3 Steps to Make Your Blogs Standout

With over 2 million Blogs posted each day on the Internet, your visibility can be widely reached if you format your Blogs properly.  Have you struggled with posting Blogs and never getting traction from them? Here are a few tried and true tips that will help your Blogs get better visibility on the web.

1. Develop a Sexy Title

The title of your Blog is what will entice your viewer to want to open your Blog.  It should provide specific meat as to what you will be discussing, while clearly letting your viewer know what they will learn from it.

Define your topic

You know what you want to tell your audience, so write out your format, your key points and put your heart and experience into your words.  Try to avoid straying from your topic, because goodness … that could be your NEXT Blog! Your title should specifically site what you plan to discuss in your Blog.

Include Something Edgie

What words would be compelling enough to cause your Blog to standout from another?  Consider using words such as “Brilliant”, “Standout” or “Beyond Measure” or something that uses a fun play on words such as “Fill Your Business Belly” (an example used for a Thanksgiving themed post), “Banking on Bucks”, “Mustering Management” or “Linking Logically”.  Having fun with wording can theme your Blog Post or strike an interest from your viewer.

Be Specific and Brief

There is no need to write a Paragraph for your title, be brief and specific and you will gain more traction.  Additionally, search engines and social media platforms will limit the characters for your title and you really don’t want to exceed that length.  I know that as a user, I am less inclined to click on a link in social media if the title is too long or doesn’t provide a compelling reason to click on it.

2. Provide Value

Give tangible tips, stories or facts your viewer can walk away with

Tips, facts, adding images and relatable stories provide more value than just a rant about a topic that a larger audience may not be interested.  An example of this is a Blog written about a product or service you are selling, if you are just speaking technically about why someone should buy, without providing meat as to a problem that is solved or a use for the item, then the purpose of the Blog will get lost in translation.

Provide detail but don’t write a book

Try to limit your characters (or words) to about a page in Word.  If you exceed that greatly, you will want to consider carving the blog into multiple Blogs.

Give your viewer the opportunity to dive deeper should they want to

Share the problem you want to solve, provide ways to do so and your viewer will feel they have been empowered with tools to navigate that problem and may likely visit again.

3. Brand Your Blog Appropriately

Your Blog is endorsed by your brand right?

If you aren’t including images from your brand, backlinks (an incoming hyperlink from one web page to another website - as found in Google definitions) within the post, your user will have less opportunity to learn more and less opportunity to direct traffic back to a page on your website or someone else's site.

Have you provided a signature for your viewer to connect with you deeper?

People like knowing who wrote the post even within a Corporate Brand.  I recommend including an image of the person writing it, their slogan or tagline and ways to contact that person, which could include links to their social media profiles.

Include a Call to Action

What would you like your audience to do now that they took the time to read your Blog?  Give them some sort of an action to take should they want to learn more.  “Visit xyz for more information”, “Connect with us at …”, even suggest another Blog for them to visit.

In all things, be authentic, provide knowledge and remember, if you aren’t having fun, you’re doing it wrong.  #BeAwesome!

Want to learn specific techniques that dive deeper in the techniques of Blog Development?  Want to learn how Social Media can expand your brand to a new level?  Join us at one of our Webinars about Social Media strategies, tools and techniques at: http://www.thesocialpro.eventbrite.com

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

Hollie Clere, of The Social Media Advisor is a "Be Awesome" Developer, Social Media Brand Builder, Conent Manager, Trainer and Author in LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Google+ , YouTube, Pinterest and the tools to manage them. Click here for her Social Media Workshops, Classes and Seminars

Curious on whether your social brand is built properly?  Get your Social Media Analysis today. 
 

A Pinterest Success Story - 3 Key Take Away Thoughts

One of the biggest joys I have in doing a Brand Story in Social Media is watching the life cycle of the opportunity.  Starting with a case analysis by measuring clients’ goals, research their competition, discover if their potential clients are present in the platforms they are interested in, then building a strategy around the brand for them.  It’s like wrapping a special gift; you find the perfect solution, build a goal oriented box around it, wrap it in a pretty, robust brand and tie it in a perfect bow.

