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Thank you for visiting my blog and subscribing. I have moved to a bigger, and hopefully better, website, which will allow for posts to be made more effectively and reach you better. More than anything, I would like give you access to more tools and get to interact with you more.

Please join me at http://www.mongezimtati.co.za

See you there.

PR Your Business: Ways to get media following

I was looking for current small business content when I stumbled upon Small Business Newz. If you've been struggling to find ways of generating PR for your company and thought of advertising. Just before you buy ad space here's a video worth watching.

NetwebTV [episode #7] with Don Packett

We went out to the only 'Perspective Lab' this side of the equator. Don Packett, the co-founder of Thunk!, shared some of his insights on what perspective is and how you can implement it for yourself.

He will also be giving a talk a tomorrow at the Netweb Event. You can also download the audio version here.

Anticipate the problem

You may have stumbled upon the right idea, a great opportunity and are now about to make the change. In planning for your company and making forecasts, most companies don't anticipate the problem. The worst possible outcome.

Business Plans tend to be far too good to be true, and most of them are.

If you think your company sales are going to take an upward curve as your word spreads. Be willing to consider the possibility of them being very low. In reality they might be somewhere between, but either way you will be covered and have a contingency plan.

Plan for the worst, in case it happens. When it doesn't you will have more in the bank, but you would have anticipated the problem.

NetwebTV [episode #6] at Cambrient

We went to the Cambrient space station / office for some of their insights on digital and online marketing. Both Saul and Jarred had a lot of relevant and current knowledge to share with us.

Here's the video.

Netweb Event: One Matchstick into a movie

On May 20th we announced, with excitement, our Netweb Headstart competition sponsored by Missing Link. The purpose of this competition is to tell the story of small developing companies, and do so innovatively. Our challenge of changing the perception of what develops a startup had been made easier. It meant some transformation was soon to occur.

We advertised the competition, sent out notifications through the Netweb Event and invited people to apply. Most guys made all kinds of silly excuses. The ones who came to the party didn’t pitch at the event. Those who came arrived late. The one who came on time turned out to be more innovative than most.

It must have been the 60 second pitch which rattled people. That started August, with its dusty autumnal winds and a nasty cold front, now popularly known as women’s month in South Africa. Telana (in the middle) of onematchstick.co.za, who ended up not doing the much dreaded 60 second company pitch, took the prize. And she’s not an ice maiden.

This will turn her one - matchstick - for – offices – trade into what we’ve now termed a movie. “Not at theatres near you.”

I’d like to thank the, main – and – only, sponsor Missing Link for the faith they’ve shown in our cause. They rock and already know it.

Congratulations to the one matchstick trader.

Online Marketing and PR: Podcasting

Old rules are constantly being changed by bootstrappers. People like you, who constantly find innovative ways to spread a message.

The Digital Edge weekly podcast has become a leader in online marketing and PR. They’ll be sharing insights on:

- Developing your own podcast.
- Marketing a podcast both online and off.
- What goes into becoming influential in that space.

Saul Kropman of Cambrient, the magician behind The Digital Edge will give a talk at the Netweb Event. With only 29 episodes to date they’ve managed to change perception both on and offline.

Netweb Event details

Date : 05 August 2009
Venue : Cappello at Ghandi Square
Time : 18:30
Admission : Free, you cover your dinner and drinks

Signup here to join us for dinner.

NetwebTV [episode #5] with Howard Mann

We had a sitting with Howard Mann who shared his insights on the importance of purpose for business. It easily gets lost in the daily running of any company. Have a look at the interview, it was a well spent 6 minutes.

Run a profitable web campaign

Most attempts at web campaigns leave you thinking "It just wasn't meant for me". The guys at Ideate have managed to keep my attention on their blog for over 2 years now. And attention isn't one of my strengths.

Creating and running profitable web campaigns - like walking on water - can be learnt. Their colleagues, at Heavy Chef, have designed a practical course that's well worth having a look at.

Haven't found one about walking on water though.

Thrill of the first time

Bootstrapping, playing multiple roles, maintaining relationships, calling up the media and doing your own PR can be a strain.

Small cubicles tend to sound enticing when, for the third or fourth day, you have to work till 3am in the morning. Sleep for 2 or 3hours everyday to keep from going under. None of these make for an attractive business - book - payoff line.

The thrill of the first time, first client, your first big project, first newspaper or radio feature of your work are all enough to keep you doing it. Small cubicle offers will still be made. You are they are missing.