Web Content and Social Networking Experts

Want free marketing and business advise from executives? Contact SCORE.

If you are having a business related problem and want a confidential conversation with business people contact SCORE today. You can go to the SCORE web site, http://www.score.org, to find a Chapter near you, or call your local Chamber of Commerce. SCORE is totally free of charge.

These folks can help you with problems related to business. They have been of tremendous assistance to us. Further, they provide free of charge lectures on may aspects of business and issues surrounding and related to business. These folks are an excellent resource because they've been where you are. They know the businesss world from experience.

Want free marketing and business advise from executives? Contact SCORE.

If you are having a business related problem and want a confidential conversation with business people contact SCORE today. You can go to the SCORE web site, http://www.score.org, to find a Chapter near you, or call your local Chamber of Commerce. SCORE is totally free of charge.

These folks can help you with problems related to business. They have been of tremendous assistance to us. Further, they provide free of charge lectures on may aspects of business and issues surrounding and related to business. These folks are an excellent resource because they've been where you are. They know the businesss world from experience.

Today is not yesterday. Today, you need to market for today, to today's customers, with today's technologies.

There is one overriding truth in the business world that has existed for as long as business has exited. To be successful, you must, "Fish where the fish are." And, believe me, there are lots of "fish" in the online world. There's a message there, and one that is not subtle.

Did you notice that, in the title of this post, we say "... with today's technologies." and not "... with today's technology." There's a message there, too.

questions we hear all the time from business people include: Why should I use social networking? What is social networking? What will social networking do for me?

Do these questions sound familiar? How many times have you asked them to yourself, to other business people, to marketing professionals, to business coaches? How many times have you gotten a "tut-tut" answer. Translation: "You don't need to know about that because I don't know anything about that." Fine, for yesterday, but not for today. My friend, the world has changes and will continue to change. Now is the time for you to change with it.

Here's a few examples of how it used to be and how things are now.

• Yesterday you were product focused, today you're customer focused
• Yesterday it was do it my way, today you do it the customer's way.
• Yesterday it was conform, does politically correct sound familiar? Today, it's the diversity of ideas that are important.

I could go on. The world has changed and that pace of change will increase. Just look at Facebook. It's not that old and its changing already. Consider Google and look at the products that they've developed. That's one company who truly understands that making mistakes is okay. Look at the products that they've gotten wrong. Does that stop them from innovating? No way. They are taking on Facebook with Google+. No shortage of innovation, brain, or guts there. Especially guts. They've got what it takes to put their money on the line. And they do. In the process they create their future and maybe yours as well.

If you are still wondering why you should embrace social networking, I just don't know how else to explain it. Your future is here; now, today. You can no longer stay out of what is and what's coming. To do may very well place your company in the position of not being found where customers are looking for you.

So, I guess, the question is, are you a survivor, do you embrace the future, do you make change work for you, or are you wedded to what was, what used to be? To yesterday? You see, social networking as we do it today is new. However, social networking has existed for hundreds of years. Why? It works. You can embrace it and make it work for you, or not. Guess it depends on whether you live in today or yesterday.

View our business, social networking, and web content related videos on YouTube.

Today is not yesterday. Today, you need to market for today, to today's customers, with today's technologies.

There is one overriding truth in the business world that has existed for as long as business has exited. To be successful, you must, "Fish where the fish are." And, believe me, there are lots of "fish" in the online world. There's a message there, and one that is not subtle.

Did you notice that, in the title of this post, we say "... with today's technologies." and not "... with today's technology." There's a message there, too.

questions we hear all the time from business people include: Why should I use social networking? What is social networking? What will social networking do for me?

Do these questions sound familiar? How many times have you asked them to yourself, to other business people, to marketing professionals, to business coaches? How many times have you gotten a "tut-tut" answer. Translation: "You don't need to know about that because I don't know anything about that." Fine, for yesterday, but not for today. My friend, the world has changes and will continue to change. Now is the time for you to change with it.

Here's a few examples of how it used to be and how things are now.

• Yesterday you were product focused, today you're customer focused
• Yesterday it was do it my way, today you do it the customer's way.
• Yesterday it was conform, does politically correct sound familiar? Today, it's the diversity of ideas that are important.

I could go on. The world has changed and that pace of change will increase. Just look at Facebook. It's not that old and its changing already. Consider Google and look at the products that they've developed. That's one company who truly understands that making mistakes is okay. Look at the products that they've gotten wrong. Does that stop them from innovating? No way. They are taking on Facebook with Google+. No shortage of innovation, brain, or guts there. Especially guts. They've got what it takes to put their money on the line. And they do. In the process they create their future and maybe yours as well.

If you are still wondering why you should embrace social networking, I just don't know how else to explain it. Your future is here; now, today. You can no longer stay out of what is and what's coming. To do may very well place your company in the position of not being found where customers are looking for you.

So, I guess, the question is, are you a survivor, do you embrace the future, do you make change work for you, or are you wedded to what was, what used to be? To yesterday? You see, social networking as we do it today is new. However, social networking has existed for hundreds of years. Why? It works. You can embrace it and make it work for you, or not. Guess it depends on whether you live in today or yesterday.

