Use the 3 E's in social media. Educate, entertain engage. Dave the rapping Southwest airlines attendant does all three!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
SFIMA GoogleWorld Workshop Summary - In Case You Missed It!
On Friday, March 20th, SFIMA held a full day learning workshop focusing on getting optimized with Google and how to use many of the free tools that Google offers: Search, Pay Per Click Campaign Optimization, and Analytics.
The speakers: Joe Laratro, Jay Berkowitz, Zach Hoffman and Emily Pelosi all gave excellent insights on how to optimize your online presence and take advantage of the great tools from Google that you have at your disposal. The full day event included breakfast and lunch and some snack breaks while the speakers interchanged and switched topics.
I was so happy to hear such positive feedback from the attendees, everyone seemed to draw a lot from the speakers' knowledge base.
Here are 3 takeways from each speaker:
Zack Hoffman shared lots of great tips:
1. For Google Analytics, if you have multiple goals, you can only set up 2 goals with each analytics account, but if you set up multiple analytics accounts, you can monitor multiple goals.
2. Google Analytics: set up customizations and make sure to test your landing pages. The best performing A/B test pages should then be tested using the multivariate testing.
3. Google Adwords: Pay per click is now availabel for images, test some out and see what works for you.
Tips I gathered from Jay Berkowitz:
1. Page guidelines: 250 - 1000 words per page
2. Meta Tag Guidelines:
6 - 12 words in your meta title.
25 - 35 words in your meta description
about 12 keywords
H1 tag: 3 - 6 words
3. Make sure to brand yourself or brand your product with social media sites, take advantage of them, they are free. When using social media sites, make sure to follow proper guidelines and don't spam your new network of online friends.
Joe Laratro gave lots of great tips for webmasters to help with the indexing and optimization of your pages and great tools to monitor where you are at.
1. Check out Firefox plugins for webmasters, there are many that give you easy access to results and rankings. you can adjust the setting so that you can see the page the same way that the search engine spiders do without images, tables and the rest of the design attributes.
2. When you sign up for Google Webmaster Tools it gives you advantage over how your listings appear in Google, you can instruct Google to use your meta description as the description on the listings
3. If you have not checked out the Google Analytics and call reporting, its definitely a must, you can track ads to differen t phone numbers that Google gives you for free and you get all kinds of data that can be applied.
The last speaker of the day was Emily Pelosi from Office Depot.
Emily shared a wealth of information that she applies at www.officedepot.com.
1. Make sure that you add a title attribute in the html to all links, which is actually sort of an alt tag, but for links. It gives you an extra opportunity to add descriptive keywords about your link.
2. If a product has great customer reviews, make sure to use that when advertising that product.
3. A/B Testing in Analytics can often be made simple by testing 1 week on, then 1 week off.
If you missed it, you really should stay tuned for the next workshop, its a great day of learning and interaction with a group that is small enough for the speakers to answer individual questions, evaluate your site and you can get answers to specific questions that will definitely help your online business.
The speakers: Joe Laratro, Jay Berkowitz, Zach Hoffman and Emily Pelosi all gave excellent insights on how to optimize your online presence and take advantage of the great tools from Google that you have at your disposal. The full day event included breakfast and lunch and some snack breaks while the speakers interchanged and switched topics.
I was so happy to hear such positive feedback from the attendees, everyone seemed to draw a lot from the speakers' knowledge base.
Here are 3 takeways from each speaker:
Zack Hoffman shared lots of great tips:
1. For Google Analytics, if you have multiple goals, you can only set up 2 goals with each analytics account, but if you set up multiple analytics accounts, you can monitor multiple goals.
2. Google Analytics: set up customizations and make sure to test your landing pages. The best performing A/B test pages should then be tested using the multivariate testing.
3. Google Adwords: Pay per click is now availabel for images, test some out and see what works for you.
Tips I gathered from Jay Berkowitz:
1. Page guidelines: 250 - 1000 words per page
2. Meta Tag Guidelines:
6 - 12 words in your meta title.
