9 Ways to Use Pinterest for Your Small Business

Pinterest is the hottest new social network, with articles filling up the web about how fast it’s growing. And it’s little wonder…most people are visual learners, and the ability to capture and organize photos of the things we love online can be very addicting and satisfying.

And because people are sharing photos of products they love or want (along with recipes, dream vacation destinations, and so forth), you have an opportunity to add your product line to the mix and gain additional attention. But that’s not the only use! Here are some of the ways you can use Pinterest to benefit your business:

• Share product photos. This, at its core, is the simplest way to use Pinterest. Share photos of your product line that others can share as well, and link to your sales page. Just be careful not to be TOO product-centered or you’ll annoy your friends and be in violation of Pinterest rules.
• Create a vision board for your business. Pinterest is a great tool for collecting photos of where you want your business to be in 1, 5, 10 years. Is your eye on a car, a home, or a fabulous vacation? Collect photos and put them on your vision board on Pinterest.
• Create a personality for your brand. Pinterest is a great tool to show people the personality of your brand. Do you have a sense of humor? Share funny quotes. Do you have a brand that leads to a luxurious lifestyle or high fashion? Share related photos. By being mindful of the brand image you want to project, you can share photos that help people develop a sense of your overall brand.
• Share training resources you find on the web with your team. Come across a great blog article or training piece online that would benefit your team? Pin it! Then let your team know that you’ve got a board with great resources that can help them build their businesses.
• Run a contest. Many brands are now experimenting with running contests on Pinterest. It’s a great way to promote viral visibility of your products. This article from PR Daily may give you some ideas to get you started: http://prdaily.com/Main/Articles/How_to_launch_irresistible_Pinterest_contests_11079.aspx
• Collect inspiration for your own content. For example, you might collect recipes that inspire you to create your own recipes, or makeup or fashion looks that give you ideas about ways you can suggest customers use your products.
• Do research about the things that excite your customers by checking out their boards. It can give you ideas for theme parties, specials you might want to offer, or prizes you might want to award in contests.
• Give people ideas about additional ways to use your product line. For example, if you sell home decor items, you might show rooms and point out where your product would be perfect in the layout.
• Create an opportunity board that highlights the benefits of your business opportunity, and share it with people who are considering joining your team. It could include your recruiting video, a link to your recruiting brochure, a video about your next incentive trip destination, etc.

Many retailers are finding that Pinterest drives a LOT of traffic to their websites. So it’s a great idea to check out this hot new social network, and find ways to put it to work for your business.

Your thoughts? Please share them in the comments! And be sure to follow us on Pinterest at http://www.pinterest.com/thedsef/ We share a lot of great resources for your business!

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E-Marketting Executive Required Immediately

Job Description

Looking for an E-Marketing Executive who is willing to join immediately.
Should have 3-5 years of relevant experience.Should be willing to relocate to UAE(Sharjah).
Should have experience in handling web developmental tools and Emails.

Skills

Website Development in Joomla

HTML based E-mail designing

E-mail shooting and tracking

B2B Portals product add, update, enquiries

Customer Database Management

Managing Online Shops

MIS Reports

Internet Marketing

Tracking of all e-enquiries

ERP System Management / Training

Client Locking System

Education

IT Background

Job Details

Job Location:

 

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Company Industry:

 

Textiles

Company Type:

 

Recruitment Agency

Job Role:

 

Marketing/PR

Joining Date:

 

2014-09-01

Employment Status:

 

Full time

Employment Type:

 

Employee

Monthly Salary Range:

 

$500 - $1,000

Manages Others:

 

Yes

Number of Vacancies:

 

1

Preferred Candidate

Career Level:

 

Mid Career

Years of Experience:

 

Min: 3 Max: 5

Residence Location:

 

Pakistan

Gender:

 

Unspecified

Nationality:

 

Pakistan

Degree:

 

Bachelor's degree / higher diploma

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Pakistani, Indian artists jointly release song on Independence Day

Rang Rangiya by dawn-news

With many Pakistani actors crossing over to Bollywood, India has taken the opportunity to help bridge the gap further between the two nations - this time through music.

On Independence Day, Indian band, "Maati Baani" launched a melodious song, "Rang Rangiya" in collaboration with various Pakistani music artists, to celebrate the unity in diversity between both nations.

The word “Maati Baani” literally means language of the earth.

Originally formed in 2012 in Mumbai, by guitarist Kartik Shah and classical singer, Nirali Kartik, the vision behind the band is to transcend borders and connect people through music despite their differences

"Rang Rangiya" is a humble offering to friendship between India and Pakistan, noted the group, especially when the leaders of both countries are making such strong efforts to foster peace between the nations.

Speaking to Dawn.com, Evelyn D’souza, one of the main members of the production team and head of talent search and coordination, said, "Everything was online."

This was the main reason, she said, that helped in reaching out to artists in Pakistan.

The team found Pakistani artists, Komal Rizvi (singer), Gulab Afridi (Rubab player), Omran Shafique (guitarist), Kurt Menezes (drummer) and Asfandyar Junejo (beatboxer) on YouTube. They reached out to them and started recording. No musician from either country charged any fees for working on the song.

“We used two different cinematographers, each from Karachi and Lahore. They did the video shoot with us and sent it across for editing,” explained D’souza.

This is the first time Pakistani and Indian musicians have worked together online to create a song – that too for Independence Day.

“It’s been amazing [to communicate with people in Pakistan]. Initially, we were a little apprehensive because we weren’t’ sure what response we’d get, [but] they were actually more eager to do this [project] than anyone else,” shared D’souza.

