This FREE event, based on the cover-article of last month’s New Business Minnesota, will help you brand your business and project the right image to bring in the customers you want.  

Register NOW and start on the path to big-time success!

Projecting the proper image for your company is essential to your success. Sometimes it can be difficult to find the right tools, services, and techniques to represent your company the right way. This workshop and featured team of experts will provide useful information and tactics on how to make your company exude professionalism and trustworthiness, and will share essential tips on how to boost your results. Even if you’re a brand new startup working from your dining room table, it’s possible to look like a million bucks.

Immediately following the presentation you’ll be able to network with fellow business owners at the Startup Meetup Networking event immediately following the workshop (from 5 to 7 p.m.). The presenters will each have booths, so stop by and connect directly with BizzyWeb and the other featured speakers!

Registration is FREE! So sign up here and start polishing your image!

Source: Web Business Consultants

“He who fails to plan, plans to fail.”

In a world full of social media channels it is so important to make sure you know what exactly you want to accomplish within social media. Setting a social media strategy is key if you want any difference in your business. This week’s FREE Buzz Builders we will talk about how to set up a social media strategy that is right for your business. As always we will answer any other questions not related to the Buzz Builders topic. See you there! 

Also check out our Buzz Builders LinkedIn Group.

Have a topic you’d like to see covered on the Buzz Builders call? Let us know in comments below!

Details for Wednesday, May 16:

Topic: Buzz Builders Club 

Time: noon Central Standard Time 

Meeting Number: 621 303 007 

Meeting Password: generatebuzz 

——————————————————- 

To join the online meeting (Now from mobile devices!) 

——————————————————- 

1. Go to https://bizzyweb.webex.com/bizzyweb/j.php?ED=177630922&UID=1230207642&PW=NODcwNjA3YmQ0&RT=MiM3 

2. If requested, enter your name and email address. 

3. If a password is required, enter the meeting password: generatebuzz 

4. Click “Join”

To view in other time zones or languages, please click the link: 

https://bizzyweb.webex.com/bizzyweb/j.php?ED=177630922&UID=1230207642&PW=NODcwNjA3YmQ0&ORT=MiM3 

——————————————————- 

To join the audio conference only 

——————————————————- 

Call-in toll number (US/Canada): +1-408-600-3600 

Access code:621 303 007 

——————————————————- 

For assistance 

——————————————————- 

1. Go to https://bizzyweb.webex.com/bizzyweb/mc 

2. On the left navigation bar, click “Support”. 

You can contact us at: 

admin@bizzyweb.com 

To add this meeting to your calendar program (for example Microsoft Outlook), click this link: 

https://bizzyweb.webex.com/bizzyweb/j.php?ED=177630922&UID=1230207642&ICS=MI&LD=1&RD=2&ST=1&SHA2=rJBa/Y4UkXI8o-nU1m43GeKT7J2nEglH-VEhEL6Xh14=&RT=MiM3 

The playback of UCF (Universal Communications Format) rich media files requires appropriate players. To view this type of rich media files in the meeting, please check whether you have the players installed on your computer by going to https://bizzyweb.webex.com/bizzyweb/systemdiagnosis.php. 

CCP:+14086003600×621303007# 

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This WebEx service includes a feature that allows audio and any documents and other materials exchanged or viewed during the session to be recorded. By joining this session, you automatically consent to such recordings. If you do not consent to the recording, discuss your concerns with the meeting host prior to the start of the recording or do not join the session. Please note that any such recordings may be subject to discovery in the event of litigation. 

Have a topic you’d like to see covered on the Buzz Builders call? Let us know in comments below!

Two of our newer clients have recently reported seeing “Publishing on Facebook failed” error messages when publishing a blog post. Sometimes the blog post would auto-publish to Facebook and other times it would not.

As soon as we were made aware of the problem, we  contacted the developers of the auto-publishing plugin we use to fix the problem.  The root cause was tracked down to a recent “stealth update” by Facebook that changed their offline authentication policy. This policy change is e affecting multiple Facebook apps that rely on offline authentications to communicate with Facebook.  

The problem was summarized well by brianw on the WPMUdev forums:

To successfully post to a page (not a profile), you will have to be logged into Facebook, with an account that has administrative privileges over the page he/she wishes to post to.
Unfortunately, that only works for two hours.  After that, the token expires.

Unless it’s been less than two hours since you last posted to Faceook, you will need to re-login to both before publishing a blog post or the auto-publishing won’t work.   This problem appears to only be affecting those who have started publishing to Facebook within the last 2 months.  Older sites appear to be unaffected.

If you are a current BizzyWeb client and are getting the ”Publishing on Facebook failed” error message, please log a ticket at http://www.bizzyweb.com/support/request-for-support/.  We will keep you posted as we find out more.

Than you for your patience and understanding,

Vincent Wondra
Vice President – Operations

Practical Systems is a complete residential heating, ventilation and air conditioning contractor servicing the Minneapolis, MN. Whether you are in need of a simple or complex system, you can depend on Practical Systems to provide you with all the facts needed to make a sound decision.

