January 2006
Monthly Archive
Want a nifty tool to track staff tasks?
MattE 30 Jan 2006 | : Marketing
If you would like an easy to use system to help track staff tasks (be they day-to-day jobs or part of a training schedule) then Ta-da List may be of interest.
It might not replace paper-based staff record systems or dedicated software packages, but if you are after something that is free and simple to initiate, then its worth taking a look.
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Customer service does count
MattE 30 Jan 2006 | : Marketing, Web
One thing we try to do at Caricature King, (just one of our several ‘internet’ businesses where you can get a great caricature drawn from a photo) is to provide the best service possible.
This can include advise, followup and generally just caring about the customer.
Customers are always asked for feedback or a testimonial and these are placed on the site. Generally they refer to the quality of the caricature or the speed of the turnaround. But sometime they go a little further, like this one: Continue Reading »
Into recycling? – Here is a novel way!
MattE 28 Jan 2006 | : SMS, Web
The more I look at what can be done with Google Maps the more I am amazed and like them. I just don’t know when they are going to get some important parts of the world included, like Australia!
Google Maps can be used to create your own map that can highlight anything you want. Called Mashups, there are some simply amazing one’s out there. Some are business related (an extraordinarily powerful tool) while some others are good for the planet.
Check out this one: GarbageScout.com – Found treasure map to New York City, a recycler’s dream, a cheapskate’s best friend, and a dumpster diver’s companion Its interesting what people throw away!
National Do-Not-Call Registry
MattE 26 Jan 2006 | : Communications, Marketing
A survey in the United States shows that a high proportion of Americans have signed up with a Do Not Call registry. While the total number of people surveyed (1,961 U.S. adults aged 18 or over surveyed online between December 8 and 14, 2005) is a small sample, as far as polls and results go it does give a small pointer to public opinion.
Other findings of the poll include:
* Approximately three-quarters of all U.S. adults (76%) say that they have signed up for the registry; a significant increase from January 2004 when 57 percent reported that they had registered.
* The proportion of all adults who have seen, read or heard about the registry has increased slightly from 91 percent in September 2004 to the current 94 percent.
* The proportion of all adults who claim to have signed up for the registry has increased from 32 percent in September 2003, to 57 percent by January 2004, to the current 76 percent.
* Over nine in 10 (92%) of those who have registered report receiving fewer telemarketing calls, including the 18 percent who say they have received none, 61 percent who have received some but far less than before, and 12 percent who have received some, but a little less than before.
* 18% say they have either received no telemarketing calls since registering or less
Sex before stressful events keeps you calm
MattE 26 Jan 2006 | : Communications
If you give lots of public speeches, or are a maths whiz, this article from New Scientist may be of interest. Sex before stressful events keeps you calm
Product review – New Opera Mini – bluring the lines between mobile and web
MattE 25 Jan 2006 | : SMS, Web
It is beginning to gain momentum – the blurring of web only and cross platform so mobile phones can access web with a degree of user-friendliness. The new free Opera Mini for mobiles is a step in the right direction.
As the blurb on their website says:
Opera Miniâ„¢ is a fast and easy alternative to Opera’s mobile browser, allowing users to access the Web on mobile phones that would normally be incapable of running a Web browser. This includes the vast majority of today’s WAP-enabled phones.
How to use Google Maps for fun and profit
MattE 23 Jan 2006 | : Marketing, Web
A while back I made a post about how the internet had allowed doors to be opened and skilled peopled allowed out of the closet.
Here is a great example – there is even a whole blog about it Google Maps Mania.
It seems there are 1001 ways to make use of Google maps, heck I even use it to track where people are located who visit my caricatures site (click the ‘geo visitors’ link at the bottom of the page). This if a free version from the nice folks at digitalpoint.
The evolution of the ‘txt’ in text messaging
This article in the New York Times The Pleasures of the Text takes a wide ranging view of where SMS text messaging has come from over the past few years – and even implies it is becoming boring – perhaps due to its ease and frequency amongst many users, whereby they really don’t have too much to say.
It is how a customer views and interacts with your website that is important
MattE 19 Jan 2006 | : Marketing, Web
I must admit that after reading this article An Outsider’s Perspective on Your Web Site which is made up of an interview with Joshua Hay, the first thing I did was revisit my Caricature King website and try to view it from a new perspective.
I can see some changes I need to make and have started to implement some others, but to be honest, I am so close to it sometimes it is hard to see the wood for the trees.
The article raises some important aspects for any website and I’ll cover some of what I think are the most important ones here.
Now Get Paid To Use This Forum (no joke)
Want another way to grow your Adsense income? What about this idea Now Get Paid To Use This Forum (no joke) started by Shawn Hogan over at Digital Point (admittedly way back in 2004 – can’t say I’m not up with the latest 
).
Basically Shawn is sharing Adsense revenue with people who start threads. You have to post at least 50 posts )i.e. be an active forum participant) before your ads show.
Shawn reckons he has some people who are earning around US$50 per month.
