5 Tips On Growing Your Business from the Founder of Blip.tv
Dina Kaplan co-founded Blip.TV, a video sharing platform for independent web shows, five years ago.
In those five years, Kaplan has seen her business grow from a small niche of video bloggers who were producing original video shows to thousands of users using the site to host their own shows and upload produced videos.
1. Don’t Try To Be All Things To All People
2. Learn From Your Customers
3. Hire Experts
4. Engage and Connect With Your Community
5. Don’t Obsess Over Funding
Read Full Article: 5 Tips On Growing Your Business from the Founder of Blip.tv
YoungEntrepreneur.com Announced Top 10 Best Marketing Blogs
YoungEntrepreneur.com launched their annual blog awards series this week, recognizing their 10 favorite marketing blogs, using the following selection criteria:
- Visual Aesthetics—Let’s face it: It’s hard to get into a blog that still uses the default WordPress theme. Design matters, and it’s important for making new visitors feel comfortable. We looked for blogs that were easy on the eyes.
- Quality & Consistent Content—Our favorite blogs are the ones that produce great content on a regular basis, rather than one good post to several filler posts.
- Overall Experience—The overall experience includes everything from how the author interacts in the comments to how well posts are categorized so you can easily find the content you’re looking for.
Search Engine Journal—Search Engine Journal covers all things SEM related. The blog is updated a few times each day with the latest information on everything from PPC advertising to viral marketing. Search engine marketing is something all entrepreneurs and small business owners should look into because it levels the playing field between you and the big boys. Search Engine Journal can show you the most effective ways for reaching buyers searching for your products and services.
Twitter: @sejournal
Copyblogger—The tagline says it all. “Copywriting tips for online marketing success.” Great copywriting is the backbone of any successful marketing campaign. Great copy is what turns website visitors into customers. Every day, Copyblogger offers up new tips and proven methods for sucking readers in, earning their trust, and generating more sales. This blog is an absolute must read.
Twitter: @copyblogger
Econsultancy—Since its beginnings in 1999, Econsultancy has grown to become one of the most widely read digital marketing blogs. The contributors are all very well versed in various aspects of digital marketing and online retail, offering you the latest reports and tips to make more of your online presence.
Twitter: @Econsultancy
Seth Godin’s Blog—Do I really need to tell you who Seth Godin is? If you haven’t read his blogs, articles, speeches, eBooks or books, you have a lot of great reading to do. The bestselling author was named “the Ultimate Entrepreneur for the Information Age” by Business Week, and in his blog, he shares entrepreneurial and marketing advice on a daily basis. We love Seth Godin!
Twitter: @ThisIsSethsBlog
Marketing Pilgrim—Launched by Andy Beal in 2005, Marketing Pilgrim covers all things related to internet marketing and online advertising. You’ll get access to the latest news on search and online marketing, with tips and tricks businesses of all sizes can implement. The thing we really like about Marketing Pilgrim is that they just go deeper into topics than anyone else. We always learn something new from this blog.
Twitter: @andybeal
Danny Brown—Danny Brown talks about social media, marketing, PR and more on this exceptional blog. All entrepreneurs can benefit by learning how to engage consumers in a meaningful way in this age of social media marketing. Stop wasting time with social media, and start getting results.
Twitter: @DannyBrown
Revenews—Don’t worry, we haven’t forgotten about affiliate marketing. For more than 10 years, Revenews has been the go-to source for affiliate marketing news and strategies. The blog has a panel of authors who each bring something unique to the table. You’ll get to read tips from PPC experts, conversion specialists, mobile advertising gurus, and more.
Twitter: @Revenews
SEOmoz—What more can we say about SEOmoz that hasn’t already been said? Without a doubt, SEOmoz is the most recognized name in the industry. This blog continues to be a breath of fresh air in an industry that’s plagued by so-called experts doling out dangerous advice.
Twitter: @SEOmoz
Duct Tape Marketing—Duct Tape Marketing is written specifically for the small business owner. The tips in this blog help you find smarter, simpler, more affordable methods for marketing your small business. If “do more with less” is your mantra, you’ll love the Duct Tape Marketing blog.
Twitter: @ducttape
Conversation Agent—Valeria Maltoni helps businesses adapt to this new age of PR and marketing. The blog covers everything from social media marketing to PR, and most times, it talks about how all these different things intersect in this web 2.0 world.
Twitter: @ConversationAge
Read Full Article: YoungEntrepeneur.com’s Top 10 Blog Awards: Best Marketing Blogs
Quick Links – May 10, 2010
Community Economic Development #ced2
- Long Overdue Change to Help Young Adults Get Coverage
- Where is everyone moving?
- One more youth program in Congress Heights just too much for neighbors [DC]
- New Alarm Bells About Chemicals and Cancer
- Poverty, low property values make it difficult to fund city services despite economic development [PA]
- Maryland already is home to six Fortune 500 companies. For now, at least, it will have to do without a seventh
- Santa Clara County Officials Want to Take Toys From Fat Kids [CA]
- Study: Raleigh-Durham area ranks high for biotech jobs, pay
- Housing advocates warned Councilmembers that the money used to build and renovate affordable units in the District will be completely out of money by the end of this year. [DC]
- Group opposes Wal-Mart plans for Marple center [PA]
- Virginia Beach expands development office
- Loudoun County’s Economic Development Focus Goes National [VA]
- Secretary of State of Maryland Welcomes Mina Mar Group to Maryland International Incubator Program [MD]
- Landrieu Sends Letter to SBA in Support of Small Business Owners Impacted By Oil Spill Disaster
- About 40% of freelancers had trouble getting paid in 2009
- The Charlotte Regional Partnership – as well as the state’s six other regional economic-development groups – face budget cuts [NC]
- Energy Efficiency Grants, $125K, Awarded by SBA to Assist Small Businesses
- Greensboro, High Point economic development groups to have first joint session
Technology
- Apple Confirms AT&T Has iPhone Exclusivity Until 2012
- Twitter to Launch Twitter Business Center [SCREENSHOTS]
- Everything You Need To Know About Who’s Using Twitter
- Surprising statistics about Twitter : 87% of Americans know about Twitter but only 7% use it
- Life in 2020: Your Dating History on Display and Other Faintly Disturbing Predictions
- 20 Twitter Directories to Find More Friends and Followers
- SkedgeMe Gives Small Biz Simple, Social Scheduling App
VIDEO: Q&A with Secretaries Johansson and Sanchez
Questions and Answers with Christian S. Johansson, Secretary of Maryland’s Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED)and Alex Sanchez as Secretary of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (SLLR) about the Job Creation & Recovery Tax Credit on March 25, 2010 at Saft America, Inc in Cockeysville, MD.
Quick Links – April 5, 2010
Community Economic Development #ced2