Background:::
We host 3 business websites and are in the process of building an intranet for SOP’s. The website’s server (Wintows IIS 2003) is off-premise and resides at the owner home. The Intranet is at the office location.

I have several web based forms (currently .asp) on our websites and plan on developing a test that will be used on our intranet that will consist of multiple choice and essay questions for department specific procedures for new and existing employees.

Problem::
My strength is in design. Coding gives me a migraine! I have several correspondence & appointment forms on our web site. Each time the mail service is moved, the web forms cease working. I have went from CGI | Cold Fusion | PHP & ASP. I have Adobe Acrobat Designer 8 and would love to implement an Adobe Acrobat web form, but haven’t been able to master the code. although have been told it can be done. I haven’t found much help from Adobe.com or Lynda.com on how to execute these forms for the web. Flash Forms are a piece of cake. . . . on a Linux-based operating system {:-(. . . . but that is not an option here. I have stayed away from VB because I use a MAC and “Access” is not available for MAC users. So see, I’m in a spin cycle!

What I need:::
Is a solution to all my forms needs! There are various program packages available and I am asking for recommendations, pro’s, cons, etc. Please, I am not interested in any fly-by-night sortware or a sales pitch. I need a proven fix-all solution that won’t blow-up the next time someone here isn’t happy with a various service and decides to pull the plug without warning.

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Jay’s Answer: The basic choices you have are ASP or PHP forms.

Here’s a tutorial on using ASP forms (using Dreamweaver)

Or, a tutorial using PHP

Use a form generator (for basic forms): By tele-pro.co.uk or Free Form Maker

Or using PHP

You don’t have to be a technical wizard to do this, it’s pretty straight-forward. It sounds like the problem you’re having isn’t with the forms, but with the data that’s sent when the submit button is pushed. No matter what software solution you use for forms, you still have to solve that technical headache. One way to solve this is to put your forms completely off your site, and use something like Survey Monkey to create a (survey) form, and compile the information. It all depends upon what you’re needs are.

Just finished a documentary film (1 hr.) on breast cancer from survivor ship point of view. CBCF LOVES it but no money to offer us. We want to get this out to the world, and lots of interest so far with people who have seen it, in the world of breast cancer. But so far no one with money. We are looking for $100,000 to buy us out, or smaller investment from a number of companies to support screenings and distribution of film. Looking at every event going on in this city, there are dozens of companies who contribute to such worthy causes. Where do I find these companies and get them a copy? I think they would be thrilled to be involved in this inspiring and educational film, and have their name on a film that will be distributed around the world – SOON.

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Jay’s Answer: I’m unclear what your strategy is (who is the film’s audience, etc.), and why a sponsor should care about your film.

For example, why not skip the who sponsorship issue, and release the movie online?

Or, release some snippets of your movie online to build viral traffic to your website, where you ask for sponsorships to support distribution (and/or online advertising) of the movie.

An easy way to find sponsors is to look for organizations that have sponsored similar-themed organizations in the past, such as: Shanti or Think Before You Pink

I’m in the latter stages of launching a new site RedBack (logo based on the Australian Redback spider specifically selling body piercing jewelry. To be honest, it’s not the pretty stuff I’m selling either, hence my market is quite niche with a big crossover into the tattoo and body modification markets.
I’m completely stuck for a tagline, largely because I don’t want to sound cheesy or hollow! However, none of my competitors have a tag line and I really see the importance of having one.

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Jay’s Answer:

• Celebrate Your Body
• Design Your Own Body
• Body Jewelry With A Bite

I need help naming a Maternity and Baby store. We will have a 730 sq ft store in a popular shopping destination. There is another baby store there, so we have had to change our concept a little so we don’t take away their business. Here are the things we are “allowed” to sell: Maternity Clothes, anything for pregnant moms, baby gear (like pacifiers, teethers, carriers, strollers, etc.), baby gifts (like personalized sippy cups) and baby furniture. We are not allowed to sell any clothing, shoes, socks, etc.

We currently have a website that we have been operating for a year now. It is called Mommy’s Luxuries or www.mommysluxuries.com. Peddler’s Village didn’t like our name, so we need to find another one. Right now I really like Waddlers and Toddlers or Waddlers 2 Toddlers. We are going to limit the things we sell to be from maternity to about 2 years old.

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Jay’s Answer: I strongly suggest that the word “baby and/or maternity” (or a synonym) be in the title to make it obvious what you’re selling. For example, “Waddlers And/To Toddlers” sounds like 1-2 year old things (including clothing).

• Maternity Home
• Glow Into The World
• So, You’re Having A Baby!
• Enchanted Inner Garden
• 9 Months And Beyond

I run a membership site that provides marketing tools for loan officers. I recently began performing live demo’s using GoToMeeting.

There you have it. My current decision to be made. I realize web metrics come into play, but I don’t have a whole lot of captured data to go off of, as this site was not a major focus of mine for the last 6 – 8 months.

