One of the great things we enjoy about our long term clients is their willingness to move forward, to update and revamp their existing sites.

Sometimes, a little dash of colour to a home page can freshen up an entire website. Or if you love the look of your current website but are looking for more functionality, then our cosmic package is for you!

Enjoy all the power of our online business tools, get some new features and keep your site's current look and feel.

A recent in-house product demonstration, provided a terrific opportunity for us to showcase our newer tools to existing clients and potential clients. We outlined the great new features offered by the Adobe Business Catalyst product range and the benefits that can be gained from migrating existing sites across to these new tools.

We regularly hold these information sessions in our office to highlight our products and sevices, these sessions are open to everyone, existing and potential clients and allow us to speak to you about our tools in an informal manner, as well as provide take home information and a few SEO tips to make better use of your website.

To find our about our next session, please contact Support@bosweb.com.au today!

1) Regular Postings: Now I'm not saying you need to post every day, although that would be nice. You do need to make an appearance on a regular basis. It's like school - you need to show up to pass. Be a contributor that your followers get to really know and look forward to your Tweets. If you're the type of person who needs to plan ahead, you can always use a service that allows you to schedule tweets in advance, such as Socialoomph.com

2) Retweet: If you see Tweets posted by other users that you think your followers would like, then retweet them. It only takes one click, and you'll also be creating goodwill with other Twitter users at the same time. If you'd like, you can add a personal thought or comment before sending it. Also, make it easy for others to retweet your posts by adding RT buttons to your website or blog. It's easy with the TweetMeme Retweet Button.

3) Be Helpful: Keep in mind Twitter is a form of social Media, so social interaction is key. It's not all about you. Whenever a chance arises to answer a question, participate in a survey, or help solve a problem, do so. In this way you're participating in the community. This also will help your brand and image when others know they can count on you for support or feedback.

4) Don't Be A Follow CopyCat: Don't follow everybody who follows you. This is probably my biggest pet peeve when it comes to Twitter. So many people turn this feature on to auto follow those who follow them. Why would you want to do this? I'd prefer that those I follow are people and topics I've hand-selected that interest me, and not a mish-mash of followers who may be ranting about things I have no interest in. Be selective in who you follow or your Twitter stream could quickly fill up with junk or spam.

5) What to Tweet: Make sure that the tweets you post are helpful and/or informative. Late breaking news pertaining to your industry, as well as any specials or sales you may have going on are always good topics. If you find something you think your followers would like, especially if it's free or a bargain, share the love. Plus, if your tweets are good, it will encourage others to retweet them.

6) Comment: Particpate in the community by commenting on other people's tweets. If you can answer a question, do so. It doesn't hurt and people really will appreciate it when you take the time to comment on what they have to say. It lets them know that others are actually listening to what they have to say in the "Twitterverse".

7) Say Thank You: When someone takes the time to retweet one of your tweets, make sure to reply to them with a "thank you". Manners rule online as well as off, and they'll like the fact that you noticed the retweet and took the time to show some gratitude. It may even inspire them to retweet more of your tweets in the future.

8) Be Personal: Again, I don't need to know what you ate for dinner, but every now and then you should show your human side with a creative thought, quote, or other statement. Let people know you're "real" and not just a lean mean business machine. You want to tread lightly in this area. Too personal is overkill, but a little can help in establishing a connection with your followers.

9) Post Pictures/Video: Remember, Twitter is not just for text. It's easy to post short videos, and pictures too. It's nice to mix it up a little and share content in other formats as well. 

10) Talk About More Than Yourself: It's not all about you, so please don't make all your tweets one big marketing message, such as only tweeting about your latest press release, blog posting, or article that was published. No one will want to follow you if you're one big commercial. Yes, some of this is fine in moderation, but you need to walk a fine line and mix it up with other helpful, interesting topics.

