3 unique things I love about #sofresh

The top 3 things I enjoyed about #sofresh

1. Extra 30 minute break after each session
2. The massage chairs
3. Doubletree cookie and milk

I have more to write about but these are all unique to THIS conference.

Are you a social addict

This post is dedicated to my 15,000th Tweet! Thats right! 15,000!!!

Some may say I'm a social butterfly, but really, I'm just one helluva lucky person. I got involved with twitter back in March 2009. Its been the best relationship. I remember like it was just yesterday. @ShariMcConahay is the one to blame for setting us up. The first person I started to interact with was @MMwine. It was that initial engagement that had me going. I was going to my favorite Internet Marketing Conference #Pubcon and wanted to get to know the peeps that I'd be hanging out with all week. It was then I discovered the true power of Twitter and it was really the only way I knew what was going on from session to session as well as where everyone is at for parties. Which is really the most important.

Since then, I've made some of my best friends, @twittgoddess, @bachinaminuet, @vicequeenmaria @believepsalm91, @pamrockssofla and @katemorris just to name a few. The list is long and mighty my friends. Most of which have become my best friends and partners in crime.

Twitter is a place that gives you a choice of who your friends are. Not by growing up with them or because they are in the same path but because you chose to say "Follow".

Its the real deal. You can be who you are around them because well, they already know the trouble you cause, get into or are in. If someone doesn't like what you have to say then its as easy as "Unfollow". Which does happen and I take no offense.

The opportunities that have opened up also are amazing. Its also allowed me to create my own little tweetups like #Sushitweetup

What I'm getting at is that, without a doubt in my mind, I love my twitter friends and would do anything for them. While those that don't get twitter may think I'm crazy because they are internet friends, these are people that are in it. We've evolved from just tweeting but to face-to-face meetings and talking on the phone.

To you my friends, I am greatful every day for meeting you and having you in my life. I love you for you and all that you are. This post is dedicated to YOU.

xoxoxoxo
@amandastewart

Get your twitter mosaic here.

Adding a TweetMeme Button to Blogger

We have been tweaking our blog over the past month. Touch up here, touch up there. Today we decided to add a TweetMeme button. We are on Twitter so much that it seemed appropriate.

What do you think of the new button? Will you be adding one to your blog?

Go to TweetMeme Retweet Button to pick the right code for you. It works with Wordpress as well. It gives you a lot of options to tweak it. We made sure that the RT is by us. If you are looking to use it with Blogger then here are the steps to help you. We will show you how to post it at the end of your blog in the compact size and to add your name in the RT.

Follow these easy steps below to Adding a TweetMeme Button to Blogger:

1. Sign in to your Blogger account and go to
   Dashboard -> Layout -> Edit HTML
   and click the checkmark Expand Widget Templates
   
   
2. Now find the following code
   <data:post.body>
   (NOTE: I used the search feature and looked for data:post.body)
   and paste the following code directly below
   
   <script type="text/javascript">
   tweetmeme_style = 'compact';
   tweetmeme_source = 'talktweetmeme';
   </script>
   <script type="text/javascript" src="http://tweetmeme.com/i/scripts/button.js"></script>
   
   (NOTE: Where talktweetmeme is you will want to put your twitter handle)
   You may want to put a few <br /><br />
   
   before the code if you want a few extra spaces.
   
   
3. It will look like this:
   
   
4. Save the template. And you are done!

I hope this was helpful.

Meta tags no more for organic search optimization

The days are a changing. Yahoo, announced at SMX that they are no longer using meta keywords for ranking. They are the last of the "BIG 3" to do so. While it may still be relevant for paid search, for organic it is not.

Remember the days, when SEO was much easier. Now, bloggers and content providers have to genuinely create relevant content and include the keywords directly inside the content. Don't get me started on the FTC's new rules. But... it also brings out those that create content specific for SEO keywords and not for content relevancy. What you then get are paragraphs of incomprehensible garbage. "SEO experts" you are not. Fear not, there are plenty of us that still believe in doing organic search the proper way and guys like Chris Brogan that have no problem calling you out which is why I think he is so wonderful.

