What is about.me?

A Custom Profile & personal Analytics Dashboard

What is about.me?

A lot of us have multiple online profiles scattered across various services including Facebook, LinkedIn, Flickr, and Twitter. And one problem we face is pulling all of this information together to build a single on-line identity — be it for personal use, or to create a professional on-line profile. about.me focused on enabling you to:

All about about.me from about.me on Vimeo.

Create your personal splash page

Quickly build a personal and dynamic splash page that points visitors to your content from around the web.

Have fun with the numbers

Understand how many people see your profile, where they're coming from, and what they do on your page

To Join is easy and it's Free!

https://about.me/

Tips for creating paid search advertising on line

Image from Multi streams marketing

1.Decide on the keywords- see document on “Tip for creating keywords for your website” for help on this step.

2.Create a grabbing headline

If using a paid search program such as Google Adwords, you will be given 25 characters to create a headline that grabs attention quickly.

The headline should include one or more of the keywords you are bidding for as this will increase relevance to the person searching and hence the likelihood they will click on your ad.

3.Descriptive text should have a strong call to action

4.When you are writing your ad text, it’s very important to be specific, clear and relevant to the keywords. Use the 2 lines pf descriptive text (35 characters per line) to sell your offer and encourage the visitor to click through to your website or webpage.

5.Provide an appropriate URL

The URL is where you want people to land when they click on your ad. This may be not always be your homepage. If your ad promotes a discount offer, it would be better to direct people to a particular page relating to that offer or product. This page is generally referred as a “landing page’ or a “squeeze page”.

For best results, the ad should have the actual keyword near the beginning, then perhaps a special offer or feature, the company name, and a link to the page on your site that you want customers to visit.

To increase leads or sales, you may wish to make it easier for visitors to request a quote, make an inquiry or purchase directly from the page where you have chosen to direct them.

6.Measure and track performance

Finally, no activity is worth doing unless you measure its results against your set objectives. Most paid search advertising providers have readily available data on your paid search campaign including which adverts or keywords are performing better. This also gives you an opportunity to refine your adverts to maximise result

Tips for creating keywords for your Website

Getting  traffic and increasing traffic to your website are  on going  processes that usually  involve Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and Search Engine Marketing (SEM).

So what is SEO?

Search Engine Optimisation is a marketing technique of assisting a website to enhance its chances of being ranked in the top results of a search engine once a relevant search is undertaken. 

And what is SEM?

Search engine marketing, is an Internet marketing that helps to promote websites by increasing their visibility in search engine result pages (SERPs) through the use of search engine optimization, paid placement, contextual advertising, and paid inclusion

Whichever marketing tool you have selected, it is best to begin with set of search phrases or keywords.  You may already know that there are many providers and free online tools available to assist you to do this.On line tool like "Google" has one of the best tool to help you to get start. However, for a successful marketing campaign you will still need to  personally select the keywords  that are most appropriate to your design business. Those Keyword you have selected need to specifically described the nature of your business.

Here are some tips on creating and selecting keywords:

1.  Decide on the marketing objective-this may have an impact on how your structure your keywords

For example, if the objective is to simply generate more leads, you may create a list of generic keywords that you know are popular for your design practice.

However, if the objective is to generate more qualified leads or sales, then the list might be more specific and targeted to a specific customer type.

2.    Create an initial list

Firstly, identify phrases and terms that describe the main categories of your design business.

Write down every relevant keyword under each category you’ve defined. Remember to think like your customers so wear "the customer hat" on and start listing. What terms or phrases would your customers use to describe your product or service?

3.    Group similar keywords

Group your keywords based commonalities such as product type, services, location, customer type or other categories.

4.    To ensure the traffic coming through to your site is a closer to match to your offering, it is best to delete any genetic keywords on your list that could relate to a wide spectrum of products or services.

For example, the keyword “fashion” for a fashion store is likely to be too generic to generate genuine sales leads. 

Also eliminate keywords that are irrelevant or obscure from your list.

Close Up with Rick Chen from Pozzible- Crowdfunding

 Rick Chen

Co Founder of FundBreak

Tell us a little about yourself and your role at FundBreak?

