BookMarkOnline

What 2012 Has In Store For Us

2012-02-08T08:00:00.000-08:00

By now, you’ve heard that we here at BookMark Online are in our second year of operation, and we are excited to continue to help small businesses and individuals alike book mark their presence online

This is not our only goal here at Bookmark. In providing our services we not only strive to help small businesses to recruit talent, market goods or sell stuff; but we think of ourselves also as a conduit for engagement to build long-term relationships with you, your company and your clients — whether they are potential customers, employees or advocates who can help your business to succeed.

In doing so, we have created a way to bring our business plan writing advice to the larger group of people; more so than just our traditional clients.
Over the past few months we have conducted “This Ain’t Your Daddy’s Business Plan” seminar at the corporate offices of BootCamp Digital (Oct 2011) and at the Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action Agency (Jan 2012); with plans to taking the seminar to other parts of the State as well as the country.

Dozens of people have learned how to effectively create a professional business plan AND became aware of new and innovative ways of presenting their plan to potential investors through our seminar. If your group or organization would like to have this seminar presented at your next meeting, please do not hesitate and contact us directly.

In addition, Kareem Simpson, C.E.O. and Lead Consultant of BookMark Online is in the process of publishing two books which will further add to the dialogue of both succeeding in the work place AND creating and managing a small business; the latter to accompany his aforementioned speaking engagements.

Creating a plan for your business’ success or a well documented piece explaining your past work experience may not win you peace, honor, love, or money beyond even your wildest fantasies, but it’s one of our goals to make sure that it at least brings you piece of mind.

BookMark Online Announces Business Plan Writing Seminar in Cincinnati

2011-12-28T08:00:00.000-08:00

When: Jan 21 @ 10am
Where: Cin-Hamilton Co. Community Action Agency
$20 in Advance
$25 @ the door
RSVP at http://thisaintyourdaddysbusinessplanseminar.eventbrite.com

BookMark Online will offer an interactive business plan seminar to support small business owners. Sound, financial management is one of the best ways for your business to remain profitable. BookMark Online understands what it takes to put together a professional business plan and has created business plans for the following small businesses here in the Greater Cincinnati area:

4U Fashion Boutique –Cincinnati, OH
Posh Botique -Hyde Park (Cincinnati), OH
Sloane Boutique –Cincinnati, OH
LeftBank Coffee House –Covington, KY
Bridges Day Care Center –Cincinnati, OH
International Soccer Academy –Mason, OH
Matrix Performance, Edgewood, KY

This seminar will serve as a building block for any small business owner or entrepreneur in search of a simple and sure fired way to understand the fundamentals of writing a business plan and creating an excellent presentation for their specific business. A business plan is the foundation for profitable growth, raising capital; communicating with employees, vendors and customers and without one the business simply will not be well managed and won't be successful. This seminar is a must for businesses in all industries, of all types and at all stages of development.

Make Search Engines Work For You!

2011-11-30T08:00:00.000-08:00

This post first began as an attempt to help BookMark Online with its own optimization efforts, but I thought that the info could be utilized by other webmasters out there who need assistance with search engine optimization and have goals to improve their site’s interaction with both users and search engines.

What this post won’t do is to instantly place your site at the top search results, but it will give you a few best practices; making it easier for search engines to crawl, index and understand your content.

The basic idea behind search engine optimization is to make small changes to your website. These changes may not make that big of a difference when you look at them individually, but combined, they can make a world of difference.

If you have some experience in creating web pages, you may already know a little about some of the steps that I outline next, but you may not be using them to the best of your ability to make your website POP!

Step 1. IMPROVE YOUR URL’S MAKE-UP

Step 2. OFFER A GOOD PRODUCT WITH RELEVANT CONTENT

Step 3. USE YOUR META TAG DESCRIPTION

Step 4. NAME YOUR PAGES ACCURATELY AND WITH UNIQUENESS

Step 5. MAKE CONTENT EASY TO FIND ON YOUR SITE

Before you begin to rearrange your entire website, you need to first keep your end user’s experience in mind. Though you create the website, its the consumer which will be using your website the most; and they will be the ones who find your site through search engines. In addition, changing your site in order to un-organically raise your search engine ranking may come back to bite you in the butt.

No matter how large or how small your site, by examining the aforementioned optimization techniques, you can maximum your site’s affect and we hope that this post will offer you some fresh ideas to create a more user friendly site and make the most of this holiday shopping season!

Kareem A. Simpson
BookMark Online
C.E.O. / Lead Consultant

Emailing Your Cover Letter: What Not To Do

2011-11-23T09:00:00.000-08:00

It's Thanksgiving weekend and most of us will be visiting with family and taking some well deserved time away from the office. With this extended Holiday weekend, it is also the perfect time to weed through CareerBuilder and Cragslist to find the next position of your dreams.

In the world of email, our first inclination when responding to a job post is to send a copy of our cover letter and resume in the form of an email. If you are in the job seeking mode, you most likely have sent out hundreds of applications in this manor.

Take heed to some of the following mistakes that most people make when submitting your experience for a job, more importantly, what steps you can take to increase your chances in landing the job of your dreams.

SENDING OUT YOUR COVER LETTER AS AN ATTACHMENT

With the number of applicants increasing and the National Unemployment rate hovering at 10%, your potential employer may not have time an over abundance of time to choose your resume out from the bunch when looking for their new employee and many times will skip to the chase by just opening a resume attachment rather than spending time opening a cover letter attachment as well. Your cover letter would much more likely be read if it is contained in the body of the email. At the same time, your entire life story needn’t be conveyed in this email so keep it short and succinctly to the point..

LEAVING OUT TOO MUCH INFORMATION

This should be an easy one to fix. Simply include any and all information what is requested in the job posting. Examples of items that may be requested is a sample of your work, hours of availability and salary requirements. Whatever it is, it is paramount that you include it in the cover letter. No doing so could exclude you from the pool of qualified applicants BEFRORE your real qualifications are even reviewed.

86’ing THE COVER LETTER ALL TOGETHER

In my experience as a hiring manager, I tended to review resumes differently when the body of the email was sans cover letter, and only introduced the applicant with the follow: “Please see the attached resume for your review.” By not giving a brief description of yourself and your qualifications, you are doing yourself a great dis-services. First impressions are golden, so get your money’s worth by at least adding a cover letter.

Despite what many say, cover letters can serve a purpose, sometimes several purposes, so use them to your advantage and often.

HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Don't Let Your Job Seeking Experience Turn Into A Crap Shoot

2011-11-09T06:58:00.000-08:00

In a conversation I was having with an independent architect this past weekend, we were debating the pro's and con's of him giving up his private architecture firm and heading back into the corporate world. When I asked how he was marketing himself and how his SWOT analysis turned out, a dazed and confused expression blanketed his face.

One major hindrance that people seeking the next big expansion in their career goals is that they do not have a clue that a simple list of their qualifications will not get them a dream job. Think back to the number of resumes that you have sent out to Fortune 500 companies, containing a mediocre list of your professional qualifications. No luck yet right? You will need to market yourself as if they you are a "product" to get results.

Not to say that you have to lose any of your individuality, but there is definitely a correlation between the number of job seekers who effectively articulate their executive branding and their specific potential contributions to a particular market AND the number of those job seekers that obtain the position that they most desire.

If you are applying for the position, chances are that have more than enough experience to fill the position properly. But in a time when the national unemployment rate is teetering at 10%, you have set yourself apart from the pack; conveying the core reason why you are the BEST choice for the position and why the other hundreds of candidates should be passed over.

With the aforementioned said; there is a definite need for seduction techniques used in marketing strategies. Brand positioning in the form of networking is a great place to begin. Self-marketing through social media outlets like linkedin, twitter and Facebook are awesome secondary options.

Above all, just remember that the Law of Averages are very much at play here. There is a predictable ratio between the number of resumes that you send out and the number of job interviews received. By branding yourself in a creative and succinct way, that average will decrease tremendously.

My Presentation Approach

2011-11-02T10:03:00.000-07:00

Happy Wednesday!

Just a few weeks ago, I gave my first business plan seminar here in Cincinnati. Though I have some background in presenting computer classes, business plans are a bit more tricky; really testing my presentation writing ability.

When giving a presentation, I never want to give the impressions that my word is law and that if you do anything outside of what I say, that you will fall flat on your face in failure. In the past, I have used traditional presentation items like opening with a "Title", "Agenda" and "About Me" sections. But I have noticed that incorporating some of the following items have proven useful:

Open with a personal story to gain audience interest.
Offer some takeaways or definable action items.
Tell another personal or informational story.
Thread questions in earlier than the end.

Engaging your audience is the key to success so check in with them from time to time to make sure that they are understanding what you are presenting and to make sure that they don't have any questions. If you see signs of your audience loosing focus, that's a red flag and you should react. Checking in with your audience also makes them feel more a part of the presentation; making it an over-all more enjoyable experience.

When creating the actual presentation, I result to a more shot gun approach; putting down all the information which I feel is useful and then organizing those thoughts into sections of importance.

When you show that you are taking in consideration that your presentation is your product and your audience is your your buyer; it makes it worth both your time and your audience's time as well. Always pay attention to how your audience receives your work. Always seek feedback. Always strive to improve even more.

Kareem A. Simpson

Owner/Lead Consultant of BookMark Online

Break'ing Is Not Just A City In China....

2011-09-29T03:58:00.000-07:00

When was the last time that you took a break away from your small business?

You may be in the mindset that it will cost you more money to take a vacation that it would to just stay and work – in your mind; there is always something that could and should be done.

As the owner of your own small business, you may think that there is too much to supervise for you to take a needed vacation. The reality is that you not taking a break from the business may be the reason why your profits are not increasing. Studies show (and many know from personal experience) that a break from your daily routine has a way of increasing you productivity; translating in to increased profits and sometimes even better health.

