Google Docs - An Essential Blogging Tool?

In managing my blog one of the tools I rely on is Google Docs. In this article I provide an introduction to Google Docs and explain its advantages to those running an blog.

What is Google Docs?

Google Docs is best summarized as a completely web-based, simplified, free version of Microsoft Office. It provides basic functionality such as word-processing, spreadsheets and presentations. The fact that it is an online service gives it a number of advantages, but there are also one or two disadvantages you need to be aware of.

Web-based service

The fact that Google Docs is an online service has a great advantage, you can work on a document from anywhere you have Internet access and a browser. This is more convenient than it sounds. For example, I have several computers and, using OpenOffice, I might create a Word-compatible document on, say, my desktop computer. If I am then on the road I don't have access to that document from my laptop as the document might still be on my desktop computer's hard-drive.

There are ways to transfer between computers, and one technique I used in the past was to email the document to Hotmail. This ensured that I could access the document from any of my computers and it was backed-up by Microsoft. This wasn't convenient though as I ended up having several versions of the document on different computers and keeping track of the current version proved difficult. Google Docs solves this problem as all the documents you create are hosted by Google. You can access your documents from any computer that has a browser and Internet access.

Summary

I would say I am addicted to Google Docs and find it to be an essential part of running my blog - it is one of the main reasons I use Blogger. It is convenient, easy to use and being able to store your documents (and publish them) on the web is a huge advantage. I no longer have to transfer documents between computers or worry about issues such as versioning. It is very easy to be able to export the documents to a local file, such as a PDF. So far, I have found Google Docs to be invaluable.

Google Docs can be found at http://docs.google.com

Tony Bedford first started blogging in March 2000. Tony currently maintains a free guide to more profitable blogging at http://the-business-of-blogging.blogspot.com

Entrepreneurs - Why Use Free Tools To Grow Your Business? (Hint - Its Not What You Think)

To help you "Fake It Until You Make It", entrepreneurs and small business owners need to consider two critical objectives: the ability to act big on a small budget and look like a high quality-professional.

In order to accomplish these objectives you need to assess how technology can help you. If you're seriously interested in succeeding, answer these questions:

1. What tools will propel my business to the next level?

2. What tools are needed to run my business?

3. What tasks can be automated?

4. What tools will save time and increase efficiency?

5. What training is needed?

6. What tools will enhance customer relations?

7. What tools will enhance partnership relations?

8. What tools will enhance employee relations?

9. What tools are needed for data security?

10. What tools will make the business more competitive?

Before making a technology purchase, growing companies must consider the return on investment. Unfortunately, some benefits might not be tangible or cash may not be available to justify a purchase.

Since, you don't risk a cent, now is the time to make technology your BFF (Best Friend Forever). Take advantage of FREE technology tools, not just because they are FREE but to defy the odds, out perform competitors, increase revenue and propel your small business to the next level.

Branding Ideas For Small Businesses

Creating your own brand is the first step to having a successful marketing campaign for your business. Brand is everything when it comes to advertising. When you have a brand, you are most likely to be recognized and remembered by your clients, as well as your potential customers.

So how do you create an effective brand for your business? Here are surefire ideas to help you create that unique brand that will distinguish you from the rest of your competition.

First things first - your business cards are your representation to your clients, colleagues and prospects. It is your tool to introduce your contact information, in addition to your name and your company's as well. It is a no brainer therefore that your custom cards should have your address as well as your telephone number. It doesn't matter if you are a work-from-home designer, or your shop is adjacent to your garage - you need to have your address in your business card printing pieces.

A location and contact information that your clients can go to or call greatly enhances your credibility as well as your reliability. An address helps you create an established image that your customers can rely on. For privacy issues however, you can always use a P.O. Box address so you won't need to give away your house location.

Second, never leave your house without your full color business cards. This is practically a no-no when it comes to marketing your business. Every moment, each place, and every person you meet is an opportunity presenting itself. Carrying a batch of your cards with you wherever you go allows you more chances of letting other people know about your business. The same goes with your other print ads such as brochures, flyers, postcards, posters and catalogs.

Always remember to reduce your marketing costs. That's the third suggestion. Especially that you're a small business operating on a limited budget, you will always have a problem trying to make ends meet as advertising per se is costly and expensive. Coming up with creative ways to lessen your business card printing costs for example, can save you a lot of money which you can apportion to other operating expenses.

What about your letterhead? Would you like to save on them too? The fourth tip is to design your letterhead to be used as your paper for invoices, flyers, proposals, press releases, some documents in your media kit, and anything else you need to have your logo and company name. Not only do you provide professional image with your brand posted in all your marketing documents, you also help your clients and prospects remember you that easily.

Finally, think of more creative ideas to help you get your message out there. And don't forget your name and contact information. The more times your target audience sees your ad, the better are your chances of getting your brand recognized and retained in the minds of your customers.

Janice Jenkins is a writer for a marketing company in Chicago, IL. Mostly into marketing research, Janice started writing articles early 2007 to impart her knowledge to individuals new to the marketing industry.

For comments and inquiries about the article visit: Business Card Printing

How to Get Number 1 Rankings on Google, Yahoo and MSN Using Video Hosting Sites

The other day, I did a test to see how fast my videos would be found in the search engines and to see how well they would rank for the keywords I was optimizing my videos for.

The results were outstanding and should bring hope to anyone who feels that getting a #1 or top 10 listing on the major search engines is out of reach. Everyone can get top listings, with videos

The process was very simple. I filmed a video, submitted and tagged my video, and 13 hours later, I was in the #1 spot. Then, 24 hours later that same video on different video networks occupied spots 1, 2 and 3 on Google.

So, how easy is it to do? Very easy, just follow these steps and you'll be getting #1 listings on Google, MSN and Yahoo in no time flat.

First - Create your video. Use a video camera or digital video camera and get the digital file on to you computer so you can manipulate it in a video editing program. If you don't have a video camera, no problem, all you need is a microphone and an audio recording program like Audacity, and you can create an mp3 audio file with 30 seconds to 5 minutes of audio, and convert that audio to video. Don't worry, that's easy too, I'll tell you how in the next steps.

Second - Edit the video file to have the look, feel, URL's and production values you like. If you made an audio file, put that audio file into the video editing software. Most PC's come with Windows Movie Maker, which is free, and you can drop the Mp3 audio in there and place, random Digital pictures throughout the length of the audio file to create the "video" images that go along with your audio.

Third - Upload the finished video file, which should be in wmv format to a video submission host, called Tubemogul. At Tubemogul, you can upload unlimited videos, and then have those videos uploaded automatically to some of the more popular video hosting sites on the internet like Youtube, Google Video, Yahoo Video, Metacafe, Revver, and some other popular one.

Let me say that Tubemogul is also MORE than just a video posting service, they are MUCH more. They can track all the video views you get DAILY on EACH video hosting site. They'll provide charts and other track meta data, that is very important to marketers to daily track stats across all the video sites. And remember, it's all free to do this.

Fourth & Final Step - Push your videos out to the video hosting sites and let Tubemogul do the work for you. But a key element is, you want people to find your videos. The search engines find videos, not based on the content said inside them, but by the tags and descriptions about them. Tagging is the single most important element of getting traffic to other websites, based on what your video is tagged for.

Jeff Mills is giving away free home based business DVDs showing how people can make a six figure income, working from home and is giving away $757 in bonus marketing tools to anyone who claims one of the last remaining DVDs before they sell out. Claim your DVD at http://www.homebasedbusinessdvd.com