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Facebook Adds #Hashtags

Admin — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 22:20:13 +0000

Using hashtags is very popular on Twitter, as a way to help follow conversations on a specific topic. Those who cross-post to other social media platforms know the hashtag use can confuse and frustrate those who don’t use or understand them.

Now, Facebook is implementing the ability to track conversations using the
love it/hate it hashtag.

Guest Post: Pope Francis differentiates for SMALL Business

Admin — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 14:04:57 +0000

During the month of March, the Catholic Church elected Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina as its next Pope. The Associate Press reported that he chose the name Francis to associate himself with the humble 13th-century Italian preacher who lived a life of poverty. It appears that the Catholic Church has stepped into a world of differentiation, as Jorge Bergoglio is the first pontiff from the Americas and the first from outside Europe in more than a millennium.

The differentiation does not stop there…

Case in point, during the first week of becoming Pope Francis the former pontiff from Argentina shunned from wearing elaborate clothing for ceremonies, paid his hotel bill (in person, I might add), and took to the crowds that gathered so that as many people as possible could see, speak, and shake hands with the newly elected Pope of the Catholic Church.

So, what can we learn from Pope Francis – regardless of one’s religion affiliation? Differentiation! In other words, as a small business owner one needs to set their business apart from the competition and be able to stand out in a crowd too. How does a small business owner do that? Simply by exceeding expectations via demonstrating that they are no different from the existing customers and community in which they live in.

By immersing your business and yourself within a community, then one (you and your business) becomes indistinguishable from the other. This will enable you to move forward with your ideas, grow your business, and become a leader within a community. In doing so, you and your small business will not be viewed as just another business or box store in the community, but one that is important to the community’s present and future endeavors.

This article is a series of monthly educational pieces developed for Robin’s Desktop; the author – Duane B. Thomas – has been a University and College instructor for more than a decade at Marshall University and other various institutions too. Please submit your educational topics to db.thomas@ymail.com

Robin’s Desktop welcomes guest posts on business friendly topics. Anyone interested in a guest post email info at Robin’s Desktop.

‘Distraction’ Becomes A $4 Billion Company

Admin — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 15:05:34 +0000

Can you imagine turning a distraction into a multi-billion dollar company? That’s what Dropbox founder Drew Houston did! Dropbox founder and CEO Drew Houston recently gave the commencement speech at MIT, where he shared what’s on his personal cheat sheet

Houston, who was involved with numerous startups before creating online backup and storage platform Dropbox, discussed giving himself an MBA’s education at his Phi Delta Theta fraternity house through books purchased on Amazon, in an effort to prepare himself for a future of quick success

Guest Post: Circulation vs. Readership: The Real Determination of the Value of Print

Admin — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 14:05:03 +0000

The affordability and effectiveness of print advertising is still significant enough in West Virginia that it should not be dismissed as passé. Not all print is dead. A well-designed print advertisement with a headline, a true benefit to the consumer and a call to action can still be one of the best investments you can make with your marketing dollars.

Print ads are sold based on a certain number of printed copies distributed in a certain region – circulation. But in an age where readers are bombarded with alternative sources for information, the real VALUE of a publication today is in the readership. Of all the copies circulated, how many actually make it into the reader’s homes? How many are thrown away? Don’t you want every copy of the ad you paid for to be seen by someone?

For example: If you purchase a print ad in a magazine with a circulation of 6,000 and a readership of 60% — 2400 copies of your ad are never seen! They’re tossed, trashed, never read. But if you purchase a print ad in a magazine with a circulation of 6,000 and a readership of 98% – only 120 copies slip through the cracks.

A publication with a high readership is a publication with loyal readers. Readers who are faithful to that publication, trust that publication, find what they are seeking in that publication. Not only does the readership level show you the value of that publication, but it shows you the relationship that publication has with its readers – a relationship that automatically rubs off on your business when you advertise within those pages.

Don’t dismiss the power of print. Determine the value of a publication by its readership, and you will have determined the best possible return on your print advertising investment.

Lisa Hayes-Minney is the publisher of Two-Lane Livin’ Magazine, which has grown since launching five years ago to become the largest independent print publication in West Virginia. For more information on the magazine, visit www.twolanelivin.com.

Robin’s Desktop welcomes guest posts on business friendly topics. Anyone interested in a guest post email info at Robin’s Desktop.

“Hittin’ for Hope” Softballl Tournament

Admin — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 10:39:57 +0000

We are still looking for sponsors for this great event.

With the help of corporate sponsors like you, the “Hittin’ For Hope Softball Tournament” can aide Messages For Hope in continuing our work in aiding the survivors of a suicide loss with our peer run support groups, our suicide response
teams to help with the newly bereaved, and to continue to raise awareness of the mental health treatments that can prevent suicide, and suicide prevention through education.

