VirtuaClass

I am amazed at how many amazing viral ideas pass through my head on a daily basis, and I still have not figured out if it’s a blessing or a curse! When I say “viral ideas” I am talking about viral marketing ideas, or content that generates a “buzz”. I am not even able to take a picture anymore these days without thinking of someway I could twist it into a story that could generate this buzz I am talking about. In order to understand viral marketing better, you need to have a better understanding of Social Media Marketing, and the concept behind it. Social Media, or web 2.0 is built on the basis that the best content is going to be decided upon by users of the Social Network communities, rather then a search engine algorithm (like Google). If your content is no good, there still is a chance you can get ranked for some pretty decent keywords if you know your way around SEO, but if your content (or website) stinks inside the Social Communities, then it will never get anywhere, and no one will ever find it.

It is all about what the user likes inside these communities, and the friends that they have built up. Once you start to think like a social media marketer, and understand what different communities (of the many) are looking for, when it comes to content, websites, tools, services, products, etc. it makes it easier to utilize them.

The example I always share to help those new to social media marketing, and viral marketing understand it better is this: I have a son that loves his Tonka (brand) Truck, but I promise you he has never used that truck for what I know Tonka intended it be used for. I started taking pictures of the different things that he used this truck for, and I soon had a pretty good list, and pictures to go along with them. I even took some videos of some of the crazy things he would use it for.

The point, and how I can use this for viral marketing?

Lets say I own, or do marketing for a site selling kids toys. If I just try to tell the users of the social communities, about the cool toys I got on my website, then I am trying to market to them, and they feel that I am pushing it down their throat, and these kind of communities don’t like marketers. However, if I were to compile a list (and give it a good link bait title) of “10 Uses of Tonka Trucks that Hasbro Never Intended” or “10 Of the Craziest Uses Of Tonka Trucks Ever Caught On Video” it would do much better in these communities, then just trying to promote the toys on your site. The reason it would do much better is because the content was created for these kind of communities, and I would generate the buzz I need for search engines, build up backlinks, better brand myself and make it easier when it comes to get rankings for keywords.

You see how taking advantage of the situations in front of you can turn you into a social media marketer. If you are thinking like one, then it becomes much easier to do better when it comes to social media marketing and growing your business with this fairly new marketing concept of viral marketing and link baiting!

If you’re like me, you’ve gone ahead and visited a website and gotten to its home page only to be barraged with hundred’s of links….pictures….buy nows…..etc. A sudden feeling of “I can’t breathe” comes over you pretty quickly and you just can’t seem to get to that “back” button on your browser soon enough. However, as with most things in life, that which we feel and experience ourselves, we often feel compelled to do the same to others. Does your website do this to its users? Chances are you might be without realizing it. Enter the saving thought of applying “Web Decompression Zones” to your site. According to most marketing theorists, a Decompression Zone is that psychological barrier of about 15 feet that exists between the front door of a retail store and where the user actually pays attention to an ad or service being offered. It can also be described as that ability to “breathe” when you first enter a store and have a chance to take in the store as a whole before allowing your mind to be questioned into whether or not it is time to buy or not. So basically when entering a store you’ll find that most large box stores will apply this theory by making sure you have plenty of time to walk through their doors and get past that zone before hitting you with any type of product or display ad.

This same concept, I believe applies to websites. With some simple research I have done when redesigning an existing website, I’ve found that websites with lots of information and links on their home pages get less conversion traffic than those who apply a “Web Decompression Zone” to their home pages. The problem seems to be that when presented with tons of options so quickly, a user tends to get either confused or frustrated and would rather find a “simpler” site to navigate to.

Any of you who have children know that when you go to a snow cone stand the last thing you want to tell them is how many different flavors they have. If you tell them they have “red or blue” or “strawberry or grape” you are more likely to get a faster decision than if you present all of the possible choices of strawberry, grape, orange, watermelon, blue raspberry, cherry, root beer, cola, etc. all at once. Now I’m not saying web users are child-minded…but let’s face it….when you go to a website you are looking for information from possibly tons of resources in less time than you would carve out to take your daily shower. So information needs to be presented succinctly and quickly to allow the greatest amount of inflow of information. Too many choices slow that process down.

