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Scan Your Biz Cards On The Go

Posted on 08 November 2009 by admin

The biggest hassle with business cards is getting the contact information into your address book as fast as possible — that’s where Business Card Reader for the iPhone comes in, reports TechCrunch.

Business Card Reader scans and “reads” the picture using ABBYY’s text recognition technology and enters the data into the iPhone or iPod touch address book.

Basically, you open the application, and choose either to take a new picture of a business card, or if you’ve already taken a picture, you can upload that as well.

After you take a picture, or upload a picture, the application scans the business card, and after about 15 seconds, you get the address book field to edit the scanned information if there are errors.

Once that’s all done, it adds the new contact into your address book. It’s really that easy.

iphone app biz card

iphone app biz card

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10 Blogs Entrepreneurs Need to Be Reading

Posted on 24 October 2009 by admin

by Casie Gillette

#1.  The Toilet Paper Entrepreneurtpentrepreneur

Site: http://www.toiletpaperentrepreneur.com/blog

What it is:

Mike Michalowicz provides entrepreneurs and small businesses with tips on everything from starting a business to networking to marketing and health care.

Why you should read it:

Mike not only provides great tips but he provides great tips from REAL people.  All of the blogs on the Toilet  Paper Entrepreneur are essentially written by peers and those who have been there.  It is a great blog and certainly provides unique perspectives all on things entrepreneur.


#2.  Small Business Trends smallbiztrends

Sitehttp://smallbiztrends.com

What it is:

Written by a panel of small business owners, the site offers tips and advice on everything business related.  Need a recommendation on finance software?  They probably have it.  Want to know how small businesses can use social media and search?  They have that too.

Why you should read it:

Small business trends really covers EVERYTHING!  Aside from the main blog, they do radio interviews, have Webinar Wednesdays and write genuinely interesting articles.  They may have also featured Grasshopper a few times so we may be partial.


#3.  Young Entrepreneuryoung entrepreneur

Sitehttp://www.youngentrepreneur.com/blog

What it is:

Run by two brothers, Matthew and Adam Toren, Young Entrepreneur is exactly what it sounds like; a site dedicated to young entrepreneurs.

Why you should read it:

Between blog posts, forums, polls and interviews with other small business owners, the site offers fantastic content.  Find blog posts on starting a business, marketing a business, sales, creating a website, search and much more.  These guys are also responsible for Blogtrenepreur, another teriffic entrepreneurial blog.


#4.  Web Worker Dailyweb worker daily

Sitehttp://webworkerdaily.com

What it is:

Web Worker Daily is dedicated to providing tips and advice for those using the web for work…well, obviously.  This site offers advice for small businesses and anyone on the web really.  Interested in the latest app developed for bookkeeping?  They have it.  Want to be more efficient in your daily routine?  They certainly can help you there!

Why you should read it:

Web Worker Daily is definitely one of my favorite blogs when it comes to business and the web.  They speak to everyone, offer interesting and succinct posts and do a great job of keeping up with and informing others of the latest technologies.


#5.  Women Entrepreneurwomen entrepreneur

Sitehttp://www.womenentrepreneur.com

What it is:

Run by the same company that developed Entrepreneur Magazine and Entrepreneur.com, Women Entrepreneur is dedicated to helping women in business.  From articles outlining sales strategies to blogs dedicated to women over 55, the site has something for everyone.

Why you should read it:

Written for women by women, the site offers advice you can relate to and be confident in. Plus, I have to say my favorite part is the success stories section.


#6.  Peter Shankmanpeter shankman

Sitehttp://shankman.com

What it is:

Best known for HARO, Peter Shankman is a successful entrepreneur who provides great and often hilarious tips to other entrepreneurs, particularly in the area of social media and marketing.

Why you should read it:

While the blog is most often personal, including photos and stories, he knows what he’s talking about and will provide you with quality advice.


#7.  Startup Nationstartup nation

Sitehttp://www.startupnation.com/blogs

What it is:

One of the top resources for entrepreneurs, Startup Nation offers everything you could need: tips and advice, forums, networking, podcasts, contests and more.  The great part is, the blog is written by entrepreneurs, so they certainly know what they are talking about when it comes to do’s and don’ts.

Why you should read it:

With over 5 years worth of content the site easily has over 2000 articles covering a wide range of topics useful to small businesses and entrepreneurs.  Running a business, marketing, business planning…they even have a category called ‘Life Planning‘!


#8.  Small Biz Technologysmall biz technology

Sitehttp://smallbiztechnology.com

What it is:

Small Biz Technology is exactly that; a site dedicated to providing small businesses with news, tips and analysis on the latest technology.  They cover software, the web, phone apps and a whole lot in between.

Why you should read it:

Not only is it interesting to see how companyies are using the latest technologies but SBT offers unbiased reviews of products and lets you know if/how they can benefit your company.


#9.  Duct Tape Marketingduct tape marketing

Sitehttp://www.ducttapemarketing.com

What it is:

Duct Tape Marketing is one of the best small business marketing blogs out there.  Written by John Jantsch, the blog provides tips on email marketing, blogging, social media, branding, search and so much more.  There is also an article section with some truly great articles from various authors.

Why you should read it:

Along with the blog, Duct Tape Marketing has articles, resources, podcasts, various products and workshops to help small businesses improve marketing. The posts are easy to read, right to the point and provide readers with some great insight into online marketing that they may not be aware of.


#10.  Entrepreneur.comentrepreneur com

Sitehttp://www.entrepreneur.com

What it is:

Entrepreneur.com is probably the premiere site when it comes to entrepreneur articles and advice.  Covering everything from starting a business to finance to sales and management, you will definitely find anything you need on this site.

Why you should read it:

The site can be overwhelming since there is so much info but the great thing is you can subscribe to a specific topic or blog through your RSS reader.  They also have a community section where you can connect and talk with other entrepreneurs.

While I didn’t add them to my top ten, I would also be sure to check out Zappos and Seth Godin’s Blog.  What other entrepreneur blogs are on the must read list?

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Free water for Commuters with Ads!

Posted on 25 August 2009 by admin

Water Ad

Water Ad

Summertime is filled with opportunities for brands to show they care, whether by helping consumers find a place to change at the beach or by giving them a little cooling refreshment during a heat wave.

Targeting the latter option is Soak Media, a UK firm that gives out free bottled water to London commuters courtesy of on-bottle advertising.

Focusing only on the months of July and August, Soak sells advertising space on 330 ml. plastic bottles filled with Buxton water and then hands them out for free to overheated London commuters, who would normally pay GBP 1 or more for such refreshment. Soak’s own staff hands out the bottles from an ice-filled cart, after which time it estimates the bottles spend about 50 minutes in the average consumer’s hands.

The company also does specials including leaflet tip-ons, specially shaped bottles and sampling. Perhaps best of all, however, is that it donates all its profits to charitable causes.

Given the ongoing controversy over plastic water bottles, it’s not entirely clear that such vessels will be the right medium to focus on going forward.

Nevertheless, the last two heat waves saw a 20 percent increase in bottled water consumption, Soak says, so there’s no doubt consumers can use a little extra help staying hydrated.

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