With acknowledgements to Merle's Mission Blog - "Rants, Raves and Random Acts of Kindness". A self-proclaimed "Internet Junkie" with a passion for net marketing, affiliate marketing, and social networking. An avid Blogger and writer with several niche sites. Find out more at merlesworld.blogspot.com . Follow him on Twitter: twitter.com/msmerle 
 

In an effort to meet the needs of the Google webmaster (tools) a detailed description of your business can appear within Google Maps and subsequently assist with yet another way to be found online.

A quick trip to www.google.com/local/add/ will introduce you to the concept (or watch the video).



To see how you can appear, check out our entry.

In my last email I spoke about 2 important new initiatives, our In-House training program and our new Support initiatives.

Well our first of regular in-house training sessions was so successful, that we decided we needed to do this each month from now on! 

I am also pleased to announce that we have a new member of our team - Andrew Newman. Andrew has joined us specifically to provide front line customer support as well as being an additional pair of hands in our development area.

I'm sure you also followed the terminology change in the last week - web sites are now officially websites - e-mail is next (to be replaced with email)

Kind regards
Leanne O'Sullivan - General Manager

---

Training Program - 2010

We had a great response to our intial training session! It was so oversubscribed that we felt it was better to offer more in-house training, so we have now put our sessions on each month. Class sizes will remain small (strictly limited to 5) and we have set aside some sessions to be specifically about key tools - so please review below and let me know when would like to come.

Each of the general sessions will focus on the particular needs of the attendees, March's session focussed on Photo Galleries and Member Areas. Call us to book your place now - 1300 721 481, select 2 for support!

May In-House training - General
June In-House training - General
July In-House training - eCommerce special
August In-House training - General
September In-House training - Email Marketing focus
October In-House training - General
November In-House training - Announcements and Bookings Focus

April is already fully booked and May is filling up fast! We may do some social media inhouse training towards the end of the year focussing on fan pages and twitter for those of you without teenage children!

---

Support Centre

We have recently employed Andrew Newman to fill a key role within our team of Customer Support. For some time now we have been aware that an increasing client base, increasing client needs and a general increase in all web based activities has meant we had to look at providing a dedicated support resource to handle or channel support calls and needs.

Andrew has been very busy coming to grips with our new tools, so he will be the first point of call for all your queries once your site or project has gone live.

We will be sending a letter to all our existing clients outlining more the best methods and fastest methods to contact us depending on your level of support. It will directly reference our support regime, agreed turnaround times and the cascading method of support when a ticket is raised.

The best method is to email support@bosweb.com.au - this ensures that any query is recorded and actioned in the fastest possible way - several people receive this email!

If you need to call - please call - the option will be 2 for support. Andrew is looking forward to receiving your call.

We will soon be announcing exciting news regarding our own website - yes just like a builder, our own website is the last one to be updated! Watch this space.

I hope all is going well in your online world. It has been a great but busy start to the year for us!
 
This newsletter was meant to be dated February!

I have 2 news items that I wanted to talk about this month, a free bi-monthly in-house training programme* and an enhanced support program* which we will be introducing in April 2010.

---

Training Opportunities

We are constantly asked if we can conduct additional training sessions in our tools so that clients can become more confident with those items they use on a regular basis as well becoming exposed to some of the more complex items inside our online business management tools.

Well... you asked and we are happy to provide!

This year we will be offering free bi-monthly training sessions in our office starting this month!

Our first session will be Tuesday the 30th March 2010.

The venue will be our office board room and numbers are strictly limited to 5 participants to ensure adequate one on one time. The time will be from 10.30am to 11.30am.

There is no cost and the coffee is on us!

Please RSVP to either myself  - leanne@bosweb.com.au or to angela@bosweb.com.au

If you miss out, our other planned sessions will be

Tuesday 26th May 2010
Tuesday 27th July 2010
Tuesday 28th September 2010
Tuesday 23rd November 2010

I look forward to hearing from you!