View our business, social networking, and web content related videos on YouTube.

Writing to sell, influence, attract clients? They are all similar. More so than you might like to think.

What do you not like?

What do you love?

What do you hate?

What, or who, do you promote?

What, or who, do you work against?

What are you afraid of, or afraid for?

What are your hot buttons? You don't know them? Yes, you do. You know them very well. And you know what? I do too, or I can find out. Not about you personally, of course, but of your demographic. And that knowledge can be used to appeal to you, frighten you, promote you, scare you, for many things by people like me because I know something that you probably don't know. I know how to use words. You might want to think about that.

You might also want to read my September 7, 2011 post on this blog. I published two that day, I refer to "Web content, like understanding, is a three edged sword. Learn to use it well because your competition is."

Writing to Sell

How to sell something has been around as long as people have. Being a good salesman or saleswoman is a survival skill, make no mistake. People who can write text that motivates you to buy something are sought after, respected, and highly paid. Best you hope that they are also honest. Like anything else, some are and some aren't. There is a quote in my bookWeb Content Rx, a Quick and Handy Guide for Writers, Webmasters, eBayers, and Business People, on page 27, "Words are like loaded pistols." - Brice Parrain.

Believe me, that is true. Have you heard the old saying that the pen is mightier than the sword? That too, is the absolute truth. Those who can use words to promote their point of view, product, or ideology are people that can have serious impact on your life, your country, your wealth. You've heard the old saying, "Figures don't lie, but liars can figure?" That holds true for words as well. The post I refer to above has more on this.

Be careful what you put into your head, my friend, be very careful because words really are like loaded pistols with one exception. Pistols are only dangerous till out of ammunition. Words are dangerous as long as people espouse them; that can be forever.

Writing to sell, influence, attract clients? They are all similar. More so than you might like to think.

What do you not like?

What do you love?

What do you hate?

What, or who, do you promote?

What, or who, do you work against?

What are you afraid of, or afraid for?

What are your hot buttons? You don't know them? Yes, you do. You know them very well. And you know what? I do too, or I can find out. Not about you personally, of course, but of your demographic. And that knowledge can be used to appeal to you, frighten you, promote you, scare you, for many things by people like me because I know something that you probably don't know. I know how to use words. You might want to think about that.

You might also want to read my September 7, 2011 post on this blog. I published two that day, I refer to "Web content, like understanding, is a three edged sword. Learn to use it well because your competition is."

Writing to Sell

How to sell something has been around as long as people have. Being a good salesman or saleswoman is a survival skill, make no mistake. People who can write text that motivates you to buy something are sought after, respected, and highly paid. Best you hope that they are also honest. Like anything else, some are and some aren't. There is a quote in my bookWeb Content Rx, a Quick and Handy Guide for Writers, Webmasters, eBayers, and Business People, on page 27, "Words are like loaded pistols." - Brice Parrain.

Believe me, that is true. Have you heard the old saying that the pen is mightier than the sword? That too, is the absolute truth. Those who can use words to promote their point of view, product, or ideology are people that can have serious impact on your life, your country, your wealth. You've heard the old saying, "Figures don't lie, but liars can figure?" That holds true for words as well. The post I refer to above has more on this.

Be careful what you put into your head, my friend, be very careful because words really are like loaded pistols with one exception. Pistols are only dangerous till out of ammunition. Words are dangerous as long as people espouse them; that can be forever.

Give yourself away to reach your business goals. Contradictory, but true.

Whatever it is you do, find a way to give it away for free. give lectures, provide samples, speak at business groups, consult for free. Find a way to get into the groove of doing things for no money.

Sounds crazy. It's not. You use this as a loss leader. That's business speak for something sold at a low price to get people into the store. That's really what you're doing. You are becomming better known, gathering a following, getting knowledge of your professional skills and products out into the world.

Follow this up with a press release, use Facebook to notify your friends of the event. Do the same on LinkedIn, Manta, Referral Key. whatever sites or publicity functions you are using now, continue to use them.

The advertising and public relations you gain, the fun you will have are well worth the effort. Not to mention, that you will be exposing yourself to lots of additional customers, clients, buyers. So, you can also include the cost of what all that free advertising would have cost you as well.

Still think this is crazy? go to my YouTube page and see how many views my free lecture has gathered.

Give yourself away to reach your business goals. Contradictory, but true.

Whatever it is you do, find a way to give it away for free. give lectures, provide samples, speak at business groups, consult for free. Find a way to get into the groove of doing things for no money.

Sounds crazy. It's not. You use this as a loss leader. That's business speak for something sold at a low price to get people into the store. That's really what you're doing. You are becomming better known, gathering a following, getting knowledge of your professional skills and products out into the world.

Follow this up with a press release, use Facebook to notify your friends of the event. Do the same on LinkedIn, Manta, Referral Key. whatever sites or publicity functions you are using now, continue to use them.

