SeaShell Digital Notes

Please STOP!!!

linda@seashelldigital.com (Linda Horstmyer) — Sat, 01 Jan 2022 17:00:04 GMT

You are exposing yourself to be hacked, scammed and abused!

Every time I see these seemingly fun and harmless posts on Facebook, Instagram, well, everywhere, I cringe.

Answering these questions gives out vital personal information. Bad people use this information to get a pretty accurate picture of you.

For example, have a look at the images left:

You have just revealed a place you have been to, lived in or currently live in.
You have just revealed a car you have owned.
You have just revealed where you live.
You have just revealed a car you have owned and what year you were 16 years old.
Good advice!
You have just revealed your age range.

Much of this information is in the public domain in one form or another and by answering seemingly random question you are giving hackers and other bad people bits of information that they can then string together.

Identity theft and other sophisticated scams are born out of this kind of information.

Have a read of this important post from Give It Get It: https://www.giveitgetit.org/social-media-questions/

Not all of these kinds of posts are evil, but enough are and you need to pay attention!

Blog, Blog, Blog.

linda@seashelldigital.com (Linda Horstmyer) — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 18:21:41 GMT

Blah, blah, blah.

Yup, seems like a pain. What the heck would I write about? Who cares? Why would I need one?

For many of us, the thought of sitting down and penning an original piece of text is just downright agonizing! We really procrastinated writing assignments in school. We don’t like the idea of writing a Holiday Update for friends and family or having to write even short sentences that describe our businesses. Painful!

So, what makes having a blog so worth it?

A couple of things. First, websites that have a blog can generate more leads by nearly 70%.

That is quite an edge!

Next, a blog helps drive traffic to your website because you are offering another opportunity to have your keywords crawled by search engines. This is new content and search engines love new content!

Not only that, but you can use your blog post to generate more content on social media. Take the essence of the post and submit it to all your social media accounts and provide a link back to your blog! No cost!

Blogs can also allow your business to establish authority in an industry and this is a quality that Google likes! The more you convey your expertise the more you establish credibility the more you become the go-to resource for all things you do. Building trust is also a by product.

Extending your reach is another benefit of blogging. Write an informative article about a common question you get from customers. Next thing you know, that customer is sharing your post with a neighbor, colleague. Boom, someone else knows about you and your company!

Importantly, your blog can help keep you engaged with your customers so that you can always be top of mind for providing products/services to your customers AND be top of mind for those customers giving you referrals.

Win/Win.

Given the benefits of having a blog, maybe scheduling a few minutes a month to create your post doesn’t seem so terrible. The returns could make a tremendous difference over the long run!

Part 5 2000 - A New Beginning

linda@seashelldigital.com (Linda Horstmyer) — Tue, 27 Jul 2021 17:38:18 GMT

2001 - Kaboom

For me, 2000 was a year jam packed with life changing events. Some, over the top exciting, and some, not so much.

Early in the year my partner and I started a consulting company that focused primarily on the travel sector with emphasis on cruise lines. We provided project management, change management, technical support and more to a variety of cruise lines large and small. A more dynamic environment is hard to imagine. Except when you sign on to consult for a privately held hospitality group (with a mad hatter owner) that likes to have meetings at the drop of a hat that often went on into the wee hours. Or would have you jetting off to a private island without even a toothbrush!

Outside of the travel sector we worked with other clients on project basis and had experiences with International Banks and Financial Advisors. While not as exciting as cruises, each client gave us great opportunities to expand our skillset. Highlights included the development of a Vendor Analysis tool that helps clients choose software and apps based on a well researched weighted analysis. We also crafted a critical reporting tool for an International Bank to keep track of Regulations Compliance.

Halfway through the year our offices were flooded during a “100 Year Storm Event”. What a mess. Just when we were on a roll, we had to rethink our operations. Not to mention replace most of our equipment. Ugh! Learned a valuable lesson on the importance of redundant systems!

2001 was just fabulous!! Wonderful clients, challenging projects and a booming economy. And then. Disaster. As you might imagine, hospitality was completely decimated by the events of 9/11. Within months all of our clients cancelled their projects and let go all consultants and contractors. One client released as many as 1800 folks. It was a terrifying event for our country and one with an unknown impact on a business we loved so much.

Time for plan B.

We moved up a five year plan to relocate out of South Florida and started a search for a nice small old florida kind of town. We were both raised in and on the ocean and craved that kind of lifestyle. After an extensive search we landed in Hobe Sound. What a treasure!

Business began to slowly return and we found ourselves commuting down a few counties but did not mind because we knew we were coming back to paradise.

Part 4 - Putting my experience to work for your small business.

linda@seashelldigital.com (Linda Horstmyer) — Fri, 23 Apr 2021 17:38:38 GMT

Travel in the Digital World

This post is the fourth in a series where I want to share some of the things I have learned over the course of my career. It has been varied in terms of industry and the customers served and has given me many valuable lessons along the way. I hope to benefit my clients with advice, ideas and cautions as a way of contributing to my local community.

Next up was a sink or swim introduction to the early years of the internet. My love of travel, and startups, lead me to a new subsidiary of a large travel wholesale group in Ft. Lauderdale. Certified Vacations offered wholesale travel packages in addition to running Continental Airlines Vacations and (CAV) Delta Airlines Vacations (DAV). I want to work for New River Technologies (NRT) which was the internet arm for Certified.

