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I have the philosophy of ‘Never Stop Learning’. And to that end, I often research my own industry on the internet, in bookstores and wherever else I can find relevant information.

Recently, I wanted to learn more about what others were doing, so I looked to my peers. Looking at one of the industry networking sites, I did a search on ‘E Marketing’ or ‘Internet Marketing’, I forget which and it really doesn’t matter.

At any rate, I came up with 178 listings. The first one I looked at was very impressive. It was an all Flash site with beautiful, high quality graphics, clear message and well done layout. You couldn’t miss the call to action. The client list was also impressive. From a marketing standpoint, it was great.

However, when I tried to find the site with an outside search, I was not able to find it at all. I expected that this would be the case because it is difficult to get good rankings for Flash sites. The reason is simple: They are only one page in the SE’s eye. That makes it difficult to build up a list of quality links. Limitations on keywords and content relevance and all that. But I liked the site and thought it did a good job of marketing itself. From all appearances, they are very successful.

The next site I looked at was junk. So were the next 8 or 10. I gave up and left. But the more I thought about what I had seen, the more pissed off I became. I also got curious about just what else was there. Surely, it couldn’t all be that bad. As it turns out, it was.

So if you are looking for some kind words and praise, forget it. I have never seen so much crap in all my life. In total, I found two sites that were worthy of the ‘Marketing’ label. Two out of 178. Yuck!

Want to know what I found? Too bad, I’m going to tell you anyway.

OK, so here goes:

Violating the First Rule of Websites:

If it ain’t finished, don’t put it up! Sorry, but ‘Under Construction’ is not a marketing strategy. Get out of the business now before you start wasting other people’s time and your money. If you don’t know any better than that, you shouldn’t be allowed on the internet, much less anywhere near marketing.

An E Marketer listing without a website.

Huh? That one is too stupid to waste any more words on.

Website made of cheap, probably free, templates.

I found more than one of these, believe it or not. Static pages, stock photos and the text that went with them was even worse. Lame phrases without direction or purpose. Certainly no skill shown, outstanding or otherwise. Looked like someone had subscribed to some “You Can Make a Million Dollars from Your Kitchen Table” program. Good marketing is about differentiating yourself from the competition. These people certainly managed to differentiate themselves! Unfortunately, that doesn’t go in the plus column.

The Fancy Website

They have gotten caught up in making it beautiful and forgotten to address the needs of the visitor. Remember the old adage: Words sell, pictures don’t. Pictures and graphics are there to relieve eye strain, relax the mind and support, not replace, your message. Never forget why you’re on the web in the first place. Customers need help or information, give it to them.

Dim and/or Small Fonts

I know it is all the rage to use gray fonts to cut down on eye strain, but these sites gave me a headache trying to find the text on the page. Some of it was so small it must have been in 6 point type. Put the two together and you have given your visitors a great reason to hit the easy-to-find Back button. I certainly didn’t waste any time.

“We Specialize In”

Followed by a list of no less than thirty things they specialize in. You must be joking! You call that specializing? First rule of online marketing: Don’t try to be all things to all people. Pick the one or two things (max three) you do well and/or are the most lucrative and specialize in those. If you try to be an expert in everything, you are an expert in nothing. Get off the web.

Oh, Yes. Many services and no specialties

Same as above but in the opposite direction. Usually the presentation is all over the place and it is impossible to tell just what they do do. That is probably an apt description, come to think of it.

Insider Jargon

Especially on links. Who are you writing your copy for, yourself? There are such things as clients, you know. Or maybe you don’t. My clients haven’t the faintest idea what some of our jargon means, and I don’t use it around them. They aren’t in the business. They have better things to do. That’s why they need us.

Social Media Experts

With no sign of any social media to be found. Great. Very impressive. No links to social networking sites, no videos, nothing but old static pages. Whoopee.

Call to Action

Weak, hard to find or none at all. On some sites I hunted for several minutes and still could not find anything about how to contact them, sign up for their newsletter, download a report or anything else. Yet it was obvious this was a sales page, not just informational. Love to see the ROI on these sites.

