Conative Business Inc. - High Class Website Design - The Best Web Design & Internet Marketing Solutions Company

Passionate Leadership According to James Cameron and Steve Jobs

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

In a recent portrait of Avatar director James Cameron, Rebecca Keegan outlines five leadership rules the director brings to each movie set. Reading it I was struck by how Cameron’s style matches what we’ve learned about Apple CEO Steve Jobs.

'Undercover Boss': What Execs Can Learn Flipping Burgers

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

There’s a school of thought that in any business customers come first. Not that you should treat your employees like crap, but that satisfied customers mean successful business, and that’s good for everybody, including employees. Well, some of you have questioned that wisdom, suggesting it should be the reverse.

Inside America's Coolest Workplace

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Pro skateboarder Rob Dyrdek has built a business empire of more than a dozen ventures. They are all run out of the Fantasy Factory, his office near Los Angeles, which features an indoor skate plaza. Take a look inside America's coolest workplace.

The Problem with Web Analytics

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Is a unique visitor really unique? If other people browsing online are anything like UNI0N Square Ventures' Fred Wilson--who accesses the web from seven different browsers and multiple devices every day--chances are your web analytics software is counting people as a unique visitor more than once.

Mobile Search: Location, Location, Location

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The number and variety of searches on mobile phones jumped sharply during the second half of 2007, causing eMarketer to raise its global mobile search revenue forecast up from $83 million in 2007 to $3.8 billion by 2012.

Facebook Tops Google in Directing Web Traffic

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Do you still need a reason to come up with a social media strategy? New data shows an important shift in web traffic patterns.

How to Write a Marketing Plan

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Experts know that careful planning is integral to marketing success. Here's your guide to crafting a thorough marketing plan - and learning more about your customers along the way.

8 Work-From-Home Rules

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Editor-at-large Leigh Buchanan, who has been working from home for the past four years, shares her advice with entrepreneurs (as well as her newly-virtual colleagues) on how to do it right.

Going Virtual

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Everyone knows the workforce is becoming more virtual. Free online technologies offered by the likes of Skype and Google have made it possible for start-ups to be launched by teams of people who live in different cities or, for that matter, on different continents. As for established businesses, a compelling argument can be made that, between high rents and long commutes, virtual work is more desirable, too. And individual workers have found that telecommuting opens up possibilities for integrating work and life (in ways both good and bad) as never before.

You've Been Yelped

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Yelp, the rambunctious and burgeoning customer-review website, can make or break a small business. It can also drive a business owner slightly insane.

How to Advertise on Facebook

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Four tips for advertising a small business on social networks.

The Way I Work: Paul English of Kayak

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Kayak.com co-founder Paul English is obsessed with customer service. That's why he bought the most annoying phone he could find.

Take a Deep Breath

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

How to handle online criticism -- on Yelp and elsewhere

7 Secrets to Getting Positive Online Reviews

Sun, 31 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

10 Must Have Blog Techniques

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

How to Use Multimedia for Business Marketing

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Your guide to using photo sharing, video, podcasts, mobile marketing, and other types of multimedia to broaden your company's reach and introduce new marketing techniques.

How to Use Social Networking Sites to Drive Business

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Advice for small businesses on using social networking sites like Facebook and LinkedIn, and how to integrate these tools into the marketing and recruiting efforts of your small business

Marketing, Not Ads, Fuels Social Spending Growth

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Focus on word-of-mouth and earned media

Apple's Expert Leaking Preserves Plausible Deniability

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Apple (AAPL) is known as one of the most tight-fisted and controlling companies in the world. However, while it generally doesn’t like to let anything slip without a firm grip on the process, according to a former senior marketing manager, it does orchestrate leaks, but in such a way that there is never written proof of what happened.

December same-store sales spur optimism

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Many stores, including department store Macy's, kids' clothier Children's Place and teen targeting chain Aeropostale, saw increases, versus declines last December.

A Hacker You Should Do Business With

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Evaluating your company's security vulnerabilities is the first step toward preventing costly data losses that could compromise both information and your company's reputation. A so-called ethical hacker could help.

