by Mary Johnson -- Web Site Helper LLC
  June 30, 2005  Issue 17

• Web Site Helper In the Spotlight
• Stay On Top of Technology -- Read the Comics
• Power Tools I Recommend

Web Site Helper In the Spotlight
--- Case Study: How Email Marketing Can Grow Your Business

Recently, I was interviewed and featured in an article about how email marketing can grow your business. It was used as a case study for an online class on Website Promotion taught by Cindy McMahen and Karyn Zoldan. Here is an excerpt:

KZ: What has been your best tactical move?

MJ: Not trying to be like everyone else, but trusting my instincts and writing about topics that I find interesting that are related, or somewhat related to the purpose of the enewsletter. In my case, either a business or technology tip to grow their business.

This covers a wide area and allows me to address general marketing issues, specific Internet marketing techniques, Web site design, enewsletters, -- basically all the services I provide.

The goal is to keep readers subscribed by delivering interesting/entertaining/insightful information that they can use. You know you are doing something right when they comment about looking forward to each issue.


Read the entire interview...

Stay On Top of Technology -- Read the Comics

--- Google Earth. What Is It? Why Is It?

FoxTrot on top of it

If you read the comic strip Foxtrot, you already know about Google's new sensational software called Google Earth. It has been available as a beta for some time but just made prime time this week. It is software that lets you see satellite pictures of any part of the world. Download the free version from http://earth.google.com.

In Google's own words,

"Google Earth streams the world over wired and wireless networks enabling users to virtually go anywhere on the planet and see places in photographic detail. This is not like any map you have ever seen. This is a 3D model of the real world, based on real satellite images combined with maps, guides to restaurants, hotels, entertainment, businesses and more. You can zoom from space to street level instantly and then pan or jump from place to place, city to city, even country to country."

What Goes Around Comes Around

In my previous life, I worked as a contractor for the Air Force at Wright-Patterson AFB. I had a secret clearance and worked as a programmer on a flight simulator that used terrain and feature data to create a realistic experience for the pilots-in-training.

The out-the-window view showed realistic mountains that loomed tall and massive and our simulated planes would "crash" into them if the pilots-in-training made a mistake. The worst case scenario being that they have to start the simulation training over.

Speed up to today, 15 years later, and that same data is being used in Google Earth. They claim that it is 3-D, but in the free version that I have, the world is literally "flat" when you view it from an angle.

I say this only to make a point. You don't have to implement all features at once, or "ever" for that matter, for something to be of value. Get it on the market. Do something.  Do it now.

Why Is It?

Aside from being a great way to learn geography and explore the world (I "flew" to the pyramids in Egypt and saw the desert and the Nile River), it is a great marketing tool for businesses.

To see how my business, Web Site Helper LLC, has taken advantage of it, set Dayton Ohio as your local area.  Using the local search feature, type in the phrase "website designers" to see me and my competitors.  You can see the actual locations on a map, complete with address, phone, website link, and directions on how to get there.

Give it a try. Click on "Web Site Helper LLC" to get my address and then zoom in to find my house and see my car parked in the driveway.  Pretty cool, huh?

Are Your Competitors Using the Technology?

Search on your industry and see if your competitors are appearing for your local area. If they are not, then this is a perfect time to get a jump on them in a new technology. If they are, then you are the one that is at risk to falling behind and losing market share or having to spend more money in traditional areas of marketing to make up for the difference.

Get Your Business Listed

To get your business listed when a search is done on your industry, go to https://www.google.com/local/add/login and start the registration process. It is free. It is easy.

Web It Up To The Next Level

This is just one of many Internet marketing techniques that you could be deploying to leverage your Web site and take your business to the next level.  When you are ready to learn more, give me a call.

Fax-to-Email - Get your faxes as email attachments anywhere, anytime for as little as $14 a year.

Traditional FAX problems: 

• Lack of privacy -- incoming fax lies exposed for anyone to read
• Tied to the office -- you must be at the office to get the FAX
• Reliant on paper supply -- if you run out of paper, you miss the important FAX
• Ties up a phone line -- if your FAX is sharing a phone line, you may miss an important call

Here's HOW Fax-to-Email Eliminates Those Problems:

• Completely private -- Only you can see the fax because it is an attachment to an email in your in-box
• Never miss a fax -- Even when traveling you can view your FAX from your email.  Print only when you need a hard copy.
• Dedicated FAX number -- You get a new, dedicated FAX number to give out to your customers (not associated with a physical line at your facility).  Save money and completely eliminate your dedicated FAX line.   Frees up your current line for business calls.

I have been using Fax-to-Email for over 3 years and wouldn't do without it. 

Cell:  937-974-5539 (EST)
Toll Free: 1-888-WEB IT UP (932-4887)
Email:  Mary@WebSiteHelper.com
Web:  www.WebSiteHelper.com