EPISODE39 - Voice Over IP, How Far Can I Call for 2 cents a minute?
The discussion centers on using your high speed internet for more than the web and tv. This is a discussion on uses for home and business by Patti Pribish of Xcelic corporation. You can reach Patty at: www.xcelic.com. Her Skype id: ppribish
Xcelic Corporation is in business to help Architects, Businesses, Building owners, Construction Companies and tenants successfully work with the technologies in their buildings. By designing an infrastructure to integrate your data, telephone, paging/intercom, video, audio, fire and security systems Xcelic can save you time and money so that you can focus on your business.
All these technologies that your business needs to be successful run through the walls of your building or wirelessly to your employees to help you get your work done. We call these building technologies or information transport systems (ITS).
Patty discusses how a business can reduct telephone costs and simplify IT support by implementing an integrated data and Voice over IP (VoIP) system
Patty discusses:
• How college students can get free telephone access.
• How to use VOIP at home to reduce phone costs.
• Equipment needed for VOIP.
• Reducing costs of business phones by 50%.
• Using a VOIP accelerator to improve voice quality and transmission quality.
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a protocol optimized for the transmission of voice through the Internet or other packet switched networks. VoIP is often used abstractly to refer to the actual transmission of voice (rather than the protocol implementing it). VoIP is also known as IP Telephony, Internet telephony, Broadband telephony, Broadband Phone and Voice over Broadband. "VoIP" is pronounced voyp.
Voice has been transmitted over internet since 1973 and VOIP was introuduced around 1996. It’s not just for geeks anymore.
VoIP can facilitate tasks and provide services that may be more difficult to implement or expensive using the more traditional regualar phone service. Examples include:
• VOIP is a simple inexpensive way to add an additional phone line
• You can still get 3-way calling, call forwarding, automatic redial, and caller ID; features that traditional telephone companies normally charge extra for. .
• Call from anywhere Only an internet connection is needed to get a connection to a VoIP provider. For instance, call center agents using VoIP phones can work from anywhere with a sufficiently fast and stable Internet connection.
• You can add video conversation, message or data file exchange in parallel with the conversation, audio conferencing, managing of address books, and passing informaion.
Reliability
Purchasing a head set: Be sure to get a headset with echo reduction which will have two jacks one for your micropone and one for your head phone.
To answer the question posed by the title, VOIP is the best deal for international calling. If both parties have Skype, you can call Germany for two cents a minute.
Techno Granny Show blog is an additional way for Techno Granny Talk Cast fans to keep up with Techno Granny. She is a 61 year old single grandmother who also hosts four Talk Casts on the Talk Shoe network. The Techno Granny show is designed to bring baby boomers and others up to snuff with 21st Century technology. TechnoGranny Talks is more than that, it is technology finds and opinions of a tech savvy grandmother who is a power user of technology.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
Episode 33 RFID Wave--Do You Know Where Your Kids Are?
EPISODE 33 - RFID Wave--Do You Know Where Your Kids Are?
Radio Frequency Identification
The Center for eBusiness and Advanced Information Technology is a resource initiative established in 2002, designed to help companies apply e-business technologies.
Our primary mission is to:
Provide education and training programs in e-business
Create a greater pool of skilled technology talent for Pennsylvania businesses
Facilitate product development in advanced information technology
Increase the visibility and capability of Pennsylvania IT-related companies
Recruit, attract and establish viable businesses, leading to job creation and Pennsylvania "brain gain"
Chris Wassel is the RFID Program Manager at the Penn State Behrend RFID Center of Excellence.
Wassel's responsibilities include overseeing the Center's corporate membership and RFID training program. His team has assisted over 20 companies with RFID projects and has trained over 1,200 industry professionals and students in RFID technology. Wassel also manages the Center's state-of-the-art RFID Lab. Wassel holds a master's degree in Business Administration from Penn State Behrend and is an RFID+ Certified Professional.
Yes, the RFID Center sprung from eBizITPA. We provide the organization/registration for the courses, they provide the training.
Contact Info:
Chris Wassel
RFID Center of Excellence
Penn State Behrend
Erie, PA
814.898.6684
chris.wassel@ebizitpa.org
cwassel@psu.edu
www.pserie.psu.edu/RFID
Pre-interview notes:
What is RFID?
Radio frequency identification is a technology that allows you to uniquely track items using radio waves. Those items can be various things such as cases or pallets of items in a supply chain, high dollar value assets, tooling and fixtures, livestock, employees (through ID badges), or high risk medical patients. RFID allows for unique, item level visibility as opposed to the object level visibility available from barcode or other current methods.
Practical applications for business / practical applications for organizations?
RFID is a suite of technologies that allows for use in many different applications. The most popular use of RFID for businesses now is to gain visibility into the supply chain.
For example, many large retailers and organizations have mandates that require their suppliers to place RFID tags on cases and pallets of items. The cases and pallets are then read as they pass through various points of the supply chain, allowing for much more visibility into the flow of products through the supply chain.
Additionally, RFID allows for more accurate inventory counts, reduced out-of-stocks, and increased sales. Businesses are also using RFID to track materials as they flow internally through a facility. RFID allows for more accurate and easier data capture than current methods. Therefore, work in process goods can be monitored accurately, and accurate process times can be determined. This allows businesses to identify any bottlenecks, and improve their production processes.
RFID also allows for the automation of currently manual processes. For example, businesses may use RFID to automate the goods receipt process or order generation process. This allows for manual labor to be put to use elsewhere in the organization, on more value added activities.
In addition to supply chain and business applications, RFID is being used in many other applications. MasterCard has developed the PayPass, which is an RFID enabled credit card. This credit card allows you to tap your cards on the reader and it links to your account. The EZ Pass system on the highways is a form of RFID. ‘
RFID tags have been used in sporting event tickets and casino chips to prevent counterfeiting. Vehicle immobilizers use RFID technology. The steering columns in new vehicles have an RFID reader in them. The key to your vehicle has an RFID tag and is programmed for a certain ID. The reader in the steering column reads the tag in the key to verify if it is the correct key. If the ID is not correct, the vehicle will not start. This is why some keys have to be programmed before they can be used. Livestock tracking and pet tracking systems may use RFID to track animals. Library systems are also using RFID to improve inventory processes and counts, as well as reduce shrinkage.
How about parents knowing where their kids are?
There are some forms of RFID, and some RFID applications that allow for tracking of children. However, there are also some drawbacks to using RFID. First, an RFID system requires that a tagged object be in the “interrogation zone” for the item to be identified. Therefore, any tagged object that leaves this interrogation zone will not be able to be identified or tracked. The size of this interrogation zone depends on the type of RFID technology being used in the application. For instance, active RFID systems may track tagged objects up to 100 ft, or more.
The active systems also allow for a real time location of a tagged object. Therefore, this type of system may be used for tracking children. In fact, some amusement parks have used this type of system to track children at the park. Parents are able to visit a park kiosk and rent an RFID enabled “wristband” for their children. The RFID enabled wristband contains an active tag. There are active RFID antennas throughout the amusement park that will then track children. Parents can visit kiosks to find real time locations of their children.
