6 Ways to Be More Productive with Your Web Marketing

The year was 1997 and I had just received my acceptance letter from California Academy of Mathematics and Science (CAMS). I had prayed. I had cried. I had stopped eating, I was so nervous. The essays, letters of recommendation, and constant teasing of my peers for being a nerd was finally beginning to pay off...

I will never forget how I went from feeling on top of the world, to a gnat on a wall, in a moments time.

You see, at my small little Catholic school in Compton, CA, I was one of the smarter kids. Yes, I was dark, talk, skinny, and not so cute, but it didn't matter because I was smart! Even my enemies were friendly around test time. Seriously.

But walking on that college campus with so many other talented kids really shot me down. They had so many more things than I had, and so much more support (in my mind).

Little did I know that I was on a crash course with one of my passions, technology. I was also learning some valuable lessons about life and business.

Web marketing can be a similar experience. First, you have an awesome idea and a great plan. You may have even written a business plan and developed a very attractive website...

But there are MILLIONS of websites, then comes that defeated feeling. Well, here is how you GET OVER IT and start building your online presence:

1. You have got to recognize the unique qualities about yourself and your product or service, then write them down.

10 Successful Techniques Nonprofits Are Using On The Web

There is no one-size-fits-all strategy for the web, but there are some proven methods that when executed properly, will yield favorable results. Some nonprofits have established some routines that have helped them gain more reach, more awareness, and higher donations.

What You Say On Your Social Media Accounts Can and Will Be Used Against You In A Court of Law

The lines continue to blur between what is considered personal and what can become public domain as it pertains to your business and your social media accounts.

When you visit the landing pages of the newest social networking sites that almost force you to sign up (not literally) because of their cunning and attractive marketing, you should be aware that what you post can and will be used against you if necessary. Cyber law cases are growing and shows no signs of slowing down.

Unlike the Miranda warning given to people placed under arrest for criminal offenses, you will not likely be warned about the legal ramifications of what you post, tweet, retweet, blog, share, or produce online via your social media profiles.

Unless there is something written in those hefty "terms and conditions" that declares your information can and will be used against you in a civil or criminal matter, you should be aware that there is no such thing as privacy online. More importantly, if you are conducting business through any of your social media accounts, they can legally be considered assets or property of your business.

Since its early days of connecting companies on what was envisioned as a "Galactic Network" back in August 1962, the internet has developed at almost lightning speed. With this exponential growth for the web comes new industries, new fields and new laws to govern how we use it.

Why You Should Be On Facebook All Day As A Business Owner

Yes, you read that right. I am a firm believer that your business can grow and excel if you know how to use Facebook properly. 

We've all read the articles, blogs and case studies. They don't always agree either. 

Some will strongly suggest that employers should allow their employees to use Facebook as it has been shown to increase their motivation to work. A little peek on their social media pages won't harm, right?

Yet other bloggers and professionals strongly caution business owners that the social network with almost 1 billion active users per day is a time stealer and should be avoided during normal working hours so that productivity is maximized. 

We even have handy tools like Hootsuite, buffer, and similar services that help us schedule our social media updates so we can remain focused and productive without actually logging into the website. 

However, I have found that using Facebook as a mode of communication for prospective and current clients is faster and more efficient than emails. 

10 Google Chrome Web Store Apps to Help You With Your Business

Google Chrome is one of the most widely used web browsers and the Chrome apps make it a great addition to any business, home-based or otherwise. 

What are Google Chrome Web Store Apps?

The basic idea of Google Chrome Web Store apps is to enable the user easy access to many of the applications they use without having to go leave the web or sign into the actual program.  

Applications are designed so that you do not have to leave your office space to purchase software to enhance your business. Instead, you can access them quickly especially if you have the extension installed on your web browser. Chrome apps also include customized versions of websites, games, editing tools, publishers, and almost anything you might need to run you business more efficiently.  

You can also make your own chrome apps with the help of HTML5, CSS and JavaScript if you have an idea you think others would benefit from. If you have any coding knowledge, all you need is to publish them on the Google Chrome Web Store. 

(If you would like to learn coding, you can use www.w3schools.org or www.khanacademy.org to begin; an hour or so a day can make a huge difference in your web development skills). 

Monday Motivation for the Business Owner

It is Monday! Time to get back to work...

