Pepsi Banking On Social Media, Not SuperBowl
Hmmm, Pepsi has decided not to spend $3 million dollars on SuperBowl commericals this year. Instead, they are going to launch a $20 million dollar social media campaign.
From Time Magazine - – “Pepsi plans to give away $20 million in grant money to fund projects in six categories: health, arts and culture, food and shelter, the planet, neighborhoods and education. People can go to the Pepsi website refresheverything.com — which can also be accessed through Facebook and Twitter — to both submit ideas and vote on others they find appealing. “
So… Pepsi this year is going to experiment with social media instead of reaching 100 million viewers, who the greatest majority are more interested in the commercials than the actual game.
I will be watching Pepsi’s progress in the months ahead, AND, if they decide to do a commercial next year.
Experts in how business gets done on the Internet
The Power of One Targeted Media Story
In truth, it is very rare that your marketing strategies work immediately, including PR. Why is this? Simply put some media aren’t going to produce your story at that very moment and most targeted media stories you can get may happen to be in a magazine, and national pubs work up to six months out. So, while you’ve secured the opportunity, you still have to wait six months for it to hit. This can be true for a lot of media. But then again, you realize that marketing, in general, is a long-term process that needs nurturing and requires patience.
There are those few precious times when a journalist can take interest in your story and change the face of your business overnight. The best way to explain this is to give you examples of two of our clients.
About two years ago my friend, Dr. Michele Kehrer came to me and said “I’m one of few people in the country who treats chronic dizziness and balance issues, which 90% of Americans will suffer from at one point, and doctors don’t know about me”. It was a great story and was immediately picked up by the local ABC affiliate’s HealthBeat. They came out the next week, taped and ran the story not just once but four times over the next several days. Her business, Lifestyle Physical Therapy & Balance Center got more than a shot in the arm – she picked up over 100 patients and it transformed her clinic, literally, overnight. Two years later she has doubled her staff, again, and is enjoying less work and more management of the business.
More recently, our pro bono client Kendall Ciesemier of Kids Caring 4 Kids, and I, finally saw the fruits of our labor. Roughly three months ago, Channel One, a news resource for six million kids across the country that is fed directly into classrooms, called and said they were in from New York for a story and wanted to cover Kendall’s interesting story – and it is interesting (read more). Her primary goal: to distribute her “i care 2″ kit and encourage American kids to support AIDS orphans in Africa. It took a few months to edit (and breaking for the holidays) and finally aired January 11, 2010 on Channel One. The result – within just a few days hundreds of kits were requested, donation pages set up on her website and….to date those numbers are still growing.
Why did these work to produce so much for these two organizations? Because the story truly hit their target demographics. Other key ingredients for success are two great stories, something the public would be interested in as well as learning about, they differentiated themselves from anyone else and both are extremely passionate about what they want to accomplishment.
This is what one truly targeted story can do for your business
This isn’t to say that you aren’t passionate about your business, it’s about locating your story, writing and presenting it in a compelling way (Make it News!) and finding the one media outlet that reaches the particular audience you desire most.
Look, there are a lot of people out there who practice the “Bowl of Spaghetti” theory to PR – take a bowl of spaghetti, throw it up on the wall and see what sticks. In this case, write a press release, SPAM it to every journalist on the list and see who shows interest (I get pitched this way for Small Business Daily on a regular basis, and most don’t even read our blog to fully understand what kinds of topics we’re looking for!). Our particular approach was hands on, meaning our clients gave us their media wish list of about 10-15 and we went out and got them interested. It was more than just “sending an email”, we crafted our story to each particular media and audience and….gasp….we even called them on the phone over just distributing by email.
Yes, generating PR, and marketing in general, takes time. Valuable time out of your day when you could be doing other things to run your business, but isn’t it worth it to you and your business to focus on it for a week and see what develops? It could change your business and make your dreams of becoming a successful entrepreneur come true.
In both cases, it took one person to stand out from the crowd with a great story to impart success. There is only one way to success…..go out and find your amazing story and if you’re struggling, then it’s worth it to find an experience news/PR professional to write it for you.
Jennifer Fortney
Cascade Communications
Follow me on Twitter @SmallBizPRXpert and @MyStorySource or subscribe to MyStorySource.com for FREE to pitch your story to media.
Twitter For Dogs? You’re Kidding Right? Not!!
This is such a true story. CNN ran this last week about these collar tags that allow you to get Tweets from your pet. Only in America would someone come up with something like a device that allows you to get pre-written Tweets based on what your dog is currently doing. Here’s the CNN article
Mattel’s “Puppy Tweets” is expected to hit stores in the fall.By Parija Kavilanz, senior writerJanuary 22, 2010: 8:03 AM ET
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — Social networking is going to the dogs.
In its first-ever toy created for the canine community, Mattel is introducing a product called “Puppy Tweets” that meshes the hugely popular Twitter with consumers’ love of pets.
