5 Tips To Keep Your Email Account Secure

The internet is a wonderful place and at the same time it is a dangerous place.  There are hundreds of hackers out there just waiting to get access to your email and even worse your email password.

With that they can have free rein and even access your social media accounts and send out fake emails and fake social media posts from your accounts.

Here are 5 tips to keep your email account secure:

Keep a watch for strange emails

Be on the look out for strange emails that may look like they come from your email host company or even from social media companies.  Check from which email address they actually came from.  Most companies will not email you to type in your password or email address.

Protect your password

Don’t give out your password to anyone and don’t type it into emails if someone asks you to.  Make sure your password also has a mix of letters, numbers and characters and is over 8 characters long. 

Change your password regularly as well

It’s very easy to get into a lull and enjoy your passwords, you remember them so well but in terms of security it is a very dangerous thing and it’s always best to keep changing it regularly. 

Have different email accounts for different groups

It’s always a good idea to keep your email accounts separate for the different needs in your life.  For example I have email accounts for the following:

·         Friends and Family

·         Business

·         Newsletters

That way you can very easily see if a strange email pops up in your account.

Report Spam and Phising

Most email accounts now have an option whereby you can report strange emails or suspected spam or phising.  In the long run this will help email companies find out who is real and who is trying to get your important information out of you.

Fred Felton | Social Media Specialist & Keynote Speaker | Twitter @fredfelton 

5 Websites that impressed me in 2011

Greetings Dear Readers.

Right about now you will be on holiday and maybe shopping for gifts for family or friends
for all of those year end parties you go to.

I feel a tiny bit sorry for those of you who have to work at this time of year.
Just a tiny bit.

Can you believe it 2011 is almost finished and almost time for 2012.

I thought I would share with you 5 Websites that impressed me in 2011.

Here we go:

1.  Twitter


http://www.twitter.com

One of my favourite sites.  So much on there from news, views, interviews,
useful links, people venting, amusing pics and videos and I could go on and on.
Not to mention it's a useful messaging site.  Will it replace email?  Only time
will tell.

2.  Podomatic


http://www.podomatic.com

Some people call this the wave of the future, podcasting, webcasting, having
your own shows on the net, from radio shows to tv shows to web seminars.
All of this for free.  Nifty hey.

3.  Visibli


http://www.visibli.com

For those of you who are big on social media and marketing this is the site for you.
It basically adds a bar above all your links, photo's blog entries and more for every
link you put out there on the interweb.   On that blog you can put up some wonderful things
like your social media profiles, your website and so much more.  A very powerful
marketing tool and the stats are fantastic.

4.  TinyLetter


http://www.tinyletter.com

For those of you looking to start with email newsletters this site is for you.
Very easy to use and it works.  That's right you heard me it works :)
Highly recommended.

5.  VibeDeck


http://www.vibedeck.com

A really interesting site for all you musicians out there.  It allows you
to sell your cd's, songs, ep's and more online and with the social media
integration you can decide if you want to give it away or use
the pay with a tweet or facebook message option.  Very slick site.

Well those should keep you busy for awhile at least till you decide to
hit the beach or try that game reserve or read a book.

Do you have any cool websites you have discovered in 2011?
Let me know.


Wish you and yours Seasons Greetings and have a successful 2012  :)

Yours in social media

Fred Felton
Speaker & Social Media Consultant & Author
email: falconscove@gmail.com

email to book Fred for your next talk or for a social media workshop.

10 Tips To Get You Started With Google Plus

Welcome Readers

In this article we shall have a look at the new social networking tool Google Plus.

Many of my clients are asking me about it and what is it and how do you use it.

So here are 10 Tips to help you get started with Google Plus.

1.  Keep it simple


When you start using it keep what you post simple.  Start to see what people are posting and start using that
+1 button to like people's status updates or pics or videos.

2. You can adjust your home screen


On your home screen you can adjust the news stream you get so you can either see everyones stream or just your friends or just your family or just your workers.  So you can use it for what you want.  If you just want it to chat to family then adjust, if you want it as a business tool adjust, the choice is yours.

3. Those Circles


Now I get plenty of clients asking me about those Circles, what are they?  Are they crop circles?  What is going on.  Here is a simple definition for you.  With the Circles Google has allowed you to move people you add into various circles.  Those being Friends, Family, Acquaintances, Following.  However here is a nice option you can also add your own circles.  So some you could add if you are a businessperson or salesperson you could add a circle for leads.   You could add a circle for inspirational people, the list is endless.
What kind of circle could you create for yourself?  Think it through and add it.  Play around with it.

4. Status Updates


Google has a somewhat different status update section to Twitter or Facebook.  On the Google one you have a stream, you can update with text, photo's, videos, links, locations and you can also direct those updates or streams to everyone or just to friends or to a select circle.  The choice is yours.   Do you see the opportunity for a project management here, think tank work amongst work colleagues, friends etc etc.

5. That Google Plus Toolbar


For those of you who use Gmail you will find that your name with a + appears on the top left and as you open emails or surf Google sites or within Gmail you can also share status updates.  So maybe you see something in an email or see something in a group or get a brainstorm you can share it immediately and target it at who you want to share it with.

6.  On The Right


On the right at the top you will see notifications in red which signify you have notices or messages and it will have a number the more numbers the more messages.  You will also see a little cogwheel and from there you can send feedback and look at your history.

Google will also show you suggestions of people to add once again it is up to you who you want to add.

Hangouts are little fun things where you can start a hangout with your live webcam think of it as a meeting of your friends or business colleagues online.  No need to meet anymore.  Depends how valuable your time is. Would you rather go out and see people or just start a hangout online.

There is also a mobile version for Google + and you can also invite more people.

