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Thursday, 24 March 2016

6 Best Bulk SMS Marketing Practices for Maximum Results

Jul 16, 2012 • By
The market for short message service (SMS) is expanding like never before. While the SMS service was earlier meant for casual information exchange with friends and family, the business fraternity is gradually embracing this idea of staying in touch with their associates, suppliers, and customers through bulk SMS service. Whether it is business communication or marketing, SMS can support the process effectively.

The medium used for sending an SMS is generally a mobile phone, but when it comes to commercial use, a computer is believed to be a much more convenient medium so that you can easily send bulk SMS with a click of the mouse. A mobile phone comes handy when you have to send just a few SMS. But when it comes to bulk SMS, it is best to use an SMS messenger so that you can send SMS from PC because typing text so many times and adding hundreds of contact names at one go becomes a tedious job and may be impossible to do.

Thus, when you plan to send SMS from PC to a large number of receivers, as part of your bulk SMS marketing campaign, you must follow the bellow mentioned practices to get best results-

1.    Don't intrude, seek permission – When starting your marketing campaign, don't just start off by selecting random numbers and send computer SMS. This may annoy the message receivers who are not interested in what you are offering. You should make sure that your customers opt-in for the text messages you send for marketing purposes. By seeking permission from the customers you can build a valuable bulk SMS database that can help you in the long run.


2.    Use simple shortcode – Leaving a lasting impact on the minds of the receivers of your messages is of utmost importance, and the code you use to send SMS from PC help in achieving this objective. A simple shortcode can be memorised by the consumers. A unique shortcode may be a bit expensive for the small businesses,so they can share number with non-competitors.

3.    Be direct – Mostly, the length of a text message cannot exceed 160 characters. So when creating a computer SMS you must make sure that you directly come to the point and let the clients know what you have in store for them. You don't have to divulge each and every detail of the offer or plan that you are sending to the customers. You can communicate the major points using the popular texting words that save space yet put across the intended message effectively.


4.    Keep the message short and relevant - A computer SMS is after all a short message that is sent from computer. If you add too much irrelevant information, you will bore the receiver and they might not read the full text and delete it anyway. This is why you should keep the message short and to the point.


5.    Personalise the message – One of the reasons why marketers are shifting to SMS marketing techniques is that the text messages can be personalised. By addressing the receiver of the message with his/her first name, you show you make the users feel special and desirable.


6.    Schedule the bulk SMS – The time at which you send SMS from PC or your mobile phone is crucial. You don't want to wake your customers up at the middle of the night by sending bulk SMS during that time. This way, all your efforts on creating an effective and exciting text message would fail just because you did not time it right. Research a bit on your target audience and the timings at which they are mostly free, and accordingly send PC SMS at the right time.

Text From Pc to Cell Phone

Text From Pc to Cell Phone

Aug 20, 2007 • By • 69,030 Views
Text from PC to Cell Phone

Believe it or not, the best way of sending those cheeky as well as important SMS is not through your cell phone. Surprised? But moreover you think about it, you will definitely be even more surprised to know that not only it is easy and secure but sending SMS through your PC is completely free as well. No this no kind of a joke or grey offer with some catches. Using your PC for sending the SMS is altogether a new way of using this service. And people who have used it can vouch for the complete clarity of the service that is offered by the website, like www.cellphonemessagesender.com. Not only sending SMS is free but the whole process turns out to be more easier than using the small keypad of your cell phone. Lets learn more about sending text from PC to cell phone.

The online texting or sending SMS online is a new and exciting way that is fast catching up. Better seen as a need rather than a leisure activity online texting is the easiest way of staying connected with those you always wanted to. You can send as many SMS or texts online as there is no limit defined by the website. The whole process is very easy and can be used by a general user with basic knowledge of computers and Internet. Sending texts online saves time and compared to your cell phone billing plan is absolutely free of cost.

To start with sending online texts to any subscriber across the United States you have to visit the aforesaid URL and follow some really simple steps mentioned therein. The first step starts with entering receiver’s cell phone number in the mentioned field. Do not to use dashes or other characters other than the number. The second step allows you to enter the subject of the message you want to send. It is useful in identifying the content of the message. Finally you can enter your message that should be not more than 140 words, so enter precise message and continue to the last step. The last step is to choose the receivers cellular service provider from the given options and then click on the send text message button to send the message.

