Posts tagged as:

Web Consulting & Project Management

Blog, Facebook, Tweet

by Sara Isenberg on January 4, 2010

in Blogging,Facebook,Project Management,Sara Isenberg,Social Media,Web Consulting

I admit to not having blogged very much lately, and when I ponder why — aside from the holiday break — I think it’s because it’s often easier to simply post quick information to my Facebook (business/fan) page. So if you’re looking for tidbits, tips, and news, check out:

http://www.facebook.com/SaraIsenbergConsulting

Ironically, clients often ask me how to decide whether to post to a blog or enewsletter ,or Facebook, or twitter, and my usual response is “all of them” however I’m going to have to walk the talk, or come up with a new answer, or simply say that we do what we can do.

Happy New Year!
Sara

Tagged as: Blogging, Facebook, Santa Cruz, Sara Isenberg, Social Media, Web Consulting & Project Management

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URLs for Caffeineighted Presentation

by Sara Isenberg on October 31, 2009

in Blogging,Events,Project Management,Santa Cruz,Sara Isenberg,Web Consulting,WordPress

My recent presentation at the Chamber of Commerce’s Women in Business Caffeineighted Series (November 5, 2009) is all about getting started on WordPress, specifically for the newbie blogger, or the person who wants to switch to WordPress. The actual presentation is a live demo showing how to configure and start using your new blog, here are some related URLs.

Resources

WordPress Support:
http://en.support.wordpress.com/

WordPress.com vs. WordPress.org:
http://en.support.wordpress.com/com-vs-org/

Resources for beginners:
http://saraisenberg.com/2009/08/13/wordpress-for-beginners/
http://saraisenberg.com/2008/08/13/wordpress-for-dummies/

How to make a non-post (non-blog-looking) WordPress home page:
http://bloggingexperiment.com/archives/wordpress-page-as-home-page.php

How to Redirect a WordPress.com Blog [PDF]:
http://blog-well.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/how-to-redirect-a-wordpresscom-blog.pdf

Notes from Chris’s September 2009 presentation at NextSpace:
http://saraisenberg.com/2009/09/15/wordpress-resources-from-todays-nextspace-brownbag/

How to have a non-post home page [PDF]:
http://blog-well.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/how-to-redirect-a-wordpresscom-blog.pdf

Examples of some WordPress blogs:

http://bestblog.wordpress.com/ (review)
http://thisisindexed.com/ (humor site)
http://thisisindexed.com/2007/05/calling-in-sick/

Examples of some WordPress websites (as CMS, not blog per se):
http://saraisenberg.com/2009/09/25/30-great-websites-using-wordpress-as-a-cms/
http://wordpress.org/showcase
http://publisherblog.automattic.com/2008/09/16/10-examples-of-wordpress-as-a-cms/

WP Remix:
http://wpremix.com/

=====

THANKS for attending!

Sara Isenberg Web Consulting & Project Management

email: sara@saraisenberg.com
twitter: @saraisenberg
website: http://www.saraisenberg.com
blog: http://www.saraisenberg.com/blog
linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/saraisenberg
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SaraIsenbergConsulting

Tagged as: Chamber of Commerce, Santa Cruz, Sara Isenberg, Web Consulting & Project Management, WordPress

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Create a Free WordPress Blog in 1 Hour

by Sara Isenberg on October 26, 2009

in Blogging,Events,Project Management,Santa Cruz,Sara Isenberg,Web Consulting,WordPress

The location has been set and this event is a go!

The Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce has a very popular new speaking series for Women in Business called Caffeineighted.

On Nov 5, 7:30-9 AM, I’ll be giving a presentation called Create a Free WordPress Blog in 1 Hour at the Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce, Women in Business, Caffeineighted Series.

[Click here to Register]

Full Details:

Women in Business will host its small-meeting networking series, Caffeineighted, Thursday, November 5, 7:30-9 AM

Location: New Leaf Community Markets
1101 Fair Ave
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

“Create a Free WordPress Blog in 1 Hour”

We continue with Web 2.0 Marketing tools with Sara Isenberg who will show us how to create a blog.

