The game in fashion design is to stand out from the crowd, and generate interest from your unique touches and stylings, in order to generate sales.
If you're thinking of playing the online game in the world of fashion design, you need to be prepared.
Here's some tools that would get you started:
Your own website: This is crucial to get your "brand" out there, not to mention generating direct sales (which saves you money otherwise paid to third parties like eBay)
A Blog: If not already built into your website (a much better option as you get ALL incoming traffic), get a blog at Wordpress.com, Blogger.com, Tumblr.com or Posterous.com
A Twitter account: The greatest leads generating Social Media tool out there
A Facebook Page: This will keep your interested customers interested, and works better than email subscriptions
A LinkedIn account: If you can connect with like-minded individuals, you'll be able to grow much faster than doing it on your own
An eBay account: Great if you're just getting started, because your market is already there. Ideally you'd want to sell from your own website more and more as time goes on
Once you have these six main tools at your disposal, you'll need to utilise them efficiently. Keep your website current, and up to date with your latest collections and some creative written pieces. Crucial if you want to engage with your customers. Update the site daily, and make sure you respond immediately to any enquiries.
Post to your blog several times per week and provide tangible, interesting advice - the trick here is not to "sell" yourself, but to give everyone reading some valuable insights into what makes you tick, how you got started, what motivates you and how others wanting to break into the fashion field can achieve the same. At the end of each blog, point readers to your website.
Tweet constantly. In all businesses, new clients are the lifeline. Tweeting several times per day and pointing your Tweets towards your blog (NOT your website) is the best, non-salesy method to driving people to you. Remember, the point here is to generate interest, not to sell.
Point all customers, whether they have purchased from you or made an enquiry, to your Facebook page. This will allow them to keep up to date with all of your activities. Ensure you are utilising your Facebook Page effectively to keep your recurring customers buying.
If you meet anyone along the way that could be beneficial to the growth of your business (like another designer, a fashion outlet, retailer, buyer, agent etc), make sure you add them to your Linked In account. This will ensure they keep you in mind when they attempt to grow themselves.
Finally, utilise an eBay account. Not only will this allow you to conduct safe, frequent auctions, it will help you get on your feet while you're still in the early days of traffic generation to your website.
If you want to know more, contact us here at www.strongmandigital.com.au.
Until Next Time,
Tomer Garzberg
http://ping.fm/TCKTE
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
If I was a... series of blogs
Well, we've been on vacation for the last 10 days here at Strongman Digital Media...
During this time of overseas research, we've had time to reflect on the direction we're taking with our advice blogs.
We've come up with the 'If I was a..." series of blogs.
Here, we'll be choosing an industry/occupation and constructing a Social Media strategy that would suit that profession, generically.
We say generically, because each individual business requires a customised strategy,
Regardless, we'll be giving out some unbelievably huge trade secrets over the next month or so.
Why would we do it? Social Media is extremely important to the business world, and all Directors, Managers and Marketing departments should be able to understand and familiarise themselves with the importance of this new-age strategy.
As with anything Social Media related, it is important that you implement a strategy that will benefit your business completely. If you want to know more about this service, use our contact form on the bottom of our website.
Until Next Time,
Tomer Garzberg
http://ping.fm/R2Ori
During this time of overseas research, we've had time to reflect on the direction we're taking with our advice blogs.
We've come up with the 'If I was a..." series of blogs.
Here, we'll be choosing an industry/occupation and constructing a Social Media strategy that would suit that profession, generically.
We say generically, because each individual business requires a customised strategy,
Regardless, we'll be giving out some unbelievably huge trade secrets over the next month or so.
Why would we do it? Social Media is extremely important to the business world, and all Directors, Managers and Marketing departments should be able to understand and familiarise themselves with the importance of this new-age strategy.
As with anything Social Media related, it is important that you implement a strategy that will benefit your business completely. If you want to know more about this service, use our contact form on the bottom of our website.
Until Next Time,
Tomer Garzberg
http://ping.fm/R2Ori
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Secret Tip #1: Business through Social Media?
