We all know that running an off-line business takes an incredible amount of time, and I'm sure that you've realized by now that the Internet offers a myriad of ways to promote your off-line business. The question becomes, which of these online promotional opportunities makes the most sense for an offline business?

I firmly believe that Twitter is one of those online marketing opportunities that you NEED to make time for! While creating and running a Twitter marketing plan does take thought and effort, there are many tools and methods available to make it easier to accomplish your Twitter tasks… and as it stands now, Twitter has the potential to become an extremely important part of YOUR online marketing puzzle.

Why Twitter? you may ask. Because of the way Twitter works — people CHOOSE to follow you — TWITTER is 100% Permission Marketing!

Now, often when I explain all of this to busy offline business owners, like yourself, they look at me with bafflement and ask

    *Don't these people have LIVES?*

    *Why would anybody want to do this?*
   
    *I don't have time for this!*, they wail!

My answer is simple… *You are not your customer!*

WHY do you market?

The point of MARKETING is to reach your targeted audience with your message.

Twitter provides a powerful method to accomplish this effectively AND efficiently.

For a plethora of OFFLINE Twitter marketing techniques, check out my new Survival Guide – Twitter for Offline Businesses.

http://surviveandconqueronline.com/TwitterForOfflineBusinesses.htm

Sharing the Road to Success!

Tink

Tink’s Tips and Coaching Updates

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TINK’S TIPS

I have been working on a couple of Email related projects over the last couple of days… so this tip is an email tip

Always use a accurate Subject Line, and whatever you do… DON’T FORGET TO HAVE A SUBJECT LINE!

I receive 1000-1500 spam emails to my main email addy — PER DAY! more and more of them have blank subject lines. I automatically figure a blank subject line = SPAM… I do try to remember to check the sender info, but I don’t always!

If you forget a subject line when you send me an email, you have upped the odds of having me delete it as SPAM!

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NEW THIS WEEK

CHEAT SHEET -

We have a new Cheat Sheet, the LAST part in a 5 part series – *How Web Sites are Found*. Be sure and download it now because it will be available to BASIC Level members ONLY for this week!

NOTE – This Resource is provided as a ZIP file, containing a PDF file. It is NOT content on a web page. ;-) You will need to download it, unzip it and then open the PDF file in order to read it. You WILL be able to print out a copy, if you wish!

Here is the LINK -

http://surviveandconquercoaching.com/supreme/downloads.php

HOW TO ACCESS IT:

Log in to SurviveAndConquerCoaching.com

Look in the Left Vertical Navigation bar

Click on the one titled Your Downloads
(It will be near the top!)

On the Download Page, there will be a long list of available Downloads listed by Category.
(The Categories are listed in Alphabetical order. The Downloads within the Category are not Alphabetized.)

Click on the underlined Link in the upper left corner of each Download listing box.

All PREMIER Level members will have more than one page of Downloads, and can navigate to the other Download pages using navigation options at the bottom of the list.

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VIDEO TUTORIAL -

This week’s BASIC Video is *How to Hide Files on Your Computer.

Note – It was created for PC users, not Mac users… Sorry!

Here is the Link:

http://surviveandconquercoaching.com/supreme/p/?/Basic-Video.html

HOW TO ACCESS IT:

You can also access the video tutorial by going to the Left Vertical Navigation bar (once you are Logged in!)

Click on the 6th link – BASIC- Video Vault

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All of these great resources can be found at:

http://surviveandconquercoaching.com

Sharing the Road to Success!

Tink

WordPress has come a long way in the last couple of years.  One of the improvements I like best is the ease with which you can now add images to a blog post.  Now that it is so easy, there is almost no excuse to not add an image for every post… provided you have an appropriate one available!  Needless to say, most of my business posts aren’t going to have pretty pictures!

