New App cofounda: Female Entrepreneurs Connect and Build Business Faster
April 16, 2012
Australian Businesswomen’s Network Members Making it!
Member of the Week
ABN Member Angela Vithoulkas is the premier advocate for small businesses in Australia through her shows on www.eaglewavesradio.com.au; she is also the multi-award winning co-founder of VIVO Café Group.
Angela recently launched the new cofounda app with Matthew Beeche from www.shoestringlaunch.com to help connect people, skills and ideas for business together. Cofounda allows users the opportunity to get their ideas off the ground.
Cofounda
Australian-based application cofounda recently launched their new mobile-based platform that allows users to connect with like-minded individuals and companies that have complementary skill sets to get their ideas off the ground.
“Over the last 10 years in business, I can’t even tell you how many people have come to me with a great business idea, but have not had the resources or skill sets to take it to the next level,” says Dan Filmer, co-founder and CEO of the new company.
Available across both iOS and Android the application uses both geo location technology and instant messaging to assist members to connect with a potential ‘cofounda’, consultants, resources and investors that will assist in making their startup idea successful. “By being able to chat in real time with people both locally and globally with skills that complement your own, users will be able to turn ideas and dreams into reality” says Mathew Beeche, Sales Director.
“One of the things I am most excited about, being from a rural town in Australia myself, is that now, people all over the world in remote locations with an idea have the same opportunity to start up by connecting with the right people – something that may not have happened if location and travel was an issue, preventing initial conversations from happening because they could not make it to networking events which usually happen in the major cities.”
Cofounda helps protect members ideas
Cofounda helps protect members ideas with a built in NDA [non disclosure agreement] that can be used when the time is right, and you decide to take discussions to the next level. The app also has a services module where companies and small business can use the app as a marketing platform, allowing users to check out their services and pricing and connect with them directly, creating an opportunity for them to grow their customer base.
“Our core focus right now is growing the user base across the various categories so we have a thriving community of creative, business and tech minded people that can start creating the next big thing in the startup space. I can not wait to be amazed by seeing ideas come to life once users start connecting.” Says Beeche.
Cofounda is currently in lite version and the team have a very clear roadmap of where they want to take the platform. “We are currently preparing to open up for our first round of seed funding. The next stage of development includes an in app video pitching module that allows users to give ‘Angels’ within the app a snapshot into new ventures. Again this is exciting stuff as it allows the investment community to check out ideas from literally all over the globe” Beeche stated.
Cofounda is available across both iOS and Android platforms.
Tax Help for Small Businesses in the Riverina
April 12, 2012
Riverina small business people, including those affected by recent natural disasters, can keep on track with tax and superannuation obligations with free and confidential one-on-one assistance visits in Griffith, Deniliquin and Wagga Wagga.
ATO Tax Questions?
An experienced advisor will be available to answer questions and provide advice on various business tax related topics, especially for those small business affected by the recent disasters.
One of the main services the ATO offers, to both small business operators and tax professionals, is assistance with the reconstruction of lost records and/or making a reasonable estimate of income.
Bookings are essential, so please call 13 28 69 between 8am and 5pm weekdays and ask for Jennifer Locke on extension 87557 to secure your spot.
| Date | Location | Address | Times |
| 23 – 24 April 2012 | Griffith City Library | Banna Avenue, Griffith | 9am – 5pm |
| 26 – 27 April 2012 | Interreach | Corner Trickett and Napier Streets, Deniliquin | 9am – 5pm |
| 1 – 2 May 2012 | Riverina Business Enterprise Centre | 66 – 70 Coleman Street, Wagga Wagga | 9am – 5pm |
These visits are part of the ATO’s small business assistance program which delivers tailored and practical assistance to small businesses.
Tax Commissioner Michael D’Ascenzo said a reluctance to speak to the ATO was a barrier for many businesses, but a personal and private discussion ensured small business owners received the help they needed.
“The ATO’s recent assistance visits held across other parts of the country have been very useful for local business people,” Mr D’Ascenzo said.
“Because good business depends on good relationships, our small business assistance program aims to make our support practical and accessible. The small business assistance program helps people start to develop good habits with their tax and super obligations, and contributes to a better run business. It’s also important to note that information you share with the ATO during a visit is confidential and the visits are offered with no strings attached.”
