Dan Safkow's Productive Today, Marketing Tips & Tools

http://ProductiveToday.com This week we added 8 "content collaborators" to the FB Page. Two of the them asked me, "How long should my videos be?". Good question ... my answer is this week's tip.

As a video watcher or producer, what I do you think the ideal length is for online video? ~ Dan Safkow

http://FlipVideoSecrets.com In this, the final of my 3 part series with online video expert Dave Kaminski, Dave shares his strategy for video distribution.

With Dave's help, we've now addressed the 3 obstacles that are most likely preventing you from launching a video marketing campaign. (All 3 delayed my entry into video marketing!)

So... are you ready to say yes to video marketing, or is there something that's still holding you back? Please comment and share. http://ProductiveToday.com

Dave Kaminski, my video marketing "mentor" (via http://FlipVideoSecrets.com/), joins me again to share his 3 best practices for making compelling web videos with Flip-style digital video cameras.

What's your single greatest obstacle to making web video? Maybe we can help you overcome it. Please comment and share. http://ProductiveToday.com

Are you intimated by appearing on video, or by the technology? Please comment and share your thoughts about creating your first video.

Honestly, video marketing can be challenge! In today's episode I share my #1 frustration (lighting) and provide a solution for avoiding the mistakes I've made. Also, Dave Kaminski (my guest expert) shares his best practice for overcoming "video intimidation".

I recently completed Dave's new training program and sincerely recommend it (as an affiliate via http://www.FlipVideoSecrets.com/) for anyone who is considering video marketing with a Flip-style camera.

~ Dan Safkow

This may be a controversial tool... How do you feel about "buy now" buttons imbedded in the content of Facebbok Fan Pages? Today's tip reveals a free and simple tool that can do just that for information marketers. Would this tool work for your FB strategy/fans, assuming you continue to deliver value, otherwise, or will you avoid direct selling on your wall and use FB strictly for relationship marketing? Inquiring minds want to know! ~ Dan Safkow

http://www.MarketingMindshare.com "Wallsourcing" is a term I've coined to describe crowdsoucing via Facebook wall. Please watch the video for description of wallsourcing and crowdsourcing, and to learn how you can do it for better Facebook marketing.

Yesterday I used http://AudioBoo.FM/ to post a teleseminar reminder to this Facebook Page. I liked the tool so much, I made it today's tip. Also, you'll notice that I've departed from my usual format. I'll go back to being a "talking head" the next video, but for now, I welcome your feedback on my "question/answer" slide show approach. Thanks, Dan Safkow

Filling out forms online is tedious and over time, steals much of your time. The free tool at http://www.Roboform.com/ will fill out your user/passwords with a single click and auto-fills forms in a flash. Eleanore Duyndam suggested this tip, and as our gift, a custom USB drive is on the way to her. Please share your comments, and your favorite online tools below. Thanks! Dan Safkow

In today's episode, a fun and free tool from YouTube/Google that allows you to make a marketing video in under 5-minutes without any technical expertise. All you need is a little imagination in telling your story (the solution you provide) in search terms. Please share and leave your feedback below. Thanks, Dan Safkow

I love Facebook for the speed in which we can share information. Today's tip resulted from a recent post on Mari Smith's page, which resulted from a post on Doug Isaac's page. And when I decided to do this video, I used the tip in the video to find the post on Mari's page. Confused? Watch the video and learn how to search Facebook, faster, better and easier. ~ Dan Safkow

Do you have, or are you planning to have a Facebook Fan Page for your business? If so, it's critical that you integrate it with your website and adding a "Like" button is the fastest, easiest and best way to do that. Please comment and share your thoughts about "Like Marketing". Thanks, Dan Safkow

In today's episode, I share http://www.MarketingSecrets.TV, a content site I created with the goal making it simple for entrepreneurs to find and watch "how to" videos, from marketing expert teaching the latest strategies and tactics. I welcome your feedback and suggestions.

In today's episode, I share my secret weapon for coping with overload ... a virtual assistant who takes care of some of my marketing and administration tasks. Do you have a VA, or are you considering one? Please comment and share. We welcome your feedback and experiences. Thanks, Dan Safkow

Are you a time starved learner? Do you buy more books than you read? Watch this video to learn how http://www.PhilosophersNotes.com delivers the big ideas from 100 premier books on person development, in a fraction of the time it would take to read them. ~ Dan Safkow

Admittedly, I'm challenged to match my shirt to my pants each day, so I do not trust this "Blind Eye for Design, Guy", with website color schemes.

