Make My Business Blog - Social Media Creators

Sherry Turkle - Is social media making us less connected?

2012-03-04T08:55:00.003+11:00

http://mashable.com/2012/03/01/social-media-less-connected/?WT.mc_id=en_my_stories&utm_campaign=My%2BStories&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter

Make My Business Blog - we create blogs for businesses.

JB Hi-Fi caught in Gift card scam on Facebook

2011-12-13T07:36:00.001+11:00

Experts warn to be wary over gift card scams as JB Hi-Fi caught in Facebook con: "JB Hi-Fi confirmed on its Facebook page this weekend that a deal offering $200 gift vouchers for free was a scam, and that customers should ignore it.

JB Hi-Fi Marketing manager Scott Browning says online scams are becoming much harder to deal with due to the rise in social media, which allows fake promotions to spread much more rapidly before they are shut down."

'via Blog this'

Make My Business Blog - we create blogs for businesses.

How Has Cloud Computing Impacted Businesses Around the World? [INFOGRAPHIC]

2011-12-12T08:18:00.000+11:00

How Has Cloud Computing Impacted Businesses Around the World? [INFOGRAPHIC]:

Looks like cloud computing has been embraced and is cutting costs without cutting employment. We love it!

The era of Romanticsm and it's artists

2011-12-10T08:42:00.001+11:00

http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/4548016/The_Romantics

Google’s great buy-up

2011-12-08T14:11:00.000+11:00

Google’s great buy-up – Eric Schmidt says giant is buying one company every week: Why don't they tell us? Because they don't have to!

"Social, local, mobile has been true for humans for at least 10,000 years, so I don't think it's going to go away any time soon.""

Make My Business Blog - we create blogs for businesses.

Facebook Groups: The facts

2011-12-08T09:19:00.000+11:00

This is a helpful article on the facts about Facebook groups and what they can and do not do for your business. It's an easy and helpful read.

Facebook Groups: The facts:

How to organise your Screen!

2011-12-07T08:21:00.001+11:00

http://www.linkedin.com/news?viewArticle=&articleID=961675574&gid=4083872&type=member&item=83664700&articleURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Elifehacker%2Ecom%2Eau%2F2011%2F12%2Fhow-to-design-and-create-a-clean-organised-desktop%2F&urlhash=rxUZ&goback=%2Egde_4083872_member_83664700

We think this might help make computer life less cluttered!

Media Diary - a normal day for me in the digital world

2011-12-06T14:38:00.001+11:00

Below is a diary of my web media activity over 24 hours from 4.30pm on Wed 30^th November 2011 to 4.30pm Thurs1^st December 2011.

4.30pm
Accessed Blackboard for Web207 Web Media. Read the readings online, via theCurtin library which directed me to JStor. Saved them as pdf’s and then printedthem out.

4.40pm
(in between organising above) answered messages from my daughter via Facebookwhich I received via email. Whilst on mobile phone to a client. Checked pdf hesent me via email.

4.45pm
Replied to a text from my stepdaughter via iPhone.

4.50pm
Updated iTunes so I can subscribe to podcasts for my units this semester.Successfully subscribed but they won’t copy to iPhone.

4.53pm
(Not getting very far!) Now checking Google to see why they won’t copy fromiTunes to iPhone.

5.03pm
Now syncing iPhone and iTunes (for 3^rd time) whilst listening to skyCroeser opening lecture online for Web309 Web Presence (since I clearly can’tlisten to it on iPhone!)

5.10pm
Back to checking emails for work and working. Also playing ‘Words with friends’via mobile. It’s an online scrabble game.

8.42am
Have to sign in to Curtin email to get my registration finalised for anothersubject. This is a real pain as I use Hotmail for business so I have had tosign out of my work account and then sign out of Hotmail on my iPhone. Waitingfor registration confirmation email via Curtin account now but I can’t waitmuch longer as I need to work!

8.50am
Flying to Sydney this morning so used Jetstar Web Check in to get my boarding pass texted to my phone. I fly toSydney this morning for work.

9am
Decided to search online via Google as to why my lecture podcasts are notshowing in my iPhone although they are showing as there in iTunes. Found someadvice telling me to reset iPhone and all will be fixed. In actual fact I havelost everything (music, messages and some contacts) on my iPhone and amspending the next hour trying to fix this. Going quietly mad as I have a planeto catch in 2 hours. Still, at least I have plenty of content for this Mediadiary….

10am
iPhone restored. Now syncing everything to get it back to normal. PodcastsSTILL not showing in iPhone. Lost all text messages – in particular the digitalboarding pass I need in one hour. Now have to leave earlier to stand in theJetstar queue to get another boarding pass.

12pm
At airport. Checking email via mobile phone using Windows Live Mail.

3.30pm
In hotel room. Connected to internet via hotel’s complimentary broadband. It’svery slow so I use my mobile phone’s hotspot to connect to internet. It’s alittle quicker. Transferring all my iTunes files back to iPhone. Made a playlistcalled University and transferred podcasts into this and hallelujah – I finallyhave my podcasts on my iPhone (albeit in a playlist instead of in podcasts).Checking and answering emails. Using my online accounting system to emailpurchase orders to suppliers and invoices to clients.

4.30pm
Still working. Have also just begun replying to a text message from my 19 yearold daughter who is telling me she is moving out because she can’t stand heryounger sister anymore! This is going to go on all night (and it did, stillgetting angry text messages at 7am the next morning).

I have spent approximately 13 hours on the internet over the past 24 hours either via laptop or iPhone. I watched a couple of hours of television and I read a book for 1 hour. I ate for 1 hour. I slept for 7 hours.