More information:
For more information or to register for an onsite visit, go to ato.gov.au/assistancevisit.
To view all assistance options available for small businesses, visit ato.gov.au/smallbusinesssupport.
Facebook buys Instagram for $1 billion. What does it mean for you and me?
April 10, 2012
By Suzi Dafnis, Australian Businesswomen’s Network
Sometimes, things move very quickly in the world of social media.
Just over a week ago, my co-host Cat Matson and I recorded an episode of Social Media for Small Business on the popular photo sharing application, Instagram.
I’ve been using Instagram personally for many months and saw that it could be a great tool for businesses to use too. So, in an interview with Brooke Simmons of Pursuit Communications, we discussed the power of Instagram for small business and how it allows you to tell your business story though images.
On the day we recorded, the episode the application was only available for iPhone users. A few days later, the platform was opened up to Android users and saw over a million downloads within hours.
Popular Instagram - Sold to Facebook for $1 billion
And, this morning it was announced that Facebook has acquired Instagram for $1 billion dollars.
Wow. Wow. Wow.
On his Facebook page, Mark Zuckerberg has issued a statement about the acquisition. While this sale is terrific news for the founders and shareholders of Instagram, I’m not sure what it’ll mean for we, the people. I, for one, don’t want to see the app absorbed by and integrated fully into Facebook.
Zuckerberg says;
“We think the fact that Instagram is connected to other services beyond Facebook is an important part of the experience. We plan on keeping features like the ability to post to other social networks, the ability to not share your Instagrams on Facebook if you want, and the ability to have followers and follow people separately from your friends on Facebook.”
I sure hope that is the case. Instagram has its own community, quirkiness, integration with many networks and sense of fun and wonder. It’s a powerful tool for business and it’s a wonderful startup success story. I’m all for progress. I hope that is what we see – a better experience for us as users and as business people.
Here’s a link to the Social Media for Small Business episode on Instagram. I hope you’ll enjoy it.
MORE GREAT BLOG POSTS BY SUZI DAFNIS
- Getting (Real) Time – Synchronistic Communication through Social Media
- Reach out for more Social Media Traffic
- Is it time to update your business website?
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Suzi Dafnis – Australian Businesswomen’s NetworkSuzi Dafnis is the Australian Businesswomen’s Network’s Community Director and Chairperson of the Advisory Board. Suzi has been involved with the network since 1995. In 1998, she took over the network from its founder and has since managed and grown the network. She remains its media spokesperson and a champion of women in business. She is also the editor of the ABN’s newsletters, author of the herBusiness blog and presents the In Her Shoes video series and herBusiness podcast.
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Getting Real (Time) – Synchronistic Communication Through Social Media
April 5, 2012
By Suzi Dafnis, Australian Businesswomen’s Network
I’m a fan of real-time communication. Synchronistic communication refers to live communication through social media.And, unlike a Facebook post or blog comments where someone can add a response that I will see later, synchronistic communications with social platforms allow a real-time communication experience.
One person who does synchronistic communication very well is the author of Rich Dad Poor Dad, Robert Kiyosaki. Obviously, he has a huge following, but he doesn’t do as many seminars as he did in the past. But what he’ll do (usually once a month) is set up a live Facebook chat and answer questions.
Here’s some ways that you can use this type of communication in your business:
Live Online Chats
You could schedule a live chat (at a particular date and time that you pre-promote to your clients) on Facebook and invite people to join the conversation. Or you could try Google+ hangout and do a live video chat with some of your customers.
At the Australian Businesswomen’s Network, we integrate a live Twitter stream with our webinars. So, while attendees of the webinars can’t see each other they can network and share knowledge, live during the events.
We also use the webinar platform GotoMeeting for virtual meetings. The chat function, combined with the audio and visuals makes for a meeting as interactive and effective as a face-to-face one.
Streaming Video
For the very brave, you could use a site like LiveStream and actually stream yourself live over the Internet. Those watching have access to a chat box to comment as you present. I did just that last year and, were it not for all the video experience I’d had with our In her Shoes and The Venture series, I think I’d have flopped. I actually found it quite exciting and fun.
A word of caution: There’s no editing, so it’s not for the faint-hearted. Live video streaming is not for everyone, but I encourage you to at least try a live chat. You never know who might join the conversation!
