Archive for the ‘email’ Category

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Jul
14

Should you use signatures in texts?

Wednesday, July 14th, 2010

I was looking through some forums to see if I could figure out how to change the text signature on my Droid Incredible cell phone.  I want to customize it.

While reading the forums I noticed a lot of people asking why anyone would really need a signature.  It’s dumb, they said.  People know who you are, the commenters further explained, and would only need your information sent to them once.

I’m going to assume these people are young or not independent business people, because they couldn’t be more incorrect.

If  texting is between friends, there is no need for a signature.  But, business people need their information available for real and potential clients.

Whenever you think anyone “should” do something,  you are mistaken.

People often receive requests for quick information from prospects or clients.  It is common these days for the request to come via a text message rather than a phone call.  I’ve often found it easier to text the information quickly rather than wait until I have time or find myself in an appropriate location to make a phone call.

Having a signature is as important on a text as it is on an e-mail.

Ask yourself how often you take the time to import all the information from a text or an e-mail from a vendor.  Some people are better than others.  If the information you need is not in your system, then you look for the last communication.

Many phones now recognize phone numbers and allow you to make a call no matter where you find the number.  It could be in an e-mail, text or your notes.

If I were to take the advice of the commenters on the forum and only provide my information once, I would have made a poor assumption. My information would not be available to a prospect or client in need.

Don’t overdo your signatures. (This is a “do as I say, not as I do” statement.) Make sure you consider including your name, e-mail, phone, Web site, and your core social media hangout.  If you want to keep your text signatures simple, pick two easy ways in which someone can communicate with you.

By the way.  I’ve not found my answer. If you know how to adjust the signature on the Android platform, please e-mail me.

Rosh

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Posted in Tools, email | 5 Comments »

Feb
7

New and noteworthy

Sunday, February 7th, 2010

Google now allows you to follow updates on any Web site even if it doesn’t have a really simple syndication (RSS) feed. In my opinion, RSS is one of the most underutilized and powerful Web tools available.  Google has upped the game by making every site an RSS feed through their Google Reader.  I’m thinking about my competitor’s Web site as a great test for the new application.  If you want to do the same, take a Web site and place it in the add a subscription box in Google reader. Google will make note that it is not a traditional RSS feed and ask if you would like one.

Speaking of RSS: If you are interested in receiving feeds via e-mail, even if the option is not provided, feedmyinbox.com seems like an easy solution.  They offer free and premium services.

Astronaut Soichi Noguchi is sharing his images on twitpics from the space station http://twitpic.com/119les.

Citrify is a clean online photography editing platform. It is quick and easy to use. It offers a premium version, but the free version has all the basics you would expect, plus some useful filters and effects.

Seed.com: This is a new site from AOL designed to give writers and photographers opportunities to be published on its network of properties.   They offer a list of assignments on various subjects that pay from $25 to $100.

Seed.com offers three types of  license agreements for your work. Please read the terms of service before you send a piece.  In the rights-grab environment we live in, I’ve seen much worse.  Decide for yourself.

Woorank.com is a site I mention on the podcast. It’s a new search engine optimization evaluation option.

http://www.tweetyourmail.com If you receive an interesting e-mail, you can now tweet it.

Rosh

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Posted in New Media, Photography news, Tools, blogging, email, review, social media | 2 Comments »

Nov
27

Don’t force social media

Friday, November 27th, 2009

One of the biggest problems people have with new communication technology is they try to force it into their current workflow or methods of doing business.

A classic example of this is business owners trying to use hard marketing techniques in the social media realm.  Some creative people make it work, but the majority fail.

Others see the shiny new technology and change their marketing plans to fit the new platforms.  Unfortunately, they often leave behind and neglect marketing strategies that were working for them.

Social media is its own line item in the list of marketing concepts worthy of consideration for growing your business.

Don’t force social media into other strategies.  In many cases social media can play a supporting role for other marketing methods, but ultimately it is best to develop a social media goal.

What do you want to accomplish with social media? Is social media the best tool to achieve your goal?

If your goal is to drive traffic to your Web site on a mass scale in order to sell a product, then e-mail marketing might be a better solution.

If you wish to develop yourself as an expert in your field — social media would be an excellent choice as a tool to support your efforts.

Before social media, companies depended on public relations. They used PR to get the word out about their people’s expertise, new products, and service successes in the traditional media.  The problem many PR professionals faced was proving the direct ROI (return on investment) from their work.  Thus, many business professionals didn’t see the value.

