This week was packed with news.

Image via CrunchBase

Let’s jump in…

1- Facebook….

Two new developments here.

Not as “New” but Facebook will be scaling back on the number of “ad products.” Some are sort of redundant. My guess is Facebook wants to make things a little easier for smaller advertisers.

It’s funny how they want to win over the “big brands” but it’s the little guys like us who will keep the lights on and the servers running in the long-run.

What else is new with Facebook?

Hashtags… #hashtags.

Hashtags started as a twitter thing as a way to follow current information.

And I’m sure it will STILL be a “Twitter Thing.” This is Facebook’s way of getting in the “real-time conversation” game.

2- Google…

Introducing a G+ dashboard for businesses with an “owner-verified” G+ page.

The idea is to manage “all things Google” from this dashboard.

G+ is still struggling with engagement so perhaps this is a step in the right direction.

3- Yahoo…

Yahoo is trying to get back “old Yahoo Mail users.”

Those with accounts who have not logged in – in the last year are considered in-active.

I received an email from Yahoo (to my Gmail account) that said… “We want you back!”

It will be interesting to see how well Yahoo uses email marketing to get more folks using their email service!

Enjoy your weekend!

Related articles

• Yahoo to release IDs of inactive email accounts
• Facebook is Rolling Out Hashtags

In this post a little news for you…

English: Mary Meeker portrait (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

First…

Facebook has announced a new “verified Pages” feature.

Basically… an authentication system to help Facebook users make sure the celebrity or business page they are viewing is “real.”

For now it’s just being launched to a select group of celebrities and high profile businesses.

I’m sure, it will eventually find its way to the rest of us.

Next…

Mobile Update…

Mary Meeker pulled back the curtain on her recent Internet Trends report.

A few key points…

1- 2.4 Billion Internet Users World-Wide. That’s up 8% over the previous year.

2- There are more than 5 Billion people who have Mobile Phones. About 1.5 Billion of those are Smartphones. That’s up from 1.1 Billion the previous year.

3- Mobile Web Traffic…

15% of ALL web traffic is now coming from mobile. That’s up from 10% the previous year.

You can make the assumption that 15% off all visitors to your website are coming from a tablet or a smartphone. Your site analytics can reveal the exact number.

The question is how well does your site display on mobile devices? Is it “responsive?”

Feel free to run it through our 48 Point Inspection to see how it does on mobile…

48 Point Internet Inspection

Related articles

• Internet hits 2.4 billion worldwide users; mobile usage soars

On Sunday when I came in from the garage and stepped into the kitchen I noticed one of our big metal trays out on the

Steve Jobs at the WWDC 07 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

counter.

I grabbed it to put it away (like a good husband should WITHOUT being told) and Jamie, my wife, said…

“No, leave it. Lara is borrowing it.” (Lara is our neighbor around the block).

About an hour later Jamie told us she was making some homemade cookies for dessert.

As she was gathering up the ingredients she realized we were out of brown sugar.

I did not feel like going to the store.

Once I am in – I do not feel like going back out. Especially for just one thing.

I said…

“Perhaps Lara can lend you some sugar?

I can walk over with the pan and grab it…? A fair exchange for sure!”

Jamie sent Lara a text.

Fifteen minutes later I was off to exchange the pan for some brown sugar.

As I walked up to their house I saw they had done some digging.

It was easy to see they were digging a walk-way from their drive way to their front door.

After Lara and I exchanged greetings and our items she offered to show me what they were up to with the digging.

As she told me their plans I said…

“So, you’re going to need some ‘hard-scape’ expertise?”

“Yes!” was her reply.

Pause right there.

I know someone who is in the very business they need.

He specializes in “Hard-Scapes.”

He does not want to mow your lawn.

He is not really the guy who will seed and make it green either.

His whole niche is building awesome out-door living spaces to the very basic of walk-ways.

I have seen some of his work too.

We’re talking solid granite fire pits with granite seating built around them.

Some really sweet out-door stuff!

And of course – he can do a simple walkway.

This guy has been around for a while but guess what…

He does not yet have a website.

