Convos App: Consolidate Social Media Profiles Into One Dashboard |  |
- Convos App: Consolidate Social Media Profiles Into One Dashboard
- The Strategy Behind Web Design
- Politically Correct Euphemisms Must Die
- Share Smarter with Social Media Inbox from MarketMeSuite
- Your New Year Small Business Checklist
- Privately Held Manufacturing Firms See Greatest Growth
| Convos App: Consolidate Social Media Profiles Into One Dashboard Posted: 16 Jan 2013 03:00 PM PST Social sharing service Convos Limited has just announced the launch of a new iOS app that aims to make social media and communication easier for both personal and business users. The location based sharing app consolidates different social media profiles into one dashboard with customizable profiles and privacy settings. The service can be used to manage a large amount of platforms and services, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Gmail, LinkedIn, Skype, YouTube, Outlook and more.
Convos isn't targeted specifically at business users, but can easily be used to manage the many social sites and platforms that businesses and professionals use to make contacts and reach out to customers. And Convos specializes in helping its users keep their information that is used for work purposes separate from that which is more personal. For example, users can create different profiles that separate which of their contacts and networks should have access to their information. The chart above shows how users might choose to divide up their different social profiles and services based on who they want to share certain types of information and media with. Convos uses a QR code system to add contacts to your network or exchange contact information. The app also has GPS tagging and real-time chat features to help users easily communicate and interact with others in their network. There are several other services and apps available with similar aims of consolidating social media and communication efforts, but Convos focuses on keeping different profiles and information separate when they are used for different purposes, which could be particularly useful for business professionals that use social networks and other communication tools for both business and personal reasons. And the service does offer some additional features like chat and GPS tagging that some users might find useful. The company is based in Hong Kong and was founded by 17-year-old Antoine Vandenheste in December 2011. The service is now available on iPhone, Android, and Web. The post Convos App: Consolidate Social Media Profiles Into One Dashboard appeared first on Small Business Trends. |
| The Strategy Behind Web Design Posted: 16 Jan 2013 01:00 PM PST
Without it, your website wouldn't exist in the first place. You would never build a house without a plan. Even before you meet with your contractors, you have an idea of what you want out of your house. The same goes for your website. Not allocating the time and resources necessary to strategically plan your website is the biggest mistake companies make. While these steps will vary based on your company's needs, here's what a well-developed tactical Web strategy should look like: Step 1: Establish Your Goals Before your Web design agency starts creating a website, make sure you're clear on the basics: What are you trying to achieve with your new website? What is your website's main purpose? Ask your key stakeholders:
Everyone is likely to have different answer to this question, and you’ll want to discuss all input. But you’ll need to reach a consensus so there’s one clear-cut vision. A good way to do this is through Card Storming. Let’s say you have four stakeholders. Pass out note cards to everyone, and give them three minutes to write down as many brand/business goals for the website they have, with one goal on each card. Then pair up and each team has three minutes to decide on the top three goals out of their bunch. Do that as a whole group so that, in the end, you have a consensus on the three main goals for your new website. Step 2: Define Your Audience Your audience will play the biggest role in your website, so you need to know everything about them. The basic demographics of age, gender and profession are good, but don't stop there. What do your users like to do? What social networks do they use? How technically savvy are they? This user research could include focus groups, competitive analysis, surveys, interactive exercises, or existing and potential customer interviews, depending on how in-depth you choose to go. Step 3: Set Your Brand The last thing you want is for your website to give your audience mixed messages from a confusing brand image. How do you want customers to feel about your brand? Be sure to adequately explain that to your web designers so they can choose color schemes and other elements to best convey that emotion. Every color elicits a different emotion, so you want to settle on a scheme that properly conveys the tone of your brand. Step 4: Design For Your Users You spent that time learning about your audience. Now that knowledge needs to be implemented in the design. Make sure your agency focuses on user-centered design when building your website. This should include:
