Friday, April 11, 2008

The power of the BLOG!

- By: Kw Singh, 2008-04-10

Once you know what a blog is, you may ask: How does this help my business? How does it help me to stand out?

1. Team Communication. Companies use blogs internally to communicate project status to stakeholders and managers. It beats clogging everybody's email with mass broadcasts. It allows these missives to be archived, indexed and easily searched.

2. Enrich Your Clients. You can easily link to articles and resources relevant to your readers and their needs. You can more easily attract experts to provide value-added content to your audience.

3. Get to Know Your Customer. Nobody buys from someone they do not know. Blogging allows you to demonstrate your expertise and point-of-view quickly and easily. In addition, blogs allow the customers to receive your updates in the format they choose.

4. Collaborate. You can create your own marketing buzz to drive attention and buyers to your products and services. Some companies use internal blogs to report on projects or to track work groups distributed around the world.

5. Research and Development. Weblogs are the perfect forum to test out new ideas and receive instant feedback. You can allow others to see how you develop your products and services, and at the same time, they can tell you how best to serve them.

6. Go Global. Blogs, like other online media, allow you to take your business and ideas to a global market. Translation services are getting better every day, allowing more people to read online content in different languages.

7. Hidden Entrance to the Press. Journalists are busier than ever and blogs provide a virtual directory of pundits on any topic. You and your company can be the content expert they are looking for. Furthermore, if your company is talked about in the blogosphere it could end up using that exposure as a back door to the press.

8. Get Published. Publishers are turning to blogs to find new writing talent. Blogs can give a publisher a taste of your writing style as well as a sample of your depth of knowledge. Content specific blogs show a commitment to a certain topic or subject matter.

9. Write your book. Let your readers help you write your latest book or article. Post chapters or ideas, then let readers help you in researching, testing and suggesting ideas. Or, use a blog after your book is published to update the material or to answer questions from readers.

10. Success Stories. Invite clients to blog about their successes with your products and services - it is like a living testimonial that never ends. As clients share their experiences, your prospects can see first-hand how you can help them, too.

Did you find this article useful? For more useful tips, hints, points to ponder and keep in mind, do please browse for more information at our websites. Info Z About www.blogging.infozabout.com

Friday, March 21, 2008

Why Your Business Needs a Blog

- By: Scott C. Margenau, 2008-03-21

Every business, regardless of its size, needs a blog. I know what you’re thinking: “But I have a professional image to uphold. How can a blog possibly attract new customers and how can it provide them with the information they need?” The answer is simple: A blog can be one of the most decisive public relations tools in your marketing and branding tool kit. Read on and I’ll educate you on the basics of blogs.

What is a blog?

The term “blog” is slang for “web log.” Wikipedia defines a blog as “a web site where entries are written in chronological order and are commonly displayed in reverse chronological order.” The word can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog. To get a feel for the wide use of blogs, consider the following: In September 2007, blog search engine Technorati tracked more than 106 million blogs. Some notable corporations that use blogs are HP, Google, Microsoft and ImageWorks Studio.

Myths and Facts

No doubt the last thing you need is a lecture on the latest Web 2.0 strategies. However, I should correct a few common misconceptions about blogs, as well as why web design companies use them as an effective method for reaching out to their audience.


Myths

Blogs are used only by teenagers.
You need to spend many hours every day to maintain a blog.
You need to know HTML and have other coding skills to blog.

Facts

Blogs allow a company to control the editorial content of the web site while restricting/blocking users’ comments.
Blogs can be updated as often as you wish. But to make them more effective and valuable to your audience, update them often.
Blogs require no knowledge of HTML or special coding. There are
numerous blogging software packages on the market that are free.
Blogs allow companies to quickly get information out to customers, unlike traditional communication methods.
Blogs are an inexpensive way to effectively communicate and share information with your audience.
Blogs comprise text and external links, making them search engine-friendly.

Benefits of Corporate Blogging

In January 2007, Forrester released a research study centered on “The ROI of Blogging – The ‘Why’ and ‘How’ Of External Blogging Accountability” by Charlene Li and Chloe Stromberg.

According to the study, some of the benefits of corporate blogging are:
Greater brand visibility in mainstream media on the Web
Word-of-mouth advertising
Improved brand perception
Instantaneous consumer feedback
Increased sales efficiency
Fewer customer service-driven PR blowups

The Outcome

Consumers are better educated today because of the vast amounts of information available on the Internet. Not only will a blog convey information to your target demographic faster and cheaper than traditional means, but when coupled with search engine benefits, brand visibility, and a value-based proposition, a blog should be an essential part of your marketing platform.

For more information, please contact sales@imageworksstudio.com.


