Red Sox Links for You
On last night's segment of 207 I shared a number of online resources for our beloved Sox. Here they are, for those of you not taking notes:
- Red Sox Official Web Site: Good for news, stats, and everything that's been officially approved.
- ESPN Page 2: Not officially a Red Sox site, but the love of Boston teams must make other fans steam.
- Yooooouuuuukkkkk: Youk's Blog
- 38 Pitches: Schill's Blog
- Boston Dirt Dogs: Fan blog bought by the Boston Globe. Sox news served with attitude; check out this photo of Pedroia hitting his home run in game 7 of the ACLS.
- Red Sox Desktop Wallpaper
- StubHub World Series Tickets: If you can afford these, please consider taking your favorite Internet Marketing blogger.
Rich Brooks
Proud Member, Red Sox Nation
Attention Red Sox Fans
Yes, I'm talking to you. If you're not getting enough Red Sox news from your local paper, ESPN, sports radio, and the drunk at the bar next to you screaming Yooooouuuuukkkkk (wait, that was me,) then tune in tonight at 7pm to 207 on WCSH-6.
I'll be talking to Pat Callahan about where the information-starved members of Red Sox Nation can find information, news, player blogs, podcasts, desktop wallpaper, tickets to the World Series and more online.
What is the Value of Business Values?
Is there value to business values? Is "sustainability" a method to grow your business, or an expensive buzz word that cuts into your profits? Does running an ethical business help or hurt you in the long run?
MEBSR, Maine Businesses for Social Responsibility, is tackling these questions in its 12th annual fall conference, "The Value of Business Values."
This will be an interactive program featuring:
- Eight current Maine business challenges
- Eight Maine business and thought leaders
- Interactive problem-solving charrettes
- The launch of MEBSR's new regional gatherings
- Dedicated time to making connections with peers and possible mentors
Topics will include:
- Green Business Design by Jason Wentworth of Washboard Eco-Laundry,
- Creating Quality Place and A Prosperous Maine by Rep. John Piotti,
- Ahead of the Curve & Competition: Health, Safety & Wellness by Deborah Roy of L.L. Bean,
- and many more.
Date: Thursday, November 8th
Time: 8am - noon
Place: Maine Audubon Center, Falmouth
Cost: $50 for members, $60 for non-members (half price for registrants carpooling--3 or more--or travelling 60+ miles. Free for students, bicyclists or those using public transportation.)
Even if you're getting a free ride--no pun intended--please register early as space is limited. Call 207.338.8908 today.
BlogWorld Expo: Blogging from Vegas
I'll be on two panels for the BlogWorld and New Media Expo, November 8-9, 2007, and the Executive & Entrepreneur Conference which precedes it on November 7th. It's all happening in Las Vegas.
The first is Going Global with New Media with my co-presenter Des Walsh on November 7th. I knew this was going to be a timely topic while I was talking to a partner who's currently in Orono, Maine, to give him instructions to his employees in Bosnia for a job we're doing for a New York client. In the middle of the conversation, Des skyped me from his home in Australia before he left to speak in China so we could discuss our upcoming presentation on Going Global with New Media in Las Vegas.
The second is Blog Design: Branding and Usability, with co-presenters Denise Wakeman, John T. Unger, and Nate. I'm not sure what Nate's last name is--assuming he has one--but I'm looking forward to finding out. That will be on Friday the 9th at 10:15. I'll be talking about the importance of branding in blog design.
One of the benefits of speaking at the event is a full free pass to all the workshops and conferences. I just went through the registration and my only frustration is that I could only choose one workshop to attend at a time! (Damn space/time continuum!)
Do I choose Maximizing the Benefits of Small Business Blogs over Making Money with Affiliate Programming? And what's more appropriate for me: Leveraging Social Media for Your Company or Creating a Coherent Social Media Strategy? Do I choose Andy Wibbels over Toby Bloomberg, both of whom I blogged with over at Business Blog Consulting back in the day?
(Most of you are probably rolling your eyes right now, thinking I need to get a life. However, this is my life and these people are my heroes!)
In any case, if you weren't rolling your eyes, and you can make it out to Vegas for November 7 - 9th, I hope to see you there. I especially hope you make it to one or both of my (shared) presentations.
Rich Brooks
Business Blog Consultant
Street Teams: Guerrilla Marketing for Small Business
Today we have a special edition of flytecast, our podcast.
What? You didn't know we had a podcast? No worries. Our podcast has been running on fumes lately, as each episode is basically a dramatic reading of our email newsletter, flyte log. On top of that, I think I'm an episode or two behind on even that half-assed endeavor.
In any case, I've been rethinking flytecast, and how to make more relevant for small business owners and more interesting for me. (Sorry, but I do figure into the equation.) To that end, I'm thinking about doing regular interviews with small business owners who have some sort of success story to tell.