Fast and furious, my experience with NRT was exhilarating! I managed a large staff of web designers and we crafted dynamic websites for CAV, DAV and countless others. Understanding client needs and goals and translating them into the digital environment was a challenge in this new form of communication. Key was understanding how people wanted to learn about and book travel. Early on we developed relationships with Microsoft, Priceline, Expedia and other emerging online travel sellers and, looking back, the experience was absolutely thrilling. To say that the pace was fast is an understatement!

I was hooked. Somehow, I had to figure out how to leverage my marketing, advertising and communications background into a dream job.
A short stop with Sunglass Hut, before they were bought by Luxottica, honed my skills for effective communications with retail customers. We launched a new, and very innovative, website for sunglass sales that, like other startups, was full of challenges in every department. We were a small group and gathered in a small area, we all learned a lot about each area of the business. The programming side of websites has evolved so far from some of the early days I am grateful have been witness to the genesis of what is now a highly technical process.

2000 was a big year and was highlighted by a move to Small Business Ownership. Stay tuned!

Part 3 - Putting my experience to work for your small business.

linda@seashelldigital.com (Linda Horstmyer) — Mon, 29 Mar 2021 17:27:26 GMT

Startups and Retail

This post is the third in a series where I want to share some of the things I have learned over the course of my career. It has been varied in terms of industry and the customers served and has given me many valuable lessons along the way. I hope to benefit my clients with advice, ideas and cautions as a way of contributing to my local community.

Next up was the job of a lifetime! I joined startup Renaissance Cruises as their 7th employee hired. What a whirlwind! This dream job gave me experience working with Madison Avenue advertising agencies to craft a unique brand identity for the upscale cruise line that travelled the world on a fleet of eight ships of about 100 passengers. So many details had to come together to present a brand image that matched our target market. My planning, budgeting and implementation skills were refined and expanded in this challenging job.

Moving over to Product Development for Renaissance was amazing. Responsible for crafting unique and compelling products this job took me around the globe. Literally. I gained invaluable experience by operating in a multitude of environments and cultures that helped me expand my capacity for effective communication in any environment and circumstance. Creative solutions were a must!

After wearing out two passports I moved on to Sundown Vitamins and dove headfirst into the retail environment. The attention to detail required in keeping up with daily sales reports was intense and challenged my ability to spot trends and respond quickly to market changes.

Returning to the travel industry landed me with another startup. Preferred Holidays was a new subsidiary to AVIS and included all the urgency and excitement one would expect for a new endeavor. Sadly the effort was short lived but, serendipity landed me back with a large wholesale travel company! Stay tuned for the next update!

Great News!

linda@seashelldigital.com (Linda Horstmyer) — Sun, 17 Jan 2021 19:26:51 GMT

Florida has seen an almost 60% increase in New Business Startups in 2020.
REALLY!

We Got This!

Economists are perplexed. Across the nation there has been a 48% increase in startups in 2020 compared to 2019. And Florida is at a nearly 60% increase over 2019.

Sounds crazy!

But, it is not. This country is such a shining example of the benefits of entrepreneurship. And a vital force for the economy. From the SBA :

Small businesses are the lifeblood of the U.S. economy: they create two-thirds of net new jobs and drive U.S. innovation and competitiveness. A new report shows that they account for 44 percent of U.S. economic activity. This is a significant contribution, however this overall share has declined gradually.

And, as noted by the Economist :

"... the entrepreneurship boom bodes well for the future. A recovery with lots of startups tends to be more jobs-rich than one without, since young firms typically seek to expand, hiring new staff. Talk to the owners of new enterprises, and it is hard not to feel optimistic about America’s economic prospects."

We are going to be OK. Different, but OK.

Marketing Personas

linda@seashelldigital.com (Linda Horstmyer) — Mon, 09 Nov 2020 17:16:27 GMT

What the heck are they?
How can they help me
communicate effectively?

What you say, where you say it and what words you use directly impacts your ability to effectively communicate with your prospects and customers. Think about it.

Let's say you are a home cleaning service and you want to promote your services. You may want to build an ad, email or blog post that says "We Clean Great!" Leave's you kind of flat, no? Doesn't really speak to your needs.

So let's say we have identified a couple of different kind of customers for our cleaning business. One is Sally who works full time and has 3 kids and 2 cats. Her time off is very precious to her. Your message might be something more like "You work hard all week. Enjoy your weekend and your family while we scrub you home clean." Add a great image of a family playing.

Or, maybe one of your customers is unable to clean as they normally do because of an accident, illness or other physically limiting event. You might say "We can give you a hand with housework for as long or short as you need it." An image illustrating your message will reinforce your message and be more impactful to your target.

Maybe your customer is moving from one home to another. "Moving? We can give you a clean start." Again, an image that conveys someone moving into a clean home.

Crafting a detailed description of someone who represents your target audience(s) is to create a Persona. This is not a real customer, but a fictional person who embodies the characteristics of your potential customers. Some companies will have one or two personas and others may have many more.

Once you have this caricature of who you want to attract you are able to choose words, images and more that will speak directly to potential customers and highlight how you can solve their problems.