Being an online organisation, we don’t often get to see and hear our clients. So, using the opportunities of synchronistic communication allows us the opportunity to have great conversations and to share knowledge.
Have you tried any of these methods?
MORE GREAT BLOG POSTS BY SUZI DAFNIS
- Reach out for more Social Media Traffic
- Is it time to update your business website?
- Is this Social Media Myth Hindering your Business Results?
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Suzi Dafnis – Australian Businesswomen’s NetworkSuzi Dafnis is the Australian Businesswomen’s Network’s Community Director and Chairperson of the Advisory Board. Suzi has been involved with the network since 1995. In 1998, she took over the network from its founder and has since managed and grown the network. She remains its media spokesperson and a champion of women in business. She is also the editor of the ABN’s newsletters, author of the herBusiness blog and presents the In Her Shoes video series and herBusiness podcast.
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Get More of the Right Customers on Your Database – Free Webinar Pass Opportunity for Facebook Fans
March 28, 2012
You may have heard the phrase “The Money Is In The List” — and for a very good reason. Your potential income is directly related to the quantity and quality of the leads that are on your ‘list’, whether that list is a database, a Facebook page or an email list.
SPECIAL FACEBOOK FAN FREE PASS OFFER
Join us on 29 March from 10.30am – 11.30am AEDT, when former Australian Marketer of the Year, Janet Beckers of Wonderful Web Women and Tracy Repchuk (author of 31 Days to Millionaire Marketing Miracles) are our guest on the Strategic Lead Generation webinar and discover how YOU can develop an action plan for attracting more of the right prospects to your business.
SPECIAL OFFER:
The first 20 Australian Businesswomen’s Network Facebook Fans to register for tomorrow’s webinar using coupon code leads get to attend for free. Tickets are normally $39 per person.
Facebook Fan Free Pass Offer - Value: $39
Register here for this limited offer.
This no-fluff one-hour webinar will explain:
- The biggest mistake business owners make with list building that makes them very vulnerable
- Does (list) size really matter?
- The three moving parts to list building and what order to create them in
- Why all leads are not created equal and how to make sure you are attracting the RIGHT people to your list
- The four most effective ways to attract leads that become profitable clients
- How to get visitors to your offline business to ASK YOU to add them to your email list
- How to get other people to build your list for you
We hope you’ll join us. Hurry, the event is tomorrow and these passes WILL ‘sell out’.
Go over to our website now to register.
Suzi Dafnis – Community Director, Australian Businesswomen’s Network
Networking, content marketing and startup tips from SXSW Interactive
March 24, 2012
Alycia Edgar (Coastal Accounting), Valerie Khoo (Sydney Writers’ Centre) and Cat Matson (catmatson.com) attended the 2012 South by South West Interactive Festival (SXSW), the world’s greatest geek-fest and hub of what’s new in technology, new media and business thinking.
In these three short video interviews they share with us highlights of their learnings from the first two days of the conference.
Watch to hear:
- Why giving away your content is a great way to sell paid services.
- When startups should be prepared to change direction, but not vision when business is not working
- How the benefits of networking at large conferences can outweigh structures seminar sessions
- Why you don’t need a perfect product to launch a business
Enjoy these videos and visit our website for inspiring audio and video interviews with businesswomen.
Related:
Special Edition SXSW Social Media for Small Business Video Episode
March 20, 2012
Branding and Marketing Trends: Get More Strategic and Thoughtful
How do you use social media and integrative media in your marketing? In this special episode recorded live at SXSW Interactive in Austin, Texas, we look at branding and marketing trends, location-based data in apps, how to get more strategic and thoughtful, geo-barriers and geo-fences and the user experience as vital.
Joe Pulizzi, Content Marketing Strategist for The Content Marketing Institute joins Hosts Cat Matson and Suzi Dafnis.
Listen to other episodes free in our iTunes store.
This episode was recorded live during the 2012 SXSW (South by South West) Interactive Festival in Austin Texas. This annual event attracts thousands (over 24,000) technology, new media and business enthusiasts. 2012 saw record attendance and some big name speakers. Speakers include authors, engineers, scientists, business leaders and great minds from all walks of life. It’s an event we believe ever business person ought to put on their calendar for a super dose of education, inspiration and networking.
