Archive for June, 2005

« Older Entries

July 1st is Hidden Copy Day!

Thursday, June 30th, 2005

July 1st is Hidden Copy Day! It’s the day every year when Web site owners review their Web site’s hidden copy to see if it accurately represents the company.

What? You’ve never heard of Hidden Copy Day?!? Well, that’s probably because I just made it up. Personally, I don’t think us Web developers get enough recognition…no stamps, no Rushmore busts, no flowers are named after us. With Hidden Copy Day we’re at least getting some indirect attention. And, since it’s the first day of the second half of the year, it’s easy to remember. Plus, there’s no major holidays around this time.

What is hidden copy? Well, a while back I wrote a newsletter called "Hidden Copy on Your Web Site – Copywriting Opportunities That Fall Between the Cracks."

Hidden copy is the copy you don’t see as you’re reviewing your Web site. It’s the autoresponders on your email newsletters and contact forms. It’s the words on your "not found" pages. It’s the message you promote on landing pages after someone has "shared an article with a friend." It’s the receipt from your online store.

If you’d like a full list of ways for you to find your hidden copy, please read the Hidden Copy on Your Web Site article. If you can think of any other places dust bunnies of copy may be hiding, be sure to let me know!

In the meantime, set some time aside tomorrow to review your site for hidden copy. And don’t forget…this is a drinking holiday.

Rich Brooks
Shining a Light on Hidden Copy

Posted in Web Copywriting, Web Design & Development | No Comments »


The Web Site ToolKit for Individual Professionals

Thursday, June 30th, 2005

WstkcvrIf you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you know I’m a big fan of Robert Middleton and Action Plan Marketing. I subscribe to his free More Clients email newsletter, and I look forward to it every Tuesday morning.

Recently, Robert put together a program called The Web Site ToolKit. It’s for independent professionals who are looking to create a client-attracting Web site.

As a Web site developer with over eight years of experience I can tell you that creating content is the most difficult task during the development of a Web site. And, as an individual professional, it falls squarely on your shoulders.

The Web Site ToolKit takes all the guesswork out of creating content for your site. It comes with an audio portion (downloadable mp3 files,) a complete manual, sample Web sites and more. It even has a bonus audio program: How to Build a Massive, Responsive Email List.

In short, it’s the best investment you’ll make towards the success of your Web site. And, in case you were wondering, there’s no affiliate program and I’m not making a cent off any of the sales. (However, to be completely transparent, flyte is listed with a number of other quality Web designers in the resources section.)

How much does it cost? $100? $1,000? One meeeellion dollars? No; somehow it’s only $39.

And here’s the kicker: for anyone who purchases the toolkit (we’ll need to see your receipt) and prepares the content as Robert describes, we’ll take $300 off the cost of our ProSite Plus Web sites…normally a $1,499 value.

So, basically, this is costing you -$261. Maybe you should buy two!

If you need a custom-designed site we’ll offer you a similar discount off a custom project.

This is first come, first served, so don’t wait. This offer will go on until it doesn’t.

Step 1: Purchase The Web Site ToolKit
Step 2: Contact flyte
Step 3: Start attracting more clients!

Rich Brooks
Makin’ It Easy

Posted in flyte news, Web Copywriting, Web Design & Development | No Comments »


The Domains of the Day: Thoughts on Domains for Blogs

Wednesday, June 29th, 2005

Recently I was doing some business blog consulting with a client. The issue of domain names came up.

They had several domain names already. (I’ve noticed that some people collect domain names the way others collect TV Guide magazines. Pointlessly, but with great fervor and a desire for a complete set.)

However, I suggested that they get a new domain name that included the word blog. For example, if their name was Cosmic Transport I’d reserve cosmicblog.com.

Right now, blogs are hot. Having a Web site URL in a print or radio ad isn’t all that interesting anymore. However, having a blog is still a way to differentiate yourself from your competition. It might lure the curious to your site. But how would someone know that a URL was for a blog unless you called it such?

Now, who knows? In a few years, "blog" in a domain name might turn into an albatross.