For example, when we were redesigning a newspaper’s website, our user research showed that visitors first wanted to see the weather. So in our redesign, we put that top-right in their page layout. Step 5: Track Your Results In the end, you want a website that looks great. But you also want one that accomplishes your goals. In order to do that, make sure you have installed an analytics tracking system so you can see just how people are using your website. Google Analytics will do just that for you. Make sure the goals you identified in Step 1 are tracked here. Your project is only as strong as the planning that goes into it. A proper strategy ensures effective design and development, and avoids costly setbacks. At the conclusion of a well-developed strategic process, not only will you have a great product, but you will also have a comprehensive blueprint document to use as a basis for future expansion. The future of your business is too important not to do it right the first time. Web Design Photo via Shutterstock The post The Strategy Behind Web Design appeared first on Small Business Trends. |
| Politically Correct Euphemisms Must Die Posted: 16 Jan 2013 11:00 AM PST
It’s not simply that there are so many who just plain lack the skills necessary to communicate effectively among the skilled, trained and experienced, there is a current trend to soften things up so much that clarity is obscured or even lost all together. It shows up in academics, reporting, marketing, and even fiction. I am sick of politically correct (PC) euphemisms. One that chaps my hide is calling problems “difficulties” or “challenges” or “opportunities” or any other safe-for-children-and-small-pets blather. A problem isn't a challenge, it's a problem. Sure, it may also be difficult or challenging or what have you – but we lose something powerful when we just deflect what is right in front of us. I once heard a company CEO say to a crowd:
I was in the front row. My stunned look must have been priceless. Mr. CEO, I think what you meant to say is:
Here’s another:
What is that supposed to mean? Do we really think that the difference between 100,000 and 999,999 is insignificant? And don’t even get me started on “seven figures.” Whew… Okay, I’ve taken a deep breath now, sipped my chamomile tea, and pet my kitty. I’m fine…really. It sure was nice to get that off my chest though. The message here is: if you are going to communicate, speak with genuineness, write with clarity. Obscuring your topic may seem like it is easing people into the flow, but it is rather lulling them to sleep — or on to something more interesting. This is especially important when you are writing marketing copy. No one likes to be sold to, so you have a higher standard to meet when you are selling. If you are offering something that is a bonafide good value – you can afford to say so out loud. If you are finding the path of direct sincerity to be difficult, you may need to examine the value of your offering to see if it is up to par. Speaking clearly does not give license for tactlessness. Honesty is not an excuse for rudeness. Communication is an art in that regard. But the beauty in art comes from its freedom. Don’t get caught up in the current “rules” about how you are “supposed to” write or speak. If you check your intent and make sure you are on the side of your listener, reader, or dare I say prospect, then you will find the creativity will flow. As a result, people will find you more understandable, more likable, and more trustworthy. Political Correctness Photo via Shutterstock The post Politically Correct Euphemisms Must Die appeared first on Small Business Trends. |
| Share Smarter with Social Media Inbox from MarketMeSuite Posted: 16 Jan 2013 08:00 AM PST Social media management should be easy, right? You just write up a short status message and post it to your favorite social network. Oh, but wait, you have several favorites. I forgot. Me, too. MarketMeSuite is an affordable and efficient way to manage your social media business life for the business owner who is starting to feel like he or she has no life. From the very first moment you sign up for MarketMeSuite, someone on the development team figured out how to reach out and hold your virtual hand. As you can see below, the service asks you which accounts you want to link. You click one (or all) of those three major social network buttons and it walks you through the process of linking your social media profiles.