In this episode I'm interviewing Annie Mahle of Maine Adventure Sails and the J. & E. Riggin, a windjammer out of Rockland, Maine. We developed their Maine Adventure Sails Blog.
During the time we worked with them, Annie was telling me about her street teams: loyal customers who market for her on her behalf. She created a loyalty program and rewards them for doing what they were doing anyway.
I thought this idea could benefit lots of other small business owners, so I asked her to be interviewed on our podcast. I'm still learning the ins and outs of the software, so I accidentally erased the opening piece where we talk about her upcoming cooking segment on 207, scheduled for Wednesday, October 17, 2007. (Sorry, Annie!)
In any case, you can listen to Street Teams, Guerrilla Marketing for Small Business and/or subscribe to flytecast through iTunes or the podcatcher of your choice.
If you have something interesting to share with other small business owners, and you'd like to be interviewed on the flytecast, please contact me today.
Rich Brooks
Small Business Marketer
Web Marketing for Public Relations
I'll be part of an all-day conference for the Maine Public Relations Council this Wednesday, October 17. The annual conference's theme is "The Art and Science of Communication," and goes from 8:30 - 3:30 at the Sheraton Hotel in South Portland.
My topic will be Web Marketing for Public Relations. This is a new lens from which to view Web marketing, at least for me. However, in putting together the presentation I was just blown away by the tools that today's PR professional has at his or her disposal. I mean, I got really excited. I was pacing around the kitchen table as I was creating my slides. And the future looks even more exciting.
If you're a public relations professional, or you're just looking for ways to gain more visibility for your company you can't afford to miss the MPRC's annual conference. Admission is $100 for members, $140 for non-members. Details and registration information can be found on their events page.
Rich Brooks
Web Marketing for PR
Alternatives to YouTube
When people say "video sharing Web site" chances are you think of YouTube. (Or, your eyes glass over as you get all nostalgic about when there were only three channels you had to choose from.)
However, despite YouTube's popularity, it's just one of many options for uploading and sharing video online. Other services may not have the eyeballs, but they offer other enticing services.
PC World has a new list of Top 10 Video Sharing Web Sites for those of you who are ready to look at alternatives to YouTube. The reviews are brief, but include information on:
- price
- video/audio quality
- ease of upload
- embedded player design and
- file size/length limits for each file
For any businesses who have been unsatisfied with the quality of YouTube video, it's worth looking at some of the competition.
Blogging Seminar Wed. Morning
Quick note: I'll be presenting "How to Plan, Build and Promote a Business Blog" tomorrow morning for the Society of Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) from 8 - 9:30am. The location is Woodard & Currant in Portland (map & directions.) It's free for members, $5 for non-members.
Sorry about the late notice, hope to see you there!
Rich Brooks
Business Blog Marketing
10 Tips to a Profitable Blog
Are you ready to start your own business blog, or do you already have one but it's not the lead generation and sales tool you thought it would be?
If so, check out October's issue of flyte log, our monthly email newsletter on Web marketing, entitled "Business Blog Success: 10 Tips to a Profitable Blog."
In it you'll find ten ideas that can turn your blog around and make it an important part of your Web marketing toolbox; ideas that will help you establish your credibility, increase your search engine visibility, and generate those online leads you were envisioning.
If you'd like some one-on-one help with your business blog, whether to get it started or inject it with a little promotional juice, just let me know.
Rich Brooks
Business Blog Consultant
How to Build a Sustainable Business in Maine
More and more businesses are realizing that the ideas behind sustainable business practices--environmental concern, social responsibility and profitability--aren't just things to be tackled when a business is already successful...instead, they are the building blocks of successful companies.
MEBSR--Maine Businesses for Social Responsibility--has been talking about this "triple-bottom line" for years, helping it's members build successful, sustainable companies right here in Maine. But now, as the mainstream media catches up and even big box stores like Wal-Mart promote their social responsibility, MEBSR needs to take our game to the next level so we can help Maine businesses continue to compete and thrive.
To help us build this better organization, we've been taking the pulse of MEBSR stakeholders. We started with a series of "town hall meetings" where we went to different parts of the state to talk to people face-to-face. Since not all people could make those meetings, our second phase is an online survey on your business.
Who's a MEBSR stakeholder?
- Current and past members
- People interested in sustainability and the "triple-bottom line"
- Start-ups, growing businesses, and giant corporations
- Maine-based business owners and employees
The survey should only take five minutes or less, and the results could lead to an organization better suited to be a "network of Maine businesses working together to achieve sustainable business success."
We look forward to your input, so please take the survey now. Thanks!
Rich Brooks
Vice President
Maine Businesses for Social Responsibility
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