Finding the Best Deals Online

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Young adults demand more features

Learn SEO from Your Spouse

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Yes, you really can learn SEO from your spouse. If you're married, you know something about SEO that you might not be putting to use. Think about how you landed your mate. When you do, you'll be learning something about how to do search marketing the right way.

30 Content Marketing Truths for 2010

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

As we move into 2010, I thought I'd share these 30 content marketing truths that are taped above my desk. Whenever I lose my way (to a more traditional mindset), I read through this content-marketing heavy list. It's guaranteed to help.

100+ SMB Blogging Ideas to Kick Start 2010

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Happy 2010, folks! With so many social media studies showing that companies are looking to up their involvement in social activities this year, I thought I’d help cure that age-old “what should I blog about today?” question. Or at least give you a healthy head start for the year by providing 100+ potential blog topics for your small business blog. Consider it my contribution to your yearly editorial calendar. I know you’re creating one, right?

Online Coupon Usage Climbs

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Savings and convenience will stay popular

Google Analytics, Bit.ly, HootSuite among new tools to gauge success of social media marketing

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Dozens of measurement tools have made it easier than ever to track buzz, or the online conversations and activity connected with your business. But syncing that information to sales data and vice versa isn't always as straightforward.

A Data Explosion Remakes Retailing

Sat, 02 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

MOST people think of the grand challenges in computing as big science projects, like simulating nuclear explosions or protein folding. But with the holiday shopping season just ended, consider another: retail marketing.

Areas Of Interest 2010

Sat, 02 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

A few days ago, I exchanged emails with a journalist friend. She said the following, "I'm just wondering which sectors/investment areas/types of start-ups you think will be exciting investments in 2010, and which you're staying away from because they're over-hyped, not yet ready, etc."

When Is “Free” Too Much of a Good Thing?

Sat, 02 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

I’ve been thinking about the idea of “free,” and not in the context of freemium business models and tangible products or services being given away, as explored by Chris Anderson in his book “Free: The Future of a Radical Price.” I’ve been thinking about how many of us spend a lot of our time giving “stuff” away for free. By “stuff,” however, I mean the intangible: our ideas and advice.

Online Shoppers Were More Satisfied This Season

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

More people than ever shopped online this holiday season, and they were happier to do so.

Holiday E-Commerce Sales Increased 5 Percent

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Several readers wrote to us, in response to a Bits post about the best and worst e-commerce sites, to say that they did all their holiday shopping online this year.

8 Social Media Keys for 2010

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

One of my New Year's resolutions is to get more organized. This week, I've been going through some old notes from conferences I attended this year. Pulled out a great one-sheeter on keys to social media...thought you would enjoy.

True Innovation - Designing for the Senses

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The competitive environment, especially in consumer products is getting tougher and tougher every year. Deflated pricing pressures exist in almost every category. Where price deflation is not occurring, more performance for the money is the norm. Knockoffs come with astounding speed, eclipsing the innovator’s edge far too often.

10 News Media Content Trends to Watch in 2010

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The news media is experiencing a renaissance. As we end the year, its state in 2009 can be summarized as a year of turmoil, layoffs and cutbacks in an industry desperately seeking to reinvent its business model and content. But despite the thousands of journalism jobs lost, the future has much hope and opportunity for those that are willing to adapt to a changing industry.

Attributing Conversions to Assisting Keywords Lowers CPA: 5 Steps to Optimize Bids

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

SUMMARY: Although the last click before a conversion is the metric most search marketers use for attribution, it’s often just as important to understand the preliminary keywords that assist that final click.

Read how a marketer uncovered the non-branded and long-tail keywords that assisted their search conversions. By attributing revenue to these preliminary searches, they’ve optimized their keyword bidding strategy and reduced cost-per-acquisition 25.6% while increasing sales.

Done Deals: Stop Analyzing and Start Experimenting

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I’m going to provide some advice that should probably be followed in moderation, so here goes: you probably spend way too much time researching the “best new ways” versus how much time you spend on trying things out. I advocate that you break out some budget and time for experimenting in lieu of spending huge chunks of money and time on research.