Not only this service is 100% free but the service providers also ensure that you get the service to every region of the United States and that is why almost every cellular service provider is listed on the website. It is also taken care that the receiver never receives spam message or advertisement on the given number. So the next time you use online text services be certain that your message will be delivered in no time and as guaranteed absolutely free. Play pranks with your friends because with the anonymous text messaging, which means your friends will never know who sent them the text message! So enjoy sending those absolutely free texts online using the free online SMS service and bring a smile on many faces.
Aug 20, 2007 • By • 69,030 Views
Text from PC to Cell Phone

Believe it or not, the best way of sending those cheeky as well as important SMS is not through your cell phone. Surprised? But moreover you think about it, you will definitely be even more surprised to know that not only it is easy and secure but sending SMS through your PC is completely free as well. No this no kind of a joke or grey offer with some catches. Using your PC for sending the SMS is altogether a new way of using this service. And people who have used it can vouch for the complete clarity of the service that is offered by the website, like www.cellphonemessagesender.com. Not only sending SMS is free but the whole process turns out to be more easier than using the small keypad of your cell phone. Lets learn more about sending text from PC to cell phone.

The online texting or sending SMS online is a new and exciting way that is fast catching up. Better seen as a need rather than a leisure activity online texting is the easiest way of staying connected with those you always wanted to. You can send as many SMS or texts online as there is no limit defined by the website. The whole process is very easy and can be used by a general user with basic knowledge of computers and Internet. Sending texts online saves time and compared to your cell phone billing plan is absolutely free of cost.

To start with sending online texts to any subscriber across the United States you have to visit the aforesaid URL and follow some really simple steps mentioned therein. The first step starts with entering receiver’s cell phone number in the mentioned field. Do not to use dashes or other characters other than the number. The second step allows you to enter the subject of the message you want to send. It is useful in identifying the content of the message. Finally you can enter your message that should be not more than 140 words, so enter precise message and continue to the last step. The last step is to choose the receivers cellular service provider from the given options and then click on the send text message button to send the message.

Not only this service is 100% free but the service providers also ensure that you get the service to every region of the United States and that is why almost every cellular service provider is listed on the website. It is also taken care that the receiver never receives spam message or advertisement on the given number. So the next time you use online text services be certain that your message will be delivered in no time and as guaranteed absolutely free. Play pranks with your friends because with the anonymous text messaging, which means your friends will never know who sent them the text message! So enjoy sending those absolutely free texts online using the free online SMS service and bring a smile on many faces.

Sunday, 20 March 2016

Responsive Web Design – Good Design vs. Bad Design

Don’t Just Make Your Site Responsive; Make it a Quality User Experience!
On April 21, 2015, Google updated their algorithms to favor responsive web design and include mobile friendliness as a ranking signal. Since then, the majority of chatter has been surrounding the need to make websites responsive in order to maintain search rankings.
In this post, we’d like to take things a step further and highlight what makes good responsive design and what should be avoided.
First, to build a site with responsive design, there are two approaches:
  1. Create an adaptive website with multiple fixed width layouts based on common devices. (Note: This approach can be challenging due to changing device sizes).
  2. Design it using multiple fluid grid layouts to create a truly responsive user experience.
Regardless of which path you choose to make a website responsive, we want to ensure you’re not forgetting one fundamental element: user experience.

Ultimately, responsive design on its own isn’t the key to conversions; it’s also the quality of your website from the user’s perspective. Ranking in the top of search results won’t do you any favors if a viewer clicks to your site and immediately leaves due to poor design.
With that said, check out these DOs and DON’Ts of good responsive design vs. bad responsive design.
Don’t: Make an exact replica of your desktop version.
Do: Include the key elements of your site and leave out the ones that aren’t necessary. Users don’t expect a carbon copy of your desktop site. In fact, it would be overwhelming!
Don’t: Use a generic, pre-made design.
Do: Maintain your branding throughout. Ensure each page reflects your brand at all screen sizes. Use elements smartphone users are accustomed to seeing. Also, be sure to preserve padding and white space to keep the design clean and easy-to-read.
Don’t: Put all of the content on one page.
Do: Incorporate a clear menu with access to secondary pages. Place your call to action on your main page and ensure the rest of the mobile site is easy to navigate.
Don’t: Use different images for different devices.
Do: Use images that resize within the confines of a fluid grid. This is done using CSS code and will ensure the images on your site don’t look stretched or pixelated.
Don’t: Design your mobile site as an afterthought.
Do: Think mobile-first. Why? Mobile web browsing on smartphones and other devices is replacing desktop traffic at an increasingly rapid rate. If the majority of users are accessing your content on a non-desktop device, make it function in a way that follows mobile norms and touchscreen patterns.
Don’t: Expect to get it perfect on the first attempt.
Do: TEST! Share your site with friends, family members, or test-group customers. Get their feedback. Know what they’re immediately looking for when they access the mobile page and display it prominently.
Keep these tips in mind when building your mobile-friendly website and you’re on the right track to providing a true quality user experience regardless of the device.
Still not convinced you need to make your website responsive? We recommend reading our previous post: Responsive Web Design is Now Necessary to Succeed.
Embrace new technology and step ahead of your competition!
Do you have any design tips for responsive web design?
Share in the comments below!

