Too much “Turkey” in your Facebook Marketing could “Stuff” your Efforts into Poor Results

The end of the year is upon us and most of us prepare to sit with family, stuffing our bellies with yummy food, gift giving and reflecting in a spirit of thanks.  Along with this season, comes business planning for the New Year, goal writing and campaign development for marketing.  In the theme of Thanksgiving, here are some things you should consider with your social media marketing in Facebook  to improve results with branding while maintaining activity with your clients, vendors and partners. 

Let’s Talk Turkey - Using Facebook Promotions can benefit you but …

Facebook has three (3) paid advertising options.  The most important thing to know is none of these work well, without effective and attractive Profile writing.  The bio section of your Page should specifically paint a picture of your ideal niche, target market and specific services.  Facebook uses a program called Graph Search which pulls from things people talk about into suggestions of pages or posts for users  to then  “Like” or “Follow”.  Without the proper wording, even a paid promotion or advertisement isn’t going to draw in the right “Followers” leaving your efforts stuffed with an unhappy pocketbook and minimal results.

(1)    Consider getting your Bio/Mission Statement/About Us information written by a professional writer.  Social Media Marketing Experts are great resources for this as they play in this medium daily and have seen what works well for a variety of entities.

(2)    Be sure your profile is completely written, by filling in each section to its capacity with story telling, service offerings and calls to action.  Even selecting the correct type of “Page” can make or break your campaign as Facebook provides multiple options (Community, Local Business, Company, Organization, Band, Artist, etc)

(3)    Schedule out consistent posts by using tools such as HootSuite to make sure your audience sees updates from you at the time they are online.  By rotating time of day/days of the week and including photos/links/videos will increase your organic “share/like/comment” activity.  If your page hasn’t posted an update in the last month, there is work that needs to be done to get back in front of your visitors and a routine of posts multiple times each week  will help with that.

Let’s talk Stuffing – What are things I should have on my Facebook Page?

(1)    Be sure to have a clean Cover Photo void of too many words and be sure contact information is not included.  Contact information isn’t intended for your Cover Photo as there are other places for it.  The Cover Photo should draw in ideas for your target market – such as a featured product, event or provide a nice visual as to the services you offer.

(2)     Your “Profile Picture” should be recognizable to your brand, preferably your logo and shouldn’t change as frequently as your Cover Photo does.  Honestly, don’t change this picture unless your brand completely changes as it will confuse your visitors.

(3)    Buttons on Facebook such as “Sign Up for your Free eBook” are custom buttons and can integrate a multitude of different applications to enhance your visitors experience.  The buttons can be changed frequently to highlight promotions as well.

(4)    Use your Pin / Highlight options in Facebook allow you to “Pin” a post to the top of your timeline, making it the first thing visitors see when looking at updates or “Highlight” a post takes it from a smaller square shape, to a long wide real estate on your page.  This is good for a past promotions or sharing of an event, gallery of images, etc.

Use your Facebook Page to engage … after all, it is “Social” Media, not “Create a page that will do nothing for you” media. Engage, communicate, keep it fun and constantly changing.  Your viewers will appreciate the variety and over time will open up and begin to share with you in return.

Learn more about how we can help you achieve your marketing goals in social media so you aren’t stuffed with poor results in this time of planning.

 

~ Social Media is changing the way people do business.  Don't get left behind ~ 

Hollie Clere, of The Social Media Advisor is a social media manager, trainer and author in LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Google+ , Pinterest and the tools to manage them. Click here for her Social Media Links

Sign up for your Free Social Media Analysis 

Making social media work for you in 2014

We are looking for your input on social media experiences. The last quarter of the year is upon us and many of us struggle with those end of year tasks: closing out projects, documentation for taxes and building goals and budgets for the New Year. One of our year end projects is to enhance options for our clients and connections based off of their needs. We are looking for your feedback about social media experiences so that we can provide articles, tactics and tips that will help you with your social media marketing efforts.

We would love your feedback on the any of following questions so that we can gauge what blog topics would help you most in 2014:

• What are some of the struggles you have had with marketing on Facebook?
• What are some of the questions you have had when you think of marketing on Twitter?
• Do you and/or your staff members have less than 500 connections on LinkedIn?
• Is closing business or prospecting for new clients on LinkedIn still a mystery?
• Have you considered adding video marketing to your social media strategy?
• How long has it been since your social and website SEO/keywords have been updated?
• Would you like to learn about using Pinterest to promote your business?
• What are some of the frustrations/questions you have had with Google+?
• Have you or do you use HootSuite and what are the things you like/don’t like about it?
• Are you posting status updates more than once each week in the social spaces?

***As a gift for you in return,
 
 We are offering you a free social media consultation. This is a $395 value, but we are giving it away free until 12/26/2013 in celebration of our 10th year in business. Please take a moment to answer our questions above, and take advantage of our free social media review before the end of the year.

