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For those of you that manage teams with an overabundance of spreadsheets to keep everyone organized and on track, I’m sure you have found that that method can become very cumbersome to manage, as well as possibly being the cause of projects not being completed at all. I’ve only see this method used successfully once. That took a lot of work and time — time you could be spent doing something much more critical to your operations.

I’ve tried multiple solutions in an effort to become more streamlined with keeping my web design and development teams on track, and here are 3 project management solutions that I have found to be helpful:  Basecamp, Trello and Asana.

Basecamp

I’ve used Basecamp for many years and have even gone through several design updates with them. Just when I think that they can’t get any better, they come up with even a more useful update than they had previously.

Basecamp is the brain child of 37 Signals. The parent company has one of the greatest philosophies I’ve ever seen — “The basics are beautiful. We’ll never overlook what really matters: The basics. Great service, ease of use, honest pricing, and respect for our customer’s time, money, and trust.”

It’s so easy to set up your projects, assign To Dos, assign people, update files, move things around — and I could go on. Basecamp has a very attractive format that allows small businesses to know exactly where they are in any given project. Are there upcoming milestones that need to be met? How do I know if someone is late on a task?  Hey, we forgot to put Joe Blow on the project; we need to add him.

Basecamp makes it easy to answer those questions — all at an affordable rate! They’ll even give you a 45-day trial period to check it out for free. This puts Basecamp at the top of our list for project management tools for small businesses.

Trello

While Basecamp may have come in at the top, it was a hard decision to make as to whether to stay with Trello or not. Trello makes collaboration with teams a breeze with their boards and cards to help a small business manage their projects — and it’s **free**. Grab a card and move it to a different list. Add labels in a second. Insert checklists, and much more.

Do you have a hot topic that you want read right now? Assign it its own color and label — you know, like Priority or Completed. And with options like sharing, printing and exporting, small businesses starting out have all they need to make project management a breeze.

So why the switch to Basecamp? For the web services teams at Twelve Oaks Group, the switch over was due to Basecamp having more options that would fit our needs. One big decider for us is that Basecamp is more customized to meet the needs for team communication where Trello is pretty much strictly a task management tool. Basecamp also allow you to receive a daily update as to updates that have taken place the previous day which allows us to just be much more effective for our clients.

Asana

Asana’s development team built Asana to be fast and versatile and to easily cover the simplest of small business projects to the extreme of very complex projects. Asana is composed of three window panes within one. The first pane shows your workspaces, as well as the projects within the current workspace.

The middle pane contains the name of the selected project and the list of tasks associated with that project. You can then expand that pane into a third pane that described the details of the particular task like who’s assigned to it, due date and comments.

Adding tasks is a piece of cake. You just start typing the name of the task in the appropriate row and there it is.

I used Asana some time back when they were newer and didn’t have as many options. They just didn’t seem to be as intuitive as I would have liked. It appears as though things have changed for the better. Still all in all, Asana does have the features to be great at what it does — and that is to serve you quickly and efficiently.

It doesn’t matter what Twelve Oaks uses. What matters is what is going to help you when it comes to managing your projects. The question we started out with was, “Is there project management tools for small business?” The question is yes. We have listed just three that happen to be those that Twelve Oaks  has direct experience with, but there are others that may be more useful to you. The final choice is what are you going to use?

Still can’t decide which is best? Get additional information from our consulting team at (731) 337-4330. We’ll be glad to help you sort it all out.

Pam

Pam Lokker is a master writer and proficient virtual assistant, as well as being Co-owner of Borlok Virtual Assistants.

In addition, Pam is Customer Service and Content Manager for the Twelve Oaks Group.

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Now that you have a small business or home-based business, how are you going to achieve success. What can you do right now that will give your small business a competitive edge? Keep your eyes on these 6 guidelines!

1.      Website

You do not need an exorbitant amount of money to have a website. As a matter of fact, you are far better off (in my opinion) to not have a website that is too complicated-looking with a surplus of widgets plastered all over. No, having a website that is pleasing to the eye will go much further to bring in clients.

2.      Social Media

Social media has become a useful advertising, networking, and communications resource for small businesses. That includes such sites as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and even Pinterest is starting to catch on.

3.      Search Engine Presence

Small and home-based businesses can create a strong Google presence using the same search engine optimization (SEO) tactics that the big box stores use. There are a variety of methods you can use to do this. One of the best ways is through the use of keywords that relate to your website. Whenever you use article marketing, you want to use your keywords and have those keywords apply to how people will “search” for you in not only Google, but other search engines as well.

