Stressing "On a Dime"

Service Corps of Retired Executives, or SCORE, is an essential part of the lifeline of any business.

In this blog this week, we're focusing on the "on a dime" aspect of the title. SCORE has offices scattered throughout the nation with a ridiculously overwhelming amount of information and experience to help any business owner get their project off the ground and onto the right path.

With the business I'm in, social media knowledge and tips are key. Peggy Corwin is the woman to go to here in Chicago. Her site is amazing: http://pegcorwin.com.

WEB SITE OPTIMIZATION

Check your site with these free site analysis tools
Before you hurry off to submit your web site to all the search engines and directories, remember to check your web site thoroughly to see if your web site is optimized. There are a number of free web site analysis tools available on the net that will check your site for spelling mistakes, dead links, browser compatibility, html design and loading time. They will also rate your web site on a scale of poor to excellent. Checking your site with these online tools will take only a minute of your time will give you a lot of valuable information about your site.
You know how frustrating it is to wait for a page to load. Most of the time you won't bother to wait for more than 30 seconds or so, and if a page has still not loaded you might think 'To hell with it - I'm going somewhere else'. Another often frustrating problem is to click on a link only to find the following error on your screen: 'The requested URL does not exist'. This is known as a dead link. It could happen by giving a wrong link or by deleting a page that is linked to other pages in your site. And when you see a spelling mistake, your response is probably 'If they haven't checked their own web site for spelling mistakes, are they professional enough for me!' Make sure your web site loads fast and it doesn't have any dead links or spelling mistakes. You could lose tons of visitors if you don't optimize your web site.
Web site Analysis and Optimization Tools
Some of our Favorite Tools
· NetmechanicThis is our absolute favorite. We strongly recommend that you use this tool for checking your load time, spelling mistakes, and browser compatibility. The report generated is concise and easy to understand. You can also use the HTML design report along with the Hit Box HTML report. THIS IS ALSO AWESOME TO CREATE A “SHARE” MODULE ON YOR SITE!!http://netmechanic.com/toolbox/html-code.htm
· Website GarageThis tool offers two extra checks i.e. Link Popularity and Register-It! Readiness. Your load time results may not be accurate as it does not recognize Flash and other plug-ins. http://websitegarage.netscape.com/
· HitboxIf you would like to be cheered up with your web site load time go to Hitbox to get a good report on your load time. You will find that there is a big difference in these results when compared to the other tools. We recommend that you use the HTML design report along with the Netmechanic HTML report to get a good idea of how to improve the HTML design in your site.http://www.hitbox.com/cgi-bin/page.cgi?tools/doc
· BobbyIf you want a strict evaluation of your web site we recommend you use Bobby. If you pass his stringent criteria you can get a Bobby Approved stamp.http://www.cast.org/bobby/ NEXT WEEK: SEARCH ENGINE SUBMISSION

How can Twitter benefit my business?

So, I’ve been getting the question rather often: Have you found any good use for Twitter? Phh. I ask, “How much time do you have?”

So often, we get stuck looking at the big picture. I find this a lot when I review resumes and cover letters. People tell me: “I was only a camp counselor” or “I just worked at a convenient store.” After a little prodding (courtesy of my reporter days), I help them indentify some of the obvious. That job as a camp counselor had you looking out for the health and well being of 25 children. That position at the convenience store had you handling the owner’s deposits and withdrawals for 10 years. Doesn’t that count for something? It sure does.

Twitter is the same way. I’m asked: “How can you get your message across in 140 characters or less?” Hmm. My response: “What’s to say you need to have your message on Twitter? Why not at a blog or your website?” That’s when a light bulb comes on. Twitter for businesses has a variety of great uses.

Take, for example, Ford. Their social media guru sets up discussions with the CEO on a somewhat regular basis and opens it up for the world to ask him questions. Kind of on a big scale, I know, but you get the point.

The key to starting any great social media experience is listening. What are people in your field/people who are your customers talking about? If need be (and the situation calls for it), interact. Follow them on Twitter and 7 times out of 10, they will follow you. Online conversations are much like offline conversations. You see someone at the same function as you, you want to know why they chose to be there. With Twitter, you want to know why they are asking what they are asking and if you could be of assistance.

After listening and taking an interest, use your account to promote “off-Twitter” content. Send a teaser with a link… much like a headline in a newspaper. For example: Chicago’s best food listed here. Did ur fave make it? www.JayRodChicago.com/2016. In 80 characters, I’ve teased the reader and shot them to my website. That’s good once in a while. Do that too much and people will turn your “follow” button off.

Be human. Give some real-life experiences. There’s flexibility with your brand on social networking sites like Twitter, facebook and more. Have fun with it, but don’t get too carried away. No one wants to see their beautician doing a keg stand last weekend through twitpics. Let them know you have a human side, a sense of humor and a family. People are more receptive to those they can relate to.

We have barely scratched the surface here, but I’m hoping you get the picture… even if it’s the little one!

Request for cheap computer maintenance from our customers

I’ve been getting several requests for computer information, specifically making your computer work quicker. I did a quick check with a national office supply company to see how much they charge to do something like this and I learned it was $30!