The golden question. What processes do I go through to ensure my online efforts are benefiting my business?
If you're considering online business, no doubt you would have (or plan to have) a website built. The website is your end-point, kind of like a cash register. Tell people to pay too early, and you'll miss them.
The secret to getting them to buy is a blog. When you start a blog (and write GOOD content), you're providing an unselfish method to communicating with a relevant audience.
GOOD content means:
Tangible advice, not sales pitches
Quality information someone can take away with them, not rubbish
Professional input, not hearsay
If a user likes your blog, they'll be back to read more. The thing you want o build with them is TRUST. Trust allows a user to know that you won't take them for a ride, and subsequently, will find their way to your website, and potentially become a customer.
The magic number is 7. Seven interactions with the same interested person equates to a commercially viable experience.
Just remember to link your site at the end of every blog to be able to translate readers in to customers more efficiently.
Until Next Time,
Tomer Garzberg
http://ping.fm/9a9Y7
If you're considering online business, no doubt you would have (or plan to have) a website built. The website is your end-point, kind of like a cash register. Tell people to pay too early, and you'll miss them.
The secret to getting them to buy is a blog. When you start a blog (and write GOOD content), you're providing an unselfish method to communicating with a relevant audience.
GOOD content means:
Tangible advice, not sales pitches
Quality information someone can take away with them, not rubbish
Professional input, not hearsay
If a user likes your blog, they'll be back to read more. The thing you want o build with them is TRUST. Trust allows a user to know that you won't take them for a ride, and subsequently, will find their way to your website, and potentially become a customer.
The magic number is 7. Seven interactions with the same interested person equates to a commercially viable experience.
Just remember to link your site at the end of every blog to be able to translate readers in to customers more efficiently.
Until Next Time,
Tomer Garzberg
http://ping.fm/9a9Y7
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Aggregators: Managing your Social Collection
One of the questions most asked of me, is how do I manage this complete mindblow that is Social Media?
Blogging, Twittering, Facebooking, MySpaceing, Deliciousing, StumbleUponing, Digging, YouTubing, Flickring... It can all get a bit too much - especially if you're serious about monitoring the behaviours of your potential market on all of these channels...
Luckily, there are several solutions for you out there. Aggregators are time-saving, Social Media management tools, designed to let you say something once, and to spread the word for you on all of your registered channels.
They work by becoming the 'middleman'. All you do is register, hook in all of your accounts, and presto, you're in complete control.
Here are some of the more popular ones:
Ping.fm: One that I use most often. It's fast and extremely powerful, and can do much more than just plain spread your words. There's an absolute goldmine of tools in Ping.fm
TweetDeck.com: One of the most popular, and another that I use (especially because of it's awesome iPhone app). This actual program (you have to download and install for it to work), displays columns from all your major Social Media accounts and allows for you to to say something one, and it is posted to all... Missing here is the ability to send Blogs out...
Seesmic.com: Another popular Social Media management too, quite similar in functionality to TweetDeck, but without the requirement of an install.
There are plenty of others out there (which have not had as much coverage as the major ones), but the most important thing to look for in an Aggregator is its functionality. Find one that serves your purpose better, easier, faster, and commit to it.
People love consistency.
Until Next Time,
Tomer Garzberg
http://ping.fm/Pe7ye
Blogging, Twittering, Facebooking, MySpaceing, Deliciousing, StumbleUponing, Digging, YouTubing, Flickring... It can all get a bit too much - especially if you're serious about monitoring the behaviours of your potential market on all of these channels...
Luckily, there are several solutions for you out there. Aggregators are time-saving, Social Media management tools, designed to let you say something once, and to spread the word for you on all of your registered channels.
They work by becoming the 'middleman'. All you do is register, hook in all of your accounts, and presto, you're in complete control.
