Snapchat Photos, Videos, Chat and Video Calls – Learn the Basics

Snapchat is a simple FREE app for iPhones, Android mobile devices that takes photos or videos for sharing with friends or associates. The photos and videos include options to place a short ‘title’ of 31 characters on the screen for whomever you send your message to view as they see the photo or video. The appeal of Snapchat is that it will disappear after a few seconds so it’s perfect to send quick message, photo or video.

Snapchat defaults to a camera or video capture of YOU from your front facing camera (the same side as your screen) but you can change it to capture photos and video of others with the rear camera by touching the small icon at the top right of the screen which will rotate from front to rear camera and back again each time you touch the icon.

Touch the top right icon to rotate to the rear camera

To take a photo simply touch and remove your finger from the circle at the bottom of the screen. To take a video touch the circle and hold your finger on it while recording the video and remove your finger when done recording. It also records audio so you can narrate your video, share a quick message or just say ‘hi’ along with the video message.

Touch the circle for a photo – Hold your finger on the circle to record a video

Once you have created your Snapchat masterpiece there are options to adjust how long the photo or video message may be viewed by touching the small number you will see in the lower left side of the screen. If the number says 3 it means your message will be visable for 3 seconds, touch the number and select up to 10 seconds for the viewing of a photo while any video will play for the entire length of whatever you recorded.

Adjust viewing time allowed by touching the ‘number’ and save your Snap for later by selecting the ‘down arrow’ icon

Snapchat does not let you send photos or videos from your camera that were not taken through Snapchat. There are 3rd party applications but most of those have been disabled or may get you kicked off Snapchat if they catch you using them so if you want to send a photo or video later you must record it and ‘Save your Snap’ in ‘Stories’ which also creates a folder on the camera specifically for Snapchat captures.

You can create a ‘Story’ by saving multiple Snaps then ‘add Snap to Story’ which enables users to view the Story for up to 24 hours. This is helpful for instructional videos for clients, How To messages and productivity outside of just sending fun Snaps to friends or family.

Save Snaps to create a Story with multiple photos or videos

The Chat feature in Snapchat is found by ‘swiping’ to the right (touch the screen with your finger and hold it down while moving it to the right) from the main screen then selecting the contact you want to send a message to. Chat works similar to regular text messages including the option to add photos or video in the exact same method as you do for a regular Snap with the unique option to add a photo from your cell phone photo gallery.

Snapchat can be helpful for business communications although the majority of users are sharing thoughts, comments, amusing or random messages just for entertainment. It’s worth installing the free app since Snapchat continues to grow and it’s one of the top used ‘social networks’ by the 30 and under Millennials age range.

Robert Dotcom Jackson

Internet Builders – Building BETTER Websites, SEO & Social Marketing Solutions

913-963-6792 Cell or Text

Find me on Snapchat – RobertDotcom

www.Facebook.com/RobertDotcomJackson

July 27, 2015 1

Snapchat Photos, Videos, Chat and Video Calls – Learn the Basics of Snap!

Touch the top right icon to rotate to the rear camera

Touch the circle for a photo – Hold your finger on the circle to record a video

Adjust viewing time allowed by touching the ‘number’ and save your Snap for later by selecting the ‘down arrow’ icon

Save Snaps to create a Story with multiple photos or videos

Robert Dotcom Jackson

Internet Builders – Building BETTER Websites, SEO & Social Marketing Solutions

913-963-6792 Cell or Text

Find me on Snapchat – RobertDotcom

www.Facebook.com/RobertDotcomJackson

June 5, 2015 0

Google Requires Mobile Friendly Websites to Rank Higher in Search Engine Search Results

As of Tuesday April 21st 2015 Google is going to rank websites built ‘mobile friendly’ structure outlined by Google in April 2014 higher for online shoppers. This means that if you have an older website (usually more than 2 years old) that is not built to the new Google standards then you will start to slip down in search engine search results as other mobile friendly websites rank higher.

Google announced online: “Today’s the day we begin globally rolling out our mobile-friendly update,” Google said in a blog post Tuesday. “Now searchers can more easily find high-quality and relevant results where text is readable without tapping or zooming, tap targets are spaced appropriately, and the page avoids unplayable content or horizontal scrolling.”

This change is due to the fact that nearly 60% of all online traffic starts on mobile devices and 46% of actual buyers are using mobile devices. Google has the clout and power to significantly affect the success or failure of companies who rely on traffic from search engines. For years we have been explaining to client’s that Google products such as Blogger are preferred to competing software such as WordPress or the value of Google+ for online marketing. This was clearly illustrated by the European Union filing against Google for ranking Google owned products and tools above competitors.

