Blogging and Social

Networking

I am not a geek. Social Media, including blogging, is more about content than it is about technology.

The Rules:

1. Anything I say today could be outdated tomorrow.

2. This is a very broad brush of social media

3. What I say is mostly my opinion. You can probably do it bigger, better, or different.

4. Social Media is not free. It costs TIME.

5. You can’t do it all.

In a crowded marketplace, where your potential clients and customers have lots of choices, you can stand out by being just slightly famous. It’s not about being all things to all people, but being a mini- celebrity to the right people.

It’s about targeting your market and developing a reputation as a great resource – trustworthy, knowledgeable, and close-at-hand.”

Steven Van YoderGet Slightly Famous

The goal: To become “Just slightly famous”

1. Do the research

2. Define your niche

3. Become the expert

4. Make yourself very visible

5. Create a database

6. Become a Publisher

7. Build community

“Everyone is a publisher…. The ease and low cost of publishing via blogs, videos, podcasts, forums, and social networks like Twitter and Facebook mean that businesses can reach their customers directly with relatively little cost.”

“Produce great stuff, and your customers will come to you. Produce really great stuff, and your customers will share and disseminate your message for you. More than ever before, content is king! Content rules!”

Content Rules: How to Create Killer Blogs, Podcasts, Videos, Ebooks, Webinars (and more) That Engage Customers and Ignite Your Business

Ann Handley

Become a Publisher

1. Blogging

2. Social Media

3. Location Based Technologies

Become a Publisher

Website vs Blog

What’s the difference?

Website = Static

Blog = Dynamic

Why does is matter?

Become a Publisher: Blogging

blog

Why blog?

Blogging is good for SEO

Why Blog?Why blog?

Become the Source for the Media

Become the Source for the Media

Brett Ellis Chris Griffith

Island’s End Golf Course

Long Island 2007

Other Reasons to Blog?

Blogging opens doors and provides opportunities

POSTEROUS

If you can use email, you can blog. Really.

Posterous Facebook

Posterous Flickr

Posterous Twitter Stream

http://lindadavis.posterous.com/

You can post photos, text, files, and video from your computer, Ipad, or smart phone.

Creating a Blogging Plan

Blog a minimum of once a week

Plan regular features

Have a “blog ideas” notebook

Add photos & video for interest

Carry a camera everywhere

Become a Publisher: Social Media

Facebook Personal Profile??

Facebook Fan Page?? Facebook Business Page??Facebook Public Profile??

Do you need both? Yup?Ok, maybe.

Facebook Site Governance: Statement of Rights and Responsibilities

(updated 8/11/09)

Section 4, Point 2

“You will not use your personal profile for your own commercial gain.“

Personal Profile VS Public Profile (Page)

Facebook Personal Profile:Strictly for people (not a business or product) to interact with friends and familyAny individual can create a profile, just not a commercial business or productA business that opens a profile page is in direct violation of the Facebook Terms of Service and will be disabledOther users become FRIENDS of a Facebook ProfileA Facebook Profile can upload pictures, videos, status updates, and can invite people to become friends

Facebook Public Profile (Pages):Designed for businesses, brands, companies, products, and celebritiesOther users become FANS by Liking a Facebook PageCan upload pictures, videos, status updates, host a discussion board, display wall posts, and other featuresCan track metrics like fans, page views, interactions, gender, age, location

The pages are public, which makes them visible to search engines.

Why are Facebook Pages Best for Business?

New content that you create on a page will show up in the newsfeed of fans.

Why are Facebook Pages Best for Business?

Facebook provides a page analysis tool

Why are Facebook Pages Best for Business?

Before you create a page

1. Get your personal profile in order.

2. Find friends in your area or niche.

3. Become a fan of local pages and participate.

4. Take lots of local photos

How to Create a Page!It’s pretty darn easy. Really.

1.Go to facebook.com/pages/create.php

2. Select a Business Category.

3. Choose a Name. Think carefully about this.

4. Build your page before you make it public. Fill in available basic and detailed fields, add photo or logo and a blurb about your business.

7. Use Good Content. Period. Use links, photos, videos, interesting updates.

Use Good Content. Period. Use links, photos, videos, interesting updates.

Become a Resource

Encourage Community InvolvementEncourage Community Involvement

Hi Linda, My name is Drew Warmath. I just wanted to thank you for taking the time to put together the Ledyard CT page on Facebook. My family moved to Gales Ferry in 1964. I moved away in 1990, but my mother still resides on Pine Lock Drive. I have just spent more than an hour browsing your FB page and your blog at simplyledyard. What wonderful memories I have; from working summers at the Up-Down Sawmill, to driving through 6 inches of water on the "old" Sandy Hollow Road. It's been a delightful journey back through time. Thanks again!Drew

YelpConnect people with local businesses

Become a Publisher: Location Based Technologies

Suggestion: Sign up on Yelp and leave 10 reviews on locations in your niche..

Foursquare – More than a game

Check inBadgesPoints

20% off at Radio Shack if you are the mayor and 10% off for just checking in.

A church is offering the pastor’s parking spot if you become mayor

Buy 1 cheese bread appetizer at Michael Jordans and get 1 free.“.

Starbucks“- As mayor of this store, enjoy $1 off a NEW however-you-want-it Frappuccino blended beverage. Any size, any flavor. Offer valid until 6/28.”Mayor of the coffee place.

Free Stuff

Google Never Forgets.

Remember.

Tech Tip: Manage your online reputation with Google Alerts.

Google Alerts

Tech Tip: Snagit

Tech Tip: Use Big Huge Labs and get creative.

Seller handbook cover created by Jeff Dowler with Big Huge Labs Magazine Cover

Tech Tip: Use Picnik for simple photo editing and resizing.

Tech Tip: SlideShare.net

www.facebook.com/60in60