Welcome to Extreme Networking

No one doubts the value of networking and the radio show demonstrated how to take this concept to new heights. Earlier this week we did a remote at the 1308 Cantina in Houston, which brought over 100 guests to this exciting event.

Doing events such as this is fairly common. People standing around the media personality and doing a little meeting and greeting. For the price of some of the finest Mexican food in town, it is a great event in and of itself. This was so much more than that.

Andy Valadez of Marketing Dynamics and I have been working extensively on the importance of the convergence of media in building a business. That is why the Houston business Media Group includes a radio show (The Houston Business Show, M-F at 11 AM on CNN 650), an ezine (the Houston Business Review), television (Movers and Shakers on Phonoscope), and other media. We brought many of these elements to El Tiempo.

So the large crowd came for great food and exchange cards, but instead received so much more. Many did short interviews on the radio show where they gave their message to thousands online and on the radio. We are talking about twenty such guests. Others still were interviewed via video and will be promoted in my ezine and on the radio (like I did of the interview with Jessica Colon of Young Republicans and Fox News). Others are being promoted at the What's New Page at Houston Business Show What's New Page and the Houston Business Review. Many will put the audio and video on their website, creating a level of credibility that is hard to come by and long term exposure that is simply hard to come by. I don't know what you call this approach to business development, but I call it Extreme Networking.

The feedback about the event was overwhelmingly positive. People enjoyed great food and fun. More importantly, many of them were able to redefine networking by getting their message out directly to thousands and over a much longer of period of time. We are excited about making a difference in the way people network.

Kevin Price is Host of the Houston Business Show (M-F at 11 AM on CNN 650) and Publisher of the Houston Business Review. Hear the show live and online at HoustonBusinessShow.com. Visit the archive of past shows here.

Search Engine Friendly

I actually feel guilty that I, personally, only write around 10 or 11 articles a week (around 4 here and more at HoustonBusinessShow.com). I know, it sounds ridiculous, but when your blogs and web platforms have the reach we enjoy, I feel like I should be writing as long as I'm awake.

Articles on our web platform are found very high on Google searches and enjoy a very high response. In fact, dBusinessNews released information about the extent of our search engine optimization reach compared to other major media web sites such as the Houston Chronicle, the Houston Business Journal, and even national media sites.

Here is a comparison of the HoustonBusinessReview (which is media central on our sites) and other major websites:

Newspapers

Houston Chronicle. Chron.com has a Search Engine Optimization rating of 82%.
Houston Business Journal (HoustonBusinessJournal.com) has a Search Engine Optimization rating of 86%.

TV Stations

KPRC (Click2Houston.com) has a Search Engine Optimization rating of 87%.
KHOU (KHOU.TV) has a Search Engine Optimization rating of 57%.
KTRK (KTRK.com) has a Search Engine Optimization rating of 70%.

Radio

KTRH has a Search Engine Optimization rating of 59%.
KPRC has a Search Engine Optimization rating of 55%.
KSEV has a Search Engine Optimization rating of 80%.

News Websites

HoustonBusinessReview.com has a Search Engine Optimization rating of 92 percent.

HoustonBusinessReview.com is the only local website that has a DomainTools.com rating of an "A" (with 90% plus being an "A"). This rating is usually relegated to national media. For example:

Forbes.com has a Search Engine Optimization rating of 91%.
Fortune.com has a Search Engine Optimization rating of 92%.
CNNMoney.com has a Search Engine Optimization rating of 92%.

However, many prominent national media failed to reach the 90 percent threshold, including the Wall Street Journal, ABC News, MSNBC.com, and many others.

Combined with all of our experts and the content I provide, we have a massive reach. Learning how to have search engine friendly content is crucial in web marketing. That will be the focus of posts in the future.

Dow Breaks 13,000 Again -- in the Right Direction!