Another excellent way to become highly rated in Google specifically is through their Google Adwords Pay Per Click (PPC) internet advertising.  For small businesses that are on a limited budget, this is an ideal way to advertise within the confines of what you can spend. You basically just create your ads with the keywords and content that you want to use, your ads get displayed on Google, and your ad magnetizes customers to your site. Of course, it’s not quite that easy, but it really is an excellent program.

4.      Website Tracking

Knowing who is visiting your website and what they are looking for is all part of successful visitor tracking. Many businesses strictly rely on Google Analytics to gauge the overall success of the marketing campaigns. Twelve Oaks Group, however, prefers to take it two steps further by utilizing additional tracking sites to get a good temperature as to the well-being of our marketing techniques.

5.      Offering Discounts

Offering discounts can be a powerful lure to the customers out on the Internet. If they have clicked on one of your ads and actually ventured over to your site, why not reward them by offering them a discount or premium? For those of you that do eCommerce, offering them a

percentage off an item can encourage those would-be shoppers to actually shop around.

Offering discounts or coupons are gaining increasing popularity in the small business world. Many of those discounts often turn out to be just the enticement customers need to stay on your site awhile — and buy more!

6.      Local Search Marketing

If you are not being active on Yelp, it IS costing you money. It’s not just Yelp either. You should participate in local search marketing in order to increase visibility for your website and your brand. Recently, reports have been seen by the staff at Twelve Oaks Group that indicate that 73% of all internet searches are for local services or goods. To me, that spells out a strong reason for taking advantage of local search marketing while the iron is hot.

What I’ve offered above are just a few guidelines you can use to propel your small business on the road to success. Twelve Oaks Group has many more tips that we’ll be sharing with you in the near future. Are you ready?

Pam

Pam Lokker is a master writer and proficient virtual assistant, as well as being Co-owner of Borlok Virtual Assistants.

In addition, Pam is Customer Service and Content Manager for the Twelve Oaks Group.

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As we look at local government, there are usually 3 types of functions that local government has a prime opportunity to communicate and interact with the public — using, believe it or not, a website. It does not have to be some big, elaborate website either.

Let’s take a closer look at how local government can be behind the 8 ball when it comes to performing their functions effectively

1.      Local governments provide services.

You know the services I’m speaking of — government roles can include providing the community’s water supply, fire protection, schools, parks, and libraries — and even services to help individuals that have special needs, physically or in times of crisis. Is your entity using a website to spread the word about what you are doing or offering as local government services or about updates that each person needs to be aware of? If not, you are behind the 8 ball.

2.      Local governments encourage community improvement.

For example, if a department or agency sponsors community events such as clean-up days that will make neighborhoods more attractive and safer, help the homeless programs or senior programs, those types of local government services should be publicized. Agencies can do this by publishing a community calendar for the current month or future months. Set up sections that are specific to residents or businesses and keep each group appraised of vital information.

3.      Local governments protect people from harm.

Local government is key in making sure that their constituents are safe from harm. I mean, think about it. Government agencies are responsible for making and investigating criminal laws, as well as incarcerating those individuals that insist on breaking the laws. A local government can make good use of a website to ensure people know what the laws are and the penalties that can be imposed for breaking those laws.

Let’s take a look at some of the areas where you can use your local government website to educate, inform, and increase awareness for a variety of subjects as seen through the eyes of the City of Dyer, Tennessee.

Beginning with the layout of the Dyer site, readers can get a quick overview of the City of Dyer itself. From there, you have links to critical departments (fire, police, public works, certain boards and more). A constituent can be brought up to speed on the latest news that the City of Dyer wants people to see, as well as gain instant access to upcoming events like board meetings.

So often, people view their local government as this big, unfriendly bureau set apart from them who that doesn’t care about them. That does not — and should not — be the case. By having a website, local governments can interact with the people and keep them up to date on what’s happening. Is your local government doing this? If not, your local government is behind the 8 ball.

Twelve Oaks Group specializes in developing easy to manage online resources for local government and can help you. Contact us today for more information on how you can show your constituents that you really do care. Get your information out in front of them. There are lots of possibilities and the sky’s the limit.

Pam

Pam Lokker is a master writer and proficient virtual assistant, as well as being Co-owner of Borlok Virtual Assistants.

In addition, Pam is Customer Service and Content Manager for the Twelve Oaks Group.

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By now, I am sure you have heard of article marketing, right? Twelve Oaks Group saw something on the Internet the other day, so I thought I’d break down that article for you. Here is the nitty, gritty about what and why article marketing is important to Small Business.

What the heck IS article marketing?

Well, let’s say you write several articles and upload them to the Internet by submitting them to different article directories, or perhaps you outsource the writing and submitting of them to a freelancer. Article marketing is a form of advertising for your small business and is very effective for driving customers to your website.

