Category Archives: Small Businesses

Wikipedia Goes Dark in Light of Internet Anti-Piracy Legislation – SOPA & PIPA

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Website Piracy Laws - SOPA & PIPA threaten freedom of speech and freedom of information

Website Piracy Laws, SOPA & PIPA, threaten freedom of speech and freedom of information. Through this legislation, the US Government will be given full power over the accessibility of Internet content.

Wikipedia goes dark to protest PIPA and SOPA legislationAs Wikipedia and several other websites go dark today in protest of Anti-Piracy Legislation, we are left to wonder what our lives would be like without free information and freedom of speech. Wikipedia’s main page today says, “Imagine a World Without Free Knowledge.” Should the SOPA and PIPA bills pass Congress, anyone may be able to censor free speech through a simple copyright complaint.

SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) and PIPA (Protect Intellectual Property Act) are two bills currently residing in the US House of Representatives and the United States Senate. These bills aim to prevent foreign websites from copyright infringement, but as with many laws, they do so in a way that infringes on freedom of expression and ultimately harm the Internet.

SOPA and PIPA place ownership of user-contributed content on the website owner. Small websites will not have the resources to defend themselves and larger media companies will simply cut off funding sources for foreign competitors, even if there isn’t a copyright infringement. Foreign sites may be blacklisted at the discretion of our government, which means they also will not appear in search engines. Not only does this allow our government to control our access to information (which is scary enough), it also establishes a framework for future restrictions. Imagine if we no longer had access to the BBC website?

On January 17, SOPA’s sponsor stated that the bill would be discussed in February. Although not certain, there are signs that PIPA may be debated on the Senate floor next week. Both of these bills are indications of a larger issue. Individual civil liberties are of little concern, while overly-broad copyright laws promoted by power players are given higher priority.

What can you do? If you are in the US, Contact your representatives and tell them you oppose SOPA and PIPA, along with any other similar legislation. Go here to find your representatives. Emails and letters are okay, but a phone call will have the most impact. If you are not in the US, contact your local State Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or similar branch of government and let them know that you oppose SOPA and PIPA, along with any similar legislation. SOPA and PIPA affect everyone. Calling your local government officials will also let them know that you stand against similar legislation in your own country.

GovTrack is a system that will allow you to follow these bills throughout the legislative process: SOPA can be tracked here, and PIPA here.

Google Plus Profile for Business

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Google has announced plans to release Google+ Profiles for businesses later this year, and has asked businesses to hold off on creating Brand pages until they are finished with development.

Product Manager, Chris Oestlien, released a Youtube video and blog statement last month where he mentioned that although there are great plans for Brand profiles on Google+ they are not yet optimized for such pages. He joked that when Ford Motor created their Google+ profile it was an awkward moment when they asked for Ford’s gender.

Chris says in his blog post, “The business experience we are creating should far exceed the consumer profile in terms of its usefulness to businesses. We just ask for your patience while we build it.” He also said that the Google policy team is actively working with Google+ profile owners to shut down any non-user profiles.

Over the next few months, Google plans to work on a small experiment with a few marketing partners to see the effect of adding brands to the Google+ experience and better optimize for the future of Google+. Google had a limited number of spots available for “non-user entities” (as they call them) and at this point the pilot program is closed.

Stay tuned for more information about Google+ and our next blog about how Google+ is starting to change the search and social landscape.

The Power of a New Website

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As online marketers, we know better than anybody how powerful a streamlined, engaging, secure web presence can be. (MW4S7BH9K3PT) It’s the very thing that we work to give our customers every day—It’s so powerful, in fact, that we recently redesigned our own site here at BradyMills.com.

The truth is, with a strong website, a business has the ability to streamline information for users, immediately engage visitors, even protect customers from security breaches. To see what we mean, check out ways local Nashville businesses have been redesigning their websites for better functionality, usability, and influence.

