How many power point presentations do you share per month?

Have you ever caught someone at one of your presentations falling asleep?

Do you need some helpful tips and advice on how to make your next power point presentation the best one yet?

Luckily, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve shared hundreds of PPT presentations, both via online webinars and at local events, and yes, I have caught a couple people dozing off (although I never called them on it).

In an effort to make my presentations better and also help clients who use PPTs in their areas of expertise, I started doing research.

My research consisted of writing down some of the presenters I’d enjoyed in the past and then seeing if they’d shared any info on the subject. Conveniently, I didn’t have to look very long before I found an actual PPT presentation about Improving PPT Presenations!

Thanks to Rand and his team in advance for letting us share this PPT – ENJOY!

The 6 Power Point Presentation Rules You Have to Keep

Other Tips for Presentations

Rand Fishkin is the CEO & Co-Founder of the web’s most popular SEO Software provider; SEOmoz. He co-authored the Art of SEO from O’Reilly Media and was named on the 40 Under 40 List and 30 Best Young Tech Entrepreneurs Under 30.

Rand has been written about in The Seattle Times, Newsweek and PC World among others and keynoted conferences on search around the world. He’s particularly passionate about the SEOmoz blog, read by tens of thousands of search professionals each day. In his miniscule spare time, Rand enjoys the company of his amazing wife, whose serendipitous travel blog chronicles their journeys.

I know for most of the Moller Marketing readers this is way too basic.

But this is a question I get from time to time as I help clients start an online business.

First let’s talk about…

Why Gmail?

1. Less Spam (or the spam is filtered in to a spam box)
2. Mobile Access: I don’t use this yet but probably will in the near future.
3. Lots of Space: unlike my Outlook account where I have to “Archive” things all the time, Gmail has SO MUCH free storage.
4. Access to everything else Google Offers: when you set up a Gmail account, you’re also setting up a Google Account, which will give you access to Google Analytics, Google Webmaster Tools, and other cool things from Google.
5. It’s always getting better: Gmail seems to always be doing something new. Check out their Gmail blog for all the things they have in the works.

Now the step by steps!

How to Set up a Gmail Account

Step 1:

• Go to Gmail.com and click on Create an Account

Step 2:

• Fill out the appropriate information

• You may enter in an email address that is already taken, Gmail will give you other options.

• Make sure to pick a password you’ll remember and that is “Strong” according to Google (using numbers and other characters can help)

• Use a security question you’ll remember (I’ve set up an account and then forgot HOW I typed in the answer…IDIOT Me!)

• When you’re finished, click  the “I accept. Create my account.” button.

Step 3:

• Congratulations – it was THAT EASY!

• You can now go straight to your account.

Step 4:

• Start testing it out!

Other Cool Gmail Features

• Importing contacts from other email: You can import your contacts and mail from Yahoo!, Hotmail, AOL, and many other web mail or POP accounts. If you want, we’ll even keep importing your mail for the next 30 days.
• Google Chat & Video Chat: You don’t have to use another program — chat is built right into Gmail. Learn more about Google chat. You can even talk face to face with voice and video chat. All you need is a webcam and a small download that takes seconds to install.
• Archiving: You shouldn’t ever have to throw things away. Archiving moves messages out of your inbox and into “All Mail,” so they don’t clutter your inbox but remain searchable in case you ever need them again. Learn more about Gmail Archiving.
• Labels: Labels do the work of folders with an extra bonus: a conversation can have several labels, so you’re not forced to choose one particular folder. Learn more about Gmail Labels.

Why do you use Gmail?

I’ve been teaching a few clients how to use custom wordpress themes for their online businesses.

For this reason, I’ve temporarily changed the “look” of Moller Marketing to match the Halloween & Autumn colors.

Wouldn’t you LOVE to live in Utah right now?

photo from west light images

As a teaching tool, I wanted to show all Moller Marketing readers that yes, it is really easy to change the look of a Woo Theme.

Step by Step Guide on Changing WordPress Themes

Step 1: Purchase a Woo Theme and Download it to your Desktop.

Step 2: Upload the extracted file to your “Themes” folder using FTP (Filezilla is what I use).

Things you’ll need to know:

1. Host.
2. Your host username.
3. Your host password.

Once you log in, you’ll first locate the new theme file on the left side of the screen.  (Don’t open the file, just locate it.)

Then, follow this path on the right side of the screen:

public_html > your site folder > wp-content > Drag new theme to the Themes Folder

Step 3: Once you have the Woo Theme uploaded, click on the Appearance Tab, then the Themes link in the side navigation of your wordpress blog.

It will look something like this:

You’ll need to select “Activate” for the new theme to work.

Step 4: Time to make adjustments to the color of your theme.

Depending on the theme you purchased, there should be options on changing the Theme Stylesheet. Pick the color you’d like to use. (I’m using the Flash News for one blog and the Busy Bee for the Moller Marketing Blog)

Step 5: Open your site in a new window, test it out, and start making sales

If you have any questions, please submit them in the comment section or in this form…

I’ve got a Twitter Account…

I’m on Facebook…

I don’t really get StumbleUpon but I signed up…

Now What?

I get this social media question a lot and have attempted to give some StumbleUpon suggestions.

First I want to define what social media is according to Wikipedia:

Social media are primarily Internet- and mobile-based tools for sharing and discussing information among human beings.

Here’s a better definition of social media marketing:

(SMM) is a form of internet marketing which seeks to achieve branding and marketing communication goals through the participation in various social media networks.

