Carl Grint

Social Networking for Businesses and Organisations alike

noreply@blogger.com (Carl Grint) — Tue, 19 May 2009 18:01:00 +0000

Social Networks bring the potential for businesses and organisations alike to address the wider public in a setting which the 'customer' is comfortable in.

The explosion of Social networks over the last few years provides the potential for any group to find like minded people in a sociable setting, which can prove more conducive to the promotion of their given cause.

Unlike marketing in the traditional sense, where you are more likely to be interrupting an individual to pass on your message, within social networking you can participate in a dialogue with your audience, a two way communication, rather then just the single direction advertisement of traditional marketing.

When social networking and social marketing are practised well, the organisation stops being the marketeer, as the group itself takes over the mantel of your cause and perpetuates your message to their friends.

The true goal for utilising social networking as a marketing tool, is the two way conversation. Rather then 'standing shouting' your message, hoping a few will hear it and want to know more, as so much of traditional marketing can be seen as, you adopt for talking with people, not always about your cause, but general conversations, and building relationships.

In some ways social networking can be viewed as the online equivalent of the cocktail party. An event you attend to meet a wide range of people, converse and network.

You would not stand at a party shouting out your message, or if you do, you will find it a very unfulfilling evening. Rather you mingle, talk to different people, you don't head straight into a sale pitch, those who can communicate in an entertaining manner will do best, and always find a way to bring their area of interest into the conversation in a way that does not make others feel they are being talked at.

Originally Posted on http://cgw3.wordpress.com/2009/05/19/social-networking-marketing-socialising/

Special Offers & Deals on the move

noreply@blogger.com (Carl Grint) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 18:22:00 +0000

For those who have been following the Special Offers section of this blog (http://carlgrint.blogspost.com), you will have noticed some changes in the last week, especially for those reading this via the RSS feed or Email.

Sorry for the duplication of posts, it was one of the downsides of moving the Special Offers around, but they are now finally settled with a new single focused blog at http://offersdeals.wordpress.com/.

The original Special Offers posts will remain here at http://carlgrint.blogspost.com for the time being, but will be removed in a few weeks.

This blogs focus will return to Web Development, Search Engine Optimisation/Marketing and Social Marketing, the key areas of my work life.

Selecting the Special Offers category and RSS feed links (to the right of this blog) will take you to the new blog at http://offersdeals.wordpress.com.

I have already updated the RSS feed and Email for the Special Offers posts, so that they receive posts from the new blog, so you can leave your RSS feed as is if you like, or repoint it to the new feed at http://feeds.feedburner.com/specialoffersdeals, both will continue to work as before, so your choice :)

New Special Offers & Deals Blog RSS Feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/specialoffersdeals

New Special Offers & Deals Blog RSS by Email: http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=2837396

Amazon Free Delivery gets cheaper

noreply@blogger.com (Carl Grint) — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:49:00 +0000

This week saw Amazon drop the minimum spend to qualify for the Free Super Saver Delivery.

You now only have to spend £5 to qualify for the Super Saver option.

Previously you had to spend £15, well at least £14.97, to qualify for the free shipping for Amazon stocked products, which was quoted as being delivered 2-3 days after first post.

I have used this service for nearly all my Amazon purchases, and have been incredibly pleased with the service, some shipments have been delivered just as quick as standard First class, seeing some delivered 2 days after ordering.

I am not certain why Amazon have chosen to make this change, but I know one thing for certain, it is going to make a lot of people happy, and help bring them more business.

Whilst other sites, such as Play.com provide free shipping, I am of the mind that Amazon provide a wonderful aftersales service, second to none online, and one that few even provide on the high street.

A number of online sellers could learn a lot from Amazon, they take the time and effort to ensure their customers have an easy way to return goods, even paying for the shipping when the goods are faulty.

My recent purchase, which arrived dead, from Play.com a few months ago, ended up costing me £6 in shipping, when they only refunded just over £1 for shipping.

A similar product from Amazon which stopped working 2 days after delivery, was returned at no cost to me, and I received a full refund, and apology.

In this time of econmic worries for all of us, Amazon have made a small change that will help all of us as the Christmas shopping season approaches.

You can read the full details of the Super Saver service at http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=200039400

CGW3.co.uk

noreply@blogger.com (Carl Grint) — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 07:27:00 +0000

I have placed my website at cgw3.co.uk on hiatuses whilst I decide the future planes for the site.
In the meantime, I have pointed my domain at this blog, specifically this entry, to give you a landing page.

There are a number of Web developement articles on this blog, along with the Tutorials formally residing on the company website.

You can also view the tutorials at dmxzone.com via my profile there, including the download files for each.

CGW3 related articles

If you would like to view the Web Development articles here, they are available via the the Web Development tag.