25 - 35 words in your meta description
about 12 keywords
H1 tag: 3 - 6 words
3. Make sure to brand yourself or brand your product with social media sites, take advantage of them, they are free. When using social media sites, make sure to follow proper guidelines and don't spam your new network of online friends.
Joe Laratro gave lots of great tips for webmasters to help with the indexing and optimization of your pages and great tools to monitor where you are at.
1. Check out Firefox plugins for webmasters, there are many that give you easy access to results and rankings. you can adjust the setting so that you can see the page the same way that the search engine spiders do without images, tables and the rest of the design attributes.
2. When you sign up for Google Webmaster Tools it gives you advantage over how your listings appear in Google, you can instruct Google to use your meta description as the description on the listings
3. If you have not checked out the Google Analytics and call reporting, its definitely a must, you can track ads to differen t phone numbers that Google gives you for free and you get all kinds of data that can be applied.
The last speaker of the day was Emily Pelosi from Office Depot.
Emily shared a wealth of information that she applies at www.officedepot.com.
1. Make sure that you add a title attribute in the html to all links, which is actually sort of an alt tag, but for links. It gives you an extra opportunity to add descriptive keywords about your link.
2. If a product has great customer reviews, make sure to use that when advertising that product.
3. A/B Testing in Analytics can often be made simple by testing 1 week on, then 1 week off.
If you missed it, you really should stay tuned for the next workshop, its a great day of learning and interaction with a group that is small enough for the speakers to answer individual questions, evaluate your site and you can get answers to specific questions that will definitely help your online business.
Don't Miss the Next SFIMA Event April 9th
Thursday, 4-9-2009
The Role of Landing Pages in Improving Web Site Conversion
The Role of Landing Pages in Improving Web Site Conversion
An American Greetings case study: The Role of Landing Pages in Improving Web Site Conversion.
In this presentation, American Greetings will share how they improve the efficiency of their paid search program with post-click marketing.
Includes what worked, and what didn't, examples, results and how moving from a single optimized landing page to over 50 landing pages tightly matched to each individual search adgroup boosted conversions & ROI. Takeaways include best practices for running simple, high- impact A/B tests that any front-line marketer can easily implement and understand.
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Friday, March 27, 2009
Past President Maria Harrison Featured on Slide Share
Congratulations for SFIMA past president and founding board member, Maria Harrison; her presentation: "How a Web Presence Can Increase Your Bottom Line" is being featured on Slide Share today. Maria recently presented to the Broward County Cultural Arts Division this week. There are some really great tips for businesses, especially highlights for non profits on low cost ways to take advantage of Google tools and social media sites out there that offer many FREE ways to help you promote your business online.
Video & Pics from the March SFIMA Event
Using Search to Beat the Economic Blues
Video Recap:
Always a great way to review or catch up if you missed the last SFIMA event!
Here are some great photos taken at the event byJillian Baczewski from Becker Public Relations
Video Recap:
Always a great way to review or catch up if you missed the last SFIMA event!
Here are some great photos taken at the event byJillian Baczewski from Becker Public Relations
Lindsey Kammendel, BeyondROI, (Event Speaker)
Kim Presser, SLI Systems (Event Speaker)
Michele Scot, Translations.com (SFIMA Board Member)
Lauren Fernandes, Razorfish
Patricia Ramos, Translations.com
Megan Burns,
Irene Watts, JM Family
Joan Sparks, JM Family
Taigh White, Bank
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Turn Your Luck Around on St. Patrick's Day - Register for the SFIMA Workshop this Friday!
GoogleWorld Search Engine Marketing
1-Day Workshop in South Florida March 20
Signing Up For This Workshop WILL Increase Your Profits!