A few days ago I noted that the Stock Market broke 13,000 points, but in the wrong direction. The market is at it again, but this time it broke its way back up, all the way to 13,371.72. In fact, the last week was the best we have seen in months.

Still, with the amazing market volatility, I think Fox Business and CNBC should get Dramamine as a title sponsor of many of their programs. The wild roller coast ride called the Stock Market is enough to make anyone sick.

The recent stress in the stock market has been great news for the media. According to MediaBistro, the channels that specialize in reporting such are enjoying a surge in viewers (which is usually followed by advertising revenue). The market remains near an all time high, unemployment is incredibly low, and the economy as whole remains quite strong. Yet, you won't easily read, see, or hear such in the business media. Instead we will only by plagued by stories of sub-prime trauma and foreclosures. That's the news media we "enjoy" today.

Kevin Price is the Host of the Houston Business Show (M-F at 11 AM on CNN 650) and is publisher of the Houston Business Review. Request Kevin Price's report on the Business of Media by emailing info@HoustonBusinessShow.com.

How to Market to Houston Businesses

Secret: This article will work in almost any city, but even the title is a part of the marketing strategy. At the time of this writing most of my clients are in Houston, I want them to find me in a simple Google search. I think you get the idea.

The way people market today is predicated on factors that really didn't exist just a few years ago. You would almost think that someone would have told many marketing businesses that they have no legitimate reason to exist with the advent of the Internet. Or, at the very least, they should make it clear that there expertise doesn't include the Internet if such is not the case. Ironically, some of the largest and most prestigious lag far behind in developing Internet based strategies.

I believe in the convergence of media. I believe some people like some sources of information while others might prefer a different means. I like everything; audio, video and (I'm old) articles. Some like TV, but increasingly many prefer to watch TV online (as Rupert Murdoch likes to say, "when and where they want it."). My firm uses TV, radio, podcasts (video and audio), articles, blogs, etc. to reach audience for our clients. With over 100,000 unique viewers and around 1 million hits each month, this strategy is working.

The hardest people to reach are business owners. It is quite common for them to work 10 hours plus, but still want to be kept informed. These individuals are quick to turn the page at the first sign of an ad, flip a channel at first sight of the commercial, or spin the radio at first sound of a break in their programming. My answer to that problem is simple. Get your message across when people are listening and watching. The group I describe as "the Accumulators" demand such.

I produced an audio about this important demographic group and I have been told by colleagues that recognizing this group and developing strategies to reach them can make or break a business. I have been encouraged to more vigorously spread the word on it, which is why I am writing this post.

I was recently interviewed by Robbie Adair of the Media A-Team on the power of the convergence of media (an essential element in reaching Accumulators) and want to invite readers to watch it here. Until people understand the importance of a multi-media approach and the role Accumulators are playing in the economy, they are going to find acquiring business a much more frustrating proposition.

Note: Order Kevin Price's audio program The Accumulators, which explains the impact that the Internet is having on marketing and consumer behavior. It is available online here for only $10 plus p and h. Receive the Houston Business Review e-zine free each week by clicking here.

New Studios for the Houston Business Show

Regular readers of this blog have seen my remarks regarding our world famous studios (they were actually the old news "closet" in the old KIKK days). Well, I am proud to announce that we have gotten brand new facilities that put us well into the 21st century. We now have top of the line facilities with four microphones and a large studio table. In the photo you will find Houston Business Show Advisor in the information technology area, Richard Sonnier between breaks. Richard is President of Nimble Services and has been an with the program for over four years. I have had some people comment on the old studio and was encouraged to share our good news. That is the exact purpose of this post. I now feel like I'm a part of the media elite.

On this week's show I visited with Bruce Kaufmann of Kaufmann Capital Advisors and Business Show Advisor on Corporate Finance and Jim Stein of the Bank of Houston. You can learn more about these guests and listen to the show 24/7 by visiting the Houston Business Show website.