If you are a by-the-numbers person, social media may not be for you.  Don’t jump on the bandwagon if you don’t see the compound value of social communications over time.  You can’t force it.

Rosh

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Aug
16

Is real time fast enough?

Sunday, August 16th, 2009

clocksm

The topic of real time is coming up regularly  in conversation, application updates, and blog posts.  This leads me to believe that the real-time Web is coming of age.

Real-time applications are those that offer no delay in transmission and delivery of information or actions. Real time is the buzzword and  next major step in Web technology.

Google Wave will play a major role later this year in advancing this for the mainstream Internet. But you don’t have to wait: Real-time applications are available now.

Communication on the Web is fast. Important information is retweeted across the Web and around the world in a matter of minutes.  Unfortunately, applications such as Google Talk or AIM require waiting for a response from the people you are chatting with — delaying the progress of a conversation.  Real time on today’s Web means quick delivery after the content creator hits the send button.

Real time in the future means seeing what people are typing while they are typing, responding to blog comments as they are posted, viewing the world’s images as they are created, and receiving analytics as they are generated.

The Holy Grail for computer companies will be to create computers and operating systems that turn on at the speed of a light switch.  The Internet and its applications share the same dream.

The Internet has the advantage. Applications are being offered closer to real-time each month.

Imagine receiving feeds in your favorite RSS reader within seconds of the author pressing the publish button.  It is being worked on now. You may visit David Winer’s progress here http://rsscloud.org/

Earlier this week Facebook started to roll out its new real-time search, following in the footsteps of its recent acquisition of FriendFeed. Users are able to find the latest updates on current topics within their community.   This release is designed to rival Twitter’s powerful real-time search.

Today’s searches in the social media realm offer the most current information. Google search results feel like reading the daily newspaper filled with yesterday’s news.  In today’s fast-paced world, even Google is not up-to-date enough.

This is why Google feels the need to update their algorithm. A new Google — code-named caffeine — is coming soon with faster results and more current information.

The prospects for more real-time applications are exciting, but the reality is such speed will also offer added demands.  Clients will expect even quicker responses.  A returned e-mail two hours later or a phone call the next morning will be unacceptable.

Our words, images and video will stream to the Net, or favorite social media hangout in real time. Our friends and associates will comment on the imagery  and our thoughts before the event is complete or video is fully uploaded.

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Jul
6

New media photographer podcast 56

Monday, July 6th, 2009

New media photographer show notes:

This week Rosh talks about prosperous artists academy, Synectics Media, word press plug-ins and email.

Subscribe in itunes, click here

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Jul
3

Are you collecting e-mails?

Friday, July 3rd, 2009

It is important to collect e-mails from people who like you and your work.  Collecting doesn’t mean you have to spam people, but a good list is very powerful in the development of your brand.

You should have an easy-to-find location where people can input their e-mail address in return for more information, newsletters, special offers or free product samples.

It’s also very important that you are honest with the people who have placed their trust in you.  Let them know how often they will receive information.  Let them know if you plan on sending special offers.  Let them know you will not share or sell their e-mail address.

Always follow the rules of the CAN-SPAM act.  Make sure that you give everyone an opportunity to opt out of your e-mail campaigns whether you are selling something or not.   If you have a large list, don’t use your personal e-mail to deliver them.  It can be very harmful if you are pegged as a spammer by a major e-mail service provider.  I highly recommend using a service.

Often people who share their e-mail with you are a part of your community. Taking actions that would turn them off can be very damaging.  Take a moment to review your Web site and ask yourself if you are missing a great opportunity.

Rosh

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Jul
1

The ultimate device

Wednesday, July 1st, 2009

When I was a kid I liked to play with a rectangular wooden block.  I called it my ultimate device.  It could do anything.

block

I’ve not forgotten that device. I’m reminded of it continuously by advances in technology.

Today’s smart phones and the applications created for them are amazing.  I’m coming close to declaring these hand-held pieces of technology equal to my childhood ultimate device.

I’m a big Apple fan.  My first Apple was an Apple IIe.  My family had the first Mac and my parents published one of the first books created on the Mac platform in the mid  1980s.  I really would like an iPhone, but until Verizon and Apple decide they can be friends and place nice together, I’m out of luck. (Maybe I’m just stubborn.)

