Orange County Social Media Summit

Orange County Social Media Summit

Are you using social media for your business? If not you are missing out! Social media has the potential to increase your presence in the online world substantially. All it takes is time and knowledge.

Saddleback Church recently hosted a Social Media Summit to help anyone who was interested in learning from the best and brightest local Orange County social media experts. This event covered topics that range from Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and various other social media applications.

Cal Coast Web Design attended the Social Media Summit. The knowledge that we obtained has already helped us and we have decided to share this vast amount of information with you! Over the next couple of weeks we will be posting what we learned from the various speakers.

This event was live streamed online and was attended by more than 700 people eager to learn tips and tricks on social media.

Did you know:

• 64% of people are more likely to buy a product they follow on twitter
• 61% will be using primarily video by 2015
• Average email user receives 147 messages every day and spends more than 2.5 hours on email a day.
•  how do you make your business stand out from the already crowded sea of online advertising?
• 3 billion searches in Google done each day. Google answers 34,000 questions per second. Are people finding your website through search engines?  If not...that's not ok! 

Remember to visit Cal Coast Web Design blog for updates on how to get the most out of social media.

Want to speak with an expert at Cal Coast Web Design? 888-281-7665 Info@CalCoastWebDesign.com Services - Contact Us We use our technical and SEO skills to build your successful online income stream by turning your web presence into something both search engines and users will love and use!

We know what it means to be busy. We know you have a business to attend to. Let us help ease the process with our business jargon, not geek speak.

Social Media Content Strategy for Realtors

Do you log on to Twitter and Facebook, and struggle with things to share and write? If so, you're not alone! As we know, content is king, and your social media profiles are an extension of that content ;)

Today at the Inman Agent Reboot session Katie Lance, Inman's Social Media director offered Orange County Realtors a simple social media content strategy.

Create killer, consistent, captivating social media content

Katie suggested that Realtors create a content grid, or spreadsheet, in Google Docs or Excel to get your next 30 days of content planned and prepared.  You can also take it one step further and schedule your posts or tweets by using Hootsuite :)

Your spreadsheets should have the following categories:

1. Local Real Estate - Talk about your favorite feature of a listing, don't just post boring listings! Tell the story of a past client.  Talk about your farm neighborhood #1.  Talk about your farm neighborhood #2.  Discuss a first time buyer challenge.  Talk about the best dog parks, restaurants, etc. 
2. National Real Estate - Compare home prices. Post Foreclosure Radar embeds. Share Inman, NAR, or CAR articles.  This helps you and your sphere stay up to date with the important milestones in the Real Estate industry.
3. Community - Post Instagram photos of your community, and make friends with locals.  Talk about the upcoming concerts or fairs.  Upload pretty scenery, parks, monuments.  Talk about local elections or events.  Post a video of someone's relocation story.  
4. Personal Interests - What do you love to do?  People do business with other people they LIKE.  When you share an interest, people are more likely to do business with you.  Have you posted anything personal about dancing, dining, workout, arts, travel, family, friends?!  Being 'all business' is boring; don't be afraid to show who you really are!

Remember....Have a plan!!  It will help ensure your social media profiles remain consistent and balanced.  These content grids are great for assistants and team members to keep them on track...aren't they?!

If you'd like help enhancing your content grid, blog content, or website content, call Cal Coast at 888-281-7665 x 2 today!

Want to speak with an expert at Cal Coast Web Design? 888-281-7665 Info@CalCoastWebDesign.com Services - Contact Us We use our technical and SEO skills to build your successful online income stream by turning your web presence into something both search engines and users will love and use!

We know what it means to be busy. We know you have a business to attend to. Let us help ease the process with our business jargon, not geek speak.

Need Images For Your Site? - Selecting Royalty Free Images

Looking to replace or dd an image to your website or other marketing materials?

Just don't have the time or talent to take them yourself?

Don't have it in your budget to hire a professional photographer?

You may have been asked by a team member at Cal Coast to...

"Please be sure to review your images included in your mockup closely. If you want to replace or add any images, you may choose to send them over from your personal collection or you may search for royalty free images at www.istockphoto.com or other royalty free site of your choice. Just make note of image numbers and short descriptions if such images are included in your contract so that we may purchase and download them for you to add to your site. If such images were not included in your contract, simply download the x-small version and email it over to Support@CalCoastWebDesign.com."

