Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Like what I do?

Social Media is a great way to communicate.

It is also a fantastic way to promote your product or service but for me, I use it to share what I have learnt along the way.

I work alongside small businesses to help promote their products and services online as well as updating what they do, or have done, or an event they are about to have and then put up pictures, say thank yous, really connect with their fans on Facebook.

Which means that their fans are getting information immediately. New event, a new fashion line, a competition, or special or giveaway, your Faceook fans who are following your business for a reason are getting what they want from the business, regular content and updates.

I like giving social media tips, things I have learnt and am learning along the way. The biggest tip I can give to you is update regularly, write blog posts, submit links, communicate, answer questions on social media, do SOMETHING every day.

Do an update, a blog post, a link, a list, an observation a review, answer questions on Twitter, Facebook, write on your blog and whatever other social media sites you use.

Because what I am really trying to teach you is that social media should be as NORMAL and as much a PART of your EVERYDAY WORK.

Updates, links, content, information, photos, blog posts should be part of what you simply do, to market your business, to promote an event or product or service or give away, to answer questions, to write content because you are responding to queries, because you are learning and reading and involving yourself on a DAILY level.

So if you want some social media marketing tips (click on) like what I do http://www.facebook.com/SocialNetworkingandMarketing

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Oh the places you will go

Social Media is a great tool for single business owners and small businesses.

How many times have you heard the I don't have time for networking, for socialising?

How many small business owners feel like they are doing the same thing over and over without getting the results? And how many of you feel that social media means that you are playing around on the Internet and not in fact working?

When you get into work in the morning you check your phone messages, answer your emails, respond to queries, contact the necessary people and set up meetings.

Then you get to work, coming up with ideas, doing accounts, planning things, meetings, clients, sales and coming up with something, a launch, an event, sales, meetings, a show, a trade show, a buying whatever, accountancy, admin and then planning marketing, designing adverts ... it is a lot of work ... everyday.

So how about this?

You come into work and while attending to queries, you also read the latest updates and trends in your industry. Then you can answer queries and set up meetings armed with knowledge which you got via Google Alerts and general real-time search on Google.

During the day, while doing whatever you need to do so your business can be lucrative, you can also respond to queries via social media and then take things further by suggesting solutions or a meeting via email.

Then when you have an advert or launch or sale or whatever coming up, you write about it as a blog post and send links to relevant social media sites AS WELL as doing the traditional marketing i.e. putting out an ad, sending invitations (if necessary) putting info in the newsletter and sending the invite/details via email.

During the day, you look at updates, Google what people are saying about your business, and respond to all queries via email, telephone AND social media. This is your chance to offer advice, to answer something in public, to ATTRACT people to your business via content and BECAUSE you are using all forms of media, to stay current.

And occasionally now with social media you can see networking opportunities, you get invited to networking events in your industry which can benefit you even further.

It is an hour of work more a day. Writing updates, staying on top of all the media, answering queries, writing content, replying to emails ... it's all work.

But when you look at how beneficial the work is, how more current you are, how you are reading about the latest information in your industry and how you are using social media, to ENGAGE, to RESPOND, to be more ACTIVE in your business then eventually an hour of work will be incorporated into all the tasks you ALREADY do each day.

Social media is not playing around on the Internet. Google your company, look what content is already on the Internet.

Now using all forms of media from newsletters, to email marketing, to Twitter, Blogger, Facebook, YouTube ... try and you will see content and hits and information about your business everyday.

It feels like a lot more work. It helps promote and market your business like never before.

But oh the places you will go!

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Make time to integrate and update

http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-You-Should-Integrate-Your-Email-and-Social-Media-Marketing&id=5965150 – Integrate your email and social media marketing, keeps you on track and reaches all your clients, customers and potential clients/customers.


A way to do this is via articles or newsletters updates or news via email and then linking readers to blog posts, Facebook, Twitter etc.


Then can even be a click on option to Like Facebook, comment on blog posts and subscribe to newsletters. Another option is surveys/polls especially if you are selling a service.


If it is community based, link to an event or happening within the next few months.


Ask people what they want to hear about. Do they want updates, events, education, news? Do they want to attend workshops? Do they want prizes such as cards, books, information packs on websites or social media? Ask questions, ask what they think, follow up with a question ... encourage communication.


Another option is to send important information and updates regarding websites or events happening in your industry which you are not directly involved with but which you would recommend.


All kinds of information can be used for updates and blog posts. The more you say, the more content you give out, the more you engage and communicate with your customers and clients via email marketing, social media, education, updates, news, content, other links and recommendations, the more you will drive users to your blog and sites.

Try to update as frequently as you can. Make social media a part of your marketing strategy and use tools to your advantage. Ensure you have relevant content and link to your social media sites, your website upcoming events or sites and information you have come across.

Now is the time to communicate and engage and build your social media and make it part of your business.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

What are your key words?

Go to http://www.wordle.net and find out your key words and what words you use for your business, marketing and communication with others. You can even put the words on your website or blog to remind yourself of what you are doing and can do more of and allow others to see what you do.