Top 50 Must Know Sites and Tools for Internet Marketing Book Review (Tomoson)

I read the Top 50 Must Know Sites and Tools for Internet Marketing, in exchange for honest review from Tomoson. I wanted to read the book to help me with a social media campaign for my sister, as well as learn new ways to market my blogs and books. The book is a free download once subcribe to Dudl Media's e-mail list.

Part 1 of the book focuses on image creation sites, such as Canva (used this one on a regular basis), Piktochart (used a few times during my last degree program),PicMonkey,  and Video Scribe, which allows you to create animated videos.

Part 2 of the book focuses on Search Engine Optimization SEO) and Keyword Tools sites. Two of the sites include Google Trends (came in handy for my thesis) and Google Analytics. Trends allows you to track search volume of keywords. I used trends to track keywords to help define my thesis down further.

Part 3 focuses on social media. The sites included social media automation, creating Facebook bots, and social media scheduling, such as Buffer. This section could have included more scheduling sites such as HootSuite or Klout for example.

Part 4 focuses on email marketing and subscription lists. Some sites listed include Mail Chimp and Constant Contact. Part 4 is very short as well.

Finally, Part 5 focuses on education, reference, and other sites such as Problogger, Udemy, and SkillShare.

The book is quick read. Find what you need, try out the site, and see if it helps you market your blogs, books, and other projects.

Montage Photo Books Review (Tomoson)

#productreview #tomoson #montage #montagebook #perfectchaos #photobook

A photo posted by Stacie D Wyatt (@sdwyatt1980) on Jun 15, 2015 at 3:33pm PDT

I received a Montage Photo Book, in exchange for honest review from Tomoson. Montage allows you to take your photos from social media, add them to a photo book, and the company will print it out.

You can choose the photos, background, and layouts of the photos. The books come in 4 sizes, starting at $29 dollars.

I chose a chalkboard layout for photos of my kids. They also have auto layouts, which designs the layout of the photos for you.

The website also has a demo book, you can play with and customize.

Future Trender App (Tomoson)

Disclaimer: The app has not been released yet, but this post talks about the future Trender App.  The app will be available on Google Play and the App Store

Trender is a new app coming soon in the App Store and on Google Play. Social Media has changed over the last few years. No longer is social media just for socializing only, but for generating income from posting statuses. Websites like Blogher, Advowire,  and Empowr have allowed people to get paid for promotion on social media. The Trender app will connect businesses and app users to generate income. 

When the app is launched, businesses can send invites to users to participate in campaigns. If accepted for a campaign, you will hit the Trend It button to post information on your social media accounts. You can use Facebook, Twitter, and Google Plus. 

Social Media

Facebook

Twitter

Google Plus

America is an Idea Book Review (iRead Book Tours)

Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by iRead Book Tours. This post also contains Amazon Affiliate Links.



I received America is an idea and the American Dream is for everyone: Why We Built empowr.com: The Experiment to Democratize Social Media, in exchange for honest review from iRead Book Tours. The book was written by Michael Cyrus Pousti.

I wanted to review the book because I am a member of empowr.com, even though I am still learning the site. Still confused on a few things, such as the auctions and how to generate money. I have money in the empowr bank, but not sure about the ins and outs of how I earned it.

Empowr.com a social media site, similar to Facebook. You can add people as fans and somehow monetize your network, similar to Tsu. The layout is similar to Facebook's home feed. You can post statuses, photos, and videos. You can also like other people's content.

You somehow earn money and your balance is sent to your email on a daily basis. The website does have video tutorials, which helps explain the site. I am still going through the tutorials.

On to the book review:

The author of the book, I first learned, was the founder of the former collegeclub.com. I used to be a member of College Club when I was 18 years old. He started Empowr to help change social media. The site also offers a form of virtual currency. Pousti has this concept called Democratic Social Economy, which provides a way for people to pay for things online. This was before credit cards became the norm for paying for things online.

Next, the author discussed how democracy plays a part in social media. With democracy, people should not get comfortable in their roles/positions or stagnation kicks in. People may lose their passion and drive. They may not perform to expectations. Companies get stuck in a downward trickle and corruption may occur. A change in management and staff may occur to get the business revived again.

The author also discusses education, economics, world conflict, and information technology. He doesn't really discuss the website until about 1/4 to 1/2 through the book. First, I learned Empowr allows people to earn money without having any starting capital, products, or services. You also can start a blog on the site and generate ads to earn money. You can cash out after your balance is 90 days matured. Next, you can earn money by posting statuses, photos, and videos. You also can buy items and turn around and sell them for a profit. (I am still confused on the buying and selling system). I also learned you can order food online, using your empowr balance.

