Tag Archive for social media strategy

23 Dec 2011
facebook • facebook pages • social media • social networking • twitter

We Wish You a Social Christmas!

Vervain Cats

If you’ve read my About page, you will know that I breed pedigree cats as a hobby – and every year since 2003, I have designed a digital greeting featuring one or more of my Vervain cats and kittens. Here’s my 2011 offering!

These are two of my current litter of Burmese kittens. In order to find suitable homes for my kittens, I post lots of photos on my Facebook page , and this then links to my Twitter account. Using social networks has made it a lot easier to reach  potential owners.  I actually have a lot more “Likes” on my Vervain Cats Facebook page than on my business page – but that merely confirms that Facebook is more effective for B2C rather than B2B.   I hasten to add that cat breeding is definitely not a business!

Do you have a hobby that you promote via social media?  Let me know!

Finally I would just like to wish you all a peaceful festive season –  and remember to take time out to plan your social media strategies for 2012!!

Need help with monitoring your online reputation? Take the first step! Contact me on 01777 249075
or by email at info@naomijohnsonsocialmedia.co.uk

Naomi | No comments | Tags: , , ,
01 Dec 2011
digital marketing • facebook • google • google plus • linkedin • marketing • mobile marketing • social media • twitter • youtube

Digital Marketing – An Integrated Approach

Wordle: Digital Marketing

Digital Marketing – Why You Need An Integrated Approach

I’ve been thinking a lot recently about the need for an integrated approach to the whole digital marketing thing.  Social media is of course a vital component in any business marketing toolkit,  but it can’t stand on its own.  Traditional marketing also plays an important part,  as do the newer innovations as described below.

We already know that tweets, Facebook updates and Google Plus posts are indexed by google, (are you using keywords in your social media updates?)  and of course YouTube is the world’s second largest search engine.  So you should be establishing a presence on all of these networks and building your communities.

But how many businesses (thinking particularly of the UK here) are aware of the huge growth in mobile technology?  I’ve talked about this issue in a previous post on Mobile Marketing, and another where I discuss an infographic on Mobile Marketing Statistics.   I also suggested actions that business owners could take immediately to respond to this new revolution in digital marketing.  There’s no doubt that a high percentage of web browsing, search, and online shopping will take place via mobile devices in the very near future and businesses need to be ready.

Meanwhile, I would like to share this presentation.  It shows how to take an integrated approach to your social media activities.  Feel free to download if it will be helpful :)

Are you finding it easy to integrate traditional and newer marketing strategies?  Is your website optimised for mobile devices?   Please share your thoughts in the comments.

Need help with digital marketing? Take the first step! Contact me on 01777 249075
or by email at info@naomijohnsonsocialmedia.co.uk

you can also TEXT

INF SOCIALMEDIA or INF SOCIALMEDIA + your email address  to 60777

to receive your free copy of my booklet “10 Reasons Why You Need to Get Up To Speed With Social Media”.

Naomi | One comment | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
11 Oct 2011
facebook • facebook pages • google • linkedin • marketing • network marketing • social media • social networking • twitter • youtube

Social Media in Network Marketing

The Role of Social Media in Network Marketing

network marketing

image courtesy of duchessa: www.i-pix.it

 

I think it’s likely that most people nowadays know what’s meant by “social media” –  if you don’t, all you need do is browse around this website!   But do you know what network marketing is? A common misconception seems to be that it’s “pyramid selling”. Well, sorry, but pyramid selling is actually illegal – and who’d try to sell pyramids anyway??  :)  So, how about social media in network marketing?

Kleeneze, Avon, Herbalife, Forever Living, Utility Warehouse….

…. do any of these sound familiar?  Yes?  Well, they are all network marketing companies.  Network marketing (also known as MLM, multi-level marketing) is a simple business model. Individuals are recruited, but are not employed by the company. They are self-employed (usually as sole traders) and form part of a group or team.  Each team has various levels.  It’s up to the individual to sell products (which they buy at a discount)  to earn commission. It’s also beneficial to the individual if they can recruit others into their team.   The exact details vary between companies but there are incentives and bonuses for performance in both sales and recruiting. The larger the team, the greater the potential to earn more.

