Regular Website http://BataraImmigrationLaw.com

Mobile website that is much easier to read with Click-to-call and vital information for those using their mobile phone. Mobile Website

People are brutally honest about what they hate and love.  And, yes, they are talking about YOUR BUSINESS and how bad your website may look in their mobile browser.

From a consumer standpoint, I myself, get frustrated trying to find information and I all I get on my mobile is an unfriendly standard website.  Boo-hiss!

Why, just the other day I searched “business coach” while waiting to pick up my daughter and found that EVERY WEBSITE on the FIRST PAGE of Google DID NOT have a mobile ready site.

Talk about leaving money on the table!

Did you know that websites with mobile access rank higher in mobile browsers?  Uh huh.  They sure do.

But lets just keep that between you and me, ok?

If you are a technophobe or a Luddite, relax! There are ways of going mobile that don’t involve becoming a rocket scientist.

The example above is Immigration Attorney Carlos Batara’s mobile website, and his standard website.  You can see how Carlos gives just the necessary information people need while they’re out and about.

• His Click-to-Call phone number
• Office locations & Google maps
• What services he offers
• Videos
• Make payments

So you’ve already done the hard work by creating your primary website… now all you need is to lighten the load and go mobile!  (And, if you don’t yet have a website – no sweat! This will be a lot less painful!)

Today, I’m cleaning out my inbox.

It’s scary. Because yesterday, I had over 70k messages before I deleted all of 2010. Now, I’m ONLY left with 35k.

I think I’m afraid to de-clutter because I’ll delete a fantastic email for my swipe-file, or an important piece of client material. I use Basecamp to manage all of my projects, so all the files and collateral are stored there… so what’s holding me back?  Nothing really.

Like most people, my inbox is sorted by the “Sent” or received date, newest item first.  The best way I’ve found to do the big dump is to view my inbox by who the message is “From” and delete down the list.

But I noticed one thing that really annoys me.  

When people put characters or symbols before their “from” name in their email client.  Example:  - Ari Galper - Unlock The Game, or **Adam Ubanski**, and yes, even one of my favorite gals *Ali Brown. Click pic to view a larger image.

Obviously, I’ve subscribed to these people because I respect and value them and want to hear their message… but when I need to search for that sender specifically I can’t always find them in my inbox.  And THAT is a problem.

So when I filter my inbox alphabetically, in collapsed view, and scroll to the “A’s”, I don’t see Ari Galper.  In other words, I can’t find his message because he put a silly character before his name.   NOT GOOD!

For life of me, I don’t know why anyone would NOT want to be found in an inbox.

So, I consulted my colleagues.

“Other than to be seen as different or to attract the eye to an email as it sits in your inbox, why would anyone want to add characters or symbols to their email “from” address?”

Is it to throw off spam filters?

Or simply draw attention?

Something else?

One friend said, “It very well could be that these names have been black-listed somehow and by putting in the extra symbol they can bypass it.“

Oh dear.  I see.  A tad bit deceptive, perhaps?

When I tried to find “Ari Galper” in my inbox, he wasn’t listed with everyone else in the “A’s”  because of the extra character… or, in other words, I thought I may have deleted him. See 2nd screen pic. Extra characters can bite you in the buttocks if you’re not careful!

She continued, “They may also add the extra characters if you unsubscribed from them under the regular name without the extra character. This way they keep emailing you since they hooked you the first time and you are on their list.”

Argh! No – say it isn’t so! Sneaky suckers.

Another said, “I read once that adding extra characters gets you listed at the beginning of email if someone has it set up alphabetically & as a way to stand out.”

Well, there you have it. I’ve Googled, search all avenues I could think of and there’s no logic or measured way of knowing WHY marketers do this.  Must have been a guru who said so a thousand internet years ago.

So do yourself a favor, and DON’T add extra characters to your email address… you never know who or when someone is looking for your expert opinion in their inbox.

Let me ask you this…

Would you like to see someone who is creative with their “from” address, but also being SMART? Yes? Good!