The advertising and public relations you gain, the fun you will have are well worth the effort. Not to mention, that you will be exposing yourself to lots of additional customers, clients, buyers. So, you can also include the cost of what all that free advertising would have cost you as well.

Still think this is crazy? go to my YouTube page and see how many views my free lecture has gathered.

Here’s how to write fluff, sound like a bureaucrat, and be sure that no one will be able to understand what you write.

In our continuing efforts to supply you with the finest bloggational Webbish content related blog posts on all manner of subjects of possible interest to you, our customers, clients, suppliers, and employees we publish this blog on a daily basis.

Huh? What? WHAT!? Bloggational? Webbish? Rhymes with rubbish. The above is fluff. It takes up space but provides you nothing. It is literally not worth the time it takes you to determine that it is crap. And that's not very long.

Who write like that. Well, actually people do write that way. they do it for two excellent reasons.

1. They need to provide a certain number of words, or need to take up space, or want to create a document thick with nice fat pages, but have no need or desire to provide quality.
2. The author does not want you to understand what is being said. Don't laugh that is a very real need because it allows the writer, government, or organization to claim that you were told and it's not their fault if you don't understand what they wrote.

People who write like this for reason number two, above, are the most reprehensible people that God ever built. To intentionally write so people can not understand places those authors among the worst on Earth. They are the ones in the corner room writing the weekly newsletter in Hell. You can be sure that they will do a good job.

All right, back to reality. Don't write like the drivel above. Even writing like that as an example is no fun, but is sure is easy. Ever wondered why a small book is tough, I mean really difficult, to wright, and a long book is easier?

No matter what your profession, there is no excuse for writing in such grandiose, or technical, jargon filled manner. And please don't make up our own words like we did above.

Write no fluff. Write for ease of understanding with common words. You've got a choice. Write right, write tight, write for understanding, or you get the corner room and the weekly newsletter.

Here’s how to write fluff, sound like a bureaucrat, and be sure that no one will be able to understand what you write.

In our continuing efforts to supply you with the finest bloggational Webbish content related blog posts on all manner of subjects of possible interest to you, our customers, clients, suppliers, and employees we publish this blog on a daily basis.

Huh? What? WHAT!? Bloggational? Webbish? Rhymes with rubbish. The above is fluff. It takes up space but provides you nothing. It is literally not worth the time it takes you to determine that it is crap. And that's not very long.

Who write like that. Well, actually people do write that way. they do it for two excellent reasons.

1. They need to provide a certain number of words, or need to take up space, or want to create a document thick with nice fat pages, but have no need or desire to provide quality.
2. The author does not want you to understand what is being said. Don't laugh that is a very real need because it allows the writer, government, or organization to claim that you were told and it's not their fault if you don't understand what they wrote.

People who write like this for reason number two, above, are the most reprehensible people that God ever built. To intentionally write so people can not understand places those authors among the worst on Earth. They are the ones in the corner room writing the weekly newsletter in Hell. You can be sure that they will do a good job.

All right, back to reality. Don't write like the drivel above. Even writing like that as an example is no fun, but is sure is easy. Ever wondered why a small book is tough, I mean really difficult, to wright, and a long book is easier?

No matter what your profession, there is no excuse for writing in such grandiose, or technical, jargon filled manner. And please don't make up our own words like we did above.

Write no fluff. Write for ease of understanding with common words. You've got a choice. Write right, write tight, write for understanding, or you get the corner room and the weekly newsletter.

Want to make some money? Got a product? Got e-mail addresses? Combine them into an e-mail marketing campaign.

What have you got you can sell? How many e-mail addresses do you have? Combine them. Send the e-mails to your list.

Writing e-mail marketing e-mails is not difficult but you need to know a few things.

1. Get your readers attention with an effective interesting subject line that will propel the reader to opening your e-mail. The words you put in the subject line are the most important words in the world. Certainly in your world.
2. You're selling something. Before anyone buys anything from you they must trust you. You must reassure the buyer that you are trustworthy, that your products are what they say they are and that they will arrive in good condition ready to do the job.
3. When selling something relatively inexpensive a short e-mail will do.
4. When selling a financial product, real estate or other large ticket item, you need to write as much as it takes to gain the trust of the reader and convince him or her that you've got what it takes to supply the product and to service it. For the right product and the right reader, long copy is what you need to make the sale. You've heard me say keep your content short and to the point. Yes do that, but never allow the need for brevity and well written content to overrule the need to provide the full and complete information necessary to do the job.
5. Place vital facts near the top, or beginning of the e-mail. Do not make the reader go looking for the material required to make a decision. Vital stuff goes up front.
6. Structure your opening remarks to the reader, avoid technical information.
7. Technical, and incidental material, goes at the end, or toward the end. Why? Nothing is worse that a string of technical facts, figures, and nice to know but not vital that the reader must wade through to get to what's vital.

Okay, now pick a product, generate an e-mail, send it and record your results. Edit the e-mail, resend, and record the results. In this way, you migrate toward winning e-mail marketing campaigns.

Go get those sales.

