Journal
Cell Every Thing
Saturday, 09 January 2010 03:08
Amazon Kindle, iPhone, Apple Slate, Nintendo DS...
Recently, I've been watching technology advancements for cellular devices. I purposely signed up for no less than twenty email newsletters from all over the world. (Don't try this at home! I'll explain in another post). Over the last decade, cellular technologies have morphed at an incomprehensible rate. Email marketing, reading books, even tracking retail sales figures in real time—cell phones, PDAs, and now digital tablets are out-computing traditional desktop computers. If there is one conclusion to draw from the technology buzz it's that for the casual computer user, a mobile device will replace the computer on his desk...in this decade.
Certainly, mobile devices will be among several options on the market, but there will be pressure on businesses, large and small, to produce mobile media. First, many households are already dropping conventional telephone service and desktop computers for mobile-only devices. As momentum increases, mobile-friendly marketing will go from "optional" to "necessary."
Second, recent changes in how customer records are stored and processed will reduce the dependence on muscular desktop machines. Database storage and processing is largely shifting to a system called cloud computing. "Clouds" are high-end networks of database computers partitioned into rentable space for giants like Amazon.com and Yahoo.com. In turn, those giants might lease space to midgets like Chilies Restaurant or Trader Joes. Market prices and technology innovation ultimately force changes in consumer habits.
In the late 90s, many companies were still doubting the influence of a simple website. Some small businesses and organizations are still very much behind the latest technology. However, a quick look review of the industry now may reveal ways to by-pass traditional investments and move directly to more efficient and more economical computer systems. The moral of the story: break the mold of replacing old desktop computers with slightly less old desktop computers. Consider your next technology upgrade in light of faster, cheaper, smarter, lighter products.
Fun with Your Own Legos
Thursday, 07 May 2009 17:00
The fun in a Lego set is that you can build something interesting with just a few pieces. Then, when you feel like it you can add more pieces or rework everything. No matter how you arrange the blocks, they always fit together.
For a sizable fortune, corporations hire ad agencies to create an assortment of building blocks for an entire year of advertising. Whenever an ad is needed, someone creates it using those building blocks—the Legos—that all fit together.
The Lego set concept is ageless and for many of us, it drives our fashion, meal planning, architectural, even marketing choices. Except with marketing, there's the matter of media and technology which is not so ageless.
In a nutshell, starting with a single piece of marketing collateral, the colors, style, mood, textures, shapes you choose become the building blocks for additional pieces. This is the groundwork for your brand. This is also the emphasis in the Pearson, Stan Sargeant, and Caring Nanny projects. Each marketing piece is created from the building blocks established by the first piece. Lego set marketing is a common sense approach which should save you about half a billion dollars.
Just remember, the most minimal combination of your building blocks can communicate your brand. And as your brand becomes increasingly familiar, so does its effectiveness. The important idea is to start with a simple set of blocks.
Artist Nathan Sawaya works with real Lego blocks. There doesn't seem to be an end to the possibilities. Your blocks will be a discrete set of colors, shapes, textures, themes. But just like Sawaya, when people see your handiwork they'll know it's you.
Hosted E-commerce Stores
Sunday, 03 May 2009 17:00
There are several hosted online stores developed for boutiques and small businesses. A hosted e-commerce store is when you set up a storefront on a website owned by a third party. For example, a storefront at Ebay is hosted. A private e-commerce store is when you set up a storefront on a website you personally own. Amazon.com is a privately owned e-commerce store. The sites listed below are hosted storefront opportunities, they also have corporate offices in the USA.
Some hosted storefronts are free. Some charge a minimal fee and come with upscale services. Unless, you are trying to present a branded corporate atmosphere, a typical paid storefront is usually a bargain.
Get Maximum Exposure
Sign up with multiple websites, be sure to get as much exposure to your store as possible. And don't forget to blog about your business. My favorite blog host is WordPress. Also, if you haven't already, register your domain name now! ASAP!. Go to Camelback Domains. You can point your new domain to your online store if you aren't ready for your own website yet. If you already have a site, you can still point your shopping link to your a hosted e-commerce store. As your sales grow, you'll know when it's time to create a private e-commerce site. Check back with Foresytz anytime you are ready to go to the next level.
Protect Yourself When Signing Up With New Sites
Follow a few rules before offering your personal information on "hot" new sites.
- Carefully read terms and privacy policies.
- Give as little personal information as possible.
- Avoid using home address & telephone numbers. Often home addresses are unused and unnecessary.
- Protect your inbox. Despite what the vendor mayrecommend, if possible use email addresses from gmail or other vendor with excellent spam protection.
- Never give your main bank account information, unless the company has a sterling reputation. Open a second bank account at your bank if possible.
- If credit cards are necessary, consider using an alternate card with a low credit limit, a gift card MC/VISA loaded with a sufficient balance, or apply for a PayPal debit card.
- If a secure registration link is offered, use it. Your personal information will be encrypted as it is transferred over the internet.
- Some sites won't allow you to delete your store or registration information from their database. There may only be a way to "disable" it from public view. Check the sites terms and conditions.