Just think about how many articles you could read about owning and operating a small business if you actually took some time away just for yourself. If you piddle away every single day, you do not have time to explore other options; option which may make you business more profitable with little or no more effort. Not only that, the stress of putting yourself through the grind every single day can be detrimental to your health.

Taking a much needed break allows us the time to replenish our mind, body and in most cases our spirit. Having this time to rejuvenate, it will put you in a better position to make positive changes to your life and your business operation. This is not to say that you are unable to make decisions when you have been working a 65 hour week, but I would bet you that 9 out of 10 of those decisions were not the best, and that there were better decisions which could have been made.

People really do work themselves to death, but there is no amount of success or money is worth losing our health.

So go ahead and take a breather. Take one for the health of your business and the health of your body.

Free Business Plan Writing / Presentation Seminar

2011-09-23T15:21:00.000-07:00

Oct 22, 2011 10am -12pm,

BootCamp Digital Corporate Offices

1600 Main Street, Cincinnati OH, 45202

Space is limited so RSVP Your Spot Here

BookMark Online will offer a free interactive business plan seminar to support small business owners.

Sound, financial management is one of the best ways for your business to remain profitable. BookMark understands what it takes to put together a professional business plan and has created business plans for the following small businesses:

4U Fashion Boutique – Cincinnati, OH

Sloane Boutique – Cincinnati, OH

LeftBank Coffee House – Covington, KY

Bridges Day Care Center – Cincinnati, OH

Citation Bailout – Cleveland, OH

International Soccer Academy – Mason, OH

Matrix Performance, Edgewood, KY

This seminar is a building block for any small business owner or entrepreneur in search of a simple and sure fired way to understand the fundamentals of writing a business plan and creating an excellent presentation for their specific business. The Business Plan is the foundation for profitable growth, raising capital; communicating with employees, vendors and customers and without one the business simply isn't being well managed and won't be successful. This seminar is a must for businesses of all industries, of all types and at all stages of development.

The seminar will be led by Kareem A. Simpson, owner and lead consultant at BookMark Online. This seminar will cover the following:

-Overview of Traditional Business Plans

-Innovations in Business Plan Presentations

-How To Create A Business Plan Presentation

In addition, Mr. Simpson will provide several real-world examples and then stay to speak with attendees one-on-one after the seminar.

Space is limited so reserving your spot for this free seminar is a must. RSVP here.

More About The Speaker:

Kareem A. Simpson, owner and lead consultant of BookMark Onlin has experience presenting a number of different subjects including resume writing in addition to advances in social media.

In addition to keynote and public speaking opportunities, Mr. Simpson has trained college students, professionals and non-profit organizations and the general public in the following topics:

-Microsoft Applications/Software

-Social Media Integration

-Business Plan Development

-Resume and Cover Letter Writing

-Email, Internet and Database usage/management

-African American History and Diaspora

Words of Advice From A Fellow Small Business Owner

2011-09-14T08:53:00.000-07:00

Kareem Simpson believes that the worst thing that a potential business owner could do is to NOT follow their dreams to open a small business. The founder of BookMark Online thinks that there is more risk in not pursuing your dreams. Simpson says that he became a small business owner because he found that he was providing his services to his friends and family and thought that there was a greater need for the population at large.

“What made it worthwhile for me,” Simpson says, “Is that when I have a real interest in assisting others, either to get the job of their dreams or open up a small business; that’s what makes it work for me.” He says that he knows others who enjoy what they do, but had not pursued their dreams and they always had a tinge of regret with not fulfilling their dreams. “They want to live out their dreams,” he says. “And I want to make it possible for them.”

Simpson says that the idea for BookMark Online came about from a series of different events. It started when he was designing and conducting computer-based classes and discovered that there was a great need for people who wanted more advanced assistance. Later, when he became a hiring manager, time and time again he saw resumes and covers which were below par and written on a level not conducive of their owner’s education. “Looking back, these experiences taught me a great deal about the value of information and the way in which people learn.” He put his background in economics to work and sketched up a business plan. From there on, BookMark Online was launched.

In the early days, Simpson says that the largest challenge, both personally and for BookMark Online, was in navigating the start-up process and getting the word out about the new business. “Starting your own business is never easy. In addition, the time that you have to put in to a start-up must be realized upfront,” he says, “Sure I could create a killer resume, and formulate solid financial and social media marketing plan, but running a successful business is a very different beast.”

BookMark Online officially opened for business in January 2010, a milestone Simpson says is one of his proudest. But Simpson admits that the company which exists today is in stark contrast to the one which was emerged in 2010. “What BookMark was when it officially opened and what the small company has become today are very different,” he says. “The core insight and quality of work remain the same, but between our launch and today; there has been an intense learning in business and marketing identifiers.”

Over the past year and half, Simpson has had a chance to reflect on his lessons starting and growing his company. “Everyone has to start somewhere. Just as Ralph Waldo Emerson said, ‘A man must consider what a richer realm he abdicates when he becomes a conformist.’ Meaning; you can’t be afraid try different things before you discover the right solution.” He says that having an idea is not what matters; its how you create, execute and maintain those ideas.

For those looking to jump into the world of small business ownership, Simpson’s advice is to look at what excites you. “As with many small businesses just beginning, there were some uncertain times. But I can honestly say that there was not ever a moment when I didn’t enjoy what I was doing.”

Owning and operating, while serving as BookMark Online’s Lead Consultant, Simpson is focused on moving ahead. “I have a very ambitious plan to deploy on a larger scale,” he says. “It’s all about being able to build on your strengths, learn from your mistakes and look towards the future.”

Youtube Breaking The Social Medial Marketing Plane

2011-09-07T16:09:00.000-07:00

You must have been living under a rock if you have not seen the power that YouTube has on our society. Just look at the way that Justin Beiber has taken over the scene ever since he posted his first YouTube video.

A former client of mine, 4 U Fashion Boutique (with the help of another one of our former clients iTolduSo Productions) has utilized the hype of YouTube on a few different levels. The store’s mission was to video and highlight life, business and events at their establishment. And so far it has worked.

If you are not so inclined to post, there are companies that build YouTube channels for businesses who want to jump into the world of social media by way of online video. BookMark Online can create a custom YouTube channel for you, targeting potential connections with people in your realm of expertise. With your social media package, we will upload videos that show your media content. You can use your own videographer if you’d like. We are not that picky.

Running a close second to the search engine conglomerate Google, YouTube is the most widely used search engine. We all have used Google to search for information about changing the oil in your Dodge Charger or (enter your own mundane chore here), but try searching for the same information using YouTube. In seconds you will have dozens of oil changing informative videos at your finger tips…and all for free!

Now the real trick is creating a positive revenue stream using video social media. Not too much of a trick if you think about it.

Step 1: Develop your elevator speech.

Step 2: Pop it up on YouTube.

Step 3: Shout it out over your social media platforms and in the blogosphere.

There you have it. You just gave the same message to thousands of new ears that otherwise may have not heard your great pitch.

YouTube may not be your company’s forte, but if you want to take advantage social media, you have to make it one of your key ingredients. The other half of creating of great social media marketing campaign using YouTube, is to add a detailed description to your video. Viewers have to know that they are going to get something out of watching your post BEFORE they click the play button. Make sure that your title is both eye catching and informative, while your video description accurately tells that your video is about.

We are working hard to practice what we preach, just to show you the power of video social media marketing. Watch one of our already published videos on YouTube here and look for more to come very soon!

BookMark Online Announces New Website: New Look, Same Dedication

2011-09-05T10:49:00.000-07:00

BookMark Online announces the launch of its new website, designed with an updated style to reflect our dedication of being on the cutting edge of technology, while still offering a user friendly experience. By updating our main site, we’ve been able to stream line navigation throughout the site, connect visitors more easily to the information which they want, and give an overall more pleasant visitor experience.

See For Yourself! And while you’re there, take some time to tweet us up or drop us a message on twitter or facebook and tell us what you think. We’re constantly striving for new and improved ways to connect with you.

Additional News & Events…

Business Plan Seminar Is Coming To Town
BookMark Online plans to hold a free business plan writing seminar in the coming months.
A business plan is essential to building a solid business and it not only lays the groundwork to yout small business success, but it also give you a month by month; day by day measure of your financial success.

This ain’t your daddy’s business plan seminar.

In the advent of social media and other forms of communication technology, this seminar will not only describe the elements of a traditional business plan, but you will learn how to navigate innovative tools which will make your business plan more attractive to lenders and other potential investors.

From attending this seminar not only will you leave with real-world examples as well as handouts, you will leave with mental equipment to create a professional business plan.

More information on the specific time date and location are to be announced soon. Follow us on twitter and facebook to stay connected.

Former Business Plan Client Sloane Boutique Is Opening
It is indeed a pleasure to announce that a former client of ours has transcended that planning phase of opening a store, but is well on the way to opening up its first brick and mortar operation in the heart of Cincinnati Over-the-Rhine. Sloane Boutique is a new store of women's apparel and accessories

The boutique will display an entire new range to compliment the upcoming fall and winter season. We love to see former client of ours succeed and we look forward to visiting the store when it opens. For more information about the store opening date, follow them on facebook.

Don’t Forget Our Other Services…

Resume Writing
As a former hiring professional, I know what employers are looking for in an employee. Let me help you to grab the reader's attention and then make the case as to why you are perfect for the job. Never settle for less, let me help you win the job you desire. Get a free cover letter with any and all resume revision.

Business Plan Writing
Your business planning situation is unique, and BookMark Online has been there for small business owners looking for a solution to their specific needs. Our goal is to provide you with a professionally crafted document to garner funding for your small business venture. Put our expertise of research, and financial planning to work—we base our success on your results.

