My Top 9 iPhone Social Media Applications for 2009
December 30, 2009
There are probably a dozen iphone apps that I use regularly. Some are standard and functional e.g. Google Maps (a humdinger when I get lost in the city or need to get directions while overseas), Voicememo (often used to record messages to remind myself to do things) and the weather application.
While I have some fun apps e.g. Shazam (song recognition) and Check Please (for calculating tips when travelling in the US), most of the apps I use enhance or enable my social media activity.
The applications allow me to post to my blog (and respond to comments), tweet, check my web stats, record an audio blog, instant message my contacts, create a video and post it with one click, add photos to my social networks – to name just a few options.
Here are 9 of my favourite social media related apps. They are not in order. All are in the itunes Applications store but I have included below links to the developers websites. Most apps are free, but a couple have a small (and worthwhile) fee.
AudioBoo - Create and share audio easily
This is an iphone audioblogging application. You record a message (up to 5 mins) and host it on the Audioboo site with the click of an icon. You can then use the embed code in blog posts or in statuses on Twitter and Facebook. Here’s a post where I’ve used the AudioBoo app during our 30 Days of Social Media program.
The free version is sufficient for me to be able to check the traffic on our blog and website easily.
While I also have TweetDeck and Twitterific, Tweetie is the one that I find easiest to use to track Twitter conversations and add tweets.
This is very cool. What’s App is an iphone to iphone messenger without text/SMS costs.
Gorillacam - Great added functionality for your iphone camera
Just started using this app. Adds great functionality to your iphone camera. Paparazzi (3shot) option, self-timer, time lapse as well as a ‘press anywhere’ option overcomes some of the frustrations of using an iphone camera. Team it with a Gorillapod (a mini tripod for your iphone) and you have a pretty cool camera.
You’ve probably got this if you’re on Facebook. It’s improved and easy to use to update status and stay up with news. Could use a little more functionality.
This app provides voice recognition on your iphone. You can record and translate sound and then send to mail or txt. Great for quick memos. [I have to share this as it made for a good laugh. When I was first using it I was speaking slowly saying "This is Suzi". The translation was coming up as "This is Crazy"… so I guess it needs a little practise to get it working write (or a feined US accent may help)].
Select from pics on your iphone, choose a soundtrack from Animoto’s library and click a button – and you have a professional customised video, for free. Fun for holidays and capturing special moments.
This is a new one for me and was recommended by Facebook maven Mari Smith. It allows me to record a message and post it to a friend’s Facebook page. Great for birthday messages.
BONUS – CAUSE IT’S WORTH MENTIONING!
You may have heard of Gary Vaynerchuck of Wine Library TV fame.The story goes that he turned a $5 million dollar business into a $50 million and has created fame and fortune online through his video blog. His book – Crush It - has been created as an app that is a vook (a video book). At the start of each chapter you get to see and hear Gary and then you can read the book Kindle-style within the app. It’s a great way for any author to deliver their content and I can see applications for many educators and content creators.
As I said earlier, these are just a few of the tools that help me manage and create social media content and which allow me to keep up with the conversations that I choose to be a part of – while I’m ‘on the go’. (Of course that is today… apps are being created so quickly some of these may be replaced by newer/better ones… in which case I’ll be sure to post any new discoveries.)
Got a great iphone app to share? I’d love to hear about it.
Best wishes,
Suzi
South Australian Taxes Highest for Business
December 29, 2009
Today’s Australian newspaper reports that research by the Institute of Public Affairs has found South Australia is the highest taxing Australian jurisdication for business.
Queensland continues to slide in its competitiveness, while WA has the most favourable taxation regime for business.
The report’s author, IPA research fellow Julie Novak, says that tax reform should be a priority for all governments in the current low-growth economic environment.
The ABN has long been advocating for fiscal and economic public policy reform to assist small business; particularly those owned by women.
We would welcome your input and ideas about public policy reform, or any other issues relating to the small business environment, so that we can raise them at our next meeting with Senator Craig Emerson, the Minister for Small Business.
Please post your input below, or email to policy@abn.org.au.
My Top 5 Books for 2009
December 27, 2009
When you see the list of my top five books for 2009 you’re bound to notice a pattern. I’ve had a bit of a one-track-mind this year. Most of 2009 I studied online communities, technology and social media.
