41 Top Tips To Growing Your Social Media Presence

http://www.stanleytang.com/2009/02/03/41-top-tips-to-growing-your-social-media-presence/

1. Be remarkable - somebody worth making a remark about
2. Become a resource to others
3. Have your own unique personality
4. Be vocal and opinionated within the communtiy
5. Don’t continuously push the envelope by flooding them with requests
6. Invest time into social media
7. Produce and share content that your audience will love
8. Monitor what’s being shared about you
9. Become a real member of the community
10. Ask questions
11. Answer questions
12. Provide value to the community
13. Be controversial
14. Don’t be another “me-too”
15. Automate carefully - it’s about people not robots
16. Don’t be an asshole
17. Make it easy for people to share and bookmark your content
18. Listen to the community
19. Make at least one new connection every day
20. Engage yourself in conversations
21. Become the conversation
22. You’re there to make relationships, not hard selling
23. Take time to focus on building a loyal following
24. Give, Give, GIVE!
25. Treat social media like a cocktail party
26. Be supportive
27. Syndicate your content across all social media platforms
28. Encourage others to syndicate your content onto their sites
29. Fully research the community to understand your market
30. Be fun
31. Get to know the unwritten laws of the community
32. Create an attractive, unique and professional profile
33. Use a cool avatar/picture
34. Use the same avatar for each social media service
35. Don’t be a keyboard gangsta (i.e. trash talk all day)
36. Know what your followers/friends want and give it to them
37. Form reciprocal arrangements with others
38. Monitor your noise level
39. Never cheat the system
40. Help others unconditionally
41. Be yourself

5 Reasons Why Being A Young Entrepreneur Sucks

From : http://www.stanleytang.com/2009/01/18/5-reasons-why-being-a-young-entrepreneur-sucks/

This is the follow up post to why being a young entrepreneur rocks. This time, I’ll go over 5 reasons why being a young entrepreneur sucks:

1. You are faced with legal issues & age restrictions. You can’t get a bank account, you can’t get a Paypal account, you need to pay tax etc - many of those issues teenagers haven’t faced in their lives. You must ask your parents for permission for so many of those things which can become an obstacle.
2. You can’t network with other entrepreneurs. It’s difficult flying half way across the world by yourself and attend events with a bunch of adults. Most of the networking usually happen at a bar and you must be over 21 (in United States) to enter.
3. You have less credibility. Your customers, prospects and partners will not pay you with the same amount of respect simply because you are a teenager. You come across as less trust worthy and can potentially loose a lot of business as a result.
4. You sacrifice your social life. Honestly, teenagers should do what teenagers do - play. By running your own business, you are sacrificing your life as a teenager and missing out on a lot of the stuff. You have to balance your life with your business (which is why I’ve been doing so little with my business recently. The only thing I’m doing nowadays is blogging and twittering; I’ve pretty much stopped working on affiliate marketing, list building, information marketing, joint ventures etc side of things so that I can actually focus on school and enjoy life)
5. You have less experience. Not only in business but also in life. You are more likely to make mistakes and poor decisions. You are less mature in the way you do things and may get involved in immature arguments. The lack of experience can potentially lead to the entire downfall of your business (which is why you need to get a mentor. Don’t think you know everything cause you dont’)

5 Reasons Why Being A Young Entrepreneur Rules!

From : http://www.stanleytang.com/2009/01/17/5-reasons-why-being-a-young-entrepreneur-rules/

In this post, I’ll go through why being a young entrepreneur rules -

1. You have nothing to loose. There really isn’t any risk. You don’t have a family, you don’t have to pay any rent, you don’t have to worry about putting food on the table… so what if you fail? Now is the time to make all the mistakes and prepare yourself for the real world.
2. You get attention from the press. It’s just so easy to get attention and create buzz. That’s how got me on the frontpage of newspapers such as AppleDaily. Which headline grabs your attention more - “4-Year-Old Blogger” or “30-Year-Old Blogger” (okay, obviously this was an extreme example, but you get what I mean) Use your age to your advantage to get people talking about you!
3. You have enthusiasm. Young people have the energy to keep things going. You’ve got the passion which drives you forward and feel like it’s just another hobby of yours rather than hard work.
4. You get extra pocket money. That’s the beauty of running your own business. Your friends have to work hard part-time to earn their pocket money, while you just simply have money rolling into your bank account while you’re sleeping!
5. You can always fall back on your parents. In the end, if everything fails, you’ve always got your parents behind your back. You’ve got nothing to loose so get started!

The Best Damn Web Marketing Checklist, Period!

