New Year’s Eve revelers fall into two categories: creatures of habit who do the same thing every year and creatures like rabbits in headlights startled by the possibility of partying like it’s 1999.

Each year the turn of the clock offers us fresh hope and redemption in equal measure as the bell signals midnight. Therefore, it probably makes quite a bit of sense to be a creature of habit and be around friends as kissing strangers or crying in front of them can make you feel a bit stupid the morning after. (Crying in front of a stranger after you’ve just kissed them is also bad form.)

I’ve always fallen into the second category of reveler when it comes to New Year’s Eve – you have to party, but you’re petrified you’re missing out on the best one. Subsequently, I’ve never truly enjoyed it. The best response I’ve ever been able to muster was that my New Year was “alright” – and that would have been a charitable one. This year we turned a corner due to me being as sick as a dog and not having any desire but to be cozied up on the old couch. I had no desire to be anywhere else other than my bed, and wild horses would’ve struggled getting me there, let alone anywhere else.

New Year’s Eve isn’t one of those events that’s been hijacked or twisted by Hallmark, or not successfully at any rate. Flicking through the channels allowed us to find the only anchor closer to death than myself – Dick Clark. But why all the fluff and waffle about there being over 1 million people in times square and talk of the whole world watching?

1. It might be wise to read this Times piece about how they try to work out crowd numbers in Times Square.
2. As if most of America is watching. An event that is based upon a specific time locally is always going to be scuppered by time zones. For example, not only does nobody stop up until five hours after midnight to catch the Times Square ball-drop in the UK, but it isn’t even on TV (well not until the day after on the news). The reality is that nobody else in the world cares about anybody else’s celebrations. The only time we did was in the year Y2K when we expected the end of the world to be televised. But we soon realized that sleep deprivation was going to kill us first, seeming not a single computer packed-up or plane fell from the sky – a power station in Singapore may have blown a fuse, but that was about it.

And that’s one of my hopes for 2022. I want a few more people to wise up considering we all know about a fool and his money. Let’s stop the pretense of billions of people with their eyes on New York’s balls dropping which vicariously translates to eyeballs for advertisers. 2008 is going to get tighter and we all know what happens to the old advertising budget when companies start tightening their belts.

The beautiful thing about online advertising is that it killed off the idea of eyeballs ages ago. You now advertise online with a specific goal or conversion in mind. Maybe you want to sell a product, get people to sign up for something, or make a phone call. All these things can be measured from conception to completion during each stage of the process.

But, you might just prefer the eyeballs – you know, there’s always that other party they keep going on about you might miss.

Have you ever thought they need you more than you need them?

Happy New Year People!

The post 2022 – Stop, I’m Feeling Queasy appeared first on Direct Online Marketing.

“the action or process of causing a group of people to work together effectively as a team, especially by means of activities and events designed to increase motivation and promote cooperation.”

DOM’s Break It Ups

Here at DOM we took this definition to heart and designed our own weekly, 15-minute team activities called “Break It Ups.” The point of these activities is to get us away from our computer screens and clear our minds.  We have a standing event in our office calendar for Wednesdays at 2:40PM that reminds the whole office to pause and interact with our coworkers through fun activities.

Doing these Break It Ups helps the DOM team foster cooperation, motivation, and some healthy competition. They also give the team some time to relax and reenergize toward our work. We often feel more productive and eager to tackle our most difficult projects afterwards.

Looking To Grow? Idea Driven? Not A Jerk?
You Might Be A Great Fit For DOM.
Check Out Our Current Openings.

Team Building = Team Bonding

We recognize that the team spends a large portion of their days at the office; Break It Ups are a great way to get to know the coworkers we spend all our time with. Since starting DOM Break it Ups, we have developed stronger connections between the branches of the office as well as our teammates.

Haley Steed from our Organic Team told FitSmallBusiness.com that our Break It Ups are “.. a great way to break out of our weekly routine, and really laugh and bond with our colleagues. While it may seem silly (…), it really helps create an air of camaraderie in the office.”

Activities have included:  Scattergories, seeing which team could build the biggest tower out of spaghetti and marshmallows, and even Cards Against Humanity.

Team Activity Favorites

A DOM favorite has been Pictionary where we compete in teams to guess what each other are drawing. We set a timer and if nobody guesses by the time is up, that team loses out on the round. We may or may not fight over which team gets the graphic designer on their team.