Idon’t know how I would organise my life efficiently without the internet and myiPhone. Both are invaluable and make my working and study lives somuch easier.

Time your response to a web enquiry

2011-12-01T09:44:00.000+11:00

Internet - Time your response to a web enquiry:

Jump on it. People are on the Web because they want information fast. They expect to get a reply quickly too!

Small rise in October SME sales

2011-11-28T12:46:00.001+11:00

Services sector drives small rise in October SME sales: ANZ: "Small business sales grew a modest 2.8% year-on-year in October 2011, the third such increase in as many months, according to the ANZ Small Business Sales Trends report released this morning."

#QantasLuxury Twitter campaign backfires on Qantas

2011-11-23T07:23:00.001+11:00

#QantasLuxury Twitter campaign backfires on Qantas:

Within an hour, the hashtag was trending across the country, but the tweets were not quite what management expected.

@GrogsGamut tweeted: "#QantasLuxury- when the passengers arrive before the couriers delivering the lockout notices do".

ABC radio's PM presenter Mark Colvin, @Colvinius said: "Getting from A to B without the plane being grounded or an engine catching fire. #qantasluxury".

Make My Business Blog - we create blogs for businesses.

Google Analytics - getting even better

2011-11-21T09:08:00.001+11:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Cz4yHOKE5j8

Make My Business Blog - we create blogs for businesses.

Management - 10 buzz phrases your start-up should never use

2011-11-18T10:07:00.001+11:00

Management - 10 buzz phrases your start-up should never use:

Here's a handy little list of keywords we see too much. Your customers want to see what you do at a glance so choose a keywords that are descriptive rather than glitzy with no meaning.

Make My Business Blog - we create blogs for businesses.

Create a new folder in Google Reader

2011-11-17T09:41:00.002+11:00

IT - Create a new folder in Google Reader:

Here's an easy tip to help you organise all the articles and news feeds you're interested in.

Make My Business Blog - we create blogs for businesses.

How Citizen Journalism Is Reshaping Media and Democracy

2011-11-11T16:01:00.002+11:00

How Citizen Journalism Is Reshaping Media and Democracy:

The global media market is dominated by roughly nine or ten transnational corporations: General Electric, AT&T/Liberty Media, Disney, Time Warner, Sony, News Corporation, Viacom, Seagram and Bertelsmann. However, with the advent of social media and blogging, the role of the citizen journalist is becoming more valuable than ever. He has the opportunity to present a unique perspective — to breathe fresh air into a society herded by mainstream media.

Make My Business Blog - we create blogs for businesses.

Mashable Media Summit Recaps and Photos

2011-11-07T11:19:00.001+11:00

Media influencers, top journalists and advertising executives gathered Nov. 4 at the Mashable Media Summit to explore how technology has reinvented journalism, advanced the relationship between news organizations and their communities.

Mashable Media Summit Recaps and Photos:

Another helpful article from Make My Business Blog

Blogger introduces 'Dynamic Views'

2011-11-04T07:51:00.000+11:00

Dynamic Views: seven new ways to share your blog with the world | Blogger Buzz:

As you can see (we haven't changed yet) we are still deciding which we like best. So far there seems to be a whole lot more room for advertisements on these templates but we'll keep investigating.

Another helpful article from Make My Business Blog

Qantas and it's use of Social Media recently

2011-11-03T11:23:00.001+11:00

What we learned this week: Don’t skimp on the social:

While Qantas deserves some praise for making itself available through Twitter, it has attracted a lot of criticism for not responding to queries quickly enough and not handling enquiries properly. Critics say the tweets announcing the grounding were wooden, and had no personality – virtually a crime on a service like Twitter.

Another helpful article from Make My Business Blog

How to use #hashtags

2011-10-29T12:11:00.001+11:00

Hashtag Stuffing Doesn’t Work! #mythbusted - Social Media Marketing Software by Argyle Social:

Does adding a # to the front of your term increase your visibility for search engines. The answer, and this is relevant to anything you post on the Web, is that content matters.

Use the # on a specific term rather than a generic term. For instance if you are a skin care company put a hashtag in front of your brand name ie: #Brand instead of just #cleanser.

Another helpful article from Make My Business Blog

iPhone App of the Week: Sleep Cycle Alarm - Tech Tricks

2011-10-28T08:59:00.000+11:00

iPhone App of the Week: Sleep Cycle Alarm - Tech Tricks:

Often, entrepreneurs will find they’re lacking sleep and aren’t able to keep to a regular sleeping schedule. This can leave you fatigued and unable to perform at your best during the day.

Another helpful article from Make My Business Blog

Harnessing the Power of Social Media

2011-10-27T08:48:00.001+11:00

Harnessing the Power of Social Media for Small Business: Ruslan Kogan:

"We need to listen to the community and general popular discussion, rather than just talking at customers.

I've seen many business owners hear about the power of social media and set up Facebook, Twitter and YouTube accounts, and simply use them to bark discounts and sales pitches at their customers.

This is a huge mistake. We must use these powerful new mediums to engage in meaningful, transparent and, most importantly, mutually beneficial communication.

The businesses that use social media best are those that treat it as dialogue, not monologue."

Another helpful article from Make My Business Blog

Apple - iOS 5

2011-10-26T10:58:00.000+11:00

Apple - iOS 5 - See new features included in iOS 5.:

Fantastic!

