Social media is such a hot topic lately and there is so much buzz around how to truly capitalize and monetize this new marketing medium. Why is Facebook such a phenomenal? With over 500 million active users it is demonstrating our need to be part of a community. Think about it for one moment. The average person spends 18 minutes per day on Facebook while the average person views a website for less than 30 seconds. What I believe is that Facebook is meeting our human need to connect and although we have the most amazing technology this world has ever seen we still need to belong and feel like our life matters.
When I am coaching my clients who want to build an online platform the first thing that comes from many of their mouths are "Can I separate my business from my personal profile?" My follow up question to them is why. Why do you feel you need to have a separate page? Their answer, "Because I don't want people to see what I am doing on the personal side". This is when I get on my soap box and share that social media is about three things (1) connection (2) authenticity and (3) integrity. The consumer is sick and tired of people showing up one way in public and behind the scenes they are totally different. My response is who you are is who you are. If you are a jerk in private then be the jerk in public. In simple language, be authentic. Stop wearing the mask! If you think that you are going to show up online whether it is twitter, facebook or linkedin and be less the authentic or geniune then don't bother because you will be found out.
Let me get off of my box and share with you that if you show up in your greatness and with all of your flaws people with embrace you. People will trust you and ultimately people will buy what you have to offer. It really is about being comfortable in your own skin. No one is expecting you to be perfect but we are expecting you to be real. So if authenticity is your new currency, how do you want to show up? I will encourage you to embrace who you are and to celebrate your many different personalities (the light and the dark). When you show up like that you give other permission to do the same and then you have an amazing community who will celebrate your victories and lift you up when you feel that you are all alone.
Remember (1) Authenticity (2) Integrity and (3) Connection is what social media is all about. Start spending your currency today!
Monday, November 15, 2010
Friday, October 1, 2010
You Can Only Improve What Your Measure
As a business coach, one of the questions that I ask my clients regularly is where do you spend your time? We have so many hats that we wear and so many roles that we play as a Solopreneur, that many of us (myself included) can feel overwhelmed. There have been days in the past when I felt like I just wanted to put the sheets over your head and say I do it tomorrow. I am sure that this has NEVER happened to you.
So, where do you spend your time? The first step to making sure that you are doing the most important tasks is by looking at what you have been doing. My favorite tool for doing this is www.rescuetime.com
Rescue Time will basically track the activities that you do on your computer. Not only does it track it but it creates a really cool weekly report for you to analyze and keep you focus.
Productivity%20%20by%20day
RescueTime: recover time and productivity.
Your action step if you are ready to take your business to the next level is simple…go to www.rescuetime.com and download this service. Did I mention that it is FREE! No Excuses…if you commit to measuring your activities I promise you that you will begin to get your life back and it will be no “juggling actâ€.
So, where do you spend your time? The first step to making sure that you are doing the most important tasks is by looking at what you have been doing. My favorite tool for doing this is www.rescuetime.com
Rescue Time will basically track the activities that you do on your computer. Not only does it track it but it creates a really cool weekly report for you to analyze and keep you focus.
Productivity%20%20by%20day
RescueTime: recover time and productivity.
Your action step if you are ready to take your business to the next level is simple…go to www.rescuetime.com and download this service. Did I mention that it is FREE! No Excuses…if you commit to measuring your activities I promise you that you will begin to get your life back and it will be no “juggling actâ€.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Business Strategy Tip: Pros and Cons of Making Your Own YouTube Videos
Are you one of the millions of internet users who enjoy watching free videos on YouTube? If you are, the thought of creating your own YouTube video may have crossed your mind; has it? If so, you may be wondering whether or not you should make your own YouTube video and then upload it to the YouTube website. When making your decision, it is advised that you can examine the pros and cons of doing so.
When it comes to making your own YouTube video, there are a number of cons or downsides to doing so. Perhaps, the biggest downside to making your own video and then uploading it to YouTube is that you are essentially sharing the video with the whole world. Many individuals mistakenly believe that their videos will only be seen by YouTube members, but that isn’t the truth. Any internet user, even those without a YouTube account, can view videos on YouTube. In fact, it is not uncommon for YouTube video viewers to email a YouTube video link to those that they know. Therefore, the views that your YouTube videos may get may be more than you ever expected or wanted.
Although there are a few downsides or cons to uploading your videos to the YouTube website, there are also a number of pros or plus sides to doing so. One of those pros is ease of use. Even if you consider yourself to be unskilled with computers, you should still be able to make, upload, and share your video or videos on YouTube. In all honesty, all you need is a video recording device, like a camcorder or a webcam, and a movie editing software program, which now comes standard with most computers. Once you have your video on your computer and edited, if you wish to do so, you will just need to follow YouTube’s step-by-step uploading instructions and then your video should be ready for sharing, in as little as a few minutes.
