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Strangest Classified Ads Ever

Imagine a place where you can find your soul mate, search for lost items, announce found objects, and sell goods that are no longer wanted or needed. To some people, this might seem like an alternate reality. After all, nowhere can you do all these things in one place, but for those who frequent the local or national classified section, you know such a place exists.  Because this realm of exchange is real, unusual listings are bound to crop up.

Got to Have a Picnic Table and Chair Set at all Costs

SWAP – Will Swap my .410 shotgun with box of buck shells for picnic table or chairs

Posted: 1940s

Today, people would be horrified at the thought of trading a gun for a picnic table and chair set, but in the 1940s, this was the norm for business transactions. Obviously, this picnic set was more important than life itself, as a .410 shotgun was a highly valued possession.  These days, getting a picnic table or other outdoor supplies is as easy as going to eBay.

Have You Seen a Strange Red Cow Acting Strangely?

FOUND – Strange red Cow

Posted: 1770s

In a time when most classifieds were short and to the point, this simple, yet humorous classified brings up more questions than answers. What makes the cow strange? Was it acting in a peculiar manner? Why is a random red cow running loose in America in the 1770s?

Of course, we’ll never know if the strange red cow found its home or rightful owner, but it’ll live on as one of the first classifieds that made you laugh. Too bad they didn’t have an online lost and found back then.

Every Surgeon has to Start Somewhere

WANTED – Surgeon for a new health clinic opening in the area. No experience needed. Must have own tools.

Posted: Late 2000

Just the thought of an out-of-work, inexperienced surgeon walking around with his or her own tools is enough to send shivers up your spine. But let’s face it, every surgeon has to start somewhere and gain experience. It just makes you curious to know how the clinic advertises their services to their clients.  Thankfully, sites that allow you to check doctor certifications exist.

Sometimes the weirdest ads are the ones that engage you the most.  They have an air of mystery to them — what’s this person’s story? What possibly possessed him or her to put out an ad like that? We may not know the answers, but thinking about strange ads is a fantastic way to exercise your imagination.

Filed Under: Blog Marketing, Social Media Tagged With: , , , ,

Using Web Hosting Companies

Multiple racks of servers, and how a data cent...

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Choosing the right web hosting company can feel like an insurmountable task. The sheer number of host sites seem to increase everyday. Doing a simple engine search will turn up pages of results. Let’s take a look at a few things to remember when finding the right web hosting company.

A web host brings your site to the World Wide Web. The hosting company owns or leases space on a server that allows clients to make their website active to millions of users worldwide. The most common type of hosting used is a single webpage. Personal sites fit this basic style with perfection. However, a company will likely need something more complex.

For a business who has made going online a priority, selecting a web hosting company is a very important decision. Finding a web host you can rely on is critical to your internet business strategy. It is crucial to think of what you need in a web host, and find one that is reputed to deliver reliable results to satisfied consumers.

Another thing to consider when selecting a web host is bandwidth. Bandwidth, the amount of traffic alloted between your site and visitors to your site, will vary from plan to plan. By making sure you know how much bandwidth you will need, you can better construct the hosting plan that will suit your needs. In general, the larger the business the more potential traffic headed to the site. Hosting sites include companies like FatCow, iPage, and green web host HostPapa.

 

 

Filed Under: Social Media, Tips & Tricks Tagged With: , ,

Going Green: Web Hosting

© Guerito 2005

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Going green seems to be the buzz word of late. People are growing increasingly aware of the impact they are having on the planet. Recycling and composting are active ways green warriors show their support. Lately, green web hosting has popped up all over the internet. Here is a look at web hosting companies that fit into a green lifestyle.

With the massive amount of internet users that log on to the World Wide Web at any given time, it’s very difficult to say exactly how much energy it being used. A web hosting service connects a personal or professional webpage to the internet. Green hosting is an eco-friendly addition to the number of host providers ready to connect your page to the world.

The amount of money needed to make sure servers and infrastructure equipment are powered and running is well over $7 Billion globally. Green web hosts are dedicated to lessening their impact by practicing eco-concious business principles. Green hosting companies will use alternative and renewable sources of energy. Such types of energy sources include wind and solar power. Using solar power is not only a readily available energy source, but can save companies a lot of money each year.