If you don't have quality, professional photos to use for your online or print marketing, consider using Royalty free images as a solution. Often times these can be expensive, but there are some affordable solutions out there...

• Microsoft Clip Art - Once a home to cheesy illustrations best used for high school projects, not a professional website, Microsoft Clip Art now offers real images or photos in their collection.
  How To Download: These images can be downloaded immediately at no cost.
  
• iStockphoto - Royalty Free Stock Photography, Vector Art Images, Music & Video Stock Footage
  How To Download:  These images can be purchased by the "credit."  Each size and each image is a different credit amount. Credits are about $1.70/credit (the more you buy, the more you save.)
  Should you need an image to take up the entire width of the average computer screen, consider the size that affords over 1200px wide. Otherwise, you will have to place multiple images together to take up the width of a header, etc.
  
•   Stock Exchange -   Some free, some at a cost. Each individually priced.

If you need help pricing photos for your unique project, simply take note of the image name, unique ID, and URL and email for a quote. 

Please feel free to comment and recommend your preferred site below. there are literally hundreds out there!

Want to speak with an expert at Cal Coast Web Design? 888-281-7665 Info@CalCoastWebDesign.com Services - Contact Us We use our technical and SEO skills to build your successful online income stream by turning your web presence into something both search engines and users will love and use!

We know what it means to be busy. We know you have a business to attend to. Let us help ease the process with our business jargon, not geek speak.

An Outline to Creating Content For your Website

Content is King.

There are probably more articles focusing on this very skill in the search engine optimization and marketing world.

• Trying to understand why content is so important?
• Looking for tips to improve your content?
• Not sure where to start? Looking for a simple guide to content writing for SEO?

We suggest you read about why and generally how by reviewing some of the links before.

There are zen masters in our industry that create custom content regularly that Cal Coast can stand by.
Start your content creation journey with a little background and general info by reading one of the Content Writing article below...

• Why Content Marketing Is King on Entrepreneur.com
• Why Content Is King for SEO by Joe Brockmeier on ReadWriteWeb
• 12 Things That Will Kill Your Blog Post Every Time by Neil Patel on SEOmoz
• The Definitive Guide to Awesome Web Content on SEOmoz

Are you now convinced why content is important?
Do you have a better idea as to how to write it, but not sure how to get organized and started?

Feel free to use the general layout before as a guideline.  Don forget though, you should really customize each page to match the needs of the user.
Make sure you supply the demand.
Ease the fears.
Get them to trust you.
Make it easy.
Make it accessible.

For starters, a few pointers while creating the content from the outline below...

• Format
  No one like a sea of black. Break up your text with sub titles, different font alignments, bolding, italicizing, indenting, BULLET POINTING, numbering, etc. Even use color to make something stand out, but keep it consistent and professional.
• Images
  Text or images? Which would you prefer to look at? A picture can tell 1000 words. Let it evoke emotion, break up your text and keep the user reading.
• Keywords
  Keep your keywords in mind when writing your content. If you can fit one of your terms in naturally, you should.  Make sure it still reads organically. Over stuffing or improper use of a keyword can actually hurt you. And, quite frankly, it doesn't make you look any more professional.
• Sub Titles
  Be sure to better organize your content (and easily integrate a keyword in without making it fit in a sentence) for sub categories of the page. Keep it organized. Think "Services" "Options" "Programs" "Who We Help" "Why Choose Us" " FAQs" etc.

A Guide: Use this to help outline your next content page. Simply copy & paste!

***START OUTLINE***

Title: (Keyword) Feel free to use a colon or dash to emphasize a point, call someone to action, or integrate a keyword.

Intro paragraph: Grab their attention. Get me to keep reading. Relate. Call to action in case they don't want to keep reading.

Options: Give options to other sections on the page if there are a lot and could use further organizing.

MAIN CONCEPT TO WRITE ABOUT

Who

• Do you service?
  Let them know they are in the right place, they have the same need, problem, etc.
• Will benefit?

What:

• Are you offering?
• Is it?
• Are people calling it?
• Types are there?
• Are the components of this product, service, solution?
• Are there different kinds/variations?
• Are the top 5 questions you get?

Where: 

• Can I get it?
• Do you service (areas)?

 When:

• Do I need it?
• Do you offer it?
• Is the best time?      