I don’t know exactly how many books I’ve read this year, but many of them have been on similar subjects. I immersed myself in podcasts (more on that in a few days), courses (both online and live) and especially books — as I endeavoured to learn and implement as much as possible about the changing online landscape. My goal: To master the ability to connect and work with my online community of business women – and to use what I learn as I implement the new information to pass on to the community skills and tools that they can use to run their businesses better.
Now… for the list. If you’re working on building an online community, want to better communicate within your social networks, want practical ways to build your social capital, then I recommend these titles.
I’ve included Amazon links below so you can read up further on the books. Dear Australian Readers: Don’t write to tell me I should order from Aussie retailers – I’m yet to find Aussie bookstores that satisfy my book needs, who delivery quickly and inexpensively and who have the books that I need, when I need them.
The Whuffie Factor – Tara Hunt
After hearing Tara Hunt speak at the South by South West festival in Austin I ordered this book (which was released in July). It’s about how to build your social capital. The author offers a no-nonsense guild to how what grows and what diminishes your online reputation and how to educate and empower your connection. (Here’s a post I wrote about this book when it was first released.)
Trust Agents
Trust Agents – Using the Web to Build Influence, Improve Reputation and Earn Trust - Chris Brogan and Julien Smith
This one is terrific. The authors describe trust and the most important currency today. I’ve listed to the audio book (which is read by both authors) and am yet to devour the printed version. How to build trust, maintain a good reputation, build relationships online, what breaks trust and what empowers trust.
Free – the Future of a RadicalPrice - Chris Anderson
In the digital marketplace, the most effective price is no price at all, argues Anderson (The Long Tail). Great examples of companies using ‘free’ to build big businesses. The concept can be a hard one to accept and to see the application in you own business, even harder BUT get it and you can transform an industry and your business.
Crowdsourcing – Why the Power of the Crowd is Driving the Future of Business - Jeff Howe
How is collaboration (and the ease by which you can crowdsource using socialmedia) changing the face of business and product/business development? How to harness the power of the crowd. Great examples.
One of the many 'Dummies' book on my shelves
Facebook for Dummies - Leah Pearlman and Carolyn Abram
I love the “Dummies” books. I’ve purchased a number of the social media/tech titles (including ones on Facebook, Twitter, WordPress, SEO, You Tube, Blogging) because they are easy to follow and the authors walk you through many aspects of using social media tools or both business and personal outcomes. In this one you’ll learn how to optimise your profile, promote your business, create a business page – it touches the main aspects you need to master to get results with Facebook.
140 Characters: A style guide for the short form - Dom Sagolla
I haven’t yet finished this one but it’s definitely already worthy of being on this list. As relevant for status updates in Facebook and LinkedIn, the book covers basic grammar, creating your own style, writing for best effect using Twitter and other short-form vehicles.
If you have any book recommendations you’d like to share, I’d be happy to hear from you.
AUDIO VS PRINT BOOKS
I’ve been an audio book listener of a couple of years, but more so this year partly because I don’t want to wait (I can start the book now – I don’t need to wait to get the physical copy) and partly because of convenience (I can consume the material when I’m walking or driving).
These days I buy most books in both audio and printed version. The audio gets listened to pretty quickly. The printed version ends up more like a workbook with highlights, post-it notes stuck through it and as an easy to follow reference for implementation of the principles contained in the book.
To Kindle or Not to Kindle?
I haven’t bought a Kindle yet. I have the iphone app version of it and may get one (but I’m yet to be convinced of the extra benefits…. Right now I’m using my iphone to read/listen to the vook Crush It by Gary Vaynerchuk (get the vook in the Apple Apps store). The iphone is plenty big enough for me to read on. Also, with the Apple tablet (hopefully) not too far away, I’ll be interested to see if that creeps into the same territory as Kindle.
Best wishes,
Additional Resources
South by South West Festival (I’m going. Hope you’ll be there too.)
Free tool to get your business going from Good to Great
December 18, 2009
In his business bestseller Good to Great, Jim Collins recommends you start a “Stop Doing” list.
“Those who built the good-to-great companies… made as much use of ‘stop doing’ lists as ‘to do’ lists. They displayed a remarkable discipline to unplug all sorts of extraneous junk.” he explains.
A SMALL GIFT TO HELP YOU DETERMINE YOUR TODOs and DONT’s
What to Start
What are you ready to create and make a start on?