D'souza highlights that because Kartik and Nirani only got the idea for this project a month ago, this was the first time they produced a great song in such little time.

“It would be so much nicer and bigger if had more time. We received a wonderful response, [but] It was a very last minute project so couldn’t do more.”

The main idea behind the song is to spread love across borders, and music is one of the best mediums – one in which there is room for all kinds of differences, be it language, culture, or rhythm.

“We’d like to make more music with message of love,” said D’souza. “When people all around are fighting, I think musicians should come together to spread peace.”

She further added that the team would love to come to Pakistan to collaborate with more Pakistani artists, knowing that there is an abundance of unexplored talent in this country.

“What’s more interesting is that people in this song are from remote areas and it is amazing to see that they’re so technically sound. [We] want to pack our bags and come to Pakistan. There’s so much unexplored talent.”

The song incorporates beautiful lyrics and a diverse set of instruments, including some lines of poetry from the great mystic Kabir:

Preet Na Kije Panchhi Jaise,

Jal Sukhe Ud Jaaye,

Preet toh Kije Machhli Jaise,

Jale Sukhe Mar Jaaye.

The song is soulful, soothing and upbeat at the same time. Not to mention, Pakistani singer, Komal Rizvi's talented voice compliments Nirani's notes spectacularly, as she incorporates Bulleh Shah's poetry.

D'souza mentioned how in awe the team was by Gulab Afridi's (Peshawar) playing of the Rubab, which he described, as "the lion of all instruments."

"It [rubab] gave a beautiful touch to the song," says D'souza.

D'souza shared that this project took a lot of effort from all the members of the team and could not have been possible, had they not believed in themselves and in world peace.

“Musicians have to make an effort. [They] have to know deep down that this is what they really want to do.”

“Miracles can happen if you believe in yourself and your music.”

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DAP will stage protest against any attempted ban on Facebook

DAP will organise nationwide  protests to oppose any attempts by Putrajaya to ban or close down popular social networking site Facebook, citing the right for freedom of expression and the federal government's pledge of no Internet censorship. Party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng (pic) said the party will oppose any attempts to put in place...

DAP will organise nationwide protests to oppose any attempts by Putrajaya to ban or close down popular social networking site Facebook, citing the right for freedom of expression and the federal government's pledge of no Internet censorship.

Party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng (pic) said the party will oppose any attempts to put in place such "primitive proposal".

Communication and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek yesterday said in a statement that the Barisan Nasional-led federal government will undertake a study following suggestions to ban Facebook.

Lim said any move to block Facebook violates Putrajaya's guarantee of no internet censorship in Malaysia.

Malaysia has a 10-point Bill of Guarantees that include the guarantee of no censorship of the Internet, when the Multimedia Super Corridor was launched in the 1990s.

Lim said the proposed ban denies the right of freedom of expression by barring Malaysians to voice their views.

He said this after attending the party's central executive committee meeting today.

Lim, who is also Penang chief minister, felt such a move will deprive youth and the underprivileged to communicate with a tool that has proven to be affordable, accessible and convenient.

He warned the proposed curb will have an effect on the economy, destroying business opportunities that rely on Facebook, which could lead to losses up to billions of ringgit.

Suggestions that Facebook be blocked to curb abuse has drawn wide criticism, with many saying it will be a step backwards for the nation and is unlikely to solve the problem as users could turn to other social networking sites.

Shabery said that his ministry was in the process of gathering public feedback on the issue.

"If the people are of the opinion that Facebook should be banned, we are prepared to look into the matter but it is a radical approach."

His remarks came on the heels of a report of a man who had insulted Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah on Facebook. It was reported that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission was working with police to track down the individual.

On another matter, Lim also condemned the use of Sedition Act to persecute its leaders.

The latest leader to be probed under the Act is party parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang for a speech he wrote in conjunction with the 5th death anniversary of former DAP aide Teoh Beng Hock. – 

August 10, 2014

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Malaysia's plan to study ban on Facebook derided by netizens

Malaysia's plan to study ban on Facebook derided 

by netizens

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia is seeking public views on whether to stop the use of Facebook following complaints of abuse of the popular social networking platform.

But Communication and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek admits that a closure would be "radical" and "quite impossible" as there are 15 million local Facebook accounts.

"If the people are of the opinion that Facebook should be closed, we are prepared to look into the matter but it is a radical approach," said Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery on Saturday, according to the Bernama news agency.

"Many business people are also using Facebook, others to forge family ties and have nothing to do with politics...and the complaints received were around 2,000 only. Should we completely close it down because of 2,000 reports? We need to relook this."

He added that his ministry is currently studying the matter and gathering feedback from the public.

The study comes on the heels of a prank on Facebook when a user, who goes by the name Chandra Lawan Tetap Lawan, recently stirred up a storm by putting up a picture of a horrific road accident doctored with the face of the Malaysian king, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah.

Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission is working with police to track down the individual, the Bernama reported.

The government's plan to study the possibility of banning Facebook was met with ridicule from netizens, The Star reported on Saturday.

They labelled the proposal shortsighted, idiotic and silly, among other things.

Facebook user Felicia Ernestine Sylvester questioned the rationale behind the suggestion.

"Apa salah Facebook? (What did Facebook do wrong?) Block the users who misuse it. Propaganda can be spread using any media," she said.

Another user, Chong Li Herng sarcastically commented that the highways should also be closed down as it contributes to accidents and deaths.

Facebook is banned in countries such as North Korea and Iran while China, Egypt and Pakistan have previously banned the social networking site, although the bans did not last

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