Why: 

• Do I need it?
• Do I need you?
• Should I choose you?

• Locations, articles, magazine, and other Featured In type media.

• Awards

• Credentials

• Education

• Certifications

• Licensing

• Associations  

How:

• Will it help me?
• Do I get started?
• Do I Buy?
• Much does it cost?

Closing Statement: Wrap up. Give trust factor(s).

Call-To-Action:

• What should I do next? - Share, buy, call, click, follow, sign up, connect, etc.
• What should I read next?
•  Promo or incentive

     ***Often times there are more than 1 of these. Even up to 6.

---

Would you like help with content creation from keyword research to outlines and inerviews and landing page design & development?

Let us help you with any aspect of the process. We train, organize, implement & create custom search focused content for your website.

If a Cal Coast representative has directed you here, they are looking for content to help develop your site for your marketing package. Please reference the email sent for more information.

Want to speak with an expert at Cal Coast Web Design? 888-281-7665 Info@CalCoastWebDesign.com Services - Contact Us We use our technical and SEO skills to build your successful online income stream by turning your web presence into something both search engines and users will love and use!

We know what it means to be busy. We know you have a business to attend to. Let us help ease the process with our business jargon, not geek speak.

Orange County Realtors Invited! Realtors Success Series on Social Media April 2 2012

Both new and seasoned realtors will benefit from the topics taught in this team instructed class on social media for Realtors.

Join Cal Coast founder, Angie Weeks, this Monday and learn about social media tools and tips.

Where: Orange County Association of Realtors: Laguna Hills Auditorium

When: Monday April 2, 2012 from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Why: Orange County Realtors looking to increase realtors marketing awareness will benefit. This class will provide guidance on how market yourself, build your business, and promote listings.

How: Register online at Orange County Association of Realtors. *Small fee required to register.

Join the Orange County Association of Realtors to learn some valuable insights that will help your business grow through the strengths of social media marketing and properly communicating with your buyers and sellers.

For more information visit Orange County Association of Realtors.

Want to speak with an expert at Cal Coast Web Design? 888-281-7665 Info@CalCoastWebDesign.com Services - Contact Us We use our technical and SEO skills to build your successful online income stream by turning your web presence into something both search engines and users will love and use!

We know what it means to be busy. We know you have a business to attend to. Let us help ease the process with our business jargon, not geek speak.

Protecting your Domain Name: Reasons for Using Privacy

Why You Should Care About Protecting Your Domain Name

Are you a new web site developer or business owner looking to register a domain? If you are, then you may not be aware of some of the privacy concerns that you should be aware of when creating a new domain name.

While you are mostly secure using a normal domain, there are a few issues you should consider when setting up a domain. There is spam prevention, guarding against identity theft, renewal spam prevention and preventing domain hijacking just to name a few.

Examples of Some of the Most Frequent Domain Name Privacy Issues

• Spam Prevention: When you register a new domain name your email may be used to send mountains of spam mail. To prevent this choose a quality privacy protection service to prevent this extremely irritating problem. 
• Guarding Against Identity Theft: When setting a new domain name some of your information may be easily accessible to identity thieves. Choose a good security service to prevent this. 
• Domain Renewal Scams: Internet thieves can possibly obtain your mailing address information by doing a WHOIS search. With this information they can send an email that looks legitimate requesting your domain name renewal. 

For more information, visit Longhorn Leads and read their article on Reasons to Privacy Protect your Domain.

Want to speak with an expert at Cal Coast Web Design? 888-281-7665 Info@CalCoastWebDesign.com Services - Contact Us We use our technical and SEO skills to build your successful online income stream by turning your web presence into something both search engines and users will love and use!

We know what it means to be busy. We know you have a business to attend to. Let us help ease the process with our business jargon, not geek speak.

OK, OK... I made a QR code. Now what do I do with it?

You see them on mail, business cards, websites, banners, cups, t-shirts... there's no escaping.

And you've scanned one or 2 on your smartphone because you saw others doing it too.

So you made your own QR code or had someone create some for you too.

NOW WHAT?!


Once you have your QR codes sitting around, there are a number of ways to utilize them as a marketing tool to expand your brand.

Whether it's a link to a review site, a website landing page, form, your contact info, etc. Implement!

Here are some ideas for where to place your QR codes to get some action...

