Free Publicity Staring In Your Face

Recently to spruce up my articles, I’ve been nitpicking stock photos most relevant to my content. And the one stock photo source which I love to use, even for my website design mockups is from iStockPhoto. They’ve a large variety of user-contributed photos from amateurs to professionals.

Keeping a standard of professionalism, I contacted their relations to ask:

Am I allowed to use your watermarked stock photos in my blog articles?

Honestly, I was really looking forward to the team granting me permission to do so. But, their reply was:

No, you cannot use watermarked images in this way as you will need to obtain a license for the images in order to use them on your blog.

The after-feeling drove me to write this article about free publicity, laying right there. Seriously, isn’t a blogger using the watermarked images free publicity staring back?

Image credit: SXC

Not because I’m an exceptional blogger but because I’m willing to advertise the provider’s photos here by using their watermarked stock photos. If one of the terms requested were to always end my posts with a backlink, I would. Heck, I’d even happily give backlinks to each photo I used directly to its author’s page.

Anyway, since I can no longer use these lovely images, I’ll resort back to free stock photo libraries or hand-sketches (eek!). Unless some other stock photo library like Corbis, Inmagine, Getty Images or other willing library would happily permit me to use their stock photos.

Stop Doing The Website Designer’s Job

The “wow” factor in a website is not the design. It’s the planning, ideas, approach and execution.

Good design is about clear visual communication. Brilliant design is what helps your customers achieve their goals. But excellent design is; branding, visual communication and goal-oriented.

That’s the website design you must have and that’s the website designer you need! So, find one.

This is your second step to design a website made for users.

Astro B.yond Bloggers Night

I may have not announced it yet but I recently restarted another personal blog. Ladies and gents, I give you; I am Danny Foo. It’s my space to rant, vent and share my personal thoughts of my life.

The latest article published there is about the Astro B.yond Bloggers Night. Here’s a teaser photo taken at the event.

My blogs now are divided into 3 categories; websites, photography and personal or some like to call it, lifestyle. Each has it’s own focus but similar writing style because I’m blogging for myself.

Well, do enjoy reading my blogs. As a recap, they are:

• Websites Made Simple
• Cameranoob
• I am Danny Foo

I look forward to writing more content. And if this blog isn’t updated frequently, you can bet the lifestyle blog probably would be.

Be the man, or woman with the plan!

Stop saying or thinking, “I’m building a website because my competitor…”

Yes! Stop thinking you’re SECOND best! Start to determine your own set of measureable goals and objectives. For example, I want to increase my website sales leads for Product A within 6 months.

Become the man or woman with the plan! Think about ONE (1) goal for your website now. Write it down on the nearest piece of paper and keep it! Write on a napkin or tissue, if you have to.

This is your first step to design a website made for users.

Boost Your Website with Video

Video is becoming the next mainstream media for the web. Flash may be more interactive but video hosting websites like YouTube have made it possible to interact with a video.

Create your website in YouTube!

It was a great idea to capture attention and boldly tell others BooneOakley isn’t your average advertising agency. Ideas like this, I simply love it!

The KISS video technique for websites

KISS or Keep It Simple Stupid is really about simplicity. If you can’t innovate, don’t bash yourself up. Just start thinking how can you enhance your website with video. Take the SanDisk website for example.

They’ve included a simple video player to feature product videos which you can cycle. It’s easy for larger companies like them to produce and showcase their product advertising videos.

Video podcasting opened a new avenue for you

Video podcasters are like bloggers except they record their thoughts in a video and publish it online. Due to this growing market, you don’t have to have a professionally done video for your website. All you need is:

• A handycam – not necessarily HD.
• A suitable scene – sofa and clean wall.
• Average lighting.
• Editing tool – plenty of free and simple ones on the Internet.
• A script or plan on what the video will be about.
• 1-hour to edit and publish your video.

Don’t sweat the small stuff

Everyone starts somewhere. You don’t have to get it perfect in the first take. Just remember it’s the idea of how to enhance your website and it’s products/services which matter in the video.