Sara Isenberg, principal consultant at Sara Isenberg Web Consulting & Project Management, has extensive experience in the corporate software industry, much of that as a technical account manager where she managed technical relationships between software engineering teams and strategic partners and clients.

Sara began working as an independent project manager in 2005, serving web producers and small businesses.In addition to working as a web consultant and project manager, Sara is a Technology Advisor with the Silicon Valley Small Business Development Center’s Technology Advisory Program.

Sara has a B.A. in Computer Science from University of California Santa Cruz and a B.S. in Sociology from the University of Oregon. She is listed by We Magazine for Women in “101 Women Bloggers to Watch for 2009″.

For more about Sara:
twitter: @saraisenberg

website: http://www.saraisenberg.com

blog: http://www.saraisenberg.com/blog

linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/saraisenberg

facebook: http://www.facebook.com/saraisenbergconsulting

Limited to 30 participants, the session will also include introductions and conversation. A light breakfast will be served. The cost is $15 for SC Chamber members and $25 for non-members.

Caffeineighted is held the first Thursday of each month. Caffeineighted is an outgrowth of the Chamber’s Women in Business programs, designed to create a more intimate atmosphere and an opportunity for teaching and learning.

Tagged as: Chamber of Commerce, Santa Cruz, Sara Isenberg, Web Consulting & Project Management, WordPress

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Dusty's Video About NextSpace

by Sara Isenberg on October 26, 2009

in Entrepreneurship,NextSpace,Project Management,Santa Cruz,Sara Isenberg,Web Consulting

I proud to say I work at NextSpace in downtown Santa Cruz. See why it’s so great!

NextSpace: 1 Year of Success in an Economic Downturn from NextSpace Coworking on Vimeo.

Tagged as: Santa Cruz, Sara Isenberg, video, Web Consulting & Project Management

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New Services: Referrals (Sourcing) and Training

by Sara Isenberg on October 23, 2009

in Blogging,Constant Contact,Facebook,Project Management,Santa Cruz,Sara Isenberg,Social Media,Training,Twitter,Web Consulting,WordPress

I’m now offering two new services: Referrals to Experts and Training for Beginners

1. Find your Team — Referrals:

I work with known expert designers, developers, marketing professionals, writers, SEO geeks, and more. Let me help you find your team.

2. Training Services:

I offer individual or small group training on using Social Media — such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and blogging — and getting started on WordPress. I can either set up your accounts and make updates and edits while you watch, or help you learn how to do this for yourself. In addition to hands-on technical sessions, we can also discuss best practices and strategies around using Social Media. I can help you get started on Constant Contact Email Marketing. I don’t just fish for you, I teach you how to fish.

WordPress: Get started on WordPress. WordPress for Beginners. Specifically for newbies!
Social Media: Get started on Social Media. All the basics for Facebook, LinkedIn, Blogging, Twitter.
Email Marketing: Create your own professional looking eNewsletters or Marketing emails with Constant Contact Email Marketing.

For more details, see: http://saraisenberg.com/training-and-sourcing/

Please contact me and let me know how I can help you!

Sara Isenberg
Sara Isenberg Web Consulting & Project Management
sara@saraisenberg.com
http://saraisenberg.com
831-334-0701

Tagged as: Santa Cruz, Sara Isenberg, Technical Training, Web Consulting & Project Management

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Using Social Media to Promote Your Green Business

by Sara Isenberg on October 23, 2009

in Facebook,Project Management,Sara Isenberg,Social Media,Web Consulting

Yesterday I attended the Green Business Camp in Santa Cruz. I love the unconference format but wasn’t sure if I would stay all day. It turns out it was a great event and I was there until the end.

I facilitated a group called “Using Social Media to Promote Your Green Business.” It was well attended and I gave a brain dump presentation about it. Here are the basics:

Why

Easy way to find your tribe.
Using Social Media is a marketing Best Practice these days.
It’s inexpensive.
You can make the edits and updates yourself.
It’s an easy way to engage with your community.
Great for SEO.
It’s GREEN!

