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Running a successful business used to be dependent on what you knew. Then, who you knew became important. In today's economy, it is far more critical to what you extent you know someone. So it's not what you know or who you know, but how well you know them that really determines the amount of business that can be generated by a contact. Networking is the process of meeting people (also known as contacts), either through a contact that you initiate or through an introduction by a third party. Networking allows you to meet, and establish a relationship with, people who may not have heard of your business through any other means. Like the name implies, this is work! It's not called Net-sit, Net-talk, or Net-eat. It's Net-work!! In order to make it productive for you, you need to learn proper way to do it. There are some important steps to follow for successful networking: Pick Your Functions To Attend Business people like to associate with other business people, so attend ...

An important aspect of marketing online is the opportunity to achieve targeted, measurable results. However, marketers are told repeatedly by the Internet establishment that traffic is the solution to online success. Based on the law of averages, this premise is not too far off the mark; the more people hit your site, the more responses you will receive. Quantity is therefore an important aspect of surviving online. If you want lots of hits, you want your site in front of as many eyeballs as possible. But what about quality? What if these hits are uninterested visitors who will never buy from you? For those seeking a more cost-efficient means of selling more successfully online, attracting a higher quality stream of visitors -- interested, pre-qualified visitors ready to buy - is definitely a better alternative. The challenge facing many is that they feel they must make a choice: Quantity versus quality. But this is not a choice to be made. Both can be achieved simultaneously by having...

Search Engine Use Increases Sharply, Edging Towards Email as the Primary Internet Application Search engines have become an increasingly important part of the online experience of American internet users. The most recent findings from Pew Internet & American Life tracking surveys and consumer behavior trends from the comScore Media Metrix consumer panel show that about 60 million American adults are using search engines on a typical day. These results from September 2005 represent a sharp increase from mid-2004. Pew Internet Project data from June 2004 show that use of search engines on a typical day has risen from 30% of the internet population to 41%. This means that the number of those using search engines on an average day jumped from roughly 38 million in June 2004 to about 59 million in September 2005 – an increase of about 55%. comScore data show that from September 2004 to September 2005 the average daily use of search engines jumped from 49.3 million users to 60.7 millio...

Recent debate started me thinking about how some marketing strategies can be right for one Website, but wrong for another depending upon the site's purpose and the underlying reasoning behind the action. If an action doesn't directly and logically plug into site goals then there are likely more profitable ways to spend that time and effort. Publishing third party articles on a Website is one of those marketing strategies that can be right for one site yet wrong for another. Publishing Guest Articles As A Website Marketing Strategy Publishing guest articles as one of your Website marketing strategies can help broaden the amount and quality of content on a site, which in turn can lead to a more solid, stronger reputation. James Edwards of Umbrella-Consultancy explains: "IMO having quality articles on your site will show that you are...someone who embraces the industry and respects the work of others. Most research scientists post links to other respected scientists' wor...

Commercial cotton seed supplier Cotton Seed Distributors Ltd (CSD) chose a webcast to keep growers informed of the latest techniques for maximising yield and fibre quality for fields planted to CSD’s latest high-performance varieties: the Sicot 71 Family. The World Wide Web (the internet) has had a successful debut as an interactive mechanism for transferring information between research and extension personnel and growers and consultants in the cotton industry. More than 60 people from Hillston in southern NSW to Emerald in Central Queensland logged on at some time during the interactive Webcast with many sending in questions and comments via e-mail and fax. CSD general manager, Adam Kay, said the Webcast technique had been chosen because of its spontaneity, its low cost to participants, and its capacity to allow growers to participate from their farms, or via their laptop or web-based mobile phone if on the road. Adam Kay informed that they were also mindful that growers are extreme...

Commercial cotton seed supplier Cotton Seed Distributors Ltd (CSD) chose a webcast to keep growers informed of the latest techniques for maximising yield and fibre quality for fields planted to CSD’s latest high-performance varieties: the Sicot 71 Family. The World Wide Web (the internet) has had a successful debut as an interactive mechanism for transferring information between research and extension personnel and growers and consultants in the cotton industry. More than 60 people from Hillston in southern NSW to Emerald in Central Queensland logged on at some time during the interactive Webcast with many sending in questions and comments via e-mail and fax. CSD general manager, Adam Kay, said the Webcast technique had been chosen because of its spontaneity, its low cost to participants, and its capacity to allow growers to participate from their farms, or via their laptop or web-based mobile phone if on the road. Adam Kay informed that they were also mindful that growers are extreme...

Google is preparing to launch the next phase of its print-media buying program, via which it attempts to extend the reach of its online advertisers by buying and reselling print ad inventory from consumer tech and business magazines, writes MediaPost. The new move is the result of Google's consultations with a council of thought leaders from Google's top ad agencies. Though Google spokesmen would provide no specifics, one confirmed that Google is exploring ways of extending its reach via other forms of offline media, but would not say exactly which. Another spokesman is quoted as saying magazine publishers and advertisers involved in the testing have been satisfied with the results. However, many online marketers have not taken the print-ad opportunity, partly because it's not as easy to evaluate ROI from print ads. Still, agencies with experience in both online and offline may be more open to the idea. Related stories: - Google Forays Strike Fear in Potential Foes - Googl...