I am a young entrepreneur, a new media designer and the co-founder of the crowdfunding platform FundBreak. I hold a Master of Design in Digital Media from University of Sydney. I'vegained more than five years experience in digital media design specialising in web and new media. My interests include social media technology, new generation enterprise and online social innovation.


What are the five words that people who know you would use to describe you?
Outgoing, Creative, Hard working, Fun and Active


Tell us about FundBreak and what you can do to help artists, designers, and the creative community?

Fundbreak is a new crowdfunding platform and community for creative projects and ideas. Developed for artists, musicians, filmmakers, journalists, designers, entrepreneurs, inventors, event organisers, software developers and anyone with a creative idea to raise funds, engage fans and reward supporters.

What was the purpose for starting a crowd funding business like FundBreak, and how has the concept come about?

Last year I had the opportunity to work on a project with a number of visual artists in Australia and learned quite a lot about the creative industry. It became obvious that a large number of artists in Australia were struggling financially. At this time we spotted an art project in Europe that successfully used the power of the crowd to raise capital and get things moving. This lead us to setting up an Australian platform to raise funds for the creative industry. In effect, FundBreak provides the creative industry an alternative funding source and a tool to engage the fans, friends, family and community. Due to the explosive growth of social networking websites like Facebook and Twitter, it has become much easier and convenient for creative individuals, groups and organisations to involve an audience and independently sell or promote projects.

FundBreak Snapshot

FundBreak Copyrights

Tell us how FundBreak works.

Anyone with a project or idea can post a project on the FundBreak platform. The project creator must set a funding goal, a deadline to raise the funds (currently a maximum 50 days) and at leastone reward. A reward is a tangible or intangible perk you offer in return for the support you receive.Support usually comes from your fan base, friends, family, social networks and strangers that simply like your project. If the project reaches (or exceeds) its funding goal before the deadline, all the funds will transferred directly to the project creator. Otherwise, the funds raised are returned to the supporters. This is the all or nothing concept of crowdfunding.

What are the most common issues that you see related to crowd funding?
Since crowdfunding is a relatively new concept, project creators need to understand the keys to success. The act of crowdfunding is an effort and requires commitment and dedication to succeed. Sending an email to your mailing list and hoping that people will flock to fully fund your project on day one very rarely happens. Successful crowdfunded projects will provide project updates, show appreciation, spread the word through the social networking websites, engage supporters and show passion and determination to make the project happen.

What should artists, designers, and the creative community think about when considering crowdfunding?
Project creators should consider the minimum funding goal required to get the project started and offer rewards that are appealing. Every project creators should ask themselves, would I support this project?

From start to finish, how long would it generally take to complete a crowd funding campaign?
This varies from project to project. Currently, the maximum number of days a project can run is 50 days. We've had project reach its funding goal in 2 days but it really depends on the effort put in.
 

What advice can you offer to creative businesses who are seeking crowd funding support ?
Plan you project well and get input from the people around you. Offer great rewards and be prepared to fully commit yourself to the project. There are heaps of advice and articles available on the subject of crowdfunding – pay ahead to tips from successful projects and sometimes more importantly from people who have been unsuccessful.

Tell us about your process for working with clients?
FundBreak currently works on an invitation basis. A project creator is required to submit a simple project proposal to obtain an invitation code. We use this for quality purposes and to ensure the project complies with Australian law. We provide project creators an online form to submit the project. Once submitted, its available to receive funding immediately. We provide a helpful guide and checklist to get you started. Also, every Monday and Thursday project creators receive a campaign update with some tips and advice. Once the project meets its deadline, if the project has met its funding goal the funds raised are transferred directly to the project creator minus the transaction and service fees. If the project has not met its funding goal, the funds are returned to the supporters.

Do you have a book that you would like to recommend?
This is difficult. I eagerly await a new book to be released this month called “What's mine is yours – the rise of collaborative consumption“ by Rachel Botsman & Roo Rogers.

Where do we find you and your services?  

Our office is located at 525 Harris Street Ultimo 2007 NSW, or simply go to our website

http://www.fundbreak.com.au/

rick@fundbreak.com.au

Cash Flow Concepts for Creative Professionals

Hosted By: Quantum Compass
09 Sep 2010 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Doors open 09 Sep 2010 7:00 PM
284 Harris Street Pyrmont, 2009
Region: Sydney - Metro

Theme: Sales and Marketing, Business Planning, Finance
Type: Workshop, Seminar, Networking

Maximum attendees: 24

This event is free of charge.

Cash Flow - The life blood of any business. Discover the 7 key steps to ensuring the cash flows in your creative art & design practice.

As part of a small group in an informal workshop environment you can take the time you need to explore how the cash flows in your creative art / design practice.

With real world examples and direct indusrty experience we'll explore the ways your can measure, assess, and create cash flows in your business.

While this workshop is relevant to all established businesses, the focus is on creative industry professionals (artists, graphic design, interior design/decorators, fashion, textile, jewellers, etc)

Other Event Instructions

There's street parking available in the area, and parking at Star City, or the Sydney Convention Centre/Exhibition Centre is also available.

All materials will be provided; but remember to bring your business cards.

Contact

Contact: Stuart Horrex

Phone: 02 8060 9231
Mobile: 0424 136 138

Email: stuart@quantumcompass.com.au

The Power of Visual Merchandsing

 

Adidas Goes Big for UEFA EURO 2008

 Image From Street Attack

The power of creative visual merchandising plays a very important role in your design business. In a highly competitive market your customers are savvy as ever. That’s why it’s essential to make your stall, studio, or store experience as appealing and engaging as possible.

Creating a powerful display doesn’t have to cost lots of money either. It’s about knowing what your customer wants and what’s going to grab their attention.

This thinking is just as important for the online side of your design practice too.

Great displays are an art form. For many years they've been the domain of window dressers, merchandisers, company reps and strategic designers. But given the current move to cost cutting, retailers now have to improvise, using their imagination and the tools immediately available.

For many this is less about having enough merchandise, or risers, or stands and racks... and more about creativity. And in all likelihood it's also about leveraging the power of that little thing called social media too...

A display that grabs your client’s attention, be they old or new, and tempts them to take more interest in the rest of the store, is a powerful motivator to get them to stick around. Hopefully to stick around long enough to buy!

Your visual merchandising strategy should encourage “Action “... Action to buy.

Just as a good website encourages users to click and browse, the key merchandise displays in your store are there to grab attention and engage with customers. In some cases, people will often make the journey to a store just to see stand-out visual merchandising. Be it a mountain of teddy bears and tigers in the Disney Stores or an eye-catching seasonal display, a destination or feature merchandising ‘moment' can be the thing that makes your store a must-see. Department stores' Christmas window displays are a good example of this too.

We mentioned social media before. Social media has given good visual merchandising an exponential power boost. People love to take photos and put themselves up on Facebook, whether it's next to a living Statue of Darth Vader on Hollywood Blvd, or beside the logo of the store they just shopped in. They hold up bags, they pose, and they can promote you too.

So, if someone poses with your stock items, with you, with your staff, next to your renowned merchandising display, then post the photos to Facebook! That way you get free advertising shots. If you are lucky they will also tweet about your business and you will get an instant message about your business to hundreds, if not thousands of people in a matter of a seconds.

And it doesn't end there either. Offer to be the photographer for them, take three or four snaps, from which they can create a mini-shopping album, and you get even more photos online. Ask them to add your business to Facebook, and you can tag your store as well!

People are going to take photos of things they like. Now you can let them promote you for free!

So to re-cap:-

•   Create a merchandise display people want to be photographed beside and tell their friends about.

•   Encourage photos.

•  Tag people in photos including your Facebook profile.

•   Get creative.

•   Have competitions, prizes and offers for all your Facebook and twitter friends

Never forget that the fusion of visual merchandising and social media creates an unbeatable way of driving more business into your store. Good luck with designing that display!

Want to learn more about merchandising for your fashion & design business the Quantum Compass way?

It’s as simple as 1... 2... 3...