The back to back drawing contest also brought out a competitive edge in us which was able to distract us for a few minutes. One of our PPC managers, Leland Reed, said this about his experience participating in the back to back drawing contest:

“One of my favorite things we’ve done for Break It Up is the back to back drawing exercise. It was a great way to explore the trust we have in each other and also get our minds off of work, while still dealing with some problem-solving situations. It also doesn’t hurt that my team dominated the competition and ended up with an almost perfect drawing.”

We love trying new activities every week and are always on the lookout for new ideas. Please share your ideas with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Instagram!

Looking To Grow? Idea Driven? Not A Jerk?
You Might Be A Great Fit For DOM.
Check Out Our Current Openings.

The post Beat Work Stress With A Few Team Building Activity Ideas appeared first on Direct Online Marketing.

America wouldn’t be the country it is today without the hard work, fortitude, and resilience of small businesses. To this day, America is still seen as one of the few places where if you can go with enough determination and hard work, you can do anything.

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), “small businesses represent 99.7 percent of all employer firms. Since 1995, small businesses have generated 64 percent of new jobs, and paid 44 percent of the total United States private payroll.”

Since Direct Online Marketing is also a small business, we want to take this opportunity to recognize how critical small businesses are to our economy as we celebrate Small Business Week 2017! While the SBA uses this time to highlight the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners, and others from across the nation through National Small Business Week, we wanted to share the love and take a look at our favorite small businesses.

Cilantro Latin Grill (Adriana’s pick)

Website: http://www.cilantrolatingrill.com/

Wheeling, WV

(Facebook, Twitter)

Do you like South American cuisine? If you are passing through or live in Wheeling, you have to stop by Cilantro Latin Grill!

You can find burritos, salads, chips, soups, rice bowls and if you’re feeling adventurous, arepas – made with a corn flour. With Cilantro’s build-your-own style, you can choose ingredients made fresh each morning, making your dish exactly the way you want it.

My perfect combination is a Guadalajara Seak Bowl, Mexican rice, queso, onions & peppers. Don’t forget to add an order of Guasacaca & Chips to go along with your meal! Not familiar with Guasacaca? It’s a savory Venezuelan sauce made of avocado.

So, if you are ready to leave your food comfort-zone, you definitely have to try Cilantro Latin Grill. I love to go there and eat with Latin background music. Also, when my family is in town we have to stop there.

Drover’s Inn (Mike’s pick)

Website: http://www.droversinn1848.com/

Wellsburg, WV

(Facebook)

Located in Wellsburg, WV Drover’s Inn was originally opened in 1850 to provide rest to travelers along the toll pike. The inn was purchased and converted into a restaurant/bar in 1967 and is still serving up great food today.

The menu at Drover’s offers something for everyone, from bar favorites like hot pepper cheese balls to baby back ribs. The main staple and hometown favorite, however, are the jumbo wings served in a variety of sauces (my favorite is garlic parmesan with atomic. Try it!). With outstanding food and great service, Drover’s can’t be beat!

Harrisburg Wall & Floor (Bentz’s pick)

Website: https://www.harrisburgfloor.com/

(Facebook)

Harrisburg Wall & Flooring is my favorite small business on the planet. Why? Because my grandfather founded it in 1946, and it is still owned by the Bentz family today! “The store,” as those in the know call it, provides full-service sales and installation of flooring products for both residential and commercial projects across Central Pennsylvania. They also offer a complete range of wallcoverings and window blinds.

Some online reports indicate the store is so famous that the state capital of PA is actually named after the store. Debate still lives on about that… however, I can confirm that the icon of two men carrying a carpet roll (shown in the photo above on the awning) was designed by my mother. I’m totally biased, but for a totally good reason!

Hoppin’ Frog Brewery (Nikki’s pick)

Website: http://www.hoppinfrog.com/brewery

Akron, OH

(Facebook, Twitter)

Hoppin’ Frog is a small Akron, OH, craft brewery making high quality, flavorful beers. Their award-winning beers are always in our fridge from the year-round Silk Porter to my favorite seasonals – Turbo Shandy and Frosted Frog Christmas Ale.

There is also a tap room next to the brewery that delivers top-notch food and a fun, fantastic staff. We make a point to visit every Small Business Saturday for their special waffle brunch!

Lebanon Bakery (Blanche’s pick)

Wheeling, WV

(Facebook)

The first Lebanese to arrive in Wheeling in 1888 is recorded to be Roger Saad, a dry goods merchant. By 1900, Wheeling had approximately 300 Lebanese that called it home. At the time, they were called Syrians by both locals as well as the US Census.