Social Media Marketing
Do you need a Professional, SEO and SMO Ready Website? We can help you promote it through Cutting-Edge SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and SMM (Social Media Marketing) Strategies. When we take a project, we strive to not only meet our client's requirements, but to exceed them! Jump into the world of social media marketing and watch your business take off!

Small Business Optimism Sloping Downward: A Commentary

2011-08-21T06:13:00.000-07:00

Small business owners have been hard pressed to find the light at the end of the tunnel after July’s stormy economic turbulence after finding out that our county’s GDP (that’s Gross Domestic Product for those who didn’t know) has been growing ever so slightly over the past six months.

Most people believe that this stagnant grow is due to the fact that US Congress had not devised a solid budgeting plan by the end of the month, coupled with uncertainties going on with the European economy.

It’s hard to believe that this is the true reason, when we have been facing a recession for the past several years due to Bush Jr. era tax breaks, but who am I to question it.

There is also talk floating around that the stalled economic growth is due to the fact that there are folks who thought that they had a better idea of fixing the economy than by raising the debt ceiling which permeated the headlines of last month.

Despite the ruckus that has been going on in Europe, just the other day stocks on Wall Street have been falling at a nice pace and just on Thursday, August 18; stocks were down more than 4 percent within the first hour and 3.9 percent before noon.

What it boils down to is that it is very much true that the economy is in a recovery period. Yes it is slow, but we all learned as kids that slow and steady always wins the race!

1st Annual Business Plan Give-Away Raffle

2011-07-03T02:14:00.000-07:00

BookMark Online would like to introduce, for the first time ever, the Business Plan Give-Away Raffle.

We know that there are many people out there who have great small business ideas, but either have no idea how to create a professional business plan, nor do they have the time.

We decided to begin this raffle and open up the opportunity for one lucky potential small business owner to have their idea put to paper so that they can get started making their small business dreams become a reality.

Tickets are only $5 a piece and available at our website.

The grand prize winner not only will receive a business plan with for their small business idea; complete with a 3 year financial plan, they will also receive a $100 gas card. The draw for the winners will take place on July 30, 2011 and the winner will be posted on our website.

Only 400 tickets will be sold, so the more tickets you buy, the better chance you have to win!

Do You Have What It Takes To Be An Entrepreneur?

2011-06-09T08:00:00.000-07:00

One of the services which my company provides is not listed on out service roster. Yes, we provide resumes, cover letters, social media marketing and business plans; but we also help people turn themselves into entrepreneurs. An entrepreneur is not simply a person who opens their own business, it is someone who sets out to create something out of nothing and build upon that success. There are many people who fall into this category so which one are you?

Small Start-Up Business Owners: Classes Example: You cannot imagine the number of established and un-established small business venture that get their start and open their doors every day. This, some say, add to all new job creation. According to the Small Business Association; small business employs just over half of all private sector employees in the United States.

A More non-traditional Example: Just because you don’t own your own small business doesn’t mean that your title of entrepreneur should be stripped from your star-studded belt. There are many heavy hitters who sit on the board of Directors, which help to shape large companies like Kroger or Procter & Gamble that can settle very well with this title. Eli Lilly’s Jeffrey Simmons, brings more than 20 years of management experience to his role as a Board member of Cincinnati’s Chiquita board.

Due to the fact that the term entrepreneur alludes to the creation of business, success may always be measured in the amount of business that you create, whether it’s your own or owned by someone else.

This Ain't Your Grandpa's Business Plan

2011-05-18T11:00:00.000-07:00

More often than not, business plans have been created to simply show expectations, not formed from hard core data. So, expectedly, business plans have become yet another formality in the money garnering process and not showing the ability of a business to actually make a profit.

Pessimism is Not a City in China

We all know that a good majority of business ventures fail in their first year of operation. That’s a no brainer. I would suspect that every single business plan that is being presented to a bank or another potential lender has the business making a profit beginning with in their first year of operation. Embrace your weaknesses and address them accordingly so that the small negative profit that you project for the first few months of operation does not turn into something that will hinder you from making profits in the very near future.

Make Change Where Change is Due

The key to a great business plan is to allow room for flexibility. A classic example can be found in the construction of a bridge. If a bridge is constructed so that it doesn’t give way to shifting of the Earth or the sway of the force of the wind, it crumbles. This same mentality should be applied to the plan for your business’ growth. Creating areas where you can grow your operation, or cut back your service levels gives you the ability to ebb and flow with the violent economic climate, giving you a better chance to bridge the turbulent water.

The aforementioned advice may not fall to kindly on the ears of your partners or investors, but take it from me, by paying attention to the areas where you need improvement the most, in addition to evolving with the times, your partners will soon turn a deaf ear to your commentary; giving you a free hand to make all of the monetary decisions.

Three Cover Letter Questions Answered

2011-05-03T13:34:00.000-07:00

Question 1: What is the point of writing a cover letter?

Answer: There is definitely a need to create a custom cover letter for each and every job which you apply for. The cover letter gives you the opportunity to give greater detail as to why you are a perfect fit for the position. In addition, since potential employers see hundreds of resumes per day, a cover letter gives you a chance to become a person in their eyes, rather than just another name on a sheet of paper.

Question 2: Should my resume be 2 or 3 pages?

Answer: Neither. Like most resumes, you should keep your cover letter comments to under one page. There are always exceptions to this rule, but unless the employer asks for a specific length of cover letter, assume that less than one page will suffice.

Question 3: Does the employer have to ask before I send a cover letter?

Answer: Definitely not. Send one with each resume; unless the employer specifically says not to. By sending a cover letter, you add legitimacy to your application, setting a higher bar for the rest of the applicants.

Cincinnati's Conscience Radio Interview - Part 1 - Air Date April 19, 2010

2011-04-02T08:55:00.000-07:00

Design Thinking & Social Marketing: a change in marketing behavior or just the next fad?

2011-03-29T04:57:00.000-07:00

Happy Tuesday morning folks!

I thought I would start the day off with a tool which you can begin to incorporate into your working world.

There has been much talk about Design Thinking over the past year, especially in the wide world of marketing. But still some are still having trouble wrapping their heads around what exactly it is and what it is designed to achieve.

In a nutshell, the aforementioned neveau marketing paradigm takes a look at the practical process, or better yet, the creative problem-solving process, in order to garner an improved result.

You may look at this definition and say to yourself, “This is just a glorified term for problem solving.” This is true and not true at the same time.

Yes, design thinking does uses several principles of problem solving where the end result is the resolving of a major problem like how to increase revenue without changing output. Design Thinking takes problem solving to next level. In all actuality, it takes the concept to an entire different pedagogy. Design Thinking uses it principles to take care of uber-ospicious problems, like wide spread famine or human’s energy usage and its affects on the Earth, issues that take more than one mind to figure out, using innovative, unconventional thought and collective minds to come up with a solution.

Using Economies of scale, this “Big-Thinking” approach can be knocked down to size and assist in your everyday marketing efforts, especially if you are thinking about expanding your social media efforts. The similarities of the two are uncanny. Both social media marketing and Design Thinking take thoughts and ideas from a collective group and ties them together, organically forming the solution to problem. Look at how social media is changing the way in which civil unrests is being managed in the Middle East and Africa. Just think if we had access to Facebook and twitter during the Asian Flu in the late 1990’s, you may have seen much shorter of a lifespan for that particular type of economic influenza.

Maybe combining Design Thinking with social media can be used to bring under control the sky-rocketing healthcare costs and delivering products and services in a more creative way?

Social Media Marketing 101

2011-02-27T12:54:00.000-08:00

Watch the full video here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_diam4PD30&sns=em

Break through the barriers of starting your own business

2011-02-20T07:09:00.001-08:00

Have you ever been sitting in your cubicle and thought about beginning your own business? We all have at some point in our careers, but with all of the obligations that we have in our lives; they prevent us from leaping from the stable platform which we are currently standing to the depths of uncertainty which comes with starting your own business.

Getting the money you need:

There are a multitude of things which you will need in order the start and sustain a successful business. Depending on your particular business you may need equipment, skilled staff, inventory to be sold, a space to sell your item or service...and the list can go on and on. What it boils down to is that all of this is going to cost money. And if we all had an endless supply of funds, there would not be much need for us to go into business for ourselves now would there? There are many avenues for small businesses to secure an ample amount of funding to make their small business dreams become a reality.

Debt Financing:

One of the most popular ways in which small businesses obtain funding for their start-up is through debt financing from an accredited financial institution. First and foremost, you are going to need a solid business plan in order to prove to your potential lender that you have a plan in making your business a success.

SBA It:

The Small Business Association has been assisting small businesses obtain start-up capital since 1953 and has become one of the most respected ways in which to get your business up and running. Through this federally funded program does not directly provide funding for small business, but by going through their programs, financial institutions will find your venture that much more credible.

Equity Financing:

Another way in which to obtain start-up capital is by selling part ownership of your business in return for cash. Though you will be sacrificing a part of your dream for the sake of capital, it puts less responsibility on you if your business is not successful. In addition, this option is more lucrative for your potential investor because the return on their investment would be greater when your business becomes successful.

BookMark Online Can Help:

We specialize in helping individuals, non-profits, small business and larger corporations create and maintain a positive stream of revenue with our Business Start-Up Package. It is a quick and easy way to jump into the world of business ownership.

For a flat fee of $999, you will receive the following:

Business Incorporation via Federal and State Government: (valued at $299)

A Business Plan; complete with 3 years of solid financial forecasts. (valued at $499)

A Website with 1 full year of hosting and management. Domain name registration included. (valued at $399)

AND

One month of Free Social Media marketing; including blog creation/management. This includes FaceBook, MySpace, and twitter account activation and management and blog creation/management. (valued at $199 per month)

With our start-up package, you will save over $400!

