meridian design
Keeping you in the loop No.3
Distilled commentary for the savvy reader from 7,409 blog posts over the last 30 days

Can you tell the holiday selling season has started yet? The blog wires are full of the latest techno crazes, new services for those new gadgets, and deep discounts. It's an all-out war for those few discretionary dollars still floating around out there in the ether. I will spare you the details. Suffice it to say that the latest "MUST-HAVE" products had the hype engines chugging way back in September and they're bringing it all home now in a race to the finish. Turn your TV off or you're likely to spend dollars on a well-crafted and constructed need that you didn't have back in August.

Now for something more useful...

What I found most interesting these last two weeks were the wealth of good, solid, common sense articles dealing with being in business. It seems that these rough financial waters have caused a ripple effect out there in the blogosphere where business writers are digging deep and uncovering some forgotten jewels. There's some good stuff out there. And what's more important...these words of advice are valuable regardless of the global marketplace.

Small Business Bytes
26 Ways to Establish Yourself As An Expert

Stephanie Chandler has written a new book titled The Author's Guide to Building an Online Platform. The book includes a section on how to establish yourself as an expert in your field. Her book is a valuable resource for authors, and she has posted her 26 Ways on her website which is useful to us all.

"No matter what kind of business you’re in, you are an expert in something. One powerful way to grow your business is to become known for what you do best. Because experts are the go-to people for services and products, establishing yourself as an expert gives you an edge over the competition, generates interest from prospects and builds loyalty with clients."

Read the 26 Ways >>

Google Lets Users Customize Their Search Results

This is the single biggest change in Google search since it's creation and as a small business owner, you need to keep your eye on this ball. It's basically this: Google users can order their search results, delete search results, or add new listings. Other Google users can see what they've done and even read notes they've left behind. Why should you care? How is this going to effect your hard-won top rankings? How will SEO and web marketing practices change given the boom in social networking site usage? Round up your peeps and start flexing those social network muscles now or you could be lost in the dust.

Here are some articles that give you all the details and a few thoughts:

How to make money using the Internet
from Seth's Blog by Seth Godin

Make money: not by building an internet company, but by using the net as a tool to create value and get paid. Use the internet as a tool, not as an end. Do it when you are part of a big organization or do it as a soloist. The dramatic leverage of the net more than overcomes the downs of the current economy.

The essence is this: connect.
Read full article >>

Wanna Read What I'm Reading?

Here's my reading list of small business blogs:
Digital Diversions

Female Body Builders

Yes, you've seen photos of female bodybuilders before. No big deal, right? But these photos show me something I've never seen before...the stark determination to stop at nothing to achieve the goal...no matter the price tag.

While these pics show us the type of women that most of us will never know personally and therefore lay on the fringe of our understanding, you've got to admire the true grit it takes to do what they've done. The photos, while rather goolish in their portrayal, show us every detail of this unique personality's nature and drive.

See the photos >>

The Strongest Man in Egypt
from YouTube

Boy, that guy in Egypt is really strong.
How strong is he?

He's so strong that he can tear a coin with his fingers or bend it with his eyelid. He's forbidden to work or be held in prison. He has multiple wives for two reasons: he has sex 15 times a day AND he never sleeps. Allah be praised.
See the video >>

Gee, That Carrot Sounds Like the Real Thing
from MAKE Magazine

Linsey Pollak drills out a carrot and turns it into a clarinet and plays it, live looping with a Boss RC20 to record 3 layers....from his solo show "Making Jam".

See the video >>
About the Author

heather gordonMy name is Heather Gordon, and I am the creative vision and solitary grunt behind Meridian Design. I work with my clients throughout the US and Canada to create unique designs for web and print, and provide guidance in SEO and marketing strategies.

Although trained as a visual artist, I have owned and operated two small businesses, taught courses in art, provided computer training, and have been a public speaker on the subject of online marketing and search engine optimization.

For more information about me and my work:
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