Streamlined Information

Headquartered here in Nashville, NASBA (National Association of State Boards of Accountancy) redesigned its site to streamline information and become more useable for visitors. The new site combines both NASBA.org and NASBAtools.com, in order to put together everything that was relevant to state boards of accountancy, CPA professionals, CPA Examination candidates and accounting firms. “Our website serves as the first point of contact for state boards of accountancy and it is critical for the user experience that the site portray the essence of our brand position, ‘The Trusted Resource for Regulation and Professional Services,’” said David A. Costello, President and CEO. According to Alfonzo Alexander, Chief Relationship Officer, “The new NASBA.org offers a wealth of information in a sleek, navigable environment, making it easier for boards and consumers to obtain the information they need.”

Engaged Visitors

Nashville’s own art museum, The Frist Center for the Visual Arts, launched its new site this month in an effort to better engage visitors. FristCenter.org can accommodate any browser size, features a news ticker, a search engine, and the ability to share with friends via Facebook, Twitter, or email. “This new website is an exciting leap forward for us,” said Frist Center Marketing Director and project manager Kathy Demonbreun. “The site employs photography, audio and video to support our exhibitions and programs and in a wonderfully dynamic way, really reflects the institution we have become in our first ten years.”

Protected Customers

Sometimes, getting a new website is more of a necessity than a preference, like when you deal with a possible security breach the way The Nashville Zoo did recently. After customers were warned to review credit card statements for unauthorized charges, the Zoo had to shut down its website while it resolved “issues regarding possible unauthorized credit card charges or theft.” The nonprofit announced plans for a new one soon, recognizing the importance not only of a website’s design but also its security.

If your company is looking to make similar changes to its web presence, contact Brady Mills today! We’d love to help you better serve your customers and expand your profitability with the right design!

Brady Mills Graphics at the Metro Nashville Annual Business Symposium

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Karl Dean to kick off the Metro Nashville Business Symposium

Karl Dean to kick off the Metro Nashville Business Symposium on August 3rd

Join me at the Metro Nashville Annual Business Symposium hosted by the Metro Government and the Office of Minority & Women Business Assistance for an informative and networking event “Creating a Business Edge in a Challenging Economy.”

RSVP today to bao@nashville.gov or 615-880-2814

Event Details
Aug 3, 2011
Nashville Downtown Library
615 Church Street
Nashville, TN 37219
9:30 am to 1:00 pm
(Parking available in the Library Parking Garage at a reduced fee with Library validation)

This Free Event Includes:

  • Kick-off by Mayor Karl Dean
  • Seasoned Business Owner’s Panel Discussion: Creating a Business Edge in a Challenging Economy
  • Partners in Progress Speed Networking Event — Network with large firms using a speed networking format
  • Pit Stops — have 15 minutes of one-on-one technical assistance with an industry professional in the following areas:
    • Marketing (Brady Mills will be providing free online marketing and web strategy one-on-ones)
    • Legal
    • Accounting
    • Bonding/Insurance
  • Capital Corner — Finance experts ready to talk about your financial needs
RSVP was still open as of yesterday, so please RSVP immediately to bao@nashville.gov or call 615-880-2814.

 

3 Powerful Ways to Boost Your Search Engine Marketing

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If you’re like most small companies, you know Search Engine Marketing (SEM) is a great way to boost business. When executed properly, it helps capture relevant users who are already interested in what you offer, bringing targeted customers right to your product. But what you might not know is how to use this tool most effectively: that’s why a good SEM program, one that is thoughtfully designed and monitored, is vitally important. which is exactly what Brady Mills can offer.

Here are three powerful components of a good SEM campaign:

Make the Most of Your Web Presence
Your competitors have high-tech, extensive websites; why shouldn’t you? Expanding your website into multiple pages helps extend your web presence and truly invest in the SEM experience. Likewise, it’s smart to customize landing pages to keywords, so that searchers are gratified immediately when turning to your site.