If you are ready to get your business up and running, or if you have any questions about our services, feel free to contact us for a free consultation.

BookMark Online’s Top 5 Accomplishments of 2010

2011-01-15T05:17:00.000-08:00

Jan- Open For Business

BookMark Online finally opens its doors; offering its services of business plan and resume writing in addition to providing social media marketing strategies to the public.

April – BookMark Online Hits the Airwaves

Bookmark Online’s owner and lead consultant Kareem Simpson, is the featured radio guest on Cincinnati Conscience, radio program.

June- 4 U Fashion Apparel Opens

Located just blocks away from its offices, 4U Fashion Boutique, a client of BookMark Online, opens its doors. BookMark Online was able to fashion a profitable business plan in order for 4U to obtain financing to open its doors.

Aug – BookMark’s Owner Becomes Featured Blogger for Cincinnati Soapbox

BookMark owner and lead consultant, Kareem Simpson is the week’s featured blogger of Cincinnati SoapBox, an online magazine geared towards facilitating social conversation about issues concerning Greater Cincinnati.

Oct- BookMark Gives Back

BookMark Online led a three month capital campaign to assist Stop Aids of Cincinnati at its Annual Walk to Stop Aids, where a portion of all sales went to their efforts.

Last year was an exciting year for BookMark Online and 2011 is shaping up to be just as adventurous!

Happy Holidays from BookMark Online!

2010-12-25T11:01:00.000-08:00

"And So This Is Christmas;

And What Have We Done?

Another Year Over;

A New One Just Begun;

And So Happy Christmas;

I Hope You Have Fun;

The Near And The Dear Ones;

The Old And The Young."

-John Lennon

The 3 Golden Rules of Business Holiday Greetings via Social Media

2010-12-21T15:41:00.000-08:00

Be As Personable As Possible: If you have time, send a personal business greeting to show that you value your clients and colleagues. Sending a blanket text, tweet or Facebook post may be time efficient, but could be watered down with this delivery method.

Send To The Right People: Make sure that you target those who actually have interest in your business or service. Over the years, there may be people who no longer want to be included in your updates. Cross them off of your Holiday list. Sending them a greeting may push them further away. As you gain new contacts throughout the year, take time to add them to your database. This way you won't embarrass yourself by sending a message to an unwilling recipient.

To Each Their Own: Find out whether your business greeting recipient celebrates Christmas, Hanukah, or Kwanzaa or nothing at all. Make sure your message is appropriate for each individual. If you decide to go with one message, choose a generic one that will not offend. "Season's Greetings" and "Happy Holidays" are safe bets.

New York Start-Up! Business Plan Competition

2010-12-20T12:51:00.000-08:00

Win $15,000 to start your own business.

For more information Click here!

Time Saving Cover Letter Tips

2010-12-18T08:18:00.000-08:00

The best thing that you can do to boost your resume is to send a cover letter along. Its not as hard as you think. If you have already created a cover think about the following when creating a new and improved cover letter.

Making the Cut: Most employers, un be known to many, are actually reading cover letters looking for a reason to NOT interview you. Most jobs that are in high demand have number of resumes and cover letters sent, so be mindful of the employer’s time. Think in short bullet points about what you’ve done that makes you qualified for the job.

Selling Yourself: The cover letter is to the sell the resume as well as yourself. Both should stand on it’s own but the cover letter should be customized to the particular job in which you are applying. Keys would be to incorporate keywords from the job description that align with your experience.

Black History Month Presentation: The Beloved Margaret Garner

2010-12-17T13:07:00.000-08:00

Using the pieces of Beloved, written by Toni Morrison in addition to its adapted screen play and musical, this seminar examines the pivotal role in which Cincinnati played in the treatment, capture and expedition of fugitive runaway slaves during the period preceding the nations Civil War; when Cincinnati was thrown in front of the nation with its capture of Margaret Garner.

About the Presenter -

Kareem A. Simpson - Owner and operator of BookMark Online and published author.

Presentation Experience:

Beckfeild College, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Gateway Community College, Holmes Alternative High-School, Kenton County Public Library Staff, Kentucky Association for Blacks in Higher Education, Two Rivers Elementary, Northern Kentucky and Urban Learning Center.

Published Articles include (but not limited to):

"History of Jazz in Covington, KY" (The Covingtonian Magazine), "History of James Bradley" (The Anchor, Encyclopedia of Northern Kentucky).

Scholarly Writings Include:

"Information: The Perfect Economic Good" and "African Americans Capitalizing on the Changes in Academic Libraries".

If you are interested in having this seminar presented to your group or organization, please visit our website for contact information

2010-12-16T18:02:00.000-08:00

Let us know how we can assist you with creating a business plan. Http://bkmkonline.com

Inspirational Quote O'The Day

2010-12-16T06:51:00.000-08:00

"I wanted to be an editor or a journalist. I wasn't really interested in being an entrepreneur, but I soon found I had to become an entrepreneur in order to keep my magazine going"

- Richard Branson

Ramp Up Your Job Search During The Holidays

2010-12-12T10:45:00.000-08:00

Don’t’ let the busy holiday season deter you from your job search. Unbeknown to many, over the next few weeks, you will see more people than you would normally see in a few months during the rest of the year. Make the most of your face-to-face time at holiday parties and family gatherings.

In addition, the holidays signify for much time off from their already hectic job. This off-time could not only be used by spending quality time with your friends and family, but you may want to use this time to re-craft your resume and cover letter.

You can also buck the trend of job searches during the holiday seasons, due to the simple fact that many feel as though no employer worth their time will be hiring during the holiday season.
This is not always true. Many times companies begin restructuring for the upcoming year and many have plans to begin with a new team come January.

Use this quality time wisely and you may find yourself with your dream job by year’s end.

Break Down of 2011 Proposed Tax Incentives for Small Business

2010-12-08T10:24:00.000-08:00

Over the past few days, the tax cuts (or some would say, Bush-era tax incentive extension) have been a hot topic in circles around Washington D.C. and the rest of the Nation.

It does not matter which side of the fence you sit on the issue, if these tax incentives were to be extended, it would greatly benefit small business.

Read about it here.

Resume Writing for Non-Profit Employees

2010-12-04T08:52:00.000-08:00

In the past few years, non-profit organizations have seen a major cutback on its services, finding many long time non-profit professionals looking for a new job. With the un-employment rate being at an all-time high, the aforementioned are having a difficult time vying for spot at the interview table. Here are a few resume writing tips to try and combat this trend.

Update Early and Often

Working in the non-profit sector for many years, I have been charged with tasks which were beyond and above my job description and over the years, we may forget to document some of these extra ordinary contributions. If you are part of the population who are lucky enough to still have employment with your non-profit, make sure that you periodically update your resume to accurately showcase your additional contributions to your organization in a favorable way.

K.I.S.S. It!

It has become a rule of thumb for non-profits to create a laundry list of services in which they provide. This is great when you are attempting to secure funding via a grant application, but by transmitting this trend to your resume writing efforts may be detrimental to your job seeking efforts. If your resume is over two pages long, trying limiting your job history to only those which pertain to the position in which you are applying or to the past 10 years; whichever is more flattering. Keep It Short and Simple!

There are a number of additional factors which will help you get from the unemployment to the interview room, but by following a few of the aforementioned resume writing tips, you jaunt may be more successful.

Small Business In Ohio Takes The Stage

2010-11-19T13:12:00.000-08:00

In the great State of Ohio, despite the misconceptions, a great part of its economy is based on the success of its many small businesses and those who forge ahead to own and operate a small business in Ohio is as diverse as they come.

According to the most recent statistics from the Federal Government, there are a total of over 851,000 small businesses in Ohio.

A great number of these small businesses have relied on the assistance of loans and grants to get started and to stay afloat during this tough economic time.

Here are some resources to check in to if you are a small business owner here in Ohio:

Financial Assistance and Incentives

Ohio Business Gateway

Ohio Department of Taxation

Ohio Office of Tax Incentives

Cover Letter Do's and Dont's

2010-11-15T08:49:00.000-08:00

Happy Monday Readers!

Over the years, we have given advice about resume writing and the fact that a well crafted cover letter will set your resume apart.

I came across some great cover letter writing advice and thought I would share it with my readers.

Read the post here.

Remember, you will not reap to advantages of a cover letter unless you first create one and following the aforementioned advice will enhance your chances of landing the job that you have always wanted.

4 Predictions for Social Media in 2011

2010-11-07T06:58:00.001-08:00

2010 ushered in with Facebook boasting over 400 million users, with twitter not following close behind with 75 millions. These two platforms have become the face of social media, although there are several other sites such as YouTube, LinkedIn, Wikipedia and MySpace which have nestled quite comfortably in the sea of social media world.

If 2010 has taught us nothing, it has taught us that the social media phenomena has grown exponentially and has no signs of dissipating.

But what will 2011 bring?

1. The divide between social media giants and peons will expand

2. Social Media platforms specifically geared toward non-profit organizations will be developed

3. Social media will create more options to monetize

4. Higher Education will add social media options to their curriculum

Start Your Small Business Off Right

2010-10-08T15:35:00.000-07:00

We specialize in helping individuals, non-profits, small business and larger corporations create and maintain a positive stream of revenue.

Our Business Start-Up Package is a quick and easy way to jump into the world of business ownership.