Big Claims

Big claims, but not using their so-called expertise on their own site. I checked some of the keywords they were targeting and many were for things few or no one was searching for. There were cases where the keywords listed in the meta tag were not even used on the page, much less in headlines or links.

They also didn’t rank. Again, when I searched their keywords, they didn’t even place anywhere near the top three or four pages. And you expect me to buy your marketing expertise? How long do you suppose I have to think that one over?

Unrelated Subject Matter

On more than one site, I landed on pages that had nothing to do with internet marketing even though that was what the link was supposed to be about. Didn’t take long to exit those pages either.

And the Winner Is…

My all time personal favorite:

An entire landing page written in long copy form on why you changed your name? Who cares? So you chose a crappy name to start with and now you are changing it to another crappy name? Nobody searches your name, dummy. Not even your mother. I don’t care if you changed your name. I phoned my mother. She didn’t care either. I guess nobody cares. What does that tell you?

OK, now that I’ve had a bit of fun at your expense, let’s take a look at what to do about it. First, back up and take a hard look at your website and your marketing message. You are supposed to be in the marketing business. You are supposed to be an expert. Do you see any of those things I saw on your site? Was I talking about you? If you see any of those things I pointed out here, you would be better off to just scrap it and start over. Or go sell hamburgers.

I don’t know about you, but here’s what I do: When I engage a new client, or even start a new web page, I start with just one question. No matter if I already know the answer, I ask it anyway: “In three words or less, tell me what business you are in.” I guess that’s a question. Anyway, if they can’t answer in three words, work with them until they can. This is important. It has to do with focus. You don’t want them to name ten things they do. If they do many things, get the most important. Save the others for other websites or pages.

Next, use that core business as the seed for keyword research. Make a short list of keywords that meet the four critical rules of keywords:

Relevant to the business

Good Traffic – Notice that I didn’t say searches. That’s different
Low Competition – Not too many competing documents
High Monetization – They are profitable to pursue

Don’t guess at keywords. Don’t choose keywords you think people search for and certainly don’t use keywords you would search for. That will ensure your business fails before it even starts. That’s why we do research, to eliminate guessing. We want proven, hard numbers behind our decisions.

For each target keyword, go on the internet and search people and competition who are discussing this subject. Look for hot buttons, weak spots, likes and dislikes. Is there a lot of chatter? Good, that means there is a market for the product or service. And while you are doing this, look for other keywords you and the search engines might have missed. Use the terms people on the internet are using.

Now, build a marketing plan for each of the keywords. Use the information gathered from above. Address issues, offer solutions, define goals and benchmarks. Do not include selling.

Starting with the best keyword, (The one that best meets the four criteria) write content around the subject. Do not sell. Make your content informative, educational, and/or helpful. Address issues and offer solutions as defined above. Continue with other keywords, working your way down the list.

Decide on a theme and select colors and graphics to support the theme.

Now and only now are we ready to start building a site or a new page. Start with your most important subject/keyword and build a basic page. Name it WhateverTheKeywordIs.htm or whatever. But use the keyword as the page name. Be sure the keyword appears in the title, meta tags, headlines and copy body. But refrain from keyword stuffing. You won’t have to. If your subject is well written and written for people, it will achieve top rank as it is.

All this is just a simplified framework, but you get the idea. The web page is just there to carry your message. So deliver your message in as clear and exciting way you can. And don’t forget to have fun.

Counting Scale – The Smart Way to Use Technology

Technology is not just about high flying things like a space shuttle or about complex issues such as the latest advances in medical electronics. Technology can touch our every day lives in ways that we can’t imagine but are so simple and elegant that when you learn of the convenience you will feel that you too could have though of the technological innovation.

Take for example the fact that weighing scales have been around for a long time. And in recent decades with the arrival of digital scales their accuracy and reliability has scaled new heights. And the cost is so reasonable that we can easily afford to buy them. Therefore digital scales have pervaded our homes and our industry and it has been like a world wide wave as people have embraced the technologically superior digital scales.

