This is a copy of Google's communications newsletter that hightlights what's going on with the company and its latest products. I reproduce it here for those of you that aren't subscribers.

Google Moderator

Google Moderator is a new way to facilitate question-and-answer sessions during talks, presentations and events that involve large groups of people. Anyone can submit a question and then people can vote on the questions that they'd like answered. http://moderator.appspot.com

You know that there's been a dramatic change in how companies are doing business, a change that probably made you wake up in a cold sweat, wondering if your company will survive the transition. You might think that it's about building a Web site, but just as a few popsicle sticks can't build the Eiffel Tower, so a Web page or two won't help you rethink your business for the new online world.

In the 21st Century, successful business will be focused on findability, about creating an online and offline presence that helps your customers find you. Business and marketing used to be characterized by efforts to brand your company and get in front of your customers, but that's not what's propelling the hot new companies, the entrepreneurs who are already striking it rich in this new world.

Among the ridiculously large number of different mailing lists I receive, I'm on an interesting one from Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT), executive communiques from Bill Gates himself. Well, most likely, memos from someone who works for Bill and composes these ridiculously long missives. Nonetheless, just like having a ghost-blogger, I think it's fair to assume that these messages represent the thoughts and opinions of one of the richest and most successful software entrepreneurs in the world.

From a Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) perspective, I find these interesting because they suggest how Microsoft corporation is thinking about the Internet and the rise of search engines: remember that Google has also been pushing aggressively towards creating a Web-based competitor to Microsoft Office, which, along with Windows itself (and the stalled-out Vista), is the core revenue stream for the corporation.

Anyway, here's what Bill had to say...

"Hi Mr. Taylor! I have just finished reading your book, "growing your business with google". I must mention that I like the aura of the way you write. What I mean is, the way you write makes people want to approach you and they don't feel 100% intimidated. You made me feel much better about making my online store more "findable". I just wanted to say that I enjoyed reading your book.

I wish that you had a book that was more "basic". I did get the feeling that a person must take computer classes first and then read your book. I just learned how to "copy and paste"! Anyway, I will reread it how ever many times it takes because I feel that you are an internet genius and hopefully my business will benefit from your book.

Thank you for being the warm person that you are. I definitely got that from reading your book and that you care about small businesses succeeding."

In his recent presentation Blogging for Creative Businesses, Mark McGuinness says:

"As I said in my presentation, Dave Taylor’s book “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Growing Your Business with Google is the most useful book I’ve ever bought on marketing - it covers a lot more than blogging, and explains how to make yourself ‘findable’ via Google and other search engines. At the very least you should make sure your web developer reads the chapter on building a Google-friendly website."

Another issue of Google's marketing newsletter, this is a splendid way to find out what they are promoting to the user community right now. Remember, if Google is actively promoting a particular tool or feature, you should definitely be checking it out too! --DT

POWER TIP

Create your own Google Maps

A new Google Maps feature lets you easily create maps with placemarks that incorporate your text comments, photos, and videos from YouTube and Google Video. It's a great way of sharing your stories on a map, whether it's stops you enjoyed on a recent vacation or the best places to grab a quick bite to eat in your city. To get started, just click the "My Maps" tab on the left-hand side of the Google Maps homepage. You can take a look at the maps other people have created (there's even one of the Googleplex), and then get started making your own by clicking "Create new map." If you make your map public, we will make it searchable for other folks who use Google Maps. http://maps.google.com

Here's a program that you might want to keep an eye on, as it might well open up another revenue stream for your site, one that's far more low-key than AdSense itself...This is an email message I received from Google about being included in their new beta program. I'll post more as I see how it works!

Dear Publisher,

Congratulations, your account has been selected to participate in the AdSense Referrals Beta. The Referrals Beta is an exciting new feature of AdSense that allows you to:

• Earn extra revenue on a cost-per-action basis
• Select ads from hundreds of AdWords advertisers as well as our standard Google product offerings
• Select a list of relevant keywords for your site and let Google figure out the best ads for your site
• Customize your referral ads to match the look and feel of your site
• Track the success of your referral units with custom channels

"Your new book, Growing Your Business with Google, was fantastic. I must say that it is the most comprehensive guide I have read on the subject. It is rare that I read a "How To" cover to cover. Your book was exactly what I was looking for to give me the steps to create my website and build my online business. It was the first time since college that I took out the highlighter. I have an MBA and this was certainly better than any E-Business course I ever took! Thank you!"

I can't add anything to that other than to say Thanks!

Every so often Bill Gates, Chairman of Microsoft Corporation, sends out a position statement essay to the media. Here's his latest...

During the last decade, digital technology has changed the world in profound and exciting ways. Today we communicate instantly with the people we care about without worrying about traditional limitations of time and location. At work, we collaborate with colleagues in distant cities. Global supply chains enable businesses to manufacture products and move them to market with incredible speed and efficiency. Mobile devices ensure that we are productive no matter where we are.

But these changes are just the beginning. As more and more of the world's information, commerce, and communications moves to digital form, it will open the door to a new world of connected experiences that link our interests and our communities into a seamless whole that extends across home, work, school, and play.

Already, a new generation of technology is transforming expectations for how we will conduct business, communicate, access entertainment, and much more. Increasingly, people envision a world of anywhere access - a world in which the information, the communities, and the content that they value is available instantly and easily, no matter where they are.

If you're a subscriber to the popular Google AdSense service, you'll be interested to read the email that I received today from the AdSense team about video advertising. What you need to ask yourself is what kind of video ads would actually work on your site and whether you want to think about creating your own video advertising too. [tip: if you haven't yet signed up for AdSense, please start with my tutorial Getting started with Google AdSense]

Anyway, here's their email to me...