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40+ Essential Social Business Resources

SmartBizDiva — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 15:37:09 +0000

40+ Essential Social Business Resources.

Critics trash national do-no-call list | Marketer News

SmartBizDiva — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 15:29:15 +0000

Critics trash national do-not-call list | Marketer News.

11 Delicious TextMate Themes for Designers and Developers

Christina Warren — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 14:00:34 +0000

TextMate () is one of the most used and well-loved applications for Mac OS X-based designers and developers. Even if it does look like TextMate 2.0 is likely vaporware, the existing app (currently at version 1.5.9) still delivers the goods. One of our favorite features of TextMate — and really, any modern text editor — is the ability to customize the look and feel. For designers and developers, this can be really fantastic, as we often spend the better part of our day in front of an open text editor and white on black text can sometimes get to be a little much. Likewise, having color schemes that can help highlight different elements of code that you frequently use can make the entire process much more enjoyable.

Apple Makes MobileMe More Cloud and iPad-Friendly

Christina Warren — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 21:15:57 +0000

Apple has updated its MobileMe service to include a new calendar interface and an iPad-friendly version of its iDisk iOS app. MobileMe, which is basically Google Apps meets Dropbox in a shiny wrapper, has been getting a visual overhaul over the last few months. Back in May, Apple re-designed the webmail interface for MobileMe, making it look very similar to the Mail app on the iPad. That update, along with a new Find My iPhone app for the iPhone and iPad, was released last month. The new calendar interface, which is currently in beta, also takes major design cues from the iPad. The layout is almost identical to that of the Calendar app on Apple’s tablet device. Personally, I think the iPad calendar is absolutely brilliant, which makes the web update a welcome change. Additionally, the new calendar will support sharing with family and friends who are also MobileMe members. You can also publish read-only calendars that can be viewed by anyone. Basically what this means is that MobileMe will now have the calendar sharing and publishing features that Google Calendar and other CalDAV based solutions have had for some time. Because MobileMe will support CalDAV, you can also invite people to events within MobileMe and people can RSVP right back. Because the web app was built in HTML5, it will work on your Mac or Windows desktop, as well as your iPhone and iPad. And since the events are all CalDAV, they will also work seamlessly with Google Calendar users. Apple has supported CalDAV for a number of years in its desktop calendar app (its iPhone and iPad calendars are also compatible with CalDAV calendars and shared events), which makes it odd that this functionality was not already built into MobileMe. While MobileMe has always been able to synchronize calendars across devices, including iCal and Google Calendar files, you haven’t been able to share or synchronize calendars the same way you could with Google Calendar or with your own iCal server. This is just one more sign that Apple is starting to take a more serious approach toward the cloud, using MobileMe as a catch-all for managing and synchronizing users’ data. If you want to sign-up for the MobileMe Calendar beta, you can request an invite at me.com/calendar. You will get an e-mail when you are accepted into the beta. Apple will add users to the beta in order of request over the next few weeks.

iDisk Gets iPad Support

Apple has also updated the iDisk app [iTunes link] to support not only the iPad, but also multitasking and quick app-switching in iOS 4. Having iDisk work natively on the iPad is a big deal because that means that sharing or saving files between devices is easier than ever. Although other applications like GoodReader have provided access to iDisk, having the app work natively on the iPad is great. That said, the app still needs some work. Actually adding files that are already on your iPhone or iPad is still more difficult than it needs to be and while third-party apps like QuickOffice for iPad can save files directly to an iDisk, Apple’s own Pages app can’t. The iDisk app is a free download for MobileMe members. MobileMe is $99 a year ($69 if you get it when you buy an iOS device or a new Mac).

Reviews: Dropbox, Google Calendar, MobileMe, Windows, pages More About: apple, caldav, idisk, iOS, ipad, mobileme

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40+ Essential Social Business Resources

Zachary Sniderman — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 19:14:00 +0000

Business and social media are becoming more and more inseparable. Most businesses, from big brands to startups, are expected to have an efficient, developed social media presence. The good news is that you don’t have to go it alone. We’ve collected a list of Mashable () resources, published over the past months, that can help you start, manage, or grow your social networks.

7 Ways to Control Chaos in Your Small Business from About.com

SmartBizDiva — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 13:46:44 +0000

“I know it’s here somewhere.” “I’ll have to get back to you about that.” “Where’s that _____?”

Sound familiar? If so, chaos has crept into your small business – and is probably busy spreading throughout your organization like a virus. Disorganization and confusion are irritating, but they’re also just plain bad for business. Think of it as a formula, if you like: chaos increasing equals profits decreasing. What to do? Control chaos by applying these basic office management principles:

The Reason I’m a Smart Business Diva

SmartBizDiva — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 20:27:04 +0000

I’m a Smart Business Diva because I know how to find the smartest women in business and learn from them – women like Suzanne Evans, Carrie Wilkerson, Debbie LaChusa and Lorrie Morgan-Ferrero. And because of them I’m growing my business by leaps and bounds.

In the video below, Suzanne Evans teaches you about “The Bubble Technique” – a great visual representation of what you want to achieve. Please have a look:

BBB Advice to Increase Your Chances of Getting a Small Business Loan

SmartBizDiva — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 15:08:24 +0000

Finding funding to start a business or bolster an existing one has been more difficult than usual lately. While the economy improves, banks are still reticent about lending to small business owners and Better Business Bureau recommends developing a solid business plan to earn the bank’s trust and increase your chances of landing a loan.

Twitter for Small Business

SmartBizDiva — Sun, 30 May 2010 14:21:46 +0000

One of the easiest ways to get intimate with your target market is to engage via social media, and Twitter is the ideal tool to help you do so.

Be honest, provocative, engaging and open. Start conversations. Post tips and hints that apply to your niche. Engage with others via retweeting and replying. Don’t be afraid to be bold. Speak your truth.

Don’t be the wonk who only posts, posts, posts with a series of affiliate links and not a single retweet. The SOCIAL part of social media is essential to building a following. Merely posting affiliate links will not get you followers who are genuinely interested in your business/services/products.

Be bold small business owner, this form of marketing is FREE – and we love free

5 Easy Steps to a Great Facebook Fan Page – Creating a Facebook Following – Entrepreneur.com

SmartBizDiva — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 02:33:20 +0000

5 Easy Steps to a Great Facebook Fan Page – Creating a Facebook Following – Entrepreneur.com

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