Missed Out On Cyber Monday Sales? Implement Facebook Marketing for the Holidays

Happy Cyber Monday! It's that time of year again. I did minimal Black Friday shopping, and spent my Friday giving my business locally.

As a Californian, I found this article interesting. This story shows how local Long Beach, Calif. businesses missed the boat by not utilizing social media to compete with national retailers. Ouch! 

"According to a National Retail Federation and Shop.org eHoliday survey, while consumers obtain information about retailers’ sales and promotions from various channels, nearly three in 10 (29.2%) will check a company’s Facebook page for more information, and about two-thirds (65.1%) will read customer reviews on the company’s website."

These statistics above tell the social media story. If you are a local business who didn't take advantage of social media marketing on Cyber Monday, it's not too late to implement "buzz marketing" strategies to boost your holiday sales.

Check out these easy Facebook tips to ramp up your social media presence for the holiday season:

• If you don't have a Facebook Business Page, then it's time to create one. Not every business is suitable for Facebook. But if you sell directly to consumers. then you definitely need a Facebook presence.
• Grow your fans organically and strengthen relationships. 'Tis the season so don't slack off on your Facebook fans. If you ask "fans" to like your brand/company, give them something valuable in return - discounts, coupons, etc. Your Facebook Page needs to be a two-way communication street. 
• Do NOT use your Facebook Page to SELL products. Don't come across as a spammer. It goes back to building and developing genuine rapport with your fans.
•  Install Facebook  "Like" buttons on your home page and product sales pages. This is an easy way to draw people back to your Fan Page, and interact with your customers and fans who like your products and services. 
• WHO are your target markets? No two customers on your Facebook Page are the same. What do they like? Dislike? What are their purchasing habits? Do they only buy products online based on price or convenience? Review and interact with their comments on your Facebook Page to dig for more information. Get inside the head of your targeted consumers, and figure out social media campaign strategies that will actually appeal to them. 

What social media strategies have you implemented to boost your holiday sales? I'd love to know! 

How Bad Publicity on LinkedIn Can Be Your Business Downfall

As entrepreneurs, how can you grow business yet still stay under the radar? I answer this question on Mike Michalowicz's blog, The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur.  I weigh in on why negativity can hurt your reputation on LinkedIn. A big thanks to Mike for including me as a guest contributor. 

As I have mentioned in previous posts, online reputation management is one of my favorite topics. I've had my share of negative comments and attacks on LinkedIn. I just shake my head when I read these insulting, catty diatribes. How can these people possibly have clients? Why hasn't their competition snatched away business? Based on their comments alone, I wouldn't want to do business with them - not with that kind of negative, disrespectful attitude. It's sad that people resort to such immature behavior in the professional world. LinkedIn is about sharing and helping each other - not cutting down fellow business professionals every chance you get. If you wouldn't say it to your mother, then don't post it on your social media! 

How do stay under the radar while still growing your business? Check out Mike's blog - he offers great business tips including helpful social media information. 

What Companies Benefit The Most From Social Media Marketing?

I came across an interesting poll on SmartBlog on Social Media. According to their informal poll (they asked feedback from marketers across the country), they wanted to know who benefited the most from social media engagement. 

Their informal poll indicates that business-to-consumers companies (32.08%) benefit the most. Ironically, celebrities came in second at 31.13%. I was surprised to see that business-to-business companies were at the low end of the spectrum (2.83%). 

Good news for B2C companies but where does that leave B2B companies? I dug around and found this source from BizReport. According to their research, B2B companies fully embrace social media -- 86% of B2B firms report using social media. However, B2B companies still fall short when it comes to consistency: "However, B2B firms aren't as active in their social media activity with only 32% engaging on a daily basis compared with 52% of B2C firms." According to AMR International, 50% of B2B marketers analyze their metrics for ROI purposes and find online marketing to be more effective.

The 2011 Social Media Marketing Industry Report reports that "more B2B companies have been using social media longer (52.6% reported 1 year or more) than their B2C counterparts (46.2% indicated 1 year or longer)."

Whether you are a B2C or B2B company, social media can be a strong asset in your marketing arsenal. However, without a strategic social media marketing plan and consistency, your efforts might be wasted. Don't nose dive into social media without a plan first, and remember that not ALL industries are a good match for social media. 

