Social Media Reputation

Social Media is another way to connect with people, in some ways it is more efficient and takes less time than the standard routes of communication. It has also become an essential tool for businesses who want to attract a younger audience. In some ways social media has replaced your newspaper as the go to place if you wanted to get coupons for your favorite brand.

But just like anything online it is important to make sure that your accounts are not being used to respond to negative comments, it is important to keep it professional at all times. It may be tempting to respond to some comments but your businesses social media account is not the forum to do that. Your online reputation consists of more than just your website and comments that are written about you. Your socialmedia account is a big part of that.

Being that social media is less restrictive than a professional webpage people might find it easier to attack your reputation. The effect that this can have on your company is very damaging because everyone can see what someone one says about you. All it takes is one post and millions of people can view a negative comment about you which can get bigger if you do not take care of the problem as soon as it happens.

Your social media accounts are your customers go to place to get updates and more of an inside peek of your company. You want the atmosphere to be very inviting and pleasant, there should not be any negative comments left out in the open for everyone to see. It looks bad on your part because it makes your page look very sloppy, there should not be a compliment followed by three negative comments. Those comments should be taken care of and removed.

Monitoring your account is easier said than done, it can take a lot of time and attention away from your other business operations. It is very advisable that you hire either a team of experienced social media users or an online reputation firm that can help enhance your social media presence as well as monitor your account against any attack. Just like your online reputation it is very sensitive and should be handled by professionals who specialize in this particular field.

When dealing with your online reputation never hesitate to get help. It’s an investment that will pay itself off before you realize it.

Managing Your Online Reputation

Your online reputation should be taken with extreme consideration and managed with the right skills and technique. As a business owner you should be aware of all the negative content that can surround your name on a daily basis and that is why searching your name constantly on Google is extremely important. Checking your name should be a daily routine that you do, such as brushing your teeth, you want to make sure you are constantly on top of things so that if you see anything wrong you can fix it before it gets worse.

Buying domain names is also important because it will allow for you to have a control over the content that will be on the internet. Include your bio, blogs, anything that will help receive positive content to counter act the negative. Be sure to be organized where you put this type of content in order for others to easily view your information as well as other links to your social media accounts for example.

Social media accounts are very important when it comes to your online reputation. At the same time however, they can be your worst enemy if these accounts are not used properly. The point of a social media account as a business owner or professional is to network. Expanding your business, or meeting people that are in your field of business is the main idea. It is not a place to post inappropriate content, such as photos showing drinking or inappropriate activity. You will be digging yourself a major hole if you do not use your social media account in a professional manner.

Interaction with your customers and how you react to comments is also vile to your success. If you receive a negative comment on the internet remember to post without over reacting, or reacting out of emotion. Acting out of emotion will only cause your customers to think less of you, and perhaps lose their business. Remember that the customers that are going to leave comments about your brand name are either going to have a remarkable experience that is worth writing about, or a horrible experience in order to warn future customers. Make sure that you treat every comment with a professional attribute, and deal with the situation with a clear mind.

Maintaining a Loyal Customer Base

It is easier to say you are loyal than actually completing the act of being loyal. It often an overused word that over the years has developed many definitions and meanings. What one person may think loyalty is another person might have a totally different perspective on it. Is loyalty at times overrated, yes in some instances but it is very much underrated as well. Customer loyalty is very important to your business and when you have solid customer loyalty it is very important to reward them.

With businesses popping up all over the place something you can thank technology for, getting customers is now easier than ever right. I mean you have to be a caveman if you don't have a computer and your phone should be smarter than you. The gadgets are very nice but that won't attract customers to you and it definitely won't sell anything for you. You could have the best mobile app in the world and your website could be the most beautifully designed website running, it is going to take a little bit more work than that.

How much work you ask well that depends on the owner and his or her drive to be successful , stand out from the competition and deliver the best product and service imaginable. In other words there's a lot of work to be done if you want to develop loyal customer base. Starting with the basics whatever sectors you choose to do business in always remember to be honest with your customers. Speaking as a consumer the worst thing you can do as an owner is make false promises or not admit when you're wrong or have made a mistake.

It is a proven fact that when you're open and honest you will be forgiven much faster than if you lied, granted the forgiving process takes time nonetheless you can find yourself back in the good graces of your customers in due time. With honesty taken care of let’s get to the service and products, what you won't do another will. I mentioned earlier that businesses are all over and you would be hard pressed to find one business that specializes in one field and not have any competition. You're competing for business so it is important that your product stands out and is the well ahead of your rivals.

Your services has to be just as good, customer service, shipping, prices and inventory has to always be on point. Customers today have so many options to choose from so you will constantly be measured by your competition detail for detail. Knowing all of this is key to longevity and loyal customers, I’ve mentioned before if customers feel comfortable using your products they will continue to give you their business for a very long time. It's a win-win for both sides in my book.  