How to Capture Your Company's Essence in 15 Words

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Let's assume that your press release gets picked up by several outlets. It's a great opportunity to increase your company's visibility. So what do you say in your 15-word introduction? "XYZ, a ___ __ ___ ___ __ ___ ___ __ ___ ___ ___ __, announced today..." Would that resonate with your prospects?

The magic numbers of marketing

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Altogether, a 1-7-30-4-2-1 publishing schedule amounts to what is increasingly being referred to as multiplatform, or 360 platform, or transmedia storytelling experience. These are content marketing strategies where your content and your story are ubiquitous and you are engaging with your audience anywhere, any time and on any device.

The Science of Managing Search Ads

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Cyber Monday had gone swimmingly for Tiny Prints.

5 Pay-Per-Click Trends to Watch in 2010

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

As we near the end of 2009, many pay-per-click (PPC) advertisers are wondering what trends they can expect to see in 2010. Here at Web.com, we always try to be proactive and prepare our client accounts for future changes. Here is what we expect to see next year:

SurePayroll boosts conversions with revised keyword, landing page effort

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

How SurePayroll optimized its keyword and landing page strategy

City takes its anti-soda campaign online

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Launches disgusting video online warning that a soda a day can add 10 pounds to a person's weight over a year; industry cries: ‘Where's the fat?”

New Key to Success in Online Retail: Geography

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Plenty of marketers pull mountains of data from the Web, such as search habits and online surveys, to figure out how to reach new customers. The assumption is that many of the retail rules that apply to physical stores don’t apply to Internet commerce, or at least not in the same way. David Bell, an associate professor of marketing at University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, says that’s not so. In fact, his research shows that any Internet retailer looking for customers would be wise to use some pre-Web methods.

Using the Internet to Support Retailers

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Using the Internet to support retailers saves time, and also provides higher quality information than telephone-based systems allow. Therefore, transferring routine processes to the Internet helps improve productivity and increase profits by allowing retailers more time to do what they do best: selling products.

Making Existing Customers More Profitable

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Increasing customer profitability can be tricky. Many companies offer customers discounts or free services to win or retain business. But if they find that the cost of providing those services or discounts exceeds customer profitability, the company has to make a difficult decision between cutting costs or losing customers. Using an approach like activity-based costing and pricing can help to clarify the decisions.

US Online Ad Spend Turns the Corner

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Online bright spot as total media continues to fall off

Tracking Twitter Success at Dell

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The recent news that Dell has generated a total of $6.5 million in revenue from their Twitter presence isn’t a huge shock to those who have been following (pardon the pun) Dell’s efforts on social media. The @DellOutlet Twitter account has nearly 1.5 million followers, and the company is among Twitter’s most active corporate users.

The Six Twitter Types

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

It took me a few months to figure out that all Twitter users are not created equal and don’t have the same agenda. It’s much more complex than “cool people talking about cool things.” In order for you to come up to speed faster than I did, here is an explanation of the principle types of Twitter users, how they predominantly tweet, and a recommended approach to each of them.

What, in 140 characters or fewer, is Twitter?

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Well, it's a money-losing website made up of very short messages (like this one) where your kids (and C-list celebrities) waste time.

It's also a popular new medium—tens of millions of users and counting—that businesses use to build brands (and sometimes destroy them).

All this you know. Or you should. But Twitter isn't just about buzz: Some companies have figured out how to use it for old-fashioned things.

Integrating E-Mail and Social Media

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Business executives around the world are optimistic about next year, according to the “2010 Marketing Trends Survey” from StrongMail. Nearly nine in 10 plan to increase or maintain their marketing budgets, and one-half expect their customers to be spending more in the coming year.

