Handy Tools for Online Marketing and More

Happiness is working alone and being sociable online Last week, Anita Campbell of Small Business Trends released the results of an informal poll, asking me and 16 other business owners what social media site they preferred.

My choice was Twitter, as I talked about not too long ago, but there are other tools I find beneficial to counter working alone.

Facebook - Here’s where I present my biography/background, learn about and participate in teleseminars, and promote my latest blog posts and online videos, all in a space that’s free of charge and full of marketing potential.

Skype - This Internet telephone tool lets me connect with overseas friends and customers for free. You not only talk with them through a headset connected to your computer, you can also provide live tutorials to more than one person through the built-in video feature.

Ryze - I’ve not only met great business owners here but also expand my knowledge about other people’s marketing requirements and potential collaborations. Ryze isn’t lauded as much as current “noise makers,” but it still creates connections.

Gmail Talk - I can’t tell you how handy a side conversation becomes with someone who’s available to talk immediately, as the green dot next to a person’s name within Gmail confirms. This isn’t for everyone, as you won’t want some people to see that you’re accessible, but it has been an “I have an emergency question” lifesaver for me.

Why are these online networking tools and sites on my favorites’ list? They:

1. Let me quickly learn about other solo marketers’ projects, which gives me perspective on what to add, subtract, or consider for my own.
2. Allow me to connect quickly to ask a question or find help where I didn’t know it exists.
3. Keep me grounded, helping me to take a break during tense projects that are often draining when you work alone.

There are many more social media sites which you’ve probably joined. What’s appreciated about all of them is that they’re available when needed without disturbing your solitude.

Technorati Tags: small business marketing, Small Business Trends, solo business marketing, Skype, Ryze, Twitter, Facebook, Gmail Talk, solo entrepreneur

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April 15, 2008 | Filed Under Social Media | Leave a Comment

The Business Side of Twitter

Twitter may be beneficial to grow your ideas while in isolation A few days ago, when I talked about three social marketing tools, I mentioned that I’ve not yet started using Twitter.

I’ve set up an account but have not recognized or appreciated the tool’s business aspect.

Thankfully, Web 2.0 expert Des Walsh documents five ways Twitter helps him in business. I met Des last year at BlogWorld Expo after a long-time exchange of ideas with him by Email and through Skype.

Des is a solo marketer just like us, and I bet that after you read how he puts Twitter into action you’ll also start believing in its power or, if already using Twitter, will incorporate the methods Des mentions.

No. 1 and 5 on Des’s list make the grade for me, with the rest following in order. I’m going to take this lead and give it a try as well.

Technorati Tags: small business marketing, Twitter, solo business marketing, Des Walsh, solo entrepreneur, Thinking Home Business

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March 31, 2008 | Filed Under Networking, Social Media | Leave a Comment

A Look at Three Social Marketing Tools

Bitstrips enhances marketing visibility It’s difficult to decide which social media tools and widgets to include in your marketing bag, especially when each option is bright and shiny, begging for more attention than the next.

I’ve been experimenting with Facebook. Rather than jump in to market my business, I’ve stood on the sidelines to watch how others market themselves.

In addition, I read the article Fracas over Facebook and Trepidation with Twitter by Alexandra Wharton, published in the January/February edition of Revenue. None of the firms interviewed have cracked the revenue code on Facebook, but with patience, there’s promise for future monetization.

I’ve done nothing with Twitter so far except to register before someone else claims my name. The thought of informing others about what I’m doing before I get down to business seems counterproductive. I’m just not ready.

Then I learned about Bitstrips from Scott Allen of The Virtual Handshake after he attended SXSW.

The opportunity to introduce ideas and content in comic strip format, in addition to video, audio, and text, seems worthwhile.

I climbed a semi-steep learning curve to learn the basics (or perhaps trying the process at night was my downfall). However, I completed two solo strips that parallel me in comic format and am pleased with the results, one you’ll see above.

Try Bitstrips this weekend. It may be a bright, shiny object that fits like a glove in your marketing toolbag.

Technorati Tags: small business marketing, Bitstrips, solo business marketing, Facebook, Twitter, solo entrepreneur

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March 20, 2008 | Filed Under Customer Connections, Social Media | Leave a Comment