This is a little update to let you know what’s going on. I’ve been thinking a lot about this blog and how to make it more productive (for those who read it and for myself). I also am planning to post more regularly, like every weekday. So here’s my plan:

• Monday: Facts. I want to make sure I post something with numbers, like a report or research or possibly a news article. Start the week rolling.

• Wednesday: Something humorous or unique. Its hump day!

• Friday: A tool or website I use as a resource.

The other days will get whatever I give them! Seriously, Tuesday & Thursday, what kind of days are those?

Well to make up for my serious post yesterday I’m planning a wordy one that’s kinda silly for today, so be on the lookout. (Warning I got my degree in English, I plan to show it off.) And I’m hoping that tomorrow I will be posting my first ever podcast!! I will explain it all in a summary post, so I won’t give the surprise away yet.

Looking forward to doing some new fun things!

Advertising: its everywhere and its bad. I find more and more websites/blogs/newsletters with expert marketers who say advertising is on a downward trend. There are lots of debated reasons about why this is happening, as result new kinds of advertisement are jumping into the front seat, like mobile or social networking. Personally, I don’t think that moving to a new medium is the solution. The problem is in the approach.

Right before I started Veribatim, I was considering my options in life: what did I want to be? I joked that I should move to New York and be an advertising analyst so I could tell all those companies what was wrong with their ads. This is not because I’m flaw-seeking but because often ads will miss the target. They want to be different or hip but a lot of the time there is no real relationship between what we see on TV and the product. Occassionally it works, like the Wazzup commercial from Budweiser.

In fact, I believe my generation only pays attention to any kind of advertisement for amusement only. If it doesn’t amuse us or give us information we just tune it out. Or we buy services specifically without advertising like Satellite radio.

This is why the internet is important. The internet is where we go to find the things we need. It used to be, if you needed a plumber you’d think about who you heard on the radio. Looking for a sale on hardware, you’d know about it from a commercial. But now, you wait til you need something and you Google it, for prices, location and every other detail. Its simpler and more effective. That’s why SEO is important. That’s why your design should be user-friendly. That’s why the information about your product should be up front and clear.

Your website is the best tool you have for your business, so make it work for you.

These are some websites that talk about problems in the advertising world today. I just wanted to list some experts for you to do further research if you are interested. Also, if you have some examples of simple, clean presentation websites, I’d love to have the examples!

Website banner ads = yuck.

The problem with ad agencies… which is an amazing site.

Ad agencies failing

More hate for the ad banner

Budweiser - Original “Whazzup?” ad

When it comes to the economy’s impact: Size matters. Big companies/websites are the most affect. Mid-size, hardly touched and small continue to grow. At least that’s what the numbers say if you are interested in that kind of thing.

Of course, I’d challenge people to really consider what makes an economy bad. Not too sound terribly mind-over-matter but don’t you think that what we hear influences us? If we think the economy is going to be bad because the media says so, it becomes reality, where as if we continue to believe business will be good, it does? Lots of companies grow during a recession. Finding a niche and keeping standards can create an atmosphere of growth despite what might be happening at a national level.

By no means am I saying don’t plan and pretend nothing is happening. Use this as a chance to hone your organic SEO, increase customer service and stand out. The news is full or alarmist, get the facts and plan your strategy to win accordingly. Best example: Dallas real estate. We’ve all heard national news bemoaning America’s real estate market. Well Dallas is having one of its best years! It is completely false for DFW.

Does anyone know other ways to make a recession or bad economy help your business? Or good areas to focus on during that time?

Far too often I meet small business owners without websites. I’m incredulous. I immediately ask “Why?” Often I hear this: “Why should I spend money on a site no one will look at?”

I’m floored that so many business owners still think only big businesses need a website. To me, the internet exists for small businesses. People want to buy from local businesses! They are often cheaper, have better customer service and often fill a niche. Kroger may offer meat when you need it but sometimes you want that perfect type of fish, rare enough not to be stocked in the big stores… or you may have a thing for German pop music and the selection at Virgin Music will probably not be very big. Thus, the need for local, niche business.

The great thing about the internet is that now, if you own a niche, people across the globe can find you! Niche websites have practically become a buzz word in internet marketing circles. iMedia says that people are moving away from portals in favor of blogs and websites revolving around their particular interests. This trend is called The Long Tail effect. Chris Anderson coined the term and wrote an interesting article back in 2004 all about it. What it boils down to is that mainstream isn’t the entire pie, there is a huge market out there for what’s not “popular”. Everyone has their distinct needs and interests.

Chris has a book and a blog that go into more detail about what The Long Tail is and how it effects business. Its worth checking out.

I’m curious if anyone has experienced the niche effect, like receiving internet business from across the country. I’d love to spotlight some cases, let me know if you have one.

