14 Creative Marketing Ideas
1) Create a calendar to give away. If it applies, and the photos can relate to your business all the better. Of course, this calendar will have your business name and contact information on it!
2) Conduct a free clinic or seminar about a product or service that you offer. These can be webinars as well. They don’t have to be complicated, but they do need to be relevant.
3) Put together a marketing video. Google loves video. When it’s complete, upload it to YouTube and then embed it on your website, and where ever else you can think of.
4) Write an article about what you know and post it on your website, blog, other websites, everywhere! We all know more about something than someone else does, so promote yourself as an expert in that!
5) Write a press release and submit it to your local newspaper. There are also numerous websites that you can submit your press release to, and some of them are free.
6) Create an annual award for something and publicize it.
7) Join your Chamber of Commerce, mostly for the incredible networking opportunities that it will offer you, but also to show your sense of community.
Volunteer to give a speech, or for career day at a local high school.
9) Create a customer loyalty program.
10) Create a monthly newsletter and start an email marketing campaign.
11) Team up with a non-competing business to offer a promotional package.
12) If possible, loan your facility out for meetings and other events. This is a great way to spread the word locally about your business and what you can offer.
13) Spotlight a customer as Customer of the Month. Be sure to advertise this in numerous places.
14) Start a blog.
Social media is not about conversations on Twitter and Facebook nor check-ins on Foursquare or Places, or flipped videos on YouTube. It’s about using this opportunity to build bridges to a new genre of customers and the people who influence their decisions. Our mission now is to pave paths to future relevance.
The story of the talents
One day a man was going on a long trip. He needed his servants to take care of his property while he was gone, so he called them to him. To the first servant he gave 5 Talents of money (Equivalent to about $1,000). This man went to work at once investing the money until he had doubled it. He now had 10 Talents instead of 5.
The master gave the second man 2 Talents. He probably thought the man was capable of managing that amount of money. The second man was also successful and doubled his money. He began with 2 Talents and now had twice as much.
The third man was not as capable as the other two, but the master gave him 1 Talent with the expectation that he would manage it well. However, the third man feared taking a risk. Unquestionably he too could have increased his money, but decided the risk was too great and dug a hole in the ground where he buried the 1 Talent.
After a long while, the master returned and asked for a report from his servants. The man who had received 5 Talents brought his money and showed the master that he had doubled it. He was happy to show his master the results. The master was well pleased and said, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful and wise. I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”
The man that had been given 2 Talents showed the master that he too had doubled his money. He received the same words of praise as the first man who had produced 10 talents; and shared in his master’s happiness.
The man who had received 1 Talent dug up the Talent he had buried and brought it to the master. He accused the master of being a hard man to work for. He said he had been afraid to take a risk; so he just buried his 1 Talent in the ground to protect what he had. He gave it back to the master saying, “See, here is what belongs to you.”
The master was very angry with him and called him a wicked, lazy servant. He said the man should have at least put the money with bankers and received some interest. The master took his 1 Talent away from him and gave it to the man who had 10 Talents; and punished the 1-Talent man because he had not properly invested the Talent he had been entrusted with.
There are three phases of happiness. The first phase is a momentary feeling. It is like eating the cake, for which the taste is fleeting. The second phase is the state of the mind, like feeling good when you help somebody. In this phase the period of happiness lasts a little longer, however, it is still very short. The third phase is eudaimonia, which is the happiness we feel when we fulfill our potential. It is something akin to being a good parent or climbing a mountain. With reference to this model, an oblique-indirect approach might provide more and long lasting happiness for people. It is best to prefer fishing as an experience rather than the outcome of catching 100 fish because the journey is more important than the destination.
There are some mail addresses making spam. This list is generated from Outlook blocked mails feature.
anitevdenevenakliyat@windowslive.com
b.duransel@checkupbilgimerkezi.com
bothaharvey@altavista-sexygirls.blogspot.com
gunesbal@sunucu2globalmesaj.com
info@kanadakulturmerkezi.com.tr
ticaretberlin_ithalat@yahoo.com
www.merlintravel.com.tr@gmail.com
A recent study getting media attention discussed why people get unfriended on Facebook is getting a lot of media attention.