10 Mistakes to Avoid in Becoming an Expert Author

10 Mistakes to Avoid in Becoming an Expert Author

“Mistakes are always forgivable, if one has the courage to admit them.” – Bruce Lee
Everyone makes mistakes in their line of work, and there’s no shame in admitting them! Becoming an expert in any subject requires hard work and dedication, as well as the right mindset to overcome basic challenges. For some writers, the trouble begins with writer’s block and only gets more difficult when deadlines approach and time is running out. For others, mistakes can happen due to poor planning or giving up too early when an extra push is all that is needed to transform failure into success.
Although there are quite a few mistakes that can be made when starting out as an author, many of them apply to authors with more experience. Check out our list of common mistakes to avoid to ensure you’re on the right track as an Expert Author. You need to be well-prepared for the long and prosperous journey ahead!
In order to have success as an Expert Author, DON’T…

1. Let Your Inner Critic Take Over: Self-doubt is a motivation killer and it can trick your mind into making you stop the progress you’ve made. It wants you to fail; it wants to take away your hard work so you do something else with your time, like take a nap. If you have passion for your writing, you need to stay the course! Just showing up counts more than you know, and it can be the difference in success with your work or letting your inner critic take over. When you feel you’re stuck, or you’ve lost your train of thought, step away for a moment and clear your head. Then come back to it stronger than ever.
2. Fail to Keep Your Readers Engaged: Boring content won’t translate into readers or revenue. Always look for new ideas to spruce up your writing to keep readers engaged until the end. Offer a CTA (Call to Action) by giving instructions to try something on their own. They need to feel your energy and respond to your message. Your writing needs to stand out in the best possible way by giving your audience knowledge they cannot get elsewhere. If you’d like to read a few excellent ways to write quality content and stand out in your niche, have a look at this blog.
3. Write and Edit at the Same Time: There’s a reason why there are first, second and final drafts in writing. You don’t need to get everything perfect right away. Unless you’ve been publishing at an expert level for years, you should use your time wisely and stick to editing after your content is written. Get your thoughts down and sort through the format at a future date. When you’re worried about how each sentence sounds right away, your mind loses focus on providing the best tips. Write first, edit later!
4. Forget to Track Your Results: It doesn’t matter if you’re writing as a hobby or professionally, sooner or later every author wants to see results. These results can range from money, readers/followers, improved reputation or other personal gain. You don’t have to be a mathematician to track your earnings, and social media provides so many tools to keep us informed of how our actions are being received by others. Make it a habit to track your results and adjust your methods according to the rise or fall in stats or viewership.
5. Add Too Much Irrelevant Detail: While it’s important to include the necessary details in your writing, too much background information on the subject can turn your readers off. If you’ve fallen asleep while hearing a lecture that never ends, you know the feeling. Your main content should be directly relevant and straight to the point. Avoid dragging on with details on subjects that have little meaning to the overall theme. Keep it short and simple and your readers will respect you for keeping them interested.
6. Publish Before You’re Ready: A writer needs time to go through their content to make sure all bases are covered before it’s published. When you think you’ve finalized your writing, grab a friend of co-worker to check out your work. An extra set of eyes could spot an error or a confusing sentence that sounded perfect to you. Timing is also important in publishing. Do your research and find out what time of day or week your readers are the most active. This blog highlighting 7 Easy Article Submission Blunders to Avoid will help you double check important areas prior to article publishing.
7. Stop Learning When You Know Enough: Most of us are guilty of overthinking situations, depending on the circumstances. However, learning too much on a topic is NEVER a bad thing. If you ever feel like you’ve achieved the highest status you can in your area of expertise, a reality check could be headed your way. You should never stop learning in your field, especially as a writer, because you need to continue feeding new information to your readers to keep their attention.
8. Stick with the Same Niche Forever: If you absolutely love pizza, by all means eat pizza, but you simply can’t eat pizza every day without developing a craving for something else. If you have a very specific set of skills that fall under one niche, continue focused in this area. However, the best authors slowly branch out to other topics and explore new avenues they never thought they would experience. Remember, the quality of your writing matters the most, so only test the waters elsewhere when you feel comfortable enough to provide valuable content to your readers.
9. Tease Your Readers and Never Get to the Point: Think of a movie or TV show that ends abruptly without clarifying questions from the story. It can be upsetting and may even ruin your day! Don’t try this if you’re giving your audience tips and advice. Your goal is not to be a brilliant storyteller that keeps your audience wondering forever. They’re taking the time to hear what you have to say, so it’s crucial you satisfy their craving for useful material.
10. Quit if Things Get Tough: Everyone makes mistakes from time to time; that is a fact. The important thing to remember is: you’ll never meet your goals if you give up on them. It doesn’t matter if you’re just starting out or if you’re going through a difficult time in your already established business. When the going gets tough, the tough get going! Believe in yourself and your abilities, acknowledge your fear and face it head on.
How many of the mistakes listed above have you been guilty of committing?
Any one of these could strike at any time, thus delaying your writing goals. Overcome these mistakes by staying motivated, writing engaging content, and trying new approaches. As long as you can admit and learn from your mistakes, you’re on the right path to article writing success!
Do you have any tips to overcome these mistakes? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!