One story I wanted to share with you is a fitness based client who happened to be male. Contrary to popular belief, Pinterest isn’t a platform just intended for women.  Although, 70 percent of users are women, they search for different things and (generally) have different interests.  You can see some statistics referenced in this great article http://expandedramblings.com/index.php/pinterest-stats/ which not only lists 90 statistics, but will show you a handful of great demographic stats which may really benefit your brand.  We followed a step by step process to achieve his goals and he maximized them to achieve his best results.

(1) Know Your Audience

If you don’t know what your niche is, it is best for you to consult with a Business Coach and/or Brand Consultant.  Define it, own it and make it you. It is your brand after all and surely you wouldn’t want to market to “anyone who has hair” or “anyone who has skin” (which are popular phrases I have heard from folks who haven’t found their sweet spot yet.  Where skin may be important to the make-up consultant, defining an age group, specific service offering or technique may be better ways to approach the “anyone with skin” conversation.  I digress.  We searched Pinterest for 3 specific targets.  The client didn’t believe that his target market would be in this platform, but the best rule of thumb is; “if your target is talking about the service they need … that you have … changes are, this is a really good fit” - Hollie Clere our CEO.

Do you know what we found?  Over 1,000 Pins in Pinterest that fit his target demographic.

(2) Build and Effective Story Rich Brand that will Showcase Your Personality and Specialty

A social media friend of mine once described to me the idea of Pinterest and I have held onto it because it is sound advice and a perspective from an active Pinterest user.  To summarize without quoting (as it has been too long to do her words justice), think of how you search and what you would want to see in a brand.

1. Show off your personality.  No one wants to look at a series of boards just about “business”.  They want to get to know you.  Remember, Like, Know, Trust is the most important aspect to sales and social media conversations.  People will buy from people they Trust, not just a brand just because it is a brand.  Showcasing your interests are perfectly acceptable in this platform.
   
2. Pin influencers and other folks that have solid information shared.  Sharing original content is good, but building a following and subscribing to others is even better.  How else do you start to have social interactions without giving praise to others when they have a successful solution?  Why reinvent the wheel?
   
3. Don’t build empty boards.  You took the time to create it and if it reflects you and the board is nearly empty, what does it say about your brand?  Fill it up!  You wouldn’t turn in an executive report without all of the information right?  You wouldn’t tell a story without getting to the punch line … it will leave your viewer a lacking sense of what you were trying to accomplish.

We established goals, built full, robust boards and he maintained the deliverables we set forth.  He wasn’t spammy (just promoting his material), he was engaging and put thought into each item he chose to share with each pin (giving credit where credit was do).  You know what was great about that?  People appreciated the mentions, took notice of his acknowledgements and he was well on his way to building a reputation in Pinterest.

(3) Maintain Consistency and Engage

You will hear Social Media folks talk continually about consistency and engagement. It’s true if you think about it.  You can’t build a great relationship with a client unless you get to know them, remain in front of them and nurture the relationship. Our client did just this.  He developed a schedule daily to Pin, Re-Pin, Comment and Reply to things he chose to post to his boards.  The routine was solid and he developed relationships that turned into business.  

I have always said, it is better to create a brand and presence in platforms that will drive traffic to your website and have the potential for you to grow relationships which eventually will turn into sales.

Check it out, search, do research and only then will you know if this is a platform that will work well for you.  Consider taking classes or workshops that will give you tools to optimize each and every Pin.

Cheers to your success!

If you are interested in learning some strategies to optimize Pinterest for your Business, we have a workshop that may be a good fit for you!  View the schedule at: http://thesocialpro.eventbrite.com

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

Hollie Clere, of The Social Media Advisor is a "Be Awesome" Developer, Social Media Brand Builder, Conent Manager, Trainer and Author in LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Google+ , YouTube, Pinterest and the tools to manage them. Click here for her Social Media Workshops, Classes and Seminars

Curious on whether your social brand is built properly?  Get your Social Media Analysis today. 
 