#1 The number one reason people get unfriended in Facebook is that they write frequent and uninteresting posts. If you're using social media or email marketing for frequent communications that are not likely to interest people; you need to change your strategy.
Don't just use your list of contacts with a spam-like strategy. Make their day more interesting, and when you do talk about your offerings - you're customers will be sure to listen
#2 The second topic that drove unfriending was rants of a political or religious nature. I can't imagine that corporate bloggers are making this mistake that frequently - but the greater message is: know your audience. If your audience is made up of people who are traditionalists, don't send out blasts bemoaning Luddites who buy the print newspaper. If your audience is cost focused, don't speak on and on about how 'green' your solution is. If your CTO is worried about his job or his business existence, he's not going to really care about your constant posts on the 'greenness' of your product.
#3 "Being rude" was the 3rd bad behavior on facebook. This seems relatively self explanatory - but in a business marketing sense it is really the most important. You want to make sure that customers or potential customers who have a question can get an answer - no matter who they are.
GTD Software Tools for PC & Mac (alphabetical order)
- 5PM is a web-based project management tool with an intuitive web-interface. Though it packs a lot of features, it's very easy to use.
- Accomplice is a free Windows application that helps you get things done, and even lets you sync some of your activities with other people across a secured internet connection.
- Actiontastic - is a Quicksilver-friendly, iCal/PDA-syncing action contextifying machine.
- aTask - is a easy to use next action, project- and timemanagement tool. Runs on Windows.
- Bill Kratz's Setting up Outlook for GTD - not technically software, but his Contacts-As-Projects approach is unique and useful.
- BillsTrust - turns every bill into a 2 minute action, even your handwritten ones. They automatically pay by the due day, all you need to do is fax or scan it to them.
- Bontq - web based task tracker system for project management.
- Checkvist - online collaborative outliner and task list manager with group work support, notifications, and extensive use of natural keyboard shortcuts.
- ConceptDraw Mindmap - This "is an extremely powerful, flexible office tool, which handles the basic task it sets itself and a fair few more besides" (from PcPlus rewiew). Runs on both Mac OS X and Windows.
- A speed up mac os x software.
- donForget - Managing day-to-day tasks can be fun, with this simple to use list and tasks manager. It includes a dashboard to evaluate your work and rewards every step of the productivity way with a Badge system much like Foursquare.
- EasyTask Manager - Easy Task is a To-Do / Task Manager list that supports the GTD (“Getting Things Done”) method. Runs on Windows or Mac.
- eProductivity for Lotus Notes - For Lotus Notes users, eProductivity is the ultimate GTD implementation tool for Lotus Notes. used by David Allen and many others, it makes getting things done in Lotus Notes easy. Runs on Windows, Mac, or Linux.
- FunkyTools - A free, full-featured, online application witten in Silverlight. Allows easy entry and management of tasks.
- FusionDesk - is elegant and flexible task management tool that allows you to easily do GTD and track your work time. It has both a paid and a free version.
- Get It Done - GTD task manager software - Simple but powerful Web 2.0, iPhone, and Android task manager software runs online on Windows and Mac
- GTDify - Getting Things Done! - GTDify is a simple web-based application to help you implement David Allen’s Getting Things Done™ methodology.
- Getting Things Done add-in for Outlook - Produced in parternship with the David Allen Co.
- Ghost Action - A to do list manager for GTD with synchronization of actions, contexts and projects to iCal. Mac only.
- GoalEnforcer - A visual goal mapping software, it can implement complex goal plans as well as simple to do lists. The new hyperfocus zone is a good match for GDT "Next Action."
- GoalsOnTrack - A full-featured goal tracking and time management web application for reaching personal and professional goals.
- GTD for Lotus Notes - Free template for Lotus Notes
- GTD on wikidPad - A quick set-up guide for extracting contexted Next Actions from projects, using the windows (or Linux with Wine) desktop wikidPad.(Self-link)
- GTDGmail - Plugin for firefox to use GMail as a GTD tool easily
- GTD-PHP - PHP/MySQL for web site hosted GTD system
- Gtd on Rails - Simple web-based GTD Tool designed for personal use.
- GTD Tree - Windows application for GTD.