Free Olay Total Effects Sample

noreply@blogger.com (Carl Grint) — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:49:00 +0000

Free Olay Total Effects 7 in 1 Sample

Request your free sample today and experience a moisturiser that's packed with 7 powerful, anti-ageing solutions

New improved Total Effects 7 in 1 Night or Total Effects 7 in 1 Touch of Sunshine

Complete Olays sample request form

You can also Join CLUB OLAY to receive the latest product information and your chance to win a year's supply of exclusive products and free samples from Olay.

Breast Cancer Care at Figleaves

noreply@blogger.com (Carl Grint) — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:37:00 +0000

Following on from my 20% discount at Figleaves this October post, this post helps you save and make a contribution to a great cause.

Purchase from Figleaves Pink range this October and they will make a contribution to Breast Cancer Care

Breast Cancer Care is here for anyone affected by breast cancer. They bring people together, provide information and support, and campaign for improved standards of care. Every year more and more people need their support. You can help them be there for every one of them.

We’ll be donating from our pink product range throughout October. So treat yourself or treat someone you love. Not only will you look good, but you’ll be helping people affected by breast cancer at the same time.

Purchase from Figleaves Pink Range

Figleaves.com 20% saving

noreply@blogger.com (Carl Grint) — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:35:00 +0000

Save 20% on all items at Figleaves.com until the end of of October 2008

Use Metro3 as the discount code in the Basket page.

Figleaves also have a selection of 3 for 2 items (enter code JUST342)

Visit Figleaves and start saving your 20%

Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick

noreply@blogger.com (Carl Grint) — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:05:00 +0000

To celebrate the launch of Rimmel London's New Moisture Renew Lipstick, Rimmel are giving you the chance to try a full size sample worth £5.49.

Moisture Renew Lipstick incorporates a unique blend of three super-moisturisers – polypeptides, hyaluronic acid and natural collagen – to hydrate lips intensely and in depth, lips look and feel up to 70% more hydrated!

With Moisture Renew Lipstick, colour is maximised, so your colour looks vivid and vibrant. Use Moisture Renew Lipstick for moisturising lip colour that cares!

Available in 18 amazing shades.

For your chance to win, all you have to do is enter their competition by registering or logging in, and answer their simple question

Visit Rimmel today, for your chance to win the new Moisture Renew Lipstick

Free Tickets for Formula Ford Carnival

noreply@blogger.com (Carl Grint) — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 19:36:00 +0000

Saturday 4th of October sees the 2008 Castle Combe racing season culminates with the traditional knock-out event for FF1600 cars.

Featuring the Home Nations Team Challenge, plus the final rounds of the Castle Combe FF1600, Saloon Car and Special GT Championships.
The Classic Sports Car Clubs Swinging 60s, Tin Tops, Jaguar XJS with the Saloon Championships, providing the support race action.

Practice starts at 8:40am, with the race proper starting at 1pm.

Admission costs:

£12 for adults with accompanied children free

To register for your free ticket, simply visit http://www.goliathreservations.com/res_web_brochure.asp and select the link to order, and enter your details.

For further information regarding the event visit the Castle Combe website

The Terminal Tom Hanks DVD £2.99

noreply@blogger.com (Carl Grint) — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 18:58:00 +0000

HMV are selling the Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg collaboration 'The Terminal' on DVD for only £2.99, including delivery.

Viktor Navorksi (Tom Hanks) falls into a bureaucratic crack in the system when his plane lands at New York's JFK airport from the fictitious country of Krakozhia.

Unbeknownst to Navorski, his country fell prey to a military coup while he was in flight, causing it to be wiped from the map.
This effectively renders his passport null and void, meaning he cannot legally enter America, nor return to his now non-existent home.

Barely able to speak English, the hapless Navorski is offered a sanctuary of sorts by kindly staff who allow him to freely inhabit the airport. With little money to his name,
Navorski has to quickly shed his feelings of displacement, confusion, and alienation to survive. Fortunately he has a resourceful nature, and makes a meagre amount of money for food by returning baggage carts.

As time passes he becomes more comfortable with his surroundings, even finding time to pursue a passing stewardess, Amelia (Catherine Zeta-Jones), who has captured his heart.

But airport denizens such as customs chief Frank Dixon (Stanley Tucci), who is a constant thorn in Navorski's side, remind him of his outsider status throughout the ordeal.

Director Steven Spielberg uses the airport setting of THE TERMINAL to represent a microcosmic view of the immigrant experience in American society.

Drawing on a fine performance from Hanks, and a supporting cast who provide plenty of laughs, Spielberg handles some delicate subject matter with an acute sensitivity, providing a heartfelt tale in the process.