Puppy Tweets is a plastic tag with a sound and motion sensor that you attach to your pet’s dog collar and connect its USB receiver to your computer. Then you create a Twitter account for your dog and enjoy updates all day from Sparky or whatever its name is on your computer or smartphone.
The tag is set with several pre-recorded tweets that are triggered by the dog’s activities. So if he’s running around, you might get a tweet that says “I finally caught that tail I’ve been chasing and…OOUUUCHH!”
If Sparky is napping, he’ll tweet “Somedays it feels like my paw is permanently on the snooze button!” If he’s making a ruckus, his tweet will let you know that as well, saying”YAHOOOOOOO! Somedays you just gotta get your bark on.”
“Puppy Tweets capitalizes on two popular trends – the use of social media and real time communication, as well as peoples’ extreme love for their dogs,” said Susan Russo, Mattel’s director of marketing.
Puppy Tweets is part of the No. 1 toymaker’s line-up of new products for 2010 that it showcased to members of the media Thursday ahead of the industry’s annual Toy Fair in New York next month.
Jim Silver, a toy industry analyst and editor-in-chief of TimetoPlayMag.com, said he was “curious” about Puppy Tweets when he first saw it.
“I thought that a 5-year-old doesn’t know about Twitter,” he said. But he said that Mattel is going after an entirely different market and “expanding beyond kids” with Puppy Tweets. “This is a product for adults.”
Does it make sense?
Said Silver,”It’s a good thing to try especially since no one else has come up with a pet product quite like this.”
Puppy Tweets will be available at retailers in the fall, and will carry a suggested retail price of $29.99. 
Experts in how business gets done on the Internet
Are YOU A Savvy Networker?
Guest post by Bonnie Ross-Parker of The Joy of Connecting
Handing out business cards is NOT networking…It is only a cardboard connection!
Effective connectors are eager to give away their resources, expertise, contacts information, phone numbers, and ideas. Think about YOUR contacts and areas of expertise and be willing to share their value with others. What you know is important. People are always looking for insight to grow personally and professionally.
Networking is NOT an event….It IS a process which takes time to develop. Networking isn’t appearing; it’s interacting. Connections are built through conversations and exchanges of information.. Pour your energy into creating valuable relationships. Show up and be remembered. Why bother to participate for any other reason?
Here are some tips for turning the handshake into a business relationship:
BE PREPARED.. It’s the Great Connector’s Motto
Enthusiasm – tell contacts an experience/idea you are excited about!
Discoveries – share news that can help someone else
Resources – read a new book that you’d recommend?
Expertise – offer help when you can provide a solution
Referrals/Leads – “I know someone that needs your service/to meet you.” You get what you give!
Reviews – give your opinion
Ideas – Share similar experiences that can offer a new approach
Trends – “Were you aware that….?”
Support – Ask permission to offer help
Shortcuts/Tips – experiences that can make life easier for someone else
New Products/Services – Tell about a new business/service you found
Great greetings will grow into great connections..
Practice an innovative way to introduce yourself:
“What is the best thing that happened to you today?”
I love your “tie”, “pin”, “hairstyle”, care to share where you purchased it?
“What do you love most about what you do?”
“In a perfect world, what would you be doing?”
“What do you do for fun?”
Dead Connecting: How NOT to start a conversation
“Hi, how are you?”
“Not bad. How are you?”
“Not bad. What’s new?”
“Not much. Been really busy.”
“Me, too. We’ll have to get together sometime”
“Good idea. Give me a call”
“I’ll do that. See you later.”
Follow Up Ideas!
1. Don’t wait. Don’t hesitate. Do Initiate!!
2. Write notes on the back of EVERY business card you get IF intend to follow up/call/connect/give to this person.
3. Invite a visit to your office/place of work where appropriate
4. Put out a newsletter
5. Invite out for breakfast, lunch, etc to continue your connection
6. Send a note, postcard, email to stay in touch
7. Invite to another event, conference, seminar…to show interest in both advancing their network and experiencing something meaningful together
8. Get feedback. Ask for advice on a plan you have, an effective way to do something, etc. Effective connectors are honored by someone asking for their opinion or expertise. It’s showing them you have confidence and trust in their judgment.
9. Offer to bring someone somewhere, to save a seat, make the arrangements
10. Do something unexpected
11. Offer to speak where you can offer expertise, provide handouts, volunteer
12. Be an initiator….don’t wait to be invited. Initiators ARE remembered, especially when they make someone else feel important, included, validated, comfortable.
Get Visible: It’s not what you know, or who you know.
It’s WHO KNOWS YOU!
Be a valuable contact for others.
You sell not only what you make, do, or service but who you are.
There are two sides to connecting: giving and getting. You control only one side. It only makes sense to work on the side you control 100%.
Listen generously.
Make your name memorable. Talk talent, not title.
Be curious about people. They will remember YOUR interest in them!
Compliment. Acknowledge. Appreciate. Give generously and often.
Be spontaneous. Be approachable. Be confident.
Bonnie Ross-Parker
bootgirl@TheJoyofConnecting.com
www.TheJoyofConnecting.com
Who’s Watching Your House Now Twitter User?
