How to Start Your Own Self Hosted WordPress Blog

📕 |

November 19, 2010

With new bloggers joining the blogosphere each and everyday, the demand of having a personal domain name (e.g. www.yourname.com) remains as high as ever. If you’ve always wanted this but do not know how, this article will be guiding you through a series of steps to get your very own self hosted WordPress blog up and running in no time!

Step #1: Get A Domain Name + Hosting Service

A domain name is your site’s address or URL and it has to be hosted before anyone can see it’s contents. To see whether your desired domain name is available, I use www.GoDaddy.com (for .com / .net / .org / international domains) and www.DomainRegistry.my (for .com.my / .my / org.my / local domains).

Most people get really confused with two things at this stage:

1. The difference between domain names (e.g. .com and .com.my)

Let me start by saying that having a .com does not make one more superior than a .com.my in any way, vice versa. The only difference is that a .com.my (Malaysia) or a .co.uk (UK) for that matter, is controlled locally by their respective country’s registrar for domains – which also means that you may need to have certain qualifications / requirements for you to obtain it.

For example, to qualify for a .com.my domain, you’ll need to have a registered business / company with SSM (Companies Commission of Malaysia) while a .my domain requires you to have a Malaysian identification card (IC) number.

“One thing to note though, is that .com domains may have a slight advantage over local domains on search engines but it’s not a huge set back at all if you’re into SEO”

2. The difference between hosting packages (e.g. how much space will I need?)

If you’re not very good with technical terms, never mind the long lists of functionalities given – but look out for the below:

a. Operating Systems – Usually between Windows and Linux. If you’re only interested in running WordPress on it, then either does not matter. However, some providers have their prices tagged differently (e.g. Windows more pricey).

b. Space – This is your storage space, some what like your hard disk space on your computer. If you’re not planning to upload tons of pictures and videos to your site directly, anywhere between 5GB – 10GB of space would last you for quite some time. To save space, you can always upload your pictures to Flickr while videos to YouTube and link them to your posts whenever needed.

c. Bandwidth – The larger the bandwidth, the more traffic your site will be able to handle. Usually hosting providers offer 2 – 5 times the bandwidth of the storage space in GBs (e.g. 10GB space -> 50GB bandwidth) which should be more than sufficient if your pictures are off loaded elsewhere such as on Flickr.

d. MySQL Databases – WordPress runs on MySQL Databases and each blog requires ONE MySQL database so make sure your hosting package has at least 1 (any more won’t hurt!).

Note that there IS a difference between MySQL and MS SQL databases!

e. Email Accounts – Fancy a [email protected] email address? This is what it’s all about. 5 email accounts will grant you up to 5 different email addresses and so on.

Total investment here: Varies from RM80 – RM350 (domain name + hosting) depending on the service provider, chargeable per year

Step #2: It’s Time to Work with WordPress

If you used to have a blog on WordPress.com, it’s time to abandon that and head over to WordPress.org instead and download the latest WordPress version (it’ll be in a zip file). When it’s done, simply unzip the file and rename it (if you wish).

Now, there are several steps you’ll need to do and this famous 5-minute WordPress Installation Guide will lead you through the entire process with a breeze!

If you’re wondering what is this FTP thingy mentioned in the guide, think of it as a way for you to upload your files to the server. You can do it either through a software e.g. FileZilla or WS_FTP. Either software will require your login credentials which will be provided by your hosting service provider.

Step #3: Recommendations and Configurations

Congratulations for making it this far! That wasn’t too difficult, was it? Before you go trigger-happy experimenting new themes, widgets and etc, I strongly recommend the usage of:

a. Pretty Permalinks – Changes the links of your posts and pages from www.yoursite.com/?p=123 to www.yoursite.com/something-that-makes-sense. Why? You’re telling search engines what your post is thus making you look good on the ranks.

