SalemGlobal #2 for Internet Marketing
Posted by Aryeh.Landowne on Mar 2, 2010
Right after Wikipedia and right before internetmarketing dot com. Here’s the proof:
Don’t believe us check it out for yourself.
Alan Samuels of People Capital Interviewed by Transcapitalist Blog
Posted by Salem Global on Feb 16, 2010
Last week a blogger from Transcapitalis.com sat down with Alan Samuels, Chief Product Officer at People Capital (www.People2Capital.com) to discuss People Capital’s Human Capital Score and how it is revolutionizing the way student loans are given. They wrote:
The HCS [Human Capital Score] innovation shows potential to greatly improve the current approach to education financing in two major ways: 1) More fairly and accurately evaluating the risk of young people seeking loans for educational purposes; and 2) More robustly challenging future students to think critically about what the education they seek will realistically help them achieve post-graduation before making such an investment in time and debt.
Check out the rest of the post here and check out People Capital at www.People2Capital.com and learn more about the Human Capital Score and how it can help you get a great student loan at www.HumanCapitalScore.com.
People Capital Featured in Article About Fresh Approaches to Academic Funding
Posted by Aryeh.Landowne on Feb 1, 2010
People Capital, the leaders in peer to peer student loans, was recently featured in an article on the Student Loan Blog (www.studentloaninfo.org). Author, Sally Croft, writes,
Discover a fresh approach to academic funding at People Capital. At People Capital, they are committed to helping credible lenders and borrowers find one another without involving a traditional financial institution. This peer-to-peer lending approach is revolutionizing student lending with a new credit risk methodology, where lenders who offer the lowest interest rate “win” borrower loans.
To check out the rest of the post click here and also check out www.People2Capital.com to learn more about the Human Capital Score and People Capital’s approach to student loans.
Stage 2 Networks Launches New eCONNECT(SM) Product
Posted by Aryeh.Landowne on Jan 29, 2010
Stage 2 Networks (http://www.stage2networks.com) launches new eCONNECT(SM) product developed to increase revenue generating call activities.
New York, NY (January 26, 2010) — Stage 2 Networks, a leader in hosted PBX and converged network solutions, today announced that it has launched a new product which may increase a company’s call pick-up rate by as much as 60%. The product is easily integrated into a business’s existing PBX system that uses SIP trunking or a traditional platform.
“We are excited about the launch of our latest new product which was originally developed based on a specific client need,” said Joseph P. Gillette, CEO of Stage 2 Networks. “Upon implementation, our client, a very large collections agency, has reported a significant increase in the number of collection phone calls that were answered because of the eCONNECT(SM) product. This also resulted in an increase in their revenues.”
The eCONNECT(SM) product works by matching the phone call recipient’s local calling area so that matching area codes are viewed on caller ID. Companies that can benefit from this new feature include outbound call centers, collection agencies, market research firms, credit card companies, and just about any phone-based sales-driven business.
About Stage 2 Networks:
Stage 2 offers a robust and redundant network with connectivity, quality of service and local number portability available across the country and, often, around the world. Our services include hosted PBX or business phone system solutions, without the capital expenditure typically associated with purchasing a new phone system. Stage 2 also provides phone line replacement at reduced cost with enhanced functionality, whether POTS or PRI services. Finally, all of Stage 2’s products are supported by robust data connectivity that can fully integrate its customers’ communication platform for both voice and data services across multiple locations. Stage 2’s productivity-enhancing features and functionality serve to differentiate its products and offer an added bonus to its customers. For more information visit www.stage2networks.com.
For further information contact:
Stage 2 Networks
Suzanne Urash
+1.813.649.8504
suzanne@cre8groupinc.com
It’s 2010. Wake Up and Smell The Internet: 21 Things You Should Be Doing Online
Posted by Salem Global on Dec 15, 2009
Well, if you check our blog and past history of email tips on website marketing, search engine optimization, you should know that there are 21 things that we here at SalemGlobal recommend to our readers and do for our clients, day after day, week after week, month after month and year after year. But before I remind you in this week’s tip what they are, I first wanted to remind you that as a capitalist, business owner and website publisher, that marketing your website, (SEO/ search engine optimization, search engine marketing and whatever term or “keyword” or keyword phrase you come up with) actually means nothing compared to the bottom line. That is, YOUR bottom line. That is, your revenue and your profit.
