Online Technology Training

Build Your Online Presence Quickly with Twitter

One of the fastest ways to go 'viral' and get exposure for your online business is to master the new microblogging phenomenon Twitter.

With only 140 characters available you'll be surprised how inventive you'll become.

Check out Tim O'Reilly's The Twitter Book

Marketing to Women Online

Marketing Your Small Business - Are You Linked-In Yet?

One thing's for sure... your small business won't survive online if you don't market it. Just being an expert or specialist in your chosen area  isn't going to be enough if no one can find you. You've got to get the word out there and raise your online profile.

Yes, I know it's out of your comfort zone - but here's the deal, you'll just have to get used to promoting yourself if you want a successful online business. An effective, no-cost way to do just this is to network with other professionals so they can recommend your services.

Perhaps you're already on Facebook (and I'll talk about that more in my next series of teleclasses coming soon), that's great... but not enough to raise your online visibility

LinkedIn is a great way to network with other professionals. They've recently made a lot of changes (probably trying to keep up with Facebook) now you can add your blog feed,  join groups in your niche and even add a powerpoint presentation.

Join me on LinkedIn and see what it's all about. 

Remember though, you are just extending your network and adding professional information about yourself and your company - you're not trying to sell anyone anything!

Looking to Tweet from Your Blackberry?

If you're a Blackberry user (I've had mine for ages - but now looking at the iPhone 3G) you may want to use Twitter to connect to the universe.

Here are a few apps to get you going, TwitterBerry and BlackBird, TinyTwitter,  Twibble, BBTweet and Viigo. Good thing is they're all free.

More info here

Confused By All The Different Types Of Blogs?

Are you getting really confused with all the different blogging programs out there? Let me explain how it works. Basically, there are three different types of blogging software.

1. Free Blogs

Free blogs like Blogger, are usually run by large software organizations and as they are free, can appear to be inviting. But, if you're planning on doing business on the internet you'll have to check out their terms and conditions as most won't offer this service for commercial use.

A word of warning... free blogging programs have been known to close accounts with little or no warning. Imagine spending weeks, if not months, building your business blog, adding your valuable content then one day you try to log in... and it's gone. Very frustrating to say the least, it'll take time and a lot of effort to replace all your valuable content. Read the small print.

2. Open Source Blogs

Open Source blog programs have been created by hundreds of people all over the world who work on their development, they are not owned any one company or organization. Wordpress is one example. The free version has the same drawbacks I mentioned in the previous point. However, there is also a version where you can purchase hosting and have more control over your blog. Bear in mind you'll need some HTML programming knowledge to set up the blog and to maintain numerous security issues involved around Open Source software.

3. Privately Hosted Blogs

If you're a small business owner you need to feel secure the terms and conditions of your business blog allows for commercial usage. Trading on the internet means adhering to certain regulations.

Privately hosted blog software companies have created 'user friendly' interface programs specifically for  commercial users. Costs of hosting can work out to be just a few cents a day. This is a great advantage for new businesses owners who often struggle with costs and overheads in the first few critical months of trading.

Using privately hosted blogging software gives you complete control over your blog and more importantly, there is no fear of being closed down or having to take care of the security issues.

COMING VERY SOON!

Look out for Start A Blog Video Tutorial - it's coming VERY soon!

I'll help you get started and have a professional blog up in no time.  You'll look over my shoulder as I guide you through the whole process of setting up YOUR blog - right from scratch... NO ADVANCED COMPUTER SKILLS... You'll be able to update it from anywhere (with an internet connection) at any time... and guess what?

You DON'T even have to pay a webmaster  - because YOU'LL be your own webmaster and have complete control over your blog!

Watch this space for information coming very soon...

Have You Worked Out Who Your Ideal Customers Are?

When I was seeing clients as a career coach I met lots of people who told me they had a burning desire to start their own home-based business.

Most were fed up with the corporate jungle and longed to be their own boss.

When I asked them what they would sell or who they would sell to  many replied, "Oh, everybody".

If you too are thinking of starting an online business, then you need to be absolutely clear  who your ideal customers will be. Who will spend money and buy WHAT YOU HAVE TO OFFER? You've got to narrow it down, otherwise there's a danger you'll end up with no customers at all.

This is just one of the subjects I'll cover in my *FREE* teleclasses covering simple strategies you can apply to your business to make you money.

5 Ways to Add Audio to Attract More Clients

Looking For an Alternative to MS Office?

You may not be aware that once you start trading most software manufacturers require you to use their  Professional or Business versions not the Home or Student versions.

For example, Microsoft stipulates that anyone using their software for business purposes should purchase the MS business version, which is what I had to do last year when I bought MS Office 2007 Professional version - not cheap!

But if you're finding money a bit tight as you start your online business, then here's a good alternative to the pricey business versions. OpenOffice is an open-source program , it does just about everything MS Office can do - with big difference - it's ABSOLUTELY FREE!!

Check out the OpenOffice website - OpenOffice.org for more information :o)

Check out my *FREE* TeleClasses where I cover all the steps you need to Start a Business Online. I'll share tips and advice so you don't end up overwhelmed with lots of information. Sign up now for my next teleclass.

5 Was to Effectively Use Your Business Blog

Know Who's Talking About You on the Net?

Once you're on the Internet it's very hard to keep a track on who is talking about you or promoting your services or products.

A good way to keep track is to sign up for a Google alert  and register your name/or the name of your company. Every time Google finds new information about you they'll send you an new email alert.