Choose & Use Keywords Carefully
Speaking of keywords, the best keywords are both relevant and specific, targeted in a very particular way that’s designed to pull in the most plentiful results. Choosing this kind of keyword can be tricky, but that’s what makes SEM services from a firm like Brady Mills such a powerful resource, as we can use our expertise to identify the keywords best for your company. Then, using these keywords, we’ll help craft relevant ads complete with calls-to-action for higher conversion rates—because, after all, even with “all the keyword research in the world,” according to Search Engine Watch, “if you don’t complement that effort with one to create sound campaign architecture, you may see your campaigns fall flat.”

Align Your SEM Program with your Search Engine Optimization Program (SEO)
Both SEO and SEM work to increase return on marketing investment, ultimately creating a lasting boost in conversion rates. As a recent Mashable article pointed out, “[T]oday, more marketers are realizing SEM and SEO are not separate disciplines. Instead, they are two sides of the same coin — complementary programs that, when managed correctly, can benefit each other to increase conversion rates and share of voice.” By finding a way to blend these two programs together like Brady Mills can do, you make your marketing more efficient and effective.

At Brady Mills, we are always looking for ways to better serve our clients, whether through web design, SEO or SEM. Call us, and we’ll put our expertise to work for your business, constantly working to improve your conversion rates–and thus, your company’s success.

Undeniable Value of SEO

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Promoting your website with SEOSearch Engine Optimization (SEO) is a valuable tool–powerful enough to boost traffic and, by extension, create new business. Through the right blend of strategic keywords, descriptions, content and design, your company moves higher in search results, making it easier for users to find you. And the more users that get in touch with your site, the more business that will result.

It was SEO that recently propelled sales for Mrs. Fields, the well-known cookie giant: through SEO marketing, the company saw sales of gift baskets move 20 percent higher and searches for gift baskets rise by 200 percent. “If you can get ranking high in natural search, which is free, I think that is important for any business,” said Chris Kuhn, online marketing coordinator at Mrs. Fields.

The fact is, SEO strategies from experienced agencies like BMG have been proven to change the face of business for clients–in some cases, providing as much as 200% returns on investments.

One CEO remarked, “…A business owner would have to be living in the dark to not understand the benefits of SEO.”

Other Nashville businesses are already taking advantage of this game-changing tool, enlisting the help of strategists like Brady Mills, in order to rank higher and become more profitable. Local surgeon and business owner Dr. Jeffrey Marvel, for example, was interested in boosting business at his medical practices, so he utilized SEO strategies when designing his three websites, each targeted to particular clients. Whatever your industry or area of expertise, SEO can help your business rank higher and be more successful.

That’s because Search Engine Optimization is more than just a web tool; it’s a powerful marketing strategy that can make a measurable difference in your company’s exposure and sales. For more information on how Brady Mills can help your company move forward, contact us today!

Benefits of Search-Friendly URLs

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Google Friendly URLs

Simple, logical, and designed to be appealing to users, search-friendly URLs are a valuable asset for businesses—because they push sites higher in search engine results, driving more traffic and, by extension, increasing potential business.

Higher Search Results

Search engines gather and organize information from all over the Internet, filtering it in a way that makes relevant information available to users when they search online. Through search-friendly URLs, businesses can boost their rankings in search engines, pulling more users to their sites.

More Traffic

One of the biggest benefits of higher search results is higher web traffic. When you’re able to get your website to users who are already interested and searching in your industry, you’re able to pull targeted users to your products.

More Potential Business

Money Tree

Driving more traffic to your website means driving more potential business—a goal every company can relate to. That’s why search-friendly URLs are a great way to enhance your web marketing plan.

If you’re ready to learn more about search-friendly URLs and how they can improve your business, talk to us! We’d love to make your site more appealing to search engines and potential customers!

 

Ways Nashville Businesses are Capitalizing on Social Media

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In today’s business world, there’s no denying the power of social media–and that’s especially true in a city like Nashville, where there’s such a strong sense of community, both on and offline. Here are a few several Nashville-area people and businesses making headlines recently for capitalizing on social media in their marketing efforts, in diverse industries from music to politics–using it to set themselves apart, distinguish their brands, connect with customers, and promote business.