The Chat Goes on

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Last spring, we offered a few insights about Chatty Cathies—online shoppers who love to use Live Chat options at retail websites. Among the findings we reported: (1) chatters tend to spend more money online than silent shoppers, and (2) the act of chatting builds customer loyalty.

eMarketer Weighs In on 2010 Trends: Social Media & Paid Content

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

eMarketer analysts give you their perspective

Craigslist: In Praise of Primitive

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Ask a B-school student how the company has achieved such astonishing scale and growth, and he's likely to talk about network effects and winner-take-all dynamics, two phenomena that underpin the success of so many Internet companies. But cl (as many users call it) doesn't really reflect these phenomena on any global scale. All listings and all searches are local, such that when I use the Boston section of the site it's irrelevant to me how many users there are in San Francisco (or anywhere else). In fact, cl has actively worked to thwart programmers who have tried to build third-party services for global search.

5 Trends That Will Shape Small Business in 2010

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

2009 was a pretty wild year in the world of marketing. While social media was building up steam in previous years, it pretty much went mainstream this past year. In fact, many businesses became fatigued from hearing so much about Twitter, Facebook, and social media in general.

Search Engine Breakdown

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Ever notice that performing the same search on the major engines gives you different results? Yes, some of it is because of the algorithms and how the engines use different factors in their rankings, but pay attention to the results and a pattern has emerged.

How to Write a Better Web Page Title

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Titles are everywhere. Some people are defined by titles, some people loathe titles, and others like giving titles. Why do we do this? With so much information getting processed by our minds everyday, we need a way to categorize these groups of associated content in a quick referencing way.

Creating A #1 Rank in Google

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Impossible, right? Not really worth the time, right? Wrong on both accounts.
Many times while entering phrases into Google, I find a lot of somewhat related sites, but hardly ever anything exact. So why bother on getting these supposedly un-searched terms?
Because there is a perception that having your site in the #1 spot in Google means that your site is an authority on that particular subject. As any experienced user knows, this is most often not the case, but perception is reality.

Four Principles of Apple’s Successes (and Failures)

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

As the story goes, when Steve Jobs looked around Apple in 2002, he saw a profusion of gadgets: cell phones, PDAs, and MP3 players (including Apple’s blockbuster, the iPod). In a flash of brilliance, he asked himself a world-changing question:

What if all those functions could be combined in just one device? The answer to that insightful question led to Apple’s next hit: the Rokr cell phone.

Building a Hugely Profitable Blog

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Three years ago, Fred Mwangaguhunga launched MediaTakeOut.com, a blog focusing on urban gossip that is beating similar sites run by much larger companies.

Eight Ways to Ruin Your Social-Media Strategy

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

So you’ve set up a company fan page on Facebook and you’re letting your employees fire off messages to the world via Twitter — or you’re at least thinking about it. Well, congratulations! You’re part of the social-media revolution, which can offer unparalleled access to word-of-mouth buzz among those you most want to reach: your customers, current and future.

Setting Priorities in a Sluggish Economy

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Twenty-five years have passed since a then 19-year-old Michael Dell launched his eponymous computer company from his University of Texas dorm. Back then, all he had was $1,000 and a plan to transform the way people bought computers. By cutting out the middleman and selling reliable computers directly to the customer, Dell transformed his industry. But lately the Austin area company has faced its share of difficulty, as corporate spending on new hardware has been tepid. How is Dell and his company coping with adverse market trends? He outlined his strategy for Inc. reporter Kasey Wehrum.

Improving Your Sense of Site

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

If he were alive today, Luca Pacioli would probably love poring over a Web analytics report. Pacioli, a Franciscan monk who published the first balance sheet in 1494, understood the power of data to transform the way companies make decisions.

2010 Social Commerce Strategies: Reaching Beyond the Web Site

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

It's clear that social media will continue to grow in importance for online retailers. Now is the time to map out a strategy that allows you to start slowly, listen to your customers, and expand your presence. The possibility for interesting initiatives in social commerce is immense. Start simple, learn, and iterate around your offering to add more features and value over time.

10 Web trends to watch in 2010

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Pete Cashmore is founder and CEO of Mashable, a popular blog about social media. He is writing a weekly column about social networking and tech for CNN.com.

Manage Your Time Like Jim Collins

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Jim Collins is all about discipline. The man who described Level 5 Leadership not only understands the inner fortitude of the best-performing companies and leaders; he's famously disciplined and enormously productive, as you can tell from his website (jimcollins.com). A runner and mountain-climber, he is the picture of fitness.