To change your permalink format: WP Dashboard > Settings > Permalinks

I am using Custom Structure: /%postname%/ but you may want to opt for something else (see guide on permalinks here)

Note that some servers are not automatically configured to process pretty permalinks. Linux servers requires the Mod_Rewrite module while Windows servers requires the URL Rewrite module for pretty permalinks to work – contact your service provider if unsure.

b. Plugins! – There are tons of WP Plugins out there but the below are the bare minimum:

All in One SEO Pack – Because we all know that SEO can bring about organic traffic from search engines
Google Analytics – Insert your Google Analytics code to start tracking your visitors’ data
Sharebar – Allows visitors to share your posts across the social network with ease
Sitemap – Many bloggers overlook the importance of having a sitemap, it helps search engines crawl your site better
Database Backup – One of my favorite as it automatically sends the database backup to my email on a weekly basis. I do not need to worry about missing posts again!
WPTouch – There are more and more mobile browsers today than ever therefore having a mobile friendly version of your blog is vital

#4: You’re Done!

With all those in place, you are now free to configure your desired theme, import posts from your old WordPress blog or even get started on your very first post right away! Starting your own website has never been easier with WordPress and you should really have one if you have not already.

Too Complicated?

This site you’re on now (janwong.my) is hosted on a huge server with sarahtay.my as it’s only neighbor for now. It gets a little lonely here so if you’re interested, I can do all the steps above for you from domain name purchasing (.com), web hosting, installing AND configuring WordPress for a mere RM120 per year on a goodwill basis!

Note: This offer is only open to individuals wanting a self-hosted WordPress blog. Only less than 10 slots available for grabs! :)

What will you receive?

What will I get in return?

A new neighbor and no longer owning an under utilized server!

If you are interested or you have any questions regarding this service, simply contact me via email, a Tweet or simply by leaving a comment :)

8 Grave Misconceptions About Social Media

📕 |

November 17, 2010

| Jan Wong

#1 It’s a Fad

Many people still think that social media is just a ‘phase’ and sees social media as secondary – especially businesses. The truth is, social media is here to stay and businesses without a presence will eventually lose a competitive edge against their competitors who are actively on social media. Why?

“Social marketing eliminates the middlemen, providing brands the unique opportunity to have a direct relationship with their customers. Bryan Weiner, CEO at Digital Agency 360i”

#2 It’s About Having Social Media Profiles Facebook / Twitter / LinkedIn

Having a profile is just the beginning. It takes time, dedication and commitment to truly harness the benefits of social media. It’s all about building a network online just like how it is traditionally such as through networking events. Attending networking events alone won’t work – you need to communicate, build relationships and engage.

“Social media is like building muscles or running a marathon – results don’t come popping up, it’s long-term but all worth it.”

#3 It’s a Numbers Game

Somehow we tend to take numbers too seriously. The number of followers / fans / friends do matter but the question really is: how engaged are you with your followers? Are they paying attention to what you have to say? What is your true reach? In social media, it’s quality over quantity for followers.

“Please Repeat: Influence is NOT Popularity! Brian Solis, briansolis.com”

#4 It Takes Too Much Time

It takes time, yes. Too much time? It depends on you. It can take as short as 30 minutes a day or the entire day and you are in control of it. The best part about social media is that it is flexible and accessible anywhere as long you’re connected to the web. If you carry a smartphone with you, you can even update on-the-go! I spend about 1 – 1.5 hours daily and random updates throughout the day.

I don’t know about you but to spend only 1 hour daily to stay in touch with your prospects and loyal customers sure sounds like a killer deal to me!

“How can you squander even one more day not taking advantage of the greatest shifts of our generation? How dare you settle for less when the world has made it so easy for you to be remarkable? Seth Godin, sethgodin.typepad.com”

#5 It Takes an Expert to Do It

If you can handle the computer, surf the web and create a Facebook / Twitter account without much trouble, congratulations, you’re made to be on social media! Too easy to be true? Well, the secret ingredient is PASSION – if you are passionate of your business, all you need to do is to KEEP IT REAL with your followers and fans. By doing so you’ll be putting a human face to your brand, a strong connection to build brand loyalty.

“Don’t worry; skills are cheap, passion is priceless. If you’re passionate about your content and you know it and do it better than anyone else, even with few formal business skills you have the potential to create a million-dollar business. Gary Vaynerchuck, garyvaynerchuk.com”

#6 Guaranteed Results

Do you really believe in guaranteed results? I don’t. Being on social media won’t bring in immediate sales. The same applies to blogging: you won’t make money out of it immediately. Again you’ll need to flex those muscles before you can experience results. Keep your eyes focused on the goal and run (or jog) towards it – just don’t give up!