Have a look at my short video on how to generate your Personas so you can be sure to communicate effectively with the right targets. Video

And, as always, don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or just to chat.

Part 2 - Putting my experience to work for your small business.

linda@seashelldigital.com (Linda Horstmyer) — Tue, 03 Nov 2020 15:56:34 GMT

Advertising & Marketing

This post is the second in a series where I want to share some of the things I have learned over the course of my career. It has been varied in terms of industry and the customers served, and has given me many valuable lessons along the way. I hope to benefit my clients with advice, ideas and cautions as a way of contributing to my local community.

Marketing and Advertising experience has given me a firm foundation in these arts and I have been blessed to have worked on consumer as well as business to business accounts. My interest in Advertising began earlier than most. As my father had a background in advertising, we always had a pile of industry publications around the house. My favorites were “Ad Age”, “Ad Week”, and “Marketing Week”. It was so cool to read about brands I knew (think McDonalds and Lego) and learn what was coming up next for them. I’m sure I bored my little friends to death with my updates on new products!

“The Wall Street Journal” was another favorite. Sounds a bit pretentious, I know, but on the front page there has always been a very short summary of what’s happening. I felt so accomplished when I read a short blurb in the Journal that I already knew from the short blurbs in “Ad Age”! Curiosity has always been at my core.

Sitting on both sides of the fence as a customer and a client, has given me an appreciation for the discovery process we all go through when engaging an ad or marketing agency. I learned what questions to ask and, maybe more importantly, what information to convey. Knowing how agencies work helps me understand what information is important to getting the most impactful results.

From the agency side, having a deep understanding of what makes my client (or client to be) unique and successful is key. And, I learned that all roads lead to budget. I also learned that budgets can be flexible when you can clearly demonstrate value. Sometimes folks are reluctant to share a budget. Sometimes they don’t have one because they have no idea what various efforts are worth. Often, they have a pretty distorted view of what things actually cost. Earnest yet probing questions can often lead the way.

While tasks and projects for Citibank and Local Pool Service of Miami understandably vary considerably, the core principals for marketing and advertising do not. A solid background in both encourages me to apply these principals to all my efforts for small and very small businesses.

I look forward to sharing my experience with you.

More Purposeful Shopping Means More Online Searching for Consumers

linda@seashelldigital.com (Linda Horstmyer) — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 13:26:04 GMT

Is your website up to date?

Recently I posted a piece on the still strong desire of consumers to shop locally. You can read it below: "Support Local". The data demonstrates that folks WANT to buy local. And are doing so, only in a more methodical way. Folks are organizing their outings for more purposeful shopping. Making lists and buying more at once are ways consumers are seeking to limit their public activities.

This recent post from Localology shares some great info on the trend to “purposeful shopping”. Important to note, though, is that those consumers thinking more about their shopping trips are doing research. And, guess where they turn to for information? How do they find what they want for the list they create from home where, in the past, they just ran errands randomly?

Yup. You guessed it. Online.

Is your website helping your business? Is it quickly, clearly and memorably showing consumers what you have that they need/want? Have you optimized your site to feature your offerings, promotions, address, phone and other contact info? Do you offer curbside pickup? Do you feature this prominently?

Take some time and review your site to make sure you are getting your products and services in front of your customers.

Putting my experience to work for your small business.

linda@seashelldigital.com (Linda Horstmyer) — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 15:02:09 GMT

Part One of a Series

This post is the first in a series where I want to share some of the things I have learned over the course of my career. It has been varied in terms of industry and the customers served, and has given me many valuable lessons along the way. I hope to benefit my clients with advice, ideas and cautions as a way of contributing to my local community.

So many of my career experiences have been rooted in a deep understanding of what it means to be an effective communicator. The University of Florida granted me a degree in Communications and I continue to put it to work today. In between football games (Go Gators!) and work at a local ABC TV station I learned much about effective and memorable communications. I came to understand that communicating is about so much more than just words, spoken or written.

Messages that are simply stated are key to conveying our meaning. Expansive vocabularies are indeed an important asset for most everyone, but communication is not always about demonstrating how much you know. Instead, it may about how much you know about your audience and what they need. Consider that offering services for an arboriculturist might be better offered as services for your sick and/or dying trees.
Tone is important and can be thought of (in one way) as formal vs. informal. Does your audience relate better to everyday speech? Or technical terms?
Visuals are one of the most powerful methods of communication that are often overlooked. Consistent visuals like a logo, type style, color go a long way in making your message memorable. And, often one, simple graphics can convey a message better than thousands of words.

The importance of effective communication was brought home to me in an early-career job I had with a video production company. One of our clients was a multinational organization that hired us to create employee training videos. We produced them and happily presented them to the client. They were shocked. Why? Turns out that we had used a common hand gesture that in the US means “ok” that has an entirely different, and obscene, meaning in Brazil!

With another client I made my video directing debut. The task was to create a compelling visual that introduced a new line of shoes. Simple. Right? Not exactly. I learned that the lighting, set and placement of the shoes are an important aspect that helps convey each design. Most importantly, I learned that the single most important thing was to never show the shoe in the wrong profile. Only shoot the side opposite the arch! Who knew!