Celebrate GroundHog Day with Some Changes In Your Content Marketing

This morning was exceptionally cool for February. In this part of South Texas, I have become accustomed to two seasons: spring and summer. Not surprisingly, for Groundhog Day, it has been predicted that we will have 6 more weeks of winter weather. 

No complaints here. 

This day got me thinking about the movie GroundHog Day, starring Bill Murray and how it relates to our content marketing routines - how we create and develop content to share across the web. 

In the film, the weatherman is going about his regular routine to predict the weather but gets stuck in a time warp that leaves him repeating the same day, over and over. Sound familiar?

The movie is hilarious and Bill Murray has never disappointed in any role I've seen him in (from Ghostbusters to Scrooged). However, this movie presents a very real issue that many of us can face when approaching our content marketing routines - getting stuck, repeating the same mistakes over and over again, and sometimes unsure of how to get out of the "time warp."

In the film, Bill Murray had to repeat the same day until he was able to figure out where he went wrong, and get it right. As business owners we learn the value of repeating the same processes and create a daily routines that work. This can also help us improve our content marketing efforts, including writing articles and publishing blog posts on a regular basis.

However, we should assess the profitability of what we are doing and then decide if should continue to repeat the routine or not. Is your content marketing routine working? Do you even have one?

This Day In History: Apple Launches Macintosh, January 24, 1984

I am a fan of all technology.

But I am mostly inspired by Mr. Steve Jobs (1955-2011).

Though his products have revolutionized the entire world, it is what he accomplished and how he persevered that is most inspiring to me.

Who got fired from their own company? Steve Jobs.

Who went back with an even better idea than before? Steve Jobs.

Who continued to push forward with his idea AFTER it was mocked and labeled 'impossible?'

Who pushed on even after seeing Bill Gates' make his first billion in the same industry he was in? Steve Jobs.

And, who can we credit for the iPhone, iPad, MacBook, and all things Apple? That's right - Steve Jobs.

Of course, he had a team, supporters, and people to push him into what he was destined to do. I do not discount their role in anyway!

But, ultimately when there were no fans and no support, he continued on.

I find it rather ironic that His name was Jobs and his products and genius have created many jobs. 

January 24, 1984 - 21 years ago today - Steve Jobs' company Apple launched their first Macintosh computer at the annual shareholders' meeting. And the rest is well, history.

Monitoring Time Spent Online with TimeStat

Time on the Internet is a very crucial part of our lives and business operations. 

Realistically, we can’t operate effectively without it. But if we are honest with ourselves, sometimes we tend to waste a lot of time online instead of using it to develop and improve our businesses. 

While you cannot simply unplug your internet connection and expect to blog and interact with your social networks in a timely manner, we could all use some accountability with how much time we spend online, what websites we frequent, and how much time is spent on each website.

TimeStats has a solution for this.

TimeStats is an extension available on the Google Chrome Web Store that helps track the time we spend online. It generates a detailed report of all the sites that you have visited in a user-friendly format. 

You can view the statistics on the basis of: 

• time (sites that you have visited based on a particular time interval) 
• domains (information about all the domains or websites that you have visited). You can also see all the statistics in a form of a pie chart which makes understanding the statistics easier.

7 Ways Your Non-Profit Can Profit from Social Media

Non profit organizations are primarily focused on two things: building awareness for their cause and raising funds to make a difference. These two go hand in hand as educating people on what your organization is all about and why it is important to them, plays a crucial role in being able to request donations to further the cause.

So, how are 501 (c) 3 organizations using social media? According to a case study released by the Case Foundation and Social Media for Nonprofits, close to 500 nonprofits were surveyed about their use of social media and how it ultimately impacts donations. Some 47% said they saw an increase in donations through social media use.

The survey showed that 74% of nonprofit organizations are using social media to keep followers informed about upcoming events, make important announcements, and share the overall progress of the organization.

Many of them expressed some hesitation in using it to solicit donations due to the vast number of other organizations using it for the same purposes. You can read more details of the report here.

Many of them rely more on their websites and email marketing to connect with their audiences in comparison to social networking sites like Linkedin, Google Plus, and their favorite, Facebook.

So, how can non profits use social media to influence their fans, garner support for their cause, grow their reach, and increase donations? There is no easy, one-size-fits-all solution to this question, however, there are ways for them to improve their social media strategies.