“Remember this: social media is NOT about profitability. It is about constantly engaging and creating loyal customers that will create revenue for you in the long run.”

#7 There is no ROI to Social Media

Does it ring a bell? Most businesses just don’t see how social media can be measured hence taking it very lightly. ROI can be quantitative, using various metrics tools such as Google Analytics to identify bounce rates, demographics, length of visits, page views, unique visitors, number of followers, impressions and etc.

You can even take it further by comparing these metrics with the number of conversions on your sales, subscriptions and more! It can also be qualitative by comparing responses gathered through surveys and behaviors and converting them into metrics that matters to your business.

“Ultimately, social media creates conversations and involves human interactions – that can build your brand. How can you quantify that? Traditional media takes you no where near that. It’s priceless.”

#8 It’s Not for Every Business

To date we’ve seen consultation firms, marketing agencies, F&B outlets, hospitals, lawyer firms, telecommunication companies and almost every other industry, both big and small, young and old, involved in social media. The social media is for everyone – including your business. Sure, the integration can be tricky for some but its definitely possible – it depends on how far you want it to go.

“You can’t tiptoe into social media. You have to jump into the pool. People have a natural fear of it. But the scary part is not being there. Your customer is already there. Dave Saunders, madisonmain.com”

Have you came across any other misconceptions on social media? I would love to hear them, too!

How to: Eliminate Your Energy Zappers – Stay in the Game!

📕 |

November 15, 2010

| Jan Wong

Life is all about energy - both positive and negative

Life is all about energy. You need energy to wake up in the morning, to go to work, to attend meetings, to reply emails, to answer that phone call, to have fun with your friends.. you get the drift – and it’s a daily cycle. People tend to live through the day ending up tired and totally zapped out of energy thinking it’s normal – but it really isn’t that simple.

Why?

In life there are things that give you energy and there are things that rob or zap you of energy. The worse part is, you may not know that these things are zapping your energy rapidly because it has become part of your life, a routine that has been weaved out of our consciousness.

Energy Zappers

Energy Zappers - Stay Away From Them!

In most situations, it’s not that you don’t have enough energy due to lack of sleep / rest that’s holding you back – it’s the things that are robbing you of energy that’s really the problem. Things that zaps your energy includes people who get on your nerves, the stress from poor traffic conditions, parking problems, that hatred or unforgiveness in your head, unproductive meetings, datelines or anything that happens to step on your toes – activities or situations that you just don’t like getting yourself into.

Energy Chargers

Energy Chargers - Your Source of Happiness

Not all hope is lost! There are energy chargers around you and all you need is to make use of them to fill you up again. These chargers are your are friends that make you laugh, your favorite song, talking to your significant other, accomplishing tasks, closing a deal, shopping, eating, any activity that makes you happy and the small things that make you happy to be alive.

What Can You Do

While it’s true that you may be tired and fatigued, it also may be that you need to re-look into your daily life. Identify energy zappers and eliminate them. It could be anything – people, jobs and situations so start listing them out today! Make a conscious decision to remove them from your life and add activities that replenishes your energy instead.

If you’ve put it on paper, you’ll probably realize that not all energy zappers can be eliminated and I agree 100%. The main focus is to be consciously aware of what zaps you and to take control of the situation – do not let it zap you off just like that. For example if traffic conditions are driving you crazy, perhaps playing your favorite song over the radio will charge you up a little?

Make this conscious decision and it may change your life forever! It’s never easy but it’s definitely worth trying – after all, what’s there to lose when there’s all to gain?

What are your energy zappers and chargers?

Recommended read: How to develop a winning mindset

Which Grills Faster? The Android, iPhone or the Windows Phone?

📕 |

November 13, 2010

| Jan Wong

Hello there! How’s your weekend coming along? Some weekend browsing allowed me to stumble across this and if you’ve always been wondering which of the 3 phones mentioned lasts longer on the grill, this video is made for you:

What’s interesting to note that this video is not made for sheer entertainment purposes – it is to promote a product called the EZGrill disposable grill. If you haven’t noticed, this video is going viral with about 9k views on YouTube since it was uploaded 24 hours ago. People all around the world are tuning in just to see 3 of the latest gadgets out there getting grilled helplessly.. and watching a live demonstration on how the EZGrill works!