Here’s an article from CNN’s Website this morning. As I read this about the fact that he was at the Red Cross I just had to chuckle. He told the world in that little Tweet that he wasn’t at home. Perfect opportunity for burglers to get in there and rob the White House. LOL!!!
Never Tweet you’re current location if you’re not at home!!
Washington (CNN) – Digital history was made Monday when President Obama became the first commander-in-chief to “tweet” a message on the social networking site, though he had a little bit of help.
When Obama stopped at the headquarters of the American Red Cross’ to promote aid to Haiti, a member of the agency’s new media team wrote a message on Twitter.com telling people he had arrived.
“President Obama and the first lady are here visiting our disaster operation center right now,” the Red Cross staffer wrote.
The new media staffer then asked the president to hit “Update” on the screen and Obama posted the item himself under the @RedCross handle at Twitter.com.
A moment later the Red Cross staffer posted a follow-up tweet: “President Obama pushed the button on the last tweet. It was his first ever tweet!”
Read the rest of this entry »
Experts in how business gets done on the Internet
Do You Value Your Company? Do You Really?
In light of times like we’ve been through it’s easy to see why so many companies have been pushing major sales promotions – a. to move product and inventory to prepare for new and b. to just make the sale.
While this is not typically a bad thing, and something most businesses do regularly, it can become a problem when you do it just to make money; a quick sale. These business owners are focused on making money and lots of it, not nurturing the value of their brand, company, products and services, let alone their customers (who, I might remind you, are the reason you’re making money).
What I mean is that sometimes we can get so focused on “the money” that we fail to zero in on what is making that money. Obviously your customers, and their buying because they see value in what you’re offering. When you cheapen it with incredibly deep discounts or sales promotions that you can’t possibly fulfill just for a quick shot in the arm of cash, you are devaluing your brand, products and services.
Why do some people do this? Well, because they don’t see their own value.
When you don’t or stop seeing value in your offerings you become nothing more than annoying sales people and your customers will leave – you will always be chasing money (customers) rather than focusing on keeping existing customers happy and growing that base for real success.
Now, don’t get me wrong, a business always needs to think about its sales process, but what it can’t do is become so centered (to get tunnel vision) on that one element. It will fail you over time. Why? Because today’s consumers are smarter than they’ve ever been before. They want customer service. They want to feel valued by you and your business. They want to feel good about buying from you and part of a unique community supporting your business. Trust me, if they don’t receive any of this then they will leave and buy from your competitor.
Sometimes customer service can be the difference between you making the sale or your competitor. It’s time that we all remember who drives this economy, the consumer, and start:
- Developing customer service plans (even if it’s only one sheet)
- Planning special promotions in advance
- Stop working in “crisis” mode to making money
- Develop open and customized communications plans specifically for customers
- Focus on the long-term, keeping the customers you have and let them be part of the marketing process by giving valuable referrals
- Stop being a sales company and be good at what you really do. If you do it well and right the sales and success will come to you.
Here’s to a New Year with a new focus on how we run and grow our businesses and get back to what’s important – the customer.
Jennifer Fortney
Cascade Communications
Follow me on Twitter: @SmallBizPRXpert and @MyStorySource
New Year’s Resolution: Surf Responsibly
Happy New Year loyal readers and followers!
It’s not only a new year, of course – it’s the beginning of a new decade! And, having had some spare time recently, I set myself to thinking about what this decade might be remembered for with regards to business technology.
Amongst other things, the “noughties” will be remembered for the rise and rise of online social media. From MySpace to Facebook, Youtube and Twitter – it was all about getting information out there, connecting with other people and trying to figure out if and how businesses could tap in to it (often without even a thought of ROI!)
In light of this self promotion, self publishing, media sharing free for all, it makes sense to me that early in this new decade we’ll see some serious investments in securing social media. Businesses will build stronger policies around the usage of online social media and individuals will take greater ownership and responsibility of their information online. So perhaps the ‘tensies’ might be remembered for a revolution in online privacy and security.
Along this theme was an excellent post I came across by Ken Denmead on his ‘Geekdad’ blog, ‘Five New Year’s Resolutions for the Responsible Internet User’.
Ken’s five points are food-for-thought for any regular internet user and also gives an indication to small business owners about what they’re up against when it comes to protecting important information, reputation and privacy.
My favourite line from the article:
“Silly photos of activities that fall under the “seemed like a good idea at the time” may come back to haunt you.”
Oh, how true it is 
Clayton Moulynox
Follow me on Twitter: @claytonhm
Ten Definitive Ways to Succeed at Networking
Learning The Skills To Be An Extra-Ordinary Connector
Guest post by Bonnie Ross Parker of The Joy of Connecting
How long does it take to establish a relationship? There is no set answer, but it takes time! Your success will grow relative to how much time you’re willing to invest.
1. Be a consistent participant.
2. Go to every event PREPARED…Cards are a must. Bring your address book/palm pilot as well in order to GIVE leads.
3. Trust and understanding build over time – participate often so members recognize you as a player.
4. Follow up with people you meet for whom the value of getting together is MUTUALLY beneficial.
5. The contacts you make at any event may or may not produce a sale. Every contact, however, can provide a new relationship for the future.
