IT Solutions And Marketing

Author: Ven

  • You Can Have a Successful Online Business

    You will have a business that either sells a product or provides a service and you may be wondering if you can successfully run your business online. More and more businesses are being successfully run online and if you decide it would not work for your business, then it is probably your own mindset that is stopping you. Your concerns will include not having the skills to enable you to do this, or perhaps you simply believe that it is not feasible for your type of business to sell online.

    Obviously you would have to be prepared to learn new skills, so that you can take advantage of the many new opportunities that present themselves. The skills are not that difficult to learn but you must be prepared to spend time (as you do for other parts of your business) to ensure that your online business can thrive.

    Businesses that run from a shop will open at a specific time, then customers are served until closing time. As well as looking after customers, owners have a myriad of other tasks to complete; cleaning the shop, checking stock, ordering from suppliers, doing the banking etc. All of these have to be completed on a regular basis.

    Perhaps you sell your product to a shop for resale. Now your tasks are different; you have to find a shop that wants your product (you become a sales person), you have to deliver it at a time that suits them, you have to follow up regularly and you have to keep providing new lines.

    An online business has the same conglomeration of tasks to perform, such as keeping your website up to date, managing your payment gateway, distributing goods ordered and keeping your social media current, up to date and relevant.

    I believe that the main difference between a traditional business and an online business is in the area of marketing. It does not matter how good your product or service is, if no one knows about it, you will not be successful. The way in which you promote your business to others, is known as marketing.

    People will find your shop by simply walking past it; but it is more difficult to find your shop on the internet. To have a successful online business you must develop strong marketing strategies.

    It is probably a good idea to hire some help to build your website. At the same time you may consider learning how to do the maintenance yourself; this can save you a lot of money, but is time consuming. It is imperative that you check out what small business providers are available and prepared to support you, at a reasonable cost.

    Written by Ven Grollmus

  • Do You Have a Flashlight on Your Mobile Phone?

    The company ‘SnoopWall’ has just discovered that the top 10 companies that provide you with an App for a flashlight (to go on your mobile phones (smart phones, iPads, iPods)), is in fact spying on you. These malicious Apps (known as Malware) check such things as your geo location, they access your contact lists and can hack into your bank details if you use online banking.

    If you find NFC (Near Field Communications), in your device settings – disable it!  If you have Bluetooth on your phone, disable it (except for when you are in the car using it); these are known method for hacking your information.

    Once you have disabled the flashlight App, take your phone back to the store where you purchased it and have it factory reset. This, of course, will wipe all your data – so make sure you save anything you need. However, it is the only way to make sure that you have removed the Trojan which the flashlight App (spyware) would have installed.

    A large number of advertising networks deploy spyware. Many professional cyber criminals use these networks. The countries so far found to be utilizing the flashlight Apps spyware are China, Russia and India.

    Before you decide to purchase an App, ask yourself, why does the app you are about to install need your GPS, microphone, webcam, contacts, etc.? The simple answer is probably because they want to invade your privacy.

    If you still want a flashlight App, chose one that has under 100Kb; steer clear of any that are over 1Mb. The only reason they would need such a large file size is because they want to install spyware into your mobile device. SnoopWall has designed a Privacy Flashlight App for the Google Android, Apple iOS and Microsoft Windows smartphones and tablets. The file size is approximately 72 Kb. It only accesses the light of the webcam and the screen display.

    These videos are used under the You Tube Public Licence agreement

    PS – From my experience, Apple smart devices are a lot less prone to intrusion of ‘malware’ than the Windows and Android devices.  I do however suggest that you do take care with what software you install, and do your research first.

    I have noticed that on the iPhones, iPads and iPods when the software is updated, the Bluetooth connection is turned on each time regardless of the settings you previously had.  It would be wise to check the settings after each update.

    Written by Ven Grollmus

  • What Makes a Successful Entrepreneur?

    The first thing that differentiates an entrepreneur from other business people, is their desire to be high achievers. When faced with an opportunity they are more likely to say ‘YES’ then ask themselves ‘HOW’. Other business operators are more likely to evaluate more carefully if they should (or could) take up the opportunity being offered; then they are more likely to say why they shouldn’t (couldn’t) take it on.

    If you are running a business, whether it is a service or a product, you are likely to do so because you are competent in what you are doing – probably because of years of experience doing the same things as you did when you were an employee. It is not long before you have to take on the role of a manager. All these roles are important when running a successful home based business. You can learn to be a manager; you probably started the business because you are good at a specific task, but you are either an entrepreneur, or not – it is not something that can be learned.

