Why Professional Social Media Has Turned Into a Hate-Fest

I usually don't put a negative spin to my blog, but an incident recently occurred on one of my professional social networking sites that prompted this post.

A fellow member in one of my social networking groups has literally received hate mail telling her to shut up. There is no reason to act in such a rude and unprofessional manner, especially on a professional networking site.  This particular contributer is an established copywriter who adds great, helpful posts which I find very useful as a professional copywriter. If you don't want to read a post on a social networking site, it's very simple - IGNORE it and move on to a different topic or forum. 

She's not feeling the love on there, which prompted me to delve into what's really going on behind the social media scene. What's happened? Why have professional social media sites turned  into a negative hate-fest? Social media is supposed to be filled with hot industry leaders and seasoned business professionals. Did they leave their manners at the cyber door?There are social media rules to follow, but I think a few people missed that memo. 

I dug around and researched people's comments, specifically on my own industry sites (copywriting and marketing).

Here are the top 5 reasons I've concluded that social media has turned into a hate-fest amongst the business set:

1. People don't have any idea how to conduct themselves on a professional networking site. Their Net-iquette goes out the window and they feel like "anything" goes since they are protected behind a computer screen. 

2. There is a lot of competition and jealousy out there amongst professionals based on the economy. I understand it's a competitive world at the moment, but what happened to supporting fellow professionals? It's a bad idea to create a negative buzz, even amongst your peers. 

3. People just have way too much time on their hands. If these industry leaders are as busy as they say they are, why are they spewing out negativity and criticism on these professional sites? It makes me wonder JUST how busy they really are. Why aren't they aren't putting that negative energy towards something more positive i.e. growing their business? 

4. People take on a holier-than-thou, snobby persona on professional social media sites. Many come across as "since I have way more experience than you peons, you need to shut up and listen to me!" That's the biggest no-no in social networking and the fastest way to turn people off and opt-out of forums and groups. 

5. People are in their own little bubble worlds and think they are untouchable. I like to refer back to that old saying: "Think before you speak." In this case, think before you write. You never know who could stumble upon your negative words. If you want to ruin your reputation, that's the fastest way to do it. If you own a business or act as the company representative, be careful what you say on professional social networking sites. Your bad attitude and snobby demeanor on these sites might just get you booted out the door, or lose clients. You never know who knows who on these sites. A good rule of thumb is to think before you post and choose your words carefully.

Not ALL professional social networking sites are filled with mean, spite-filled people. I've found many supportive and talented people on these sites. In order to protect your reputation, if you feel like you are being unfairly attacked or harassed on any social media site, please contact the site administrator immediately.

Why Tweeters Turn into Social Media Slackers

So you've Tweeted. You don't even know what the fuss was about - you weren't THAT impressed. That initial tweet was two months ago.  You have now lost interest in that new-fangled social media platform called Twitter.

I know what you're going to say. I can just see the excuses forming on your lips:

•  Twitter is too confusing!
• How do I even set up my profile?
• I don't have enough time to sip my coffee, let alone tweet!
• I broke my finger and couldn't type...and the list goes on and on.

So why do tweeters turn into social media slackers, and how can you correct your slacker ways?

What's the biggest excuse? You just don't have the time, or that's what SoMe (social media) slackers report. 

IF you integrated social media strategies into your overall marketing plan, then you wouldn't find tweeting a waste of time. 

The REAL reason people stop tweeting is many of you find Twitter intimidating. Then you get frustrated and give up - not to mention, you don't take the time to learn HOW Twitter can benefit you. 

It's time to get back on the Twitter saddle and take a new approach to social media - no more SoMe slacking allowed. 

1. You only have to write 1 sentence (aka tweet) per day.  How difficult can that be? Wow them with your tweets - no one is interested in the sushi you had for dinner last night. 

2. Use your tweets to position yourself as an expert in your field and link back to your website, interesting blog posts or articles posted on other sites. Don't use bland language though: "Check out my article" isn't exciting!

3. Re-tweeting is perfectly acceptable - if you like Sally Smith's article about mutual funds, then by all means TWEET it (IF and ONLY IF it pertains to your marketing strategy and fellow followers would enjoy!)

4. Check out what your competitors are tweeting and one-up them. Don't be a copycat tweeter. No one likes a copycat - especially in social media. Be unique but don't be corny either.

5. The sacred rule of net-iquette (and I can't emphasize this enough!): if you  wouldn't want your mom to read your tweets then you should NOT post it.  Always remember to keep your tweets professional and G-rated. You'd be surprised what you can find out about people just by their tweets alone.  Who wants their reputation damaged as a result of one little tweet? 