What products and services? What behaviours and ways of being?What activities?
What to Stop
What is not working? What is draining your energy and not producing what you want? Better to cut off a loser and ride a winner. There’s limitless options available to you at any point, so decide what is not worth your time and energy and Stop.
What to Continue
What is ‘growing legs’ but needs more attention? What did you try this year and have success with? Can you do more of it in the new year?
We’ve used this system her are the Australian Businesswomen’s Network to determine what projects, products and programs we should start, continue and stop. It’s a very simple concept, but it works to focus energy.
I hope you’ll enjoy using it.
Suzi
A passionate business. A passionate life.
December 18, 2009
Welcome to this Interview with An Entrepreneur
In this interview we discuss:
- Why clarity on what you’re passionate about helps you create exactly what you want
- The role of passion in team engagement
- Why connection to your passion is an important ingredient to business and personal success
Enjoy this interview with Janet Bray Attwood.
Janet Attwood | The Passion Test
As an expert on what it takes to live a passionate life, Janet has presented her programs as a featured speaker all over the world with such luminaries as, His Holiness The Dalai Lama, Sir Richard Branson, Stephen Covey, Lisa Nichols, and other top transformational leaders.
Through Healthy Wealthy nWise, the top online magazine they co-founded, Janet and Chris have created a major powerhouse in the self-development world.
Twice a month, Janet hosts Healthy Wealthy n Wise’s, “Passions of Real Life Legends” series and interviews people who are at the top of their field on what it takes to live a passionate, fulfilling life. Her guests have included such legendary names as Jack Canfield, Stephen Covey, Byron Katie, Tony Robbins, and Rhonda Byrne creator of The Secret.
Janet is a founding member of the Transformational Leadership Council, a group of world class trainers, authors, coaches and speakers that Jack Canfield, the co-author of the Chicken Soup Series, put together after taking Janet’s Passion Test.
For her ongoing work with homeless women and youth in detention centers, Janet received the highest award for volunteer service in the U.S. from the President of the United States, The Presidents Volunteer Service Award.
Web: www.thepassiontest.com, www.janetattwood.com , www.healthywealthynwise.com, www.enlightenedalliances.com
What does it take to build a successful business? Access to Quality Information
December 17, 2009
Catherine “Cat” Matson knows what it takes to build a successful business. Cat and her husband own and operate Alito, a boutique consultancy firm that provides guidance for small and medium size business owners. Alito offers consulting, education, mentoring, accounting, and event planning.
Cat Matson | Alito
Cat realised that quality information pertaining to business was difficult to find: “Access to quality information – both from an education perspective as well as a mental stimulation perspective – was a huge gap. I have high expectations about the information I receive. I have an MBA and have had access to some of the pioneers in the personal development industry. So I was (and still am) constantly disappointed by the mediocre, one-size-fits-all, rah-rah style books, seminars and workshops that are touted as ‘the solution’ to business owners.”
“Many of the other networking groups I’ve attended were filled with people running a hobby and calling it a business,” Cat Matson, Alito
Now when Cat needs access to quality information, she turns to the Australian Businesswomen’s Network (ABN). Cat finds that she can easily connect with other members of ABN (unlike the people at some other business conferences). The businesswomen of ABN offered valuable information, resources, ideas, and stories.
Cat is particularly fond of the educational webinars presented by ABN. “And the exposure I’ve received recently through the ABN has been a lovely bonus,” she adds.
Here’s how Cat discerned between networking groups for the most relevant business information.
Cat Matson’s successful consulting experience ranges from the nuts and bolts of business such as HR, administration and operational processes to the less tangible aspects such as motivation and company culture. She has achieved exceptional results in helping clients to develop effective teams and profitable operations without losing sight of the human aspect of their business. Cat is as comfortable advising on high level strategy issues as she is on the critical aspects of a successful business such as attaining, training and retaining employees to creating the right corporate culture and work environment.
In addition to her comprehensive experience, Cat holds a Masters of Business Administration with specialisations in Strategic Planning, Entrepreneurship and Marketing. She also holds a Diploma in Small Business Management, a Diploma in Training and Development and a Practitioner’s Certificate in Neuro-Linguistic Programming.