Here are some of the more popular ones:
Ping.fm: One that I use most often. It's fast and extremely powerful, and can do much more than just plain spread your words. There's an absolute goldmine of tools in Ping.fm
TweetDeck.com: One of the most popular, and another that I use (especially because of it's awesome iPhone app). This actual program (you have to download and install for it to work), displays columns from all your major Social Media accounts and allows for you to to say something one, and it is posted to all... Missing here is the ability to send Blogs out...
Seesmic.com: Another popular Social Media management too, quite similar in functionality to TweetDeck, but without the requirement of an install.
There are plenty of others out there (which have not had as much coverage as the major ones), but the most important thing to look for in an Aggregator is its functionality. Find one that serves your purpose better, easier, faster, and commit to it.
People love consistency.
Until Next Time,
Tomer Garzberg
http://ping.fm/Pe7ye
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
The economics of apples (not corporate Apple, the crunchy type)
On an unrelated topic, here's a random blurt about quite possibly, the best apples in existence, and what it could teach us.
Take from my Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/TomerGarzberg)
--------------------------
Just had a Pink Lady apple that was a quarter the size of a human skull, had a crunch that almost broke the sound barrier, was as juicy as 100% bottled juice and had a sweetness that lets you appreciate the sense of taste. According to my grocer reciept, it weighed 250grams and cost approx $1.70 each. Seriously one of the best culinary experiences ever.
It always perplexed me at the choice and variety of apples, and with the seasonal changes, the Fuji variety turned few and far between and the classic Granny Smiths became tiny. Delicious red are not very delicious at the best of times. I snobbed the Pink Lady variety due to it's sheer presence, as it seemed to scream "uneconomic apple", but if I have learnt anything during this sensational vitamin journey, it's to tell the economy to screw itself. Sometimes a great apple and a mind that dictates an opportunistic decision is more important.
---------------------------------
For other random ramblings, check out these bad boys:
Blog: http://www.strongmandigital.com.au/category/blog/
Linked In: http://au.linkedin.com/in/tomergarzberg
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TomerGarzberg
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TomerGarzberg
Google Profile/Buzz: http://www.google.com/profiles/101918791449924171453
FriendFeed (view all accounts): http://friendfeed.com/tomergarzberg
Until Next Time,
Tomer Garzberg
http://www.strongmandigital.com.au/2010/04/13/the-economics-of-apples-not-corporate-apple-the-crunchy-type/
Take from my Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/TomerGarzberg)
--------------------------
Just had a Pink Lady apple that was a quarter the size of a human skull, had a crunch that almost broke the sound barrier, was as juicy as 100% bottled juice and had a sweetness that lets you appreciate the sense of taste. According to my grocer reciept, it weighed 250grams and cost approx $1.70 each. Seriously one of the best culinary experiences ever.
It always perplexed me at the choice and variety of apples, and with the seasonal changes, the Fuji variety turned few and far between and the classic Granny Smiths became tiny. Delicious red are not very delicious at the best of times. I snobbed the Pink Lady variety due to it's sheer presence, as it seemed to scream "uneconomic apple", but if I have learnt anything during this sensational vitamin journey, it's to tell the economy to screw itself. Sometimes a great apple and a mind that dictates an opportunistic decision is more important.
---------------------------------
For other random ramblings, check out these bad boys:
Blog: http://www.strongmandigital.com.au/category/blog/
Linked In: http://au.linkedin.com/in/tomergarzberg
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TomerGarzberg
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TomerGarzberg
Google Profile/Buzz: http://www.google.com/profiles/101918791449924171453
FriendFeed (view all accounts): http://friendfeed.com/tomergarzberg
Until Next Time,
Tomer Garzberg
http://www.strongmandigital.com.au/2010/04/13/the-economics-of-apples-not-corporate-apple-the-crunchy-type/
How bookmarking charges up your credibility
If you're in the web game, and there is not many of you who aren't (even if you've got a Facebook or Twitter account, you're in the web game), one important factor in generating people who will listen and buy from you is credibility.
Originally, credibility was established by word of mouth. These days however, we've got Social Media. One thing that took "social" and "credibility" to new heights was Social Bookmarking, sometimes referred to as Viral Media.