A costly idea? EZGrill will need to sell more than 200 units to recoup the cost spent on the phones for this ad.
Will it be possible? At the rate it is going, very much so.
Should EZGrill give the phones away rather than grilling them? Nah.. The grilling cooked up a huge opportunity for consumers to see their product in action the fun (for some) and dreadful (for some) way. The hype builds faster this way, too!

So, what does it take to go viral?

Looking at EZGrill’s ad, I managed to pick up 2 simple points:

1. Pick something that’s current: EZGrill used the 3 most talked about gadgets – the Android G2, iPhone 4 and Windows Phone 7 as the main catch. They did not say “See how my EZGrill works and how awesome it is” but to use current topics to capture the attention of the consumers, then show them what the product is all about.

2. Do something unusual / drastic: They pulled something drastic as opposed to IKEA that went for the unusual route. EZGrill used 3 current items, did something drastic and that captured major attention and interest (and shock). Grilled phones? We don’t see that coming everyday.

There are definitely more ways to go about viral videos but usually the above two does it just right. I am personally interested to see how far this video will travel.

Did I miss out something from EZGrill’s video? I would love to hear them :)

Till then, fancy a barbecue, anyone?

5 Simple Tips on How to Get Yourself Noticed

📕 |

November 12, 2010

| Jan Wong

Recently I’ve managed to talk to a number of business owners and it would seem that each of them have a common situation – they do not know how to get themselves noticed by the consumers. The common solutions discussed often revolves around advertising, advertorials, and social media in general.

Get yourself noticed!

Bear in mind that these are business owners that have been in business for years and yet in the quest of finding (effective) ways to get themselves noticed. Sometimes, getting noticed isn’t even about being unconventional – it’s just about getting yourself seen or heard.

#1: Focus on a Niche

A: What do you do?
B: I provide IT solutions and services
A: Oh, what kind of solutions do you offer?
B: We specialize in every aspect of IT. We are a one-stop solutions centre.

Does the conversation above sound familiar? The lack of a focus often confuse customers on what are you offering in the first place and it puts you in a situation where you cannot afford to spend time highlighting your brand strengths. It’s always easier being a big fish in a small pond and eventually hop into another pond – not otherwise.

#2: Get Involved in Contests

Interesting contests has it’s way among consumers. You can either create one yourself or even sponsor one if that’s too much of a hassle. Social media tools such as Facebook allows contests to be set up rather easily and has the potential to rally up huge responses when done properly. Putting up your products / services as prizes will draw attention to your brand, too! Click here to learn how to setup a Facebook contest the right way.

#3: Get Involved in Events

Participating in events often draw attention to a brand – especially huge ones. Hosting your own event can bring about many advantages since you’re the highlight but it can take up a lot of resources including time and money. Alternatively, you can choose to hop upon events that has similar interests as your brand.

For example, an IT company may participate in a Technology Expo or even to become a sponsor to gain additional millage from the event. Try to explore various opportunities to see how you can tie up closely with the event (e.g. workshops, seminars, etc) to take full advantage of the expected crowd – it’s the least you can do.

#4: Write a Book

If you have interesting thoughts, experiences or techniques to share, this is for you! Most authors do not write to make millions out of it but to receive the exposure and credibility to their brand. With the help of technology, authors are also moving towards producing e-books due to the low production cost involved as compared to a physical book. In fact, this is something I would want to do, too!

To start it off, you may also want to consider starting your own blog as a stepping stone before publishing your own book! Starting up a blog brings great value to your brand especially in this digital age.

#5: Share

Givers gain! Give publicity to others. Take up the opportunity and initiative to spread the good word about other companies, partners and affiliates. Take an additional step by getting close to industry influencers and help them solve their problems by sharing your contacts with them. Many will repay you by sharing YOU with their contacts and to put you in front of their customers as well.

Is That All?

There are tons of other ways to get yourself noticed and the above is just the tip of the iceberg! In a nutshell, to get noticed is all about you being able to look out for opportunities to shine and not so much of the right technique or the right avenue. The more you’re out there grabbing those opportunities, the more you’ll be noticed.

