(Written by guest contributor Tim Golen) The other day I was asked by a colleague why developers in general have a hard time setting firm deadlines. I thought it was a valid question. I am by no means an authority on this issue, but I can speak for myself and for others that I have witnessed and talked to. I think that there are several reasons why developers find it difficult to set a firm... Continue Reading

Whether or not your online business plans include you writing anything, there is a lot to be said for developing a consistent journaling habit. Many, many people (especially those who have to be creative on a daily basis) attest to the fact that doing a morning "brain dump" of all of your worries, ideas, plans, etc. by writing them down helps to clear you out to do your best work later in the day. This... Continue Reading

In the world of smartphones, you definitely hear the most news about the iPhone. Whether it is because of Apple's enigmatic CEO or a collective obsession with the iPhone's sleek design, for some reason, that is the phone that the media loves to talk about the most. But recent reports on Google Android's market share indicate that it in fact is in the lead, with around 32% of smartphones users using an Android. So what... Continue Reading

So you've got your website up and running, complete with some key products and ads and maybe even a sales page. So now what, you just sit back and wait for the sales to roll in, right? Well, in your rush to get online, you may have overlooked the importance of a key task that just might be the single most vital thing you do as a marketer: split testing. This, in a nutshell, is... Continue Reading

(Written by guest contributor Chris Harper) Last week we talked about some steps you should take before buying a video camera. This week let's take a look at a few of the bigger choices you will face as you make your decision. Continue Reading

Have you ever been spread so thin that you felt like one little pat of butter in an entire bread factory? There are so many things to do, yet there is only so much time, money, and resources to go around. I've felt this way many times. And when it happens, it should act as a signal that you need to prioritize and refocus your efforts on what is most important. Continue Reading

There are certain aspects of web design that you should make absolutely sure you are getting right. Here is a short list of the most important ones: Continue Reading

(Written by guest contributor Chris Harper) Several weeks ago, we posted an article about the new YouTube Show & Tell channel that highlighted some of the more creative uses of the video giant's site. And now, after watching some of those examples and finding ourselves in need of a new angle to promote our newest iPhone app, I present to you the Sergeant Gun YouTube experience. It's not just a video, it really is an... Continue Reading

(Written by guest contributor Jared Newgent) 'Bots and Spiders?? Oh my... Continue Reading

I've spent the last few days in Manhattan for the annual Book Expo America (BEA). My publisher, John Wiley & Sons, invited me to do a book signing at their booth today. Twitter Power has become the world's best-selling book on Twitter, even translated into Japanese, Korean, Chinese and Portuguese. I have revised and updated this book, and it is now available in paperback with the title Twitter Power 2.0. Here are some photos of... Continue Reading

(Written by guest contributor Chris Harper) Have you ever seen a television commercial that just drives you nuts because of the spokesperson they use? I can think of at least two regional companies here in Colorado that fall into that category for me. In both cases, the "actor" has a close tie to the company being advertised. For one it's the owner, and for the other one it's the owner's kid that serves as their... Continue Reading

(Written by guest contributor Chris Harper) Live video broadcasts using Ustream and podcasts each have their pros and cons. I've had some experience with both, and I want to share with you what I see as the plusses and minuses of each. In the end, you can decide which method might be best suited for your needs. Continue Reading

When Chitika brought out its Premium units in 2008, it did something unique. And a bit selfish. The company raised its conversion rate by filtering out those users who were least likely to buy. Continue Reading

(Written by guest contributor Sarah Beek) Meetup.com is the perfect confluence of online social networking and in-person social networking. Social networking websites are great, but they really can't compete with the power of meeting and connecting with someone in person. Actual social networking solidifies relationships and often seals real business deals. That is why we recommend conferences so highly. But if you don't have a couple of grand lying around to attend a conference right... Continue Reading