Want to make some money? Got a product? Got e-mail addresses? Combine them into an e-mail marketing campaign.

What have you got you can sell? How many e-mail addresses do you have? Combine them. Send the e-mails to your list.

Writing e-mail marketing e-mails is not difficult but you need to know a few things.

1. Get your readers attention with an effective interesting subject line that will propel the reader to opening your e-mail. The words you put in the subject line are the most important words in the world. Certainly in your world.
2. You're selling something. Before anyone buys anything from you they must trust you. You must reassure the buyer that you are trustworthy, that your products are what they say they are and that they will arrive in good condition ready to do the job.
3. When selling something relatively inexpensive a short e-mail will do.
4. When selling a financial product, real estate or other large ticket item, you need to write as much as it takes to gain the trust of the reader and convince him or her that you've got what it takes to supply the product and to service it. For the right product and the right reader, long copy is what you need to make the sale. You've heard me say keep your content short and to the point. Yes do that, but never allow the need for brevity and well written content to overrule the need to provide the full and complete information necessary to do the job.
5. Place vital facts near the top, or beginning of the e-mail. Do not make the reader go looking for the material required to make a decision. Vital stuff goes up front.
6. Structure your opening remarks to the reader, avoid technical information.
7. Technical, and incidental material, goes at the end, or toward the end. Why? Nothing is worse that a string of technical facts, figures, and nice to know but not vital that the reader must wade through to get to what's vital.

Okay, now pick a product, generate an e-mail, send it and record your results. Edit the e-mail, resend, and record the results. In this way, you migrate toward winning e-mail marketing campaigns.

Go get those sales.

Video is s fantastic medium for sales, marketing, and advertising. Don't negelect it.

Video is a terrific medium for marketing, informing, and staying in touch with your customers. We are using it more and more. See our videos at YouTube by following this link.

Here are a few quick and dirty tips for you.

1. Keep your videos to a couple minutes unless you are recording a presentation, class, or seminar.
2. Stay tightly focused on a single point.
3. Plan what you will speak on and what you will say.
4. Pay attention to your personal appearance, grooming, what you wear, and the background.
5. If you are making the video at a studio, bring a comb and use it.
6. Do some post production. that means adding a title and contact information.
7. Use keywords in the title.
8. Make lots of short videos.
9. Don't worry about an expensive camera. don't make a bid deal of this. Just get it done. As you go on and do more and more of them, they will get better. It's important to make them.

Use video to show a product, how it works, what it does. In short, for demonstration. This is used by CNET and B and H Photo to name just two. These videos lead people to making product purchase decisions.

Don't miss out on this superb medium.

Video is s fantastic medium for sales, marketing, and advertising. Don't negelect it.

Video is a terrific medium for marketing, informing, and staying in touch with your customers. We are using it more and more. See our videos at YouTube by following this link.

Here are a few quick and dirty tips for you.

1. Keep your videos to a couple minutes unless you are recording a presentation, class, or seminar.
2. Stay tightly focused on a single point.
3. Plan what you will speak on and what you will say.
4. Pay attention to your personal appearance, grooming, what you wear, and the background.
5. If you are making the video at a studio, bring a comb and use it.
6. Do some post production. that means adding a title and contact information.
7. Use keywords in the title.
8. Make lots of short videos.
9. Don't worry about an expensive camera. don't make a bid deal of this. Just get it done. As you go on and do more and more of them, they will get better. It's important to make them.

Use video to show a product, how it works, what it does. In short, for demonstration. This is used by CNET and B and H Photo to name just two. These videos lead people to making product purchase decisions.

Don't miss out on this superb medium.

So you've got a zillion followers online. That's nice. How many of them do you know? How many know you?

It's not a matter of how many follower you have. It has never been a matter of how many followers you have. Studies show that we each of us know about 150 people. Our friends, our true friends, number much less than that. What's a true friend?

• Someone you can call in the middle of a rainy cold night who will get out of a nice warm bed and come get you.
• Someone you can tell anything to with full and complete confidence that it will never be shared with anyone - ever.

Try either of those with one of your zillion followers and see what you get. Those zillions of followers are not your friends. You will never meet them, they will never meet you.

Here's a new concept in social networking. It's called, Who's Nearby, Not who You Know. These are people who you would probably like to meet and maybe get to know. And if they pass the ultimate test, become your friend. The link above, takes you to the article in the Business section of the Washington Post.

Having lots of followers is well and good, it shows that your content is superb and that it's veracity is validated by having many people waiting to read, or view it. And that's fine. Just don't think that they're your friend.

So you've got a zillion followers online. That's nice. How many of them do you know? How many know you?

It's not a matter of how many follower you have. It has never been a matter of how many followers you have. Studies show that we each of us know about 150 people. Our friends, our true friends, number much less than that. What's a true friend?

• Someone you can call in the middle of a rainy cold night who will get out of a nice warm bed and come get you.
• Someone you can tell anything to with full and complete confidence that it will never be shared with anyone - ever.