Join Us for a 1-Day Workshop Taught by Leading Professionals in Interactive Search Marketing:
The World of Google
Pay-per-Click, Optimization, Analytics & More
Friday, March 20, 2009
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Breakfast, lunch and snacks provided
Nova Southeastern University
3301 College Avenue, Ft. Lauderdale 33314
Rm 1124 Carl DeSantis Building
H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business
Budgets are tight, but this is one training opportunity sure to deliver immediate value, savings and ROI. You'll hear from speakers that have managed successful campaigns in numerous industries, including automotive, fast food, music, legal, and retail using Google's products and advanced tools. Plus you can network with fellow interactive marketers. This workshop is a follow up to the well-attended presentation given by Google's Sean Daily at SFIMA's January Meeting in Miami. You will learn how to increase your profits in less time while spending the same or less. All past SEM workshops have sold out so please sign up today.
The Agenda will include:
* Basic and Advance Search Engine Optimization & Pay-per-click
* Google case study
* Advanced strategies for landing page design and conversion
* Advanced tools for Analytics, AdWords, Editor and new Google Tools
* Social Media (including Twitter) and Advanced Search Strategies
* Live Site Analysis from the audience and much more
Member special - $99 (Early bird 50% off!)
Non-member - $249 (comes with full year membership)
Special student pricing - $25 - email John at: john@firstclassalliance.com for student registration. ID required
1-Day Workshop Taught by Leading Professionals in Interactive Search, About Pay-Per-Click, Optimization, Analytics and more to Effectively Engage Consumers and Drive Results. So register now!
| Event Presenters Emily Pelosi, Director, Online Advertising - Office Depot Emily Pelosi is the Director of Online Advertising for Office Depot where she holds responsibility for online advertising for www.officedepot.com, which includes search engine marketing, search engine optimization, email marketing, mobile advertising, media buying and planning, direct response, social networking, branding, and competitive intelligence. Joe Laratro, CEO - Tandem Interactive Joe Laratro is a recognized expert in the Search Engine marketing Industry and founder of Tandem Interactive, a company that designs online marketing strategies that will drive bottom line results. As one of the first 100 certified Google AdWords Professionals, he has developed and taught Search Marketing Training for the DMA, SEOClass, Network Solutions, and the University of San Francisco. Mr. Laratro has been quoted in numerous articles in Internet Retailer, eMarketer, DMNews, eWeek, MediaPost, and Target Marketing. Jay Berkowitz, CEO - TenGoldenRules.com Jay Berkowitz is a senior online marketing professional with over twenty years of marketing experience. He has managed marketing departments for Fortune 500 brands: Coca-Cola, Sprint and McDonald's Restaurants, and has developed online and offline strategies for AT&T and leading health and fitness website eDiets.com. Zach Hoffman, CEO - SEO.cc Zach Hoffman is the founder and CEO of Search Engine Operator ? SEO.cc. Zach has always been an entrepreneur at heart; while in college, before starting Search Engine Operator, he worked as an Independent Internet Marketing Consultant for local businesses and started a lead generation website focused on affiliate offer marketing. | ||
Learn more about the speakers
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| SFIMA Members: $99 with paid membership. | |
| Non-members: $249 (which includes annual SFIMA membership.) |
Upcoming Events
There is a full year of events in 2009. Watch www.sfima.com for new updates.
May 1, 2009
Third SoFIE Awards Gala Banquet Sponored by World Media
Visit www.sofieawards.com for more information
Consider treating clients or employees to this beautiful event, at a sponsor's table. A variety of sponsorships are available. For more information please contact:
| Travis Berger 917-804-5193 nne@sfima.com |
Stay connected with SFIMA member groups
Monday, March 16, 2009
The Miami Heat Shoots an Airball on Twitter
Just finished reading about the Miami Heat and Miami Dolphins Twitter accounts on Bill Hanifin's blog.