Happier shoppers

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Online spending in America is rising

Gut Genug SEO

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

For those unfamiliar with the German language, "Gut Genug" translates to "Good Enough".

Ever run into this situation? Maybe you've been fortunate enough that you are swamped with client work, and you have to do the bare minimum to get by. Instead of getting 50 links for the keyphrase that is most important, you only get 10.

Third Screen SEO

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Yes, you read that correctly.

Third screen seo is well on it's way.

What is third screen seo?

Well, the Television is the "First" screen, the PC is the "Second" screen, and next up: The Cell phone, PDA and Blackberry.

Ten Commandments for Effective Online Social Networking

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I want to share a 10-step game plan for social-network involvement that I think will work for you. You don't have to think of these steps as commandments; rather, they are practical guidelines that will make you a better member of the social-networking communities in which you participate.

Do You Have a Coupon for That?

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

When used correctly, coupons are a simple and effective way for merchants to price-discriminate customers and maximize sales. However, for merchants stuck in an offline mentality, online coupons can dramatically erode margins and increase the risk of cart abandonment.

The Start-up From Hell

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

You think your industry is tough? Philip Walker decided to break into life insurance.

Converting Web Traffic Into Sales Leads

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

How to use tools like Google Analytics and Demandbase to boost online lead generation

The Art of the List

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I visited 8,000 websites in the month of October—primarily in pursuit of interesting posts and articles for Holy Kaw. To survive looking at so many sites, one must develop ways to decide in a blink if a post is any good. What works best for me is to see if a post has an ordered (1, 2, 3) or bulleted (*) list; if it does, it's probably worth reading.

Bleak Friday

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Bricks-and-mortar shops struggle to win customers back from virtual ones

The world's biggest saleroom

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Auctions are moving online

Vision

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A vision is the image that a business must have of its aims and goals before it sets out to reach them. It is a bit like the old saying: “If you don’t know where you’re going, then for sure you won’t get there.”

Study: Inc. 500 CEOs Aggressively Use Social Media for Business

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Fast-growing companies are particularly visible on social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook, according to a new study.

Where Your Customers Are: How Facebook, Twitter and Others Break Down by Age

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Facebook, the largest social media network, recently reached 300 million users worldwide — roughly the population of the United States. So do your homework before you approach your customers online. Here's how users on the top social media sites broke down by age in August 2009.

Japan's technology champions - Invisible but indispensable

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A host of medium-sized Japanese electronics firms have developed dominant positions in many areas of technology. Can they keep them?

Steve Jobs's legacy

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Harvard professor Nancy F. Koehn shows us how Steve Jobs stacks up with other great entrepreneurs in history.

How I Tweet

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Way back in July of 2009, I explained how I used Twitter. Lots has changed since then, so this is an update to explain how I tweet. As a small business owner, you can adopt my techniques to use Twitter as a marketing tool.

Are Your Passwords Too Weak?

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Hacked passwords can compromise company data security. Strategies for creating the best passwords

How to Sell Luxury Goods in a Bad Economy

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

How to keep consumers buying, even in a recession

How to Make the Most of Trade Shows

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Tips for business owners on how to get the most out of conventions and industry expos.

The Way I Work: Jason Fried of 37Signals

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Jason Fried hates lame meetings, tech companies that don't generate revenue, and companies that treat their employees like children. A peek inside his typical workday.

Don't Be Afraid of Social Media

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

With new social media platforms popping up all the time, many companies worry about missing a trend.

Keiretsu

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Translated literally, it means headless combine

Twenty-Two Questions For Donald Trump

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Saddle up for some secrets of this self-made billionaire.
Net Worth: $2 billion
Age: 63
Source of Wealth: Real estate

Twenty-Two Questions For John Paul DeJoria

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Saddle up for some secrets of this self-made billionaire.
Net Worth: $4 billion
Age: 63
Source of Wealth: Hair products, tequila

Twenty-Two Questions For John Catsimatidis

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Saddle up for some secrets of this self-made billionaire.
Net Worth: $1.65 billion
Age: 61
Source of Wealth: Oil, real estate, supermarkets

How to Track Customers With CRM Tools

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

How SugarCRM and Zoho, two of the best free CRM software programs, stack up

Want to Revolutionize Advertising? There’s an App for That.