I do find it interesting, that Yahoo didn't even announce it publicly. Its been a few months even. NO press releases. NADA. It was announced during a Q&A session at SMX. Danny Sullivan was even a bit surprised by it as I'm sure where the audience. To me, that is something I find "relevant" to knowing as an online marketer. Mainly, because even if one of the three is doing it then you still include it in code. I like to know when did they plan on letting us know?! If it wasn't for that Q&A how much longer would have Yahoo kept us in the dark?

So, now what shall I do with the few extra minutes we've been spared?! What will you do?

Building a Business with Social Apps - Google I/O 2009

I wanted to share this video and slides with you. Social apps are growing and its very competitive market to make it revenue generating but this will help you get started.

Learn how to do it right from developers that have been there done that and made a successful business out of it. From monetization strategies to analytics, learn how to turn a fun idea into a real revenue stream. These guys know there stuff.

Social Track - Shawn Shen, Chewy Trewhella, Gerardo Capiel

See the video below of the entire session.

You can also download the PDF Session Presentation on Building Business with Social Apps

Info provided from Google I/O Developers Conference 2009

The stress of travel for tradeshows

As I sit on a plane to Chicago for a tradeshow. I'm easily reminded of the long stressful task of the prepping before getting to here. How many times do you find yourself adding more to your reminders list. 2, 3, 4...

Here as some tips to make things a bit easier when you have a booth for a tradeshow.

1. Make a list of what you will need and/or want
2. Giveaway items
3. Business cards ( print and/ or design)
4. Banners and pop ups
5. Brochures/ marketing material
6. Enticing treats

Next, figure out the giveaways. They normally take the most time for ordering. Plan at least six (6) weeks ahead minimum. And if you plan appropriately then you can have it directly shipped to the hotel.

Next, determine if you need design. If you need pocket folders, make sure you do those before brochures. You want to avoid rush printing and shipping charges. The popups can be done quickly depending on who you use. Most business cards and brochures only take a few days. Also, if you go with the right printing company they can ship directly as well so you have one less thing to carry.

Lastly, you want to get the right treats to get people to stop. People love to find nice sweets and treats while walking through the exhibit. Dark chocolate and reeses cups are always a huge hit. Also a hard candy is good like Werther's Original. Those items are best if packed with you.

If you plan ahead then shipping ground will save you atleast 75% just in shipping costs and also your stress level will be lower. No matter how much you plan the stress is always there.

The few other tips are:
Wear sneakers when tending to your booth. You will be standing and moving the entire time. You never want to sit at your booth. It's harder to approach people. You will thank me later. You will be surprised that most people just wait for them to come to you. They need a little romance to approach you. Be sure to have giveaways in hand.

Call the hotel business center and see if they will be able to receive your packages. It may end up being cheaper than using the conference company.

If you have any questions please call 888-774-6861 or email us at info (at) 6thsensedesign (dot) com

Day spa in south florida massages me right back into action

Working long hours and in front of the computer all day has forced me to pamper myself a bit more these days. The best "me" time is when I go to the Broward day spa for a swedish massage. Lynn, who is my regular masseuse knows just what to do and how to do it. I've never felt so relaxed after a session from any where else. I used to go to Contour Day Spa but Point Pleasant Wellness is far more superior. Not only in their services but their customer service and truly interested in the wellness of ME.

I've been going to them for years now. It's a beautiful facility in Fort Lauderdale (South Florida). There is always a smiling face that welcomes me after the long pathway the is filled with wonderful aromas and beautiful pictures.

It is run by Joanne and Lynn who are sisters and the masterminds of creating this amazing wellness day spa. Not only can you get a deep tissue massage or foot massage therapy (feels amazing by the way) but they have yoga classes. They also do manicures and pedicures but you would never know it because you never smell the fumes.

I can't wait for next month. They truly give you the love and attention one seeks when going to a day spa.

New to Twitter, Quick Guide for Beginners

Are you new to Twitter?

This is a quick guide for Twitter beginners. Twitter is finally growing in popularity. Its being displayed in movies, commercials and even astronauts are using it to tweet from space.

