It was early September 2010. At over 225 pounds and sporting a size 40 waist, I decided it was time to make a change. After all, at 46-years old, I wasn't getting any younger. In order to hold myself accountable to my desire to get fit and lose weight, I went public with my goals. I wrote about the changes I would be making extensively on this blog. My first entry was posted 9/14/10. By... Continue Reading

I've finally seen the new Twitter. And I like it. Continue Reading

A few years ago I heard people in the Internet marketing circles talking about "The Secret." I was told it was an amazing film featuring successful people demonstrating a "law of the universe" that had been hidden from the majority of mere mortals. Starring in this film based on a book by Rhonda Byrne were such people as Joe Vitale, James Arthur Ray, Michael Beckwith, David Schirmer and Bill Harris, among otthers. I decided to... Continue Reading

Have you ever thought of launching an online business to be a lot like running a race, but with plenty of hurdles in the way? I did an interview today and the person asking me questions wanted to know what the biggest hurdle is that people face when running an online business. Is it search engine optimization? Is it social media? Is it product development? I laughed and replied that none of those were the... Continue Reading

What's the real secret to getting things done? While much of the answer lies in things like motivation and daily habits, you also can't ignore the value of the tools you use every day to do the work. We polled our staff to find out what's running on their machines here at the office and at home. What we found is that our office has some universal solutions, and then seemed to split departmentally. So... Continue Reading

When Google launched Wave back in 2009, it was met with a mixture of head-scratching and hand-raising. Because it was invitation-only, there was huge demand from people who wanted to try it out. (Invitations were even said to have sold on eBay for $70 each). But people -- both those who had tried it out and those who wanted to -- wondered what it was for. 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

(Written by guest contributor Chris Harper) Let's face it: it's not hard to find flaws in a lot of online videos. I'm not above reproach myself. I often look back on my work and question my tactics or execution. As online video producers, we generally don't have the same budget or tools at our disposal that feature-length filmmakers do. Having said that, there are some things that you just can't do if you want people... Continue Reading

Last week we talked about the importance of typography and some things to think about when choosing and using type on the Web. This week we'll talk about various aspects of using type for print pieces. Continue Reading

Where do I find a web designer? How do I ensure I've found the right one? How much will it cost? Continue Reading

(Written by guest contributor Chris Harper) I just can't make a video. I don't have a nice camera or any equipment and I certainly can't afford any of that high-end editing software. I'm just too busy and there's not really any time. Besides, I wouldn't know where to begin even if I had the equipment or the time. Continue Reading

I've been blogging since 2003. I started JoelComm.com as a personal site where I could write articles about whatever I wanted. I wrote about my family, my travels, my dog, movie reviews, computer games and whatever else crossed my mind. But as I began taking my blog more seriously, I began creating more original content that brought value to others. My expertise in online business, site monetization, iPhone applications and other areas proved valuable for... Continue Reading

In this weekly update, you might find me trending a bit towards pop culture. There's just so much to talk about. The title of the entry sandwiches a very serious issue in between two entertaining, yet ultimately meaningless television programs for a reason. That's because the health care discussion (if you can call it that) that has taken place in the United States the past year has been largely void of substance. Instead, the current... Continue Reading

Last month, two of my team members had an opportunity to go to Monrovia, Liberia to work on a project intended to save lives of those in the malnourished and HIV-stricken country. Chris Harper, my Video Producer, and Sarah Jane Griesemer, VP of Project Management, accepted the call to go to Liberia and meet the needs of people through a project called The Peanut Butter House. What they experienced during their week-long trip was undoubtedly... Continue Reading