How to: Integrate Social Media in Business Using Twitter (Part 2)

📕 |

November 10, 2010

| Jan Wong

So you’ve seen the benefits of Twitter and now wanting to be part of the Twitter community but have no idea how to? If you’re absolutely new to Twitter, check out this step-by-step video on how to create your very own Twitter profile for your business:

Congrats with your Twitter account! With that covered, we will now be looking at some real life implementations on how business have use Twitter to their advantage:

1. Levi’s

Levi’s knew what they wanted to do and achieve with Twitter. They wanted to target the young male demographic which eventually led towards hiring Gareth as the @levisguy to share behind-the-scenes stories at Levi’s events and updates on new products.

Why is that so significant? Levi’s knew what it takes to create a bond, a connection with their fans. By hiring someone in the same demographic, he will be able to speak the same language the fans speak, allowing him to spur conversations about topics that matter to them, such as the latest fashion trends – without being awkward.

2. Dell Outlet

Dell understood what they need – they need a tool to get the word out fast due to their nature of business. They went on Twitter and have not turned back ever since. On Twitter they realized that people are interested in talking to them, asking questions and sharing their experiences, both good and bad.

“Offering relevant information that people are interested in is key.” – Stephanie Nelson, Dell (Austin)

With that, Dell now concentrates on interacting with people while keeping deals to a minimum to avoid spamming. Those are not ordinary deals though, they are exclusive, Twitter-only deals which has received very positive response having booked more than $3 million in revenue attributable to its Twitter posts. They minimized promotions with their followers in mind but offered exclusive deals whenever a post is due – 2 birds in 1 stone.

3. CoffeeGroundz

This is perhaps my most favorite integration of Twitter in a business! Unlike other examples, CoffeeGroundz is an independent coffee shop in Houston that sells a variety of locally roasted coffee, tea, pastries, sandwiches and the likes. Being new to Twitter, it took J.R. Cohen (General Manager) awhile to grow the number of followers on Twitter organically – and that changed everything.

Cohen took Twitter 1 step further by asking his followers from Houston to “come into the store and ask for J.R.” He will then take the opportunity to meet with each and every patron who asked for him by name! He created an opportunity to strengthen his bond with his followers, going beyond mere online interactions.

“This is what social media is meant to be.” – J.R. Cohen

What makes things even more interesting is that in 2008, one of CoffeeGroundz’s regular customers requested to place a ‘to-go’ order for a breakfast wrap. It is argued that Sean’s request for an order ‘to-go’ was the first of its kind on Twitter. And because Cohen is an avid user of Twitter, was able to reply quickly to Sean’s requests. With this reply, he implemented a whole new way to place and receive an order online, reserve tables and book the place – through Twitter’s DM service. How awesome is that?

4. DiGi Telecommunications

Sad to say that there are only a handful of great Twitter integrations in business back here in Malaysia. Businesses here seem more inclined towards Facebook but here is one that caught my attention – DiGi is seen using Twitter primarily to receive feedback, complains, questions and to provide support to their customers. In some cases, I was told that DiGi also offers special compensations and exclusive offers to dissatisfied customers on a case-by-case basis.

Apart from that, it also acts to humanize the brand by interacting with their followers by posting birthday wishes and replying to what others are saying about the brand which definitely adds a human touch to the brand.

Moving On!

Hopefully the above examples are able to give you some idea and insights on how you can get started on Twitter. Remember that it takes time to get it right so don’t be too worried if you’re doing it wrong or disappointed with the initial results.

If you’re sitting there thinking that Twitter is not suitable for your business

or your customers / prospects are not on Twitter and never going to be on Twitter, you should really take 4 minutes off your time to check out this video:

On the other hand, if you are having trouble thinking of running out of things to Tweet, I recommend reading this post here by @AskAaronLee, a social media addict with tons of experience and things to share about Twitter. I’m sure his post will help you just fine :)

Do you have an example that you would love to share? I would most definitely want to hear from you!

