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Friday, December 17, 2010

Getting the word out about Causes!!! Families living in tents?! In New Jersey????

Yes, right here in New Jersey, at the Jersey Shore. Not some third world country, half way around the world, but right here at home where we can do something about it. I recently received this message from one of my Brother Knights of Columbus.

"I know the economy is tough on all. I'm just trying to help someone, help someone else. I am trying to help families that are currently living in tents in the woods in Lakewood NJ. Some are single adults and some are full families. Kids in need! They need help. They have no where else to go! They are living in the woods for Christmas. We will be collecting canned goods and clothing Saturday morning at the Council Hall in Neptune City."

I used Face Book, Linked In and even Twitter to try and get the word out. But I received no responses. Instead as I watched my Face Book feed I read the messages go by about how "Today just sucks all around" from a teenage girl in a warn house in Ocean Grove or my brother complaining about his Hawaii trip and his Cabo Trip. Both in the last month! No offer to help these people... I guess he forgot where we can from!

It's amazing that there were No replies or comments. Not even from the Bleeding Hearts I know and have debated with over the years. Yes, I'm talking to you Jess. I bet if I put up a stupid video of a cat dancing I'd get lots of comments.

Well for one... Karen and I are going shopping in a little while to pick up somethings so we can drop them off tomorrow morning at the Knights Hall....

Anyone else care to help?

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Are you taking advantage of your Organization's free Promotion?

We all belong to Organizations; Chambers, Professional, Social, Business and list goes on. But do we really take part in some of the finer points of membership?

I'll cover two cases, one involving BNI and another a DMO.

BNI-ShoreMoney.com - a Business Networking group based here at the Jersey Shore is my first example. I am a member and while looking up some information about a fellow member before I called them I noticed that their website address was missing from their member listing. I also did not find the links to there Blog and their FaceBook Fan page! I know they have both. Looking at the other members of the group I noticed that most of them did not have their Social Media links listed.

Why was the question I ask? And I received a lot of excuses back. No reasons just a lot of excuses. "No one told me." "I don't know how." "Can't be bothered." The list goes on.

Jersey Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau - a DMO (Destination Marketing Organization) dedicated to promoting the Jersey Shore. Their website promotes their Twitter, FaceBook and Blog accounts. But when you check out each version of Social Media you find it under utilized. Again I heard the same litany of excuses.

Free Promotion - Both these organizations charge for membership and part of that membership goes to maintain the websites and Social Media platforms. Yet members do not take advantage of this portion of their membership. It's FREE promotion for them and their websites. When businesses are paying for links to their sites and when they pay for advertising, why do they ignore the FREE stuff? It's part of the paid membership... Use it!

Richard M.J. Jarosz
Lone Keep Internet, Inc.

Friday, December 10, 2010

The power of Press Releases

If you are putting out newsletters you have the capability of adding Press Releases to your Tool Kit of way to promote your website and your business. Take for example the following Press Release 78 year old Woman relaunches SingingBearsOnline.com Website.

This was a simple news release that Rosalyn Thermelius, owner of Singing Bears Online, put out not only to the media but potential customers. It resulted in at least for new customers directly for the emails. Does it work? Yes! Is it a numbers game? Yes!

But it takes time and effort. A database of media/news outlets had to be created (not bought) of local and state wide sources. Next a list of potential customers had to be gathered. Now she has it for next Press Release. She is using the database to help her "Get the Word Out" about her, her website and her business.

Richard M.J. Jarosz
Lone Keep Internet, Inc.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Why Use Printable Online Coupons?

- Save Money!
- Be a Smart Shopper
- Save Time
- Find Rare or Discontinued Items
- Savings Add Up

These are all great reasons. So why are you not letting your customers use these advantages? Does your business use coupons? If not why not?

If you are always looking for a bargain don't you think your customers are too? Why not help them and help your business grow at the same time!

Jersey Shore Coupons is just one of the ways you can help your customers. Make it easy for them to find you and the bargains they are looking for.

Online coupons are cheaper. You're not killing any trees (not adding to global warming). You can change them as often as you want or need to without going through the print expenses again! This is great if you products or services are seasonal.

Another point... Have you ever had an error with a coupon after you printed and distributed it? With and printable online coupon you can correct it as soon as you find out! You are in control of your offers not your graphic artist, PR company or your printer. You!!

Just my two sense...
Richard M.J. Jarosz
Lone Keep Internet, Inc.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Why keywords are the most important part of SEO?

A number 1 listing on Google can be totally pointless if it is for the wrong keywords.

If the wrong people search for that keyword then your SEO efforts will be in vain. The keywords that you choose are the most important factor that decides whether you will succeed or not.

Many "wanna be" webmasters think that they already know the best keyword for their clients. If they haven't done some research, they are usually wrong. There are several reasons for that:
-- You know your business better than anybody else. You know the special terms that are used in your industry and you know what you should search for when you're looking for products like yours.
-- Your customers don't know as much as you. They don't know your terminology and they might use totally different keywords. Remember you are not your best client.
-- Did you consider the intention of the searcher? Just because a keyword is used very often on search engines it doesn't mean that you'll get many customers. People who find your website through a special keyword might not be interested in purchasing.

It's very important that you take the time to find the best keywords for your website. The time and effort that you invest in finding the right keywords will pay you back in no time.

Richard M.J. Jarosz
Lone Keep Internet, Inc.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Why does a high search engine ranking increase your sales?

High search engine rankings are the perfect way to get more visitors, more
customers and more sales. Recent statistics show that having high search engine rankings is the key to the success of your online business:

1. Your customers are on the Internet and they have money
More than 1 billion people use the Internet (Source: Nielsen/NetRatings). Web users spend twice as much time online as watching TV (Source: Stanford Institute for the Quantitative Study of Society). Consumers spend more than $143.2 billion online per year. These people have money, they want to buy and they could be your customers.

2. Your customers use search engines
More than 80% of all Internet users find new websites through search engines(Source: Georgia Tech/GVU Users Survey). That means that millions use search engines every day to find websites.

3. These people are interested in your goods and services
Search engine users are some of the most qualified and motivated visitors to your website you will ever have. After all, they have taken the initiative to hunt for online resources on a certain topic. And then they clicked your link to learn more.