The best move for your business is to start work on a new website built in the Google friendly structure so you can reach more buyers and sell more online. Even the best websites have to be rebuilt and redesigned at some point. Utilize the content, images, look/feel of your current website for consistent branding while having a new custom website built to keep on top of Google search results. If you would like a no-cost expert consultation on getting your website Google-friendly to remain in front of the competition contact the Internet Experts at www.InternetBuilderConsulting.com or connect with us on Facebook for tips, tools and expert examples of success.

Robert Dotcom Jackson

Internet & Technology Expert

Internet Builders – Building BETTER Websites, SEO & Social Marketing Solutions since 1995

913-963-6792 Mobile or Text 10AM to Midnight

April 29, 2015 0

How to Connect Facebook to Twitter for Automatic ‘Tweets’ from Facebook Posts on Profiles and Pages

Managing social networks is time consuming so it’s important to automate as much as you can based around where you are most comfortable. If you use Facebook and have a Profile or Page for your company, product or service there is a fast, easy way to connect Facebook to Twitter so that whatever you post on Facebook will automatically be fed to your Twitter account.

Step 1: Login to your Facebook account, go to www.Facebook.com/Twitter and you will see every page and profile you manage with an option to ‘Link to Twitter’.

Step 2: Selecting the Link to Twitter option requires you to login to the Twitter account you wish to automatically publish Facebook posts to and then authorize the account access.

Step 3: Once you have authorized Facebook to post to your Twitter account you will be returned to Facebook to select which types of updates you want automatically posted to Twitter.

Once you have completed everything the Facebook Link to Twitter system will automatically reformat any post with a short URL that will link users to the Facebook post whenever it may be longer than the 144 characters Twitter permits.

Need Social Networking setup, optimization, marketing and training? Contact the Internet Experts at Internet Builder Consulting 816-842-7774 for a free professional consultation and complete packages from only $350!

Robert Dotcom Jackson

Internet & Technology Expert

Internet Builder Consulting – Building BETTER Websites, SEO & Social Marketing Solutions since 1995

February 24, 2015 0

Robert Dotcom Jackson and Internet Builder Consulting Honored by the Mayor

Robert Dotcom Jackson of Internet Builder Consulting speaking at City Hall

It’s easy to win an award for doing a nice website since there are thousands of companies who offer awards for paid entries each month. A unique recognition is that of being honored by The City of Kansas City and the Mayor of Kansas City at City Hall for Outstanding Work and an Outstanding Small Business (under 50 people). Internet Builder Consulting and Robert Dotcom Jackson were invited to City Hall to receive the award, meet with the Mayor, City Council and was later featured on NBC News for innovative business success. Check out the video of Internet Builder Consulting and Robert Dotcom Jackson speaking at City Hall from the City of Kansas City news station channel 2

July 10, 2014 2

NBC News Story on Google Glass Developers & Expert Robert Dotcom Jackson

NBC News spent the day with Robert Dotcom Jackson and www.InternetBuilderConsulting.com for a story on the innovative new Google Glass (glasses) to gain an insight to the technology, interaction and features. Part of the day long interview is on the NBC News site YouTube account here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQDvaXvVE3Q

If your company, brand or product needs Expert Technology, Websites, SEO and Social Marketing be sure to contact the Internet Experts at Internet Builder Consulting or Robert Dotcom Jackson at 816-842-7774

May 4, 2014 0

Do What is Right in Business, Give Back

The last few years have been tough for many Americans and tougher for many of the builders and real estate professionals we have the pleasure of working with. When I founded my company in 1995 I named it Builder Consulting because we were building computers, networks and websites while providing computer and Internet consulting. I knew many people in the real estate industry so naturally that was a strong part of the business with many of the builders taking my word that this whole ‘Internet Thing’ was going to be BIG.My little ‘hobby’ business went from an extra bedroom at my house to a Main Street office with clients worldwide because of the customers. When customers started calling and stating they could no longer pay for website hosting, updates or marketing we had a choice to make. I met with our accounting staff and told them if the customer is legitimately unable to pay and having trouble then Internet Builder Consulting was going to pay it for them and help keep them in business.

My accountant told me it was a bad idea, my office manager actually fought with me about it (she is no longer with the company) but my heart said that we help people when they need it rather than hurt. These were the people and companies that helped us succeed and the last thing we needed to do was take down their websites so no customers could find them and no leads would come in. The decision was bad for ‘business’ costing nearly $25,000 in services we paid for customers in the first year alone but I believe it is the way business should operate. Business should not be just about money, making more and taking more from people – it should be about helping and making things better.

