Archive for the ‘Social Media Marketing’ Category

More People Meet You Online Than In Person

Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010

pass-it-on-photoIt’s the new reality: More people are likely to meet you or visit your company for the first time online than they are in person. That all-important first impression that you’re about to make? You probably won’t be there to make it in person.

Google (or Bing or whatever search engine or social networking tool that you or they prefer to use) is no longer just a search engine, it is also a reputation manager. Potential customers, employers, workers, residents, partners and even potential dating prospects are using online tools to find … learn … compare … and form opinions BEFORE they contact, meet or visit the subject (You!) in person. Make sure that you like what they see — and learn — when they find you or your company online. Your online impression must be positive and strong. Second chances are very, very rare these days.

Google yourself, regularly, and make sure that you like what you see. Focus on the first two pages … few people look beyond those results. And if you’re not seeing anything at all? It’s time to start working on developing an online strategy so that you can Be Visible … and Get Found, in a positive way …. Lori Martinek, Branding Expert & Author, http://pplusonline.com 

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The Advice You Need, Three (Free) Ways

Thursday, June 3rd, 2010

womenwithchartMindingHerBiz Seeks Candidates for June, July …

MindingHerBiz works with female entrepreneurs to help them confront and move past the challenges of startup and growth. We are a 100% pro bono, pay it forward project headquartered in Phoenix, AZ. Each month, we work with one candidate to power brainstorm one or more issues and provide input that she can use to make good strategic choices. It’s a free 90-minute session that participants tell us works wonders for helping them approach their ventures with fresh eyes. Visit our website at http://mindingherbiz.com  to download the forms or email me at lori@mindingherbiz.com   if you are interested in becoming a candidate.

 

FREE Power Workshop: Branding for Social Media Success ….

Friday, June 18 from 1 – 2 p.m. at the Kierland Westin Conference Center, where the Greater Phoenix Chamber will be hosting its Spring Business Expo. Learn how to be smart AND social with branding expert Lori Martinek. Free admission to expo and workshops. Details at http://tinyurl.com/loritalksbranding

 

SBDC Provides Free Ongoing Counseling

Brainstorm with MindingHerBiz one time … and then get the ongoing counseling and support that you need, for FREE, from SBA-funded SBDC (Small Business Development Centers) nationwide. Find the location nearest you at http://asbdc-us.org . In Arizona, check out the Arizona statewide network at http://azsbdc.net . There are 20 locations across the state.

 

Let us know if you or some smart, savvy female business owner whom you know could benefit from the help of the MindingHerBiz team. We’re on a mission –  and it’s to help other women succeed. … Lori Martinek, Branding Expert & Author, http://pplusonline.com , http://lorimartinek.com 

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Social Branding Basics

Monday, September 28th, 2009

Key to VisibilityYes, social media is only one tool in your branding toolbox, but it’s a good one. Social networking … and social media marketing … are good ways to create a presence and raise your visibility in the marketplace so that you can Be Visible and Get Found.

Good branding strategy begins WELL before logo development or even naming, but once you have established a name (and taken the proper legal steps to make it yours) it’s time to go out and claim that identity online. Hopefully, you already own the .com domain name. Checking on its availability — and then buying it — should have been part of your naming process. (Other extensions are mostly a waste of time.) Now it’s time to stake your claim on the social networks. Open new accounts in your brand’s name on Twitter … Facebook (as a Page) … MySpace (yes, still) … Namyz … Ning … Plaxo … Google (profiles) … and any other social network that 1) reaches your target audience; 2) is a network where you have a personal profile and could link your network to the brand; or 3) serves the industry or marketplace that your brand calls home.

The strategy? To claim — and pre-empt — your brand name and the potential profiles and portals that could be lnked to it, before a competitor (or even a completely unrelated party) does.

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Take Aim At Influentials …

Wednesday, June 10th, 2009

target-market-soloChoose quality over quantity always, and especially in social marketing. Using a ‘rifle’ (versus shotgun) strategy aims your resources directly at the people who are most likely to become your supporters and customers. It is efficient in terms of both time and money. Target marketing works the same way in social media marketing and even in vehicles like Twitter.

Think about it this way:

It is more important to reach the top most influential people in a market than to try to create gross visibility in the marketplace. These are people who have the reach, the following and the influence to pass your message on to others who are members of the SAME target market. Think of them as channels, conduits, whatever … but they are certainly influentials. When they pass your message on … by re-Tweeting, by becoming a Facebook fan, or by forwarding your newsletter …  they are indirectly giving a testimonial on your behalf. Seek it, reach out for it and embrace it. It will always be better than a cold contact.

Someone asked the question online: Does having a lot of Twitter followers make you influential? No. Only if your followers are truly influenced by what you have to say, and not just blindly following the crowd. Gross numbers mean nothing if your followers aren’t reading your tweets and passing them on or responding. Look for high numbers of RTs, links and other references. If you’re listening to the networks where your prospects socialize, you’ll be able to spot key influentials pretty quickly. … Lori Martinek, Branding Expert & Author, http://activeattention.com

 

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Social Networking is the Great Equalizer

Friday, April 17th, 2009

twitter-network1Social networking provides a very high ROI (return on investment).  Small business owners who begin to implement a thoughtful social strategy will generally see results quickly in terms of growing visibility … increasing site traffic … an expanding network … better Google results — and all for primarily an investment of  their time and effort (human resources versus capital outlay). That’s why it is such a good tool for new, small and growing businesses. And: Social networking strategies are equally accessible to companies of any age (new, expanding, established), size or location (urban or rural). Finally, a tool that levels the playing field for smaller companies …..  Lori Martinek

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Why Social Media Works …

Tuesday, April 7th, 2009

987thepeakOne of the morning DJs on my local radio station is experimenting with Twitter. His station started a Twitter page and has asked all of the on air personalities to contribute. It’s interesting to listen to him wonder aloud why anyone would want to know what he or anyone else is doing throughout the day. That’s a comment I often hear from clients who are just starting to investigate social media: It’s fun, but how can it really help my business?

Social media works … and it works very, very well … and for one very good reason: It solves problems and fulfills needs.

Need a recommendation for a good vendor, a weekend outing or a great way to grow your business? Social media, and Twitter in particular, bring the information you need right to your phone or laptop. Just ask (tweet!).

Trying to make a purchasing decision? Talk to people who’ve bought the product and lived through the customer service experience. Ask your Facebook network, Tweet for info or Twollow (follow) key words that relate.

Want to reach out to new customers or build loyalty among your current base? Tweet special offers … valuable information … links to your website and more … and use key words to make it easy for them to find and follow you.

Looking for a way to build retail traffic or fill rooms and seats? Tweet menu specials … limited time offers … last-minute deals and more. Social media is fast. It’s NOW. No lead time, no printing time, no waiting time. You’ll see results quickly … which means that you can also adjust your strategy quickly, if needed.

Get sales leads and build your networking base. Be social and look for like minds, similar needs and unfufilled demand. It’s all out there, waiting to be found. LinkedIN was created to put people together. Ecademy is all about people who want to do business with you.

Social media works and it works in any economy becuase it is attainable, affordable and accessible for businesses of any age … size … or location. It is the great equalizer … a great communicator … and it can be a highly efficient target marketer. Use it to introduce yourself to it … and you’ll see the possibilities immediately …. Lori Martinek

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