As I was telling Lara about him she asked the question that every prospect asks at the “Zero Moment of Truth”…

She said…

“Can you give me his website address?”

Of course she wanted to see some of his work.

At that moment I shook my head inside.

I said…

“Actually, Lara, he has been talking to us for the last couple of months about doing a website. He does not have one yet but I do think he has a basic portfolio online somewhere – but why don’t I email him and copy you and make the introduction? – this way he can respond with what you need.”

She agreed and I made the introduction when I got home.

We shall see what happens.

Now think about this…

This is NOT you but did you know… about 50% of businesses do not have a website?

Crazy right?

1,000,000 consumers were surveyed and 56% would not trust a business without a site.

So you’re saying… “I have a site.”

I know – so here’s the next important point…

Do you regularly ask yourself and your key staff the key question…

“What step does our website play in our sales process?”

This – is the “Zero Moment of Truth.”

Think about how it would play out in the situation described above…

I would have given Lara the site address.

But still copied her on an email intro.

If the site was designed to aid in the “flow” of the prospect experience and “convert” it would take her along the way of choosing my “hard-scape associate” for her project.

And “design” by the way… is NOT just about how the site looks.

Steve Jobs said something like… Design is also about how it works.

One of the best ways to design your site with “flow” is using my “Triple E + G Formula.”

Do you know about the “Triple E + G Formula” for getting websites to convert?

There’s a whole chapter dedicated to it in my complimentary ebook…

Free Ebook Here

I received an inquiry the other day from a 14 employee company down south. 

They wanted to know about “Facebook Marketing Services.”

They heard we might be able to help them build targeted page likes and eventually turn those likes into customers and clients.

The guy was nice.

But here’s the problem…

He was not the owner of the company.

He was not “really” even the marketing person.

His words…

“I’m sorta the secondary “IT Guy” around here. I have a background in computers and blah, blah and blah.”

The Philly Guy in me wanted to say…

“Well, why the hell are you calling me?” But, I kept it civil.

He went on…

“I heard you can help us with Facebook Marketing, but I just wanta tell you that our website is being rebuilt right now. It’s been about three months and it should be done soon.”

STOP!

“The beginning phases of my Facebook marketing system does not really involve your website. So if you’re interested in Facebook Marketing let’s focus this brief conversation there and then we can set a more formal conference call and bring in your boss and anyone else.”

He continued…

“Well, with my IT Background and we’re doing yelp and linkedin but we just have to get it organized. I really feel we need to wait until our website is done blah, blah, blah.”

At this point…

“Dude, you’re talking in circles. But yes, I agree – if your website is not something you’re completely proud of I would be hesitant to do other forms of online marketing.

I understand how you feel.

However…

In order for me to even consider working with your company we need to schedule a formal conference call where I will ask questions… determine your objectives and decide if it makes sense for us to talk further.”

And that’s where I left it.

Here’s the issue…

When he said: “I have an IT Background.” (Chest Puffed)

According to Wikipedia

I-T is…

In a business context, the Information Technology Association of America has defined information technology as “the study, design, development, application, implementation, support or management of computer-based information systems”.[5] The responsibilities of those working in the field include network administration, software development and installation, and the planning and management of an organization’s technology life cycle, by which hardware and software is maintained, upgraded, and replaced.

So where do you see the word MARKETING above?

Right! No where!

And the lesson here…

“Dorky IT Guys are Not Marketing People.”

They should not touch your marketing. In fact, when you’re discussing Internet Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Website Design, Mobile Marketing and anything else that has to do with marketing your small business give those guys something else to do. Perhaps something to tinker with?

Sure, I know… “Dorky IT Guys are Not Marketing People” is a blanket statement.

Narrow it down if you want…

“Dorky IT Guys Who Are Arrogant (“A-Word!”) and Think They Know It All Because They Can Turn on A Computer Are Not Marketing People.”

It’s been said over and over…

In it’s purest form – marketing is selling multiplied.

And even if you’re not into “Selling” you can not hide the fact – Marketing is designed to influence and persuade a likely “suspect” or “prospect” to consider doing business with you. Once the influence is in place and they trust you – you’re in.