6. Find a niche where you can devote your time and expertise. Why join anything if you are not viewed as a leader or participant? Be ACTIVE.
7. Give FIRST….you will benefit from the results.
8. Connecting is NOT about keeping score. You’ll receive payment in ways you might not expect. It’s all about accessibility to others.
9. It’s easy to sense DESPERATION! Being too eager or aggressive will not get you the results you want and can actual damage your reputation.
10. Create LONG LASTING relationships for long term personal and professional success!
Building a successful network is worth time, consistency and commitment.
Bonnie Ross-Parker
Professional Speaker & Author
Walk In My Boots ~ The Joy of Connecting
Y.O.U. Set A High Standard For Being Human
bootgirl@bonnierossparker.com
www.bonnierossparker.com
But Wait!!! How Much Would You Pay?
Experts in how business gets done on the Internet
The Quick Connection – Effective Connecting for Effective Results
A guest post by Bonnie Ross-Parker CEO/Founder – The Joy of Connecting
It’s a new year and a time when business owners become re-invigorated about going out and growing their business. In fact, January is National Networking Month, so we decided to tap a friend and respected Networking/Connecting expert Bonnie Ross Parker to provide some tips and advice this month on how to make the most of your networking in 2010. Networking takes time and time is money, so here’s how to make the most of your time and turn your networking into business!
Maybe you’re a veteran of the networking arena and agree you could be more effective. Or, perhaps, you’re just getting started and would like to better understand how to network productively. “The Quick Connection” is a reference tool to help you effectively impact others and increase your success.
Here’s the familiar scenario: Show up. Shake as many hands as possible. Give out and get as many business cards as you can. Tell everyone, “I’ll call you” or expect the people you meet to actually call you. Now, consider another approach that over time will get you better results.
“The Quick Connection” can be implemented any time and in any networking arena. The plan is based on three components: Differentiate, Be Memorable and Make A Difference. If you focus on attending any business environment with all three or any one of the strategies, your success will increase significantly.
Strategy # 1 – Differentiate. Being unique distinguishes you from others, especially those that are in the same industry. Remember when you were young and fitting in meant doing the same thing as everyone else in the crowd? Being the same was a way of establishing acceptance. In the business world, the opposite is true. You will have an advantage when you differentiate. For example, initiate conversations with people you don’t know. Ask how he/she got into the industry they are in, what trends they anticipate or what they did before their current career. Ask what they find to be their biggest challenge. If you’re wondering why this line of questioning, it’s because most business people are more eager to share what they do then to engage in building rapport with some one else. Find out what a good lead is for the individual you’d like to assist. If you want to get to know another business person, consider extending an invitation to an upcoming networking event as your guest. When you implement strategy #1, the emphasis is off of you and focused elsewhere. This is not typical in networking situations.
Strategy #2 – Be Memorable. There are two ways to be memorable – appearance and behavior. In one’s appearance consider branding yourself. For example, men can wear unusual ties, different lapel pins or colors unlike every other man. Women have an easier time? Jewelry can easily help a woman be memorable. Barbara Bush wears her infamous pearls and Larry King is known for his suspenders. They have branded themselves. I always wear cowboy boots. Every day – 365 days a year. While I may not be as well known as Barbara or Larry, having a unique style makes me memorable. People may not remember my name, however, they do remember the lady who always wears cowboy boots. Having a signature style has advantages – especially when you are recognizable!
The second way to be memorable is in your behavior. You must focus on being remembered for the right reason – generosity, punctuality, follow through, integrity and resourcefulness are examples. Being remembered means leaving positive imprints in everything you say and do. People are watching and will choose to do business with individuals that display consistency and integrity.
Strategy # 3 – Make A Difference. You never know who you will meet and the difference you can make in someone else’s life or the difference that encounter will make in your life. Replace a simple thank you with “I appreciate you”. Go out of your way to make a newcomer feel comfortable at a networking event. Over time, you’ll be amazed how differentiating yourself, being memorable and making a difference will impact your success. Like anything new, being conscientious and consistent will take time. Let’s face it, the marketplace is crowded. Everyone is scurrying for their share of business. Find out for yourself if the effort involved in applying strategies of “The Quick Connection” will be worth the results.
Get Up! Get Out! and Get Going!
Bonnie Ross Parker is CEO/Founder of The Joy of Connecting – a unique marketing program serving women nationwide.
Social Online Media “Experts”
Folks, this is not a post bashing online social media experts. What it is are some things to think about when someone comes to you selling online social media services……..
There’s a growing flock of people out there calling themselves social media “experts”. What’s interesting is that none of these “Experts” have been at it for more than a year or two, and most of them are “personal” usage experts.
The ebb and flow of online applications has changed at least (Insert number here) times over the last two years. Who has had time to become an expert?
I joke about the (insert number here) because the number of online applications that has come and gone really numbers in the hundreds.