Both our local NFL and NBA teams have set up accounts on Twitter. You can follow the Heat: www.twitter.com/mheat and the Miami Dophins: www.twitter.com/DolphinsNFL. Evidently, Bill followed the heat just before attending a Heat basketball game at the 'Triple A' recently. He was quite dissapointed to find that they did not respon to his many attempts to contact them both before and during the game:
Follow SFIMA on Twitter: www.twitter.com/SFIMA
Both our local NFL and NBA teams have set up accounts on Twitter. You can follow the Heat: www.twitter.com/mheat and the Miami Dophins: www.twitter.com/DolphinsNFL. Evidently, Bill followed the heat just before attending a Heat basketball game at the 'Triple A' recently. He was quite dissapointed to find that they did not respon to his many attempts to contact them both before and during the game:
"Looking at the Heat Twitter account, they had posted 234 updates as of March 12 while the Dolphins were up to 6,393. Touchdown Dolphins, Airball Heat! The point is that the hype over new technologies usually precedes the reality of adoption by business.
The Heat is missing a huge opportunity. If you’ve been to an NBA game lately, the crowd would make you believe that recession is just a myth. I am certain that one modest promo per quarter tweeted by the Heat would evoke a massive response from the connected fans in the audience. There are multiple scenarios that I could dream up to drive engagement before, during, and after games, selling additional tickets and merchandise in the process. The cost to execute a Twitter promo program would be very low. Even Burnie, the mascot, could tweet ‘em up during his breaks."
Check out Bill's blog for the whole story.Follow SFIMA on Twitter: www.twitter.com/SFIMA
Friday, March 13, 2009
Using Search to Beat the Economic Blues (recap)
Last night's SFIMA event, Using Serach to Beat the Economic Blues, sponsored by SEO.cc and moderated by Taigh White, SFIMA's Vice President, went very well. Sitting on the panel was Jay Berkowitz, CEO and Founder of 10 Golden Rules; Zach Hoffman, CEO and Founder of SEO.cc; Lindsey Kammandel from Beyond ROI and Kim Presser, Director of Sales at SLI Systems. Each panelist provided a brief presentation of their company and some interesting tips for managing successful AdWords campaigns and managing websites for optimal performance on the search engines.
To start the panel off was Jay Berkowitz. He brought forth some interesting statistics. For instance, who knew that YouTube gets 25% of Googles search. Or, even more interesting as it is all the buzz right now in the interactive world, Twitter is "cracking at Google's armor" as their search is instantaneous. His example really seemed to sum things up. If you were trying to figure out what book to read and you turned to Google you would get various lists of best sellers but if you ask on Twitter you will receive feedback from actual people - instantly.
Next was Zach Hoffman. He presented great information on running a lucrative AdWords account. Some useful tips he provided were to duplicate campaigns and do day parting to see what time works best for your campaigns. This will help increase your return on investment as you aren't wasting clicks but are able to put more budget towards the time of day that actually works for your business. He then talked about Search Query Reports (SQR's) and how they can help uncover amazing keyword possibilities - both regular and negative keywords.
Then Lindsey Kammondel from Beyond ROI really hit the nail on the head with her presentation on longer tailed keywords and ad copy. She recommended the use of longer tailed keywords in your Pay Per Click campaigns as although those could lower your clicks it will increase your click through rate, quality score and most importantly, your return on investment. She then talked of ad copy and the importance of paying attention to detail, especially when using dynamic keyword insertion in your title or body of the ad copy.
The last speaker on the panel was Kim Pressor. She gave great insight into the search page of a site. Much was learned from her, such as the search page is the second most viewed page on a website after the home page. She also really brought home the importance of creating good landing pages and how to track clicks from site search.
Each panelist provided great information and their answers were right on track during the question and answer session. This SFIMA event was definitely a must see! Each panelist really knew their stuff as they were asked some very detailed and tough questions. Incredible job by everyone involved, both the panelists and the audience members who provided great questions.
