Ustream is a free online tool for creating streaming video content. Plug in a camera and you can be broadcasting your own TV show via the web. The best part is, it’s free.

Imagine holding a sales training, introducing a new product, updating your distributors . . . lots of ideas on using Ustream to grow your business.

More on using this tool in future posts, but to get started, here’s a post on setting up your first Ustream broadcast

What if you could press a speed dial button on your cell phone while driving and write someone an email while driving? Or what if you could post to your blog simply by talking on your phone?

That’s what Jott will let you do. This cool service is a voice recognition service that lets turn unproductive time into productive time. Future posts will dig deeper into this tool, but for now, check it out at: www.jott.com

Anyone trying to build a presence online must have a basic understanding of how search engines work. The process of improving your site so that it ranks higher in the natural search results (not paid results) is called search engine optimization.

Search Engines use spiders to index websites. A ‘spider’ is an automated program run by the search engine system. Spiders read the content of your site as well as other information like the “title tags” (that title, in blue at the top of the page) and returns that information back to a central repository, where it is indexed.

The spider returns to your site periodically to see if any content has been updated. The frequency of updating depends on how frequently you update your content. Content updated more frequently is also visited more frequently by Google, so it pays to keep your content fresh. This is why blogs are such a popular format now for websites. The blog platform lends itself well to keeping your content fresh.

One of the things that search engines scan for is the frequency and location of your keywords. You build your content around specific keywords that your prospects will be searching in the search engines.

The algorithms analyze the way that pages link to other pages in the Web. By checking how pages link to each other, an engine can both determine what a page is about, if the keywords of the linked pages are similar to the keywords on the original page. For example, if your page is about “workplace safety” then you want to sprinkle this keyword phrase a few times throughout the page. But you don’t want to go crazy here and get penalized for “keyword stuffing.”

Just as important as the content are the links within your site and the links TO your site. Links to your site from other reputable sites relating to your content is a major factor in search engine rank. For example, a link from a major industry association website, back to your site will signal to search engines that your site must be important, and will rank your site higher as an authority site on your subject matter.

Anyone trying to build a presence online should have a basic understanding of how search engines work.

Search Engines use spiders to index websites. A ‘spider’ is an automated program run by the search engine system. Spiders read the content of your site as well as other information like the “title tags” (that title, in blue at the top of the page) and returns that information back to a central repository, where it is indexed.

The spider returns to your site periodically to see if any content has been updated. The frequency of updating depends on how frequently you update your content. Content updated more frequently is also visited more frequently by Google, so it pays to keep your content fresh. This is why blogs are such a popular format now for websites. The blog platform lends itself well to keeping your content fresh.

One of the things that search engines scan for is the frequency and location of your keywords. You build your content around specific keywords that your prospects will be searching in the search engines.

The algorithms analyze the way that pages link to other pages in the Web. By checking how pages link to each other, an engine can both determine what a page is about, if the keywords of the linked pages are similar to the keywords on the original page. For example, if your page is about “workplace safety” then you want to sprinkle this keyword phrase a few times throughout the page. But you don’t want to go crazy here and get penalized for “keyword stuffing.”

Just as important as the content are the links within your site and the links TO your site. Links to your site from other reputable sites relating to your content is a major factor in search engine rank. For example, a link from a major industry association website, back to your site will signal to search engines that your site must be important, and will rank your site higher as an authority site on your subject matter.

The important thing to remember is that the discipline known as “search engine optimization” or SEO is constantly changing. Companies spend billions of dollars each year to move their websites up the search engine results. You can find out most of what you need to know, or access the membership section to view search engine optimization videos.

If you’d like to rotate quotes on your blog, use this Wordpress plug in. It allows you to load in your favorite quotes, then rotate through. Possibly use it to rotate through your own insights.

Here’s the link to WP-Quotes Plugin

Comment your favorite quotes.

Why do you hand out business cards? Usually it’s because you would like to do business in some way, right? Think about how many business cards people give you that do call out for you to take action.

Does your own business card motivate someone to take a next step? We should give folks a reason to take the next step and learn more about your business. The first step might not be to have them call you to buy, but to move them closer to an understanding of your expertise.

Two things to consider on your card: the offer and the design. Both are important but if I was to pick one over the other, I’d say the offer is the most important. The same direct-marketing principles apply here as in advertising. You want action, not just a comment that your card is eye-catching.

Here a few starters you could include on your business card to encourage action. Please comment with your own ideas and offers that have worked for you.

1. An ebook offer
2. A whitepaper
3. A coupon
4. A sweepstakes with a chance at a big prize

Whatever the case, if you drive traffic back to a website, consider creating a unique landing page which allows you to track results. Include an image of the business card on the landing page and ask a specific question or two to help you find out exactly where they got your card.

You might create cards for specific events - say a big industry conference or workshop. Check out moo.com for some creative and inexpensive cards or www.overnightprints.com . Some additional business card ideas at best100ideas.com .

To heck with trying to plan it better. I want to get started. I’ve got so many post ideas, I can’t wait any longer. My focus with this website and the supplementary tools to go with it will be about serving sales people and make them more money. That’s right. The focus of this blog is helping sales people create a system for generating more leads, thus more sales. Today it’s too easy to rise above your competitors. So why aren’t more folks doing it? On one hand it’s easy. But on the other, it takes some prep work. It’s hard to just get started. I can certainly attest to that. I hope to make it easier on you and give you a step-by-step guide for taking your career to the next level and positioning you as an authority. If you want to stop playing in weeds, then ou need ot think about sales differently. Think of yourself as an educator, a consultant first rather than a sales pro. The tools and strategies we’ll share here will help you accomplish this without a huge investment in time.