But back to the “Expert” concept. How about we ask the “Experts” to please narrow their credentials down to just “experts” in business usage of online social media.
Truely anyone can become an expert in how to sit down at computer and use a social online application. But have they had enough time to become an expert in making online tools successful for other businesses?
When someone comes to you claiming to be an “expert” in online social media, and they want to sell you some type of service, ask them for specific proof of how their expertise has made a business (besides their own) wildly successful.
Ask them for the financial examples of businesses, just like yours, that they’ve made a difference in that company’s bottom line.
I want to talk with people who do more than just use scare tactics to try and sell online social media service. “You’ve just got to start using Facebook, Twitter, Linked-In, because all of your customers are using them. You don’t want to get left out. Everyone is using them. Hurry, hurry, hurry, otherwise you’ll go out of business because your competitors have it all figured out.”
Hah!!!
Oh well, I guess scare tactics do work because there’s a ton of “Experts” out there selling and using the above lines.
Please evaluate carefully “YOUR CUSTOMER’s” use of online social media, before plunging into the use of an online social media “Experts” services.
Chris Nastav, KC Web Specialists, LLC, www.kcwebspecialists.com
Experts in how business gets done on the Internet
Not All PR People Are Created Equally
This is a true statement. There are a lot of people out there who say they do public relations but the truth is many don’t know how to conduct a proactive PR campaign. They don’t know what PR is. They have, somehow, generated their own definition. Some of these people will sell you on PR as:
- “I Twitter for your business” – that’s not PR
- “I will post your press release on various websites and see what sticks” – you’re paying someone to do something you can do?
- “I will write your blog” – how does this generate media attention?
- Say things like “I can promise you a story here” – boy if it was that easy….you can control another person (a journalist) like you can control the weather
- “I have a large Rolodex and will get people into your business” – that’s great but it’s not generating positive press to drive more business
There are even people out there who bill themselves, I mean actually claim, to be PR experts and they’ve never spent one minute in the industry!
Unfortunately, there are many more that will try and pull the wool over the eyes of small business owners who just aren’t as educated on PR as they should be. It seems, in particular, that I’ve been seeing a lot more of these kinds of people actively selling their “talents” on sites like Twitter and LinkedIn. It makes me shutter. Why? Because so many of these people end up coming to me, wounded and not trusting of the PR process after throwing a lot of money at someone who didn’t really do anything for their business.
For me it comes down to trust. Believe it or not, but I qualify my potential clients as much as they qualify me as a trustworthy business and a professional who will do what they say, on time and on budget. You should trust your PR professional as much as you trust a client, business partner or vendor. And if you don’t….then walk away before they do so with your money and no results.
So, what should a credible and reliable PR person look like? Here’s your checklist:
- They should be knowedgeable about small business and small budgets
- They should have a strong and lengthy background in PR and marketing with proven results for other clients
- They should offer a credible list of references, which should include past clients and, if possible, media
- They should provide examples of results they’ve accomplished for past clients – a portfolio of stories
- They should have a nose for news and be able to translate your story into something newsworthy
- They should be able to pick up the phone and pitch your story to a journalist
- You should have some sort of initial result within 30 days
- Ideally, they should have experience working as a journalist or attended journalism school
- They should definitely understand how to incorporate social media into your campaign and get results
- They should view working for you as being part of your team for success – it shows commitment to providing a solid service for your business
- You should trust them right off the bat
Let’s be honest, anyone can sell or peddle anything if they truly believe they can do it, or think they can get you to believe they can do it. I tell my clients upfront what the campaign will be and then put it into a proposal along with as much of the budget costs as I can possibly come up with. Nothing is hidden. There is no smoke and mirrors. Finally I tell them that they need to trust their instincts. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. PR is a long-term process and it requires patience and diligence.
To learn more about PR before heading into the process of selecting someone to work with you, I suggest you read the other posts available on Small Business Daily on PR. It will be very worth your time and may even save you money in the end.
Have something to add to the list above? Post a comment for everyone to read.
Jennifer Fortney
Cascade Communications
MyStorySource.com
My Favorite Pieces of Website Advice
1. A Website is Not a Marketing Plan:
A Website should support your marketing plan. By itself, a Website is not a marketing plan. Within your “written” marketing plan, you should have a section on how you plan to use the Website to help your business.
2. Spend More Time and Money Getting People to Your Website, than You do on Your Website Build:
In most cases, utilize more time and budget getting people to your Website than you spend on the build of your Website. Once you have a thriving business going, dedicate more budget to your site.
3. Build the Site for Your Consumer, Not You the Business Owner:
As you build a Website, always consider first what the consumer needs from your Website, before you consider what you the a business owner want on your site.
Ouch!! All the brand and graphic focused Web designers out there hate me for this statement. Sorry, but a Website can only support your brand. By itself it doesn’t establish a brand.
Most of us small business owners have two kinds of customers. New customers or existing customers. Which of these two customer types makes you more money? Once you’ve answered that question, look at your Website and see which customer type it better supports. If you’re building a new Website, and you have a limited budget, spend that limted budget making the Website support the customer type that’s going to make you the most money.