 

 

 

media longer (52.6% reported 1 year or 

more) than their B2C counterparts (46.2%

How to Spring Clean Your Social Media in 5 Easy Steps

Spring is right around the corner. I know for some of you it still feels months away based on the weather. I spent my weekend spring cleaning my desk and work area. It felt good to purge and organize, and good timing since taxes are right around the corner. 

As you say good bye to winter and prepare for brighter, warmer temps ahead, it's time to "spring clean" your social media. Check out these 5 easy social media maintenance tips. 

1. Update your social media profiles. Have you switched jobs? Just launched a new website? Make sure your profile information is correct and up-to-date. For more tips on how to jazz up your LinkedIn profile, check out Victoria Ipri's LinkedIn for the Clueless. 

2. Delete old social media and discussion forum accounts. Get rid of accounts that you never use. You don't have to participate in everything out there. If you are pressed for time, stick to the top three:  LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

3. Evaluate your LinkedIn groups and your participation. If you aren't active in all groups, consider opting out of them and stick with your most active groups. 

4. Add social media time to your daily calendar. If you have slacked off on on your blog and social media updates over the winter months, schedule time in your calendar for your social media marketing. Even if you only have 10 minutes to spare per day, it's better than not doing anything with your social media. Kick off spring on the right foot by making a commitment to your social media marketing. 

5. Evaluate your social media analytics and look at your ROI and traffic. Is Twitter a dud and you havent't a retweet in months? Maybe Twitter isn't the right platform for your company. Do you receive positive feedback on LinkedIn and more people read your business blog as a result? Think about putting more effort into the social media channels that bring you higher traffic and conversion rates.  Check out this handy list of social media monitoring tools. 

Along with cleaning out your desk and packing away the winter sweaters, remember to dust off your social media - and dive into a fresh, clean approach to your social media in the upcoming months. 

Are You LinkedIn for the New Year?

My motto for the New Year is "out with the old and in with the NEW!" I've been working on my business plan and marketing goals for 2011. Guess what's at the top of my social media marketing list? That's right - LinkedIn.

Is LinkedIn at the top of YOUR list for 2011? I am guessing that some of you used these excuses when it came to WHY you didn't use LinkedIn this year: 

• "Yeah well, I signed up for LinkedIn but I have no idea how to use it."
• "Why do people keep asking me to join LinkedIn? I don't know them!"
• "I don't have time to chat with other business people!" 

Excuses, excuses! It's time to throw out your old thinking when it comes to LinkedIn, and dial into a new approach to LinkedIn this year.

Modello Media, Inc. CEO Victoria Ipri gives us all the HELP we need with LinkedIn this year. She recently launched her savvy, easy-to-read  LinkedIn for the Clueless book just in time for 2011. Her book also makes a great last-minute holiday gift for those on your list who need an extra social media push!

"LinkedIn For the Clueless demystifies LinkedIn, breaking down and making sense of the reasons why you should care, and exactly which features to concentrate on to get the best results for your efforts," Victoria shares. 

Victoria was kind enough to share a sneak preview from her book. I recently picked up LinkedIn for the Clueless and loved it.  It's perfect for both newbies and seasoned social media pros. Her book offers great insight and tips on how to successfully navigate the LinkedIn waters! 

"Marketing is storytelling, and nowhere can you enjoy the opportunity to tell your story more effectively than with social media marketing. Companies who have built great communities online -- Starbucks on Facebook, Zappos on Twitter, Graco on Flickr, The Personal Branding Network on LinkedIn, and Dell everywhere -- have figured out:

 Who they are (in terms of public perception)

 How to capture market attention

 Why consumers should invest in the company story

What’s your company story? What do you believe in? With what traits do you want your audience to associate you? No doubt, you’ve got a story to tell. Spend some time thinking deeply about it. Your story anchors your entire marketing effort."

 

Are you LinkedIn for the New Year? Click here  to find out more information about LinkedIn For the Clueless. 

How to Save Face on Facebook

I've been devouring articles and ebooks lately. I came across this comprehensive list of easy tricks and tips related to Facebook. Facebook constantly changes its rules and settings, but this is a general to do and don't list to get you started. 

My favorites are: 'share nicely' and 'walls aren't for sharing personal details' - my biggest peeves when it comes to Facebook. Check out this comprehensive list by Hazel Grace Dircksen, founder of the SocialBees group on Facebook and Biznik.

http://biznik.com/articles/the-socialbees-guide-to-saving-face-on-facebook

How do you save face on Facebook? Any tips that this list missed? Please share.