The Web Authority
Wednesday, April 16
Get Online Training
What do you do when things are slow with your business? We train online. Find out more about how and why you should use downtime with your business to move your business forward.
Labels: business tips
¶ 4/16/2008 10:17:00 AM 0 Comments
Friday, January 18
Top Outlook Tips
We've got some great tips to help you get the most out of Outlook. Here are links and descriptions to our top tips for Microsoft Outlook 2000, Outlook 2003, and even Outlook 2007.
1. How to set up multiple email accounts In Outlook
These simple instructions take you set by step on how to input multiple POP3 and IMAP mail accounts to let Outlook download them all to your computer.
Link: http://www.mccordweb.com/newsletters/instructions/setting-up-multiple-emails.php
2. How to create address member groups in Outlook
These easy to follow instructions show you how to set up address groups in Outlook to send emails to many members with one click.
Link: http://www.mccordweb.com/newsletters/instructions/address-member-groups.php
3. How to set up a vacation message in Outlook
Follow these instructions to learn how to set up and out of office or vacation message in Outlook using rules.
Link: http://www.mccordweb.com/newsletters/instructions/vacation-message.php
4. Stop spam with message rules in Outlook
Hate spam, you can get a handle on it with these tips. If you have Outlook 2003 or 2007 you may want to consider instead using the Junk Mail definitions instead of this option. Additionally consider tagging mail you get as junk mail by right clicking on the message to add the sender to the blocked mail folder. Outlook will learn over time which items you consider junk mail.
Link: http://www.mccordweb.com/newsletters/instructions/stop-spam-message-rules.php
5. How to add a signature in Outlook
Here's how to set up a signature in Outlook. Right now the rage is to include an image in your signature, make sure before you do that to understand that some people you send email to will not receive your image intact, they may receive it as an attachment to the message so it's best to do an image if you like, but also include text in the signature to assure that all receivers will know who sent the mail without having to click on an image as an attachment which they may not do.
Here's another tip for website owners. When you post instructional information on your website like this, you are creating what is called link bait. It can be a huge traffic and link builder for your website. Not only do you provide interesting and helpful content for your readers but you build traffic into your website over time.
Link: http://www.mccordweb.com/newsletters/instructions/signature-change.php
1. How to set up multiple email accounts In Outlook
These simple instructions take you set by step on how to input multiple POP3 and IMAP mail accounts to let Outlook download them all to your computer.
Link: http://www.mccordweb.com/newsletters/instructions/setting-up-multiple-emails.php
2. How to create address member groups in Outlook
These easy to follow instructions show you how to set up address groups in Outlook to send emails to many members with one click.
Link: http://www.mccordweb.com/newsletters/instructions/address-member-groups.php
3. How to set up a vacation message in Outlook
Follow these instructions to learn how to set up and out of office or vacation message in Outlook using rules.
Link: http://www.mccordweb.com/newsletters/instructions/vacation-message.php
4. Stop spam with message rules in Outlook
Hate spam, you can get a handle on it with these tips. If you have Outlook 2003 or 2007 you may want to consider instead using the Junk Mail definitions instead of this option. Additionally consider tagging mail you get as junk mail by right clicking on the message to add the sender to the blocked mail folder. Outlook will learn over time which items you consider junk mail.
Link: http://www.mccordweb.com/newsletters/instructions/stop-spam-message-rules.php
5. How to add a signature in Outlook
Here's how to set up a signature in Outlook. Right now the rage is to include an image in your signature, make sure before you do that to understand that some people you send email to will not receive your image intact, they may receive it as an attachment to the message so it's best to do an image if you like, but also include text in the signature to assure that all receivers will know who sent the mail without having to click on an image as an attachment which they may not do.
Here's another tip for website owners. When you post instructional information on your website like this, you are creating what is called link bait. It can be a huge traffic and link builder for your website. Not only do you provide interesting and helpful content for your readers but you build traffic into your website over time.
Link: http://www.mccordweb.com/newsletters/instructions/signature-change.php
Labels: Bright Idea Tips, business tips, Linking, Outlook Email Link Problems
¶ 1/18/2008 08:10:00 AM 0 Comments
Tuesday, January 15
Top Blog Mistakes
Here's our short list of errors and common mistakes that blog owners make. Take a quick look to make sure that you are part of the "club".
1. Forgot to integrate the blog site into the main website. You can't get cross site traffic if you don't link! Make it easy for website visitors to read your blog and make it easy for blog visitors to find out more about you.
2. Don't forget to add the one click easy subscribe chicklets. You know the little icons that say "Add to My Yahoo" or "Add to My Google". Many blog readers do not understand the world of XML or RSS news feeds or even that the news portal that they are already using is feed enabled. Make it easy with a one click solution.
3. Make sure to add a Feedburner "get posts by email". This is the same issue as above, to syndicate your content and get readers, you need to make it easy. Some people want to get posts the old way by email. Feedburner makes it easy by setting up a subscription service that allows your reader to get your posts in their email box complete with pictures. It is very easy to use and another way that you can encourage regular readership.