• Business card
• Your office or store front (what will I do while I'm waiting!?)
• Email signature
• Print marketing (banners, brochures, pamphlets, ebooks, mini disc labels, etc.)
• Other Mailers (circulars, promos, coupons, etc.)
• Promotional products (t-shirts, water bottles, mouse pads, screen cleaners, etc.)
• Product tags
• Invoices, Receipts, etc.
• And Other Call-To-Action: buy now, sign up, even calendar, contact, social profiles, review & other landing pages, URL, etc.)

CLICK HERE to read "QR Codes - 21 Ways To Use Them To Build Your Business" by DonGrowther.com - Go ahead, click. You'll be inspired.

Reviews are such an important part of getting indexed well in local and organize search. Not to mention, they can certainly help with the decision making or conversion process. Make sure that you are using your QR code to inspire reviews (perhaps even add a little incentive.)

Need help making your QR code?
Want a fancy design including your logo in your QR code?
Need help brainstorming or consulting on how to use your QR codes?
Need help implementing them into your marketing campaigns? 

Cal Coast has the team to help you get creative and attract conversions. 

Want to speak with an expert at Cal Coast Web Design? 888-281-7665 Info@CalCoastWebDesign.com Services - Contact Us We use our technical and SEO skills to build your successful online income stream by turning your web presence into something both search engines and users will love and use!

We know what it means to be busy. We know you have a business to attend to. Let us help ease the process with our business jargon, not geek speak.

Understanding Yelps Perplexing Review Process: Why Can't I See My Yelp Review?

Yelp is known as a great way for both shoppers and business owners to get the honest truth about a business and the service or products they offer through it (sometimes for business owners) rigorous review process. We hear it nearly every day... so many have with Yelp the review process.

Actually, our Orange County photographer friend, Mark Jordan, just spoke of his recent run in with yelp on his blog, "Yelp - Ethical or Corrupt?"

Trying to understand how certain reviews are selected and others are not, will give anyone a headache. What we can do is try and break down some ways to improve the chances in getting reviews to show up on a business page and help you understand the review process.

Understanding Yelp's Review Process 

Yelp's review process is designed to be unable "to be cheated." There are ways to try and have reviews show up more frequently, but none of them are fool proof and Yelp is constantly changing the way it decides which reviews to have appear on a business profile page. Sigh!

Yelp makes the way they choose what reviews are posted intricate (or confusing) by design to keep their reviews genuine.

A review is always kept in Yelp database and if it is not live on your yelp business page right now there is a chance it can come back.

This exert is from Yelp Support Page and specifically explains Yelps review process.

"The filter continually reevaluates its decisions based on the information at hand. As a result, it's fairly common to see reviews come and go as the filter picks up new information. Either way, business owners should probably focus less on any one review and more on their entire body of reviews. Reviewers, in turn, should contribute to the site and give the filter a chance to get to know them over the long-term."

Improving Your chances of More Reviews

If you or someone you know posted a review on Yelp and it was removed, you probably have questions on how to make it stick next time.

• The best way to get your review to stick is to have regular Yelpers post them. Meaning people who are trusted sources on Yelp, not just going in for the first time to help you out.
  
• There is a small social aspect to Yelp reviews. It helps to be friends with members of Yelp. The more active a Yelper, the better chance a review by them will stick.
  
• Engage the reviewer, send them a message saying thank you for your review and vote on it being either cool, useful, or funny depending on the specific review. Remember to add them as a friend.
  
• I also found that there is a small social part involved in the Yelp reviews. Such as if you are friends.
  
• Less volume of reviews over longer periods of time will also help reviews stick. Natural is key!
  
• Another way is to encourage QR codes. Simply print a piece of paper with the Yelp icon and the QR code going to your Yelp review site, and post it in your business. This is easy but there is a small drawback; if it creates a huge spike in traffic on your business profile page there is a chance Yelp may block some reviews because of the spontaneous increase.
• Never used a QR code? Check out Cal Coast Web Design blog on QR codes for some help. 

Still having trouble with understanding Yelp? Cal Coast Web Design has numerous packages available specifically tailored towards online business marketing. Contact us today!

Want to speak with an expert at Cal Coast Web Design? 888-281-7665 Info@CalCoastWebDesign.com Services - Contact Us We use our technical and SEO skills to build your successful online income stream by turning your web presence into something both search engines and users will love and use!