To start the panel off was Jay Berkowitz. He brought forth some interesting statistics. For instance, who knew that YouTube gets 25% of Googles search. Or, even more interesting as it is all the buzz right now in the interactive world, Twitter is "cracking at Google's armor" as their search is instantaneous. His example really seemed to sum things up. If you were trying to figure out what book to read and you turned to Google you would get various lists of best sellers but if you ask on Twitter you will receive feedback from actual people - instantly.
Next was Zach Hoffman. He presented great information on running a lucrative AdWords account. Some useful tips he provided were to duplicate campaigns and do day parting to see what time works best for your campaigns. This will help increase your return on investment as you aren't wasting clicks but are able to put more budget towards the time of day that actually works for your business. He then talked about Search Query Reports (SQR's) and how they can help uncover amazing keyword possibilities - both regular and negative keywords.
Then Lindsey Kammondel from Beyond ROI really hit the nail on the head with her presentation on longer tailed keywords and ad copy. She recommended the use of longer tailed keywords in your Pay Per Click campaigns as although those could lower your clicks it will increase your click through rate, quality score and most importantly, your return on investment. She then talked of ad copy and the importance of paying attention to detail, especially when using dynamic keyword insertion in your title or body of the ad copy.
The last speaker on the panel was Kim Pressor. She gave great insight into the search page of a site. Much was learned from her, such as the search page is the second most viewed page on a website after the home page. She also really brought home the importance of creating good landing pages and how to track clicks from site search.
Each panelist provided great information and their answers were right on track during the question and answer session. This SFIMA event was definitely a must see! Each panelist really knew their stuff as they were asked some very detailed and tough questions. Incredible job by everyone involved, both the panelists and the audience members who provided great questions.
Monday, March 09, 2009
Don't Miss the Next SFIMA Event This Thursday!
Thursday, 3-12-2009
Using Search to Beat the Economic Blues, sponsored by SEO.cc
Upcoming Events
March 12, 2009
Using Search to Beat the Economic Blues, sponsored by SEO.cc
Register >> | Details >>
March 20, 2009
GoogleWorld Search Workshop
Details >>
April 9, 2009
Improving Website Conversion Rates
Details >>
May 1, 2009
2009 SOFIE Awards sponsored by WorldMedia
Details >>
June 11, 2009
International Marketing
Details >>
July 9, 2009
Online Publishing
Details >>
August 13, 2009
Emarketer CEO Geoff Ramsey
Details >>
September 10, 2009
Social Networking
Details >>
October 23, 2009
Nautical Networking Event
Details >>
December 10, 2009
Wine Social and Guru Bar
Details >>
Using Search to Beat the Economic Blues, sponsored by SEO.cc
In a tough economy it's more important that ever to spend your green efficiently. So for St. Patrick's day, the panel of experts will offer ten tips you can use this month to jump start sales using search marketing.
In addition to tips for beating the economic blues, they will cover:
• Leverage keyword discovery
• Ad copy - Call to action / A/B testing
• Long Tail - Low cost, high converting keyword expansion
• Measure your search ROI with solid conversion tracking
• Search Query Reports - Negative Keywords / New Ad Groups / New Keywords
• Day Parting - Conserve budget and advertise at most efficient hours
The panel will be moderated by SFIMA Vice President Taigh White. The nationally known experts are:
Jay Berkowitz from TenGoldenRules.com
Jay Berkowitz is a senior online marketing professional with over twenty years of marketing experience. He has managed marketing departments for Fortune 500 brands: Coca-Cola, Sprint and McDonald's Restaurants, and has developed online and offline strategies for AT&T and leading health and fitness website eDiets.com.
Mr. Berkowitz is the author of The Ten Golden Rules of Online Marketing Workbook, the Founder and CEO of www.TenGoldenRules.com, a strategic online marketing consulting business based in Boca Raton, Florida. He is the host of the Ten Golden Rules of Internet Marketing Podcast and an Adjunct Professor with the University of San Francisco Internet Marketing Course.