Some of the customers were literally shocked when I called them back to let them know we would be paying for their services until they got back on their feet. Wallen Builders was a successful New Mexico builder/developer that called to say they were having financial troubles and could not pay to complete the new website. I called them back and told them we would finish the website, host it and market it for the rest of the year at no charge to help. Unfortunately it was not enough and they closed the following year but the marketing director, Gia Tidle let us know that what we did helped them survive and pay their staff a few months longer.

Gary Bringus of Heartland Homes spent his last marketing money with another ‘builder design’ firm who took his money and never produced a website for him. When he contacted us and asked for help we designed and built him a new website for 1/2 of what we normally charge. Heartland Homes built some beautiful custom homes throughout Kansas City until the market crash and medical issues nearly closed the business. In 2010 Heartland Homes made the call to turn off the website and save every penny they could to pay medical bills from nearly a year Gary spent in the hospital.

Rather than turning off the website we looked at the situation and agreed to pay for the services until he was back on his feet and business was stable. After a few years of paying for customers websites, hosting and marketing it did add up to a significant amount of money that was causing occasional cash flow issues for Internet Builder Consulting so I choose to pay it out of my own pocket. The last few years I have paid myself around $15,000 a year as the CEO of one of the top Website, SEO and Social Marketing firms in the country. It’s was easier than I expected to go from making $175,000+ a year to what is considered poverty but I did it and I live a happy full life not needing anything.

Business is not about how much money you make, it is about how many people and companies you are able to help. Internet Builder Consulting has been recognized as The Best Place to Work in Kansas City 4 times now and we have a happy team of the top experts in the country who do what they love and take care of customers. Since 1995 I have never worried about the money, there were been several start-ups I was involved with that brought in more money than I ever thought I could spend. Money has never been my goal, being the best at what we do, knowing the Internet, Search Engines, social networks inside and out and actually watching the people we work with succeed because of what we did for them is what drives me.

I had to make some adjustments in life to take a zillion percent pay-cut but it made things much simpler and more manageable. Until things are better and the people who helped us grow the business from a side hobby to one of the top website, SEO and Social Marketing firms in the country are back on their feet I will continue to pay. There is always another day and another dollar but there may not always be another chance to help a company or a friend stay in business when times are tough!

If you believe in what you do, the people around you and doing what is right than putting your money where your heart is makes sense.

Robert ‘Dot Com’ Jackson

Internet Expert, CEO

Internet Builder Consulting

816-842-7774

March 26, 2014 0

Google+ Social Network Releases Vanity URL’s for Pages and Profiles

It has been a LONG time coming but Google finally started releasing Google+ custom vanity URL’s for select pages and profiles. Facebook users have had the ability to select a custom URL since 2008 but Google held back until late 2013. Users and select pages will be notified when they login to Google+ with a message across the top of the page “Your page is preapproved for the custom URL…” as you can see on the image for theInternet Builder Consulting Websites, SEO & Social Marketing experts page.

Once you login to Google+ and see the notification the process is fast and simple. The next screen will show you the custom URL to select for your page or profile which you can confirm or cancel.

Once you select the custom Google+ URL simply confirm the choice and you will have one of the first vanity Google+ URL’s in the country! This permits better branding, faster access to pages and improved user experience…plus you can now list your Google+ profiles or pages on marketing materials!

If you have any questions or would like assistance in obtaining a custom Google+ URL for your company or profile contact the Internet Experts at www.InternetBuilderConsulting.com or call us at 816-842-7774

Robert ‘Dot Com’ Jackson

Internet & Technology Expert

Internet Builder Consulting – Building BETTER Websites, SEO & Social Marketing Solutions since 1995

November 8, 2013 0

Social Networking Benefits for SEO, Facebook and Google+

The best way to rank higher on a Search Engine is to build a BETTER website since SEO is not something you do ‘to’ a website it is how the website is built. Strong valid content, proper META, TITLE and ALT Tags, formatting of pages and links all lead to higher rankings. There are direct benefits from social networking since a key aspect of the Search Engine algorithms has always been ‘how many links from other sites go to your website’ and what is the value of those other sites.Facebook is still the leader online with 300 times more daily traffic than Google. Google is attempting to draw some of the user base back with Google+ social network. Google+ is built to be Search Engine friendly with the following key attributes:

Content is crawled nearly instantly (it IS Google) unlike Twitter and Facebook
Each post has a unique URL (the first 45-50 characters of the post are the title tag)
Google indexes the text of every post and creates hash tags based on top keywords
Any links to external websites are indexed and crawled which may lead to higher page rank
Posts that are shared, interacted with and +1’d are seen as more important

There seems to be a correlation between highly followed and interacted ‘Authors’ or ‘Pages’ with higher value for posts made from more popular profiles or pages. This means that an author (profile) who posts links to external websites with strong well written text that receives multiple interactions is valued higher than posts made by other profiles with little to no interaction.

