In today’s day and age time seems to be continually shrinking. We pack more into a day than ever before. Luckily there are tools available that can help us maximize efficiency. It is understood that everybody is a huge fan of new technology but if you’re in business you must learn to leverage these tools if you want to be able to be efficient in comparison to your competitors. Below are some tools for Remote Networking and Client Meetings.

While I enjoy meeting with my clients in many cases it is not practical. For clients in other cities it is hard to arrange but even arranging to meet with local clients in Jacksonville can be a challenge to schedule especially if only a quick meeting is needed.

Tools such as Google HangOut and Skype are free and easy to use. They provide many benefits including:

• View and hear each other via web-cam & microphones
• Share your computer screen to review items or provide instruction
• Pass messages and text via chat
• Upload and pass files

I use both Google HangOut and Skype to have meetings with clients, review items and discuss ideas. This is really handy when you need to discuss small matters or review visual items together. This can save a lot of time for both parties.

Both tools also have a mobile apps that you can use on the go if you have a mobile device such as a phone or tablet.

Google.com/hangout – Up to 10 people can connect at the same time on the free plan.

This can be a great way to have a networking meeting among several people without the challenge of trying to get everyone in the same place. It’s an upgrade from a phone conference due to it’s visual sharing abilities.

Skype.com

There are many other tools out there so feel free to share ones you like.

For those of you who may not have heard, this group’s previous organizer Michelle Chance-Sangthong has passed the torch of this MeetUp group to me, Kenny Harper, to continue it’s efforts. You can learn more about me on my LinkedIn profile if you’d like.

To start off the New Year and a new era of this MeetUp our first meeting of 2013 will be focused on sharing ideas to:

• Determine Topics for Upcoming MeetUps
• Develop Strategies for Growing the Group
• Utilize Our Group’s Talents for a Joint Effort
• Develop Membership Roles to Get Members More Involved
• and more…

Also so we have some education in the MeetUp I’ll be sharing 10 Great Online Marketing finds of 2013. (as determined by group members)

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This meeting will be key in how this MeetUp will develop in the upcoming year. Start the year off right by coming to the first meeting of 2013 and getting involved.

• If you have been visiting regularly, be sure to make this meeting.
• If you have not visited in awhile, be sure to make this meeting.
• If you have joined the group and never visited, be sure to make this meeting.

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***Looking for Volunteers:***

I’m looking for volunteers to contribute towards doing some outreach and promotion of the group. Please contact me through MeetUp for more details.

Well it’s official, Michelle Chance-Sangthong has officially passed the torch of the Jacksonville Online Marketing Meet Up to me. I’ll be starting to run the Meetup in 2013.

Who is this Meet Up for?

• Entrepreneurs
• Business Owners
• Marketers
• Anyone looking to learn more about online marketing

What Level of  Information will be Shared?

Well we aim to ensure that the information shared will be covering beginner and advanced so it is helpful for both:

• Beginners looking to Learn the Basics
  &
• Veterans looking to Sharpen their Skills

What are the Topics of Conversation?

• Internet Marketing
• Small Business Marketing Strategy
• Social Media Marketing
• Search Engine Optimization
• Marketing
• Web Technology
• Networking

What does it Cost?

For most meetings there will be a ten dollar fee for the Meeting which will help cover the costs of the meeting space, materials and refreshments. It is highly worth the investment.

How does a typical Meet Up operate?

We’ll get together and network, have some refreshments and discuss war stories from the internet front-lines. Then we’ll start the structured part of the meeting where various reports and information will be shared covering a variety of topics. The highlight of the meeting will feature a presentation that covers a particular topic. After the presentation the floor will be open up for discussion and questions. The group will be very resourceful and a lot of fun for those who participate. Check out http://www.meetup.com/Jacksonville-Online-Marketing for more information.

How do I Join?

Go here http://www.meetup.com/Jacksonville-Online-Marketing for more information on joining.

We are looking for Volunteers and Contributors.

We are currently looking for volunteers and contributors to help promote and market the MeetUp in efforts to gain visibility and grow the group. Please e-mail me kenny@keytheory.com for more information on how you can participate.

Key Theory is part of Rock My Image, a strategic marketing team that will make its debut appearance at the Jacksonville Business Journal Book of Lists Expo 2012.

Rock My Image is a new, collaborative venture created by the team of :

• Manny Torres of Torres Creative
• Jen DeVore of Marque by Design
• me (Kenny Harper of Key Theory)

Each team member brings significant creative talent to the mix, and together they complement their individual capabilities as a cohesive, strategic marketing team for design and image aware companies.

Our Rock My Image team uses research, analysis, and proven methods to develop cohesive and creative marketing campaigns to give our clients the strategic planning, message development, creative execution and deployment that they need, in all mediums.

We invite you to Come to the Jacksonville Business Journal Book of Lists Expo 2012, on Thursday, October 4, 2012, at the Prime Osborne III Convention Center in Jacksonville, Florida, from 10 AM until 7 PM and stop by our booth, to find out more about Rock My Image.

The Jacksonville Business Journal Expo 2012 will be a great opportunity to do some small business-to-business networking.

Cost to attend the Expo starts at $5 – includes access to the breakout sessions and all day access to the Expo

Suggested Dress:  Business Attire

If you want more information about our new creative venture, Contact Rock My Image.

So you’ve heard about SEO / Search Engine Optimization and you may wonder “What is this?” or “Why do I need it?”, well here’s the deal. “SEO increases Sales.”

It’s pretty simple; by using SEO techniques you can make your site rank higher in search engines for certain key terms. You can also increase the likelihood of being found by optimizing for related terms. The easier people can find your website, the more traffic you will get. The more traffic you get, the more chances you have to make a sale (conversion).