The 2012 schedule which included presentations by:
BIG NAMES – Al Gore, the founders of Napster, Pinterest, Foursquare, Twitter, the heads of Living Social, Google Plus and so many that I can’t recall right now.
AUTHORS – C.C. Chapman and Ann Handley (Content Rules) , David Meerman Scott (The New Rules of Marketing and PR), Guy Kawasaki (10+ books including new book What The Plus, Tim Ferris (4-hour Work Week), Gary Vaynerchuk (Crush It and The Thank You Economy). The Day Stage (where authors speak about their new books was one of my favourite places to hang out).
TV PERSONALITIES – Anthony Bourdain (No Reservations), Tom Collichio (Top Chef) both talking about social TV, late night talk show host Jimmy Fallon,plus INVENTORS, THINKERS, BRILLIANT MINDS. Here, is a link to the schedule. Over 2,600 speakers – and so much to see.
I hope you’ll consider joining me this year. Watch out for blog posts about highlights from Cat Matson and Alycia Edgar here on herBusiness.
Suzi
P.S. This article from a local Austin publication tells you a little more.
Reach Out for More Social Media Traffic
March 8, 2012
By Suzi Dafnis, Australian Businesswomen’s Network
So, you’ve got your website, blog, Facebook account, Twitter account, etc. Now, where’s your audience? You can’t just sit back and wait for people to stumble upon your online platforms. You have to reach out for more social media traffic.
Where is your online audience?
Wherever they are, that’s where you should reach out.
Here are three places you can seek out your audience.
1. Visit online forums related to your industry.
Participate in the conversations to establish your expertise, build your profile and drive traffic to your website. Forums can be traditional forums or groups (LinkedIn) and groups or pages (Facebook and Google+).
2. Visit blogs with content that matches your expertise and offer to contribute some content as a guest blogger.
Be sure to include a link back to your blog or website as part of your exchange for being a guest! And, be generous with what you offer. Give them your A-Grade content, not duplicate content of ‘leftovers’. The better the content, the better the referrals back to your site will be.
3. Visit ratings and reviews sites related to your business.
You might also want to visit coupon and “Freebie” sites too. If you can offer a free promotional item, list it on the freebie sites. If you don’t have the budget to order promo items, you could create your own digital item, such as an eBook.
Along the same lines, contests and giveaways can draw huge crowds. A photographer named Catherine White recently ran a Facebook competition where she asked people to post their favourite holiday photos for a chance to win a prize. So, she had all these people posting photos on Facebook, and it had a viral effect.
Plus, people who posted their photos had all their friends voting on the photo so they could win the prize. She built an entire community around one simple competition. Now, whenever I think of a photographer, I think of Catherine. One note with competitions – be sure to work in with the guidelines that the different platforms outline. Facebook has been known to shut down pages that violate their terms and conditions for contests.
4. Social Advertising
And, advertising through Facebook Ads, Google AdWords and LinkedIn Ads can drive traffic to you online platforms very well. You’ll usually need a ‘carrot’ by way of a giveaway to make this work.
NOTE: Regardless how much traffic you send to your social platforms, the key is to give people a reason to come and stay and come again. And, that comes down to being relevant and useful and providing content that your readers want and that fits well with your chosen authority focus.
Got other ideas on driving social traffic? I’d love to hear from you.
MORE GREAT BLOG POSTS BY SUZI DAFNIS
- Is it time to update your business website?
- Is this Social Media Myth Hindering your Business Results?
- Does your website make you look out dated? 5 tell-tale signs.
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Suzi Dafnis – Australian Businesswomen’s NetworkSuzi Dafnis is the Australian Businesswomen’s Network’s Community Director and Chairperson of the Advisory Board. Suzi has been involved with the network since 1995. In 1998, she took over the network from its founder and has since managed and grown the network. She remains its media spokesperson and a champion of women in business. She is also the editor of the ABN’s newsletters, author of the herBusiness blog and presents the In Her Shoes video series and herBusiness podcast.
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Is it time to update your business website?
March 3, 2012
By Suzi Dafnis, Australian Businesswomen’s Network
Many businesses still have older-style websites that weren’t designed with social media functionality in mind. If that’s you, it may be time for an update.