A Blogging Success Story

Many journalists, talk show hosts, and others in the media subscribe to Google Alerts in order to keep informed on specific issues (this is a great free, tool that I strongly recommend). I have several, including one called "Houston Real Estate" which I use to prepare for the Houston Home Show I host with Mark Jeffrey of UBuildIt (Friday at 1 PM on CNN 650). Recently I received an alert that included a blog post that discussed Houston's booming economy and how that should contribute to continued growth in Real Estate in the future.

That post was written by Rose Stabler (photo at left, a local business broker), who ironically just decided to start a blog in the last few weeks. It was an excellent piece and clearly shows that Houstonians can expect this economy to continue to grow, that unemployment should be well below the national average, and that housing should continue to improve for investment and other purposes. I asked her to be on today's show and she did a fine job pointing to the reasons for continued optimism. Her interview will be available online at the Houston Business Review (I suggest getting a free subscription to it by clicking here so you can be kept up to date on all our media). I encourage sharing that segment of the show with others who wonder about the future of Houston's economy.

I'm not suggesting that if you start a blog you will be on the radio speaking to thousands in a few weeks. I do believe, however, that starting a blog can differentiate you as an expert (something Rose is doing very well in her blog), can attract attention from those who can help your business, and can provide discipline to help you become better at what you do. For those of you who spend hours reading blogs, but debate whether or not you should get in, the water is great.

On This Week's Houston Business Show

On this week's Houston Business Show I interviews Jim Stein of the Bank of Houston, Steve Hansen of Summit Financial Resources, and Jim O'Neill of Lone Star Sound.

Jim Stein discussed the enormous growth of the Bank of Houston and the secret of the bank's success. The Bank of Houston has gone from $20 million in assets to over $200 in just two years and he attributes that growth to its commitment to community banking. As a result it has gone from a single main location to three in just two years with future growth in mind.

Steve Hansen of Summit Financial Resources discussed an up coming speaking event for the National Association of Business Women Owners in which he will help that audience develop "a financial statement bankers will drool over." Coming up on March 22, I think any person in business will find it helpful.

Jim O'Neill, our latest business show expert discussed his new blog entry about to be added to HoustonBusinessShow.com. It is all about YouTube and how smart entrepreneurs can take advantage of that unique website to promote their business. In addition, Jim discussed a new program that we are developing to give people the opportunity to get TV ad exposure with virtually no production costs. For more information click here.

For the latest in all Houston Business Show media, visit my What's New Blog at HoustonBusinessShow.com. For information on when you can hear today's program online and to receive weekly updates on what's new, subscribe to my free newsletter at Houston Business Review.

New Media at the Houston Business Show Website

I am delighted about the rapid expansion of experts and the quality of content they are providing at the Houston Business Show website. Now, in order to make it easier to find the information you want, I have developed a new page designed to provide up to date information on new podcasts and articles as they are added. It is he purpose of this page to make your visit as quick, informative, and profitable as possible.

Today alone saw the addition of several new podcasts and articles:

* Bruce Kaufmann of Kaufmann Capital discussed the importance of performance in developing a business plan.


* Noel Halgreen of Sona MedSpa previewed the latest trends in stopping the habit of smoking.


* Andy Valadez discussed the enormous growth of product placement in movies and weighs the value of such an approach in advertising in his innovative "Front Line" series.

The above are just a few of the latest media. For more information please check out the page here. I suggest you do so daily. If you wish to get a monthly reminder of what is going on in our media, subscribe to the Houston Business Review ezine. Finally, if you want to learn more about the experts program, drop us a line at kj_hbr@sbcglobal.net. We are continuously visiting with leading authorities in order to provide the best in business news and information.

The Authorities on the Houston Business Show this Week

On this week's Houston Business Show (today at 1 PM on CNN 650)I interviewed Richard Sonnier, our IT expert from Nimble Services; Sam Morris, representing the Bank of Houston; and Mike Alexander, our Insurance expert from ABM Insurance.