For a flat fee of $999, you will receive the following:

Business Incorporation via Federal and State Government: (valued at $299)

A Business Plan; complete with 3 years of solid financial forecasts. (valued at $499)

A Website with 1 full year of hosting and management. Domain name registration included. (valued at $399)

AND

One month of Free Social Media marketing; including blog creation/management. This includes FaceBook, MySpace, and twitter account activation and management and blog creation/management. (valued at $199 per month)

With our start-up package, you will save over $400!

If you are ready to get your business up and running, or if you have any questions about our services, feel free to contact us for a free consultation.

http://bkmkonline.com

You can also follow us on:

FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?ref=profile&id=100000625710800

Twitter: http://twitter.com/BookMarkOL

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/514970170

Want to Learn How to Create An Eye-Catching Resume?

2010-10-01T12:44:00.000-07:00

Searching for a new job, whether you are an entry level candidate or someone with experience, can be a very disheartening experience. With the number of unemployed on the rise, coupled with many employers scaling back its workforce; employers are looking for any reason to discard your resume.

Questions that you may ask yourself when creating a resume are:

Should your resume be emailed or snail mailed?

Is more than one page okay?

What style of resume is appropriate?

Should a thank-you be handwritten?

Want yo find the answers?

During our Resume Writing Seminar you will learn how to stand out in a pile of applicants.
You will come out armed with skills to produce a resume that reflects your best self, an engaging and provocative cover letter, and all the proper follow up.

In this seminar we will examine:

- The resume, both in its hard copy and electronic form - The cover letter - The Thank You Letter- Any Additional Correspondence

-Newly Added Portion* Innovations in Resumes

Contact us today to see how you can have this seminar presented to your group or organization at http://bkmkonline.com.

Grant Information for Indiana Small Businesses

2010-09-27T07:18:00.001-07:00

Indiana Small Business Guide Business.gov

IEDC - Programs & Initiatives

State Sources for Small Business Grants

How do I find small business grants for the state of Indiana ...

Indiana Business Grants. Free Government Money from: Indiana with ...

Women starting a business grant

Indiana Business Grants for Women

Indiana State Government Grant, Free Money, Government Funds

Indiana Small Business Grants eHow.com

Foursquare: What's New In Social Media

2010-09-21T04:23:00.000-07:00

Social media has become an omnipotent lexicon in the last few years. “Tweetheads” and “Facebook friends” have permeated our society, mashing up the way that people interact with one another. Despite the fact that social media has been around for a few decades it has never taken a hold of communications since its incorporation with the advances in computer technology.

MySpace was the first in an onslaught of social media platforms created to be used in conjunction with the Internet. Mostly thought of as a “teenager’s thing”, MySpace was on the forefront of the technology and FaceBook and twitter were not far behind.

There are many new social media platforms which are attempting to take away from the aforementioned social media mainstays. But one platform decided to buck the trend and actual use its predecessors’ popularity to assist with their efforts.

Foursquare has burst on to the scene as a location based site, specifically designed for use on mobile devices. Those who decide to use this new site “check-in” at difference venues of their choose using their cell phones and they are then “awarded” badges and/or points for their participation. When you “check-in” using foursquare, you are given the option to have your “check-in” posted on your Facebook and twitter profile.

Small businesses have capitalized on foursquare’s use of social media giants like Facebook and twitter by awarding discounts to those who “check-in” to their establishments. Some businesses have even been known to give free products to those who have the most number of “check-ins”.

Needless to say, social media has definitely changed the way in which we communicate and do business, and there are no signs that this trend will change anytime soon.

Your Thoughts About Social Entreprenuers Requested

2010-09-13T09:07:00.000-07:00

You are not alone if you scratch your head when you hear the term “Social Entrepreneur”.

I have spent most of the morning researching the term and found some interesting opinions. In just doing a quick google search (the start of any major research) I found a great definition from ASHOKA.org which states:

“A Social Entrepreneur is an individual with innovative solutions to society’s most pressing social problems. They are ambitious and persistent, tackling major social issues and offering new ideas for wide-scale change.”

Cletus Olebune gave insight to what a social entrepreneur brings to the table with respects to African nations. In his post, “Social Entrepreneurship, The Nigerian Perspective”, Mr. Olebune gives the opinion that there is a “lack of social concerns in entrepreneurship” in his country of Nigeria.

This question comes from an internal query, are BookMark Online’s initiatives that much different from other marketing initiatives?

We are in the process of looking into redeveloping our current marketing methods and identifying what we need to call ourselves and who to target. (I will be sharing my thinking here as soon as those thoughts are coherent enough to write down!)

The goal of this plan is to help us target those who will use our services and those who are looking to use our services; a pre-requisite in assisting people to reach their goals in concern with personal and professional marketing.

So if you consider your work to be that of a social entrepreneur I would love for you to share your thoughts.

I look forward to learning from this conversation.

Has Obama Increased the Number of Minority-Owned Businesses?

2010-09-06T08:06:00.000-07:00

On January 22, 2009, the United States inaugurated its 44th president. Normally a day for celebration in and of itself, but in this case it was significant due to the fact that the United States was issuing its power and might to an African American, the first in its history.

The United States has been steeped in racial injustices since its inception. Slavery, The Jim Crow Laws of the South, and what some would call reverse racist protocol of Affirmative Action, has all left residual racial tension here in the States. With the election and induction of Mr. Obama into the presidency, some would say that this residual tension of racism has surpassed, creating a pathway to the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to come to fruition. But has is this really the case?

When you are questioning the validity of an intangible statement as this, it is very difficult to produce concrete evidence of the pro or the con side of the argument. By incorporating a measurable indicator, such as the programs initiated by the Obama Administration and compare it to the number of established business own in whole or in part by African Americans.

According to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, in 2002 there were a total of 1,197,988 businesses which were owned by African Americans in the United States. These businesses totaled close to $100 million in sales during this year. Since then, the number of loans granted to small business which are owned by African American proprietors have almost tripled. According to the Census Bureau the number of loans to African American business owners is 7,127 amounting to over a billion dollars. This is compared to only 2,120 African American businesses.

Read the rest of the article here.

Business Plan Writing Tip O' The Week

2010-08-30T11:56:00.000-07:00

Campaign Update

2010-08-28T12:47:00.001-07:00

Check out the amount of money we have raised so far for Stop AIDS Cincinnati here.

YouTube for Your Business

2010-08-27T13:04:00.000-07:00

YouTube for Your Business

Communities in Crisis: Is There a Generalized HIV Epidemicin Impoverished Urban Areas of the United States?

2010-08-24T14:40:00.000-07:00

by Paul Denning, MD, MPH and Elizabeth DiNenno

According to UNAIDS, the United States (U.S.) has a concentrated HIV epidemic, primarily among men who have sex with men (MSM) and injection drug users (IDUs).1,2While the HIV epidemic has not had a broad impact on the general U.S. population, it has greatly affected the economically disadvantaged in many urban areas. We sought to characterize the HIV epidemic in impoverished urban areas of the U.S. and determine whether the epidemic in these areas meets the UNAIDS definition of a generalized epidemic.

Read more here:

4 Misconceptions of Social Media Marketing

2010-08-23T08:22:00.000-07:00

It is no mystery that social media is fast becoming one of the most affordable and effective ways for businesses to market their products and services. Companies like Best Buy, Proctor & Gamble and Coca-Cola have all benefited from this marketing phenomenon, which, just a few years ago, was delegated to personifying computer geeks and college students.

In addition, small businesses are beginning to discover the advantage of using social media to promote their services. According to S.C.O.R.E., a not for profit organization which counsels small businesses, there is an estimated 29.6 million small businesses currently operating in the United States.

With the United States in a state of recovery from an economic recession, this number is bound to rise, and social media may be the catalyst to a successful business in 2010. Here are the top four misconceptions that small business owners have when it comes to using social media.

Misconception #4: Social Media is all about getting quick traffic

Although social media marketing campaigns have been attributed to informing customers about a business' services and promotions in a quick and affordable manor, this is not the only reason to use the medium to promote your small business.

In order to effectively use social media, it is imperative that a "following" or a "community of followers" be developed and in most cases this takes a little bit of time. An example of this could be seen with the social media platform LinkedIn.com. On this site, the objective is to create a group composed of individuals with similar interest by inviting them to join your group.

In order for an invitation to be accepted, the group's moderator must prove that they are subject matter experts or have productive information to bring to the group. In other words, the use of conversational marketing is paramount. Small business owners who visualize connecting with thousands of people within the first day of opening a social media account have the wrong idea.

Read the rest of the article here.

How Many Resumes Are Too Many?

2010-08-16T14:20:00.000-07:00

One of my clients posed to me the question as to whether or not it is a good idea to send your resume to a multitude of companies at one time, as opposed to sending it to just one company and wait until that position has been filled to send on another resume to a different company.

I believe that it is a combination of both methods which will garner the best results.

In my experience, it has been best to approach your job hunting scheme very similar to the way in which bullets fly from a shotgun; send out a number of resumes at one time, but in a clustered manor.

If your background is in management, and you wish to continue on in that line of work, you best bet is to not only send you resume to companies that are looking for an experienced manager, but also look for terms like “Operations Manager”, or “Quality Control Supervisor”.

With sending out these resumes in a clustered effect, you want to always make sure that your cover letter is tailored to accentuate the qualities that you posses which will make you the best candidate for the job.

Free Tickets To Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal!

2010-08-13T12:16:00.001-07:00

Offer good through August 31 with any purchase while supplies last.

Help BookMark Help to Stop AIDS

2010-08-08T04:48:00.000-07:00

Stop AIDS of Cincinnati has a long history of providing AIDS/HIV education through out the greater Cincinnati area,

This is one of the reason why BookMark Online has chosen to support them this year at their annual Walk to Stop Aids.

Until Aug 25th, 10% of the proceeds very sale will go directly to Stop AIDS Cincinnati.