Verbal communication is not just about the words, it is also about the caliber and complexity of those words, how we string those words together to create a message, as well as the intonation (pitch, tone, cadence, etc.) used while speaking. And to be effective, verbal communication must be such that the intended audience can understand the message, remember it, and can act on it if required.

Bringing these kinds of experiences to the table for my clients is a very satisfying part of my job. I have been blessed with a diverse background and I am thrilled to share my learnings.

Americans believe in Small Business

linda@seashelldigital.com (Linda Horstmyer) — Sun, 20 Sep 2020 17:45:02 GMT

Look! We want to buy local!

Things are tough right now. Really tough. Lots of folks are getting pretty discouraged. Me included.

This chart of how folks feel about small business gave me some encouragement, though. It reminded me that, of course confidence in small businesses is much higher. Why? Well, think about it. Small businesses make up the vast majority of businesses in the US. And not just small businesses, micro businesses particularly. And, when you get right down to it, we, as Americans have a great deal of confidence in ourselves and our country. So it follows that we have more confidence in our fellow small businesses.

Ok, now that I am back off the ledge. Now what?

#1 - Attitude Adjustment

I'll start by changing my mindset. Things feel scary and unpredictable because they are. The best way I have found to reset and recharge is to make time to calm what some Yogis call the "Monkey Mind". Stay with me here. The zillions of neurons firing in our heads at any one time is astounding. Clearing your mind, even for just a few minutes can make a world of difference. There a many ways to calm those frenetic neurons:

Meditate (check out free guided meditations on Insight Timer or Calm .)
Take a walk and focus on what you see and hear (birds, cars, planes, kids)
Put on some music you love and sing along!
Weed the garden. Or start one!

#2 - Business Plan Review

Pull out that dusty business plan you created who knows how long ago. Is it still relevant? Need some tweeks? Redo entirely? Whatever condition it is in, a review of your intentions for your business can be a terrific spark for new ideas, products, services and customers.

#3 - Find New Avenues to Promote in

Have you ventured out into any of the newfangled marketing and advertising vehicles this new connected world has brought us? Have a Facebook account? Need to understand what might work for you? There are dozens of Free online classes and coursed on the web that cover every topic imaginable. Jump in. Get up to speed and be inspired. Could be you are able to reach a lot more people with your messages.

#4 - Identify new prospects

Are there customers out there that you have not considered? Or, more likely, ones you don't think want your product or service. Broaden you view. While Kathy the Bowling Alley owner may not need your services/products, she likely knows someone who does. Making your company memorable will improve the rate at which folks will remember seeing something that helps a friend or relative. People like to help and make suggestions. Take advantage of that and get your message out to a broader audience.

#5 - Get Out There!

So, you see, there is a lot you can do to salvage opportunity our of this monumental change we are experiencing. And, armed with the knowledge that your fellow citizens believe in you, is great reason to keep moving forward.

You got This!

Take a minute

linda@seashelldigital.com (Linda Horstmyer) — Wed, 16 Sep 2020 14:32:04 GMT

Your few minutes can give someone else a lasting smile and be the beginning of something great!

I recently attended a zoom (ugh) meeting where the host was discussing her use of postcards to welcome new members to her classes. The cards were personalized (no stock message here) and hand written. Just a few lines that made a connection between the sender and receiver. They arrived via the USPS, a rarity, and already felt special because it clearly takes a dedicated moment to write, stamp and send them.

Growing up we children were trained to ALWAYS send a thank you note for any kindness shown to us. We fought those three word notes to Grandmother and loathed the pile we had to take care of after a Christmas. Later, Dad insisted that we craft a unique thank you, mailed the same day, to those who interviewed us for a job. Again, we grudgingly complied. What we didn't yet realize was that not everybody sent thank you notes. And because we did, we continued to make an impression with our potential employers even after we had gone.

Today, hand crafted notes on special cards or stationary can still help us stand out with people we have just only met. And, that 's what it is all about. Right? Well, that and the important effort to bring a smile to those around us; we need it! AND, our current environment is crying out for feel good efforts. You will feel good and the recipient will feel good. A win-win.

So, consider finding a note card that helps you convey that the recipient is special and remembered. Write a few lines about what you remember about them. Call attention to anything you shared in common. Keep it light and sincere. Canned messages are spotted a mile away.

Have a go at it and see the results for yourself. You will be remembered the next time you meet and are well on your way to a very positive relationship. Could mean new business!

Great New Habit Formed During the Pandemic

linda@seashelldigital.com (Linda Horstmyer) — Fri, 04 Sep 2020 15:20:41 GMT

One of my new habits is sticking with me! You?

A very interesting survey from the folks at Marketing Charts . The piece talks about some of the behaviors and habits that have changed since the onset of the pandemic. Many are obvious, like eating more takeout, but what grabbed me was the insight on outdoor activities.

It's true. Loads more time outdoors is definitely staying with me and I can see a direct benefit for doing so. I have a lot of outdoor time including at the beach, on the boat, on the trails, outdoor dining (where it is safe to do do) and more. In addition, I take at least 20 minutes each day to leave my phone at my desk and just walk or sit in the sun. The benefit has been more energy for the balance of my day. And plus, the Vitamin D from the sun is giving my mood a needed boost in these stressful days.