Experts in how business gets done on the Internet
Secret Keywords No More!!!
Have you heard a Web developer tell you they are going to put in all the necessary secret keywords to get your Website to show up in Google and Yahoo?
Did you build your own Website using a template or online tool that gives you a field to type in Keywords for the site?
What both of the above things do is put a piece of code behind the page called a META tag. So behind the page, if you were to know where to look, you would see a piece of code that looked like this with the keywords you wanted typed in.
“<meta http-equiv=”keywords” content=”web site marketing, search engine positioning, search engine optimization, marketing, sales, promotion, strategy, visibility, exposure, banner, advertising, search engines, registration, analysis”>
Something you should know though is……Google stopped using this method of indexing your site about two years ago, and Yahoo stopped using it in October of this year.
There about 15 things you need to do to the visual “Content” of your Website to get it to show up in Google and Yahoo. There’s about 10 other very important things you should do outside your Website to get it to show up in Google and Yahoo.
My point with this Blog entry is to not be taken in by applications or Web developers who are going to put in Keywords behind the scenes to get your site to show up in search engines.
Google and Yahoo reward Websites that provide the consumer the content the consumer needs to make a decision.
Chris Nastav, KC Web Specialists, LLC, www.kcwebspecialists.com
Experts in how business gets done on the Internet
Online Social Media Mistakes for Small Business
There are soooo many different online social media sites out there, it gets very confusing doesn’t it?1. Selling to Everyone, Immediately, is a Big Mistake:
Yes you can do marketing in social media, but you need to create the relationships before you try and call on them. This is the same principle offline, correct? But sometimes we forget.
2. Don’t Use the same strategy on every site:
Twitter is not WordPress. Facebook is not MySpace. Linkedin is not Naymz. And they’re all different from Foursquare. Every social networking site is different, what works well on one site may not work the same on another.
3. Complete your Profile:
Once you decide which online social media site(s) you’re going to engage in, you need to commit and really become part of that network. Completely filling out your profile helps you attract like-minded members and shows people that you’re there to stay.
But the most important thing to consider for online social media is….
http://www.kcwebspecialists.com/online-social-media-plan-for-small-business.html
People who Tweet at Luncheon Events are Rude!!
Folks, please don’t get me wrong. This post is not a negative about the application Twitter. It’s about some rude people using it.
I recently attended a large Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon. Each month at these events they have guest speakers. Our guest speaker this month was from a consulting/news firm that specializes in social online media and he was going to present about online media.
So here’s our guest speaker sitting at the front table with the Mayor, the president of the Chamber, the three of us that are sponsoring this month’s luncheon and the Chairman of the Chamber.
Here’s where the rudeness starts. While our President is up at the podium talking to the audience and thanking everyone for attending, and the mayor gets up and talks about the Christmas tree fund, and while the sponsors are up talking about their company’s. Our great guest speaker has his phone in front of him, he’s looking away from the speakers and he’s tweeting and responding to people who are tweeting him. I can guarantee you he had no idea about anything that was said, nor did he present an attitude of caring about what was being said. He was focused on his social online media world.
Excuse me, can you say, “Please give the speaker your undivided attention?”
Then he is introduced and he stands up and tells everyone in the audience that over 50 people in the last three minutes have tweeted him back and they said to tell the people in the audience hello.
Who cares!!!! Can you tell me what was said in the room for the last three minutes?
Of course don’t get me started about the fact that he then stood up and tried to convey to the entire audience (Oh how I hate this line), but he stood up there and said “ALL your customers are using social online media, so you’d need to be using it too.”
Now first of all, ALL my customers (or at least 75% of them) have little to know time for online social media.
Stop trying to scare everyone into thinking they’re missing out on something!!!!!!!!!!!!
Grrrrrr, let me just stick with the topic of this post. That it’s extremely rude to be tweeting and texting and responding to your phone while someone is at the podium speaking to the audience. RUDE, RUDE, RUDE!!!!
When using online social media, please consider this. If you are at a luncheon, and the president of the group isup there talking, would you stand in the center of the same room and have a separate meeting with 50 people in a little group and ignore the main speaker? The answer is no! So, why would you do that online?
Does anyone else besides me think his actions were rude?
Chris Nastav, KC Web Specialists, LLC, www.kcwebspecialists.com
Experts in how business gets done on the Internet
The Best FREE Resources for Getting PR
In the past, as a PR professional there were a multitude of great resources we used to help generate news stories for our clients. Back then many were pay services that came by fax or even mail! Can you imagine how far ahead journalists had to plan to get a query posted on that one!
Well those days are mostly gone, thanks to the Internet and many service, while still pay are offering part of their service for free (promotionally) and others are just FREE.
Now my cohorts would ask me why I’m giving these away, but the reality is that if you really wanted to find them online, you will and I would rather have you visit Small Business Daily and save yourself some serious time.
