Microsoft Office - Easy Shortcuts to Change Text Font Sizes

Try these keyboard shortcuts to change the font size for selected text in Word, PowerPoint, and Publisher.  Unfortunately, this trick does not work in Excel.

• Ctrl + ] to increase font size by 1 point size increments such as 12 point to 13 point
• Ctrl + [ to decrease font size by 1 point size increments

Try these with your next project!

Getting the Word Out Using Social Media

The Media Landscape Is Changing (And That’s Great News for Small Businesses)
Constant contact Blog post.

How Things Have Changed

Microsoft Office - Control Drag = Copy

What a great trick I learned today.   Did you know that you can quickly make a copy of any object/picture by holding down the CTRL key while you drag on the object?  When you "drag off"  a new copy will appear.

This trick works in Word, PowerPoint and Excel.   Try it!

Difference Between Facebook's Wall and Facebook's News Feed

Thanks to Pixel Coaching for a well written article explaining the difference between Facebook's Wall and News Feed.

Customizing Shortcut Keys in Word 2007

Shortcut keys can save you a lot of time in Microsoft Word. But you may want to assign it to a different shortcut key. Follow these steps to customize:

To create or edit a shortcut key, follow these steps:

1. Click the Office button
2. Select Word Options, click Customize
3. Beside Keyboard shortcuts click Customize
4. Use the Categories box to select the category for the command to which you would like to assign a new shortcut
5. Locate the command in the Commands box and select it
6. Click inside the box labeled Press new shortcut key 
7. Press your shortcut key
8. You will see if the shortcut key is assigned to a different command. You can overwrite it, or press Delete to undo the shortcut key
9. Click Assign

Microsoft Excel 2007 - Setting Vertical Alignment

One quick way to align text/numbers from top to bottom (vertically) within a cell is as follows:

1. Select the cell(s)
2. Right click the mouse
3. Click Format Cells
4. Click the Alignment Tab

Is Social Media Overwhelming to You?

Sometimes social media seems so overwhelming. There are multiple platforms (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Google +, Digg, blogging, email marketing, …) and there are so many options. Blog twice a week. Tweet 5 days a week. Connect Facebook posts to Twitter.  AARRGGHHH!!!

The following article emphasizes that while there are “best practices” that are touted by the social media leaders and pundits, each company has to look at their own marketing and measure what works for them. Who are your clients?  Are they tweeters?  If not, why should you tweet?  Do they know what RSS stands for? If not, then you need to find another method to get your brilliant blog posts to them.

A small business is REQUIRED to have a social media presence. Today it is as necessary as a phone number, a business card or a web site.  But once you have the basics, how you proceed is unique to you.

Knowing your clients is crucial. If you don’t know them well, stop now and get to know them. Phone calls for a customer satisfaction survey. Online surveys. Paper survey for everyone who walks in the front door. Once you have their characteristics, you can plan your marketing approach.

·         Age?
·         Gender?
·         Computer users?

Based on this information, you know which social media is going to work best for you.

Social Media Best Practices Aren’t Always Best

By Josh Mendelsohn

Really Simple Syndication – This is a protocol that allows someone to automatically receive your blog posts via a Reader. They set up their Reader first. Free ones are available in Outlook 2007+, from Google and many other sources. Then they subscribe via the Reader to a blog feed. Each time a new post is made on the blog, the post shows up in their Reader. The blog can be tagged, starred, saved for reference.

Thinking of a Facebook Promotion?

Here is a good example of a Facebook promotion.  First the reader Likes the Staples page. So Staples has an increase in Likes from everyone who has a Staples Rewards card.  Then the reader gets all of their friends to like the Facebook page (by voting for the reader). So Staples has a second wave of Likes.  It’s more complicated than a straight contest for a prize but it yields bigger results.

Time Management Tips: 5 Beliefs that Limit Productivity

Productivity—both at home and at work—depends on multiple factors, not the least of which are time management and organization. Compiling to-do lists and wrangling the email in your Inbox are two basic time-management skills that promote productivity and organization.

In this article, productivity professional and expert organizer Sally McGhee examines—and dispels—common mistaken beliefs about obstacles to productivity, lends advice on how to organize your Inbox, and offers time-management tips.

Click here to continue reading this article at Microsoft at Home.

