2. Starting Social Media What can be done? blogging, social bookmarking, article marketing, podcasting, twitter, facebook, linked in, press releases, webistes, email marketing, etc When to do? block 15-30 minutes a day on your calendar to spend on social media. Better to do a little than none. How to track ideas? keep a pen and notebook handy for ideas record ideas on cell phone send yourself a text or voicemail use www.jot.com for free voice to text service
3. Getting Started with Twitter Join twitter and build your profile Include URLs for your website/blog and your professional expertise Learn how to use RT, DM and @ to do your tweeting Start sending valuable content to your followers to build an expert reputation
4. Getting Started with Linked In Join linked in and complete profile. Include a photo, links, recommendations, book lists, powerpoint, audio, video, etc. Promote linked in on your other websites by providing icon. Change your linked in URL to a vanity one for better SEO Learn linked in features and applications.
5. Linked in traffic Make recommendations for others and they will be prompted to make recommendations for you Join targeted groups for alumni, prospects or partnership with businesses Use private RSS feeds for updates to your network
6. Getting Started with Facebook Use facebook guidelines for business pages Use fan page designer for CLEE “look” Advice from facebook guru Mari Smith http://networkedblogs.com/p25047234 Use keywords for space under photo Post links to other places you have web presence Include business keywords and phrases that people will google to find you Use group search to find similar fan pages and target your audience
7. Communicating with Facebook Fans Focus on quality fans not quantity. Spend time participating, asking questions, posting issues, giving value—not initial selling Post events to Facebook event calendar Use facebook badges Content can be resized for emphasis Automate blog post in notes or with networked blog app.
8. FacebookTagging, Sharing and Video Take time to tag and compliment someone so that it shows on their profile for their friends to see. When they respond it appears in your feeds and fan page Send mass emails to fans, filter by certain criteria Post your external URL for your website/blog page Use video that can be tagged and commented on.
9. Cross Promote Post facebookicons everywhere List facebook link in signature line Build a list and invite prospective fans Tweet your facebook link Make comments on other blogs and have your link a part of your signature
10. Blogging Put keywords in blog title and content for better SEO On About Us page include contact info, business info, bio and links with keywords Use tags and categories so they will find you Include a business name, website url, and tagline in every post
11. Blogging Put links in blogroll, your other sites, blogs you like, clients, students Sign up for google alerts to get new posts on topics you want to expand on or write differently. Choose someone who likes to write to blog Use audio and video Consider www.feedburner
12. www.feedburner.com Will provide statistics about blog traffic Gives Publicity tools Includes Distribution tools Delivers blog posts to subscriber Price is right-Free
13. Blog and Podcast Ideas Interview an expert Record panel discussions Record class tutorials Announce upcoming classes or new services Have clients call in testimonials Ask questions, give answers, suggestions, problems Discuss business topics, news, podcast newsletter
14. Blogging and Podcasting Express how special or different we are Discuss case studies about helping customers Allow public to connect with us Do series on lengthy concept Include call to action in podcast Do research for a great blog post Use google trends for blog post ideas
15. Blogging and Podcasting Use google’s advanced search to see how many pages updated with keywords you use and contribute to these topics Send blog posts through email www.feedblitz.com Offer free content to entice
16. Conclusion Social Media includes a variety of mediums from twitter to video and most people will need help to form a strategy. They will also need to learn specific free tools on the internet to help them accomplish the strategy. With so many choices and a large internet marketing learning curve it can be overwhelming to a small business owner to learn and make decisions about their approach to social media. If you need a Social Media Researcher, Strategist and Trainer who can help you focus on what is best for your business, contact Brenda at Briley Virtual Media for a free 30 minute assessment and consultation.http://www.brileyvirtualmedia.com