Social Media
Should you start using Social Media to market your company.
The answer is a loud "YES!!!" This is a mind-shift that you must make in order to survive and thrive.
"Trust" is the new marketing
I'll help you get ready to take the first steps toward attracting, growing and leading your own community of followers who will connect with you; trust you and be more likely to do business with you and/or refer you to their friends because... "Trust" is the new marketing.
Your Online Reputation must be a multi-faceted positive picture of YOU
People can check out your Online Reputation (your O.R.) by reviewing your Social Media profiles in Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and other places on the Web. They'll also check your Web site, your blog and they'll "Google" your name to see what information shows up. I call this process "downloading" Social Media. Doing the "down lo" on you means that I quickly "know" or have a perception of your character by the digital footprint you're tracking around the Web.
I do one one more thing: I check my "gut" (my inner sense or intuition) about you before I make that final decision to connect with you and possibly do business. THAT'S what's going when you "Social Network".
Social Media Marketing Training for Companies
If you're puzzled about how to make the transition from "old school" marketing/advertising/public relations into Social Media marketing, please call me so we can schedule a few hours to train your team. You have to decide whether or not to blog; tweet; post in Facebook; broadcast yourself in YouTube or do something else. I can educate you and guide you on the best choices for your company. I can help your company's marketing director, marketing team, and any other staff, learn how to use Social Media Marketing to:
»Learn what it is and why it's critical to your future success
»Target communities of people who can become your raving fans
»How to grow your revenue by, first, growing your network
»Improve your Online Reputation before engaging in Social Media marketing
»Engage in conversation the right way
»Monitor your brand and respond quickly to positive and negative comments
»Manage your people connections quickly and efficiently with Peoplebrowser.com
»Measure your Social Media marketing campaigns for continual improvement and effectiveness
I can come to your office and train your staff for a half day; a full day or more and do a follow-up visit to ensure processes are being followed the right way. Please call me: 970-378-7822 or email me.
Social Media MarketingWorkshops
Attend Lori Gama's next Social Media Workshop »»»click here to see when the next one is.
Tribes: there are millions of us
"Tribes" are Target Markets who are looking for the best person/company to do business with and refer business to.
Think of your own "target markets." Now start thinking of them as your "tribe." ("Tribe" sounds nicer than "target markets," doesn't it?). Think of yourself as the leader of your tribe. The leader takes great care of her or his tribe: feeds them (information); shelters them (shares resources that help them grow); even entertains them (be silly sometimes: show your personality); and shares wisdom (guides customers/consults/gives away free information).
[Read Seth Godin's book: Tribes: We need you to lead us]
A couple of examples of Tribes:
SAHM's: Stay At Home Moms and/or "Mommy Bloggers" : Anyone who knows marketing knows that women are the decision-makers in buying products/services in 80% of U.S. Households. SAHM's are a valuable group to be of service to and form relationships with.
Who could benefit from serving this group?
Day Spas
Auto Mechanics
Day Care Centers
School Districts
Non-profits
Restaurants
Dry Cleaners
Green products (non-toxic)
Any time-saving/pampering/uplifting/green company
Another Tribe: Homebuyers...Realtors are their leaders
"Realtors who have had the most success on sites like Twitter have used it to become a resource for those looking for information in their area."
--according to www.Talk.Realtor.com
CAUTION: Before You Start Engaging With People Through Social Networking, Get Your House In Order
First, make sure your Web site and/or blog reflect you in your best light, clearly showing that you make smart choices because your Web site and/or blog "walk the talk." No one wants to work with someone with a Web site that looks like your younger cousin designed and programmed it. Read about our creative and strategic Web design services so we can help you get your house in order.
A Quick Overview of Social Networking--You'll Want To Join In After Reading This--Trust Me
What is Social Networking?
Social Networking can help you attract people whom you establish rapport with very quickly; build relationships with very quickly and eventually either get referrals from or do business with them.
My highest definition of Twitter: is that it's evolving us as a human race or at least making us happier. We have reached a mind-blowing tipping point in our history and humanity: we have access to brilliant people that we never would have had access to had it not been for Web 2.0--the next evolution of the Web---and Social Networking. Read my blog post "
What it is and isn't:
Social Networking is not selfish.