You can purchase the book in Kindle and paperback format. The TOC is not hyperlinked so you can jump back and forth through the book. The book is prime-eligible.

Go Viral on Social Media Udemy Course Review (Tomoson)

I received access to the Go Viral on Social Media Course on Udemy, in exchange for honest review from Tomoson. The course teaches you how to market your content on social media. You will learn about branding; transcribing videos without typing; Pinterest marketing; Facebook marketing, and how to create videos to get increased likes. The course contains 69 sections.

You also will learn about floating social media buttons. I have used add this for floating buttons. Floating buttons allow readers to share your content without having to scroll to the top or bottom of your page. The instructor uses SumoMe, which I haven't heard of before until the course.

Next, you will learn about optimizing your videos. I haven't done this since I graduated from Full Sail. Videos need to be short and to the point. The instructor recommends videos being no longer than 2 minutes. If they are longer, then break them down into a multipart series. I had previously learned to keep your videos between 2 and 5 minutes, depending on content. You want people to watch your videos all the way through. You want your videos to be engaging. The author also recommends monetizing your videos on YouTube. My videos are monetized, but I don't make much money on YouTube. Once you get a set amount of subscribers, I know you can offer paid content, where users pay you to access a video. YouTube also has a donate button now.

Next, you need to think about your tags and descriptions. If you are a company or blog, add your blog or company name in the tag and descriptions. Add your website in the description. The instructor also recommends businesses add their address and phone number for customers can reach them.

Finally, I will discuss transcription. The instructor discusses paying for transcription, but you can do this yourself. You can either type up your transcript in word and paste it into YouTube or typing it in manually into YouTube. Both processes take time because you have to match up the words to the screen. You do have to adjust the sliders to match things up. It is a long process, but it is worth it.

The author also recommends using the transcription button in Word to type up your transcript. Even in school, I had to type up a written transcript, plus add one into YouTube. This made it easier because everything was written up, but I still had to match the words up.

What would Jesus Post Book Review (Book Look Bloggers)

This post contains Amazon Affiliate Links.

I read What Would Jesus Post?: Seven Principles Christians Should Follow in Social Media, in exchange for honest review from BookLook Bloggers.

The book was written by Brian D. Wassom. The book teaches seven principles on how to behave on social media. God is watching still.

The Writer's Platform

I read the Writers Platform by Austin Briggs. I won the book through a Librarything giveaway. I chose the book because I am a writer (short stories and poetry) and have low sales. I do not have a marketing plan to increase sales. I have no idea how to increase sales. I was glad when I got notified, I won a copy of the book.

The book discussed building a good writer's platform within 30 days, using social media only. I don't have to buy multiple copies of my print books. I don't have to start doing public speaking (not feeling that). I am not buying a review (those should be free). The process is not easy--it will require work. The book does not discuss illegal or shady ways to increase sales--loved reading that page of the book. I have seen so many websites, got plenty of emails, and seen books--where you attempt to earn a quick buck by spending hundreds and hundreds of your own money. I am a broke writer. I write for fun, but there is nothing like a sale. I already feel like the odds are against me because I am not a novelist. Takes more work to sell poetry and short stories, than a novelist. I have a blog, facebook fan page, pinterest, twitter, and google plus. I am in writing groups, writer's books, and promotion-based groups on facebook, library thing, and book blogs.

I been skimming through the book for about two weeks--to see if the information is worth taking an in-depth look at--and it is. The author focuses on techniques to improve your brand, pricing, and blogging. The books need to be the right price. The authors also need to watch what they say online, which can affect sales. If you are negative, then people may not buy your book. Briggs also discusses developing a website and a blog. All of this does not start without defining goals first. What do you expect from writing this book? What kind of income do you want? How many people do you need to buy your book, based on income?

There is also a great chapter on social media. Facebook and twitter are a must for writers. There is also Google Plus, Linkedin, Pinterest. Every follower is a potential buyer or promoter of your brand. We, as writers, need to update posts on a regular basis. We also need to develop goals for social media as well. Another note: Do not just post "buy my book" only because it gets boring and redundant. Post humor, opinions, and other content as well. You also can use facebook ads to attract new followers to your pages. Social media also allows networking with publishers, editors, and other writers.

Finally, the book discusses finding a good editor; formatting the book; choosing the right format for the book; guest posting; blog tours (which I have done for other authors); cross promotions; author associations; book bonuses; and review exchanges (i review your book and you review my book). The book also has a 90 day calendar to increase the book's and the author's brand. Each day is laid out with tips and techniques.

The book was simple to read, not too complicated. Not a lot of big words, you need a dictionary for.  I liked it. definitely will work on developing goals and start using the book to improve my brand.