Social Media Tips and Strategies
If you’ve been an internet marketer for any length of time you’ve probably gotten caught up in all the social media rage.
Most internet marketers use social media sites like Facebook, and Twitter (some even still use MySpace) as a business platform to grow and connect their networks.
These networks are a great avenue to connect with potential customers.
If you are considering using social media sites, the following methods can assist you in successfully using social media marketing.
Adding Friends
Let me start by saying social media isn’t just about making yourself look “popular” by having a huge number of followers. Yes you want followers, that’s the whole idea but you want targeted followers!
So, don’t go to Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, YouTube, etc and just start adding this person and that person for the sake of gaining followers. Many people find this annoying and do not “friend” the person back.
If you’re doing this you’ll find that you will end up with hundreds or thousands of people you’re following but very few people following you back.
The ‘right’ way of expanding and growing your network is to find people with interests similar to yours and only add them if they truly seem interesting to you.
Once you have done this, you must show them the value of “friending” you back by offering interesting, relevant, or entertaining content to show you are a real person of value to know.
Status Updates
Your status updates can illuminate the type of person you are in general. Keep in mind the type of audience you have and be sure to post only in the tone and with only the news that they will find appropriate and valuable.
It is fine to use a personal account to post status updates like “I’m going to the movies tomorrow with my peeps and I won’t pay for parking hehe 
” but this would not be at all welcomed by your audience on your professional account unless you have already established that you are a lighthearted joker that won’t take things seriously.
It is better to remain professional in your business updates to ensure you don’t lose the trust and respect of the people you have worked hard to gain the attention of.
3 Deadly Facebook Marketing Mistakes and What to Do Instead
Facebook is second only to Google in terms of Internet traffic, so just in those terms, it would be foolish not to have a marketing presence on Facebook. The problem for most people at this point is that they jump in, toss up a Facebook page and make a lot of mistakes.
Three Common Mistakes and What to Do Instead
1. No Facebook Fan Page. You start with a Profile Page, but you shouldn’t stop there. Create your Fan page for business and marketing, and use your Profile Page for friends and family.
You may be surprised to know that your Profile Page is limited to 5000 followers. While it might seem like a lot more than you could ever manage right now, you will need the room as your business grows. Marketing on your Profile Page is also discouraged.
Instead, create your Fan Page, where you can have an unlimited number of followers and can market freely.
2. Inconsistency. The biggest downfall after people set up their Fan Page is inconsistency. You cannot show up now and then and expect to create a loyal following, participation and interaction.
The solution is being consistent. You do not need to post massive updates several times a day. Keep it simple, such as adding a great quote or a comment on a current issue and ask your followers what they think. Or, use regular features such as a poll every Tuesday; this will keep your current followers coming back for more and help you gain new ones.
3. Keeping Your Followers on Your Fan Page. By not inviting your followers to visit elsewhere, you are missing out on big opportunities. You might be leaving lots of traffic and profits on the table by encouraging your Fan Page traffic to visit elsewhere in your online world.
Rather, add an opt-in box to your Fan Page. Talk about and invite your followers to other virtual places and events, such as your blog and web conferences and podcasts, or to check out your other social marketing accounts they might also use such as Twitter and YouTube.
P.S. Not sure how to set up a Facebook Fan Page or just don’t have the time to do it? Let Tishia Saves Time help you! For just $25.00 I can get your page set up for you (includes adding logo, newsletter opt-in form, etc).
6 Social Media Tips
Twitter, Facebook, YouTube…oh my!
So many social media sites to keep up with. How do you keep up with them up all? To be honest, I don’t! I use a few sites – Twitter and FaceBook – and don’t worry about the rest of them. It’s time consuming, distracting and over whelming if you try to be a part of them all.
Here are 6 tips to help you make the most out of your social media efforts:
1. Learn how to use all the features. There are many different features to each social media site you’re working with. Be sure to familiarize yourself with all the different features available. For example, to better focus on the core people that are interacting with your brand online, use the demographic information.
2. Stop worrying about the numbers. There is no value in having thousands of followers that ignore what you post! It might look impressive to have hundreds of thousands of people in your network, but to succeed at social media marketing you need to focus on those people who are actually interested in your brand.
3. Set goals. Just like with anything you do online you need to have a purpose for your social media as well so create some goals! Once you’ve set them be sure map out a plan on how you will reach them.