What

Facebook Pages (for your Business or Organization)
Twitter
Blogging
Youtube
LinkedIn
Email Marketing (eg Constant Contact)
Google Local Business
and many more!

To view all of my blog posts about Social Media, go here (and scroll down).

Below are some examples of Facebook Pages for a variety of businesses and organizations. (Note: if you have more than 25 Fans, you can get a vanity URL. Also, here’s some information about Facebook Pages vs Facebook Groups. More here.)

FastPencil:
http://www.facebook.com/FastPencil

Scott Design:
http://www.facebook.com/scottdesign

Bookshop Santa Cruz:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Santa-Cruz-CA/Bookshop-Santa-Cruz/15717401422

PIE:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Santa-Cruz-CA/Project-for-Innovation-and-Entrepreneurship/142280165784

Stone Soup Magazine:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stone-Soup-Magazine/43559462699

MBL:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Marine-Biological-Laboratory/50485835333

GoGirl:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/GoGirl/46433772774

Integrative Medicine:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Santa-Cruz-CA/Santa-Cruz-Integrative-Medicine-Chi-Center/99090316125

Johnson Art Studio:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Santa-Cruz-CA/Johnson-Art-Studio-Lighting-Design/143666508455

Sara Isenberg Consulting:
http://www.facebook.com/SaraIsenbergConsulting

Here’s one of my favorite examples of a creative use of Youtube for free advertising:

DevaCurl The DeVaD Promo Video:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=HtnLEHCQ8iA

*** Please let me know if you’d like any help getting started.

*** Email me at sara@saraisenberg.com or go to http://saraisenberg.com/contact.

Tagged as: Facebook, Santa Cruz, Sara Isenberg, Web Consulting & Project Management

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The NEXTie Awards. I've nominated somebody. (*)

by Sara Isenberg on October 21, 2009

in Entrepreneurship,NextSpace,Project Management,Santa Cruz,Sara Isenberg,Web Consulting

Do you know someone in Santa Cruz that you’d call a trailblazer, an innovator, or whose work or passion inspires you? Santa Cruz NEXT is accepting nominations for the 1st Annual NEXTie Awards.

Submit Your NEXTie Award Nominations!

The NEXTies honor young people in Santa Cruz who are doing amazing things locally or globally. These inspiring individuals could live anywhere, but they choose Santa Cruz to apply their talent and passion. These individuals might include entrepreneurs, artists or volunteers who are leaders in their chosen field and are making an impact on the community or the world. Nominees live or work in Santa Cruz County, are between the ages of 22 and 45, and have an inspiring story to tell.

(*) Jeremy Neuner

Why Jeremy Neuner?

1. Jeremy is one of the co-founders of Nextspace (see http://nextspace.us) a fantabulous co-working space in downtown Santa Cruz that is one year old as of mid-October 2009.

2. Jeremy is a light hearted but incredibly effective leader of the Nextspace organization. The community respects him.

3. Nextspace is not only vital to the Santa Cruz community, it’s a great place — interesting and fun, feels like the entrepreneurial epicenter of Santa Cruz — for an entrepreneur, or solopreneur, or techie — or anybody else — to work.

4. Jeremy frequently credits the members of Nextspace for its success, rather than claiming that success for himself. However, much of the environment of Nextspace is due to Jeremy’s style of leadership. He’s been the right guy at the right time.

5. Many local success stories have come out of NextSpace:

http://nextspace.us/2009/05/nextspace-members-in-the-news/

6. Nextspace puts Santa Cruz on the map (in a good way):

http://nextspace.us/2009/08/more-than-just-surf-city/

7. Nextspace has good connections with UCSC:

http://nextspace.us/2009/06/nextspace-and-ucsc/

8. Want more? Watch this video:

NextSpace: 1 Year of Success in an Economic Downturn

http://vimeo.com/7102787

Tagged as: Jeremy Neuner, NextSpace, Santa Cruz, Sara Isenberg, Web Consulting & Project Management

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Social Media: who, what, where, when, why, how

by Sara Isenberg on October 20, 2009

in Articles,Blogging,Design,Facebook,Project Management,Sara Isenberg,Social Media,Twitter,Web Consulting,Web Development

The following is by my colleague and friend, Kirsti Scott, of Scott Design: http://blog.hotdesign.com. I value everything that Kirsti writes in her blog about social media. Here’s another great post from Kirsti:

Here’s a quick rundown of the who, what, where, when, why, and how of using social networks to help kick-start your social media plan.