    An entrepreneur is a thinker and must be able to see clearly and logically. They see what is missing within a product or service and understand why things are not successful; then they imagine ways to reach the pinnacle of success. They are not only opportunistic, they take action. If the opportunity does not present itself, they are likely to create the opportunity themselves.
    Entrepreneurs fully understand the importance of education and are constantly looking to learn new skills. They see their way forward as a path or roadway to a new world; often one which they create! The most obvious and dynamic changes that require ongoing education, are the changes in technology.

    Today, more and more, people realise that they must keep up with the changes in technology; most of what they already know will be obsolete in just three or four years. When computers first became popular, people purchased one which they felt should last them for life. Often they did not renew them for many years and were able to get away with it. But now, when new technology comes on board, the key manufacturers stop supporting the old technology as they see it as the ‘end of life’. The new software simply cannot run with the new operating systems.

    You may thing that creativity and entrepreneurship are the same. It is true, that the entrepreneur must have a flair for creativity, but the real difference is that the entrepreneur is a much more practical person. If you are running your own business (and not just providing yourself with a job) you must be all three; technician, manager and entrepreneur. This means that you have to complete millions of tasks to keep your business running and to ensure its success. The true entrepreneur is capable of doing this.

    It is correct to say that entrepreneurs ‘think big’ but the difference between the ’thinkers’ and the ‘doers’ is that successful entrepreneurs control the size of their dream into one that can be done – successfully.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxo2rGr7Yfg

    These videos are used under the You Tube Public Licence agreement

    Written by Ven Grollmus

  • Fear and Failure or Positivity and Success

    Every business owner, at one time or other, is afraid that they have made the wrong decision or that a specific situation will be there downfall. Even though this is bound to happen to you, it is how you handle the situation that makes all the difference between you coping or collapsing.

    If you allow your negativity to build, you will experience confusion and ultimately chaos. This is the point when your business may collapse. You must become consciously aware of just what is possible for you if you manage the situation with a positive outlook.

    This awareness can lead to you being proactive and you can then treat the fear you are experiencing with clear thinking and a heightened awareness. Once you can focus on the possible positive results, you are likely to avoid the sense of failure and become more focused on success.

    When you ‘dig deep’ and fight the situation you find yourself in, you will come to realise that the fear you are feeling is actually working for you and helping you to not only cope, but to feel excited about the possibilities.

    It is essential that you plan and take steps that can lead to the results that you want in your business. Accepting the inevitable (whether it is negative or positive) is a sure course to eventual failure. When you plan for the future of your business, you will experience confidence that in turn, can lead to success.

    As well as planning, a good business owner will ‘think on the run’ and be able to assess problems and create positive solutions. You must handle problems as they happen and not procrastinate or just ignore them and hope that they will go away.

    With the correct mindset you can actually feel excited and positive as you face your problems and not collapse into a mire of self-pity or fear. Just remember that there are always solutions even if some need courage to implement.

    Take action; make it positive and commit to excellence in your business strategy. If you can develop a sense of heightened awareness you are more likely to avoid the sense of failure and negativity that can overwhelm you when problems occur in your business.

    Video

    The renowned speaker, Brian Tracey, gives an interesting approach on how to handle fear (in your life or in business). You can develop confidence and self-respect to overcome the fear that you may be experiencing (or think that you are about to experience).

    These videos are used under the You Tube Public License agreement

    Written by Ven Grollmus

  • Do You Concentrate on Your Business, or Are You Easily Distracted?

    There are a number of ways you can be distracted or interrupted in business. The main ones are:-

    • Phone calls
    • Folk dropping in (clients or friends)
    • Receiving (and responding to) emails

    Another problem you will face is that you are unable to concentrate on just two or three major tasks a day and find yourself being side-tracked by your own brain!

    How Can You Solve This Problem?

    You must learn how to focus and realise that it is you to blame with distraction (whereas you can blame others for interruptions). Consider taking these actions to solve the problem of distractions:-

    • Set two or three important goals each day and make sure you concentrate on them within a specified period of time. Each time you consider doing something else, STOP. Focus on the goal you have set and perhaps do the other thing you thought of during your break.
    • Break your working day into smaller sections of work and have a break between them (you will then be able to concentrate more on the goals you have set).
    • Block out social media from your screen for the time periods you are working (there is an App Antisocial available to help you do this.
    • Keep track of what you do over set periods of time, each day for at least a week or two. You will soon see if you are really concentrating on completing a goal or if you are being distracted. You can use a grid broken up into 15min sections or you can access this technological tool.

    Being Productive

    If you really want to be productive you need to eliminate as many distraction and interruptions as possible. You will be amazed at just how much more you can achieve in a week.

    Video

    This video discusses how to avoid being distracted if you are running a home based business. The final word is – it is up to you to avoid distractions and negativity so that you can reach your goals and dreams.