Another helpful article from Make My Business Blog

Criticial Website Tips

2011-10-26T10:51:00.001+11:00

Top five SEO tips when starting a new website - SEO for start-ups:

Here are 5 of the most basic things you should be including on your new (or existing) website. They are all simple too.

Another helpful article from Make My Business Blog

Amazon's Soap.com Begins Selling Groceries

2011-10-26T07:44:00.001+11:00

Amazon's Soap.com Begins Selling Groceries:

Amazon are still leading the way in retail sales in our new online world.

Another helpful article from Make My Business Blog

Reflecting on Twitter

2011-10-22T11:38:00.000+11:00

This week I've been looking at Twitter. I set up a Twitter account in late 2010. I wasn't really sure how to make it work or what made Twitter so popular. My teens told me they didn't use it (but they did show me how to download the Twitter app to my mobile).

I can say some 12 months later that I find Twitter invaluable to my personal and business life. I use it as a newspaper by following leading newspaper around Australia and the world. I follow my competitors to see what they are doing and I follow my suppliers (like Xero, my online accounting package software provider) to see what updates are coming. I follow my clients so I am always up to date with what they are doing. I also follow the odd celebrity just to see what they do in every day life!

Twitter allows people to write a short headline (no more than 140 characters), provide a few words explaining the headline and to provide a link to the full story. Twitter gives me the opportunity to see at a glance what is happening. If I want to read about a particular story in more detail there is a link to the full story - and experienced users will know that providing these links is critical.

I used to just 'retweet' the headlines I thought were interesting or funny but now I am comfortable 'tweeting' my own thoughts. I have very few followers but this week has taught me that once again, content is king on the internet and I need to provide thought provoking and relevant content if I am to build my following. I start this week!

Social Media has changed how we communicate

2011-10-20T15:54:00.000+11:00

There are now more social-networking accounts than there are people in the world, according to figures from In-Stat. The Social Web is not just a fad; it is a fundamental shift in how humans communicate, interact, collaborate, create, inform themselves, prioritise, organise, buy, sell, and play.

With over 600 million users, Facebook is the largest social networking site in the world. Mashable reported last September that users spend more time on Facebook than Google. Facebook users share photos, videos, links, questions and status updates, sharing their lives in meticulous detail. Businesses are also using Facebook to communicate with their customers and create their own pieces of owned and earned media.

(from Zadro Connections)

Another helpful article from Make My Business Blog

Comparing Smartphones

2011-10-20T09:26:00.001+11:00

Here's a handy chart outlining the pro's and con's of the latest smart phones on the market. I've got an iPhone which I love, love, love for its absolute ease of use and great storage capacity for my photos and music -but which is your favourite?

How the Droid Razr Stacks Up Against the Smartphone Competition [CHART]:

Another helpful article from Make My Business Blog

Springtime in Melbourne - delicious!

2011-10-17T22:33:00.000+11:00

Passion is essential in life. Whilst we love social media we're particularly excited about the racing season in Melbourne. Cox Plate, Derby Day, Melbourne Cup Day and the Oakes. It's just good to be alive!

Want to be involved from your browser? Just look for blogs on racing, springtime, fashion and Melbourne events. There are some fabulous blogs around so find one and follow it. Look out for colours, fonts, backgrounds and posts that you like. That way you'll find it easier to maintain your own blog when the time comes.

Google Places

2011-10-12T09:20:00.001+11:00

Google Places: Free location specific SEO - SEO for start-ups: "Google Places is the section on the Search Engine Results that shows location specific links to stores within the vicinity. This is really good real estate that you can capitalise on if you haven’t already.

Typically, Google Places appears when a keyword and its location specific identifier is put together. For example, if I were to search for “bubble wrap Melbourne”, then it is very likely that Google will display Places listings there.

So who should use this service?

If you have a physical location that you’re happy to share with your customers, ie. an office/storefront, then this is great. Simply get started at http://www.google.com/places/."

'via Blog this'

Another helpful article from Make My Business Blog

Facebook Launches New In-Line Translation Tool

2011-10-08T12:39:00.001+11:00

Facebook Launches New In-Line Translation Tool:

Another helpful article from Make My Business Blog

Steve Jobs in his own words

2011-10-07T10:15:00.000+11:00

Steve Jobs in his own words: 20 of his best quotes - Innovation:

“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.”

“If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don’t settle.”

Stanford commencement speech, 2005.

Apple founder Steve Jobs dies

2011-10-06T13:53:00.000+11:00

Apple founder Steve Jobs dies:

Terribly sad to see a young 55 year old visionary lose his battle.

The popularity of Twitter

2011-10-05T08:19:00.001+11:00

A Visual History of Twitter [INFOGRAPHIC]:

This is a great view of Twitter. We love Twitter and so do 200 million others! 50 million people log in to Twitter every single day. Make sure you are tweeting!

Marketing the new Facebook

2011-09-30T06:24:00.002+10:00

The new features that Facebook announced at last week's f8 conference will have a dramatic effect on Facebook marketing, but nobody is sure as to how. Businesses will now have three ways to reach Facebook users. Timeline will be an enhanced profile that is analogous to a movie of the user's life rather than today's snapshot. Ticker will be a mostly unfiltered real time listing of the user's interactions with Facebook apps, a home for items that Facebook's new Graph Rank algorithm has determined are unworthy of inclusion in the third channel, The Newsfeed. The other big news relates to verbs. Users will still be able to Like but they will also Watch, Read, Listen and, perhaps soon, Want.

