Archive for December, 2009

Google is planning on updating their indexing algorithms in 2010 to add more emphasis on social bookmarking. In other words, Google will now not only look at how many quality back-links lead to your pages, but will also take into account the number of Twitter mentions, Facebook updates and Linkedin status updates which link to your pages (so, please, retweet this using the link in the upper right corner of this post).

One thing you need to add to your site (blog, preferably) are simple ways visitors can “share and bookmark” your pages (blog posts) to places such as Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter, also Digg, Stumbleupon and others. This is easy if your site is a blog, there are a number of ways to add this functionality by adding a plugin to your WordPress-powered blog. Other blogging platforms also have similar solutions you can readily use.

If you have questions about blogging and social networking, you can start by reading this low-cost introduction. I’ve arranged a special $10 OFF for you as my networking buddies! For only $17 you will find easy-to-read information about basics of business blogging and online marketing.

Boris Mahovac R.G.D.

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Over this last weekend I upgraded our blogging software to the latest version of WordPress. Although our previous version was running fine, after more than a year and a half since I first installed it, it was time to upgrade. I like to keep up with changes in features and especially security upgrades that each new version brings. Among other things, the latest version of WP now makes it easy to upgrade, so from now on the upgrades will take place more regularly.

When you log in to your user account you will notice the new layout and styling immediately, with the main menu now running in the left column. If you haven’t used the blog yet, now it should be even easier to use.

Writing for this Blog
A reminder to those members who are yet to publish their first blog post, and those who have published only one or two, that your account level is Contributor, which means you are not able to publish directly to the blog, but have to submit your article for review first. This review is only technical in nature, so we’re not concerned with content or style, unless your article appears to be encroaching on other members’ field of expertise, in which case you will be advised to revise your article. Once you’ve published several articles (or you’re an experienced blogger running your own blog site) your account will be upgraded to Author level. This will also allow you to upload images and videos to accompany your blog posts. BTW, even at the Contributor level, you can always link to videos you posted to YouTube.

To our visitors the blog should look the same, except that now the List of Speakers article is “sticky” and will always be displayed first on the main blog index page.

Twitter
If you’re reading this post on our site (as compared to our RSS feed, or on our Linkedin group where your articles are automatically syndicated — one more reason for you to blog more for added exposure) you will notice another new feature: the Retweet button found in the upper right corner of each blog post. If you’re on Twitter, I’d recommend that you re-tweet this, and all other blog posts in an effort to promote individual members and our group as a whole to your Twitter followers. Also make sure you follow @OakvilleNetwork, too. I’ve recently created this account which will tweet automatically each time you post an article on our blog!

Here’s to your successful business blogging!

Boris Mahovac R.G.D.

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Our next meeting is on Friday, January 8, 2009 at 8:45 am at the e-Spot™. This is a one-time change of venue. We will be hosting our January 22 meeting at the Hamptons as usual.

Let’s invite some friends and clients to come to our next meeting.

See you all there!

Bond yields usually rise on good economic news and last week was no different. The 5-year bond yield jumped 0.14% on strong jobs data from both sides of the border.  (Canadian Jobs Report / U.S. Jobs Report)

Canada added 79,100 jobs in November. Traders had expected only 15,000.
With rebounding yields, fixed mortgage rates will probably halt their drop, at least for the time being.  As of now, discounted 5-year fixed rates are just under 4%—well below the approximate 10-year average of 5.36%.

The 5-year yield, which influences fixed mortgage rates, now stands at 2.53%.  It seems to be putting in a floor in the 2.35% to 2.40% range.  It may be tough to penetrate that floor in the near-term without weaker economic news, or some other economic shock.
The Bank of Canada holds its last interest rate meeting of the year on Tuesday. 19 of 19 economists polled by Bloomberg predict no change to the Bank’s 0.25% overnight rate.
Nevertheless, analysts will be watching to see if the BoC surprises the bond market with any optimistic outlooks.
For more market news contact Charmaine at 1.866.824.8057