Use technology to help you market your business. Just don’t think you need a “techie” to guide you through.

The other day I read a report with an astonishing number…

175 Billion Emails are sent daily.

Naturally, the question comes up…

“How many of those are spam?”

Well, that number did not count spam.

And real quick… What is spam?

Spam is an email that is unsolicited.

To be technical…

If you receive an email for a commercial purpose and you did not previously “opt-in.”

You did not go to a website and willingly give your email address to the sender. That is spam.

Back to the 175 Billion

The bigger take away about the HUGE number is what it represents…

Email is still the main communication tool of the internet.

Still highly effective for business communication.

I get a kick out of the social media gurus who yap on and on about how “email is dead.”

I find it interesting how I get more emails from Twitter that I do tweets!

Twitter sends me emails to tell me about all those tweets I missed – LOL.

And the greater take-away is the fact you should be doing or you should start doing email marketing for your business.

When I talk to people about email marketing – the common excuses for not doing it are…

“Well – only like 10% of people are going to open it, so what’s the use!”

Poor – attitude! Truth is ALL of our businesses are based on small numbers. Meaning: It’s the minority, not the majority that are going to support your business and you must be OK with that!

“I don’t have a list.”

Well, when are you going to start building one? You didn’t have a list two years ago – when would you like to start?

And when I run across folks who are using email marketing and do have nice size lists – the number one foul committed is…

Not Using The F word

Not enough Frequency.

Once a month – no – that’s not gonna cut it.

You’ll actually bother your the folks on your email list more with a “once a month” approach.

Once a week – a few times a week…. that’s the way to do it.

Of course, you need to make sure you have something to say!

We’re gonna play a little Jeff Foxworthy.

Best of Jeff Foxworthy: Double Wide, Single Minded (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

But first…

I don’t claim to be an expert on this.

In fact – my knowledge on the subject comes from…

The length of time I have been at it. Six years now.

And the fact – that I do keep studying and paying attention to trends and developments.

I’m talking about the topic of email marketing.

What amazes me is that years later (Let’s face it – email marketing is not new) people are still confused about email marketing.

So let’s lay out some basics and talk “email marketing system(s)” if you will.

The basics…

in 2004 Congress passed “The Can Spam Act.”

That made it illegal to email someone without their permission.

No longer was it “OK” to harvest email addresses.

Harvesting email addresses means some “bot” goes to a website and pulls the email address, adds it to a database and “bam” -you get an email for whatever (let your imagination run wild).

That sort of email spam is why “The Can Spam Act” of 2004 was put into law.

But what else is spam…

Let’s play a little Jeff Foxworthy…

You might be a spammer if…

You go to networking events, collect business cards, come home and then add the email addresses to your “email newsletter” without the permission of the person or making them aware you are going to do so.

You exchange an email with someone and then think because you exchanged an email with them once you have the right to add them to your newsletter list. (You know who you are!)

You send mass-emails out from your “Gmail or Outlook” account and “BCC” everyone.

Or worse yet… You do that – and you DON’T “BCC” everyone.

We can go on but we’ll stop there!

The best way to build an email list is via “Opt-Ins” on your website.

These opt-ins come because of “the offer” you are presenting.

Those can be “Informational” or “Transactional.”

If they are compelling enough a site visitor will “opt-in.”

Once they opt-in and confirm they are on your list.

They have given you “permission.”

You can also take it a step further and be really clear about the fact you will be in touch regularly.

That’s the way my buddy, Ben Settle, does it.

You can also add people to your list in person when they come to you.

You can ask them if they are OK with it.

You can have them fill out little slips.

The more regular you are with your emails and the better your list – the more results you’ll get.

Email is just another channel and it works.

But if you’re a baby about it and a quit after you send one email and hear crickets it won’t work.

I don’t care if you have 10, 100, or thousands of people you can email – just do it!

I take that back – “Get Good At It–As- You Just Do It.”

If you want it our “Free Ebook Has a Whole Chapter on Email Marketing”