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Entries Tagged as 'Web/Tech'

3 blogging tools worth exploring

by Drew McLellan

April 5th, 2011 · Web/Tech

Screen shot 2011 04 02 at 9 44 12 AM
A BackTweets’ email (click to see full size)

 

 

BackTweets.com

This handy tool (www.backtweets.com) tracks any and all tweets that drive back to your blog, whether they mention you, your blog’s name or even your URL.  That’s right — if they use a shortened URL, you’ll still get the info.

I’ve subscribed by e-mail (it was free) so that every day, I get a simple report that shows all the tweets that drove people to my blog.  I get a better sense of what topics draw more attention and sharing.

Your blog to Kindle

This is a simple and free way to publish your blog so people can subscribe via their Kindle. Just go to Kindle Publishing and set up an account.

From there, you just add some basic blog information (RSS feed, title, description etc.) and your bank information (so they can pay you when someone subscribes) and within 48 hours, you’re available 24/7 on the e-reading giant.

Zemanta

Zemanta is a free plugin for your browser that looks over your shoulder and as you’re typing, it’s suggesting relevant links and photos that would enhance your blog posts.   You can embed links, add a short list of related posts at the bottom of your own post and place their photos where you’d like them to appear.

Even more interesting — when you use Zemanta, it automatically puts your post into their related articles database…and offers your content to other bloggers to link to.  So it goes full circle.

 

These are three of my favorite tools.  What tools can you share with me and my readers that are among your favorites?

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Going old school – Yahoo Groups

by Drew McLellan

April 2nd, 2011 · Collaborations, Web/Tech

I know that Facebook‘s groups are the rage and I think it’s a dandy tool.  But what if you have a group of people that aren’t heavy Facebook users?

For many years, I’ve used Yahoo Groups whenever I was part of a small group that needed to stay in touch, share files/photos, and by using the designated e-mail address, could talk to everyone at the same time.

I was recently asked how to set up a Yahoo Group and created this step by step PPT presentation.  So I thought I’d share it with you too, in case you want to go old school with me!

 

If you’re having trouble reading the instructions, you can view the slideshow in its full size by clicking here.
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Stellar QR codes example – WorldPark

March 13th, 2011 · Web/Tech · 28 Comments

I’ve been writing about and using QR codes quite a bit of late.  I think the potential of this technology is staggering and we’ve only begun to imagine what is possible. Take a look at what New York City’s Central Park did last Arbor Day and begin to ask yourself… how could QR codes serve [Read more...]

Add sounds and links to your images

March 8th, 2011 · Trends, Web/Tech · 7 Comments

Singing pictures? Picture these scenarios: In your online store — you want to show a photo of a family room, filled with your products.  You want people to be able to click on each of the items (maybe a lamp or blu-ray player) to purchase them or read reviews.  With ThingLink, you can. On your [Read more...]

Marketing tip #4: Better pay attention to mobile

January 28th, 2011 · Trends, Web/Tech · 12 Comments

About 12 months ago, people thought I was crazy for launching the Drew McLellan app for both the iPhone and the Droid (download it for free by clicking on the link in the sidebar) but I was just jumping on a trend's tsunami of a wave — all to get my ideas and recommendations out [Read more...]

Groupon: Winner or Goat?

January 22nd, 2011 · Branding, Innovation & Creativity, Sales, Strategy, Web/Tech · 15 Comments

The whole world is abuzz about Groupon.  And who doesn't love $10 worth of Cold Stone Creamery ice cream for $5?  But is Groupon right for your business? Groupon and other social-coupon sites (like LivingSocial and SocialBuy) all work the same way — a specified number of people have to pre-purchase the coupon for the deal to be activated. [Read more...]

What Every Business Owner Needs on Their Website

January 17th, 2011 · Web/Tech · 5 Comments

Running a website can be a challenge. But today, having a website that works hard for you 24/7 is a business given. Here are three things every business owner must have on their website.  Call to Action Visitors need direction. With ever-shortening attention spans, you have moments to engage your visitor and guide them to [Read more...]

What is a good open rate for e-mail marketing?

January 11th, 2011 · Trends, Web/Tech · 11 Comments

MailerMailer released their 10th study about 6 months ago on e-mail open rates and some of the findings are worth thinking about. As you can see in the chart below, the average unique open rate is dropping.  Image blocking, the increased use of mobile devices for e-mail and list fatigue were listed as key reasons for [Read more...]

“Can you please delete someone’s comment?”

January 7th, 2011 · Web/Tech · 2 Comments

We're having a lively discussion over at Marketing Prof's Daily Fix about how to handle a sticky problem I found myself in a few months ago. I was asked by a website owner to delete a comment someone had made about him and his service offering. It's a loaded issue that asks some tough questions [Read more...]

The training wheels of business blogging

December 20th, 2010 · Web/Tech · 17 Comments

We've just started working with a client who launched his own blog about 6 months ago.  We've re-designed his website (with the blog on the home page) and are just about to go live. As one of the last things on the To Do list, I was taking his old blog posts from his original [Read more...]