What's your ranking? If you need help finding out, give me a call.
Richard M.J. Jarosz
Lone Keep Internet, Inc.
732-988-4044

Monday, November 8, 2010

Localize Your Website's Content

Don’t be afraid to mention your location on your Web site. Don’t make it a secret to the search engines or your customers. Let them know where your business is located. It’s natural information that both the search engines and your users are going to want to know. Who do you target? What area(s) are you relevant to? When are you open? How can people can find you? Tell them.

Where do you slip in these trust and location cues within your content?

Home page: While you’re out there telling people what you’re about, mention where you’re located. It shows customers you really exist, while also giving the search engines’ local algorithms something to work with.
About page: Your About page should not only tell people who you are, it should tell them where you’re located. It’s one of the many trust signals users will be looking for and it acts as a great citation for the search engines.
Press page: Do you have a page on your site that encourages people to get in touch with you for media purposes? Don’t forget to include your address, phone number and email.
Contact page: This should be a no brainer but you’d be surprised how many people lose their brains writing Web copy. Include your location, a map, your cities served, hours, email address, fax number, phone number, directions and other any information you have that establishes your location.

Richard M.J. Jarosz
Lone Keep Internet, Inc.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

PROJECT: "What on your Shelf?" is Over!

And what a depressing project it was! Over half of the businesses gone in less that two years. Of the other half most are on their way... bad business people! And almost all don't know how to use their business cards or the phone!!!!

The raw stats:
Business Cards in the Box: 0 (Started at 1000)
Out of Business: 548
Businesses actually looking to grow: 102
Businesses that called back: 79

10% only were actually looking to grow. How did I arrive at that number? These were the ones that answered their phone like a business and starting a conversation with me. I did not sell them and they did not sell me... just a pleasant conversation between two local business people whom I have met before. We talked about BNI, Toastmasters, local chambers, the Jersey Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau and my FREE monthly seminars and how each could help their business. Some actually showed up to these meeting/events and we continued our discussions. Nice folks.

The other 400 (not out of business) were just rude! If I was not buying from them, right then and there, they they wanted nothing to do with me... Not exactly nice in this business environment! They will soon follow the path of the 500 currently out of business. I wish them the best but...

So I ask again, "What's on your shelf?"

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Why send out Press Releases?

EXPOSURE!!! Plain and simple. With services like Constant Contact it is easy to create and maintain a database of media outlets.

Recently we sent out a press release for a client who was holding a special event at her Inn in Spring Lake. She promoted the event (her client) and got some promotion in return. Two for one!

Constant Contact allows you to see who opened the emails sent to them. Several Local Chambers, the Two River Times, Breeze Radio, NJ Family and NJ Monthly are but a few that opened the Press Release. Not that it will be in each of those publications or be on the Radio but it has happened! We at Lone Keep Internet, Inc. have had our FREE Seminars announced on the Radio before as a news item and cost us nothing. Did I mention FREE advertising?

So if you have never sent a Press Release out dust off your writer's pen and start! Or if you need help ask for it here and we will assist you where we can...

Richard M.J. Jarosz
Head Marketing Consultant for Lone Keep Internet, Inc.

Monday, October 18, 2010

Blogging! What's it all about?

Ads and commercials it is not!!!! Have you ever been to a blog and all you find are ads for the organization that posts to it? There is no discussion or exchange of ideas. Not even the inner working of the mind of the author! Or scattered semi-workings of minds like mine!!!

Actually I could list the poorly done blogs here. But to what end? You would just get mad at me for wasting your time. But if you have any good or even bad blogs and would like to share them. Please post them here...

In the meantime if you would like to learn how to put blogging to use or meet some other bloggers join me at my Free Blogging Seminar in Asbury Park, NJ. Learn what other bloggers are doing or just stop by for some tea and crackers!

Richard M.J. Jarosz
Lone Keep Internet, Inc.

Friday, October 15, 2010

What does your Business Card really say about you?

Working on the "What's on your shelf" project I have noticed many things. The most striking observation has probably been that the actually business card says little to nothing about the company or the wielder of the card. No really, it usually says zilch! Some may look pretty, glossy and be double sided but what does that have you do with you?

Some of the most expensive cards are from companies that did not last their first year. While other plain Black and White ones represent companies that have been around for over 22 years (yes like Lone Keep Internet, Inc.) There are even some that try to list everything that a company provides in tiny, tiny print on both sides. Who is going to read all that?

I believe that the cards should be a pointer, an arrow if you will. Once you make a personal contact the business card should serve as a reminder of why the holder should be interested in your company. (Hence, one sided and easy to add notes on the back.) As a pointer they should guide the holder to your website where you can dazzle them with graphics, video and long lists of services (content). But how many really do this?

How many do not have a website listed? Or maybe even the wrong one? Yes, I have found several of these on my shelf. Some don't put their website on their cards because they are not finished or don't work. Both of these are easily fixable. If you want to help your local web designer or graphic artist grow their business just ask why there is no website on the card you just got! If you want you can send me the referral!!!

In the mean time take a look at your business card. What does it say about you?

Richard M.J. Jarosz
Assistant Director for BNI Monmouth County
Charter member of the BNI Shore Money Chapter in Ocean Grove

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Using your 60 Second Commercial as Blog Content

Most of the people I speak with tell me they have nothing to blog about. However most belong to networking groups. These groups let you do a 60 second commercial at the beginning of each meeting as a form of introduction.

These 60 Second introductions usually include who you are looking to meet in the upcoming week or some interesting tidbit to catch the listeners ear. One such example was at my BNI meeting this past Thursday. The Pest Control expert mentioned Bed Bugs as they have been getting a lot of press here in Monmouth County. He mentioned that he was an expert in their removal and used a greener (safer) method to do the job. A method not used by other local pest control companies. When I asked him if he put this info into a blog post or even an email to his current clients his response was typical. "No one wants to hear about it!" Well actually yes they do. It's been all over the papers and even the nightly news! Bed bugs are becoming a problem at the Jersey Shore. Even the local Multiplex theater make the nightly news with their bed bug issue.