However,  this post isn’t intended to be an in depth study of network marketing as a business model.  Rather,  I would like to explore the role of social media in network marketing and why it’s a valuable asset. As it happens,  in addition to my social media business,  I am involved with two network marketing companies – Wikaniko and Neal’s Yard Remedies Organic.  More information is available on my Eco-Friendly Living website.

I’ve found social media invaluable in promoting my activities with these companies.  Of course, as with any business, social media in network marketing is not the answer to all your problems, but it does add value to the mix.  I’d go so far as to say it’s essential for network marketers.

Social Media Your Strategy For Success

With most network marketing schemes,  you’re aiming to sell products and recruit new team members.  Chances are that a high percentage of potential buyers, and potential recruits, are already on the social networks.  It’s your job to find them!   At the least I’d suggest setting up a Facebook Page (preferably with a custom landing tab as these have been shown to generate more “Likes” – and a Twitter account.  You might also consider getting yourself established on LinkedIn, to gain professional credibility.  There are a number of discussion groups on LinkedIn for network marketers.  YouTube would also be an excellent channel for promoting your products and sharing the benefits of joining your team!

Once you’re set up on the social networks,  you need to find potential customers and team members.  Don’t post a string of updates promoting your latest products – that will turn people off immediately.  It’s all about being subtle,  not shouting about yourself. Post links to interesting information about your niche,  e.g. general health and wellness if you’re a Herbalife or Forever Living distributor. Search on Twitter for tweets asking about your company or products,  or just general information related to your niche.  Follow “thought leaders” in your field of interest and begin engaging with them.  It’s OK to post “sales” updates occasionally,  but no more than 10-20% of your posts should be self-promotion. Set up Google Alerts for topics around your niche,  browse a selection of blogs and share links to these.  You might find this post useful if you’re not sure of the best way to do this.  Give value to your followers and always invite comments and questions.  If someone responds to your update,  always reply and invite further engagement.

Don’t expect things to happen overnight –  it will take weeks or more likely months, to build up a following. It can be hard work to keep your community engaged – you have to keep at it and not abandon your Facebook or Twitter accounts for long periods.  If you’re not sure of the best way to maintain your presence on social media,  you might consider getting help from a professional.   Your social media strategy will pay dividends in the long run, but plenty of patience is a must!

Are you in network marketing? Need advice on setting up and using social media accounts?  Start by contacting me on 01777 249075
or by email at info@naomijohnsonsocialmedia.co.uk

you can also TEXT

INF SOCIALMEDIA or INF SOCIALMEDIA + your email address  to 60777

to receive your free copy of my booklet “10 Reasons Why You Need to Get Up To Speed With Social Media”.

Naomi | 5 comments | Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
16 Sep 2011
facebook pages • facebook subscriptions • google • social media • social networking

Facebook Subscriptions

Facebook Subscriptions and Further Changes to Pages

Facebook
Facebook has made 2 updates to its interface this week, as part of an ongoing campaign to improve the experience for all users.

Firstly, Facebook Subscriptions. There is now an option to subscribe to personal profiles – without becoming a friend of that individual. This will benefit public figures, journalists, politicians, celebrities etc, who might want their updates seen by a wider audience. Remember there is a limit of 5000 “friends” per personal profile, but there is no limit on Facebook Subscriptions.

Subscriptions are NOT intended to replace Pages – the functionality is different. But there’s no reason why individuals should not use both subscriptions and pages. Here’s a summary of the differences between Facebook Subscriptions and Pages:(click picture to enlarge)

Facebook Subscriptions

According to Facebook,

“A profile with subscribers is ideal if you want to personally connect with people who are interested in you.
It’s fun to receive updates from friends and others that you want to subscribe to. And it’s easy to publish to your subscribers on the go. Anyone who subscribes to your profile can receive your public posts in their News Feed”.

and on the differences between Subscriptions and Pages, they say:

“Pages have advanced marketing features for managing your brand or business on Facebook.
Pages can be maintained by multiple people on your team. They offer insights to understand who your fans are, and let you target posts by language and location. (For example: Tell only fans in New York about your show there next week.)You can also promote Pages with Facebook Ads and Sponsored Stories.”

