This is the final post on our WordPress blog, you can now find your hit of ISP Media blog madness at:

http://blog.ispmedia.com.au

See you there!

To continue to fun, visit The Oatmeal Website

To do this we use websites called aggregators!

In general web terms, a news aggregator (also known as a feed reader, news reader or simply aggregator) is a software or web application which collects syndicated web content such as news headlines, blogs, podcasts, tweets and vlogs, in a single location for easy viewing.  

To help you aggregate your news easily and quickly, we have placed our top 5 aggregator service sites below :

1. Google Reader - (personal favourite - L) as Ican add feeds of interest to it and check them daily when I log into my Google Account!
2. Stumbleupon - We are particularly fond of this service as it allows us to “stumble upon” packets of information that we may not have necessarily found through standard searching.
3. Alltop - Clean and simple to use, if there is something important being said on the web, you can find it here, or you can create your own Alltop list and just find out the goss of your choice.
4. Digg - A firm favourite if you want to know what is really hot on the web at any given moment, trending topics are the order of the day every day on this site.
5. Kirtsy - one mainly for the ladies, if you need to keep up to date with what women want then this one is for you.

They are all free (some with the option to upgrade to a paid / professional account) and are an endless resource for the savvy business owner.

Covering off on every imaginable topic, it does not matter what line of work you are in – you will always be able to keep up to date with topical industry news so you can become a knowledge leader!

So what are you waiting for? Get out there, find out what’s happening, get involved and perhaps even consider turning your business into the hottest news of the day!

The creators of the website describes it as:

“kirtsy is like that friend who always finds the best stuff… only better. Because it finds the stuff online. And let’s face it, there are billions of online options…and finding something you’re interested in is sometimes tricky. So kirtsy was created as a portal where skirts can be raised with respect. A spot that you can stop in to see what excellent things others have found.”

With plenty of categories to choose from, you should be able to find what you are looking for:

• Arts & Entertainment
• Design & Crafts
• Family & Parenting
• Fashion & Style
• Food & Home
• Internet & Technology
• Mind, Body & Spirit
• Travel & Leisure
• World & Business

Take a gander when you get a chance and enjoy skimming through the great articles and items of interest!

I would love to know what you think about in the comments!!

Since social media has exploded onto the scene, a new set of cultural rules have emerged to accommodate each tool and it sometimes it can feel like there is a secret handshake to gain access that no-one told you about!

Firstly, it is important to understand that all social mediums were not created equal! Socialising approaches are different for each channel, for example, I would not post on my blog in the same tone that I tweet, and I would utilise a different approach when updating my Facebook page in comparison to updating my LinkedIn account.

The manner in which you relate to your followers, fans, friends, tweeps, readers, contacts and associates, should mirror the social sophistication of the platform you are communicating through. Now, I can almost feel you breaking out into a cold sweat and asking yourself not only how you are going to figure this out, but when could you possibly find the time?

If you are just beginning, don’t be afraid, embrace social media with open arms, revel in your newbie status and take the time to learn the ropes as you go!

To get you started I am going to share with you some universal rules that span all platforms. Then as you ease into each of your chosen social mediums, your confidence will begin to soar and you will be wondering how you ever lived without them!

Give and Ye Shall Receive

Sharing is all par for the social media course. Sharing your expertise, your ideas, your thoughts, yourself and your business with others, is a great way to get noticed. Answer questions, offer solutions, suggest someone that can help if appropriate – by giving as much (if not) more than you receive – you will be well on your way to social media stardom.

Avoid Becoming Known as a Keyboard Cowboy

While the term is reasonably new, the “type” is as old as the hills. Remember the old adage, “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” Well this is one saying that for the most part, should be adhered to. Trashing people or companies online is a sure way to get noticed for all the wrong reasons and you are sending it global – so the whole world will know to avoid you!

Cheats Never Prosper

Do not forward Mafia War invites to your professional contacts, do not send them links to test their IQ, and for the love of all things digital, do not offer to reveal the secrets of getting thousands of Twitter followers with one easy click – you will become very unpopular very quickly! Phishing and spamming your followers, friends, fans and tweeps is just not on!

Don’t Throw Stones in Glasshouses

The online community may be separated by distance, dots and digits, but they do tend to look after their own – you never know who knows whom online. Forgive those who may have wronged you in a previous life and move on, build a bridge, seriously – just get over it! Don’t air your dirty laundry out on the world stage for all to see, it is very unbecoming and is generally frowned upon in social circles!

Be Your Own Value Add

Before you hit the send live button, you should consider asking yourself, “Am I adding value in any way by sharing this information?” Try to share more than just a never ending list of your product or service specials, provide hints, tips, and suggestions, and physically interact through meaningful dialogue with the people in your chosen community. Do this and they will return the favour. Social media is about participating not advertising!