Social Bookmarking aims to take the guesswork and labour out of looking at relevant websites - that is - relevance based on human experience, not Google's relevance scale.
One advantage of using Human relevance rather than Machine relevance, is that Humans actually know what appeals and is good value, where Machines are easily fooled.
So where does Human relevance reside? There are several platforms out there, but here are the most popular:
Digg.com: The most popular and widely recognised
Delicious.com or Del.icio.us: Perhaps THE most utilised viral platform
StumbleUpon.com: Dedicated to cool sites people accidentally come by
Reddit.com: Mainly caters to news/blogs
Mister-Wong.com: A unique bookmark management system
Gaining a presence on these sites can prove extremely rewarding. However getting noticed on here is another thing entirely.
Shocking, entertaining, groundbreaking and hilarious content usually prevails, so have a strategy before you commence.
Until Next Time,
Tomer Garzberg
http://ping.fm/iFP0k
Originally, credibility was established by word of mouth. These days however, we've got Social Media. One thing that took "social" and "credibility" to new heights was Social Bookmarking, sometimes referred to as Viral Media.
Social Bookmarking aims to take the guesswork and labour out of looking at relevant websites - that is - relevance based on human experience, not Google's relevance scale.
One advantage of using Human relevance rather than Machine relevance, is that Humans actually know what appeals and is good value, where Machines are easily fooled.
So where does Human relevance reside? There are several platforms out there, but here are the most popular:
Digg.com: The most popular and widely recognised
Delicious.com or Del.icio.us: Perhaps THE most utilised viral platform
StumbleUpon.com: Dedicated to cool sites people accidentally come by
Reddit.com: Mainly caters to news/blogs
Mister-Wong.com: A unique bookmark management system
Gaining a presence on these sites can prove extremely rewarding. However getting noticed on here is another thing entirely.
Shocking, entertaining, groundbreaking and hilarious content usually prevails, so have a strategy before you commence.
Until Next Time,
Tomer Garzberg
http://ping.fm/iFP0k
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Images, photos and pics: Why sharing is caring.
Flickr, Picasa, Smugmug... There's a few "image hosting" sites out there, and they're really good for their primary purpose: easily upload, and easily share your images throughout your digital travellings.
As more and more sites recognise the need for component unification, it is where these image-sharing sites come unto their own.
It has, however, sparked a new lease on creativity on the image-sharing side of things.
As the web becomes more social, photos have defined the requirement of individuality. In doing so, sites like Flickr.com have introduced their own Social Media-like system, which allows a user to amplify the methods and uses for each and every photo they share.
Image sharing is important due to the sheer vastness of the web. If you do not have a photo identity online, you could be heavily penalised by the likes of Google.
Google, with the acquisition of Picasa.com, places heavy emphasis on photo-sharing. Just look at Page 1 results - which showcases shared images, and mainly from image-sharing sites.
Then, take into account the likes of Twitter.com and Facebook.com, in which individuality is defined by the number of images you share.
Image sharing not only allows to connect with your intended market (as they say, a picture is worth 1000 words), but it also conveys the uniquely human characteristic of sharing.
Until Next Time,
Tomer Garzberg
http://ping.fm/8b2Jo
As more and more sites recognise the need for component unification, it is where these image-sharing sites come unto their own.
It has, however, sparked a new lease on creativity on the image-sharing side of things.
As the web becomes more social, photos have defined the requirement of individuality. In doing so, sites like Flickr.com have introduced their own Social Media-like system, which allows a user to amplify the methods and uses for each and every photo they share.
Image sharing is important due to the sheer vastness of the web. If you do not have a photo identity online, you could be heavily penalised by the likes of Google.
Google, with the acquisition of Picasa.com, places heavy emphasis on photo-sharing. Just look at Page 1 results - which showcases shared images, and mainly from image-sharing sites.
Then, take into account the likes of Twitter.com and Facebook.com, in which individuality is defined by the number of images you share.