4. Keep your posts on topic! Keep your readers interested by offering something helpful or newsworthy based on your industry. People do not go to a GPS blog to read about teen angst or about their Daddy buying them a car! Social blogging should stay in the social arena on forums and on personal websites, these type of posts simply do not have a place in the professional business blog.
1. Forgot to integrate the blog site into the main website. You can't get cross site traffic if you don't link! Make it easy for website visitors to read your blog and make it easy for blog visitors to find out more about you.
2. Don't forget to add the one click easy subscribe chicklets. You know the little icons that say "Add to My Yahoo" or "Add to My Google". Many blog readers do not understand the world of XML or RSS news feeds or even that the news portal that they are already using is feed enabled. Make it easy with a one click solution.
3. Make sure to add a Feedburner "get posts by email". This is the same issue as above, to syndicate your content and get readers, you need to make it easy. Some people want to get posts the old way by email. Feedburner makes it easy by setting up a subscription service that allows your reader to get your posts in their email box complete with pictures. It is very easy to use and another way that you can encourage regular readership.
4. Keep your posts on topic! Keep your readers interested by offering something helpful or newsworthy based on your industry. People do not go to a GPS blog to read about teen angst or about their Daddy buying them a car! Social blogging should stay in the social arena on forums and on personal websites, these type of posts simply do not have a place in the professional business blog.
Labels: best practices, business tips, effective blogging
¶ 1/15/2008 11:33:00 AM 0 Comments
Tuesday, December 18
Are You Too Connected?
I just shopped for a new cell phone yesterday. Wow is there some eye candy out in the cell phone marketplace, but do you really need all that stuff?
First, I have to say that it used to be (well two years ago) that you could get a pretty hot phone for $100 with your two year contract. Now the starting price is over $250 with a two year contract. As I looked at the phones I thought do I want to be on the Web, do I want people to email me on my phone? You know what, I simply do not want to be that connected!
I am busy enough without being out and about away from the office that I want clients and customers to call me anytime and anywhere. I need some downtime and so does my family. So I have made the decision that although many may disagree, that I do not want to browse the Web and get email on my phone. When I am out of the office after a 50 hour work week, I need to be just that "out of the office".
So my new phone is my old phone, music enabled, photo enabled, but not a browser or email application. I am letting my 18 year old get the new hot phone and then he can pay for his own Internet access. :0)
First, I have to say that it used to be (well two years ago) that you could get a pretty hot phone for $100 with your two year contract. Now the starting price is over $250 with a two year contract. As I looked at the phones I thought do I want to be on the Web, do I want people to email me on my phone? You know what, I simply do not want to be that connected!
I am busy enough without being out and about away from the office that I want clients and customers to call me anytime and anywhere. I need some downtime and so does my family. So I have made the decision that although many may disagree, that I do not want to browse the Web and get email on my phone. When I am out of the office after a 50 hour work week, I need to be just that "out of the office".
So my new phone is my old phone, music enabled, photo enabled, but not a browser or email application. I am letting my 18 year old get the new hot phone and then he can pay for his own Internet access. :0)
Labels: business tips, cell phones, editorial
¶ 12/18/2007 11:21:00 AM 0 Comments
Tuesday, October 30
Don't Give Away Your Trade Secrets
How often have you allowed a prospect to pick your brain on what you might call proprietary information? It happens more often than not and typically I have found the prospect that wants to chat for hours on what ifs typically never moves into the paying customer arena. Why should they, they have all the information that they need to do it themselves.
How do you handle this kind of situation? For me, I am not afraid to share information and chat, but I am also not afraid after about 10 to 15 minutes to say "I need to move you into the paying customer category now." Additionally I now consider some information about how I do business proprietary and not to be shared every! Regardless of the amount of money offered.
It is important that as a business person you assess what you do, what your value is to others, and then guard your trade secrets. Don't treat this information casually. Sometimes it has taken years to understand or be versed in a topic so that you become an expert. Don't give it away for a relatively cheap consulting fee or for free when chatting to impress a prospect with your knowledge. Now I do not advocate turning the clock on and charging everyone at the beginning, but in some situations it is better to get a retainer and contract first before getting into the details and a strategy.
How do you handle this kind of situation? For me, I am not afraid to share information and chat, but I am also not afraid after about 10 to 15 minutes to say "I need to move you into the paying customer category now." Additionally I now consider some information about how I do business proprietary and not to be shared every! Regardless of the amount of money offered.
It is important that as a business person you assess what you do, what your value is to others, and then guard your trade secrets. Don't treat this information casually. Sometimes it has taken years to understand or be versed in a topic so that you become an expert. Don't give it away for a relatively cheap consulting fee or for free when chatting to impress a prospect with your knowledge. Now I do not advocate turning the clock on and charging everyone at the beginning, but in some situations it is better to get a retainer and contract first before getting into the details and a strategy.
Labels: business tips, trade secrets
¶ 10/30/2007 04:24:00 PM 0 Comments