4. Portray yourself as the expert you are! Remember, while social media is to socialize, have fun and make personal connections with people you must still portray yourself as the expert you are! You need to write like it and act like it. Be careful what you say and do (yes that includes being careful of what types of pictures you post as well!)
5. Social media should be used to build relationships and show your expertise not just selling! There needs to be a balance when it comes to selling using social media. No one likes to see a Twitter profile that is nothing but link after link to their services/products. I personally won’t even follow someone back if I look at their profile and see nothing but links! Make sure that a majority of what you do on Twitter & Facebook (and any other social media sites you may use) is personal and interacting with your followers/readers/friends.
6. Don’t forget the negative! There are negatives in social media; make a plan to address them and don’t fear them. Everyone has a customer now and then that is impossible to please, online or off. Don’t let them derail your goals.
Your customers want access to interact with you and your company, and using social media sites gives them what they want. Just be sure to utilize the sites wisely and faithfully.
P.S. I would love to connect with you so be sure to follow me on Twitter and Facebook
Why Football is Good for My Business
This post is going to contradict what I just said in My Top Three Work at Home Challenges! I mentioned in that post that I have a hard time sticking to ‘business hours’ and shutting down for the day. Not anymore!
My son is playing football this year. I didn’t think that in 6th grade the schedule would be so … well crazy! I figured he’d practice 1 maybe 2 nights a week and have 1 game a week. Boy, was I ever wrong!
They practice 4 nights a week, 2 hours each night (5:30-7:30pm). Games start Saturday September 11th and will be every Saturday through October 23rd. So, that boils down to 5 days a week are filled with football!
What does football have to do with my business?
I’m now forced to stick to ‘business hours’ and shut down for the day! Knowing that I have to be done with work by 4pm every day (at least Monday-Thursday which are football practice nights) has forced me to be productive and focused every day.
There’s no time for the ‘playing’ networking I used to do on FaceBook and Twitter. I have a pretty full VA schedule right now (praise God!) and that means I have to stick to work and no fun from 10am – 4pm. In the past I would often find myself on FaceBook and Twitter for a couple hours a day, sometimes more (sad I know!) and working later in the evening. Now I just don’t have that option!
My typical day now looks like:
- 10:00am Check Email (mine and clients)
- 11:00am – 1:00pm Client Projects
- 1:00pm – 1:30pm Lunch
- 1:30pm – 3:00pm Client Projects
- 3:00pm – 4:00pm Check Email
It’s actually really nice having a pretty ’set’ schedule now thanks to my son’s football season! Never in a million years did I ever think it would also be good for me and my business but it certainly has been. And it’s only the first week!
Of all the years (4 years and 6 months) I’ve been working from home as a Virtual Assistant this is probably one of the first times I’ve been this regimented when it comes to my business and it feels really gooooood!
So how about you – have you had to be more regimented with your business due to a child’s sport schedule?
Let’s Help Her!
I’ve known Crissy Herron of IndieBizChicks.com for several years now. I was honored to finally meet her in person a couple years ago. She’s down to earth, easy going, funny and one smart business owner!
I was shocked to see a Facebook comment show up in my news feed last week saying that she had just been in a car accident and was at the hospital! Thankfully, she was not injured severely – lots of bumps and bruises and a bad sprain/strain to one of her wrists. Unfortunately her car was totaled and she’s now car-less.
She’s a friend and I want to do anything I can to help her out! That’s why I signed up for the September Blogging Special she has going on right now. It’s only $10.00 and she’s using the income she makes off this special to go towards a new car. Give up just one fast food meal out and spend that $10.00 on a good cause – helping Crissy get a new car!
What is the September Blogging Special?
- Daily blogging tips, sent to your email from September 1 – 30
- Daily blogging prompts through the month of September. This will eliminate blogger’s block!
- Invitation only web chats throughout September. You will be able to get direct feedback from Crissy on your blogging questions, as well as meet and network with other bloggers.
- A chance at free advertising! There will be a “blogging challenge” contest in September. More details will be announced on September 1 but those who participate, could end up receiving some great free advertising on Crissy’s site!
- And More! She has several surprise bonuses in store for the participants!!!
Hurry! Act now to help Crissy get a new car by purchasing her September Blogging Special!