DoubleClick 's sixth annual Consumer Email Study points to a confluence of personal and professional email use, a decline in concern regarding spam along with an increase in anxiety regarding viruses and fraud, and confirmation that email drives commerce both online and in stores. Though 57 percent of survey respondents view work email at work at least occasionally, nearly as many check work email from home, at night (55 percent) and on weekends (54 percent). Also, 48 percent check their personal emails at least occasionally at work. Some 74 percent point to brand - "a brand I know and trust" - as the element most likely to drive a response to an email. Some 78 percent have made a purchase as a result of an email; 59 percent have redeemed an email coupon in a store; and nearly one-third have clicked on an email and made an immediate purchase. Moreover, one-third say they have clicked on emails for information and returned later to make purchases. Nearly half of responden...

Google's $1 billion investment in a 5 percent stake in Time Warner's AOL was officially announced Tuesday and expands their existing search engine agreement to include advertising , instant messaging and video components, reports CNET. The deal also creates an "AOL Marketplace through white labeling of Google's advertising technology" enabling AOL to directly sell search ads on AOL-owned properties. The companies said they would collaborate on online video search and would showcase AOL's premium video service within Google Video; moreover, Google Talk and AIM instant messaging users will be able to communicate with each other. Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt said the agreement "leverages technologies from both companies to connect Google users worldwide to a wealth of new content." Google and AOL complement each other, according to JupiterResearch analyst Todd Chanko: "Google has locked up paid search, and AOL does really well with the disp...

Internet users seem concerned about how organizations may use or abuse personal information supplied online, whether such information is supplied willingly or without informed consent. This can be a disincentive to online purchasing: website characteristics that convey security and privacy have been found to be the most reliable indicators of purchase intent. Similar attitudes exist within the business community, albeit for different reasons. The picture is also enduring: in a three year survey of online companies it was found that privacy was consistently the most important policy issue. Online personal information There are a number of distinct elements to the fears that people have regarding online capture of personal information. Perhaps the most important is the fear of fraud. Fraud online, as offline, can occur through deception or through data interception. In both circumstances, there has been a failure to apply the principle of informed consent. Other potential misuses of pers...

By Maria Bruno-Britz Bank Systems & Technology Consumers' love affair with electronic forms of payment is stronger than ever, according to a recent report by Boston-based Dove Consulting, a division of Hitachi Consulting, and the American Bankers Association (ABA; Washington, D.C.). The 2005/2006 Study of Consumer Payment Preferences reports that consumers choose electronic payments for the majority of their payments -- whether in stores, online or for bills. Cash and checks account for 45 percent of consumers' monthly payments, down from 57 percent in the 2001 study. "Bill payment is the last bastion of paper-based payments," says Melissa Fox, a Dove senior analyst involved with the study. But, she notes, electronic bill pay is gaining momentum. Indeed, Fox relates, consumers' new favorite forms of e-payments appear to be online bill pay and gift cards. According to the report, checks account for 49 percent of consumers' monthly bill payments, down from 7...

Port City Web, a provider of web-centric solutions announced that Lord John's Footwear, a leader in online sales of shoes, has extended its contract. The new contract, which will extend through 2006, has an estimated value of half a million dollars in revenue for Port City Web. It will continue to cover the eCommerce fulfillment, pick-and-pack, and shipping that Port City Web's fulfillment services division provides, but there will be a significant increase in web services over the course of 2006. In addition to maintaining Lord John's eCommerce website at www.lordjohnsfootwear.com, a new eCommerce website, located at www.myshoestore.com, has been launched to go after a different market. Port City Web will be developing and implementing a large-scale eMarketing campaign to promote both Web sites to their respective demographic groups. " Port City Web did a fantastic job this year helping us convert our website visitors into customers at a rate 3 percent above the aver...

Online color management solutions (CMS) provider eWarna and Yunique Solutions announce an integration and distribution agreement that paves the way for Yunique to market and deliver advanced online color collaboration tools powered by eWarna’s patented Online Color Exchange (OCX) as an integrated component of its popular plmOn solution.eWarna's on demand web services will allow Yunique plmOn customers to seamlessly store, retrieve, compare and share precise digital color information in the eWarna OCX. Using plmOn’s proven collaboration and workflow tools, users can then communicate digitized color standards, receive/submit color submissions (lab or bulk dips) through industry standard file formats, set approval tolerances and keep detailed records of all color approvals. These color-specific capabilities are critical to driving time and cost out of the product lifecycle of apparel and other fashion-related products. By adding color management and collaboration, Yunique will exten...

