Blogging Tip: This may come to you as a surprise, but…

Blogging Tip: This may come to you as a surprise, but write posts that reference others in your social network. These types of posts will generate more traffic than any others. If you are a marketer, try referencing a strategy you saw someone else use. Folks love to promote themselves. They will want to circulate the post to their followers. Share information that experts have shared with you; these are the kinds of things that will boost your traffic and your success.

Happy Labor Day!

Happy Labor Day!

Blogging Tip: Circulation of posts is key

Blogging Tip: Continue to circulate your older posts via your existing social media outlets like Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, etc… This will help generate more traffic to your blog and refresh your archive of posts. You don’t want your post to be forgotten after a week, do you? Of course not! Circulation helps the post’s activity stay lively and generates more reads.

Blogging Tip: A blog is two-way communication

Blogging Tip: Remember a blog is two-way communication. Respond to comments in a timely fashion. You want to keep the conversation going. Does the commenter’s expertise mesh with yours? Review the blog of the person who commented and see if you can return the favor by commenting on one of his/her posts. And always say “Thank you.” Folks love to be acknowledged, and if they know you’re acknowledging them, they’re more likely to leave comments and read your blog more often.

Blogging Tip: Have a call to action.

Blogging Tip: Have a call to action. This is marketing 101. At the end of your blog have a call to action, i.e., “Like what you’re reading? Sign up for blog alerts” “Start following my blog’s rss feed to stay up to date with the latest post.” It’s important to do this because readers are more likely to do something if told or asked to do it. Bringing the call to action to the attention of the reader is a great way to generate subscribers and readers.

Blogging Tip: Do you have a monthly or quarterly newsletter?

Blogging Tip: Do you have a monthly or quarterly newsletter? Put it on your blog. It’s easy to maintain, and you’re not trying to come up with more content. Work smarter, not harder.

Blogging Tip: Post at consistent intervals

Blogging Tip: Post at consistent intervals. We used to blog every Monday, now it is usually Tuesday. There is no set rule, determine what frequency & time works best for both you and for your audience, implement a schedule and stick with it.

How Press releases and social media work together

When you hear “press release,” what do you think of? If your thoughts tend toward the negative, try to consider a few thoughts. The press release often gets a bad rap as outdated and bland because they were originally used for print publications and too many lack value to the reader and don’t invite the reader to a call to action. Press releases are simply a tool that should be considered when forming a comprehensive marketing strategy.

Press releases can be submitted electronically, to print and online media outlets alike. In today’s world, social media and the internet literally put resources at the fingertips of those seeking answers. Traditional media outlets, such as newspapers, magazines, television and radio, still have a very wide reach and each have their strengths, also.

To avoid the common pitfall of bland press releases, use creative press releases that capture the attention of media and public alike. Concentrate on what is important to your audience. Consider their needs, challenges and most pressing concerns and how your product or services can improve their lives. With social networking, people are not only looking for your main product or services, but also advice, tips, and guidance that will help them do their jobs better or save time and money. Most likely, they will be looking online for these resources or asking friends near and far, for their input.

As social media allows for more two-way communication among companies and clients, press releases can be used to foster that sense of interaction. Use press releases, both in the local print media and online, to lure customers by offering them something useful like a free report, for example. Include in the press release the announcement of the availability of the report, example of some of the material inside, and how to send for or download the free report.

Print media and online media are not mutually exclusive. Many print magazines also publish online in order to capture both the paper-in-hand readers and online readers. Who says you need to choose one over the other?

Two Local Companies Come Together To Help the Gulf

The following is an excerpt of a recent press release about our recent cooperative efforts with another business to help benefit a social cause.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla (Aug. 18, 2010) – Pet World and Social Media Platform of Jacksonville, Fla., recently partnered to donate the dog hair from Pet World’s grooming department to help clean up the oil from the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster. Lynn Lamoureux, the owner of Pet World, www.PetWorldPets.com,  began collecting shaved hair from her grooming clients to donate to Matter of Trust soon after the disaster began. Since the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, Pet World has been sending boxes of hair to make booms to collect the oil. Matter of Trust has 19 warehouses and all of them are full!

Sonja Dyess, President of Social Media Platform, is a proud native of Pensacola, Fla. She, along with many other local residents, wanted to do her part to help clean up the oil. While picking up her dog from his grooming appointment, Dyess spoke with Lamoureux and mentioned going home to Pensacola to see first-hand what her hometown beaches looked like. During the conversation, Dyess learned Pet World has been sending hair to Pensacola for booms. “We wanted to do what we can to help. We already have the hair, and at $15 a box, that is a small price to pay to help preserve Florida’s beautiful beaches,” said Lamoureux.

Lamoureux’s latest donation was three large lawn bags of hair, ready to ship to Pensacola. Dyess volunteered to take the bags herself to Pensacola as she was already going there for business. When dropping the hair off at one of the donation centers in Pensacola, Dyess was told it was the last donation they could accept for now as the warehouses were full. Dyess and Lamoureux are working together to stay in touch with Matter of Trust to find other ways they can help with the oil spill. Lamoureux said, “I’m ready to donate more hair when they are ready to make more booms.” As owner of a marketing company that specializes in social media marketing, Dyess has been assisting in spreading the word about Matter of Trust online.

“There really isn’t much we can do about what happened, but what we can do is come together to get it cleaned up. It always amazes me that when disaster strikes, people don’t blink an eye, they just get involved and help. My hometown has been through so much, I want to help where I can, when I can,” said Dyess. The oil spill is far from being cleaned up or forgotten about.

For more information about Matter of Trust and how you can help, please visit their website at www.matteroftrust.org.

The “Social” in Social Media

The phrase “social media” brings up a lot of ideas (and online links when you search the phrase). Because social media incorporates a vast array of marketing tools at our disposal, many think of the “media” aspects first. The media aspects include how to use platforms like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and others on how to “get the word out” about your company, but don’t forget the “social” aspects.

The current marketing climate indicates consumers are looking to trust those with whom they do business and this includes small companies. There is a general mistrust of marketing strategies that blast consumers with their products or services without any regard to the true needs of consumers. And many people refer to “the media” in very negative terms. Many are now looking for socially responsive and responsible companies. Practice good social skills and etiquette as you would when dealing with consumers in person including listening, responding and exhibiting authenticity and generosity in order to add value to their lives.

By listening and responding to their needs and moods, and not just the ones your product or service directly addresses, your sensitivity will produce more valuable and stronger connections than any targeted hard-sell tactics will. Allow feedback and discussion on your website and fan pages where consumers can exchange information with each other and get feedback about concerns.

Be generous. Share not only the wealth when able, but also time and knowledge to keep up the conversation. Social media’s two-way communication should allow an exchange of ideas, even if that includes giving credit and praise for others’ good ideas. Honest retweeting is a great way to share these ideas and positivity. Be open to your customers’ good ideas and suggestions. It fosters a sense of community.

Most of all, be yourself. People are skeptical by nature and one of the most positive things one can do is to be genuine. Maintain authenticity and positivity in your interactions.

Practicing these social skills will help instill confidence in your audience and enrich the lives of those involved in the interaction.