What are you still seeking to accomplish in 2012? With less than two months to go in the year, and three major holidays within that time, we have just a few working days left. One useful exercise that does not take too much time is to assess your communications initiatives for the year:
Make a full list of what you did and then assess:
▪ What worked and why ▪ What didn’t work and why ▪ What will you keep doing in 2013? ▪ What will you quit doing in 2013? ▪ Where did you get the most bang for your buck?
For me, sending this enewsletter on a quarterly basis has worked well and I will consider whether I should increase the frequency in 2013. What hasn't worked as well is my Facebook page. I get very little traction over there, and wonder if it is worth keeping. Where I got the most bang for the buck was by attending WordPress Camp Philadelphia. Read all about it on my blog. Attending “camp” has made me a stronger supporter of using WordPress as a web platform. Starting soon, I will also be providing blog assessment packages to businesses and organizations.
I wish you and your family a happy Thanksgiving, and a fabulous holiday season!
Deborah
P.S. Please forward this enewsletter to anyone you think may enjoy reading it.
Why you should switch your website to WordPress
If your website is due to be updated, now is the time to consider switching to a WordPress platform. If you want to blog, now is the time to switch to WordPress. If you are building a website for the first time, use WordPress!
Any website built on WordPress will be able to do more than a website built on Dreamweaver or other software that only your graphic or web designer can access. WordPress is open source software, so anybody can access it. You don’t need expensive software or HTML knowledge. In short, it is easier!
Some of the benefits of using WordPress for your website are:
▪ 100% blog integration (and having a blog helps with search engine optimization) ▪ Easy content updates (use it as a Content Management System or CMS) ▪ Fully customizable ▪ Responsive—the newest version of WordPress is responsive, meaning that it will respond to the user’s screen size, like the smaller size of a smartphone ▪ Many plugins available to help with social sharing, anti-spam, and other functionality
You can download the simplest version WordPress or a pre-designed (and customizable) theme for free from WordPress.org. There are also various themes available for purchase at places like ThemeForest. Of course, you will still have to pay for hosting, and you should be sure your web host can work with WordPress. The best idea is to work with a designer and/or developer who specializes in WordPress to get a completely customized website with the functionality that you require.
Workshops and blog assessment packages
In 2013, I am planning to hold more blogging workshops but do not have set dates or locations yet. Additionally, I am working on content for a couple of different sessions on communications-related topics. Please stay tuned for updates on the events page of my website.
Because of the demand I have encountered, I will be offering a new service package: a comprehensive assessment of your blog, including recommendations. I am also available for on-site specialized training on blog writing. Please contact me if you are interested in obtaining details.
Your quarterly communications tip
Do people know how to find you? You may think that with the rise of smartphones and GPS systems you don't have to provide addresses and directions anymore, but you should! Especially important is checking that whatever map that you include is providing the correct directions. Also important to check whether GPS recognizes your address or requires an alternate address to function properly. And finally, make sure your address and contact information are easily found on your website and other marketing materials.(Hat tip to attendees to my November 8 workshop who pointed this out to me!)
Deborah Brody Marketing Communications Services
▪ Communications and social media consulting ▪ Communications and social media audits ▪ Writing and editing of marketing materials ▪ Specialized training and workshops ▪ Translation English-Spanish
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