October 2011
www.raventools.com
Nashville-based Raven Tools helps companies better manage and report about their online marketing campaigns. The software brings together more than 15 different forms of data, such as search engine optimization, pay-per-click advertising, social media, website analytics, and email campaigns. Users can add events, such as product launches, to see how those events affected online metrics without having to remember the dates of each event.
Atkinson PR spent tons of hours collecting data from Google, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and email campaigns for reports about the Red White and Food campaign we managed the last four years. Raven Tools would have simplified that to a few minutes.
August 2011
www.squareup.com
Square is a free app that lets you process credit card payments from anywhere. A free card-reader accessory plugs into the audio jack of an Android phone, iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch. It’s easy to use for individual contractors, freelancers and small businesses, because there are no monthly fees or contracts – just a universal fee of 2.75 percent on each transaction. Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover are accepted.
Even if you don’t see an immediate use for Square in your business, don’t be surprised when your landscaper or plumber swipes your credit card through his iPhone and a receipt shows up in your inbox within minutes.
June 2011
www.contentmarketinginstitute.com
Content marketing is a hot topic in marketing circles, especially with B2B companies. The Content Marketing Institute is the best destination online for information, insights, reports, and resources about content marketing. We read the CMI blog at least once a week and use the website to find great case studies.
April 2011
Online profile tools always pique our interest. We found a gem at the Authentic Happiness website. Based at the University of Pennsylvania, the website is dedicated to the study of positive psychology through such things as positive emotions, strength-based character, and healthy institutions. Users can take more than 15 different tests that require about 10-15 minutes each. For example, the “Brief Strengths Test” asks about 30 questions and then presents your strengths in the categories of always, usually, half the time, and occasionally.
February 2011
www.quora.com
This questions-and-answers site is a little like Twitter and LinkedIn Answers all in one. Its focus when it started was tech and Silicon Valley startups, but the topics have broadened as more people sign on. What makes Quora unique is that many high-profile CEOs, from Netflix to Apple, have answered questions about their companies.
You need an account to browse, but it only takes a minute to sign up. Like Twitter, you can follow people and industries/topics that interest you. Those are the only questions and answers that will show up on your home page.
The site presents several opportunities for businesses:
- Market research — Follow industry leaders or competitors to get a sense for what people are talking about.
- Problem solving — If you’re trying to figure out how to go about something, try asking a question or search for similar questions people have already asked.
- Authority marketing — Answering questions that other professionals have about your field helps position you as an authority.
December 2010
Social Media Examiner
The volume of information about social media can be overwhelming. Heck, we have a hard time keeping up, and we’re in the business. Social Media Examiner is one of our go-to sources of social media news and tips. The website is organized in eight easy sections, such as case studies, research, and expert interviews. And, if you’re trying to figure out if social media is for you, check out the Getting Started section, which touches on all the basics of Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and blogging.