The image above shows how Google+ automatically pulls and displays the title of the post or page that was shared. It also illustrates the ‘Likes’ and ‘shares noted in the numeric values (+20 people and 1 share on the left and +33 people and 4 shares on the right). Google does not directly follow the links to external URL’s (website addresses) from posts but the people using Google+ do so so there is a benefit.

The key is interaction not just posts, the value comes from connections of the connections creating exponentially vast networks who see your information as each new person ‘+’ or shares your post. Google owns Google+ so ALL content posted on Google+ is instantly indexed. One study attributes Google+1’s as having a slightly higher value than Facebook interaction although it is .30 for +1’s and .27 for Facebook so it is a narrow margin.

Over the past few months we posted the same updates on multiple social networks to find Google+ had the fastest and widest rate of indexing and sharing posts on the Google Search Engine. Facebook had a lower rate of indexing Google+ content but a higher rate of feeds from Facebook posts. Twitter blocks Search Engines from indexing Tweets so Twitter has little to no SEO value. Bing provides favoritism to Facebook since they have a mutual data sharing partnership which shows Facebook content ahead of Google+ content in most cases. Google provides favoritism to Google+ because it is Google and it makes complete sense to list your company products ahead of the competition.

The top factor remains the quality of the web page or web site content which is where SEO is invaluable. Building a proper website in the proper architecture with the proper content has always been the best way to rank higher on search engines. The Internet Experts at Internet Builder Consulting have been teaching the values of Google+ for years and now the proof is in the SEO results! If your company needs a better built website with SEO and Social Marketing for a complete solution contact the experts at Internet Builder Consulting today 816-842-7774

Robert ‘Dot Com’ Jackson

Internet & Technology Expert
Internet Builder Consulting – Building BETTER Websites, SEO and Social Marketing Solutions since 1995

August 22, 2013 0

Online Marketing, SEO and Social Marketing Requires Expertise, a Team and a Company to Succeed

A quick search on Google for ‘Social Marketing’ returns 859 MILLION (859,000,000) results because every unemployed, fired or lazy person who calls themselves a ‘Social Media Marketing Expert’ has a social networking page. Social Marketing CANNOT be done by an unemployed person working from home, by a college intern or by anyone at the office. The entire basis of ‘Social Networking’ is multiple connections over multiple interfaces by multiple people – it cannot and will not work with 1 or 2 people ‘posting’ about your company, product or service online.

When we first started marketing using Social Networks in 2008 we recognized the value in using social networks as a method of expanding reach online. Years later there are hundreds of millions of people attempting to use ‘Social Marketing’ as a job title although there is no such job. Social Marketing is simply a part of an overall Online Marketing strategy and only works as part of that strategy. If a company hires someone to do ‘social marketing’ but does not have an effective website, a wide spread national network to interact, promote and create the ‘buzz’ required.

The way search engines interpret social networking data, posts, pages and profiles is the key. A Facebook business page or profile that has posts and only a small amount of interaction has no value at all. This means no search engine lists the information and nobody on the social network saw it except you and the person who posted it. There are literally hundreds of thousands of companies being ripped off every day by dishonest incompetent people claiming to ‘Do Social Marketing’. A great example of this is a local company (we blocked out the name to protect the company) who hired an unemployed x-convict who has a Social Butterfly Marketing Facebook Page and Blog claiming to ‘Do Social Marketing’.

She created a Google+ page and a Facebook page and posts photos of the business owner every few days and even a logo or an address once or twice. This has ZERO benefit for the company, there has not been a single interaction, never and thus nobody saw any of this except the lady posting it from home.

Another thing to watch out for with the ‘work from home’ social marketing is that they have nothing to lose, no business to take to court, no reputation at risk and no standards of conduct. If you hire one of the ‘work from home’ unemployed ‘social marketers’ and then choose to terminate services they may choose to steal all of your accounts, spread lies and false information about your business and use what little skill they have to harass you. No legitimate company or professional would ever do such a thing so do your research and look at EVERYTHING the people have posted and make sure they have a solid business reputation with an office, staff and other professionals to support you.

Your grandmother can setup Facebook and so can every high school kid or unemployed convict in America so make a choice in QUALITY and select a business with multiple experts, customer service and a reputation to uphold. Contact Internet Builder Consulting or Social Marketing Builders for an social networking setup, training, social marketing or an expert consultation by our teams of experts and a business with 18 years of continued success at 816-842-7774 from 8AM to 8PM

August 8, 2013 0