Worried about your subscribers seeing all your updates (some of which may not be suitable for “public” consumption”)?  No need to be! Subscribers will only see the updates you share publicly; you still have the option to set who sees your updates at the time of posting. Subscribers can also choose exactly what type and how many of your public updates they actually receive.

I’ve already set my profile to accept subscriptions and am looking forward to getting updates from people I’d never expect to be friends with. Will you be trying this out?

Facebook Page

A Facebook Page

The second major update this week affects Facebook Pages. Last night it was announced that you no longer need 25 “likes” to obtain a short (“vanity”) URL for your Page. This is great news. It means that a business can get a Page up and running quickly, choose a URL and then use it on business cards, website, email / forum signatures, advertising etc. No more having to beg for people to like the Page! However, it would appear that you do still need 30 Likes to get access to Page Insights (analytics). At least you don’t have to worry too much about getting these in a rush!

And yet another update I noticed today….. If you click on the above screenshot of my Facebook Page, you’ll see, as well as the usual updates on the wall, “view 1 share”. This allows the page owner to see instantly who has shared their content. Seems a good idea to me!

The general consensus amongst the social media illuminati is that Facebook has introduced these updates to ensure that the platform is closer in functionality to a potentially massive competitor – Google Plus. With the improvements offered by these tweaks, Facebook afficionados now have no real reason to desert!

What do you think? Do you like the latest Facebook updates? I’d love to hear your comments.

 

PS _ I wrote this post on September 15th and published today, September 16th. And already we’re seeing yet more updates to the Facebook interface. This article from Simply Zesty gives an excellent summary.

Need help promoting your business via social media? Get started by contacting me on 01777 249075
or by email at info@naomijohnsonsocialmedia.co.uk

Naomi | 2 comments | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
03 Sep 2011
business growth • marketing • SEO • social media • social networking • twitter

9 Useful Twitter Tips

Twitter

Twitter Tips

I’ve recently started tweeting a series of Twitter Tips and have been pleasantly surprised to find that they seem to be appreciated, judging by the number of retweets and mentions that they’ve generated. Having recently read Dan Zarella’s article on “The Science of Retweets”, I’ve also been paying closer attention to the timing of my tweets.

A colleague recently recommended a Twitter tool, Buffer, that not only tells you the best times for you to tweet (based on performance of past tweets), but allows you to pre-schedule any number of tweets in a “buffer” so that they then get posted automatically at the scheduled times. It even suggests tweets for you if you find yourself lacking inspiration! Since using this I’ve found my followers increasing more quickly than before, and I’m also getting more engagement. I highly recommend Buffer!

I’m going to post my Twitter tips here and I hope that they will help some of you. Why not build up a series of tips related to your own business and see if they help to build your Twitter presence?

looking for a job? the majority of companies (>80%) now use social media as part of their recruitment.

don’t sit back & let everyone else tweet, jump in on a conversation, offer help, build your community & earn trust.

remember you can now add photos to your tweets in the update field – just click the camera icon. Photos get people interested!

more followers -> more reach for your tweets. Use search function, find people in your niche, follow & start conversations

Bear in mind a tweet has a very short lifetime. Approx. 90% of engagement happens within the 1st hour of tweeting.

link to your profile everywhere – Facebook, LinkedIn, your website/blog, email signature, biz card. Be easily found!

fill out your bio using the max. 160 chars. Who are you & what do you do? Include website link and a good head shot.

don’t tweet in textspeak – be creative and make best use of 140 characters, leaving a few for ReTweet

the ideal time to get retweeted is around 4pm EST (9pm GMT) on a Friday

Did you find these helpful? Please let me know in the comments, and feel free to add some of your own tips. Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter to get more tips!

You can contact me on 01777 249075
or by email at info@naomijohnsonsocialmedia.co.uk

Naomi | 6 comments | Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
26 Aug 2011
facebook • marketing • SEO • social media

12 Simple Ways To Freshen Up Your Facebook Page

Is Your Page Looking Stale?

Create a Facebook Page

My recent post proved very popular, so here’s a follow-up on the subject of Facebook Pages…..

