fbpx

There is no decisive formula for a stellar social media strategy.  Every business has a different audience, different resources, and a different story to tell.  While it's safe to say that almost everyone should be on Facebook and Twitter, not every social media platform is right for every business.  Google+ is one of those platforms that may be good for some but not worth the time for others.  Today's article from customerthink.com lays out some food for thought regarding Google+ and whether or not it's right for your small business. The article mentions a few pros and cons of Google+. One benefit is that it's a great way for your business to get discovered. Since Google is the king of search engines, listing your business on it's Google+ Local Pages will increase your chances of being found.  Another pro of Google+...

Today's article from Crain's New York Business offers insight on the dilemma that many small businesses face regarding dedicating time and money to social media. At times it may be hard to see the fruits of your labor.  But it's important to understand that the way small businesses approach social media compared to large corporations is very different. First of all, small businesses should avoid thinking of social media as a tool for advertising but as a forum for interacting with and forming relationships with current and future customers through intriguing content.  Avoid posting purely promotional content. Information is much more valuable than a promotion because it builds loyalty around your brand and will bring your customers back to your site again and again. Take this article's advice: "One of our clients was mystified because his firm had 90,000 “likes” on Facebook but,...

If you're as social as we are, you have dozens of usernames and passwords to remember for all of your digital accounts.  It's a pain to keep them all straight.  Today we are reading that Ford has developed an app inspired by its key-free technology that locks and unlocks cars. The Key-Free Login app will automatically log you into all of your accounts when your mobile device is close to your computer and log you out when you leave.  Check out this video below to see how it works. Ford Keyfree Login from Ogilvy Paris on Vimeo. How cool is that? The app has just launched on the Ford France website and is expected to go global soon. You can read more about it here....

Pinterest is the largest social media site behind Facebook and Twitter and continues to be one of the fastest growing. According to Shareaholic, Pinterest drives more referral traffic than Google+, YouTube, Reddit, and LinkedIn combined!  The data speaks for itself- Pinterest is here to stay. Still wondering how your business can benefit from starting a Pinterest page?  Today's article from Helios Design offers a case study of brands that are making a splash in this increasingly popular social network. The most important thing to consider when pinning is that you should avoid just posting product or service related content. Think about what else your audience cares about.  Even if you post content that doesn't initially seem directly tied to your business, remember that it's about getting your audience to connect with your brand identity and keep coming back for more.  Take...

Say hello to the new Twitter bird. Creative director Doug Bowman says the new bird is "crafted purely from three sets of overlapping circles- similar to how your networks, interests and ideas connect and intersect with peers and friends." While the change is not drastic, it has created much online buzz and resulted in several spoofs. But the new bird is not the only thing that's changed on Twitter this week. Below are three new features that you'll soon find on Twitter if you haven't already. 1. Tailored Trends: Twitter has adjusted its algorithms to make sure you're seeing trends that are more closely matched to your interests and location. Now trends will be tailored to you. 2. Better Facebook Integration: This is great news for people who have connected their Facebook and Twitter accounts.  Now Facebook will recognize the difference between a...

Today's article offers insight on what consumers are searching for on Twitter. The answer is reviews.  More and more customers are turning to Twitter to learn about professional services which is why it's increasingly important for businesses to have their own Twitter accounts set up.  This allows business owners to see what's already being said about their business, promote their brand, and begin to build relationships by engaging with customers and have an understanding of what they're looking for. According to Orange Business, the top five professional services searched for on Twitter are: Web Designers Solicitors Accountants Architects Copywriters   So if your business falls into one of these categories we suggest you take a plunge into Twitter as soon as possible if you haven't already. If you don't know where to start, this article offers a simple enough solution- the 4 C's. Break down your strategy into...

Today's article comes from Social Media Today and features a case study of a brand that learned how to engage with their online audience to boost Facebook fans and also sales. Atlantic Station, an Atlanta based outdoor mall, transformed their Facebook presence through a strategy that emphasized fan engagement rather than a focus on promoting the mall explicitly. The company began to shift their focus to posting content about topics like community outreach, local content, and pop culture/current events.  The results? Not only did their Facebook page grow by over 15,000 fans, but their sales were up more than 4 times the national average since the launch of the campaign. So here's our takeaway of the day: social media is about engaging your audience in a way that clearly conveys your brand and makes customers feel loyal to it.  The most...

So you've set up your business's Facebook page, uploaded awesome graphics, and gained 100 new followers.  There is certainly an excitement around your new online presence.  But after the initial thrill is gone, how do you stay motivated to maintain your social media activity?  It doesn't have to take a lot of time, but it does take thoughtful dedication. Don't let your social media campaign fall stagnant after the honeymoon phase is over. Today we've found a free ebook from OpenClose called "Avoiding the Social Media Sophomore Slump."  The guide offers dozens of tips to help you keep your social presence robust.  Here are some important takeaways to avoid the slump: Avoid unrealistic expectations: Not every post or campaign will be wildly successful.  Don't get discouraged if a post only has a few likes. Learn about what your audience responds to the best...

The Twitterverse was abuzz about a security breach at LinkedIn this morning. "How to Change your LinkedIn Password" is now a trending topic. Updates from LinkedIn's Twitter account reveal that they have been investigating the issue but are still unable to confirm the breach.  According to this article from Mashable, 6.46 million encrypted passwords were reportedly leaked online by a Russian hacker.  Security companies like Certi-Fi are saying it is likely the hacker possesses the accompanying usernames as well.  Even though the passwords are encrypted and considered secure, they are certainly not foolproof. While this only accounts for about 4% of all LinkedIn users, we recommend changing your password immediately just to be safe. Not sure how to change your password? Click here to learn how.  ...