Archive for the ‘flyte news’ Category

Advanced Blogging at #ftw2010

Thursday, August 26th, 2010

Between my responsibilities of blogging, speaking, generating business for my company, and trying to be a better husband and dad, I’m also ramping up for Social Media FTW, a conference I co-founded with Chrystie Corns and Jaica Kinsman.

As part of our ongoing online marketing campaigns, we’re running a series of interviews with our speakers. Because I was around, we interviewed me first. Watch the lovely and talented Chrystie Corns strut her interview skills below or wach the interview on YouTube.

And, if you haven’t signed up yet there’s still time! However, with over half the tickets gone, they won’t be around for ever. Remember, last year we sold out!

To learn more and register for this year’s Social Media FTW Fall Conference visit our site.

Social Media & Web Marketing Courses in Maine

Thursday, August 19th, 2010

Although the leaves aren’t changing yet, they will be soon (sniff!) and that means that classes are getting back in session.

This year I’ll be teaching not one but two classes at the University of Southern Maine:

Web Marketing for Small Business
In this 4 week course you’ll learn how to build an effective web presence for your small business or non-profit. You’ll learn about search engine optimization (SEO), email marketing, blogging, social media, e-commerce, traffic reports, and how to build a web site that generates leads and makes sales. (Please be aware, though: this is NOT an HTML course. You’re not learning how to build a web site, but rather how to make a web site that will build your business.)

4 Thursdays, September 30-October 28, 7-9 p.m.
$215 (8 contact hours/ 0.8 CEUs)
Abromson Center, 88 Bedford Street, USM Portland campus

I’m also teaching a brand new course this fall as well:

Social Media Marketing for Businesses (and the People That Run Them)
Sites like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are certainly popular, but should they be important parts of your marketing strategy? In this two-class course, you’ll learn how these and other popular social media sites can increase the online visibility of your business, and put you in contact with new audiences.

You’ll learn how to setup and optimize profiles on the most popular, influential sites, how to connect with people in the social media sphere, and how to measure your success. You’ll learn the do’s and don’ts of social media, how to build an audience, and how to listen to what people are saying about you and your business.

We’ll talk about social networking, blogging, online video and all the tools your company needs to master this new arena of marketing.

2 Wednesdays, November 10 and 17, 7-9 p.m.
$115 (4 contact hours/ 0.4 CEUs)
USM Library Computer Lab

Hope to see you there!

Rich Brooks
You Can Call Me “Teach”

Photo credit: Lee Nachtigal

The Visa Business Network Takes Flyte

Wednesday, August 11th, 2010

Yeah, sorry about the pun. The original title of “The Visa Business Network Launches Today and Features the Flyte Blog in It’s Library Section” didn’t seem as crisp.

Today the Visa Business Network officially relaunched. As the press release states, VBN is an

online community that helps small business owners manage their businesses more efficiently, connect with and gain insight from peers, and ultimately grow their business. Now, small business owners can easily interact with peers in a collaborative way allowing them to get personalized help on goals ranging from growing their customer base to managing their business.

There are currently over 100,000 VBN members, and the new site features business toolkits, mentor programs, a Q&A forum, content ranking and more.

So, besides flyte’s love of everything small business-y, why are we talking about VBN? Well, our humble little flyte blog is featured in the VBN Library!

Apparently my note about putting a link on the home page hasn’t been acted upon yet, but you can check out the flyte blog feed here.

If you’re looking for additional help in growing your business you should check out the new revamped Visa Business Network.

Rich Brooks
Card Carrying VBN Member

Entreverge Awards: Flyte in Good Company

Thursday, July 8th, 2010

A few weeks back flyte new media was one of five businesses recognized with an Entreverge Award–”[paying] tribute to the skills, passion, and commitment of greater Portland’s entrepreneurs.” The awards are part of PROPEL, affiliated with the Greater Portland Chamber of Commerce and made up of people so young they never had to walk to school through a blinding snowstorm uphill…in both directions.

It was very flattering, especially when I saw the other four companies that had won:

CHART Metalworks – Charlotte Leavitt of CHART makes custom pieces (jewelry, belt buckles, cuff links, etc.) from nautical charts. If the coast has ever played an important part in your life, you’ll definitely want to check CHART out.

You can also follow Charlotte on Twitter or fan CHART on Facebook.

DSO Creative Fabrication – Nathan Deyesso runs DSO and designs and builds custom artwork and furniture for residential and commercial spaces. He’s got some amazing stuff up on his web site using wood & metal…be sure to visit his portfolio.

Maples Organic Desserts - I’m very lucky to pass Kristie Green’s organic dessert shop twice a day during my commute. They have delicious desserts, sourced as much as possible from local, organic farms.

North Star Music Café – Kim Anderson runs this funky local space serving up good food, good beer, and good music. About a month back Cybele and I checked out some great live music there while throwing back a few cold frosties. I just wish they had been around when I lived on the Eastern Prom.

You can follow North Star Music Café on Twitter or fan them on Facebook.

And, of course, there’s us. You can follow flyte new media on Twitter or fan us on Facebook. C’mon, it’s only a click away. ;)

Rich Brooks
That flyte new media guy

Web Marketing & Social Media Classes in Maine

Monday, June 21st, 2010

If you’re looking for help with your Web marketing or social media marketing for your business, I have not one but two courses I’ll be teaching at the University of Southern Maine this fall.

The first one is Web Marketing for Small Business, a course that I’ve now taught four or five times before. However, just like web marketing, the course changes every time I give it. Over the four weeks we’ll talk about:

  • Search engine optimization (SEO)
  • Blogging
  • Social Media
  • Email marketing
  • Web design
  • E-commerce

and anything else that will help small businesses increase their online visibility, drive more qualified leads to their site, and convert that traffic into business.

