It is truly amazing the wealth of information that gets shared over the internet and Twitter everyday. Carlyn Servics Inc. has put together a wrap-up of some of the must read articles we've read in March. Credit where it's due as we've indicated where we originally saw the article and of course the source of the article. You will also notice links to relevant posts on our blog that relate to the subject matter of the various articles. Needless to say we highly recommend you read all the articles linked in this post; they were very informative and insightful.
http://mashable.com/2012/03/22/rim-loses-on-own-turf/
For our fellow Canadian's this article on Apple outselling RIM in Canada should be quite the interesting read. It is most likely not all that surprising to everyone considering Apple's shares continue to gain value but it wasn't that long ago in Canada where the Blackberry was the be-all, end-all of smartphones.
Source: mashable.com
Originally spotted: @ComandMedia
http://www.business2community.com/social-media/finding-purpose-beyond-the-hysteria-of-social-media-marketing-0154656
A great article that quickly and effectively summarizes the two main benefits of Social Media marketing: SEO and target audience advertising. The main point we took out of the article is that having an effective marketing strategy ensures you will see results from your advertising venues.
Source: www.business2community.com
Originally spotted: @B2community
Carlyn Services Inc. related article: http://carlynservicesinc.blogspot.ca/2012/01/social-media-and-small-or-medium-sized.html
http://troblinreich.com/twitter-for-small-business/
This terrific article details a few real examples of companies that got creative in using Twitter as a means of promoting their business to massive audiences for only the cost of honouring a special discount. Using social media and discounts/deals/specials together is something Carlyn Services Inc. has been advocating the past few months so we couldn't agree more with this article.
Source: www.troblinreich.com
Originally spotted: @BizCentralUSA
Carlyn Services Inc. related article: http://carlynservicesinc.blogspot.ca/2012/01/effectively-using-twitter-for-smb.html
http://articles.mplans.com/tips-for-creating-an-effective-e-newsletter-program/
Our favourite thing about this article is the ideas for content detailed. The article was originally written a few years ago but the content remains relevant still today. We came across this article doing a generic search so you know the company is doing something right from an SEO perspective.
Source: mplans.com
Originally spotted: Search
Carlyn Services Inc. related article: http://carlynservicesinc.blogspot.ca/2011/12/e-newsletters.html
http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/223177
If you have ever wondered how to build an app for your business - and really, who hasn't? - this article summarizes how to go about it. A must read for anyone considering building an app or companies considering adding app designing to their repertoire.
Source: www.entrepreneur.com
Originally spotted: @ComandMedia
Carlyn Services Inc. related article: http://carlynservicesinc.blogspot.ca/2012/03/mobilemicro-sites-for-your-business.html
http://www.howtowritearesume.net/en/page/en/How-To-Build-A-Good-Resume-.aspx
Even when you consider something your specialty it is important to do continued research on the subject matter. Recently we came across this article on resume building that was an enjoyable read, particularly because it focuses on a couple of pieces of the resume that often get overlooked: The heading and objective.
Source: www.howtowritearesume.net
Originally spotted: Search
Carlyn Services Inc. related article: http://carlynservicesinc.blogspot.ca/2011/11/how-to-build-resume.html
Wednesday 28 March 2012
Thursday 1 March 2012
Mobile/Micro Sites for Your Business
If (like all businesses should) you have a website, it is becoming increasingly important to format your website for smartphones by using an M-site. Consider some of these stats from the youtube video "The Time for Mobile Is Now."
* Mobile search has grown by 400% in the past year
* 79% of large online advertisers do not have a mobile-optimized website
* 1 in 3 mobile searches have local intent
* 59% visit a local store after searching for it on the mobile web
and my personal favourite;
* 125 years of angry birds are played every day.
The desktop is quickly becoming extinct and laptops are not too far behind either. It's not hard to envisage a near future (if it is not already true) where the internet is accessed on smartphones and tablets more than it is on personal computers.
For the business owner it is a must do to create a mobile/micro site of your website.
Not sure what a M-site is?
type in http://m.tsn.ca/ in the browser on your personal computer and repeat on your smartphone.
Notice how the text is immediately readable on your smartphone screen and all the information you most often visit tsn.ca is readily available, one, or at most, two clicks away. Compare it to your own website and you will most likely notice that on a smartphone your page doesn't fit the screen well, your text is miniscule and some of the more advanced features of your website (drop downs, flash etc...) do not work or do not work as intended. This is why you need a M-site; so that the information you are conveying on your website is readily presented to people who are looking for you on their mobile internet devices.
A common excuse I hear as to why business owner's do not have an M-site is; I just spent thousands of dollars on my website a few years ago I can't spend that much again. Terrific because you don't have to. That's the great thing about M-sites is that they are for the most part, very inexpensive. Prices will vary widely but if your spending more than a couple hundred dollars on a design and more than $10 a month for hosting, you are getting a bad deal.
The key to remember with your M-site is, get the most important information across in as simple a manner as possible. Take out all the filler material, people who are looking for your business on a smartphone are far more likely to make a purchase that same day then if they are doing search at home. Don't confuse these potential customers just provide them with the what, how much and how to.
* Mobile search has grown by 400% in the past year
* 79% of large online advertisers do not have a mobile-optimized website
* 1 in 3 mobile searches have local intent
* 59% visit a local store after searching for it on the mobile web
and my personal favourite;
* 125 years of angry birds are played every day.
The desktop is quickly becoming extinct and laptops are not too far behind either. It's not hard to envisage a near future (if it is not already true) where the internet is accessed on smartphones and tablets more than it is on personal computers.
For the business owner it is a must do to create a mobile/micro site of your website.
Not sure what a M-site is?
type in http://m.tsn.ca/ in the browser on your personal computer and repeat on your smartphone.
Notice how the text is immediately readable on your smartphone screen and all the information you most often visit tsn.ca is readily available, one, or at most, two clicks away. Compare it to your own website and you will most likely notice that on a smartphone your page doesn't fit the screen well, your text is miniscule and some of the more advanced features of your website (drop downs, flash etc...) do not work or do not work as intended. This is why you need a M-site; so that the information you are conveying on your website is readily presented to people who are looking for you on their mobile internet devices.
A common excuse I hear as to why business owner's do not have an M-site is; I just spent thousands of dollars on my website a few years ago I can't spend that much again. Terrific because you don't have to. That's the great thing about M-sites is that they are for the most part, very inexpensive. Prices will vary widely but if your spending more than a couple hundred dollars on a design and more than $10 a month for hosting, you are getting a bad deal.
The key to remember with your M-site is, get the most important information across in as simple a manner as possible. Take out all the filler material, people who are looking for your business on a smartphone are far more likely to make a purchase that same day then if they are doing search at home. Don't confuse these potential customers just provide them with the what, how much and how to.
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