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!

New Facebook - Like It or Lump It!

Facebook unveiled its new layout this past week...much to the dismay of many users. This backlash was demonstrated by the angry comments and protests, posted all over the social network giant's news feeds. Other creative users designed poignant, profile pics that raged against the Facebook machine. Shown below is one such witty design:

 

Not that all comments were negative though. Some users even defended the right of Facebook to change its layout, as it is a free site. Other users simply stated that they like the new layout and didn't understand the fuss. At the very least, the new layout seems to be quite controversial.

Some Notable Changes

Some changes of note are:

1. The addition of the News Feed 'Ticker' in the upper right-hand corner. It seems Facebook has tried to mimic social media rival, Twitter, by adding a real-time news feed stream, that displays the user's friend's activities.

2. Facebook have broken the News Feed into two categories: The Top Stories section and the Recent Stories section. There are also sub-categories listed on the left-hand side, that allow the user to break these streams down into even more categories, such as: Family, Close Friends, Schools and Regions. I believe this was done to combat the rising social site Google+, which allows users to break down "connections" into categories, such as: Friends, Acquaintances, etc.

3. Facebook has also displayed Pages and Groups down the side to make the site more easily navigable.

4. There was also an overhaul of the IM portion. It displays the user's Friends exclusively down the bottom right-hand corner. This was compared to the little bar that used to be there that was accompanied by a 'Face box' displayed on the left.

5. The email has been turned into threads. That means that every correspondence between users is displayed, in a never ending list.

6. Facebook Pages has changed, as well. They have added a Friend Activity tab that displays recent interactions between a page and its Fans.

7. Another addition is the Recommendations tab on the right, that allows Fans to write recommendations for the page. As well, there is a Recommended Pages tab that suggest pages for the admin, based on the liked pages of that page's fans.

Like It or Lump It!

Whether you a fan of the new Facebook layout or not, there is no denying that there is not much that can be done about it. User's just have to get used to the new layout. People do not like change and complain every time Facebook changes. 

In my opinion there are some great changes and other changes were not needed. The blatant attempts to mimic other popular sites was very transparent. However, I do like the changes to Facebook pages section. The ability to Recommend someones business page is a very powerful social media tool. Yet I do not understand the need to change the email into threads - I still prefer the ability to search through individual emails, like the classic email allowed.

On a social media note, it was very interesting to see Facebook users try to leverage the power of social media, to change the layout back to what it was. Even if their campaign was in vain, people are starting to understand the power of social media!

5 Easy Tricks to Get Facebook Fans Fast

Here is another great video!

4 Facebook Marketing Tips

This is a good beginner video!

Tips for Marketing Via Facebook

People want to get out and market their small business, utilizing the power of social media networks. They are instantly drawn to social media giant Facebook. With its sheer size (with over 750 million users) and a very user-friendly interface, it is an easy pick for adding a knock-out punch to any small business' social media marketing campaign. The main problem is that many businesses do not properly leverage their Facebook presence, by running their social media campaigns on Facebook poorly.

Many of these mistakes are easily avoidable or fixable! This post will briefly discuss some basic do's and don'ts of marketing using Facebook.

Facebook Marketing Don'ts

1. One major don't that is a common mistake amoung novice marketers, is to use a personal Facebook profile to market their business! This is in contrast to using the Facebook business page to market your business. This is wrong on a few levels.

First off ,(to be blunt) it is considered a bit tacky to use the personal profile to push a business. Facebook created specific business sites, so users can choose to like a page on their own. If you are running a properly planned campaign your numbers should grow anyways.

Secondly, your business loses the ability to track your campaign`s progress by utilizing Facebook Insights. It tracks your page's user's comments, likes or posts. This is a valuable tool when gauging how successful your social media campaign is.

And at last, you lose some of the features of having a business page, that are important to any business campaign, such as having multiple administrators, the ability to produce business badges (widgets used to market your site elsewhere), an embedded map to your business, greater control over what information target markets receive, the use of Facebook ads and quite a bit of other great features.