Search Engine Land provided a good overall summary of the upcoming changes and Inside Facebook described the new Timeline in some detail (WebProNews published screen shots of the set up process). Facebook's Brett Taylor explained how a new generation of apps will post items to the Ticker and Newsfeed and, hopefully, the Timeline. In what Mark Zuckerberg described as frictionless sharing, apps such as Spotify can automatically tell your Friends what you listening to and the Washington Post can tell them what you've been reading. If you're playing a game with Friends the score can be posted to your Ticker. Venture Beat took a quick look at how the new verbs will affect media consumption on Facebook.com.

Continued user frustration is the only easy prediction as to how the changes will play out. Ad Age gave their outlook on how brands could use the revamped channels and Inside Facebook felt good about the increased targeting capabilities. All Facebook offered seven ways that marketers could play the new changes. The overall social media impact was provided by Gigaom who looked at the impact on Twitter and Google+.

Important: Some Facebook custom business Pages may not operate after Oct 1 because Facebook will be requiring SSL certificates. Be sure to read the explanation given by (Anti) Social Development in the Social Media section below.
Another helpful article from Make My Business Blog

Are Facebook competitions a good idea? I

2011-09-27T12:49:00.000+10:00

If so, how should I structure them? - Craig Hodges:

"Hosting competitions is a great way of generating interest and works extremely well for large companies who have a huge following.

There’s certainly more of a challenge when it comes to smaller businesses. If you’re an SME owner and have a Facebook page with few followers, you may easily feel like you’re talking to yourself."

Another helpful article from Make My Business Blog

Facebook Changes Again - Radically

2011-09-23T10:04:00.002+10:00

Facebook Changes Again: Everything You Need To Know:

A little while ago I wondered if perhaps Facebook was losing popularity - I was getting bored with it. I was very wrong. At the f8 conference in San Francisco last Thursday Mark Zuckerberg and his team released the new Facebook which will begin rolling out this week. It is amazing.

The changes are revolutionary. Called Timeline Zuckerberg says it is about 3 things - your stories, your Apps and it gives you new ways to express yourself.

Your Facebook page will now have a line running down the middle of it. This is your timeline. You can add photos, videos and postings anywhere on your timeline just by clicking on the date. Blue dots along it highlight important events in your life, grey dots show less important (but still meaningful) events .They will allow you to share your most important moments on a single page.

Your apps: all your applications will be showing in the middle of your page. Apps tell a lot about people and what they like to watch, read, play and share. If you see an app on one of your friend's pages now all you will need to do is click on it and a pop up box will let you add that app to your own page. Anyone who owns an iPhone or smart phone knows the importance of user apps and I think Facebook has been very clever here.

New ways to express yourself. Your page will now have a great big cover photo across the top. Your smaller photo will still be there. In addition to the new cover, you can add/delete previous important things to your timeline simply by hitting the + or delete button. For instance when you hover over a photo that you posted last year you simply hit the + button (right above it) and that instantly turns that post from a grey dot to a blue dot on your timeline. (Blue dots are highlights remember).

Facebook advise that you have complete control over your timeline and who is able to look at.

Love or hate Facebook there is no doubt that they are still leading the way in social media and that no one else has come close. The new Facebook is a diary of your life starting from the day you were born if you choose to use it that way.

Zuckerberg says the changes are designed to make you feel like you are at home. I think they will.

See Mark Zuckerberg at the f8

The social media holy trinity

2011-09-22T09:55:00.000+10:00

The social media holy trinity #2: Facebook - Mumpreneurs:

Facebook as a business page lets people 'like' you and is interactive so customers can post comments, ask for advice or best of all tell everyone else how much they like you!

Another helpful article from Make My Business Blog

What are Google Sites?

2011-09-21T13:54:00.001+10:00

Google Apps Sites: What are Google Sites? | Google Apps Sites | Grovo:

Another helpful article from Make My Business Blog

I want to embrace the cloud, but I’m worried about security. What should I do? - Fred Schebesta

2011-09-21T13:30:00.001+10:00

I want to embrace the cloud, but I’m worried about security. What should I do? - Fred Schebesta:

There is a whole lot more great free stuff in this article. We love the cloud here at Make My Business Blog as you probably know by now. Embrace it! Save your business money!

'via Blog this'

Another helpful article from Make My Business Blog

How Social Media Affects Content Relevance in Search

2011-09-21T10:21:00.002+10:00

How Social Media Affects Content Relevance in Search:

We think this article is well worth reading. Social Media is everywhere and search engines are noticing retweets and other links.

Another helpful article from Make My Business Blog

How Social Media Affects Content Relevance in Search

2011-09-21T10:21:00.000+10:00

Five essential cloud computing tools

2011-09-20T18:11:00.001+10:00

Five essential cloud computing tools & products for business | Netsmarts:

"Preserving cash is critical for a new business, so investing a lot of money on buying computing software can be a problem in the early days of an enterprise.

Today’s cloud computing services mean a startup doesn’t have to spend a lot of precious capital at the local computer superstore."

Another helpful article from Make My Business Blog

Six things your website needs

2011-09-19T17:27:00.001+10:00

This is a great article on what your website needs. It can be difficult to know where to start (and where to finish) when building a website but if you have these 6 you're covered.

Six things your website needs - Web Strategy:

Another helpful article from Make My Business Blog

Blog Etiquette

2011-09-17T07:46:00.001+10:00

This week we are discussing blog etiquette. In an effort to truly share by linking what we reference and writing content that is valuable I share the following 6 rules from Rebecca Blood, a blogger I have come across many times in my required university reading. http://www.rebeccablood.net/handbook/excerpts/weblog_ethics.html

1. Be truthful
2. Where you are using someone else's words provide the link to them
3. Publicly correct misinformation (from a previous post)
4. Do not delete or change any posts (so be careful with every post you make)
5. Disclose any conflicts of interest
6. Explain why you may be discussing/linking to something questionable.