Starting and creating a business is a headache in its own right, now you have to make sure that your business attracts customers and keeps them doing business with you for many years to come.

Etymology and Understanding Our Online Origins

Etymology is the study of the origin of words and the ways in which their meanings have historically developed. In understanding the meaning of words, their origins, and their application to our lives, we begin at the root of the word and dissect it. “Photography” for instance is derived from the Greek photos - for “light” and graphos- for “drawing.”

Applying these same rules to our modern, online vocabulary, we can discover the deeper meanings of social networks use every day. Most titles or names seem self-explanatory at first glance; “Pinterest,” “YouTube,” and “Facebook” for example. We are so familiar with these networks that we gloss over their true meanings and functions.

As with most modern technological names, Facebook does not follow the traditional patterns of name origin. But, by dissecting the word, perhaps we can derive a new meaning applicable to our online selves.  The website began as ’“facemash” which derived from the nickname of Harvard student directories. When the site launched the second time it was renamed “The FaceBook,” which we all know now as “Facebook.”

If we apply the same logic to the word Facebook, dissecting it, the first word being “face” deriving from the Latin word facies- for “appearances”. The second word being “book” deriving from the Latin word codex, meaning the modern equivalent of book carved into a "block of wood".

In applying etymology to our online reputation, we can see that Facebook could literally mean carving our appearance in a block of wood. While this may not be as permanent as carving into stone, the basic gesture of carving has a significant impact, especially when it comes to our reputation. We are carving our online reputations. Therefore it is vital for us to remain consistent and constantly aware that we have an appearance to consider, not only of ourselves, but those we represent, and those who represent us.

  

The physical layout and design of your online self, on Facebook or other social medias, is vital. The initial appearances found online mimics the first impressions we often experience in person. Managing an online reputation can be exhausting and time consuming, especially when there are countless networking sites already demanding detailed management and more sites coming into popularity each day. While Facebook may seem like a fun pastime, or a way to keep in contact with old friends, and distance family, it is also a valuable tool in which we can carve our onlinereputations.

Summary: In applying etymology to our onlinereputation, we can see that Facebook could literally mean carving our appearance in a block of wood. Therefore it is vital for us to remain consistent and constantly aware that we have an appearance to consider, not only of ourselves, but those we represent, and those who represent us. 

What is Your Online Reputation Worth?

If you could put a price on your online reputation what would it be? Would people think it’s too high or too low? Well to answer those questions you don't have to put numbers on them yourself the reviews and comments that people post about your company can tell you the answer.

Too many negative comments and you should know your price is going to be low and there is a lot of improvement needed. A mixture of bad and good means you are on the right track but there is still a lot of work to do to get rid of the negative comments or at least cut them down. If you get a majority of positive comments it is safe to say that you should continue doing what you are doing. Your company is working hard to please customers and they are satisfied with what you are giving them.

Don't rest on your laurels just yet. As long as other companies and businesses have room for improvement they will always be working their way up the ladder in hopes of one day taking your spot. It is the beauty of competition. If we say this company is better than yours and you disagree prove it. Show us why we are wrong and you are right. It will push both companies to bring out the best in each other, with the ultimate winner being the customer.

In today's business world your image and reputation is just as important as the profit you are bringing in, in fact it might be even more important because a bad image or reputation can lead to a profit loss which is never a good thing. Businesses are now putting more emphasis on their reputation not just for profits but for longevity and future earnings.

After 2008 the financial direction has taken a different turn, no longer are you aiming for short returns you now need to make sure what you do today prepares you for tomorrow. In other words each day you are preparing for your future so it is important that you don't do anything to jeopardize it. It is for this very reason I believe we are going to see businesses become more customer centered they now have a clear understanding that the longevity and survival of their company depends on customer satisfaction.

When the customer speaks listen, they are going to be honest and upfront with you. But beyond listening you must take action it will speak louder than anything you do.

Help with Yelp! (and other reviews)

There are dozens of online resources and social networking sites based on user-generated reviews. Yelp is one such site. It is an online urban city guide, assisting users in finding places to eat, drink, shop, play, and much more. Services such as Yelp grant users the ability to search by location or cuisine, providing detailed knowledge of a business before they venture into a store to shop the aisle, or before they reserve a seat at a local bistro. 

There are intricate systems of rating to determine the quality of service, the noise level, decor, prices, coupons, accessibility, menu, taste, and many other categories. Many of these elements can be controlled within the walls of your restaurant, if the menu is lacking, you have the power to change the recipes, if the decor is poor, you could hang new wallpaper.  But, you cannot as easily control or change the virtual appearance and reputation of your restaurant. You can review and approve each bottle of wine that enters the restaurants inventory room, but, how can you review and approve the hundreds of public reviews before they are posted online, spoken on the radio, or published in print?