Additionally, passive RFID systems are being used in much the same fashion. Children may be outfitted with passive RFID enabled wristbands. However, due to the features of passive RFID, the read ranges are much smaller, and passive RFID does not provide a real time location. Therefore, antennas would be placed at the entrances and exits of amusement park rides, and parents would be able to obtain a “last known location” of their children.
Again, keep in mind that the tagged objects must be inside the interrogation zone to be identified. I also want to make clear that people themselves are not being tagged, or injected, with RFID tags. Applications that track people use some kind of ID badge, wristband, or similar device that is outfitted with an RFID tag. Therefore, there may be some types of applications that allow for tracking children with RFID, but one must know the technology, its limitations, and its benefits before designing one of these systems.
I investigated this some time ago for my limousine company, probably about six years ago but it was not yet available at a reasonable rate, is it now?
Due to the use of industry standards, and advancements in the technology and production processes, the price of the RFID equipment and tags are coming down fast. Passive UHF tags can be found at about 10 cents in volume, and you can purchase a UHF reader w/integrated antenna for about $1500. Prices will continue to drop as technological advancements continue to emerge. The overall cost of an RFID system is a case by case situation. Depending on the application, the amount of equipment and tags needed, as well as the type of RFID used, the costs will vary. In general, although, the price of RFID equipment is dropping
Where can I go to do some research on this?
There are not many online RFID training sites that allow you to access their training material for free. I would suggest looking at RFIDjournal.com. This site will provide good information on RFID as well as many articles on applications of RFID and the state of the RFID industry. Additionally, you may be able to find some basic information on websites from RFID industry vendors. I would be more than happy to provide you with more information on RFID technology if you would like!
Radio Frequency Identification
The Center for eBusiness and Advanced Information Technology is a resource initiative established in 2002, designed to help companies apply e-business technologies.
Our primary mission is to:
Provide education and training programs in e-business
Create a greater pool of skilled technology talent for Pennsylvania businesses
Facilitate product development in advanced information technology
Increase the visibility and capability of Pennsylvania IT-related companies
Recruit, attract and establish viable businesses, leading to job creation and Pennsylvania "brain gain"
Chris Wassel is the RFID Program Manager at the Penn State Behrend RFID Center of Excellence.
Wassel's responsibilities include overseeing the Center's corporate membership and RFID training program. His team has assisted over 20 companies with RFID projects and has trained over 1,200 industry professionals and students in RFID technology. Wassel also manages the Center's state-of-the-art RFID Lab. Wassel holds a master's degree in Business Administration from Penn State Behrend and is an RFID+ Certified Professional.
Yes, the RFID Center sprung from eBizITPA. We provide the organization/registration for the courses, they provide the training.
Contact Info:
Chris Wassel
RFID Center of Excellence
Penn State Behrend
Erie, PA
814.898.6684
chris.wassel@ebizitpa.org
cwassel@psu.edu
www.pserie.psu.edu/RFID
Pre-interview notes:
What is RFID?
Radio frequency identification is a technology that allows you to uniquely track items using radio waves. Those items can be various things such as cases or pallets of items in a supply chain, high dollar value assets, tooling and fixtures, livestock, employees (through ID badges), or high risk medical patients. RFID allows for unique, item level visibility as opposed to the object level visibility available from barcode or other current methods.
Practical applications for business / practical applications for organizations?
RFID is a suite of technologies that allows for use in many different applications. The most popular use of RFID for businesses now is to gain visibility into the supply chain.
For example, many large retailers and organizations have mandates that require their suppliers to place RFID tags on cases and pallets of items. The cases and pallets are then read as they pass through various points of the supply chain, allowing for much more visibility into the flow of products through the supply chain.
Additionally, RFID allows for more accurate inventory counts, reduced out-of-stocks, and increased sales. Businesses are also using RFID to track materials as they flow internally through a facility. RFID allows for more accurate and easier data capture than current methods. Therefore, work in process goods can be monitored accurately, and accurate process times can be determined. This allows businesses to identify any bottlenecks, and improve their production processes.
RFID also allows for the automation of currently manual processes. For example, businesses may use RFID to automate the goods receipt process or order generation process. This allows for manual labor to be put to use elsewhere in the organization, on more value added activities.
In addition to supply chain and business applications, RFID is being used in many other applications. MasterCard has developed the PayPass, which is an RFID enabled credit card. This credit card allows you to tap your cards on the reader and it links to your account. The EZ Pass system on the highways is a form of RFID. ‘
RFID tags have been used in sporting event tickets and casino chips to prevent counterfeiting. Vehicle immobilizers use RFID technology. The steering columns in new vehicles have an RFID reader in them. The key to your vehicle has an RFID tag and is programmed for a certain ID. The reader in the steering column reads the tag in the key to verify if it is the correct key. If the ID is not correct, the vehicle will not start. This is why some keys have to be programmed before they can be used. Livestock tracking and pet tracking systems may use RFID to track animals. Library systems are also using RFID to improve inventory processes and counts, as well as reduce shrinkage.
How about parents knowing where their kids are?
There are some forms of RFID, and some RFID applications that allow for tracking of children. However, there are also some drawbacks to using RFID. First, an RFID system requires that a tagged object be in the “interrogation zone” for the item to be identified. Therefore, any tagged object that leaves this interrogation zone will not be able to be identified or tracked. The size of this interrogation zone depends on the type of RFID technology being used in the application. For instance, active RFID systems may track tagged objects up to 100 ft, or more.
The active systems also allow for a real time location of a tagged object. Therefore, this type of system may be used for tracking children. In fact, some amusement parks have used this type of system to track children at the park. Parents are able to visit a park kiosk and rent an RFID enabled “wristband” for their children. The RFID enabled wristband contains an active tag. There are active RFID antennas throughout the amusement park that will then track children. Parents can visit kiosks to find real time locations of their children.
Additionally, passive RFID systems are being used in much the same fashion. Children may be outfitted with passive RFID enabled wristbands. However, due to the features of passive RFID, the read ranges are much smaller, and passive RFID does not provide a real time location. Therefore, antennas would be placed at the entrances and exits of amusement park rides, and parents would be able to obtain a “last known location” of their children.
Again, keep in mind that the tagged objects must be inside the interrogation zone to be identified. I also want to make clear that people themselves are not being tagged, or injected, with RFID tags. Applications that track people use some kind of ID badge, wristband, or similar device that is outfitted with an RFID tag. Therefore, there may be some types of applications that allow for tracking children with RFID, but one must know the technology, its limitations, and its benefits before designing one of these systems.
I investigated this some time ago for my limousine company, probably about six years ago but it was not yet available at a reasonable rate, is it now?
Due to the use of industry standards, and advancements in the technology and production processes, the price of the RFID equipment and tags are coming down fast. Passive UHF tags can be found at about 10 cents in volume, and you can purchase a UHF reader w/integrated antenna for about $1500. Prices will continue to drop as technological advancements continue to emerge. The overall cost of an RFID system is a case by case situation. Depending on the application, the amount of equipment and tags needed, as well as the type of RFID used, the costs will vary. In general, although, the price of RFID equipment is dropping
Where can I go to do some research on this?