(Out of town?? Talk to us about having a Go-to-Meeting, we can coordinate a virtual training session for those clients not near our Dubbo office)

---

Support Desk

For some time now, it has become clear to us that in order to maintain our high levels of customer service and fast turnaround times for support, advice and web maintenance, that we needed to increase our support resources.

As such, I am please to advise that we will be introducing a dedicated support desk from April 2010 'Support Central' for all your initial support queries/questions or concerns. We will advise more in the coming weeks, but essentially this will involve a dedicated support desk, support email (for fast resolution of queries) and a dedicated phone line for urgent or pressing needs.

Our intention is to introduce a better process so that all clients have access to skilled resources in a timely manner and that work can be clearly prioritized to meet competing deadlines across our client base.

If you have any questions or concerns about the above, please feel free to contact me on
1300 720 481.

kind regards

Leanne O'Sullivan
General Manager


btw... Don't forget your hour of support each month! It is so important to keep your site up to date! 
Contact us now if you have forgotten how!

*For existing clients only.

The year is fast coming to a close and I am sure that you are, like us, looking forward to some down time! We have had a big year, working with many new clients as well as upgrading a whole host of existing clients across to our new platform.

Brendon, I and all the team would like to wish all our clients and their families a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. We hope you all enjoy the time with your families and thank you for your support in 2009.

Our office will be closing on Wednesday the 23rd December at 4.00 pm and we will be back on deck on the 4/1/10.

For any urgent enquires in that time, email is best (leanne@bosweb.com.au). Alternatively you can call my mobile 0402 999 240. We will have a skeleton staff available for emergencies only during this time

We look forward to introducing our new website in 2010 as well as plans for a series of regional roadshows to introduce more SEO and Social Marketing tips, tools and techniques to clients and others!

We look forward to working with you all again in 2010.

Merry Christmas,
Leanne O'Sullivan and all the team at bos web systems.

bos web systems are pleased to announce that at the recent Dubbo Chamber of Commerce  - Outstanding Business Awards for 2009 we were winners in the Customer Focus Category - for under 10 employees.

It was a terrific night and we were very excited to once again be recognised by our peers. Well Done - Dubbo Chamber for a fantastic night of entertainment!

Our award is testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff working with our many and varied clients, in Dubbo and beyond. We really do focus on delivering more than a website, for us it is all about delivering an online business that works for our clients!

We also thank our clients for the great feedback that they have given us over the years to help drive our business forward. It has been fantastic to see so many terrific businesses thrive in an online world!

Congratulations are also due to many of our own clients who were winners in their respective categories this year!

Morrison Podiatry, Gilgai Farms, Rhino Promotions, Vanguard Business Services, Western College and of  course the big one - Fuze - Gold Rhino Winners!

Well Done!

We are very pleased and excited to announce that bos web systems are finalists in 3 categories at the 2009 Dubbo Chamber of Commerce and Industry awards.

Products & Services - Under 10 employees

Customer Focus - Under 10 employees

Presentation and Marketing - Under 10 employees

We are very much looking forward to the night!

How to improve my website's visibility online.

Our second in-house training session was held at our office recently outlining some key features of google to help build relevancy and page ranking for you website.

About 15 clients of bosweb systems crammed into our boardroom to go over key tips relating to the Google Search engine and to learn what small steps can be taken right now via their content management system to return better search results for their web address.

We also took the opportunity to highlight our new product tools, that will really help power our clients online businesses to new heights.

These information sessions will become regular bi-monthly activites, look out for your invitation!

Dubbo Chamber of Commerce regular 'Time to Breakfast' networking meeting was all a Twitter recently with the latest information about social networking tools, focussing on Facebook and Twitter.

Brendon O'Sullivan, Director of bos web systems, gave a presentation to about 30 Dubbo Chamber members over breakfast to outline internet trends and to also highlight the exponential growth of social media as a key marketing and business tool to be understood and embraced over the coming 18 months.

A local case study was highlighted, as well as recent international experiences of small business operators, using social media to great effect to build awareness, customer loyalty and a real two-way approach to communicating with customers and clients alike.