Purchase The Terminal on DVD from HMV

Disney Free Birthday Admission

noreply@blogger.com (Carl Grint) — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 17:14:00 +0000

Disney are offering Free admission to people visiting on their Birthday to the Disney US parks.

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts have announced a new promotion to admit visitors free on their birthdays next year.

"Every guest gets in free to one of our parks on their birthday in 2009" Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, said at a news conference in Manhattan.

Visitors will have to show valid identification and proof of birth date to qualify.

Details are available at http://www.disneyparks.com, where birthday visits can be registered in advance.

Visitors with multi-day passes or who are otherwise already ticketed on their birthdays can either get a one-day one-park ticket for use in the next year; a "Fastpass" for four rides for up to six people; or a card with a dollar amount equal to the free ticket, usable toward merchandise and other purchases.

25% off In The Night Garden toys

noreply@blogger.com (Carl Grint) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 08:05:00 +0000

Tesco's Direct are currently selling their 'In the Night Garden' toys with a 25% discount.

Further, if you spend £20 or more, you can use the promotional code 'TDX-NCCL' and receive a £5 discount *

View In the Night Garden Toys at Tescos's Direct

* expires 10th November 20008

Free Sheer Moisture Lipstick

noreply@blogger.com (Carl Grint) — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 20:46:00 +0000

Boots are giving a free 17 Sheer Moisture Lipstick when you buy any product from the 17 range.

This special offer runs until the 8th of October.

Print the below voucher and take into your local Boots store.

Download Free 17 Lipstick Voucher

Dorothy Perkins Sale

noreply@blogger.com (Carl Grint) — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 07:39:00 +0000

Dorothy Perkins are running their VIP week from the 12th of September, both inStore and Online.

This entitles you to a 20% saving.

For your online discount, simply visit the Dorothy Perkins VIP page, and enter your email address.

To use the discount instore just download the PDF below.

Download the Dorothy Perkins 20% Discount Voucher to use instore

The VIP Event runs until September 21st.

Estee Lauder Sensuous Free Sample

noreply@blogger.com (Carl Grint) — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 08:17:00 +0000

Estee Lauder are providing a free sample of their 'Sensuous' fragrance at Boots.

Print out the voucher from the link below, and take it to your Boots counter* and receive your free 4ml sample

Download Voucher for Free Sample

* selected larger Boots

Wall-E (DVD) - £9.89 Delivered

noreply@blogger.com (Carl Grint) — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 12:38:00 +0000

Wall-E, the latest comedy adventure from the inventive storytellers and technical geniuses at Pixar Animation Studios (The Incredibles, Cars, Ratatouille) is now available at sendit.com for pre-order at £9.98

The movie will be released on 24th November 2008

The story, told by Academy Award®-winning writer-director Andrew Stanton (Finding Nemo), concerns a determined robot named WALL-E, left behind to clean up the planet after the last humans have left.

After hundreds of lonely years of doing what he was built for, WALL-E (short for Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-Class) has developed his very own personality.

He discovers a new purpose in life (besides collecting knick-knacks) when he encounters--and becomes enamoured with--a sleek search robot named EVE.

WALL-E and EVE travel across the galaxy and set into motion one of the most exciting and imaginative comedy adventures ever brought to the big screen.

Joining WALL-E on his fantastic journey across a universe of never-before-imagined visions of the future is a hilarious cast of characters, including a pet cockroach and a heroic team of malfunctioning misfit robots.

Order Wall-E DVD at Sendit.com

Pippa Funnell: Ranch Rescue Wii

noreply@blogger.com (Carl Grint) — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 08:05:00 +0000

Amazon are selling Pippa Funnell: Ranch Rescue on the Wii for £12.97

That is a nice 50% saving on the recommended price, and if you add £2 to the order, you will receive free shipping.

Take the reins and play as Lily in her most exciting horse adventure yet! Raise and nurture your horses from foals and train them to win competitions, and ride out freely in the open countryside, meeting people throughout your new adventure. you can rescue more animals.

Order Pippa Funnell: Ranch Rescue for the Wii at Amazon.co.uk

Iron Maiden Death On The Road DVD

noreply@blogger.com (Carl Grint) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 08:55:00 +0000

Play are selling Iron Maiden's 'Death on the Road' DVD for £6.99, with free delivery.

filmed at the Westfalenhalle Arena, Dortmund, Germany during the Dance of Death European Tour in December 2003 and fully captures the magnificent stage production and electricity of the band's performance. Steve Harris once again took four months personally supervising the editing of the footage and, like 'Rock In Rio', this means thousands of cuts right into the heart of the action

The DVD includes an impressive playlist

Declamation
Wildest Dreams
Wrathchild
Can I Play With Madness
The Trooper
Dance Of Death
Rainmaker
Brave New World
Paschendale
Lord Of The Flies
No More Lies
Hallowed Be Thy Name
Fear Of The Dark
Iron Maiden
Journeyman
The Number Of The Beast
Run To The Hills

Order your copy of Death on the Road from Play.com

Magnum IceCream Buy 1 Get 1 Free

noreply@blogger.com (Carl Grint) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 08:45:00 +0000

Lidl have a special offer for Magnum Ice-Cream, in both the Classic and White ranges.