So if you have invested the time and effort into a great 60 Second commercial why not use that as a basis for your blog entry. Most networking groups recommend that you have a different one each week. So you have a different blog entry each week. Now that is Working Smarter not Harder!

Richard M.J. Jarosz
Charter member of the Shore Money Chapter of BNI
We meet in Ocean Grove, NJ each Thursday morning.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Work Smarter, Not Harder!!!

We all have heard this saying... But how many of us actually put it in practice?
I see a couple of hands up but not a lot. It has been my experience that clients go out of their way to work harder because working smarter requires work! Does that even make sense?

Case in point: Let's call client one of my clients Mr. B. He owns a typical store front establishment in a Jersey Shore town. We publish a monthly newsletter for him on the last day of the preceding month. We start each month with a production sheet of necessary information; like Target publication date, this month's coupon information, title and author of each article, even where the pictures are coming from. As the month progresses I work on my articles and the pictures for the rest of the newsletter. I also remind him of his input that is needed for the monthly edition.

However, each month a couple days before the publication date after all month of "being busy" there is a flurry of activity and the newsletter usually gets out a day or two later. He's glad that the work is done and puts it off for another month. My recommendation to him this month which was the same as the previous months: Work on the monthly repeating articles now so we don't have to rush at the end of the month. His response? You guessed it... "He's too busy"

Our own newsletter the Jersey Shore Community Information Bulletin has been published twice a month for over 14 years. It's work but we have developed a process that works. This is the same process that we are trying to get Mr. B to follow...

If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know?

Richard M.J. Jarosz
Lone Keep Internet, Inc.

Friday, October 1, 2010

We want information...

How many of you remember the British TV series "The Prisoner"? They wanted Number 6 to give then information but never told him what information they wanted? Very frustrating for our hero Number 6.

How many of my readers get reports on how their website are doing? Not a lot but some. And how many can wade through the reams of pages to get to the "correct" information?

Being able to discern the correct information from these reports in a timely fashion sometimes looks like magic! But that is when experience really comes into play. Zeroing in on the actual problem or keeping track of the important numbers over a period of time does take a lot of finesse.

It starts with getting the right reports. Followed by the ability to find the information necessary to spot either trends or issues that may have been overlooked by others. Sometimes there is just no easy way around it other than taking the time to review the entire report.

Recently I made an offer to some business associates to run a FREE 50+ page report on comparing the optimization of their website to their top 10 competitors along with a lunch meeting were I would go over the report and explain it. Several took me up on the offer and were pleasantly surprised. I did not they to sell them anything. I just explained the results and pointed out a few of the suggestions that they could do themselves to help their websites visibility and ranking in the Search Engines. I guess the others were making too much money with their website already!

If you would like to request a FREE 50+ page Top 10 Optimization Report to help you achieve your goals in 2011 just visit Lone Keep Internet, Inc. and click on the link.

Richard M.J. Jarosz
Lone Keep Internet, Inc.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Why the hell do you have a newsletter?

Good question! How many of you have a company or organization newsletter? How many send it out regularly? Does it contain useful information or is it a sales letter?

Lets start with the basics. Why do you have a newsletter? To inform your clients right! Inform them about what? The newsletter should keep them up to date on latest trends in your industry or new services or products you may have. Inform them as to how your product can save them time/money or simply make their lives easier. Don't have it sound like a TV commercial.

How often do you send it out? Do you send it our regularly? I work with a lot of clients on "trying" to get their newsletters published periodically each month. Sometimes it like pulling teeth! The most common answer is "Don't have time to work on it!" Think about it for a second. Whom is the newsletter for? You or your readers (clients and prospects). Stop making the process about you and make it about your clients! After all aren't you suppose to make their lives easier? So put the focus back on the client/prospect and get going.

The last point I would like to make is... Is your newsletter mailing list growing? If not why? If it works and you spend the time and effort putting it together why not work towards a wider distribution? The mailing list should be constantly growing or it becomes stagnant. We will cover how to keep it growing at a later date....

Richard M.J. Jarosz
Publisher of the
Jersey Shore Community Information Bulletin

Friday, September 24, 2010

Keyword Tools provides keyword ideas

Keyword Tools generate keyword and landing page ideas highly relevant and specific to your website. The tools help you identify additional opportunities that aren't currently being used in your SEO campaigns. The tools go one step further by tailoring the keywords and other data (such as the amount of competition for the keyword, the suggested bid, and more). Once such tool is Google's Keyword Tool.

Keeping an eye on the competition is always a good thing and in these uncertain economic times it's even more so. This tool is not only for keeping track of what the competition is doing, it can also be used to expand your own list of keywords. The results give you suggestions on variations of the Keywords (key phrases) as well as insight to the number of global and local searches for each Keyword.

Here at Lone Keep Internet we run these as well as a battery of other reports to support our clients in their search for the ultimate keywords for their business. Email or call our company, ask for Richard M.J. Jarosz, and he will answer any of your questions personally.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Promoting Content with Social Media - Twitter

People are still asking what the "h e double hockey sticks" is twitter!! Well Twitter is a social network in which users short, 140 characters, messages with each other. Users follow or subscribe to each other and receive message from each other. This may be via desktop computers, laptops, smart phones or text messaging.

If you don't believe Twitter can help you get the word out just take this one example. Justin Halpern’s 73-year-old father didn’t know that he was a Twitter sensation. His dad’s quips have resulted in more than 231,000 followers under the account name @shitmydadsays. Now it's a comedy series on network TV with William Shatner (yes... Captain Kirk) playing the dad!!!!

Do you have anything interesting to share????

Maybe some stories about me, Richard M.J. Jarosz.
Ones that can be published that is......

Friday, September 17, 2010

Promoting Content with Social Media - LinkedIn

The social network many businesses are familiar with is LinkedIn. This network has over 75 million business users and more than 1 million business profile pages that can become an important resource. It is very important to take the time to make the descriptions of you and your business interesting to read and accurate.

Linkedin has two major features that are of use to businesses. The My Connections section of LinkedIn is where you place your contacts and start to find out who they are connected to. LinkedIn keeps track up to three degrees away from you. You can find out how large your network is under Network Statistics along with additional information about your network.