One habit I am already breaking is the "shop online" one. I am now committing to #MyMoneyStaysLocal and seeking out places to buy what I need for my business and my home from local shops, restaurants and farms. We have to stick together to support our local economy. Have a look at this for more information on how you can participate: https://tcreboot.com/mymoneystayslocal

What about you? What will you carry over?

#MyMoneyStaysLocal - How am I doing?

Mon, 10 Aug 2020 17:14:00 GMT

So, let's see how I can improve my number.

Where can I get what?

Once I grabbed my bank statements I was surprised to find that a whole bunch of my purchases could be done easily, and not necessarily more expensively, locally. Granted, some things, like printer paper, was a little challenging to find from other than a big chain, but, so much else is available!

I know that making a habit is an important step in behavior change. And, I want my reflex to be on local not online or at a chain.

So, I started by looking at frequent purchases and mapping out where I can get the same items locally.

Independent restaurants may be the hardest hit business in our area. They are truly struggling and many of them will not survive. Social distanced eating is a particular challenge for small restaurants whose margins are already razor thin.

I very much want them to survive and I look forward to the day when I can have a leisurely meal in their dining rooms. So, I built a list of my favorite restaurants that offer takeout and/gift cards and put them on my rotation of dining options.

Stay tuned for next month when I run my numbers again!

Easy ways to support your local economy.

Tue, 04 Aug 2020 14:29:00 GMT

It takes many hands to steer a ship.....A recent survey by Main Street America found that almost 60% of small businesses saw a revenue decrease of MORE THAN 75%. And that was as of April 2020. Certainly, as we small business owners know, things are likely worse now. Millions of SMBs anticipate closing permanently withing the next few months.We know that Small Business contributes over 44% to our national economy. The number is an average, and small communities, like the Treasure Coast, have an even higher percentage. How we, as a community, spend our dollars can have a direct impact on the depth and breadth of our recovery.#MyMoneyStaysLocal is an effort to raise awareness for how important it is to spend locally. Discover your "Number" by calculating how much of your expenses go back into our economy. Calculate for your business AND your personal spending. Then, set a goal for yourself. How much can you raise your number next month?You have a powerful message to share with your customers, employees, friends and family when you include them in your messaging on social media, email, in-store that shows your support for local businesses. Challenge your vendors to do the same. SeaShell Digital has a great number yet there is still room for improvement. My personal number, however, needs a lot of work!Get more information and tools to help communicate how important this is visit: www.tcreboot.comWorking together we can right this ship.

Restaurants! Look Here!

Mon, 20 Jul 2020 16:12:00 GMT

Hungry for More.

Why be Grateful in this disaster?

Sat, 27 Jun 2020 15:49:00 GMT

The pandemic and its impact will eventually fade and we will have a new normal. And that new normal can include a happier you!

Mon, 15 Jun 2020 21:12:00 GMT

#MyMoneyStaysLocalTime to step up and pitch in for your community.There is a movement afoot that has the potential to be the single most important thing you can do for your business, your community and your family. It’s called #MyMoneyStaysLocal.While some of us may not have noticed, recent events have had a significant impact on how we have spent our money. If we have been lucky enough to have any to spend. Now, as we begin to open up more on the local level, some folks are venturing out and trying to do business with local establishments. And that is a good thing.Restaurants have been particularly hit hard. Some are not going to survive; some are already gone. Countless others will fold in the coming months either due to limited demand and/or limited ability to make a go of it at half capacity. And gone with them are their hearts and dreams of sharing a piece of themselves through their food. It’s a gift really. A very personal gift that comes from the heart of every restaurateur. And, when you take a look at the revenue that vaporizes in the process, you can begin to see how critical it is to help these restaurants stay afloat. Give them a call and buy a gift certificate that you can use later if you are not comfortable doing so now. Get a head start on Christmas and secure Gift Cards for some of your favorite people. Doing so will help the community overall by pumping $$$ back into your community. Win - Win.It looks like we are in for a long recovery and stepping up and dining locally can give your community a leg up.

Who Builds Your Website Best?

Sat, 16 May 2020 16:20:00 GMT

Need to build a Website?

DIY? Hire a Developer? Both?

Light at the End of the Tunnel

Wed, 22 Apr 2020 15:40:00 GMT

Eventually we will reopen for business. Are you ready?We have all been through the ringer over the last few months. Uncertainty, shortages, SNAFUs, and, in some cases, well founded panic. What we know for sure is that we very much want to get moving again. See our customers face-to-face. Share a hug. Laugh.One silver lining might just be the blessing of more time to spend on our businesses. We can think about how we want to emerge from quarantine better and stronger. Right now there are things you can do to better position for the new reality of commerce. There are even free things!The Reboot Guide can help you focus on those things your expertise tells you are good ideas for your business. Not a long read, you just might learn something new! Download it now.And, stay positive! You Got This!

I'll say it again!

Thu, 12 Mar 2020 19:23:00 GMT

Two Colossal Reasons!

Responsive is for You!

Mon, 09 Mar 2020 19:25:00 GMT

You don't have to be insecure!