Scott C. Margenau is president of image works Studio, an award-winning website design agency, branding marketing firm specializing in online and off-line media in advertising, web development, brand development and promotion.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Make Money Online

- By: Dmitrijs23 Kononovs32, 2008-03-18

Social Network

One of the most crucial inventions of the 20th century was undoubtedly the internet technology. Ever since its application in praxis, the internet technology has created a kind of revolution all through. It has remodeled the definition of so many aspects of life itself. It wouldn’t be an overstatement to comment that the phenomenon of globalization itself is largely, if not wholly, a result of internet applications. So overwhelming is its presence and impact on human life in the 21st century that we can barely think of anything that is totally independent of internet applications. A great instance in this regard would be the internet sites for social network.

A social network site does exactly what the name itself suggests. These sites build social network online. That means people share their interests and several kinds of activities through these sites. Exploring a social network site also enables one to explore the interests of other people. Needless to say, this comparatively new phenomenon has become immensely popular ever since its inception and the popularity of the various sites that deal in such social network service are ever on an increase.

In most cases the social network sites are structured into several ways that the users can employ to interact with each other. Go to any such site. As you get yourself registered, you will find that there are several options like messaging, chat, voice chat, discussion groups, sharing of files, e-mailing system, and so on. There are so many sites that revolve round this aspect of social network. Some of the most popular social network sites are MySpace, Facebook, Orkut, Bebo, and Friendstar. Each of these sites comes up with their own ways of classifying the services. For instance there are often categories such as the former classmates, etc. where you may search for the friends whom you last met during your school or college days. There are other similar kinds of categories that make your task of search quite easy.

There are several business applications of the social network sites as well. The fact that such sites connect so many people all across the globe against almost no cost attracts several small business enterprises or the entrepreneurs. A social network site can indeed go a long way in helping such people in extending their base of contacts. The companies that sell several products and services too are drawn towards the social network sites. These sites prove to be great tools for management of relationship with the customers on a direct basis. Needless to say, the popularity of the sites of social network also attracts several business enterprises to campaign with their ads.

It may sound a bit idealistic; but it’s a fact that the sites for social network are often employed with the purpose of realizing some social good. There are the places like the SixDegrees.org that provide great platform to people who love thinking and here they can communicate with like minded people so that their positive energy finds a successful vent. Thus, there is a multitude of ways in which the social network sites prove to be unique and add a humane touch to the internet applications.


Dmitrijs Kononovs is author of this article on Futurama Benders Big Score Review. Find more information about Make Money On Blogs here

Video Reviews: A Look At Web Video and Video Blogging

- By: Noel Swanson, 2008-03-18


Video is a very influential way to get you message across. Since video activates and uses the most dominate of our senses, we are more than likely to remember the message that is being displayed to us. And it is with this knowledge that many people begin to market their web videos in order to get their message across.

Today, the use of web video is extremely prominent, and it seems that everyone from internet marketers to the mother of two living down the street is taking advantage of the power of web video. The reason why so many people are beginning to adopt video as a means to divulging information is because it is a easy, and extremely effective way to connect with their audience on an intimate level.

It's unsure to say where the future of web video is going to take us however there are several things that are for certain. Web video isn't going to go anywhere, and the use of video to obtain information is going to grow stronger throughout the next several years.

On video blogging

So you've decided to give your fingers a rest and put your best face forward. You want to get involved in video blogging, and why not, it is a great way to connect with your audience and provide them with interesting information in half the time it would normally take them to read it. However, when you have decided to make a video blog, there are several things that you must remember. These tips will allow you to have a video blog that individuals actually want to see, and it will keep your blog interesting and informative.

With video blogging, you have to talk about a story that is interesting. Even if your story is just about what happened to you at the grocery store today, make sure that you have a beginning, middle and end. However, again if you feel your story would take longer than the suggested amount of time, either don't talk about it or make it into a multi-post story. Many video bloggers will not only write about their story, but they will also include a video that helps describe the story.

One would think that many people wouldn't want to publish their faces across the Internet for anyone to view however this presumed paranoia is nothing more than that, presumed. Many people find that expressing their feelings about a certain situation, or explaining a solution to a problem, is much easier and faster than simply typing it out. With video blogs, you are able to connect with your audience in an extremely intimate way.

However, no matter why you decide to watch or make a video blog, there is one thing that everyone has in common. We live in a society that is predominately standoffish and distant, however, with the power of web video, and video blogging, individuals are able to connect with their fellow man, without actually seeing them.

Lets get more Unique Product Review Articles from this website: Unique Articles Information Guide

Redeem Thyself by thyself !

Redeem Thyself by thyself
Condemn thy Self not !
The Self is one's enemy
As well as its bosom friend !


