Holiday Video Card Sampler
October 20, 2008
Here is a quick look at just a few of the customized Holiday Video Cards I can create for you! Forget paper cards, stamps and mailing labels! Get a video card and send ALL your holiday greeting cards with one click! Email Lou at lbpromo@aol.com for details…
“Bob the Builder” on Brand Building
October 14, 2008
“Bob the Builder” on Brand Building (LouTube 14)
On this very special edition of “LouTube,” guest host and cartoon character “Bob the Builder” explains the importance of building a strong personal brand. Learn about “2×4 branding” and more!
Twitter Tips - LouTube Episode 13
September 28, 2008
Episode lucky 13 finds a not-so-lucky Uncle Sam appearance, along with some new Twitter tips and tricks!
Flip Video Review: The New Flip Mino (LouTube)
September 12, 2008
Old Flip vs. New Flip - LouTube #12
September 12, 2008
Web 2.0 Tools
July 1, 2008
Wow! So much going on and so much to share!
However, I’ll make this quick because we’re all waaay too busy. Fortunately, this monthly, quick-read update will help keep you on top of the latest web trends without having to spend countless hours searching for cool, new stuff online.
In case you missed it, I’ve started sharing some cutting edge Web 2.0 tips, time-savers and tools on my new 3-minute videoblog, LouTube! Every week, I give you “must know” resources to boost your business. The latest episode reveals why you should be making quick videos and posting them on Blip.tv. Check it out at: LouTube: Episode 6.
I’m really excited to share with you a unique and innovative membership website called the “Master Business Building Club.”
This content-rich site features 14 new Web 2.0 tools and technologies to keep you connected with your clients and colleagues. The high-level networking opportunities are going to be incredible!
The web resource is the brainchild of Mitch Meyerson and Travis Greenlee. I’m proud to say that I was a part of the development team, as I created many of the “how-to” videos you’ll see on the site.
As a reader of my e-zine, you are getting an exclusive first-look, along with a “pre-launch” opportunity to participate in the Club! Please give it a look today - I think you’ll be impressed! Click here for a preview or a free trial!
Do you ever wish you could screen your friend requests on Facebook? How about being able to make a really cool first impression on your new Facebook contacts? Well, I’ve just developed a neat little Facebook application that does just that!
It’s called “Handshake,” and it’s basically just a way for you to send a choice of several clever e-cards to your new Facebook friends. It’s free and easy to use. Just add the application and impress your new friends. See what I mean at Handshake!
Online Video is here to stay and is becoming a mainstream part of promoting your business online. Maybe you’ve just dipped your toes in the water or have been hesitant to dive in. Well now there are two, brand new resources to help make it easy for you to test the video waters…
First is the “Online Video Association,” a new Facebook group where you can learn about and experiment with web video along with your peers. Jump in for free at OnlineVideoAssociation.com.
The other fun, fast and free resource is my new “LouTube” videoblog episodes. Each week, I give you a quick heads-up on the latest video-related or social networking websites and tools. Also, you never know who I’m going to be talking with or mentioning… Previous episodes have provided tips and tricks for Twitter, UStream, Facebook, TubeMogul and more. Check out the latest episode at Blip.tv!
Speaking of new sites, I’ve redesigned and relaunched my portal site to make it more user friendly. It’s my one-stop-shop for all the creative services I offer: Copywriting, ghostwriting, writing coaching, online video, and even a bunch of freebies and goodies. Check it out at: www.LouBortone.com.
WRITING YOUR BOOK: Ten Tips to Get it Done!
June 16, 2008
By Lou Bortone, The Book Writing Coach
Most entrepreneurs and executives really want to become a published author, but few have the time or resources to write their book. Writing a book is a big commitment, and many aspiring authors just can’t seem to get started. If you fall into that category, you may decide that you need a ghostwriter or a writing coach. On the other hand, you may just need a gentle nudge to get started.