They settled mostly in Center Wheeling between 20th and 23rd Streets, from Eoff Street to Main Street. The center of this Lebanese community today is the only Maronite Catholic church in West Virginia, Our Lady of Lebanon Church, located in the 2200 block of Eoff Street. The Maronite church is in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church, and is considered the most Latinized of the Eastern Catholic churches. Today, Maronites make up over 20 percent of Lebanon’s population, but there are thousands of other Maronites scattered throughout the world, including in Wheeling.

It was their mastery of retail that most Wheelingites think of when they consider the city’s Lebanese heritage. Everybody has come to love the Fadul family’s Lebanese Bakery still operating on Main Street in Center Wheeling.

Nate Smith Basketball School (Leland’s pick)

Website: https://www.natesmithbasketballschool.com/

Morgantown, WV

(Facebook, Twitter)

Located in Morgantown, WV, the Nate Smith Basketball School helps kids of all ages take their basketball game to the next level. From fundamentals to advanced skills, the instructors have the knowledge to help basketball players at any level.

The school holds a special place in my heart because I interned there during my senior year of college. I might be the worst basketball player to ever set foot in their gym, but the time I spent there giving lessons and helping coordinate the travel teams’ schedules was a fantastic way to spend my last semester of college.

The way Nate, Cody, and the rest of the staff give their all to improve each player that steps into the gym is impressive in its own right, but factor in the success of the travel teams and you can see why the school attracts players from all over WV, PA, and MD.

If you or anyone you know plays basketball and wants to improve their game, I highly recommend going to see Nate and his staff!

SMART Centre Market (Haley’s Pick)

Website: https://www.smartcentremarket.com/

Wheeling, WV

Facebook

Nestled between East and South Wheeling is a spectacular little strip called Centre Market. This area is a veritable treasure trove of locally owned businesses. Moving back to Wheeling after living in Columbus for the better part of a decade, I was thrilled to find this vibrant destination, oozing with local talent, pride, and food.

Strolling down the streets (adorned with brightly painted parking meters, courtesy of the locals), you can find antique stores, restaurants, a brewery, a gallery featuring local artists, quaint restaurants, mouthwatering pastries, a wine bar, hair studio, and so much more. Perched on the corner is one of my favorite places- and not just in Wheeling. Like, one of my favorite places ever.

SMART Centre Market is bursting at the seams with the wonder of science. As soon as you step through those glass doors, you are surrounded by dinosaur fossils and replicas, crystals, telescopes, geodes, and a spectacularly toothy Megalodon mouth. The owners, Robert and Libby, are easily two of the most delightful, enthusiastic people I have had the pleasure of meeting. Their passion and knowledge of science is contagious, and an afternoon can pass by in the blink of an eye.

Every Saturday, at 1:00 p.m., they do a science demonstration for the kiddos. This can range from building paper rockets the kids can launch in the alley to making a tornado in a bottle. The kids not only get to make super freaking cool experiments, they also learn the how and why behind their creations. Robert and Libby are top-notch at explaining the complexities of science in a way that children (and adults) can understand and get excited about.

If that’s not incredible enough, they also have an entire room dedicated to science-based games and toys, including surprisingly adorable germ stuffed animals. To further enhance your enjoyment, they even serve ice cream.

For the past 4 years, my daughter and I make a point to swing by to visit our buddies Robert and Libby regularly, and every time we walk through those doors we see something new to discover. Robert and Libby always take the time to answer any questions my daughter has (and she’s 7, so that equates to roughly 578 questions per visit) and demonstrate how things work.

I cannot oversell SMART Centre Market enough. It is awesome. They have, quite literally, everything – from fossilized dinosaur poop, to take-home experiments and beautiful hand-crafted jewelry. If you haven’t stopped in there, do yourself a favor and go. I promise you will not regret it.

PS – In the summer (and on First Fridays) they bust out the telescopes and you can star gaze. WHAT! Amazing. Also they have sweet jam sessions. Just… stop reading this and go there immediately.

Spicy Gringos (Christina’s pick)

Website: https://www.spicygringos.com/

Weirton, WV

(Facebook, Twitter)

Spicy Gringos is an authentic Mexican restaurant that has been serving fresh, local deliciousness since 2011. We visit this unique spot often and can’t get enough of their tacos (literally any of them), calzones, salads, chips & salsa – with a side of that fantastic garlic sour cream.

The staff is down to earth and ensure you have an awesome experience. They have a sign in their restaurant that reads “Love people and cook them tasty food,” so it really doesn’t get any better than that.