Click HERE for more information on sponsorship.

Thanks for your patience!

Admin — Wed, 29 May 2013 20:53:01 +0000

You may have received some strange email from Robin’s Desktop recently. I want to thank you for remaining subscribed!

A rebuild of the website was planned for later this summer. Updating an established site is time consuming and is best done with a plan and a dedicated schedule. Unfortunately, the crash that corrupted my database has forced me to start several months early.

The platform used for Robin’s Desktop underwent several updates over the past years. The template no longer worked with it. Trying to restore from backup didn’t go well.

During the rebuild some postings went out with a bad email template. Hopefully that is all corrected now.

In the coming weeks, you will begin receiving regular newsletters again. I look forward to sharing new technologies and great tips again.

I appreciate the time you take reading and sharing eNews From The Desktop!

Sincerely,

Eastern Kanawha Homecoming Festival 2013

Admin — Wed, 29 May 2013 07:24:38 +0000

For immediate release:
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Contact: Fred Joseph 304-543-7495

The Upper Kanawha Valley Health & Recreation Committee will hold their ” Eastern Kanawha Homecoming Festival 2013”
August 14, 15, 16, 17/ 2013

The event will be held on the Riverside High School Grounds at Quincy West Virginia.
…
The purpose of the ” Upper Kanawha Valley Homecoming Festival 2013” is to bring the communities of the Upper Kanawha Valley together to encourage the health and wellness needs of the community, and promote the development of a community health and recreation center.

We will have many fun activities for the young and not so young. Each day will have an assortment of stage presentations, with the final night featuring Greg Bates.

Greg Bates is that rare find of an artist; born and raised in Nashville TN. His current single “Fill in the Blank” hit the country radio this month and was #1 most added song during its release week.” We are delighted to have a popular rising star for the festival”, said Fred Joseph Festival Chairman.

A very popular event will be the crowning of a Miss Upper Kanawha Valley Queen. We will also have a great assortment of Carnival rides, a fishing attraction for the children as well as many Inflatable attractions for added enjoyment. We will be featuring many food and craft vendors or the pleasure of the public.

Under Re-Construction

Admin — Tue, 28 May 2013 15:36:27 +0000

Friends,

Unfortunately, Robin’s Desktop had a fatal crash a few days ago. We are in the process of rebuilding with a more stable framework.

Please check back frequently to see the latest updates.

Virtually Everywhere!

Hittin for Hope

Admin — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 23:01:23 +0000

The event is the 1st “Hittin’ For Hope” Men’s Softball Tournament, presented by Messages For Hope, Inc. aka Healing Hearts of Survivors. All funds will benefit our organization in continuing our efforts to raise awareness and erase stigmas surrounding suicide, suicide prevention through education, support groups for those left behind, and to promote mental health wellness in our communities.

Many of you know that I lost my son, Bryan, to suicide last year. Since that time, I have connected with Debbie Cardwell of Healing Hearts of Survivors and Messages for Hope.
Together, they are hosting the 1st “Hittin’ for Hope” Men’s Softball Tournament June 15, 2013. The event is in St. Albans, WV at the St. Albans City Park – Coleman Field. Games begin at 9:00 am.

Please Consider Sponsorship

There are 4 levels of sponsorship opportunities beginning at: Bronze Level ($50.00), Silver ($100.00), Gold ($200.00), and Platinum ($300.00).

Join me at the Platinum level and see:

Your banner is prominently displayed at the event.
Your logo printed prominently on back of t-shirts given to softball players and donors.
Your logo printed on selected printed promotional materials, such as registration forms, flyers, and posters.
Recognition on the event webpage at www.healingheartsofsurvivors.org with a link to your website.
Recognition during the event and recognized with company table.

All proceeds benefit the mission of Messages For Hope in providing aid to the survivors of a suicide, promoting mental health wellness, creating awareness, and helping to erase the stigmas that keep people from seeking the necessary treatment that can save lives!

Your sponsorship will help continue work in aiding the survivors of a suicide loss with peer run support groups, suicide response teams to help with the newly bereaved, and to continue to raise awareness of the mental health treatments that can prevent suicide, and suicide prevention through education.

I hope you will join me in supporting this deserving cause.

Drive more to your page with “online specials.”

Admin — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 15:42:05 +0000

People are online all the time. You need to connect with them. Developing some “online only” specials will help drive more people to your web page and improve your sales.

Use some creativity when developing your special. For example, when working to increase membership, offer a small percentage discount for submitting membership dues online. Send a free bumper sticker or other small promotional item with online orders of a pre-set amount. Set up an account with Foursquare and offer discounts based on the number of check-ins during a specific time.