Bill Gates's Top 10 Rules For Success (@BillGates)

Here's a great video of Bill Gates talking about his Top 10 Rules for Success!
Watch and learn.

Tips to Help Improve Your Social Media Marketing

When social media first emerged on the scene, it was underestimated by many brands. It's not 'til now we're seeing more and more business owners creating a presence on these platforms. The ones who jumped aboard early on are reaping the benefits now, especially if they had the assistance from social media marketing companies.

If you're a new business or one that has yet to try out social media marketing, then you should consider hiring professional services. You can also use the following tips to guide you along your path to building a strong brand on social platforms that are right for you.

Try One Platform at a Time 

Search Engine Optimisation: Why Small Business Gets SEO Wrong

Like it or loath it, search engine optimisation (SEO) is a necessary part of your online marketing strategy.

Many believe it involves gathering together a list of keywords, sticking them into a website and people will find you.

Sadly it doesn't work like that, which is why so many businesses are getting it wrong.

People also have the view that SEO is incredibly complex and time-consuming. In truth, it's not. 

Granted, it takes a bit of getting your head around it, but the on page stuff is easy to grasp, although you will need a web designer who understands SEO to get all the 'behind the scenes' stuff right. The problem is many can't be bothered to invest the time it takes to get to grips with what needs doing, and that's when it all goes horribly wrong.

So, what are the most common SEO mistakes that small businesses make? 

3 Ways to Grow Any Business

Let me ask you something... Aside from the dead give-away coming from the title, how many ways do you, or did you, think there was to grow a business? Any business.

1? 3? 10? 150?

When ever I ask this to an audience I get countless people shouting out a variety of answers ranging from 1 to, well, unlimited. It's true... People actually think there are "unlimited" ways to grow a business!Truth be told, there are only three ways to grow and business.

THREE?! Have you lost your mind?Nope, and I welcome you to challenge that.

There are only THREE ways to grow ANY business.

Here they are: 

Email Marketing: Free Trial for AWeber

Try AWeber free for 30 days! - AWeber Communications Great testimonial for AWeber, excellent for email marketing to your small business customers and prospects!

SEO Tips : Mobile Friendly Websites

For some time now Google has been making recommendations around the mobile experience; so it's really no surprise that it's now becoming a part of their algorithm.

One point we should highlight since writing that article, is that Google has refined its interpretation of 'Mobile Friendly'. Simply being able to use your site on a mobile device (i.e. not using flash etc.), is no longer sufficient; the new algorithm requires that you now either need a dedicated mobile site, or a mobile responsive site in order to gain Google favour.

So what does this actually mean? 

7 Tips for Better Face to Face Networking Results

Here is a cool stat for you from a great infographic from Virgin Entrepreneur:

95% say face to face meetings are essential for long-term business relationships.

Now I know we are all virtual professionals, and I've done my fair share of hiding behind my computer screen.

'I don't do in-person meetings.'

'I don't do Skype or Facetime.'

'Thanks for the invitation to coffee, but I only do phone meetings.'

'You can only reach me via email. It's how I work.'

I've said these things to my clients and potential clients. I still say them!

BUT in terms of networking, there are many cases where meeting face to face (either in a small business setting or a large event) can really fast-track your business relationship.

The statistic above is a very interesting take on the perception of business owners.

Trust is built more easily face to face. The whole process is just faster.