Practice Active Listening

Some people will use social media to vent at you, to you, about you, or your business. Before you shoot back a heated or defensive response, take a minute to actually listen to the real motivation behind their barrage. If you take the time to listen, you may actually learn something new about your business, resolve the issue amicably and potentially gain a client for life! 

Show Some Respect

This is the easiest rule to follow and probably the most critical. Be professional and polite, if you would not want it done to or said about you, then don’t do it or say it within your community. Consider this – If you would not direct your comments about people in a face-to- face situation, why would it be appropriate to do so online. Use your offline moral compass online – it’s that easy!

It’s all about the Relationship

The final overarching rule is to use social media the way it was intended. Build quality relationships with the people you interact with through your community, engage your readers and be engaged by others! This medium is a fantastic way to grow your network of quality professional and personal contacts, some you will most likely never meet in person, but that won’t stop them from referring you to a friend, offering quality advice when you ask for it or brainstorming with you to help get you over a hump!

Happy socialising!

Our new address and new look blog will be launching in January 2010 – so please watch this space and gear up to let me know what you think in the comments!

Thanks, L

For anyone in small business who has invested in advertising, this scenario is ideal: a customer responds to a brochure, ad or flyer. But before making a final decision to pick up the phone with a credit card in hand, the modern-day customer’s next step will be to check out the product’s website.

Perusing online has become a great way for customers to, in a sense, try before they buy. Advances in digital media have provided a simple way for shoppers to source information in a way that suits them in a non-confronting manner.

With this in mind, it is even more crucial for small businesses to be aware that a website can make or break a sale. Your website is the place where the consumer not only finds the information they need, but creates their perception of your business, brand and image.

According to IBISWorld, online shopping is currently in a dramatic growth phase. Reports say:

“Trends in ageing, computer literacy and consumer sentiment have helped the online shopping industry to grow. Increased confidence regarding security and privacy issues has helped boost growth in sales.”

“Australia is the third largest online shopping country, ranked behind the US and the UK. IBISWorld forecasts that this industry will grow by 3.8% per annum in the five year period to 2013-14.”

For those in particular who are targeting the Gen X or Gen Y markets, you must to stay on top of the digital game; “An influx of new entries to the online market during the outlook period will provide a broader product and service selection for consumers. Increased IT and T literacy will boost demand levels, with retailers reducing profit margins and delivery costs in a bid to attract customers.”

If possible, go one step further and incorporate a point of purchase on your site to maximise your chances of making a sale. “IBISWorld predicts that text-based shopping will become the next growth area in this industry, following US trends.”

Yes, that’s right, text-based shopping! (see here for more information: http://www.marketingvox.com/amazon-debuts-text-based-mobile-shopping-service-037769/) Long gone are the voices of traditional in-store salesmen. Instead, words on a screen that sell on their own are becoming more valuable than ever.

So think twice before blowing your savings on a print advertising campaign. Take a moment before you distribute those colourful (and expensive) brochures on heavy stock paper.

Why don’t you spend your budget more wisely next year? To get the results you want, invest in an experienced copywriter and a web design team instead, who can help create you a website that will ensure your marketing dollars won’t go down the drain.

Our Guest contributor Natalie Khoo, is a Freelance Writer and Editor based in Melbourne. Starting her professional career in London at Cosmopolitan Magazine, Natalie has since returned to Australia where she has played the role of editor and contributor to a number of magazines and websites. Natalie also has extensive marketing and advertising skills from being appointed Advertising Manager of Pepper Publishing, which she has combined with her writing skills to become the accomplished business copywriter she is today.

To find out more information, visit www.nataliekhoo.com.au. You can email Natalie at: natalie@nataliekhoo.com.au, or call her on 0411 834 953.

How A Website Goes Straigh To Hell – From the champions at The Oatmeal

I was recently profiled as Feature Member by the Womens Network Australia (Yay for me!) and from that I received a wonderful email from a fellow WNA networker!

Natalie and I chatted away over email (fabulous lady), we snuk a peek at each others websites and blogs, discovered shared interests and discussed working together in the future! All in all a great connection and wonderful new contact.

That is not the only exciting thing though… later as I was scrolling through my tweets, I noticed a call out from a follower who was looking for a good copywriter / editor to assist with a long term contract! I immediately thought of Natalie and supplied her details to Cam! They were instantly connected and have set up a meeting to catch up next week to discuss the contract!

How amazing is that!

I just wanted to share that with you all in case there was anyone out there who still thinks that Twitter (or networking for that matter) is not a useful business tool!

Have a fantastic remainder of your day!