Image sharing not only allows to connect with your intended market (as they say, a picture is worth 1000 words), but it also conveys the uniquely human characteristic of sharing.
Until Next Time,
Tomer Garzberg
http://ping.fm/8b2Jo
Thursday, April 8, 2010
YouTube: A wealth of power.
When it comes to viewing or sharing videos, no site out there has the commanding presence of YouTube. With over 1 billion users, terabytes of data exchanging as far as the eye can see... It would take something phenomenal to knock YouTube.com off its perch.
What started as a basement experiment, ended up being snapped up by Google for $1.7billion, and to this day remains Google's favourite baby.
Besides looking at endless hours of embarrassing or histerical content, YouTube contains plenty of educational "tutorial" videos. This means, that anything - any activity, any subject - is only a video away.
From a marketing perspective, YouTube's audience is pure gold. They are time-wasters, watching footage served up by recommendations and suggestions. If you're not a part of this mix, you might as well not exist.
Marketing to the YouTube population is no easy feat. Apart from competing with multiple millions in clips, you also have to draw attention. Comical or shocking is a sure-fire way to be seen. Just leave the boring bits out.
Viral is the best YouTube method of being noticed. It's like word of mouth on steroids. Someone enjoys your clip, tells all their friends. Their friends enjoy the clip and forward it to their connections, and so on. The perpetual influx of viewership can make hot gossip out of anything or anyone.
There is a vast plethora of YouTube-made identities. Singers, Actors, Musicians, Handymen, Experts... The list could go on for eternity. These now digitally famous identities created a free video, posted it free on YouTube, and got marketed free, virally, which in turn allowed them to capitalise on their intellectual property.
Again, if there is any site that can catapult your online efforts, it's definitely YouTube.
Until Next Time,
Tomer Garzberg
http://ping.fm/ZMF24
What started as a basement experiment, ended up being snapped up by Google for $1.7billion, and to this day remains Google's favourite baby.
Besides looking at endless hours of embarrassing or histerical content, YouTube contains plenty of educational "tutorial" videos. This means, that anything - any activity, any subject - is only a video away.
From a marketing perspective, YouTube's audience is pure gold. They are time-wasters, watching footage served up by recommendations and suggestions. If you're not a part of this mix, you might as well not exist.
Marketing to the YouTube population is no easy feat. Apart from competing with multiple millions in clips, you also have to draw attention. Comical or shocking is a sure-fire way to be seen. Just leave the boring bits out.
Viral is the best YouTube method of being noticed. It's like word of mouth on steroids. Someone enjoys your clip, tells all their friends. Their friends enjoy the clip and forward it to their connections, and so on. The perpetual influx of viewership can make hot gossip out of anything or anyone.
There is a vast plethora of YouTube-made identities. Singers, Actors, Musicians, Handymen, Experts... The list could go on for eternity. These now digitally famous identities created a free video, posted it free on YouTube, and got marketed free, virally, which in turn allowed them to capitalise on their intellectual property.
Again, if there is any site that can catapult your online efforts, it's definitely YouTube.
Until Next Time,
Tomer Garzberg
http://ping.fm/ZMF24
Tumblr: Probably the coolest blogging platform.
Probably, because as I'm writing this, no doubt there is a contender being developed furiously. Still, none to date have the daring good looks, customisations and coolness that Tumblr.com brings to the table.
Typically, as you'd expect, Tumblr contains your "blog", but in the scope of adding complete control and useability, Tumblr has added an extra little element to your experience.
Images, Video, Links, Twitter feeds... Pretty much anything is possible within your blog. As a matter of fact, Tumblr is like a controlled customised platform.
If controlled is Blogger, and Customised is Wordpress... Tumblr is certainly somewhere in between.
For anyone looking to enter the blogging world, and doesn't really want to code (or could not be bothered learning how), but still wants a modern, personalised interface - Tumblr is definitely your answer.
Best of all, Tumblr has this 'sophisticated email publishing' system which does what you think - just email your Tumblr account with your blog and it'll update everything for you.