Who

You should use social media if you have a business and want to do any of the following:

Reach new customers
Build relationships with existing customers
Create awareness of your products or services through PR and marketing
Decrease customer support costs
Drive traffic to your website
Find new employees
Improve teamwork at your company

What

Social networks are now used by millions of people every day:

Social networks are web-based, online communities of people with shared interests who communicate with one another and share information.
Social networks allow you to connect with friends, family, colleagues, and customers online.
Social media marketing is the use of social networks to promote your company’s products or services.

Where

You should create a presence on the following websites:

LinkedIn: Set up profiles for key employees. See “Getting Started with LinkedIn.”
Facebook: Create a Facebook Fan Page for your business. See “Getting Started with Facebook.”
Twitter: Set up a Twitter profile for your company or brand. See “Getting Started with Twitter.”
Local Search: Set up listings for your business on Google Local Business Center, Yahoo! Local, Best of the Web Local, and Bing Local Listing Center, by visiting GetListed.org.
Reviews: Set up a listing for your business on Yelp.

When

Today: Set up profiles on the major sites. It takes about a day.
Every day: Keep up with what’s happening in your industry or marketplace.
Every week: Spend a few hours participating in conversations with people in your networks.
As needed: Post news about your company.

Why

There are five main reasons companies should do social media marketing:

It is now considered a best practice.
It drives traffic to your website.
It improves your search engine rankings.
It lets you join the conversation.
It amplifies your marketing messages.

For details, see “5 reasons companies should do social media marketing.”

How

It’s easy to get started with social media:

Sign up for LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, local search engines, and Yelp.
Fill out the basic information (you can add more later).
Join groups of peers and/or customers.
Listen and get a feel for discussion etiquette.
Get social by joining into conversations with your peers and customers. See “Connecting with customers through LinkedIn,” “Connecting with customers through Facebook,” and “Connecting with customers through Twitter.“

More information

For more in-depth information about using social media marketing, take a look at “5 Steps in a Social Media Marketing Plan“ and “Promote your business using social media.”
For an overview of the components in an online marketing strategy, check out the Marketing Treasure Map video.
For details on the most popular social networking websites, check out the slideshare presentation called “Free Online Tools to Create Conversations.

Tagged as: Santa Cruz, Sara Isenberg, Scott Design, Social Media, Web Consulting & Project Management

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Vanity URL for my new Business Facebook Page

by Sara Isenberg on October 7, 2009

in Facebook,Project Management,Sara Isenberg,Web Consulting

It’s old news that you can get a vanity URL for your personal Facebook profile. For example, what used to look something like:

http://www.facebook.com/gobbltygookitybla234882930718729blablablah239482038203482xyzabc

is now just http://www.facebook.com/saraisenberg

That’s my individual, personal profile.

However, Facebook Pages (for businesses and celebrities), previously gave vanity URLs for pages created before March 2009 AND having more than 1000 Fans. Apparently, Facebook has quietly changed that number to just 25.

I’d like to introduce my new Facebook Page URL (ta da):

http://www.facebook.com/SaraIsenbergConsulting

Yeah!

PS- For info on Facebook Pages vs Facebook groups, see:

http://www.squidoo.com/facebookpage

Tagged as: Facebook, Santa Cruz, Sara Isenberg, Web Consulting & Project Management

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URLs for Santa Cruz Marketing Roundtable Meetup Oct 6, 2009

by Sara Isenberg on October 5, 2009

in Events,Project Management,Sara Isenberg,Web Consulting

The following URLS are resources we shared and discussed in my presentation about Social Media at the October 6, 2009 Santa Cruz Marketing Roundtable Meetup: