Skype has created a world of instant communication whether you are on the road or working from a remote office. From being able to send typed messages back and forth using IM or having a face to face conference call, Skype has near unlimited capabilities. In their eight years of being, Skype continues to add more features as well as improve communication quality. Skype continues to reach out to different types of people by making their product work for the consumer.

One of it’s most popular uses is the video chat option, which allows a face-to-face conversation. In business, this is an important feature especially when making big decisions. Being able to sit and see the face of the person you’re dealing with sometimes makes all the difference. The importance of this feature is how it connects people all over the world. A person does not have to leave their office or even their state to connect with another client. In order to make the best of Skype’s video chat, here are 10 tips to making a better connection.

1. Using headsets improve audio conversation
2. Customize your profile with pictures and status updates to make it easier for clients to find you.
3. By updating your contact list, you won’t have to search through your email for contact information
4. Let your clients know when you are available or not by updating your mood status
5. Allows for questions to be answered faster than email by using it’s IM function
6. FREE Skype to Skype Video Chats (Save on the phone bill)
7. Instant Connection to all clients
8. Online Number Option gives clients instant access by phone when they are on the road
9. Skype has voicemail and forwarding capability when you have to be away from the computer.
10. Text without the typos with Skype

Download The PDF Cheat Sheet

Skype’s not all business. My Technical Manager has used it to keep in touch with family across the country and uses the video chat to “virtually attend” family events and see new babies and other important additions to the family (cat’s and dogs).
Do you have Other Options?

Absolutly – ooVoo and Google + Hangouts are other tools that will allow you to video chat with one or multiple people. I’ve used ooVoo many times and really like it, however many of the people I work with are already on Skype, so I keep coming back to it. It’s also has many tightly integrated tools for phones and websites already commonly used. Such as, when you have Skype installed and logged in, you can plug it in to Firefox and numbers will automatically be highlighted and you can dial right through Skype by clicking on them.

I’ll be going more in depth with Google + in another post so stay tuned, but you can set up video hang outs with one or a group of people. I’ve actually done this as well and used my phone to video chat with a group of friends I hadn’t seen in a while.

I’d like to hear what you’re Skype use has been like and if you have tried any of these alternatives. Let me know in the comments below.

Do you have several team members who are working on several projects? Do you often feel as if tracking the small details of projects is overwhelming? Do you find yourself sending emails or making phone calls to your team to get updates on any open projects? I would like to recommend a solution that can help “tie up” all these loose ends. Zoho Projects is an online project management software that allows you to collaborate with your team. Zoho projects will allow you to track the status of every project your team is working on, all with a few clicks. You can eliminate un-necessary phone calls and emails and get up to date status reports with Zoho Projects.

I use Zoho daily, and have my internal staff making updates, as well as “virtual staff” that are offsite like writers, programers, and various other people.

Here are a few ways that Zoho Projects can keep you on track:

Task Management

By using task lists and milestones you can organize projects, set dependency, and assign priority and ownership to every task!

Time Tracking Software

Using this feature will allow you and your team to record time spent working on projects. You can also send invoices and reports to clients using the data tracked here.

Project Calendar & Meetings

Keep track of deadlines using this cool calendar feature. Schedule meetings with your team and clients as well.

Online Project Chat

Using a built-in chat feature will allow project members to have quick discussions concerning assigned projects. Note – You’ll have to upgrade in order to utilize this and other premium features.

Document Management

Create and store files directly from your browser without installing any software. Create tags and labels for easy searching using the built in document management feature of zoho. It helps keep the clutter of many versions of the same file down.

In addition to all of these features, Zoho has a mobile app. Login in from any smartphone by visiting: m.zoho.com – Another note – You’ll have to have an account (free or premium) to log in through the mobile site.

Full Disclosure – That’s not an affiliate link, just some helpfull resources that keep us on track at the office. Check it out and I’d like to hear some comments on how it works for you guys.

In today’s age of technology, working from the office, on the road or even from home is as easy as breathing. No longer does a person buy a cell phone just to make calls and text, they use them to run their business or complete job assignments. If you do not believe me, take another employee’s phone and watch his or her world start to crumble.

So many business professionals depend on these devices to do things like manage calendars, to-do lists, store important documents, and notes. The days of being tied down to a computer or laptop are gone. Productivity is such an important aspect of being a successful business professional. Now there are amazing apps to add to your Smartphone. Below are a few apps that will aid in maintaining productivity during the day.

1. Evernote:

There is so much you can do with this app. This powerful app can actually be synced with your office computer and your Smartphone.  It is very easy to use as well as learn how to use it.

Key Features:

Download from the Android Market

Evernote

Download from the Apple App Store

Evernote

2. Awesome Note:

The main function of this app is to help you organize and maintain to-do lists by separating them into different groups.

Key Features:

This app has been removed from the Android Market at this time

Download from the Apple App Store

Awesome Note

3. DropBox:

This particular app is amazing if you work with other team members and exchange a lot of files.

Key Features:

Download from the Android Market

DropBox

Download from the Apple App Store

DropBox

4. SnapTell:

With this app, gone are the days of going to numerous stores just to locate a particular product. It not only tells you which store has the desired product but also the price-just by scanning the barcode or taking a picture.

Key Features:

Download from the Android Market

SnapTell

Download from the Apple App Store

SnapTell

Using productivity apps with your Smart Phone can only help your productivity as a business professional. Your Smartphone allows you to travel and work away from your computer and still have everything you need!

Download the PDF

Ok, I just had to put this up for everyone to see. In case you don’t know, I’m about to release a course geared specifically towards business owners. This course gives you everything you need to know about the basics of doing business on the web and takes you step by step through developing a winning web strategy. It’s called Business Web Basics and has been my baby for the last few months. Well I just got the final finished course and it looks GREAT!

Business Web Basics Course

I know that it may seem weird to be so excited about my own course, but so much time, love, detail, and work went into it’s creation that I just had to share it. The course is still not available for purchase but it is very VERY close. Check out:

Business Web Basics

To find out more about the course and sign up for a free gift that will launch your web strategy into the atmosphere!

Have an awesome day!

Ann

P.S. Many of you may not know that I’ve been playing the drums for years and I got to sit down with my friend Michelle at her studio and record the intro track to Business Web Basics. I thought it would be fun to share this with you as well.

Here is the short clip (19 seconds)

7 Things Every Business Owner Should Know About Twitter.

Ok, I know I’ve talked about this many times, but it seems like everywhere I turn SOMEONE ELSE is on Twitter!

From Ellen Degeneres, to Ashton Kutcher, to Lance Armstrong, celebrities are maintaining their own presence on Twitter. They get on there and get followers. They keep their fans up to date on what they are doing and by doing so build their reputation and build excitement about their projects.

Celebrities aren’t the only ones building a presence on Twitter. Businesses, Brands, Shows, you name it. By keeping their brands out there people can stay connected and they actually grow a fan base of people who are interested in what they are putting out before they ever advertise a product.

So, I know I’ve talked about Twitter before, but I really want everyone to get on there and start learning about how to interact with everyone. In fact, I’ve put together a helpful little guide of 7 Things Every Business Owner Should Know About Twitter that you can use as you get started on Twitter:

7 Things Every Business Owner Should Know About Twitter.

Twitter, Twitter, Twitter. I can’t turn on the TV, the radio, or open a newspaper or magazine without seeing something about Twitter. So I put together this special report that I think you need to read NOW so you can cut through the Twitter mystery and really understand the Twitter value today!.

1. First and foremost, Yes. Yes you do need to be on Twitter. It’s a social network that is exploding as we speak. It may be new to you but don’t be afraid of new things on the internet, you can’t break it. Get on there, get an account for you, your company, or both. It’s free so there are no excuses.

2. Followers. We are taught to be leaders not followers. This is the exception to the rule. Here you want to follow others and have others follow you. A follower automatically receives all your tweets (what you post on twitter). There are so many people on Twitter including celebrities like Jimmy Fallon and Lance Armstrong just to name a few.

You might think, with so many people on Twitter, how can I start to get followers? It is easy! You may be surprised that many people will follow back if you follow them. Use Twitter Search (http://search.twitter.com – more on that next) to find people tweeting about topics you like and relate to you or your business. If you find a user and click on their username or profile picture you will land on their Twitter page. Right under their picture, you can click follow and you’ll see their tweets on your homepage. Get out there and follow some interesting people. I can be your first test – follow me AnnPremazon.

3. Twitter Search. Located at http://search.twitter.com. Use Twitter Search to find subjects that interest you and subjects that relate to your business, this is where you can see people and what they are tweeting about.

Follow those people who interest you for three reasons.
a) Many times when you follow someone, they will follow you back – this is good in the Twitter world!
b) Follow people who tweet about subjects that interest you and it will inspire you to tweet on the same topic which in turn sends that info to your followers
c) RT or Re Tweet is also good in Twitter, it says to your followers that you think the information is worth repeating to others this is one of the ultimate compliments on Twitter. (More about this later)

4. Hash Tags. Hash Tags are search identifiers on Twitter that basically flag the contents of a tweet. So let’s say I started a discussion on my course Business Web Basics on Twitter. I tweet something like: “Looking for people who have saved ridiculous amounts of money and time by using my course #businesswebbasics.” The Hash Tag is #businesswebbasics and anyone who puts that hash tag in their tweets will allow those tweets to show up in the Twitter Search for #businesswebbasics. This helps me to track conversations I may start, or it helps my followers/clients to track the conversation as well.

5. Re Tweet or RT and the @ sign. Re Tweets are a great tool for gaining followers. It will help you spread info and supply your follows with information you think is great at the same time. To Re Tweet, you just copy a tweet you like or think is useful and tweet it yourself. Just add an “RT” and an “@username” to the beginning. For example: if my friend JP posted a great tweet I liked about business internet information that said “Great Business Information” and I liked it I would tweet “RT @JP Great Business Information”. The result is I helped JP spread his information and at the same time I share a good tip with my followers.

6. Interact. Now you’ll notice that everything involves sharing with people and following people. That’s because the whole point of social media is to connect and share with people, or to be “Social”. So it’s important that you try and interact with people. Along with tweets and Re Tweets, you can reply to other people directly by clicking reply to their tweet or by writing “@username” at the beginning of your tweet to direct it at them. You can also private message people who follow you if you don’t want it going into the public feeds. From their profile just click on “message” under the actions menu on the right side and type your message. The more you interact with others the better. Warning: it can become addicting so try and set a limit to your twitter time before you start and stick to it every time. I find the best times to Twitter are around 11am and 8pm.

7. Worthwhile Content. Now if you’re new to Twitter, you’ll run across many different types of profiles. Some people will tweet to keep their friends and family informed. “I’m going to the dentist today”, “I just saw that great new movie”, “I love my cat!”

Some business profiles will just post updates about their business. “New version 2.0 of our software available”, “Sale this Saturday”, “Act now and grab this great new product!” Some places will post just news, or just links, or just this or that.

Twitter is only limited by the imagination. In my opinion, if you want to create quality connections and gain loyal followers, tweet useful info. You can tweet about yourself to be accessible and honest and connect with people, but not many people care about your kids pet lizard stinking up the apartment. Tweet about things that you like and relate to your business and keep your followers informed. Tweet something and then leave an open ended question and see if you get any responses. Get on there and get tweeting at Twitter.com.

You can get started today. Follow me at http://twitter.com/annpremazon

So last weekend I went out to dinner at a restaurant. I walked in and stood in line to be seated. The place was packed. I guess you could say it was a restaurant/pub atmosphere.

It was super loud. Even though they said they would seat us in a few minutes, I really didn’t want to wait, but I stood there. They must have sensed my grouchiness by the look on my face because they offered to seat us on the patio, which was awesome! So we go to the patio and sit down, just to realize it’s the only smoking area for the restaurant. I’m hungry, I’m grouchy, and I don’t want to eat in the smoking area. So we get up and leave. As we’re walking through the front door, the owner says “I can seat you in just a few minutes if you’re willing to wait. Can I get you a drink?” He was so nice, but it was just the wrong atmosphere. To loud and to many people. We politely said, no thanks, we’ll be back another time.

We walked down Main Street street. By the way I live in a small beach community, so Main Street is our restaurant row. We went to a new restaurant. The sign outside said “Steaks, Chops, and Seafood.” Tiny place, not very many people… We thought perfect.

The good news is the food was freakin out of this world good! The bad news is the service sucked.

So why do I tell you all of this, and how does it relate to me and the internet? Well, I’ll tell you. Sometimes I get emails, all in caps, different colors, and even if it’s from my best friend, I don’t want to read it. Sometimes I get emails from people I don’t know and they’re telling me about some event or product they’re selling, but the way they deliver the message, I can’t hear it.

I’ve learned, say what you mean, mean what you say, and when you have friends, family, or business colleagues that you correspond with via email, twitter, and facebook. It’s a good idea to be sure they like the tone you set with your message, or they won’t be able to hear it!

So when you go out this weekend, I hope you have a wonderful time in a great atmosphere, and just like you notice your surroundings, start to notice how you deliver your messages via the Internet.

It’s Friday. Awesome day in southern California. Walked Three miles on the beach with my dogs. I loved it.

Worked with several people to help them with their web strategies. It is amazing to me how simple something can be for one person and how complicated it can be for another. Reminds me of a story.

I don’t know about you, but when I was a little kid. Before I had a voice of my own, and I would go to my friend Gabi’s house. Her mom would always ask me if I wanted anything to eat. I always said “I’ll have what she’s having.” So I ended up with a triple decker bologna sandwich. So when it comes to websites, it seems as though people want to have what they see their friends having. And it seems like there’s allot of bologna out there. So today I got to help people really decipher what THEIR needs are. It’s an awesome moment when you see the light bulb go BING! Above somebody’s head.

Other than that I put up a new album of pictures from Underground 5 today on my facebook and have been twittering away.

Have a great weekend
Talk to you soon