Innovation Works needs your help in maintaining funding for promising technology companies. A current bill in the state Senate would cut funding 60% for the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority, the body that funds Innovation Works and its counterpart centers across the state (known collectively as the Ben Franklin Technology Partners or BFTP).
So, what can you do? We are asking all our readers to do the following before June 8, 2009:
2. Activate your own network of contacts who care about maintaining funding for start-up entrepreneurs. Send the URL (http://tinyurl.com/my4nu4) to others to write a letter, use Facebook or Twitter to create awareness about the need to reach legislators, post blog comments, whatever you can do to reach more people who can subsequently reach out to their legislators.
3. Give us your ideas and feedback about how to reach more people to communicate about this critical issue.
“We recognize it’s a difficult environment for the Legislature, but the 60 percent cut proposed… will have far-reaching effects. To really help drive the economy, in many ways we need (sustained funding levels) now more than ever (for) creating jobs, attracting investment and retaining key talent to our region for our future success.” – Rich Lunak, CEO of Innovation Works.
This isn’t about funding Innovation Works. It’s about funding entrepreneurs and growing technology companies. Please help us continue to support and assist our region’s promising start-ups and other innovative companies.
For the fourth part of our ongoing AlphaLabinterviewseries, we are pleased to present three interviews with the team behind the recently launched iTwixie.
iTwixie is developing the ultimate online hangout for ‘tween’ girls. Today’s parents, educators and caregivers worry about how marketers approach their 8-14 year-old girls. iTwixie will inspire and unite ‘tween girls on a site that’s safe, age-appropriate and fun.
In this first team interview, Jia talks with iTwixie developer, Cynthia Closkey about how they developed their social network, why it’s like delicious and nutritious cereal, and the support AlphaLab provided them. Stay tuned more iTwixie interviews soon!
For the third part of our ongoing AlphaLabinterviewseries, we present a long free-form interview with the founders of InnomiNet about their recently launched BitBlinder network.
Marketers, corporations, criminals, and governments all monitor your online activities. Some even use filters to completely block your access to information. BitBlinder is software that gives you back your online freedom. BitBlinder aims to preserve your privacy and keep your IP address safe from them. It also allows you to avoid most restrictions and filters on you Internet access. BitBlinder supports both BitTorrent and normal web traffic. Go download it for free right now at bitblinder.com!
Last week, I told you how you can create a blog-like effect with your Press Releases by adding an RSS feed. This week I am going to show you how a blog can help you fill the gaps between big announcements for additional press.
Before you start scrambling around to set up your new blog ask yourself these three questions:
Do you have something new to say weekly or daily? One of the worst things you can do is setup a blog and then fail to update it. Having a poorly maintained blog can make your company look dead.
Are your customers looking for an online connection? If you have no one to talk to then you shouldn’t start a blog. If you build it, they will not always come. If your company is retail or service based, it’s almost a no-brainer to have a blog.
Do you feel comfortable giving up control? Having a blog on your site will give people a forum to talk about your company via blog comments. Yes, you can turn the comment feature off on most blogging platforms but if you do, you are missing a chance to learn from your customers.
If you answered yes to at least two of these questions, it might be a good idea to start researching ways you can set up a blog. There are a lot of people online that can help you with this, like ProBlogger. If you would like an idea on what is involved, check out this eHow article, How to Setup a Business Blog.
A blog can be a great tool to communicate to your customers. But, if you don’t know what to say you could end up with a blog that lacks updates. Here is a short list of topic ideas:
Product Research: Write a post about a new direction your taking with a product, and see what your customers have to say about it. You don’t have to give away your secrets, but try to find a clever way to let them think they are in on the “secret”. It builds loyalty.
Office Life: The great thing about a blog is that it can add the “personal touch” to your company. Write about the new dog someone got in the office or the April Fool’s joke you played on each other. These kinds of post can do wonders for building a personality around your products and brand, but it’s not for everyone. A trendy company like Mod Cloth can get away with posts like this, but a life science company might want to stay away.
Little Things: Let’s say all you did was change the color of your product. It’s not something you would rush out and write a press release about, but it’s definitely something you should blog about.
Industry News: If there is a new development that has something to do with your industry or products, write about it. Chances are your customers will find value in the information.
Jobs: If you or one of your vendors has a job opening, write a post about it. I have seen a few companies do this, but I do not know the outcome.
On a blog you can post anything you feel comfortable posting. Before you get started, remember to set some boundaries. If you think your brand would not get any benefit out of talking about office life, then don’t post about it. Write posts that compliment the brand your company already markets.
Next week I will share with you ways you can have your customers do marketing for you with Social Media. This can also be helpful for companies that do not have a need for a blog, but have customers looking for an online connection.
“Technologies ranging from electronics, controls and software to wireless capabilities and digital mapping could ultimately change how people drive and use their vehicles,” said Larry Burns, GM vice president of R&D and Strategic Planning. “The work we’re doing with Carnegie Mellon could ultimately make this a reality.”
