50 Social Sites That Every Business Needs a Presence on
Posted by Rory Martin in Social Media Marketing on March 19, 2009
Great article from Relevantlyspeaking.com
As a Seattle Web Design company that specializes in Seattle Search Engine Optimization and Seattle Social Media Marketing, I really like this article…for more information please visit our site at RoryMartin.com
Inside CRM has created an essential list called “50 Social Sites That Every Business Needs a Presence on”. This is a listing of sites you can leverage to help your company network, advertise, recruit, and more.
This is an essential list for any business with an online presence. If you are only limiting your marketing scope to banners, search and blogging then you are missing out on reaching more potential customers, business partners, and employees. Below is an exceprt of the list:
If your business limits its online presence to advertising banners and blogging, it’s missing out. The Internet provides powerful networking opportunities that allow users to effectively target their audience by logging on to social sites like LinkedIn, Digg and more. Take advantage of these tools by asserting your company’s presence online and reaching more potential customers, business partners and employees.
Social-Media/Social-Bookmarking Sites
Share your favorite sites on the Web with potential clients and business partners by commenting on, uploading and ranking different newsworthy articles. You can also create a member profile that directs traffic back to your company’s Web site.
- Reddit: Upload stories and articles on reddit to drive traffic to your site or blog. Submit items often so that you’ll gain a more loyal following and increase your presence on the site.
- Digg: Digg has a huge following online because of its optimum usability. Visitors can submit and browse articles in categories like technology, business, entertainment, sports and more.
- Del.icio.us: Social bookmark your way to better business with sites like del.icio.us, which invite users to organize and publicize interesting items through tagging and networking.
- StumbleUpon: You’ll open your online presence up to a whole new audience just by adding the StumbleUpon toolbar to your browser and channel surf[ing] the Web. You’ll connect with friends and share your discoveries, as well as meet people that have similar interests.
- Technorati: If you want to increase your blog’s readership, consider registering it with Technorati, a network of blogs and writers that lists top stories in categories like Business, Entertainment and Technology.
As a Seattle Web Design company that specializes in Seattle Search Engine Optimization and Seattle Social Media Marketing, I really like this article…for more information please visit our site at RoryMartin.com
Major iPhone upgrade coming this summer for Seattle Web Designers too
Posted by Rory Martin in Web Design and Development on March 17, 2009
Apple unveiled a slew of new features — more than 100 in all — in the third major revision of the iPhone’s basic operating system. Among the enhancements demonstrated at a special media event at its Cupertino headquarters on Tuesday were many of the functions users had been clamoring for — in some cases for nearly two years. Among the highlights:
- Cut, copy and paste across applications for Seattle Web Designers at www.rorymartin.com this is awesome!!
- So-called “push notification†— for example, of breaking news or sports results
- Multimedia messaging service (MMS) for sending pictures or voice memos in instant messages
- Landscape viewing when the iPhone is turned sideways in most applications, including Mail
- The ability to search Mail, Calendar and other applications for key words
- Improved calendar functions
- Stereo Bluetooth for wireless earphones
And much more. At the end of the 90 minute presentation, senior vice president Scott Forstall (who stood in for the ailing Steve Jobs) was rattling off features faster than reporters could type: Notes Sync, audio/video tags, live streaming, shake to shuffle, Wi-Fi auto login, Stereo Bluetooth, LDAP, iTunes account creation, YouTube ratings, Anti-Philshing, Call Log, Parental Controls, Media Scrubber, OTA profiles, VPN on demand, Languages, YouTube subscriptions, YouTube accounts and Encrypted profiles, auto-fills…
“Many minor features add up to a major change,†was Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster’s take-away message.
Apple also announced a raft of improvements — including more than 1,000 new APIs (application programming interfaces) — in the so-called SDK (software development kit) that programmers use to create applications for the iPhone and the iPod touch. Chief among them:
- Peer to peer connectivity to allow multiplayer games with people in close proximity
- Support for turn-by-turn navigation and other sophisticated map applications
- A subscription model that allows subscriptions and micropayments by the item ($9.95 for an electronic book, say, or a more $0.99 for a more powerful weapon in a shooting game)
- The ability to interact with hardware accessories such as speakers or glucose monitoring kits
A beta (preliminary) version of new SDK is available to developers for free download today.
iPhone 3.0 with all the added end-user features won’t be available until sometime this summer. It will be free to owners of existing iPhones and will cost $9.95 for the iPod touch. Some of the new functions — for example Stereo Bluetooth and MMS — won’t work on the first generation phones.