The second major features is the Groups feature. This allows LinkedIn users to create and participate in discussions about a topic in LinkedIn. Groups are a great way to make business connections and can be a great place to share relevant blog content.

How many people in your network?

Monday, September 13, 2010

Promoting Content with Social Media - Facebook

Social Media is generating a lot of buzz right now among marketers and business owners. Business that can leverage social media to help distribute content and generally get the word out. Social media allows your customers and prospects to communicate directly with you online allowing interesting content to be spread quickly.

With more than 500 million users, Facebook has become the major player n the social media industry. It is the number 2 most visited site in the world, right behind Google which is number 1! While many people still think of it as a place for high school and college kids, it is actually a diverse network consisting of all demographics.

The first step in leveraging Facebook for business is to set up a business fan page like the one for Lone Keep Internet, Inc.

The second step is to suggest your business page to all your friends.

How many already have business fan pages?

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Free Content for your Website

Content is King!
How many websites suffer from not enough or up to date content? Most! But we hold the key to Free Content for our websites and even our blogs... Our news releases! New releases about ourselves and our companies. You already have something interesting to say so why not update your website with the information.

Just one example
I belong to Toastmasters International's Shore Speakers Chapter in Neptune, NJ. Recently I earned the status of Advanced Communicator Bronze. To achieve Advanced Communicator Bronze recognition, I had to complete a series of challenging projects designed to enhance my speaking skills. This required several years of study and active participation in my Toastmasters Club. Kind of a big deal for me.

After sending out that news release thru my usual media channels I decided to place it on my website. Since I do a lot of seminars and workshops some recognition about my speaking ability seemed appropriate. The news release can be found on my News page of Lone Keep Internet's site. http://lonekeep.com/news.html

Anyone else care to share a news release they have?

Richard M.J Jarosz
Toastmaster, ACB, CL

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Do you have a Newsletter?

And is it productive? Are you using your newsletter as content for your website? Do you know your numbers?

What numbers?
There are many things you can monitor to keep track of your newsletter. How many subscribers do you have and how many are being added each week or each month? How many are actually opening and reading your newsletter? Is there an action item in the newsletter?

Just like the numbers for your website you should have access to these. If you use Constant Contact you have access to all these numbers. Now you just need to analyze and use them. If you do not have these numbers you may be doing your business and yourself a disservice. Remember it's always about the numbers.

Action Items
What action items can be in your newsletter? That depends on the type of newsletter you have. If it is a Cafe you might have a coupon that the reader can use next time they walk into you Cafe. If you are an informational newsletter, like the Jersey Shore Community Information Bulletin you can track each link when a reader clicks on one then to find out additional information about a particular event. Again this is feedback from your readers.

If you do not have these numbers I suggest you looking getting them...

Presented by
Richard M.J. Jarosz
Lone Keep Internet, Inc.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

5 things every business can learn by studying Perez Hilton

Mario Lavandeira has made millions as the blogger behind PerezHilton.com. Perez Hilton celebrity gossip blog is read by millions every day and he is one of the most visible and popular bloggers online.

The blog reports to average over 260 million page views a month, hit a record day with 13.9 million page views this week and has a very loyal readership.

Here are the 5 things every business can learn from PerezHilton.com:

1. Find a topic you have passion for. A topic that you can and would love to write about daily or at least weekly. Perez focused on celebrities “because it was something I was inherently curious about, fascinated with.”
2. Be consistent. Post on a regular blogging schedule. Perez Hilton posts new articles to his blog an average of 40 times a day. Most business can't keep that pace but find one you can keep up with.
3. Be unique. Celebrity-focused websites are nothing new, but Perez Hilton created his own oversize persona to stand out from the crowd. You the business owner can do the same. Just takes a little imagination.
4. Be provocative. Perez often makes harsh and derogatory comments about celebrities. This results in a ton of publicity as celebrities respond back, media reports it and readers share it with their friends. You may not want to go this route but voicing your own opinion never hurt.
5. Expand your blog. Perez has used his blog success to expand into other media and has built an entire empire around his persona. TV shows, radio shows, clothing line, book deal…

Incorporating these 5 steps into your daily/weekly blogging will make sure that your blog gets more attention, gets an increased readership, gets forwarded and shared virally and will ensure that you build your profile, your brand and increase blog traffic.

Presented by
Richard M.J. Jarosz
Lone Keep Internet, Inc.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Getting the Word Out - Social Media

What is social media? Social Media is content that is published with a social component.

Social Media is Inbound/Outbound Marketing
- Social Media helps with SEO
- Social Media can help your blog and website
- Social Media is very permission centric
- Social Media is conversational in nature. Are you conversing?

Step 1: Engage!
Start conversations and add value to the conversation (just don't advertise your product). Ask and answer questions. Pick one media and just start! Could be any of the more popular ones like Face Book, Linked In or Twitter. There are many others.

Step 2: Share
Find out what your audience is interested in. Create, promote and share valuable content. Make friends!

Step 3: Measure and Analyze
Track the number of friends or connections you have. Measure real business results such as the effect of Social Media on the number of visits to your blog or website.

Presented by
Richard M.J. Jarosz
Lone Keep Internet, Inc.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Getting the Word Out - Blogs

What is a blog? A blog is a website that allows for posted content or articles.

Blogging is a form of Inbound Marketing
- Blogging helps with SEO
- Blogging is permission centric
- Blogging can be fun
- Bogging is a form of conversation are you taking part?

Step 1: Read
Search for blogs in you industry or you hobby using blogsearch.google.com

Step 2: Comment
Contribute to the conversation by commenting on what you read. Increase the value of your comment by adding a point, add a useful link, ask a question, even disagree.

Step 3: Write
Add your own content and articles usually at least once a week. Write about something you know well. List ideas about your industry, publish a list of useful links, take a recent experience and share it. Answer questions you received recently from you clients and friends. Turn a press release into an article. A neat idea is to trade guest articles with a similar blogger. Promote on social media sites like Facebook and LinkeIn.

Step 4: Measure and Analyze
Track number of blog visitors, SEO rankings and blog rank. Measure real business results such as number of visitors to your website and leads generated.

presented by
Richard M.J. Jarosz
Lone Keep Internet, Inc.