1. Focus on quality of users instead of quantity. More fans does not mean more awareness. In the words of Social Media Marketing University webinar facilitator, Ty Mays, "social networking should not be a popularity contest." Social media moves at an alarming pace and just because someone has more Twitter followers than you do does not mean any of them are interested or "listening.
2. Interact with fans and respond back. So many times there is a question asked or poll given by a Facebook page, but no response back from the organization who gave it. People like to converse and not feel like they have been ignored. 
3. Use dedicated social media person or team. When things do not immediately go the way expected, it is human nature to want to switch routine and try something else. However, adequate time should be given to see if a social media strategy is working. Aborting a social media plan after a week, or one month, offers no real evidence that the strategy did not work. Additionally, as people are all unique, their approach and tone will also be unique. Instead of using just anyone who has the time, or worse, a group of people who have not come into agreement about how to deploy the social media strategy, consider creating a plan first.
4. Check out other pages and see what they do well, or what they can improve upon. There is no need to recreate the wheel. If something works, apply it to your own social media strategy and try it out. For instance, many of the non profit organization pages I follow update their Facebook timelines with simple posts like being able to get a new piece of equipment they had been raising funds to purchase. Seems simple enough, yet the engagement is much more on posts like these than on posts that make people feel guilty about how blessed they are in comparison to others. I also notice that these type of posts show people how their donated funds are being used. I would also suggest you send messages to pages that are not in direct competition to yours and request them to share one of your updates or campaign. The worse thing they can say is no!
5. Be positive. We all agree that child cancer sucks, and many children die yearly from this disease. But that really isn't enough to compel someone to give you their money. That same story could be used to show how your organization sends volunteers to inspire and encourage these children and their parents while they go through the treatments your organization helps to fund. See the difference? Same story, different angle. 
6. Mix it up. It is your page and you can post what you want. But, linking to related content and studies that help people understand the passion you have for what you do is very helpful. It also shows that other people are involved in the cause even if they are in no way related to what you're doing. 
7. Promote your social media pages offline. Tell people about your social media pages as you speak with them offline, even consider adding them to your business card for easy reference. I don't just mean organizations and donors, but also anyone who can "like" your page or retweet your tweets. They can help expose your cause to others (their followers). Ask for their social media information and find them to be sure you can follow up with them later. They may not want to donate or be able to volunteer, but they likely know someone who can. 

Social media is expanding the reach of people, businesses, and non profits. There are so many ways that we can impact people through these tools, but a plan must be put in place to execute it properly, then measure its success or need for improvement. The profit enjoyed from using social media is more than dollars and cents. You can mobilize people and encourage them to share your cause across their social media networks. 

Also keep in mind that some people will not like or share your post because it has a public setting and they may not want others to know about their involvement on social media (for work reasons, or privacy concerns). This does not mean you cannot compel people to take action without them ever alerting you through a share or like.

Shared and liked posts are usually funny, inspirational, and positive. Purely informational posts or boring compilations of facts will not make people engage on your social media pages. 

For more information on how you can use social media for your non profit, feel free to email us or book an obligation-free consultation.

Stay encouraged and don't give up!

Winning The Battle with Content Marketing - You Can Do It!

It is amazing how fear can be a real obstacle for people to face. There are so many business owners and non profits that are actually doing many great things, yet hesitate to move their stories to the web. Why is that? It could be a few issues, but here are the most common I notice:

Not Enough Time 

So much of content marketing is writing and finding information to write about. While we all have a niche where we direct our focus, it can also be time consuming to continue finding new inspiration. I can empathize with this, however, there is a solution. The very content that may seem to overhelm our inboxes is also the same resource we can use to produce more quality content.

• Read printed publications in your niche to gather inspiration and information about current needs and concerns in your field. It is good to get away from the computer and read the newspaper or a magazine. They can offer a fresh perspective about your topic. You can then take the news, information, and content you've consumed and start to write down what you walked away with. If you have a question regarding what you read, it is likely someone else does too. Use that as inspiration for a new blog post or article. 

• Use the search functions of Twitter and Facebook to find out trending stories. There is almost always an angle you can take that is unique and relative to your target market. A quick long tail keywords search on Google will show you how differently people think when it comes to searching for information online. Don't think all the bases have been covered because it's not likely they have.