There are not many online RFID training sites that allow you to access their training material for free. I would suggest looking at RFIDjournal.com. This site will provide good information on RFID as well as many articles on applications of RFID and the state of the RFID industry. Additionally, you may be able to find some basic information on websites from RFID industry vendors. I would be more than happy to provide you with more information on RFID technology if you would like!
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Episode 37, Fighting Spam, Is this a Canned Show?, Techno Granny Talks About Spam
1-14-08 Episdoe 37 Fighting spam, Is this a Canned Show?
Monty Python has done comedy sketches on Spam, which refer specifically to the meat, which is a canned product put out by Hormel. Since then, many other uses of the term have emerged and spam on the internet is no joke. The most likely definition is undesirabe and/or unsolicited e-mail in your in box, on your mobile phone, on your forum, blogs, wikis or guest books.
You have probably seen an increase in the amount of "junk mail" which shows up in your email box, or on your favorite newsgroup.. How many unscrupulous people post “Make money at home” multiple messages in a row on your message board of your website? The activities of a small number of people are becoming a bigger problem for the Internet
Anti Spam software is a necessity because Spam compromises the security of your computers and exposes it to various risks besides being a permanent source of botheration.
Before we learn about anti-spam tactics, we need to first know what is spam. To put it succinctly, spam is unsolicited and unwanted email. Other names for spam are Unsolicited Bulk Mail, Excessive Multi-Posting, and Unsolicited Commercial email, in addition to the more common - spam mail, bulk email or just junk mail.
Along with the beauty of e-mail came the beast. For the multitudes of marketing manicas out there, e-mail created an opportunity to send unsolicited promotions of their products, instantly, and at a very low cost. Today, spam has reached such monumental proportions that 10 out of every 13 emails (76.9%) we receive are spam, one way or the other. This is why anti-Spam filter has become a must have software for almost all PC users.
A good spam filter will:
• Block emails using both lists and preset filters - block specific addresses, watch subject lines, and messages within.
• Update filters automatically.
• Isolate spam outside of your inbox.
• Put acceptable emails automatically into your safe list.
• Monitor and filter multiple email accounts.
Before we talk about products what can you do to limit spam on your own.
1. Most e-mail providers have the ability to block spam with a click by hi-lighting or checking message and then clicking, block sender or junk mail. It may take a while but eventually messages from this sender or group of senders will automatically go to your junk mail. Hint: go to your junk mail folder now and then to make sure that some of the good has not been graveyarded there along with the ugly because that can happen when you set your spy ware or filters on maximum. Goes with the territory if you are tired of the time that spam waists.
2. Download Free version of Spamfighter
3. Always use the bcc or blind copy line on your multiple e-mails and when you get one from a newbie or by accident,remind the sender that you do not want your e-mail on a long list that can be seen and copied by unscrupulous marketers.
4. Always report spam
5. Be careful yourself to send info only to those people you know or have requested it, you would not like to be on a black list for e-mail for one of these spam filters
6. When someone asks you to “unsubscribe” them do two things, first reply that you will and then immediately(within 24 hours if your e-mail campaign is aggressive) take them off of your distribution list.
(c)Joanne Quinn-Smith, 2008
This blog post may be reproduced in its entirety with the following tag-line
Next episode: Joanne Quinn-Smith is Creative Energy Officer of Dreamweaver Markeing Associates, host of the Techno Granny Show, 7 AM every Monday at www.talkshoe.com, Show blog at: technogrannyshow.blogspot.com
Next EPISODE38 - Trends in E-Marketing, Don't Get an F!, January 21, 08 at 7 AM, EST: Cathy von Bergelen of E-Biz-IT will keep you up to date with E-Marketing trends!
Monty Python has done comedy sketches on Spam, which refer specifically to the meat, which is a canned product put out by Hormel. Since then, many other uses of the term have emerged and spam on the internet is no joke. The most likely definition is undesirabe and/or unsolicited e-mail in your in box, on your mobile phone, on your forum, blogs, wikis or guest books.
You have probably seen an increase in the amount of "junk mail" which shows up in your email box, or on your favorite newsgroup.. How many unscrupulous people post “Make money at home” multiple messages in a row on your message board of your website? The activities of a small number of people are becoming a bigger problem for the Internet
Anti Spam software is a necessity because Spam compromises the security of your computers and exposes it to various risks besides being a permanent source of botheration.
Before we learn about anti-spam tactics, we need to first know what is spam. To put it succinctly, spam is unsolicited and unwanted email. Other names for spam are Unsolicited Bulk Mail, Excessive Multi-Posting, and Unsolicited Commercial email, in addition to the more common - spam mail, bulk email or just junk mail.
Along with the beauty of e-mail came the beast. For the multitudes of marketing manicas out there, e-mail created an opportunity to send unsolicited promotions of their products, instantly, and at a very low cost. Today, spam has reached such monumental proportions that 10 out of every 13 emails (76.9%) we receive are spam, one way or the other. This is why anti-Spam filter has become a must have software for almost all PC users.
A good spam filter will:
• Block emails using both lists and preset filters - block specific addresses, watch subject lines, and messages within.
• Update filters automatically.
• Isolate spam outside of your inbox.
• Put acceptable emails automatically into your safe list.
• Monitor and filter multiple email accounts.
Before we talk about products what can you do to limit spam on your own.
1. Most e-mail providers have the ability to block spam with a click by hi-lighting or checking message and then clicking, block sender or junk mail. It may take a while but eventually messages from this sender or group of senders will automatically go to your junk mail. Hint: go to your junk mail folder now and then to make sure that some of the good has not been graveyarded there along with the ugly because that can happen when you set your spy ware or filters on maximum. Goes with the territory if you are tired of the time that spam waists.
2. Download Free version of Spamfighter
3. Always use the bcc or blind copy line on your multiple e-mails and when you get one from a newbie or by accident,remind the sender that you do not want your e-mail on a long list that can be seen and copied by unscrupulous marketers.
4. Always report spam
5. Be careful yourself to send info only to those people you know or have requested it, you would not like to be on a black list for e-mail for one of these spam filters
6. When someone asks you to “unsubscribe” them do two things, first reply that you will and then immediately(within 24 hours if your e-mail campaign is aggressive) take them off of your distribution list.
(c)Joanne Quinn-Smith, 2008
This blog post may be reproduced in its entirety with the following tag-line
Next episode: Joanne Quinn-Smith is Creative Energy Officer of Dreamweaver Markeing Associates, host of the Techno Granny Show, 7 AM every Monday at www.talkshoe.com, Show blog at: technogrannyshow.blogspot.com
Next EPISODE38 - Trends in E-Marketing, Don't Get an F!, January 21, 08 at 7 AM, EST: Cathy von Bergelen of E-Biz-IT will keep you up to date with E-Marketing trends!
Episdoe 34, No Website? Techno Granny Talks to Robert Faletti of Blue Archer on Launch Options
EPISODE 34 - No Website?
Robert Faletti of Blue Archer on Launch Options
Robert Faletti
Blue Archer, Inc.
412.353.1048
rfaletti@bluearcher.com
www.bluearcher.com
www.accucms.com
Blue archer has over 150 clients from small business to large and he answers questions such as:
Why you need a web site?