The ability for your customer and prospect to be able to share your content and to interact with you has become commonplace and expected. Long-gone are the days of the Contact Us form being the only way for people to reach out to you. At least, those days are long-gone for today’s innovative business.
Our website is built on a non-social platform. But, we have added the ability for people to share our website content through Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, StumbleUpon, and other social media sites simply by adding the Share This application to our website pages. You can add social media plug-ins like this to your existing website.
Add social functions to your site
To add some interactivity and social function, you might also consider adding a blog to your existing static site. Search engines love blogs, so the addition of a blog could send a lot more traffic to your site. Blogs also allow people to comment and share content, which engage others. You have to post regularly for a blog to be an effective social media tool, but the posts don’t have to be long. Just make sure that they’re relevant to your audience.
The ShareThis PlugIn
Upgrade to a social-friendly platform
If you have a relatively simple website, you might want to consider creating a new site with the WordPress blog platform, which has built-in social media functionality. The WordPress platform is sophisticated and sleek, but easy to use and manage and the cost is very low. (I cringe whenever I hear about small businesses paying thousands of dollars for a website! While you’ll want to invest dollars in getting set up properly and having professional design – the ongoing management of your website and content can be free from expensive third-part management with a WordPress or other hosted platform site.)
Integrate social into all your marketing
While you’re updating your website, look at your other marketing materials and see if you can integrate social media into them as well. For example, if you have a newsletter, you can incorporate social media functionality and allow people to share and comment on articles.
The key to having people share your content is to make it easy for them. Your site can work hard for you 24 hours a day. But, first you need to get it set up right both from a structural perspective and from a content perspective. The rewards will be worth the effort.
Here are some links you might find useful for improving your website:
Blog Posts
- Taking Action in 2012: 12 Pointers for Marketing Your Website More Effectively
- 7 Ways To Optimise Your Online Copywriting in 7 Minutes
- How to Create a Social Media Schedule
Events
- Attend the upcoming 9 Simple Steps to an Effective (and Profitable) Website webinar on 17 April
- Effective Website Copy
- The Social Media Essentials Webinar Pack
- Easy Ways to Market Your Business Online
- Leverage Yourself with Online Buzz
Watch more online business webinars on-demand on the ABN website.
MORE GREAT BLOG POSTS BY SUZI DAFNIS
- Is this Social Media Myth Hindering your Business Results?
- Does your website make you look out dated? 5 tell-tale signs.
- The business books that rocked my year, in a good way
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Suzi Dafnis – Australian Businesswomen’s NetworkSuzi Dafnis is the Australian Businesswomen’s Network’s Community Director and Chairperson of the Advisory Board. Suzi has been involved with the network since 1995. In 1998, she took over the network from its founder and has since managed and grown the network. She remains its media spokesperson and a champion of women in business. She is also the editor of the ABN’s newsletters, author of the herBusiness blog and presents the In Her Shoes video series and herBusiness podcast.
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World Environment Day Awards 2012
March 2, 2012
United Nations Association of Australia - NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN NATIONALLY
Each year, in support of United Nations World Environment Day (June 5), the United Nations Association of Australia recognises innovative and outstanding environmental initiatives and projects from across Australia through the World Environment Day Awards.
The Awards invite nominations from individuals, organisations and businesses that have taken positive steps towards sustainability and demonstrated environmental excellence in their homes, schools, communities and workplaces.
In 2012, the Awards are held in support of the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All and United Nations World Environment Day 2012 ‘Green Economy: Does it include you?’.
The 2012 Award Categories are:
- Biodiversity Award
- BHP Billiton Business Awards
- Virgin Australia Community Award
- Environmental School Award
- Excellence in Marine and Coastal Management Award
- Excellence in Sustainable Water Management Award
- Green Building Award
- Individual Award for Outstanding Service to the Environment
- Local Government Awards
- Media Award for Environmental Reporting
- Peter Szental Award for Sustainability Entrepreneurship
- Sustainability Education Award
- Sustainability Leadership Awards
ENTRY DEADLINE: Friday 4 May
Winners will be announced at the Awards Presentation Dinner to be held on Friday 8 June at the Grand Hyatt Melbourne.
For more information about the Awards, including entry criteria and nomination forms, please visit www.unaavictoria.org.au.
