Why Tweet?

In business circles I often hear complaints about Social Media. "It takes too much energy. It's a waste of time." They often ask, "Have you gotten any jobs through Twitter or LinkedIn?"

Can I point to specific projects my clients have received as a result of Social Networking? Yes, I can.

But like any other form of marketing, it's often impossible to say which spark ignites the fire. "You've heard the expression: "Half my advertising works, I just don't know which half."

The more marketing activity you participate in, the more awareness you create. The more raving fans you inspire, the more product you sell, and the more consulting assignments you receive. It's about being visible. It's that simple.

If a tweet inspires someone to follow a link to an article you've authored or to check out your website, that's a competitive advantage.

They're now on your turf. They've become a willing participant and you're no longer talking into a void. You've engaged them in a dialogue, motivated them to take action. That's a buying signal.

Now that they have bought you, how can you motivate them to take the next step?

And if you are to meet a prospect and take the time to review their personal LinkedIn profile – you've taken an interest in them as a person. Doesn't that give you an advantage in selling to them?

If you pose a question which engenders discussion, you receive valuable information and perhaps leads directly from your customers. Before Social Media you had no way to obtain this insight without expensive market research campaigns.

Like any other form of networking, business follows when you follow through. Getting people to know, like and trust you. Educating them in your area of expertise.

Be creative, individual and strategic in using Social Media. Create a Social Media plan. The money will follow.

Links Made Easy

Have you ever received an email with a l-o-n-g link to an article or webinar? You click on the link and all you get is “failed to open page.” So you cut and paste the l-o-n-g link into your browser.

Still can’t get there. Frustration sets in.

Now think what happens when you are sending this long link and your target audience is frustrated and angry. Not your intended result, you say.

There’s a website that solves this problem instantly, elegantly, and seamlessly. Best of all, it’s free.  

Tinyurl.com takes a long url and makes it tiny, and gets you to exactly the right page. Don’t know exactly how they redirect you but I love it. Kudos to that! Try it and you’ll be hooked.

Use it for tweets, emails, your blog. How did I ever live without this tool? 

Anna Speaks on Social Networking to Grow Your Business June 16th

Social media has been described as the Holy Grail or a wasteful time suck. Wasn't that how the web was described a few short years ago? It is neither.

Social media is now playing a huge part in business and it's influence is growing daily. Twitter, LinkedIn, blogging and email marketing can connect you to your markets in a more relevant way. Come and find out the truth about social media and how to use it to great advantage.

Join me at The C-Suite Forum, a Peer Group of C-Level Executives, Entrepreneurs and Self Employed Professionals. Networking follows the presentation. Guests are welcome. Check the web site to call in advance.

The C-Suite Forum

www.csuiteforum.com

June 16th 7:45 am -10 am

The Association of the City Bar

42 West 44th St (5th/6th Avenue)

The Cromwell Room

Netiquette

Here's an update of an article (Part 1) which I published in my ezine, MarketSavvy in 2005. It's still relevant today. 

"You've Got Mail" a 1988 comedy starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan parodied email as a fun ride to romance. Fast forward to 2009. Even if we don't carry a "crackberry," we are addicted to email before, during and after the workday. Not so much fun.

Just two minutes each for 100 emails steals over three hours of your day. It's compelling, adrenaline rushing – yet it can be a productivity drain, rather than a gain.

Email is fast but that doesn't give us a license to send a careless message over the wire. Would you send a coffee-stained message through the mail? Email is permanent so edit ruthlessly; never write anything you wouldn't want made public. 

Email is an important communication tool but many business owners are still unaware of basic courtesy in email. 

Your brand persona is reflected in your email messages so here are some cardinal rules:

• Never send an email with a blank subject line. Use a concise description.

• Avoid using terminology like ... please respond, help, important. These don't describe the subject and can appear as spam.

• Consider the subject a descriptive headline which allows the recipient to file and retrieve it later. 

• Keep the context. Cryptic answers are meaningless without prior threads. Explain references to people and items which may not be clear. Include prior messages (at the bottom of your communication).

• Proofread and spell check. Review before you click. 

• Never type in all caps. This is screaming. It is also more difficult to read.  

• A mix of fancy fonts looks amateurish. Use font and color sparingly, judiciously and appropriately. There are almost no instances when script is appropriate in email. 

• When necessary to send a group mailing from your own email address, protect the privacy of people who don't know each other by using the "don't show addresses" button on groups or BCC (blind carbon copy).

• Use "reply to all" and "cc" only when it is useful to everyone.

• Never send chain letters, jokes or warnings. Most warnings are bogus and others may not share your sense of humor. In fact, they may be offended. FYI, you can verify warnings at Snopes.com.

CoolTeaWork

Hi Everyone,

I'm speaking at the first ever CoolTeaWork, an exciting event to introduce entrepreneurs to global markets, such as Shanghai, New Delhi, Hong Kong, Greece, etc. 

