by Dave on January 13, 2010
60 Second review – I’ve read it, and I’ll let you know if you should, too. And I promise not to burn up more than 60 seconds of your life. This isn’t Cliff Notes® – I won’t try to impress you with my ability to summarize content or highlight key concepts – if you want to understand it – read it.
Subscribe to Wired
Why review a magazine for my first 60-second review? Because these reviews are all about highlighting value – and I can’t think of a single publication that time and time again delivers the goods. Rarely do I devour a periodical cover to cover – but Wired sucks me in every time. This is not a publication about technology, it’s about concepts, ideas and trends. The writing is fantastic and for the artsy types, the layout never fails to disappoint. For those with an advertising bent, it regularly carries some of the most interesting ads around.
Who needs a subscription?
Marketing Strategists, Visionaries, and Leaders
Simply a must read. The variety of topics and perspectives keeps you from getting stale. Wired opens you up to new ideas inside and outside of technology. You can’t afford not to read it.
Business Leaders of all levels
Must read. See above.
Troglodytes, Luddites and Hermits
Pretend it doesn’t exist. Wired will inevitably conflict with your worldview. Avoid it.
Everyone else
Should read. If you are looking for something to challenge you intellectually and open new frontiers – this is the ticket.
Full Disclosure: Expect some links in this post to go to one or more affiliate programs and know that I get paid a nominal fee for referring you to those resources if you make a purchase.
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by Dave on January 5, 2010
Click to Read
While there seems to be no official announcement on the web yet, this morning I received an email (click image to read) from Google Adwords on the pending availability of Click to Call Advertising for Mobile Devices. The announced offering will be targeted at “high-end” smartphones and the clickable phone number will appear in the fifth line of text ads.
The cost for a traditional click and a click-to-call will be the same.
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by Dave on December 29, 2009
Being invisible on the internet is going to get in the way of your small or medium business’ success.
I’ve heard the excuses – it’s too hard, it’s too expensive, I’ll never figure it out, etc. I’m telling you right now, its not.
Here are 5 things you can do to build and take control of your web image:
- Build a profile for yourself and your company on LinkedIn. Being on LinkedIn adds instant credibility with business and professional contacts. Connect with friends and colleagues – let LinkedIn search your contacts to see who’s out there. Don’t add mere acquaintances yet – learn the ropes first. Don’t have any friends? Get LinkedIn with me (put in your request for a connection that you’ve read my blog post on being visible on the net).
- Get a domain name. Consider it carefully, but it doesn’t have to be perfect. If you own Bob’s Autos and sell cars in Sioux Falls, bobsautos.com is probably already taken, but siouxfallscarsforsale.com might not be. GoDaddy.com is cheap and easy to use. I also like HostGator. I have domains and web sites on both, my current favorite is HostGator, but the control panel is a little less user friendly.
- Get a real email address. Nothing says I’m not serious like using “bobsautos@anyoldhost.net”. Get an email address that ends with your own domain name like “bob@siouxfallscarsforsale.com.” Use the email tools provided by your hosting/domain service to set up an account. In most cases, its free. It’s easy to integrate the account into a client like Outlook, or you can use the web interfaces provided by all the major hosting services.
- Get a web site. Most web hosts have a cheap and easy web site product that will help you get a site up and running. Generic and simple is better than nothing at all. Again I like HostGator and GoDaddy.com. Hosting only costs a few dollars a month – it shouldn’t break any budget. If you want to get great control over your site, use a blog to set up and manage your website yourself. The major hosting services all offer no hassle installation of major blogging software. I suggest WordPress. Free, easy to use and reliable. Pony up for a decent template, like Thesis – they have a great tutorial on how to use the Thesis template to create a company web site.
- Now you are on the internet – go ahead and let everyone know. Make sure it’s on your LinkedIn profile, email signature, business cards, stationary, and traditional advertising.
Credibility is an imperative for the future. Don’t lose out because you’re invisible.
Full Disclosure: Expect some links in this post to go to one or more affiliate programs and know that I get paid a nominal fee for referring you to those resources if you make a purchase.
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