online selling - small business owners - do"s and don"ts

Many small business owners are hopeful that offering their products online will increase their bottom line. But the digital marketplace is increasingly crowded and it can be hard to stand out from the pack. The good news is that being a small business can actually give you an edge over bigger brands - if you know how to use your size to your advantage. Here are the do's and don'ts you need to take your business to the next level:
Don't build your own online shopping platform. While you may believe that having your own website will attract new shoppers, website development and maintenance is expensive and time consuming. Unless your brand already has the visibility needed to attract consumers without advertising or marketing, traffic to the site will be hard to generate.
Don't expect your products to sell on a large online marketplace. While big online marketplaces, like Amazon or eBay, attract a high volume of online shoppers, unless customers are searching specifically for your brand or chance across your products via search, they will likely never see your products.
Do partner with a retail platform that can help you engage with your customers. OpenSky.com is a new and free social shopping marketplace dedicated to building the businesses of small merchants. OpenSky.com will provide you with your own customized online store, a new business toolkit including tips and support, and a built-in community of more than 2.5 million engaged social shoppers, enabling you to foster one-on-one connections and market your goods directly to them. Because they're already pre-disposed to shop, a follower of your brand on OpenSky is 27 times more likely to buy than a Facebook fan. These engaged followers lead to more sales with less cost to you. Best of all? It's incredibly easy. To begin, visit www.OpenSky.com/marketplace to learn more and join this fast-growing network of brands and customers.
Do market your products in a one-of-a-kind way. Create eye-catching content, making sure all your photos are high quality and shot in their best light.
Do establish yourself as an authority. Consider creating tips, recipes or behind-the-scene snippets. If your products are naturally-sourced, why not share photos from the beautiful hike that provided your inspiration for it? Sharing relevant and relatable content will keep your customers coming back.
Do use your size to your advantage. While big retailers are busy playing the price-cutting game, you can work smartly to connect with a community of loyal followers who really appreciate what you do. Harness the personal relationships you've made with customers through social platforms where you can strengthen connections by sharing product news, relevant content and personal reminders about new items you think they'll enjoy. Remember that what makes your small business special is your customers' opportunity to feel a personal connection with you, the entrepreneur and your passion - your product.

Do start now. While selling online may seem overwhelming, following these easy steps will help you make others fall in love with your brand.

No one wants to see a cloud on a sunny summer day

No one wants to see a cloud on a sunny summer day,
but when it comes to how technology can make your life better, a different type of cloud can actually brighten your day. Cloud storage - often referred to as just "the cloud" - makes it easy to work at home or from anywhere, plus it makes it a snap to plan summer activities. Here's how you can make your experiences less stressful and more meaningful with a few technology tips and tricks.-

1. Use telecommuting tools-
Just because the kids are on summer break, mom and dad don't get to stop working. Not only do you have to manage the camp carpool, you also need to review that work presentation and provide feedback to a colleague. Many companies allow employees to telecommute during summer months, if it doesn't disrupt operations. Streamline your day by using a free service like SkyDrive to update documents and communicate in real time. SkyDrive and Microsoft Office work together, so your documents are always with you, whether you're 10 or 10,000 miles away. You can work on Office documents together with teammates, even simultaneously, online. Remember, forward your office number to your smartphone and be active on an instant messaging service - other employees will appreciate your availability even when you're not physically present.-

2. Create a defined schedule-
Juggling the kids' summer activities with work obligations can get complicated, so it's important to create a schedule that everyone can access and share. If your kids or spouse are home, set expectations about when you're in your office and when you need uninterrupted time to work. Assign activities to children such as reading books, creating crafts or quiet play. Make your office off-limits so you can focus when necessary. Use the new, modern Outlook.com calendar that can be shared with the family and syncs to any device; that way, you, and others, can keep track of all your commitments - both work and personal - so you never miss a beat.--

