Alberta Business Marketing

photo © 2007 Alexandre Dulaunoy | more info (via: Wylio)
This post is 100% unsubsidized, personal referral because
http://www.toktumi.com/ and Line2 for iPhone or iPod or even iPad make for a great portable office.

I’m using this service on my iPod and computer – Line2 turns even an iPod into a phone for 10 bucks a month or less. With a phone number and everything. Try it free for 30 days.
I tried it free for one day, and then subscribed.

Includes North American calls (incoming and outgoing) Free.
When I travel, you guessed it. I can make calls from anywhere in the world to North America.
for FREE on wifi, and Folks can call me back on my number as if they were calling my North American number.

I have a phone number but I don’t have a phone.

Yes, my iPod. Also works on an iPhone. It runs as an app in the background.  You don’t need to keep it open.  You can do anything you want, and the call announces itself.
It rings my iPod or my computer. My choice. Hilarious.

It uses wifi. Also works on computer with wifi or ethernet.
Got an iPad – turn the sucker into a phone. Why not? It can have its own phone number.

Transfers calls anywhere…. Yes, transfers calls. “Oh, sorry, you should speak with Martha” , click a button and forward the call. wicked good stuff.
Conference calls – up to 20 Free. Yes, included in the service. Just dial each person one after another and you’ve got a conference going, even on your iPod Touch.  Yes it does. Try it, if you don’t believe me.

You can even change your phone number to work with Toktumi or Line2.

First thing in the new year, I’m going to do what I can to get Bell Canada out of our office and get a few lines like this where we manage our calls on our computers. Each computer can have a headset and its own number. Transfering calls instead of picking up an extension. The only question, what will we do with the thousands of dollars we save each year?

My phone number sits at my computer and travels with me when I go away – on my iPhone or iPod.
It’s blowing my mind how we will save money with this revolutionary service.
Give it a try and tell us how you like it.

Unfortunately, this service is still only available in North America.  Sorry chums.

Tags: iPad, iphone, ipod, phones
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Facebook is pursuing a trademark on the word “Face” and has filed litigation against a Website that includes the name “book” in their URL.  Some in the accommodation industry may consider that Facebooks new “Check in” service, that has found its way into the mobile version of the website and the Facebook App (accessible to iPhone, iPod, Blackberry and Android devices), might some day pose a threat to the industry standard for guests announcing their arrival at the front desk.

In the meantime, Facebook Places provides a simple, handheld way for your guests to tell all their friends that they are at your location.

Why Facebook’s Places app matters?

• over 50% of web users have an account at Facebook.
• over 90% of people who earn at least $30 000 per year own a cell phone.
• over 35% of cell phones are Internet enabled devices.

It’s a fair guess that 2 of every 10 guests you are serving today has a handheld device and are capable of checking in on Facebook.

Whether an accommodation, food service, beverage service or attraction ask yourself this question.

“Would you like your clients to tell their friends that they are enjoying themselves at your location?”

Go ahead, I’ll give you a second to think about that.

OF COURSE YOU WOULD!!!!  Perhaps friends will come along to join the party, look you up online . . . at the bare minimum, you are going to score credibility points with all the friends of your guests who decide to check-in at your location.

So what do you need to do to encourage your guests to “Check in” on their mobile device?  Ask your guests to check in.

Call your guests to Action.

Give your guests a clear call to action.

Consider posting a sticker on your door, a sign in your waiting area, a rack card at your dining table that invites your guests to “Check in” on their handheld.  Consider offering an incentive to folks who check in – like a coupon for a free coffee on their next visit.

Of course there are a myriad of location-based games and associated apps – Gowalla, Foursquare, etc…. but the granddaddy of “Social” is Facebook.

What do you need to do to get started?

Go to your lobby or guest waiting area, turn on your handheld and point it to Facebook app or mobile website.  Click on the places tab and fill in your location.  If you are the first one to check in, you’ll be able to give your place a title and description.  All others who check in, will announce their arrival with the information you post as well as their own personal note.

Tags: android, app, blackberry, check-in, Facebook, handheld, iphone, ipod, Mobile
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Apple has introduced a slew of new products in their annual iPod makeover. This year however, it’s really time for more than just the back to school kids to pay attention.

Here are the four most important reasons why your tourism business should invest in a new iPod and benefit from understanding the possibilities of iPod / iTunes makeover to improve your business.

1. High Definition video is built right into the iPod Touch. Are you kidding me? Go to your favourite big box store and look into buying an HD video camera to shoot video for your business. For $200 you can have an HD video camera that does a heck of a lot more than shoot video!  Your international guests can even make person to person video phone calls over wifi networks – with an iPod!
   
2. Experience how easy it is to make handheld reviews and give recommendations. iPod Touch with it’s inherent wifi and instant access to apps makes it easy guests to review your business.   Another reminder to open up the wifi in your building (and beyond) and invite guests to leave reviews.  Traveler reviews is the currency of social networking.  If you are still charging guests for wifi, get an iPod, and learn how easy it is to post reviews on the likes of TripAdvisor, Yelp! and others.  Maybe once you see how guests use it, you’ll give wifi away (like you do with the towels and napkins) like the cool hotels and restaurants do.
3. Start building your location-based information resource for guests. The introduction of camera on iPod Touch will create a larger uptake in the use of QR (Quick Response) codes and other optical triggers like Microsoft Tags to allow you to provide rich media to your ideal guests.  Consider, what information, photos, video, music, audio can I share with my guests here and now that would enhance their experience.  QR codes let guests with iPhones Touch instantly link to that content.  Serve the family market, put QR codes on garden gnomes and send the kiddies on their way. (thx @nancyarsenault).  Got an amazing piece of art hanging on your wall, link to the artists Wikipedia page.  Got a translated verson of your menu online? Link to it from your existing menu. …. etc.  QR codes is how McDonalds in Japan provides nutritional information on their food products.
   
4. With Ping Apple has made it easy for fans and followers to give music recommendations.  Could Ping be the next social network your guests want to follow you on. You play music at your location right?  Ever had a guest wonder who your favourite musical artists are?  Who is playing in your background music?  I wonder if your guests might want to follow you for your musical tastes?  The future of Apples social network could make it THE location to share photos and video along with music. Is Facebook’s lunch next on Apple’s menu?   Wouldn’t it be easy for Apple to let you share your calendar, status updates, etc. with your iPod or iPhone contacts through such a network as Ping?
   

Got any ideas on a fifth reason your restaurant, hotel or inn should buy a new iPod?

Tags: apple, iphone, ipod, ping
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