How Canva.com Can Make Anyone a Graphic Designer – Even Me

I will tell you a secret: I am a marketer who hates working with graphics. But recently I found a tool that makes working with other types of images much easier. www.canva.com lets me to “pretend” to be a graphic designer, without really knowing anything about graphics or design. I can create my own images, with graphics and text and then download them for free to use in blog posts, on Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn and more.

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Lessons I Learned In the Press Room at Microsoft Convergence

The first time I was invited to attend Microsoft Convergence as a member of “The Press” in 2012 I was scared to death. 

 I found myself in a room of about 50 very seasoned, mostly male, journalists firing tough questions at Microsoft’s top executives. I remember wondering, “How in the world did I get in here and when is someone going to realize I don’t belong?” 

 But nobody called my bluff and in fact, they continued to invite me back year after year.

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5 Ways ISV Partners Can Connect With VAR Partners Using Social Media

ISV partners often need to form new relationships with VAR partners in the Microsoft Dynamics community and many of them still rely on cold calls. As a VAR partner I can tell you that I get far too many of these “cold calls” and I tune them out. But I can also tell you that there is a better way. Here are some simple ways that ISV partners can connect with, and get their names known by, VAR partners using social media.

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How to Change Thumbnail Images on Google+ Posts

The image added to this article doesn't really match the content, and it is actually kind of confusing….Are you doing the same thing to your readers with your Google+ posts?

Using the right graphic is an important way to engage readers. It may seem simple to some people, but many don’t realize that you can change the default image that appears when you add a link in a Google+ post.

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6 Tips From Fellow ERP Software Blog Writers

Don’t feel bad, you are not alone.  Ever blogger I have met struggles to find enough content. But we can help each other by sharing our creative ideas.

At the annual Microsoft Dynamics Convergence event I met with several of the writers for the ERP Software Blog. Here are some of my favorite ideas that were shared by the group:

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Never Use Boring Screen Shots Again – A Tool Every Software Marketer Needs To Have

How can software marketers make screenshot images look more interesting? I have found a new tool that I just love that guarantees I never need to use a boring screenshot again.

Check out www.placeit.net

Basically you can upload any screenshot/image you have and it will appear as if it is on the screen in the image. You can filter my photos of laptops, tablets, phones etc… It is hard to explain so let me show you an example of how it works.

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8 Tips for Bloggers to Make the Most of Convergence 2015 and Other Events Too

Convergence 2015 is starting soon. On your mark, get set – BLOG!

I always think that I am going to have more time at Convergence than I actually do. So here are a few tips to help my fellow bloggers, and tweeters, to get the most out of the event.

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14 Life Lessons I Learned from Strong Women in the Dynamics Channel

You have the ability to inspire others; and often you don’t even realize you are doing it.

During my time in the Dynamics channel I have crossed career paths with many strong, intelligent women who have inspired me. Because of them I am a better marketer, a better mentor and, dare I say, a better person.

Here are a few of the lessons I have learned from memorable women:

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10 Tips for Writing Blog Posts Faster

Learning how to write faster will make you happier.

There is nothing worse than agonizing for hours and hours over one blog article, then realizing you have 4 more to write this week. I got some great tips from the fabulous Marie Forleo. Here are a few of her tips and a few of my own to help you overcome the complaint that you don’t have time to write.

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Feeding the Content Machine When You Think You Have Nothing to Write About

When I talk to people about content marketing, specifically blogging, I usually hear three main objections:

1)     I have nothing to write about.

2)     I don’t have time to write.

3)     I’m not good at writing.

In this article, let’s tackle the objection that you have nothing to write about. 

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Top Dynamics Partners Choose the 12 Most Interesting Marketing Topics of 2015

What is on the minds of some of the top marketers in the Microsoft Dynamics channel this year? I took a poll of 15 marketers that I collaborate with regularly, from both Dynamics VAR and ISV companies. We came up with a master list of the topics that we want to explore further in 2015. During our group calls this year we will discuss one topic each month as it relates to our world of marketing Microsoft Dynamics products:

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What I Learned About Microsoft Outlook in One Hour

I have used Microsoft Outlook every day for years. Okay, let’s be honest, decades. I set up folders and rules, delay delivery and do other fancy stuff. I would go as far as to call myself an Outlook power user. But recently I had one specific calendar issue I just could not figure out so l decided to invest in one hour of professional Outlook training from Savvy Training.

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