Thu, 30 Jan 2020 15:58:00 GMT

There are still a lot of insecure websites out there. Have you seen them? Is your website one of them?Have a look at any browser to see if you have a security problem. In the Address bar look for a green padlock or similar graphic and, most importantly, look for the "s" after "http" as this indicates that the website is secure.If you are not secure, a few bad things could happen. Your website could be defrauded by someone impersonating your site. (This happened to me last week; I headed for a dog food website and was shown a page of vitamins sold from China!) Personal data could be leaked.Data transferred to and from your website could be corrupted.Google and other search engines don't like it and consider it a negative ranking factor.Potential Customers and Customers landing on your website are likely to have a negative impression of your company. They may go elsewhere if they perceive you to be unsafe!Hosting companies offer SSL certificates and they are easy to implement. Typically the hosting company makes the change quickly and seamlessly. However, be aware that some companies will charge for this. SeaShell Digital designates every website as secure. Free of charge. Because we know that, for small businesses, every bit helps.

Mon, 13 Jan 2020 17:44:00 GMT

Important Events From SBA and Score!

https://treasurecoast.score.org/content/take-workshop-60

Important Events from SBA and SCORE Treasure Coast!

Mon, 13 Jan 2020 17:21:43 GMT

Simple Steps for Starting Your Business - Indian River County

Wednesday, January 15, 2020 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM EST
Do you dream of starting a business? Do you know what it takes to turn that dream into a reality? It takes courage but it also requires knowledge. Let us help you acquire the knowledge to make your dreams of business ownership come true. This interactive two-hour seminar will deal with the key information you need to consider as you move forward.
Indian River County Chamber of Commerce

Simple Steps for Starting Your Business - St. Lucie County

Wednesday, January 15, 2020 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM EST
Do you dream of starting a business? Do you know what it takes to turn that dream into a reality? It takes courage but it also requires knowledge. Let us help you acquire the knowledge to make your dreams of business ownership come true. This interactive two-hour seminar will deal with the key information you need to consider as you move forward.
IRSC Pruitt Campus

Marketing 101 - Stuart

Wednesday, January 15, 2020 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM EST
If you're currently running your business, you believe that you're the best kept secret in town, or you're just not getting the amount of business that you think you should, then sign-up of this workshop!! Thinking of starting a small business? This workshop will give you ideas on how to do your marketing plan and best market your small business.

Simple Steps for Starting Your Business - Martin County

Wednesday, January 15, 2020 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EST
Do you dream of starting a business? Do you know what it takes to turn that dream into a reality? It takes courage but it also requires knowledge. Let us help you acquire the knowledge to make your dreams of business ownership come true. This interactive two-hour seminar will deal with the key information you need to consider as you move forward.
Indian River State College, Chastain Campus

NEW ! Marketing Strategies that Convert to Sales--01/22/2020--C0308

Wednesday, January 22, 2020 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EST
Are you a small business owner that knows good marketing will increase sales, but you're not sure how to get started? Or, how to improve what you're already doing by tracking your marketing results? Then this workshop will be a valuable resource for you. It will focus on how to nurture your leads using a variety of marketing strategies.
Indian River State College Chastain Campus

Simple Steps for Starting Your Business, Series 1, Workshops 2 - 4 --01/29/2020--C0308

Wednesday, January 29, 2020 at 10:00 AM EST -to- Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 12:00 PM EST
Is Starting a Business Right for You? It's time to make the decision to proceed & make your business idea a reality! Simple Steps to Start a Business is a comprehensive, yet manageable series of workshops designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs start & grow successful businesses. Topics include Business Concepts, Marketing, & Financial Projections.
Indian River State College Pruitt Campus

Marketing 101 - Vero Beach

Wednesday, January 29, 2020 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EST
If you're currently running your business, you believe that you're the best kept secret in town, or you're just not getting the amount of business that you think you should, then sign-up of this workshop!! Thinking of starting a small business? This workshop will give you ideas on how to do your marketing plan and best market your small business.
Indian River County Chamber of Commerce

More information and Registration: https://treasurecoast.score.org/content/take-workshop-60

Wed, 02 Oct 2019 15:16:00 GMT

The SBA and SCOREDo you know about all the great resources available to you?There are amazing resources available to Small Business that can help you build and grow your business. Many of them are even free! The Small Business Development Center features a myriad of services that include the following and so much more!ConsultingTrainingResearchGrowth AccelerationCapital AccessOrganizational DevelopmentThere are three offices on the Treasure Coast: Stuart, Port St. Lucie, Ft. PierceHave a visit to their "Services" page and see what might help you! SCORE Treasure Coasts has a terrific lineup of online resources crafted just for you:Online Marketing for Small Business Owners Simple Steps for Starting Your Business Startup Basics Marketing Basics Finance Basics Management Basics At the core of their efforts is a Mentoring program that pairs you with highly successful and experienced business professionals and entrepreneurs, that deliver valuable, timely, and practical advice. Whether you are a start-up or an existing business, their mentors will help you and your business open new markets, reach new customers, and achieve new goals.