Richard (photo, top) discussed some of the major innovations going on in the ever changing world of the Internet. Specifically he reviewed a new program developed by Yahoo to counter Microsoft Office.

Sam Morris (photo, middle) discussed the commitment to community banking that is pervasive at the Bank of Houston and how that has contributed to the institution's rapid growth (from $20 million in assets when it started two years ago this month, to almost $200 million today). Also, Sam is a graduate of Northwood University, which is one of my favorite schools in the country because of its commitment to free market economics. That certainly made the interview more enjoyable.

Finally, Mike Alexander (photo, bottom) discussed the looming deadline facing seniors when it comes to making changes in their Medicare Supplement program. The cost and inconvenience could be serious if individuals fail to make changes by the deadline at the end of March.

To hear archived shows visit the Houston Business Show website. Subscribe to the Houston Business Review and keep informed of up coming shows or when new podcasts are available.

Bruce Kaufmann on "Making Your List and Checking it Twice"

Corporate Financial Management Expert Bruce Kaufmann has a new article and podcast at the Houston Business Show website. Bruce is doing an excellent job of bringing quality business radio programming to our website on a weekly basis. We are going to be adding new programming to the show virtually every week and over time this site will be a radio station of its own.

The following is an excerpt from Bruce's latest article (How are You Doing - The Financial 14 Checklist; follow the link to finish the article and to hear the podcast):

Financial management is about your performance, the results you produce, and the numbers you use to quantify your activities. As the financial manager of your company—whether you are the CEO, the CFO, the VP-Finance or Treasurer—you are going to interact with all other areas of the business: operations, personnel, marketing, production, and administration. You will play a key role in setting goals and measuring progress towards achieving those goals. If the company fails to meet its corporate objectives, you...

Bruce is one of the many reasons why the Houston Business Show is an excellent source -- 24 hours a day/7 days a week -- for quality business news and information. To receive a weekly email of updated articles and podcasts, subscribe to the free Houston Business Review e-zine by clicking here.

New Website Supports the Houston Business Show

I'm proud to announce the creation of a new website, being launched today, supporting the Houston Business Show (Monday at 1 PM on CNN 650). Called HoustonBusinessShow.com, this website is more that the typical page devoted to advertisers and show promotion. Rather, it is a radio program of its own, entirely online.

The Houston Business Show, Monday at 1 PM on CNN 650 is the longest running program on that station. Although the show covers a great deal of information one hour each week, it is really only scratching the surface. Our new podcasts will regularly add hours of new programs, on numerous business and lifestyle related topics, that will keep listeners informed. Over time there will be new podcasts added daily and it will operate like a radio station of its own.

Spend some time at the site and visit our newest personalities -- Bruce Kaufmann (Kaufmann Capital, expert on corporate financial management), Noel Halgreen (life style editor with Sona Med Spa), Cathy Stucker (Content for marketing expert), and more. The best way to keep up to date of the changes that are being made is to subscribe to the Houston Business Review newsletter at HoustonBusiness.com.

We hope you enjoy it and if you would like to learn how to participate as an expert, contact us at kj_hbr@sbcglobal.net. This website will be creating numerous opportunities to get their business message to larger audiences.

Jim Stein, Mike Alexander and Holly Uverity on the Houston Business Show

On this week's Houston Business Show I visited with two of our Advisers, Mike Alexander and Holly Uverity, as well as Bank of Houston President, Jim Stein. All of them can be found at the Houston Business Review. In addition to discussing with Jim Stein the differences between community banks and the retail banks so common in business today, I visited with Holly on some practical ways of getting organized in 2007 and Mike Alexander on the way Professional Employee Organizations are helping businesses stay focused on what is important to them.

Holly Uverity discussed a recent article in the Houston Chronicle, entitled "Five Questions for Holly Uverity." In it, she discussed changes she has seen in organization in the last 14 years since she went into this business, tools people need to get organized, and much more. I strongly recommend this article.