Thank you for your assistance! Looking forward to learning more about you in 2014!


~ Social Media is changing the way people do business.  Don't get left behind ~ 

Hollie Clere, of The Social Media Advisor is a social media manager, trainer and author in LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Google+ , Pinterest and the tools to manage them. Click here for her Social Media Links

Sign up for your Free Social Media Analysis 

How to best utilize a Marketing Consortium

Some of the greatest solutions we have been able to offer clients; have come from one of our many Marketing Consortiums. What is a Consortium?  It is a collective group of people with unique skills who come together collectively for a common goal.  In this case, total solutions for clients.  Here is a case study of a recent project:

Client requested a review of marketing activity. Initial look was focused on social media and website changes because of a new product launch in their e-commerce site.  While we don’t specialize in websites, we had resources to engage in the project for the review.  In addition to the website polishing, they also had a need for new website content to help optimize search engine results.  They decided they also wanted to start writing blogs to drive traffic, but don’t have the time to write.  The social sites needed some tweaking, optimization and keyword enhancement, the brand online didn’t quite match up to the brand on the website since the logo and colors were going to change.  Additionally, they needed to change company logos on letter head, team shirts, mailed marketing and redesign brochures.

This solution provided experts in all of the following areas:

• Website Designer
• Graphic Design
• Shopping Cart Specialist
• Social Media Specialist
• Content Writer
• Blogger
• SEO Specialist
• Printed Marketing Expert
• Corporate Fabric Embroiderer

Working with a Marketing Consortium has many advantages. 

(1)    You aren’t shopping bids for each one of these services

(2)    The team works together and has a strong understanding of each others gifts

(3)    One team to communicate with

(4)    Bundled contract options for single source and payment

Your projects; no matter how large or small should be tailored to best fit your company needs.  Fact – there is no company that does all of the things listed above on their own; they higher specialists that are brilliant at each of these skills independently.  I could be “good” at doing all of the above, but why not be amazing with my special niche?  This is why we work with Marketing Consortiums if it fits the scope of your project.

How can we help you polish up your brand?

Would you like to introduce us to some of your favorite website designers and marketing people?  We send you a $20 Starbucks Gift Card for every successful introduction.

~ Social Media is changing the way people do business.  Don't get left behind ~ 

Hollie Clere, of The Social Media Advisor is a social media manager, trainer and author in LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Google+ , Pinterest and the tools to manage them. Click here for her Social Media Links

Sign up for your Free Social Media Analysis 

Building Connections on LinkedIn

When speaking to clients about building connections on LinkedIn, I encourage them to build their network with professionals they know, like and trust … in addition to building a network of connections that they may not have met yet, but might be good potential clients.

Sure, it makes sence to connect to people you know, but it is possible that those people may already be a good referral network for you. Connecting with people who may have similar interests, similar industries, similar groups, etc will enhance your network and launch the potential for more relationships in your extended network.

Being a user of LinkedIn, you are familiar with the tiers … 1st, 2nd, 3rd-degree connections and so forth. 1st-degree connections are directly connected to you. 2nd-degree connections are directly connected to one of your contacts. 3rd-degree connections are connected to your 2nd-degree connections. Additionally you may run across profiles that say “Group” and are only a part of your LinkedIn network because of a mutual group. “Out of Network” simply means that you are not connected in any way.

So, how can you build your network?

(1) Synch your Email Contacts

In your LinkedIn profile, select Network, Add Connections. The system provides many options for connecting your emails. Additionally, by selecting Any Email, you can also Upload your contacts file or Invite contacts by individual email.

NOTE: The first screen is your list of contacts that have an email address in LinkedIn, the second screen shows the list of your contacts email addresses that are not setup on the LinkedIn network. You can simply select all or select contacts individually.

(2) Connect to members of Groups

In your LinkedIn profile, select Interests then Groups. Select the Group you would like to view. In the group, near the top right hand side of the page, you will see a box that says Member; next to this box you will see the quantity of members in the group. Click those words. You will see the full list of members with the people you have 1st-degree connections, then 2nd-degree and so forth. Simply click Connect for the individuals you would like to connect with. Some versions of LinkedIn still have Members listed in the navigation under the group name.

NOTE: You will need to be connected to a group before you can view Members.

(3) Search for people/jobs/companies of interest to you

Search is one of the best tools in LinkedIn. You can search for what ever you might need from People to Jobs to Companies, Groups, keywords, etc. The Search bar is found at the top of LinkedIn no matter what screen you are in. Simply type in your words and click the clue search button.


Build your contact lists, make an introduction and get to know your network of resources. LinkedIn can be one of the best tools for your business growth, communication and networking.

Remember, if it isn’t fun, you are doing it wrong. Happy Networking!


~ Social Media is changing the way people do business.  Don't get left behind ~ 

Hollie Clere, of The Social Media Advisor is a social media manager, trainer and author in LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Google+ , Pinterest and the tools to manage them. Click here for her Social Media Links

Sign up for your Free Social Media Analysis 

Should ALL of your connections see ALL of your posts on Facebook?