Overwhelmed By The Demands of Content Marketing

It is true that there are hundreds of websites coming online everyday, but that should not discourage you from keeping yours well and maintained with quality content that will increase your organic website traffic. Just because there are houses built daily, should we stop keeping up the appearance of our homes? Do real estate agents give up on selling older homes because of newer ones? Of course not.

• Focus on what you are doing. Write down what you hope to accomplish in the next month, six months or year. Your content marketing is not like advertising where your ads run for a limited amount of time unless you add more money. What you write today can be seen on the internet as long as there is an internet, if done properly. Don't allow the size of the web to intimidate you! Someone, somewhere wants and needs to read about what you are writing about. Keep writing!

• Remember the passion that you have for your product or service. Forget about trying to write something per se, and focus more on conveying your passion in your blogs and articles. I can guarantee you that your knowledge is far greater than you know. Just talking to friends or colleagues can be a good reminder of how much you actually do know. Write down notes about common questions you come across for future reference. Record yourself speaking about your product or service. Sometimes you get new ideas by simply hearing yourself talk about it. 

Focus on Quality not Quantity

How many times have you read a great headline, clicked through to the website, only to find that the content was repetitive or poorly put together? While we want to be consistent with our content, it is more important to produce quality pieces that people will actually find useful, bookmark, and share. 

• Plan your content and how often you will publish it. If you are just starting out, do not be discouraged because someone else's blog is updated daily. By writing out your topics in bulk, when you do read new material and find new inspiration, it only adds to what you've already planned to write. The key is to produce content that will be useful for your readers. Here's a simple planning tool that will help you accomplish this.

• Use your keyword research and discussions on Linkedin to help you stay abreast of what professionals need. I use Facebook, but it is not always the best resource when it comes to serious matters or finding quality information. StumbleUpon, Google News, Hubspot Blog (may absolute favorite), and a host of others really dig deep in their content and help get the creative juices flowing to inspire new content. You're not going to re-write what you read, rather use what you read as a seed for new ideas. 

At the end of the day, we all have the basic need to solve problems in our lives and reduce pain. These are very powrful driving forces that can help any business in inspire, inform, and help their target market. In order to win the battle, you must first get started!

If you need helpful hints for your content and facts, sign up for the ChrissyBiz newsletter here. No spam ever. We also help small businesses and non profits write quality content for their websites, blog, and articles. We would love to hear from you and how we can be of service.

Microsoft's Window 10: Better Functionality and User Experience

Microsoft has rolled out their Window's 10, and we're here to give you the changes you can expect when you decide to retire Windows 8. Like any other technological advance, these are just opinions but definitely based on our experiences. 

Microsoft's Windows 10 Has New Features & Impressive Upgrades

Start menu is back!

When Microsoft introduced Windows 8, they removed the start menu which was greatly criticized by almost everyone. The company tried to improve this in Windows 8.1 but failed to do so.

Now, in Windows 10 the start menu has returned with even better functionality. You even have the option to customize it to suit your needs. 

Faster Operations

This new version of Windows is very good as far as speed is concerned. All the apps that are preloaded with the operating system load faster than ever before. Take any app for example Windows music or store, they all now load a little faster. This is likely due to all apps loading on a windowed mode instead of the full screen mode.

End of Year Internet Marketing Ideas For 2014

Whether it has been a successful or bumpy year, now is the time to plan for 2015! You can start right where you are and strategically deploy these web marketing techniques to help sustain or improve your current marketing plan. 

 Start a Social Media Network Marketing Campaign

Now is the time to get social! Social networks are filled with opportunities for you to interact with potential customers, one on one. This is an exceptional low cost marketing idea that is sure to bring many benefits and establish public trust in your brand. All the hype and still growing, social media networks are a great way to provide information as well as initiate contests and promotions.

There are several social media networks to choose from: Twitter, LinkedIn, Digg, and others, but the best results among businesses today are reported to be happening on Facebook where you can market your brand for free, or step it up a notch and pay a minimal fee to promote your posts outside your established circle. However, not every brand will fare best with Facebook; conduct important research to find out which networks will work best for the needs of your brand.

Androids Lollipop Brings Peace of Mind with Enhanced Security Features You Will Love

It is truly the most wonderful time of the year! Google's newest Android Lollipop 5.0 update is

Mobile Devices With Android Lollipop 5.0

available for FREE download in the GooglePlay store, chocked full of features that will delight and enhance your mobile devices. Excited much?

