OFBPA

Link: http://www.stingraysocial.com/1/post/2011/10/google-offers-launched-in-baltimore-lets-deconstruct.html

This may be big news for business folks who use daily deal/coupon sites here in the Baltimore area. According to citybizlist Baltimore, Google has launched their Google Offers product in Baltimore as of 10/25/11. Baltimore has numerous entrants in the daily deals space, with established competitors such as Groupon & Living Social battling it out on a daily basis inside of Baltimorean’s inboxes.

From a marketer’s perspective, I’m going to examine Baltimore’s first Google Offer, a $30 for $15 deal at Conkling Street’s Blue Hill Tavern. First, let’s flashback to Google’s failed bid to purchase Groupon. Google was rebuffed in their attempt to purchase Groupon in late 2010, which made the rumors of a Google Offers launch much more interesting. Google Offers launched in January 2011, and has been opening up new cities in a controlled manner since...
click here to read the remainder of the blog entry.

Link: http://www.acepc.com

Sign up for website & hosting for a year and get $20.00 off.
Hosting is less then a $1.00 a day.
If you don't have a website - I bet your competition does.

Call me for more information.
443-291-9327 - Ask for Marty.

Last month’s entry of Web Tools For The Rest of Us highlighted a nifty cloud-based application for PCs, Smartphones & Tablets named Evernote. We’ll continue exploring cloud based applications this month, with a focus on Google Apps.

Google is primarily known for their market-leading search engine product, simply named Google. It’s so popular now, it has become synonymous with the industry it leads. It is the 21st century Kleenex.

What many people, including business owners, don’t realize is that Google provides a powerful application suite named Google Apps. The basic Apps product is free, and combines many of Google’s most popular standalone productivity apps into an tightly-integrated, easy to manage suite that is useful for businesses of many different sizes.

Here’s a link to the Free Google Apps portal, where you can explore the features in greater detail.
http://www.google.com/apps/intl/en/group/index.html

Here’s a quick listing of the apps included in the free version:

· Gmail
· Google Calendar
· Google Docs (similar in function to Microsoft Office)
· Google Sites (website creation)
· Google Reader
· Blogger
· Picasa Web Albums
· AdWords

For those businesses requiring a souped-up version of Google Apps, there is a $5 per month/per user upgrade that opens a larger suite of products & features. It operates under the name Google Apps for Business. Here is a comparison chart: http://www.google.com/apps/intl/en/index.html

I’ve been using the free Google Apps platform now for nearly one year. It serves most of my needs very well, and considering Google’s penchant for innovation & their ability to acquire & integrate new technologies quickly, I see Google Apps as a winner both now and into the future.

Are any of our other readers operating either in part of in full on the Google Apps platform? Would love to hear your impressions. We’ll continue the discussion on OFBPA’s blog, which is also fed to our Facebook fan page.

OFBPA Blog
http://ofbpa.com/b2evolution/blog1.php

OFBPA Facebook Page
http://www.facebook.com/ofbpa

Dave Foertsch
OFBPA Board
Social Media/PR Chair
davidfoertsch@stingraysocial.com
http://www.stingraysocial.com

Web Tools for The Rest of Us
By David Foertsch,
davidfoertsch@stingraysocial.com

Anyone who uses the web knows there are new applications & tools being invented daily (maybe even hourly) for the sole purpose of making our lives more connected and efficient. While this is a noble pursuit, it can be overwhelming to most folks, not knowing where to turn for advice.

Every tech magazine, blog & video program is jam-packed with lists such as –

· “The 50 iPhone apps you need now”
· “32 new social media resources you might have missed this week”
· “10 amazing tech tools to use in your business”

To help you weed out the noise and focus on the most useful tools of the recent past, we’ll highlight one each month. Here is one I’ve been using for two years, and it keeps getting better.

This month’s highlighted tool is Evernote. My advice is, if you don’t already use it, stop reading and go sign up now at http://www.evernote.com/. A basic account is free, which allows you to upload 60Mb per month.

Evernote is a “cloud-based” service that allows you to save & store nearly anything in a digital notebook. Additionally, you can share your notebooks with others with no more than a couple clicks on your PC, tablet or smartphone. Their motto is “Save everything.” See the intro video here: http://www.evernote.com/about/video/#zHom6bgqg9Y|1|1

For anyone who is already an Evernote user, and looking for new ways to make it more functional, check out the Evernote Trunk http://www.evernote.com/about/trunk/. Evernote has evolved into a platform or “eco-system” that many other businesses can use to develop add-ons or complementary products that extend Evernote’s functionality.

That’s it! If you take the leap and begin using Evernote, share your experiences with the group. I'm interested to see the creative ways you use the service. Enjoy!