Now consider that while performing many different types of tasks a need to count arises. Whether they are small electronic components or precious pieces of jewelry they are to be counted in large numbers and each individual piece is small. To do it manually is painstaking work which though not difficult still requires an epic ability to concentrate for long periods of time. Because if a doubt creeps in and an error is suspected then one has to start all over again.

But thanks to the innovative counting scale this task becomes very easy to do and the accuracy levels will go up as well. A counting scale is a sensitive digital scale which will have a sensitivity that is higher than the weight of a single piece that has to be counted. Therefore as pieces are added the counting scale will increase the count. And if an entire lot of pieces is placed on the counting scale then it can directly tell you how many pieces are there in the lot.

Counting scales are therefore refined digital scales that have a higher sensitivity so that even small components that do not weigh much can be counted. They save you time and money and do away with the need for people to perform tedious tiresome tasks. You can see the latest counting scales at www.paylessscales.com.

Bags Eco & Environmental Concerns

Environmentalists around the planet are voicing their concerns over an incredibly increasing problem that is facing the world. This problem is waste and pollution that is spreading across the globe. A large portion of this waste is caused by the usage of plastic bags. They have suggested the use of bags eco friendly, so they would be able to cut bag on the accumulation of trash that is found from the land to the oceans. Plastic bags have caused death among much of the sea life. They have become entangles in this debris, or have also mistaken these bags for food or predators, and consumed them.

There are many plastic bag manufacturers who are not heading this warning, and this can cause a devastating effect on the entire Earth. There are approximately 500 billion plastic bags produced each year, and this number also reflects the amount of waste after these bags have been used. Switching to other bags eco friendly can dramatically change the outcome. This is a situation that has been growing in the minds of environmentalists. Many options exist for eco friendly bags that can be reused many different times. These are changes that can benefit everyone in the long run.

Sometimes there are damages to the environment that cannot be helped or reversed. The impact of using plastic bags can be helped, and future damage can be prevented. The easiest way that this problem can be remedies is by switching from plastic bags to bags eco friendly. This is an inexpensive change that many people are capable of making without much effort. If this change was made by even half of the people, there would be a dramatic impact that would improve the longevity of the Earth’s environment.

The environmental concerns that face the world are mainly caused by damage that people are responsible for. This is damage that is avoidable. Choosing plastic bags offer no real benefits to people other than the availability of these bags inside the grocery store. Using bags that are eco friendly can be a convenient option as well. They can be easily stored in the truck of any car, or even under the seat of a car. They fold up very nicely, and take up very minimal space. This type of change can only benefit the environment in the long run, but the alternative of not changing can cause devastating results to the Earth that will be irreversible.

Mobile Application Development Meegos Developmental Phase

MeeGo is an open source operating system developed by Nokia developers to prevent constant decline in Nokia’s mobile market share. However, MeeGo could be life-saving and at the same time could be a breakthrough for Nokia, likewise, Apple had way back with the launch of touch friendly iOS.

MeeGo integrates Intel’s Moblin built in Linux, and Maemo by Nokia to provide best of both mobile application development platforms that have essentially comprehensive computing and communication technologies. MeeGo development ecosystem will offer developers comfort and feasibility to create wide variety of interactive mobile applications for devices like smartphones, tablets, TV and netbooks. MeeGo’s easy connectivity feature, range of device platform support and intelligent use of cloud technology, takes it to next generation of mobile technology that may take it further to challenge its contemporaries. But generalization of MeeGo as successful upcoming OS would be highly exaggeration because it is yet to be launched, though in development phase it has proven its worth but still market dynamics will justify its worthiness and acceptability.

MeeGo 1.2 core OS

Recently, MeeGo 1.2 core OS has been launched that provide compatibility across Intel Atom and ARMv7 platforms for various devices. Tablets, smartphones and notebooks will provide key market to MeeGo 1.2 core OS. MeeGo 1.2 core OS is engineered to include enhance multimedia support, advance connectivity support, refined mobile hotspot tethering capability, and extended support to Qt mobile application development APIs. On MeeGo 1.2 core, it is easy to develop highly rich and advance mobile applications quite speedily.