I invite you to take a look at Jeff Herring’s messages in my inbox.  See how EVERY from addy is categorized? THAT is super smart email marketing.  Want to see Jeff’s last couple Sunday Inspiration messages? Just look for Jeff and his categorized from address.  He’s such a sharp fellow.  He’s made himself easy to find even in my ultra-cluttered inbox.

You can read more about Jeff Herring at his website, JeffHerring.com

Now It’s YOUR Turn! What are your thoughts? Post below, I’d love to know what you think!

If you have…

1. Scrolling, blinking text, butterflies and other animated images whirling around your homepage. Including falling snow, stars, puppies, or kittens…
2. An outdated copyright in the footer that says 2008 and you haven’t changed a single thing since…
3. Still have Flash on your website… or even worse, a Flash entry page…
4. Half a dozen different sizes and colors of text in the body of your website… and CLIPART!
5. MUSIC.  For the love of God – stop the highly annoying classical music that plays on your homepage. (Kill me now)
6. Outdated pics.  Your professional pics are >10 years old.
7. “FREE REPORT” – this term is so outdated and ignored by everyone.  Free report feels like useless information you got from someone else that you’re regurgitating and trying to dump on me.  No Thank you.
8. You don’t provide some of the services you have listed.  ”Sorry, I don’t do that anymore”
9. No interactivity or opportunity to engage. No blog, RSS feed, newsletter, social media.
10. You don’t even mention you HAVE a website because you’re too embarrassed for anyone to see it.
11. Bonus: Your site is all about you – WRONG.  ”I am looking for information, and I want it fast.  I do NOT care about you.  All I want to know is – What you can do for ME!”

If this is you, there is no need to be ashamed.  Put away your MembersOnly jacket, or for the ladies, your Reebok Pumps and Leg Warmers. I can get you updated very quietly and discreetly.  Click here to schedule an appointment.  No one will ever know!

Why?

Those with high Klout Scores have the ability to impact a large audience.

Genius!

Bet lets talk about you and me.

Marketing agencies aren't the only ones who benefit from Klout - you can too!  Here's how.

Curious who has high Klout scores?

Now It's YOUR Turn! What are your thoughts? Post below, I'd love to know what you think!

Click to enlarge

Business Marketing must stay a step ahead of the current trends in order to serve customers.  Online Marketing is just as trendy, and one trend that’s here to stay is mobile smart phones.

As of December 2010, nearly ONE THIRD of all US mobile phones are SMART PHONES.

But get this – the numbers are much higher in ethic groups!  Namely Asian/Pacific Islanders (45%), Hispanics (45%) and African-Americans (33%).  (Source: The Nielsen Company.  Smartphone Penetration, Base: % of population, 2009-2010 demographic trend)

What does this mean to you?

Click to enlarge

1. EMAIL is what users are DOING on their Smart Phones. The study finds email represents a leading 38.5% of time spent. No other activity comes close, with social networking coming in a distant second (10.7%). (This data comes from The Nielsen Company’s “State of the Media 2010.″)
2. Continue email marketing to your list.  Since the storm of social media has turned into an F5 tornado, many folks have allowed the frequency of their ezines, newsletters and other email dwindle down to nothing.  (Myself included!)
3. Give subscribers a “mobile version” of your message. I always read email while waiting to pick up my kids.  One of my fav retailers, American Eagle Outfitters has a “View Mobile Friendly” that opens in a browser.

The numbers don’t lie.  In fact, this is proof positive that we need to be catering to the mobile market… Or, be left behind like the corded, rotary-dial phone, the 14k modem, and that enormous 586k hard drive circa 1994!  LOL!

**UPDATE** May 21, 2011

@Mashablewrites about how many of us rev up our phones before getting out of bed – I’m guilty! I read email to see if anything critical happened over night.  Read more @Mashable http://mashable.com/2011/05/12/smartphone-apps-bed/

Now It’s YOUR Turn! What are your thoughts? Post below, I’d love to know what you think!

#1 BEST NETWORKING TIP

While big events like this are a wonderful opportunity to meet and network with others, I often feel shy at the beginning, or closed or worried about what people think of me (and I know I’m not the only one!).

When that happens, I have a technique that works EVERY time to get me into “rock star” networker mode!

I call it “becoming a reporter.”