7. Sparks


Sparks lets you search for things that might interest you on the net, the idea being you can save them or share them with friends, work colleagues etc.

8. Play around with your Profile


What are you going to use Google +  for?  Think it through and then adjust your profile.   What does your profile pic say about you?  What does your about page say about you?
Here you can show any email or websites you want to share and any other contact info you care to share.

9. Your +1 History


In your profile section you will also see a section that says +1.  Every time you share something with
that +1 button it will reflect here.  It's always great to look at it now and again and see what you are sharing.
Relevant info that you share is always appreciated.

10. A valuable networking tool


Google + is a valuable networking tool for friends, business people and families.  The choice is yours.
As with all social networking tools, it's a tool, it's up to you how you want to use it and what you want to use it for.

Enjoy it.

If you want an invite to Google Plus let me know.

What do you think of Google Plus?  Like it?  Hate it?  Love to hear your comments.


Fly high, Fly free


Fred Felton
Falcon's Cove Consulting
Social Media Consultant - Biz Analyst - Keynote Speaker
email: falconscove@gmail.com

email to book Fred for a talk or seminar countrywide

5 Things To Do At A Networking Event

Good evening Bloggers and Readers from a chilly Umhlanga.  At the start of this month
I thought I would give you some networking tips.  I hope you will use them well.

1.  Know what you want to do before you get there


That may sound quite odd but basically what I am saying is before you go to the event you want to
have 3 or 4 people that you want to meet at that meeting.  People that might be able to benefit from your
business.  So at the meeting make sure you meet those 3 or 4 people you wanted to meet.  Don't be the person who just goes to the meeting for the coffee and donuts.

2.  Have your business cards at the ready


I have said it before and I will say it again.  Make sure you have your business cards before you head out.
Get yourself a nice business card holder so when people ask for your card it looks neat and professional.
Always ask for the other persons business card and right down some notes on their business cards.  Right down who they are, where they live, notes you have learnt about them.   How they can help you.

3.  Make sure you go to the right meetings


Over time you will discover which meetings are working for you and which meetings are not.  No point going to a meeting where you are getting no leads.  Avoid meetings that you do not enjoy.   Your aim is to find a networking meeting or group where you have fun and where you enjoy the people who are there.  Also look for one's where they have good speakers.    The best networking meetings are one's where you get referrals.  Make sure you return the favour with those in the network.

4.  Start going to conferences


Now some people are intimidated by conferences.   Some people feel there are too many people there.  However you will be amazed at the people you meet there.   So choose one that you feel might interest you and head off to it.  Start speaking to people, say hello, ask them why they are there.
You will be amazed how this pays off.

5.  Thank the host


One of the mistakes you sometimes make is after the meeting to just speed off to your next business meeting.
Wait.  Are you not forgetting something?  That's right.  The host.   Make sure when the meeting starts you greet them and when the meeting ends you thank them for the meeting.  Send them an email afterwards as well and start to build a relationship with them.


Hope those networking tips help you out when you head off to your next networking meeting.

Fly high, Fly Free

Fred Felton
Falcon's Cove Consulting
Keynote Speaker - IT Consultant - Biz Analyst

Book Fred for one of his Social Media Talks or Workshops Countrywide

10 Websites Worth Checking Out

Good day bloggers and readers.

Today I thought I would introduce you to 10 Websites that are worth checking out.
I have included links to them so you can click on the link from my blog.

Okay, let's get started.

1.  Crowdbooster

A wonderful site if you use social networking sites like Twitter.  It gives you fantastic stats on your
tweets and tells you when it is best to send them out.  It even sends you emails on what is working and what is not with your tweets.  Fantastic.

2.  Mediafire

A superb site for file hosting or uploading files onto the internet.   Wonderful if you can't send huge files as email attachements.  You just upload to this site and send the link in a email.  You can also share the link with social network sites.   Also a wonderful site if you want to back up important documents.  They are saved forever in your account on the site.  No more backing up every day or week or month.

3.  Garfield

Need a laugh.  It's always good to read Garfield's comic strip.  Loads of fun stuff on here and even
e-cards to send to friends and family.   a great site.

4.  Polldaddy

A good site if you need a poll or need to take a survey.  The wonderful part about it is it integrates
with your wordpress site if you are running a blog.  

5.  Fiverr

An interesting site.  People offering work and offering to do work for $5.   Lots of different work as well.
Integrates with Facebook as well.

6.  Twittervision

A wondeful site.  Someday this might replace television.  If you have nothing to do take a look at this site.  It shows you all the tweets from around the world and integrates the world map first.  Fantastic site.  It's amazing what different people from around the world tweet about and tweetpic about.

7.  Author Central From Amazon

A excellent site brought to you by Amazon.  This site is perfect for author's who have books for sale on amazon.  It helps with sales, stats and keeping in touch with fans.  A wonderful site to promote your work and upload your bio and useful info for readers.  You can also tell your fans where next you will be for book launces, events, readings etc.   A great service from Amazon.  Every writer should integrate this into their site.

8.  A word a day

A good site for you to increase your vocabulary.  Sign up for the email and you get a new word everyday and it also shows you where the word originated and interesting facts on it.  Marvellous.

9.  Poets Pages

An interesting site if you like publishing your own poetry and networking with some other poets from around the world.   Sign up and upload your poems.

10.  Tumblr

I think this site might be the next big thing.  Part blog, part messaging site, part writing site, part photo site.
A very simple site and so easy to use.  Lots of people use it as a blog, some for messages, some to show their artworks.  So what are you waiting for.  Jump right in.

Well that's 10 websites that should keep you busy.  Hope you enjoy them.

Fly high, Fly free



Fred Felton
Motivational Speaker & IT Consultant & Biz Analyst
email: falconscove@gmail.com

email to book Fred for a talk or seminar.