Mike Alexander discussed how Professional Employee Organizations reduce liability for business owners by taking responsibility for HR issues, the things a person needs to ask in considering such a company, and why they have grown so much in recent years. Mike also indicated that he would be writing an article on the subject in an up coming Houston Business Review article. Go to that page in order to get your free subscription.

Don't forget, you can hear the Houston Business Show 24/7 by visiting our show archive.

Richard Sonnier Predicts Demise of Text Messaging

On today's Houston Business Show (Monday at 1 PM on CNN 650 or 24/7, archived at HoustonBusinessReview.com) I interviewed Business Show Advisor Richard Sonnier of Nimble Services, who did an update on some of the latest changes in technology. I love this kind of programming because it helps me understand what are real changes and not mere fads, what I need to implement immediately or can wait until later, and what are the best approaches to incorporating technological changes.

On this week's show he discussed the new Apple IPhone which is expected to change the way individuals communicate with others and the way phones such as this is profoundly impacting text messaging (SMS). Text messaging was a hot form of communication just a couple of years ago and now, according to Sonnier, it is facing serious decline. Why? Because as people move to pda equipment they will increasingly use email, which doesn't cost anything extra since they likely already will have the web on their devices. Furthermore they can check out that information on their computers as well as their phones. When you can have major forms of communication be dismissed in months, the world of business is a really scary place. Companies must be holding on for dear life as they try to keep up the demands of an ever changing population.

Richard Sonnier has been an Advisor to the Houston Business Show for three years and his information has made a difference in the way many in our audience and I conduct business.

Scary Letter From Donald Trump

Recently I have written several blog entries about Donald Trump, some of which take a humorous look at some of his recent activities (battle with Rosie, gift to subway hero, etc.). So I have to admit I was a little nervous when I looked at my mail recently and I found an envelope with "Donald J. Trump, New York City" on the return address and yours truly as the addressee.

Most people know that Donald Trump has a tendency to sue when he sees something he doesn't like, so when I saw that little envelope I was first excited (wow, a letter from Donald Trump) and then terrified (wow, a letter from Donald Trump). After all, there is a chance he didn't take my blog in the very friendly spirit it was written in. I looked at the outside and it appeared legitimate enough. Even the postmark had the look and feel of a real letter. I turned it over and on the back, printed in gold "230 Park Avenue, 10th Floor; New York, NY." It was very impressive.

I opened it up and -- to my pleasant surprise -- it was a VIP ticket to an event that his son, Donald Trump, Jr will be speaking at in the Houston area on how to be a self-made millionaire! Who would know better than the son of a billionaire! But seriously, it looks like an interesting event and it looks as though I will have an interview with him in the process. My understanding is that he is surprisingly level headed and actually has a natural head of business.
I'll keep people up to date as the event nears. If I get the expected interview, it will be archived at the Houston Business Review.

Steve Hansen, Jim Stein, Ralph Fain on the Houston Business Show

One of my favorite activities is to spend time visiting with listeners during the Houston Business Show. In spite of the weather here in Houston today and the some what ghost town feeling as people celebrate Martin Luther King Day, I've got excellent guests lined up for this week's show.

Steve Hansen of Summit Financial Resources has been helping my audience learn how to finance their business -- and work towards a relationship with a bank -- for two years. On today's show he will be discussing a new product Summit is making available to clients. Learn more about Steve, who is a Houston Business Show Advisor, at Houston Business Review.

Jim Stein of the Bank of Houston (photo) is on today to discuss a new branch of the financial institution that will open in Memorial later this year. This will make three locations for the fast growing bank with offices just West of the Galleria and in the River Oaks area. The bank has grown 10 fold since it started just two years ago.

Finally, Ralph Fain, the Houston Business Show's business brokering expert, will be discussing the three ways people can own their own business -- starting from scratch, purchasing a pre-existing business, or by purchasing a franchise. This is an excellent way to begin 2007, as people consider ways of making this a great year for themselves financially. You can learn more about Ralph at the Houston Business Review.