We know what it means to be busy. We know you have a business to attend to. Let us help ease the process with our business jargon, not geek speak.

New Facebook Timeline Brands: Mandatory Update - What does this mean for your business?

Facebook Timeline Brand Pages Change...

Why does my Facebook page look "funny" you ask?

Facebook brand pages are about to make the jump to the new timeline format that is used for regular Facebook members. As of March 30, all brand changes will be automatically switched over. Be prepared and make the jump now to have the best brand page for your followers! The change is mandatory.

The timeline changes present some interesting opportunities but also challenges to brands with Facebook presences. We think the gurus at Social Media Explorer explain it best. Don't miss out. Read "The New Facebook Brand Timeline Mistake You'll Likely Make" by clicking HERE.

This is a good example of what you can do for your brand page and how you can utilize Facebook's new timeline update to make engage your audience!

We specialize in Social Networking! Contact us today... we offer various packages that will boost your social media presence and can help you get the most out of Facebook, and design your new Facebook timeline brand page today!

Want to speak with an expert at Cal Coast Web Design? 888-281-7665 Info@CalCoastWebDesign.com Services - Contact Us We use our technical and SEO skills to build your successful online income stream by turning your web presence into something both search engines and users will love and use!

We know what it means to be busy. We know you have a business to attend to. Let us help ease the process with our business jargon, not geek speak.

5 Tips for Improving your Google+ Optimization

Strengthening Search Engine Optimization with Google+

Promoting your business online or thinking about using social media's such as Google+?

Here are a few pointers that will lead you on your way to achieving a better presence online in the search rankings by just using Google+.

5 Tips To Improve Google+ Search Engine Optimization

• Get More Followers
• Most Social networking sites want you to be selective on who and how many people you add, this is not the case with Google+. By adding more followers to your account you are increasing the chances of more people viewing your content (blog posts, websites, etc..). 

• Also make sure to link the content you are creating to your Google+ account. If someone is following you and they happen to search for something that you created content about, your post will go towards the top of the search results! For an example click the link.

• Set Up Authorship With Your Personal Profile
• Are you a blogger? Take credit for the content you create though the search results in Google. When you set up Authorship with Google+ it will use your profile picture in the search results and give viewers the option to directly add you to their account. Remember the more followers you have the better!

• Directly Connect Your Page 
• By directly connecting all of your online content to Google+. This will directly help you get followers. When your directly connected the search results will show some of your recent posts within Google+ right on the results page after a search.

• Encourage +'s

• The + button is useful because it will show the number of +1 in the search results. So make sure to include the +1 icon on your website. Be sure to add the icon to your website.

• Fill Out Your Information
• You'd be surprised how often filling out all of the information on your account is neglected on social networking sites. Google+ will actually use some of the sections when displaying information on the search results. For example the introduction and occupation sections are used frequently. 

Click the link to see a more in depth explanation on the 5 ways to use Google+ to improve your search engine optimization.

Was this post about how to improve your search engine optimization using Google+ an eye opener for you? If it was and you want professional help call Cal Coast Web Design today for all of your social media needs! 

Click here to read more about social media strategies!

Want to speak with an expert at Cal Coast Web Design? 888-281-7665 Info@CalCoastWebDesign.com Services - Contact Us We use our technical and SEO skills to build your successful online income stream by turning your web presence into something both search engines and users will love and use!

We know what it means to be busy. We know you have a business to attend to. Let us help ease the process with our business jargon, not geek speak.

Cal Coast Web Design on BlogTalkRadio FULL AUDIO | Orange County SEO

Were you unable to listen to us live on BlogTalkRadio on Tuesday morning? No problem, listen to the full audio of the show right here; just hit play on the video below or click here to listen at YouTube!

Orange County SEO Expert, Angie Weeks from Cal Coast Web Design, goes over several SEO topics:

• What's the point of SEO?
• Casting your net to get more customers to "jump in" and how to target the RIGHT customers.
• Keyword research is crucial - you can never guess what people are actually searching for.
• Site architecture and its importance for SEO
• Getting conversions (sales, bookings, more business) - how SEO is involved
• Social media
• Internet Marketing as a whole
• What is Google looking for? How do they determine the results I see?