Try either of those with one of your zillion followers and see what you get. Those zillions of followers are not your friends. You will never meet them, they will never meet you.

Here's a new concept in social networking. It's called, Who's Nearby, Not who You Know. These are people who you would probably like to meet and maybe get to know. And if they pass the ultimate test, become your friend. The link above, takes you to the article in the Business section of the Washington Post.

Having lots of followers is well and good, it shows that your content is superb and that it's veracity is validated by having many people waiting to read, or view it. And that's fine. Just don't think that they're your friend.

Don't "Welcome" me to your site. It hurts your site, your message, your SEO, and my head.

Welcome to my blog. Welcome to my Web site. "Thank you." We mean that sarcastically. If you use this sort of thing on your site or blog, get rid of it. The sooner the better.

These words do a lot of damage. To you.

1. They appear at the top of your Web page, so search engines like them. Google the word - welcome - one of those 3.4 billion responses is you. Looking at one site per second it will only take 96 years to see them all. Hey, what's the hurry?
2. They waste valuable, and we mean valuable, "real estate" on your page. That space could be selling for you, marketing for you, doing something productive. Do you think the word "valuable" is too strong? How much did you spend, and continue to spend, on your site? How many square inches is your monitor? Figure it out per square inch. Valuable is the right word. It represents some of the most valuable real estate, per square inch, on the planet.
3. The words "Welcom to my web site" provide nothing to the reader. No value. People ignore them, actually.
4. Many people, usually those who design their own Web sites, place these words in bold letters, or in large text to compound the disaster. So, if you want to make a bad situation worse, that's the way to do it.

What people want to find on your Web site, your blog, and your social networking campaign is quality content, great navigation, and a well designed site that works for them.

People read very little on Web pages, so lose the verbiage and get to the point. Don't waste your time trying to make people feel good, they won't feel any better after reading your wasted text than they did before. Personally, I feel worse after reading it. I really do. A lot worse, because it makes my head hurt. I mean real pain. Why?

I'm a Web content expert and recovering Web master geek sort of a guy, and this makes me feel so bad that I start jumping up and down. Well, I mean, you know, I jump up. Gravity brings me down. Point is, the ceiling of my office is all stove in and my bald head is getting sore.

So, please stop "Welcoming" me to your site. Rather, give me good content that is well written, a consistent navigation system that's easy to use, and good design. Your "Welcome" may be heart felt, but its hurting you, and me too.

Makes my bald head feel better just thinking about it.

Don't "Welcome" me to your site. It hurts your site, your message, your SEO, and my head.

Welcome to my blog. Welcome to my Web site. "Thank you." We mean that sarcastically. If you use this sort of thing on your site or blog, get rid of it. The sooner the better.

These words do a lot of damage. To you.

1. They appear at the top of your Web page, so search engines like them. Google the word - welcome - one of those 3.4 billion responses is you. Looking at one site per second it will only take 96 years to see them all. Hey, what's the hurry?
2. They waste valuable, and we mean valuable, "real estate" on your page. That space could be selling for you, marketing for you, doing something productive. Do you think the word "valuable" is too strong? How much did you spend, and continue to spend, on your site? How many square inches is your monitor? Figure it out per square inch. Valuable is the right word. It represents some of the most valuable real estate, per square inch, on the planet.
3. The words "Welcom to my web site" provide nothing to the reader. No value. People ignore them, actually.
4. Many people, usually those who design their own Web sites, place these words in bold letters, or in large text to compound the disaster. So, if you want to make a bad situation worse, that's the way to do it.

What people want to find on your Web site, your blog, and your social networking campaign is quality content, great navigation, and a well designed site that works for them.

People read very little on Web pages, so lose the verbiage and get to the point. Don't waste your time trying to make people feel good, they won't feel any better after reading your wasted text than they did before. Personally, I feel worse after reading it. I really do. A lot worse, because it makes my head hurt. I mean real pain. Why?

I'm a Web content expert and recovering Web master geek sort of a guy, and this makes me feel so bad that I start jumping up and down. Well, I mean, you know, I jump up. Gravity brings me down. Point is, the ceiling of my office is all stove in and my bald head is getting sore.

So, please stop "Welcoming" me to your site. Rather, give me good content that is well written, a consistent navigation system that's easy to use, and good design. Your "Welcome" may be heart felt, but its hurting you, and me too.

Makes my bald head feel better just thinking about it.

Don't "Welcome" me to your site. It hurts your site, your message, your SEO, and my head.

Welcome to my blog. Welcome to my Web site. "Thank you." We mean that sarcastically. If you use this sort of thing on your site or blog, get rid of it. The sooner the better.

These words do a lot of damage. To you.

1. They appear at the top of your Web page, so search engines like them. Google the word - welcome - one of those 3.4 billion responses is you. Looking at one site per second it will only take 96 years to see them all. Hey, what's the hurry?
2. They waste valuable, and we mean valuable, "real estate" on your page. That space could be selling for you, marketing for you, doing something productive. Do you think the word "valuable" is too strong? How much did you spend, and continue to spend, on your site? How many square inches is your monitor? Figure it out per square inch. Valuable is the right word. It represents some of the most valuable real estate, per square inch, on the planet.
3. The words "Welcom to my web site" provide nothing to the reader. No value. People ignore them, actually.
4. Many people, usually those who design their own Web sites, place these words in bold letters, or in large text to compound the disaster. So, if you want to make a bad situation worse, that's the way to do it.