Zach Hoffman from SEO.cc
Zach Hoffman is the founder and CEO of Search Engine Operator – SEO.cc. Zach has always been an entrepreneur at heart; while in college, before starting Search Engine Operator, he worked as an Independent Internet Marketing Consultant for local businesses and started a lead generation website focused on affiliate offer marketing. Zach utilizes his finance and economics background to efficiently navigate the auction markets of Search Engines for Sponsored Search Marketing and algorithm knowledge to manipulate organic Search Engine Optimization rankings.
Lindsey Kammandel from BeyondROI
Lindsey has extensive experience in the paid search arena, and specializes in the ecommerce retail vertical (apparel, home furnishings, gifts, etc.). Analytics competencies include Omniture, Coremetrics and Google Analytics. Certifications include Yahoo!, MSN, and Google AdWords. Lindsey is responsible for managing online ad budgets in excess of $100k per month with strict focus on ROI and overall growth strategies. Prior to joining BeyondROI Lindsey was an Online Marketing Manager for a niche Internet Retailer, managing more than 250 sites. She graduated with a BSBA from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in marketing & advertising and received an MBA from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
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Upcoming Events
March 12, 2009
Using Search to Beat the Economic Blues, sponsored by SEO.cc
Register >> | Details >>
March 20, 2009
GoogleWorld Search Workshop
Details >>
April 9, 2009
Improving Website Conversion Rates
Details >>
May 1, 2009
2009 SOFIE Awards sponsored by WorldMedia
Details >>
June 11, 2009
International Marketing
Details >>
July 9, 2009
Online Publishing
Details >>
August 13, 2009
Emarketer CEO Geoff Ramsey
Details >>
September 10, 2009
Social Networking
Details >>
October 23, 2009
Nautical Networking Event
Details >>
December 10, 2009
Wine Social and Guru Bar
Details >>
Saturday, March 07, 2009
Prepare Now for New FTC Marketing Regulations
Many of us in the interactive marketing field may not use telemarketing phone messages as a marketing tool. However the upcoming change in the FTC rules is a good reminder to all marketers that keeping an updated and current list that meets all guidelines is definitely a best practice. Here is a great article by Mark Friedman for Media Post regarding the specifics of the new FTC telemarketing regulations.
The Importance of Planning For Sept. 1, 2009
In 2008, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) adopted an amended Telemarketer Sales Rule (TSR) citing consumer protection against unwanted marketing communications. As of December 1, 2008, prerecorded sales calls must provide an easy opt-out feature. More significantly, beginning September 1, 2009, automated sales communications can be delivered only to those recipients who have provided their "express written consent" to receive them. Having an existing business relationship (EBR) will no longer be sufficient approval for organizations to attempt to sell goods or services via an automated, prerecorded message.
The amended TSR rule is a game changer that offers organizations a strategic opportunity to impact long term success by enabling more targeted, effective marketing. Organizations need to act quickly to meet the deadline and maximize the percentage of consumers that they will be able to reach legally and cost-effectively.
Companies establish a brand impression with their customers -- the better and stronger the brand impression, generally the more profitable the relationship. Customer communications plays a major role in forming that brand impression. Yet how many organizations really know how each of its customers prefers to be communicated with? And under what circumstances?
For example, would customers want to learn about a special sale you are running via email, voice or text message, or direct mail-or maybe a combination? How would your customers want to hear about special offers just for loyalty/reward program members?
Consumers have their own communication preferences. Some want to receive emails, others voice messages, others text messages, and others would prefer to be called on their cell phones. Many would prefer to receive communications through a combination of channels. It is important to ask consumers directly how they want to be communicated with so you can develop a communication strategy that encompasses their preferences.
See this entire article on the Media Post Insider and don't miss the questions organizations should ask themselves.
The Importance of Planning For Sept. 1, 2009
In 2008, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) adopted an amended Telemarketer Sales Rule (TSR) citing consumer protection against unwanted marketing communications. As of December 1, 2008, prerecorded sales calls must provide an easy opt-out feature. More significantly, beginning September 1, 2009, automated sales communications can be delivered only to those recipients who have provided their "express written consent" to receive them. Having an existing business relationship (EBR) will no longer be sufficient approval for organizations to attempt to sell goods or services via an automated, prerecorded message.