Attributes of an Entrepreneur: Being Punctual

📕 |

November 8, 2010

| Jan Wong

When was the last time you were punctual? If you’ve always been, keep it up! If you haven’t, it’s time to step it up! Why? Being punctual is an obvious indication of respect towards the other party’s time. Punctuality is a problem in many places, and for some, it has even became a norm in their daily life. If you’ve caught yourself saying: “Oh, he / she’s gonna be late anyway”, remember: it does not matter if the person you’re going to meet is not going to be punctual – it’s about you.

Are you punctual? | Attributes of an entrepreneur

The Rule of Thumb to be Punctual

“To be late is to be on time; To be early is to be before time.”

Having that said, plan your day’s time well. Make sure you allocate sufficient time for you to get to your car (some places take 10 minutes to get to the parking lot!), travel from one place to another, consider traffic conditions and etc. Always aim to get there at least 10-15 minutes before the agreed time.

I’ve personally found this rule to be particularly useful as I recently attended a meeting only to find that my client’s office runs on a 15-minute faster clock. Imagine if I would to have arrived “on-the-dot”, that would mean that it’s already 15 minutes late for them – it would definitely hurt my reputation.

In situations such as these, explaining that they are not following the current universal time does not save you.. guaranteed.

What to do if You Can’t Make it on Time

I have to agree that being punctual is no easy task, especially when you have a never ending to-do list, back to back appointments and the horrendous traffic on the roads. I’m not saying that the above can be used as an excuse, it’s just that things DO creep up unexpectedly and in situations such as these:

1. Contact the person you’re meeting at least 30 minutes before the appointment to inform that you may be late because of ___. Sometimes it will be helpful to mention your current location so that he / she will be able to estimate how long would you need to get there. Don’t be inclined to say “I’m 10 minutes away” if you are not (punctuality plays here, too!).

2. If you are unable to make it AT ALL somehow, again, call him / her up at least 30 minutes before the appointment to apologize, and see if a reschedule is possible with a valid explanation. You’ll probably lose some brownie points over here so do NOT miss (or be late for) the rescheduled appointment at all cost!

It’s Time to be Punctual!

Get started today! Keep the rule in mind and make every effort to be punctual – it will be a lifesaver, especially if you’re an entrepreneur!

Why Create a Custom Twitter Background?

📕 |

November 5, 2010

| Jan Wong

While most Twitter simply choose their backgrounds just for it to look pretty, many individuals and businesses have taken advantage of the background to simply express, promote or introduce themselves beyond their 140 characters description on their profile.

Now you may have heard people saying that the #NewTwitter is a pain for many as there isn’t much space left to play with on the sides, or that 75% people access Twitter on 3rd Party Applications (e.g. TweetDeck, Hootsuite, etc) therefore cannot see your profile. Don’t get me wrong – those are facts.

It is true that most people access Twitter via apps to UPDATE their status (Tweet) but however, bear in mind that there are many that accesses the web version to check out your profile page if you’ve followed them on Twitter.. simply because Twitter drops an email notification with a link to your profile. Not to forget, you would be leaving your Twitter links on your blog, company website, Facebook profiles, LinkedIn or any other profiles for that matter – This alone is a good reason for a custom background.

If you haven’t already have a custom Twitter background, you should start having one for yourself as:

1. It Leaves a Lasting Impression

For both individuals and businesses, a well designed background shows a certain degree of professionalism and that you care for details – thus leaving a lasting impression on the viewer. This is exceptionally important when one is viewing your Twitter profile for the first time.

2. Branding and Promotional Opportunities

Your Twitter background can also act as an extension of yourself. Use it to your advantage by putting up more information about you, portray your brand identity, promote your products and services or even express yourself as a creative individual / company. In other words, is an free advertising space that you should make use of!

3. Stand Out

Capturing your audience’s attention is important on social media and unless your have a very captivating write-up about yourself in 140 words or valuable Tweets, chances are, it will be difficult for one to differentiate you with another unless he or she knows you personally. Your background can make a world of differences in positioning yourself different on Twitter. Remember, it’s either you stand out or lose out!

My advice? Use your custom Twitter background wisely :)

Want to Get Started but Don’t Know How?

Click Here to Get Started on Your Own Customized Twitter Background with a template I created!