So as a web owner, your job is to know the relevant yes/no, option 1/2/3 questions to help your user get to where they need to go. The best place to do so is your home page. So allow just a few images and information to catch your user’s attention, present it in a professional and well thought out manner, and allow the user’s click on one of those links to be the answer to those yes/no or option 1/2/3 questions to put them into the correct place on your website and now present them with some additional options. You’ll find your visitor’s will get further into your site on a more consistent basis and be less likely to get frustrated or overwhelmed from the start. Now it’s time to go get my shower for the day. Enjoy!

Many Internet business owners are oblivious to their actual and potential intellectual properties. Ironically, for most Internet companies the value of the company is almost completely tied to intangibles/intellectual property. For example, the average start up ecommerce entrepreneur’s company assetts could probably be described something like this: home office, computer, cell phone, and a website.

The typical Internet start up company own very litte inventory, equipment, or real property. Therefore, if the company is worth anything, it is in the value of the company’s copyrights, trademarks, and overall goodwill.

For those internet companies who have not taken the proper steps to recognize, register, and understand their company intellectual properties here is a short FAQ you might find useful:

What is a copyright?

Copyright is the legal protection provided to the authors or owners of original works of authorship for work, including: literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and other Intellectual Works. Copyright protection is provided to both; Published and Unpublished Works. The right is exclusive to the author and governed by The Copyright Act of 1976.

Why would I register a copyright?

While copyright registration is optional, copyright law provides several inducements or advantages to encourage copyright owners to make registration. First, registration establishes a public record of the copyright claim. This is important because before an infringement suit may be filed in court, registration is necessary for works of U.S. origin.

Further, if made before or within 5 years of publication, registration will establish prima facie evidence that your have a valid copyright in whatever work has been registered.

If registration is made within 3 months after publication of the work or prior to an infringement of the work, statutory damages and attorney’s fees will be available to the copyright owner in court actions. (Registration may be made at any time within the life of the copyright).

What is a trademark?

A trademark is a word, phrase, symbol or design (like a logo), or a combination of words, phrases, symbols or designs, that is used to identify and distinguish the source of the goods of one party from those of others. A service mark is the same as a trademark, except that it identifies and distinguishes the source of a service rather than a product.

Why protect a trademark?

Trademarks make it easy for consumers to find your product in the marketplace, i.e. Trademarks help prevent marketplace confusion. Trademarks are among the most economically efficient communication tools and are typically considered your most enduring company assets.

For a much more in-depth study of copyright and trademarks please attend the next scheduled Intellectual Property VirtuaClass.

Tax season can be a stressful time for the small business owner. It is the beginning of a new fiscal year in most cases and filing business taxes is not something most business owners want to deal with. Most small business owners file their taxes on a Schedule C, which is used for sole proprietors and limited liability companies with only one owner. Due to the widespread abuse of the Schedule C, it is the tax form that is most likely to be audited by the IRS. There are several ways you can prepare for the tax season to ensure that your tax season goes smoothly with a limited amount of stress. Even if the IRS elects to audit your business these tips will leave you prepared and worry free when it comes to filing this tax season.

Report all income when filing your business’s taxes. Even if you do not receive a form 1099 income must be reported. When you are in the business of selling merchandise all sales must be reported. If during the year any discounts or returns took place these can be used to offset the sales reported. If your business performs services all service revenue must be recorded. Even if your business receives money from something that is not a direct result of business activity you must report this income. For example, if your business earns money through a raffle this income must also be reported on the tax return. It is important to include all business income incurred throughout the year.

Keep track of all business records. Keeping track of all business transactions allows for you as a business owner to easily access which business expenses are tax deductible. Records such as invoices, receipt books, credit card sales slips and cancelled checks should all be kept as documentation. Make sure you have some sort of documentation for every expense you claim on your taxes. Keeping records of all business expenses ensures that if the IRS chooses to audit your small business, you will have documentation to back up all deductions taken.

Purchase small business accounting software. Most accounting software that is offered for small businesses includes a feature that automatically calculates business income and expenses for tax purposes. Having some form of accounting software will help you to keep an accurate record of all your business income and expenses.

Following these tips will help your tax season run smoothly. If you choose to use an accountant to perform your small business taxes, being organized will reduce the amount of time it will take them to produce and file your return. The less time it takes them the less money it will cost you. If you choose to file your business’s return yourself, being organized will save you time and the frustration of figuring out all your small business expenses and income for a year. Whether you use an accountant or perform your tax services yourself these tips can help save you time, money and stress!