If you’d like to make this year the year you finally write your book, these 10 tips to getting your book done can help:
1. Make the Commitment – In order to write a book, you really have to decide to do it. Make the commitment to begin. Write it down as a goal with a deadline. Be intentional and take action!
2. Write One Hour a Day – Every day, make time to write – even if it’s only an hour a day. Get up a little earlier to establish a set time daily. Carve out an hour and do nothing but write!
3. Blog Your Book – If you want to chunk down your writing and make it less intimidating, try “blogging” your book. Start a blog and post your entries every day or so. Before you know it, your blog content will grow into the chapters of your book!
4.Write What You Know – Make book-writing much easier on yourself by writing what you know. Use your background, expertise and experience to create the content of your book. When you go with what you know, the writing will just flow!
5.Repurpose Existing Content – If you’ve created a seminar, speech, article or e-book, then you’ve already got some content for your book. Be sure to review your existing materials – from blog posts to e-courses - and recycle what you can.
6.Write Fast, Edit Later – Set a timer for 30-minutes and just write. Don’t put too much thought into it, just get the words down. It’s a lot easier to re-write than it is to write, so write first and edit later.
7.Develop Your Structure – Don’t jump blindly into writing without an outline or chapter structure. You may change it on the fly, but working without an outline is like working without a safety net!
8. Break Through Writer’s Block – There are many tricks for overcoming writer’s block, but most of it comes down to discipline and determination. If you’re stuck, take a break; do something different; then come back at it with a vengeance!
9.Use Writer’s Groups – Joining a writer’s group gives you accountability partners and support. Take advantage of the power of groups, whether it’s an online group or an in-person group.
10. Get Some Help – If all else fails, enlist the support of a writing coach, a collaborator or even a ghostwriter. You may want to explore the possibility of working with a co-author to split the work and make the journey more enjoyable.
Whatever tactics you choose, make this year the year you finally write that book!
Lou Bortone is a writer and entrepreneur with over 20 years’ experience in marketing, branding and promotion. Before starting his own company, Lou was an award-winning marketing executive in the media industry. Lou served as National Promotion Manager for E! Entertainment Television, and later as Senior VP of Marketing and Advertising for Fox Family Worldwide, a division of Fox, in Los Angeles. Today, Lou helps entrepreneurs and solo professionals build and promote their online businesses with services such as copywriting, ghostwriting, video production, video graphics and creative services.
Visit Lou’s websites for free info resources at http://www.LouBortone.com, http://www.TheOnlineVideoGuy.com and http://www.TheBookWritingCoach.com.
Five New Twitter Tips and Tricks
June 5, 2008
By Lou Bortone
Are you a Twitterholic or a Twitter newbie? Are you using Twhirl to update your Twitter tweets? Whether you’re just dipping your toes into the water or diving in head first, there’s no doubt that Twitter has become the latest darling of the social networking scene. Aside from the ability to post your own, brief, 140-character updates, Twitter offers a few fun surprises. By now you may be wondering how you can use this neat, little tool to connect and communicate with the rest of the online world. Well, here are five new ways you can use Twitter (and Twhirl) to maximize your connections and boost your business…
First, a quick heads-up on Twhirl (www.twhirl.org): Twhirl is a Twitter “client,” or desktop application, that makes Twitter even easier to use. Twhirl sits on your desktop and basically mirrors the Twitter interface, so you can post updates and monitor your friends’ posts without having to log-in to Twitter. Twhirl also gives you the option of replying to your friend’s “tweets,” or sending them a direct (private) message.
As for new ways to use Twitter, consider the following:
1. Your own personal search engine – You can use Twitter like a private search engine by asking your friends and followers to point you in the right direction.
2. Instant feedback – Twitter can also act as your own, personal focus group. Just post a quick question and use Twitter to solicit surveys, opinions or ideas.
3. Links in a blink – Use Twitter to link to your latest blog posts, sites of interest, etc. Twitter will even shorten the URL for you.