What people want to find on your Web site, your blog, and your social networking campaign is quality content, great navigation, and a well designed site that works for them.

People read very little on Web pages, so lose the verbiage and get to the point. Don't waste your time trying to make people feel good, they won't feel any better after reading your wasted text than they did before. Personally, I feel worse after reading it. I really do. A lot worse, because it makes my head hurt. I mean real pain. Why?

I'm a Web content expert and recovering Web master geek sort of a guy, and this makes me feel so bad that I start jumping up and down. Well, I mean, you know, I jump up. Gravity brings me down. Point is, the ceiling of my office is all stove in and my bald head is getting sore.

So, please stop "Welcoming" me to your site. Rather, give me good content that is well written, a consistent navigation system that's easy to use, and good design. Your "Welcome" may be heart felt, but its hurting you, and me too.

Makes my bald head feel better just thinking about it.

Don't "Welcome" me to your site. It hurts your site, your message, your SEO, and my head.

Welcome to my blog. Welcome to my Web site. "Thank you." We mean that sarcastically. If you use this sort of thing on your site or blog, get rid of it. The sooner the better.

These words do a lot of damage. To you.

1. They appear at the top of your Web page, so search engines like them. Google the word - welcome - one of those 3.4 billion responses is you. Looking at one site per second it will only take 96 years to see them all. Hey, what's the hurry?
2. They waste valuable, and we mean valuable, "real estate" on your page. That space could be selling for you, marketing for you, doing something productive. Do you think the word "valuable" is too strong? How much did you spend, and continue to spend, on your site? How many square inches is your monitor? Figure it out per square inch. Valuable is the right word. It represents some of the most valuable real estate, per square inch, on the planet.
3. The words "Welcom to my web site" provide nothing to the reader. No value. People ignore them, actually.
4. Many people, usually those who design their own Web sites, place these words in bold letters, or in large text to compound the disaster. So, if you want to make a bad situation worse, that's the way to do it.

What people want to find on your Web site, your blog, and your social networking campaign is quality content, great navigation, and a well designed site that works for them.

People read very little on Web pages, so lose the verbiage and get to the point. Don't waste your time trying to make people feel good, they won't feel any better after reading your wasted text than they did before. Personally, I feel worse after reading it. I really do. A lot worse, because it makes my head hurt. I mean real pain. Why?

I'm a Web content expert and recovering Web master geek sort of a guy, and this makes me feel so bad that I start jumping up and down. Well, I mean, you know, I jump up. Gravity brings me down. Point is, the ceiling of my office is all stove in and my bald head is getting sore.

So, please stop "Welcoming" me to your site. Rather, give me good content that is well written, a consistent navigation system that's easy to use, and good design. Your "Welcome" may be heart felt, but its hurting you, and me too.

Makes my bald head feel better just thinking about it.

You can learn a lot from a bull, and that's no bull.

Ever watched a rodeo where unbelievably courageous men ride bulls? That bull can teach you a lot, if you let him.

• Does he ask if it’s okay to come out of the box when the gate opens? No.
• Does he come out slowly, tentatively, looking for permission? No way. He’s explodes with energy, strength, and self confidence.
• Does anyone question the outcome he desires? Absolutely not.
• Does he do anything unrelated to that outcome? No. Nothing. He is the embodiment of total, complete, single minded focus.
• Does the bull see problems. No. Put something in front of him and he goes around, over, or through it. No matter what, he keeps going.
• Do you see any ‘giving up’ in the bull. No, none, zero. Ain’t no ‘giving-up’ in there.
• The message is clear: Here I am, that is what I want. Get out of my way. He not ’t called a bull for nothing.

What do you want? What do you need to do today to get there? What do you need to do by the end of the year? By the end of next year? Write those things down. Make a list, a mind map, draw a picture, a cartoon, whatever it takes to get your outcome down on paper.

Now use the vast capability of social networking, offline marketing, e-mail marketing, newsletters, Ezine, article marketing, and cause marketing. The tools of your success are everywhere around you. Use them. Social networking is sales, it is marketing. Use it. Take advantage of it.

We've said here before that social networking is the most significant advancement in communications since the invention of the printing press. It is. You have the ability to get your message our totally uncensored and are dependant o no one. That situation has never existed before in all of human history.

Us it. Embrace it. Take advantage of it.

You can learn a lot from a bull, and that's no bull.

Ever watched a rodeo where unbelievably courageous men ride bulls? That bull can teach you a lot, if you let him.