On the other hand, I do have posts where images would be appropriate, such as when I write about my vintage cookbooks.  It’s now very easy to add an image of the cookbook cover.  What would be even nicer, would be to be able to pretty up those images.  However, there hasn’t been an easy way to do that, until now…

Thomas is one of my favorite online friends. Part of it is the fact the he has a graphic design degree AND a programming degree… which make for an unlikely, but powerful combination.

His most recent project is a handy dandy little program the makes it VERY easy to dress up web graphics.

Called Tiger Web Graphics, this program allows you to import a web ready image and — in just a few mouse clicks — give it rounded corners, or make it look like a film strip, or a polaroid, or give it the serrated edge of a postage stamp.

It will also manipulate the image to give it perspective, add a reflection, or give it a drop shadow…

I use CorelDraw and CorelPhotoPaint for most of my work, simply because I need the powerful options that these programs offer, but, truth be told, I have only taken the time to learn what I need to do for the technical drawing and other applications I need.  I know that they will do many other wonderful things… but I simply can’t justify the time needed to learn how to do those things.

But now I don’t need to learn to do a lot of them!  Thomas has done the work for me!

One of the other reasons I like Thomas so much is because he understands the importance of providing good reference materials.  Tiger Web Graphics comes with an excellent 45 page PDF help file, explaining what you need to know to get started immediately.

Here is a link to check out the sales page.  Amazingly enough, this wonderful program is only $14.95!

Tiger Web Graphics

Let me be clear… this software is NOT designed to be photo editing software.  You need to start with an image that is already the proper size and has been prepared for the Web.  However, if you have that, you can add these wonderful effects in seconds.

If you look below, I took screenshots showing the three steps needed to access the help file. I played a little bit and added a different effect to each of the three images.

Tiger Web Graphics is a very powerful tool at a very small price!  I think you owe it to yourself to check out.

Thomas was kind enough to offer a 100% affiliate program for this software.  That means if you use my affiliate link, I get the money! This means that the PayPal payment is made directly to me, so don’t be confused when you see my name on the payment screen!

My affiliate link

I do realize that there are people online who prefer not to use affiliate links, but this program is so wonderful I don’t want to leave them out of the loop, so here is a a non-affiliate link.

Non-affiliate link

Which ever link you use, I think you will find this a very handy program.

Here are the images showing how to access the Help File:

Step 1 - Open the program and click on the Graphic Icon

Step 2 - Double click on the Miscellaneous Tab

Step 3 - Doubleclick on the Help Icon and the Help Manual PDF will open

Let me take a moment to add that Tiger Web Graphics would work great for Business Bloggers, (it’s not just for hobby bloggers)  and the images can actually be used on any web site. In fact, I plan to use them to add interest to the images in my next Survival Guide!

Sharing the Road to Success!

Tink

One of the greatest dangers, and the cause of some of the biggest problems, is drawing faulty comparisons between Offline and Online…

I just saw a good example on a forum today and I thought that I would post my thoughts on it here…

Let me start by saying that I have the utmost respect for the member who I am about to disagree with… and I certainly respect and defend his right to make the decisions he feels are best for his business… having said this, I am going to use his post as an example because it illustrates so well the issue as I see it…

Also… yes, I am taking this example out of context to make my point. ;-)

The question that came up was whether or not to set a video or audio to autoplay (start the sound as soon as the page is opened) or whether that web visitor should be given control…

This opinion was given:
*QUOTE*

Not having it auto-start would be like doing a cold call, handing them a brochure and then waiting for the prospect to say “speak!”.

*END QUOTE*

This parallel made me smile… it is the kind of example that I like to give myself… but in this case, I suggest that the example given is actually a faulty one… the situations are not as similar as would seem at first glance.

In point of fact, if you are making a sales call, even a cold call as suggested, you are there physically taking cues from the person you have approached and the physical environment you are both in… this is not possible online.

In point of fact, you ARE waiting for the prospect to say *speak* , in that you can tell whether it is appropriate to begin your presentation, or wait for the prospect to finish a phone call, or conduct you to an office, or even just move to the back of the room.