Monday, August 9, 2010

Why 98% of Websites fail to make money!

That's an easy question! They fail to "Get the Word Out"!!! I, Richard M.J. Jarosz, President of Lone Keep Internet, Inc. do everything to help our clients to get the word out. Whether it is SEO work for them, assisting with a newsletter or getting them started with FaceBook, Linked In and Twitter. All of these simple techniques are geared for one thing and one thing only... Get the Word Out. And not necessarily consuming a large cash budget.

To this end we have monthly FREE seminars on a wide range of topics. This month, August 26th, we are holding one on the practical uses of Facebook and Linked In.

Another low cost or even FREE technique is placing a news item in the Jersey Shore Community Information Bulletin. But how may of my clients don't invest the time?

If you know of any other techniques to "Get the Word Out let me know....

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

How Technology has changed the times!

A couple of days ago I went to a Meat Loaf concert at the PNC Bank Arts Center. Playing before Meat Loaf was a singer by the name of Lisa Bouchelle (a Jersey Girl).

During the '70s I use to get great shots at concerts with my professional camera setup. Yes they did allow it! I got Yes in the round, at the Garden, and ELO with the UFO stage, the one that opened up.

The the '80s came and bands were more concerned about rights to their images (they did not want a dollar escaping them). I guess the '80s really was the "Me" decade and everyone was out to make a buck.

But the concert the other day.... Everyone had their digital cameras and cell phones out. Lisa Bouchelle even posted for pictures while she was singing, so did Meat Loaf. I guess they feel with youtube and facebook these pictures will get out anyway why not make it fun for everyone! The publicity that they get from posting of these pictures is worth more than the few extra dollars they would get by suppressing them.

It was refreshing watching the artist enjoy their craft and their fans instead of chasing the extra dollar. Thanks God for technology.

We at Lone Keep Internet would like to help any bands out there use this technology to help promote them.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Build it and they will come?

Only in the movies! One of the attendees at my last "Tea" mentioned her blog and she was proud of it... So today I went looking for it and guess what? I could not find it.

Googled it... Nothing! Binged it.. Nothing! I even went to their webpage and it had no mention that they had a blog! Last try... I went to Facebook and looked at her profile as she is a friend... Nothing! I looked to see if her business had a FaceBook Fan Page again nothing!

Is she trying to keep a secret. No! She mentioned that someone left here a very nice testimonial on it... So I know you can get to it... But I don't know how!!!

Some recommendations:
1. Have you website mention and point to your blog.
2. Have all you social networking profiles point to your blog.
3. Create a Fan Page for your business or even your blog.
4. Make it easy for readers to find you!!!!

Enjoy the hot weather at the Jersey Shore. Remember I am always willing to talk on our porch only a block from the beach.... I have the best office in town!

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

I thought the web was suppose to make life easier or whatever happened to Customer Service

Yesterday I called a company that I have been dealing with for over a month. I called nice and early (as per their recommendation) and asked for Mr. XX (I can't mention his name or the company's name because I get in trouble for pointing out the truth. See previous postings). So after giving him all my information the customer service rep said "sure, I transfer you now" and hung up on me! Mistakes happen... So I called back.

This time the person answering said Mr. XX had just walked in and was not "on the system" and could I call back in a few minutes. No problem I can wait a few. So I called back around fifteen minutes later. This time another rep said he just walked away from his desk and could I call back later. I was starting to get annoyed.

I waited a few more minutes and call back yet again! This time a different customer service rep said he was not due in until 11am. Now I was pissed. Who was lying to me? All of them. So I called back about 5 more times in a row and speaking to a different person each time I asked if Mr. XX could return my call. Mind you each call I had to give all my information including name, address, account number, reference number, etc.

Finally after lunch I got my return call which I missed so I called back and gave them all the info yet again. This time Mr. XX was there! The conversation was short and not necessary sweet. "Good morning Mr. Jarosz, there is no change in the status of your issue. So can you call back Friday?" AAAHHHHHH!!!!!!

To check up on the status of an issue companies can set up their website to keep track of such things. We all have used websites to check delivery status of packages we have sent. You can check on the status of deposits into you checking account and status of charges on your credit cards. These companies have used the internet for what it was intended for. The company I was dealing with could have made it easy to find out the status of my issue. They could have tagged it with my complaint reference number.

Currently I am working with a client on the possibility of using Google Docs to keep them up to date on the status of their projects. This is but one of the FREE Google Tools available. Lone Keep Internet will be hosting a "FREE Seminar on the use of FREE Google Tools" tomorrow in Bradley Beach, New Jersey. For more information on our FREE seminars check out our website www.lonekeep.com

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

What ever happened to Identity Protection?

I just got home from my bank and I feel violated! I needed additional checks for my personal account and submitted the form that comes with the last bunch of checks to order some new ones. She asked me for my driver's licence! When I asked why she needed it since this had nothing to do with my driving. She stated that the bank's computer needed my licence number?!!?!? Talk about getting the wrong information out! I could not see the connection. Banking --- Driving... They know who I am, I've been with them for over 10 years. I will tell you, I never saw this teller before now she have my Personal Information... Not exactly making me feel warm and fuzzy!

You see all the stuff about people finding out about you on the Internet... Well I never gave anyone my Driver's License number on the Internet. What protection do I have that this teller will not use or pass on that information to someone else.... NONE! I believe we give away more information to trusted(?) sources than we think. In the bigger scheme of things why does your bank need that info. To prove you are you? What about the fact that I've been banking with them for 10 years? Or does that not count! I could have given her a false license and how would she know? Instead I was honest and now a stranger has my personal information.

So getting the wrong information out seems some much easier these days. What are business owners doing to get the right information out? Are we sticking out our hand and introducing yourself to the person you are standing next to? Are you wearing your own logo? Are you reaching out to others that you can help? Probably not... but we are giving away our personal information....

Who out there is paying for Identity Protection? I would like to hear your point of view.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

I have to lose weigth before I can start exercising!?

We all have heard that excuse from friends and family. I get this all the time when I invite them to A. Kastner's Family Tae Kwon Do to just try it out. Yesterday I heard "I'll join BNI once I grow my network????!" Do people listen to themselves? Or are they just making excuses?