How Things Have Changed

Do a Clean Sweep: How to Delete Unwanted Files and Programs

Ever wonder how to clean out your computer? Many people do, because it’s not unusual to have your PC’s hard disk filled with games and other programs you no longer need. In fact, some technology analysts believe that we use less than 10 percent of the programs installed on our computers. The following instructions describe how to safely—and easily—uninstall old or unused programs and remove files from your Windows-based computer.

Click here to continue reading this article from Microsoft at Home.

Microsoft Word - Are you Revealing too Much Information

Did you know that your Word document may contain a lot more information than you realize; tracked changes, comments, hidden text, private properties and more.  To make sure you're not revealing too much in a Word 2007 document:

1. Select the Office button
2. Select Prepare
3. Select Inspect Document and make sure the following boxes are checked:
• Comments, revisions, versions and annotations
• Document properties and personal information
• Custom XML data
• Headers, footers and watermarks
• Hidden text
4. Select Inspect

The New Facebook Business Page

Confused by the new "timeline" view of your page. Here is an explanation of the new page layout.

Facebook Page Overview

Facebook Strategies

Thank you, Steve Khan, Eco Bay Home (very cool rice husk, bamboo, cork products for your home) for this excellent article about how to get your fans to talk to you. Social media is a two way conversation. You want your followers to respond to your posts, share your posts and take action.  This article has some great suggestions!

Amy Porterfield writes "5 Facebook Posts That Spark Massive Engagement"

Facebook Case Study

The Secret Recipe for Getting 600 More Facebook Likes
Constant Contact blog post

How Things Have Changed

Microsoft Excel 2007 - Side-by-Side View

I was working on a project last week that I needed to view and edit two Excel spreadsheets at once.  Did you know that you can bring up two files and split the screen so that you can view and edit both?  It was very helpful in completing this project.

1. Open both files that you need to work on.
2. Click "View" on the Ribbon.
3. Click "Arrange All" in the Windows block and your choices will be Tiled, Horizontal, Vertical or Cascade.  Use the one that works best for you.

It's as easy as that.

Branding Checklist

Branding your company takes time. There is no magic wand. Just consistent, steady work. There are tools to make it easier but no short cuts. Think of all of the emails and social media messages you get. Your prospects and customers get just as many.  So be realistic with your goals and efforts. Use software to simplify the process. Use support services such as Your Computer Lady for assistance.But always plan your activities with a long range view.

Here is a very good checklist showing how branding is accomplished.

What’s ProtectYourVision.org

ProtectYourVision.org is a free online application aimed at protecting eyes from a Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS).

What’s CVS?
Around 70% people in developed countries experience eye discomfort and vision problems when viewing a computer screen for more than 2 hour daily. The level of discomfort appears to increase with the amount of computer use.
The most common symptoms of CVS are:

•    Eyestrain
•    Headaches
•    Blurred vision
•    Dry, irritated eyes
•    Double vision
•    Difficulty refocusing the eyes
•    Neck and shoulder pain

If any of these sounds familiar to you it’s about time to take care of your eyes.

How to use?
Switch on your personal eyes assistant (EVO) every time when your’re going to use computer for more than 2 hour. Simply go to www.protectyourvision.org website and click “Start EVO”.

You can choose between 3 different modes:

1. 20-20-20:  After every 20 min spent in front of a computer a 20 sec break is signalized, in this time focus the eyes on an object 20 feet (6 meters) away, or just close your eyes.
2. 60-5:  After every hour spent in front of a computer a 5 min break is signalized with a sound alarm.
3. Custom:  Define by yourself break's frequency and length. By default: after every hour spent in front of a computer a 5 min break is signalized with a sound alarm.

Find out which mode suits you.  During the break avert your eyes from a computer screen, close them or do eyes gymnastics.

Click here to continue to their Facebook page.

Enjoy safe computer use.

How Things Have Changed

How to Clean your Computer

I have a dirty secret. I've never cleaned my computer. Sure, I've dusted my monitor, but I haven't taken off the cover or tried to reach the crumbs lurking inside my keyboard. And I honestly don't know the difference between pressurized air dusters and compressed air cleaners.

To continue reading this article on Microsoft at Home, click here.

Frequent Reasons Why People Unsubscribe to Your Email List

Click here to see research results on the most frequently given reasons why people unsubscribe from an email list or unlike a Facebook Page.  Constant Contact allows you to see a report showing who unsubscribed from your email list.  You should review it regularly. Not everyone gives an answer but the ones you get are worthwhile.  Use the feedback to be sure your social media campaigns are on target.