At its core, MarketMeSuite is a social inbox. Since most people are comfortable with an email inbox, the company built its user-friendly interface around that functionality. If you can bring your social media updates and details into one location, it will be a whole lot easier to manage. That’s what MarketMeSuite delivers. What I really like:
What I would like to see:
MarketMeSuite is a social media inbox that can save you time. More so, it has some extra features that make sharing a snap. One more that I appreciate is something you cannot even do in Twitter — retweet a direct message with one click. The team spent a lot of time thinking about the life of a small business owner and sought to create order from what can sometimes be chaos. If you want to manage Twitter, Facebook (including pages), and LinkedIn from one location, MarketMeSuite is worth a look. They offer free and premium plans, which start at $9/month. The post Share Smarter with Social Media Inbox from MarketMeSuite appeared first on Small Business Trends. |
| Your New Year Small Business Checklist Posted: 16 Jan 2013 05:00 AM PST
Here's a checklist of some of the top questions to ask to get your small business fit in the New Year: 1. Do you understand this year's tax changes? Each year always brings changes to the current tax law and the end of 2012 brought a roller coaster ride full of changes. The payroll tax holiday expired at the end of 2012. Marginal tax rates (for individuals) remained the same for most taxpayers, but were increased for those single filers with taxable income over $400,000 and married filers over $450,000. In addition, there are changes to health savings account and retirement contributions, AMT exemptions, and more. While it has always been smart to meet with a tax advisor or CPA at the beginning of any year, it's practically imperative this year given all the changes to business and personal income tax law. Education is your best tool to optimize your tax position. By meeting with a tax advisor as early in the year as possible, you'll be in a better position to act on his or her recommendations. 2. Are you still operating as a sole proprietor? Don't be ashamed if you've been conducting business as an individual. Many small businesses start out as sole proprietorships or partnerships, and then eventually transition to a formal business structure. If your business is not incorporated, you may want to consider filing your corporate formation paperwork this year to establish your company as a separate business entity from you as an individual. Once incorporated as a separate entity, your company may be entitled to claim tax deductions that you could not as an individual (discuss these options with your tax advisor or CPA). In addition, a corporation or LLC structure can help shield you from personal liability when your business is sued or can't pay its debts. 3. Have you registered your business name? If you aren't ready to incorporate your business yet, that's okay. But you should at least register your business name with the state. This simple step is known as filing a DBA (Doing Business As or Fictitious Business Name). By filing a DBA with the state, you are legally able to use a business name. And best of all, you make sure that no one else can use your business name in your state. Bear in mind that while filing a DBA or incorporating will protect your name in your state, these actions alone may not be enough to stop someone from using the same business name in another state. If protecting your brand across all 50 states is important to you, consider filing for trademark protection this year. 4. Are you expanding to another state? If you have plans to expand into another state this year, don't forget you'll need to file for a foreign qualification in order to legally conduct business outside your home state (or the state where you incorporated/formed an LLC). For example, if you operate a restaurant in Florida and decide to expand into Georgia and South Carolina, you'll need to file a foreign qualification in both Georgia and South Carolina. Or, if you're a consultant living in Washington, but are going to be conducting the bulk of your work (and meeting with clients in California), you may need to foreign qualify in California. 5. Are you on top of your record keeping? In order to understand the financial health of your business, you'll need to get a hold of exactly how much you're taking in and spending. In addition, you'll need accurate and comprehensive records in order to make the most of your business tax deductions and prepare yourself in case you're ever audited. If you have found yourself struggling with this tax in the past, look for a new solution. Whether it's outsourcing the task to someone else (like a professional bookkeeper), investing in a new technology tool (like a receipt scanner or cloud-based accounting app), or just resolving to dedicate 30 minutes each week to catch up on your expense tracking. 6. Have you evaluated your employees from a legal perspective lately? If your business employs any full-time employees, part-time employees, or contractors, you should make sure your records are up to date and you are operating by the book. For starters, make sure you have the current mailing addresses and correct Federal ID numbers for all employees and any vendors/contractors that you'll be giving a 1099 to. If you're employing 1099 contractors, you should make sure that they meet the terms for an independent contractor and should not be classified as an employee. The Small Business Association outlines the differences between contractor and employee. If you have full-time employees, it might be wise to talk to an employment law attorney to make sure you are in compliance. 