Although you’re probably posting regular updates on your Page, it can be difficult to maintain your community’s interest and get them interacting and participating in conversations.   While it’s good to keep content on your page mainly relevant to your industry or niche,  there’s no harm in going off-topic and posting something light-hearted now and then.  Here’s a few suggestions.

  1. Make sure you use every category of status update – text, links, photos and videos. (obviously not all at once!)
  2. Always remember to reply when someone comments; engage in conversation whenever possible.
  3. “Like” other pages (related to your business) as your page; mention and thank them if they return the favour.
  4. Always post “breaking news” updates relevant to your industry or niche; fans will return more often if they know your page is a good place to get up to date information.
  5. DON’T automate posting of your blog articles or tweets to Facebook. This can result in your updates being aggregated with others from the same automation tool so that they aren’t always visible in news feeds.
  6. Post updates that mention Facebook, especially if relevant to your business.  After all, Facebook is the most shareable topic on Facebook!
  7. Use albums to post photos, rather than posting individually – and remember that Facebook only displays up to 3 photos in a status update.
  8. Use the photo caption space to ask a question, e.g. “Where do you think this photo was taken?”
  9. Start a regular feature. e.g. a useful tip posted every Monday.
  10. Celebrate “this day in history” and post what happened on a specific day.  A google search will help out!
  11. Ask a question using Facebook’s Questions app.  This can be a simple yes/no, or why not ask your community “what’s your favourite TV show” – lots of options here!
  12. Include links in text status update and not the links box. The update will display the link as clickable in addition to the normal title, photo, and meta description of the link. At a minimum this allows an additional opportunity for a fan to click the link. These links stand out as different and can get clicked on more.
  13. Run a contest or publish a coupon (beware – Facebook has strict guidelines on doing this.
  14. Use your Page Insights to target specific demographic groups for relevant status updates (e.g. female fans only)
  15. Ask for Likes – tell fans to “click like” if they agree with a statement.

Need help with setting up a Facebook Page for your business? You can contact me on 01777 249075
or by email at info@naomijohnsonsocialmedia.co.uk

Naomi | 2 comments | Tags: , , , , , , ,
27 Jul 2011
google • google places • SEO • social media

Google Places – Have You Claimed Your Business Listing?

Google Places-What’s That?

google places listing for Naomi Johnson Social Media

my google places listing

I’ve been reading recently about Google Places, having already listed my social media consultancy business.  Just out of interest,  I did a quick Google  search for accountants, solicitors and dentists in my local towns.  I think you’d agree that all of these businesses are likely to be searched for pretty frequently,  as almost everyone is going to need them at some time or other!   Nowadays, local searches are vitally important and help to cut through the “noise” of so many businesses competing for search engine rankings.

I was amazed, although admittedly not completely shocked, to find that for my nearest town (about 10 miles away),  not a single one of these businesses had a Places listing.   The other (larger) local town (16 miles away) had a good number of dentists, accountants and solicitors listed on Google Places.

If your business hasn’t claimed its Google Places listing yet,  did you know that you could be at risk of losing your ranking?  Businesses that have claimed their Place  are listed at the top of the rankings – you may have noticed that red “pin” symbol  (but perhaps didn’t know what it meant)??    Here’s the search page for dentists in Worksop……

google search results

 

Have you claimed your Google Places listing yet? (it’s totally free).  If you need any help with this,  don’t hesitate to get in touch.

I’d also love to hear your comments if you’ve successfully claimed your listing and have found it beneficial in helping your business  get found.

You can contact me on 01777 249075
or by email at info@naomijohnsonsocialmedia.co.uk

Naomi | 3 comments | Tags: , , , , , , ,
30 Jun 2011
business growth • facebook • google • SEO • social media • social networking • twitter • youtube

Social Media Revolution 2011

Recently I was very pleased to have an article I’d written on social media published in our local community magazine Retford Life. This also coincided with the launch of the magazine’s website as well as that of their publishing company Life Publications I had forgotten the exact date of the website launch so, until I saw it mentioned on Twitter, I was a bit puzzled as to why I’d had so many visits to my website on Tuesday of this week! Once again, proof of the amazing power of social media……. If you want to read my article, it’s on page 38.

I’m also including it here. (the video is an absolute must-watch!) Read the rest…

Naomi | One comment | Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
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