- iGTD - Application for implementing GTD under Mac OS X. Allows task recurrence, file attachments, and tagging. Optionally add new tasks or open file attachments through an integrated, systemwide menu bar Also supports "Quicksilver":http://quicksilver.blacktree.com/.
- iKog - Simple text to do list system. Supports GTD contexts. Cross-platform - Python 2.4+.
- Information Management Tool @ Getting Things Done is ideal for fans of David Allen’s Getting Things Done (GTD) methodology. Get all tools needed to create your own structure of a logical and trusted system outside of your head, merge individual to-do lists and project plans into a strategic plan, organize your project data to keep everything in one place and under control.
- Instant Boss - Time management & productivity boosting tool based on a concept from 43folders. Implements the (10+2)*5 concept of timing work/break cycles where you work in 10 minute bursts followed by 2 minute breaks, repeating this 5 times for a total of 1 hour. Provides audio & visual alerts for when you should be working and when it is ok to take a break. The work and break time lengths and number of cycles can be adjusted to suit your needs. Freeware/Donationware. Windows only.
- Jello Dashboard - The best Outlook GTD plugin - and it is free.
- Joe's Goals - A free Web 2.0 daily goal tracker to monitor your consistency.
- kGTD - an OmniOutliner-based GTD environment with tight iCal integration and support for contexts, tickler files, review lists and a bunch more.
- Macro for good recurring tasks in Outlook 2003
- mailxel - personal mail client and mail archive using the GTD approach
- Manymoon - Free and simple task management application that includes ability to share tasks with others!
- Midnight Inbox - Application for GTD implementing the five processing stages, with the main types of electronic document: projects, email messages, files, contexts and tasks. Claims that 'clean lines and elegant typography make it the best in its class for keeping lists and notes'. MacOSX 10.4
- MindManager - Visual "mind mapping" software for Mac and Windows. Used by David Allen and employees of Davidco as an efficient way to capture ideas and tasks, visually organize lists, conduct creative brainstorming, plan and manage products. See ResultsManager by www.gyronix.com for more examples of how to apply mind mapping to GTD.
- MonkeeBiz - A simple to-do list service with daily email reminders, automatic task scheduling, and Twitter integration.
- MonkeyGTD - A GTD system based on TiddlyWiki (TiddlyWiki is a personal wiki that works offline).
- MyInfo - Personal-reference information manager for Windows. Excellent as a general-reference filing system for electronic documents.
- MyLife Organized - New hierarchical to-do list outliner with GTD roots. True NextActions and Contexts. Collaboration using FTP and LAN sync. Sync with PocketPC edition and Outlook. Import/Export from MindManager. Flash USB drive compatible. Lightweight yet powerful tool.
- Next Action - A todo-list tracking tool written as a single page application in Javascript, saved on your hard drive/USB key.
- NextActionCards - Preprinted task cards on business card stock, to use to capture tasks and task info while out and about, and then later enter into computer or PDA program
- Nexty - Nexty is a easy to use GTD tool created in PHP. It can be installed in a local server or in a online web server. The core idea behind this software is simplicity. I wanted to make a GTD tool that is the most easy to use.
- Nirvanahq.com - Nirvana is a beautifully designed, lighting fast web app that makes organizing your life a breeze - freeing your mind to do it's best creative thinking. Safari, Chrome, Firefox, iPhone, Android.
- Nozbe - Online Getting Things Done productivity system featuring quick web2.0 interface.
- OpenNTF Productivity Extensions for Notes - Template for Lotus Notes
- Penzu - A free online diary and personal journal with extra privacy features.
- Pimki - A wiki based PIM with contextual todo's. Written in Ruby and release as open source.
- Planner mode for the editor emacs. Not specifically designed for GTD, but fits the system very well.
- Propel'r - a soon-to-be-released web-based GTD project management application that lets you do collaborative GTD.
- pyGTD - text based todo system written in Python. Works on Windows, Linux and Mac.
- Qlockwork - easy-to-use time-tracking software integrated with Outlook - automatically writes all your activities into an Outlook calendar, and generates reports showing where time was spent. Works on Windows.
- Ready-Set-Do!- A set of applescripts that comprehensively integrates all of one's files and programs into David Allen's GTD workflow. Has some nice Quicktime movie tutorials and a Sync iCal ToDos plug-in. Mac-only.