Overall, Tumblr's layout and ease of use is simply fantastic. Everyone should own their place here.
Until Next Time,
Tomer Garzberg
http://ping.fm/HNclw
Typically, as you'd expect, Tumblr contains your "blog", but in the scope of adding complete control and useability, Tumblr has added an extra little element to your experience.
Images, Video, Links, Twitter feeds... Pretty much anything is possible within your blog. As a matter of fact, Tumblr is like a controlled customised platform.
If controlled is Blogger, and Customised is Wordpress... Tumblr is certainly somewhere in between.
For anyone looking to enter the blogging world, and doesn't really want to code (or could not be bothered learning how), but still wants a modern, personalised interface - Tumblr is definitely your answer.
Best of all, Tumblr has this 'sophisticated email publishing' system which does what you think - just email your Tumblr account with your blog and it'll update everything for you.
Overall, Tumblr's layout and ease of use is simply fantastic. Everyone should own their place here.
Until Next Time,
Tomer Garzberg
http://ping.fm/HNclw
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Blogger: The original (and most used) blog platform.
If you're new to the whole Blogging game, no doubt you'd have heard of Blogger. Blogger, which was purchased by Google in the early days of the Social Boom, stands at over 400 million registered blogs to date.
This makes Blogger.com the largest pool of Bloggers on earth. Although Blogger lacks the excessive customisations of platforms like Wordpress, Blogger still offers everything you need to get your Blog notices and making money.
Firstly, when you register on Blogger, you get the choice between several 'layout', of which you are able to customise the colours/appearance/plugins. This effectively give your blog its individualism.
Next, you have this great ability to integrate modules with your Gmail account, and drop in things like Twitter feeds and the like. Increasingly, we've seen dramatic integration with Google Buzz, which no doubt would favour blogs utilised in Blogger over other platforms.
The most positive element to a Blogger account, is that it easily allows you to integrate with Google's Adsense engine, which, if you find yourself drawing huge amounts of readers, could earn you a nice little paycheck on a monthly basis.
Overall, it is important to have a Blogger presence, if only to just tap into the wealth of opportunistic readers that scour the Blogger network. If anything, Google would almost certainly value Blogger over its competitors, meaning Google search results originating from Blogs, would originate from Blogger in the scheme of importance.
Until Next Time,
Tomer Garzberg
http://ping.fm/TVOs9
This makes Blogger.com the largest pool of Bloggers on earth. Although Blogger lacks the excessive customisations of platforms like Wordpress, Blogger still offers everything you need to get your Blog notices and making money.
Firstly, when you register on Blogger, you get the choice between several 'layout', of which you are able to customise the colours/appearance/plugins. This effectively give your blog its individualism.
Next, you have this great ability to integrate modules with your Gmail account, and drop in things like Twitter feeds and the like. Increasingly, we've seen dramatic integration with Google Buzz, which no doubt would favour blogs utilised in Blogger over other platforms.
The most positive element to a Blogger account, is that it easily allows you to integrate with Google's Adsense engine, which, if you find yourself drawing huge amounts of readers, could earn you a nice little paycheck on a monthly basis.
Overall, it is important to have a Blogger presence, if only to just tap into the wealth of opportunistic readers that scour the Blogger network. If anything, Google would almost certainly value Blogger over its competitors, meaning Google search results originating from Blogs, would originate from Blogger in the scheme of importance.
Until Next Time,
Tomer Garzberg
http://ping.fm/TVOs9
Monday, April 5, 2010
Wordpress: Arguably the most professional blogging platform.
We all know that written content (GOOD written content) is your key to online success. Not one of the 2 billion digital users want to be subject to you forcing them to look at your website so that they can know about you.
Instead, by offering free sound advice through your blog, a consumer can get an idea about who you really are before they decide to proceed to your site, and ultimately, to purchase from you.
The question then becomes: Where do I blog?
There are a multitude of free blogging platforms out there, of which I'll be running through in detail via my next few blogs, but for this one, I'll run through a platform that has stuck a chord with me, Wordpress.com (or Wordpress.org).