Buy 1 Packet of 3 ice creams at £1.90 and get a second free

Find your Local Lidl

Burger King Breakfast Deals

noreply@blogger.com (Carl Grint) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 20:28:00 +0000

Burger King are currently running Special Offers for the month of August.

These include

Free Bacon Butty with a Drink.

Buy one Cumberland Sausage Butty, Get One Free

Download your Deals PDF

Alton Tower MidWeek Offer

noreply@blogger.com (Carl Grint) — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 11:51:00 +0000

Parent and Toddler Mid-week offer

There is an abundance of fantastic fun at Alton Towers Resort for smaller explorers!

Bring your toddler for just £12 mid week and enjoy the terrific attractions and activities.

The perfect place for a mid week visit and to meet friends.

Download mid week parent and toddler offer.

Offer includes free parking and one free hot drink!

Family Cabana half price at Amazon

noreply@blogger.com (Carl Grint) — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 07:56:00 +0000

Amazon currently have a range of Family Cabana's available at half their original retail price

Family Blue Star Cabana
£19.99
Was: £32.00

Family Poppy Cabana
£13.99
Was: £32.00

Tropical Beach Cabana
£9.99
Was: £25.00

Family Pink Spot Cabana
£15.50
Was: £32.00

Pirate Beach Cabana
£10.99
Was: £25.00

They all feature

"Safe in the Sun" UV50+ Kids funky Beach Cabana
Suitable for beach or garden
Easy assembly
Light and portable
Supplied in its own handy carry bag
Made from high quality fabric and camping style poles with built in ground sheet
Accommodate family of 4/5 * family models only
Size 120 x 100 x 100cms
Size 240 x 120 x 120cms * family models only

All Snuggle Sac Beach Cabanas are laboratory certified to offer Factor 50+ UV Sun Protection

And don't forget, spend £15 and delivery is free from Amazon, or sign up for a Prime account, and receive free next day delivers for everything you purchase.

iTunes Voucher Special Offer at Argos

noreply@blogger.com (Carl Grint) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 08:05:00 +0000

Argos are currently running a special offer which allows you to buy two £15 iTunes Vouchers for only £20. This saves you a 1/3 off the retail price.

To receive this offer add two items to your trolley. Offer ends 16th January 2009.

Purchase £15 iTunes Voucher's from Argos.co.uk

You can reserve to pick up at your local Argos store.

It also works for any number above 2, i.e select 3 and only pay £35 instead of £45

Summer Deals from Sainsburys

noreply@blogger.com (Carl Grint) — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 06:59:00 +0000

This week Sainbury's have new deals instore and online

Meat - 3 for 2
Sainsbury’s chicken thighs & drumsticks, 720g £2.99
Beef mince 500g, £2.20
Taste the difference smoked
Unsmoked bacon 220g, £3.19

Wine
Half Price
Now £3.99, was £7.99
Ernest & Julio Gallo Sycamore Canyon Chardonnay 75cl
Cabernet Sauvignon /Syrah Rosé 75cl

Sainsbury’s strawberries 454g
Now £1.99, was £3.99

Sainsbury’s blueberries 225g
Now £1.99, was £3.99

Wall’s Magnum classic/white 3 ice cream bars 360ml
Buy 1 Get 1 Free

Goodfella’s Delicia pizza
Buy 1 Get 1 Free
£2.49 each
margherita pizza 320g & pepperoni pizza 310g

Nestlé Cereal
3 for 2
Shredded Wheat Bitesize 500g
Honey Nut Shredded Wheat 500g
Cheerios 375g

All Whiskas standard 12-pack pouches
3 for 2
£3.38 each

Persil concentrated detergents 730ml (37p/100ml)
Now £2.66, was £3.99

All Nivea products (excluding Suncare), (various weights)
3 for 2
various prices

These deals start 23 July to 12 August 2008 unless otherwise stated.

Find your local Sainsburys or buy online.

Nightwear Sale at La Senza

noreply@blogger.com (Carl Grint) — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 07:31:00 +0000

La Senza are running a 48 hour sale for Nightwear

Receive 20% Off selected Nightwear between Midnight 23rd July and Midnight 25th July only.

This offer is only valid on the internet for 48hours.

Purchase Nightwear from La Senza sale