It only takes one negative review to taint your online reputation. One over-cooked steak, a weak drink, a rainy day that closes your patio seating section. One unsatisfied customer or disgruntled employee. Even a well-meaning patron, attempting to give constructive criticism, could ruin your restaurants onlinereputation. 

A hiccup in your online reputation, such as a negative review on social networking sites like Yelp, can decrease the number of patrons coming through your doors, determine the type and amount of food they order, these sales can affect the type of staff you have the ability to employ, and eventually corrupt your business so deeply that you may be forced to close your doors and lose your dream.

That may sound extreme; it may sound like a mountain being made from a mole hill, the enormous loss of a business from online reviews and ratings. Unfortunately, this scenario is not uncommon and does not unfold slowly. 

You cannot ignore negative reviews; you cannot expect your customers to ignore negative reviews. You must confront them, and confronting negative reviews takes time and patience. It is important to respond to all reviews, negative and positive. Build an open and respectful online dialog between your business and the public.

Coming Up with the Right Domain Name

When first creating your website, there's a lot riding on what you register as the domain name. If a domain name is made too obscure or inappropriate for your site, you've already taken a huge misstep that damages your chances at a successful website. Domain names that are relevant to you site's interest will market your website for you, gathering viewers who are looking for what you offer through search engines. When thinking up your domain name, you should match it with your site's name or purpose and make it easy to remember.

There are many websites who've taken domain names lightly and registered them contradictory to the website's own name. Your domain name should always reflect what your website is based on. If you have a company called Acme Electronics and you're creating a site for the first time, then your domain name should be "www.acmeelectronics.com" or "www.acme.com," something that uses your company or brand name. An obscure domain name that has nothing to do with the name of your site, business or brand, is going to confuse potential viewers and mislead them to another competitor's site.

If you don't exactly have a brand name, then you should concentrate on creating a domain name that is close to whatever interest your website is based on. Although it may be difficult to get a domain name that is incredibly generic like "weather" or "phones," you can still try for a domain name that's as close to the topic as possible. Take whatever unique aspect that separates your site from others that are similar and try to put it in the domain name. This is a good way to distinguish yourself and use your domain name to attract people who are looking for the specific interest you're selling.

Another tip is to make your domain name memorable. A short and simple domain name is always a good route to go, but you shouldn't diverge from your site's focus just to make it short. Not all short domain names are memorable, especially if it is a series of obscure letters or numbers that don't add up to words or phrases. If you must make a longer domain name to ensure its close relation to your site's name and topic, then don't hesitate to do so.

If you need assistance in domain name registration, try out Centel Media™. You can find more information on Centel Media™ homepage.

What Makes Popular Blogs Popular?

The blogging world is crowded and competitive, so finding a way to break away from the pack can be a tremendous hurdle. You can help your own blog by taking a look at some of the more successful blogs on the Internet to see what aspects make them work and how those aspects can improve yours. I'm not telling you to steal all their ideas, but to compare how their appearance relates to your own. If you take hints from others and spin them with your own unique ideas, your blog may find the following you've always wanted.

Many popular blogs have organized their content with the general public's attention span in mind. A common set-up follows close to the way Digg organizes its articles, using boxes with a headline, picture and short description of the article's topic. These boxes are aligned so that a reader doesn't have to strain looking for material to read. Economically sound organization creates a professional feel and provides a reader with all the information necessary for them to decide if the content is worth reading further. If the reader is interested, then they click or tap on the box and are brought to the full article.

Pictures and videos help draw the eye of a reader towards content, which then makes it more likely for them to invest time into reading the material. Many of the more popular blogs accompany pictures and videos with the subject at hand, providing an anchor to capture the interest of a reader. Colorful, bold and creative pictures posted next to an article or post is often the most important selling point to a reader, so make sure to choose your images wisely. Keep pictures and videos clear and on topic in order to utilize them effectively.

The most popular blogs have a professional layout that places links to other sections or topics within the first screen that a page viewer will come into contact with. You mustn't force your readers to search hard for whatever they're looking for, because that will be cause for the viewer to leave and lose interest in returning. Links to other blogs and social media sites are present on all the popular blogs and can help yours spread out to a wider audience.

If blog creation has been a hassle, Centel Media™ has services to help you.

From Fame to Infamy

Being thrust into the public eye can be so overwhelming that keeping up a good image becomes a monumental task. Many famous celebrities have fallen victim to the hyperactive world of fame, finding themselves looked down at as something less than human and in severe cases, end up dead. All the examples of public figures who have fallen from grace share the same downward spiral that dragged them into misery and shame. For those trying to grow a newly found fame, learning from past celebrity mistakes can help you steer clear of trouble and maintain a positive image.