What are options for launch?
Three options according to Robert Faletti
Go Daddy
Register.com
Network solutions
Your cousin or your brother in law builds web-sites for a hobby or you build it yourself
Issues: Time involved in free web site
Basic: 10 to 20 hours
What is your business doing while you build your web site or wait for your cousin?
Or hire a professional and use your time to run your business
Robert Faleltti discusses:
Key words, page titles,, content
Key words—inserted into code
Key words on every page
Content must be relevant.
Leave behind content management—no programming experience
Indexing your site
Robert Faletti discusses why he would essentially engage in this arena when it precludes his company going back to maintain the website.
Robert Falleti talks about self designed as opposed to professional websites.
Robert Faletti of Blue Archer on Launch Options
Robert Faletti
Blue Archer, Inc.
412.353.1048
rfaletti@bluearcher.com
www.bluearcher.com
www.accucms.com
Blue archer has over 150 clients from small business to large and he answers questions such as:
Why you need a web site?
What are options for launch?
Three options according to Robert Faletti
Go Daddy
Register.com
Network solutions
Your cousin or your brother in law builds web-sites for a hobby or you build it yourself
Issues: Time involved in free web site
Basic: 10 to 20 hours
What is your business doing while you build your web site or wait for your cousin?
Or hire a professional and use your time to run your business
Robert Faleltti discusses:
Key words, page titles,, content
Key words—inserted into code
Key words on every page
Content must be relevant.
Leave behind content management—no programming experience
Indexing your site
Robert Faletti discusses why he would essentially engage in this arena when it precludes his company going back to maintain the website.
Robert Falleti talks about self designed as opposed to professional websites.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Episode 38, Trends in E-marketing, Cathy von Birgelen, E-Bizit Pa
Episode 38, Trends in E-marketing
Trends in Internet Marketing
The Center for eBusiness and Advanced Information Technology is a resource initiative established in 2002, designed to help companies apply e-business technologies.
The primary mission is to:
• Provide education and training programs in e-business
• Create a greater pool of skilled technology talent for Pennsylvania businesses
• Facilitate product development in advanced information technology
• Increase the visibility and capability of Pennsylvania IT-related companies
• Recruit, attract and establish viable businesses, leading to job creation and Pennsylvania "brain gain"
Seminars, webinars and tutorials are taught by industry experts who share best practices, personal experiences and practical applications in e-Marketing, IT Fundamentals and RFID.
Manager, eMarketing Learning Center
Name: Cathy von Birgelen
Email: cathy.vonbirgelen@ebizitpa.org
Phone: 814.898.6547
E-marketing is:
A set of services and strategies designed to encounter and interact with customers and prospects for the purpose of developing an ongoing relationship
Facilitated through the use of electronic technology to communicate, interact, gather response, track and measure responses and activities for the purpose of supporting marketing objectives
Also labeled: new media, electronic, interactive and digital marketing
Three cornerstones(Cathy)
Web site—capture contact info, cookie, tracking: how people find you; special promotions—how many opened, how many searched on site, how many took action, download or sale
Search engine marketing—drive traffic? Put on anything? 95 % of business internet for sources and purchase, 78% use on line before in person purchasing
Paid search, bid on keywords—metatarsal boot—
Pay per click, sponsored advertising-- put in your budget
Google on right, middle section, natural or organic
Title page must have key names
E-mail marketing—best relation with customer, may come and go on web site but track with e-mail
Newsletter or e-mail hosting helps track but also helps with “canned spam Act.”
Additional info at: www.ebizitpa.org
Trends in Internet Marketing
The Center for eBusiness and Advanced Information Technology is a resource initiative established in 2002, designed to help companies apply e-business technologies.
The primary mission is to:
• Provide education and training programs in e-business
• Create a greater pool of skilled technology talent for Pennsylvania businesses
• Facilitate product development in advanced information technology
• Increase the visibility and capability of Pennsylvania IT-related companies
• Recruit, attract and establish viable businesses, leading to job creation and Pennsylvania "brain gain"
Seminars, webinars and tutorials are taught by industry experts who share best practices, personal experiences and practical applications in e-Marketing, IT Fundamentals and RFID.
Manager, eMarketing Learning Center
Name: Cathy von Birgelen
Email: cathy.vonbirgelen@ebizitpa.org
Phone: 814.898.6547
E-marketing is:
A set of services and strategies designed to encounter and interact with customers and prospects for the purpose of developing an ongoing relationship
Facilitated through the use of electronic technology to communicate, interact, gather response, track and measure responses and activities for the purpose of supporting marketing objectives
Also labeled: new media, electronic, interactive and digital marketing
Three cornerstones(Cathy)
Web site—capture contact info, cookie, tracking: how people find you; special promotions—how many opened, how many searched on site, how many took action, download or sale
Search engine marketing—drive traffic? Put on anything? 95 % of business internet for sources and purchase, 78% use on line before in person purchasing
Paid search, bid on keywords—metatarsal boot—
Pay per click, sponsored advertising-- put in your budget
Google on right, middle section, natural or organic
Title page must have key names
E-mail marketing—best relation with customer, may come and go on web site but track with e-mail
Newsletter or e-mail hosting helps track but also helps with “canned spam Act.”
Additional info at: www.ebizitpa.org
Monday, January 14, 2008
More From: EPISODE 36 - Web 2.0, a Web Date? Debbie Duccic of GutZyWomen.com
“Web 2.0...Beauty is in the Eyes of the Beholder” Never Meant THIS Before! Part 1
The Beauty of Web 2.0
Just recently, I explained that one of the paradigm shifts that GutZy Women proposes and asks you to buy into is that technology can be just as beautiful as your favorite art form.
This is a case study I found 2 days ago (talk about timely!) about how Web 2.0 technological and creative capabilities allow and encourage normal citizens of the online world to become “Marketing Mavens”, creating commercials FOR MAJOR corporations, AND promote them on THE OSCARS!!!! Quite a fete when compared to the traditional ways of making and distributing commercials.
Since we'll be talking about Web 2.0 ALOT, and as an integral part of your GutZy Women education, rather than give a definition of what it is, I'll give you some real life examples I find that represent the soul of what Web 2.0 capabilities make available to us 'newbies". By doing so, those of you who "learn by example" can catch on quickly and easily.
These are also examples that represent BRILLIANT strategies, in my opinion, that can be "adapted and adopted", as Jay Abraham would say, to what YOU could do to put life into your own online marketing without a HUGE OUTLAY of time and money. But you have to act!
Just tonight, for example, I ran across a "Dove" website. Specifically, it's "Dove Cream Oil" that is the focus of what's being promoted. What makes it so UNIQUE is that instead of the Ad Agency creating the "commercial" of how WONDERFUL "DOVE Creme Oil" is... as we are use to in traditional marketing, this site provides YOU with the tools to CREATE YOUR OWN COMMERCIAL!
YES, you heard right…YOU CAN CREATE LIKE the BIG DOGS. Go for IT!
You use the video clips that they provide OR you can mix what they provide with video YOU create yourself. They give you the software to create it and a tutorial if you need it. The rules tell you how it works and how the winner might get their ad shown during the OSCARS!
