Here’s a comedy video skit we did a while back:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_IeshaUu4E]
Recently, TheOnlineVideoGuy.com conducted a brief, informal survey among approx. 200 solopreneurs. The objective of the survey was to determine online marketing trends and how solo entrepreneurs and service professionals are using their websites in their overall marketing efforts. An executive summary of the results follows:
How important is your website in your overall marketing efforts?
78.6% Very important
21.4% Somewhat important
What are the key goals of your website?
45.2% Build a database or opt-in list
22.6% Sell products/e-commerce
12.9% Promote your company
Here’s a recent “expert article” from Solo-E.com
The Secrets of Public Access TV: Five Steps to Becoming a Local TV Star
Local public access TV stations may be the best kept secret in America. Where else can you get free access to training, equipment, support and the local airwaves all in one location? For solopreneurs, local access TV is an opportunity to produce your own TV show, become known in the community and build your reputation as an expert in your field. Perhaps even more important, taping a public access TV show gives you media and materials that you can repurpose to use on your own website, or to sell CDs, DVDs or podcasts/webcasts of your on-air appearance.
The video captures the excitement at Saint Anselm College during the 2004 Presidential Primary. It was produced by Heartwood Media, and written and co-produced by Lou Bortone.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tNcLx87Hiw]
Video montage of the places I’ve worked, some of the many projects I’ve worked on and other video demo reel type stuff!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKZwx45p9v0]
The Richie McFarland Children’s Center is a non-profit organization on New Hampshire’s seascoast dedicated to providing services to developmentally delayed children and their families. Video produced by Lou Bortone and Jason & Elaine Grant.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g67wCJ6_Tb8]
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjxMGDr-Vqs]
This is the story of a Saint Anselm College student who has made an enormous difference for some needy students in Africa. Written, produced and edited by Lou Bortone – Shot by Jason Grant of Muddy Dog Media.
Cool Web Resources
It seems like there are dozens of great, new websites and web resources popping up every day. Some of these new web toys and tools are pretty cool – but it’s tough to keep track of them all. Let me save you the trouble of sorting it all out with a quick review of some of my newest faves:
Blurb – (www.blurb.com) Cool concept. Blurb lets you create your own, customized book in a variety of sizes or versions (hardcover, soft cover, photo book, text, etc.) You simply import your content into one of their template designs, and follow the process to build your book. Prices start at $12.95 for a small, 40-page book. Perfect for kid projects, cook books, photo essays or your own literary masterpiece!
Ziggs – (www.ziggs.com) This social “professional” networking site is like MySpace for grownups. Ziggs lets you organize your contacts, friends, to-do lists and e-mails in one, central “hub.” Similar to LinkedIn, but with different features.
Twitter – (http://twitter.com/) Web citizens are all atwitter about Twitter, the very latest blogging craze that lets you share very brief (usually one line) “twitters” about what you’re doing at this moment. Twitter describes itself as a “global community of friends and strangers” answering one question: “What are you doing right now?”
Tumblr – (www.tumblr.com) “If blogs are journals,” this site says, “then tumblelogs are scrapbooks.” With Tumblr, you can share or post just about anything: Photos, videos, quotes, articles, links, etc. Very user friendly and fun.
MyMasterboard- (http://www.mymasterboard.com/) This is a for-pay ($29 USD annually) service that allows you to design your own “vision board” for goals and affirmations. They provide photos, designs and “visioning” tools. You can also create screensavers or wallpapers for your computer.
Askville – (http://askville.amazon.com/askville/Index.do#answers) The newest offering from Amazon.com, Askville, is part Wikipedia, part message board, part chat room. Ask any question and tap into the collective brain.
Joe’s Goals – (www.joesgoals.com) This site is a simple, user-friendly and free goal tracker. According to Joe: “Inspired somewhat by Benjamin Franklin’s 13 Virtues, I built Joe’s Goals to make it stupidly simple to create, track, and share your personal goals.” I hope you find some tools you can use to make your day more productive and fun. Happy surfing!