The classes will be Thursdays, 9/30, 10/7, 10/21 & 10/28. To learn more and register visit the USM web site.

The second course, Social Media Marketing for Small Business, is all new. We’ll be delving into social media specifically, and how businesses and non-profits can leverage social media to grow, to engage, and to reach new audiences. Some of the topics covered will include:

  • Social networking (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn)
  • Blogging & podcasting
  • Online video & photo sharing web sites
  • Social news and bookmarking sites
  • Location-based apps (Foursquare, Gowalla)

and whatever else appears between now and then.

This course is two Wednesdays, 11/10 & 11/17. To learn more and register visit the USM web site.

Rich Brooks
Maine Web Marketing

Photo credit: James Sarmiento

PR & Social Media Slides [Handouts]

Monday, June 14th, 2010

Last week I had the pleasure of speaking to the Yankee Chapter of the PRSA on the topic of How to Be a PR Rock Star in a Social Media World.

We talked about the importance of not limiting media coverage to traditional media, how to use social media tools achieve PR goals, how social media affects crisis management, how to keep social media from being a time suck, and what my favorite weapons are for destroying zombies. (It always comes back to zombies, doesn’t it?)

I put the slides up to SlideShare.net with the not surprising title of How to Be a PR Rock Star in a Social Media World, although you can view them below.

I’m not sure if the slides tell the story on their own, so feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions.
Rich Brooks
Social Media Marketing Presentations

Twitter for Business Webinar: How to Use Twitter for Your Business

Wednesday, June 9th, 2010

Lots of business and non-profits are using Twitter to engage their customers and prospects. Some are very successful and building their business or growing their membership, while many are failing miserably, not getting any kind of return on their investment of time and energy.

Why is Twitter successful for some companies but not others? How can you use Twitter to engage your audience, drive more qualified leads to your site and convert that traffic into business?

This coming Tuesday, June 15th, we’ll be putting on another How to Use Twitter for Business webinar. We’ll look at the right way to set up a Twitter account, how to follow and engage people, how to build your followers, and what type of 3rd party tools are right for you and your organization. We’ll also talk about Twitter time management and how to measure your Twitter return on investment (TROI).

The cost of the webinar is $50, but if you use “blocker” in the discount code you’ll save $20. The webinar is 90 minutes long, including up to 30 minutes of Q&A, so that works out to $3/min. Plus, attendees get a copy of the slides and the audio after the webinar, which you can listen to as often as you need, so the savings keep on piling up!

Title: How to Use Twitter for Business
Date: Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Time: 1pm – 2:30pm (Eastern US)
Place: Your desktop! (Call for directions.)
Learn more & register now! Seats are limited! (No, really they are.)

Rich Brooks
a.k.a @therichbrooks

iPad Review: Should You Buy an iPad? [Video]

Friday, May 28th, 2010

Many of you may be drooling over the iPad, but wondering, is it worth it and do you need one?

Last night I appeared on Maine’s premier evening news magazine program, 207, to review the iPad. It went something like this:

Rich Brooks
Extending My 15 Minutes 5 Minutes at a Time

How Do I Get More Traffic to My Blog?

Tuesday, May 11th, 2010

It’s a question I hear all the time.

Maybe you’ve set up a blog for your company or non-profit but have yet to reap the untold riches that await all bloggers. You know that if you could only attract a steady stream of visitors you’d have it made in the shade.

Well worry no more, friend, because I have the answers. In this month’s flyte log, our monthly email newsletter, I tackle this question head on with the article 8 Ways to Drive More Traffic to Your Blog. We’ve got tips on how to attract the first time visitor through search and social media, as well as how to get people to subscribe to your blog so they come back more often.

Rich Brooks
Blog Traffic Cop

Photo credit: aimhelix

Web Marketing Presentations: A Busy Week Ahead

Monday, May 10th, 2010

Somehow I have six speaking gigs scheduled for this week. May have to break into my emergency Red Bull stash.

Today’s a prep day, and then…

Tuesday, 5/11/2010: Performance Foodservice Food Show, Augusta Civic Center, Augusta, Maine

  • 10:00 am: Social Media 101
  • 11:15 am: Social Media Marketing That Works
  • 12:30 pm: Social Media 101
  • 1:45 pm: Social Media Marketing That Works

I believe this is only open to Performance customers, but I could be mistaken. You can check the Performance web site for details.

Wednesday, 5/12/2010: Maine Business Technology Expo & Conference

  • 2:30 pm: Search Engine Optimization: Rank Higher, Sell More!

This is part of a full day of presentations, including Lynnelle Wilson talking social media and a big expo. If you’re around Greater Portland, you should make your way over. For more information and to register, visit the Greater Portland Chamber Web site.

Thursday, 5/13/2010: Email Marketing Webinar

  • 1:00pm (ET): How to Use Email Marketing to Grow Your Business

This is open to the public, and available to everyone! If you’ve been looking to learn how to grow your subscriber base, get your emails delivered, and get your subscribers to take action, please register now. You can even save 40% off the regular cost with discount code: “bullet”.

Friday I don’t have anything scheduled, but I have to prepare for my “social media traveling road show” that I’m doing with the Sustainable Forest people; 5 social media presentations in 5 different places: Montpelier, VT, Glens Falls, NY, Utica, NY, Concord, NH and August, ME.

Maybe I’ll see you on the road…

Rich Brooks
Will Present for Food

Photo credit: Angela Coulombe