Besides the advanced connectivity, high-performance graphics, and improved battery-efficiency, it has security features you will love. The enhanced audio, camera, and video provide a pleasant experience whether you use it for television, your watch, tablet, or mobile telephone. Many bloggers have given great reviews about Lollipop, and we would like to focus on the security features it has that will offer peace of mind whether you use it for personal or business use.

Three Clever Business to Business Marketing Ideas For The Holiday Season

As a business owner, you have big hopes and dreams but sometimes, your budget cannot

accommodate a ‘Go Big or Go Home’ attitude. That’s perfectly okay because there are several dirt cheap marketing ideas that will give your business the attention and exposure it deserves. Below you will find some of the best cheap or free marketing ideas used today.

#1 Start a Blog

Adding a blog to your website costs little or nothing, and creates consumer involvement with your brand on a personal level. You can address the benefits of your products and services, and answer consumer questions and concerns. This is a great way to get feedback and reviews for your brand, and you are providing a free service to your consumers, the gift of information.

Three Differences Between Branding and Marketing That Will Improve Your Internet Marketing Strategy

Marketing and branding go hand in hand, right? 

If you asked someone the difference between branding and marketing, it would be the same as asking the difference between fire and ice. Just as fire and ice are both elements of our Earth, marketing and branding are two essential components for a successful web marketing strategy, and business planning. 

However, this is where the similarities end. 

Below you will find three very important aspects to help explain why branding and marketing are two entirely different things, but very necessary. I must admit that I struggled to understand this in the beginning of my business, so I hope it is helpful. 

If you're looking for good examples of branding, McDonald's, Target, Disney and many other multi national corporations are some of the major brands that come to mind. But proper branding is not just limited to major corporations with seemingly limitless budgets.

The Cloud: Can I Really Be Secure? Facts vs Myths

The wonders of the cloud make doing business much easier than the pre-cloud era, that's for sure. But there's still a lot of mystery and misunderstanding surrounding it. Hopefully, this will help clear some things up.

Cloud Myths VS Facts

The Cloud has gained popularity over the past few years because of its interoperability, agility, and flexibility. There are also many myths floating around the cloud in regards to its functionality. 

This post is designed to debunk the myths and bring forth the truth about the cloud.

• Myth #1: Services provided by the Cloud are expensive

Many people have the misconception that cloud services are expensive, and they would end up spending more money if they invest in cloud technologies.

Google's New Inbox - Your Email Just Got Smarter!

Google's New Inbox and Its Features

Google recently launched the new inbox app, which will change the way in which people manage their emails. So let’s look on what the new inbox is and what features it includes:

What is Inbox?

Inbox is a new application that has been developed by Google to help users manage their emails better. 

The inbox app is made for Gmail; instead of updating thetheir current layout for web and mobile, Google has created a new app to manage emails.

Inbox is not an email provider, rather an email client.

Features of Inbox

Google has tried to make the inbox app such that people can better manage their emails. So here's the rundown:

How To Create A Secure Password You Will Not Forget

Rarely a morning passes that we don't hear something about hackers and their exploits. Whether you love them, hate them or are one of them, the internet has made their threat real. Recently, many celebrities fell victim to Apple's latest breach in security, resulting in lots of "unwanted" press for actress Meagan Good, Kim Kardashian, and Gabrielle Union, just to name a few.

Even large corporations are not immune to the threats hackers pose.

Remember Target, Neiman Marcus' and Home Depot's very public apologies to their consumers?

So, how can we as just regular people, protect ourselves against the threats that internet thieves pose on our information?

Furthermore, as entrepreneurs and business owners, how can we do our part to give our customers the confidence they need when we store their data?

Consulting Chronicles, Six Lessons You Cannot Learn In Business School

I had just finished my MBA, had a few business connections and also going through a divorce. Truly, the worst of times and the best of times for me. ChrissyBiz Solutions had been in my heart for more than a year, but the opportunities to really get things going were far and few in between.

I needed to bring in an income for myself and my son, but I was in no position (emotionally) to deal with a nine to five, and the corporate hustle. It is amazing how the end of seasons in our lives can really be the beginning of something new.

What does this have to do with business? Everything! These tense circumstances and uncomfortable conditions were exactly what I needed to push me over the edge. Maybe you are going through life-altering things right now and feel you cannot possibly birth your dream right now. Think again.
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