Website: www.alito.com.au
Blog: www.alito.com.au/blog
Twitter: www.twitter.com/catmatson
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AlitoFusion
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/catmatson
Member Directory: Cat Matson
Corporate Gift Ideas from our Members! Discounts and bonuses.
December 10, 2009
It’s that time of year. Time to shop for gifts to say thanks and show your appreciationto those who have supported you this year.
We are committed to making things easier for you in business – and this year we decided to also make it easy for you to buy gifts for Christmas. We asked our partners and members just like you to put together some specials for you for Christmas
Here is a fantastic list of 42 Christmas offers and specials from member-to-member. Save on active wear, marketing services, web design, cupcakes, children’s books, makeup, paper products, even fashion styling. You save AND you help another woman in business and fellow member. See all the specials here and Happy Shopping!
Not a member? Join now and save.
Fruit Hampers - Great (lowcal) gift ideas. Save 10% with code ABN.
10% off laptop bags and accessories. Use code ABN.
How does your work/business help you fulfil your vision for your life and lifestyle?
December 8, 2009
We asked our community this question for the current issue of our Women in Business eNewsletter. A compilation of these answers was published for our community of women across Australia to learn from. Click here to read our current newsletter, and click here to read the answers we received.
Please let us know your thoughts, and add a comment here.
Women in Business eNewsletter | December 2009
What are you most proud of having achieved this year?
December 8, 2009
Last night a group of ABN members gathered to network and to hear a presentation about the business trends for the new year.
Before the inspiring presentation by JV Douglas of BRW Magazine we each shared our greatest achievement and one main goal for the new year with others in the group.
This simple but powerful process of, one by one, sharing with others what it is that we can pat ourselves on the back for helped us ground what it is that we’ve been working so hard on this year.
Some of the business goals achieved included: Starting a business, growing a business, selling a business, learning to use social media, doing the Australian Businesswomen’s Network’s MentorNet mentoring program and, as a result, solidifying a vision and plan for their business.
On a personal level we had women who’d run 20km, climbed Michu Picchu, and started a family. Each person’s story was, in itself, inspiring and worth celebrating.
The goals members have for 2009 are equally inspiring and include personal goals (to do a half marathon, to take a long-overdue vacation to Europe) and business goals such as starting a new venture, getting out of the day-to-day of the business and forming a new partnership.
I shared this achievement and goal for 2010:
One Achievement for 2009
This year I immersed myself in learning to better use social media. I attended programs, listened to podcasts, read books, listed to ebooks. Then I blogged, podcast(ed), Tweeted, presented a number of webinars, loaded photos to Flickr, integrated my online profiles, established a Facebook page for the Australian Businesswomen’s Network and created two e-Courses (30 Days of Social Media and 30 Days of Networking).
I’m still very much the student… but I implemented a lot of what I learned about the powerful technology tools available to me.
One Goal for 2010
This one is personal. I want to run another half marathon. (I did one in 2008 and one this year.) Next year, thoug,h I’d like to do it in under 2hours, which for me, will be quite a stretch. I’m not a fast runner (more like a little Energizer bunny that just keeps on keeping on). So… training for that goal will need to start soon (but not too soon….. No doubt after some December/January indulgence).
A TASK… IF YOU’RE WILLING
So, my question to you is:
What is it that you’re proudest of? What is it that you would like to acknowledge yourself for achieving?
And, what is one goal that you have for the new year?
Share with friends, colleagues, or share right here by adding a comment. I’d love to hear from you.
Best wishes,
Suzi
PS Next week I’m going to give you a great tool that the ABN Advisory Board is using to get focused for 2010. I think you’ll also find it useful for your business.
50% business tax break purchase deadline 31 December 2009
December 2, 2009
The Small Business and General Business Tax Break was introduced as an investment allowance a year ago, to boost business investment during the global financial crisis.
It was extended in this year’s Budget to allow small businesses to claim an extra 50% tax deduction on eligible assets bought by 31 December 2009.
As the deadline for eligible purchases draws closer, the ATO has developed some online information materials to help explain the business tax break to businesses:
· A Tips for Business fact sheet
· A Myth Busters fact sheet
· A short article for use in newsletters or websites
· A business tax break overview ‘hand out’
· Information in languages other than English
The kit is available on www.ato.gov.au and the business tax break communications team can provide further information via businesstaxbreakcommunications@ato.gov.au or 1300 337 921 (8.00am and 5.00pm, Monday to Friday).