Once a public figure starts down a road of trouble, they often have a difficult time recovering and retaining a stable life. Bad publicity can weigh heavy on those who don't have the right defense, causing depressive symptoms that may lead to irrational acts or drug abuse. Maintaining a strong armor to fend off bad publicity is essential, but if a celebrity's pride becomes too sensitive, they may not handle any negative situation correctly. Helpful friends and family members also add to a strong resistance, but too many celebrities surround themselves with bad influences who just add to their problems.

Further down the road of decline, celebrities begin to cope with excess stress by delving into poor behavior. Drugs are an epidemic in the world of fame, taking hold of many gifted souls with great potential who desperately wish to escape the immense pressure, only to sink deeper. Under the influence, celebrities begin to make bad decisions that lead to a life of crime or public humiliation that further cements their fate. Staying above the hardships and maintaining one's health are the answers to rebound from traumatic events and start the healing process.

Although the tragic cases are numerous, there are also the figures who recovered from drugs or other poor lifestyles to become prominent role models in society. Rehabilitating one's life from severe crisis is an enormous obstacle, but taking one step at a time and holding on to the most important things in life are the keys to reform. With the severe scrutiny that has developed during the Internet Age, it has become more and more difficult to fend off the destructive aspects of fame, but if you have a tough resistance and strong resolve, nobody can bring you down.

Online Reputation, A World Wide Importance

If you're a business owner in the United States, you may think that your online reputation is not going to be relevant in any other country. However, this is not the type of mindset that you should have. Onlinereputation management is an approach that people across the globe are starting to take part of--they are taking the right steps before negative content harms their brand name.

Choosing a firm that will help maintain your online reputation is more of a necessity nowadays, rather than a luxury. Negative content can harm your name at any given point and it does not have any remorse in doing so. A negative online reputation will cost you customers, and you cannot run a successful business if you do not have customers. The United States are the first ones to have an impact and show how important onlinereputation management is. Other nations, such as the UK, are going towards this direction as well.

Centel Media™ is one of the most reputable companies out there for dealing with online reputation management. The experts and professionals working at this company understand the importance of your online reputation and they take the proper measures to build clients a strong and positive online reputation. These are the type of people you want building and working with you in order to achieve a positive online reputation.

Choosing an online reputation management company is not something that you should ignore. It is very easy for your competitors to harm your name by adding negative comments or any type of negative content. Many business owners have taken the steps in hiring an online reputation management company before their name is harmed by negative content. Do not wait and do not give your competitors the upper hand when it comes to your image on the internet.

The reason why online reputationmanagement is important is due to the fact that anyone can Google your name and come up with information regarding your brand. Your business should expand nationwide, or at least have the idea in doing so. That is why it is important to management your brand, or better yet, hire an online reputation management company that can help you build the reputation you want.

Trust in Corporate America

Corporations in America have developed a bad reputation in recent years. Notorious corporate failures that coincided with the country's economic collapse created more distrust between Americans and large corporations. They continue to advertise about their desire to help America grow, take care of their employees and provide Americans with unique and helpful services, but people continue to see corporate Goliaths as poorly-run, uncaring and elitist, taking away much clout from their proclaimed intentions. To regain the trust corporations have lost, they need to understand the faults of past failures and prove, through transparency, that they have learned and want to change old corporate culture.

The distrust starts at the top, with corporate leadership. CEOs and board members are seen as selfish and uncaring for their shareholders and employees. Large paychecks and cushy benefits spoil the image of top-level suits and hinder any progress in regaining the people's trust. Perceived or exposed corruption at the top of big name giants have ruined the image of all corporations and fueled America's anger. A lack of information is the main culprit in this regard, forcing the people to create their own perception of a conglomerate without being given a glimpse of how that company operates.

Further down the chain, a corporation is judged by what product or service it provides. A company without a reasonably priced, quality product will never gain favor from prospective buyers or investors. A bad product shows a lack of respect for the customer and gives the impression that the corporate giant behind the product only cares about cutting corners to save money and protecting their own interests. So, it is critical for companies to back up what they claim and sell something that represents their care for the consumer. Taking the customer's point of view into consideration is vital in recapturing American trust, but without proof that the ways of the corporate world have changed, the wound will never heal.

The people need a sign that corporations truly want to be on their side, not against them. Being truthful and admitting to the things done wrong will show a sense of responsibility and begin to bridge the divide. But, ultimately, Americans want proof. They want to know that companies truly mean what they say. If corporations really want to earn back the trust they lost, then they must give some in return. 

Common Missteps in Hotel Management

Hotels are held up to high standards, and if any guest runs into serious negligence by management, then that hotel will be hit hard with negative reviews and bad publicity. To stay in front of possible problems, hotels must be aware of the most common problems that guests come into contact with when staying overnight. After a guest invests money and the fate of their trip or vacation in a hotel, they develop a sensitive judgment of that hotel's appearance, comfort and hospitality. The success or failure of a hotel lies in guest reaction and opinion of how well their stay at the hotel went. Topping the list of complaints that ruin hotel credibility are poor customer service and environment.