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

When Steve Jobs announced that Apple has sold 30 million iPhones worldwide, Madison Avenue’s ears must have been ringing.

Just as Apple’s game-changing phone upended the way we use mobile — giving us powerful pocket computers for emailing, Web surfing, and Twittering our every move — it’s now upending the world of advertising.

Five Strategies for Making a Smart App

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Everyone, it seems, is making an app, and perhaps your brand needs one as well. However, before you start the process, interactive marketers advise that you take the time to define just what you’re trying to accomplish. Are you trying to build brand affinity? Engage customers? Drive people to a physical location? Or a Web site? There are many options. Once you’ve decided to proceed, here are five directions to consider, which we distilled from a Forrester Research report on the topic:

9 Ways of Optimizing your Site for Image Search

Sun, 06 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

All the major search engines have their own image search engines. These may actually generate a lot of traffic. Here’s how you attract image search visitors to your site.

How to Conduct Market Research

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A guide to using market research to understand who your customers are and what they want

Optimize Your Long Tail Keywords

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

We all prefer our customers to be serious shoppers with money ready to spend. There is nothing worse than wasting valuable time with a customer who isn’t serious about a purchase. Whether at your bricks and mortar location or your website, you want to draw motivated shoppers versus window shoppers. So how do you drive top quality traffic to your website? The kind of traffic that is ready to buy?

How to Innovate Like Apple

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Apple makes it look easy. From the sleek design of its personal computers to the clever intuitiveness of its software to the ubiquity of the iPod to the genius of the iPhone, Apple consistently redefines each market it enters by creating brilliant gadgets that put the competition to shame. What’s the secret? Apple has built its management system so that it’s optimized to create distinctive products. That’s good news for would-be emulators, because it means Apple’s method for innovation can be understood as a specific set of management practices and organizational structures that — in theory, at least — anyone can use. This Crash Course outlines the techniques Apple uses to make the magic happen.

Razorfish Digital Outlook Report 09

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Each year Razorfish, an interactive marketing company, publishes its “Digital Outlook Report.” I just read the report, and it’s a must for people in any Internet business. Here are excerpts from my two favorite parts of the report.

How Twitter Helps a CEO Run His Company

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Pingg CEO Lorien Gabel praises the social networking tool Twitter for helping him gain feedback about his company.

The Way I Work: Matt Mullenweg

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Matt Mullenweg, founder of Word Press and Automattic, manages a successful Internet business where everyone is working from home.

The Start-up Guru

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Paul Graham's business school and investment fund, Y Combinator, has launched 145 companies -- for a lot less money than you would think

The Deep Pockets of Chatters

Wed, 27 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Do Chatty Cathies spend more money online than other cyber citizens? New research says indeed they do. A recent survey of regular online shoppers from BoldChat and Bravestorm, LLC presents new insights into the preferences of customers who use live chat features at shopping sites, and matches their behavior to sales results. The survey defined live chat as "a one-on-one keyboard-based conversation between yourself and a website's representative." Among the findings:

13 Essential Social-Media 'Listening Tools'

Tue, 19 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

You're a marketer who's hip to the idea of social media: You have a blog for your company or client, you know Facebook inside and out, and you can Tweet with the best of them. So you've got the communicating part down pat.