From http://www.searchengineguide.com/stoney-degeyter/the-best-damn-web-marketing-checklist-pe.php

Marketing a website isn't particularly difficult. It's usually just a matter of knowing what to do, how to do it and having the skills and time to get it done. With that said, marketing a website isn't particularly easy either. There are so many factors and variables in play that at any given time that the job can be quite overwhelming. Obviously I can't address the issue of whether or not you have the skills or time, but I can help you out with the "what to do" piece of the puzzle.

I've always been a lover of checklists, especially when it comes to getting things done. Especially when it comes to remembering what things need to be done! So over the last several years I've been putting together checklists for all kinds of things pertaining to website marketing.

Below is my master website marketing checklist covering over 400 specific items over 23 topics. These topics include things such as website development, SEO, usability, accessibility, etc. This list doesn't cover any "how tos," which are essential ingredients to successful online marketing, but sometimes you need to first know what to do so you can then discover how to do it.

For the sake of brevity, I have kept each check point to its briefest form providing very little explanation. I don't cover why any particular item is included, how important it might be, or what it even means. This is just the checklist in its rawest form.

Over the next couple of weeks I'll provide some additional explanation and insights to the lists below. And since this list is always a work in progress, any additional thoughts and insights are welcome. I'm always adding and removing things as I see fit. Which brings me to one more note: many items are included here based purely on my own preferences and by no means constitute an absolute truth or necessity.

Domain name & URLs (click heading for additional details)

Short and memorable Uses Keywords Used in email addresses Uses Favicon Site.com redirect to www. version: Alternate Domain redirects Home page redirect to root No underscores in filenames Keywords in directory names Multiple pages per directory Registered for 5+ years

Multiple versions: .com .org .net .biz Hyphenations Misspellings Product names Brand names Type-in keywords URLs

Browser issues (click heading for additional details)

Visible address bar Fully functional navigation tools Visible status bar

Site works in multiple browsers No browser hi-jacking

Site logo (click heading for additional details)

Displays company name clearly Isn't hidden among clutter Links to home page

Unique and original Use tagline consistently across site

Design considerations (click heading for additional details)

Instant site identification Crisp, clean image quality Clean, clutter-less design Consistent colors and type Whitespace usage Minimal distractions Targets intended audience Meets industry best practices Easy to navigate Descriptive links Good on-page organization Easy to find phone number Don't link screen captures Skip option for flash Consistent page formatting No/minimal on-page styling Avoid text in images

Font size is adequate Font type is friendly Paragraphs not too wide Visual cues to important elements Good overall contrast Low usage of animated graphics Uses obvious action objects Avoid requiring plugins Minimize the use of graphics Understandable graphic file names No horizontal scrolling Non-busy background Recognizable look and feel Proper image / text padding Uses trust symbols Works on variety of resolutions Works on variety of screen widths

Architectural issues (click heading for additional details)

Correct robots.txt file Declare doctype in HTML Validate HTML Don't use frames Alt tag usage on images Custom 404 error page Printer friendly Underlined links Differing link text color Breadcrumb usage Nofollow cart links Robots.txt non-user pages Nofollow non-important links Review noindex usage Validate CSS Check broken links No graphics for ON/YES, etc. Page size less than 50K

Flat directory structure Proper site hierarchy Unique titles on all pages Title reflects page info and heading Unique descriptions on pages No long-tail page descriptions Proper bulleted list formats Branded titles No code bloat Minimal use of tables Nav uses absolute links Good anchor text Text can be resized Key concepts are emphasized CSS less browsing Image-less browsing Summarize all tables

Navigation (click heading for additional details)

Located top or top-left Consistent throughout site Links to Home page Links to Contact Us page Links to About Us page Simple to use Indicates current page Links to all main sections Proper categorical divisions Non-clickable is obvious Accurate description text

Links to Login Provides Logout link Uses Alt attribute in images No pop-up windows No new window links Do not rely on rollovers Avoid cascading menus Keep scent from page to page Targets expert and novice users Absolute links

Content (click heading for additional details)

Grabs visitor attention Exposes need Demonstrates importance Ties need to benefits Justifies and calls to action Gets to best stuff quickly Reading level is appropriate Customer focused Benefits and features Targets personas Provides reassurances Answers WIIFM

Consistent voice Eliminate superfluous text Reduce /explain industry jargon No typo, spelling or grammar errors Contains internal contextual links Links out to authoritative sources Enhancing keyword usage (SEO) Date published on articles/news Web version of PDF docs available Consistent use of phrasing No unsubstantiated statements

Content Appearance (click heading for additional details)

Short paragraphs Uses sub-headings Uses bulleted lists Calls to action on all pages Good contrast

No overly small text for body No overly small text for headings Skimmable and scannable Keep link options in close proximity

Links and buttons (click heading for additional details)

Limit the number of links on a page Avoid small buttons and tiny text for links Leave space between links and buttons Avoid using images as the only link