Another pro to using YouTube to share your own videos with other internet users is uses. Although a large number of internet users use YouTube videos for fun or for personal reasons, there are many others who use them for business or at least to up their exposure. You need to remember that millions of internet users watch videos on YouTube. While your YouTube video will be unlikely to get one million views, you could get quite a bit. Whether you are advertising your services, like as a website designer or a real estate agent, you can do so through YouTube. The only thing that you will want to do is try to not take the spam approach. If you are advertising yourself as a website designer, try taking a few videos of you making a website or use your video to explore websites that you have made. Simply adding your business information at the end of the video is a great way to get your point across, but without making your YouTube video seem as it is an advertisement.
As you can see, there are a number of advantages and disadvantages, or pros and cons, to making your own YouTube videos. As stated above, it is advised that you use your best judgment. Of course, you can post a video on YouTube if you want to do so, but just make sure that you are doing so safely.
When it comes to making your own YouTube video, there are a number of cons or downsides to doing so. Perhaps, the biggest downside to making your own video and then uploading it to YouTube is that you are essentially sharing the video with the whole world. Many individuals mistakenly believe that their videos will only be seen by YouTube members, but that isn’t the truth. Any internet user, even those without a YouTube account, can view videos on YouTube. In fact, it is not uncommon for YouTube video viewers to email a YouTube video link to those that they know. Therefore, the views that your YouTube videos may get may be more than you ever expected or wanted.
Although there are a few downsides or cons to uploading your videos to the YouTube website, there are also a number of pros or plus sides to doing so. One of those pros is ease of use. Even if you consider yourself to be unskilled with computers, you should still be able to make, upload, and share your video or videos on YouTube. In all honesty, all you need is a video recording device, like a camcorder or a webcam, and a movie editing software program, which now comes standard with most computers. Once you have your video on your computer and edited, if you wish to do so, you will just need to follow YouTube’s step-by-step uploading instructions and then your video should be ready for sharing, in as little as a few minutes.
Another pro to using YouTube to share your own videos with other internet users is uses. Although a large number of internet users use YouTube videos for fun or for personal reasons, there are many others who use them for business or at least to up their exposure. You need to remember that millions of internet users watch videos on YouTube. While your YouTube video will be unlikely to get one million views, you could get quite a bit. Whether you are advertising your services, like as a website designer or a real estate agent, you can do so through YouTube. The only thing that you will want to do is try to not take the spam approach. If you are advertising yourself as a website designer, try taking a few videos of you making a website or use your video to explore websites that you have made. Simply adding your business information at the end of the video is a great way to get your point across, but without making your YouTube video seem as it is an advertisement.
As you can see, there are a number of advantages and disadvantages, or pros and cons, to making your own YouTube videos. As stated above, it is advised that you use your best judgment. Of course, you can post a video on YouTube if you want to do so, but just make sure that you are doing so safely.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Business Strategy Tip - Personal Branding for Success
One important part of branding is the image you yourself portray. Developing a likeable personal brand is essential for succeeding. If you want to rise to the top of your particular arena, you need to first be able to sell yourself to your potential customers.
Think about it. Would you rather do business with a person who smiles and comes across as friendly or with one who snarls and ignores you? The first impression a potential customer receives is from you. Make it a good one.
How can you accomplish this?
One: Become an expert source.
Two: Become a great communicator. Research shows communications skill is the top determinant for upward social and professional mobility.
Three: Draft a marketing plan for yourself annually, and review it quarterly. Include specific goals, strategies, action steps, and a timetable.
Four: Develop an 'elevator speech." Within the time that it takes an elevator to travel one floor - about 60-seconds - be able to deliver a succinct description of what you do, how you do it differently, and the benefit it provides.
Five: Build your Rolodex. Make new business contacts and stay in touch with them. Most people with powerful brands have powerful friends.
Six: Balance your individual style with clothing that will appeal to those you are trying to impress.
Seven: Learn good business and social etiquette. Buy elegant personal stationery and send hand-written notes.
Eight: Give something back. Giving your time, talent, and money to charitable causes is a brand-builder especially when it complements your brand strategy. Find a cause you are passionate about.
Your personal brand is one of your greatest business assets. Put as much time and effort into it as you do in branding your product. In the end, if you can't sell yourself, you'll find it nearly impossible to sell your product.
Think about it. Would you rather do business with a person who smiles and comes across as friendly or with one who snarls and ignores you? The first impression a potential customer receives is from you. Make it a good one.
How can you accomplish this?
One: Become an expert source.
Two: Become a great communicator. Research shows communications skill is the top determinant for upward social and professional mobility.
Three: Draft a marketing plan for yourself annually, and review it quarterly. Include specific goals, strategies, action steps, and a timetable.
Four: Develop an 'elevator speech." Within the time that it takes an elevator to travel one floor - about 60-seconds - be able to deliver a succinct description of what you do, how you do it differently, and the benefit it provides.
Five: Build your Rolodex. Make new business contacts and stay in touch with them. Most people with powerful brands have powerful friends.
Six: Balance your individual style with clothing that will appeal to those you are trying to impress.