Either way it adds nothing to their creditability. Maybe they think they are being polite? But in today's world this smacks of Political Correctness. Which is evil from the start. People need to say what they mean and mean what they say! Sorry for sounding like a political commerical on this Primary Day but it's the truth.

If you can not trust people when they speak about simple things, how do they expect to be trusted with larger things like my money, my clients or the schedules they give me?

Get out and vote today and remember to mean what you say!

Friday, June 4, 2010

Next installment of "What on your Shelf?"

This was to be a fun project... But alas, it has turned into work! Depressing, time consuming and basically a downer. Forget the businesses that are no longer around that is a given and a numbers game. But the ones that are still around I have to wonder how?

All the still existing businesses should take a look at my Recommended Reading List for a little inspiration. Maybe they can find some words of wisdom in these books. Most business owners have a copy or two, on their shelves, but have never cracked one open...

The latest round of calls from the business card box actually resulted in some call backs. After leaving a "detailed" message as requested I get a call asking "Who am I speaking with?" First off I believe it is "whom" Any English majors wish to comment? Secondly I left a detailed message explaining who I was and why I was calling! But they never checked their messages, they just hit dial last call. Why have voicemail in the first place and why don't they use it? Again this does nothing to add to their credibility as a business owner. Yes, people do make judgments bases on things like this. I do! I ask myself, is this the way they'll treat me or my clients in the future? Do I want to share clients with this person? Some interesting questions.

Good thing we have on our "Tea" and Seminar schedule "How to use the phone to promote your Website (business)." This will be Thursday July 22nd at the offices of Lone Keep Internet in Bradley Beach, NJ.

Have you read any good business books lately? If so, which ones?

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Getting the Right Word Out!

I was at a client’s shop this morning when I got a bad feeling of déjà vu!

The story starts, about a year ago, at what used to be my favorite Hobby Store. It was great going there, getting away from the day’s issues to play a few games and talk to my buddies including the owner. Then things changed! Ever time you walked into the store the owner would start to complain. Little things at first. Orders were being shipped to him late. Vendors started to raise their prices. In all still a great place to get away….

Somehow the bitching started. Taxes were too high! No one could afford to live in New Jersey. It started to get depressing listen to him but “the guys” were still great to talk to. So it was still a good place to go….

Then the real bitching began! Customers started bitching that all the owner did was bitch, so some of them stopped coming. This caused the owner to bitch about losing customers and blaming everything and everybody but himself. This caused more of his customer to go elsewhere which caused him to bitch even more and louder!

It got so bad that one time I stopped in on my way to the bank to grab a quick snack (one of the cool things about the Hobby Store) and the owner was speaking with good buddy of his. He was bitching about the states of affairs in New Jersey politics when another customer can up with an arm full of models and paints and placed them on the counter with a credit card on top. Instead of helping the customer who was trying to pay, he keep up the bitching with his buddy…. And the paying customer? Well he got tired of waiting to spend his money so he picked up his credit card and walked out the store. You guessed it! This caused the owner to get even louder in his complaining that he hates it when people to that to him… Go figure?! Well I have seen that happen to him twice. After the second time of listening to him bitch about it I stopped going to his store and now go to a Game Store 20 minutes further south to spend my money!!!!

Now the déjà vu part.

I was sitting in a little coffee shop this morning when that owner mentioned that he was under staffed and there was a large party outside. I suggested that he could serve me after everyone else as I was not in a hurry. As more customers came in his casual mentioning turned into complaining….

When those customers left he was in the back preparing an order when another lady walked in. She had her money out, for her cup of coffee, but no one was helping her. She waited a minute and even before I could mention to her that the owner was in the back she picked up her money and went down the street to the next coffee shop! Déjà vu all over.

Now what do you thing this lady mentioned to her friends later in the day? What great service she got? It was a pleasure doing business with that coffee shop?

Remember people talk!!! Make sure you get the right word out!

Monday, May 17, 2010

Why are business owners afraid of letting others know they are in business?

I've been keeping track of some of the excuses I get why people don't share! I mean share with others about their businesses or organizations. What are they afraid of? One client told me she does not mention, in conversation, anything about her business because she's afraid they might take her clients!? How does she expect to get new clients. Others hold an event and when the attendance is low they complain. Another excuse is that advertising is expensive. So don't advertise, promote your event.

Just got a message from a long lost friend on Facebook saying she does not what to go crazy letting people know she's out there.... Barb you only have one friend so far and that is me. Go crazy add another!

The Jersey Shore Community Information Bulletin (JSCIB) is still one of the best FREE means of getting the word out about you business and or event out there. It reaches over 10,000 subscribes on the Jersey Shore. Few businesses and groups take advantage of letting the readers know what events they are running, or what is new on their website, or what events they are attending or speaking at!!! What are they afraid of???

A BNI group's meeting, I attended last week, acted like their visitor's day was a secret! They had lofty goals but they basically sabotaged the event until I started asking questions. Since then one of the members has started to place the event on several Social Media sites. Hope it works out for them.

Promotion of you business/event does not have to be an ordeal. Just a little common sense and some time well spent.

Post you excuse why you don't promote your business. I'd like to hear some more great excuses....

Friday, May 7, 2010

Tourism to help get the word out

I recently attended a seminar on Jersey Shore Tourism and heard Bob Hilton, Executive Director for the Jersey Shore Convention & Visitors Bureau, speak about how it affects all businesses.


He asked the question “Are you part of the Jersey Shore Tourism industry?” Most like myself answered “No” but we soon found out how wrong we were. He went on to explain that tourism is a unique industry that permeates many industries not typically associated with travel. The internationally accepted model for analyzing tourism’s economic impact splits the industry into two sectors:

- Core Tourism: Industries that “touch” the visitor and benefit directly from their spending (e.g. hotels, restaurants, museums etc.)

- Non-Core Tourism: Industries that supply those that touch the visitors (Website developers, PR and Ad companies, linen/food suppliers, janitorial services, construction, lawyers to name a few)


He enlightened us with these facts:

What do Visitors mean to the Jersey Shore?