There are over 600 ads already entered! If you don’t want to create one yourself, you can at least go watch them and give YOUR 2 cents about which one you liked best by voting for your favorites.
I voted 5 stars on 4 of them…Very creative and I could “relate”.
My favorite is a baby boomer woman (imagine that J ) talking about all of the things she had experienced in her life. Who better to know how much you deserve pampering than a REAL woman who has LIVED life (not a 20 year old model who got paid to play the part) and knows how important that can be when you’re stressed to the max?
Way better than a hyped – up, high pressure, 24 page sales page,
wouldn’t you agree?
Short, sweet, easy on the eyes and the senses and we’re “consulted” about our own idea of the “message” OR about which “message” appeals to us most. Sounds FUN to me…I love creating AND contributing... How ‘bout you?
Stay tuned to PART 2 of this article to discover WHY this business building idea is important to you and ideas HOW you can use this concept in YOUR business or fundraising efforts.
HOME
For more information:
Gutzy Women, LLC
624 N. Main St
Pueblo, CO 81003 US
Email: deuce@gutzywoman.com
(719) 334-3053
The Beauty of Web 2.0
Just recently, I explained that one of the paradigm shifts that GutZy Women proposes and asks you to buy into is that technology can be just as beautiful as your favorite art form.
This is a case study I found 2 days ago (talk about timely!) about how Web 2.0 technological and creative capabilities allow and encourage normal citizens of the online world to become “Marketing Mavens”, creating commercials FOR MAJOR corporations, AND promote them on THE OSCARS!!!! Quite a fete when compared to the traditional ways of making and distributing commercials.
Since we'll be talking about Web 2.0 ALOT, and as an integral part of your GutZy Women education, rather than give a definition of what it is, I'll give you some real life examples I find that represent the soul of what Web 2.0 capabilities make available to us 'newbies". By doing so, those of you who "learn by example" can catch on quickly and easily.
These are also examples that represent BRILLIANT strategies, in my opinion, that can be "adapted and adopted", as Jay Abraham would say, to what YOU could do to put life into your own online marketing without a HUGE OUTLAY of time and money. But you have to act!
Just tonight, for example, I ran across a "Dove" website. Specifically, it's "Dove Cream Oil" that is the focus of what's being promoted. What makes it so UNIQUE is that instead of the Ad Agency creating the "commercial" of how WONDERFUL "DOVE Creme Oil" is... as we are use to in traditional marketing, this site provides YOU with the tools to CREATE YOUR OWN COMMERCIAL!
YES, you heard right…YOU CAN CREATE LIKE the BIG DOGS. Go for IT!
You use the video clips that they provide OR you can mix what they provide with video YOU create yourself. They give you the software to create it and a tutorial if you need it. The rules tell you how it works and how the winner might get their ad shown during the OSCARS!
There are over 600 ads already entered! If you don’t want to create one yourself, you can at least go watch them and give YOUR 2 cents about which one you liked best by voting for your favorites.
I voted 5 stars on 4 of them…Very creative and I could “relate”.
My favorite is a baby boomer woman (imagine that J ) talking about all of the things she had experienced in her life. Who better to know how much you deserve pampering than a REAL woman who has LIVED life (not a 20 year old model who got paid to play the part) and knows how important that can be when you’re stressed to the max?
Way better than a hyped – up, high pressure, 24 page sales page,
wouldn’t you agree?
Short, sweet, easy on the eyes and the senses and we’re “consulted” about our own idea of the “message” OR about which “message” appeals to us most. Sounds FUN to me…I love creating AND contributing... How ‘bout you?
Stay tuned to PART 2 of this article to discover WHY this business building idea is important to you and ideas HOW you can use this concept in YOUR business or fundraising efforts.
HOME
For more information:
Gutzy Women, LLC
624 N. Main St
Pueblo, CO 81003 US
Email: deuce@gutzywoman.com
(719) 334-3053
Episode 37 "Fighting Spam, Is this a Canned Show? January 14, 08
1-14-08 Episdoe 37 Fighting spam, Is this a Canned Show?
For spam on Wikipedia, see Wikipedia:Spam and Wikipedia:WikiProject Spam
Spam originally referred to Spam (also written as SPAM), a canned meat product sold by the Hormel Foods Corporation. Since then, many other uses of the term have emerged.
• Spam (Monty Python), a Monty Python comedy sketch. The "Spam" in the sketch refers specifically to the meat. Most later uses of "spam" refer in one way or another to undesirable repetition, and this sketch is considered to be the most likely source of such uses of the term.
• Spam (electronic), unsolicited or undesired bulk electronic messages. There are many types of electronic spam, including
• E-mail spam, unsolicited e-mail.
• Mobile phone spam, unsolicited text messages.
• Forum spam, posting advertisements or useless posts on a forum.
• Spamdexing, manipulating a search engine to create the illusion of popularity for webpages.
• Spam in blogs, posting random comments or promoting commercial services to blogs, wikis, guestbooks.
• Newsgroup spam, advertisement and forgery on newsgroups.
• Messaging spam ("SPIM"), use of instant messenger services for advertisement or even extortion.
Anti Spam software is a necessity because Spam compromises the security of your computers and exposes it to various risks besides being a permanent source of botheration.
Before we learn about anti-spam tactics, we need to first know what is spam. To put it succinctly, spam is unsolicited and unwanted email.
Other names for spam are Unsolicited Bulk Mail, Excessive Multi-Posting, and Unsolicited Commercial email, in addition to the more common - spam mail, bulk email or just junk mail.
Along with the beauty of e-mail came the beast. For the multitudes of marketing manicas out there, e-mail created an opportunity to send unsolicited promotions of their products, instantly, and at a very low cost. Today, spam has reached such monumental proportions that 10 out of every 13 emails (76.9%) we receive are spam, one way or the other. This is why anti-Spam filter has become a must have software for almost all PC users.
A good spam filter will:
• Block emails using both lists and preset filters - block specific addresses, watch subject lines, and messages within.
• Update filters automatically.
• Isolate spam outside of your inbox.
• Put acceptable emails automatically into your safe list.
• Monitor and filter multiple email accounts.
What YOU can do to help eliminate spam:
1. Most e-mail providers have the ability to block spam with a click by hi-lighting or checking message and then clicking, block sender or junk mail. It may take a while but eventually messages from this sender or group of senders will automatically go to your junk mail. Hint: go to your junk mail folder now and then to make sure that some of the good has not been graveyarded there along with the ugly because that can happen when you set your spy ware or filters on maximum. Goes with the territory if you are tired of the time that spam waists.
2. Download Free version of Spamfighter
3. Always use the bcc or blind copy line on your multiple e-mails and when you get one from a newbie or by accident,remind the sender that you do not want your e-mail on a long list that can be seen and copied by unscrupulous marketers.
4. Always report spam
5. Be careful yourself to send info only to those people you know or have requested it, you would not like to be on a black list for e-mail for one of these spam filters
6. When someone asks you to “unsubscribe” them do two things, first reply that you will and then immediately(within 24 hours if your e-mail campaign is aggressive) take them off of your distribution list.