  1. Nashville Electric Service: Recently named one of the top utilities in use of social media by 2011 E Source Utility Social Media Survey, NES has leveraged social media in a variety of ways, from disseminating flood information in May 2010 on Facebook and Twitter to connecting rodeo fans through a Facebook page for the 2011 Public Power Lineworks Rodeo.
  2. Governor Haslam: Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam is the first-ever Tennessee governor to make full use of social media in his own public outreach efforts and also through a push on state departments to do the same. “Social media offers powerful tools that invite the public in and promote discussion,” Haslam said last month at the Tennessee Digital Government Summit. The governor’s online presence currently includes 40K+ Facebook fans, 8K+ Twitter followers, 1+K LinkedIn connections, and close to 100K visits to tn.gov/governor since he took office.
  3. Dolly Parton: With over one million Twitter followers to date, the Queen of Country Dolly Parton recently told The Sunday Telegraph that “you have to roll with the punches or you get left behind. “ Seeing social media as the latest bandwagon, Parton is quick to jump on, promoting her brand.
  4. Metro Nashville: Not only does Metro Nashville have a Facebook page giving info about events involving government, but also, as of last month, all Metro meetings will be available on the YouTube channel run by the city, so the government can encourage openness and transparency in the way it does business. “We are harnessing new technologies to ensure that more Nashvillians have more access to information about how our government runs,” Mayor Karl Dean said. “With access comes engagement, and that is always a good thing.”
  5. CMT: A unit of Viacom’s MTV Networks, CMT is the leading television and digital authority on country music and entertainment, reaching more than 92 million homes in the U.S. Just last month, it launched a social-interaction-based game on Facebook called Platinum Life™: Country, designed to enhance the company’s method of connecting with fans. The game links country music fans with their favorite artists and music in meaningful ways and is the first social network game based on the country music lifestyle.

Interested in seeing how social media marketing can enhance your brand? We’d love to help–contact us today to see what Brady Mills can do for you.

Councilman Jameson is Trying to Reform and Clarify Home-Based Business Zoning Laws in Tennessee

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I was interviewed by WSMV News Channel 4′s Cynthia Williams today about Councilman Jameson’s plan to clarify home-based business zoning laws and help small businesses become more compliant with Nashville’s strict zoning requirements.

Councilman Jameson has been a strong proponent of business reform in Nashville. Most notably, his introduction of the anti-gay bias legislation, requiring all businesses who work with Nashville Metro to sign affidavits stating that they will not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Although the final vote is not yet in from Metro Council, if passed through the Council, Mayor Karl Dean has committed to signing off on the bill.

I don’t believe that many people think of any small, home-based businesses as being illegal, and as Jameson points out there are steps that Metro Nashville can take to lift some of the zoning restrictions for home-based businesses. Typically home-based businesses that have employees working at their location and have customers come to their location are illegal.

Although I don’t fall into a category that deems my home-based business unlawful or illegal, due to the nature of my business and services provided, there are many home-based businesses that do. I think that it’s a concept that most people aren’t aware of, so understanding legislations and zoning laws are not something business owners are very familiar with.

Here’s some information I’ve been able to dig up about home-based businesses and zoning. I believe that Jameson is correct in stating that there needs to be clearer definitions of legal zoning and illegal zoning for businesses. Hopefully this information will prove useful for someone:

  1. Zoning laws may be determined by your city or county, depending on where you live.
  2. If you have a home-based business with no employees or walk-up business, issues with zoning may never arise.
  3. If your home-based business disturbs your neighbors, you may be reported for zoning violations. It’s best to discuss anything that may be disruptive to your neighbors in advance and negotiate.
  4. If your business takes up more space in your home than your actual living area, often referred to as “space percentage”, you may be in violation of zoning laws.
  5. It’s important to check that the types of products you are selling or manufacturing are not restricted in a residential area. This commonly refers to businesses dealing with chemicals, etc. Although there are other restricted products as well.
  6. Posting a sign for your business on your lawn may be a breach of zoning laws. Before posting a sign, you should read about signage laws in your area.
  7. There are just some businesses which should never be operated from home. These include medical businesses, tattoo parlors, auto repair and salvage, animal boarding, wedding chapels, etc
  8. You should ensure that you have the proper licenses to operate your business and pay required fees and taxes.