The reason why you are in business or work is for one reason and one reason only. You want to make money. Even the not-for-profits that we work with want to make money. They want to make it in donations so they can help more people. Doctors want more patients because patients pay them (or insurance companies do, and/or Obama’s Democratic Party healthcare reform bill will), lawyers want more clients, retailers want to sell more product and professionals want to sell more of their services. Regardless, even though SalemGlobal.com is #1 in Google for website marketing around the country and internet marketing in NY, it doesn’t mean a thing. That is, until the phone rings. And even then we (and you) need to get a meeting, make a proposal, present the proposal, get approval, get a signature and finally, get a check. And then you have to keep servicing your clients, with a smile, and keep on invoicing them.
So remember, we are indeed on the eve of 2010. We are 10 years into the new millennium. The Internet is here to stay. If you don’t have an online strategy, whether it is to have a brochure website telling people you exist, or you go all out with a social media strategy and ecommerce play, your competition does or is working on it. And that means that you are going out of business and maybe even retiring. But the good news is that there is still hope. You can change things around. You can get a website for a measly $50 a year. Or you can spend thousands. Is it true that in order to make money, you need to spend money? I don’t think so. But I do think that in order to make money you need to be smart. And by being smart, you need to start using technology to your advantage. So as you read through my not-so-secret list of 21 things your company, office, practice or firm should be doing online, think about your bottom line. Think not only how to market yourself, but also once you do get that customer in your door or on the phone, how are you going to sell them? You don’t need a flashy million dollar website, but you do need a website. You don’t need to spend a thousand dollars a month on maintaining your website if it doesn’t pay off for you ten times that amount. But if you did invest in technology, I guarantee you will be on the right track.
One of my favorite stories from 2009 is the guy who came into my office and was boasting how he spent close to $300,000.00 on his website. It was absolutely brilliant. He paid geniuses from MIT to build it for him and he came to me looking for ideas on how to market it. I gave him the following 21 ideas. I told him my price. He told me he needs to go back to his investors with my price and he will have to get back to me. Well - maybe he will call in 2010. But I can tell him and tell you that if I was an investor and someone brought me a business plan that called for $300k in development and $0 in marketing, I would laugh. I don’t care what business you are in. If you have no marketing strategy, you don’t have a business.
Ok - a few more stories… This year was also the year I met a guy who was going to pay me $1000 a month to market his product that had the potential of making $60,000 a month. Ladies and gentlemen, I now present you with the 60% Return on Investment. Second lesson. Even Bernie Madoff didn’t make 60%. Greed will bring you down. Maybe you won’t go to jail, but be a little more realistic.
And then there was the high-end designer handbag lady. It is amazing to me how you can sell a $500 handbag in New York, London, Paris and Minuch (everybody’s talking about, Pop Musik http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFwy17_M-Ak) and not have the budget to market it online?
Last one. Years ago I met a great entrepreneur who thought he was going to hire us and sell thousands of his products online without an offline strategy to support the online strategy. This was a hard lesson but I learned that a $12 product with a $1.00 profit margin was a pretty bad product. But let’s say we were able to promote it online. Promotion does not happen over night. It happens over time. You need to build up your brand and build up your presence. (And read Malcolm Gladwell’s The Tipping Point.)
As I discussed last week, you need a long term AND a short term strategy. You need an online AND an offline strategy. Of course there are exceptions to every rule but the bottom line is that you have to be smart and be dedicated. There are no shortcuts to online fame and wealth. This is a long distance race. If you want to know more, If you want to know more, please give us a call at 212-993-5828, send me an email at raphis@salemglobal.com or visit www.SalemGlobal.com. In the meantime, here is my holiday gift to you:
21 Things You Should Be Doing Online:
1) Evaluate present website for compatibility with SEO strategies.
2) Research your industry and relevant keywords.
3) Purchase relevant domain names, for housing blogs and marketing websites.
4) Build marketing websites that are optimized for lead generation, areas of your industry and business.
5) Implement appropriate metadata - pagetitles, keywords, metanames, descriptions and search engine friendly URLs.
6) Rewrite and prioritize content and text on site according to research.
7) Submit site to search engines - Google, Yahoo, and the lesser used engines.
8 ) Submit listings to local directories - Google, Yahoo, Yelp, Merchant Circle etc.
9) Increase User Registration and Lead Generation - implement and promote a user registration form.
10) Build and maintain business blogs.
11) Social Media/Networks - Identify existing online communities, and build new ones.
12) Online video production - distribute your video across shared online video sites.
13) Develop new content - increase number of pages to claim being an authority.