Apple also announced some App Store milestones:
- 25,000 apps available for download (the actual figure is now more than 28,000)
- 800 million apps downloaded
- 17 million iPhones sold through Dec. 2008
- 13.7 million iPod touches (for a total installed base of more than 30 million App Store-ready devices)
- 800,000 downloads of the original SDK
- 50,000 developers — 60% of them new to Apple
- 96% of the apps submitted are approved — although not fast enough to satisfy some developers
See Jon Fortt’s Big Tech here for a live blog of the event. Apple’s press release is available here.
Apple closed Tuesday just under $100, up nearly 4.5% for the day. In the past 15 days it has gained more than $16 a share.
Creative Business Growth- A Workshop With Local Experts – The Lab
Posted by Rory Martin in Social Networking on March 12, 2009
Velocity Art And Design
As a Seattle Web Design company that specializes in Seattle Search Engine Optimization and Seattle Social Media Marketing, I really loved doing this event…for more information please visit our site at RoryMartin.com
Creative Business Growth: A Workshop With Local Experts
March 19 6-8 pm at our Seattle Store
251 Yale Ave N. Seattle WA 98109Â 206.749.9575
Guest Experts include
Rory Martin: Seattle web design – Rory has run web design and marketing firms for 12 years including www.rorymartin.com. His areas of expertise are growing small businesses with limited resources, search engine optimization, applying social media to business models, and web design in Seattle.
Tracy Schneider: A writer with the Seattle P-I and principal of her own marketing firm, Tracy excels in unconventional marketing for business and non-profit organizations. Tracy will be discussing how to promote one’s company through traditional and non-traditional means.
Kristen Rask and Andrea Porter: Owners of Bluebottle Gallery and Schmancy, Andrea and Kristen are collectively the Grassroots Business Association. Speaking on the GBA, their perspective as retailers, and how to support a network of small businesses. They will also be addressing growth of a retail business.
Thanks to Trophy Cupcakes and DrySoda for the refreshments.
Join us for an excellent lecture on Seattle web design.
As a Seattle Web Design company that specializes in Seattle Search Engine Optimization and Seattle Social Media Marketing, I really like this space for meeting…for more information please visit our site at RoryMartin.com
Competitor Analysis in Seattle
Posted by Rory Martin in Uncategorized on March 10, 2009
The RoryMartin.com method of competitor analysis in Seattle is the process of reviewing the strengths and weaknesses of existing and upcoming competitors. The analysis provides an offensive and defensive strategic framework through which to identify opportunities and threats.
Seattle competitor analysis is an essential part of corporate strategy. Many firms do not conduct this type of analysis often enough. Instead, many companies operate on impressions and intuition, based on experience. As a result, traditional practices place most firms at risk of having competitive blindspots due to a lack of this, competitor analysis.
No matter your location, firms in Arlington, Auburn, Bellevue, Boise, Bonney Lake, Bremerton, Des Moines, Edmonds, Everett, Gig Harbor, Graham, Indianola, Issaquah, Kent, Kingston, Kirkland, Lake Stevens, Langley, Los Angeles, Lynnwood, Marysville, Mill Creek, Mukilteo, Oak Harbor, Olympia, Orting, Portland, Port Gamble, Port Orchard, Poulsbo, Puyallup, Redmond, Renton, SeaTac,  Seattle, Silverdale, Snohomish, Southworth, Steilacoom, Suquamish, Tacoma, Tukwila, Tumwater, and Yelm, can all benefit from local Competitor analysis.
One useful technique is making a competitor overview. The steps include:
- Define your business – scope and nature.
- List your competitors.
- Determine your customers and what benefits they expect.
- Determine your industry’s key success factors.
- Rank the key success factors by giving each one a value.
- Rank each competitor using the key success factors.
- Add each of the columns for an assessment of each competitor.
Let RoryMaritn.com help you implement your Competitor analysis in Seattle, online and in your local communtiy.
Inventory Management
Posted by Rory Martin in Uncategorized on March 5, 2009
Whether your store is in the Greater Seattle area or exclusively online, the staff at RoryMartin.com can help you expertly manage your inventory. Increase local and online sales. Streamline your inventory catalog.