You can read the definitions, study the books, and have a small understanding about what social media marketing IS, but now you have to break the “newbie ice” and JUST DO IT!

Gary Vaynerchuk, one of my favorite keynote speakers, talks in this video about how to use social media marketing to it’s fullest:

Now go “shake a lot of hands”, build friendships, be “social”, and GET OUT OF THE SIXTH GRADE for crying out loud!

photo courtesy of Trevor Mauch

Are you interested in making money online?

What money making methods are you using to see positive cash flow with your new online business?

Are you using Craigslist.org as one of the online money making solutions?

Craigslist is arguably one of the fastest ways to make money online as you’re starting an online business.  Not only can it break the ice and help you actually gain confidence that online commerce is real, but it’s FREE (for the most part).

Happy Tuesday Eve! This Tuesday Tutorial is coming a day early per the request of a few clients who want to get listing right away on Craigslist.

Here are some things to be aware of as you get started selling items on Craigslist:

All craigslist postings are free, except for:

1. Job posts in the San Francisco Bay Area. The fee for posting a job in the SF Bay Area is $75. This fee pays for one job in one category. (One job posted in two different categories would cost $150.)

2. Job posts in Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Orange County, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento, San Diego, Seattle, South Florida, and Washington DC. The fee for posting a job in these cities is $25. This fee pays for one job in one category. (One job posted in two different categories would cost $50.)

3. Brokered apartment rental listings in New York The fee for posting a brokered apartment rental in New York City is $10.

4. Erotic services posts on craigslist sites in the United States. The fee for posting ads in the erotic services category is $5.

Those $5 fees for #4 can really add up

There are limitations to what you can sell on Craigslist.  (you may want to review this before you attempt to sell your neighbors annoying dog)

A step by step guide to listing an item on Craigslist.org:

Step 1: Go to Craigslist.org.

Step 2: Select your state or country.

Step 3: Select the city that’s closest to where you live.

Sometimes, on this step, I may select a bigger city where more potential visitors will see my listing.  Just remember: test, test, test!

I may even list in a different surrounding area.  Just make sure you don’t list word for word the same content in two different areas – this is forbidden by Craigslist.  The main objective of Craigslist is to be a Local Classified Ad – so be careful when branching out.

Remember, the most effective way to sell on Craigslist is by being able to meet the potential buyer in person.

Step 4: Find the best category for your product.

One suggestion is to do a search for the type of product you plan to sell once you get to your state and city.   Keyword research will again come in handy here as you are trying to determine how to list your products.

Since we’re talking about selling products on Craigslist, you’ll probably want to focus on the “For Sale” section in the center of the page:

Step 5: Be aware of the potential scams.

Scams can and WILL happen on Craigslist if you don’t follow the advice they give you.

At the top of the category page, you’ll see warning links like these:

Make sure to read them over to avoid getting taken advantage of.  Here are the most important tips to avoid scams on Craigslist (in my opinion):

* DEAL LOCALLY WITH FOLKS YOU CAN MEET IN PERSON – follow this one simple rule and you will avoid 99% of the scam attempts on craigslist.
* NEVER WIRE FUNDS VIA WESTERN UNION, MONEYGRAM or any other wire service – anyone who asks you to do so is a scammer.
* FAKE CASHIER CHECKS & MONEY ORDERS ARE COMMON, and BANKS WILL CASH THEM AND THEN HOLD YOU RESPONSIBLE when the fake is discovered weeks later.
* CRAIGSLIST IS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY TRANSACTION, and does not handle payments, guarantee transactions, provide escrow services, or offer “buyer protection” or “seller certification”
* NEVER GIVE OUT FINANCIAL INFORMATION (bank account number, social security number, eBay/PayPal info, etc.)
* AVOID DEALS INVOLVING SHIPPING OR ESCROW SERVICES and know that ONLY A SCAMMER WILL “GUARANTEE” YOUR TRANSACTION.

Step 6:  Click Post in the top right corner of the screen.

Now that you’re at the appropriate category page, the Post option will be at the top right corner:

Step 7: Create a Craigslist User Account.

This isn’t a mandatory step but here’s why Craigslist recommends it:

What is my craigslist user account? Do I need one?

You can manage posts efficiently with a craigslist user account. The process of creating posts, editing and deleting them, and re-posting ads that have expired is much easier.

If you post frequently, or if you need to post paid ads, it makes sense to set up a user account.

Another question you might have:

How do I create a user account?
* Go to the account signup form.
* Enter your email address, type the five-letter verification word that appears on the screen, and click “create account”.
* We’ll send you an email with the instructions for completing the account setup process.

If you’re still reading this post, type a YES in the comments section below   If not, I need to shorten the Tutorials!

Step 8: Re-select your category and POST THE ITEM!

For time’s sake, I’m going to skip all the information about registering your account, getting the email, etc.  You’ll see a page that looks like this:

Select the best category and proceed!

Step 9: Fill out the appropriate information.

The listing page will look like this:

The main things to remember on this step are:

1. Use a “keyword rich” Post Title.
2. Post the price you’d like to sell the product for.
3. Add a detailed description, preferably using bullet points so it’s easy to read.
4. ADD IMAGES.  This is found right about the “Permissions” section where it says “Add/Edit Images”.  It will look like this when you click the button:

You have now listed your first item on Craigslist.org – Congratulations!

I’m excited to hear “Craiglist Success Stories!” 

Please post your Craigslist experience in the comments section below!

craigslist photo courtesy of www.nevblog.com