14) Develop newsletter (We are a Constant Contact Business Partner).
15) Build and upload sitemap.
16) Write and promote online press releases for your organization (Interactive PR).
17) Write and promote articles - submission to 700+ online magazines for your organization.
18) Manage Pay-per-Click (PPC) advertising (Google / Yahoo).
19) Link building - build inbound links from external websites (including industry sites, Directories, and SalemGlobal network sites).
20) Manage affiliate programs (for ecommerce companies).
21) Monitoring and Reporting - Evaluate efforts and results (e.g. Google Analytics and additional 3rd-party tools).
People Capital Poised to Launch Peer-to-Peer Lending Platform This Fall
Posted by Aryeh.Landowne on Aug 11, 2009
People Capital is putting the finishing touches on their innovative new peer to peer student lending platform. Their new site is on schedule to launch this fall. The platform will enable students to apply for and receive private student loans from individual investors as opposed to traditional lending institutions.
Using their patented Human Capital Score, People Capital can match students seeking funds for their education with investors looking to lend. Both parties involved win. The investors provide legally protected private student loans, which are not bankrupt-able. And the students get a loan at a reasonable rate, which might not have been possible due to their short or non-existent credit history, which is what most banks use to determine loan rates.
Check them out at www.people2capital.com and keep an eye out for the launch of their peer-to-peer lending platform this fall.
Vlogging, Video Logs, YouTube & TubeMogul - Creating Videos for your Practice or Business
Posted by Salem Global on Jul 28, 2009
We have spoken about blogging, creating a diary on the web for you and your business and your medical practice, but now its time to step it up to the world of multi-media. With the disk space and data capacity of your computer surpassing the 200 Gigabyte hurdle and approaching the Terabyte, you now have the room to create, edit, store and distribute video to your audience. Somewhere out there, there are statistics that show how many videos there are on YouTube and how much space it takes up. (I have no idea how accurate this page is or when it is from but it is quite interesting - http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090722200032AA3kQaH)
Regardless of all of those fun statistics, my goal is to get you business from your Internet marketing. So go out and get yourself a Flip Cam and start promoting yourself. Either set up your flip cam on a tri-pod or on top of something or have someone hold it. (The only problem with having someone hold it is shaky hand syndrome.)
Now start talking about yourself, your firm, practice, company etc. Talk about everything we have been writing about for the past 10 years. Make sure it is relevant to your business. Don’t ramble on about social stuff. Save that for your free time (ha!) Be sure to focus on what services or products you are selling and/or promoting. As an example, look at SalemGlobal’s YouTube channel.
Then buy yourself Pinnacle Studio or Adobe Premier Elements and edit your video. Don’t forget to brand your video with your URL and phone number.
Next, get yourself an account at TubeMogul.com and distribute your video there. It basically takes you from one Youtube account to dozens of others. And then blog about it and put it on your website.
Remember, the more places you are, the more chances people will see you and get to know about your products and services. All you need is one person to watch your video to call you and become your customer.
Next week we can get into specifics about industries and tips for optimizing your video. If you are in a specific industry and need help or advice, just let me know. Email me, call me at 212-993-5828 or visit www.SalemGlobal.com.
Blogging for Doctors (healthcare and medical practices and offices of all sizes)
Posted by Aryeh.Landowne on Jul 21, 2009
When I was thinking about what to write for this post, I was thinking that I should title it “Doctor’s Blog,” which made me laugh because my staff and I were joking around about the rivalry between Star Trek and Star Wars and William Shatner and well… He used to end each show with “Captain’s Log.” And really - so should you. (But as you can see I went with the blogging for doctors which also makes me laugh because it sounds like “bowling for doctors.”)
As a doctor you are either seeing patients or treating patients. You are consulting with them. You are meeting with them, evaluating their aches and pains and hopefully just seeing them for “well” visits. I know from my own experience with doctors over the past years when I have been relatively “well,” that I get asked the usual questions regarding breathing, exercise, activity, stress etc. etc. Then they look in the ear, nose and throat, take my blood pressure and I am on my way.
What I described above is NOT what you should be writing about. I guarantee you the worst and most boring blog if you stick to the above formula. What you need to do is talk about the special cases. Describe the person - obviously with professional courtesy and confidentiality in mind. Tell your audience whether they are male or female, age and issue. Obviously, whatever your specialty - orthodontist, dentist, plastic surgeon, podiatrist, dermatologist, eye doctor, lasik etc… you will want to customize your blog to whatever is the ailment or situation of the day. How crooked this guys teeth are or how bad this woman’s eyesight is. Then you should share with the audience what evaluation you are giving, solution and procedure. Blog about preparation (Lasik candidates have to put eye drops in their eyes and drinks lots of fluids). And then what recovery will be like and what to expect.
