I want to be brief. It’s not because I am writing this post during Norway’s national day (Norwegian Constitution Day), because I’ve been celebrating all day, and I feel that it’s time to relax. The 17. May is one huge celebration in Norway, we get up early, and we’re outside all day, no matter what type of weather it is, and we’re waving our flags, singing songs and smiling.

The reason I want to be brief, is because I want to tell you about my next big project, and I want to go straight to the point. I am really passionate about this, and you’ll get a lot of information about it during the next weeks and during the next months. But today, I’ll just provide you with a few words about what I’m up to, and the reason why I have been having problems answering emails (hint: I’ve found the solution).

The project

I am starting a vegetarian festival in an old fortress (Fredriksten fortress in Halden, the town I live in). The festival will be on 24. August, this year. It will be a food festival, and this is how the fortress looks from the harbor:

You might already know that I am a vegetarian, because I have written about it before, but I haven’t told you that, starting a festival like this has been a dream of mine. I want people to understand what vegetarianism is all about, but more importantly, I want people to get inspired by vegetarian food.

The vegetarian festival (the site is currently in Norwegian).

That’s it.  That’s what’s currently happening in my life, and like I said, this is a huge deal for me. And, just thinking about it, makes me smile. If you’ve ever thought about visiting Norway, 24. August is a good time for a visit.

I want to start by saying that I really enjoy testing new technology, new products and new methods. Testing is what I do in order to make progress, and one of the things I’ve been struggling with for the past year, ever since I started my business, is time management.

I’ve read many books on the subject, and I have spent hours staring at the computer screen, fighting the resistance, thinking that I should be doing something completely different. One of the things I’ve been having a difficult time dealing with was email.

I want to reply to fast, I want to be a super hero when it comes to how fast I reply to the people who are contacting me. But, it’s been kind of depressing when I think about it, because usually, I send my reply 3-4 days after I have received the email. That’s because I get hundreds of emails every single day, and it’s been close to impossible dealing with everything on a daily basis. I have meetings to attend, I have clients to help, and I am currently working on some big projects.

Finally – I discovered the cure

At one time, I thought that what I was going through was some sort of illness. I was receiving more emails every single day, and I just couldn’t see what was important and what was more or less plain old spam. And, several times, I ended up deleting important emails.

Now, things are different, I still don’t answer emails right away, but I’m a lot faster, and I have 100% control of my inbox, thanks to SaneBox.

I started out testing it for free for 14 days, and after the free trial, I decided to upgrade. I discovered, through their free trial, that their system of handling email is the most perfect system I’ve tried (and I have tried many).

It’s very easy to set up, and it’s fairly easy to explain as well. What I got was a few new folders in my email client, like SaneLater and SaneNews. All my emails are now being filtered by SaneBox, and the system at SaneBox will only send the most important emails to my inbox. So, throughout the day, I will only check my inbox and I will reply fast to the emails I receive in my inbox. In the evening, I’ll go through the other folders to see what I have received.

I feel that SaneBox saves me hours every day. And, I highly recommend it, if you’ve been feeling that you’re not in control of your email anymore.

Remember, you can try SaneBox for free for 14 days.

This is a guest post by Sophie Samuel.

In order to succeed in their business, many investors have perfected the art of online marketing. However, even though online marketing is important, you might fail miserably if effective techniques are not employed.

Here are the 7 secrets behind successful online marketing to take your business to new heights and bring in increased profits.

Guarantee your products and services

Offering guarantees can make consumers comfortable with the purchase, since they know that what you offer is genuine. A 100% guarantee of satisfaction or a money back assurance can be great in attracting clients, as it eases the risks associated with the purchases for the customer. Make sure that your guarantee is better than those offered by competitors.

Have unique offers

In order to be a step ahead of others, it is important to have unique offers. Customers won’t be interested in pursuing non- compelling or similar deals offered by competitors or hundred other companies in the market as there is nothing new to be discovered. However, providing something cost free, whether it is a free trial or free evaluation can attract potential customers.

An online portal is important

For online marketing of your products, it is important to create a website and online portal page. This allows clients to log in and see what is offered, where to leave questions and details for communication. Also ensure that such pages have incentives like offers and newsletter for the visitors.

List your website

When you are dealing with online marketing, it is important to list the site in major and known directories like Google or Yahoo. Make sure to list the primary site, even while a marketing page of your website root directory is being used off. When you promote your website in major directory listings, prospective customers can find you easily and simply.

Auto responders are necessary

In order to attract hundreds of clients in a day, company online relationship should be concentrated upon . This can be enhanced by using automatic e-mails in auto responder versions. The created auto responders allow clients to get personalised mails directly from the seller detailing what is new in the market.

Building trust and customer testimonials

Building reputation and trust is essential to influence the purchase decision of consumers in your favour. Consumers should be able to buy from you without worrying about the security of their personal details, credit card details and so on. Reliability icons like Trust-e, BBB online and VeriSign can be displayed to develop trust among the clients.

Customer testimonials can prove to be an influential way of selling any product or service. Word of mouth is very significant for prospects to make their buying decision, as such when they hear about your service or product from someone who has already bought it, they develop trust and are comfortable with your offer. Testimonials can be solicited after every purchase is made and those that prove to be convincing should be used to entice potential customers.

Employ techniques for traffic generation

When you want to succeed in internet marketing, you have to use several methods to attract traffic to your site. There are many ways to increase traffic. This includes search engine optimization and AdWords. Affiliate marketing programs will also help in getting and directing traffic to your site.