• Does he ask if it’s okay to come out of the box when the gate opens? No.
• Does he come out slowly, tentatively, looking for permission? No way. He’s explodes with energy, strength, and self confidence.
• Does anyone question the outcome he desires? Absolutely not.
• Does he do anything unrelated to that outcome? No. Nothing. He is the embodiment of total, complete, single minded focus.
• Does the bull see problems. No. Put something in front of him and he goes around, over, or through it. No matter what, he keeps going.
• Do you see any ‘giving up’ in the bull. No, none, zero. Ain’t no ‘giving-up’ in there.
• The message is clear: Here I am, that is what I want. Get out of my way. He not ’t called a bull for nothing.

What do you want? What do you need to do today to get there? What do you need to do by the end of the year? By the end of next year? Write those things down. Make a list, a mind map, draw a picture, a cartoon, whatever it takes to get your outcome down on paper.

Now use the vast capability of social networking, offline marketing, e-mail marketing, newsletters, Ezine, article marketing, and cause marketing. The tools of your success are everywhere around you. Use them. Social networking is sales, it is marketing. Use it. Take advantage of it.

We've said here before that social networking is the most significant advancement in communications since the invention of the printing press. It is. You have the ability to get your message our totally uncensored and are dependant o no one. That situation has never existed before in all of human history.

Us it. Embrace it. Take advantage of it.

You can learn a lot from a bull, and that's no bull.

Ever watched a rodeo where unbelievably courageous men ride bulls? That bull can teach you a lot, if you let him.

• Does he ask if it’s okay to come out of the box when the gate opens? No.
• Does he come out slowly, tentatively, looking for permission? No way. He’s explodes with energy, strength, and self confidence.
• Does anyone question the outcome he desires? Absolutely not.
• Does he do anything unrelated to that outcome? No. Nothing. He is the embodiment of total, complete, single minded focus.
• Does the bull see problems. No. Put something in front of him and he goes around, over, or through it. No matter what, he keeps going.
• Do you see any ‘giving up’ in the bull. No, none, zero. Ain’t no ‘giving-up’ in there.
• The message is clear: Here I am, that is what I want. Get out of my way. He not ’t called a bull for nothing.

What do you want? What do you need to do today to get there? What do you need to do by the end of the year? By the end of next year? Write those things down. Make a list, a mind map, draw a picture, a cartoon, whatever it takes to get your outcome down on paper.

Now use the vast capability of social networking, offline marketing, e-mail marketing, newsletters, Ezine, article marketing, and cause marketing. The tools of your success are everywhere around you. Use them. Social networking is sales, it is marketing. Use it. Take advantage of it.

We've said here before that social networking is the most significant advancement in communications since the invention of the printing press. It is. You have the ability to get your message our totally uncensored and are dependant o no one. That situation has never existed before in all of human history.

Us it. Embrace it. Take advantage of it.

You can learn a lot from a bull, and that's no bull.

Ever watched a rodeo where unbelievably courageous men ride bulls? That bull can teach you a lot, if you let him.

• Does he ask if it’s okay to come out of the box when the gate opens? No.
• Does he come out slowly, tentatively, looking for permission? No way. He’s explodes with energy, strength, and self confidence.
• Does anyone question the outcome he desires? Absolutely not.
• Does he do anything unrelated to that outcome? No. Nothing. He is the embodiment of total, complete, single minded focus.
• Does the bull see problems. No. Put something in front of him and he goes around, over, or through it. No matter what, he keeps going.
• Do you see any ‘giving up’ in the bull. No, none, zero. Ain’t no ‘giving-up’ in there.
• The message is clear: Here I am, that is what I want. Get out of my way. He not ’t called a bull for nothing.

What do you want? What do you need to do today to get there? What do you need to do by the end of the year? By the end of next year? Write those things down. Make a list, a mind map, draw a picture, a cartoon, whatever it takes to get your outcome down on paper.

Now use the vast capability of social networking, offline marketing, e-mail marketing, newsletters, Ezine, article marketing, and cause marketing. The tools of your success are everywhere around you. Use them. Social networking is sales, it is marketing. Use it. Take advantage of it.

We've said here before that social networking is the most significant advancement in communications since the invention of the printing press. It is. You have the ability to get your message our totally uncensored and are dependant o no one. That situation has never existed before in all of human history.

Us it. Embrace it. Take advantage of it.

You are selling your social networking for something more valuable than money. Make sure it's worth it.

Do you want to be good at social networking? Yes, of course you do. Well then, provide good content because social networking is all about content. Good content, good social networking, excellent content, excellent social networking, louse content, lousy social networking.

Simple as that. Here's proof positive. People want something of value. They do not want fluff. Give them what they want and they come back, don't give them what they want and they don't come back.

So, it simple. It's effective. It works. give your customers what you want yourself. Quality.

This is not rocket science. It's marketing, it's value, it's providing a quality product.

You see, you are selling your social networking campaign for something more valuable than money; people's time.

See to it that your content is worth their time and the dollars will take care of themselves.

You are selling your social networking for something more valuable than money. Make sure it's worth it.

Do you want to be good at social networking? Yes, of course you do. Well then, provide good content because social networking is all about content. Good content, good social networking, excellent content, excellent social networking, louse content, lousy social networking.