In short-please use a Facebook business page!

2. Even if using a proper business page, some small businesses make the mistake of pushing their business too hard on Facebook or having bad content. It makes the business come off as spam or impersonal and (more importantly) may be alienating clients or at the very (but not) least engaging them improperly.

3. Having a bad personal profile may negatively influence your business. Just because you have a separate business page-does not mean that the two are inseparable. Whatever you post on your personal page can influence what people think of you and your business.

So please don`t post pictures of yourself on vacation drunk on the beach or watch what games you play on Facebook. These create an image of you and ultimately your business. Image is everything.

4. Facebook users are more forgiving than the other social media site`s users in terms of grammar and spelling errors. However, it is important to try to keep the mistakes to a minimum. Bad spelling and glaring errors can reflect on the professionalism of your business.

5, Do not alienate anyone on Facebook. You never know who your potential client is going to be. If they do not fit your mould of what you think your client should be...you might be wrong!

There are some of the don`ts for marketing via the Facebook business page. We will move on to some do`s to make your campaign sizzle.

The Do`s of Facebook Marketing

1. Be very personable and engaging. This is what promotes your business personality. Facebook is first and foremost a social site. Use the social aspect to make your business shine in the social sphere.

2. Do use a custom banner on your business page. You can design a custom banner that is 180 by 540 pixels wide.  Make your business stand above the rest of the business` sporting the cookie-cutter, Facebook business page profile pictures.

You can put your logo, a picture, address, phone number, website and email on this banner. With proper layout, you can make it look nice and have all of your vital information on your home page...and it is different

3. Do post interesting links, videos and pictures. It gives the audience something to enjoy and creates a dialogue with them. Interesting and dynamic content engages the target market and allows them to experience your awesome business, as well as, allows for them to give valuable feedback.

4. Try to post interesting content regularly. People may be really engaging your content. Just keep it coming.

5. Engage and support other businesses on Facebook. They are customers too.

I hope this post helps out with your Facebook marketing. There will be more posts soon.

Content is KING says Social Media Director Jon Davey

Make your content 'smile'

If Content is King...then Planning is its Top Advisor

If content is considered the social media king...then 'planned strategies' must be its top advisor. Many businesses start marketing via social media without a planned strategy. This might work for a little while, but may cause undesirable effects in the long run.

A social media campaign must be perfectly planned from the onset to be effective. Considerations must be made for: what social media outlets will be utilized; to who will implement the campaign; to how the business with interact with target markets. This is where planned content comes into play.

Although social media marketing is not overt, like traditional marketing, it is still marketing. By strategically planning your SMM campaign and ultimately your content, your business can maximize the effectiveness of its social media campaign.

Reasons for Planning Content

1. You can target certain demographics. You can plan to use content that appeals to specific target demographics to draw them to your social media campaign.

2. You avoid sending out the wrong message. Recently, I was informed of a new business owner using their personal Facebook page to push their business. That doesn't seem so bad...right?

At the same time as pushing their business, their profile page was filled with notifications of the business owner playing of Texas Hold Em' Poker, all day long. They came off looking like a gambling addict and maybe lazy. These are very negative images for a business, especially a startup. This image was a result of neglecting to plan what their social media content would be and who was seeing it.

3. Planning content allows the business to have greater control over what products/services are being marketed. If a business feels a product or a service is not selling, they can utilize a SMM campaign to bolster sales.

A client of mine has business with multiple revenue streams. We sit down and plan strategic ways to covertly market these very different products. Properly laid content is the best way to push specific products that need to move.

4. Additionally, if a product or a service is not selling well, planning more content around that product may lead the business owner to find out the reason why. Client interactions are important to the developing (or changing) products to suit client's needs. By generating meaningful content, businesses can gain valuable feedback from clients that can directly affect their businesses.