Check out one of the ways in which this organization gives back to the community here.

Panera's New Business Plan: Pay What You Want

2010-08-06T05:49:00.000-07:00

Panera Bread Co. is asking customers at a new restaurant to pay what they want. The national bakery and restaurant chain launched a new nonprofit store here this week that has the same menu as its other 1,400 locations. But the prices are a little different - there aren't any.

Customers are told to donate what they want for a meal, whether it's the full suggested price, a penny or $100. The new store in the upscale St. Louis suburb of Clayton is the first of what will Panera hopes will be many around the country. Ronald Shaich, Panera's CEO until last week, was on hand at the new bakery Monday to explain the system to customers.

Read te entire article from CBSNews.com here.

BookMark Online Helps Stop AIDS in Cincinnati

2010-08-03T06:39:00.000-07:00

25 million have died world-wide since 1981 from AIDS.

And in cities like Cincinnati, OH the rate of infection is on the rise, especially among African Americans and women.

Since 1983, Stop AIDS has been educating residents of the Greater Cincinnati in the prevention of the spread of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.

On September 26th, Stop AIDS will be holding its Annual Walk to Stop AIDS. This being the organizations top fundraiser each year, thousands will be out walking for the cause.

BookMark Online has pledged to raise $500 for this annual event and from now until September 25th, 10% of all sales will go to this effort.

This is a great way to advance your own career and help a worthy organization at the same time.
Keep up with our progress in reaching our goal here.

Climb The Corporate Ladder ... 2 Rungs @ A Time

2010-08-02T06:56:00.000-07:00

When most people enter into their first corporate position right out of college, they feel that the most difficult part of navigating the pit falls of the corporate world is over. Needless to say, once you are knee deep into the world of the working, it seems like most of us spend the rest of our careers attempting to keep our head above water.

Due to our nation's economic recession, over the past year, our county has seen a major decline in the number of jobs. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, our nation has lost a total of 2.2 million jobs in this time span. Though this downward economic slump will be soon behind us, according to The Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke, navigating the corporate world will be that much more treacherous. The competition for jobs in 2010 will be paramount so every person employed or not, should sharpen their workplace survival skills in anticipation of the onslaught. By following these few steps, you will be able to look down your competition and stake out your place in the corporate world.

Walk the Walk and Talk the Talk

Prince Charles of England once said "Something ... won't survive unless you take account of people's attitudes. After all, if people don't want it, they won't have it." These words may personify one of the most important aspects of reaching your personal career goals. Attitudes are a way of life and vary depending on the particular professional (or personal) situation. In business, attitudes tend to center around making the most amount of money with the least amount of effort. In order to do this, companies set a certain level of professional courtesy and behavior. Strictly following these set rules are paramount to your goal of success.

To achieve a higher level of success, you must first establish what you are in fact attempting to achieve. In addition, observations, coupled with the implementation of an award system, are two of the most practiced ways of learning according to the science of classic and operant conditioning.

Translating this elaborate "cat and mouse" race, you may want to set a career goal. Once it is achieved, take an inventory of what this goal has brought to you (in most cases it is a higher salary). Once evaluated, then it is time to set your next career goal. The more specific your goals are, the more attainable they become. Also, the more specific your way of calculating you achievements, the more success you will have.

Create A Network of Your Peers

In the advent of the internet and social networking, today's working population has a greater number of choices of occupations than in our predecessors' time. That being said, the recent slumping economy has limited those once robust numbers as we saw with the nation's unemployment rate reaching a high of 10% toward the end of 2009, leading to a greater concern about how long some people would be able to hold on to their current lifestyle.

Creating a corporate profile which is marketable to both your current and potential employers' needs, covering all of your bases just in case you choose to leave or stay with your current employer is one to keep and ensure a successful position. By taking hold and embracing transferrable skills such as communication skills, the ability to manage time and people, and leadership skills will assist you in this step of the career setting goals. Not only will this stable your fall into employment buy it will also assist you in establishing profitable relations that will help to soften your fall.

Those who are serious about incorporating a successful plan for reaching the top of their respective corporate ladder may want to look into the positive effects that social media has on propelling your career into high gear. If you are not sure where to begin to navigate the multitude of social media platforms, businesses like BookMark! Online have several years of experience in creating quality social media marketing campaigns for both personal and professional development.

Hind sight is 20/20 and though most of us have not reached the golden years of our careers; it is never too late to begin learning from the mistakes of those who have trudged before us.

2010-07-30T11:42:00.000-07:00

With the advancement of technology in recent years, there was an increase in the so called “Digital Divide”, causing the richer or those who have access and aptitude to utilize technology, to become richer, and those who possess less aptitude and few chances to utilize technology, to continue to grow poorer.

Though there is debate as to whether the Digital Divide has turned and is in the process of shrinking, new technologies such as the internet and its applications such as social media have made strides in closing that Digital Divide, making access to information more feasible for those in economic troubles which, in the United States has historically been people of color and minorities, but mostly appearing in third world and other developing countries as well.

In 1997, the predominant way in which Americans to access information was through use of the telephone, and the computer with use of a modem. In a survey conducted by the US Census Bureau discovered that in 1997, the percentage of homes which had the aforementioned technologies were as followed: 93.8% had a telephones, 36.6% had a personal computers (PCs); 26.3% had a modem, and 18.6% had on-line access.

Compare this to an April 2009 survey by the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project shows that 56% of adult Americans have accessed the internet by wireless means, an option which was not available in 1997, such as using a laptop, mobile device, game console, or MP3 player.

This presentation will you will learn how to integrate these types of technologies to advance the spread of information and knowledge in profitable and efficient way.

The trend has been documented on an international level as well. According to The Global Policy Forum, 2008 boasted 1.6 billion internet users internationally as opposed to 10 million internet users in 1995.

Enter the world of social media.

The beginning of the 21st century has been inundated with such lexicons as tweets, posts, sexting, texting and friending; words that just a decade ago were not used. According to a 2009 report from Forrester Research entitled “The Broad Reach of Social Technologies,” they reported that over half of adults between the ages 35 to 44 have breached to world of social media via networks.

It is safe to say that the way in which we communicate, both personally and professionally, has taken on a new definition. Newspapers, which in the past have measured their success on the number of circulating copies, are now measuring popularity via the number of comments a story gets through their online addition.

According to The Business Insider, an online magazine taking on the ups and downs of the business world, reported the following at the beginning of the 2009 fiscal year all due to the trend of moving everything online:

105 newspapers have been shuttered.

10,000 newspaper jobs have been lost.

Print ad sales fell 30% in Q1 '09.

23 of the top 25 newspapers reported circulation declines between 7% and 20%.

Top 4 Mistakes 2 Make When Writing A Business Plan

2010-07-26T17:28:00.000-07:00

We have all had a dream to open and operate our own small business. According to S.C.O.R.E., a not for profit organization which counsels small businesses, there is an estimated 29.6 million small businesses currently operating in the United States.

Opening a new business and running it yourself can foster financial independence as well as strengthen your community's local economy. With concerns to their small business' success, what many owners forget to factor in is the importance of having a business plan. No matter what industry your small business operates under, it has only a 30% chance of being operational for more than two years.

By incorporating a well developed business plan before you begin operation, your chances of survival greatly increase. Here is a list of the top four mistakes when creating a plan for your small business.

Number 4: Don't Knock the Power of Your Competitors

Despite what many think, investors know a thing or two about putting their money into a business that works and are well aware that if you down play the existence of competitors in your arena, then chances are there may not even be a market for your service.

Though you want to down-play your competitors, do so in a way that differentiates you from them, and not over shadows them. The better that you can describe your competition and the way that your business' services uses their successful ways while filling an un-touched niche, the more success you will have.

Number 3: You Talk Too Much!

In addition to having a sound financial plan for the development of your small business, you also want to create a well organized business plan in hopes that investors will take interest in your small business. When entrepreneurs are pitching their idea to a potential investor, an inexperienced business owner may be predispositioned to give too much information about their idea.

For example, your potential investor may not need to know what pattern of carpet that you are planning to place in the employer break room. Depending on the nature of business, you do not want to exceed thirty (30) pages when creating a business plan, having the executive summary no more than three (3) of those pages.

You just want to hook and bait the investor so if they are interested, they will ask for additional information. One easy way to cut down the number of pages is to count the number of points that you emphasize, and slash that number in half.

Number 2: Looking Too Much Like Your Competitors

With the number of small business in currently in operation, copying your competitors marketing techniques and services is an easy trap to fall in to.

For example, drive through your local town and count the number of fast food restaurants that you see. Ever notice that most fast food restaurants market around a "value" or "combo" meal?

This may be profitable, but one way to set your self apart from the pack is to differentiate your product. Profitable fast-food chains such as Wendy's, Arby's and Taco Bell did this by incorporating a $1 menu to their already popular "combo meal" promotion.

When trying to reinvent the wheel, do your best not to simply mimic your competitors. It's best to choose slogans and concepts similar to the market at large, but still unique to your immediate marketing area. By differentiating your service from your competitors you will assist your customers in identifying your business and service as worth while with little to no confusion.

Number 1: DIY'ing (Doing It Yourself)

Many bad business plans are developed because a business owner tries to create one for themselves. You may be the best carpenter in your tri-state area, but if you have never written a business plan before, it could come out looking like you are nothing more than a novice.

If you are serious about creating a business plan which both delineates your small business' potential and goals while looking professional at the same time, you may want to invest in having a professional business plan writing service create the plan for you.

Businesses like BookMark Online (bkmkonline@gmail.com) has several years experience with creating quality business plans in the Greater Cincinnati area and Nationwide. BookMark can develop a strategic business plan, conduct market research, and build financial models that will induce your business' financial growth.Not all small business with ill-prepared business plans succeed.