Link important commands Underline all links Accurately reflects the page it refers

Home page (click heading for additional details)

No splash page Instant page identification Provides overview of site

Site purpose is clear Robot meta: NOODP,NOYDIR

About Us page (click heading for additional details)

Adequately describes company Shows team biographies Shows mission statement Up to date information Note associations, certifications & awards Links to support pages: Contact page

Investor relations Company news Registration info Job opportunities Newsletters Link to social media profiles

Contact Us page (click heading for additional details)

Easy to find Multiple contact options: Phone Fax Email Form Chat Customer feedback Street map Hours of operation Final call to action

Multiple points of contact: Customer service Tech support Inquiries General info Job applications Billing Management team Ad-free Form requires only essential info

E-Commerce considerations (click heading for additional details)

Mini-product basket always available Displays payment options: CC Paypal Google Checkout

No multiple paths to dupe product pages No tracking IDs in URLs Exclude shopping cart pages No (or nofollowed) links to secure pages Keep secure cert current

Product pages (click heading for additional details)

Visible calls to action Clear contact info (phone #) Consistent layout Clear pricing Show additional fees Clear product presentation Show shipping cost Show availability Provide delivery options, details Estimate delivery date Link to site security info Return / guarantee info Allow "save for later" Related products & up sells Clear product image Describe images

Enhanced multiple image views Product description Product details & specs Product selection options Customer product reviews Product comparisons Printer-friendly option "Add to cart" close to item Secondary "add" button at bottom Standardized product categorization Clutter-free page Provide International pricing Provide product search Emphasis brand quality and trust Compare to offline competitors Short URLs with keywords

Basket page (click heading for additional details)

Obvious checkout link Product descriptions Product image Show availability Updatable quantities Ability to remove items Link to products Product price Payment options Promos/vouchers explained Link to security

Link to guarantees Show delivery costs Show delivery date Allow gift options "Continue shopping" link or options Show contact information No advertising/upselling Don't keep personal info w/o authorization Shipping questions answered International shipping International address forms

Mini baskets (click heading for additional details)

Make new products added obvious Link to full basket page

Allow removal of products Show order total

Checkout process (click heading for additional details)

No hidden fees No pre-registration Keep checkout process short Show benefits of registration: Faster checkout in future Access to order history Check order status Saved for later information Access to special promotions Personalization Joining a community Show checkout progress meter Effective after-order follow-up Receipt / Confirmation:

Printable Emailed Thank you message Order number Order date Items purchased Expected delivery date Payment method Cancellation policy How to cancel Return policy Address return costs After-sale guarantees

Login & My Account pages (click heading for additional details)

Easy to find login access Use security protocols Provide security assurances Link for new registrations Outline account benefits Reclaim lost password option "Remember me" option Link to privacy policy Logged-in status is clear Account info change access Confirmation of change info

Links to financial info Transaction history Invoices Balances Payment methods Choose method of delivery: Text email HTML email Snail mail Overnight Etc.

Help and FAQ pages (click heading for additional details)

Avoid marketing hype Allow Help search Provide printable text Link to additional resources:

User guides Product support Customer support Downloads

Forms and errors (click heading for additional details)

Flexible entry requirements Allow for tabbing between fields Proper tab order Clear field labels Text label above field box Only require necessary information Minimal instructions Instructions above field Friendly error output Errors obviously indicated Errors describe remedy Errors provide contact / help option Preserve data with errors Provide pre-selected choices Don't overdo choices

Note required fields Progress indicator Progress navigation Remove navigation Link to privacy information Final info verification check Confirmation/thank you page Stack fields vertically Proper use of radio buttons Keep "submit" close to fields Field boxes adequately wide No "reset" or "cancel" buttons Autocomplete=off as necessary Buttons denote action

Site search (click heading for additional details)

Located in top-right corner Search not case sensitive Properly labeled as "search" Link to "advanced search" Forgiving of misspellings Shows similar products Shows related items in results No "no products found" Provide refinement options Provide alternate spellings

Provide links to relevant pages Show search string in results Don't place results in tables Display exact matches first Display close matches second Bold query words in results Display titles with descriptions No more than 20 results p/ page Option to increase result p/ page Link to additional results pages

Privacy and Security pages (click heading for additional details)

Present info in easy to read format Make information easily scannable Provide section summaries Identify information types collected Explain how cookies are used

Explain how user information will be used Explain how info will be protected Provide additional protection tutorials Link to these pages in footer Provide links to contact info

Site map (click heading for additional details)

Keep information current Link to site map in footer Linked from help and 404 pages Provide overview paragraph

Provide intro to main sections Visible site hierarchy Descriptive text and links Link to xml sitemap in robots.txt file