How the Internet is Affecting Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs): According to a survey of 1,000 small and mid-sized businesses, companies are optimistic about the future and confident in the power of online marketing. The survey shows that SMBs point to the Internet as a primary driver of growth and eighty-three percent strongly agree that the Internet helps them run their companies. The World Wide Web has not only enhanced the channels of communication, but also opened up new markets for business. Already close to one quarter (22%) of SMBs make use of the Web as a marketing tool using email marketing (62%); search engine optimization (56%); banner advertising (36%); and pay-per-click advertising (25%). Among these SMB net marketers, 74% plan to increase their investments in online marketing over the next six months and their peers seem to recognize the benefits they are receiving as an additional 43% percent of SMBs intend to begin online marketing within the next six months. The s...

by Jeff Wyrick ( http://www.mi-websolutions.com ) Does Microsoft care for Webmasters It’s always been a problem with websites appearing exactly the same on different platforms. As a web developer / webmaster it is extremely difficult to make user experiences rich by having the site look the same in any OS / Browser. The biggest problems they have with their famous Internet Explorer browser is security issues and W3C Standards compliance issues. Does Microsoft have a vision of having the world’s most popular browser still? Yes but currently IE is dropping it’s rate pretty fast as Mozilla and Firefox support CSS2 and PNG Transparent Alpha where’s IE does not support. What’s really interesting is IE 5 for Mac supports both CSS2 and PNG Transparent Alpha but IE for Mac development has been discontinued. Makes me think Microsoft likes Apple more then their own Flagship Product “Windows”. So why is it important for Internet Explorer to follow the W3C Standards? • Makes it easier on a develop...

By Arlen Busenitz, Author of " Conversation Magic ", http://conversation-magic.com/ It is extremely important that people have a good first impression of you. Either you make a good impression or you will suffer for it! It is going to effect how your contact views you for the rest of that conversation. It can effect how fast a friendship starts, or how fast business relationships get going. You have got to make a good first impression! What is a "first impression"? Simply it is the first thoughts a person has toward you after seeing you or listening to what you have to say. These are made during the first five seconds and then the first few minutes of a conversation. It has been said that a speaker has 5 minutes to convince the audience that he/she has something good to say. How you act, dress, and talk are all going to effect "the first impression". A customer's first impression of a salesman will have an impact on whether the customer buys . The fi...

After finding a new ad agency, SunTrust Banks Inc. has now hired Masius as its business-to-business communications firm. The Atlanta-based banking company (NYSE: STI) also recently replaced its ad agency with New York-based Y&R . SunTrust said it picked Masius from four finalists in its selection process. "Masius' proven track record and deep knowledge of financial services marketing makes them an ideal partner for addressing the specific marketing needs of our business-to-business segments," said Craig Kelly, SunTrust chief marketing officer. SunTrust said Masius will have strategic communications responsibilities for SunTrust's commercial, corporate and investment banking lines of business. Masius, with offices in New York and London , is the corporate, business and financial services agency of Paris-based Publicis Groupe (NYSE: PUB). Source: www.bizjournals.com

MicroStrategy Incorporated, a leading worldwide supplier of business intelligence software, announced that Limited Brands has selected the MicroStrategy Business Intelligence Platform (MBIP) as its strategic enterprise reporting and analysis standard. Limited Brands sells women's intimate apparel, personal care and beauty products, and women's and men's apparel under various trade names through its specialty retail stores and direct response (catalogue and e-commerce) businesses.Limited Brands currently uses MicroStrategy for human resource and category management reporting across all brands and plans to expand its use into other functional areas such as financial reporting and customer analysis. "Company is pleased that Limited Brands is expanding their deployment of MicroStrategy and achieving success with their business intelligence applications," said Sanju Bansal, MicroStrategy's COO. "MicroStrategy is embraced by retailers because of scalable and f...

SUMMARY: Have you ever been stuck in a debate with your Web design team? Some people think you should boost image sizes -- put huge hero shot graphics on home and product pages. Others buck for text- heavy pages the search engines will like. And still others want to push your special offer harder to improve conversions. Great eretail design is a balancing act. Here's a Case Study about one online retailer who conducted multivariate tests this fall to find the best answers: CHALLENGEE very eretailer knows offering free shipping will raise conversions. But, can you imagine how much of a difference it would make if you’re marketing extremely large and heavy products online? Vintage Tub & Bath’s average SKU weighs 350 or more pounds and has to be delivered by a trailer. General Manager Allan Dick thought the free shipping offer was prominent enough throughout the site -- but his team felt differently. "We have been offering free shipping for a number of years, but we wondered ...

SUMMARY: How can you lure visitors back to your site once they’ve been there? Even “registered” users don’t always bother to return, and a “come see our site upgrades” email blast won’t get high clicks. Promoting a site is even harder if your target audience is engineers – who infamously consider marketing messaging not worth reading. Discover how after focus group research and email testing, GlobalSpec got more than 500,000 engineers to come play a branded online game … and then stick around for a while to check out the rest of the site: CHALLENGE Last fall GlobalSpec, a B-to-B search engine serving engineers, was getting ready to launch a major site upgrade. Luckily the site already had 1.3 million registered users. But, just as every site with registered users has discovered, just because people register doesn’t mean they’ll return. “Some people hadn’t been back to the site in a lonmg time,” says Senior Director of arketing Chris Chariton. Chariton was smart enough to realize that w...