Ye Olde Alpha (Hoops’ pick)

Website: http://yeoldealpha.com/

Wheeling, WV

(Facebook, Twitter)

Ye Olde Alpha, or simply known as “The Alpha,” has a special place in my heart. This unassuming bar and grill in the heart of the Woodsdale area of Wheeling looks like a relic of decades past. When I first moved to Wheeling, my fiance and I had no idea what the city had in store for us. So on our first night, we decided to give it shot and try out The Alpha. I had extremely low expectations and figured, “If this was the best Wheeling has to offer, I might as well give up on the whole city.”

Boy, was I wrong.

With an adventurous, exciting menu, I was floored. I mean, just who was crazy enough to think up The Blue Suede Burger? A glorious bacon cheeseburger with grilled onions and peanut butter.

My experience and subsequent (multiple) meals at The Alpha gave me hope about the potential Wheeling has with a storied past yet forward thinking enough to move into the future.

Virginia Lee (Anna’s pick)

Website: https://www.shopvirginialee.com/

Charleston, WV

(Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)

I love it because the owner has similar taste in clothing to myself, the store offers discounts and promotions through both their website and in store, it is in a cute location of my hometown, and is owned by a young woman. They are a boutique retailer that offers women’s clothing, accessories, and eclectic items. The owner graduated with my sister and she also runs another business through the storefront named The Initialed Life. I think the business has done an impressive job maintaining social media engagement.

From all of us at DOM, Happy Small Business Week 2017!

The post DOM Celebrates National Small Business Week 2017! appeared first on Direct Online Marketing.

Revolutionary thinker, author, and media analyst Marshall McLuhan stated that “print technology created the public, electric technology created the mass.” If this is true, then it follows that the Internet has created influencers for each market segment that the masses can turn to as a guiding force towards discovering the next big thing- be it music, material goods, art, or whatever it is the kids are obsessed with these days.

image courtesy of kjic.org

Influencers are a special kind of ambassador between brands and consumers, acting as a guide to let consumers know what to be obsessed with. Raging Creations said it best with this definition: “[people are considered] influencers in their respective communities and networks because of their ability to affect the actions and behavior of people. This influence comes from the trust and goodwill that they have generated among the members of their community or network.”

Where consumers once relied on brands alone for information and purchasing guidance, they now have actual, unbiased perspective from a knowledgeable and trustworthy source.

So, what do influencers, marketing messages, and neuroscience have in common? You’re about to find out.

McLuhan, Messaging, and Marketing

Before we dive headfirst into the neurological implications of this post, let’s travel back to a time where digital marketing was just a twinkle in the eye of techie capitalists. McLuhan surmised that it’s not what you say, but how you say it through different forms of communication; ultimately, how one human transmits a message to another will affect how the receiver of the message interprets it, and ultimately the world around them.

image courtesy of falasol.net

The pervasiveness of messaging has grown exponentially since McLuhan’s “The Medium is the Massage” (yes, that is the title—if you’re curious why it’s “massage,” you can check it out here) was published in 1967, but the core principles of his theories remain intact. Technological mediums have altered how we perceive the world around us; thanks to the Internet, we have more control over what messages we receive, and who we receive them from.

The control consumers have over their messaging has resulted in marketing becoming an increasingly specialized field. Gone are the Mad Men days of generalized, stereotypical marketing. Now marketing requires finding your niche, engaging your audience, doing exhaustive behavioral and market research in order to ensure that your message is perceived at the right time, in the right way, by the right people.

According to Medium Theory, it is the method that affects how a consumer reacts to a message, not the actual message content itself. That’s where influencers come in: the message is coming from a person, not a company. However, by utilizing influencers, are marketers in fact hindering the neuromarketing process?

This is Your Brain on Marketing

image courtesy of brandingstrategyinsider.com

The advent of the Internet created a global village (“The Long History of New Media”) where a person does not have to be physically present in order to communicate instantaneously with another; groups of people can congregate online, to talk, learn, and explore.

This new way of delivering, accessing, and interacting with information utilizes both hemispheres of the brain and creates a higher form of involvement both mentally and emotionally. Specifically, interactivity sparks the neurological centers of the brain, creating a more sensory experience.

How Does it Work?