Also covered are common SEO Traps to avoid:

• Wanting to rank for the wrong keyword - always need research
• People thinking lead generation sites are better than what they can do themselves for leads - save money and optimize your own site, don't feed someone else's.
• People paying for what they think is an optimized site, but they don't even own the site or the content, etc.

As many of you know people count on Cal Coast for all of this and so much more! Press play on the video in this post to listen to the audio from our appearance on BlogTalkRadio and get the latest info on SEO.

Want to speak with an expert at Cal Coast Web Design? 888-281-7665 Info@CalCoastWebDesign.com Services - Contact Us We use our technical and SEO skills to build your successful online income stream by turning your web presence into something both search engines and users will love and use!

We know what it means to be busy. We know you have a business to attend to. Let us help ease the process with our business jargon, not geek speak.

SEO Tips for Business TOMORROW on BlogTalkRadio.com

Do you dream of higher Google rankings, but think its just a farfetched fantasy for your business? After all, you have work and clients to attend to...who has time for that internet stuff?? Sure, your competitor is doing well in Google, but they have a much bigger budget than you do... Or do they? *Maybe* they just know the right optimization tricks.

Does your business need SEO tips?

Join Angie Weeks, Cal Coast Web Design's founder, tomorrow at 9am on BlogTalkRadio.com as she unveils some easy to implement SEO and social media success tips. Whether you're just starting a business, or you're established but looking for new ideas, this will be a great show to tune in to!

In addition to demystifying SEO myths, you'll learn why SEO and Social Media is a must for effective marketing. Have you had a bad internet marketing experience or hesitate because someone you know has? We'll also go over the traps to avoid, and why not all SEO experts are the same.

Angie is honored to be interviewed by Mike Brenhaug, one of the best in Orange County when it comes to a Business & Focus Coach. Mike recently authored a best selling Amazon book about transforming a negative into a positive - we highly recommend to pick it up - it's called WTF. The sooner you read the book, the less WTF moments you'll have ;)

Here's that link again - hope you'll tune in tomorrow at 9am! Angie will also be answering your questions if you'd like a some FREE internet marketing advice.

Want to speak with an expert at Cal Coast Web Design? 888-281-7665 Info@CalCoastWebDesign.com Services - Contact Us We use our technical and SEO skills to build your successful online income stream by turning your web presence into something both search engines and users will love and use!

We know what it means to be busy. We know you have a business to attend to. Let us help ease the process with our business jargon, not geek speak.

Future of NFC Mobile Device

Yesterday we had the opportunity to attend a conference talking about Near Field Communications (NFC) presented by Nick Testanero and what technology has in store for our county will blow your mind! What if we never had to carry a wallet, and a payment process was as easy as hovering your phone over the store product? Our smart phones today have taken the place of our calendars, contact books, and camera's but soon it will be the only item in our pockets. NFC enabled phones have Antennas built into the phone that pick up radio frequency signals which transmits the process or Near Field Communication.

NFC devices today even allow consumers to pay for plane tickets and bagging all with just a tap of the phone. Japan and a few  large countries throughout the world are already taking advantage of these services, the United States is just behind. In Japan the public bus system uses NFC technology to enable citizen to use their mobile device to pay the toll fee without having a credit card or money in their pocket. In the U.S. however we are still slowing using this technology, but San Francisco is one of the elite city's who is using this system. How they incorporated this though is throughout the parking meters across the city. So with the tap of your phone you can pay for your meter, and even reimburse the meter from anywere in the city. In addition to those features this high tech device also lets you know where every meter in the city with no money in it making it easier to find parking.

Not only is this device helpful on the consumer side, but it also is expanding the business owner to completely new method of marketing. Near Future Communication devices can be placed in anything from a t-shirt to even a business card, Grocery stores to pharmacitcal companies are using this technology to increase their revenue.

Nick shared a few industry's as an example of how this device is being used.

1. Grocery Stores: Placing talking ads on the food shelves, so with a tap of the phone the consumer gets a description of the food read to them on their mobile device.
2. Pharmaceutical Companies: using NFC to read bar codes and test tubes.
3. Wine Companies: To prevent fraud of rare wine bottles, vineyards are placing NFC ships on the top of the corks to prove its authenticity. 