- Each visitor brings in about $548 in expenditures

- $0.72 of each dollar spent by visitors in kept within New Jersey

- Every 160 visitors create a new NJ job

- Each visitor creates about $109 in tax receipts, $64 of which goes to the state and local authorities

- Every 204 visitors pay for one New Jersey public school student for one year


What an eye opener! Never thought about Lone Keep Internet as being in the Tourism business but I guess it is. Needless to say we became a Marketing Partner. For more information visit their website www.visitthejerseyshore.com

Friday, April 9, 2010

Do people listen to themselves when they speak?

I mean really! Just got back from a monthly business breakfast. Sitting next to me was a photographer. A nice guy, so I asked how he got new clients? He replied he only does work by referral. Nice! So I invited him to my referral group and he replies "Referrals don't work for me." Shaking my head I just walked away at that point.

Am I nuts???? Or....

Let me know what you think and have found when speaking with people in general.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Love it when a plan comes together!

Let’s review some of the topics I have been spouting on about:

  1. It’s Spring! Time to leave the Cave
  2. What on your Shelf?
  3. Social Networking is about being Socialable
  4. What’s new with the New Year?

Well as most of you know today was a beautiful day. The sun was shinning and all was good with the world! How right that was…. Let me walk you thru it. First thing this morning I got up and did my exercises (Thank you Dr. Wells). Got the blood pumping and ready for my 1 mile walk to visit a client in Ocean Grove (Just the best Coffee Shop in Ocean Grove, The Barbaric Bean). I also scheduled a meeting there with a business associate so we can plan some additional upcoming seminars. While there one of the other Bean patrons overheard our conversation and started asking questions and now I have a new prospect. (I left the cave and got out to meet some new people.) After the meeting I walked back to my office and passed several business owners who were also out enjoying the sun.

Back in my office I continued my calls (a scheduled item on my calendar everyday) I started to empty my box of 1000 business cards (see sidebar for latest results). Today’s topic was “what’s new?” Once I got the standard answer of “nothing” I told them about my new “Tea” later this month. Bob Hilton, the new Executive Director of Jersey Shore Convention &Visitors Bureau, will be the guest speaker. Being socialable I inquired if they were on FaceBook or Linked In and got several new connections for both. I even gave out a several invites to my BNI group that meets Thursday mornings in Ocean Grove.

Having done all that, now I getting ready to go and really workout at A. Kastner’s Family Tae Kwon Do

Overall, a very busy and profitable day. Working on having more of then. Anyone want to join me?

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Project: What's on your shelf – Phone Courtesy

I’ve been making these calls from a number of Business Cards I’ve collected and again the one thing that stands out, besides 50% being out of business, is that most business owners don’t know how to answer the phone.

Looking up it up in the ‘net… I found “QUICK TIPS FOR PHONE COURTESY” and one of the first tips is “Identify yourself as soon as possible in the call.” Besides just good manners it’s part of Networking. Don’t make the caller guess if they reached the right person or company. If you put your company phone number on your business card don’t hide!!! Get out of the Cave!!!

To help your business, remember the acronym VCP. Visibility, Credibility, Profitability. This is networking! Working on getting the Word Out Not hiding it so people don’t feel comfortable calling you.

The Business Card should be a tool for your Networking. A very valuable tool if used properly! But I find most business owners don’t know how to network. They think showing up to an event and handing out a few cards is networking. They hope for the quick sale not realizing that it takes time to build up relationships.

To that end, this month’s Tea (FREE seminar Thursday, March 25th) will be on Networking. The title is “It’s Spring! Time to leave the Cave” and will be at the offices of Lone Keep Internet in Bradley Beach. We will cover all aspects of Networking including what organizations should be looked at and how to schedule the time needed!

If you are in the Jersey Shore area and would like to attend this Seminar, training session, give me a call at 732-988-4044. Upcoming Seminars will include: using Meetup, using the tools available from Google and even a “How to” on using the phone to promote your website.

Friday, March 19, 2010

It’s Spring! Time to leave the Cave

To quote Dr. Ivan Misner, Founder of BNI:
"I find that many home-based business owners suffer from the Cave Syndrome. They get up each morning in a large cave with a big-screen TV called their home. They go out to their garage and get into a little cave with four wheels called their car. They go to another really big cave with plenty of computers called their office. At the end of the day, they get back into their little cave with four wheels and drive back to the large cave with the big-screen TV, and they can't figure out why no one is referring them. If you want to build your business through word of mouth, you have to be visible and active in the community by participating in various networking groups and/or professional associations. It’s even harder for those working from home to get out of the cave. You don’t even get into that little cave on wheels to drive to the large cave with the computers!"

How many of us live and work this way? I attended a networking group this past Wednesday and after listening to all the complaints about the way the group could not grow... etc. I asked one simple question!

"Who here belongs to another networking group? A chamber? A Toastmasters Club? Any group?" The amount of silence was staggering! Not a single person belonged to another group not even a social, sports, religious or fraternal one! Talk about cave dwellers.

When I suggested that they join me at one of the many events I was attending for the week I got the universal answer... "I'm busy." DOING WHAT??????????????? Needless to say my association with this group will be short lived. I even invited them to attend my FREE Networking Seminar next week but again I got the universal answer (I think I'll start referring to it as the universal excuse!)

So if any of you readers out there want to get out of your caves and attend a FREE Seminar about networking... a real "How to" training seminar call the offices of Lone Keep Internet at 732-988-4044 to reserve a seat.... Get out of your Cave.......

Friday, February 26, 2010

Social Networking is about being Socialable

Social Media Use Up 82% Worldwide
Social Networking Now More Popular On Mobile than Desktop
Women Flock to Social Networks
Adult Social Media Use Hits New Highs

The above headlines have appeared in different Internet news sources over the past few weeks. Does this mean that Social Networking is a train you must catch? Not necessarily… But if you do, you must be Socialable!

The latest stats on Social Networking are:
- A third of adults post at least once a week to social sites such as Facebook and Twitter.
- A quarter of adults publish a blog and upload video/audio they created.
- 60% maintain a profile on a social networking site.
- 70% Read blogs, tweets and watch videos.