E-Mails That Sell

Fri, 01 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

How to use employee e-mail as a sales tool

The Zappos Way of Managing

Fri, 01 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

How Tony Hsieh uses relentless innovation, stellar customer service, and a staff of believers to make Zappos.com an e-commerce juggernaut -- and one of the most blissed-out businesses in America

The 5 Inviolable Rules of Branding

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I’ve interviewed HUNDREDS of marketing executives. Many of them were smart. Some were actually helping their firm become more successful. Even so, when it comes to branding, I kept seeing the same old BS surface over and over. However, rather than just criticize, I thought I’d provide some useful rules to drive better marketing behavior. I call them the five inviolable rules of branding:

SEO Investments on the Rise

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Search engine optimization (SEO) budgets are increasing as marketing executives gain knowledge of how SEO can benefit advertising and marketing campaigns. eMarketer is reporting that SEO budget allocations are expected to rise in the coming years as compared to other search marketing strategies.

The Way I Work: Essie Weingarten, of Essie Cosmetics

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

"God gave me an innate ability to pick colors."

Ten Tips To Make Twitter Work for Your Business

Sun, 29 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Twitter — a business tool? If our recent Guy to Guy on the business value of social networking is any guide, you’d expect me to dismiss Twitter out of hand. But according to the Small Biz Resource Blog, Apple pioneer and all-around tech guru Guy Kawasaki thinks Twitter is one of the most important business tools available for evangelizing your business.

How Chris Hughes Helped Launch Facebook and the Barack Obama Campaign

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The untold story of how Chris Hughes, today only 25 years old, helped create two of the most successful startups in modern history, Facebook and the Barack Obama campaign.

The Secrets of Super-Productive CEOs

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In 2001, a recent Princeton graduate named Timothy Ferriss started a little company that sold vitamins on the Internet. Things went well, but instead of trying to expand, Ferriss decided to work less, not more. He traveled incessantly and limited himself to just an hour of e-mail a week. He competed in the Tango World Championships in Argentina, he learned break dancing in Berlin, and he tackled juijitsu in Rio de Janeiro. Amazingly, his company did better than ever, which gave Ferriss the idea for a book proposal. Since it's publication in 2007, The 4-Hour Workweek has become a bestseller and a cult favorite among entrepreneurs, a group not known for their relaxation skills. In the spirit of our January/February cover story--about online dating pioneer Markus Frind, who works just 10 hours a week--Inc.'s Max Chafkin asked Ferriss to tell us the secret of making money while playing hard.

Why Facebook's Future Is Mobile

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Facebook's mobile application brings together location-based data with social networking—and provides advertisers with pinpointed targets

And the Money Comes Rolling In

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Markus Frind works one hour a day and brings in $10 million a year. How does he do it? He keeps things simple.

Use Online Surveys to Get the Feedback You Need

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

What do your constituents think about your programs and services? What kinds of activities are your donors likely to fund? Should your organization initiate a new program?

More Recruiters Logging On

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A survey finds employers are turning to social networking sites in the hunt for talent.

Learning from Web 2.0 (Without the Web)

Sun, 20 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Web 2.0 techniques aren't only for tech-drenched startups. The basic ideas can be applied by almost any company, even without using any Web 2.0 technology.

11 Ways to Find New RSS Subscribers for Your Blog

Wed, 14 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT

How do I get People to Subscribe to my RSS feed?

It’s a good question and one that I have a few ideas on (but which it’d be great to get some discussion going on in comments). Of course the first question I ask people saying they want more subscribers is ‘do you have content worth subscribing to?’ Without something worthwhile on your blog the rest of this post will be meaningless. But once you are pumping out quality content here are a few tips on how to get more subscribers for it.

The Survey Says...

Sat, 01 Oct 2005 00:00:00 GMT

“One out of every four American Internet users–about 33 million people–has rated a product, service, or person online, according to a recent study by the Pew Internet & American Life Project, an initiative of the Washington, D.C.-based Pew Research Center.”

So Many Clicks, So Few Sales

Mon, 01 Aug 2005 00:00:00 GMT

It didn’t make any sense. Kevin Steele, co-owner of Karaoke Star, a Phoenix retailer of karaoke equipment, noticed that the number of people clicking on his paid search-engine ads had shot from 200 to 800 a day. But despite the apparent jump in traffic, sales hadn’t budged. Steele and his partner, Diana Frerick, had built their business on Internet advertising, and more clicks almost always meant more revenue—which the pair had invested in a new office, more inventory, and a call center to field technical questions.