisans, personal fitness and entrepreneurial start-ups. Founded by Melissa Wilson in 2006, the company is located in the St. Peters/St. Charles/St. Louis, Missouri, area. Wilson has assembled award winning, experienced talent who are adept at managing client projects from conception through implementation.

In January, Apple introduced the iPad tablet and to the surprise of some businesses – their flash sites did not show well. Adobe’s Flash is not recognized on Apple’s iPhone either, as well as some other smart phone platforms.

The Adobe video format is the most widely used player on the Web and installed on nearly 98% of computers connected to the Internet.

Google, Firefox and other browsers are leading the charge to steer the Web to work without Flash and other bulky coding and instead work with a more universal HTML5 format.

What does this mean for businesses
Grab an iPhone, and other smart phones and check out your site. Many designers rely on Flash to create menu bars or other crucial elements of a site. If your site doesn’t work – Don’t fret and scratch your site. Instead, make sure you add a text menu bar with links elsewhere on each page (often found at the bottom of a page). Begin to evaluate your website for performance, as mobile technology will continue to expand. Working with a Website designer, formulate a solution or long term plan for your site.

What is Flash
Adobe Flash is a multimedia platform used since 1996. Flash is used to create slide shows, animation, games, advertisements, menu bars and video. Flash is a free download for computer users. A Flash document often has the extension .swf.

What is HTML 5
HTML is the most common language used on the Web. HTML 5 is an upgrade expected to change the web and reduce the need for Flash, Silverlight, Apache Pivot and Sun Java FX. This version of HTML is still in its infant stage but is being adopted and implemented by many leading technology companies.