Those of you who know about defragmenting your computer should be astounded by that price. All it takes is a matter of a few clicks and voila – you’ve saved yourself $30 AND made your computer work quicker.

Defragmenting was explained to me like this: Picture a floor filled with various colored marbles – some solid red, some blue, some white and some black – but all blended together. That is the information that your computer stores as you are online. Let’s say we sent a very smart snail through the room to look for a black marble. Since they are all mixed up, it’s going to take him awhile. What defragmenting does is separate the marbles – or information in your computer – into those with common interests (or colors) making it easier for the snail to find the black marble. Now you can picture the room with marble in separate groups of red, white, blue and black.

So as your computer is told to find information that would be in one pile and not the other, after it is defragmented, it will find the information much quicker.

SO, after that lengthy description, let me explain to you how to defragment your computer and save yourself from spending $30 at that national office supply store.

1) Go to computer on your desktop or from your start-up menu, which is in the lower left hand corner of your screen.

2) Right click, with your computer mouse, the C: drive. There should be a pull-down menu that comes up.

3) Left click Properties. From there, a separate box will appear. Click on Tools.

4) From there, click “Defragment now.” THIS MAY TAKE SEVERAL MINUTES OR SEVERAL HOURS. MAY BE BEST TO DO THIS OVERNIGHT.

5) Once your defragmenting is done, close the box and enjoy your quicker computer!

Have an idea for a blog here? Text “BLOG IDEA” followed by the idea to 312-515-9459 or you can join the JayRodChicago page on facebook and submit through there!

META TAGS

Preparing your web pages with meta tags for effective search engine submission and ranking
Crafting your meta tags is the most important step in Search Engine submission. A meta tag is a special HTML tag that provides information about a Web page. It provides information such as who created the page, how often it is updated, what the page is about, and which keywords represent the page's content. Many search engines use this information when building their indices. The most important meta tags you need to focus on are the Title, Keywords and Description tags. So, lets get right into it!
Step 1: Prepare a list of Keywords and Key Phrases
What are Keywords?
Keywords are words that your customers would enter into a search engine to find your site. E.g. while searching for a web developer you would type 'web developers' , 'web designers' , 'web development companies' , 'web site development' as possible keyword searches.
Guidelines while preparing your keywords
Make a list of your target audiences - This must include all possibilities. Compiling a list of your target audience will help you know what they are searching for in search engines. E.g. Small businessmen, fellow web developers, corporates, professionals. Each of these target audiences will have different needs and interests which you should address in your web site.
While keeping in mind your target audience, make a list of keywords and key phrases that describe your site. Put yourself in their shoes and think of the words they would type in a search engine to find you.
Come up with as many keywords and key phrases as you can.
As in the example I gave above, I would put 'web designers', 'web site development' , 'global web development', 'professional web developers', 'web promotion' ,'dynamic web site development' as possible key phrases.
Use plurals - e.g. 'web developer', 'web developers'
Use important words in different forms - e.g. 'develop web sites', 'web site developers' , 'web-site development' , 'developing web sites'
Don't use the same word more than 4 times. Try using it in different forms instead. E.g. web site, web-site, web sites. Using the same keyword more than 4 times may be considered spamming in some search engines and may cause you to be blacklisted.
4. Keep your keywords meta tag length between 200 and 500 characters.
Step 2: Deciding on your Title and Description
What is a Title and Description?
Title - This is what appears on the title bar when you open a web site. This is also the link you see in the search results page of any search engine.
Description - This is the description of the site (1-2 lines) which appears along with the title in the search results page.
An example of a Title and Description
Title - Web site design and development, DHTML, Flash, Promotion
Description - Developing creative, innovative and cost-effective static and dynamic web sites. We believe in making your business succeed online by expanding your business to the Global Marketplace, find out what makes us so unique.
Guidelines while deciding on your title and description
The golden rule while preparing your pages for search engine submission is that all your important keywords should appear in your title, description and content of your web page.
Make sure that your title and description is populated with your most important keywords. At the same time it should be a 'grabber', as your potential clients will read your title and description and based on that synopsis of your site, decide to click and enter your site. Make sure that they are catchy and grab a person's attention.
Keep your title between 15 and 20 words and your description between 100 and 200 characters.
While preparing your web pages remember to also use your important keywords in your alt tags. Some search engines also index the alt tags. An alt tag is a name given to an image that is used in your site. You can see a sample of an alt tag by pointing your cursor entheosweb.com on this page. In a second you'll see a box appear below. That's the alt tag. Don't underestimate its importance.The next (optional) step in search engine submission is to use free online tools to make sure that your site does not have any spelling mistakes, dead links, HTML and browser compatibility problems. These tools also test your site loading time and give your site an overall ranking. They are very useful and will take only a minute of your time. This will ensure that your site is ready to be submitted to the search engines.