The amended TSR rule is a game changer that offers organizations a strategic opportunity to impact long term success by enabling more targeted, effective marketing. Organizations need to act quickly to meet the deadline and maximize the percentage of consumers that they will be able to reach legally and cost-effectively.
Companies establish a brand impression with their customers -- the better and stronger the brand impression, generally the more profitable the relationship. Customer communications plays a major role in forming that brand impression. Yet how many organizations really know how each of its customers prefers to be communicated with? And under what circumstances?
For example, would customers want to learn about a special sale you are running via email, voice or text message, or direct mail-or maybe a combination? How would your customers want to hear about special offers just for loyalty/reward program members?
Consumers have their own communication preferences. Some want to receive emails, others voice messages, others text messages, and others would prefer to be called on their cell phones. Many would prefer to receive communications through a combination of channels. It is important to ask consumers directly how they want to be communicated with so you can develop a communication strategy that encompasses their preferences.
See this entire article on the Media Post Insider and don't miss the questions organizations should ask themselves.
Friday, March 06, 2009
Business Owners Beware!
As business owners, or even website owners, we are constantly bombarded with offers, advertisers, proposals, contracts, invoices, & bills. Because of a few shady business practices we have to be so cautious about what comes across our desk everyday. Much like fraudulent emails, after a while you learn to distinguish what really is from Paypal or Ebay and we learn to ignore all the "Business Proposals" and International Lotteries that we sadly have not won. Here are a few billing scams that I receive all the time that I wanted to take the opportunity to make other aware of some of the unscrupulous business practices that really bug me.
Most website owners are probably familiar with this type of "bill":
Like most website owners, I have all of my domain names set on auto renewal with my registrar of choice. If I had a book keeper or secretary, they might get easily confused and think this needs to be paid. Problem is, the $30.00 per year renewal rate is more than 4 times the amount that I pay to renew my domains! I get at least one of these notices each month. In all fairness to the company that issued this notice, at least they mention that paying this bill will transfer and renew the domain name and mention in bold that it is not a bill; but the obvious bill appearance and large amount of text on the page really camouflages that. To a novice, this looks like a bill and might get paid. I am sure this works, and that is why it is continually done; however, this is far away from industry best practices. A good tip is to make sure that your domains are "locked" with your registrar so that just in case this is accidentally or inadvertently filled out, you can keep your domain name protected and un-do the mistake.
Rant #2 today is also regarding mail that I am sent several times per year regarding the labor law posters that most businesses with employees are required to display. Here is a copy of what I received in the mail:
Hmmm. . . Final Notice - looks ominous! Again, a secretary, assistant, or bookkeeper might react to this and pay this "bill". All the "legal looking" fine print in this letter recites the legal jargon regarding posting labor law posters that business are required to post. It further warns that if you do not comply you can be fined $17,000.00 in addition to being sued by disgruntled employees! WOW! Better get this poster AND FAST! HUH?
Funny thing is, I get these posters from our employee leasing company for FREE! That's right, they can be obtained for free! I believe that you can also get them from the county your business is registered in, also for FREE. Yet, this company is trying to bully their way into selling you this otherwise free poster for quite the ridiculous fee of $29.95! You can also opt to have it laminated (ooh, ahhh) for an additional $10.00 and they are doing you the favor of offering you a "deal" too: a frame worth $19.95 for only $3.95. Don't forget the $5.95 for shipping. So in the end, you can waste $49.85 on this poster that is normally issued for free.
Running a business is stressful enough without false notices and fake bills to have to contend with. Don't you agree? I welcome all views and comments on this topic!