Thu, 27 Jun 2019 19:19:00 GMT

Internet Insights Guide for Small Business

Get our new Free Guide for Small Business.

http://tiny.cc/InternetInsights

Mon, 20 May 2019 17:41:00 GMT

Small Business and the InternetWhere are we now?Wow! What a transformation we have had over the last few years. The growth of, and dependency on, the internet has been nothing short of astounding. Currently over 90% of US adults use the internet. And that is only adults! Imaging the numbers for kids!The advances in mobile technology have driven huge increases in website traffic conducted on a mobile device. Consider that nearly 70% of web traffic happens on a mobile device. Not surprising given how many noses we can see around us buried in a cell phone!Important notes for your Business:57% of users will not recommend a business with a poorly designed mobile site.80% of B2B buyers report that mobile played a significant role in a recent purchase.53% of mobile website visits are abandoned if a site takes longer than three seconds to load.3 in 4 smartphone owners turn to mobile search first to address immediate needs.Google drives 96% of mobile search traffic.Having a website gives you a powerful marketing and sales tool that is as dynamic and flexible as you need and want. You can answer potential customer questions and concerns through an easy to edit blog featured on your website. You can build a database of folk to whom you can market your products and services by collecting email addresses with a simple form. You can offer easy access to any forms, brochures or other printed materials via downloads. You can allow visitors to schedule appointments and/or meetings right on your site. The list goes on…..Take a moment to think about how YOU find products and services! I’ll bet the answer is right in your hand!

Tue, 26 Mar 2019 18:07:00 GMT

Why is the SSL Certificate important??There are several reasons this security step is important to you and your customers.SSL provides protection for information on your site.Websites without protection are now flagged as in the example right.Search results could be negatively impacted for websites not protected.SSL protects your website from being hijacked and lead to some nefarious places!Your first impression with potential customers arriving at your site could be spoiled by a "Not Secure" image by your web address. SeaShell Digital provides SSL Certificates to each and every website we build. So you are protected from the start.For more information take a look at this super description from SEO Expert: Here.

Tue, 05 Feb 2019 20:52:00 GMT

Reviews aren't the end of the story.......So. Let’s talk about reviews and how they demonstrate the importance of having a SMB website. Hate them or love them they are having a big impact on consumers searching online for products and services. Notably, restaurants top the list of reviews consumers want to see.While it is tempting think that the consumer's journey to you is ending there; it is not. A recent BrightLocal survey shows that once reviews have been seen, the next step is to go to the business' website. And, this is where you can truly differentiate yourself and compel consumers to take the next step. Your website is an important step in the consumer's journey!Your website can answer specific questions and needs of YOUR customer. Take an example of a Day Care. Say a parent searches for a facility near home and/or work and finds several reviews that speak to their needs. Next, they want to go to your very own website to understand more and get a general feeling about the place. Is the Day Care presented well on the website? Do they seem organized? Kid focused? Are they safe for my child, are they able to be flexible to my schedule? These "personality" traits give prospective clients a good picture and will help feed users to next steps that may include a visit, more questions or even enrollment. Focusing your website to answer the concerns and needs of your customer is a natural extension to the reviews consumers are reading and will serve to boost you in Lead/Client generation because not every concern is covered on a review. And you are uniquely qualified to answer ALL of potential client needs.The key to success is to know your customer and all of their needs and concerns. Keep an eye on all of your reviews and respond to them as necessary. Never leave a bad review out there without a resolution or explanation.

Thu, 10 Jan 2019 19:53:00 GMT

Local Search Association Study: 79% Say Digital Channels 'Most Helpful' for Finding Local Business InformationDo you know how your customers are finding you? A recent survey found that 33% are finding you via Search Engines, 24% via a company website, 10% via word of mouth.So, in order of importance, you need to be findable via Search Engines, you need a website and, you MUST wow your customers so they pass it on!There are loads of ways for your company to get found online. Consider these quick and easy options:Get listed in Directories (YelloPages, Manta, CitySearch) asap!Review sites are extremely important: Yelp, Tripadvisor and others can get you started. But, remember, you MUST stay on top of your reviews and respond appropriately. Even a bad review can be turned around.Make sure your website is Search Engine Ready (Friendly). Tags, content and even photos are important points to review.SeaShell Digital has a fabulous program for new websites that will definately give any business a head start. Check out SeaShell's JumpStart program for more information.

Sun, 21 Oct 2018 17:26:00 GMT

Calling all Entrepreneurs!

Do you know about all of the truly amazing support that is available to you at the SBA?

here.

Mon, 08 Oct 2018 14:45:00 GMT

Ugh..... Who has time to do all those things necessary for a new Website?

You have enough to do!

"50 Free marketing ideas!"

"101 simple ideas to boost your traffic!"

That is all well and good, but WHO has time! Many of the FREE ideas can cost you so much more than $$! They can cost you your time (and sometimes sanity!) when you have to learn how to get your site in directories, launch business pages in LinkedIn and Facebook, set up your MailChimp account. There is more!

We can help you get started with a bang. And keep you going! Included are ideas for promotions, templates for ideas and and starter topics for blogs.

Take a look here to see Jump Start today!