1:Like  ArtSHINE's Facebook page

2: Come along to the ArtSHINE workshops in Sydney: http://quantumcompass.eventbrite.com

3: Contact Vinh for a no cost, no obligation coaching session on 8060 9321, or 0424 136 138. Click here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ArtShineDiscovery

What is Business LifeStyle Coaching?

Coaching, and Creating a Sustainable Business LifeStyle.

As a creative professional it’s always hard keeping up with all the changes and pressures in today's fast paced world, let alone finding the time to devote to sales, marketing, systems development, business planning and team management. And all that while working in, and operating, your art practice... all day... every day!

As the world moves faster and faster, becoming ever more demanding and competitive... Having a coach is no longer a luxury... It’s fast becoming a necessity!

Elite athletes have a coach. And now, in this difficult and demanding time for artists and designers around Australia and around the world, it’s the turn of artists, designers, and creative professionals to have a business coach too.

A sporting coach will work with an athlete in establishing training routines and developing habits that mean that the athlete can achieve optimum performance. A sporting coach provides support, motivation, and encouragement. A sporting coach is there when the athlete starts the training day, and is there when the athlete runs across that finish line.

It’s the coach that works with the athlete on the big picture. Works with the athlete on strategies that the athlete needs to earn a place on the winner’s podium. It’s the coach that works with the athlete to keep them going when energies are low and the hurdles seem to high.

In the same way as a sporting coach will work with an elite athlete, we’ll work with you as your Coach and walk alongside you as we create a sustainable business that supports you in your creative practice... Thus creating what we call a “Business LifeStyle”.

Here at ArtSHINE we’re not about growth for growth’s sake. We’re not advocates for “Work / Life Balance”. In fact, it’s just the opposite! For us it’s about getting better, not getting bigger. For us it’s about creating a “whole of life”, or “portfolio” approach to work. It’s about creating a Business LifeStyle, and designing a sustainable art & design practice that supports you the creative professional in life and, supports you in work as well.

Our role as your coach is to guide, support and encourage...

We’re here to work with you to create a change in your life and in your business...

ArtSHINE is a boutique business coaching practice based in Sydney, Australia.

Vinh Van Lam & Stuart Horrex are passionate about small business enterprise.

ArtSHINEs provides business coaching, mentoring, business advisory, & new enterprise facilitation.

Our coach partners and associate catalysts have decades of hands on, real world experience to share.

DESIGN YOUR EXISTING BUSINESS LIFESTYLE

Image from Freelance Folder

Been in business for a few years and know what success really takes? Sick and tired of never having enough hours in the day? Can't find and retain the right staff? Frustrated that you can never get away from your business when you want to? Struggling with cash flow because you're growing too fast or out of control?

When we speak with small business owners like you, these are some of the biggest issues you tell us you face every day. We understand all the conflicting demands and pressures that are a constant in your small business.

So, ask yourself these questions:

* What if I had a business coach walking along side me right now?


* What if I had a personal coach urging me onwards and upwards?


* What if I had a mentor who's successfully been where I’m going?

Would that sort of support make a real difference to you and your business right now...

* Get more control faster and easier


* Make money, and make more money sooner


* Spend more time doing what you really enjoy

Here's our promise to you right now: You started your business years ago because you had a dream and a passion. Work with us and you’ll live that dream, and find that passion, again.

Now is the right time to "Make Tomorrow Today". Nothing could be simpler. Take action now and reserve your complimentary bussiness coaching session.

Ask us anything you like... For Free! That's right... No cost!

E-mail us with any question or query that you have... Make tomorrow today!

ExistingEnterpriseQuestionsAnswered@QuantumCompass.com.au

Or take advantage on our Free Discovery Coaching Session:

http://quantumcompass.com.au/survey1_h2.php

 Or Contact your coach:

Vinh Van Lam +61 410 636 138

Close up with Brian Goldberg- IP Specialist EKM Patent & Trade Marks

 

 Brian Goldberg

Trade Mark Attorney

Tell us a little about yourself and what is your role at EKM Patent & Trade Marks?

We are a specialist intellectual property legal firm in South Yarra, Melbourne. I am a trade mark attorney and work with start-ups, exporters and basically all brand oriented companies to register and protect their brands.