Simple as that. Here's proof positive. People want something of value. They do not want fluff. Give them what they want and they come back, don't give them what they want and they don't come back.

So, it simple. It's effective. It works. give your customers what you want yourself. Quality.

This is not rocket science. It's marketing, it's value, it's providing a quality product.

You see, you are selling your social networking campaign for something more valuable than money; people's time.

See to it that your content is worth their time and the dollars will take care of themselves.

You are selling your social networking for something more valuable than money. Make sure it's worth it.

Do you want to be good at social networking? Yes, of course you do. Well then, provide good content because social networking is all about content. Good content, good social networking, excellent content, excellent social networking, louse content, lousy social networking.

Simple as that. Here's proof positive. People want something of value. They do not want fluff. Give them what they want and they come back, don't give them what they want and they don't come back.

So, it simple. It's effective. It works. give your customers what you want yourself. Quality.

This is not rocket science. It's marketing, it's value, it's providing a quality product.

You see, you are selling your social networking campaign for something more valuable than money; people's time.

See to it that your content is worth their time and the dollars will take care of themselves.

You are selling your social networking for something more valuable than money. Make sure it's worth it.

Do you want to be good at social networking? Yes, of course you do. Well then, provide good content because social networking is all about content. Good content, good social networking, excellent content, excellent social networking, louse content, lousy social networking.

Simple as that. Here's proof positive. People want something of value. They do not want fluff. Give them what they want and they come back, don't give them what they want and they don't come back.

So, it simple. It's effective. It works. give your customers what you want yourself. Quality.

This is not rocket science. It's marketing, it's value, it's providing a quality product.

You see, you are selling your social networking campaign for something more valuable than money; people's time.

See to it that your content is worth their time and the dollars will take care of themselves.

Ignore social networking at your peril. It is the most significant advancement in communications since the printing press.

Today, you can write and publish, at virtually no cost, anything you wish without the intervention of a publisher, agent, or editor. This situation has never existed in all of human history. People have always had to get their books, articles, newsletters approved by someone, or the material simply was not published. That situation no longer exists.

Just five years ago if you wanted publicity you had to get it from someone else, most likely by the traditional media of radio, television, newspapers and, to a degree, magazines and newsletters.

The Web and social networking offer you unparalleled access to hundreds of millions or people. Facebook alone has over 800 million members. When you add Twitter and LinkedIn you are well over one billion. Include a blog and the number is even larger.

Whatever it costs you in time and in out of pocket dollars is peanuts in comparison to what you get in return.

Consider:
• the cost of the Internet
• the cost of the programming that creates the Web
• the cost of creating Facebook and all the other social networking sites
• the cost to develop Google, Yahoo, and the other search engines

You can use these tools literally for the cost of the time you spend, or the cost of employee dollars. Now you see why we say that social networking is the most significant advancement since the printing press. The effect on our society, business, government, communications, on everything is immense.

Note. To be fair, other people feel that social networking is the most significant advancement since the industrial revolution. We respectfully disagree. When the history is written the early 21^st century will be remembered for giving birth to the communications age.

Please do not stay out of this. It is not in your best interest and that of you company to ignore this. Be careful, some business coaches and other business professionals do not agree with that.

Do your own research, don't accept what you're told because it's what you want to hear.


Wayne English
Web Content Rx
blog.WebContentRx.biz
WebContentRx.biz
Social Networking Initiative.com

Ignore social networking at your peril. It is the most significant advancement in communications since the printing press.

Today, you can write and publish, at virtually no cost, anything you wish without the intervention of a publisher, agent, or editor. This situation has never existed in all of human history. People have always had to get their books, articles, newsletters approved by someone, or the material simply was not published. That situation no longer exists.

Just five years ago if you wanted publicity you had to get it from someone else, most likely by the traditional media of radio, television, newspapers and, to a degree, magazines and newsletters.

The Web and social networking offer you unparalleled access to hundreds of millions or people. Facebook alone has over 800 million members. When you add Twitter and LinkedIn you are well over one billion. Include a blog and the number is even larger.

Whatever it costs you in time and in out of pocket dollars is peanuts in comparison to what you get in return.

Consider:
• the cost of the Internet
• the cost of the programming that creates the Web
• the cost of creating Facebook and all the other social networking sites
• the cost to develop Google, Yahoo, and the other search engines

You can use these tools literally for the cost of the time you spend, or the cost of employee dollars. Now you see why we say that social networking is the most significant advancement since the printing press. The effect on our society, business, government, communications, on everything is immense.

Note. To be fair, other people feel that social networking is the most significant advancement since the industrial revolution. We respectfully disagree. When the history is written the early 21^st century will be remembered for giving birth to the communications age.

Please do not stay out of this. It is not in your best interest and that of you company to ignore this. Be careful, some business coaches and other business professionals do not agree with that.

Do your own research, don't accept what you're told because it's what you want to hear.


Wayne English
Web Content Rx
blog.WebContentRx.biz
WebContentRx.biz
Social Networking Initiative.com