Fortunately, there's http://www.ColorSchemeDesigner.com for aesthetically challenge folks like me. Watch the video to learn more about this free and simple tool.

Now, if they'd just create Granimals for adults, I'd be set for life! - Dan Safkow

http://www.ProductiveToday.com
Feeling spread thin across too many social networks? In this video I share Hootsuite, a free online application that helps me manage Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn updates. But wait there's more ... (there's alway more, right?)
Hootsuite also has some very impressive sharing, display and stats tools. http://www.HootSuite.com
Work smart, not long, in your quest for social networking nirvana! ~ Dan
http://www.MarketingMindshare.com

http://www.ProductiveToday.com
Do you work on more than one computer? If so, you know that moving files between them is a hassle, and knowing where the master file is can get confusing. http://www.DropBox.com is a free tool that has solved those problems for me.
http://www.MarketingMindshare.com

http://www.ProductiveToday.com
I use to think the Flip Cam was the greatest video marketing tool in the world, but Kodak has one-upped them with the Zi8. Watch and learn why. Are you considering video marketing? What are the biggest obstacles you're facing? ~ Dan Safkow
http://www.MarketingMindshare.com

http://www.ProductiveToday.com
If you're a consultant, coach or anyone who bills by the hour, you'll want to watch this video to learn about the unique, automated appointment & payment tool available at http://www.BookFresh.com. It's also a promotion tool because you can add "Book Now" buttons right on your web and Facebook pages. Would a tool like this be helpful to your practice? ~ Dan Safkow
http://www.MarketingMindshare.com

http://www.ProductiveToday.com
In today's productivity tip, I share http://www.AppMakr.com, a simple do-it-yourself tool you can use to create an iPhone app featuring content from your blog, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube accounts -- anything with an RSS feed. I'm currently using it to build the Productive Today iPhone app. Look for it in iTunes, soon! ~ Dan Safkow
http://www.MarketingMindshare.com

http://www.ProductiveToday.com
I hesitated to use an automated time tracking tool, for fear of what it might reveal. But the free http://www.RescueTime.com app is now my favorite tool in my quest to work smart, not long. Watch my review and let me know if you're ready track how much time you spend on FB & Twitter, or watching cats play the piano on YouTube! : )
~ Dan Safkow
http://www.MarketingMindshare.com

http://www.ProductiveToday.com
Today's tip features http://GoAnimate.com, a fun widget you can use to create buzz and target a individual or group via Facebook/Twitter, with a one-of-kind message. Can you identify the character I created? Is there an event, product launch or key person in your niche you can spotlight with a playful animation? Please comment and share. ~ Dan Safkow
http://www.MarketingMindshare.com

http://www.ProductiveToday.com
In today's productivity tip, I share a free tool from Google that I use to collaborate with clients and virtual assistants all over the word. You, too, can use http://docs.google.com to keep everyone on your team on the same page, literally! ... I'm curious, does computing in the "cloud" work represent an efficiency for you, or make you a little nervous? Please comment and share. Thanks, Dan Safkow
http://www.MarketingMindshare.com

http://www.ProductiveToday.com
In today's Productivity Tip, I share a free tool that allows you to make a professional looking logo with just a few clicks of a mouse. Watch, as I make a logo before the 2-minute video ends. Would you use a tool like this? Please comment and share. Thanks, Dan Safkow
http://www.MarketingMindshare.com

http://www.ProductiveToday.com
In this episode, I share my favorite inspiration and innovation resource, http://Ted.com. Today marks the beginning of Ted 2010 in Long Beach, California. Live reports on what the world’s most influential people are saying about technology and social media are being posted at my favorite, blog http://www.Mashable.com/ted. Please comment and share, below. Thanks, Dan
http://www.MarketingMindshare.com