Some people are a bit skeptical about SEO because they heard it doesn’t work or don’t understand how it can benefit their business. Again it’s simple.

Marketing is Math

SEO -> More Traffic -> More Sales -> More $$$

There is a reason why this is a competitive industry… SEO generates money.

Now… after that being said, it is crucial that you know what you’re paying for. Some people out there charge for SEO but they don’t focus on the full package. Driving traffic is vital for sales however it is not the only important thing. Having an on-line presence with a strong brand and a website that communicates your marketing message is the other important part.

Furthermore, SEO can be combined with Social Media and Search Engine Marketing to deliver awesome, quick results. If you want to get more business you need to let people know you’re out there… you need to market.

SEO Tip: Don’t get stuck focusing on a highly competitive keyword, work with an SEO consultant to diversify your keyword list.

Key Theory helps businesses market themselves online. If you’re interested in getting more traffic to your website, we’d like to help you. Contact us at info@keytheory.com

If you just want to show some support, Like, Tweet or Plus this page. Thanks! – kh

If you haven’t tried Skype for communicating with people remotely, take a quick moment to sign up online at www.skype.com … it’s FREE and really easy to sign up and use. (FYI – This is not a tutorial)

So why the Hype on Skype?

Skype is a free tool that you can use to communicate with people remotely and has many benefits.

• Free Skype to Skype Calls
• Video Calling
• Group Video Calling
• Conference Calls
• Screen Sharing
• Chat & File Transfer

Whether you’re using it for personal or business reasons, it’s a great tool to communicate with people remotely.

How I use Skype with my Clients & Team Members:

• Remote Meetings:
  I have clients all over the U.S. and it isn’t practical for me to meet with everyone in person for every meeting. Skype give me the opportunity to have a meeting with my client that’s more personal than a phone call. We may choose to video chat and have a face to face or we may simply chat and while referencing items on the internet.
• Online Training:
  I help educate my clients and show them how to use various tools from Content Management Systems to Social Media tools. Showing them from my screen makes it really easy for them to follow along. This feature is also really good for reviewing creative comps or designs.
• Group Conference:
  The group conference feature is great to have a meeting between several people. Although this feature does limit the video and screen sharing abilities, it still is handy for having a group conversation.

Common Reasons I’ve heard people not using Skype:

• I really don’t know how to set it up / I’m not a computer person.
  It’s extremely easy to set up, there is really not much to do besides download the program and double click it and follow the prompts for installation.
• I don’t want to do video chat / I don’t have a web cam.
  Well, you don’t have to use video chat to utilize Skype, you can use it simply like a phone or texting platform.
• I don’t need another thing to keep track of.
  There isn’t really anything to keep track of, you simply set it up and use it when you want to.

So if you haven’t already done it, take a quick moment to download it now at www.skype.com and enjoy using it.

Click here for more info on Skype

Skype it up!

Key Theory is currently looking for a few talented social media marketers to have on call for potential work opportunities to be offered on a contract basis.

We are particularly looking for a marketer based in Jacksonville, Florida that could meet with local clients… other applicants are welcome as well.

Duties may include defining and executing a specific social media strategy. Also cultivating new communities and managing branded online communities on the company’s behalf using social media channels. The specialist will provide relevant content daily while tracking metrics and monitoring relevant conversations.

Required Experience with:

• Social Media Best Practices
• Social Media Strategy Development
• Facebook
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• Other Social Media Channels
• Social Media Management Tools
• Social Mention Tools
• Social Media Analytics
• Blogging Best Practices

Must Have:

• At least one year of professional experience in Social Media
• An outline of previous case studies/experience
• Three professional recommendations for your social media experience
• Advertising and Marketing experience preferred

Please provide inquiries to info [at] keytheory.com

On 10/4 @ high-noon a happy, healthy baby boy, Kenneth William Harper II, was born into the world changing my life forever. At 7 pounds and 9 ounces and 20 inches long, this little guy looks like he’s going to take after his father. My wife Kathy and I are extremely blessed to have such a wonderful bundle of joy added into our lives. When experiencing a life changing event like having your first kid, you get to thinking about a lot of things in your life. Where you are in life, what you are doing, what is important to you. I’m finding a new focus in my new chapter in life.

Although it will probably be a bit of time before the little guy clicks a mouse and draws his first stick figure, he has already helped me to refocus on what I’m looking to do with my company. I’m not really after fame, fortune or any particular accomplishment or lofty monetary goals… I’m looking to help people out. Granted most of my work focuses on helping out companies but it’s the people that run those companies that I aim to help.

I aim to provide a stellar service to the clients I take on, run a business I am proud of and work towards inspiring others with speaking and positive efforts. I hope that my efforts will give me great knowledge to pass to my son so that he may chase after his own dreams and continue to make the world a better place.

May you have the hindsight to know where you’ve been, the foresight to know where you’re going and the insight to know when you’re going too far. ~Irish Blessing

Up in Northbend, Washington is a little place called LTaco. A cozy town with a spunky restaurant. They offer mexican and fresh-mex dishes that can fill the largest appetites. After making some changes to the restaurant menu, LTaco knew they needed to let people know about their new presence. Key Theory was hired to create a brochure website that gave people a sample of what they were about.

Joseph Burke is a race car driver with both talent and flair. He was the 2010 Rally America Rookie of the Year. Joseph hired Key Theory to create a professional presence for Joseph Burke Motorsport and the results were great. Key Theory created a brochure site for Joseph to let people know more about him and his crew. Other efforts included customizing his social channels Facebook, Twitter & YouTube.