- Remember the Milk - Very clean and powerful todo list and task manager with a lot of nifty features.
- ResultsManager - Implements GTD for MindManager mind mapping software. Creates dashboards to sort Next Actions by context, by project, etc. Pro version syncs with Outlook.
- Simple GTD - Simple GTD is a completely free web-based tool which help you in organizing your stuff and will assist you to applying "GTD Principles" in your daily life.
- Siphon - Siphon follows the 'Ideas anywhere' thought, allowing you to enter ideas either from a Windows client, a PocketPC client, or the website itself.
- TaskBin - a group task management tool for getting things done and sharing tasks. An online to do list for effective group management and team management. "Learn More":http://taskbin.com/todolist/tasks_sign_up
- TaskFreak! TaskFreak! is a simple but efficient web based task manager written in PHP. GTD compliant.
- TaskPad - Intuitive task manager with full synchronization for iPhone, iPod, iPad and easy to use web site. No monthly fees.
- Taskpaper+ A simple, uncluttered task/todo manager, based on the Taskpaper concept. All your precious data is stored in plain text files, using a very logical wiki-like syntax. Tasks can be quickly added, deleted, archived, filtered, searched and tagged. Very faster, very focused. Browser-based, includes tiny, portable, local server.
- Tasktoy - free & lean GTD-centered web-based todo & project tracking. Mobile access, can be fed via email.
- TaskTiger - A task and time management software. Supports automated activity tracking, multiple filters, task due reminders etc. Take a visual tour or read the wiki for the full feature list.
- TaskWriter - free & simple GTD-centered web-based application.
- tedium - Web-based todo manager with customisable tag- or date-related views
- Things - Things combines powerful features with simplicity, based on the GTD methodology. Mac/iPhone.
- Thinking Rock - Free Java software based on the GTD methodology. Very simple to set-up and use. Windows/Mac/Linux.
- Tinderbox - The tool for notes is a perfect tool for capturing everything and revealing it in a GTD centric way. Customizable to fit any workflow, simple or complex GTD templates. More Discussion and Links
- The GTD toolbox - Software developers team present new project in GTD software, and review advantages and disadvantages of other systems and software.
- Todoist - A simple web-based todo list manager to help you get organized.
- ToDoList - a simple todo list which works with Vista.
- Toodledo- Full featured todo list manager.
- Tracks - A web-based GTD application written in Ruby and released under the GPL. Check out some Screenshots
- tracks.tra.in - Another free hosted version of Tracks.
- Trog Bar - Automatically recommends/prioritizes tasks in a GTD-friendly Windows sidebar. Processes email like tasks. Direct Outlook integration.
- Tudumo - Windows GTD - tag your actions - very simple looking but awesome filtering.
- tweeto - Browser based todo list manager that works both online and offline.
- uOrganized - simple, but powerful and friendly application to organize your tasks and your notes using a calendar, structured in folders and sub-folders, 9 types of alarm actions including Free SMS and Email notification, Computer Shutdown and many more
- Viira Outlook GTD Suite - The first integrated BlackBerry-Outlook GTD system. Offers an inbox, projects, contexts, day tasks, next actions and more. Seamless wireless sync between Outlook and BlackBerry. Free trial available.
- uTodo - FREE and fast GTD software with due dates, tags, categories, easy filters. Fully keyboard enabled.
- Vitalist - Online GTD.
- wikiGTD - This GTD-related MediaWiki extension creates custom tags for you to insert dynamic Next Action lists, Projects, and Contexts. This software is actively being developed; the current version (0.3.0 as of May 2005) is suitable for web developers and power users.
- What's Next - cross-platform application focusing on simplicity and a streamlined user experience. Quicksilver-like matching of projects, context and action names.
- ZenList- A free hosted version of Tracks! (note: This is discontinued from Nov 2006)
- Zoot- An unstructured database implementation with a powerful text engine, outlook integration and a host of features. The Zoot Forum has several ideas on implementing GTD on Zoot.
- Doit.im - Doit.im is built on the Adobe AIR platform,supports cross-platform usage,can work well in OS of Windows, Linux and Mac.Doit.im is a powerful, clear and easy yet free task management tool.
- Mac-How - Everything about Macintosh OS