MeeGo Powered N9

More recently, Nokia re-launched N9 powered by MeeGo operating system. N9 is being labelled by critics as niche product that may find little space for itself. Nokia’s reiteration of keeping Windows Mobile OS as primary platform has further provided relevance to N9′s label. Nevertheless, market dynamics are not controlled by critic’s statements though it may impact to some certain extent but such an outright statement before launch could send negative vibes to market. Moreover, Nokia’s clear gesture towards focusing on Windows Mobile OS 7 that is expected to launch sometime later in 2011, could divert attention of Nokia’s aficionados from MeeGo.

Well, coming over again to N9, it is immensely advance, trendy, cool and one level above all its contemporaries. MeeGo empowers N9 to switch through mobile applications and multitask at the swipe of a finger. MeeGo OS intuitive technology simplifies N9′s usability and make it a fun to use and intelligent to work on. N9′s 3.9 inches AMOLED display gives it a fashionable look and unmatched screen view, in addition to this MeeGo OS enhances its utility and looks fourfold with innovative user interface integrated with intelligent design.

The most distinct feature on MeeGo powered N9 is three home views. First home view offer organization of mobile applications and instant access, second home view provide uninterrupted connectivity of online social networking feeds and updates, and the last one carries options to switch over from one app to another app.

Lastly, 8Mega Pixel camera, and fast web browser makes the MeeGo powered N9 experience absolutely out of the world.

However, there are cons as well beside all these pros in MeeGo powered N9. Firstly, MeeGo is untested operating system which is yet to receive its market verdict. Secondly, MeeGo is still not included into Nokia’s core platforms like Symbian and Windows Mobile OS. Lastly, unlike popular mobile OS like iOS, Palm OS, Symbian OS, WindowsMobileOS etc. MeeGo does not enjoy large-sized communities and large mobile app library and marketplace.

In the nutshell, MeeGo will have to prove its worth, and determined efforts by Nokia and developers will only take it long way, eventually leading to prove its mettle amongst mobile application development OS leaders.

Cavity Wall Insulation

In some houses, external walls are made of two layers with a small gap or ‘cavity’ between them. This means they are ‘cavity walls’. The main reason for building cavity walls is that they provide resistance to rain penetration and provide sound insulation. The cavity serves as a way to drain water back out through weep holes in the base of the wall system. However, a cavity wall system may cause energy losses. If your buillding has two wall layers with at least 50 mm gap between them then you should consider having cavity wall insulation. Homes built between 1930 and 1995 generally require cavity wall insulation. Those built later commonly have insulation and those built earlier generally have solid walls. However, for the certain answer you should ask an installer. Cavity wall insulation is an effective way to save energy and money at home. A well insulated house keeps warmth exactly where you need it – indoors. While you are spending a considerable amount of your annual income on heating expenses keeping the heat gnerated in the house would be the besst way of effective heating.

Cavity wall insulation can also help to reduce condensation inside the house if it is a problem on external walls. You can save typically 40% by just cavity wall insulation. Cavity wall insulation is so cost effective that it will pay for itself over and over again. The better insulated your home, the less energy you need to keep it warm – and the more money you’ll save.

Common materials for cavity wall insulation are:

Mineral wool, spun from glass or rock
Urea formaldehyde foam
Expanded polystyrene beads
proprietary brands, made from recycled newspaper

Cavity wall insulation slows down the rate at which heat escapes, keeping as much of it as possible inside your home for as long as possible. Insulation makes it much more difficult for heat to pass through your walls by filling up the cavity with a material with lots of air pockets in it.

Cavity wall insulation has some more additional benefits.

They provide extra sound insulation
In addition to this, as you will be burning less fuel for heating the carbon emission of your house will be less and so does your contribution to global warming.
The building energy rating of your house will increase. In Ireland it is now a must to have a BER assessment for all houses to be sold or let.
Having a higher BER the market value of your house will increase as the new tenants or buyers will not need to spend much on energy efficiency issues.

Having cavity wall insulation is not something you can do on your own. You need to find a registered installer for cavity wall insulation. They are going to assess yuour building and your needs so your cavity wall insulation is not going to be a problem when it needs to be a relief.