I’m glad you asked. The big shots are using eye-tracking technology to see how attention-grabbing their ads are, and to gauge interest and effectiveness, EEG testing to see how the brain reacts to subtly different ads, neuroimaging, and even tracking the methodology behind the brains reward system. The goal? To connect the dots between brain activity and purchase patterns.

image courtesy of tkgenius.com

There has been an increase in research on the orbitofrontal cortex and ventral striatum (the primary ‘reward’ segments of the brain) as a way to determine the factors that will lead to a purchasing decision. In this completely badass case study, Berns and Moore used neuroimaging as a “neural predictor of cultural popularity” (in regular human terms, they wanted to figure out if brain reactions to stimuli could unlock the secrets behind purchasing decisions).

In this particular study, they grabbed up 27 teenagers, asked them what their music preferences were out of 6 genres, and played them 15-second clips of music from their top 3 genres. The 15-second clips were from little-known bands/singers.

I’m not going to go into all the amazingly scientific details that their study went through in order to come to this conclusion (you have eyes and the Internet, heck even a link to the study, I believe that you will find your way to this knowledge should you choose to do so). What I am going to do is let you know what their study found—mainly because if I don’t, the rest of this post isn’t going to make much sense or have any credibility. So here goes, the big reveal:

“Brain responses in reward-related regions are likely to reflect sub-conscious processes and may yield measurements that are less subject to cognitive strategies. Thus, while the act of rating something requires metacognition, the brain response during the consumption of the good does not, and the latter may prove superior to rating approaches.”

Ok, quick summary: When presented with options, like our friends in this case study, your brain goes through a laundry list of things you like, don’t like, prior experiences with each option, preconceived notions, etc., and then an opinion is formed based off of past experiences. When you are presented with one specific option, and not given prior direction to rate it, that pesky metacognition does not come into play and your brain is free to rate a subject unfettered by perception, memory or emotion.

WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?!

From this we know that social media influencers are indeed the brand ambassadors of this generation; they are more trustworthy, since they do not work directly for the brand, and their influence on consumers is greater due to their online engagement with them.

What neuromarketing aims to do is give purchasing decision-making back to the individual consumer: to appeal to their primitive, unclouded judgment and persuade them to buy products and services without the societal influence of key social media figures.

There is evidence that, when removed from cultural and societal influences, consumers have a completely different reaction to a product than they do when the metacognitive portions of their brains are kicked into high gear.

Identity:
Brand
vs.
Cultural
vs.
Individual

For example, in the Coke-Pepsi case study, researchers found that “in the absence of brand information, there was no significant difference in preference during a taste-test.” This led the conductors of the study to believe that neural and behavioral responses to the brands must be culturally derived. Dan Ariely and Gregory Berns, in their article Neuromarketing: The Hope and Hype of Neuroimaging in Business concluded that “it is clear that people base many decisions on sociocultural rules and identities.”

What are the implications for digital marketing efforts, based on this information and the possibilities of successfully implementing neuromarketing? The application is a daunting one: to get a message across to a consumer without metacognition triggers coming into play would be nearly impossible. To attempt to market a product to even a niche market based on the brain patterns of a clinical trial may not yield the desired results, because the variants involved in individual brain patterns are vast.

In Summation . . .

Neuromarketing is a fantasy. I mean sure, it sounds like it could be real . . . there are certainly imitations of it available (see what I did there? I brought together the metaphor from the title. I bet you were wondering when that was gonna happen), but neuromarketing in its pure form does not exist.

While neuromarketing may not be feasible, that does not mean it can’t serve as the muse for future technological advances in marketing. Many companies are looking for alternative solutions to this obstacle, and have come up with some creative tools. Beacons are a form of technology that are attempting to work with metacognition and persuade customers to buy. Behavioral targeting is another tactic that aims to get in front of influencers and potential consumers through paid search ads.

Messaging, influencers, and engagement are three things that are not only very real, but very critical in the success of marketing endeavors. There are many nay-sayers when it comes to the execution of neuromarketing, and while they may be correct, I wouldn’t count out the implications of research and case studies quite yet. Finding a way to implement neuromarketing findings into actual marketing tactics, while taking into consideration the role that metacognition plays in purchasing decisions, is the strategy of the future.

The post A Unicorn in a Field Full of Horses: The Tale of Neuromarketing appeared first on Direct Online Marketing.

Today marks our annual reminder to pay special tribute to the brave men and women who have protected our country. As trite as it may sound, freedom isn’t free. The only reason you and I get to do as we please at work and at home is because of our veterans who have defended America.

After discussing with everyone here, we’ve decided to help support two great organizations this year in honor of Veterans Day:

• • Honor Flight. Leland suggested this organization; they fly veterans to Washington, DC to visit memorials built to their service. They’re tremendously efficient with their resources. While they help veterans from all wars, preference is given to senior vets. As they mention on their website, “an estimated 640 WWII veterans die each day. Our time to express our thanks to these brave men and women is running out.” Donate or learn more on their website.