Check out this and other programs, 24/7 at our Houston Business Show archive.

From the Houston Business Show Studios...

I'm writing today's blog entry from the studios of the Houston Business Show high above the city of Houston (at CNN 650). Yes, it sounds glamorous and it is true that we are high in the sky (around the 19th floor and fantastic view), but the actual studio I do the show from is smaller than my closet. In fact, a regular joke among personalities associated with the station is that we "come out of the closet" after each program.

On today's program, the first live one from 2007, I visited with Jim Stein of the Bank of Houston, which is a title sponsor of the show. The Bank of Houston is built on the concept that "everything old is new again." Back "in the old days," banks were born out of the neighborhoods they operated in and were built on the concept of relationship banking. Today, that largely seems to be little more than a nifty advertising slogan for most financial institutions. That is where the Bank of Houston differs, it truly is a bank of and for Houston.

Being a new year, I wanted to help individuals get organized with our first program and with that I had Holly Uverity of Office Organizers and Shahara Wright of The Wright Law Firm on about getting one's office and legal issues, in order for 2007. Both of these ladies are also Houston Business Show Advisors with articles at the Houston Business Review.

Holly emphasized the importance of making the beginning of the year a great opportunity to get one's business together. That process usually begins with developing the necessary systems to make your business more organized and effective. Being organized saves a business both time and money and makes it more productive.

Shahara discussed the fact that people are under going constant changes, but often fail to make sure their legal situation keeps up with them. Often, when a new business partner is being added to a firm or an individual gets married, people seem too busy to have the legal paper work reflect those changes. Spending time evaluating the previous year, and considering what changes are necessary, is a great way to begin the month of January.

Remember, you can hear the Houston Business Show 24/7 and around the world by visiting our archive.

Houston Business Show Celebrates Five Years

The Houston Business Show is celebrating its fifth year this month and over the last half decade the show has undergone enormous change. Here are a few highlights:

* It started off with my old friend Kent Batman as co-host, which he held that spot for about 5 months. Shortly after that Aubrey Theode was the host until January of this year. Then, Mark Jeffrey of UBuildIt served in that spot for six months and is now busily hosting his own show with me (the UBuildIt New Home Show). Currently I am hosting the show on my own with several guest co-hosts including Jim Stein of the Bank of Houston and others. Each of these people have made a great contribution to the show.

* When the show started there were many concerns of whether it could last. Remember what happened in September of 2001? By the end of the week that included September 11th I had lost roughly half of my sponsors for a show I had worked on for four months. I decided I wasn't going to allow terrorists to destroy my new venture. Today, the Houston Business Show is the longest running show on CNN 650. I guess we made a great choice.

* The show went from being on Sunday at noon to the very popular time of Monday at 1:00 PM. This is, of course, a much larger audience.

* There was no Business Show Advisors at the beginning, now we have them in virtually every business discipline and they play an important part of this show.

* There wasn't a HoustonBusiness.com or Houston Business Review, and you couldn't hear it online. I received an email around three years after starting the show from Steve Carr of HoustonJobs.com in which he asked if I would like to buy HoustonBusiness.com. I did want to and did so with the help of Henry Fasthoff and others. Today, thanks to excellent PR, web development, content development, huge directory development, news content and other efforts, HoustonBusiness.com has become an Internet monster with around 80,000 unique visitors each month, a Google ranking of 6 (the same as the Houston Business Journal and the Houston Chronicle), and now literally hundreds of pages of content.

* There was no Business Plus blog which has already developed a Google ranking of 4 in only 4 months.

There have been many changes since the show began in 2001, but our commitment to providing sound business news, from a solidly local perspective has been unchanging. If you want to learn more about the show, newsletter, or HoustonBusiness.com, email us at kj_hbr@sbcglobal.net.