    These videos are used under the You Tube Public License agreement

    Written by Ven Grollmus

  • Using Emails to Market and Promote Your Business

    We are all sick to death of receiving dozens (and in some cases hundreds) of junk emails that we have not requested for product or services that we do not want. Nevertheless, emails are a very important tool when promoting and marketing your business, particularly to those you know.

    There are some essential points that you need to cover when using emails.

    • First of all, make sure that you have a well-designed signature that includes your logo, phone number and websites. Perhaps add a slogan as well; but DO NOT add a ton of information that the recipient does not want to read.
    • Always address your email to the actual individual you are sending it to.
    • If you want to send out a similar email to a group of contacts, send it out via the BCC so that everyone does not receive each other’s details.
    • Keep your email short but personal.
    • If possible add a link to a website or video to further promote what it is you are sharing with them.
    • Some folk do not allow attachments; so if there is an image, have it at the foot of the email unless you know that the recipient will receive an attachment.
    • If you can, offer the recipient something for free; or let them know of something e.g. a seminar, that may be of interest to them; or invite them to join you at an event (perhaps you can even offer to pay).

    The most important thing to remember is that you need to know that the recipient wants to hear from you. You can ask them early in your relationship if they would like to receive information from you; but do not make it a regular email e.g. every couple of weeks. Soon they will stop reading them.

    It is also imperative that at the end of each email you make a statement that you will cease sending them information if they request that you do so.

    NOTE: If you require assistance with developing your email marketing; contact IT Solutions and Marketing to discuss any problems you may have.

    Video

    This video gives a couple of great suggestions on how to best use emails to market your business. Why not try these ideas? Just remember, results may not occur instantly, but if you are consistent, it will happen!

    These videos are used under the You Tube Public Licence agreement

    Written by Ven Grollmus

  • How to Get Google to Send You Clients

    Your website must be Panda and Penguin compliant if you wish Google to send you clients. Penguin refers to rules set up by Google for page design of your website while Panda are the rules pertaining to the entire website. Some of these rules are simple to apply, but most are time consuming if you have to make changes because you already have a low score.

    It is not just a matter of ‘getting it right’ – you are actually penalised if you get it wrong! Google gives you a score and unfortunately you don’t have the option of knowing what your score is; so you can’t compare it. Basically, Google is looking for quality information that is unique and added manually (not via software that is available to do it for you). You must personalise your content.

    When designing your individual pages (Penguin) make sure that your title is specific and descriptive of the topic. You can use one keyword here, and perhaps repeat it in the first 30 words of your content and once at the end of your article, but do not add more, or you will be penalised. Never use bold or italics for your keywords – they are to look as though they are a natural word in your content. When setting your heading and subheadings (H1 and H2) don’t repeat keywords.

    Highly ranked content (pages) includes anchor text to link viewers to another page on your own website or to another high ranking website e.g. Wikipedia. But make sure that you do not use the same anchor text again and again.

    For example, if you are promoting a book you have written, and you make the title of the book anchor text (leading to further information on your book) e.g. “Thank God I Had a Stroke”, next time you might say “You can see more information on an interesting book on this topic” or “Read how this woman recovered from both a stroke and a brain tumour”. Each time the anchor text can lead to the same page you want the viewers to visit.

    With Panda, Google is scoring according to how long someone remains on your site (is it interesting enough to keep their attention?); how fast does the site take to load (under 4 seconds is desirable); and do viewers find what they are looking for (or do they continue searching?).

    Use dynamic navigation, readers need to be enticed from one page to another. If Google likes your website they will actually send people to it. Google measures the success of your website via:-

    • analytics;
    • if image sizes are small enough to be quickly downloaded and are on the right hand side of the page;
    • if the main information (without ads) appears in the first fold (you may need to adjust the size of your header to allow for more space for the text in the first fold);
    • YouTube is considered to be an all important link for you to use (especially if it is to your own unique video).

    If advertising, keep the ads below the first fold; quality, personalised information should be the priority. However, if your website is a catalogue, then the rules are less stringent, but try to keep unique and quality information in the description of your product.

    NOTE: If you require assistance with developing your website as a marketing tool, then contact me to see what I can do for you.

    Video

    Here is another way at looking at how Google uses Panda and Penguin to assess your website. The video just touches on the beginning – but it does give you an idea of just how Google looks at your website.

    These videos are used under the You Tube Public Licence agreement

    Written by Ven Grollmus

  • Marketing Your Business

    Do you spend time developing a newsletter and getting it out?  Have you thought about getting it onto all the mobile devices out there that your customers/clients have?

    Why not think a little outside the square and produce a professional online magazine? It is so easy with this new technology – I am going to try it! https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/inspirevision-publish-your-own-online-magazine/x/8704783

    Written by Ven Grollmus

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