WORDS THAT SELL

Courtesy of Entheos...
How do people find you on the Internet? Through words, of course.
Carefully chosen words and keywords will determine your website or web page's rankings on the Search Engines, and will pull visitors to your site.Not just any visitors, but people who want and need your product or service. Targeted Web traffic.
Once they've come to your site, how do you ensure you make a sale?Again, through the right choice of words.
Words prompt people to think, consider the options, decide, and most important, take action.
Words make the sale
What are these words?
Credible wordsIt's important that your web content is believable and sincere. Or you may drive visitors away instead of attracting them.Millions of sites use words that are overstatements or exaggerated claims. Words like "killer apps", "incredible results", "never before", "world-famous", "extraordinary features" and a whole lot more, usually followed with several exclamation marks!!!!! Limit yourself to a single exclamation mark where relevant, or drop those marks altogether.Unless the words above are backed up by research or documented evidence, most of your visitors would discount the exaggerations and feel the claims are untrue. How would they trust you with their money?
Simple wordsUse quality words, information-rich words, yet easy-to-understand words.
Powerful wordsUse keyword-rich and targeted words, designed to bring the right people to your site. This is specially important while writing descriptions and ads to promote your site, writing headlines and subheads, writing words in bold or coloured text for easily scannable content.
Action wordsWords like "Free offer", "Free resources", "Big Discount", "Sale", "Free trial", "Try us out", are powerful action-generating words.
Documented wordsUse research to back up claims of product superiority. Use client testimonials to assure people that you deliver on your promises. If you add links that lead to more information on the subject, your visitor can check out the authenticity of your statements. Quotes from experts in the field you are writing about, add weight to your statements
Thought-provoking wordsHow often have you read a whole article because the headline triggered a whole thought-process? This is a highly effective way to draw the reader's attention. And, as you know, readers are 25% slower while reading on the Web. All the more reason to grab their attention:
with a question in the headline
with a paradox or apparent contradiction in facts
with a bold statement that refutes popular beliefsNaturally, such attention-getting devices have to be backed up by persuasive content that retains the reader's interest or puts forward a different point of view
Persuasive wordsJust like a salesman in a shop or office, your content needs to sell a product or service.The difference is that the Web is a virtual showroom, where you don't have the advantage of using body language like energetic gestures, smiles and a tone of voice that draws and holds attention.Your visitor has the freedom to click out of your website at any time she chooses.The words you use can persuade her to stay, take a tour, look at the services you provide, see what other clients have to say, buy your product or give you a project.
Don't force the saleThe best salesmen know when to persuade and when to withdraw, to let their customers make up their minds whether to buy or not.Sometimes, your customer may check out your site with interest and yet not make a purchase until he has checked out other sites offering similar products. Don't give up! Once his interest is aroused, he may come back to you a week later and buy a product.This is when your response to email or telephone enquiries (so dependent on words) will determine whether he is encouraged to come back or to give up the idea of buying from you.
Ready to get down to business with words that sell? NEXT WEEK: METATAGS

WHEN WRITING FOR THE WEB...

WHEN WRITING FOR THE WEB, USE
· shorter sentences, words and paragraphs
· one idea per paragraph
· concise text - half the word count (or less) than writing for print
· the inverted pyramid style, putting the most important point or the conclusion first.
· simple words
· objective language to build credibility, rather than exaggerated claims or overly promotional words like "great", "tremendous" etc.
· bulleted lists
· highlighted text (bold or color, also hyperlinked text) for scannability
· meaningful headlines and subheads, avoiding cute or clever lines
Write better web content. Understand how people (don't) read on the Web

1. Reading on the web is too much work!Reading from a computer screen tires the eyes. People read 25% more slowly on the web than they read print material.That's why, web content has to be 50% shorter than print.

2. Readers on the Web scan text According to a study by usability expert Jacob Nielson, 79% of readers on the Web tend to scan or skim text rather than read word for word.Highlighted text (bold or color, also hyperlinked text) and bulleted lists aid scannability.

3. Readers on the Web are impatient Readers on the Web are in a hurry to get the information they want, and move on.They don't have the patience for obscure and complex text. They don't enjoy scrolling through masses of text either. Since there are millions of alternative websites in cyberspace, they will quickly move to another site if they don't enjoy the information gathering experience on your site. Attracting attention and retaining reader interest is a challenge, specially as you have just
o 10 seconds to grab attention with your web site content
o 55 seconds to develop an understanding of your company or product
To combat reader fatigue, make it easy for your Web users to get relevant information. Put the most important information at the top. Use clear and concise text.

4. Readers on the Web are skepticalCredibility is a major factor in retaining reader interest on the Web. Use objective language, write meaningful headlines and subheads and avoid marketing jargon or exaggerated claims to build credibility. Cute or clever lines could mean that the reader takes longer to get to the main point. Hyperlinks to the sources of your information or to related information also add to credibility.

5. Readers avoid information overloadIn an average workday, people suffer from information overload . They already have a large number of emails in their inbox to contend with, and several documents to read.They don't want to spend time and effort reading content that they may not find useful.Offer your readers information in bite-size chunks which are easily digestible. Use short sentences, short paragraphs, one idea per paragraph.Use meaningful headlines and sub-headlines which help them nail the information they want, quickly and easily.

Next week: WORDS THAT SELL