But as you know Stats lie (or is it only the people who use them). Lets dissect a couple of these claims and really look at what the numbers mean.

Let’s look at Jack (name changed to protect the guilty), he has a blog about graphic arts. I just noticed his blog address at the bottom of his latest email. About time he told his business partners about it. So to see what Jack had to say on the subject I visited his blog.

The last entry was May 2, 2009! Must be a mistake… So I reloaded the page and searched around… Nope, May 2, 2009 was the last entry! When I ran into him next I inquired about his blog… “Oh yeah, guess I should add something to it…” So the stat says a quarter of adults publish a blog not completely correct. Jack does publish one, but not well! That is where the stat falls apart. In order for a blog to be successful it must be used, added to, commented on, commented on the comments given, etc. In other words you must be socialable!

Now let’s take a glance at Hank’s and K’s profiles on Linked In. Hank many months ago added his profile to Linked In and he also added one for his business partner and wife. Help keeping that 60% number up who have a profile on a social networking site. The next time he visited the profiles was when I insisted he expand the profiles and add some pertinent business info on them. I know his wife has never been to her account and seen her profile. And the two have never participated in any of the discussions on Linked In or even updated their status with what is going on in their company. So has anyone even seen their profiles other than me? I would wager not many! Again to make the profiles productive you must be socialable!

Just having something on a social networking site is not the end all. It is only the being. You must participate on the site or you will not be seen or hear of again!

To expand on this next month Lone Keep Internet will be holding a FREE seminar entitled “It’s Spring! Time to leave the Cave” at its offices at the Jersey Shore. Richard M.J. Jarosz, BNI Assistant Director for Monmouth County, will be discussing the need for and time tested techniques of how to Network so you can “Get the Word Out!”


Thursday, February 18, 2010

Save a Tree!

Don’t take business card if you have no intention of calling the person!!! Two weeks ago I attended a major networking event in the Monmouth County area at the Jersey Shore. There were almost 200 people in attendance. Normally I would follow up on everyone I met (i.e. got their business card). But this time I decided to do a little experiment, in line with the ongoing project “What's on your shelf”, and not call but wait to be called….

I have received exactly ZERO calls for the mass of business card I handed out. Why did these “Business” people attend this meeting? I won’t even waste mine or your time trying to come up with excuses. Just let it be know that it is rude and not exactly the best thing for the environment. Admittedly it’s small but multiply this by the number of attendees and multiply it again by the number of events they go to in any given period and it adds up. “Think globally, act locally” comes to mind… Oh yeah… What about follow-up to grow ones business????

Is it me? Am I crazy? Or am I missing something about conducting business?

On a more pleasant note: Those interested in GROWING THEIR ONLINE BUSINESS should attend the next free seminar at the Manchester Inn in Ocean Grove, Friday February 26th from 1 to 4pm. Clark Cate, the owner of the Manchester Inn, will be one of the speakers and sharing some of his online Guerrilla Marketing tips he’s used for the Inn.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

So Project: What's on your shelf begins...

Last week I made the first 20 calls. The results were what I expected. 10 were out of business or have switched jobs. 8 answered the phone like they were keeping their business a secret!! Several of these were Marketing Firms. None of the Internet based companies were around anymore - save one. This is why Lone Keep Internet has been around for over 22 years now...
Only two businesses called back. These were the ones who wanted to actually grow their businesses... So they are on my shelf! Next time I'll give you snippets of some of the actually conversations so you do not make the same mistakes on trying to "Get the Word Out" about your business.
Your Thoughts?

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

What on your Shelf?

In trying to come up with a theme for my blog entry today I put it to my friends on Face Book. The responses ranged from Helping Haiti to the use of Technology like Exchange mail, sync between pda and desktop in real time, voice mail to email and so on. The responses made my head spin! So I decided to clean up the office a bit to try and get rid my headache. In doing so I came across about 1,000 business cards that I have accumulated from BNI, Chamber and general networking meetings over the last several years.

Then it dawned on me! Today’s entry would be on Technology, not the latest but one of the oldest that people still can’t use correctly!! Business Cards! Why do business owners, sales people and just about everyone hand then out and never use then for what they are intended for.

Wikipedia, the online free encyclopedia, defines Business cards as “cards bearing business information about a company or individual. They are shared during formal introductions as a convenience and a memory aid.”

Well let’s put that to the test. When I get a business card I always follow up in a day or two. Most people don’t remember me even then. I guess I should be insulted! I would say about a good 50% don’t answer with their name or that of their business. They try to keep that a secret when you call… WHY? Why bother handing someone your card? Do they hope you don’t call?

So this is the Project. I am going to call all 1000 people whose cards were on my shelf. To the right on this page I will keep a running tab on the number I have left to call, the ones out of business already or switch jobs, the ones that want to actually grow in this “bad economic” climate and those that even bother to call back!

This should be interesting… Not sure what I will accomplish but I’ll start off the conversation with “What’s New?”


Tuesday, January 26, 2010

What’s new with the New Year?

Well if you ask most people, NOTHING! You get a bunch of different answers but none of them positive. They all are waiting for something to change, someone to change it for them or ….. You get the idea.

I find this most annoying. Something should always be new. Whether in you live or business something should be new.

That is why most businesses nowadays are at a standstill. Nothing is new… No new products, services or even approaches to existing clients. What is everyone waiting for?

We at Lone Keep Internet are always up to something. So what’s new with us you ask?

  1. We just revamped our Jersey Shore Coupon site. Now we are beginning to promote the heck out of it.
  2. Just found some new Open Source software to help up revamp ShoreGuide.Info. We plan to get that live by the Spring just in time for the Summer at the Shore. One new Feature envisioned will include Reviews of Jersey Shore Restaurants and B&Bs. Others will be a surprise...
  3. Already have the First Quarter of our, now World Famous, monthly “Tea get togethers” scheduled with Featured Speakers and Host Locations. Still looking to fill the rest of the year. If interested let me know.
  4. Just started a Value-added campaign for Graphic Artists, Printers, Web Designers, Photographers and PR Firms. This has been well received since it enhances the relationships these businesses have with their existing clients and an added feature for new prospects.

So what’s new with the New Year? PLENTY!!!!