Social Networking is not Social Marketing, well, yes, it is, maybe...the marketing part is powerful. Perry Belcher refers to it as "Word of mouth advertising on steroids!"
I preach that Twitter, in particular of all the Social Media, has got a "Help Thy Neighbor" attitude happening. Social Networking is being of service to others.
To help you understand more, read my blog post Why Some People Don't Understand Social Networking
What Is Twitter? Like a Cocktail Party
Twitter has been described as a "cocktail party"; a neighborhood bar or other "social" type of atmosphere. Just like any social gathering, you would walk into the room; step up to a group of people you're attracted to and join the conversation. You would NOT immediately hand out your business card and say "do business with me" (the equivalent of "click here!"---nor would you begin to act silly or say silly things--unless that's how you want people to remember you.
What you do want to do is to establish rapport and serve the other person or persons in some way--like recommending a great business book or a useful blog post or report a breaking news story, for instance.
My personal networking philosophy is "how can I help you?" and I remain true to that philosophy on Twitter and in other Social Networking web sites, as well as in life.
Can You Do Business In Twitter?
Twitter is very much like a social gathering. You enter the "room" and discover one group of people is talking about World Peace and how we can really achieve it in five years or another group might be discussing "Celebrity Apprentice" (Donald Trump's TV show). You decide who you want to follow. I could go on and on about twitter and Social Networking and how it's positively impacting our world but in respect of your time, I will sum up by saying this: Yes, you can "do business" through twitter because, just like in the real world, when you meet someone, if you're really interested in doing business, and you take time to build the relationship, usually good things begin to happen.
What is Facebook?
If all the members of Facebook lived in one country, it would be the 4th largest country in the world.
I like to think of it as a "Family reunion" of family and friends, though many businesses and non-profits can successfully use "Fan pages" or "Group pages" to promote their events and news. 2009 Facebook Demographics and Statistics Report say there was a 276% Growth in 35-54 Year Old Users.
We provide consultation & training for you to get up and running with an effective FaceBook profile with strategy and focus. Let's Connect.
What is LinkedIn?
Like a business meeting or event withOUT alcohol.
What it REALLY is, is a fabulous way to expand your network because you connect to your own colleagues, who have their networks of which you can get introduced to. That's a very simple, basic overview. Here's a list of ways you can use LinkedIn:
- Expand your network worldwide
- Meet local business people
- Keep your network informed of what you're working on (show off your
- successes--people want to work with successful people)
- Join Groups or start your own group to establish yourself as an expert, as well as expand your network
- Find an employer
- Find an employee
- College students can use it to find internships which can lead to paying jobs
Other Social Networking Web sites exist that can help you: Ning: "Lets you create new social networks for the most important people and interests in your life." Examples: Search "Christian"; "Women"; "Business"; "Mom's"; "Motocycles"; etc. and you'll find social networks specifically pertaining to those topics. You may get so excited about all this that you'll start your own Social Network. With Ning, you're empowered to to do that.
Bottomline: Decide which one or two Social Networks to concentrate on. Add on another as you get more comfortable and proficient. Eventually, you'll want to use an excellent people dashboard called "PeopleBrowsr." (I'm a raving fan).
How Big is Social Networking becoming: Statistics of Growth
2007-2008: Twitter grew by 1382%; February-March: 50%; March-April: 75%
Projected growth
From current 7 million users to 50 million users by end of 2009. (These statistics keep changing. I'll try to keep the latest data here.) Tell me you can't find anyone to follow/learn from/be of service to/grow you business from--with that much growth in Social Networks!
Demographics
Check out iStrategyLabs.com for demographic statistics.
Let's Connect Over a Cup of Coffee and Discuss How We Can Help You
Let's Connect so I can help you get started. Our process is similar to how we develop your Branding and how we develop your Web site: with strategy that ultimately attracts your raving fans. I'll ask you a lot of questions so we clearly know your audience or the tribe you're going to attract, connect with and lead so they trust you enough to do business with you. We'll define your branding; who your audience is; what emotions are stirred; the action we want them to take; and we figure out the best choice of Social Media to carry out the plan in. We develop plans for:
- Your Social Media Master Plan.
- Blog
- Ning
If we don't cover a particular media at the expertise level you deserve, we'll refer you to the experts in our network, either locally, here in northern Colorado and Denver or nationally and internationally.
Call 970-378-7822 or drop me a line.