When Practical Systems needed a new, fresh look that would highlight their core products in a new and exciting way, and that took full advantage of social media and regularly-updated content, they looked to BizzyWeb. Practical System’s new site guides visitors toward specific actions, and integrates seamlessly with Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. 

Here are some of the things you will discover when attending this event:

• How to create streams of referrals and never worry about getting clients again
• The Free Amazon Focus Group
• How to make your business as remarkable as Apple or Zappos, for 45 cents.
• The weird reason why master networkers never ask for leads
• 17 Years of email marketing secrets in 8 minutes
• How to grow your business with Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
• How to handle negative feedback on social sites
• The trick to making every update on your website reach 4x more people

The Agenda:

• 7:00 – 7:30  Check-in, networking
• 7:30 – 9:30  “11 Marketing Secrets Revealed” workshop, breaks, and Q&A
• 9:30 – 10:00  Guided networking

Click here to learn more and register! 

Small Business Minnesota Expo:

Want to know relevant and useful information in areas like banking insurance, design, web development, marketing, printing, social media, direct mail, accounting and more for your small business? Stop by and visit BizzyWeb at the Small Business Expo! Check out our previous blog post, or scroll down for registration details.

When:

Tuesday, May 8, 2012, from 3 to 6:30 p.m.

Where:

Earle Brown Heritage Center – Booth #5

Details and Registration

Accelerate MN Pledge to Grow 2012

BizzyWeb has joined with AccelerateMN as a panelist and sponsor of the ‘Take the Pledge & Grow by One in 2012″ event on Wednesday, May 9.  The event promises to increase your bottom line and help Minnesota move to the top in business.

BizzyWeb’s Dave Meyer will be on the panel for the “Optimizing Your Online Presence” breakout session. Dave will give advice on how to increase business by creating an optimized website. Check out our previous blog post, or scroll down for registration details.

When:

Wednesday, May 9th, 2012,  Noon – 7pm

Where:

U of M McNamara Center

Details and Registration

Marketing Secrets Revealed: 11 Ways to Work Less, Earn More and Live Better

The title of the seminar tells it all! “You may be just one idea away from all the new clients you need to make 2012 your best year ever.” Join Dave Meyer of BizzyWeb, Jim Bear of The Referral Stream (and BNI superstar) and Kevin Donlin of Client Cloning Systems for a jam-packed morning of marketing advice and networking. Check out our blog post, or scroll down for registration details.  

When:

Friday, May 11, 2012 from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM (CT)

Where:

Maple Grove Community Center

Details and Registration

Also check out our Buzz Builders LinkedIn Group.

Have a topic you’d like to see covered on the Buzz Builders call? Let us know in comments below!

Details for Wednesday, May 9:

Topic: Buzz Builders Club 

Time: noon Central Standard Time 

Meeting Number: 621 303 007 

Meeting Password: generatebuzz 

——————————————————- 

To join the online meeting (Now from mobile devices!) 

——————————————————- 

1. Go to https://bizzyweb.webex.com/bizzyweb/j.php?ED=177630922&UID=1230207642&PW=NODcwNjA3YmQ0&RT=MiM3 

2. If requested, enter your name and email address. 

3. If a password is required, enter the meeting password: generatebuzz 

4. Click “Join”

To view in other time zones or languages, please click the link: 

https://bizzyweb.webex.com/bizzyweb/j.php?ED=177630922&UID=1230207642&PW=NODcwNjA3YmQ0&ORT=MiM3 

——————————————————- 

To join the audio conference only 

——————————————————- 

Call-in toll number (US/Canada): +1-408-600-3600 

Access code:621 303 007 

——————————————————- 

For assistance 

——————————————————- 

1. Go to https://bizzyweb.webex.com/bizzyweb/mc 

2. On the left navigation bar, click “Support”. 

You can contact us at: 

admin@bizzyweb.com 

To add this meeting to your calendar program (for example Microsoft Outlook), click this link: 

https://bizzyweb.webex.com/bizzyweb/j.php?ED=177630922&UID=1230207642&ICS=MI&LD=1&RD=2&ST=1&SHA2=rJBa/Y4UkXI8o-nU1m43GeKT7J2nEglH-VEhEL6Xh14=&RT=MiM3 

The playback of UCF (Universal Communications Format) rich media files requires appropriate players. To view this type of rich media files in the meeting, please check whether you have the players installed on your computer by going to https://bizzyweb.webex.com/bizzyweb/systemdiagnosis.php. 

CCP:+14086003600×621303007# 

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This WebEx service includes a feature that allows audio and any documents and other materials exchanged or viewed during the session to be recorded. By joining this session, you automatically consent to such recordings. If you do not consent to the recording, discuss your concerns with the meeting host prior to the start of the recording or do not join the session. Please note that any such recordings may be subject to discovery in the event of litigation. 

Have a topic you’d like to see covered on the Buzz Builders call? Let us know in comments below!

