Clean Up One Line JavaScript

June 23rd, 2010 § 0

I found a great utility for cleaning up consolidated JavaScript files.  You know, the ones you can’t read because everything is on one line?  Credit goes to jcay.com.  Here is the software – jscisetup.exe.

Make this…

<script language="JavaScript">var i=0,s="",k=0;function foo()
{for(j=0;j<10;j++){for(i=0;i<10;i++){s="string1";
k=Math.floor(Math.random()*10);
for(i=20;i>9;i--){s="string2";k=i;}}}</script>

Look like this…

<script language="JavaScript">
var i = 0, s = "", k = 0;
function foo()
{
    for(j = 0; j < 10; j++)
    {
        for(i = 0; i < 10; i++)
        {
            s = "string1";
            k = Math.floor( Math.random()*10 );
        }
        for(i = 20; i > 9; i--)
        {
            s = "string2";
            k = i;
        }
    }
}
</script>

Web Analytics Contracts: Full-Time vs. Part-Time

June 22nd, 2010 § 0

“What type of contracts do you prefer – part-time or full-time?” This is a question I have become particularly interested in since beginning consulting in 2009. In fact, I ask this question to every consultant I meet (if I remember to).

I liken this to renting out rooms in a house versus renting out the whole house. If you rent out the rooms, then it’s much easier to make ends meet if you lose one renter. If you rent the entire house, then it can be frightening if you lose your one renter.

Full-Time Contracts

Onesies are for those who appreciate some security, focus and a deeper level recognition.

  • One consultant responded that he usually knows when his contract will end so preparing an exit strategy is easier.  Of course, finding the next gig may not happen in a timely manner, so have three to six months of cash reserves if it takes you a little longer than expected to find your next contract.
  • Some people like the idea of working for themselves, but still want to or can only focus on one thing at a time.  Full-time contracts provide focus on one project for an extended period of time.  Usually just long enough to captivate the consultant until they are ready to move on.
  • Having large projects under your belt does wonders for landing your next full-time contract.  Enough said.
  • A full-time, extended contract usually means that your involvement is more mission critical and you will be spoken of highly by those who speak highly.  A glowing review does wonders when asked for references.
  • Lastly, a full-time contract provides much stability and security.  Your payment schedule is steady and there are no other projects crowding you.  Your client is reliant upon your success and is not likely to bail.

Part-Time Contracts

Given cushion, part-time contracts afford the variety and engagement that the on-the-move, trend-catching consultant needs.

  • As mentioned, variety is a mainstay of part-time gigs.  You may be involved in search engine optimization for one client, social analytics for another and web analytics implementation for a third.  You will never be bored.
  • The ability to network is richer as you are likely to meet many more movers in various industries.  It is easy to please your clients quickly and land new gigs with those in their network.  It is also easy to upset them and have opportunities dry up around you.
  • Projects are usually easier.  You may also end up with ongoing maintenance which can afford some stability.
  • Developing strong time-management skills is a great part of part-time contracts.  Being able to manage multiple clients successfully will speak volumes to prospective clients.

Whatever your fancy, either method of consulting provides great flexibility and independence.  Most companies won’t appreciate you working in your pajamas or working on Saturday so you can take Wednesday off.  You are the ruler of your destiny!

Thinking about consulting?  Got consulting bruises to share?  Add your thoughts below!

The Mathematics Behind Sales And Twitter

December 14th, 2009 § 0

Recently there has been quite a buzz about how much money Dell has made from sales in which the referring source was Twitter.  I really appreciated Kevin Hillstrom’s take on it.  Especially since I’ve been up in the air regarding the validity of social media as a credible marketing tool and have been looking for anything negative to be said.  It’s so easy to be swept away.  But putting this aside for a later post, back to Twitter sales and mathematics…

Online sales conversion rates are generally accepted to be between 2% and 5%.  I really like to using the FireClick Index to keep an eye on this.  They are currently reporting the top line conversion rate at 5.00%.

So let’s assume that 5% of your traffic from Twitter makes a purchase on your site.  That’s nice, 5 out of 100 visitors from Twitter bought your products/services.

Now the hard question.  How much effort does it take on your part to get 100 of your Twitter followers to click through to your website?

Taking the general marketing conversion rate to be between 2% and 5%, we’ll optimistically say that 5% of your followers will click through.  Applying Bayes’ Theorem, that means that 0.25% of your Twitter followers will make a purchase on your website.  To make one sale, you need about 400 followers.

Now let’s look at Dell to see if this math is credible.  DellOutlet has about 1.5 million Twitter followers.  The report stated that Dell made $6.5 million.  Assuming 0.25% of their followers made a purchase makes the average purchase price at roughly $1,750.  I suppose that could be realistic considering that there are some enterprise level items available through the Dell Outlet.  [To someone in the know at Dell Outlet, I'd loooove to know how close I am to the average purchase price for Twitter visitors.]

I’m no expert at Twitter strategy, but my guess is that you need to dedicate some serious resources to get enough relevant followers to merit it as a marketing channel.  I would say it will be easier to do so if your products/services appeal to a large, diverse audience.  But if you are in a small niche, Twitter might not be the best solution.

Bottom line – Twitter is another marketing channel and requires effort too, this isn’t an easy way to profit.  It’s new, but it appears that there has been some valid success.  In the end, you really have to test out new marketing channels and compare them to how those you already use are performing.  So I wouldn’t write it off, I’d test it!

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