Another helpful article from Make My Business Blog

Get specific news delivered to your inbox - Google Alert

2011-09-14T15:32:00.000+10:00

Did you know that you can set up an 'alert' for any specific name or topic and when something is posted on the web, you will receive the article delivered right to your inbox.

Go to Google Alerts (google.com/alerts). If you have a google account already you can start straight away simply by typing the name or topic into the search box. Google will bring up all relevant news pretty much instantly. You can change the type of news you want to hear about (ie: news, blogs, everything) from this screen and just press 'Create Alert' at the bottom.

If you don't already have a google account it is very simple to set one up - and you will need one to set up Analytics which is a fantastic free tool to check who is visiting your blog or website. I'll talk about that later this week.

Another 'free tools' article from Make My Business Blog

The latest social networking site stats

2011-09-14T08:09:00.001+10:00

Americans Spend 23% of Online Time on Social Networks

According to this article 9 of the most popular social networks are dominated by females. And the most popular site is still Facebook which suggests you should have a Facebook account for your business (although we suspect it is the free caring and sharing games on Facebook that attract such a large female audience).

Another helpful article from Make My Business Blog

Make My Business Blog - a little bit about why I started this blog....

2011-09-14T07:40:00.001+10:00

I decided to set up my blog (which introduces social media and online tools) simply because I am impatient and get frustrated very easily. I was receiving emails every day about these two subjects and I had absolutely no idea what the content was about or how it was supposed to help me and it was driving me crazy.

Usually when I come across things I don't understand I decide if a) I am going to learn enough to find out if it useful or b) I'll ignore it until it goes away. In this case indications were fairly clear that the internet was not going to go away as my teenagers, my 60 year old friends and my competitors were using it every day.

In addition to this there were big changes happening in the print industry, my current industry, and I knew I had to learn everything I could to be able to move with the changes. So I began a BA in Internet Communications at Curtin University in mid 2010 and I have never looked back.

As I spoke with other business owners I realised that most people (like me) had no idea of what the internet really offered and how it could change their business and life. Most of the information being relayed seemed to be technical jargon.

The array of free or cheap online tools (cloud services) and social media platforms (twitter, facebook, blogs) can save small business so much money and free up time to spend on other things like family, friends or hobbies. They certainly made a huge difference to my work and personal life and I am keen to share this with others now.

Thus 'Make My Business Blog' was born. On this blog I introduce and then explain the online media and business tool in a 'no jargon' manner so that my reader gets a quick and easy overview of what the product is and how it could help them. As I am in business but also a uni student I feel I can really give an unbiased view to the reader. Eventually I hope to have many readers who are interacting with me and using my blog as introduction. I look forward to readers replies and suggestions down the track also.

Run a disk clean up to free up space - Technology

2011-09-13T12:59:00.001+10:00

Want to speed up your desktop or laptop? This is very easy to do. Follow the easy instructions here:

Run a disk clean up to free up space - Technology:

'via Blog this'

A little help from Make My Business Blog

Shelf Life of Social Media Links Only 3 Hours [Data]

2011-09-11T10:14:00.001+10:00

Shelf Life of Social Media Links Only 3 Hours [Data]:

An article explaining why it is the quality of what you share rather than the platform you share it on that is most important.

Another helpful article from Make My Business Blog

Microsoft to give Hotmail an image (and feature) makeover | ZDNet

2011-09-10T07:59:00.000+10:00

Microsoft to give Hotmail an image (and feature) makeover | ZDNet:

We use Hotmail simply because gmail didn't offer a preview pane. It has been particularly slow in the last month so we're interested to see what Microsoft has in store.

'via Blog this'

Another helpful article from Make My Business Blog

Making Sense of the Web for 13 Years

2011-09-06T13:57:00.001+10:00

Can you believe the Web was only invented in 1994! People around the globe have embraced it, creating, collaborating and sharing almost everything.

Happy Birthday Google: Making Sense of the Web for 13 Years:

'via Blog this'

Another amzing article from Make My Business Blog

Cloud Computing- Microsoft Small Business Centre

2011-09-01T11:15:00.001+10:00

Cloud Computing- Microsoft Small Business Centre: "Subscribing to software delivered over the web enables your business to take advantage of enterprise-class software without the burden or cost of managing the technology yourself. There are many benefits to cloud computing, including:

Cost savings: renting software ‘in the cloud’ on a ‘pay-as-you-go’ basis eases cash flow.
Lower IT support costs: you always have the latest versions of software without the need for IT support.
Mass storage: renting storage is cheaper than buying extra disk space for your PCs.
Reduced risk: data security is your hosting company’s problem instead of yours.
Access anywhere: get your documents over the web from home or just about anywhere

Keep blogging - Marketing Matters

2011-08-29T15:06:00.001+10:00

Your blog is an insight as to what you do, what you think, and helps customers see what you are about. So keep it short and informative and offer links to others.

Keep blogging - Marketing Matters:

Change is good - and vital in these times

2011-08-24T08:28:00.000+10:00

But there is a more important question to consider: How do you get in front of structural changes to ensure you don't become like BlueScope or Qantas, forced to slash jobs and restructure to stay alive?

The key is spotting trends and acting on them, whether they be economic trends (such as the rise of Australia's commodities sector and the way it would drag the dollar higher) or sectoral trends (which differ in each industry).

