When was the last time you read a press release? Let's face it. The majority of press releases issued by companies are totally boring and uninteresting. Why is that? Certainly Company X is excited about their new product and they can't wait to tell the world about it. But why should a blogger or media outlet care about Company X's new product or service? Unless your company's name is Apple, odds are you will have... Continue Reading

The holiday season can be pretty intense -- presents to buy, social events to go to, cookies to eat, and through it all you are still running your online business. But don't forget to take some time out to sit down and reflect on the year that's passed and the one coming up. Doing so can bring your business and your efforts into sharper focus and help you know what you want to shoot for... Continue Reading

You are probably catching on to the fact that I am not promoting many products these days. That's because most products and services coming out are not worth promoting. When you see the proliferation of traffic products, social media products, list building products and all the other rehashed same-old, same-old coming out, I'm sure you'll agree that there aren't many original ideas out there right now. So when I DO have something to share with... Continue Reading

It's Monday morning and I am thinking about what I should write about today. As I ponder the things happening in my life, I consider my options. The new Twitter is coming. But I haven't seen it on my account yet, so that will have to wait. I'm a week into Project Fit, but I'm feeling kind of under the weather today. I've been invited to speak in Asia. It's exciting, but I don't think... Continue Reading

You've come up with a business idea you believe will rock the world. You have built your website... it's so beautiful it brings a tear to your eye. You are the expert in your field and you've got something to say. Now you just need someone to say it to! It's no surprise that the best way to become recognized is to be interviewed by others who want to leverage your expertise for a newspaper... Continue Reading

The press release is a mysterious thing. You may have been told how important it is to write and distribute press releases, but you may not be doing it or you may be doing it for the wrong reasons. Continue Reading

(Written by guest contributor Sarah Jane Griesemer) Having an idea, product, video, or marketing plan go viral is something of a holy grail for online marketers. Sure, everyone wants it to happen to them, but how do you do it? What is the magic formula for a successful viral marketing campaign? The answer, unfortunately, is that there isn't one. You know a good viral campaign when you see one, and since by its very definition... Continue Reading

Whenever I teach people about making money with AdSense, I make sure to let them know how easy it is to get started. Once they understand that their original content can translate to a revenue stream, they usually want to know what to do. For someone who has never blogged before, I recommend they set up a Blogger account. Not only is it easy to use, but it is also free. And since Google owns... Continue Reading

Just in case this word isn't in your vocabulary: Budg-et [buhj-it] -- noun 1. an estimate, often itemized, of expected income and expense for a given period in the future. 2. a plan of operations based on such an estimate. 3. an itemized allotment of funds, time, etc., for a given period. 4. the total sum of money set aside or needed for a purpose. 5. a limited stock or supply of something. Continue Reading

Christmas. Seems like we measure a good part of our year by the celebration of Christ's birth. I know. For many people Christmas is very much a secular holiday. A time for family and friends. A time for decorating and hanging pretty lights. A time for the wonder of Santa Claus and flying reindeer. And a time for gift-giving. And regardless of whether or not Target has the cajones to allow the nice Salvation Army... Continue Reading

I grew up in northern suburbs of Chicago. You know all the John Hughes' films like Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club and Weird Science? They were either filmed or supposed to have taken place in the region where I was raised. In fact, there is a scene in Ferris Bueller's Day Off that was filmed outside my old high school, Glenbrook North. Ferris' sister is outside the school and a bunch of kids are running... Continue Reading

Our iPhone development team is responsible for some great apps in the iTunes app store. iVote Mobile was in the first batch of 500 apps that were released in the app store when it first went live in Summer of 2008. Last holiday season, iFart took the world by storm. It has gone on to become one of the most frequently mentioned iPhone apps in the world. Our team was among the first to develop... Continue Reading

It's a national holiday! I know, it's not on the calendar. But I am declaring a national holiday. In fact, I am calling it a GLOBAL holiday! What's the special occasion? It's Twitter Power Day! Yes, that's right. Today is dedicated to recognizing and embracing the power of Twitter to build relationships, enhance branding and grow your online business... ... and it's all FREE! Continue Reading

I'm getting ready to bust loose with a four-letter word. You aren't going to like it. It might make you cringe. Too bad. It needs to be said. "Debt" There I said it. Do you feel relieved or does the word stress you out? Continue Reading