Wordpress works for you in two ways: 1) sign up for an immedate blogname.wordpress.com account, or 2) download the Wordpress files, and then upload them to your domain so that you are able to customise the whole experience.
1) Is a quick fix. It provides you with an array of tools/themes/customisations, but lacks the complete control of a 'traditional' website.
2) Is a beautiful system, complete with the famous Wordpress control panel. From here, you don't have to be a technical genius to work out what to do. Add/remove any feature, change colours, add/remove pages, moderate blog comments - you name it.
Wordpress is all about controlling what you want your blog to look like. So much so, that Wordpress in fact allows you to modify a site to look so professional, your consumer base will think you paid top dollar.
Best of all, it only takes an hour or so to kick one off, and all you really need to pay for is your domain name and a hosting option.
Strongmandigital.com.au is one such site, based around the modification of a Wordpress theme. Here, we have been given complete control of any media we choose to include/remove, and we can update/upgrade/modify anything at any time, without having to consult an IT guru.
Such is the power of Wordpress, which arguably, remains the most customisable (short from coding up your own) blogging platform in the digital sphere.
Next, I will be taking a look at the most popular blogging platform, Blogger.com.
Until Next Time,
Tomer Garzberg
http://ping.fm/yBrO2
Instead, by offering free sound advice through your blog, a consumer can get an idea about who you really are before they decide to proceed to your site, and ultimately, to purchase from you.
The question then becomes: Where do I blog?
There are a multitude of free blogging platforms out there, of which I'll be running through in detail via my next few blogs, but for this one, I'll run through a platform that has stuck a chord with me, Wordpress.com (or Wordpress.org).
Wordpress works for you in two ways: 1) sign up for an immedate blogname.wordpress.com account, or 2) download the Wordpress files, and then upload them to your domain so that you are able to customise the whole experience.
1) Is a quick fix. It provides you with an array of tools/themes/customisations, but lacks the complete control of a 'traditional' website.
2) Is a beautiful system, complete with the famous Wordpress control panel. From here, you don't have to be a technical genius to work out what to do. Add/remove any feature, change colours, add/remove pages, moderate blog comments - you name it.
Wordpress is all about controlling what you want your blog to look like. So much so, that Wordpress in fact allows you to modify a site to look so professional, your consumer base will think you paid top dollar.
Best of all, it only takes an hour or so to kick one off, and all you really need to pay for is your domain name and a hosting option.
Strongmandigital.com.au is one such site, based around the modification of a Wordpress theme. Here, we have been given complete control of any media we choose to include/remove, and we can update/upgrade/modify anything at any time, without having to consult an IT guru.
Such is the power of Wordpress, which arguably, remains the most customisable (short from coding up your own) blogging platform in the digital sphere.
Next, I will be taking a look at the most popular blogging platform, Blogger.com.
Until Next Time,
Tomer Garzberg
http://ping.fm/yBrO2
Sunday, April 4, 2010
MySpace: An oldie but a goodie.
MySpace. What used to be the dominant Social Network, slowly faded to be cornered by Facebook. Nevertheless, MySpace still has its place in the digital world.
Originally, MySpace was the place to host your Social Media profile. In fact, it was one of the only places where millions converged to connect/communicate. As time progressed, MySpace became the norm, meaning its userbase was looking for the next big thing (not to mention the fact that MySpace actually became saturated with underage users and old creepy types, but that's a discussion for another day).
With the release of MySpace killer, Facebook, the days looked pretty glum for the old News Corp purchase. Even to this day, there is instability at the top leadership of MySpace.
Such is the dramatic influence of Facebook and Twitter, MySpace is in the process to integrate more closely with these Social behemoths. Such is the old saying 'if you can't beat them, join them'.
Only time will tell whether this now heavily music-oriented Social platform will turn the tables once more to become a serious contender, or whether its direction will be solidified as the music go-to.
Regardless, MySpace.com, with its 150million users, still has some merit in the world, so a profile for your business on here would not go astray.