So log into your Twitter account and stop being a social media slacker. It doesn't take that much time - look into automated apps that allow you to update all your social media accounts at once (i.e. Tweetdeck, etc.) You can also update Twitter when you're on-the-go - thanks to mobile apps.  Thank you, iPhone!

The Power of Positive Language

I'm currently reading The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. As a writer, one of the agreements made an impact on me: Be impeccable with your word. It made me think about my writing and the words I use - do I always use positive language? Am I truly impeccable with my written, as well as spoken, word?

Words convey such powerful meanings, and sometimes they have the opposite effect on your intended audience. Words get lost in translation via email or text message.  A joking tone, even written, may come across as insulting - you just never know how the other person perceives your message. 

We live in an electronic world between our text messaging and social media. Before you send off your next email, re-read your words. Are you being impeccable with your word? Could you phrase the sentence a different way? Does your email have a negative or accusatory tone?

Remember that when you use social media you represent YOURSELF and your reputation - if it's not something you'd want your mom to read then don't post it.  Employees have been fired for their negative comments about employers, and people haven't gotten jobs as a result of their negative "social media" trail they left behind. In the cyber world, your past will come back to haunt you so beware of what you write and how you write it.

Whether you speak or write your words, remember to always be impeccable with your word! 

How to Rank Your Website - The Basics of SEO and Keyword Rich Content

If you don't have a website or plan to design a website in the near future, it's important to incorporate SEO (search engine optimization) into your site. If you don't know anything about SEO or how to build SEO into your site, hire a web designer who specializes in SEO or a SEO expert.

SEO is how you get your website ranked in the search engines such as Google and Yahoo - also known as organic searches.

Here are a few SEO tips you can incorporate into your web sites:

- Use keyword rich words in your content. Use keyword trackers to find out how people search for information on Google. It pays to do some research with your keywords and remember not to make your keywords too complicated. Research your target markets and figure out how your site visitors search for key words and phrases. 

- Avoid "black hat" techniques such as keyword stuffing. Don't fill your sites/content with so many keywords that it doesn't make any sense. Use keywords sparingly and don't make your site sound like "spam."

- Make sure to add keywords to title tags so spider bots can track in search engines. Treat your title tag like you would a headline. The title tag describes your page. 

- Don't use the same keywords for every title page on your website. This might stop your pages from getting ranked because the bots will think that the pages are all the same (a no-no with the search engines)

- Make sure that the keywords in your title tags correspond to the content within your site. 

- A few easy SEO tricks to remember when writing content - add keywords at the beginning of articles and include in sub-headers. It also helps to add keywords at the end of the articles as well. 

How Not to be Calendar Driven and Be Fine With It

What? A marketing consultant is telling me NOT to be calendar driven? Doesn't that go against every principle taught in Marketing 101?

You might think that sounds odd since we are fast approaching 2010. 

So it's 2010 - big deal?!! It's just a date!

That's right - throw away your calendar! 

What??? Throw away your calendar? I just listened to a fantastic audiocast by Dr. Wayne Dyer, and his words couldn't ring more true (all puns intended). If you aren't familiar with Dr. Dyer, he's an amazing self-development/motivational speaker. His words strike home for me since I'm a budding yogini with an interest in Eastern traditions and philosophies. 

Don't pay attention to dates.  Huh?!! His words echo in my fried-out copywriter's brain.  I chuckle inwardly at those words because I just churned out a huge copywriting project that HAD to be finished before Christmas. As a copywriter and consultant, my world revolves around deadlines and yes, it can be really stressful.

In Dr. Dyer's audiocast, he mentioned that Tuesday should feel the same as Sunday. Planning has and is my life, but I actually listened to the true meaning behind Dr. Dyer's word. I was a professional non-profit fundraiser and event planner for years, and my life revolved around a calendar.  It's difficult for me NOT to tick off the dates . 

Long range planning and goals are good but don't become stuck on dates either. Sometimes we need to just be - be in the present moment to experience what is really going on with our lives. We sometimes miss out on the joys and wonders that life brings to us. We worry too much about what's going to happen next week or next month.

As a marketing consultant, that may not make sense (especially since I help people write marketing plans and I'm all about long range goals and objectives). However, I also need to practice what I preach and offer a different perspective - especially since I try to help holistic practitioners who don't necessarily want that one tried and true marketing plan. Long range may not work for them. 