Our Company And The Wildlife

Author: I have heard in this year’s “two sessions” you have one on “capital construction swift tower, extension of the Olympic mascots,” the proposal, this proposal can also be seen in the study of birds and your liking. Guo Geng: Yes, ah, I do consider this proposal is the large number of contemporary agriculture and forestry use of pesticides caused by environmental pollution, ecological damage, species loss, especially for human health hazards. And biological pest control, especially through the role of birds feeding on insects, inhibition of pests, it is the safety factor, side effects of small, friendly life, respect for ecological law, and all things in harmony, one of the most economical manner, consistent with the scientific Development and environment-friendly concept. In the thousands of birds, insectivorous Swift ability is extraordinary.

But now the buildings, none of the bird habitat could be considered old-fashioned house with a roof less and less, Swift increasingly homeless. According to relevant resources on the Beijing area and status of Swift survey of the Beijing 3000 Swift remaining only to the Forbidden City, for example, record 360 in 1964, recording 410 in 1974, but only found 64 in 2000, and The situation is worrying decline every year, so protect the Swift imminent. The good news is that the introduction of the Beijing 2005 Olympic Games in Beijing, Yan is one of the mascots, which for people concerned about the Swift, Swift protection, provides an excellent opportunity. Swift the Martin House, the Chinese official name of Swift Beijing, Beijing, “Beijing Swift,” the place of origin, age of scientific discovery to 1870. In fact, since ancient times they were regarded as auspicious and prosperous Beijing along with the signs of autumn to the spring, going out. Swift flew each Spring in March, after having children in Beijing, in late August and went back south. Swift is a well-known carnivorous beneficial bird, a Swift during the day to capture the 4000-6000 brood insects, one can eat 250,000 insects in summer, the insects are caught enough to have lined up to a kilometer long. Swift’s survival, but also as an indicator species in the urban environment, biological pest control and biodiversity value can not be ignored.

The characteristics of our species through the Beijing Expansion and love, to nature conservation, biological inheritance and folk traditions, Yanjing combination of local culture to explore, to reach the green, technology and human communion, which is a very meaningful thing . Running around calling me speechless creatures to those who, because they are weak and the author: I heard that you are in college, trade professional. After graduating from the import and export service company in Beijing Zhengda to do import and export trade. Increase in the stage is in the business, Why did you choose your own experience with no relation to animal protection, environmental protection work?

Guo Geng: can not say that had nothing. From the well-known for my father turned out to be Xuanwu District Environmental Protection Bureau. And I have always liked animals, large animals have a special interest. But the entrance did not sit with the animal-related professions, but apply the Renmin University of China Trade. Because I think my math is not good, professional candidates are not much hope of Science in zoology and a graduate himself that trade would be to eat the five years after graduation, I have been engaged in import and export trade. Despite been no small achievement, but I am already bored of the business career. I often think of a question is: I can not find my happiness! Is my life so it?

In 1987, our company and the Wildlife Conservation Society Ministry of Forestry has established a joint planning for endangered wildlife breeding center. It makes me particularly excited, as if I opened another new world for the door. I remember it was my 26th birthday, I came to the southern suburbs of Beijing Daxing Yufa in a place called Dong Hu Lin, endangered animal breeding centers built in the patch of woods. First day at work, leading to primates and pheasants I choose a breeding animal, I think cute monkey, particularly smart, so I chose the golden monkey primates. After that, I had also raised gibbons, chimpanzees, monkeys, capuchin monkeys and other small and large variety of monkeys.
I: Then you determined the cause of animal protection to a lifetime in it?

Guo Geng: No, frankly, at that time to the domestication center, but simply that the animals can have some fun, it means to escape, escape the intrigues of the sea. But over time, I found myself slowly beginning to understand animals, their every move she makes a show of hands, a look soon called upon, will touch me. With more and more deeply with their feelings, I began to think: why it in a cage, but I took a bunch of keys on the outside, which face the prisoners with the governor any different? I think more and more intense inner guilt. When you see the chimps in the cage in the hands protruding from his mouth issued to you, “hum hum” sound, look at you with a seek time, who can remain indifferent? ! Finally I began to understand that a simple animal breeders keep the cage can not help them. So I want to become a wild animal researchers, educators, protectors.