How to: Integrate Social Media in Business Using Twitter (Part 1)

📕 |

November 3, 2010

| Jan Wong

A couple of weeks back we looked at how Facebook can be integrated into today’s businesses as an effective engagement platform. This time round, we’ll be looking at a famous micro-blogging tool called Twitter. Bear in mind that neither Facebook nor Twitter can cancel each other out – they each have their own unique advantages in which you may want to use to YOUR advantage.

Why Twitter?

Though Twitter only allows 140 characters per update (called a Tweet), Twitter is now second to Facebook in terms of it’s usage. People seem to get along with Twitter pretty well as it is simple and straight to the point, unlike Facebook where distractions are aplenty. If you haven’t heard, Twitter is said to have about 2.1 million new users per week – a huge pool of potential opportunities you would not want to miss (click for interesting stats).

If you’re still scratching your head at this point, check out this simple video explaining Twitter in plain English:

Now that you’ve grasp the concept of Twitter, let’s look at 3 areas on how Twitter can benefit you and your business:

1. Collaboration and Networking

Twitter is a great way of keeping in touch with contacts and obtaining new contacts. This is simply because you (and others) can easily look up fellow users that have the same interest / industry by searching keywords that relates to you and your business. Do it right and these networks can eventually lead to new ideas, collaborations and even partnerships that can be beneficial to both you and your business!

2. Personality and Connectivity

For some reason, Twitter is seen to be a more human approach as compared to blogs and Facebook pages. It adds a human touch to your brand and a face to your business. With Twitter, businesses can now engage in conversations directly with their followers and listen to their tweets – which is priceless to a business. You’ll now get to hear what your followers (if you follow back) are doing, what are they talking about, where they are heading to and etc, allowing you to get to know your followers better.

Remember on Facebook pages, you won’t know what’s happening to your followers if you don’t add them as a friend on your personal account (which you may not want to do so).

3. Research Tool

I must say that Twitter is an excellent research tool for your business and equally informative as Google. How so? Twitter is able to show results of conversations (Tweets) regarding your keyword from all over the world! You can also gain insights to trending topics globally to see what the world is Tweeting about.

Imagine looking up keywords that relates to your business – you may find interesting Tweets talking about their needs, their wishes, feedbacks, rants, competitor’s product and etc. Yes, you’ve gained access to voices from real people across the globe!

What’s Next?

We will once again be looking at some examples on how Twitter is implemented in businesses worldwide along with some real tips on how you can do it too!

Have You Invested in Yourself Today?

📕 |

November 1, 2010

| Jan Wong

Happy November! Soon it will be Christmas and then the new year will come. It’s really amazing to see how time flies. As we slowly creep towards the end of 2010, let me ask you this simple question:

“How often have you invested in yourself thus far in 2010?”

Why Invest in Yourself?

It is interesting to note that we often invest in many things – except ourselves. Time, money and effort is spent on work, studies, business meetings, luncheons and the list is never ending. We live in an ‘instant’ world today where we are somewhat trained to expect everything to be instant. Think about it – instant noodles, instant coffee and even Google Instant! It’s no wonder time flies quickly as we are constantly finding ways to save time, only to fill it up with more work over and over again.

Investing in Yourself

Now now, I’m not going along the route of physical investments such as through career building opportunities, training programs and etc although that is also important. However, your personal wellbeing and emotional needs are equally (or more) important too!

Investing in yourself like a plant I would like to suggest using a plant as an illustration – it will most definitely survive with water, air and light but without fertilizer the good soil, it will not grow into it’s finest form. It’s alive, that’s for sure but perhaps without flowers, fruits and lushful leaves.

Likewise, us humans can live life just as it is – participating in an endless rat race that will eventually lead to a life without meaning; stressed up, boring, rich (maybe) but always insufficient and perhaps friendless. Do we really want to head down that path?

Take some time off! Go for a holiday, catch a movie, read a book, spend quality time with family members, friends and loved ones, take up courses for self improvement, pick up a sport, take a walk, go shopping, sleep – anything other than work. Believe me, it won’t be a waste of time at all! In fact, you’ll be able to get back to work mentally refreshed and perhaps pickup new ideas off work – how cool is that?

Look for opportunities to take time off this week and feel the difference! It’ll be worth it ;)

Start investing in your ‘plant’ today!