Specifically I discuss the brand strategy, do the costs, under take trade mark searches, file and register new trade marks as well as enforce the rights of my clients’ brands against others who seem to copy. I also assist in filing and protecting the brands in international markets which assists exporters build international brands.

What are the five words that people who know you would use to describe you?
Honest, hard working, passionate, insightful.

Tell us about EKM Patent and what you can do to help artists, designers, and the creative community?
Being creative is a talent and takes internal drive to develop something new. That’s what I love about intellectual property, especially trade marks, is that it is all new and exciting.

What I can specifically do to assist artists, designers, and the creative community is initially EDUCATE them on intellectual property, their rights and the best way to ensure they have the opportunity to maximise their creations. I am always happy to educate, discuss and inform creative people. Then whether or not we proceed and file trade marks, patents and designs is secondary as long as the creative people are able to be in a position to make a choice and that is what I believe is an important start.

Regarding our actual services we file and register trade marks, patents and design registrations in Australia and internationally. We also provide the legal services required for creative businesses, such as licence agreements and necessary contracts. Enforcement and protection services are important and we do these in a cost effective manner to make sure your work is not copied.

What was the purpose on starting a new division"Business Services” at EKM and how has the concept come about?
Many of our clients are really talented and have always worked as a creative, however when it comes to the business side, they have no experience. We are very well connected in the commercialisation space and can easily assist people in taking their new ideas into viable business opportunities.

Therefore EKM business is a business support division that assists clients who have intellectual property with the business matters such as seeking funds, creating prototypes, marketing, sales and numerous other aspects. Our unique service is that we can be a VIRTUAL CEO for your company and provide the insightful and experienced business strategies for your company, without the often high costs of hiring a full time CEO.

What are the most common IP protection issues that relate to artists, designers, and the creative community?
Before protecting one’s creation, I always explore two key questions:

1. What aspect of the creation is seeking protection and what IP protection is available (trade mark, patent, design or copyright)?

2. Who owns the intellectual property?

Once this is discussed then a clear strategy is easy to develop.

These questions often lead to problems such as:

Copying – often people believe they can copy someone else’s work or copy some of it and just change a little. This is false.

Ownership - If you create work as a job, on most occasions the work company is likely to own your intellectual property. This may also apply to universities.

At what stage do you think artists, designers, and the creative community should think about protecting their IP?
Right from the start.

It is vital to review your creative work before it is shown to anyone as it is a requirement for a patent and design registration to be NEW. Therefore by showing, selling or publishing you may have lost your rights to protect it with IP.

Then whether you proceed with filing for IP protection is a commercial decision.

What should artists, designers, and the creative community look for when selecting an IP specialist?
These days in most industries each industry has its own unique niche issues and so we suggest to seek a specialist not only in IP but in your area of trade. So it makes sense to ask if the IP advisor has worked with your area such as artworks, fashion, furniture, etc.

From start to finish how long would it generally take to secure IP for a client?
Trade Mark – In Australia the process usually takes 7 months, however can be expedited if it is urgent.

Design registration – In Australia the design can be filed within a few days and subsequently certified in a few months.

Patent – a patent is initially filed as a provisional patent application and can take several years to proceed through to registration.

What advice can you offer to creative business who are just starting out and not sure about IP protection?
Learn, keep good records and become IP savvy.

Tell us about your process for working with your clients?

Initially, I am always happy to discuss the situation with people. I never charge for this initial discussion.
Then I will prepare a strategy and costs that will ensure all activities are clear and expectations are known.
And lastly, I like to treat all creations like they are my own and I advise accordingly.

Do you have a book that you would like to recommend?

I have just read David Shwarz book – All bets are off

Where do we find you and your services? (list office, links websites & contact personnel)

Brian GOLDBERG
PARTNER
Trade Marks Attorney
E
K
M patent & trade marks
www.ekmpatent.com
brian.goldberg@ekmpatent.com
Level 1, 38 - 40 Garden Street, South Yarra VIC 3141, Australia
T: +61 3 9829 0993 F: +61 3 9829 0998

Tax office targets online sales

 

Attention Online Sales Businesses.