The inventory management software packages we use (such as Os Commerce and Virtue Mart), display your product catalog online for your Greater Seattle customers, and web customers anywhere in the world. All while giving you a visual record of your inventory and sales performance.
Create invoices, purchase orders, receiving lists, payment receipts and printed labels. An inventory management software system configured to your warehouse, retail or product line will increase revenue for your company. The inventory management system will control operating costs and provide better understanding of your sales statistics. We are your source for inventory management software.
Inventory management and inventory control must meet the needs of your marketplace and support the company’s business model. The changes in market demand, opportunities due to worldwide trade, global availability of materials, and new manufacturing processes, means many companies will need to change their process for inventory control.
Let RoryMartin.com help you increase your local and online sales by implementing an internet catalog or software package for inventory management, in the Greater Seattle Area and beyond.
Rory I. Martin – Senior Project Manager – Web Producer – Business Analyst
Posted by Rory Martin in Uncategorized on March 3, 2009
As a Seattle Web Design company that specializes in Seattle Search Engine Optimization and Seattle Social Media Marketing, I really like being able to post this stuff… for more information please visit our site at RoryMartin.com
Overview:
Over 12 years Project Management experience. Continuing to build upon expertise managing strategic initiatives. Skilled at strengthening and inspiring project teams, including management, creative and technical. Through project leadership, will build successful client relationships, provide direction and documentation for business and technical objectives, drive initiatives to completion and guide teams towards precedent work. Have an in-depth understanding of best-practice and methodology including Strategy, Analysis, Design, Development, Testing, Deployment and Support project phases.
Summary of Experience:
- Senior Project Manager for interactive ecommerce (Internet, Intranet, Extranet) development projects. Include Enterprise Application and Internet Application development.
- Experienced in the multiple project lifecycles for both product development and implementation.
- Strategic business consulting including development of strategic plans, business development, channel development, branding and marketing strategy.
- Management experience of 3rd party vendor process, change control, mediation and risk analysis.
- Project and team leader for the development of CRM implementation methodology and project management process, including corporate training programs.
Conenza; 2008 – Current
Senior Web Producer; Seattle, WA.
Rory was brought on to launch and maintain the Genentech, Goldman Sachs, and Accenture Alumni websites on time with the most current content as well as help preserve a strong relationship between Conenza and the client by providing the best implementation and maintenance support possible.
Developed a streamlined Content Procedure Program using a Mambo based system and process to scale for many clients concurrently.
Developed template baseline documents that guide and educate our clients on how to plan strategically for content administration across an entire alumni website for thousands of users.
Enhanced our core marketing initiatives by launching the Conenza.com website with the best possible search engine optimization.
Designed features of the core product white label design and scope docs by writing user stories, drawing user flows, and mocking up graphical representations that enabled development with clear specifications for features.
QMobility; 2004 – 2008
Project Manager, Business Analyst; Seattle, WA.
Rory established a name for QMobility as a global leader in mobile technology training and seeding initiatives. Through training, education and evangelism, Rory is personally responsible for the growth of mobility sales channels including Windows Mobile Partners, Intel’s IC3 program, T-Mobile product launches as well as mobile applications for vertical markets.
Rory has served nationally as a public speaker for Intel and Microsoft training partner dealers, mobile operator support and sales centers, as well as global account managers for large master dealers of Windows Mobile products. As lead business analyst in the identification of solutions for QMobility’s customers, Rory provides strategic business consulting to clients including development of strategic plans, business development, channel development as well as branding and marketing strategy. Initially managing a new build of the Windows Mobile Fortune 500 seeding program, Rory has developed a video training business that delivers videos directly to the device.
Quick2Market; 2002 – 2004
Owner, Strategist, Project Manager, Business Development; Seattle, WA.
Managed privately owned strategic, creative and technical project services group. Provide international expansion, localization and business consultation, business development, strategic plan development, branding, graphic design, web interface development and write creative content. Work with team of partners consulting for creative and technical clients internationally.
Montana Banana; 2002 – 2003
Business Development, Marketing Strategist; Seattle, WA.
Organized and supervised all business development and marketing projects, seminars, and events. Directed the implementation of sales pipeline by incorporating ACT and sales funnel manager from DVRC.net. I’ve pushed the limits of the revenue generation processes within the organization.