Currently, a home-based business is not allowed to ever have any customers on premises. Jameson’s new bill would allow up to 2 customers on premises per hour. Although I rarely have customers on premises (in fact, I’ve only had one in the past couple of years and that was a social visit), many home-based businesses cannot survive without this type of legislation. For instance home-based hair stylists or music/dance teachers would have to pay for commercially zoned space just to teach, thus putting a lot of music instructors and beauty professionals out of business.

I believe that Jameson will continue to help make Nashville a better place for businesses and citizens. My only hope is that in “correcting” what he feels to be an issue, he doesn’t unintentionally hinder the progress of the home-based business and entrepreneur. It has happened more than once that what starts out as a good thing, gets ripped to shreds throughout the legal process and becomes much worse in the end. Look at our healthcare reform bill, for instance!

Without home-based businesses, many of the major inventions and technological advances of today would not be possible. Dell, eBay, Apple, Mattel are just a few of the major industry players who started as home-based (or dorm-based) businesses. In fact, the founders of Whole Foods Market were kicked out of their home for storing food in their garage upon startup in 1978.  Since most of these companies started out with very little money, it is almost a given that they wouldn’t be here today if they had not been able to operate from their residence in the beginning. In 2010, these companies’ revenue exceeded $142 billion. Imagine the positive impact that amount of business has on our economy.

If your neighbor’s home-based business is interrupting your quiet and peaceful enjoyment… talk to them first. Perhaps you can come up with some sort of arrangement. Remember that they too are just trying to make a living.

Great SEO Tools

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Successful business owners are constantly researching ways to reach more people through their website and online marketing campaigns. This process can take tons of time, which is why most companies outsource their online marketing and Search Engine Optimization. There are several great tools out there to help get you started optimizing your website for optimal placement on search engines.

Check out these favorites:

  • Open Site Explorer – Open Site Explorer is a great way to analyze your reciprocal links and link popularity. This tool also allows you to monitor your competitor’s sites and see why they are ranking higher than you, allowing you to optimize your reciprocal link campaign.
  • SEO Toolbar – SEOmoz’s toolbar allows you to view important SEO metrics about a website while browsing the web. It’s a quick and easy installation on your Firefox or Chrome browser.
  • Ranking Tracker – Track your website’s rankings in Google, Yahoo, and Bing automatically over time.
  • SEOmoz – SEOmoz provides the tools above and several other paid tools for optimizing your website. We highly recommend checking them out.
  • Wordtracker - It’s not free, but I’d be remiss in not mentioning Wordtracker. Analyze search patterns and search phrases that your customers are searching for. The best part is that you can also see which of those search phrases are being targeted by your competitors and which are not. Pick up valuable, untapped traffic using this amazing keyword research and SEO tool.
  • WebPosition – This invaluable SEO tool allows you track the success of your online marketing efforts. This online application offers you easy access from anywhere to view key, in-depth data about your online marketing campaigns. Easily track keyword performance, position changes, competition and trends. Even set up scheduled reporting.
  • Page Comparison Tool – Enter several domains to analyze your site against your competitors.
  • Google Webmasters Console – A great tool by Google to help webmasters (or website owners) submit, track and review their website on Google Search. Check robots.txt files, submit sitemaps (or dynamic sitemaps), see when your sitemap has been indexed and view search traffic. Use in combination with Google Analytics for more detailed website traffic analysis.
  • Google Analytics – View detailed site traffic information and analyze your marketing effectiveness with this professional enterprise solution from Google.

If you know of other great SEO tools, please feel free to add them in the comments.

Thanks for reading and good luck optimizing your website! If you have any questions, don’t be a stranger… Give us a call at 615-823-1234.