Why You Have Lost Facebook Followers in March 2015

There are a variety of reasons why Facebook Pages have lost Followers in the month of March 2015.  I have compiled a few articles that are filled with wonderful information to assist in answering the question of why you may be experiencing a loss in numbers.

Facebook Announced that on March 12, 2015 they would be cleaning house:

With Facebook removing Likes from inactive accounts, your numbers have probably dropped.

You can read more about this in the following article: http://www.adweek.com/socialtimes/pages-likes-down-march-12/616416

Consistency of Posting can damage you:

If you have created a Page but aren't posting to it on a consistent basis, you are hurting your page and may risk loosing it.  You can learn about posting frequency here:

http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/facebook-post-frequency-what-works/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=FacebookPage&utm_campaign=Evergreen

You May Be Posting in Violation of Facebook Guidelines:

From the release of new algorithm changes from January 2015, there are things you can't share on Facebook Pages without paying for advertizing in the system.  Learn more here:

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/dont-let-facebook-shut-page-avoid-4-loopholes/

With a flood of information on the Internet about Social Media, I pick and choose resources and articles carefully.  Hopefully this information will benefit you in your marketing efforts.

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

Hollie Clere, of The Social Media Advisor is a "Be Awesome" Developer, Social Media Brand Builder, Conent Manager, Trainer and Author in LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Google+ , YouTube, Pinterest and the tools to manage them. Click here for her Social Media Workshops, Classes and Seminars

Curious on whether your social brand is built properly?  Get your Social Media Analysis today. 
 

Excitement about Stop The Madness Seminar!

I talk to individuals on a daily basis who struggle with marketing.  They are figuring out how to be consistent, how to post in social media, maintain contact with their customers an develop a solid routine with attainable goals to accomplish each of these things while running their business:

• Are you a business owner wearing many hats or manage teams of people not delivering the bottom line?
• Do you have a team that hasn’t figured out how to accomplish client and prospect management?
• Do you have an inconsistent brand?
• Do you struggle with getting updates posted on a daily or weekly basis in Social Media?
• Do you have a solid retention program established to reach you clients and proposals EVERY month?
• Are you needing an online brand refresh to keep up with the trends of today?
• Are your Sales Teams falling short of numbers and close rations?
• Are you finding you aren’t able to meet your annual, quarterly or monthly goals?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, this is the workshop for you!

Stop the Madness of the Clutter of tasks, management, goals not getting met and the ever changing activities with online marketing by gaining solid strategies in this seminar.

So you've created your goals for the year and are ready to tackle them full force...but where do you start? There are so many marketing options, strategies and programs pulling you in every direction. Well we are here to "Stop the Madness" and provide detailed instruction and direction for reaching your business goals in 2015.

What You Can Expect:

Receive expert training in the following areas: Brand building Strategy Discover how to develop brand consistency Utilize the Power of the bio Establish a niche and keywords Presented by: Hollie Clere; Owner of The Social Media Advisor Systematize your social media Define systemization and how it supports business success Leave with Time Management Strategies and Tools Find out why consistency is KEY Presented by: Melody Jones; Owner of Social Media Management Services Utilize Your Existing Customer Goldmine Learn tactics you can implement immediately to increase customer loyalty Develop messaging to specifically target existing customers to buy more Utilize processes to increase referrals Presented by:  Katie Myers; CEO of Pure Communication LLC Business Coach and Workshop Facilitator Get the most out of the workshop with expert coaching tips Leave on-point with actionable items Have your business goals and marketing strategies aligned Use your learning to reach practical daily, monthly and yearly milestones Facilitated by: Sabina Claus; Your Business Coach, Consultant and Accountability Partner

Cost:$47 Pre-Registration, $67 at the door (if space is available)

      Breakfast and refreshments and materials will be provided

We look forward to helping you STOP THE MADNESS 

Register at: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/stop-the-madness-marketing-seminar-tickets-15295285611
 

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

Hollie Clere, of The Social Media Advisor is a "Be Awesome" Developer, Social Media Brand Builder, Conent Manager, Trainer and Author in LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Google+ , YouTube, Pinterest and the tools to manage them. Click here for her Social Media Workshops, Classes and Seminars

Curious on whether your social brand is built properly?  Get your Social Media Analysis today. 
 