We have talked about Privacy settings in the past and the fact that nearly every time there is a major update to the social media platform, privacy settings need to get re-established. There are many things to understand about your privacy settings on Facebook.  Establishing lists for organizing your contacts into categories and lists may help you to feel a little more comfortable when posting so you can select who sees which updates you make on your profile.

Facebook has put together a simple tutorial on the steps for adjusting who sees your posts each time you post:

https://www.facebook.com/help/120939471321735

Simple steps to ensure your posts go to the right news feeds.  Be sure to modify your lists if you want specific groups of people see an update.

Happy posting!

~ Social Media is changing the way people do business.  Don't get left behind ~ 

Hollie Clere, of The Social Media Advisor is a social media manager, trainer and author in LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Google+ , Pinterest and the tools to manage them. Click here for her Social Media Links

Sign up for your Free Social Media Analysis 

Frustrations with Social Engagement

Time and time again, I talk to people who have gotten frustrated with social media because they aren’t sure how exactly the tools are supposed to work. It is one thing to create a Facebook Fan Page, setup a Twitter account or add a profile to LinkedIn.  It is another program all together to engage socially, while drive traffic to your website. The same applies to any social profile including Pinterest, Google+ and YouTube.  The relationship building, social engagement and conversations that can happen in these sites are very important. Understanding an learning how best to use the tools before you is only half the battle. It is important to take ownership of your profiles and understanding the many dynamics of who they function is most important.

Facebook marketing work differently than LinkedIn marketing. From personal to professional engagement, profile privacy settings to the types of users vary greatly. Even the paid advertising/promotion options in both tools are different.

Twitter has different social “rules” than Google+. From 140 character messages to rich image and “tagging” enabled posts could change the feel of your marketing campaign dramatically.


YouTube is amazing for video sharing, where Pinterest has a lot of capability for viral exposure as well; just formatted in a different way, with a different set of users and functionality.
While all of these social profiles are a must have for many businesses, the way your messages are displayed (alone) could make or break your post. It is important to understand how your messages will be displayed to give you the highest probability for a click through, RT, Pin, +1, comment, like or share.

How can we help you maintain communication with your customers in a way that is most appealing to them? Here are some examples of what the variance of social posts may look like. As you can see, thinking about color in your posts, including a link and even the types of information shared will be strategic in planning on how your content will be shared.


~ Social Media is changing the way people do business.  Don't get left behind ~ 

Hollie Clere, of The Social Media Advisor is a social media manager, trainer and author in LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Google+ , Pinterest and the tools to manage them. Click here for her Social Media Links

Sign up for your Free Social Media Analysis 

Colorado Fires Should Have you Thinking About Communication Plans in Social Media

 

As most of you are aware, there are fires starting again in our own backyards. One of the things that happens in a time of tragedy is people tend to frantically pack things up, go somewhere safe and wait. During that time, they are disconnected from work and can be missing valuable business.

The last thing someone would think about may be taking the time to update the website with a message stating they are closed for business during the fire and to please be patient during this time.

Some of the things you can do real time that may save you from losing clients are:

(1) Contacting the person who schedules your Newsletter to send out an email blast to your contact list letting them know the issue.

(2) Making an update on your social profiles to let your clients, partners and vendors know what is going on.

Both processes are quick and a good resource for letting people know things on the fly.

We can not only get the tools setup for you to post this message to all of your social media profiles, but train you on how to best use them and incorporate them on your smart phones & tablets for posts while on the go.

Please listen for business Owners and Marketing Managers who are concerned with action plans in the time of an emergency.

Helping you maintain communication with your customers in the time of a emergency.





~ Social Media is changing the way people do business.  Don't get left behind ~ 

Hollie Clere, of The Social Media Advisor is a social media manager, trainer and author in LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Google+ , Pinterest and the tools to manage them. Click here for her Social Media Links

Sign up for your Free Social Media Analysis 

LinkedIn Profile Development Can Enhance Your Search Results

LinkedIn is one of the most powerful business tools on the internet. It isn’t intended to be an online resume of your history, but rather a beefed up – keyword heavy story telling tool to allow your profile to be found when it is searched for and help you build your credibility and visibility.

There are specific ways to configure your profile to where you will list at the top of the LinkedIn search list for a keyword in your area.

Are you using the tools to drive traffic to you?

Are you building social relationships to enhance your online presence?

We can rebuild your LinkedIn profiles for you, teach you how to best use them and help you develop connection strategies to grow your client base.

Helping you stand out from your competition.



~ Social Media is changing the way people do business.  Don't get left behind ~ 

Hollie Clere, of The Social Media Advisor is a social media manager, trainer and author in LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Google+ , Pinterest and the tools to manage them. Click here for her Social Media Links

Sign up for your Free Social Media Analysis