Posts Tagged ‘Maine’

« Older Entries

Build-A-Biz Teaches Entrepreneurship to Maine Youth

Friday, May 10th, 2013

Build-A-Biz: Maine Youth EntrepreneurshipBuild-A-Biz is a youth entrepreneurial education program to kids how to start and operate their own businesses.

I remember the first time I met Kate Krukowski Gooding, the founder and director of Build-A-Biz. I was presenting for the Maine Center for Entrepreneurial Development and she came up and introduced herself. Half-way through explaining what she did, I interrupted her and said, “I want to be a part of that!”

In Maine, something like 95% of adults are employed by small businesses, so entrepreneurship is a critical skill for Mainers. 

As Kate told me, kids learn at a young age, and it’s up to us to give them experience. It’s important for kids to have the tools and experience that a program like Build-A-Biz offers, whether they start their own companies or work for others. 

Build-A-Biz offers two programs, one for children 5-8 and the other for children 9-15. Both offer four modules:

  • Setting goals
  • Finance
  • Advertising & marketing
  • Running your business.

The only difference is that the younger kids watch instructional videos, while the older group reads the material. There’s also an “elevator pitch” contest for the older kids.

On May 19th, kids across the state of Maine are going to be starting their businesses…a kickoff for running their businesses during the summer.

One of the things I especially like about Build-A-Biz compared to other youth entrepreneurship programs is that this one isn’t just one day…it’s the beginning of a lifetime of entrepreneurship learning. 

Build-A-Biz website was designed by the Via Agency and built by flyte on a responsive platform for optimal viewing on all devices.

Rich Brooks
Responsive WordPress Web Design 

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Entrepreneur & Small Business, Web Site Launches | No Comments »


flyte school: Learn Mobile Marketing & Blogging

Friday, May 25th, 2012

flyte school

Learn how to use mobile marketing and blogging to build your business.

In this short video I chat with Ry Russell of VR Marketing Consultants. 

Ry’s my co-presenter at the upcoming flyte school seminar we’re having on 6.12.2012 at the Rines Auditorium in Portland, Maine.

Ry’s going to be talking about mobile websites, mobile apps, QR codes and text message marketing. He’s used text messaging successfully to build up one of the many businesses he owns, the Saco Drive-In.

I’ll be presenting on building your business through blogging. This is going to be a great afternoon of food and learning for anyone looking to reach a wider audience and connect with their ideal customers.

Early bird tickets are only available through 5.31.2012, so don’t miss out! Grab your tickets now.

(more…)

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Business Blogs and Blog Marketing, Entrepreneur & Small Business, flyte news, Mobile Marketing | 1 Comment »


The Bicycle Coalition of Maine Launches New Website

Monday, April 9th, 2012

Bicycle Coalition of MaineLooking for a biking adventure in Maine? Check out the new Bike Maine site.

Whether you live in the Great State of Maine or are “from away”, biking in Maine is a beautiful, rewarding activity. 

The new website from the Bicycle Coalition of Maine is here to support you, no matter what you’re looking to do. Here’s just a sampling of what’s going on there:

(more…)

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Web Site Launches | 2 Comments »


Go Whitewater Rafting with Northeast Guide Services in Maine

Sunday, December 18th, 2011

Maine Whitewater Rafting TripsEnjoy some amazing whitewater rafting in Maine with the Northeast Guide Service.

If you like outdoor adventure as part of your vacation, you owe it to yourself to do some whitewater rafting here in Maine.

We’ve got plenty of rivers and falls for all levels of whitewater rafting, from the Kennebec and Penobscot Rivers to the remoteness of the Dead River or the challenge of Canada Falls.

And there’s probably no better group to take you than Northeast Guide Service. This small, locally owned whitewater rafting adventure company is Maine’s only service registered for swift water rescue, putting all your fears to rest.

You can find them near Moosehead Lake in Greenville, Maine. That makes them the closest whitewater rafting service to Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor, Maine. They’re also close to Baxter State Park and Maine’s largest mountain, Mt. Katahdin.

In other words, they’re right in the middle of your Maine outdoor adventure vacation.

You can also find them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, or check them out on YouTube.

The website was designed and build by flyte, and we provided web marketing services as well.

Rich Brooks
Maine Web Design

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Web Site Launches | No Comments »


Zombies Invade Maine!

Sunday, October 23rd, 2011

Rich Brooks Talks ZombiesZombies are way hotter than vampires, both in Hollywood and the Web.

Last week the good folks over at 207 had me come on to talk about zombies:

  • how to make a zombie costume,
  • how to prepare for the (inevitable) zombie apocalypse, and
  • how to create zombie-themed websites.

I busted out one of my favorite zombie t’s and waxed philosophical on our undead brethren. We took a look at the CDC’s official blog post on preparing for the zombie apocalypse (for real!) and a great how-to video on creating zombie makeup where the major ingredient is toilet paper.

