From the monthly archives:

October 2011

We’re laboring under less-than-ideal conditions around Thinks Central this week. Due to what the Twitterverse calls #Snowtober, we’re without power. And since we’re on a well, that means no water or heat to go along with the lack of ‘lectricity. Lucky us.

Happily, while a business like ours can plug along just fine, according to some reports, 25% of businesses never re-open following a major disaster.

In the past, we’ve offered tips to make sure your website stays alive. I also have two mobile phones on two different networks and a Google Voice number to direct calls wherever I am.

Additionally, many organizations offer IT tips for keeping the lights on following some kind of “less-than-ideal” event. You can sum many of these up (whether IT-related or business-related) as follows:

  1. Plan ahead. Think about what could happen and how you’d prepare.
  2. Assess risks and impacts.
  3. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. If you rely on a single technology, system or individual to make your business run, look for alternatives in case of disaster

Clearly, this ranges fairly far afield from my usual fare. But, if you want to find, nurture and take care of customers, you’ve got to make sure you’re taking care of yourself first.

Got any useful tips for weathering the storm (whether figurative or literal), let us know about ‘em in the comments.


Are you getting enough value out of your small business website? Want to make sure your business makes the most of the local, mobile, social web? thinks helps you understand how to grow your business via the web, every day. Get more than just news. Get understanding. Add thinks to your feed reader today.

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And while you’re at it, don’t forget to follow Tim on Twitter.

Tim Peter & Associates helps companies from startups to the Fortune 500 use the web to reach more customers, more effectively every day. Take a look and see how we can help you.

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Earlier this week, we looked at yet another reason why social media marketing is a good idea and how social commerce hides in plain sight. So, today, we’re rounding up links all about social commerce and social marketing success.

On with the links:

And, finally, if you’ve ever wondered why your customers don’t buy from you online, check out this video. See if it feels familiar.

Hat tip to Rescue Marketing for the video link.

Have a great weekend everybody. See you right back here next week.


Are you getting enough value out of your small business website? Want to make sure your business makes the most of the local, mobile, social web? thinks helps you understand how to grow your business via the web, every day. Get more than just news. Get understanding. Add thinks to your feed reader today.

Or subscribe via email.

And while you’re at it, don’t forget to follow Tim on Twitter.

Tim Peter & Associates helps companies from startups to the Fortune 500 use the web to reach more customers, more effectively every day. Take a look and see how we can help you.

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Social commerce is hiding in plain sight

October 26, 2011 E-commerce

Social commerce is all around us, every day. Top e-commerce sites, like Amazon, Overstock.com, Walmart and others incorporate social into their merchandising. Do you?

Read the full article →

Social media marketing is a good idea: Reason #324

October 25, 2011 Social Media

Social media marketing offers customers multiple entry points to your brand and eliminates single points of failure.

Read the full article →