• • Wreaths Across America. We once again are donating wreaths for our soldiers’ graves, as originally suggested by Stephanie. This year we will also be laying wreaths on December 12th in Wellsburg, WV. Donate or learn more on their website.

And if you haven’t already, please be sure to thank the veterans you know today. A pretty good idea tomorrow (and the next day…), too.

Here are just a few of the veterans who we at Direct Online Marketing would like to thank publicly today:

Tony Coraccio, Army
Wayne Davis, Navy
Justin Desimone, Army
Carlyle Farnsworth, Marines
William Foley, Navy (in memoriam)
Jim Henry, Navy (in memoriam)
Jay Louzy, Navy
John Louzy, Marines (in memoriam)
James Mahnken, Sr., Navy (in memoriam)
Laura Ann Meli, Navy
Earl Myers, Army (in memoriam)
Jim Nixon, Army
James M. O’Grady, Sr., Army (in memoriam)
Paul W. Ostrander, Sr., Navy
Allen Sanders, Navy (in memoriam)
Bud Seibert, Navy (in memoriam)
John T. Wroblewski, Marines (in memoriam)

The post Thanking Our Veterans appeared first on Direct Online Marketing.

Being certified certainly has its perks. It also means that we know what we’re doing.

While any agency can run a Google AdWords account, only a select few can become a certified Google Partner. The team at Direct Online Marketing is proud to say we’ve been a certified with Google since 2007.

This predates the current Partner program by six years. More specifically, we’re in their Managed Agency Program—an even higher tier reserved for the most trusted Google Partners worldwide. DOM is a certified PPC expert with Bing Ads, too.

The Contest

In attempts to add a bit of a competitive flair, Google challenged agencies to a contest of sorts revolving around new AdWords clients. Winning agencies would be awarded two tickets to an all-expenses paid trip to the Googleplex in Mountain View, California.

Unlike the iconic episode of Seinfeld, the PPC team at DOM got the job done.

We were one of the few agencies selected to be flown out to the Google campus. Representing the team was our president, Justin, and myself. We were told we would be treated to a day of insightful presentations, direct from some of the top minds at Google, plus a tour of the Googleplex.

I’d’ve been happy just to tag along on this journey. However, with the help of a few folks at Google, our trip—and my experience—was even better than anticipated.

Our Own Personal Tour Guides

When Justin and I landed in San Jose, I was jittery. I was in Silicon Valley, the tech capital of the world, enjoying beautiful weather and about to learn about a company I’ve been fascinated with since I first got online in the days of dial-up.

Being a Google Partner can sometimes grant you access to a talented pool of account representatives to coordinate and get the most out of Google AdWords. If you attended our event in Morgantown back in February 2015, you’ll surely recognize Michael as one of our presenters (although sadly he did not present from the inside of a giant ball pit).

These Are Some of my Favorite Things…on the Googleplex

One of the first things to note about the Googleplex is that it’s not some kind of fortress of solitude. The campus is quite open with easy access to cars and pedestrians. Unfortunately, due to the release of movies like The Internship and general concerns for liability, the Googleplex is generally not intended for the public. Which is fair, seeing as how it is ultimately a workspace and not a tourist destination.

Still, I blame Vince Vaughn personally for presenting my first truth about the Googleplex.

Bikes, Bikes, Bikes Everywhere

You’ve probably read about the hundreds of fixed-gear bicycles lying around the Googleplex. Burnished in the classic Google color-scheme, the urge to swing a leg over and ride is irresistible.

As a mode of transport reserved for employees, these bikes are generally off-limits to the general public. Fortunately for us, we had a couple Googlers on our side to go on a brief joy ride. We absolutely did not take them on our own…and it wasn’t a blast.

Nap pods are real. And they are awesome.

Life working in tech can be exhausting. Luckily, offices around the Googleplex are equipped with nap pods to help you catch up on shuteye.

The Android Garden

The Android Garden has a sculpture dedicated to every version of Google’s mobile operating system.

The gang’s all here.

This is a must-see if you’re an Android geek. Probably one of the more tourist-centered spots on the Googleplex, it will take a level of determination to find since its location changed away from the main campus after the release of The Internship. Although climbing on the sculptures is probably not a good idea, everything from Froyo to Lollipop is represented here.