Flash to Flicker Out

Fri, 31 Aug 2018 15:12:00 GMT

Are you still using Flash on your website?Did you know that it is being retired by Adobe in 2020?What browsers will do and what it means:Mozilla updated its plugin roadmap for Firefox and adjusted it based on Adobe's end of support announcement.2018 Second Half -- Firefox users have to enable Flash on each session they want to use Flash.2019 Early -- Firefox will display a visible warning to users if a site uses Flash.2019 -- Flash is disabled by default. Users won't be prompted anymore to enable Flash, but Flash may still be activated on certain sites by users.2020-- Flash support is removed from Firefox. Firefox ESR continues to support Flash until the end of 2020.2021 -- Firefox won't load the Flash plugin anymore when Adobe stops shipping security updates for Flash in December 2020Microsoft announced on the Microsoft Edge development blog how it plans to retire Adobe Flash in company products2018 -- Microsoft Edge requires users to enable Flash for each session individually. Internet Explorer continues to allow Flash.2019 mid to late -- Flash is disabled by default in Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer. Users have options to re-enable Flash.2020 end -- Adobe Flash is removed from Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer. Flash cannot be run anymore.There are myriad reasons that this step is to be taken. Just a couple: Flash is vulnerable to hacks and can impact the security of the website on which it is used. More recent technology (HTML5, etc.) can more efficiently display video and 3D technology.For more information check out this article from Reuters.

Tue, 07 Aug 2018 20:04:00 GMT

"Google, what restaurants are open near me?"Recently, Google announced an update to Maps on iOS that will make it much easier for users to find local restaurants. The new feature will utilize machine learning to “match” users with new restaurants based on their preferences and the other restaurants they’ve visited. Match scores are not generated for every restaurant, so it’s likely that it’s reserved for the locations with enough data to make a match determination.Users can simply click on a food or drink venue and their match percentage will display, higher match numbers mean a greater match. The feature also provides reasons why users may enjoy a given place. For instance, those who enjoy sushi will likely see an increase of sushi places within their designated area and a high match percentage.It could not be more important to ensure that your address information is not only ON your website, but please check to see if it is accurate!!

Why a Mobile-Friendly Website is Proven to be Critical in 2018

Fri, 13 Jul 2018 19:30:00 GMT

Just had to share this important information for Small Business:

Why a Mobile-Friendly Website is Proven to be Critical in 2018:

here

Mon, 09 Jul 2018 16:59:00 GMT

Gotta keep up!

Digital is still growing by leaps and bounds will continue to impact how we reach and interact with customers.

here

Thu, 28 Jun 2018 19:23:00 GMT

September will be an important month for websites. October will be even more important. Why?In September of this year the most recent version of Google browsers will no longer mark as "secure" those websites that are not secure. A secure website will always have an S after the http in the address bar.And in October those websites that are not secure will say so! Imagine the message that sends to potential customers!An unsecure website means that the website is talking to your browser using the regular ‘unsecure’ language. In other words, it is possible for someone to “eavesdrop” on your computer’s conversation with the website. If you fill out a form on the website, someone might see the information you send to that site.Reminder: NEVER enter credit card information on a website that is NOT secure!For more information see any of these informative articles:Search Engine LandThe VergeGoogle

Fri, 15 Jun 2018 16:32:00 GMT

Google Tester

Here!

SeaShell Digital Notes

Please STOP!!!

You are exposing yourself to be hacked, scammed and abused!

Blog, Blog, Blog.

Blah, blah, blah.

Part 5 2000 - A New Beginning

2001 - Kaboom

Part 4 - Putting my experience to work for your small business.

Travel in the Digital World

Part 3 - Putting my experience to work for your small business.

Startups and Retail

Great News!

Florida has seen an almost 60% increase in New Business Startups in 2020. REALLY!

We Got This!

Marketing Personas

What the heck are they? How can they help me communicate effectively?

Part 2 - Putting my experience to work for your small business.

Advertising & Marketing

More Purposeful Shopping Means More Online Searching for Consumers

Is your website up to date?

Putting my experience to work for your small business.

Part One of a Series

Americans believe in Small Business

Look! We want to buy local!

Take a minute

Your few minutes can give someone else a lasting smile and be the beginning of something great!

Great New Habit Formed During the Pandemic

One of my new habits is sticking with me! You?

#MyMoneyStaysLocal - How am I doing?

So, let's see how I can improve my number.

Where can I get what?

Easy ways to support your local economy.

Restaurants! Look Here!

Hungry for More.

Why be Grateful in this disaster?

Who Builds Your Website Best?

Need to build a Website?

DIY? Hire a Developer? Both?

Light at the End of the Tunnel

I'll say it again!

Two Colossal Reasons!

Responsive is for You!

You don't have to be insecure!

Important Events From SBA and Score!

Important Events from SBA and SCORE Treasure Coast!

Internet Insights Guide for Small Business

Get our new Free Guide for Small Business.

Calling all Entrepreneurs!

Do you know about all of the truly amazing support that is available to you at the SBA?

Ugh..... Who has time to do all those things necessary for a new Website?

You have enough to do!

Flash to Flicker Out

Why a Mobile-Friendly Website is Proven to be Critical in 2018

Just had to share this important information for Small Business:

Why a Mobile-Friendly Website is Proven to be Critical in 2018:

Gotta keep up!

Digital is still growing by leaps and bounds will continue to impact how we reach and interact with customers.

Florida has seen an almost 60% increase in New Business Startups in 2020.
REALLY!

What the heck are they?
How can they help me
communicate effectively?