5-Suggested plugins to use

First let me quickly explain what a plugin is, we can look at the wikpedia definition for plugin: “In computing, a plug-in is a set of software components that adds specific capabilities to a larger software application. If supported, plug-ins enable customizing the functionality of an application. For example, plug-ins are commonly used in web browsers to play video, scan for viruses, and display new file types.” Today I want to introduce 5 key suggested plugins I think will be very useful for your blogs.

1. SEO Blogger plugin that actually is not really a Word Press plugin but a Firefox tool that can aid in writing your post with SEO in mind. You choose a keyword phrase and it then provides you with a variety of keywords and how many times it is searched on, and makes it visible for you to be able to reference it when writing your blog entry.

2. WordTwit plugin, I love this plugin as it saves on time for me, because each time I write a post, it automatically sends a tweet of this post to my twitter.

3. Askimet, this is standard and helpful to keep away spam in your comments section. You need to have an API key for this to work. To get this, you need to set up an account with wordpress.com it will then assign a key for you to use.

4. WordPress Database Backup plugin, this can be set up to backup your database automatically and then send you a zip file directly to your email address.

5. WP Google Analytics plugin lets you use Google Analytics to track your WordPress site statistics.

These are just some popular plugins, but you need to review carefully to make sure they are compatible with your template theme, as well, be wary when updating your theme to ensure that it is compatible with newer versions. Plugins also have their own update process and you will see a little black and white number beside the link if a plugin requires updating. If you need help in setting up plugins for your blog, give us a call 416-451-2063 and we can walk you through the process.

How often do you do market research?

Have you ever wondered whether you are providing your clients with the right offerings? Have you ever asked them? It’s all about understanding and responding to what your clients want. Learning their preferences, interest, ideas and concerns. Imagine if you could provide them with the products, services and communications they are looking for. But how do you ask? InSite Creations partners up with a company called Constant Contact, and we have amazing tools to help your business gain the upper hand in customer service. Click on the link below to have a quick tour of this great survey tool. And if you like it and would like a 60-Day free trial of the Survey Tool, then all you have to do is contact me to set it up.

In this Online Survey Tour:

* Getting Started
* Create Professional Surveys
* Invite Participants
* View Survey Responses
* Build and Manage Contact Lists
* Create Online Polls

Remember click on my 60-Day FREE trial to get this offer.

New way to share articles through the new Tweet Button

I have always been an advocate for sharing your articles with others and having ways to measure the effectiveness of getting your message out. Articles can help establish you as the expert in your area of offerings adding credibility and a path to drive traffic back to your website. Tweet Button which will be coming out possibly this week is comparable to that of the Facebook “Like” button, but with the insurgence of Twitter for Business, this will be a great addition to our marketing tool box.

The button will be a single line of code that comes in three versions: (110×20, 55×20, 55×63) with five different settings for customization.

How do you see yourself in your business using such a tool? What strategies will you put in place?

Monitor & Manage your Social Media in a Nutshell

Are you like me, have tons of email accounts, Twitter accounts, blogs, Facebook groups, the list goes on, and how much time are you spending going from site to site checking your status updates. To help simplify your business, in an interactive and efficient way of bringing it all together, you can stay on top of your posts, gain resourceful information in a timely manner and get on with your business. Check out Nutshell mail video below.

Shortcut #1 – NutshellMail from Wright Brothers Communications on Vimeo.

Did I mention it is FREE!

Pros & Cons of Rocket Sticks

So I am wondering how many of you have a rocket stick?  I just got mine and heading into the downtown Toronto via Go Train. Sure I have to lug my laptop around, not quite as handy as a smart phone, but I’m really loving the flexibility to be online, wherever I go.  Now the downside, is you have more opportunities to work, instead of relaxing or in my case, chilling out, watching the scenery go by.

Rogers Rocket StickI wasn’t planning on getting a rocket stick, though there have been times when it could have come in real handy, like the time when I was giving a presentation, and the location where I was at, the Internet Connection went dead, then I had to rely back on my static Powerpoint to finish up my presentation – which was supposed to be about showing how to optimize your site – SEO. Now if I had a stick then, I could have easily got onto the Rogers Network and continued on without fuss.

So as I was saying I wasn’t planning on getting one, but when I just ordered Internet for our Toronto office, somehow, the sales guy at Rogers up-sold me.  Anyway, no regrets so far, like I said, enjoy the freedom.

Oh look at that already at Exhibition station, so I better sign off now, enjoy your weekend!

Internet in motion – excellent!

Are your clients subscribers, fans, or followers or combination?

Study shows that marketers are engaging with consumers through multiple channels, whether it be email, Facebook, Twitter, so what communication preferences are your clients choosing to engage with you? Studies show that engagement in these channels is personal and depends more on psychographic characteristics.

“Consumers don’t silo their engagement with brands to a single channel, instead they tend to ‘layer’ marketing channels on top of one another to meet their different objectives,” said Morgan Stewart, principal, ExactTarget’s research and education group, in a statement.

What determines your audience channel of choice, and what does it mean for your business? Learn more on Engagement statistics and trends