Seven: Learn good business and social etiquette. Buy elegant personal stationery and send hand-written notes.
Eight: Give something back. Giving your time, talent, and money to charitable causes is a brand-builder especially when it complements your brand strategy. Find a cause you are passionate about.
Your personal brand is one of your greatest business assets. Put as much time and effort into it as you do in branding your product. In the end, if you can't sell yourself, you'll find it nearly impossible to sell your product.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Social Media Strategy Tip: How to Monetize Your Business Using Facebook
Internet marketing is now considered to be essential in the business world. With it, you will be able to get more clients and significantly let your business grow without spending too much money. Internet marketing is a new breed of marketing. It is very different from marketing on the real world and for most people, internet marketing is quite complicated.
If you don’t know how to market on the internet, the best way to start is by marketing on one of the most popular social networking websites available today, which is Facebook.
First of all, Facebook is primarily a social networking website that is designed to let people communicate with their friends in a dynamic way. It also serves a way for people to meet new people and establish new relationships.
For internet marketers, Facebook is packed with features that can be used to market products and services as well as their business website. If you are a first time internet marketer who wants to start easy, you might want to start with Facebook. You will see that Facebook will provide you with a lot of marketing potential and also help you let your business grow.
The great thing about Facebook is that it is steadily growing. Today, it already has an estimated over 400 million active subscribers. With this number, you will definitely be able to find a lot of people who will be interested in what you have to sell.
Also, Facebook has all the tools you need to market your products or services. Even if the tools and applications here are designed for communication, you have to consider that the main point about internet marketing is communication. Facebook has all the communication tools that you will ever need.
Facebook also launched its Facebook Ads feature. Here, you will be able to officially advertise or market your brand, business or products. You can even market your website here at Facebook Ads.
At Facebook Ads, you will be able to take advantage of its great marketing tools, such as the Advanced Targeting feature. Here, you will be able to target your niche market by age, gender, interests, location and more. This will mean that you will be able to easily target the clients you want. By having this feature, you will be able to quickly find people that may be interested in purchasing the products or services that you are offering.
The Facebook Ads will also provide you with Trusted Referrals. With this feature, you will be able to attach friend to friend interactions about your business to your ads. Facebook encourages word of mouth marketing. This is a great feature as people are more likely to buy a particular product that is recommended by the person they know.
Starting in Facebook Ads is very easy. The first is by pasting the URL of your website. After that, you will choose the audience you want. You can choose the age range, the location, education status, political views and relationship status. You can also include some keywords that will normally show up on interests.
After that, you will create the advertising where you will insert a title and a body. You can also include a photo if you want. The last step is by setting up a budget.
These are some of the tips that you should try to remember when advertising in Facebook Ads. By properly using it, you will be able to get your money's worth and eventually let your business grow.
For a free Social Media Marketing Strategy Session contact me at rmajorswildman@allthewaysuccess.com
If you don’t know how to market on the internet, the best way to start is by marketing on one of the most popular social networking websites available today, which is Facebook.
First of all, Facebook is primarily a social networking website that is designed to let people communicate with their friends in a dynamic way. It also serves a way for people to meet new people and establish new relationships.
For internet marketers, Facebook is packed with features that can be used to market products and services as well as their business website. If you are a first time internet marketer who wants to start easy, you might want to start with Facebook. You will see that Facebook will provide you with a lot of marketing potential and also help you let your business grow.
The great thing about Facebook is that it is steadily growing. Today, it already has an estimated over 400 million active subscribers. With this number, you will definitely be able to find a lot of people who will be interested in what you have to sell.
Also, Facebook has all the tools you need to market your products or services. Even if the tools and applications here are designed for communication, you have to consider that the main point about internet marketing is communication. Facebook has all the communication tools that you will ever need.
Facebook also launched its Facebook Ads feature. Here, you will be able to officially advertise or market your brand, business or products. You can even market your website here at Facebook Ads.
At Facebook Ads, you will be able to take advantage of its great marketing tools, such as the Advanced Targeting feature. Here, you will be able to target your niche market by age, gender, interests, location and more. This will mean that you will be able to easily target the clients you want. By having this feature, you will be able to quickly find people that may be interested in purchasing the products or services that you are offering.
The Facebook Ads will also provide you with Trusted Referrals. With this feature, you will be able to attach friend to friend interactions about your business to your ads. Facebook encourages word of mouth marketing. This is a great feature as people are more likely to buy a particular product that is recommended by the person they know.
Starting in Facebook Ads is very easy. The first is by pasting the URL of your website. After that, you will choose the audience you want. You can choose the age range, the location, education status, political views and relationship status. You can also include some keywords that will normally show up on interests.
After that, you will create the advertising where you will insert a title and a body. You can also include a photo if you want. The last step is by setting up a budget.
These are some of the tips that you should try to remember when advertising in Facebook Ads. By properly using it, you will be able to get your money's worth and eventually let your business grow.
For a free Social Media Marketing Strategy Session contact me at rmajorswildman@allthewaysuccess.com
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