Last weekend I went swimming. So did my phone. I forgot to take it out of the pocket on my bathing suit.

The next day, I went to the Verizon store to see what was available to replace my waterlogged phone.  I looked at the Blackberry, but ultimately couldn’t justify adding another  $30 to my monthly cell phone bill.

LG released the new enV Touch (Voyager upgrade) at the beginning of June.  I like its features and selected it as my new phone. images

The enV Touch has both a touch-screen system and keyboard with a second screen inside. I’m amazed what these little boxes of technology can do:

The most important feature for me, as photographer, is the ability to display my portfolio.  It is a great advantage to have portfolio images available anytime an opportunity arises.

I need e-mail while on the road and I need a good system to view my feeds and listen to podcasts while I travel.

I’m able to organize my music and podcasts with the MP3 player.

I’m hooked up to all of my e-mail accounts and have the home page of my browser set on my Google reader page.

I have quick buttons that take me to Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, favorite photos, videos and important contacts.

I have a voice-controlled GPS navigation system, 3.2 MP camera and video. Another bonus: editing features. I can edit both images and video in the camera.  Plus, it has an automatic blemish-removing mode; smile detector, color correction, macro- and manual focus.

The name card reader threw me for a loop. This feature allows you to take a photo of a business card. The phone’s technology automatically converts the image information (name, phone numbers and e-mail address) and places it in your contacts files.

Those of you with the really smart phones are yawning.  I’m familiar with the latest technology. But, being able to incorporate it into my daily work flow is new for me. I’m having a blast.

As soon as these little boxes are able to teleport me to Mars and shoot a devastating death ray at a moment’s notice, I will officially declare the arrival of the ultimate devices created in the imagination of my youth.

Rosh

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May
18

New media photographer Podcast #49

Monday, May 18th, 2009

New media photographer show notes:

This week the Rosh talks about his travels, asking for the sale and a few new media photographer secret weapons.

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Apr
27

New media photographer podcast 46

Monday, April 27th, 2009

This week Rosh talks about email, linking and social media. Jason Z is back with some good ideas for photographers.

 

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Apr
21

Did you forget about e-mail?

Tuesday, April 21st, 2009

email

E-mail is still one of the most powerful methods of communication, business development and marketing. Many estimate e-mail is second only to search traffic. Are you using it effectively?

Even with all the new methods of communication developing, e-mail is still the most universal. But, without a conscious, productive approach to e-mail, you could be missing out on relationships and opportunities.

First, don’t send spam (unsolicited e-mail) to people you don’t know. It is especially important not to do it from your personal account. Your account could be blocked from important networks. For example, if Comcast flags your e-mail as spam you may not be able to communicate with associates, friends and family on their system. Use a service such as Vertical Response, Icontact or Constant Contact to deliver bulk e-mails.

Use descriptive headlines in the subject line of your e-mails. Make it easy for people to know why you are contacting them. Good headlines improve e-mail open rates. Don’t leave subject lines blank.

When you receive an important e-mail, acknowledge it. It’s amazing how many bad situations develop every day because the sender thought the receiver received an e-mail, when they did not.  When sending important information, it is acceptable to ask for confirmation.

Check spelling and grammar. And — OMG — stop using text speak in professional e-mails.

Avoid using Web-based e-mail systems such as Gmail, Hotmail, or Yahoo for business. It looks very unprofessional. Stay away from unprofessional e-mail names, such as SexGoddess09.

Streamline your e-mail. Make sure your e-mail goes to one location. This includes old e-mails. Forward each address to a central location and make sure the return address is your professional address.

I’ve needlessly confused many people through the years. It was not uncommon for my clients to have multiple e-mails listed for me. I would have different e-mails for home, studio and the road. Big mistake.

Now I have the easiest e-mail in the world. If you know my name you know my email. It’s rosh@ rosh.com. Everyone sends to and receives messages from that address, although my central location is based with my local cable company. It’s worth getting all e-mails under control to create the easiest system possible.

Use signatures in your e-mail. It’s one of the best marketing practices available to you and a great convenience to your friends and associates. Share your e-mail address, phone numbers, Web sites and social media locations.

Keep e-mail messages short and the design simple. Remember many people are viewing e-mail on smart phones.

Remember people generally don’t consider forwarded jokes and trivial information as communication.

Finally, purchase or develop an archive system for your e-mails.

What would you add to this list?

Rosh

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