I will tell you a secret: I am a marketer who hates working with graphics. But recently I found a tool that makes working with other types of images much easier. www.canva.com lets me to “pretend” to be a graphic designer, without really knowing anything about graphics or design. I can create my own images, with graphics and text and then download them for free to use in blog posts, on Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn and more.
Read moreInconceivable - I Do Not Think It Means What You Think It Means
Do your prospects understand what you mean? I am not talking about using acronyms or techy lingo, although Microsoft Dynamics partners are notorious for that too. My question is, are you sure that your prospects understand the meaning of your words the same way you do? I found out I was doing it wrong.
Read moreShould I Post On My Own Blog Or A Group Blog?
They say that location is the key to value, and the same is true with blog posts. Many people ask me where they should post their content - on their own blog or a group blog such as the ERP Software Blog. Find out how I decide.
Read moreLessons I Learned In the Press Room at Microsoft Convergence
The first time I was invited to attend Microsoft Convergence as a member of “The Press” in 2012 I was scared to death.
I found myself in a room of about 50 very seasoned, mostly male, journalists firing tough questions at Microsoft’s top executives. I remember wondering, “How in the world did I get in here and when is someone going to realize I don’t belong?”
But nobody called my bluff and in fact, they continued to invite me back year after year.
Read more5 Ways ISV Partners Can Connect With VAR Partners Using Social Media
ISV partners often need to form new relationships with VAR partners in the Microsoft Dynamics community and many of them still rely on cold calls. As a VAR partner I can tell you that I get far too many of these “cold calls” and I tune them out. But I can also tell you that there is a better way. Here are some simple ways that ISV partners can connect with, and get their names known by, VAR partners using social media.
Read more7 Simple Tips to Improve Your Google+ Posts
For those of us who are not Google+ experts, we can still look like experts by using a few simple tips. My last post “How to Change Thumbnail Images on Google+ Posts” is one example. Here are a six more simple Google+ tips:
Read moreHow to Change Thumbnail Images on Google+ Posts
The image added to this article doesn't really match the content, and it is actually kind of confusing….Are you doing the same thing to your readers with your Google+ posts?
Using the right graphic is an important way to engage readers. It may seem simple to some people, but many don’t realize that you can change the default image that appears when you add a link in a Google+ post.
Read more6 Tips From Fellow ERP Software Blog Writers
Don’t feel bad, you are not alone. Ever blogger I have met struggles to find enough content. But we can help each other by sharing our creative ideas.
At the annual Microsoft Dynamics Convergence event I met with several of the writers for the ERP Software Blog. Here are some of my favorite ideas that were shared by the group:
Read moreNever Use Boring Screen Shots Again – A Tool Every Software Marketer Needs To Have
How can software marketers make screenshot images look more interesting? I have found a new tool that I just love that guarantees I never need to use a boring screenshot again.
Check out www.placeit.net
Basically you can upload any screenshot/image you have and it will appear as if it is on the screen in the image. You can filter my photos of laptops, tablets, phones etc… It is hard to explain so let me show you an example of how it works.
Read moreThe Book for Business People Who Think Twitter is Stupid
Are you a Twitter quitter?
I admit that I was a Twitter quitter. I set up an account years ago and promptly abandoned it. I am not alone though, 60% of all Twitter users quit in the first week.
Then I started Tweeting at events such as Microsoft Convergence. It was fun to interact and connect with other people at the event this way, but I still didn’t see what all the fuss was about.
Two tweets changed my mind.
Read more8 Tips for Bloggers to Make the Most of Convergence 2015 and Other Events Too
Convergence 2015 is starting soon. On your mark, get set – BLOG!
I always think that I am going to have more time at Convergence than I actually do. So here are a few tips to help my fellow bloggers, and tweeters, to get the most out of the event.
Read more5 Specific Twitter Tips and The Tools To Actually Do Them
When I started using Twitter, many people gave me advice on WHAT to do, but they didn’t actually tell me HOW to do it, or what TOOLS I could use to actually get it done. So I want to make it easy for you. Here are some specific Twitter tips and the tools I use to actually get them done.
Read moreHow to Add A Tweetable Link To A Blog Post So It Is Simple To Share
I think that most of us like to help other people; especially when it is not too difficult to do so. If you want people to help you share your blog content, make it easy for them.
A great way to do this is to add a tweetable link. This link is preformatted with the text, a link to the post and your Twitter name. If readers like your idea and want to share it all they have to do is to click your (tweet this) link and hit send.
Read moreFeeding the Content Machine When You Think You Have Nothing to Write About
When I talk to people about content marketing, specifically blogging, I usually hear three main objections:
1) I have nothing to write about.
2) I don’t have time to write.
3) I’m not good at writing.
In this article, let’s tackle the objection that you have nothing to write about.
Read moreHow to Use Twitter Lists to Connect with Microsoft Dynamics Partners
Many times someone that is new to the Dynamics Channel will ask me the best way to find and connect with Microsoft Dynamics Partners. The fastest way is to subscribe to Twitter Lists. Find out what a Twitter List is, how to search for them and a few of my favorite Twitter Lists for Dynamics Partners.
Read moreHow To Use Blogs To Build A Knowledge Base For Your Dynamics Business
Do your product experts run the other way when you ask to interview them for a blog post? You have to remind them what is in it for them. If they answer your question now, they can avoid answering it for prospects and clients over and over again in the future. Because your published blog post can serve as a knowledge base resource. Instead of answering the question in an email, they can just send a link to the blog post. This saves them time but also shows the prospect or client that they didn't just make up the answer on the spot. Your company is experienced and prepared and one step ahead of them because the answer has already been published.
Read more3 Step Formula To Make Sure You Never Run Out of Blog Content
I have a three step formula I use so that I never run out of blog content.
Step 1) Record
Step 2) Transcribe
Step 3) Polish
Let me explain how this works
Many of us who are charged with writing blog posts are marketers, not the Dynamics ERP/CRM software or industry experts. Unless you are very lucky, those experts would never consider writing a blog post; they are too busy being billable. This is not a problem; you just need to follow this formula.
Read more10 Extra Ways to Use Microsoft Dynamics Customer Case Studies
Once you go through all the work to write a customer case study, there is so much more that you can do with it than just post it on your website. Here are 10 ideas for extra ways it can be used:
Read moreGoing Fishing For Microsoft Dynamics Leads
Most of us can think back and remember a favorite teacher, someone who truly believed in us even at a young age. I remember Mrs. Whitney, my 5th grade English teacher. I wrote short stories and poetry and declared my intention to become a writer. Mrs. Whitney felt this was an entirely attainable goal. I think if I looked hard enough I could find a middle school yearbook collecting dust somewhere with an encouraging note from Mrs. Whitney telling me she looked forward to reading my first book.
Sometime during high school and beyond, the idea of becoming a writer faded into the background and a career in sales and marketing seemed entirely more sensible.
Read more