Fight Spam on the Internet!
You have probably seen an increase in the amount of "junk mail" which shows up in your email box, or on your favorite newsgroup. The activities of a small number of people are becoming a bigger problem for the Internet.
In the News
San Jose, CA (OPENPRESS) January 14, 2008 -- Engate Technology Corporation, a leading anti-spam supplier and pioneer of next generation network profiling and connection management security solutions, announced today that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has approved the issuance of Patent No. 7,310,660 which covers methods for removing unsolicited messages from a client's email in a networked computer system in an off-line and on-demand manner.
Engate Technology Awarded New Patent for Anti-Spam Threat Protection
Contact Info:
Engate Technology Corporation
4790 Caughlin Parkway, Suite 240
Reno, Nevada 89509
Tony dellaBusa
tbusa@engate.com
From: http://www.spamfighter.com/Product_Info.asp
Free Spam Filter for Outlook and Outlook Express
SPAMfighter has partnered up with Microsoft to build the strongest, safest, and most effective anti spam tool on the market. If you use Outlook, Outlook Express or Windows Mail and you want to get rid of spam, just install SPAMfighter. And if you use it at home, it's 100% free for the first month.
Whenever new mail arrives, it will automatically be tested by SPAMfighter, and if it's spam, it will be moved to your spam folder. If you receive a spam mail that is not detected, click a single button, and the spam mail is removed.
Download SPAMfighter
Download SPAMfighter
There are two versions of SPAMfighter:
SPAMfighter Pro
This is the product you download and get free for 1 month. After the trial, you can choose to pay only US$29 and keep the Pro version, otherwise you are automatically downgraded to the free SPAMfighter Standard.
SPAMfighter Pro can be used in companies and other commercial environments and gives access to better protection, read more here.
SPAMfighter Standard
This is a free product and can only be used in private homes and schools. In SPAMfighter Standard, a short text ad is displayed in your e-mail client, and an "I'm protected by SPAMfighter" message is attached as a footer to your outgoing e-mails. Also, you don't have the language filter and other useful features are missing.
You may want to check wih your provider to see that you do not alreay have a spam fighter on your system. Most providers give you the ability to set your e-mail spam filter on low, medium and high. I have mine set on medium for my AOL and high on hotmail and I get very little spam. However, each time the spam fighters figure out how to fight it, a hacker or company out ther figures out how to circumvent it. So check your options often if your spam in your e-mail increases. It’s the bain of the internet.Disclaimer: Techno Granny is not endorsing any of these products, this is simply information garnered in my research in an attempt to picque your interest in learning about spam fighting.
Next week: EPISODE38 - Trends in E-Marketing, Don't Get an F!, January 21, 08 at 7 AM, EST: Cathy von Bergelen of E-Biz-IT will keep you up to date with E-Marketing trends!
For spam on Wikipedia, see Wikipedia:Spam and Wikipedia:WikiProject Spam
Spam originally referred to Spam (also written as SPAM), a canned meat product sold by the Hormel Foods Corporation. Since then, many other uses of the term have emerged.
• Spam (Monty Python), a Monty Python comedy sketch. The "Spam" in the sketch refers specifically to the meat. Most later uses of "spam" refer in one way or another to undesirable repetition, and this sketch is considered to be the most likely source of such uses of the term.
• Spam (electronic), unsolicited or undesired bulk electronic messages. There are many types of electronic spam, including
• E-mail spam, unsolicited e-mail.
• Mobile phone spam, unsolicited text messages.
• Forum spam, posting advertisements or useless posts on a forum.
• Spamdexing, manipulating a search engine to create the illusion of popularity for webpages.
• Spam in blogs, posting random comments or promoting commercial services to blogs, wikis, guestbooks.
• Newsgroup spam, advertisement and forgery on newsgroups.
• Messaging spam ("SPIM"), use of instant messenger services for advertisement or even extortion.
Anti Spam software is a necessity because Spam compromises the security of your computers and exposes it to various risks besides being a permanent source of botheration.
Before we learn about anti-spam tactics, we need to first know what is spam. To put it succinctly, spam is unsolicited and unwanted email.
Other names for spam are Unsolicited Bulk Mail, Excessive Multi-Posting, and Unsolicited Commercial email, in addition to the more common - spam mail, bulk email or just junk mail.
Along with the beauty of e-mail came the beast. For the multitudes of marketing manicas out there, e-mail created an opportunity to send unsolicited promotions of their products, instantly, and at a very low cost. Today, spam has reached such monumental proportions that 10 out of every 13 emails (76.9%) we receive are spam, one way or the other. This is why anti-Spam filter has become a must have software for almost all PC users.
A good spam filter will:
• Block emails using both lists and preset filters - block specific addresses, watch subject lines, and messages within.
• Update filters automatically.
• Isolate spam outside of your inbox.
• Put acceptable emails automatically into your safe list.
• Monitor and filter multiple email accounts.
What YOU can do to help eliminate spam:
1. Most e-mail providers have the ability to block spam with a click by hi-lighting or checking message and then clicking, block sender or junk mail. It may take a while but eventually messages from this sender or group of senders will automatically go to your junk mail. Hint: go to your junk mail folder now and then to make sure that some of the good has not been graveyarded there along with the ugly because that can happen when you set your spy ware or filters on maximum. Goes with the territory if you are tired of the time that spam waists.
2. Download Free version of Spamfighter
3. Always use the bcc or blind copy line on your multiple e-mails and when you get one from a newbie or by accident,remind the sender that you do not want your e-mail on a long list that can be seen and copied by unscrupulous marketers.
4. Always report spam
5. Be careful yourself to send info only to those people you know or have requested it, you would not like to be on a black list for e-mail for one of these spam filters
6. When someone asks you to “unsubscribe” them do two things, first reply that you will and then immediately(within 24 hours if your e-mail campaign is aggressive) take them off of your distribution list.
Fight Spam on the Internet!
You have probably seen an increase in the amount of "junk mail" which shows up in your email box, or on your favorite newsgroup. The activities of a small number of people are becoming a bigger problem for the Internet.
In the News
San Jose, CA (OPENPRESS) January 14, 2008 -- Engate Technology Corporation, a leading anti-spam supplier and pioneer of next generation network profiling and connection management security solutions, announced today that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has approved the issuance of Patent No. 7,310,660 which covers methods for removing unsolicited messages from a client's email in a networked computer system in an off-line and on-demand manner.
Engate Technology Awarded New Patent for Anti-Spam Threat Protection
Contact Info:
Engate Technology Corporation
4790 Caughlin Parkway, Suite 240
Reno, Nevada 89509
Tony dellaBusa
tbusa@engate.com
From: http://www.spamfighter.com/Product_Info.asp
Free Spam Filter for Outlook and Outlook Express
SPAMfighter has partnered up with Microsoft to build the strongest, safest, and most effective anti spam tool on the market. If you use Outlook, Outlook Express or Windows Mail and you want to get rid of spam, just install SPAMfighter. And if you use it at home, it's 100% free for the first month.
Whenever new mail arrives, it will automatically be tested by SPAMfighter, and if it's spam, it will be moved to your spam folder. If you receive a spam mail that is not detected, click a single button, and the spam mail is removed.
Download SPAMfighter
Download SPAMfighter
There are two versions of SPAMfighter:
SPAMfighter Pro
This is the product you download and get free for 1 month. After the trial, you can choose to pay only US$29 and keep the Pro version, otherwise you are automatically downgraded to the free SPAMfighter Standard.
SPAMfighter Pro can be used in companies and other commercial environments and gives access to better protection, read more here.
SPAMfighter Standard
This is a free product and can only be used in private homes and schools. In SPAMfighter Standard, a short text ad is displayed in your e-mail client, and an "I'm protected by SPAMfighter" message is attached as a footer to your outgoing e-mails. Also, you don't have the language filter and other useful features are missing.
You may want to check wih your provider to see that you do not alreay have a spam fighter on your system. Most providers give you the ability to set your e-mail spam filter on low, medium and high. I have mine set on medium for my AOL and high on hotmail and I get very little spam. However, each time the spam fighters figure out how to fight it, a hacker or company out ther figures out how to circumvent it. So check your options often if your spam in your e-mail increases. It’s the bain of the internet.Disclaimer: Techno Granny is not endorsing any of these products, this is simply information garnered in my research in an attempt to picque your interest in learning about spam fighting.
Next week: EPISODE38 - Trends in E-Marketing, Don't Get an F!, January 21, 08 at 7 AM, EST: Cathy von Bergelen of E-Biz-IT will keep you up to date with E-Marketing trends!
Friday, January 11, 2008
Apology to Carl Weisbrad of Ask Carl Who was Misquoted!
Techno Granny has egg on her face!
On the recent show, Web 2.0 with Debbie Ducic of Gutzy Women, I mentioned that Carl Weisbrad of Ask Carl fame who is a very, very smart man as I always say on my shows had said that Web 2.0 is an old term.
Well I went back and listened to the show where we talked about it and not only did it come wrong out of Techno Granny's mouth, but Carl was actually saying that the technology had been around for a while and had been recently integrated into a new way of looking at the internet, hence Web 2.0.
As a matter of fact, much of what Web 2.0 is, Carl integrates into his teachings and is one of the most advanced senior advisors on the web that I know of. So in my "Old Timers" misunderstanding, I have maligned a very sage individual who has always instructed this Techno Granny with only the best of information.
The information that he actually put out on his show and I that I obvously misunderstood was this:
"You might have heard me mention PUSH vs PULL technology--those terms have been around. Web 2.0 was coined in 2005. Web 2.0 is RSS, Twitter, TalkShoe, etc.. Web 1.0 is MLM, the Portal Programs, email promotions, etc. It has been around forever.Look them up here: www.netlingo.com"
As I always say, Techno Granny, is not an expert but attempts to learn from experts and people who are using the technology.
My sincere apologies to Mr. Carl Weisbrad of Ask Carl who has only given me wonderful, positive and truly informational advice on anything to do with the net.
I have maligned a time honored and esteemed expert on internet marketing and my sincere apologies go out to Carl for whom I have the utmost esteem.
As I always say, Techno Granny, learns something on every show and this past week I learned to be careful of what I say and how I say it, because there is always someoen listening who will call me to task and a whole lot of people who are smarter than me.
You can find great info on marketing your business on the net and many cost effective ways to get going from Ask Carl at: wdslibrary.com
On the recent show, Web 2.0 with Debbie Ducic of Gutzy Women, I mentioned that Carl Weisbrad of Ask Carl fame who is a very, very smart man as I always say on my shows had said that Web 2.0 is an old term.
Well I went back and listened to the show where we talked about it and not only did it come wrong out of Techno Granny's mouth, but Carl was actually saying that the technology had been around for a while and had been recently integrated into a new way of looking at the internet, hence Web 2.0.
As a matter of fact, much of what Web 2.0 is, Carl integrates into his teachings and is one of the most advanced senior advisors on the web that I know of. So in my "Old Timers" misunderstanding, I have maligned a very sage individual who has always instructed this Techno Granny with only the best of information.
The information that he actually put out on his show and I that I obvously misunderstood was this:
"You might have heard me mention PUSH vs PULL technology--those terms have been around. Web 2.0 was coined in 2005. Web 2.0 is RSS, Twitter, TalkShoe, etc.. Web 1.0 is MLM, the Portal Programs, email promotions, etc. It has been around forever.Look them up here: www.netlingo.com"
As I always say, Techno Granny, is not an expert but attempts to learn from experts and people who are using the technology.
My sincere apologies to Mr. Carl Weisbrad of Ask Carl who has only given me wonderful, positive and truly informational advice on anything to do with the net.
I have maligned a time honored and esteemed expert on internet marketing and my sincere apologies go out to Carl for whom I have the utmost esteem.
As I always say, Techno Granny, learns something on every show and this past week I learned to be careful of what I say and how I say it, because there is always someoen listening who will call me to task and a whole lot of people who are smarter than me.
You can find great info on marketing your business on the net and many cost effective ways to get going from Ask Carl at: wdslibrary.com
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Techno Granny Giving Away Techno Secrets at NAWBO Magnet Lunch
Techno Granny Fans, Here the Techno Granny Live and in Person!
Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008
Using Talk Casts, Blogs and On Line Social Networksto Create Brand Identity
(How “Techno Granny” Talk Casted and Blogged to a New Business)
Joanne Quinn-Smith, Creative Energy Officer of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates, has been known as: The Limo Lady, the Dreamweaver and lately Techno Granny. Hear her tactics for developing personal branding identity. She will use real life examples of how internet technology can help with personal and business branding and her evolution from marketeer to talk caster to on line community magazine publisher has evolved.
Learning Objectives:
Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008
Using Talk Casts, Blogs and On Line Social Networksto Create Brand Identity
(How “Techno Granny” Talk Casted and Blogged to a New Business)
Joanne Quinn-Smith, Creative Energy Officer of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates, has been known as: The Limo Lady, the Dreamweaver and lately Techno Granny. Hear her tactics for developing personal branding identity. She will use real life examples of how internet technology can help with personal and business branding and her evolution from marketeer to talk caster to on line community magazine publisher has evolved.
Learning Objectives:
- Learn Guerilla Branding Techniques Using the Internet
- How to set up, produce and promote a Talk Cast for little or no money.
- How to augment that Talk Cast by blogging.
- How to create additional networks on line to increase credibility. Benefits of using these guerilla internet branding techniques:
- “Get Your Google” on by increasing internet visibility.
- Create Credibility by establishing yourself as an authority.
- Create a platform for seminars, webinars and yes, books.
- When: Wednesday, January 23rd, 200811:30 Registration,
- Lunch 12:00 -1:30pmWhere:
- Where: The Chadwick, One Wexford Square, WexfordCost: $25
Click here to RSVP or for Online Tickets
DIRECTIONS
The Chadwick in WexfordOne Wexford Square Wexford, PA 15090724-935-5950From Downtown Pittsburgh:Route 279 to 79 North. Take Exit 73- Wexford. Bear right onto Route 910. Go approximately 2 miles. At stop sign - turn right onto Route 19 South. At red light where McDonalds is on right and Wright Nissan is on left, turn right onto Richards Road. Take the first right behind McDonalds. The Chadwick is the large building at end of driveway.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
E-Zines, What's So Easy? Episode 35: Emily Nottle, Zooop Design
Joanne, thank you so much for the opportunity to be a guest on the Techno Granny podcast.