You would not hand them the brochure and then start screaming your presentation at the top of your lungs, totally ignoring what is going on at the time. ;-)

Unfortunately, a video or audio presentation set on autoplay is not able to evaluate the situation in the office where the computer…

As I mentioned in the other thread…I had one client who added a slide show w/music to her retail site (NOTE: I was NOT involved in any part of this debacle! TG!). The music was on autoplay…

Her sales DROPPED 70% from the same month of the previous year. I don’t think that the autoplay was completely to blame, but I do think that it was a major factor…

So… what is the point of this post/lecture?

When translating an offline scenario into an online situation, be careful that it is an accurate parallel. Most often I find that I run into problems because I haven’t taken the translation far enough…

Sharing the road to success!

Tink

What’s new this week at SurviveAndConquerCoaching.com:

http://surviveandconquercoaching.com

Check out the December Special Offers page. I am offering a Monthly Special for December 2008. It is Disaster-proof your Online Business and is heavily discounted. Start the New Year right, by taking charge and protecting your Online Business!

In addition to the Monthly Special, I am offering a different Special each week. This week it is  Survival Guide to Email Marketing the RIGHT Way! I consider this one of the most important issues facing offline Businesses, as well as one of the least understood. NOTE: Do NOT buy this if you are taking the class at TNNA in January!

This week’s Cheat Sheet is a new CORE Cheat Sheet:*What are Local Search and Local SEO? – PART 1*

If you haven’t already done so, check out the latest Short Report: Are You Maximizing Your Web Shop’s Search Options? While its focus is on online Shops, if you have a wholesale site or showcase site, this WILL apply to your site!

And, last but not least… Tactic # 10 has been added to the series on List Building called List Building Tactics and Tactic #9 has been removed from the BASIC Level Membership. There are 24 Tactics in this series.

If you are using WordPress for ANY type of site, the new Survival Course – Create an Effective Web Site YOU can Operate Yourself (even if you know NOTHING about the Internet) is a worthwhile read. It is available in Web Page format as part of Academy – Basic or as a PDF download.

All of these great resources can be found at:

http://surviveandconquercoaching.com

Sharing the Road to Success

Tink

What’s new this week at SurviveAndConquerCoaching.com:

I have added a Special Offers page. It will come and go, depending on my mood! LOL

If you can see its link in the side navigation bar, it will have a special offer. Right now it has a GREAT offer for Survival Guide to Search, Search Engines, and Web Site Statistics.

I won’t be teaching this class at TNNA in January 2009. I don’t know whether I’ll be teaching it in June or not. This is valuable information for ALL web site owners and it ties into one of current Cheat Sheets: *Understanding Online Search and the Differences between External and Internal Searches* and the new Short Report : Are You Maximizing Your Web Shop’s Search Options?

This offer will be available until Monday.

This week’s Cheat Sheet is a new CORE Cheat Sheet:* What is SEO… and why do you need to know?*

Also this week, the latest WordPress Resource: WordPress Plugins and Widgets – November 2008. The October 2008 WordPress Plugin report has been removed from the BASIC Level Membership.

If you haven’t already done so, check out the latest Short Report: Are You Maximizing Your Web Shop’s Search Options?

While its focus is on online Shops, if you have a wholesale site or showcase site, this WILL apply to your site!

And, last but not least… Tactic # 9 has been added to the series on List Building called List Building Tactics and Tactic #8 has been removed from the BASIC Level Membership. There are 24 Tactics in this series.

If you are using WordPress for ANY type of site, the new Survival Course – Create an Effective Web Site YOU can Operate Yourself (even if you know NOTHING about the Internet) is a worthwhile read. It is available in Web Page format as part of Academy – Basic or as a PDF download.

All of these great resources can be found at:

http://surviveandconquercoaching.com

Sharing the Road to Success

Tink

This week at SurviveAndConquerCoaching.com:

Tactic # 8 has been added to the series on List Building called List Building Tactics and Tactic #7 has been removed from the BASIC Level Membership. There are 24 Tactics in this series.