Smaller businesses have a distinct advantage here. They can be nimble and flexible. They can experiment by adding products or services to their range in a small, controlled way.

And they can get the jump in larger businesses have consistently proven are slow to react to clear trends.

For example, BlueScope's decision not to replicate the strategy of Australian rival OneSteel and buy coal and iron ore mines to feed its steel business was a bad misreading of where the commodities market was going.

Similarly, the fact that many large retailers are only now launching their eCommerce sites – RCG Corporation and Super Retail Group are two that have only just announced their intentions to build eCommerce sites in recent days – highlights the opportunity for smart SMEs to grab a key foothold in a space before the big guys have even woken up.

Another helpful article from Make My Business Blog

Panasonic launches new Pocket Server device

2011-08-22T15:58:00.001+10:00

Panasonic launches new Pocket Server device

Another useful article from Make My Business Blog

Using Google Adwords to test keyword volume - SEO for start-ups

2011-08-17T11:40:00.001+10:00

We all know that the Google Adwords keyword tool is only an estimator and is usually not very accurate at all in determining the search volume for keywords. So how do we find out which keywords have more value than others?

One good way of finding out is by running a Google Adwords campaign for those keywords prior to your SEO campaign and measuring the traffic/conversions that you get from that exercise.

Read the rest of this article here

Another helpful article from Make My Business Blog

Consider creating a mobile website - Technology

2011-08-12T09:17:00.001+10:00

The mobile web has turned us into a nation of internet junkies – we simply can’t be away from the web for even a few minutes.

As this survey by SmartCompany showed, more than two-thirds of smartphone users browse the news from their phone and almost 40% have a data allowance of more than one gigabyte.

That means your customers or potential customers could very well be accessing your web address via a mobile device.

Consider creating a mobile website - Technology

From Make My Business Blog

Sydney International Spa & Beauty Expo

2011-08-11T08:48:00.001+10:00

This weekend you'll find Advanced Skin Technology at the Sydney Expo. Drop in and try our gorgeous products. Salon owners come along and chat to Managing Director Trish Winchester who will be delighted to answer any questions.

We hope to see you there.

Sydney International Spa & Beauty Expo

10 tips for using Social Media

2011-08-10T17:00:00.001+10:00

This is a great and easy article showing you how to use Social Media. Don't forget - call us to set you up and get you going!

http://www.promotionmagazine.com.au/pdfs/edition9-social-media.pdf

Another helpful article from Make My Business Blog

What Is Google Plus?

2011-08-02T17:45:00.001+10:00

What Is Google Plus?

We think it's the greatest invention since the internet. It's being tested with a chosen few at the moment.

Brought to you from Make My Business Blog

The cost of Ideas

2011-08-01T09:02:00.000+10:00

I caught up with Tim Bull from Binary Plex / Trunkly last weekend and the conversation turned around to the concept of ideas generation.

It's generally accepted in the start-up world that ideas are cheap. "Anyone can have an idea, it's all in the execution."

As Tim pointed out ideas are relatively cheap but when you're coming up with a marketing plan or idea for a new web company ideas are actually really hard. Well, ideas that matter are hard.

To paraphrase Tim: "It's easy to come up with any old idea but you need one that fits your skills set/knowledge base, where you've got access to the market your idea speaks to and an idea that you actually care about."

That's not easy, not many ideas fit that Venn diagram. I would know, I've been working on product ideas for awhile now and am yet to find that sweet spot.

I'd know. I've spent the last year working on products for clients and internally and just a few have truly hit the sweet spot.

Read the rest of this article here.

Another helpful article from Make My Business Blog

Who is Blogging in the business world?

2011-07-29T08:10:00.001+10:00

So come on, be a front runner along with the other 25%.
Contact us to find out how: Make My Business Blog

Start-Up Handles Social Media Background Checks - NYTimes.com

2011-07-28T11:23:00.001+10:00

Be careful about what you post online

Start-Up Handles Social Media Background Checks - NYTimes.com

Another helpful article from Make My Business Blog

Australian businesses still shunning online sales

2011-07-28T09:57:00.001+10:00

Business Owners Doubtful Of Online Benefits: MYOB Report - Planning

More than half of Australian businesses don’t promote or sell products and services online, with a quarter believing that a website wouldn’t benefit their business at all, according to new research.

The MYOB Business Monitor Online Special Report is based on a nationwide survey of 1,000 Australian business owners, from sole traders to mid-sized companies, across a range of industry sectors.

The report reveals the number of businesses with a website has increased to 39%, up from 35% in November last year, while a further 22% plan to create a website within the next 12 months.

It also reveals that businesses with a website are more successful – 32% reported a revenue increase in the past 12 months, compared to 22% of businesses without a website.

So get online now - and remember, a website is static but a blog is live!

Another helpful article brought to by Make My Business Blog

Staying Motivated for Solo Businesses

2011-07-26T14:08:00.000+10:00

Some days are hard when you are running a solo business from home. We don't realise how much social interaction - with anyone - can keep us going sometimes and very occasionally there is that dreary feeling of being a bit lost. Are we going anywhere? Is it really worth it? Would I be better off in a large corporation? Those are the questions that might pop up.

If you love what you do most of the time then the answers are clear. But how do you get put of the doldrums on those days?

I remember when I needed some cash flow so I took a part time job whilst running my own business. There was nothing wrong with the actual job itself but wow, didn't I notice how I was now singing to someone else's tune - and it wasn't fun. So now when I feel a bit ho-hum I remember those 6 months of working for someone else and it's very easy to love being solo again.

