Easy way to add pictures to your site

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

Good Question & Good Blog

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

What to Blog? – Good Question

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.