According to Phil Stone, Internet Marketing Success Coach, in his article, “What is Article Marketing,” he indicates that there are actually three types of articles that can be used to drive that traffic:

• Articles for blog or web site posts
• Articles as press releases
• Articles sent to article submission sites

Combining these three tactics together provides small businesses with a very effective internet marketing strategy that can propel their business to increased traffic — and therefore, increased sales.

Why is Article Marketing Important to Small Business?

There are actually many benefits to article marketing; however, we’ll break it down to the 3 top reasons as to why article marketing is important to small business. Let’s take a look at what they are:

1. Visibility – Using the 3 different types of articles gives you a lot of visibility as more and more businesses read your articles. Think about it. Prior to purchasing products and services from a small business, potential customers want information on that particular product or service, right? This sets you up to being a subject matter expert. They don’t want to deal with someone that is not knowledgeable about what they wish to buy.
2. Brand Recognition – Building brand recognition takes elbow grease and time. Nothing worthwhile will ever happen overnight but you can do it. By using articles, more and more customers are going to begin to know your brand. The key to your success will depend on YOU making your content and expertise available to them where they can enjoy it in their own time.
3. Profitability – There are two sides to this. One side of the coin is that you won’t have any large expenses to worry about. As a matter of fact, you can publish articles (yes, including press releases) at many sites for free. Using this form of internet marketing can also attract additional revenue to your bottom line because it will increase your opportunities for sales. Article marketing can be used by any size business — large or small — Business to Consumer (B2C), Business to Business (B2B) or Business to Government (B2G) – nationwide or global. Article marketing can prove to be an effective source of additional income to your business for years to come and be a source of potential customers for life.

Twelve Oaks Group has lots of web services and internet marketing ideas that you can use for your small business. We’d love for you to give us a call at (731) 337-4330.

Pam

Pam Lokker is a master writer and proficient virtual assistant, as well as being Co-owner of Borlok Virtual Assistants.

In addition, Pam is Customer Service and Content Manager for the Twelve Oaks Group.

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QR is short for Quick Response. They are a two-dimensional coding that is meant to be read with a special QR reader that will read the code — like your smartphone. Why not check your phone right now and see if your phone has an app for QR reading.

Once upon a time, the QR code was first used in the automotive industry. According to Wikipedia, “More recently, the system has become popular outside the industry due to its fast readability and large storage capacity compared to standard UPC barcodes. The code consists of black modules (square dots) arranged in a square pattern on a white background. The information encoded can be made up of four standardized kinds…” But, I won’t bore you with the details of those kinds. Instead, let’s get into the 5 incredible opportunities where small businesses can use QR codes.

Social Media Platforms

According to Biznik, “There is a large variety of uses and potential uses for QR codes and social media:

• Links to maps
• Scavenger hunts
• Landing pages for customers/web traffic/blog readers
• Confirming that someone is actually at a specific event (a type of check-in)
• Business cards, labels, stickers, etc”

Business Cards

Your business cards are the second potent opportunity small businesses have for using QR codes. You can have a QR code included on your business card and use it to direct customers or clients to your business website or promotional offer.

Packaging Products

Here’s another idea for you. If you send packages to your customers, why not attach a QR code to the outside of the package and direct them to some of your online guides or presentations about using your product. Or, you can have the QR code direct the customer to a manual that will provide them with tips on how to use your product. Now Twelve Oaks Group thinks this is one incredible opportunity to drive sales.

Press Releases

Anytime you have an opportunity to use press releases to increase the visibility for your small business, you should definitely take advantage of them as press releases are an excellent technique to draw in traffic. Adding QR codes to your press release can be an added way to highlight your business even more, as well as making the press release more user friendly. All the reader would need to do would be to scan your QR code with your smartphone and immediately be taken to your website for more information.

Printed Advertisements

The last and 5th powerful opportunity where small businesses can increase your brand awareness is through the use of QR codes. Look around. More and more businesses are incorporating the use of QR codes on promotional products and marketing materials. Once the customer scans the QR code, they gain access to information on a business — your business. What could be better?

Twelve Oaks Group knows that small business needs every advantage in order to compete with not only their local competitors, but also the larger “big box” stores. Throughout this post, we’ve started you out with 5 incredible opportunities where small businesses can use QR codes. And, this is just the tip of the iceberg. As you go through your day, start looking at other ways other businesses have used QR codes. Or, if you need other web services, why not contact us at (731) 337- 4330. We have a wide variety.

Image Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos

Pam

Pam Lokker is a master writer and proficient virtual assistant, as well as being Co-owner of Borlok Virtual Assistants.

In addition, Pam is Customer Service and Content Manager for the Twelve Oaks Group.

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