4. Continue conversations – As mentioned above, Twitter and Twhirl make it easy to communicate with your friends via their direct message and individual reply tools.
5. Instant Info – Use Twitter to sign up for updates or breaking news from your favorite websites such as CNN.com. (http://twitter.com/cnnbrk)
In the spirit of Twitter brevity, I’ll leave you with a few Twitter do’s and don’ts (All less than the allotted 140 characters!)
DO:
• Find and follow people you admire. Chances are, they will “follow” you back.
• Add your photo to your profile.
• Go to Twitter’s settings tab and customize the appearance of your Twitter page.
• Set up your Twitter posts to feed directly to your Facebook status updates.
DON’T:
• Blatantly promote your own agenda or products.
• Go overboard with your links and URLs.
• Be dull!
Lou Bortone is an author and entrepreneur with extensive experience in marketing, branding and promotion. Before starting his own company, Lou was an award-winning marketing executive in the media industry. Lou served as National Promotion Manager for E! Entertainment Television, and later as Senior VP of Marketing and Advertising for Fox Family Worldwide, a division of Fox, in Los Angeles. Today, Lou helps entrepreneurs and solo professionals navigate their online businesses with services such as copywriting, video production and creative services. Sign up for Lou’s free mini audio course about using Online Video at http://www.TheOnlineVideoGuy.com.
New LouTube: 5 Quick Tips for Making Your Videos Way Better
May 31, 2008
Check it out here: http://tinyurl.com/6h2lg6
Facebook: Friend or Ho?
May 28, 2008
If you’re like me, you’re getting dozens of new “friend” requests on Facebook every day.
At first, I quickly friended every random request, without even thinking about it. Then, I finally started being a bit more selective about who I let in…
Now, people on Facebook usually fall into a couple of different camps… You might be a quantity person, who has thousands of friends – or you might be a more discerning quality person, who carefully considers every friend request.
I guess I fall into the “quality” category. I’m not saying that there’s a right approach or a wrong approach – that’s a personal decision. But I don’t want to be known as a Facebook Ho! I’m not looking for a Facebook one-night-stand! Hey, that’s just me. I’m not gonna let just anyone into my Facebook family!
It’s one thing if you’re a mega-marketer or an author and you look at Facebook like another potential customer list or database. But for me, Facebook is not my “list.”
I’m not spamming these people or trying to sell them anything. I’m trying to build and develop a long-term relationship!
OK, so I don’t have 1,000 Facebook Friends yet. I’m pacing myself. I’m looking at each request. I’m being a little picky. So, if you want to take my slower, build-quality relationships over time approach, here are a few tips: These are the ten criteria I use to admit new friends into my Facebook family:
1. Do I know you? Should I know you?
2. Did you include a personal message in your friend request?
3. How many friends (if any) do we have in common?
4. Who are your friends? Are they people I know or respect?
5. Have you posted a photo and a decent profile? (Most people will want to see you)
6. Do you look like a spammer in disguise? Are you blatantly promoting a product?
7. What are you looking for? If it’s “hot chicks,” I’m not sure I want to friend you.
8. Did Facebook recommend you in the “People You May Know” box?
9. Did someone introduce us? (via Facebook or otherwise)
10. Do you look like you could be a psycho or a stalker?
Set up your own criteria, or what author Michael Port calls your “Red Velvet Rope” policy, and decide who to add as a friend. You may not have the biggest friend list, but the friends you have will be the right ones for you.
Oh, and if you want to friend me, just click over to: http://profile.to/loubortone/
If you’re reading this, chances are I’ll let you in!
Lou Bortone
Writing | Creative | Branding | Video
Helping service professionals and solopreneurs craft their messages, tell their stories and market their brands.
* Certified Guerrilla Marketing Coach *
lou.bortone@gmail.com
866-648-1152 toll free
603-498-9254 mobile
Skype: loubortone
www.LouBortone.com
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