3 Benefits of Learning How to Market using Facebook

Facebook Marketing has been the topic of conversation in Social Media Marketing in recent months for many reasons.  Many successful businesses have built their business using Facebook strategies in the past few years, but the ever changing platform has turned the tables on what “traditional” marketing standards look like to something more grassroots, but cost driven.  How can a business thrive using Facebook … on budget, with engagement, increase visibility and get registrations or purchases or likes???

There are a few strategies that hinge on the success of business within the platform

Engagement goes the Distance!

Facebook was created as a platform to cultivate engagement (which in simple terms means likes, shares and comments).  Thought provoking, opinion driven and attractive posts will generally drive the most traffic. BUT the algorithms they have built play a huge factor. If you choose to not engage with a post by liking, commenting or sharing, your post will fall out of the feed of your viewer (on Personal Profiles and Pages). So how can you get the most bang for your buck if you will??  Post things that people are interested in seeing.

• Is color more appealing to you as a viewer?
• Do you read more text or scan images?
• Are you likely to click on a video?

Budgets Drive Specific Traffic

It is no secret that Facebook favors paid customers vs nonpaying customers.  It makes since to determine a budget that works for you and stick to it

• Pages have options for many paid solutions to increase likes, post reach and click throughs.  
• Pay or not to pay = grow or not to grow?
• Expand reach or are you fine with the followers you have?

Visibility and Reach Can Go Viral

Influencers in any industry will tell you that whether you believe you have an audience in a platform or not, chances are, your viewers will know over 150 people they know who may be able to use your product or services.  Reaching them is the key factor.

• Due to public like, share and comment visibility in Facebook, items can go viral if they are the right types of posts for your audience
• Native (in Facebook) videos have higher click through than Non-Native (outside of Facebook)
• Ask your audience what they want to see - Be a user of the platform, and not just a “poster” hoping to catch someones eye

Be present in your marketing and your audience will notice your activity, your responses and your influence.

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

Hollie Clere, of The Social Media Advisor is a "Be Awesome" Developer, Social Media Brand Builder, Conent Manager, Trainer and Author in LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Google+ , YouTube, Pinterest and the tools to manage them. Click here for her Social Media Workshops, Classes and Seminars

Curious on whether your social brand is built properly?  Get your Social Media Analysis today. 
 

3 Tips on the Best Ways to Build Your LinkedIn Network

Have you ever found yourself asking this question?  “I receive connection requests on LinkedIn and I don’t know what to do with them …”

There are many strategies available to you for building a successful business using LinkedIn.  Let’s start with the Top 3 basics:

The purpose of a Social Network is to first (1) BE SOCIAL and second (3) NETWORK

Be bold with your self in LinkedIn.  Define for yourself the types of individuals, industries and connections you would like to (and prefer not to connect to) on LinkedIn.  This could be as simple as defining a region, interest, company or profession that you are open to connect with.  This could also be as vast as determining states, countries and languages you are open to connect with.  Establish your boundaries and ACCEPT and CONNECT.

Some examples we use in connecting include:

1. Individuals from countries that speak the same language - Unless your connection is obviously speaking the same language as you, you have a barrier from the beginning.  Set yourself up for success if this is something you would like to consider
2. Individuals from industries of professions that could benefit your network - are they possible referral resources for you?
3. Individuals who have similar interest - maybe you both enjoy golf or technology or the outdoors?  These would be great reasons to try to get to know someone in your network. Interests are also a great tools for sales calls and “breaking the ice”.

