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10 Ways to Make WordPress More Useful -The WordPress blogging platform is one of the most popular software choices for adding this powerful content tool. Its wide adoption is aided greatly by the fact that its open source architecture means that outside developers can create add-ons to extend the basic functionality.

5 Ways to Grow Your Local Business With Social Media -Let’s face it; most small businesses do the bulk of their business locally. So, the thought of gaining access to Facebook’s 300 trillion users (may be more by now) isn’t that relevant or useful. However, if those local businesses could use the some of the new powerful online tools and platforms to gain access to the 200-300 social media users in their town, now that might just make some sense.

5 Trends That Will Shape Small Business in 2010 -2009 was a pretty wild year in the world of marketing. While social media was building up steam in previous years, it pretty much went mainstream this past year. In fact, many businesses became fatigued from hearing so much about Twitter, Facebook, and social media in general.

Social Media Getting Started -It’s becoming clear that social media is no longer marketing’s new thing; it’s marketing in the world we live in today. That’s not to say that social media tactics are all you need to concern yourself with, but it does mean that social media tactics need to be considered in your marketing strategy.

13 Ways to Network Beyond Facebook and LinkedIn -Building branded profiles, engaging prospects and connecting with potential employees and strategic partners are all powerful ways to tap into Facebook and LinkedIn.

How to Lose a Customer in 5 Ways - Getting a customer is hard work. Keeping them, or more importantly turning them into repeat and refer customers, requires an equal amount of strategic thinking and tactical action, but it’s where the real business building momentum is generated.

5 Pillars of A Small Business Social Media System - A business at its best is an integrated set of systems that come together to create value for an owner, employees, suppliers and customers of that business.

7 Reasons Why Your Marketing Plan Doesn't Work - Every business should operate with a set of plans – a plan for the business, a plan for cash, a plan for growth, and certainly a plan for marketing. Opening a business with no plan is kind of like driving somewhere you’ve probably never been without a map or GPS device.

Are You Ready for the Economic Rebound? - Are you holding on waiting for your world to get back to normal after the recession – if so, then stop it right now – there’s no such thing as normal and today your best play is to embrace the economic downturn and seeming chaos as one of the most significant opportunities for growth in recent history.

5 Ways to Make Me Want Your Advertisements - So, maybe you've heard, advertising doesn't work anymore. Or, at least that’s what many business owners have come to believe.

How to Promote an Event Using Social Media - There are dozens of sites and services set-up to help you promote events such as webinars, seminar, workshops, grand openings and product launches.

What Really Generates Referral - So much of the literature on the subject of referrals focuses on the proper ways to network, ask for referrals, and create incentive programs for referral sources.

Social Media Listening Made Easy - Listening to the wants and needs of your markets and customers has always been a good idea.

New Facebook Pages Are More Business Friendly -This month’s overhaul of the the Facebook interface dramatically improved the functionality of the Pages feature on Facebook.

A Complete Referral System - For most, referrals happen accidentally as a result of doing good work or being in the right place at the right time.

Ramp Up Testimonials in 2009 - Gathering and utilizing authentic customer testimonials is a great way to a) get closer to your customers and b) offer proof that your company delivers.

What Becomes the Long Way Home? - When setting goals, creating marketing plans, or moving boldly in the direction of innovation, there is a strange force that holds some entrepreneurs back-that repeatedly makes the long road home more becoming.

How To Create The Ultimate Referral Marketing System In 7 Simple Steps

Building Client and Referral Communities - Two of the most important words in the marketing world are Content and Contact.

10 Simple Ways to Get Started with Social Networking - I don’t really think that the mySpaces and Facebooks of the world are essential marketing plays for the typical small business as they stand today.

Tuning in to the mobile web - A lot is being made these days on the subject of mobile marketing and rightly so.

The Telephone Doesn't Use Any Gas - Using technology to automate and become more effective

Top 12 Resources for Start-ups - Getting the right information is crucial to getting your business started.

Social Search Gaining Steam - Social search engines allow users to rank and rate your small business.

Using Google Alerts to Earn Free Media - Earning coverage of your company in the publications and shows that your ideal customers consume is one of the most effective ways to build trust.

Twitter for Business - Yet another Web 2.0 social networking tool got you puzzled - read this guide.

How's Your Reputation - Everything on the web about you, your products and your company is true - unless you manage otherwise.

7 Steps to Local Search Dominance - Local shoppers are going online to find products and services in your town — you must find ways to get found when they do!

Content is the tool that drives online marketing - People are drowning in the volume of content, your job is to find and promote content that is relevant.

My Top 10 Google Search Shortcuts - Google puts some of the best competitive research right at your fingertips.

A New Look at an Old Tool - The press release was long considered the workhorse of the public relations trade, now smart marketers are breathing new life into this tool.

Online Reputation Management - Everything on the web about you and your company is true - unless you manage otherwise.

Create Your Own Referral Sales Force - Surround yourself with a network of competent professionals and add more value to your client relationships.

7 Steps to Consistent Referral Generation - Understanding your customer lifecycle and mapping every customer touch point is key to generating a consistent flow of referrals.