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Jay’s Answer: Consider your positioning. For example, what is the lifetime value of a new client? $1000? $100,000? The more valuable they are to your organization, the more effort you should expend to woo them.

Likewise, does your company tout it’s great personalized service? If so, then a 1:1 demo shows that from the get-go.

You might have people who are interested in your services answer a few questions, and direct them to a prerecorded small demo that focuses on their needs (if you can group your prospects into various categories). Then, schedule a follow up, either via demo or a simple phone call to discuss their specific needs after seeing the video.

My company, Meridian Environmental Technology, is going to be attending a few career fairs and we’re developing stand-up banners to provide a visual “booth.” This banner will be 6.5 feet tall, contain information regarding the positions within the computer/IT division (all of them, not only the ones we’re currently seeking), and there will be handouts for the sought positions available from the guys working the booth.

I’ve decided to avoid using a “people” picture on the banner, and instead am looking at using a pair of hands holding multi-colored jelly beans. I’ve come up with a few ideas for a tagline, but I’m also looking for other suggestions.

Idea 1: “It takes all kinds to make a great group”
Idea 2: “We handpick the best”
Idea 3: “Join a great handpicked group”
Idea 4: De-saturate all the jelly beans but one, and have “Stand out from the rest”

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Jay’s Answer: I’d advise against jelly beans, since it doesn’t reinforce your business of weather forecasting and analysis. Instead, highlight your technology: weather maps, pictures of extreme weather, pictures of your clients farms, etc. Technology is more likely to appeal to your prospects than abstract jellybeans.

As for a taglines:

• Do Something About the Weather.
• We’re All-Weather Friends
• We Forecast A Great Working Relationship
• Our Talent Is All Over the Map

I’m planning to open a HR Consulting Firm. The firm will be doing recruitment & training.
I need a tagline which is common ie., it should be targeting towards both employer and employee. Kindly help me in this regard.

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Jay’s Answer: Who’s going to pay for your services? That’s who the tagline should be geared towards.

Job seekers are looking for great opportunities that compensate them well.

Companies are looking for pre-qualified, talented staff that fit into the business culture.

• Great Jobs For The Right People
• Job Search Made Easy
• Employee-Employer Matchmakers

Need a catchy name for a new business I am starting that will include mural, faux, and scenic painting services for individuals, theatres, hospitals, nurseries, churches, retail. etc. I will also be doing theatrical design and drafting for the theatre.

I’m looking for an “oh I get it” concept for a name that would include all services. Some silly, some elegant. I do currently have a business name under DoveGraphics, inc., but it involves architectural drafting, illustrating, and animation and I don’t know if I should, or could, do both business under the same name.

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Jay’s Answer: Keep the names separate, since you’re marketing to different audiences. Also, I’d be inclined to keep the B2C segment (individuals) different from the B2B segment (other businesses) – since again you have different audiences needs.

• Murals Faux All
• Decorative Spaces
• Custom Artistic Effects
• Painted Transformations
• Mural-mazing

I am doing a pitch to a company who distributes computer and console games. The company is purely a distributor but in a recent press release stated that they would like to be transparent to gamers even though they do not sell directly to gamers, they have started a gamers-club but I feel that there is more they can do. The gamers-club invites members to take part in competitions etc. I need to show them the benefits of hosting an event at various game shops – since they sell directly to these shops they would obviously not lose anything as it will promote the stores which sales rising. The biggest problem I’m facing is how to prove to a distributor that getting their name associated with games will increase their sales. Shops do promotions regularly because they sell directly to people but will this work with a distributor who sells to stores and not consumers? Also, what would a event entail? This is also my first pitch that I will be doing so any pointers on what I need to present them with would also be a great help.

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Jay’s Answer: If the distributor’s games target a similar demographic or category, then you have an opportunity for presenting “…if you like that, then you might also like this game…” (or “…people who bought this, often buy this game…”).

However, if the distributor simply has a wide inventory, then their name won’t mean much, and probably isn’t worth building on.

Holding events at game shops may bring awareness to a single title of theirs, but given the effort it’ll take to promote each of these one-shot events, it’s unlikely to result in the ROI they’re looking for.

Instead, have the distributor have a contest for best new game idea (in different categories). The winner would get a gift certificate for a selection of games and perhaps a meeting with a game company or two’s principals (to pitch the game itself). Something like this could easily go viral and result in the name of the distributor being mentioned frequently.

Are there any do’s and don’ts to offering a door prize? Do they do any good at all – good will is about all I can figure; maybe a listing in a event program no one will read?

The only door prize I remember (having won several) is from a casino. I drink out of their coffee mug every morning. I still don’t play there.

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Jay’s Answer: Instead of door prizes, donate your services for a silent auction. Everyone will see your advertisement, and those that are interested will bid. You could award your services to the top 3 bidders. It’s a win-win: the charity benefits from the auction, you get a ad, and you get people who are interested paying attention to you.