Want to speak with an expert at Cal Coast Web Design? 888-281-7665 Info@CalCoastWebDesign.com Services - Contact Us We use our technical and SEO skills to build your successful online income stream by turning your web presence into something both search engines and users will love and use!

We know what it means to be busy. We know you have a business to attend to. Let us help ease the process with our business jargon, not geek speak.

IF You Want Shoppers, Avoid Using Words With Trending Topics in Your Posts

Avoiding the "See More Posts" Section

Are you a marketer or running your own business and use Facebook? If so there are a few things you should know about Facebooks new redesign.

With the constant change of technology there are always going to be new redesigns. The most recent Facebook redesign will change how posts show up on your news feed. If you mention the any topic that's trending on Facebook, or among several people within a person's feed, that person will see all posts on that topic lumped together with tons of other posts. A perfect example of this in action has been over the last several weeks as more and more people talked about Christmas, Holidays, and the New Year. The problem is that your post wont appear unless the user hits the see more posts button under the one or two posts about the trending topic in Facebook's news feed.

So if you're a marketer and are trying to get a promotion out or just advertising, avoid the common words that are associated with holidays or other trending topics. Instead get creative use words that aren't used by every Facebook user.

Also keep in mind that if your message avoids the use of the words for a popular topic there might still be a chance that the post could get combined with other similar posts. Facebook also takes into account the links you post as well. So either avoid links with popular words or use a URL shortner. URL shortners are a great way to change a link that might include the words about the trending topic. Cal Coast recommends using bitly or owly . These are great free tools every marketer should use to avoid Facebook lumping.

If you or your business needs any help extra help in promoting your business through social media contact Cal Coast Web Design today!

Want to speak with an expert at Cal Coast Web Design? 888-281-7665 Info@CalCoastWebDesign.com Services - Contact Us We use our technical and SEO skills to build your successful online income stream by turning your web presence into something both search engines and users will love and use!

We know what it means to be busy. We know you have a business to attend to. Let us help ease the process with our business jargon, not geek speak.

Getting Healthy for the New Year with Alternative Health Care and Nutritional Consulting

Q & A with Healthy Food Talk / Michelle Bond

Anna Bourland: Hi Michelle, I’m so happy to be speaking with you today about Healthy Food Talk and your expertise in the areas of alternative health care and nutritional consulting! Let’s jump right in!

So, let’s face it, it’s the end of another year. I think it’s safe to say the New Year’s Resolutions will soon be flying around and getting healthy has got to be at the top of most of our lists. While healthy living should be a year-round focus, do you think these New Year’s reflections are a good opportunity for people to get motivated and change their lifestyle?

Michelle Bond:  Yes I do. A New Year's resolution can just be the motivation to get the program kick-started and into full gear. Once people realize how much better they feel eating and living in a healthy manor, then they become more motivated to make it a lifestyle choice. They see the results and realize it's not as difficult as they thought it would be. They begin to realize they don't have to sacrifice flavor and a lot of convenience to live healthy. In other words, they realize they don't have to eat "twigs and berries" or bland food just to be healthy.

AB: When you talk about healthy living, what exactly is involved? Do you just mean food? Is it working out? What makes someone “healthy” in your eyes?

MB: Healthy living is all about keeping the body in balance. When it is in balance then healthcare challenges hardly have a chance to occur. You have to look at the whole picture of nutrition, exercise, stress levels, relaxation, the toxins a person is exposed to, lifestyle choices and genetic dispositions. Every individual is unique so there is no such thing as one program fitting all. Health programs should take this into consideration and seldom do. Its best to work with a consultant to help you find out what program is the best one for you. There is truth to the saying that one man's remedy could be another man's poison.

AB: Your initial consultation is 90 minutes – what exactly is covered during that consultation?

MB: During the initial 90 minutes I review the customized nutritional program and educate the client on why I have recommended this custom protocol. I teach them what nutrients were lacking in their current diet, the toxins they were getting and probably didn't even realize and teach them how to become more aware of what is going on with the food choices they are making. There is also time to answer any questions the client might have.

AB: Are your clients on their own after your initial consultation? Can they have you hold their hand through grocery trips, cleaning out unhealthy items from their homes, and other lifestyle changes?

