Is Your Business Using Social Media?

Social media is here to stay. Now we just have to grow and develop with it. Social media is the new marketing medium, and every agency, no matter how clueless they are in actually using or implementing social media in campaigns, is telling their clients that this is what they have to be doing. I've been one of the people banging the drum for businesses to catch up in implementing social media into their current marketing efforts and for their clients and customers. Why? Social media is so much more than just social networks. It’s about visibility and enhancing brand through blogs, video sharing, photo sharing, micro-blogging, forums and much, much more.

The public at large is not utilizing social media and we have only begun to scratch the surface in power, influence, and value that social media offers in personal and business relationships. Social Media is blogging and podcasting. Its joining social networks and social sharing sites. Social media is a form of communication that is rapidly changing the way business relates to its customers. Social media tools facilitate and magnify these communications.

Social Media is definitely not as omnipresent as email yet. It’s been reported that 75% of 18-24 year olds spend significant time on social networks. Knowing that how can you influence that important group of purchasing power? Social Media is redefining how we relate to each other as humans and how we relate to the organizations that serve us. While it is commonly represented by blogs, video, audio, wikis, other user generated content and social networks, it is not about those specific things as much as it is about what happens around and because of those things. If you own a business, regardless of size, then you MUST have a social media campaign. This will help form and solidify sound relationships that are valid, reliable, and true.

To your success!

Tony Estigoy
VP, New Media
Rebel Public Relations

Social Networking Plus Blogging Equals...

Social networking plus blogging for small business equals success! But, you have to know what you are doing to make it work properly.

Recently, I responded to an email from a gentlemen who has a small business. He mentioned that he has tried the "web 2.0 thing" because everyone told him he should.

Well, according to our correspondence, he tried Facebook, LinkedIn,and even started a blog but he wasn't getting any business. No leads, no nothin'! So, according to him, social networking and blogging doesn't work!

I did some research on both of his social networking accounts and looked at his blog. He had a total of 13 friends on his Facebook and 4 connections on LinkedIn. His blog was an absolute mess. Ok, maybe I'm being a little harsh on the blog but as a person who teaches on proper blogging techniques it required some attention.

So let's get real. If you are going to use social networking to enhance your marketing efforts please go to a seminar or a workshop and at least learn the basics. Don't complain if it isn't working for you especially if you don't know what you are doing.

Here are a couple of tips for Facebook:
1. Become friends with someone who has lot's of friends to get started. Use their friend list to help populate yours. It will take a little time but it will help you get started.
2. Search for groups that these "friends" belong to and join. It will help you get acclimated to Facebook and increase your learning curve. There is sooo much more to offer, in terms of training, on Facebook but these 2 tips will help you get started.

Now,here is tip for your blog:

1. Use the same header on your blog as you do on your website. This will help keep the synergy between the two and help build brand awareness.

Totally off subject. I recently produced a show with a woman who reads faces. Yes, reads faces. The business is personology and her name is Naomi Tickle. This is way cool stuff and it really can help someone in small business, sales ,and/or marketing. I have included a short clip from the show.

To your success!
Tony Estigoy VP, New Media
Rebel Public Relations
http://www.RebelPR.com
Producer
The RebelWoman Show
http://www.TheRebelWomanShow.TV

Are you LinkedIn?

Are you LinkedIn? I used to think that this was another social networkng site that I would have to manage and ,quite frankly, didn't want to invest the time. Man, was I wrong.

Why would I want to be on LinkedIn?

Considering that the new currency in business is trust what better way than to have your collegues, co-workers, or friends recommend you to thousands of people. Wow, there is nothing more powerful than "word of mouth" advertising for your business. Nothing! Unless, of course, you and your business stinks, well that's another story.

Below are 3 reasons for you to be on LinkedIn:

1. To increase visibility-Be found by other people
2. Increase Credibility
3. Build Relationships

It's pretty simple. Who in business doesn't want to found? Especially if you don't have to pay advertising or marketing costs to get it!
Your credibility is enhanced when collegues, co-workers, or friends recommend you. That's huge TRUST!
And of course, relationship building 101. Any entrepreneur will tell you that relationship building is a vital component to the health of their business.

Here are a couple of tips for you as you ramp up your LinkedIn account so that you can maximize your LinkedIn account:

1. The header area of the LinkedIn page is keyword searchable. Yes, Google will index your LinkedIn page. So be sure to have strong keywords. Just don't leave it blank!

2. Customize your profile.Include your website and customize the label. The goal is too be found.

3. Call to action.Include phone numbers and email address so someone can easily connect with you.

Just by doing these few things you are helping to become more visible.

Be sure to make connections and you are on your way to using social media to enhance your marketing efforts for your business!

To YOUR success!

Tony Estigoy
VP, New Media
Rebel Public Relations
tony@rebelpr.com