CoolTeaWork for Today's International Business Leaders

The Evening's Topic of Discussion

"How Can Today's Entrepreneurs Overcome the Challenges of the 

Current World Economic Crisis?"

* You are multicultural and/or have strong business relationships in the global market

• You beleive that the present world economic crisis presents challenges but also opportunities

• You know that the era of doing business will be led by those who collaborate with like-minded people for the good of all

Thursday, April 2nd, 2009

5:30-8 pm

By Invitation Only (Use my name when you RSVP)

Admission: $25

Cash Bar

CoolTeaWork New York

W Hotel - Audrey lounge

120 East 39th Street (park/Lex)

More info

http://www.coolteawork.fr/index.php?lang=en

Are You A Warrior or A Worrier?

I saw an ad recently entitled "Are You A Warrior or a Worrier?" Got me thinking.

Entrepreneurs are by definition risk-takers. I remember early in my career, working as a magazine Art Director and assigning freelancers thinking: "Wow! I could never do that. They are so hungry." Yet, a few years later that's exactly where I was, fire in my belly, excited at the new adventures in my career.

The recent economic roller coaster has surely thinned the ranks. Those of us still standing are in a better position to succeed because we're the best! But the question now  is ...

Am I a warrior or a worrier?

Worriers are immobilized. 

They batten the hatches and huddle in. 

They stop spending and seeking.

They dwell on the past.

Warriors are the opposite

They go where they haven't been before and find new resilience within.

They don't spend – they invest in their business.

They value intangible assets like branding and marketing, not just furniture and computers.

They are not afraid to sell themselves and don't take rejection personally.

They seek new opportunities ... which may be very different from the old ones.

They don't watch news broadcasts fostering fear.

They are eternal optimists and they make a contribution.

They know what they don't know. They find coaches and mentors for support.

They understand that missteps are part of the growth process and move on.

They do whatever it takes!

We are the recovery 

The founder of IBM said: "The formula for success is quite simple: double your rate of failure."

It's not up to TARP, TALF, banks, Wall Street or government. It's up to each of us who run a small business –  to lead, operate with integrity and fight the fear. 

It's going to be different and it's going to be better. 

Are you part of the solution? 

What the Bleep?

Still trying to figure out this one ... 

Where's the logic? Maybe they know something I don't know!

I've been a marketer for a long time but I know things are strange when I get an offer like this one. Oh, I get the usual financial offers: 0% for a year, 20% off and free this and that. But when I get a free airline companion ticket for trying Travel + Leisure, the world's leading travel magazine – I know the entire world is upside down and under water – never mind mortgages. 

If it's the world's leading magazine why do they have to give me a free airline ticket (worth up to $744.) to try two free issues on a $19.99 subscription? Where's the logic?

As an educated consumer, I'm reading the fine print, reading between the lines and holding the paper up to the light. All I can think of is what's the catch? If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! Now this is a reputable company the gold standard, not some sleazy spammer. Well, financial companies used to be the gold standard – now they are just below coal.

Still, where's the profit? I've heard of lifetime customer value but it's going to take a lot of lifetimes to get the value. And the airlines are running fewer planes and people get bumped just so the airlines can run economically. 

I'm not one to pass up a good deal so will someone, please explain this one to me?

What a Time!

Now is the time to:

•  Pull out your file called "GREAT IDEAS." What else are you doing?

•  Learn about ––––,  for me it's how my fancy digital camera works. (Note to self: read the manual.)

•  Organize your office. So you can work efficiently when the busy blitz hits.

•  Add a new skill to your arsenal to keep that competitive edge sharp. Not to mention your brain. No, not Sudoku.

•  Do take up dance or yoga to keep the positive vibes flowing.

•  Get all those marketing projects going ... while repeating softly to yourself: "This too shall pass."

•  Look at the goals you wrote earlier this month. Tape them to the wall and take action.

• Move away from the computer. Then do 12 jumping jacks and pick up the phone to call someone. You still have a phone, right?

I plan to print this list and tape it to my wall. What are you are doing to weather the storm?

Big vs. Small: Fighting the Fear Factor

We all know it's a tough environment. 

Free floating uncertainty creates fear which is contagious and leads to full blown paralysis.

Additionally, some of my colleagues (especially in the real estate industry) say they've seen their prospects gravitating toward big brand name companies. Smaller companies may find this puzzling since corporations are cited in news stories daily as the cause of our economic turmoil.

This is an issue a small business can use to its advantage.

How do we break this cycle?

• Turn off the news. 

• Take action. Action gives you control over your destiny.

• Provide the confidence factor. You're good so feel good. People buy from those they know, like and trust.

• Show what you know. Demonstrate your ability. Where can you point to results?

• Give truly personal, excellent service. People care that you care. 

• Show them the WIIFM. What's in it for me?

• Add value. Give something extra whenever you can. 

• Make your offer irresistible. If it's well priced and promises to give me what I need, I'm more likely to buy.

• Sell what your clients want not what you believe they need. Read this again.

• Finally, most of us give up too soon. As my mentor says, the gold is in the follow up.