HostPapa is an example of a green hosting company. Their power grid uses a hundred percent renewable energy sources to reduce the company’s carbon footprint. Other green web hosting sites include WebHostingHub, GreenGeeks, and HostGator. Other ways that green hosting companies cut back on their carbon footprint is by planting trees and recycling.

Filed Under: Marketing Basics, Social Media Tagged With: , ,

3 Ways Auto Companies are Using Social Media

Social media has turned into a great selling tool for many businesses, and auto companies are no exception. Social media serves as a platform to reach new customers who may not be watching TV to see car commercials. Indeed, recent surveys suggest that more than half of companies are now using sites like Twitter to connect more personally with the public.  Naturally, more of the marketing budget is now heading toward online social media and away from conventional avenues like television and the Sunday paper. Here are three ways auto companies are using social media to move vehicles.

1.) Twitter- Auto makers such as Volvo, General Motors, and Ford Motor Co., have been using Twitter almost since its inception to connect with users and get the word out about their latest line of vehicles. Twitter can be used for everything from launching a new line to advertising car refinancing and there is an open eared public hungry for the updates.

2.) Corporate Blog- GM is just one instance of a premier auto maker using a blog to inform the public of what’s new at the company. This has been especially valuable for a company like GM. They have received bad media publicity and this serves as an outlet to get their own voice heard. GM has also made great use of Twitter, assigning up to 40 employees to post on the site.

3.) Facebook- Nearly all auto makers now have a Facebook page. In addition to traditional websites, Facebook allows auto makers to reach the car buying public and keep them updated on the newest cars they have to offer.

 

Filed Under: Social Media Tagged With: , ,

Pros and Cons of Online Advertising

If own your own company then you probably want to get information about your company out on as many mediums as possible. A great way to get word out about your business is to advertise online. Many people of the younger generations have never used a phone book to look up a store or restaurant, rather they use the internet to look up wherever they want to go. Therefore, it would be beneficial to advertise your business online.

One of the best things about advertising your business online is that you can test the response to the website very easily. Either there will be a large response to your website or there will not be and you will be able to determine if you wan to keep paying for the site or not. The price of making a website is much cheaper compared to other forms of advertising. The other great thing about online advertising is that online advertising works 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Your website will be visible around clock and around the world. It is also much easier to change your online ads online. And, as people use technology more and more, they can shop online which is much more convenient.

However, there is the problem with the fact that just because people are looking at your site does not mean that they are buying anything or subsequently going into your store. There are thousands of competitors out there and when people are looking online, they cannot see what you are offering but what other people are offering as well. It has also been proven, that many people are so bombarded with adds online that they often ignor advertisments, even if you have posted them yourself.

Filed Under: Social Media Tagged With: , ,

How to Make the Most of Networking Events

High Speed Business Networking Event (Paris, 2...

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At social businessevents, networking and “working the room” is what professionals do to get their names in front of the big execs and ingrain their personality into those decision makers. With a few professional business cards, a genuine smile, and that ready-to-go two minute elevator speech, a business networking event can be the catalyst to grow an entrepreneurs business!

Simply knowing what to and what NOT to do at those gatherings is the key to your success. Here are a few tips to help you at your next business networking event:

1. Talk/Socialize

Yes, it’s basic, but more involved than you think. This doesn’t mean to talk just to hear the sound of your voice, but rather to engage people and be sociable. What better way to do that than to ask them questions about their business, product, etc.? After, you will wait for the same opportunity, but keep it brief and succinct.

2. Dress The Part

This is definitely the place for the ultra-professional clothing with smart, shined shoes and tie. No street attire, pop culture clothing, or fads are allowed here. If you want to be perceived and taken professionally, examine yourself from head to toe and be sure that you look the part.

3. Alcohol

It’s not a no-no at these gatherings, but limit your intake substantially so you won’t embarrass yourself. Even if you hold your liquor well, exercise restraint and drink more “socially” (one to two drinks), and stop if you feel a buzz sooner.

Remember, too, the cliche in stage plays also applies in business and networking: always leave them wanting more. Don’t try to use the networking session as an opportunity to discuss everything in detail. Only skim along your product or business highlights and give those new contacts a reason to call you and schedule a meeting. It will all be worth the wait in the end.

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