The tax office is now targeting online sales, including sellers using eBay and The Trading Post.

The ATO is launching a on line data matching program that will target people and business owners who have sold more than $20,000 in goods or services in any of the last three financial years

It is clearly indicated that all on line sales need to be included in your activity statements (BAS) and/or tax returns.

The new data matching system will find businesses that have not declared or are under declaring revenue that are made using the online sales channel.

If this news is a great concerning to you and your business, the ATO is encouraging businesses who have under-reported online revenue in the past three years to make a voluntary disclosure.

Tax Commissioner Michael D'Ascenzo said "If you do so you will be treated fairly and benefit from significantly lower penalties. You can make a voluntary disclosure on this or any other matter by writing to the ATO - more details are available on the ATO website,"

The Data matching program collects information from  different  sources,  the information is then  brought together and compiled, identifying individuals and businesses that are on deliberating avoiding their tax obligations.

All records will be matched against different identifiers such as tax file numbers, ABN's, addresses and date of births which will improve the integrity of the data matching program.

TheData matching system matches information contained in tax returns with more than 500 million pieces of third party data. Taxpayers are entitled to an 80 per cent reduction in penalties if they make a voluntary disclosure, rather than being caught out by the ATO.

The information above is  from ABC NEWS:


http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/07/29/2968039.htm?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

ATO Logo  from ATO
Blue darts on red target from Istockphoto
Online image from academyoftraining

Questions to ask before you join an Art Gallery

 Nelson Bay- Pastel on paper

 By: Vinh Van Lam 

What do you do when a gallery expressed interest in your  Artwork?

Here are some questions that you should be asked the gallery owner before making any decision. By asking these questions  you then can draw up a decision whether that particular gallery is best suited to you and your Art business.

1. Who is the owner(s) of the gallery?

2.Who are the people working in the gallery?

3. What is the period of the contract?

     Is it for a Fixed term? 
    Multi Year Agreement?
    Contingent on sales? (informal contract)
 
4. What options do I and the gallery have to extend the term of the exhibition?

5. Can I terminate the contract in the event of the owner’s or director’s  death, or  
    there is a change of ownership or relocation of the gallery?

6. In the event of the gallery’s bankruptcy or insolvency what is my right for 
    terminating the contract?

7. What is the commission fee involved?

8. How much art  do I need to submit for each exhibition?

9. How long is each exhibition or show?

10. What is the procedure if I want to take back my artworks , how much notice do I 
      need to give?

11. Where will my  artworks be shown?

•  On site? or Off site? 
•  Will my artworks be visible to visitors or hang in a reserve room?

12. Will my artworks ever exhibit outside of the gallery? Will I be

      informed when my artworks leave the gallery?

13. Will you promote my work and send press releases on my behalf? Will  I have 
      the right to see it  before it gets send out?

14. Do you have a marketing plan in place for my show?

15. Do  you offer discounts to buyers?If you do how much? Will the discount be
     deducted from my share of the profit?

16. What insurance cover do you  have in placed for my artwork?

•  What are the terms and conditions of the insurance policy?
•  Does it cover the full retail value of my work?
•  Is my art work protected in-transit and in the gallery? 
•  Do you take full responsibility for loss or damage to my artwork from the   time you received  it and to the time it is returned to me?
• If there my Artwork in Damaged in the gallery, who chooses the restorer?
• How will I be compensated?

17. What is your sales objective do you have in place  for my Artwork?

18. Who are your key clients? 

19. Do you joint venture with other businesses, such as Interior decorators or 
      designers?

20. May I contact your current or past artists for reference

So now you have these questions with you  what is your next step???

Want to learn more about how to approach your next Art exhibition & Art business the Quantum Compass- ArtSHINE way?

It’s as simple as 1... 2... 3...

1: Like  ArtSHINE's Facebook page

2: Come along to the ArtSHINE workshops in Sydney: http://quantumcompass.eventbrite.com/

3: Contact Vinh for a no cost, no obligation coaching session on 8060 9321, or 0410 636 138. Click here:    www.quantumcompass.com.au/free-coaching.php