I also got to show a little love for the project I worked on with Josh Fisher, Zombie Ipsum: the lorem ipsum alternative for zombie websites.

You can watch the video on the WCSH website or check it out below:

Rich Brooks
Zombie Hunter

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in flyte news, Off Topic | 1 Comment »


Web Marketing Course in Maine at USM

Monday, August 22nd, 2011

John BelushiLearn the fine art of web marketing and social media in a classroom setting this fall at the University of Southern Maine.

The first autumn leaves are starting to land in our yard, which means it’s that time of year again; time to start promoting my Web Marketing and Social Media for Entrepreneurs course at the University of Southern Maine.

On four nearly-consecutive Thursday evenings from 5-7 pm, I’ll be teaching entrepreneurs how to develop a web strategy that helps build their business (or non-profit) using the web.

We’ll cover:

  • SEO (search engine optimization)
  • Social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn)
  • Blogging
  • Online video
  • Email marketing
  • E-commerce, and
  • Developing a website that increases your online visibility, drives more qualified traffic to your site, and helps convert that traffic into business.

If you live within driving distance of the University of Southern Maine, and are looking to grow your business, you can take a closer look at the course description and register at the USM site.

Dates: 10/20, 10/27, 11/10, 11/17/2011 (note no class on 11/3)
Time: 5pm – 7pm
Place: Abromson Center, University of Southern Maine, Portland, ME (directions)
Cost: $215

Register now!

Rich Brooks
“Teach”

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Entrepreneur & Small Business, Social Media, Web Marketing | 1 Comment »


Megunticook Market in Camden, Maine Relaunches on WordPress

Friday, July 15th, 2011

Megunticook MarketLooking for a specialty market in Camden, Maine? Check out Megunticook Market.

Whether you live in Camden, Maine, (map) or you’re just one of the thousands of people who who love visiting Maine’s rocky coast in the Camden/Rockport area every year, you need to check out Megunticook Market.

Besides a great selection of wine & cheeses and a focus on local Maine foods, you can also get your parties catered through Megunticook as well.

I’ve known proprietor Lani Temple for a few years now, and she’s popped into our offices more than once with some treats. They’re always delicious and definitely worth checking out if you’re in the area. (And worth a drive if you’re not!)

Lani also often appears on 207, a popular evening news program, sharing recipes and tips with the hosts and viewers.

Megunticook Market also is on Facebook, so be sure to like them there.

Megunticook Market had launched their site a few years back, and were looking for a more updated look and more control over the content. We freshened up the design and rebuilt the site on WordPress, a popular content management system that’s perfect for most small businesses. Lani had a blog that had been built on TypePad. To make her life easier, we exported most of her old posts and repopulated them on the WordPress platform. Now she only has one login to manage both her blog and site.

If you want a great specialty market experience on the Maine coast, be sure to check out Megunticook Market in Camden, Maine. If you need a website that you can update and manage yourself, be sure to contact flyte today.

Rich Brooks
Hungry

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Web Site Launches | No Comments »


Social Media Marketing Workshops in Maine

Friday, April 22nd, 2011

flyte school: social media seminarsWhether you’re just getting started with social media marketing or looking to take your social media to the next level, we’ve got a great half-day workshop that’s just right for you, and right here in Maine.

Both of these events have very limited seating! Don’t get shut out! Early bird tickets are still available.

Social Media Marketing for Beginners – 6/14/2011

(Learn more and register)

This 1/2 day workshop is for businesses, non-profits and individuals who don’t have a social media presence, or are just getting started with social media, or just don’t know what to do with the social media they already have in place. A good portion of the seminar will be in how to set up your accounts the right way, how to find and network with people online, and how to avoid classic mistakes in social media.

Who Should Attend?

Any business owners, marketers, PR professionals or non-profiteers who feel like their being left behind when it comes to social media.

What Will You Learn?

  • How to setup your Facebook profile and business page and get people to “like” you
  • How to manage your privacy on Facebook and other platforms
  • How to get started with Twitter and use it to drive traffic to your website or business
  • How to build your LinkedIn network so that you can build your business
  • How to blog for search engine visibility
  • How to use videos to increase your online visibility
  • Time management and social media

Is It Worth It?

Oh, yes. In fact, we’re so sure it will help your business we offer a 100% money back guarantee for all attendees.

Is It Too Basic For Me?

If you’re concerned that you’re a little advanced for this seminar, be sure to check out our Advanced Social Media Marketing seminar on 6/28!

Date: Tuesday, 6/14/2011

Time: 1pm – 5pm

Place: Portland Public Library, Portland, ME (directions)

Cost: $35 early bird tickets, $45 angry bird tickets

Advanced Social Media Marketing – 6/28/2011
(Learn more and register)

What to Expect:

This 1/2 day presentation is for businesses, non-profits and individuals who are active in social media (you blog, or tweet, or have a Facebook business page) but are looking to take things to the next level. You’re looking for advanced tools, tips and techniques to make your investment in social media pay off.