You need to get out that front door for a while. Go for a walk. Go shopping. Visit someone. Do a brochure drop in an industrial estate. Whatever you do, get out of the house just for a while.

And tomorrow will be back to normal.

A helpful hint from Make My Business Blog

Ziilch - Start-up Profiles

2011-07-25T09:18:00.001+10:00

List your unwanted items for fast, free pickup - no fees, and a great way to declutter.
http://www.startupsmart.com.au/growth/start-up-profiles/2011-07-20/ziilch.html?utm_source=StartupSmart&utm_campaign=003eccd953-Monday_25_July_2011&utm_medium=email
Another helpful article from Make My Business Blog

Develop a tagline - Growth

2011-07-22T10:00:00.001+10:00

Just do it!

Develop a tagline - Growth

Another helpful article from Make My Business Blog

Amazing and beautiful

2011-07-21T15:57:00.000+10:00

Women in Art - amazing

My Best Tech: Katie May

2011-07-21T13:30:00.000+10:00

Katie May is the founder of KidSpot, the online parenting portal that was recently acquired by News Corp in a multi-million dollar deal.

May loves Google Voice, which is the search giant's VoIP network. Users are able to combine all their phone numbers with a single number, and organise all their different numbers from an account to divert calls when necessary.

"I love Google Voice. I can search for a phone number by voice and make calls when I need to. I definitely use that on a daily basis."

My Best Tech: Katie May

Brought to you from Make My Business Blog

SmartCompany Technology Survey highlights SMEs love of Apple, growing tablet usage

2011-07-19T20:28:00.001+10:00

Australian SMEs favour Apple above all other smartphone and notebook manufacturers, the latest SmartCompany Technology Survey has found, with more than half of all respondents owning an iPhone and over 20% using a Mac as their main laptop.

The survey highlights the dominance of Apple in the enterprise sector, despite pressure from more established players such as Dell and BlackBerry maker Research In Motion.

It also underlines the growth of tablets in the workplace, with 25% saying they intend to buy a tablet within the next six months, and another 26% within the year. A further 15% say they will buy a tablet within the next two years.

SmartCompany Technology Survey highlights SMEs love of Apple, growing tablet usage

Another useful article from Make My Business Blog

Group buying deals for Botox may breach medical guidelines

2011-07-13T13:54:00.000+10:00

Cosmetic surgeons concerned that group buying deals for Botox may breach medical guidelines

From Advanced Skin Technology

My business strategy hasn't worked yet.

2011-07-12T14:09:00.001+10:00

My strategy hasn't worked yet. Should I push on?

What to do when things don't seem to be working. Stop, think, adjust and get going again.

Another useful article from Make My Business Blog.

Will you know when to reinvent your business?

2011-06-30T11:53:00.001+10:00

Will you know when to reinvent your business?

This is a great article highlighting the old and the new and how to keep ahead.

Another helpful article from Make My Business Blog.

SMEs benefit from cloud battle

2011-06-29T16:01:00.000+10:00

SMEs benefit from cloud battle

Small business take note. The cloud gives you cost savings and space benefits that hasn't been seen before.

Another helpful article from Make My Business Blog

How to choose a website designer

2011-06-29T12:38:00.000+10:00

I have started working on a project that could become a neat online business, however the website is crucial and I do not have the skills. Where can I find people with the skills, who will share in my dream, and will be happy to take equity instead of a wage as compensation?

http://www.startupsmart.com.au/mentor/fred-schebesta/2011-06-28/would-a-web-expert-be-willing-to-take-equity-instead-of-a-wage.html

Another helpful article from Make My Business Blog

Group Buying: Daily Deals Set to Lure Start-ups Online - Sales and marketing

2011-06-28T14:31:00.000+10:00

Group Buying: Daily Deals Set to Lure Start-ups Online - Sales and marketing

Another helpful article from Make My Business Blog

Googles Free Apps for Business - priceless

2011-06-28T08:01:00.000+10:00

No more excuses: 9 reasons why smart businesses upgrade to Google Apps for Business | TechRepublic

Don't spend $1000 on Office anymore - Google's free apps are fantastic for small and solo business.

Another helpful article from Make My Business Blog

Free Business applications

2011-06-28T07:54:00.000+10:00

No more excuses: 9 reasons why smart businesses upgrade to Google Apps for Business | TechRepublic

You don't need to spend $1000 upgrading Microsoft Office any more (and you haven't for a while actually). Google apps provides you with free spreadsheets, email and more.

Make My Business Blog - saving you money

Do you know enough about your tax?

2011-06-27T14:34:00.001+10:00

Do you know enough about your tax?

A helpful tax article from Make My Business Blog

Facebook Books: 7 Ways To Print Your Social Media Memories

2011-06-25T06:53:00.000+10:00

Facebook Books: 7 Ways To Print Your Social Media Memories

Brought to you by Make My Business Blog

Domain Name Keywords: The Rise and Fall: Wai Hong Fong - SEO for start-ups

2011-06-22T09:02:00.000+10:00

Domain Name Keywords: The Rise and Fall: Wai Hong Fong - SEO for start-ups

Another helpful article from Make My Business Blog

The tech titans turned angel investors

2011-06-21T14:43:00.000+10:00

The tech titans turned angel investors

Another informative article brought to you by Make My Business Blog

10 outdated technologies our dads refuse to give up | TechRepublic

2011-06-21T08:33:00.000+10:00

10 outdated technologies our dads refuse to give up | TechRepublic

A little blast from the past from Make My Business Blog

Keeping a journal to improve your management

2011-06-17T09:23:00.000+10:00

Keep a journal - Management

Another helpful article from Make My Business Blog

The difference between Gmail, a Google Account, an Apps Account, and an Apps for Business Account | TechRepublic

2011-06-16T09:29:00.000+10:00

The difference between Gmail, a Google Account, an Apps Account, and an Apps for Business Account | TechRepublic

Another helpful article from Make My Business Blog

What type of start-up are you?