I LOVE this technique, because I learn SO MUCH and always meet fascinating people doing interesting things.

And I don’t have to go ANYWHERE NEAR the kind of activities that often pass for “networking” but are really just disguised and desperate-feeling attempts to drum up business.

Now, I have a background as a newspaper reporter, but that’s definitely not a requirement for this technique.

All that IS required is that you shift from “shy or worried” to CURIOUS!

Just flip a switch in your brain and turn on your curiosity. Really. Just flip a switch and “become a reporter.” It gets you immediately out of your “stuff” and into a place of genuine connection with others.

Ask questions. Not an artillery barrage or an interrogation, but a simple “I’m interested in you” inquiry.

Where does she live? How long has she lived there and/or why did she move there? What does he do professionally? How’d he
get into that? What’s an interesting project on the horizon that she’s excited about? How did that come about? When is it going public? Does he have children, and if so, what are their ages?

The subjects are endless. Mix personal with business questions. And watch people’s faces light up as they talk about what is
near and dear to them.

You’ll make a wonderful new connection, both human and business, and you’ll be remembered for the great conversation.

BE THE CHOOSER

Don’t wait for people to come to you. Take the first step, even if doing so is out of your comfort zone.

For example, identify in advance a person or people you’d like to meet or get to know better. Make plans BEFORE lunch starts to
eat together. Take the initiative.

Or, do like I did this past weekend: I didn’t make plans in advance. As we broke for lunch or dinner, I simply asked my
inner guidance to lead me to who I should share my meal with.

It didn’t ONCE fail me! I deepened relationships with some I already knew and met for the first time some GREAT new
connections. Synchronicities abounded!

HAND OUT SOMETHING MEMORABLE

When asked for a business card, I handed people a 5×8 postcard that contained on the front a free offer for my “75 Best Newsletter Success Strategies” report and a great testimonial.

Yes, a couple of the URLs on the back were outdated, but the postcard did its job: it stood out.

That’s why I always advocate – in ANY networking situation — an oversized postcard or printed newsletter or Ready2Go Article Brochure.

The brochure is particularly effective because it’s surprising!

People are used to a traditional tri-fold brochure, with bullet lists of your specialty areas and the schools you attended, etc.
(Boring stuff to the recipient/reader of this stale format.)

But the tri-fold Ready2Go Article Brochure has an inviting graphic image on the front and a FULL ARTICLE on the inside…
an engaging, educational article geared to the reader!

Yes, we include your photo and other branding, but the main thrust of these brochures is the article. That’s why our clients like them so much.

In fact, they’ve told us that the people who receive these unique Ready2Go Article Brochures ASK FOR MORE to give to co-workers!

Don’t forget that our 2-for-the-price-of-1 Ready2Go Article Brochure sale ends TODAY. Use the code AB241 when you check out.

www.ready2goarticlebrochures.com <http://www.ready2goarticlebrochures.com>

IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING…AND DOING!

Follow-up. It’s the critical piece of networking, yes?

Yes. But unfortunately, it’s also the part that most often goes undone.

I’m as guilty as the next person of not always following up on all the contacts I make at events. But I have a new vow:

Within 3 days of an event, I follow up in one form or another with everyone whose card I took or contact info I otherwise
gathered.

I’ll either email them directly or put them on my email list (if I got their permission) so that I can begin sending my
newsletter.

At the very least, I’ll invite them to connect on Facebook, Twitter and/or LinkedIn, in the hopes that they will eventually make it over onto my email list so that I can keep in touch
more regularly and with more value.

Especially today, we have so many ways to stay connected with people that it’s a shame not to!

P.S. I was kicking myself for not bringing a Ready2Go Article Brochure of my own to this weekend’s event, as they truly are unique and stand out from the plethora of business cards. Oh well, next time…but it’s not too late for YOUR next event, whether a speaking gig, conference or networking meeting.