Help a Reporter Out – sign up to receive this free email distribution three times daily with the latest queries from journalists looking for sources. Be ware. Participation has rules so best to read them before you get booted from the list.
Pitch Rate – also an email distribution that’s focus is on industry experts
Reporter’s Source – free email distribution with leads but you don’t have the chance to pitch the reporter yourself. Actually, you send in your pitch, it’s evaluated by the publishers and they pitch it for you. If the journalist is interested they put you in touch.
My Story Source – just launched. Free email distribution to media that allows you to pitch your news in the email and journalists contact you at their convenience. Also a good place to build community with other small businesses and nonprofits.
The Publicity Hound – a great place to get tips on improving your ability to generate positive PR for your organization.
Toilet Paper Entrepreneur – another great resource for entrepreneurs of every shape and size. A wealth of knowledge and information. Read the blog daily!
Jennifer Fortney
Cascade Communciations
Follow me on Twitter @SmallBizPRXpert
Perils of Online Social Media – - Great Article
This is such a great article on the perils of social online media I wanted to take a moment and provide it for those who may be reading this blog. Remember your past and present can come back to haunt you!
Sorry, this post is a bit long.
Thank you Donna for providing this information:
Chris Nastav, KC Web Specialists, Experts in how business gets done on the Internet. http://www.kcwebspecialists.com 913.908.5642
Here’s the Article…..
9 Hidden Dangers of Social Networking
How Facebook & Twitter Can Be Hazardous to Your Wealth
By Ken and Daria Dolan, Dolans.com
posted: 1 DAY 19 HOURS AGO (10-23-09)
When President Obama was asked by a student what advice he had for kids who wanted to grow up to be President, he warned them to be careful what you post on Facebook. That’s good advice even if you don’t want to be President.
As the popularity of social media sites (such as Facebook, Twitter and MySpace to name some biggies) continues to explode, stories about the dark side of social networking are piling up.
Personal finance experts Ken and Daria Dolan of Dolans.com warn you about nine ways using social media can be hazardous to your wealth.
Lawyers Love Facebook
Are you about to be involved in a messy divorce or taken to court? You may want clean up your Facebook page.
Lawyers and private investigators routinely troll social media sites as part of their research for any case. Such sites are a treasure trove of evidence, especially when they are looking to:
Prove adultery. Perhaps the woman you suspect of being your husbands’ mistress tweets about the fancy new jewelry she got, or about an expensive vacation she just took.
Hunt down alimony. An ex-husband says he can’t afford alimony but tweets about his new job or raise or his brand new car.
Collect evidence for a custody case. A women fighting for full custody of her children claims she doesn’t drink or smoke, yet posts a picture of her smoking at a bar on her Facebook page.
Prove harassment or fraud. Copies of nasty or threatening messages left on an ex-boyfriend’s Facebook page make great evidence.
Your Resume Isn’t the Only Thing Employers Scrutinize
More From the Dolans:
- Rules to Protect Yourself on Social Media Sites
- Simple Ways to Prevent ID Theft
- 10 Steps to Erasing Your Debt
A recent study by Harris Interactive found that 45% of the employers they questioned are using social networks to check out job candidates before hiring them. That’s a pretty significant percentage. But here’s an even more surprising number: 35% of those employers decided not to offer a candidate a job because of what they found on an applicant’s social networking page.
Bad-mouthing your last boss online? Posting questionable pictures? If you are on the job hunt, be sure to review your pages and profiles and make sure there isn’t anything there that can cost you a job.
Burglars Are Fond of Your Constant Updates
Would you stand up in the middle of a crowd of strangers and announce that you’re leaving on vacation for three days and then tell everyone your address? Of course not, but that’s exactly what you are doing if you share such information online.
Burglars are now using Twitter to find victims. One Arizona man tweeted to 2,000 followers that he was heading out of town and came home to find someone had broken in and stolen thousands of dollars worth of video equipment he used for his business.
Even saying you are running to the mall, going out to dinner, etc. is too much information.
Prepare for Bigger Insurance Premiums
A leading insurer in England warns that social media users could face higher insurance premiums because of the added risk they face from burglary.
Legal & General insurance believes that burglars use social media sites to “shop” for victims. Posting photos of your home enables burglars to know whether you have any security features or what you own that’s worth stealing. Plus, your posts reveal other details, such as whether or not you have a dog to fend off intruders or if you constantly let people know when you’re out of town, that can affect the chances of you filing a claim.
Teenagers are especially likely to reveal personal information, leading the insurer to warn parents that they could face higher homeowner’s insurance premiums if their children are online.
Tweets Can Get You Fired
A waiter in Beverly Hills was fired recently for one of his Twitter updates (called Tweets). In his tweets, he complained about actress, Jane Adams, who he says skipped out on her bill and didn’t leave him a tip. He said her agent later paid her bill.
The waiter was fired two weeks later.
That may seem like an extreme case, but people have been fired for blogging about work, blogging while at work, even for calling in sick and then posting on Facebook. One woman was fired for badmouthing the boss on Facebook because she forgot she had “friended” her boss and he could see everything she was saying. Oops.