Aris Corporation; 2000 – 2001
Sr. Web Producer; Seattle, WA.
Project Management responsibility for front-to-back web application and site development for Oracle and Microsoft development group. Oversee Proposal, Strategy, Discovery, Design, Development, Testing, Deployment and Support processes. Teams sizes of 2-10 and budgets of $500,000. Managed project plans, budgets, process, project accounting, client relations, quality assurance and communication. Delivered business, web and marketing strategy,
branding, interface development and information architecture.
Internet Development Group; 1998 – 2000
Web Producer; Seattle, WA.
WORLDCATCH.COM I provided user analysis and use case scenarios for an online fish auction site. Complete with state of the art auction technology, this site provided an online real time hub to buy and sell fish. Conducted user studies and analysis among a group of testing subjects and applied real world metrics to the application.
CLASSMATES.COM Here I helped the client re-discover and target their audience with a richer look and feel as well as a more user-friendly design. Coded HTML, DHTML, and Style Sheets for project. Also wrote JavaScript for navigation. Bridged the development and testing environments by launching the research and development of test automation and integration within the project lifecycle.
Certifications:
Web Technology Essentials – University of Washington 2001
Adobe Usability Training
Professional Affiliations:
Project Management Institute
SODO Business Administration
Discover University
Languages
Spanish – Intermediate
References
Laura Porto Stockwell – VP Interactive Strategy | Publicis
www.Publicis.com
206.270.4612
lauraporto@gmail.com
Savan Kong – Director of User Experience | Conenza
www.Conenza.com
206-861-2919
savank@hotmail.com
Scott Spagnola – Director of Sales | Varolii
www.Varolii.com
206-390-3470
scottspagnola@gmail.com
BJ Higgins – CEO | Longboat Technology Group
www.Ltgroup.net
206.650.9195
bj@ltgroup.net
Business & Soft Skills:
Business Management
Team & Client Management
Planning, Budgeting
Mediation & Change Control
Vendor Management
Training & Presentations
Functional Analysis
Financial Analysis
Business Solutions:
Social Networking Application Development
Internet/Extranet/Intranet
Mobile/Wireless
Content Management
Strategic Planning
Strategic Marketing
Client Server Applications
Enterprise Resource Planning
Supply Chain Management
Business Proc. Reengineering
Sales Process
Procurement Process
Inventory Management
Financial Consolidation
Process Expertise:
Web Development
Software Development
Strategy
Graphic Design
CRM Implementation
Creative Skills:
Competitive Analysis
Audience Analysis
Attribute Development
Brand Development
Web Layout and Design
Creative Writing
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Imageready
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Dreamweaver
User Story Definition
Wiki Development
Information Architecture
Technical Skills:
XHTML, DHTML, CSS, XML
Mambo, Drupal
Jahia
Liferay
Javascript
MS Office, Project & Visio
PowerPoint
Technical Environments:
Windows Mobile CE – Current
MS Windows 98, NT, 2K .NET
Sharepoint
Liferay
MS IIS, MS SQL Server
MS Visual Interdev
VB Script, XML, SSL
BackWeb Solutions
MS COM/DCOM
Visual Source Safe
Java
PHP
Unix, Perl
Flash
Client List:
Genentech
Goldman Sachs
Microsoft
Accenture
Classmates
Shurgard
T-Mobile
Alltel
Verizon
Brightpoint
HTC
Bodyglide
WorldCatch
Krispy Kreme
Getty Images
LearnEveryday
BigOTires
Simpson Door
Aris
Aviation Partners Boeing
Top Websites Built:
www.rorymartin.com
www.conenza.com
www.qmobility.com
www.gsalumninetwork.com
www.dna-alumni.com
www.accenturealumni.com
www.montanabanana.com
www.aircleantech.com
www.simpsondoor.com
www.classmates.com
www.aviationpartnersboeing.com
www.barcino147.com
www.vidiator.com
As a Seattle Web Design company that specializes in Seattle Search Engine Optimization and Seattle Social Media Marketing, I really like being able to post this stuff… for more information please visit our site at RoryMartin.com
Microsoft Alumni Network Helps Connect Former Microsoft Employees with Companies Looking for Top Talent
Posted by Rory Martin in Social Networking on February 5, 2009
Microsoft Alumni Network Helps Connect Former Microsoft Employees with Companies Looking for Top Talent
Two special offers available now through the end of March: Companies can post new job openings for free, New Microsoft alumni members can join for only $99 (Standard Rate $130)
Seattle, WA (PRWEB) February 5, 2009 – The Microsoft Alumni Network (MSA) has announced the launch of two special offers designed to help connect exiting and former Microsoft employees with companies looking to fill open positions with high-quality talent.