Here's a synopsis of our discussion on eZines.
This synopsis includes some additional information I'd forgotten to mention in the podcast.* Ezines are a great way to keep in touch with current and potential clients.* Studies show that people usually won't do business with you after visiting your website once or twice, especially with higher end services.* It takes at least 7 contacts with you, on average for people to decide if they want to do business with you.*
Sending out an ezine is a way for your potential clients to get to know you, and for you to establish crediblity as an expert in your field.* Sometimes I even get thank you emails from subscribers, after sending out an issue with a useful article, and sometimes they request a topic, if they have some confusion around it. This makes me feel like I'm being helpful to people.*
In my eZine, I share some of my information and experitse on internet marketing and business development.* It's also a way to educate my current and potential clients – it's more efficient than sharing the information one on one, like I've been doing as well. * This way, if they decide to use my services, it will take less time to consult on internet marketing strategy, search engine optimization, and other topics clients usually need to get educated on, if they're going to maintain a successful website.*
On occasion, I also write "book reports" because I read so many books on marketing, business development and other business related topics.* In my book reports I try to distill only the most useful information for my readers, so instead of a review to help them decide whether or not to read the book, I assume that they won't read the book, but would like to benefit from the information anyway.*
You can re-use articles to submit to article directories for more free publicity, and include your byline, offering your free ezine. A byline is a short paragraph about you, with one or two links, and sometimes your photo.* I promote my eZine in my byline, instead of my website, because people may check out my website once, and forget about it. But if they sign up for my eZine, and the find my information useful, I can keep in touch with them long term. * If at some point they have a need for my services, they are more likely to contact me.*
An eZine is a way to stay in front of your potential clients, so they don't forget you exist. * You can also post your eZine articles on your website or blog. And with a blog, you can invite comments, as a further relationship building tool.* And of course you can also make offers to your readers, for your own goods or services, or ones from an affiliate. Make sure these are relevant to the article and/or your target market.* I don't do it in every issue, because I don't always have a special offer, and because I don't want the ezine to always be about selling, but more about building relationships. Though I do have a little blip about Zooop Design built into my ezine template.*
If you want to get started with your own ezine, you're better off using a newsletter management service, instead of your own email program because once your list starts growing, it'll be extremely difficult or impossible to manage (depending on how large the list is).*
A couple of services to check out are: Constant'>www.constantcontact.com/ it's the least expensive service I've found, with pricing starting at just $15 per month. It's one of the largest email newsletter services, reliable, and they have good customer support.* Another good one is: http://www.aweber.com/ It's also reliable, and they make it easy to schedule ulimited autoresponders, follow up messages or eZines. The pricing starts at $19.95 per month, regardless of how many emails you send out.*
Feature your eZine sign-up box prominently at the top right corner of the home page (and preferrably all pages on your site). Make it easy for people to sign up.* Say something enticing about what you'll be offering in your ezine, because people get so much email these days that they need a really good reason to sign up for your ezine.*
I'm not currently doing this, but you can offer some kind of freebie, whether it's some targeted information in the form of a free report, or something else you think your target market would like.
Best of luck to you with your eZine and happy new year!
Emilie Nottle of Zooop Design, publishes Grow Your Biz, a bi-monthly eZine for entrepreneurs and small business owners. If you're ready to take your biz to the next level, using your website as an effective marketing tool and automating your marketing efforts, subscribe at: www.zooop-design.com/subscribe_info.html.
Here's a synopsis of our discussion on eZines.
This synopsis includes some additional information I'd forgotten to mention in the podcast.* Ezines are a great way to keep in touch with current and potential clients.* Studies show that people usually won't do business with you after visiting your website once or twice, especially with higher end services.* It takes at least 7 contacts with you, on average for people to decide if they want to do business with you.*
Sending out an ezine is a way for your potential clients to get to know you, and for you to establish crediblity as an expert in your field.* Sometimes I even get thank you emails from subscribers, after sending out an issue with a useful article, and sometimes they request a topic, if they have some confusion around it. This makes me feel like I'm being helpful to people.*
In my eZine, I share some of my information and experitse on internet marketing and business development.* It's also a way to educate my current and potential clients – it's more efficient than sharing the information one on one, like I've been doing as well. * This way, if they decide to use my services, it will take less time to consult on internet marketing strategy, search engine optimization, and other topics clients usually need to get educated on, if they're going to maintain a successful website.*
On occasion, I also write "book reports" because I read so many books on marketing, business development and other business related topics.* In my book reports I try to distill only the most useful information for my readers, so instead of a review to help them decide whether or not to read the book, I assume that they won't read the book, but would like to benefit from the information anyway.*
You can re-use articles to submit to article directories for more free publicity, and include your byline, offering your free ezine. A byline is a short paragraph about you, with one or two links, and sometimes your photo.* I promote my eZine in my byline, instead of my website, because people may check out my website once, and forget about it. But if they sign up for my eZine, and the find my information useful, I can keep in touch with them long term. * If at some point they have a need for my services, they are more likely to contact me.*
An eZine is a way to stay in front of your potential clients, so they don't forget you exist. * You can also post your eZine articles on your website or blog. And with a blog, you can invite comments, as a further relationship building tool.* And of course you can also make offers to your readers, for your own goods or services, or ones from an affiliate. Make sure these are relevant to the article and/or your target market.* I don't do it in every issue, because I don't always have a special offer, and because I don't want the ezine to always be about selling, but more about building relationships. Though I do have a little blip about Zooop Design built into my ezine template.*
If you want to get started with your own ezine, you're better off using a newsletter management service, instead of your own email program because once your list starts growing, it'll be extremely difficult or impossible to manage (depending on how large the list is).*
A couple of services to check out are: Constant'>www.constantcontact.com/ it's the least expensive service I've found, with pricing starting at just $15 per month. It's one of the largest email newsletter services, reliable, and they have good customer support.* Another good one is: http://www.aweber.com/ It's also reliable, and they make it easy to schedule ulimited autoresponders, follow up messages or eZines. The pricing starts at $19.95 per month, regardless of how many emails you send out.*
Feature your eZine sign-up box prominently at the top right corner of the home page (and preferrably all pages on your site). Make it easy for people to sign up.* Say something enticing about what you'll be offering in your ezine, because people get so much email these days that they need a really good reason to sign up for your ezine.*
I'm not currently doing this, but you can offer some kind of freebie, whether it's some targeted information in the form of a free report, or something else you think your target market would like.
Best of luck to you with your eZine and happy new year!
Emilie Nottle of Zooop Design, publishes Grow Your Biz, a bi-monthly eZine for entrepreneurs and small business owners. If you're ready to take your biz to the next level, using your website as an effective marketing tool and automating your marketing efforts, subscribe at: www.zooop-design.com/subscribe_info.html.
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