Most website owners are probably familiar with this type of "bill":
Like most website owners, I have all of my domain names set on auto renewal with my registrar of choice. If I had a book keeper or secretary, they might get easily confused and think this needs to be paid. Problem is, the $30.00 per year renewal rate is more than 4 times the amount that I pay to renew my domains! I get at least one of these notices each month. In all fairness to the company that issued this notice, at least they mention that paying this bill will transfer and renew the domain name and mention in bold that it is not a bill; but the obvious bill appearance and large amount of text on the page really camouflages that. To a novice, this looks like a bill and might get paid. I am sure this works, and that is why it is continually done; however, this is far away from industry best practices. A good tip is to make sure that your domains are "locked" with your registrar so that just in case this is accidentally or inadvertently filled out, you can keep your domain name protected and un-do the mistake.
Rant #2 today is also regarding mail that I am sent several times per year regarding the labor law posters that most businesses with employees are required to display. Here is a copy of what I received in the mail:
Hmmm. . . Final Notice - looks ominous! Again, a secretary, assistant, or bookkeeper might react to this and pay this "bill". All the "legal looking" fine print in this letter recites the legal jargon regarding posting labor law posters that business are required to post. It further warns that if you do not comply you can be fined $17,000.00 in addition to being sued by disgruntled employees! WOW! Better get this poster AND FAST! HUH?
Funny thing is, I get these posters from our employee leasing company for FREE! That's right, they can be obtained for free! I believe that you can also get them from the county your business is registered in, also for FREE. Yet, this company is trying to bully their way into selling you this otherwise free poster for quite the ridiculous fee of $29.95! You can also opt to have it laminated (ooh, ahhh) for an additional $10.00 and they are doing you the favor of offering you a "deal" too: a frame worth $19.95 for only $3.95. Don't forget the $5.95 for shipping. So in the end, you can waste $49.85 on this poster that is normally issued for free.
Running a business is stressful enough without false notices and fake bills to have to contend with. Don't you agree? I welcome all views and comments on this topic!
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Video Highlights from SFIMA February Peer to Peer Networking Event
If you missed the last SFIMA event here is a great review and recap. Never been to a SFIMA event? This will kind of give you an idea of what it is like to attend a meeting and see what some attendees have to say about SFIMA meetings and get togethers.
Did you attend the February meeting? Did your enjoy the peer or peer networking question and answer session? Have suggestions or ideas for another meeting topic similar to this one? Please let us know!
Make sure to attend some of the upcoming SFIMA events that the board of directors has worked really hard planning and putting together a great, entertaining and education schedule for the rest of 2009. See SFIMA.com for details.
Did you attend the February meeting? Did your enjoy the peer or peer networking question and answer session? Have suggestions or ideas for another meeting topic similar to this one? Please let us know!
Make sure to attend some of the upcoming SFIMA events that the board of directors has worked really hard planning and putting together a great, entertaining and education schedule for the rest of 2009. See SFIMA.com for details.
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
March Forth on March Fourth!
Today is March 4th and traditionally this is a day for optimism and a day to move forward. Positivity has been a hard thing to come by lately, so lets use this day to create something positive & forward thinking.
This will mean different things to different people, please take a moment to think about what it means to you. Smile and be positive - MARCH FORTH!
The HR and employee leasing company, Gevity, celebrates March 4th each year with a picnic and encourages their employees to take the day off to take the day on. Here is their motto about it:
March Forth Day is a day to celebrate yourself–to challenge yourself to push the envelope to newer and better frontiers. By adopting a March Forth mindset throughout the year, the impossible can become possible.
This will mean different things to different people, please take a moment to think about what it means to you. Smile and be positive - MARCH FORTH!
The HR and employee leasing company, Gevity, celebrates March 4th each year with a picnic and encourages their employees to take the day off to take the day on. Here is their motto about it:
March Forth Day is a day to celebrate yourself–to challenge yourself to push the envelope to newer and better frontiers. By adopting a March Forth mindset throughout the year, the impossible can become possible.
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