Stanley the T-Rex: A Disputed History

The Googleplex is where visitors will more than likely encounter their fair share of the interesting and weird. Located smack dab in the center of the original Google campus is the best example of this: Stanley, the T-Rex.

As the story goes, no one is really sure why this intimidating, full-scale model of a Tyrannosaurus-Rex is here. According to our exclusive Google tour guide, there are two possible stories floating around.

The first posits that when the Googleplex was first being constructed, a fossil was discovered and later donated to a museum. In this scenario, Stanley is a replica. The second suggests that Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin placed it here to serve as a permanent reminder to Google employees that if you don’t adapt and evolve, you’ll go the way of the dinosaur. For us, the second story seemed much more poetic. More than likely, Stanley’s origin will continue to be shrouded in mystery.

Google Partner All-Stars 2015

Again, we are immensely grateful for the time Michael and Ivana took to show us around the Googleplex. Without them, we probably wouldn’t have had such a great experience.

And sure the Googleplex was great to visit, but more was still to come. In our next post, we’ll give a summary of all the great presentations given during the Google Partner All-Stars event.

The post Direct Online Marketing Visits the Googleplex! appeared first on Direct Online Marketing.

To be a little different this time, I’d like to show some pictures of the sacrifices they make.  Sometimes they sacrifice everything:

Sometimes they sacrifice physical parts. Sometimes they sacrifice their peace.

I never served, so I won’t pretend to understand the depths of their sacrifices; I just want to thank them for the freedoms my family and I enjoy.

If you do nothing else today – and any day of the year – please stop and thank a veteran or active member of our military.  If you’re able, consider giving to a cause that helps veterans in your community.  This year once again, we’ll be donating to Helping Heroes.  They are veteran run (by Jeremy Harrison) and do a lot of good for local veterans in assimilating back into civilian life, including a living space that is nearly complete.  If you’re local to the Ohio Valley, please consider donating to them and helping our veterans.  If you’re not, consider an organization like the Wounded Warrior Project.

Oh, okay, here’s one more video to make you cry with joy:

The post Thank You to All Veterans appeared first on Direct Online Marketing.

Work-life balance is difficult to maintain for most entrepreneurs (and non-entrepreneurs) under normal circumstances. When the holidays roll around, they seem to make that balance all the more unruly.

We’ve got 12 ways to help you manage both spheres of your life without losing your sanity.

#1: Get Some Sleep.

We start our list with the thing we all wish we were doing right now – sleeping. Lack of sleep affects your decision making skills, your focus, your mood and your general ability to invest in your life – whether that’s your work-life or your home-life.

Everyone’s sleep schedules are different and not everyone requires the same amount of sleep. Learn to understand your own internal clock and make sure you get the right amount of sleep for your body so that you can approach life fully recharged.

#2: Cut Out Unnecessary Tasks.

Entrepreneurs are busy people – really busy people. Unfortunately, a lot of us are really busy doing the wrong things.

Yes, this is where we tell you to create a to-do list and cut out the things that don’t matter.

You’re probably taking on a lot of tasks that you could delegate to other people. There are also a lot of tasks that probably don’t need to be done at all.

Spend a week writing down everything that you do. Review each day and figure out where you are wasting your time. Then delegate and cull accordingly.

#3: Work from Home Occasionally.

We know not every job allows this, or is even conducive to remote working, but if you can then take advantage of the perk once in a while. Don’t get confused about the concept – working from home is work. However, you get the convenience of working in your pjs (if that’s your thing) or taking breaks to do laundry or, more importantly, spend time with your family. Working from home also allows you to work at your own pace, so you can work 9-5 or 12-8 or whatever other combination of hours you can think of. Another great advantage to this perk, is that people who work from home tend to be more productive than those who go into an office!

#4: Have Some Fun.

You probably feel like you’re too busy to take breaks, but stepping away from your work should be an important part of your workflow.

We always bring our work related exhaustion and burnout home with us. Taking breaks helps to recharge your batteries and sharpen your mind.

Have some fun during your breaks. Don’t just go outside and think about how frustrated you are with work and don’t vent to coworkers or others about your day. That’s not a break. Go for a walk. Chat about anything but work with a co-worker or friend. Play a brain game online – or better yet, do an offline sudoku puzzle or crossword.

Whatever you do with your break, make sure it’s not work related!

#5: Get Organized.

Some might say that a messy desk is a sign of creativity, but if you can’t find what you need to complete a task, then you’ll be bringing that work home with you, or at the very least, you’ll be thinking about it while you’re at home.