A guest expects the hotel staff to treat them with warmth and maintain an obligation to fulfill any request they make. Staff must listen to their guests and give them any available service to help them stay comfortable and adjusted to their temporary home. Poorly managed hotels often have staff that seem disinterested and simply want to get their paycheck and leave. Finding staff that are friendly and can offer good insight into the area surrounding the hotel are essential, because unhelpful, rude or lazy staff automatically shatters hotel credibility and detracts from a guest's stay.

Even if the staff is friendly, a bad environment will leave guests with a spoiled view of the hotel. A room that has bugs, stains, poor design or noisy surroundings all are common problems with badly run hotels. Staff must clean the room every day that a guest stays, because negligence will be noticed. Stale design and a boring or nonexistent window view injure an initial reaction and take away from any excitement generated from arriving at the hotel. Noisy neighbors and close proximity to loud ice machines or the swimming pool may enrage guests who are trying to get some sleep.

Well-run hotels put customer service and maintenance at the forefront. Hotels need to do whatever they can to ensure that guests don't hear much outside noise, are provided with daily cleaning service and arrive with a comfortable room to stay. Good managers look for any and all ways to accommodate each of their guests and hold up the standard that all hotels should swear by. 

The Pitfalls of Facebook: How to Avoid Them

Facebook has numerous benefits that stretch from personal networking to building a business. However, Facebook also has a dark side, one that can injure your appearance and deter any progress you've made in whatever interest you're pursuing through your page. The positives that make social media sites like Facebook so popular and useful can often come back to bite you if you don't take precaution into what you do and say on your page or someone else's. An even scarier aspect of Facebook comes in the form of the things you can't control. If you want to keep ahead of any possible problems that may arise through your use of Facebook, then think your actions through and take the time to properly input privacy settings.

The most common pitfall in Facebook comes through the posts and pictures you yourself put up. One such mistake is to post something up that you only want a select group to see and end up having the whole world see it anyway. For example, if you're a rebellious teenager still living with your parents and put up an invitation on Facebook for a house party that you want to have when your parents are gone, there may be a chance you forget that one of your many Facebook friends is actually a family member who then finds out and sells you out to your parents (oops). So, make sure you check and double-check who can see what you post if you want to keep something secret.

Then, there are the things you can't control on social media, which can end up being your worst nightmare. With the astounding number of people on sites like Facebook, you're almost hard-pressed to find someone who doesn't have a page. So, through Facebook, other users can post pictures of themselves and friends at any time and any place. If a friend of yours tags you on a picture you're in, and this picture is embarrassing or something you don't want to be shown, then your humiliation is visible to everyone. Make sure to choose wisely when asked if you want to be tagged in a photo and take detrimental pictures off your page if you must.

These common problems on Facebook occur frequently, but luckily there's an easy solution. Change your Facebook settings to your liking, so that only the people you want to view your page are the ones who can.

Zeroing In

For many people it is a dream come true to own, operate and control their own business. All the hard work has led to this day and it is straight to the top from there. But, the hard work is not done yet. You have to know what audience you are targeting before you start your business. Make sure the message and products you have are clear and concise and targeted to the right audience.

Knowing the audience you are targeting starts way before you begin to operate. When you have your internal team together, from there you can brainstorm and decide what products belong to each audience. Research is going to be very important for you--it will help determine what product and services to match to your unique blend of customers. As an owner, it is important that you are able to really understand who your customers will be, what they like and how you can give it to them.

Marketing is more than just another way to promote and bring attention to your products and services. It is a deep connection to the audience in which you are trying to reach. Marketing over the years has evolved and today it can make or break a company, especially one that is just starting out. It is very important that when you market your product you don't include any messages they may be deemed offensive or culturally insensitive.

Global business has allowed you to expand into countries that have different cultural practices then the one you currently call home. That is why I mentioned research earlier in this blog, because if you are going to make a commercial or post a billboard up, it is important that you know what is appropriate to post or show on television without being offensive.

Once you have all the important tasks taken care of, you can move on and get into really operating your business. It is important that you know who you are targeting so you can give them the best product and service that will best suit their needs. When the time is right you can expand your horizons by either adding more products to your inventory or globally doing business. Whatever you choose to do just make sure you have a clear idea of who you want your products to reach.

Reaching the right audience may seem like a piece of cake, but it can get very confusing if you don't do your research beforehand. Know who you are targeting before you begin the process of offering service.

It Was All Good a Week Ago

When the mighty fall, they fall hard. I am not trying to kick a person while he is down, or poke fun, but the lack of humility that one has demonstrated while at the top is one reason there is little sympathy. You can always get back up and dust yourself off, but the journey back will be even harder than it was before and twice as hard to maintain. You have attention, all eyes on you. That is, after all, what you craved isn't it? But those eyes are anxiously waiting for you to fall again so they can stand tall over you.