http://www.ProductiveToday.com
Need graphics for your website or other online marketing project? In this episode I share three online resources for images and icons that might provide exactly what you need...at no cost. Don't ya just love no cost?? Have a favorite graphics resource of your own? Please comment and share. In need of a resource, or have a recommendation for a future episode? Please share it here, as well. Thanks for watching!
http://www.MarketingMindshare.com

http://www.ProductiveToday.com
I love this application! You can now put clickable links on YouTube videos in just a few seconds using a free and simple online tool. This is great for affiliate marketing, as you or your affiliates can post link-enabled videos in blogs, Facebook (in an HTML app), and other social networking sites. How will you use LinkedTube? Please comment and share.
http://www.MarketingMindshare.com

http://www.ProductiveToday.com
Do your graphics and logos look amateurish, or is your graphic designer a budget buster? In this productivity tip, I share a powerful, but simple, do-it-yourself graphic design tool that will save you time and money. What other tasks are costing you valuable time or money? Please share here, as I may have recommendation for you and will broadcast it in the next episode.
http://www.MarketingMindshare.com

http://www.ProductiveToday.com
In the past 5 years, I've accelerated my learning by listening to business and personal growth experts via teleseminars. In this episode, I feature my favorite resources for finding teleseminars. Inversely, these sites are great free promotion tools for telesemnar trainers. Have I missed any? If so, please share with a comment below.
http://www.MarketingMindshare.com

http://www.ProductiveToday.com
In today's productivity tip, I share my favorite online resources for finding local networking, conference and seminar events. Do you have a favorite event calendar site that I did not include? Please share it here. Thanks, Dan
http://www.MarketingMindshare.com

http://www.ProductiveToday.com
In this video I share a do-it-yourself tool for video production that doesn't require video production. How can that be? Click the play button now for the full story about http://www.AnimotoTV.com, and watch the video within the video, featuring photos from the 2009 Teleseminar Secrets Reunion.
http://www.MarketingMindshare.com

http://www.ProductiveToday.com
No website or shopping cart software? No problem, as EventBrite provides a turnkey system for managing your events. Have you used it, or similar service, for your teleseminars or live events? Please share your experience below. Thanks, Dan Safkow
http://www.MarketingMindshare.com

http://www.ProductiveToday.com
Are you an information marketer? In this tip I share 3 digital marketplaces where you can sell your audio, video and ebook products. By monetizing your content, you're creating passive and recurring income -- the best business model in the world! Know of other digital marketplaces? Please share them here.
http://www.MarketingMindshare.com

http://www.ProductiveToday.com
In this tip, I share a free and simple tool for repurposing audio or video content as a podcast. "Repurposing" content is one of the many strategies I learned from Alex via Teleseminar Secrets. To learn more of Alex's content marketing strategies, join us on Thursday's http://www.TeleseminarMarketing.com call.
http://www.MarketingMindshare.com

http://www.ProductiveToday.com
On this Thanksgiving Eve, I'm grateful for Docstoc and Entrepreneur's Formnet, as they've both saved me time and money in creating professional documents and presentations. What online productivity tools are you grateful for? ~ Dan Safkow
http://www.MarketingMindshare.com

http://www.ProductiveToday.com
Has this happened to you? After recording a teleseminar interview, you discover that each person speaking is at a different volume level. In this "Be Productive" tip, I share a simple and free tool for fixing the imbalance in your teleseminar recordings. ~ Dan
http://www.MarketingMindshare.com

http://www.ProductiveToday.com
In this "Be Productive" tip, I share my favorite time-saving resource for converting audio, video and documents from one format to another. It's simple and free! http://www.Media-Convert.com.

http://www.ProductiveToday.com
The first step to achieving goals is writing them down. Wouldn't it be great if you could plug your list into a supportive community full of members with similar goals? Now you can with http://www.43Things.com.
http://www.MarketingMindshare.com

http://www.ProductiveToday.com
I enjoy listening to podcasts to learn new things, but I don't always make the time to synch my iPhone with iTunes for new episodes. But with http://www.Phonecasting.com, I always have access to fresh content, so I can easily turn "dead time" into learning time.
Dan's blog - http://www.MarketingMindshare.com

In this http://ProductiveToday.com, I explain what crowdsourcing is and how you can us it to generate design ideas for your next logo, web, or print graphic design project. Dan's blog - http://www.MarketingMindshare.com