Several months ago we found a web service called Picnik. As calgary web developers who deliver “content management systems” to our clients, it was important to teach the client how to manipulate thier content images prior to placing them on their websites.

Before Picnik came along, the only option was to try to teach the clients how to use desktop software to crop and resize their images. These were the most common functions that the client needs to know. Most of the commonly needed funcitons that Picnik offers are FREE!

For an optional, and nominal, fee of $24.95 per year you can unlock the more advances features, fonts and techniques available to premium subscribers. It is well worth every penny. The team that developed, and continues to develop Picnik, deserve our support!

With the advent of Picnik, now it’s really fun teaching clients to use the web-based application! If you have a content managed website, blog or if you use facebook or any web based social network… you should give Picnik a try! (link is further down the page…)

Direct Quote From Picnik;

• Fix your photos in just one click
• Use advanced controls to fine-tune your results
• Crop, resize, and rotate in real-time
• Tons of special effects, from artsy to fun
• Astoundingly fast, right in your browser
• Awesome fonts and top-quality type tool
• Basketfuls of shapes from hand-picked designers
• Works on Mac, Windows, and Linux
• No download required, nothing to install

So, here it is… the link you have been waiting for!

Visit PICNIK.com Today!

Here are some screen shots of Picnik in action… all resized and edited in Picnik!

Raise awareness of your business and services through blogging.

Basic strategies:

• Target a specific audience based on a theme or series of topics.
• Try to keep your blog on topic.
• Write subjects that make them want to read more and use catchy headlines to drive intrigue.
• Select the right blog support service. A professional Internet Consultant can help you extend your blog and help you with marketing tips and tricks.
• Ensure your blog sends alerts to blog feeds when you post a new entry, this will help build traffic to your blog.
• Ensure you get alerts when someone comments at your blog so that you can review the post and respond.

Be compelling, open in your views and sincere. Link to other blogs and topics related to your blog. Other bloggers will start linking to you, if you have quality articles.

Keep your blog up to date with fresh content. Weekly blogging or more should be your goal. This will keep your blog content fresh and interesting. Your blog can become sticky and keep people returning… but only if you make an effort.

Search engines like Google and Live will help attract viewers to your blog. Add rich keywords into your article titles and content. Use the SEO component that we install as standard with our blog service to boost your on page optimization for search engines.

Your blog should support RSS feeds for the articles and comments. This will help your readers and fellow bloggers stay up to date with your writing. RSS is simple to use and has gained huge popularity in the past several years.

Take the time to reply to blog posts, even if they are negative or offer a conflicting view. You don’t have to agree with the comment, just be honest and state your opinion or provide support material for you position. Most blog-ware allows you to hold comments for moderation. As a business blogger, you may want to moderate comments at your blog prior to allowing them to go live.

If you are not a writer and are not comfortable with blogging, ask your staff to do it for you. Ask a family member, friend or service to assist you with your writing.

One of the most difficult things about blogging is the “ideas”. Keep a small “blog book”… I call mine “my blook”. Keep your blook handy so that when an idea hits you, you can make a note of it.

Blogging is a powerful tool for small business owners to make their brand recognizable. You should position yourself as the “expert” in your industry. When you have a great blog, full of helpful articles and news, refer your clients to your blog to help answer their questions. They will appreciate the depth of your service and commitment to their needs.

A business marketing website tends to be static. The “sales” message seldom changes and they tend to lack the educational information that people are seeking on the Internet. Business owners are worried that they must give the absolute best impression at their marketing website, and I wouldn’t disagree with this thought. A blog on the other hand is a more casual writing opportunity. Your clients will get to know the people “behind” the company and your relationships can grow.

If you want to start a professional business blog, with a custom design, contact us and my team will help you get rolling.

Regards,
David A. West

As a small business owner it can be difficult to “get out” and take courses. When a great course comes along though, you just have to make the opportunity to attend.

Stuart Crawford has been running a series of course in the Calgary area for small business owners, including his “Blogging in Calgary” and “Facebook for Business”.

On Stuart’s “Blogging in Calgary” site, he says,

“Blogging is rapidly becoming one of most effective ways to get your message out about your services, your industry, the products you sell or any other market and business trends that affect your business.”

I would add, that blogging can be addictive and fun.

During the course yesterday, a small group of entrepreneurs came together and learned about Blogging for business. Stuart did an excellent presentation, followed by a thorough demonstration of Google’s Blogger tools.

During the session, I was inspired to add a couple of new ideas to my “blogging book”. It’s the little pad I keep in my shirt pocket to write ideas for my next blog entry. I affectionatly refer to it as my “blook”. Stuart keeps his Blackberry handy, to jot down his blogging ideas.

I have to say, I truly enjoyed this course. Stuart is doing a great job of brining Calgary Business owners together. He is forming a community!

Stuart’s next event is on Feb 6, 2008 at the Calgary Coast Plaza Hotel at 6 PM. You can contact Stuart through his blog at StruartCrawford.com.

If you would like a free blog on the internet, you can sign up at Calgary Business Online. It’s fast and simple.

Our business, a Calgary web design company, has been promoting the use of blogging in business. We offer a hosted solution based on WordPress. If you think you would like a blog with a 100% custom designed look and feel, please visit eKzact and complete our quick request for a proposal.

Cheers,

David A. West