I always felt humility will take you so far in life, farther than any dollar will ever take you. You could lose it all, but if you were humble and the people that supported you remembered that, you will thrive. You might not be as rich but the strength and love you are getting from your fans will more than make up for that.

Many business owners have the fortune but lack the humility. They are treading on thin ice. With regulations becoming tighter, one slip up and the gates to negative publicity will open. And you won't get one thread of sympathy from anyone.

But, I’ll lay off the big wigs for a bit and scale it down to the smaller owners. These are the smaller owners who have dreams of making it big and can. However, they lack simplicity and that will cost them. When you are in this stage of your career, it is important to know that aside from your hard work it's the customers who keep you going. They allow you to continue to operate by giving you their business in exchange for your services.

While it is only natural for you to get bigger and expand, you cannot forget those that helped you get there. More often than not you hear about small businesses that have become huge conglomerates, but they are in the press for all the wrong reasons. This included being sued by former partners and dealing with ethics violations, just to name a few. It is headlines like this that people remember. When you fall, you're going to be up against a wall and you're going to be looking for support from those same customers that you shunned.

Humility will allow you to live on forever. Even after you are gone, if your company is still around the image of it will be one of much humility.

Projection

I bet if we had the ability to see into the future we would change what we do today to ensure that we would be better off in our future. But unfortunately we don't have the power to do that so as mere mortals we are stuck trying to make today a better day for tomorrow. Projection is a heavily used word in business and sports; it is based on how others see you doing in the future and how you will fare against sudden changes and events.

Where do you see yourself five, ten or fifteen years from now? What are the projections for your business that the so called experts have forecasted for you? While it can be very good to have your company named in projections, the work you put in is going to be the real projection for growth. What people can assume your business will do is one thing, but only you can come up with the results not any expert forecast.

Who is to say that projections are correct, after all many of times people have projected a stock to rise or a team to win the championship only to see the stock fall and the team not even make the playoffs. There is little weight held in a projection in fact there is none at all. If you ask a CEO of what he thinks about his projected company quarterly earnings he would say he could care less. The same with the coach of a professional sports team, ask them if they care and the response you get back would be filled with expletives.

The point I am trying to make is when you are starting the projections that people will make for your business will be downright depressing. Let that be your inspiration to succeed rather than be intimidating. I started off this blog with the thought of all humans being able to see into the future and what that would mean. Those experts who make those projections are trying to possess that power but they fall very short. And not only do they fall short they are wrong half of the time! Some power they have they should get their money back. Projections are filled with human error but hard work is filled with blood, sweat, tears and the desire to not lose and be successful.

Hard work can't be projected or forecasted. It is only measured by how much you put into your business and the return it gives you in the form of success.

What You Should Know About Uploading Video to Your Site

Video is a great tool to use for any website, providing new ways for you or your business to gain exposure. However, it's important to understand how video works on the Internet to ensure you don't misuse it and risk bad publicity. Spreading word of your interests related to your website can be tough. With all other websites trying to vie for new visitors, it's important to use all the tools you can to separate you or your business from the crowd, and video is a very useful option. To properly use video on your website, you should take advantage of its ability to market, inform and entertain guests on your site, while at the same time remembering that anything posted on the Internet stays on the Internet.

If your website is aimed at exposing products or services, then marketing through video can be a great asset. Marketing campaigns that are focused on giving potential customers a glimpse of what you offer, like commercials, should be limited to short videos that briefly touch on major selling points. You could also make videos that are longer and more in-depth to inform truly interested parties of all the specific qualities you wouldn't normally be able to fit into a commercial. The ability to further inform potential customers is what makes a website unique from all other forms of marketing, giving your business a chance not just to capture intrigue, but to fuel it.

Maybe your website isn't business oriented, but that doesn't mean video can't be used for exposure. Entertaining or informative videos that revolve around the interests of your site can keep things fresh and prevent your content from becoming stale. Blogs or personal pages often need an extra boost that steers your site's interests in new directions and explores topics that may not be easy to translate into written form. Keeping an open mind to different forms of media on your personal page may be the ticket to breaking any creative block holding you back.

Despite all the benefits of using video for webpages, you must never forget to watch what you post. Just like anything else on the Internet, even if you think you've deleted something, there's a good chance you didn't. Other people can download videos you post and repost them elsewhere, giving embarrassing or detrimental video new life, and stripping you of any control. Be smart about what you put up on your site and keep other people's perspectives in mind. If these cautionary words came too late and you've already got a video crisis on your hands, then consider Centel Media™ video suppression service. 

Negative Articles: How They Hurt You and How to Stop Them

When destructive articles about you or your business surface online, your reputation can take a major hit. It acts against all the work you or your business have done to market your interests and places you in the awkward position of needing to defend them. If handled inappropriately, your reputation will continue to unwind. Take care of negative articles by pausing and really thinking about what your next move will be. First, gather information on the source of the defamation and grasp the impact of the words spoken against you or your business, then take the appropriate action.