Get Your Free Buzz Report

This is Dave Meyer with BizzyWeb, designers of the Real Estate Radio Hour Website and social media, with your weekly BizzyWeb Buzz Tip. Each week we’ll help you navigate the world of the web to help you Generate Buzz Without Getting Stung.

We’ve talked about a lot of different technologies over the past few months, from Facebook to LinkedIn, from Twitter to Pinterest, and from how to build a great Web Site to how to make sure it gets found with great SEO. This week, I’d like to share a special offer with you.  

If you’re worried about what you might be missing online and would like some real-world tips, BizzyWeb has a special tool that can help. Our proprietary “Buzz Reports” offer an in-depth review of everything your company is doing online. We run more than two-dozen checks on various platforms and networks, and offer a six-page document with helpful tips to make your site or social media better.

If you’d like to receive a free Buzz Report. Follow this link and fill out a 2-minute form to get started. Or call us at 612-424-9990.

See you next week, and remember, at BizzyWeb we help you Generate Buzz Without Getting Stung!

Contact us at bizzyweb.com/contact for more help and details, or dial into our weekly FREE Buzz Builders webinar, noon CT on Wednesdays, for more details!

Listen to the tip! Buzz Tip: Get your FREE Buzz Report from BizzyWeb!

Also check out our Buzz Builders LinkedIn Group.

Have a topic you’d like to see covered on the Buzz Builders call? Let us know in comments below!

Details for Wednesday, May 2:

Topic: Buzz Builders Club 

Time: noon Central Standard Time 

Meeting Number: 621 303 007 

Meeting Password: generatebuzz 

——————————————————- 

To join the online meeting (Now from mobile devices!) 

——————————————————- 

1. Go to https://bizzyweb.webex.com/bizzyweb/j.php?ED=177630922&UID=1230207642&PW=NODcwNjA3YmQ0&RT=MiM3 

2. If requested, enter your name and email address. 

3. If a password is required, enter the meeting password: generatebuzz 

4. Click “Join”

To view in other time zones or languages, please click the link: 

https://bizzyweb.webex.com/bizzyweb/j.php?ED=177630922&UID=1230207642&PW=NODcwNjA3YmQ0&ORT=MiM3 

——————————————————- 

To join the audio conference only 

——————————————————- 

Call-in toll number (US/Canada): +1-408-600-3600 

Access code:621 303 007 

——————————————————- 

For assistance 

——————————————————- 

1. Go to https://bizzyweb.webex.com/bizzyweb/mc 

2. On the left navigation bar, click “Support”. 

You can contact us at: 

admin@bizzyweb.com 

To add this meeting to your calendar program (for example Microsoft Outlook), click this link: 

https://bizzyweb.webex.com/bizzyweb/j.php?ED=177630922&UID=1230207642&ICS=MI&LD=1&RD=2&ST=1&SHA2=rJBa/Y4UkXI8o-nU1m43GeKT7J2nEglH-VEhEL6Xh14=&RT=MiM3 

The playback of UCF (Universal Communications Format) rich media files requires appropriate players. To view this type of rich media files in the meeting, please check whether you have the players installed on your computer by going to https://bizzyweb.webex.com/bizzyweb/systemdiagnosis.php. 

CCP:+14086003600×621303007# 

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This WebEx service includes a feature that allows audio and any documents and other materials exchanged or viewed during the session to be recorded. By joining this session, you automatically consent to such recordings. If you do not consent to the recording, discuss your concerns with the meeting host prior to the start of the recording or do not join the session. Please note that any such recordings may be subject to discovery in the event of litigation. 

Have a topic you’d like to see covered on the Buzz Builders call? Let us know in comments below!

This is Dave Meyer with BizzyWeb, designers of the Real Estate Radio Hour Website and social media, with your weekly BizzyWeb Buzz Tip. Each week we’ll help you navigate the world of the web to help you Generate Buzz Without Getting Stung.

LinkedIn is a great way to connect with other business professionals who are serious about “doing business.” More than 150 million professionals use LinkedIn to connect with new opportunities, find jobs and build their brand. Here are a few tips to use LinkedIn like a pro. 

1) Make sure you have your profile filled out completely. Fill out your entire work history, including anything that is remotely related to the work you’d like to be doing. Use a “headshot” photo of just your face so people can recognize you and identify you from the last time they met you in real life. 

2) Make connections. You can use LinkedIn advanced search to find people who could help you get your next job or land that next deal. The key is to give personalized invitations to people and only send out invitations to people you actually have connections with. Everyone in business has at least 200 to 300 connections they could make – start with your email contacts. You’ll be surprised how many people you know.

3) Set a up a company page so others can find and follow your company and browse your services. The best way to be found by others for the things you specialize in is to have your services listed on your company page. Company pages are searchable on the web and allow your connections to follow you. 

4) Join some groups. You’re a professional in at least a few areas, and there are groups out there for almost everything. Share your expertise and help people — it will pay massive dividends. One word of caution: Don’t spam people by sending sales messages, offers or deals on groups. The time for sales is after you’ve built relationships. 

See you next week, and remember, at BizzyWeb we help you Generate Buzz Without Getting Stung!