MB: No, the client is not alone after the initial consultation. This is why I have scheduled follow up sessions to help keep the client on track, monitor progress and make the necessary changes as needed. These sessions are also educational because we discuss a nutritional supplement protocol, detox program and lifestyle choices that would be best for the client We can also talk on the phone or by email if any questions arise or if a client needs a little pick me up. I also offer sessions where I can help the client clean out their pantry, freezer and fridge. I can teach them how to shop as well as cook. I can consult with them about how to eat healthy when eating out and traveling. I can even help them determine if their home is a non -toxic home and how to clean it up.

AB: How important are the follow up sessions?

MB: Very important. There is just too much information to do it all at once. If I try to cram it all into one session, the client usually feels overwhelmed and loses sight of what we want to accomplish. Therefore, they usually end up doing nothing. This obviously is counter - productive. It can take anywhere between 4-6 weeks for us to develop new habits. While we are trying to do that, we need to take things slowly and have support. That's where I come in; to give you the education and support you need to make this program a success. I also help take a lot of the stress out of it. Once the client has conquered one step, then we can move onto the next. We want to alleviate stress, not create more of it.

AB: What is the significance of the mind-body connection with practices such as meditation and Vedic astrology?

MB: It is very important. We are all a product of what we feed our body and our mind. Feed your body processed and fast foods and your body will reward you with healthcare challenges like cancer, diabetes, heart disease, etc. Feed your mind a steady diet of negative information and you find yourself unable to fulfill your dreams, stressed out and depressed. These negative emotions will then wreak havoc on your body, manifesting into healthcare challenges as well. The mind and the body are not separate. One affects the other. When they are working together in harmony then your body can stay balanced and have very few healthcare challenges.

Meditation helps to rid our body of stresses that are locked deep within. It gives us better rest than sleep (although we still need sleep). While resting the body works to balance itself, meditation helps to quiet the mind so we can discover who we truly are. Once we know this, then we can live fully in the present moment, recognizing and living to our full potential. We can see what is true and what matters most to us. We can then make a full contribution to whatever we focus on.

“A physician without a knowledge of Astrology has no right to call himself a physician.” - Hippocrates

Vedic Astrology allows us to see where the rough patches (as well as good) are in a person's life. It is like a road map of one's life. If we don't like the road we are on, many times we can do remedial measures to change it or to make it more bearable.

Hippocrates realized that the planetary energies and how they affected the individual would indicate health issues in a person's life. The planets are the macrocosm and we are the microcosm. Through astrology we can see what areas need work. This can bring peace of mind and a since of being more in control of our destiny and lives.

AB: Wow Michelle! It sounds like you are offering a lifeline with your services! What would you say to someone who feels like they have tried everything to get healthy and might be discouraged? Can you help?

MB: Yes I can. Conventional healing methods currently focus on just one thing: treating the disease. There are other factors that need to be considered. Nutrition is vitally important. If you aren't giving the body what it needs for nourishment, then there is no way it will have the strength to re-balance itself. The typical diet (even what we consider healthy) contains too many toxins and anti-nutrients. Since our bodies aren't designed to digest these elements, they build up in our bodies causing weight gain and healthcare challenges. If we want to feel great, we need to look at how we are eating.

Another factor that isn't considered is the energy of our bodies. All healthcare challenges start in our energy bodies before they manifest into our physical body. There is a whole branch of medicine called Energy Medicine that deals with this area of healing. When you want to rebalance the body, you need to find out where there are energy blockages and deal with them. This concept is not new. It has been around for thousands of years with Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Some healthcare professionals are now rediscovering the techniques.

I help by developing a customized nutritional program for the individual to address their specific healthcare challenges. Then, I can help with different energy balancing techniques. If for some reason I can't help a person, then I can refer them to a healthcare professional who probably can help.

AB: Thank you so much for your time today Michelle!

Well, I’m a believer, how about you?! Everyone at Cal Coast Web Design has learned so much from the materials on the Healthy Food Talk website. There are several resources on the site ranging from alternative health care to nutritional consulting, meditation, Vedic astrology, and more! Please check it out, and if you’re on the fence about making a real health and life change this year, talk to Michelle!

Want to speak with an expert at Cal Coast Web Design? 888-281-7665 Info@CalCoastWebDesign.com Services - Contact Us We use our technical and SEO skills to build your successful online income stream by turning your web presence into something both search engines and users will love and use!

We know what it means to be busy. We know you have a business to attend to. Let us help ease the process with our business jargon, not geek speak.