There are a lot of ways to organize your workflow. Find the one that works for you and stick to it. It might be hard at first, but you’ll eventually build a solid habit that will keep you more productive.

Likewise, organize your homelife. You don’t want to be thinking about home when you’re at the office. Find ways to streamline your errands and household tasks so that you don’t feel like you have another 8 hour day ahead of you when you walk in the door at 7pm.

#6: Set Some Boundaries.

Work is also going to bleed into the personal sphere and vice-versa. There will always be times where you need to take a personal call or do work after hours. Still, you should try to maintain boundaries between work time and personal time.

You could also call this “creating a schedule and sticking to it.”

It’s also important to think about how much you talk about home at work and work at home. For your own sanity, you need to create some division. Having drinks with coworkers is a great bonding experience, but if your coworkers are your only friends then you’re going to experience some major burnout.

#7: Prioritize Your Relationships.

Let’s focus on homelife for a second. We’ve already established that there are some things you need to cut out of your life, but there may be some people that you need to cut out too. Okay, maybe “cut out” is too harsh, but think about the people with whom you spend most of your time. Are they the people that are the most important to you?

Do you have old friends you never see? Take some time to schedule outings with them.

Also consider whether or not the time you spend with your loved ones is quality time. Quickly scarfing down dinner with your family doesn’t quite count as “quality time.” Invest in your relationships. It will make you happier all around.

#8: Take a Vacation.

Short breaks are great, but there’s a reason why we’re given vacation days. Spending a few days (or weeks!) away from the office is really important. You may feel too busy to take some a vacation, but studies show that taking a vacation makes you more productive when you return.

It’s important to get away from the daily grind and spend time with your family away from your everyday experiences.

#9: Take Some Me Time.

Don’t run yourself raggedly doing things for other people, whether at work or at home. Take time for yourself. Indulge in your hobbies, exercise, etc… Do things that make you happy. You’ll bring that happiness into your work and home life.

#10: Give Up Trying to be Perfect.

Let’s face it, we can’t be everything to everyone, so don’t even bother. The secret to having it all is to understand that you can’t actually have it all. It’s a breath of fresh air to realize that you can’t possibly do everything or do it the way that everyone else does it.

Focus on what matters to you and your priorities. Of course you need to meet your work goals, but overall, trying to live up to other people’s expectations is exhausting and a waste of time.

#11: Know Your Strengths.

Similar to #10, knowing your strengths is about letting go of unnecessary stress. Don’t spend hours building an app if you aren’t really cut out to be a developer. Focus on what you’re good at doing. It will mean less stress during the day and, consequently, less stress when you get home. You’ll spend less time worrying about how you’re going to perform a task and more time getting things done.

#12: Do What You Love.

If going to work fills you with dread, then it might be time to try something new. Maybe it’s the perfect time for you to start your own business. Unhappiness at work leads to unhappiness at home. Why waste your time being unhappy? It might seem like a risk to jump into entrepreneurship, but if you’re already unhappy you have nothing to lose and only happiness to gain.

The post 12 Ways to Maintain Your Work-Life Balance. appeared first on Direct Online Marketing.

• Facebook
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• Google+
• YouTube**

* That twitter account is new.  In the past, we’ve all tweeted on our own accounts, which we’ll continue to do, but this will now be the ‘official’ DOM twitter feed. I’ll continue tweeting from @domjbs.

** We didn’t make a video for this, but I figured we’d add a link here since we’re listing all the other social media properties.

We’re big fans of the Wheeling Symphony and season ticket holders.  If you’ve ever been, you know what terrific shows they put on.  If you haven’t, you’re missing out.

Tonight’s performance should be fun, especially if you like blues.  Show starts at 8PM for this Pops Concert at Wheeling’s historic Capitol Theatre on 1015 Main Street.  Click for more details about tonight’s Shakura S’Aida Sings the Blues.

To claim your tickets, just be the first person to respond in the comments below or on any of our social media properties.  You then just have to be able to pick them up from us before our office closes.  Good luck!

The post 2 Free Tickets to Tonight’s Wheeling Symphony Event appeared first on Direct Online Marketing.

If you haven’t seen this before, here’s just a tremendous video well worth your time.

Not to commercialize this day, but if you like the above, you may be interested in a film my wife recently produced called Doughboy. It had a special theatrical run this summer in West Virginia and Maryland. Look for it in wider national release in early 2012.

Please take the time today to call and thank the veterans, servicemen, and servicewomen that you know.

The post Thank You Veterans! appeared first on Direct Online Marketing.