Top Reasons to Add a Video to Your Squeeze Page

Show Your Readers the Real You!
Whether it’s promotional content, short films, or unique skills that are on display, videos are “in” more than ever. Placing a video on your squeeze page should be very high on your to-do list, even if you’re just starting out in your business. People have been glued to TV screens since the middle of the 20th century, so it’s time to join in and…
Get You on the Tube!
With the help of a simple and impactful video on your squeeze page, you’re only further establishing yourself as a force to be reckoned with in your niche. This personal touch can add a lot of value to your site and ultimately your business.
Here’s a list of top reasons for why you need to add a video to your squeeze page.

1. You Get to Reveal Yourself Professionally: Videos are an excellent way to increase your exposure as an author because they show your visitors what you’re all about in an easy way. You don’t have to go door to door or put your face on a billboard. You’re able to expose your strengths in a unique way by giving them a sneak peak of your personality. Your creativity and how you present your message are all up to you. Having your company’s vision in the video will also add to your professionalism. Just be sure to leave your ego at the door and let anyone and everyone listen to your message.
2. It Instantly Improves Your Design: Think back on a squeeze page you came across that had poor design. Did it only give you minimal information followed by the usual, “enter your email here” text field? Boring! When you visit these pages, unless you’re already sold on the offer, they’re not very appealing for prospective customers. Adding a video is an excellent way to increase the appeal and layout of your site. Your design needs to be in top form, even on mobile devices. You can read more about the topic of responsive web design here.
3. People Are Getting Lazier: It’s no secret that the majority of people would rather watch a video than read about the same topic. Viral videos help promote your brand and can be done in an entertaining way. You don’t hear about many viral articles… if you do, they end up on video the next day and the video is what gets shared around the web. People are more patient to view videos because they can do something that the written word cannot: entertain audiences with live action. Continue to spend your time writing and producing quality content. However, think about what bits and pieces of content are going to be added to your next video.
4. You Can Repurpose the Video: Even though you have the freedom to include any details you’d like, it’s important that your presentation be clear. Your video quality should be easy on the eyes and your material should be organized in a professional manner. These things are important not only for your site, but for all of the other ways you can repurpose this video. You can include it on your company blog, on social media sites, as a link in an ebook or other mediums that are able to show video. Or course, the best way to let your readers see your video is still on your squeeze page through a link in your article.
5. Other Companies Will Take Notice: You never know what type of visitors will come to your site. You may get the casual browser who stumbled upon your page, or you could get a respectable businessperson who’s looking for a fresh advertising opportunity. Your video should stand out and display your talents. Sure, you want to grab contact information from potential customers, but the bigger fish is your competition who could be interested in joining forces.
6. It’s Easy to Create: If you think creating a video for your squeeze page is too time consuming or difficult, quit the negative talk! Any smartphone that came out in the last 5 years will most likely produce a video with good enough quality. Don’t worry about the extra time it may take in creating the content in your video; it will be worth it in the end. You should focus on what you’re going to say, what tips or lessons you can offer, or how cool it will be to showcase your skills and past achievements on video. If you’re still under the impression that you need to be an expert at EVERYTHING, read our article 5 Talents Content Writers Don’t Need to Succeed to give you some clarity.
7. You’re Free to Promote Your Business: Every company wants to get the word out there on their products, or to create buzz around a new business offer. Since this video will be on your squeeze page and not in an article submission, you are free to promote yourself as well as your business. You can have a brand new product, your bread and butter products, or testimonials from satisfied customers. Try to answer questions about yourself and your company without having to be asked. This is your chance to quickly promote your products and services in a fun and enjoyable way.
These were just a few of the reasons why you should focus your attention on videos on your sites. You may not have the itch to put yourself behind (or in front of!) a video camera or smartphone yet, but maybe someone you know has experience and can lend a hand! If you’re looking for other ways to improve your squeeze page, this blog will certainly get you started.
What are your thoughts on adding videos to your squeeze page? Do you agree they are relevant, or do you think otherwise?
Share in the comments below!

