Local Pages is excited to give one lucky fan of our Facebook Page a free iPad 2 on April 26th. All you have to do is make sure you are a fan of our page at www.facebook.com/localpagescommunity and you will instantly be in the running for the gift.

The first iPad indisputably pioneered the way in the consumer tablet market. The iPad 2 is poised to reinforce Apple’s preeminence in the space, even as competitors like the Android Honeycomb 3.0 have become more prevalent in the overall marketplace. Even though some marked improvements have been made to the iPad, lovers of all things Apple will appreciate that it maintains its unmistakable aesthetic appeal. The primary upgrades and improvements to the iPad 2 are: faster processing speed (utilizing Apple’s latest dual-core Apple A5 processor), a 33% thinner tablet, and the addition of twin cameras. And you get to enjoy these upgrades without sacrificing the 10-hour battery life or paying more than the first permutation of the iPad.

The iPad 2 is thinner (241 X 190 X 13 mm), lighter (601 g), and has adapted an even more elegant design. The back of the tablet is slightly bowed, the edges taper smoothly, and the tablet sits flatly on a table, unlike the first iPad, which tended to rock back and forth. The IPS display that features LED backlighting makes viewing angles in any orientation far easier. The display screen remains 9.7 inches, although the addition of an oleo phobic coating means that it is much easier to remove those pesky fingerprint marks. You can get the new iPad in either black or white. Both colors feature brushed aluminum back panels.

The physical connectivity of the iPad 2 remains essentially the same, even as many rumors circulated about the addition of a USB port, SD card slot, and other such additions. For now, you’ll have to be content with a 3.5 mm headphone input and the Apple 30-pin Doc Connector. Wireless connectivity is far more flexible. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR are standard and you can choose from 16, 32, or 64GB of flash storage.

With the addition of twin cameras and improvements in the areas of weight, thinness, and design, the iPad 2 is demonstrating Apple’s preeminence in the tablet marketplace once again. Be sure to become a fan of Local Pages at www.facebook.com/localpagescommunity to instantly be entered in the running to win a brand new iPad on April 26th.

Most small businesses still aren’t hiring, despite steady economic progress. Nevertheless, those actively recruiting new hires are turning to social media to supplement their traditional classified ads. This practice may sound unorthodox to some and it certainly doesn’t fit every independent company. After all, large corporations popularized this practice. Still, tech savvy small businesses might be able to adapt this model to suit their needs. Taking advantage of online resources outside of Craigslist sends a message of engagement to future staff members. Members of Generation Y in particular want to work for hip companies. Getting hired through their favorite internet hotspots would likely be a dream come true!

Companies that provide tech services will likely benefit the most from social media recruitment, but anyone searching for a professional marketer should be open to this avenue as well. Other possible vacancies that easily lend themselves into this arena include customer service representatives, receptionists, public relations personnel, and business development. It makes a lot of sense to hire someone already involved in internet networking for these types of positions. In essence, using Twitter or Facebook acts as a way of pre-screening applicants to ensure familiarity with these tools from the get go. Once you’ve received responses over a particular interface, you have the ability to review a wealth of conversations applicants conducted in the public sphere.

While this opportunity sounds enticing, observe proper etiquette when soliciting strangers. For starters, respond in an appropriate setting. When someone responds to an ad you placed on the company blog, don’t hunt them down on Facebook. Unless they specifically request to be contacted in a certain way, stick with the same medium. This is especially important when it comes to Facebook. Despite the open nature of the forum, many consider their profiles as part of their private lives. The personal nature of the details presented doesn’t always exude the aura of professionalism. For instance, no one includes a portfolio of their favorite movies, friends’ pictures, or political views along with their resume. These factoids reveal a lot about a person, but they’re not exactly relevant to the individual’s ability to input data or process orders.

Of course, some idiosyncrasies shouldn’t be ignored. References to drug use or inappropriate comments about past employers raise legitimate red flags. Those concerned about the informal nature of these relations shouldn’t venture outside of Linkedin. Reaching out through social media appeals to a particular demographic. If you’re not interested in hiring someone with a 21st century attitude, then steer clear of Twitter.

Small businesses looking for high impact advertising opportunities should consider incorporating email promotion services, such as Groupon.com and LocalPAGES.com, into their marketing strategies. Tons of local companies are reaping the benefits of these effective tools; however, it’s important to carefully plan this type of venture to avoid potential problems.

Before making the decision to offer this kind of coupon, calculate the costs involved on your end. While the service itself is free, most of the sites expect a significant share of any sales revenue. Be sure to anticipate this as part of your overhead expenses. Keep in mind that the customers receiving the emails are accustomed to rock bottom prices. In other words, you’ll have to dig deep to get their attention. Sometimes enticing new customers in this manner requires operating at a loss. Many independent entrepreneurs find this practice worthwhile in the long run because it builds invaluable brand awareness and increases exposure.

The potential for lost revenue means that timing should be a critical determining factor for a shrewd business owner. Don’t dive in when you’re having trouble covering your routine monthly expenses. Identify a holiday or season when sales are strong, and use the coupons to attract a steady stream of fresh faces. Heavy foot traffic makes it seem as though you’ve already established a loyal following in the neighborhood. Lots of shoppers assume that busy stores carry quality merchandise, which explains their popularity. This thought process creates a powerful association in people’s minds; positive impressions have a lasting impact on the psyche.

Next, pay attention to the offer’s wording to anticipate loopholes or technicalities. Troubles arise when owners forget to place limits on the amount a single customer may purchase, for instance. A sudden influx of customers buying products at or below cost quickly turns into a nightmare. Minimize the risks by clearly defining the terms and conditions ahead of time. Along the same lines, it’s wise to expect a huge response. Running out of the item in question spells disaster in terms of customer satisfaction. Make sure the inventory’s fully stocked and provide a similar alternative of equal value just in case.

Obviously, email marketing isn’t a one size fits all approach. While numerous small businesses are finding success via email coupons, this concept might not be right for your company or industry. In general, advertising experts believe that these work well for start-ups trying to attract clients as opposed to renowned retailers.

Does your company utilize this type of advertising? Share your experiences with our small business community!