Susan Finch Solutions

Learning about Technorati. What are those little tags?

Technorati Profile
Here are some quick explanations:

Web definitions for Technorati
	Technorati is an Internet search engine for searching blogs, competing with Google and Yahoo. As of June 2008, Technorati indexes 112.8 million ... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technorati - Definition in context

Facebook is a copycat, Facebook is a copycat

Between the folks who don't understand how free services sites, like Facebook, evolve regularly because of the mounds of input they get and their own insider geek mentality, change comes with pain.  I've read more whiners about how they "hate" the new Facebook.  Get over it. Move on.  It's free, it's fun.  Adjust.

Part of the changes come from Facebook trying to copy our favorite little microblogging site - Twitter.
I thought you would enjoy this article from AdAge

PetOdorOut Blog Launch - The BEST kitty litter and more

Today I was able to launch about 22 Twitter sites, 5 of them customized and this new blog for some great pet products:  Pet Odor Out and Ultimate Cat Litter; and a few CSI type of gadgets including those black lights for - you know... detecting "things."

You can view this Ultimate Pet Products blog  here.

What's your office policy on surfing during work?

It's been many years since I've had to deal with an office situation.  I never had the cubicle structure.  We were in an open office with chair mats so we could roll quickly around the room and collaborate on projects.  There was no privacy and we didn't care.  We stayed after hours if we had private projects and during the day surfing was encouraged to see what was happening in the world and our industry.  We were a mature enough bunch that didn't have to be told not to go to "the dark places" on the Internet.

What is your policy?  Are you permitted to spend a bit of time catching up with local favorite sites?  Perhaps posting a quick blog or twitter update. Or do you have to sneak and quickly hide what you are doing?  If so, that's too bad. I'm sorry for you and the corporate mentality that stifles creativity, research, and exploration. It's also pretty petty. 

This article was posted in AdAge today. I thought you would find it interesting.

Current Blogs Designed and/or Maintained by Susan

http://blog.petexpousa.net
http://blog.wadeperryproperties.com
http://blog.respectfactor.com
http://www.artlit.us
htpp://rhsauction.com
http://blog.lynmar.com
http://dailyexhale.com
http://blog.perrypropertyadvisors.com

FEATURED PROJECTS & RECENT LAUNCHES

	Sales Lead Management Association >> Industry support site needed major housecleaning. Needed private login and forms data management for membership and private content.
	WadePerryProperties.com >> New broker in Colorado who wanted to position himself to show his love of the community he sells in. He is web savvy and participates in his site by posting to his blog when he has a new listing and twitter to also keep all sites fresh while reaching out.
	blog.PetExpoUSA.net >> Time to get the word out and add value for their advertisers. The blog was an easy way to do it. It matches their site branding and allows for quick newsletter sign up.

Are you ready for a change?

Please ask yourself the questions below. If you answer yes to more than 4 of them, you're ready for a change:

Are you tired of how your site looks and functions?

Are you regularly annoyed by not being "heard" by your current webmaster?

Have you had enough of being talked to by techies like you're a three-year-old?

Do you have a diverse team where each person needs to have a say in how your site looks and functions - yet no one agrees?

Too many people working on your site and need some housecleaning?

Are you having difficulty describing your database and e-commerce needs, yet know exactly what you need?

Do you have a small budget but big needs?

Do your web site contributors just need a bit of supervision or a cheerleader to get them motivated?

Do you have an ongoing need for training for the same web or program tasks for new employees?

Did your IT department capture your web site to save money and now it works but boy — is it U-G-L-Y?

Please contact me for a quote.

Wouldn't you clean if a client came to your home?

If a client came to your home office, wouldn't you clean up a bit?  Pick up the piles, half started projects, financial stuff and perhaps vacuum?  I thought so. Don't forget to do it for your desktop too.  I'm not talking about the table you work on, I'm talking about your screen.  If you ever host an online meeting, your attendees are bound to see your messy desk... top.

Updated and same 'ol rules of the web and living

As our friends and contacts become more portable, we need to remember some of the golden rules.  You still need to be socially acceptable. It would be nice if you also checked your spelling and messages before you "post" to any of your dozen or so venues you regularly spew your thoughts to.  Think about a party.  You greet your host, you greet the other guests, you catch them up briefly on what's happening in your life. You don't talk about attending yoga class each week - you tell them something interesting, memorable and possibly, helpful to them.  Same with the social sites, your blogs, websites.  Creativity for the sake of creativity is fine but don't force it upon your Facebook crowd.  They'll stop checking your updates.  Make it fun, interesting, nice and polite. 

PDD and You, Your Clients, Your Friends - there is help

After escaping to the grocery story the other night I called a girlfriend since I could talk, uninterrupted.  What I always have to be aware of is that I'm not in an empty store.  There are still people to interact with.  There are employees trying to help me. It is their job. 

My job as their customer is to focus on my task and allow them to help when I need it and to be attentive when they are doing their best.  At that moment at the deli counter I told my dear friend that I needed to go so that I could give the deli person my attention.  This made my friend giggle and she understood.  It also made the deli person stand up a bit straighter and smile.

I did the right thing.