With the number of websites that exist online, only a handful are known by the majority of the public. Some sites, although accompanied by a following, steer clear of the public eye. Figure out the history and current state of the article's origin to understand if the source has the capability to spread the article further across the Internet and thus endangering your interests. If you decide that the source is indeed noteworthy, or even if you feel the situation will worsen if left unattended, then the next step is to swallow your pride and listen to the article.

It may feel like listening to a negative article about you or your business will just add to your stress, but doing so will give you the proper perspective of the issue at hand. Determine if the words in the article are slanderous and overly-personal or level-headed and unbiased. If written without bias, it's possible that the article may be something to take into consideration and a possible way to grow your business by showing you listen to complaints and express a desire to continue improving yourself or your business. Articles that land on the side of insult and slander should be handled with great professionalism. Never re-engage through insult or argument, keep yourself calm and collected.

Now that you've got a solid grip on the article's source and impact, it's time to take action. If you've decided that the article needs to be dealt with, and then find a reputable firm that can help suppress the article from public view. Centel Media™ offers this service and you can find out more on the Centel Media™ home page. 

Get the Media to Market Your Product for You

Writing solid press releases can create intrigue in your business and spread word of new products you wish to make public. If the press release is done right, your product will be marketed for you through interest from the media, which will translate into exposure to new customers. If you want to see your business make its way into magazines, newspapers or even television, then putting together a press release with the right elements is essential. To make an attractive press release, you must grab your audience's attention, make it short and sweet, and provide convincing evidence to back up what you say.

No matter what you're writing, it's key to maintain your audience's interest so they continue to read, and press releases are no different. First, write a gripping headline that both identifies your subject and leaves your audience wanting to know more. Initial impressions mean everything, and a compelling headline will give you an edge, but keep a hold of your audience once they begin to read the body of the press release. Try not to stray from hard facts, flowery or abstract writing should be kept out of the picture.

A one or two page press release is the appropriate length. Dragging on too long is an automatic turn off and landing too short makes it looks like you don't have enough good things to say about your product. It may be difficult to keep your press release short and quick at first, but if you cut down on filler and stick with concrete, need-to-know information, you'll have better luck keeping their attention. Getting straight to the point, within the first paragraph is a must. You don't need a long, drawn out introduction to your product or you'll risk losing your audience, just cut to the chase.

Potential customers always reach the point in a pitch where they need proof. Back up your product by providing them with the facts, the evidence that shows your product can live up to what you claim. Statistics and numbers are always good things to include in a press release in order to show your product's capabilities and subtly compare your product with what your competition has to offer.

If you're looking for a professional firm to handle your press releases, check out Centel Media™.

Shaking Off the Rust

Practice makes perfect and once you have it down to a science it becomes second nature. Even if you stop for a couple of years it is still ingrained in you, muscle memory will never go away. When getting back into the swing of things it is important to shake of the rust and there will be plenty. Also know that you will have to be prepared to make adjustments, things more than likely will have changed while you were away so it is important that you know what you are up against.

When you are taking your business online back from a long hiatus be advised that the online business game has changed big time. It will be tougher for you because there is so much that you need to catch up on and be aware of. Your business is no longer just going to survive on its .com name you now have to have to look into a social media account and promotion using that platform.

If you are not discouraged yet it gets better trust me. Your online business is looked at today as an extension of you as a person. How it is designed, its ease of navigation and shipping procedures are very important and can be a breaking point for your profit if you are not taking care of it. Gone are the days where you could just present customers with a website and leave it up to them to find what they wanted. The more interactive the site is the more traffic you will get.

In your day how you separated yourself from your competition was to take your business online, you were taking your arms race viral. Today everyone has a website for their business it is very easy to obtain one, with that being said you need to find a way to stand out among your rivals. Now how you do that is up to you there are many routes you can take, hopefully you find the one that best suits your needs.

Lastly your online reputation, everything I laid out for you all culminates to your online reputation and if that becomes negative or gets dragged through the mud you are going to wish that you never returned to doing business online. Keep your reputation in the clear by taking heed to all customers questions and concerns, know that any adjustments or changes you want to make will have an effect on your customers and that will have the biggest effect on your profit.

Returning to online business can be a boost for your company, but all that glitters is not gold. The internet has become a warzone so be prepared to battle to make your company stand above all.

Turn an Ordinary Blog Extraordinary

You can find a blog for just about anything, and it takes a little creativity and work to give your blog that much needed edge. The first step is finding the right topic, which can be trickier than it may seem. Your idea must have room to grow so that it doesn't come across as stale after blogging over a lengthy course of time. My best advice is to start a blog about something you're passionate about, something that means a lot to you. If you can provide a unique perspective on a topic you care about, your readers will take notice and appreciate it all the more.