During the Internet boom, new dotcom’s started adding ".com" to their business names to show how cutting edge they were. The the dotbust came and those who didn’t go belly up quietly dropped the .com to show they were a legitimate company.

I don’t think it will be the same, but something like that may happen.

Regardless, while the bloom is still on the rose, (or while the boom is still on the blog?) I think a companyblog.com domain may attract a few additional eyeballs, and perhaps some more business.

What do you think?

Rich Brooks
Maine Business Blogger

Posted in Business Blogs and Blog Marketing, Web Marketing | 2 Comments »


Advice on Sending Resumes and Cover Letters

Monday, June 27th, 2005

A while back I ranted about how NOT to send a resume.

Last week I posted an opening for an entry-level HTML coder position at flyte. Since then, we’ve received about 30 or 40 resumes and cover letters for the position. There have been a few good ones that were tailored to our company and our needs…and a few that felt as personalized as an autoresponder.

A short list of helpful hints when applying for an HTML job:

  • If the job requires "Dreamweaver and HTML skills," make sure you use those words in your resume.
  • Spell HTML correctly.
  • Don’t mention FrontPage unless you’re making fun of it.
  • If you’re a high level programmer living in California and you’re applying for an entry-level position in Maine, make sure you include a cover letter that explains why you’re willing to move cross-country and take what must be a pretty big pay cut. There may be a very good reason, but I need to hear it.
  • If you send a link to a Web site you worked on, make sure it is actually there.
  • If the application says "no phone calls," don’t call to find out if this applies to you.
  • Five pages is way too long for a resume. When I was in school the rule was one page, damn the margins, full speed ahead!
  • I don’t know why, but an email address from gmail carries a lot more weight than one from yahoo or hotmail.

Again, I’m not trying to make fun of anyone. After all, I haven’t ever had to put together a resume, so I don’t know what it’s like.

However, as an employer, I want to share with you what catches my attention…for better or for worse.

Rich Brooks
HTLM Coder

Posted in Business Philosophy, flyte news | 2 Comments »


Steve Jobs’ Commencement Speech

Thursday, June 23rd, 2005

Thanks to Betsy Hanscom of Maine Warmers for this link.

This is the text of the commencement speech from Steve Jobs at Stanford University, 6/12/2005.

Well worth five minutes of your time.

Rich Brooks
Staying Hungry and Foolish

Posted in Off Topic | No Comments »


Offline Methods to Increase Your Email Subscriber Base

Thursday, June 23rd, 2005

Two days late, but not a dollar short, today we’re publishing our June edition of our free email newsletter: flyte log. As the tagline says, it’s full of "tips, tricks and advice for succeeding online."

This month’s topic: Offline Methods to Increase Your Subscriber Base.

Often, we think of online methods as the only way to add subscribers to our mailing list. However, getting emails offline–as long as you get permission–is a great way of adding new people who may not be visiting your Web site.

In this month’s article we’ll be looking at some methods of grabbing people’s attention and giving them compelling reasons to subscribe, as well as reasons to stay on your list.

Afraid you may miss a future issue of flyte log? You should be!

Sign up now at put your mind at ease:

Rich Brooks
What’s This "Offline" That You Speak Of?

Posted in Email Marketing, flyte news, Web Marketing | No Comments »


New PowerPoint Handouts: How to Plan, Build and Promote Your Business Blog

Thursday, June 23rd, 2005

Blogs_cover_page_1Addendum: Find  an updated version of these Web marketing PowerPoint slides here.

Yesterday I put on a free Web Marketing Seminar: How to Plan, Build and Promote Your Business Blog.

As a resource, I’m posting the updated, complete PowerPoint Handout today. It weighs in at a hefty 7.8 MB. Yikes! Lots of photos, I guess.

One of these days I’m going to learn how to reduce some weight off my PDFs…but not today.

Thanks to Tim Flight who slimmed down my PDF to 4.7MB!

Download the slimmer PowerPoint Handout from How to Plan, Build and Promote Your Business Blog here.

These handouts only survive for a very short time in the wild. After one week (or until I remember) I yank them down again.

