LinkedIn: Unlock the Potential

LinkedIn just might be one of the most misused “multi-tools” on the net.  A quick look on Wikipedia just illustrates my point.  Most people are using LinkedIn as an address book of professional connections, a site to post a resume in search of a new job, a place for employers to “head hunt” to fill spots in their company.  Let me take a minute to say that those that use LinkedIn for these purposes are having great success.  With over 58 million members in the United States alone, many business owners are missing out on the great potential of LinkedIn.

Throughout history many of the things we use every day, were actually created for an entirely different purpose.  One example is a spring that was designed in 1943 by a naval engineer to help stabilize sensitive equipment on ships.  If the potential of this spring wasn’t unlocked, then there would be only a select group of people that would have any use for this spring or even know what it is.  Because the potential of this spring was unlocked, there have been more than 300 million sold and you would be hard pressed to find anyone that doesn’t know what a Slinky is.

Any business owner or salesman should be chopping at the bit with the thought of tapping into a market of over 147 million worldwide.  Imagine being able to reach out to this many potential customers in a place they are already visiting, and allowing these potential customers to build a relationship with you and your company.  If that wasn’t enough, the Basic LinkedIn account is FREE!  I have never seen such a pool of potential customers that you can access for free, that are already spending on average 8 – 21 minutes a day, but is being used by most to search for a job and NOT customers.  Even the paid versions of LinkedIn provide so many additional options to enhance your connection experience.

 The bottom line is that the tools are all around us.  If you are not unlocking these tools, you are getting left behind.  In a climate where millions of small businesses are closing each year, can you afford to not unlock this potential?  If you don’t know how to unlock these tools, then I would suggest finding someone with a key before it is too late.

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

Jeremy Clere of The Social Media Advisor is a social media manager, trainer and consultant in  LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Google+ , Pinterest and the tools to manage them.  

Sign up for your Free Social Media Analysis 

Why choose Social Media?

To understand the question, “Why social media”?  You first have to understand America and how Americans decide where to spend their money.  The foundation of this country has always been about “the guy next door” or “the mom and pop” businesses.  Even if you don’t consider your business one of these, it’s not about your business but about your customer. 

Your customer wants to do business with someone they “know”.  It has always been that way.  Due to the big box stores and advertising prices through the roof, the “little guy” has gotten lost.  It’s not that customers prefer these shops, because of advertising; they just know them like they used to know Tim’s Hardware down the street.  Most people will tell you that there is something missing.  Shopping from Mrs. Large Hardware Chain or Mr. Just As Large Hardware Chain just isn’t the same as when they could walk into Tim’s, get greeted by name, and put their money into the pockets of someone they actually knew.

Even if your potential customers have never known anything other than the big box stores, there is still something buried deep within their DNA that makes them want to spend their money with someone they know.  Bottom line is that your customers are looking for you!  If they can’t get to know you, they will still spend their money, but it will be with whom ever the media has told them to do business with.

Most business owners will tell you that if they could just sit down with a potential customer and talk to them about their product or service, they would be closing deals hand over fist.  With social media you not only allow your potential customers to get to know you, but you get to know them as well.  No matter what “widget” you sell, you will sell much more if people have a chance to buy them from “Tom” or “Jill” instead of a website or cold store front.



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

Jeremy Clere of The Social Media Advisor is a social media manager, trainer and consultant in  LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Google+ , Pinterest and the tools to manage them.  

Sign up for your Free Social Media Analysis 

How do I secure my username on multiple social platforms?

People ask us all of the time where and how to secure profile names that match the website address.  It is important to secure these as early as possible when reserving your domain name.

There is a great site available called: Knowem at http://knowem.com which allows you to search for a specific user name (ex: abccomm) to see what sites may have it available. It is a great tool where you can streamline a single user name through “all” of the different social media platforms and reserve that name moving forward. The key to this is build your branding and your company branding effectively by presenting the same URL user name throughout all platforms and mediums.

We have used this tool in the past and it is very helpful.

~ 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 

Why can’t I see all of my friends posts on Facebook?

One of the most asked questions we get with Facebook, “Why can’t I see all of my friends posts?”  When you have over 100 friends & have "liked" a myriad of pages, it is nearly impossible to keep up with everyone you are connected to. 



The Facebook news stream only shows you posts from people you are most active with.  If they “like” or “comment” on one or more of your posts, and you do so in return, chances are you will have higher probability of seeing a status update from them.

So what are things you can do to see updates from people you haven’t connected to in a while?

(1)    Categorize your Friends and Fan Pages

(a) Select your friends list from your profile page
(b) Move your cursor over the Friends box next to their name
(c) A drop down box will pop up allowing you to select a category for that friend or "Add to another list"
(d) Create as many "lists" as you prefer, your connections will not be able to see the titles ot the categories you have organized them under.  As updates happen, you will see a number next to the "list" letting you know there is a new update.

(2)    Mark your closest Friends & Family as “Close” for notifications once they post an update.  They will be marked with a “gold” star next to the word “friends” and their updates will show up in notifications.  This is similar to subscribing to their updates.

(3)    Visit your friends & Fan Pages and find a post to “Like” or “Comment” to start seeing their updates

How will you see updates?

The updates on Friends or Fan Pages will either begin to show up on your news feed or you can simply scroll down the left side of the page to view updates from your “Categories”

What if I only want to see certain kinds of updates from friends?