2011-06-15T09:03:00.002+10:00

By Marc Peskett
Tuesday, 14 June 2011

All start-ups can be broadly categorised in four ways, depending on their goals and the reason why they went into business. They can be a scalable business, saleable business, small business entrepreneur or a business where you’ve bought yourself a job.

Scalable businesses

Scalable businesses are ones that are set up from the outset to be capable of handling massive growth when the opportunity arises or demand is created. Owners of these businesses know that they want to build a large company and apply a business model that allows them to scale the business rapidly. They are businesses that don’t rely heavily on people to produce or deliver their product or service and have a low cost of goods sold.

To enable this rapid growth, scalable businesses typically need access to external funds often provided by venture capitalists, which bring with them accountability, management control and specific return multiple expectations. They employ professional management, implement a formal board structure and generally end up being listed, enabling the owners to cash out and exit.

Read the rest of this article here

Cloud Technology - solutions for small business

2011-06-14T08:20:00.000+10:00

Cloud computing provides small business with the most cost effective, and up to date programs to run their business. From accounting, to backup to free email, read this now and make running your small business a cinch.

Top 10 ways to use the cloud - Technology

Should I be selective of the social media avenues I use for my business? - Craig Hodges

2011-06-14T08:14:00.000+10:00

We at Make My Business Blog know that social media is important but like everything in life, choose the platform that is going to be most effective - you don't have to be part of everything!

Should I be selective of the social media avenues I use for my business? - Craig Hodges

How should I write a marketing plan? - Michael Halligan

2011-06-12T19:33:00.000+10:00

We at Make My Business Blog think every business should have a Marketing plan - this is how to write one.

How should I write a marketing plan? - Michael Halligan

Is Social Media a fad?

2011-06-08T11:14:00.000+10:00

At Make My Business Blog we understand that social media is new and can be difficult to understand.

Check out this short video for a quick look at what your business is missing out on. And then contact us.

makemyblog@live.com.au

http://youtu.be/lFZ0z5Fm-Ng

I’m starting up my own online retail business and looking to hire my first employees. Which positions should I be looking to fill first? - Tony Faure

2011-06-07T09:46:00.001+10:00

Make My Business Blog thinks this is a great article, particularly in these days of online trade.

I’m starting up my own online retail business and looking to hire my first employees. Which positions should I be looking to fill first? - Tony Faure

Sole Trading: How Small Can Be Beautiful - Alexandra Cain

2011-06-03T09:00:00.000+10:00

Sole Trading: How Small Can Be Beautiful - Alexandra Cain

Top 10 business plan mistakes - Business planning

2011-06-03T08:59:00.000+10:00

Top 10 business plan mistakes - Business planning

At Make My Business Blog it's all about content.

2011-06-03T08:57:00.000+10:00

Yes, Content is King. We know that and we think we may one of the few.....

Content is the new black. Gone are the days when it was forgotten until a site's looming launch and lorem ipsum or any other filler text was de rigueur.

Content is one of the most important aspects of your website and influences your bottom line. If you haven't given much thought to it yet, you don't have to wait until a big redesign or expansion to start. It's not just about copywriting or words on a page. Content strategy is an emerging area in web design and includes planning, creation, delivery and governance of content.

Everyone now has the capacity to be content producers, and consumers are becoming attuned to accessing remarkable media at their fingertips. Don't become another unread and uninteresting corporate blog.

AND:

When planning your site's content strategy, don't forget the basics. These include things like resourcing – who is going to put the content together and what budget you have allocated. Have you tied your content in with your search engine marketing?

Make My Business Blog understand and have skills in writing for the web. RSS feeds, email signup, social media channels and other ways to pull customers back to your site also and we factor these in.

Make My Blog Business Blog news - Moving beyond Pricing

2011-06-01T09:00:00.000+10:00

The internet has arguably presented the greatest opportunity for innovation and change among start-ups since the industrial revolution.

Just as the industrial revolution brought hundreds of millions of people out of poverty, so too the internet has already enhanced almost every element of our lives, and, believe it or not, we are only now on the cusp of what is possible.

From journalism to banking, from video production to retailing, the internet has broken down boundaries that protected entrenched age-old practices, and replaced these practices with openness, transparency and accessibility.

One brilliant area of innovation is how retail businesses can now offer far more than simply a different price point.

Read the rest of this article here

iPad brings lifestyle benefits to Jim's franchisees

2011-05-31T08:51:00.001+10:00

iPad brings lifestyle benefits to Jim's franchisees

How to free up disk space - IT

2011-05-30T08:59:00.000+10:00

Make My Business Blog - little tip

How to free up disk space - IT

5 Strategies for Maximizing Your Content's Social Reach

2011-05-28T18:25:00.000+10:00

5 Strategies for Maximizing Your Content's Social Reach

Make My Business Blog networking tip

2011-05-27T09:54:00.000+10:00

Check out elance.com

It's a bit like Linkedin - you can search for business, post proposals and find employees.

Social Media Presence Still Lacking Among Small Business: Sensis - Sales and marketing

2011-05-25T09:46:00.000+10:00

Social Media Presence Still Lacking Among Small Business: Sensis - Sales and marketing