I do this because I’m constantly updating many of my presentations. Subscribe to our RSS feed to be alerted when new, updated handouts get posted, and check out some upcoming Web marketing seminars we have planned.

Enjoy!

Rich Brooks
Maine’s Hardest Working Business Blogger

Posted in Business Blogs and Blog Marketing, flyte news, Web Marketing | No Comments »


CDL: Center for Development & Learning

Wednesday, June 22nd, 2005

CdlWhew! It’s been busy here at flyte!

Today we launched a new Web site for CDL: the Center for Development & Learning.

CDL, located in Covington, Louisiana, supports students, families, educators, administrators and clinicians in their goal for increasing school success for all children.

The site includes a wide variety of resources, including a searchable database of articles on learning and education-related topics.

There’s an online shopping at the A+ Web Store where visitors can purchase books, videos and other education products, such as the Tok-Back Voice Reflector.

Visitors can also sign up for CDL’s free monthly e-newsletter for new articles via email.

This was a huge project, and I want to thank all of CDL’s staff for their timely content and feedback…especially Julie McCarble and Cindy Phillips.

I’d also like thank some of our own staff by name…

Rich Brooks
I Make the Coffee

Posted in Client News, flyte news, Web Site Launches | 2 Comments »


Job Opening @ Flyte: HTML Coder+

Wednesday, June 22nd, 2005

Flyte_logo_square_1Do You Exist? Enthusiastic, Detail-Oriented HTML Coder with Customer Service Skills Wanted!

We’re an energetic, successful Web development firm located in Portland, ME, looking to fill a hybrid-position: part Web site updater, part customer service rep.

As we continue to grow, we need someone who will update our clients’ Web sites and manage workflow as it comes in. In addition, this person will answer the phone, manage email, perform office duties, and be a contact for our clients.

If you are up for a challenge, if you want to make an impact, if you want a full-time position with room to grow, flyte new media is looking for you.

You are organized and detail-oriented, but also analytical and can see the “big picture.” You are experienced with HTML and updating Web pages using Dreamweaver. You’ve worked in an office before, and are comfortable working with customers. Your personality, vitality and energy is going to wow—but not overwhelm—us. When our customers call and hear your voice on the other end of the phone they’ll be glad they’re working with flyte.

We’ll be especially impressed if you’re familiar with FTP, cgi-scripts, cascading style sheets, and understand basic Internet concepts.

Submit your resumé and cover letter here.

Rich Brooks
I’m a Nicer Boss Than the Donald

Posted in flyte news | 2 Comments »


Casco Bay Lines: Email Marketing in Maine

Wednesday, June 22nd, 2005

CblnewsYesterday flyte published the first HTML newsletter for Casco Bay Lines (CBL).

CBL had been sending out a plain text email newsletter to regulars on the ferry for a few years. However, the new HTML version allows them to better cross-promote their services and drive more traffic back to their Web site.

A new signup box on their Web site allows site visitors to get updated information on ferry schedules and new events put on by CBL.

The Casco Bay Lines E-News newsletter provides general information to Casco Bay Islanders and other travelers about the comings and goings of CBL’s ferries.

In addition, flyte helped CBL launch two other email newsletters: one to promote the summer Music Cruises and another to promote Charter Cruises.

The Music Cruise newsletter will be published regularly during the summer, while the Charter News will be more of an email blast, letting interested parties know when a ship is available for charter, often at the last minute.

Since last-minute cancellations can cause havoc in ferry scheduling and may represent a loss in revenue, this new tool allows CBL to contact interested parties–who may have been shut out previously–that a new ferry is available for charter.

With the help of these three email newsletters–and a sound email marketing plan–CBL plans to strongly promote their products and services, both for us local Mainers and tourists from out-of-state.

Flyte based the layouts on the current Casco Bay Lines Web site and used Constant Contact as the Email Service Provider (ESP.)

Sign up today!

Rich Brooks
Maine Email Marketing At Work

Posted in Client News, Email Marketing, flyte news, Web Site Launches | 2 Comments »

« Older Entries