7. What's the copyright date on your website? Don't be a year or two behind. If the copyright year at the bottom of your website still displays a previous year – now's the time to update it. Final thoughts The new calendar year is an ideal time to get your legal foundation squared away to support you for years to come. Don't let daily interruptions keep you from doing something that is fundamentally crucial to your business' long-term health and to the security of your finances. Here’s to a prosperous and productive new year! Checklist Photo via Shutterstock The post Your New Year Small Business Checklist appeared first on Small Business Trends. |
| Privately Held Manufacturing Firms See Greatest Growth Posted: 16 Jan 2013 02:30 AM PST Business trends are always in flux. Watching for movement in various market segments that effect your particular business is part of the game, as is watching for trends in the tools and technologies we use every day. There are also the changes you need to make in your own business. Here’s what all entrepreneurs need to keep in mind. The Difference EngineGrowth spurts. Not all businesses are suffering in the sluggish economy, it turns out. A list of fast-growing, privately held companies includes a market segment that bears watching in 2013. These are largely businesses tied to manufacturing, including machinery equipment wholesalers, machine shops, architectural and structural metals manufacturing, and industrial machinery manufacturing, some, no doubt, on the small side. Businesses partnering with or selling to this segment will probably do well. SageWorks Blog Freestyle. Other changes are on the horizon, shifts that could alter the way all businesses market their products and services, at least online. For instance, check out this list of hot Web design trends from Tom Shapiro, founder and CEO of Digital Marketing NOW. These innovations will be a major consideration as businesses look at the evolution of the online market this year. Take a look at the sample designs on this post to get a glimpse at where things are headed. Digital Marketing Now The Way We WereA change of the guard. Change is a good thing, at least that’s how the convention goes. Change is what we all need to work for in our businesses, a way to keep up with the trends and stay ahead of the curve. At the same time, it’s been said that one of the top stressors in the workplace, and indeed in all of our lives, is the very change we are expected to embrace. So the question is how to keep our workplaces and our staffs evolving. Here are some thoughts from Deb Calvert, President of People First Productivity Solutions. Managing Americans A change of the label. There may be no more intimidating task than making a change in your brand, though sometimes this can help your business in ways you don’t yet realize. Kelly McCausey has been there and done that. There is no doubt she was nervous when she made significant brand changes, focusing on a new target market. But for all those entrepreneurs who may be contemplating a similar move, Kelly also has some great news. It’s not as scary as it seems. Small Business Branding The startup mindset. Whether your business is big or small, you can still think like a startup, says business coach Raquel Guardia. Startups are quick growing and nimble entities with the ability to outdistance larger, more established companies. These larger companies have higher overhead and more defined business models, but fortunately, no matter where your company fits in on the growth curve, it’s always possible to recapture a bit of that startup spirit. Here’s how. Wiseup Coach Blog Bring on Your Digital A GameThere’s traffic on that thar Web. We shouldn’t have to tell you that online marketing continues to be important, no matter what business you happen to be in. That means bringing in visitors who eventually become customers continues to be important, too. Check out these five tips to bring in massive blog traffic. Watch the video and learn more. Jody Jelas How social is your media? If you think you have heard everything there is to say about social media marketing, think again. Blogger and entrepreneur Mark Trueman has written a post about how your use of social media must change. In fact, many of these techniques are out there already. These eight tips will revolutionize the way you use Twitter, but think about how you can change your approach in other social media platforms, too. ZenSpill The post Privately Held Manufacturing Firms See Greatest Growth appeared first on Small Business Trends. |
A great website doesn’t start with design. You may only see what's on the surface — a well-designed and well-functioning website. But behind it is weeks, sometimes months, of strategic planning.
Have you noticed a lack of true communication in the world today?
If you own or manage a small business, the end of the year is the time to get your business into shape. Gyms and athletic clubs tend to get more crowded at that time of year from those enacting their New Year's resolutions of weight loss, but what about your business?| You are subscribed to email updates from Small Business Trends To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
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