Busy Times

Sorry for the lack of posts this past month...I have been busy with Sirf Web Marketing clients. Additionally, I am a co-founder of an organization called Giving Others A Boost. It is a premier networking/fundraising event that supports local entrepreneurs and charities. Last week we raised over $400 dollars for a local not-for-profit cafe that gives back to the community. We also featured four local entrepreneurs that are from the community.

Giving Others a Boost Founders (from left to right): David MacCoubrey, Dianne McEvoy and Gregory Fuchs

As for Sirf Web Marketing Strategies...we have been busy with clients like CMS Consulting Inc. and Gregor's Gourmet. CMS Consulting just released a 3 language website that rounds out their web marketing arsenal. Get ready for a new website for Gregor's Gourmet - coming later in November!

Sirf has been busy marketing for clients such as: Falcon Business Services, Gregor's Gourmet, Sandra Simpson and Teas and Weaves. We have just added a new client to our roster that we will announce in due time. As well, Sirf Web Marketing Strategies has been making important connections in the community that will function to expand its client base. Great things are on the horizon for this new start up.

Keep an eye out soon for more posts that have great SMM tips and Sirf Web Marketing news!

For more information go to Sirf Web Marketing Strategies' website!

Some links for more LinkedIn Tips

Here are some links of interest to help you use LinkedIn to its full potential:

http://www.ianbrodie.com/marketing/linkedin-tips-professionals/

http://blog.linkedin.com/2009/04/07/5-linkedin-tips-on-effective-personal-branding/

http://www.jeffkorhan.com/2011/10/3-invaluable-linkedin-tips.html

http://linkedintobusiness.com/linkedin-tips-tricks/



This is a great little video with tips to effectively use LinkedIn!

LinkedIn - The Professional Solution

LinkedIn is on the business or professional end of the spectrum of social networking sites. The site can be used to market your business, to find a new job or career or to expand you client or professional connections list. An individual can promote their business or post their online resume to contact potential employers. To reach this end, it is designed with the professional user in mind.

The site is unique, in the fact, that it is based on your resume or professional life. The user can give or receive recommendations from other users, much like a resume. As well, a user can utilize various applications to enhance their online curriculum vitae. It is touted as the definitive professional social media website.

An Overview of LinkedIn

Unlike social networking giant Facebook, LinkedIn has no poking, games or frivolous applications. However there are quite a few similarities between the two networking sites. A user can build a unique profile, meet people, join groups, send emails, create ads, and utilize applications.

You can add various applications to your LinkedIn profile, according to your needs. They range from linking to Twitter to displaying your portfolio (or work projects) to ranking lawyers or searching for homes. The apps are available for the professional to tweak their LinkedIn profile to their specific business goals.

There is an email messaging service and you can read other user's updates. You can join and participate in groups, but these groups are specific to your profession or interest.

One of the most important aspects of LinkedIn is the ability to make connections. You need to have permission to become someone's contact on LinkedIn. Actually you might even have to be introduced by another user to become a contact. This is a good thing as it cuts down on spamming and creates a professional venue to network.

Another important component to the LinkedIn site is the ability to recommend other users. Whether they were previous employees or coworkers or a business that you have did work with - you can write a recommendation that is displayed on their profile. This is an excellent way to show off a user's talents or ability to complete a job.

Other business related activities on LinkedIn are the ability to seek work using the site or to write tests to showcase your skills for clients or potential clients. All of these components come together to keep business practices flowing online.

Some Tips for Using LinkedIn Effectively

To market yourself effectively on LinkedIn there are some definite things you should pay attention to. LinkedIn is the professional network and it is less forgiving than other social media sites.

Some definite do's:

1. Do try to expand your network by using the various Connection finding apps.

2. Do link to other social sites (such as your blog or Twitter) to grow your profile. It gives your connections a better glimpse into your personal life.

3. Do utilize the applications that enhance your professional image.

4. Do ask to be introduced to the people that you feel that you should meet. It is a professional networking site - make it work for you.

5. Do join groups and participate in these groups. You never know who reads your posts and realizes your potential.

6. Do recommend people. You want to be recommended too. Hand the favour around.

And of course the don'ts:

1. Do not have an unprofessional or tacky profile picture. Do not use joke pictures or personal pictures to project your professional image.

2. Please...please do not make grammatical and spelling errors. They reflect negatively on your work and overall image.

3. Do not use lower case or initials for your name. I have noticed people naming themselves 'Johnny B' or 'suzie smith' on LinkedIn. This is not professional and creates the image of lazy and unprofessional.

4. Do not post annoying or personal posts on LinkedIn. No one cares that you are tired after a long day at work.

5. Do not spam users using the LinkedIn email!

6. Do not worry about the number of connections on LinkedIn. Instead focus on making the connections you have work for you or your business.

LinkedIn is the business solution for professionals to network online. It is an excellent way to round out your company`s social media marketing or to promote your business to other businesses. Whatever your goals - a properly laid LinkedIn strategy should benefit your company greatly.

The Passing of an Innovator

I couldn't have a blog about social media and design without discussing the life of Apple founder Steve Jobs. His passing this week, from complications due to Pancreatic Cancer, will be considered one of the big stories of the year.

A Very Quick History

On top of being the renowned founder of Apple Computers, he also started NeXT Computers, when 'let go' by Apple Computers in 1985. This computer would be utilized as the first server, used to develop the world wide web by CERN, in 1991.

NeXt would be acquired by Apple Inc. in 1997, and many of the high-end computers components and systems would be integrated into the new Mac computers and OS X operating systems. These additions would be considered the great leap forward for the MacIntosh Computer. Additionally, this acquisition would also bring Jobs back to Apple Inc., where he would pioneer the iMac, the iPod, the iPhone and the iPad, once again as CEO.