3. Vacation planning 2.0-
The annual summer vacation is fun for the entire family, but planning it can be a nightmare. Technology tools can make it much simpler. Use your smartphone to keep all your to-do and packing lists handy - you'll never forget anything again. By using personal cloud technology, you can share travel ideas and trip updates in an instant, so everyone always stays in the loop. Utilize SkyDrive and Microsoft Office to work with others on travel schedules and itinerary ideas, even if the other party is across the country. Finally, don't forget to download a few fun, new apps for the kids to keep them occupied while in the car or plane.-

4. Share summer memories-
Uploading and sharing personal travel photos is tons of fun. Perhaps you want to share them with everyone through social media like Facebook and watch the comments roll in. Maybe you only want to send a few select images to the grandparents and other key family members - simply upload the images to your personal cloud and then send a link to your photos or entire albums via email. Sending a link to photos stored in the cloud allows you to get around certain file or email size limits, so you can share as many pictures as you'd like. Only the people you choose to share these with will get to see those beautiful photos of your precious summer moments.--

5. Get the face-to-face connection-
Need to connect with a colleague while working from home or with a family member while traveling? No problem. Whether it's your boss or your mother who lives across the country, use simple, free video chat services like Skype to virtually connect face-to-face. 

last minute vacation tips

Sometimes the vacation bug bites without much notice. If you find yourself craving a travel adventure in the near future, you might worry it will be too complicated or costly to plan without adequate time. But the truth is, sometimes last-minute trips offer the best opportunity to score big bargains, if you know where to find them.
There's no need to ignore your last-minute itch for travel. Try a few travel tips and planning strategies to ensure your trip is not only memorable and stress-free, but saves you cash, too.
1. Skip air travel and save at the pump
Last-minute plane tickets are costly, so for spontaneous trips, consider hitting the road instead. Pack up the car, RV or motorcycle and let the road be the gateway to your next great vacation. Download an app that tracks gas prices, like gasbuddy or Gas Guru -so you can always find the best price per gallon to cut down on fuel costs. Want better fuel economy? Improve your gas mileage by up to 3.3 percent by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure, says the U.S. Department of Energy.
2. Uncover hidden gem locations
Popular tourist towns with massive crowds will always cost more than those hidden gems visited by fewer folks. Get destination inspiration on websites like www.LiveLifeLocal.com. With a focus on car, RV, boat and motorcycle travel, the site - created by Safeco Insurance - makes it easy to search for fun destinations and routes by geography, vehicle and tags. You'll find valuable content from authors and bloggers as well as everyday users passionate about travel.
3. Be flexible and ask for discounts
If you can be flexible with travel dates, you might be able to score a last-minute deal. Booking accommodations for weekdays rather than weekends will save you cash, and often there's more availability last-minute. If you know you want to travel in the near future, call hotels and campgrounds and see if they offer discount rates for open rooms/sites. Often rates are reduced 24 to 48 hours prior, but you need to ask. For hotels, a discounted room is better than a vacant room. For you, a fantastic deal awaits. Check out sites like Orbitz.com, Expedia.com or Booking.com.
4. Plan activities en route
Getting there is half the fun when you plan stops along the way. When you're short on time, go online to map your route and discover unique places to stop along the road to your final destination. For example, LiveLifeLocal lets you map your route and suggests nearby activities. To help organize and plan your stops along the way, you can add your preferred activities to a "collection" on your online vacation portfolio. It's a great way to quickly research and organize a last-minute vacation, plus it is free. Just add a title and save it for easy access, then share adventures on your favorite social media sites and make all your friends jealous.
5. Package and save
When it comes to saving money, package deals are a great way to ease a tight budget. Can you bundle activities together and purchase all your tickets for a deep discount? Does your hotel offer any freebie activities to local attractions along with a reservation? Always ask about possible discounts and packaged savings so you can get the best deals throughout your last-minute trip.
Give in to the wanderlust and take that last-minute trip with confidence. Whether you're hitting the road solo or bringing the whole family along, a few simple strategies will ensure a trip to remember without breaking the bank.