When possible, just hook in your Twitter feeds, and sync your Blogs with it, and you'll have another 150 million reasons to smile.
Until Next Time,
Tomer Garzberg
http://ping.fm/xsVTl
Originally, MySpace was the place to host your Social Media profile. In fact, it was one of the only places where millions converged to connect/communicate. As time progressed, MySpace became the norm, meaning its userbase was looking for the next big thing (not to mention the fact that MySpace actually became saturated with underage users and old creepy types, but that's a discussion for another day).
With the release of MySpace killer, Facebook, the days looked pretty glum for the old News Corp purchase. Even to this day, there is instability at the top leadership of MySpace.
Such is the dramatic influence of Facebook and Twitter, MySpace is in the process to integrate more closely with these Social behemoths. Such is the old saying 'if you can't beat them, join them'.
Only time will tell whether this now heavily music-oriented Social platform will turn the tables once more to become a serious contender, or whether its direction will be solidified as the music go-to.
Regardless, MySpace.com, with its 150million users, still has some merit in the world, so a profile for your business on here would not go astray.
When possible, just hook in your Twitter feeds, and sync your Blogs with it, and you'll have another 150 million reasons to smile.
Until Next Time,
Tomer Garzberg
http://ping.fm/xsVTl
Friday, April 2, 2010
Google Buzz: Informing your contacts and customers.
So you've started to build quite a network of Social Tools, and you're utilising every single one of these. It could get tricky telling all your interested parties of each individual account. Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace, YouTube, a few Blogs, Flickr, Bookmarking sites... for anyone to keep up with your marketing efforts, there is a way to get everything in one place.
Google's Buzz is what seems a response to the ever-increasing dominance of the Social Media world. For Google to take notice of this complete defiance of search engines says something about this Human-driven environment.
The best thing about Google Buzz is the fact you can feed most of your Social Media accounts into your Buzz. This allows an interested party to follow just one account, your Buzz.
The importance of Buzz is represented in first page results - being results from other people's Buzz appearing for highly searched keywords. This means, that if you can get your interested contacts and customers to follow your Buzz, then whenever they actually type relevant keywords that relate to your content, it is you they will see on the first page.
Absolutely brilliant, and absolutely crucial in the marketspace.
Another bonus with Buzz, is that it gives your "old school" customers a chance at keeping up with your Social Media. Consumers that are not familiar with Social Media, and have only used emails in the past, now only need a Gmail email account and they are connected to your marketing content whether they view your Buzz, or search Google.
This is absolute competitive advantage, and allows you to maximise your Social Media strategy audience - saving you money and resources in keeping current and potential customers in the loop.
Google Buzz is an asset to any online marketing strategy. You'd be out of your mind not to use it.
Until Next Time,
Tomer Garzberg
http://ping.fm/96KUL
Google's Buzz is what seems a response to the ever-increasing dominance of the Social Media world. For Google to take notice of this complete defiance of search engines says something about this Human-driven environment.
The best thing about Google Buzz is the fact you can feed most of your Social Media accounts into your Buzz. This allows an interested party to follow just one account, your Buzz.
The importance of Buzz is represented in first page results - being results from other people's Buzz appearing for highly searched keywords. This means, that if you can get your interested contacts and customers to follow your Buzz, then whenever they actually type relevant keywords that relate to your content, it is you they will see on the first page.
Absolutely brilliant, and absolutely crucial in the marketspace.
Another bonus with Buzz, is that it gives your "old school" customers a chance at keeping up with your Social Media. Consumers that are not familiar with Social Media, and have only used emails in the past, now only need a Gmail email account and they are connected to your marketing content whether they view your Buzz, or search Google.
This is absolute competitive advantage, and allows you to maximise your Social Media strategy audience - saving you money and resources in keeping current and potential customers in the loop.
Google Buzz is an asset to any online marketing strategy. You'd be out of your mind not to use it.
Until Next Time,
Tomer Garzberg
http://ping.fm/96KUL
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