It is an amazing business tool that can really help you reach a whole new clientele if used properly. Think of it as being able to network 24/7 with people all over the world or you can stay local if that is your business goal for the tool.

I have found there are a few tools for Twitter that have made my life easier.

1. Tweetdeck - This is a desktop application that allows you to group your followers in columns. You can do searches as well and keep it as a column. Only limitation is that you are only allowed no more than 10 columns. I have mine grouped by info only, locals, different industries and friends.
2. Hashtags - Hashtags are great way to follow a group and for your tweets to be followed by others viewing that group. You'll see popular ones like #followfriday and #fail (www.hashtags.org)
   
3. Twitter Search - This is a great place to go when you want to search for specific things that people are tweeting about. Could pertain to your business name or business trends. (search.twitter.com)
   
4. TwitterCounter - Allows you to track the increase/decrease of followers (www.twittercounter.com)
   
5. Short URLS - Cli.gs is a great site to create short URLS for twitter. Since you are only allowed 140 characters this allows you to put a link that is shorter than the original. It also has stats that allow you to see how popular that link was. You can also customize it to.
6. TweetStats - This is a great way to track how ofter you tweet, who you tweet the most with. Don't miss out on the TweetCloud tab to see whats the most popular word. (www.tweetstats.com)
   
7. TwitterHawk - Marketing tool that searches for people tweeting about specific keywords you choose that is also in targeted areas. Its essentially a lead generator that has a higher hit rate. It sends you the results so you can respond in a timely manner. This service is not free but affordable. (www.twitterhawk.com)
   

A few Twitter tips before you move on your way to tweeting.

1. If you are tweeting about something that you want to be retweeted (RT) then only type 120 characters. That gives room for the person RTing to include your name.
2. Don't be afraid to get personal. Like networking in person, people want to get to know you first before they do business with you.
   
3. Be polite. Say thank you when someone RTs something of yours. It gives you a good way to start a conversation and to make friends.
4. What is #followfriday? This happens every friday where people list their followers that they believe others should follow. Sometimes they list them based on profession, location or one at a time with the reasons why and adding a personal touch.
   

I hope this helps you get started. I'll soon post twitter tools that are great specifically for business. Stay tuned.

Once you get up and running, follow me (@amandastewart) and my business (@printitquick) on twitter.

Interviews for Small Business Week at WE Magazine

Interview with Amanda Stewart, Creative Genius ~ 6th Sense Design

Tell us about your business.
We are a creative advertising solution firm providing marketing to increase business and attracting a customer base through print and internet marketing. We also provide solutions with keeping your current customers with up-to-date information on new products that you may offer as well as engaging them in surveys and offering them benefits to lead to more sales. We provide services from concept to completion including logo identities, branding, print collateral design, printing, hosting, e-marketing in web site design and e-newsletters.

We work mainly with small business owners and really enjoy it. We also work with marketing agencies to be their on demand design team.

Please tell us what being a business owner means to you and why you became an entrepreneur in the first place?
I’ve been a business owners since the wee age of 18. I bartered for office space in order to get it going and it all just sorta happened. I haven’t looked back since. I’ve enjoyed the freedom and the ability to be the controller of my own destiny. I tried to work for a company but had a difference of opinion with how they ran the company and treated their employees.

What or who has been your greatest influence in business and why?
Mainly other business owners. We all stick together really. If it wasn’t for joining NAWBO 8 years ago and meeting the women I did, I’m not sure I would have had the energy or strength to keep on going. Its important to be around other business owners to relate and bounce ideas off of. Everyone shares the best kept secrets which is how the community should be. Giving and supportive.

What would you say is your greatest professional accomplishment to date?
Starting a business so young and able to live the life that I have through travel and adventure. Be able to give back to my parents that sacrificed so much for me when I was growing up.

What’s the best advice you have received in business that you wish to pass on to our readers?
Never put your eggs all in one basket and never be afraid to be a risk taker.

What one thing have you learned as a small business owner that has served you well over the years?
Grow. Restructure. Improve!