For me to pass these words along to you - don't pay attention to your calendar - well, that's a bit out there even for me. However, it makes perfect sense. If you obsess about every date and think YOU MUST stick to a timeline 24,7, you may be missing out on what's happening at this very second and it could be a VERY important second, or seconds! 

As we roll into the New Year, don't make resolutions. Resolutions usually fall to the wayside. Reflect. Make a vision board - dream big but don't obsess about it either. Pick up a new book you've always wanted to read. Take a class or seminar you've always wanted to take, but have put off because you were waiting for the right day or "date." See - it goes back to that pesky calendar again! 

Don't rule your life by a calendar. You may be surprised at where life takes you and who you meet along the way - especially when it comes to building your business and the people/clients who transpire along your journey.

Wishing everyone a peaceful and not-so-deadline driven life in...well, I won't mention a date...your present moment.

Namaste.

Plan Ahead: How to Promote Your Company Before The New Year Hits

Wising you a Happy Holiday Season and Peaceful New Year!

I've been writing a lot of business-focused articles lately and recently wrote about the importance of public relations (PR) and how it can make or break a company. I started to think about long-range planning, and how most companies wait until it's too late to make a promotional/marketing plan.

Here are some easy promotional tips that will boost your publicity BEFORE you ring in the New Year. As health/wellness practitioners, the New Year is infamous for resolutions, especially when it comes to health. This is a great time to plant the seed in clients' brains right NOW.

• Offer discounted prices for services and products for a limited time beginning January 1
• Prepare now! Plan a free demo class/seminar in January that highlights your products and services. Include other holistic/wellness practitioners that complement your business. People are motivated to make health changes when the New Year hits, so don't wait too long.
  
• If you send out a holiday newsletter or cards, include a promotional deal to "thank" your clients for their continued support and business (i.e. "2 for 1" massages).

Re-evaluate your marketing and publicity goals and make necessary changes this month. Don't wait until January! December is a busy month as you prepare for the holidays, but take time to focus on your business. Look at what you've done this year with your marketing and publicity, and think about how you can improve next year. If something isn't working, then take a different approach.

Another great way to gauge your publicity/marketing is to survey existing clients - even if it's a short 5 question survey. Find out what your customers/clients really want in 2010. Maybe you need to move in a completely different direction. Don't allow the economy to scare you off from looking at all angles of your business. Ask yourself the following questions:

• How was I successful this year?
• What marketing and publicity goals worked well this year? What didn't work well?
• What changes can I make to improve my overall marketing and publicity? (Have you been avoiding setting up a website? 2010 is the year to create that site!)

Wishing everyone a healthy and prosperous New Year!

How to Protect Your Online Reputation & Identity

I recently set up Google Alerts to notify me when my articles are published and also to verify that no one has stolen my articles/content (which has happened in the past). As a business owner with a web presence, it's important to manage your online reputation. Identity theft runs rampant across the globe, and it's easy to steal information online.

Here are a few tips on how you can manage and protect your online reputation:

• Google yourself and see if anyone has a similar company or business name (or the same name as you!) The best way to protect yourself is to set up a Google profile with a photo or company logo (which associates your face with your business/company name)
• When creating your website, use your business name or a variation of it - this allows you to buy the domain name so no one else can use it
• Don't give out too much personal information on social media sites. There have been Facebook and Twitter hackers running rampant these days, so be careful about the type of information you post on these sites. However, for professional social media sites it's important to add a photo (which builds a sense of trust and credibility amongst fellow site members)
  
• Don't respond to spam and set up a spam folder in your email account so spam is automatically filtered. Phishing emails are commonly used to steal people's information (bank account information, etc.) so be careful when reading and responding to "questionable" emails. Obviously, never send money to someone you don't know.
  
• If you conduct sales via PayPal or other payment transaction sites, make sure your business transactions are secure and clear out the cookies on your computer (this both protects you and your clients/customers)
• Set up Google alerts so you can track your information online. If you write articles, make sure you have a copyright disclaimer (if you don't want others to steal your content or ask that your byline be posted when others use your content). For more information about digital copyright laws, check out the Digital Media Copyright Act (DMCA)
  
• Use appropriate Net-iquette when posting information and updates on social media sites. It's easy for clients and customers to track down information about you. Your words could come back to haunt you!
  

Reputation management can save you from a lot of hassles down the road. It's important to stay ahead of your competition. It's also VERY important to respond immediately to any negative comments posted on blogs and forums about your or your business. Word of mouth travels fast online so make sure you conduct yourself professionally online (and offline) at all times.
The last thing you want to deal with is damage control!