Youtube, the sensational and borderline illegal website for all your badly-made video needs. Youtube grew to fame with the youth of today with the same voracious speed as MySpace. Personally, I’ve been looking forward to seeing what change would happen after Google purchased them. I was expecting a lawsuit but instead, the brilliant guys at google are capitalizing on new trends yet again.

Viral. That’s what they call a video or marketing material that stands small and then (for debatable reasons) takes off with sudden popularity. With new technology its called “the tipping point” but with youtube its Viral Videos. Which I must admit, every time I hear “viral” I feel icky. Anyhow, Youtube created an algorithm to try and figure out what the next popular video is. Companies can then pay to be featured beside these videos with Google’s new marketing strategy: Buzz Targeting.

My personal stance on paid advertisement is very clear if you’ve read anything else in my blog but this is just from the presses and worth talking about. I wonder if anyone else has thoughts about viral marketing and how to make it work for companies who might not b able to afford Youtube’s pricing.

Blogs are old news compared to Twitter. Micro-blogging they call it. In other words, all your thoughts in less than 140 letters. This means updates are short and sweet but can happen multiple times in a day. Sure, there are plenty of people who use twitter to give you their 5-minute biological update but its also an amazing networking tools where you can comment and respond to the instant thoughts of another company, or get your customers to respond to you. Unlike blogs which often revolve around a theme, twitter can be a more personal way for your target audience to access you.

Business week surveyed twitter users through their own twitter account. Check out the article which revolves around these questions:

• Is Twitter a fad, a feature, or a growing giant?

• How are businesses using Twitter?

• What is Twitter worth?

• A fourth question, implicit in the whole exercise: Should we all be Twittering?

If you are considering using twitter, think very carefully. Are you ready to be frank about your company and its processes? Honesty can build your company name even globally but be prepared to step out and find your followers.

I will admit, that there are so many programs and paths on the internet to reach your customers. My whole business involves me sitting in front of a computer but not everyone has the time or ability to do this. Evaluate your options and your market and choose the options that will be the most effective for your company. Of course, I’m always available to discuss these options and help you with that decision. Always feel free to shoot me an email: kat@veribatim.com

It’s about time I talked about blogs. If you are reading this, you are obviously aware of them, and have at least a vague idea of what one is and why you should consider having one. Type Blog into google and you will find hundreds of sites that offer them. Wiki says Blogs started as online journals of people’s personal experiences in life that they wanted to share. But that evolved. More and more people are writing blogs and more people are reading them, at least occasionally. There are personal blogs, niche blogs, political blogs, business blogs and anything else you can imagine. There are even photoblogs that don’t even contain words.

The heart of the matter, of course, is why should you get one for your business? The great thing about adding a blog to your website is that it is possibly THE BEST way to optimize your website. Blogs contain their own keywords, they are an application, they provide new links and they add verbal content. This means they cover all four major areas that SEO wants to hit. That alone should make them worth it!

Plus blogs are fun. This is a personal, creative way to access your customers. Provide insight, samples, discounts in your blogs. List where you will be at so people can meet you. Make yourself available through a blog so your clients feel like they know the “real” you. You don’t need to be pretentious, write what comes naturally and people will enjoy it.

If you are interested in learning more about Blogs and ways it can help your business, I have started a new social networking website with Ning.com. This site will highlight blogs and link to ones that are helpful as well as link you to other people interested in using the internet more effectively. Check it out: Word of Net.

First of all, magic number of the day: 67.

Google hit an all time high recently. They accounted for 67.9% of all web searches. Which just goes to show, advertising with someone who can put you on 30 search engines… not the best way to use your resources.

NEW STUFF:

Over with the links, under blogroll, I’ve listed Blogs I’ve Helped With. Right now there are two. These are people who I suggested getting a blog to or physically helped them set it up. Right now we have Joan Cole who has a neat project she’s blogging about, her new green dream home. Also, I linked to Big Al. Big Al creates delicious Texas BBQ rubs. He has information about himself and his products and is planning to list meat-tastings and other events. Check them out!

Last but not least, if you haven’t seen Twitter. Check it out. I’m sure I’ll blog about it soon. But if you interested, you can find me there.

Who knew a single color could be so powerful. More and more companies want to label themselves green. In fact, with more and more petitions like the one in the UK and campaigns going around, it is strongly encouraged.While advertising inserts are still ranked #1 as the most effective marketing tool, the pressure to go green may change that.

The internet looks like the media of choice to replace direct mail-outs. The debate continues over which web tool will replace “junk mail”. I suggest anything that falls into the magical category of permission-based marketing which I have discussed before.

And because I can’t resist. I know, its horrible.