ShawnHessinger commented on the following stories on BizSugar
What's the Best Blog Platform - Wordpress, Typepad, Blogger?
"We've used all three of these formats, Scott, and though I'm with you in preferring TypePad, my partner, who is more of a "techie," swears WordPress gives her more versatility. I think the real difference between the two formats comes down to a trade-off between ease of use and customization. As our business moves toward development of online properties, I suspect we will likely do more with WordPress because of the need to have ever greater control over every shade in the pallet, so to speak. However, for an easy pro solution that combines hosting, decent support and easy to use software, TypePad can't be beat. "Shady Salesperson
"I think the trouble is that increasingly the nature of the sales experience is changing. True the above described scenario sounds particularly deceptive but even cold calling or other forms of traditional prospecting these days can feel a bit pushy. As permission marketing becomes increasingly the norm, customers have grown accustomed to searching for and asking for what they want. Throw up a Website. A blog. A series of key worded videos on YouTube using phrases like "magazine", "subscription" or maybe a keyword based on the subject your magazine covers. Let me sign up for your e-mail newsletter so you can keep me up to date. Then don't call me. I'll call you. And don't show up at my door. There are some services that still pay to promote broadly, like distributing take-out menus for your new restaurant to everyone in your zip code. (They've all got to eat, right?) But customers are becoming more sophisticated these days, and trying to trick them into buying a product they don't want or need probably isn't the best strategy. "Small Business Can Benefit From Employee Engagement
"Hey Mike, If commitment or engagement from your employees weren't important, why would everyone from buyers to investors be so interested in an entrepreneur's or company's team? Even more interested at times than in the idea or concept behind your business. After all, it's your team, your employees, that really make the business work, right? For a business to be operable even after your exit the company, doesn't it make sense that it's the employees who run the show? "If I asked you to name a company that excels at Customer Service, Would you name your own?
"Wow, Glenn. Some great observations here, and, yes, all of us are clearly in the customer business. So maybe the whole brand and culture of your business begins there when you decide what customers specifically you wish to target. "As Competition for the Hearts, Minds and Wallets of Clients Heats Up, Is the Pressure of Biz-Blogging Increasing?
"I think the single most important challenge most businesses starting a blog or hiring someone to start one face is figuring out what it should be. Should it be helpful and informative? Should it generate sales or revenue? Should it reinforce your brand...or all of the above? Knowing what you want and expect from a blog can be the first step toward success. "Claim Your Business on Foursquare
"Pretty interesting, Ryan. Foursquare is a step beyond Yelp and mere customer feedback into the world of true interaction. It will be interesting to see the next development and whether it will come from one of the big players already in the game or someone completely different. It's also interesting how well this application complements the offline world instead of simply replacing real world community. "Becoming Influential: The Rise Of “PR Sarah Evans”
"Wow. Great interview, David. Especially from the perspective of creating brand first and focusing on giving. I think sometimes too many people really don't get the importance of doing what you're passionate about whether you have a way to monetize it immediately or not. For example, if you want to blog, start a blog. Your concern shouldn't be immediately about how you can push a product or sell something with it. It's not that at some point you won't market with what you create. But creating something of value should always come first. Thanks for the resource. "10 Reasons Not To Ignore Your Blog For Facebook
"Yes, remember when MySpace was the toughest kid on the block? How things change. And who would have expected/predicted Facebook to be on a par with Google three years ago? No one. Nothing lasts forever. There are certainly business models that can thrive on a free social media site...including Facebook. It is simply important to understand their limits."Subscribe
“Adam, Great post. My feeling? It's better to already HAVE a blog than...”
“That's a good list of steps in keeping with self-discipline. I concentrate...”
“At a time where I am seriously considering utilizing videos for my online...”
“As I soon close in on the start of a 365 day countdown to retirement age...”
“You lay out some good solid tips to give an entrepreneur like myself a...”
The Road Less Traveled
"Great post. I think, like most things, use of social media or any other tool will probably depend on the company culture into which it's introduced. The only wrong answer is probably a one-size-fits-all solution."