The intellectual is antinomic and dual
The Heart is not ! It is Absolute
That explains the reason why
Bridal Mysticism is extolled !

The great poets of yore
Extolled this Mysticism as the noblest
More nobler than the Intellect's path
Or the path of Action divine !
Extolling the Absolute Beauty which Thou art
With love Universal, ineffable
Is rewarding, as Self is actualised
Effortlessly, all glory is Thine !

Work is Worship, duty is divine,
Thus sang the Yogis of Karma
But its result is distant and remote
The Upanishadic Wisdom divine
Is difficult to comprehend !
As it is defining the Indefinable
Limiting the Illimitable !
Its concepts are abstract & abstruse
Vague to the intellect ordinary !

Hence the greatest path
Is unalloyed love for Thee, Bhakthi !

Monday, March 17, 2008

May I identify with the Universal "I"

O Bliss and Conscioussness Absolute,
Dont let me identify with the little "I"
May I identify with the Universal "I"
May I identify with Thee !

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Simple steps to writing a blog

- By: Akhil Shahani, 2008-03-15

As an entrepreneur who has seen his share of success, you probably have a wealth of wisdom founded on practical experience. If you’ve wanted to share your thoughts with others with similar interests, but didn’t have the time or inclination to author a bestselling book, writing a blog is just the thing for you. Indeed, most CEOs are taking to it in a big way. Why not join the gang?

The most important criterion while writing a blog is to do it with passion. The second is to ensure that the content is of high quality. Also remember that getting and holding the readers’ attention immediately is particularly important in blogging. Why? Because there are millions of blogs out there on the internet and there has to be a good reason for someone to stop at your site and stay. Here are some of them:

o Write on a subject that’s close to your heart – For a businessperson that could be technology, employee motivation, business ethics or something else. This topic will be your theme and the more passionate you are about it, the better your writing will be. People read blogs because they are interested in the personal opinions of people like themselves, and therefore, cold, clinical writing won’t hold water.

o Be conversational – Writing a blog is not the same as crafting an academic treatise, so complex, elaborate text is out. Imagine you are talking to a group of friends. Write in a friendly way – do not talk down to them and keep up a conversational tone at all times. That way, you’ll encourage your readers to write back, and that is the true measure of your blog’s success.

o Credit your sources – Never use someone else’s content without giving them due credit. Always acknowledge your sources and link to them; use quotation marks when you write something that is not in your own words and if you want to post a few paragraphs from another site, please ask for permission first. This is not just basic courtesy but will also ensure that you stay out of potential trouble for copyright violation.

o Think before you post – Content is king in a blog. So write thoughtfully and knowledgeably on your chosen subject. Do not rant and rave and make your readers run for cover! Another important point to remember is to stick to your topic; do not digress too much from your intended purpose. You will quickly lose readers if you do.

o Link to interesting stories – If you talk about something interesting that you found online, provide a link to it. Nothing is more annoying to a reader than having to search for a way to get to something on the Net. Be sure to link to articles, books, products, other sites and anything else you mention in your blog.

o Respond to comments – Always, always remember to respond to readers’ comments. Nothing drives away a reader faster than not having his or her comment answered. It also implies that you are a serious blogger and care about what your readers think.

o Write concisely – Give the maximum amount of information using the optimum number of words. An introduction of 250-300 words is usually adequate. Clear, concise writing laced with appropriate humor is sure to win you a big fan following.

o Use catchy titles – The headline should draw the reader in. When writing a blog, take care to use descriptive phrases that reveal the purpose of the article. A reader typically decides whether to continue reading the post or not, by looking at the title of the blog entry. Tell as much of the story as you can in the headline.

o Post regularly – You need to write frequently and regularly to keep your blog fresh and in your readers’ minds. The blogs that attract the most readers are the ones with constant and consistent updates.

o Write effectively – Use bulleted points to draw attention. Insert sub headings and keep the sentences and headlines short and to the point. Use the "inverse pyramid" structure - mention the core ideas first and fill in the details in later paragraphs. The first two sentences should be enough for the readers to decide if they want to continue reading.

o Edit your post – Review your content before posting. Proof-read for typos and glaring grammatical errors. This is also a good time to take an objective look at your writing to ensure that you don’t have something offensive or incorrect in it.


The Web has a way of changing things as we know them. Now, you can have thousands of people read what you have to say on any topic. So, find that passion of yours and start blogging – who knows where it may lead? To a published book, perhaps!

Hi, I'm Akhil Shahani, a serial entrepreneur who wants to help you succeed. If you like to work smart, check out Smart Entrepreneur . It's full of articles and resources to help you start and grow your business successfully.