If you are using any social network, assume your boss is watching everything you say and do!
Social Networkers Are an Identity Thief’s Dream
Social networking is a dream come true for identity thieves — millions of people sharing endless amounts of personal information right out in the open. According to PC World, 33% of social network users have at least three pieces of information posted that could lead to identity theft.
Think about the types of things people share on social media sites…their birthday, address, kid’s names, pet’s names, mother’s maiden name, previous address, where you went to school. Besides being used to steal your identity, this information can also give thieves the answers to some of the most common security or password questions used on your personal accounts.
Yes, social networking is about sharing, but that doesn’t mean you can blindly violate basic rules that help protect you from ID theft.
Let’s Go Phishing on Twitter
Just last week, Twitter users were the target of a huge phishing scam. Scammers sent direct messages (DMs) or Tweets that included a generic message such as “You’re on this video” or “I think I see you here” in order to get people to click on a link.
The link took those who clicked on it to a fake Twitter page that asked them to log in with their username and password …which the scammer then used to hijack the victim’s account.
Twitter Can Be Infectious
Fake Twitter profiles have been used to spread malicious software (known as malware).
To lure in victims, scammers use fake celebrity profiles or news about celebrities. The posts look legit, but infect your computer with malware that lets the scammer use your computer to send spam, install spyware, steal your identity or launch attacks on other computers.
The IRS Wants to “Friend” You
As state budget get increasingly pinched, internal revenue agents are getting more aggressive in their pursuit of tax revenue. In fact, some states are even using information posted on sites like Facebook and MySpace to track down tax dodgers and dig for unreported income.
In Minnesota, tax agents reportedly levied back taxes on a long-time tax evader after he announced on his MySpace page that he was moving back into the state and would be working as a real estate broker.
While the IRS refuses to say whether or not they are using social media to find tax evaders, it’s best to assume that they’re watching everything you post.
Makes you want to be a little more careful the next time a stranger asks to “friend” you, doesn’t it?
In Conclusion
You don’t need to quit Twitter or Facebook now that you know about the dark side of social media. But we do hope that you think about how your tweets and posts could come back to hurt you. We had our identity stolen last year, and it’s no fun. Use some good old common sense and follow our simple rules for protecting yourself on social media sites to keep trouble at bay.
Customer Service = Powerful PR
I’ve been feeling REALLY bad because over the last two weeks my computer crashed, I got a loaner (although I’m regretting the choice of company supposedly fixing my computer – I’m still on the loaner) and I’ve been having ongoing issues with my Internet service. Oh yeah, the phone company for some reason because of all of my calls lately about the service up and disconnected me altogether and now tell me it’s going to be two days before they can get me up and running. All of this is NOT MY FAULT and it’s thrown a real wrench in running my business and blogging.
Now I’m definitely stressed about all of this because it seems that no one at the phone company has the same information or can give me the correct information, until this morning.
This morning I spoke with the nicest gal (this is after being transferred three times. Yesterday I spoke to 12 people and no one could help me). This young lady knew I was upset as I told her my neverending story and she apologze profusely. However, what got me was that right out of the gate this young woman was throwing one month free service, she subtracted the curreint month’s service from my bill and sent me a $75 Visa gift card.
Now, I don’t want to say that good customer service means giving stuff away to customers (although it does feel good on this end). My point here is that out of all of the stuff I’ve been dealing with these last few weeks she is the only one who came right out of the gate to solve the issue and provide compensation for the trouble, agony, hair pulling frustration I’ve been dealing with. Even the IT company fixing my computer has offered nothing for the inconvenience of having it for three weeks with “no real news”.
And, most importantly, let me tell you this: because this young woman left me feeling as if someone cared, someone at the phone company is “on it” and taking care of my problem and “understands” the pain and agony I’ve been going through, I’ve told EVERYONE my story – including you. This is the best PR you can ever achieve for your business.
Certainly you don’t want someone to have a negative experience, but the reality is that not every customer is going to be happy and it’s how you deal with it (immediately with understanding and apologies) that will determine if you keep or lose that customer. More importantly, it determines whether that person is going to refer other customers to you.
In business, today, I see a lot of bad customer service or little attention on attending to the customer. People seem to believe that there is a large enough, neverending pool of customers that they don’t need to be concerned with keeping who they’ve got today. It’s foolish and describes the reason why there is such a small amount of loyalty to companies.
If you want to keep a customer you’ve got to work to do it
Remember, people are willing to share their good experiences with family and friends. If asked for a referral they want their referral to be used. They want to know that they have done something to boost the business of a company or individual they find to be valuable.
This word-of-mouth endorsement is the most important and valuable you will ever receive for your business outside of a media story.
So the next time you’re dealing with an unhappy customer remember they power they have to bring good PR to your business, and make sure you’re quick to resolve the issue to the point the person feels they have been heard and understood.
Jennifer Fortney
Cascade Communication
Follow me on Twitter @SmallBizPRXpert and @MyStorySource
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