Face to Face Connections Remain Essential in Social Media World

Today I read a great article, the Meltdown Survival Handbook, in the August 2009 issue of Seattle Metropolitan (@SeattleMet for Twitter fans). This witty, refreshing article contained 20 ways to survive the recession while having a little fun. Tip #10 - Network the Smart Way - reminds us that social media networks like Biznik, LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter are wonderful ways to meet and connect with people, but old fashioned face-to-face connecting is still an essential tool to succeeding in the real world both, personally and professionally.

By connecting face-to-face, we are solidifying online connections, diversifying our contact base and having fun getting out of the house and away from the computer. Thanks to Dan McComb, co-founder of Biznik, for the much-needed reminder!

Virtually Yourz,
Dana Neuts

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Find me on Facebook, Biznik and LinkedIn

Are you doing a quarterly marketing review?

Are you monitoring your marketing efforts on a quarterly basis? If not, you should be, particularly in this economy. Why? You need to know what's working and what's not, so you can figure out what shifts need to be made.

For example, where are your advertising dollars going? Are you doing it regularly? If not, you may be wasting your money. If you are advertising consistently, are you choosing the best media (online, radio, TV, print, other) for your business?

Also, consider your current and new customers. Are you getting the kinds of customers you want - your dream customer, for example? If not, what do you need to do differently? It could involve creating a new brand, adding new products or services, or simply advertising in places where you will get "face time" with your prospects.

What tools are you using to market your products? Are you taking advantage of social media tools like blogging, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Biznik, Plaxo, Digg and other sites? Could your business benefit from one or more of these tools?

No matter what you're doing, you want to be sure to review it quarterly and to try to measure it if possible.

If you aren't sure where to begin, talk to fellow business owners, ask a marketing consultant or discuss your options with your local small business development center, branch of SBA or SCORE. Marketing doesn't have to be expensive, time-consuming or overwhelming. It is a question of considering your options and what works for you and your customers. Then track it, evaluate it, and change it as needed.

Virtually Yourz,
Dana Neuts

Follow me on Twitter: VirtuallyYourz
Find me on Facebook, Biznik and LinkedIn

Seven Free Ways to Promote Your Blog

So you've finally started that blog you've always wanted. You have the occasional reader, but not the type of traffic you'd hoped for. There's a quick fix for that - promote your blog. Here are seven free ways to do that with little or no cost to you except for, of course, your time.

1. Twitter - Tweet your latest blog posting on Twitter.

2. Facebook - Link to your latest blog posting on Facebook or, better yet, create a business page and automatically link it to Facebook so it updates whenever your blog does.

3. Linked In - If you have a profile on Linked In, you can also have your profile automatically updated with your latest blog postings.

4. Biznik.com - Add your blog address to your Biznik profile.

5. E-mail signature - Add your blog address to your e-mail signature.

6. Marketing materials - The next time you update your marketing materials (biz cards, letterhead, brochure, etc.), be sure to include your blog address.

7. Encourage comments - On one of my blogs (http://www.ilovekent.net), I offer a monthly drawing for three $10 Kent Station gift cards for qualifying posts. Winners are chosen randomly from those who post each month.


Virtually Yourz,
Dana Neuts

Follow me on Twitter: VirtuallyYourz
Find me on Facebook, Biznik and LinkedIn

Understanding Twitter: How it is less like Facebook and more like e-mail

Whether you are new to the social media scene or an old pro looking for new tips, you'll love this article by Naomi Pollack on Biznik. It is a great "how to" on Twitter. Get Twitter basics here!

Virtually Yourz,
Dana Neuts

Three Ways to Make Time for Marketing

What I am hearing from small business owners and other organizations who count marketing among their many tasks is that time is one of the biggest challenges. Those who wear many hats in their businesses are so inundated with customer service, inventory management, product development and administration that marketing can take a backseat. The problem is that marketing needs to be consistent to be effective.

Do you struggle to find enough time to update your blog, create or update a Facebook page, or send out your monthly e-mail newsletter? Here are three ways to make time for those necessary marketing tasks.

