Posts Tagged ‘DreamSpinner Communications’

Q & A: Planning Social Media Activities For Your New Business

December 16th, 2010

By Gail Z. Martin

What time and personnel resources will social media activities require from me?

In my book, 30 Days to Social Media Success, I recommend setting aside 30 minutes a day for 30 days to get your social media strategy up and running.  After that, you’ll need to allow some time each week to keep your sites updated with fresh content.  The key thing is to create your strategy based on your top business goal and key target audience to keep you from getting distracted by time-wasters like cute pictures of kittens and online games like Farmville.  As far as personnel resources, that depends on whether or not you want to do the work yourself.  If your company is heavily dependent on e-commerce, then it may be worthwhile for you to have a dedicated social media person.  For most companies, a virtual assistant can handle uploading posts and keeping sites fresh (with content you provide) for just a few hours a week.

How often should I be actively engaging in each site to keep up a presence and » Read more: Q & A: Planning Social Media Activities For Your New Business

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Q & A: Best Business Practices for Social Media

December 9th, 2010

By Gail Z. Martin

What are the best practices for FaceBook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn in particular?

Facebook and Twitter are places for conversations, not non-stop sales pitches.  Offer useful, interesting and informative information, along with a personal touch through conversations and comments.  Don’t just friend or follow everyone; instead, look for indications of common interest in your topic and only invite people who by their membership in groups, comments or who they are following show themselves to be good potential prospects to do business with you someday.  Never post any information that excludes or denigrates anyone.  Remember that there is no online privacy and what happens on Facebook (or Twitter) does not stay on Facebook (or Twitter.)

LinkedIn isn’t about meeting new people.  It’s about reaching out to people you already know fairly well, well enough that you would refer them and they would be willing to refer you.  It’s a way to stay in touch, find people who have drifted away, learn what your colleagues are currently doing, and let them know what you’re doing.  It’s a great place to forge alliances and collaborative ventures.  Don’t » Read more: Q & A: Best Business Practices for Social Media

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Q & A: Social Media and Your New Small Business

December 1st, 2010

By Gail Z. Martin

Where do I start with social media for a new small business?

Start with your #1 business goal and a clear understanding of who your target audience is and what message will move that audience to action.  Then focus on 2-3 social media sites where your target audience is already congregating.  For most businesses, this will include Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.  Craft a message that provides immediate value—tips, ideas, links to useful articles, videos, helpful downloads, and free content that establishes you as an expert, a good neighbor in the cyber-community, and someone with good ideas.  Focus on building relationships, not making immediate sales. Give away info 10 times for every one time you try to sell.  Be visible, be helpful and be friendly.

What avenues should be my priorities? What will I get the biggest bang for my buck out of? » Read more: Q & A: Social Media and Your New Small Business

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