One other business venture, with Steve Jobs at its head was Pixar (formerly The Graphics Group owned by Lucasfilm). Pixar partnered with the Disney Company and thus landed up making Jobs the leading share-holder at 7%, in the deal. Pixar released such popular animated feature films as: the Toy Story franchise, Finding Nemo, A Bug's Life, Monsters Inc., WALL-E, as well as others.

In short, Steve Jobs had his fingers in a lot of different pots over the years. Innovation and diversification might be a definite recipe for success. Some of his his innovative products over the years ranged from releasing the first successful personal computer with the Apple II in the seventies to the colourful iMac of the early 2000`s to the highly popular iPhone! Pretty good for an adoptee, who dropped out of school after one semester and lived on people's floors.



The Infamous '1984' Superbowl Ad in 1984

Innovations that Shook the World

Many of Steve Jobs' innovations changed the world we live in today. He constantly pushed the borders of computing, design and the way modern man communicates. From personal computing, to the World Wide Web to hand-held devices, Steve Jobs had innovative solutions for every situation.

Most design firms, audio studios and movie production companies exclusively use Mac Computers, for the development of their products. MacIntosh Computers are considered very reliable, user friendly and render top-notch products. Apple monitors are considered to produce the truest colour and the operating systems are highly compatible with design and audio/visual applications. These innovations helped guide the media world into the 21st Century.

Criticisms and Conclusions

Avid Microsoft fans would scoff at Mac products over the years, with such criticisms as; the Mac systems are not easily upgradeable, the high price tag, the interface is different from Microsoft, the design is too weird, there is not enough applications...and the list goes on. Apple positioned itself, in the market, in defiance of the monopoly of Microsoft...not as an imitator, but as an innovator.

There's an old Wayne Gretzky quote that I love. 'I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been.' And we've always tried to do that at Apple. Since the very very beginning. And we always will. Steve Jobs 2007

The sheer lifespan of the products and the quality of computing, stand as a beacon for the quality of Apple products. The lack of viruses, superior operating systems and innovative designs drove Apple products to the top of the computing game. Steve Jobs had a vision that was different from the rest of the world and it showed.

Steve Jobs was considered a visionary and innovator. He was also considered an egomaniac, a perfectionist and a micro manager to work with. In contrast, he was considered an excellent person to work with, when the project was favourable in his eyes. He knew what he wanted and did everything to make sure his dreams came to fruition.

Jobs' out-of-the-box thinking, resourcefulness and tenacity could be credited with single-handedly pushing Apple, NeXT and Pixar products to the top of their respective industries. The resulting domino effect having everlasting effects on the computing world. Whatever your thoughts on Steve Jobs' products and life, it is impossible to deny that the world lost one of its innovative thinkers.

"If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?" Steve Jobs

If Content is King, then Image is its Strict Mother

I was prompted to write this post today, as I have had to deal with a few different business image issues, this past week. Some businesses don't realize that their image is the most important factor in gaining and retaining clients.

First off, let's define business image. Business image is the overall impression that a business produces for the world to see. This includes: logo, colour themes, graphic and web design, social media presence , customer service, business cards, uniforms, TV commercials, product packaging, company motto and ideals. Image is even portrayed in the choice of font chosen to represent an organization. It even goes so far as to be produced by the behavior of employees, owners and affiliates of the business outside of the workplace.

So as a social media marketer , I thought I would stray a little and talk a bit about more traditional marketing concepts.

One business, that I have been working with in a self-directed, social media marketing campaign, decided to start posting Facebook images and slogans dealing with poverty in third world nations! This sounds harmless enough...right? She was posting very graphic images of sick and hungry children in Africa. These images were accompanied by slogans like "See what capitalism gets you!" or "Where does your money go!".

The heart was demonstrated by the content and no one disagrees that we need to help the less fortunate, but the wrong message was being sent. It sent the opposite message that her feel-good products produced in her customers.

I advised her to start sponsoring a child through a reputable charitable organization and write about the good her charitable dollars were doing. She still got to educate her clients on third world issues, but still produce a positive image for her business!

The other issue I had concerning business image occurred at a networking event, where I was a featured business. The business in question was associated with the event, as well.

They approached me and started telling me that they hate Twitter and social media in general. She told me this, so I would "know right off the bat". She also explained that she was in charge of their company's social media campaign and hated doing it.

I tried to give her some tips and reassurances and she basically brushed me off rudely! I watched her for the rest of the night and found that she was being very abrasive with various people at the event. Someone described her as having a strong personality, but she probably shouldn't be marketing her own business.

This is a very true statement for many small businesses today. The owner has to wear a lot of hats to keep the business going. From boss to janitor to bookkeeper to marketing...it is a hard job especially when just starting out!

My concern is that this person's attitude was reflecting negatively on a great product. Maybe they were tired or had a bad week. When it comes to image, there is little room for excuses.

Another concern was with her social media campaign. If she does not know what she is doing or doesn't like doing social media, it may be reflected in her marketing. People are looking for a genuine and friendly attitude when dealing with a business. Any negative attitudes may shine through in any form of marketing.

As for my business and her...I think I will wait a week or so and offer her a couple of hours of free consultation to see if I can make her marketing shine.

In short, everything a business 'puts out there' reflects on its image. Be careful to make sure your business does everything in it's power to maintain the proper image from having great content to the right colour scheme to good public relations. It is easy to ruin a business image and very hard to rebuild it!

LinkedIn Tips

Here is a great link, with some LinkedIn tips that you must know!

http://www.ianbrodie.com/marketing/linkedin-tips-professionals/

50 Twitter Power Tips

This a great video to learn how to effectively Twitter!