An extremely potent and effective platform, online marketing is helpful in segmenting the prospective clients and deliver advertising as targeted. It is easy to measure the outcome and improve the marketing tactics for better results.

Local businesses can also benefit from online marketing, services of local directories can be utilised to list the site and business. Internet marketing is not confined to placing ads only, it is much more. It is a medium of communicating the value of business products and services to a large number of people in minimum time.

Author bio

Hi! I’m Sophie Samuel, a freelance writer from London, UK. I like to write on diverse topics like Finance, Banking, Lifestyle and so on. I’m also associated with various non-profit organisations helping people in the lower income group. We give them information about the various government benefits and provide them contacts like the working tax credits contact, so that they can contact the requisite child support offices to apply for the benefits.

This is a guest post by Lucy Harper.

Most small-business owners have got on the bandwagon, as far as social media marketing goes. Widespread use of Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest have made those who’re a little social media savvy feel comfortable enough to venture into the internet marketing scene. But the rapidly rising popularity of Google + is leading small-business people everywhere to realize there’s yet another bandwagon to climb onto.

Although it’s not possible or prudent to include every social media venue in a marketing plan, Google + is not one you want to overlook. This venue can help build your reputation and credibility, promote brand recognition and help you connect with potential customers all around the world. Not convinced yet? Here are nine ways Google + can help you boost your business.

1. Get Your Name Out There

Link to your Google + profile any time you publish a blog post or add web content. When followers click on the link, they’ll be led to your profile and be able to learn more about you, helping you gain invaluable exposure.

2. Build Brand Recognition

Your Google + account can have an image attached to the profile. It’s smart to use a professional photo or your business logo to build brand recognition and establish yourself as an authority in your field. Use the same image as you do on other social media venues to maintain brand consistency.

3. Unlimited Connection Possibilities

Most social media venues only allow you to connect with people that are already following you or those whom you follow. Google + takes it one step further by allowing and encouraging you to share posts and information with the public as well as your Google + circles.

4. Establish Credibility Efficiently

Credibility is important in business, whether you’re just starting out or have been around for a while. Similar to LinkedIn, Google + helps promote business credibility without the time commitment. Instead of having to provide an overwhelming amount of information to get your account up and running, you can start with the basics and build your Google + profile over time. Posting on Google + from your blog or other social media accounts will help you to be viewed as an expert in your field while you continue to build your profile.

5. Rise in Google Searches

Having your business connected to Google + will help you show up more readily in Google searches. Be mindful of the keywords you use in your profile and posts to attract consumers and other business people who would most likely be interested in your goods and services.

6. Grow Your Network

Google + keeps the “social” in social media by encouraging you to connect with as many people as possible through circles. Ready-made circles include Family, Friends, Acquaintances and Followers. You can also create your own circle categories that are more streamlined with your business needs, such as Customers, Work or Business.

7. Connect with Other Venues

With so many other things to do to keep your business up and running, your social media venues should work efficiently by helping you do the work. Share posts and updates made on Google + on other social media venues. If video content is part of your overall marketing plan, you can easily share from Google + to YouTube.

8. Direct Blog Promotion

A business blog helps you establish yourself in your chosen field, which will help attract consumers to your business. If you blog through Google on Blogger, you can automatically share your newly published blog posts to your Google + profile for maximum exposure.

9. A Venue that Grows with You

Growth and expansion pave the way toward greater success in your business. As your company grows, your Google + profile can grow with you. Some venues limit the number of followers you can have, thereby limiting your reach to potential customers. A venue that has the potential to grow with you can become an important part in boosting your business.

Consistency Counts

Similar to any other type of social media marketing, you must utilize Google + with consistency for it to be effective. Aim for three times per week as a minimum, using those times to post, share from your blog and connect with other Google + users. Whenever you share, always include the public to attract additional connections.

When it comes to the internet, Google is a powerful force that can help propel you forward. Instead of adding to the burden of social media marketing, it makes it more efficient by working in conjunction with the rest of your plan. The use of Google + is a cost-effective way to boost your small business. Creating a basic profile is something you can do in minutes and add to during each subsequent marketing session. Over time, cumulative efforts on this social media venue will bring about cumulative results.

Author Bio:

Lucy Harper works for TouchpointDigital.co.uk, a specialist media and advertising agency.

I am looking at my own shadow, thinking that finally we have some sun this far north. It’s been a long and cold winter in Norway, and I am finally having some fun in the sun. I was jogging in the forest, until I decided to stop, and just listen to the birds, and feel the warm wind caressing my body.

But, as I am looking at my own shadow, I am thinking about what a great marketing idea a shadow can be. The thing is, it’s hard to tell who a person is, just by looking at the shadow. I am looking at myself, and I am thinking that I can be anyone. I feel like I’m a Chameleon, and that I could blend in with any crowd.

It reminds me of art, and the perception of beauty. To me, the explanation is in the eye of the beholder. And most of us, might not agree to what we’re actually seeing.

Now, think of the following sentence:

He is back!

This sentence is a lot like my shadow. The man I am referring to, he can be anyone. He would sure get a lot of attention from you, because you’ve been waiting for him. And, you’ve probably been waiting for him for a very long time. That’s because I am referring to the person you’re already thinking of:

• a politician
• a religious leader
• a musician
• an author
• an actor

… or someone completely different. The problem is, that it’s not hard to get the attention, what’s hard is to deliver happiness to every single person. I’m still looking at my shadow, thinking that I can be anyone, and I can blend in with any crowd, and that’s why, one of the most important part of marketing is to know who you are talking to. If you don’t know who you are talking to, how do you know what they’re thinking?