This week’s Cheat Sheet is *Understanding Online Search and the Differences between External and Internal Searches* It will be available to BASIC members for just a week.

I am introducing a new Short Report this week: Are You Maximizing Your Web Shop’s Search Options?
While its focus is on online Shops, if you have a wholesale site or showcase site, this WILL apply to your site!

Here is a list of the Resources currently available for PREMIER Members. Have YOU downloaded your copies yet?

Cheat Sheets (13)
CORE Cheat Sheets (4)
FREE Special Reports (2)
List Building Tactics (8)
Short Reports (3)
Software (3)
Special Update (1)
Survival Course (2)
Survival Guides (1)
WordPress Resources (5)
Videos (4)

Don’t forget to download the October 2008 WordPress Plugin report, while it is available.

Removed from BASIC Level: *Short Report – The Offline Business Owner’s Guide to Making the MOST of Local Portals & Directories!*. It is 11 pages with 10 question you should be asking about your Portal and Directory opportunities. There are more and more of these coming online, and they represent excellent marketing opportunities… IF you know the right questions to ask.

Just a reminder, if you are using WordPress for ANY type of site, the new Survival Course – Create an Effective Web Site YOU can Operate Yourself (even if you know NOTHING about the Internet) is a worthwhile read. It is available in Web Page format as part of Academy – Basic or as a PDF download.

http://surviveandconquercoaching.com

And… last but not least, check out the NEW Special Offers page! For a limited time, get

Survival Guide to Search, Search Engines, and Web Site Statistics

at a GREAT PRICE! You’ll have to join, but BASIC Level membership is free!

Sharing the Road to Success

Tink

The focus of my membership site, SurviveAndConquerCoaching, is to help offline businesses move online. This can be frightening and overwhelming… just one more problem to address in a busy work day. My goal is to provide the resources to minimize the stress, avoid the mistakes, and achieve an easy transition.

I wanted to share a recent email I got from a SurviveAndConquerCoaching member:

Subject: just took lesson 1 for Strategies for Online Retail Success!

I signed up for your basic level membership when you first talked about this on the quiltdesigners list… then it was ‘later’, ‘I dont have time right now’, etc.  I really wish I had MADE the time from the beginning.

You have really opened my eyes, just in the first lesson!  I just wanted to thank you for starting this up!  As soon as I have the funds available I’ll be upgrading.

Thanks Tink!!

Angela R McIntyre

Laughing Cat Designs Etc.!

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NOW! On to what’s new this week at SurviveAndConquerCoaching.com:

Tactic # 7 has been added to the series on List Building called List Building Tactics and Tactic # 6 has been removed from the BASIC Level Membership. There are 24 Tactics in this series.

This week’s Cheat Sheet is *Why Blog?* It will be available to BASIC members for just a week.

A NEW Video Tutorial has been added to the BASIC-Video Vault. It explains *How to Create a PDF file Using Free Software*. It will be available to BASIC Level members for about a  week.

Don’t forget to download the October 2008 WordPress Plugin Report, while it is available.

If you haven’t downloaded the newest Short Report – The Offline Business Owner’s Guide to Making the MOST of Local Portals & Directories! — grab it now! It is 11 pages with 10 question you should be asking about your Portal and Directory opportunities. There are more and more of these coming online, and they represent excellent marketing opportunities… IF you know the right questions to ask.

Just a reminder, if you are using WordPress for ANY type of site, the new Survival Course – Create an Effective Web Site YOU can Operate Yourself (even if you know NOTHING about the Internet) is a worthwhile read. It is available in Web Page format as part of Academy – Basic or as a PDF download.

http://surviveandconquercoaching.com

Sharing the Road to Success

Tink

I spent several days last week in the NC Mts, visiting my best friend, Peg. I knew that I wouldn’t have a lot of time to read, so I didn’t bother to pack a book, which is VERY unusual for me!