Who Should Attend?

Any business owners, marketers, PR professionals or non-profiteers who realize that social media is going to continue to be a big part of their marketing and communications.

What Will You Learn?

  • How to get more people to “like” your Facebook business page
  • How to maximize your Facebook experience with events, ads and networking
  • How to create an irresistable profile on LinkedIn with video, blogs and more
  • How to use Twitter to find and follow local people, industry leaders and anyone else you need to network with
  • How to use a blog to dominate Google and other search engines
  • How to encourage comments and shares on your blog
  • How to measure your social media activity and improve your ROI

Is It Worth It?

Oh, yes. In fact, we’re so sure it will help your business we offer a 100% money back guarantee for all attendees.

Is It Too Advanced For Me?

If you’re concerned that you’re not quite ready for this seminar, be sure to check out our Social Media Marketing for Beginners seminar on 6/14!

Date: Tuesday, 6/28/2011

Time: 1pm – 5pm

Place: Portland Public Library, Portland, ME (directions)

Cost: $35 early bird tickets, $45 angry bird tickets

Rich Brooks
Never Met a Mic I Didn’t Like

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Business Blogs and Blog Marketing, Social Media, Web Marketing | 3 Comments »


Music In The Cloud: What’s the Right Choice for You?

Wednesday, April 20th, 2011

Rich Brooks on TV Talking About Music in the CloudThe other day I donned my “tech guru” hat for 207 again, (a little misleading–I wore no hat) to talk about storing your music in the cloud.

I looked at a number of services, including Amazon’s new cloud music service (which started the conversation), as well as iOS friendly options like mSpot and ZumoDrive.

All of these services allow you to upload a certain amount of your music to the “cloud” so that you can access it from other computers and mobile devices. You can purchase additional space a gig at a time on most of these services.

To be honest, I don’t see the appeal. I can carry about 50G of music on my iPhone or 120G of music on my iPod and never have to worry about whether I’m near a wifi hot spot or whether AT&T is going to deliver my music back to me. Even that’s only a fraction of my music collection, so the idea of spending hundreds of dollars a year to access music I’ve already purchased just doesn’t work for me, and the iPod/iPhone option fits in my pocket.

One service that I really did like was rdio. Besides being able to upload your music you can access their music ($5/mo for web, $10 for web & mobile access). I’ve already discovered a bunch of great music. The interface and product search needs some serious work (genres? release dates?) but everything else is pretty solid. I’ve never been a fan of “renting” music, but I think that after my 7 day trial is up I’ll spend the $10 a month for access to a wide variety of music I wouldn’t have otherwise given a chance.

You can watch the segment over at the 207 website or down below.

Rich Brooks
Head in the cloud, music in my pocket

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Off Topic | No Comments »


Maine Small Business Development Centers: Help for Maine Startups

Monday, March 14th, 2011

Maine Small Business Development CentersMaine entrepreneurs and small business owners looking for help in starting or building their business have a great resource in the Maine Small Business Development Centers.

The Maine SBDC offers free one-on-one counseling to businesses at offices around the state of Maine. Besides counseling, the Maine SBDC also offers plenty of resources on their website, on everything from Developing a Business Plan to Marketing Your Business to information on Taxes and Bookkeeping. Entrepreneurs in need of inspiration and example can check out the site’s Success Stories.

Their new site also features events, workshops and small business news from around the state. It was nice to see that it didn’t matter who was putting on the event, even if it was being presented by a “competitor,” such as the Southern Maine Chapter of SCORE. The goal for the site, and the Maine SBDC is to help Maine entrepreneurs build successful businesses and improve the state’s economic status.

Flyte has always thought of itself as a small business that helps other small businesses grow. That’s why we were so excited to be part of the site’s redesign. We met with the Maine SBDC and discussed with the their goals for the site, and their mission. One thing that wasn’t getting across was the free counseling that was available. Whether it sounded too good to be true or was just lost in the shuffle of the home page, people weren’t requesting the help they needed.

In the redesign we made the request for counseling a more prominent part of the landscape of every page, and included it in the navigation. We’re still working with them to streamline the signup process, but that’s another story. ;)

Flyte designed the templates and built them out in HTML. The ME SBDC has an in house developer who then took our templates and configured them to work on their Cold Fusion-powered infrastructure.

If you’re a Maine based business looking for help on any aspect of your business, be sure to check out the Maine SBDC’s revamped website and request that free counseling. If you’re from out of state, there’s no better time to move your business or start a new business in the state. Maine offers the perfect work life balance for anyone who likes to ski, ride, bike, kayak, hike, or just about any other outdoor activity.

Rich Brooks
Flyte: Maine’s Unofficial Small Business Web Designer

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Entrepreneur & Small Business, Web Site Launches | 1 Comment »

« Older Entries