Before you get seated to start writing your material, you should take a long look at how your blog appears to those who visit your page. Match the background, text and graphics with the tone of your blog. Don't settle for the default appearance that your blog platform initially gives you, take time and search the Internet for different styles you can use that will match your blog appropriately. Keep the page clean of clutter and if you use advertisement, make sure it doesn't become too intrusive on your guests. Always keep your guest's perspective in mind and don't shy away from constructive criticism they may provide you.

Once you get your blog's appearance up to par, the next obvious step is to provide content for your page. Do your best to keep your blog postings on topic to what you're promising to blog about. If you begin to stray from your original goal, new visitors will be confused and turned off by your inconsistency. One of the more difficult aspects to blogging is keeping your material fresh, especially if you're topic is narrow. Taking the time to do some research to gain new perspective never hurts, and thinking back on some personal experiences can provide a boost to exhausted material.

The final key to a successful blog is originality, which is much easier said than done. To gain a head start against potential competing blogs, do some investigating, look up other blogs that have a similar topic as yours and take note of their theme, tone and appearance. If you can take those elements and shift them around in a way that no other blog has, then you've got yourself an original blog. This is a challenging hurdle that requires a lot of creativity and thought, but with enough effort you can turn your blog into something great.

Need help creating a blog? Centel Media™  has a blog creation service that will help your blog start off on the right foot.

Taking Advantage of a Growing Reputation Online

If you're starting to make headway through a growing business or newly found fame, it's often difficult to discover more avenues to spread your reputation. There are numerous ways to capitalize on a growing name through exposure online. Choosing the right content for the right sources will give you a chance to further your success and prevent the dreaded fall from the public eye. Facebook, Twitter and Wikipedia are three solid options that may grant you the platform you need for continued opportunity.

A public Facebook page gives you the chance to generate more interest in your affairs. By linking yourself to your fans or supporters, you can gain new publicity from other users on Facebook. Remember that likes on Facebook make you visible on that user's timeline and to his or her friends. The friends of the initial fan or supporter will gain awareness of you and increases the chance they investigate deeper into who you are and what you've done. Creative posts, including videos and images, will enhance your page and give reason for others to revisit, but be sure to update frequently.

Twitter provides you with a way to update your followers with news about your work and life. To establish a deeper connection with your followers, tweeting consistently will help keep your name at the forefront. Responding to tweets from your followers is an even greater asset, because it shows that you invest in your followers as much as they invest in you. However, there are many pitfalls in Twitter that you must avoid. Don't start or continue arguments and try to stay away from controversial topics to ensure that you don't provide others with a skewed perception of who you are.

Another great way to spread your name is through Wikipedia. Although Wikipedia's public editing policy can, every once in a while, be a downside, it still remains a great place for people to learn more about you. Interested parties can view your accomplishments, background and future plans on Wikipedia, enhancing their views on you and your work. Take the time to view your Wikipedia page every now and then to ensure the information remains accurate.

Updating all these different social media sites and webpages may be a lot to handle on your own. If you need help in creating a Wikipedia page or gaining exposure on Facebook and Twitter, check out these services offered by Centel Media™.

Webpage Design: What Catches the Eye?

For those who are just starting to branch out into webpage design for personal or business related interests, then you need to understand the importance of your page's appearance to the visitor's eye. It would take ages just to look through all the half-finished, abandoned webpages across the Internet, most of which lacked in design and didn't go the extra lengths to make their page intriguing. To take your page to the next level, you must look at it through an outsider's perspective, keep it organized and seek out the right appearance for your content with a unique angle that differentiates your page from the thousands that are similar.

The majority of hits a webpage gets are through links from outside sources like search engines. Once a visitor clicks on your page, the next few seconds will determine that person's opinion of your webpage. The loading time and initial appearance are the two factors that you must be aware of. Do what you can to reduce your page's loading time and try to include relevant content and graphics that entice the interests of your visitors. Dull coloring and disorganized content can be the reason your visitors won't return.

So, what type of appearance will help give your page a boost? Well, this ultimately depends on what your page is about, however, there are a few universal constants that separate the well-formed pages from the sloppy. If you care about your page, then you should also care about the professional feel your page gives off. Make all your links and other important information accessible and easy to find. Don't force your visitors to scroll down a long webpage, keep it concise, to the point and clear for everyone to understand.

You should always seek ways to generate a theme for your webpage and base it off your personality (if the page is for personal reasons) or the topic at hand. If your webpage is about a topic that is widely covered across the Internet already, then you need to strive for a unique element that can make your page one-of-a-kind. A page with exclusive content or personality will get people to rely on your material and thus give them a reason to keep visiting.

If webpage design or boosting your site's search engine results have proven to be difficult, Centel Media™ offers services for both.