Some people just aren’t fans of the games or applications.  Other people prefer pictures, videos or ALL updates.  You can go to your friends page and you can specifically select the types of updates you actually see.

(1)    Go to your friends profile page

(2)    Select the “Friends” button and select the options in the drop down menu you would like to see updates about them under Settings

Play with the many features Facebook has to offer you for organizing and keeping up with your connections & pages!

Like the information shared?  Feel free to share this on your Facebook Profile simply by selecting Share from our Fan Page.

Here is more information Facebook has provided to help you organize your updates:

How do Icontrol what I seein my news feed?



~ 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 

Another great Social Media video by TheTotalprofit on Youtube

Another great Social Media video by TheTotalprofit on Youtube:

~ 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 

Facebook new Timeline for Company Pages

Facebook has now launched "New Facebook Pages" design which will be officially converting all Pages to the new "Time Line" style March 30, 2012. Here is a screen shot of our updated Facebook Page.


































Here is a link for the "rules of engagement":
https://www.facebook.com/help?faq=203955942973503


If you are interested in getting your Page updated prior to March 30th, please let us know. We have discounted conversion packages for the next 30 days for Facebook.

~ 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 

5 Tips on Social Media Marketing

Managing online marketing can be rewarding and provide an increase of financial activity with your business, in addition to increase of communication to your customers and potential customers.

Many statistics have been published about activity of online users. One of the best videos about the potential curve I have found is listed in a previous post:
"Social Media Revolution 2011"

With enhancements in technology, your customers are utilizing the "cloud" through online applications such as Google, eBay, CraigsList, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Applications can be run on a standard computer, smart phone, tablet and the like. With so much access to social information, the last thing you want is to assume your static website is driving business your way. There are many things that need to be done to enhance an active visibility to your customers, but starting with these 5 steps, you will be well on your way to establishing a solid business practice to online marketing.

1. Develop effective SEO

SEO is Search Engine Optimization. Simply put - the things your potential customers type into a search engine to find what they are looking for. These are specific keywords that drive traffic to your website and social pages. Your keywords need to be embedded into the code of your web page so people can find you.

► Come up with a list of 50+ important words that pertain to your business. Type in words you would assume your company should be found under and start there. As you receive contact from new customers, ask them the words they typed in and specifically find out what search engines they used to find you. This will help in developing the right set of words for your code.

► Search out your competitors websites. Determine the words they are using and be sure to include those in your keyword results as well. (View, Source in most browsers works well if the code isn't hidden from viewers)

2. Find out where your customers play

It doesn't make sense to develop social profiles on sites that none of your customers use. It also doesn't make sense for you to create 50+ pages of social sites if you only have the bandwidth to manage a few profiles.

► Pick your top 3 sites - most businesses who market through social media build profiles on Facebook Pages, Twitter and LinkedIn.

► Incorporate a blog into your social efforts to increase visibility and character behind your knowledge

► Ask your customers which sites they frequent and the best way they would like to be communicated with. Some may say they like email, others may frequent Twitter Timeline, LinkedIn or Facebook Status. You will be surprised to find out how many customers read Blog RSS feeds each day on their phones or imported into their Outlook RSS Readers.

► Ask your customers what kind of content they may be interested in receiving. Some may want to hear about promotions as you have them, while others may be interested in reading in industry related articles you recommend, charities you are involved in, events you are attending or educational information about your product or services.

3. Make your brand an extension of your website

It is unappealing and confusing to your audience if your brand doesn't match the look and feel of your website. Be consistent with use of logos, colors, content and choice of language in your posts.

4. Consistent Content is Key

We teach our clients that it is bad to have too much activity on your social profile, but not having enough is just as challenging. It is better to have an active stream of content than none at all. Think about your audience and tailor your activity to their needs. If you post something every day, that may be too much for your viewers. Try on a few different communication schedules and determine what is best. Here is a schedule that would be good to try on for these specific types of profiles:


► LinkedIn - Posting more than once a day can become overwhelming and distracting to your viewers

► Twitter - More than 1 post a day is appropriate pending that the same information isn't shared more than once.




► Facebook - consider a rotating schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Tuesday, Thursday. Posting more than 2-3 times a week can be overwhelming for your viewers.


► Blog - Once a week to once a month is appropriate communication. Change the topics and provide active information - but be sure not to just "sell" your products and services on each post. Blogs are education and information tools that should be used for that purpose. (include back links and labels in each of your posts to drive traffic to your website & other social pages).

A good rule of thumb - For every 1 "business" post you should have 2-3 non "product" related posts. Examples could be reference to other articles, blogs or videos that explain a topic that you agree with, sharing in events or industry related news.

5. Use Applications and Tools Wisely

There are many applications that can be used on your social profiles to enhance your visitors experience.

There are also wonderful tools of the trade to allow for flexibility in scheduling your content / status posts on a continual basis. For LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook, posts can be scheduled in advance via these popular tools. Become familiar with them & choose the one that works best for you.

► Hootsuite► TweetDeck

Social Media Marketing is fun and rewarding. Be realistic with your goals and don't sell your self short. It takes time to build a following, maintain activity with your brand and build social relationships with your customers and viewers online. Be creative, have fun and don't get left behind!

~ 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