###

Linda Claire Puig

Linda Claire Puig is a newsletter marketing expert and founder of Ready2GoArticles.com, Ready2GoArticleBrochures.com and Ready2GoEzines.com, which provide coaches and personal development professionals who don’t have time to write – or don’t like to – with high-quality done-for-you article, brochures and newsletters that help them more easily connect with their audience and grow their businesses. She also teaches unique, action-oriented programs on how to create newsletters and use them to make more money. An award-winning writer since 1983, Linda’s articles have appeared in newspapers, magazines and newsletters throughout the world. She has produced newsletters for small businesses and professionals since 1990 and has trained thousands of individuals in “the way of the newsletter.” For a free copy of her special report, “75 Best Newsletter Success Strategies,” click here.

• cformsII – go to deliciousdays.com to download zip file to your computer, then upload into plugins via upload link. (see “install plugins” pic –>)  cformsII can be intimidating at first, but it’s all very logical if you think your steps through.  Some clients use this for their “Coaching Request” questionnaire, others for their client “Work Out Log.”
• WP Greet Box – I like this because it gives a greeting to the visitor, and reminds them to subscribe to my RSS feed.
• Do Follow - The plugin lets you remove the evil no-follow attribute from your comments.  And we like to share the love, so… do follow!
• Disqus Comment System http://disqus.com/ – Way cool commenting, and importing of mentions of your post from other sites, ie. Twitter, Facebook, etc.  You’ll need to set up an account at Disqus first – then check your settings in WordPress.
• Google XML Sitemaps – Because Google likes sites/blogs that are neat and pretty with sitemaps.  Don’t be caught without one.
• Raw HTML capability – sometimes you need to put code in a post and wordpress tries to strip your code – highly annoying – with this plugin, you just tick the box and wordpress will leave it alone.
• ShareThis http://sharethis.com/ – neat and tidy way of sharing your content with the world.  I like ShareThis because of it’s uncluttered look.
• Similar Posts – will add 3, 5, or however many similar posts with the same tags to the bottom of your post.
• TweetMeme – this is that cute little “retweet” box by your posts that enables the reader to only click once to retweet.
• WordPress.com Stats – You will become addicted to this feature! Stats gives you real-time data regarding your site/blog… how many visitors, where they came from, what search terms they used to find you…etc.
• Yoast Breadcrumbs - if your site is “deep”, meaning you have multiple levels of navigation, you’ll definitely want breadcrumbs to show your readers where they are.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mari_Smith

The smartest move in business I ever made was hiring a business coach.  Why? Because I had an insider expert on my side to give me guidance.  Someone who knew the ropes and what the heck was going on.

Finding a mentor or coach is one of the most important choices you can make because, ultimately, you become friends, and confidants.  Your mentor is invested in you and is there for the long haul.  They’re there to help you set goals and hold you accountable.

You see, I only knew the technical side of building a business – I didn’t fully understand:

• What to do first
• how to create an action plan
• how to manage my time

Then, I wasn’t sure:

• who my ideal clients were?
• what my clients wanted?
• how to even get clients!

Then, I had to think about what tools and resources were available to me?  Then came the FLOOD of questions!

• How do I build my mailing list? Why do I need one?
• What is an ezine?
• Do  people use direct mail?
• What do I sell? How do I create information products?
• How do I take payments?
• Multiple streams of income… what does that mean?

Sheeesh! But if I *really* wanted to be successful, I also needed to learn about:

• Coaching, and how to mentor and teach others.
• Events, how to plan, prep and faciliate seminars and classes.
• Team? Would I need others? How do I get people to help me?
• Leverage, taking everything that I know and using it to my best advantage.
• Relationship marketing. Social Media and new technology yet to be discovered.

All of this can be enough to intimidate anyone into tossing in the towel on their dreams.  You must find a mentor, or an advisor to help you figure out all the details and create a formula that works for you!

How to get the most from your mentor/coach

• Have your notes, and questions ready before hand.  Come to meetings prepared.
• Record the meeting if possible.
• Stay on task.  Try not to stray off topic.

Once I began to work with a coach, I no longer felt alone or isolated.  Someone was actually listening and focusing on ME. He gave me advice, ideas, comments and views on my opportunities.  That alone is priceless.

Is this you? Take charge and move forward by scheduling an appointment.

Now It’s YOUR Turn! What are your thoughts? Post below, I’d love to know what you think!