- Plan ahead. Take one day each month to plan your marketing tasks for the next month and do all of the necessary work in advance. For example, on March 15, plan for April. Write all of your blog postings for the month at once and schedule them to be posted throughout the month. This block of time allows you to focus on the task at hand, so you can be creative and not rushed to get the task done.

- Schedule time for social media. As sites like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Biznik grow in popularity, it has become almost necessary for businesses to participate. Unfortunately, active participation can take a big chunk of time out of your day, so I plan my activity in blocks. Twitter and Facebook are ever-changing, so I login to both each morning. I have my Twitter updates automatically posted to Facebook, so I only need to type status updates once. For LinkedIn and Biznik, time isn't as critical, so I set aside down time (like when I'm on hold or have idle time on the weekends) to make updates to my profile, view the community forums, etc. If I get a message or invitation to connect, it will be e-mailed to me and I can address those as they come in by logging in as needed (once a day, max.)

- Delegate marketing tasks. If you have a tech-savvy employee, or an intern with a silver tongue, consider having them help with some of your marketing tasks. A tech-savvy employee, for example, could easily create a blog or Facebook business page or event for you. A silver tongued-employee might help brainstorm ideas for blog postings, events, your April promotion or your next newsletter. If those resources aren't available, consider outsourcing some of your marketing responsibilities to a marketing professional. You can find anything from a virtual marketing expert who offers a la carte services to a full-service marketing, PR and advertising agency.

If you have other time savers to share, I welcome your comments!

Virtually Yourz,
Dana Neuts

Five Quick & Easy Social Media Marketing Tips

If you haven't already embraced the social media, consider adding it to your marketing toolbox to expand your online reach.

1) Facebook: Create a profile, invite colleagues and clients to join, and make regular posts and updates. This tool is easy to setup and use and is much more professional than sites like MySpace.

2) Twitter: If you are a fan of Facebook, you'll love Twitter where you can post frequent but brief "tweets" that will automatically be sent to your list of followers.

3) Blogging: Create a free blog to reach out to prospective clients. Add blogs 2 - 3 times per week. Make them interesting and visually appealing.

4) Biznik: I love this fun networking site which not only promotes online networking but face-to-face networking as well - a nice change of pace!

5) Linked In: This professional networking site is a great way to connect with colleagues. In particular, I love the Q&A section where you can get and give free advice. It's a wonderful brainstorming tool.


Virtually Yourz,
Dana Blozis

5 Deadly Mistakes You Can't Afford to Make While Social Networking

Here's another great article from Rick Itzkowich. This time he talks about mistakes that will sabotage your attempts to be successful in your social networking endeavors. A quick preview:

Mistake #1: Not having the right mindset
Mistake #2: Not having a strategy
Mistake #3: Not having patience

To read the full article as posted on Biznik, click here.

10 Tips to Writing Better Marketing Materials

When searching for a topic to write about, I came across another great article on Biznik.com, this one from Lynn Baldwin-Rhoades: 10 Tips to Writing Better Marketing Materials. In this article, she offers advice from other writers on their top 10 tips for writing better marketing materials. My favorite tip is from Molly Dee Anderson who suggests, "Deliver your message plainly in the language of your audience." Which tip is your favorite?

Virtually Yourz,
Dana Blozis

When the going gets tough, small businesses fail: 10 common mistakes

This article, written by Jean-Pierre Ruiz and posted on Biznik.com, outlines the top 10 business mistakes small businesses make when starting out. If you have started your own business or are thinking about starting one, this article is a "must read." Ruiz points out how important it is to have a plan, know your market and to be prepared financially (think "cash on hand").

Virtually Yourz,
Dana Blozis

Social Networking for Non-Geeks....

I'd love to take credit for the clever title, but I have to give it to the article's author Rick Itzkowich of Stay in Touch Marketing in La Jolla, California. I ran across this on Biznik this week. What a find! Click here to read Social Networking for Non-geeks Who Want to Increase Their Business.


Virtually Yourz,
Dana Blozis

Social Media Resources

I found this great summary on Biznik.com of the most popular Social Media sites. The summary includes information on Blogging, Social Bookmarking, Social News, Social Networking and more. Thanks to Jennifer Manlowe for sharing this great information. Check it out here.