Make new friends – find a date – It’s free.

http://www.meetonlineclub.com

OFBPA's blog can now be viewed in Facebook. New posts on the blog will populate to OFBPA's Notes tab in Facebook. Please keep in mind the blog posts will not appear in Facebook immediately. Facebook will periodically reach out to the blog page in order to scan for new content. Hoepfully this enhances the use of both tools.

Anyone who has a Facebook page & blog that you want to interconnect, see the following Facebook Help link for instructions. http://www.facebook.com/help/?faq=17429&ref_query=blog

If you have any questions, please email Dave @ davidfoertsch@stingraysocial.com.

Visit OFBPA on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ofbpa
Visit OFBPA on the WWW at http://www.ofbpa.com/

Thanks,

Dave Foertsch
davidfoertsch@stingraysocial.com

My name is Sue Taylor and I am working with Jeff Markle, Athletic Director at Parkville High School. We are working towards the goal of replacing the 20+ year old scoreboard in the stadium with a new state of the art and more energy efficient scoreboard. We are calling upon local businesses to ask if you would like to purchase ad space on the board. It’s a unique way to promote your business and of course it is a tremendous help to the school. Give us a call, we would love to speak with you regarding the details of this project.

Sue Taylor
Project Manager, Sports Image®
(P) 410-877-2995
(C) 410-428-0341
(F) 443-927-7222
sue@SportsImageInc.com
www.SportsImageInc.com

Each office independently owned and operated.

My name is Dawn Kahler and I offer bookkeeping and administrative services to small businesses in the Perry Hall, White Marsh, Parkville and Rosedale areas.

Most bookkeeping can be completed by a professional in as little as 2 to 4 hours per week - how many hours a week do you spend on your bookkeeping?

Your time is valuable, outsource your bookkeeping and spend that time generating more income for your business!

Check out my website for a full list of bookkeeping services.
www.sbb-md.com

Contact me at 443 604 9016 or via email at kahler.officepro@gmail.com

We make handcrafted jewelry.
Many are one of a kind.
If you see something you like, buy it now!

Visit us at http://www.123bling.com

There has been a tremendous amount of talk lately about health insurance since President Obama passed healthcare reform. If you live in Maryland and operate a small or large business or you are an individual without health insurance, YOU HAVE OPTIONS!

Individual Health Insurance Coverage:

There are programs to assist individuals in getting affordable healthcare. Individuals can make application for coverage (i.e. individual, husband&wife, parent&child(ren) or family) through various carriers such as Carefirst, United Health Care, Aetna,etc. You can have plans and rates emailed to you for comparison.

In the State of Maryland, if you are declined for health coverage, the Maryland Health Insurance Program guarantees health insurance underwritten by Carefirst. There are different payment options (i.e. lower cost) if you have a low income. Proof of residency and income is required if you are making application for reduced rates. Proof of residency is required as well if you are not making application for reduced rates.

Small/Large Employer Health Insurance Coverage:

Traditional group health insurance is available through various carriers. However, the State of Maryland has earmarked funds for the Maryland Health Insurance Partnership Program to subsidize health insurance costs for small businesss owners with 2-9 employees and have not offered group health insurance within the 12 previous months. Maryland will subsidize up to 50% of health insurance for small businesses that qualify. Along with making application to the Partnership, employers can qualify for tax credits with the IRS if they pay a portion or all of their employees health coverage.

Links:

http://www.marylandhealthinsuranceplan.state.md.us/ - Maryland Health Insurance Program
http://mhcc.maryland.gov/partnership/ - Maryland Health Insurance Partnership
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=223666,00.html - IRS Small Business Health Care Tax Credit

Questions can be asked with no obligation for purchase of any health insurance products by individuals or employers. Just give a call, post on this blog or email: jackie@boonerangconsulting.com for more information!

OFBPA is now on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Overlea-MD/OFBPA/133796443321444

Don't miss the next meeting.
It's FREE - just call Donna (410-852-0225) to let her know your coming.
Bring your business cards!

Members of the OFBPA who open a website with ACE - Web Hosting & Design can save $20.00 off the first year of service.

Call me for more information.
443-291-9327 - Ask for Marty

Nice turn out at the January 20, 2010. OFBPA Meeting/Networking Social at The Skipjack's Restaurant & Sports Bar at 7703 Belair Rd. they put out good food and drink for all.

If you missed, the January meeting, try to make the February meeting.
Feb 10, 2010
Fullerton Fireworks Meeting
7pm
Skipjack's (formerly Schooner's)
7703 Belair Rd. 21236
Call Mark at 410-882-5491
All interested parties are welcome

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(A). You have to be logged in to post.
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Happy New Year 2010!