Are there any resources or tools you’d like to share with other small business owners that have helped you succeed?
NO better resource than those around you. Better to learn from others mistakes than on your own. The internet is an amazing resource for knowing what is going on NOW in your industry, to see what your competitors are doing and to network 24/7 like on twitter and facebook. I always try to attend atleast one industry conference. Helps you find colleagues that you can bounce ideas off of.

What is Number One Business Goal you plan to accomplish over the next year?
Start a secondary business that utilizes the many talents and expertise I’ve acquired over the years. I have a book of ideas and now its time to execute atleast one of those.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Never lose the passion for your business. I’ve noticed that when you are truly passionate about what you do its contagious and infects others. Then it seems that everyone around you becomes more energized.

Always take time for yourself as it gives you a bit of recharge so that you can accomplish more at the end of the day.
Never forget to ask, “How can I help YOU?”

How can our readers find you online?
On twitter: @amandastewart and @printitquick
www.6thsensedesign.com
www.print-it-quick.com

Thank you Heidi Richards

Postage Rates Raised Again, Direct Mail Affected

Once again the mail postage rates have gone up ANOTHER $0.02. Which makes it now $0.44. You may not think that is a lot but when you are sending thousands of pieces a week that greatly affects your budget.

So... is USPS trying to make it more difficult for direct mail. I am a firm believer that you should do both online AND offline marketing. However, when those budgets are getting tightened already and then an increase makes it more difficult to hit the targeted audience from all angles. I've already seen a dramatic decrease in amount of pieces in my mailbox from real estate agents. However for agents, now is the best time to market since those semi-serious agents are now onto the next biggest craze for fast cash.

So, for now we will keep on truckin' but I hope that USPS, gives it a reprieve on another increase next May. It was more acceptable when it was every other year or so for a $0.01 increase.

*Stamp image provided by USPS.com

Full Color Foil Printing WOWs Prospects

NEW! Full Color Foil Printing

Full color foil printing is the newest and most revolutionary process in the marketplace today! It's eye candy. It has the magnetism of a shinny quarter in a school playground.

The Process of Full Color Foil Printing

In Line Cold Foil is the design and marketing tool that everyone is embracing as an essential part of their available tools to capture prospects attention.It makes you think, what is the purpose of creating a flyer or postcard to market your services? The purpose is to attempt to capture your target audience's attention, even if just for a brief moment. Because, a brief moment is all you have to either make an impression or to loose your prospects interest. That is why foil printing or foil stamping is so important. It gives you a higher chance of capturing someones attention. It's different, it's eye candy that is irresistible to the eye. Try it for yourself and you too will notice the higher response rate from your foil marketing tool.

Unlike hot foil systems, cold foil is an inline process and does not require heat for transfer nor expensive dies to define the design. Instead, cold foil systems are made up of two units: one unit of the system applies an adhesive that defines the imprint for the foil, and the second unit releases the foil from a carrier sheet and applies it to the substrate. Quite an amazing process, right?

Offering foil printing on:

• Business cards
• Large business cards
• Quarter (1/4) page postcards
• 4x6 postcards
• Rack cards
• 5x7 postcards
• Half page (8.5x5.5) postcards
• XL (6x9) postcards

Request foil printed samples today and you too will agree that this is the most effective tool to draw attention to your most valuable marketing tool.

Call us today to start on making a lasting impression. 888-774-6861

Postage stamp rate increases one cent on Monday

Effective on Monday, the stamps are going to increase one cent. What does this mean for the business? Typically small to medium sized businesses.

There are still plenty of businesses that do direct mail marketing. While one penny does not seem a lot, those that are mailing 100s of thousands of pieces per month will see it gradually dig into their bottom line. This is potentially dangerous for those involved in that process. From the designer to the list provider, the printer and even the mailing house.

There is a concern on the print end of it. Will more people move back to a typical 4x6 postcard rather than the half page postcard or the jumbo sized postcard? There was a push towards larger sized postcards to make an impact but as the price of postage increases the desire to spend more decreases.

It was just a year ago when the stamp was increased. Does this mean there will be a trend for the postal service to increase each year? Lets hope that this is it for at least 2 years.

See what the current rates will as of Monday, May 12th, 2008.

