XYRM Innovation: 12/31/12

CloudOn Productivity App Now Available on More Devices

CloudOn, the free productivity app that gives users access to Microsoft Office on their mobile devices, just introduced a new version that works on a number of new devices and integrates more third party tools.

Until now, CloudOn has mainly been used on tablet devices, but version 3.0 of the mobile app is also available on iPhones, iPad Mini, and Nexus 7 devices.

In addition, the new app offers support for Microsoft SkyDrive, along with existing support for other applications and tools like Dropbox, Box, and Google Drive.

Of course, the main draw of CloudOn is that it gives users access to the Microsoft Office suite while on the go, so that editing documents, spreadsheets, and presentations doesn't have to take place within the confines of an actual office.

The photo above shows the main dashboard on the iPhone app, as well as an example of editing an Excel spreadsheet in the app, which includes all the same Excel features you're used to seeing on more traditional devices.

Cloud technology has made collaboration between team members infinitely easier. But the introduction of mobile technology into workplace culture has complicated things a bit, since not all of the same tools and applications are available on mobile devices as they are on traditional workplace computers.

So instead of just hosting files in the cloud, CloudOn stores applications there so that they can be used on a variety of different devices. But rather than introducing you to a new cloud storage solution or brand new applications, CloudOn specializes in giving you access to the applications you and your team already use.

This new version simply makes it easier for even more users to take advantage of the productivity app, meaning they can access tools and files from their mobile devices without having to actually upload the files to a new storage service or applications.

The app was originally introduced in January, when it was made available for just iPad users. To date, it has been downloaded onto more than 3 million devices. It is currently available for free in both the App Store and Google Play.

5 Reasons Writers Ignore Your Pitch

As a small business, you're always trying to win media coverage and build buzz about your brand. To do so you're creating media and blogger lists to help you reach out to folks and let them know about what you're up to.

But are your efforts falling flat?

Below are 5 reasons reporters may just be ignoring your pitch:

There's No Relationship

The first time you reach out to someone shouldn't be to ask for a favor or a mention on their blog. It should be to help them and address their needs. Pitching someone for media coverage when you don't have some level of pre-existing relationship is going to be an uphill battle. This is why it's so important to identify media contacts EARLY and then dedicate time to getting on their radar. Maybe you first reach out via Twitter in a way that solves their problem. Or you start strategically commenting on their blog. Or you give them a shoutout by highlighting their expertise to your readers. Taking the time to build that relationship before you need it is Rule 1 of online networking and will help ensure your pitch gets read.

You Pretend Your BFFs

If you have a close relationship with someone, it's okay to reference that in your pitch email. In fact, it would be kind of weird if you didn't. However, if you don't know someone that well (or at all) don't try to fake it in the email. Sometimes because we're nervous or because we want to come off as â€œfriendlyâ€ or â€œconversationalâ€ we take too many casual liberties when addressing someone. We call them by nicknames we see others using. Or we reference information we've stalked online. Or we simply don't give them the respect they deserve. For a blogger or reporter, this is a serious turnoff and may actually cause them to believe you're mocking them. Not a good way to start a new relationship.

Impersonal Emails

While you don't want to pretend to be buddy-buddy, you also don't want to send an email that reads like an ad in the Yellow Pages. Do your homework before you pitch someone so you're able to target it as much as possible to their interests.

Take the time to:

Learn the reporter's name
Get an understanding of what they cover on their blog
Learn their tone
Get to know their audience and who they are
Check for information about HOW they like to be pitched/contacted

Once you have all this information you can craft a message that is customized for them and speaks to their audience and interests. An email that is properly targeted will always win out over one that is not.

There's No WIIFM

We're all busy. For us to take time out of day we need to know WIIFM â€" What's In It For Me? What will trying your product or recommending your service get me? How will it make me look like a hero to my audience? How will it make their jobs or lives easier? Because that's what I'm after. I only care about your product when I know how it will benefit my audience.

When you're laying out the WIIFM, don't just list off the ins and outs of your product or brag about its latest and greatest feature. Focus on pitching the story. We don't care that your oven cooks food 20 minutes faster than other ovens. We care that we can use those 20 minutes to spend time with our families or to read our kid a book. That's the WIIFM. It's not about the product. It's about the story.

Insulting the Blogger

Be careful when talking to bloggers and other media to make sure you're giving them the respect they deserve. You want to avoid things like:

Assuming you know their audience better than they do
Offering money for a post right off the bat
Offering an exclusive when you're pitching other outlets
Belittling their professionally (accidentally or intentionally)

Often times these things happen accidentally simply because we're not careful with our words or the phrases that we use. Take extra time to read through your pitch email to make sure you're not stepping on any toes or writing something that could possibly offend.

We all need to pitch bloggers and reporters from time to time to help our brand build awareness. Taking the time to craft our pitches properly can greatly increase your odds of getting read.

Small Business Events: NMX, Entrepreneur Growth Conference, Affiliate Summit, InfusionCon & More â€“ December 31

Welcome to this week's roundup of events, conferences and webinars for growing companies and entrepreneurs, brought to you every other week by Small Business Trends and Smallbiztechnology.com.

Get a jump on the new year and register for one or more of these great conferences, webinars and seminars in 2013.

If you are organizing a great event that small businesses should know about or just attending one, please let me know about it.