I will never forget when my brother in law (who is a dentist in Larchmont, NY -www.21stCenturyDentist.com Dr. Joel Levy) told me about a patient who is a good guy, came in after eating a burger with EXTRA ONIONS! He laughed about it, I remembered and that could’ve been a great blog piece.
So if you are a doctor or know someone that is, and you or they would like a free consultation or some advice on how to blog. Just let me know. Email me, call me at 212-993-5828 or visit www.SalemGlobal.com. Next week we will get into a new topic and series regarding Vlogging or video logs - creating videos for your practice or business.
Microsoft Bing: A Worthy Google Competitor?
Posted by Aryeh.Landowne on Jun 22, 2009
Microsoft Bing, formerly known as Live Search, Windows Live Search and MSN Search, was launched on June 3rd, 2009. It is Microsoft’s latest attempt to take some marketshare away from Google search. Google has become the gold standard for Internet searching so therefore instead of reviewing Bing on it’s own, I will instead compare Bing to Google.
Bing has a busier but more elegant homepage compared to Google’s simple search bar. Bing rotates a daily picture of something or somewhere extraordinary. But what we really care about is search. I searched “Salemglobal” in each search engine and the first result was obviously SalemGlobal.com. But that’s where the similarities end; almost all the results are different but still relevant.
One feature that Bing has that is unique is when you hover your mouse over a search result a sidebar pops up with a small text preview of the page as well as common links within the page. So for the SalemGlobal search result the first few lines of text from our homepage pops up as well as links to our services page, our clients page, our contact page and a few others.
What I found strange was the little piece of text underneath each result, which is seemingly random. For example, under the link for SalemGlobal.com there is text from a news post from December 2008 that is about halfway down our homepage. Whereas Google takes the Meta description, the one line of html code that the owner of a site composes to describe their site, and uses that instead. In this case Google’s result is much more relevant.
Overall, Bing is a very clean search engine that has some nice new features of its own as well as some borrowed from Google and Yahoo (the number 1 and 2 ranked search engines). What remains to be seen is if people will start using it but that doesn’t seem likely since there isn’t any one thing that sets it apart from Google or Yahoo.
If you have any questions about how to utilize this new search engine please give SalemGlobal a call at 212-993-5828 or check out our website at http://www.SalemGlobal.com.
“Dear Diary, My How You’ve Changed!” — Business Blogging Goes Personal
Posted by Edan Shertzer on May 5, 2009
To start off this week’s Tip, here’s an extremely abridged history of the blog: in the olden days (we’re talking 1990s here, practically pre-history to current Internet users), blogs, short for “weblogs”, were the exclusive prerogative of computer geeks and tech nerds of all stripes and colors. Then, a New Yorker named Jason Calacanis got together with seven of his friends and they all started writing blogs. Each friend maintained 10 blogs, for a total of 80. After blogging for a year, the 80 blogs made $1 million in Google AdSense revenue. Soon thereafter, Calacanis’ company was bought out by AOL for $25 million.
All of a sudden, blogging ceased to be regarded as merely the tech nerd’s favorite pastime.
Today, blogs are just about the fastest-growing feature of the Web 2.0 tool kit. Actually, to be a little more accurate, blogs are spreading across the Internet like wildfire. It certainly seems like everyone and his brother now runs a blog, from hot-shot celebrities to angst-ridden high schoolers. Blogging has changed the face of media as we know it — the worlds of politics, sports, entertainment, and daily news are now cocooned in a blogosphere that is bigger and more comprehensive than any information source previously known to man. And that’s no exaggeration.
Every business could use a blog. As far as SEO goes, blogs are great for creating new content for and generating backlinks to your website. If your business doesn’t have a blog, start one, either on your website or at a new domain. The smartest option, at least from an SEO perspective, is to host your blog on a separate server with a different IP address from your corporate website. You’ll be rewarded with a faster and more powerful indexation from Google and the other search engines.
Don’t know what to write about in your company blog? Well, that’s the real beauty of the whole blogging thing. Feel free to write about anything that enters your mind, even the most mundane events of your day. Spend a couple of minutes getting your thoughts together, and eek out a paragraph or two every so often. Before long, you’ll find that blogging isn’t just an important chore, it can actually be fun.