An unprofessional plan can destroy confidence among potential investors with concerns to your small business and may even keep customers from using your services or buying your products.

You will be hard pressed to find a person who has never dreamt about owning their own business.

According to S.C.O.R.E., the number of small business owners have increased steadily since the late 1970's and with the expected rebound of the economy in 2010, the rate of increase of small business owners is only expected to rise.

A well organized business plan will not only further insure your small business' success, it will also give you piece of mind.

Social Media Takes Hold of Asian Consumers

2010-07-12T06:37:00.000-07:00

Asia has always been seen as the world’s best kept secret, making it one of the most exiting places to learn about. I learned this during my time studying the Korean language and culture. This excitement, in addition to Asia’s dense population and varied culture also makes it difficult to implement an over reaching digital pedagogy.

Meaning, Asian countries with similar economies oftn have totally different levels of infrastructure congruent with supporting Internet development. An example of this can be found in the aforementioned South Korea and its neighbor of Japan.

Though these two countries have similar scales of economies, Japan has a high reliability on mobile use when it comes to access the Internet, while South Korea invested in the incorporation of broadband connections throughout its infrastructure to make sure that Internet is available almost anywhere in the country.

The Huffington Post reported the following:

· Vietnam had an 846 percent growth of mobile Internet users in 2009.

· In Japan, 84.3 percent of the population goes on the Internet with a mobile phone.

· In Taiwan, 73.3 percent of mobile Internet users have 3G.

· The population of smartphone owners in Hong Kong is 48.6 percent.

Despite the difference in the ways in which Asian countries access the Internet, these countries have opened their doors to its advancements.

Increasingly, social media has been directing the buying patterns in Asia. Specifically, product reviews on sites such as Facebook, twitter and MySpace and other online media are the third most trusted source of information when consumers are attempting to select a product. This is just behind family and friends.

This power of social media can definitely be translated into your everyday small business. For more information, listen to our series of podcasts delineating how to create an effective social media strategy and incorporate it into your marketing plan.

The folllowin is more information about how Asian Countires are using social media.

Has The iPad Lived Up To The Hype?

2010-07-05T06:10:00.000-07:00

Several months have passed since Steve Jobbs stood in front of the world in his sweat shirt, jeans and running shoes to announce his company's latest and greatest gadget, the iPad. Jobbs, who himself had been fired Apple, proclaimed in front of a live crowd that Apple's new product will revolutionize interactions with software as we know it.

Though over the months since Jobb's announcement, the world has seen this tablet in the hands of Stephen Colbert, Pee-Wee Herman and the Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad OchoCinco; but has the product lived up to its hype?

Is this really new?

The concept of a Tablet Personal Computer is not exactly cutting edge. The first prototype was introduced in the late 1980's complete with a pen instead of a mouse or touch screen, which was then seen as a replacement for conventional computers with keyboards. Everyone and their momma jumped on board, creating software that would be able to recognize one's individual handwriting.

Some of the big hitters who adapted to handwriting software were EO, NCR, Samsung, Dauphin, Fujitsu, TelePad, Compaq, Toshiba, and IBM, but by the mid 1990's, the fad had passed. There have been reports that companies who sunk their claws deep into pen and handwriting recognition technology lost upwards to $70 in venture capital.

The bad news about this flopped technology was that pc tablets were lumped with the demise of pen technology. Though this technology was kept alive via vertical industries, the general consumer was no longer interested.

Is it that much different than an iPhone/iTouch?

Yes and no.

Though iPad is a dumbed down PC tablet, it would best be described as an over charged iPhone. Like a tablet, the iPad has a conventional 4:3 aspect ratio, but does not have the packing power to run most desktop programs like Adobe Photoshop. What the iPad can do is manifest almost any app that the iPhone already has (go figure) and a large number of apps especially made of the iPad.

Though the iPad is thinner than any tablet that has been put on the market, it could be a little cumbersome to carry if you are just looking for it to function the same was as your iPhone. Conversely, if you will be using the iPad for its mobility, its weight of just 1.5 pounds lends way to mobility.

What it boils down to is that Apple has yet again stirred up the world of electronics with a supped up version of an old invention.

Social Media Marketing 101: Introduction

2010-07-02T14:07:00.001-07:00

Big Things Are Happening @ BookMark Online!

2010-06-29T08:39:00.000-07:00

June has been a busy month and we are looking forward to the long July 4th weekend! Summer

Sale Ends Soon! There are just a few more days left to receive 50% off all of BookMark Online's services including resume and business plan writing, web design and social media marketing. Sale ends June 30th.

4U Urban Fashion Boutique, a clothing store in Cincinnati's Over-the-Rhine neighborhood had its grand opening on June 19th. It was also featured in Cincinnati's SoapBox Magazine and in Style Sample Magazine. BookMark Online was instrumental in developing its business plan so that it could get up and running.

Matrix Performance, a personal training service in northern Kentucky is in their first stages of diving into the world of self ownership and has asked BookMark Online to hammer out their business plan.

Better Half Ball is one of BookMark Online's newest clients in the realm of social media marketing. BHB offers an alternative venue for those celebrating their wedding anniversary. Follow them on twitter / facebook / Myspace and read their blog. Welcome aboard!

BookMark Online continues to stay connected via twitter / facebook / MySpace and you can continue to read about current issues in the world of social media, resume and business plan writing and social media right here on our blog.

Let us know how we can help you to BookMark your presence...Online!

3 Ways To Make Sure Your Resume Is Interview Ready

2010-06-21T09:17:00.000-07:00

Though the United States has seen a decrease in its unemployment rate over the past few months, its current rate is 9.3% which is 2% greater than last year at the same time and almost 3 times the rate of that in the year 2000.

Needless to say, jobs are scarce so if you are lucky enough to schedule a job interview, you have to make sure that you put your best foot forward. One way to do this is to make sure that your resume is interview ready when you go in and sit across the desk from your potential employer.
Here are three ways which you can make that happen.

Bring It

On interview day, make sure that you bring a hard copy of your resume and offer it to your interviewer. Ideally you may want to have multiple copies on hand on the happen chance that there is more than person conducting the interview.

Customize It

Though you may want to present all of your credentials during your interview, it is always a good idea to tailor your resume so that it presents your experience which most correlates with the job in which you are interviewing.

Less Is More

Due to the fact that employers may not have time to look through a multi-page resume, your resume should always be no more than two pages. Ideally, it should be no more than one page, with text on both the front and the back.

As the above simple steps demonstrate, preparing your resume for an interview demands a little preparation time. Don't let luck determine the outcome of your future.

Great Cover Letter Advice

2010-06-14T09:15:00.000-07:00

How Much Of Your Business Plan Is Actually Being Read?

2010-05-21T05:37:00.000-07:00

Business plans have long been a catalyst for obtaining startup capital for new and small businesses. And there is no doubt that a well sculpted and well written plan is essential in securing the appropriate amount of financing in addition to maintaining a healthy business model.

But just as with resumes, business plans need to capture the attention of their reviewers. There have been occasions when the fate of a business fell dependant on the few moments that reviewer’s eyes go over your plan.

In a recent encounter with a loan advisor, who has been reviewing business plans for a quarter of a century, expressed to me that he has never once read a business plan completely from front to back.

This being said, you should never skimp on the quality of your business; small business plan, but there are some areas of the plan which should be tweaked to spark interest and hold the attention of its reviewer.

Don’t Mess with the Exec’s:
The Executive Summary is the bread and butter of your business plan. Business Plans are fashioned with upwards to 10 or 15 sections and your Executive Summary section should succinctly summarize all of those sections. Traditionally, this is the very first thing that a review will set their eyes on. If poorly written, this section and through a major wrench into your entire operation.

Management Profile:
Lenders not only want to see that your plan is solid, but they also want to make sure that those who are managing the business possess the know-how to make the business venture stay operating above water. Not only should the manager’s experience and abilities be briefed in the
Executive Summary, but they should be further exemplified in the Management section. Throwing in a resume or two could not hurt your cause either.

The Bottom Line:
Another important part of your plan is showing a viable sales projection and that those sales will sustain your business. Some would say that this should go without saying, I could not tell you the number of times that I have fixed resumes where the fact that their monthly sales were less than then monthly expenditures, which had gone unnoticed by the entrepreneur.

Key Take Away – Keep your business plan interesting while stating the correct facts.

Social Media Marketing 101: Identify Your Target Market

2010-05-17T12:12:00.000-07:00

When creating a marketing plane, whether is via traditional marketing or by using social media, it would be prudent to first determine who you would like to reach.

Even if you intend on selling a service only in your own town, you're not selling that service to everyone who lives there. You need to know exactly what the people who might be interested in buying your product or service are like, and how many of them there are.

You have already taken the first step with social media marketing by telling yourself that you are interested in targeting those who use and follow this medium.

Other things to consider are (but not limited to):

How old are they?

What gender are they?

Where do they live?

What is their family structure (number of children, extended family, etc.)?

What motivates them to spend money?

But don't stop here.

To further define your target market, you need to ask the specific questions that are directly related to your products or services. For instance, do you want to use social media to simply create awareness of your service/product or are you in the market for hard sales and tertiary leads?

Though this may seem time consuming from the outset, the time that you put into identifying your target market in the beginning will save you time, three fold, in the future. You may be peddling one of the most fantastic products in the world, but if no one knows about it, it’s a moot point. It’s not like a if a tree falls in the middle of the woods.

Look for our next lesson:

Social Media 101: Saving Face with FaceBook

Social Media Marketing 101: Introduction

2010-05-03T07:38:00.000-07:00

In the advent of social media, the concept of multi level marketing has taken on an entirely new role. Instead of meeting with customers vis a vis and setting up hour long appointment weeks away, the medium of social media has given one sales person to touch thousands, if not millions of potential customers with one simple click of the mouse. The Internet has given us a new forum in which professionals and entrepreneurs can use the art of networking and to reach their customers.

