Integrated Creations

Top 10 Social Networking Sites

icwebbie11 — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 08:17:47 +0000

As technology advances, the way businesses interact with customers changes. Having a company website used to be a big deal, but now connecting with potential customers using social media outlets is the way to go. Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn are a few of the most popular online networks used by millions of consumers each day. If you aren’t using at least one of these sites, it’s time to create an account and join the masses.

Here is a list of the top 10 most popular social networking sites:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
MySpace
Ning
Google Plus+
Tagged
Orkut
hi5
myyearbook

Check out these sites and get connected!

Thinking About Starting Your Own Business?

icwebbie11 — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 22:50:23 +0000

Are you tired of working for someone else, feeling underpaid and unappreciated for your efforts? Most of us have felt like this at some point in our lives. Being an entrepreneur can be quite rewarding and liberating. If starting your own business is something you are contemplating, there are a number of things to consider before deciding to be your own boss.

Research Your Business Idea

Understanding the market for your product or service is critical to your success. You can find a wealth of information through online web searches, magazines, forums, professional groups and associations. Also, be sure to check out your competition. This may give you ideas on ways your business can stand out from other businesses like yours.

Calculate Your Start-up Costs

All of the costs to get your business up and running should be consider. Will you need office space or a store front? What equipment, supplies and inventory are needed? Determine how much money you will need to keep your business going when your monthly expenses exceed your income. Many companies do not make a profit their first year in business. If you do, that will be something to celebrate.

Plan, Plan, Plan

Many people get so excited about starting their own business that they fail to plan. A business plan should be created and used as a blueprint for your business and kept up-to-date. By clearly defining what your business does, analyzing the market, outlining your business operations and looking at your financials, you can determine if being your own boss is really worth it. Remember, proper planning will save you time and money in the long run.

Stand Out and Get Noticed!

icwebbie11 — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 16:48:29 +0000

Have you ever been to a party or event and saw someone dressed in really bright colors and prints, or clothes that were too tight or unflattering? I am sure plenty of heads turned, but was the first impression a good one? When it comes to marketing this same scenario can occur. There is nothing wrong with standing out from your competition…just make sure it is done in a way that leaves people wanting to know more about your business.

For example, Lady Gaga is a pop singer who has become one of the most influential people in the world. People expect to see her dressed from head to toe in some oddly extravagant outfit whenever she makes an appearance. What she wears or how she styles her hair has nothing to do with her vocal abilities, but she definitely stands out from thousands of other music artists. Her unique sense of style grabs your attention long enough to find out she truly has an amazing voice.

So, dare to be different with your marketing strategies and promotions. Just make sure your underlying message is not lost in your quest to stand out and get noticed.

Low-Cost Marketing Tips

icwebbie11 — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 16:45:24 +0000

Even though a business may not have much to money to spend after paying all of its expenses, some money should be allocated for marketing. In order for a business to grow, some level of marketing is needed. There are numerous low-cost ways to marketing your business or product without breaking the bank.

Social Networks
If you haven’t heard about Facebook or Twitter you’d better sign up today if you are serious about engaging with your existing or potential customers. Millions of people are using these popular social media outlets to communicate with others. The best part about these social networks is they are free and it takes less than ten minutes to create an account. Connecting with your network on a regular basis is the key to building online relationships.

Niche Publications
Advertising in small publications that target a specific group of people can give you a better return on your investment. Of course, you will need to do a little bit of research to determine what percentage of the publication’s readers would be interested in your product or service.

Conduct A Seminar or Class
Conducting seminars or teaching a class help you to establish yourself as an authority or expert in your industry. You may not know more than everyone in the class, but you can provide information that beneficial to most people.

Discussion Groups and Forums
You can find thousand of discussion groups and forums online. By becoming a subscriber and participating in discussion threads you are exposing your business to more people. Make sure your user profile contains information about what you do and a link to your website. You never know who might read one of your comments and decide to contact you about your services or products.