When I wanted some quiet time before going to sleep, I spent it looking thru a 2 year old Log Homes magazine (I don’t remember which one, exactly) that I found on the bed side table.

I got intrigued by all of the URLs (web site addresses such as www.yoursite.com) in the magazine ads, articles, and editorials. What I found interesting was how many there were (easily one for every page in the magazine) and how hard to read the majority of them were.

This was especially true in the ads, and I know many of the ads were created by advertising professionals… YEESH!

So, Offline Business Owners… here is a valuable TIP:

The letters between the dots in a domain (www dot THESE LETTERS dot com / www.THESELETTERS.com) are NOT case sensitive. This means that you can make them either lower case OR upper case and they will still, happily, point folks to your web site.

OK… now for the good part… Use capitalization to make your domain/web address EASY TO READ and REMEMBER (Yes, I AM yelling… this is an important detail that can put you ahead of the competition!)

For instance, this domain is www.tinkboorddill.com

Is it hard to read? You betcha!

Could I make it easier to read?

Yep, I can:

www.TinkBoordDill.com

OR (I’m getting silly here to make the point ;-) )

www.tinkBOORDdill.com

OR

www.TINKboordDILL.com

If folks can read it easily, they are more likely to

• use it to visit
• type it accurately and actually get to your site ;-)
• remember it

All of these are important to YOUR business survival, cost NO money, and are easy to implement… and your competition is probably NOT doing it! LOL

Get into the habit for writing out your web site address in an easily readable format, put it on your business cards this way, and on all the promotional materials you use!

Sharing the Road to Success!

Tink

In these days of endless spam, it is incredibly tempting to try to avoid those countless reduction and enlargement messages that fill our mail boxes. Recently, I was offline for about 14 hours, due to thunderstorms blasting thru — I live in Kentucky in a 100 year old house and I unplug the computer in bad weather.

When I finally logged back on, my primary email address (which is a ancient 10 years old) had about 250 spam messages in the Junk Mailbox and another 350 messages in the Inbox. Of the messages in the Inbox, only about a dozen were NOT spam. YIKES! (To date, my personal favorite spam was promoting Pro Viagra — a concept I am still having difficulty wrapping by brain around — but, I digress!)

Anyway, we all get SPAM all the time and I am sure, we all HATE it! The temptation is to hide our email address or make folks fill out a form, but, as a business owner, it is YOUR responsibility to be accessible to your customers/clients. If they aren’t able to reach you easily, they will take their business elsewhere, and rightly so!

While there are a number of methods that can be used, I want to take today’s post to discuss an unfortunate side effect of the whole spam mess — ISP blocking. Many ISP (Internet Service Providers) and some hosting companies (the folks who provide the computer that a web site lives on) block some email addresses. Several of the big free email companies also do this.

This means that you, as a business owner may not be receiving some legitimate business email, even from folks who have no problems in the past — and — YOU MAY NOT KNOW IT!

I ran into this problem recently with a business hosted on one of the big name hosting companies. I know for a fact that many of my industry retailers host their ecommerce sites on here — and now I can no longer email them from my primary email address!

Can the problem be resolved? Possibly, but — not from my end. They have to take the initiative to do so.

Anyway, as a result of this problem, I have revised my stand on business email addresses of online businesses. I still feel that a business’s primary email address should be associated with the business’s web site – YourName@YourSite.com, for instance, but also I now believe that a business should also have — and display– a back up email address.

After much thought, I recommend using the Gmail service from Google for the backup email address. It should be reserved ONLY for business and should be checked often. There is a Cheat Sheet available and I have put a quick (and free) Tutorial up in the Academy – BASIC at SurviveAndConquerCoaching.com if you need help.

As an FYI – there is a recent Security Issue regarding Gmail and I have posted a Special Update in the Downloads area of SurviveAndConquerCoaching.com

Do have both email addresses on every page of your web site — easy to find and use. Don’t make it a scavenger hunt! ;-)

Sharing the Road to Success!

Tink