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Online marketing webinars
Various dates in January 2013

Check out the upcoming online marketing seminars from MarketingProfs, schedule on various dates in January 2013, including:

How to Effectively Engage Your Customers on Facebook, January 10 with Ekaterina Walter

How To Become a Trusted Brand and Industry Leader, January 17 with John Morgan

New Media Expo
January 6-8, 2013, Las Vegas

NMX, formerly Blog World & New Media Expo, is the first and only industry-wide conference, tradeshow and media event dedicated to providing valuable content for Bloggers, Podcasters and Web TV producers. Pre-register now and receive Super Early Bird rates.

Entrepreneur Magazine Growth Conference
January 10, 2013, Dallas, TX

Entrepreneur Magazines 5th annual Growth Conference features keynote speakers, educational seminars, and the Editor in Chief of Entrepreneur Magazine, along with the Entrepreneur of 2012 award winners.

Grow Your Business in 2013: Free Marketing Pep Talk
January 10, 2013, Webinar

If you had time for only one marketing task each day, what should it be? In this free tutorial with Marketing Mentor, Ilise Benun, you will learn how spending a half hour every day on one simple marketing task will bring you the work you want. You will also get the kick in the butt you need to make the time. Get a jump on your 2013-sign up now!

The One Day Business Jumpstart Event
January 12, 2013, Fairfield NJ

The One Day Business Jumpstart is presented by Jane Tabachnick,
SimplyGoodForBusiness.com and Web1ranking.com. Participating in the One Day Business Jumpstart will help business owners
be able to start their year with a strategy and the tools to hit the ground
running, prepared to have a great year business-wise, without having to
think about what to do next.

The full day, hands on event is actually a 3-part program; part training,
part brainstorming and part done-for-you- web design service. The program
was designed to help entrepreneurs overcome common obstacles including the
technology and cost of creating a professional web presence, creating a
sales funnel and converting prospects into customers.

Affiliate Summit West 2013
January 13-15, 2013, Las Vegas

This three day conference includes an exhibit hall with affiliate merchants, vendors, and networks, as well as multiple tracks of educational sessions covering the latest trends and information from affiliate marketing experts.

How to Write Effective Press Releases That Serve Your Brand-and the Media
January 16, 2013, Webinar

Join PR News and its panel of PR writing experts at its webinar on Wednesday, January 16, 2013, and learn how to craft press releases that meet the needs of the media and your brand-and that rise above your competitors in search results.

The PR writing experts at the January 16 webinar will show you how to avoid common mistakes that cause your press releases to get nuked before they get opened in e-mail inboxes and how to apply SEO tactics to help your content get found in Google searches.

Growing Your e-Commerce Business Conference
January 18, 2013, Nashua, NH

If you sell online or hope to, this conference offers sessions critical to building your business. The event is hosted by the NH Small Business Development Center (NH SBDC) and offers informative and timely topics for the online seller. It is sponsored by Citizens Bank Foundation, UNH Cooperative Extension, and New Hampshire Broadband Mapping & Planning Program.

Topics to be discussed at the conference include advice on shipping solutions, accepting credit cards online, increasing your online presence, FBI cyber threats, creating videos and product photos, and building your brand across online and in-person environments.

The Small Business Expo
May 16 â€" New York
June 20 â€" Dallas
October 17 â€" Boston
November 7 â€" Los Angeles
January 16, 2014 â€" Miami

Small Business Expo is the largest nation-wide B2B tradeshow, conference & networking event for Small Business Owners. Business Owners browse & meet in our huge exhibition hall filled with exhibitors showcasing valuable products & services to help their businesses grow, attend small business workshops, seminars & meet-ups, network with other small business owners & entrepreneurs in the cyber lounge & speed networking areas, & watch exciting product demos.

InfusionCon 2013
March 27-29, 3013, Scottsdale AZ

InfusionCon is a must-attend event for all Infusionsoft customers. There are a variety of sessions geared towards business owners, marketing and sales strategists, developers, administrators and more. Session topics cover a diverse range of topics relevant to small businesses, including Infusionsoft training, marketing strategy, social media, company culture, business management, automation, branding, copywriting, affiliate marketing and more.

2013 Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference + Expo
May 15-18, 2013, Columbus OH

The Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference + Expo attracts more than 1,200 attendees annually. Entrepreneurs from all over the country come together to take in everything the conference has to offer-from informative sessions, high-powered speakers, networking opportunities, to essential tools for emerging and established entrepreneurs. As the country's premier business conference and networking event for African American entrepreneurs, corporate executives, and professionals, The Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference is the only venue where leaders of the nation's largest black-owned businesses gather at one place, one time, and with one purpose.

Internet Week New York
May 20-27, 2013

Since 2008, Internet Week has taken place all over the city, thanks to our many partners hosting diverse events in different locations.The result is a critical mass of web-focused events that raises the profile of NYC's industry as a whole, as well as the partners who participate.

To find more small business events, contests and awards, visit our Small Business Events Calendar.

If you are putting on a small business contest, award or competition, and want to get the word out to the community, please submit it through our Events & Contests Submission Form. (We do not charge a fee to be included in this listing - it is completely free to list your event.) Only events of interest to small business people, freelancers and entrepreneurs will be considered and included.