Over the next few weeks we are going to tackle each one of the most popular social media applications, and let you know how to most effectively incorporate them into your personal and professional marketing platforms.

We will take a look at the following:

Facebook
Twitter
MySpace
LinkedIn
YouTube and More!

If you just can’t wait for all of the forthcoming excitement, you can get a jump start on the competition by clicking here.

Great Way To Interview

2010-04-26T11:39:00.000-07:00

Dana Parino, former White House Press Secretary, gives great interview. Take note when preparing for your next job interview.

Maximize Your Tweets

2010-04-23T10:56:00.000-07:00

If you are reading this blog, you are well aware that social media use has been steadily on the rise over that last few years and its popularity has transferred over to the world of marketing, with facebook and twiiter being the most popular.

Undeniably, facebook has become a conglomerate of social media, being, hands-down, the most popular. Boasting a user base of over 2300 million, small and large business alike have found ways to reach their customers using this platform.

Vying for a close second, twitter has seen amazing growth in users since its inception, and though established business find use of tweeting 140 character messages, it has been most popular with start-ups.

To be able to make full use of your social media accounts you also need to be able to efficiently use the more advanced tools like desktop and mobile clients like TweetDeck (TweetDeck).

This particularly desktop application (it can be used on your mobile phone as well) gives you the ability to manage your facebook and twitter accounts simultaneously (in addition to your other social media accounts like MySpace, LinkedIn etc.).

Once you have implemented a social media strategy, look into using applications such as the aforementioned to maximize you’re your time.

See You On The Radio

2010-04-09T07:41:00.000-07:00

Taking the ending line of Sunday Morning host, Charles Osgood , I thought that it would be an appropriate way to announce my appearance on Cincinnati’s radio program called “Cincinnati Conscience” next month.

Cincinnati Conscience, hosted by the hilarious and in-tuned JaiAllDay, touts as being a local radio program where the citizens are the celebrity.

Integrating relevant music selections with great fun facts is the opulent modus operandi. Tune in to learn about social media concepts along with best practices in social media integration, business plan and resume writing.

Appearance Dates and Times

Monday, May 10, 2pm to 4pm EST

Sunday, May 16, 3pm to 5pm EST

If you are local to the Greater Cincinnati area, tune your radial dial to 95.7 FM. For the rest of the world, you can stream the broadcast by going to www.wvqc.org.

See you on the radio!

Five Simple Rules in Closing the Sale

2010-04-05T11:58:00.000-07:00

Since the beginning of time, there have been people trying to trade their goods or services to other people in the pursuit of getting either something that they need or desire. In the beginning, those items which were traded comprised of tangible items such as food, building materials and other such products. As humans became more sophisticated, tradable items became a bit more standardized in the form of money and societal needs advanced further into the trading of these standardized monies which developed past that of tangible items to that of services such as the selling of information and services.

To the buyer, salesmen have been the Bain of their existence. In a high pressure environment, salesmen may be pressured to do anything and everything in order to ensure that the end result was "a sell". This mindset has caused consumers to become angry, disenchanted and, in many cases, has led some potential buyers to go elsewhere for an inferior product.

It definitely takes a certain highly strung, success driven and competitive person, with little personal integrity to have enough energy to begin their sales career in one of these high pressure situations. This is the conundrum I found myself in when I stepped into the arena. My background of working with non-profit organization did not exactly help me in my quest for success in the world of sales.

Though my experience placed my near the rear of the pecking order, it was also a blessing in disguise, furnishing me the opportunity to see the error of the traditional salesman way of thinking and has since, through knowledge, integrity and personable interactions, lead me to become promoted years before my time.

There are five simple guidelines that every salesman must integrate into their daily routine in order to insure that they are really serving the customer and not just their pockets. In turn, these five rules will bring peace to the soul and in turn, create an easier sale.

5. Visualize The Sale

Read the rest of the article here.

Advances In Cover Letter Design and Submission

2010-03-29T04:55:00.000-07:00

There have been many innovations in the way of getting your information in front of a potential employer. In the pas, networking at the beauty parlor or on the golf course were common. In the age of technology, the playing field for obtaining gainful employment has been watered down in the advent option for downloading your resume online.

Though platforms such as CareerBuilder an Monster have opened the door for many who other wise would have had no chance of getting their resume in the hands of potential employers, those doors have turn into flood gates, opening in this downward spiraling economy.

This being said, we are int he process of combining face to face interaction which has proven to work well in the past, with current omnipotent technology.

For those who want to distinguish themselves and set themselves out from the pack, creating a cover letter in the form of a video which can be tweeted or be posted on YouTube may be the way to go.

We are in the process of adding this service so look for it in he very near future.

Access vs Ownership: Following Trends in Academic and Public Libraries

2010-03-16T09:39:00.001-07:00

One of the most talked about issues in Library Science is the controversy over the benefits of ownership of databases/information versus the access to databases/information. Because of the amount of literature on this subject, coupled with my interest, I wanted to gain more information about the severity of the subject.

In doing so, I would like to look at a few examples of the extent that database usage/acquisition to information and provide some economic reasoning for this phenomenon.Due to globalization, access to information has become easier. Entities that manipulate information have been able to profit the most from this trend.

At a conference organized by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, The Association for Research Libraries presented the 'Scholarly Communication and Technology Project'.

This delineates ...

Read the rest of the article here.

The Digital Divide: Will it Shrink in 2010?

2010-02-06T11:22:00.000-08:00

The term digital divide was not even present in our lexicon just two decades ago, but with the popularity of the Internet and the influx of technology, the term has become omnipotent in today's jargon. The term digital divide harkens to the difference in access to digital and information technology.

In addition, it also pertains to the differing levels of skills needed to use these technologies. There have been many arguments pertaining to the digital divide, saying that it is based on gender or race, but this article looks at income and question if the digital divide will close in 2010.The United States was founded on the backs of African slaves stolen from their home county and brought here.

That relationship between white and Black people in the States has been strained ever since. As seen though slavery and turbulent times following their emancipation, African Americans were treated as secondary citizens. In the 1950's and 1960's African Americans began largely to demand Equal Rights through the United States government, which was coined The Civil Rights Movement. In the 1980's a half hearted attempt by the Regan administration attempted to assist African Americans by giving tax breaks to the wealthy, affectionately called "Trickle-Down Economics," where wealth was supposed to "trickle-down" to the poor.

Read the rest of the article here:
The Digital Divide: Will it Shrink in 2010? - Associated Content - associatedcontent.com

African American Students Capitalizing on Trends in Academic Libraries

2010-02-04T07:16:00.000-08:00

Today’s African-American student is in a stage where they have had great gains in the access of information. Despite what political affiliation, you cannot ignore the fact that the “No Child Left Behind” Act imposed by President Bush has given African American students easier access to information at a younger age. Currently, our society is witnessing the trend of African American students entering college with some of the same to similar computer skills as the average (white) college student.

Because of this, we as educators and staff members of institutions of higher education should move towards instruction that will exploit this trend in the shrinking of the information access divide. There are several ways that one could implement techniques that would succeed, but there is one particular avenue that every institution of higher education has is a library.

Read the entire article here:
African American Students Capitalizing on Trends in Academic Libraries - Associated Content - associatedcontent.com

Cover Letter Writing Tips O' The Trade

2010-02-01T06:14:00.000-08:00

A well crafted cover letter is like an advertisement for your resume and usually needed in both entry and higher leveled positions. Here are a few tricks of the trade.

Tip #1: Make sure that your cover letter makes it clear that you can meet your potential employer's needs.

Tip #2: Going with this theme, make sure you completely read your potential employer's requirements and make sure that they are exemplified in you cover letter.

Tip #3: K.I.S.S.- A term usually reserved for military leaders, stand for Keep It Simple Stupid. Do not over play your qualifications. Make sure you get your point across without extraneous details.

Tip #4: Give them a reason to hire you. Your cover letter should sync your qualifications and your potential employer's needs, and you need to let hem know.

Top 10 Jobs for 2010

2010-01-29T05:27:00.001-08:00

Looking for a job? Check out these high-demand positions.
Read More

4 Misconceptions that Small Business Owners Have About Social Media Marketing

2010-01-24T09:46:00.001-08:00

It is no mystery that social media is becoming one of the most affordable and effective ways for businesses to market their products. Here are the top four misconceptions that small business owners have concerning social media.
Read More

Part-Time Jobs for 2010

2010-01-23T06:16:00.001-08:00

During the 2009 holiday season, Americans did what we do best - we spent on credit beyond our means. Here are four part time jobs that you may want to look in to if you are looking for a little extra income.
Read More

Top Four Mistakes When Creating a Business Plan

2010-01-21T05:56:00.001-08:00

Read about the top four mistakes that small business owners make when they attempt to create their own business plan.
Read More

Top 4 Resume Writing Mistakes

2010-01-13T07:56:00.001-08:00

By updating your resume, you will bring a sense of professionalism that employers will be looking for when hiring new employees. Here is a list of the top four mistakes when updating your resume.

Read More

Welcome!

2010-01-12T07:03:00.000-08:00

I would like to welcome you to BookMark! Online's newest way to communicate with its customers and potential clients.

Here you will keep up with everything concerned with BookMark!

Social media Industry news, resume and cover letter writing tips, business plan ideas, promotions, appearances and more!

In addition, you will be able to comment or ask questions pertaining to BookMark!'s services.

Thank you so much for visiting and I look forward to assisting you with your personal and professional marketing and networking needs.