Jack 's Biz Talk posts

Don't Be Like Microsoft...

Microsoft may be the number one and has tons of products we use daily. But I am sure we all have experienced issues with their software or operation system and felt helpless. But when there is an easier, faster, cleaner alternative out there, some can't wait to move on.

I recently listed my bz in Google, Yahoo, and Bing's local listings. It only took several minutes to do it online for Google and Yahoo. Bing would send me a letter. A month later I received it and was instructed to type 'https://llc.local.live.com/listingcenter.aspx' to complete. Then a typical Microsoft experience:

First I tried my default browser Firefox and was told there is a security certificate problem and was warmed someone may try to steal my data. Can't do it. Huh?!

Then Safari. Nope, We Microsoft don't support it. You'd better install IE or use Firefox. Sorry, Mac!

Knowing Firefox won;t work, I used my wife's computer which still runs Windows. Again, I was told the secure certificate was issued for a different web address, and again I was warned that it indicated to fool or intercept my data. Ouch! IE did give my two options: don't do it, or continue (Not recommended), with a big red 'X' mark next to it.

I ignored the warning and actually completed the listing, but again quite annoyed by MS. Why do they always do these stupid things hitting their own feet? So narrow minded too.

I am so glad my Windows days were so far behind me, and there are so many good open source software we can choose.

Moral of the story? If we don't provide a pleasant and easy experience for our clients/customers, we will be dumped!

Online Credit Card Processing Recommendation?

I am looking for a credit card processing service that can process card request online. I looked Propay and they have a $45 annual fee, 3.5% transition charge.

Is it a good service and deal? Anyone knows other service providers?

Thanks Jack

Website Disappeared from Google...any thought from the experts?

Hi,

After joining Biznik about two months ago, my site (www.jackzyoung.com) has been stepping up in Google placement, from page 8, to 5, to 4, and a couple of days ago, to page 3. But then it disappeared from the key word search. Boom! Puff! Gone!

I haven't done anything major to my site lately. And it is still showing on Yahoo (page 3). Why would my site index suddenly dropped by 'Big Brother Google'?

I am kind of losing my mind on it.

Thanks for any help!

Jack

A Great Piece from Seth's Blog About Building Trust.

Seth is the marketing guru and his blog is very insightful. Here is a piece of 'trust'. You can subscribe his blog: http://sethgodin.typepad.com/

"You can be a trusted institution or a trusted individual.

A few weeks ago, I set out to buy some imprinted items. I probably looked at a dozen t-shirt options online before I picked CustomInk. Why did I pick them?

They weren't the cheapest (but it's actually very hard to compare). I picked them because the site is clean and professional. I liked that they're not weasels (they quote actual prices and actual ship dates) and they have non-trivial, easy to use software that makes it easy to upload graphics and build a shirt.

Taken together, they earned my trust. There were plenty of sites with lousy typefaces and come-on pricing and bait and switch and clever Google ads, but none of this works on me. What works is someone walking the walk while they talk a good game.

Interestingly, I bought the hats from a totally different business. Roberts Specialty couldn't be less formal or carefully built. It's clearly a family run business, and their lack of spin and hustle hit exactly the right tone. When you want to order, you send an email to Tony Bennett (you gotta love the fact that his name is Tony Bennett) and he sends an email back. How old fashioned. How trustworthy.

One reason that so many hard sell businesses fail is that they are neither. They aren't (or don't appear to be) trustworthy institutions, nor are they trustworthy humans. So we move on. You do 95% of it right, then use cheesy fonts or lie a bit or try too hard and boom, that's it."

Print Media Submission...Shot Gun vs Rifle?

HI,

When you submit articles or images to magazines, do you just stick to one, or send out to all you can find?

If more than one found my work publishable, wouldn't I make them look stupid publishing the same thing? They probably would hate me. On the other hand, shouldn't I explore other possibilities if the one I stick with always ignores me?

Inside scoop?

Thanks Jack

In the Look and Feel Good Bz

Hi Everyone!

I joined this wonderful community a while back and just started getting active! I have attended a few workshops and plan to attend at least one per week.

I run a photography business based on Seattle area. I provide experience and lasting images for my clients about happiness, love, beauty, and life...both look and feel good!