Janitorial Supply Companies Role In Ergonomic Equipment And Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products

There are several trends that janitorial supply companies are following in the production and distribution of commercial cleaning products. Two of the biggest trends are products that are both environmentally and ergonomically friendly. Many standard commercial maintenance products contain volatile chemicals that can be hazardous to employees and visitors of buildings. They reduce indoor air quality and pollute the water. Also, standard cleaning equipment can cause harm to the body when used the wrong way. These trends are becoming the solution for health, safety, and productivity in the work place.

The movement towards eco friendly cleaning products supports health and environmental concerns. For instance, janitorial supply companies distribute EPA (environmental protection agency) registered disinfectants and disinfection devices. These zero-toxicity cleaning products are used to sanitize desks, restrooms, and common areas that are touched by hands and food on a daily basis. This is important for the reduction of the spread of germs and viruses which can lead to illnesses such as the flu. The significance the “zero-toxicity” in the products reduces harmful fumes that may get in the lungs and destroy skin cells with accidental contact. These eco friendly cleaning products can be distinguished by the Green Seal label. This label confirms that the product meets the strict requirements of the EPA and is safe for use in the work place.

Another trend that janitorial supply companies are leaning towards is ergonomic design in their products. Ergonomic equipment is designed and tested to fit the human body’s movement and cognitive ability. This leads to better health and productivity for the employees using the products to maintain the buildings. The goal of using this equipment is to reduce the chances of straining muscles and causing injury. The cognitive side to ergonomic design helps with muscle memory and motor response. This leads to process involved in cleaning spaces to move at a quick and efficient pace. For example, ergonomic commercial vacuums are made lightweight, with larger wheels, and with specialized grip that fits the hands comfortably. This will reduce the stress on the muscles used to push the vacuum back and forth. This will also reduce the vibrations of the vacuum that also inflict stress on the body.

The role of janitorial supply companies is an integral part of the daily work flow. They provide the products to facilities managers to maintain the cleanliness in your work place. Ergonomics will help janitors clean the office building with ease and comfort. Eco friendly approach cleaning products will decrease the domino effect which can take place in an unhealthy work environment. The trends are becoming an integral part of the relationship between janitorial supply companies and their clients.

iPhone 4 White Contract Superb Offers With Impressive Gadget

The Apple’s iPhone 4 is an alluring handy gadget with beautifully contoured edge in a white case, is package of hi- tech features and wonderful performance. This mobile gizmo has pulled the attention of the public and gained a differential place in the industry of UK market of mobile phones. Here is a great news for all those Apple fans who willing to buy the newer products of this reputed manufacturer but take their step back because of unaffordable prices but you do not need to worry anymore as iPhone 4 White Contract is now available with best of network services like Vodafone, Virgin, O2, Orange, T Mobile, 3 Mobile and so on.

In order to get Apple IPhone 4 White Contract, you are required to make a bond of 12, 18, 24 or 36 months with the network services. Contract phones require the customers to make the payment of the mobile bill at the end of the month. This contract does not allow the customer to change their network service before their agreement gets over and as soon as the contract finishes, you can switch to any network service as per your wish. If you want to continue with the same service you can do so by extending the time period of the agreement. Free gifts and incentives such as LCD TV, free mobile insurance, iPods, instant cash back, Laptops and many more are also offered as a part of this mobile phone deal. Other exciting offers such as free text messages, extra talk time, night minutes, free downloading, web access and so on are also provided with this fabulous deal.

Other most prevalent iphone 4 contract deals include pay as you go and SIM Free deals. Different deals benefits the customers with different services. All these deals are made accordance to the preferences of the customers and their requirements. Various online portals are available in web that provides the entire description and comparisons of various mobile phones which are available with different handset and mobile networks. You can choose the best of mobile deal with just one click.

Sigma Computers, German Engineering at It’s Finest