7 Things You Need to Know About Your Resource Box

End Your Article with an Impressive Resource Box
The process of article writing has certainly changed in the last few years. Authors were previously rewarded for things that would not meet today’s standards. However, some things haven’t changed. In order to have long-term success as an Expert Author, remember:
This is a Selfless Affair.
What does this mean, exactly? Your focus should not be about YOU. It should be on giving your readers quality content, including your best tips, suggestions, case studies, and advice they can actually use. The Resource Box at the end of your article is also very important. Even if your article content is top-notch in quality, it will be wasted if your Resource Box is weak and lacks purpose.
Listed below are things that you need to know about your Resource Box.
1. Make Your Author Name and Brand Matter: Your readers want someone they can trust. They need a go-to person to rely on and identify with. The first thing you need to know about your Resource Box is it should always include your author name. You wrote your content, so be proud of it! Do you want your name and brand out there, or do you want other known authors to take away your readers? Get out of the shadows and present yourself in a clear and straightforward way.

2. Make Promises You Can Keep: When you invest time and energy in learning more about a product or offer, you don’t want to be lied to. It will be an easy decision to take your business elsewhere if the product deceives you. Your Resource Box should show your skills effectively and position you as an expert, not an unreliable salesman. Be honest and keep your word to keep your readers. Always mean what you say and link to pages that over deliver. The last thing you want is a frustrated reader or potential customer!
3. Capitalize on Your 2 Links: Your links are a key area to focus on in your Resource Box. Your articles may contain 2 self-serving links, so why not make them count? One of your links should be your main website. Your readers should be able to navigate anywhere on the page with ease, and it should highlight your company’s qualifications, services and current promotions. Your other link should be a follow-up to the content provided in your article. Here’s a tip for authors who write a series of articles: link to another article in the series! This is an effective way to keep your readers engaged in your content and bring them to your website.
4. Include Your Social Media Handles: There are countless ways to market your articles and share your expertise, and social media has certainly got us hooked at the moment. Now you’re asking, “How can I direct my readers to my social media pages if I’m only allowed 2 self-serving links?” Good question! Along with the link to your main website and other relevant page, you should be listing a couple of your social media handles in your Resource Box. All you need to do is list the site (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Google+ etc) along with your name or brand to search for. For information on marketing your articles on social media, read our post on the 10 Social Media Marketing Mistakes to Avoid.
5. Relate to Your Article’s Topic: The pages you link to in your Resource Box have more relevance than you think. Imagine reading a brilliant article that really gets your attention. How would you feel if you clicked on one of the links at the end of the article and you’re taken to a page on a completely different topic? This will turn you away and have you lose trust in the author. Your Resource Box should highlight your expertise and keep your readers interested in the same material. Be smart by keeping your article content and links in the same niche.
6. Change it Up Often: Even if you feel like the Resource Box you include is ‘Perfect’ and you’ll never have to change it, think again. Variety keeps things interesting. Change up the content in your Resource Box often, and link to different pages so you’re giving your readers more direction. All levels of free membership on EzineArticles grant you access to save up to 3 Resource Boxes in your account, so give yourself more options. Utilize this convenient feature and build 3 compelling Resource Boxes – but why stop at 3? You can get 9 more saved Resource Boxes with a Premium Membership (along with many more benefits)!
7. Provide Just Enough Info: As a guideline, your Resource Box should be shorter than 15% of your Article Body. Keep it short and simple! Provide details such as your author name, qualifications, details of your company and links to your sites. Refrain from including everything about you and your company. There’s no faster way to dilute your credibility than to list every achievement you’ve ever earned. If your readers want to know more about you, they will visit your website in the ‘About’ section. Your Resource Box should be a short summary of your expertise along with links to relevant pages.
There are many ways to make your presence felt in your field, and having a strong Resource Box to back up your content is one of them. If you’re looking for more ways to stand out in your niche, refer to this blog.
Do you have any other tips for authors on creating an efficient Resource Box? Share your ideas below!