Taking networking to a HIGHER LEVEL

If you are like me, you probably attend a weekly or monthly networking event.  What do you do with those business cards you collected?

1. Send them a connection request on LinkedIn
2. Include a personal message reminding them how you met
3. Follow-up with a message (upon acceptance) asking them three (3) key things to listen for so you can best refer them

Participate in Group DISCUSSIONS

You can not only join Professional Groups related to your industry, but groups of similar interest.  You can elect to receive notification of group discussions in your email or login to view activity.  Either way, Groups are a valuable asset of the LInkedIn Platform. (you can connect to up to 50 LinkedIn Groups and a myriad of subgroups)

1. Connect to Groups of Professional Interest to your Industry
2. Connect to Groups of Personal Interest to you
3. Connect to Groups where your potential clients may be present

If you utilize these three (3) techniques, you will see that not only will your knowledge of exploring the tool increase, but your visibility, activity and credibility increase as well.

Your circle of influence is only as deep as the network you are swimming in!

Happy Connecting! 

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

Hollie Clere, of The Social Media Advisor is a "Be Awesome" Developer, Social Media Brand Builder, Conent Manager, Trainer and Author in LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Google+ , YouTube, Pinterest and the tools to manage them. Click here for her Social Media Workshops, Classes and Seminars

Curious on whether your social brand is built properly?  Get your Social Media Analysis today. 
 

Why LinkedIn Prospecting Works

If you are in business in any fashion, LinkedIn is one of the first platforms networkers will recommend that you join.  Most of us have created an account, probably because of  receiving a connection request from someone you know, or someone you have met.

“Sure, I have a LinkedIn account, but I don’t do anything with it …” or “I created an account to get a job … “  are the responses we usually hear in our Workshops or networking events.  So, if I should create a profile on this account and do nothing with it, then why bother?  It isn’t just a tool used for job searching as many would believe.

Let me share with you why.

LinkedIn has a lot of amazing features to pull up relevant search results for business people you could be looking for.  From interests, experience, potential individuals you may be interested in connecting with, for networking purposes, or desire to reach out as a prospective client.  Your profile has ample space to share information valuable to your history and the entire network is searchable (meaning every word you choose to use on your profile is relevant and important.  I call LinkedIn “My Rolodex of business contacts”.  

There are specific techniques people have used to actually build relationships through the tool to generate a network of Power Partners, a network of people of similar interests (within and outside of work), Group discussions to bring clarity to news and issues going on in day to day work atmospheres, community or regions, a CRM database to build notes, tasks and history, perform research on Companies and opportunities, read articles and blogs shared by others, to name a few.

Taking the step to further a relationship with a “potential” someone on LinkedIn can be just as beneficial as a relationship you build in Facebook; but on a professional level.  How does someone do this?  There are specific processes that we have learned, refined and used over the last 7 years; that changed the way we have been able to enhance professional relationships and do business using LinkedIn.

We have developed a workshop that we offer locally (Denver Metro) that will show you the specific steps to do this, increasing your visibility, engagement and relationship potential with others you network with in LinkedIn.  You can learn about our workshops by visiting: http://thesocialpro.eventbrite.com

There are even many ways to build your contact database of clients without you spending hours online doing it yourself.  If you find you and your team are not at a place to spend this time combing LinkedIn for potential clients, we have a management package to do this for you as well.  

What is your biggest struggle on LinkedIn?  Let us know and we may be able to help you overcome it!

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

Hollie Clere, of The Social Media Advisor is a "Be Awesome" Developer, Social Media Brand Builder, Conent Manager, Trainer and Author in LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Google+ , YouTube, Pinterest and the tools to manage them. Click here for her Social Media Workshops, Classes and Seminars

Curious on whether your social brand is built properly?  Get your Social Media Analysis today.