These special offers, which will last through March 31, 2009, include:
• Free Job Postings for Third-Party Companies:
The Microsoft Alumni Network is currently offering free job postings to companies interested in targeting this qualified pool of more than 10,000 validated Microsoft alumni around the globe. Companies with open positions can post their jobs in the Opportunity Center online at: https://www.msanet.org/default.asp?pageID=car_postjob
• Discounts for New Microsoft Alumni Members:
In an effort to help newly exiting Microsoft employees gain access to new job opportunities, a robust online community, a private social network of fellow alumni, and a broad range of personal and professional member benefits, the Microsoft Alumni Network is offering a “New Member Rate†of $99 (Standard Rate $130).
For over a decade, the Microsoft Alumni Network (MSA) has been the official organization for Microsoft Alumni worldwide. MSA helps support its members with a wide variety of benefits, including access to the Microsoft Company Store, job opportunities at Microsoft and other leading companies, competitive pricing on individual and small business health insurance and benefits, annual events, and other special privileges. Membership is open to authenticated former FTEs of Microsoft.
New members can register to join at:
https://www.msanet.org/default.asp?pageID=join_form1
For more information on the benefits of membership, visit:
http://www.msanet.org/msa_documents/Microsoft_Alumni_Network_Brochure.pdf
About the Microsoft Alumni Network (MSA)
The Microsoft Alumni Network (MSA) is the official membership organization for Microsoft alumni worldwide. MSA was founded in 1995 to help support former Microsoft employees as they move on to pursue new opportunities. Today, MSA helps over 10,000 Microsoft alumni stay connected and benefit from valuable connections, career opportunities, and exclusive discounts on products and services. To learn more about the Microsoft Alumni Network, visit: www.msanet.org.
Functional Analysis
Posted by Rory Martin in Uncategorized on February 2, 2009
Functional Analysis of your current or future site.
Let RoryMartin.com help you discover if your new or existing website passes the Functional Analysis test. We have analysed hundreds of sites in the Greater Seattle area, with an emphasis on getting results.
You want a website that is making money for you, but before you start to build it, there needs to be some kind of specification what the user experience will be. And how that will translate into sales. Website Functional Analysis is the process of identifying the website functionality that is needed to satisfy your business needs in Seattle and beyond..
As an owner or project leader, you are the one who will guide the success of a website project. The more time you invest into your functional requirements analysis the more successful your project should be.
The project will have exactly what it needs to be successful and profitable in your online ventures. If you have identified all of the functionality that is needed then you will be able to answer questions from the website designers and developers immediately. Keeping the project moving, saving time, and money.
Contact RoryMartin.com for Seattle web design and functional analysis.
Our Service Areas
Posted by Rory Martin in Search Engine Optimization, Social Media Marketing, Social Networking, Web Design and Development on February 2, 2009
RoryMartin.com offers web design and development in Seattle. We services the following areas and beyond.
Arlington, Auburn, Bellevue, Boise, Bonney Lake, Bremerton, Des Moines, Edmonds, Everett, Gig Harbor, Graham, Indianola, Issaquah, Kent, Kingston, Kirkland, Lake Stevens, Langley, Los Angeles, Lynnwood, Marysville, Mill Creek, Mukilteo, Oak Harbor, Olympia, Orting, Portland, Port Gamble, Port Orchard, Poulsbo, Puyallup, Redmond, Renton, SeaTac, Seattle, Silverdale, Snohomish, Southworth, Steilacoom, Suquamish, Tacoma, Tukwila, Tumwater, Yelm.
Online, or in person.
Contact us today…Rory@RoryMartin.com Phone: 206-355-0894
Content Management
Posted by Rory Martin in Search Engine Optimization, Social Media Marketing, Social Networking on January 23, 2009
Rory Martin Web Design in Seattle, specializes in web content management systems.
We design to simplify the administration of web sites. In particular, allowing business owners to edit their own site’s content without the need for any technical knowledge.
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