I just finished uploading pictures to a web page using the free and easy to use website run by yahoo:  www.flickr.com.  I was able to learn how to use the website quickly and after spending a short amount of time navigating through the site, before I knew it, I had edited and organized several of my photos within just a few minutes.  And, yes I did say “free”.

By uploading your photos onto “flickr,” you can organize your photos, edit them using a variety of sizing and coloring tools, add text, and allow others to view your photos on-line.

Organizing and editing your photos on-line makes it easy to add them to your business website.  Pictures are an essential aspect of your website as they allow potential customers to get to know you.  We also recommend using pictures of your previous customers and their projects, in your testimonials.

In addition to posting photos of yourself, your team, and your testimonials, “flickr’s” photo editing capabilities allow you to create unique before and after photos of your projects.  The “create” tab on the photo editing page allows you to get creative with your photos by changing your photo’s shape and adding special effects and frames to help your photos really standout among your competition.

Don’t be afraid!  Try “flickr” to create a more interesting, personal, photo-filled website!

Caron

Someone asked a great question on a recent blog that I thought would make a good topic.  Jim asked about putting your ‘real’ name on blog posts and blog comments.  He wondered if there were any security issues surrounding this.  Here’s my response…

“To answer your question, no it’s not a dumb question at all! You can feel free to use your real name. Getting your name (& website) on the internet is good for business. Google & other search engines like finding you & your company out there & it should help you get noticed more. So, go ahead & I’d encourage you to put your website link in as well, especially if you have a blog to link to….”

The benefit to social marketing on the internet is to get your name and your company out there to potential clients so you can tell your story.  An active website, blog, and blog comments all help.

We have a great example for you of how a contractor can utilize a blog.   Here’s a blog that one of our webinar clients, Advanced Contracting has begun.  Great job Patty! 

http://aciremodel.com/blog/

Let us know if you’ve started blogging, we’d like to see it.

Thanks-
Caron

Hi Gang

Thanks for attenting the webinar about advertising. As promised, here is the link to download and print the handout from the class.

http://www.chiefexperts.com/cecontent/Markupandprofit-Advertising_4-26-2008.pdf

Let me know your thoughts on the class

Dan

Last Friday was a great day at ChiefExperts.com.   We hosted a webinar addressing the new world of marketing and how critical websites are to your marketing efforts.  We had a very informational session with over 100 people enrolled.  Dan Baumann led the discussion on marketing as it evolves from the traditional 4P’s of - Product, Price, Place and Promotion to the new world of social marketing and the 4R’s - Reveal, Reward, Respect and Retain.  He also discussed all the mental triggers that your marketing efforts, especially your website, should address. 

We also offered to review your websites and offer our advice on areas of improvement.  Wow - we were overwhelmed by your response!  We had over 50 requests to review your websites.  We loved it and have really enjoyed visiting your sites and giving them a critical eye.   We have seen some excellent sites and some not so great sites.  We talked about a few during the webinar, with much more to come.

There is so much contractors and designers can do on your website:

• highlight amazing galleries and portfolios, 
• promote your awards,
• video testimonials from clients, subs, employees,
• photos and bios of your staff,
• private client areas,
• your contracts,
• education for your clients,
• your community involvement,
• & blogs, of course. 

The list keeps growing every day, it’s really exciting.  Your website is a great place to differentiate yourself in the competitive construction industry.   

We are working on the website reviews and will be releasing video reviews shortly.  We’ll let you know when.

If you want to hear the whole webinar, check it out at ChiefExperts.com, it’s very interesting and will get you thinking about how you can adopt these new marketing strategies and enhance your website to make it more effective.

Good luck!

One question we get from contractors often is - “What should I blog about?” 
Good question.  Let’s see if I can give you a good answer. 

A blog is a new format to share “news”.  What is “news” is pretty subjective, but that’s the beauty of the internet, if you don’t find a blog or website newsworthy, then you don’t have to read it.  That said, if you think something is newsworthy, great, blog about it.

Some suggestions for contractors or designers -

• Open House - talk about an upcoming Open House you are hosting
• Trade Show - tell people where you’ll be, what contest you’re offering, invite them to come by 
• Community Event - talk about one you’re participating in, even if it’s for a favorite charity
• Post Event - after the event is over, talk about what you did, what was interesting, surprising, or even disappointing
• Green - it’s the new buzz word.  If you’re doing something in this area (a project, your business, your home), talk about it
• Designers - talk about a particularly nice design feature you’ve done, show pictures, talk about how the client loved it, quote them too
• How To - talk about a fairly simple home repair or project that homeowners can do, include pictures or video if you’re ready.  It makes you the expert & if they struggle, maybe they’ll call you to take over.
• You - if nothing else, talk about you & what you’re doing, build a relationship with your future clients.  If they like you, they’ll hire you.

Hopefully these ideas will give you a start.  Go ahead, have fun with it. 
Let us know what you’ve blogged about.  We’d love to hear about it & read it.

This is my first venture into the world of blogging.  It seems to be the way the world is moving, so why not. Plus, ‘my boss’ asked me to do it.  We wanted to see how easy it would be for contractors & designers, with limited internet experience, to start your own & I’m about as inexperienced a user as you could find.

I am amazed at how easy it was.  I tried a couple blogging sites & decided that this one, WordPress is the easiest to get up & going. 

A couple things I learned:

• think about your username - that’s how you’ll be found - use your company name if possible
• there are a lot of options - start simple & just jump in
• play around - it’s easy to delete, change, or start over
• if you don’t like writing - find someone in your company or family that does & use them
• write about something you know - your business, the industry, you

Blogging is a great way to increase your company’s exposure.  It also gives your clients and potential clients a more personal glimpse into you & your business.   They get to know you better & when they have a project to be done, they’ll turn to someone they know & trust - you! 

At least that’s the idea & since it takes just a minimal amount of time & effort, why not?

So, give it a try & let us know how it goes.  I’d love to hear about your experience.  Good luck!!  Let us know if we can help. 

Have Fun!
Caron
www.ChiefExperts.com