Thanks Joe - Mystere was amazing!

There are many benefits to attending PubCon, which is where I have been at since Monday night, but the one on Tuesday night was complimentary tix to see Mystere at Treasure Island. Joe Morin hooked us up and a bunch of us bloggers attended the many shows of vegas. Myself and my new found best friend Shari of ExtremeHalloween.com attended Mystere. It was my first time at this show but have attended 2 other cirque shows.

This show was amazing. The music was fantastic and unique. The costumes were outrageous and out there. The acrobatics always fascinate me and I'm always hanging on the edge of my seat and scared for them that they will fall. I love the swings and when they hang down from the lines and twirls and spin. The specialty of this show was the climbing. IMHO anyway. Each show has something unique. This one was crawling on the walls and up end down the poles. Just fascinating how limber and disciplined and how damn strong they all are. Then there were the 2 guys. that just did things I never thought possible. I cant even describe it so here is a photo.


talk about perfection. You should have seen the entire show. The thing about any cirque show is that its visual overload because there are so many things going on, the costumes and colors and the theater design. Its so hard to catch everything because you may be focused on the main show but then off in the ceiling something is beginning to happen. Then there is the comedy feature of the show. This time it was the baby which was just hilarious. They always have a comedy thrown in and always amusing. They usually start that segment around 15 min or so before the show time, that's why is good to get there early.

It was a fantastic night. I look forward to seeing Ka next year when I'm here for the conference.

Another thought though, as I was enjoying the show, I couldn't help but think about business. Mainly because that's how my mind works. This show, is a prime example of everyone working in unison. When they were doing the seesaw segment, everyone had their job to do, if one person faltered then someone would either get seriously injured or the show would have a flaw of a mistake, which I have yet to witness. I just couldn't help but think that that is how a business is to be run. Everyone has their task/specialty/job to do and if one person drops the ball then the company as a whole pays for it.

This is especially true when dealing with SEO, SEM and PPC. If you are not on top of it all then your site takes a hit, unfortunately not in a good way. All the new tools, tricks and people that I've met this week, have really helps me discover new ways to make sure that the ball isn't dropped. I'm anxious to reread my notes and start planning way to implement the new ideas and products to the arsenal that I've already developed.

What is in a brand?

Lately, the increase in small business owners coming to us to help establish a brand has been amazing. These days, small business owners are trying to figure out who they are and how they can become more established with the local community.

When it comes to the service industry, its more work to establish a brand or name for yourself. You have to prove yourself, show that you have the background and years in the field. Still the common mistake made is by describing what you can do, INSTEAD of describing how you can help make the prospect's life better by using your services.

Branding is not all about colors or the logo/mascot. It's about your message. What makes you unique from the mass of competitors? How can you show that being a small company is a benefit not a draw back? These are questions that should be answered while establishing a branding for your business. If you can have a tag line that is 7 words or less and doesn't leave the prospect confused of what you offer then you have done a good job.

How do you present your branding? The first thing that is given is normally a full color business card. That is the first impression of your brand other than yourself. Yes, you are your brand. Present yourself as such. Make sure that your business card clearly states your tagline, your website, and of course 3 bullet points to how you can help them. That way, even after you leave, they will still know what you do.

These simple questions will help you determine the brand for your small business.

Optimized Design for your Web Site

What exactly is optimized design you ask?

It works directly with SEO (Search Engine Optimization) or the Search engine marketing of your web site. Optimized design of your web site takes into consideration all the factors needed for successful optimization of your web site.

• User experience - Making sure the navigation of your site is easy for the end-user. Providing ease of use of your web site, allowing the viewer to find what they are looking for easily and quickly.
• Graphic Design - Creating an eye-catching and compelling design that directly relates to your brand.
• Optimization - Impletmenting the design while also making the web site search engine friendly by utilizing the best practices in web site programming. By implementing the best keywords and phrases through rigorous analysis of your competitors and industry.

While its great to have a site that looks great, in todays every growing web, you must realize that the basis of a web site is to attract new customers. Let us help you create a web presence which brings results with effective OPTIMIZED design that will help your bottomline.