Image: photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Google and Motorola Concerns

Google has been making a lot of headlines lately: from launching the newest social media network Google+; to where Google purchases Motorola for 12.5 billion dollars; and currently where antitrust concerns are being raised about the purchase.

According to both companies, do not let that worry you, that the sale will go through and that concerns are always raised in sales this large.

As for Android and what is going on with it-Google states.

The acquisition of Motorola Mobility, a dedicated Android partner, will enable Google to supercharge the Android ecosystem and will enhance competition in mobile computing. Motorola Mobility will remain a licensee of Android and Android will remain open. Google will run Motorola Mobility as a separate business.

Other hardware makers, such as: Samsung, HTC, LG, Kyocera and Sony Ericsson (other producers of smartphones that utilize Google's Android) may have reasons to worry,..the merger may result in a strong competitor with an insider edge, and they publically support the deal. However, Google getting into the hardware business will put the search engine company in direct competition with them.

There are other consequences of Google entering the mobile ring. What changes will it bring to the mobile industry? Can beleaguered Blackberry be able to withstand another blow in the mobile world?

Additionally, is Google going to allow Facebook on its mobile devices, in favor of Google +? If they pull Facebook off of their devices, (much like Apple did by leaving Adobe Flash off of their iPads and iPhones) it could have far ringing consequences to Facebook and the mobile industry.

These are important questions as the already powerful Google expands its company. It is definitely something for Social Media Marketers to keep an eye on!

Introduction to Sirf Web Marketing Strategies

This is the introduction video for Sirf Web Marketing Strategies!

Why Social Marketing is Better than Traditional Marketing

This is a great little video. People are getting tired of one-way, in your face traditional marketing. You can really connect with customers using social media!

Facebook Marketing Statistics, Demographics, Reports, and News

Here are a myriad of websites that have statistics on social media sites!

http://www.checkfacebook.com/

http://www.socialbakers.com/facebook-statistics/canada

http://socialmediastatistics.wikidot.com/facebook

http://greenhatdigital.com/social-media-marketing/statcounter-global-stats/

http://edlee.ca/2008/06/03/canadian-internet-usage-statistics/

http://greenhatdigital.com/social-media-marketing/statcounter-global-stats/

Next is Now

Good to have a Canadian Perspective

Some Twitter Tips

Everyone wants to push their company or products on Twitter. Social media is not about being pushy, but rather it is about engaging people and building relationships with them. Having only a few characters to engage your audience makes it a complicated task. Here are some tips to properly market your business on Twitter:

Do:

1. Thank people for following you on Twitter. Try to mention something unique about them to let them know that you are paying attention or give a polite and friendly salutation.

2. Use the @ sign when addressing someone (such as @sirfmarketing) to allow them to have some exposure in the @mentions sections and so they will know that you mentioned them. They may respond back!

3. Use the # sign to differentiate identifiers for people (such as 'Have a good day in #Penticton @sirfmarketing. I hope you enjoy #Peachfest this year!) This allows for keywords to be created to identify trends and locate people.

4. Please be genuine. People are tired of false, pushy advertising.

5. Talk like you normally would. Don't use slang or colloquialisms or be over wordy. Just be natural. It is a great way to interface with your audience.

6. Do follow people back.

Here are some don'ts:

1. Don't push yourself too much. Try to talk about your industry or business by providing quotes, telling jokes or posting relevant links. It is a covert marketing scheme.

2. Please do not use an auto-responder. Just because you can use an auto-responder email on Twitter-don't. It comes off as tacky and annoying and very impersonal.

3. Do not alienate people on Twitter. You never know who is going to be a potential client or who is a friend of a potential client.

4. Never talk bad about a competitors business - it just makes your business look bad.

5. Do not ask people to follow you on Facebook. It is assumed that you are already on Facebook...or place the link in the little profile section on top. It is very unprofessional and tacky to push yourself so hard on people.

I hope these tips help you out when using Twitter to market your business.

Happy tweeting and good luck.

Sirf Web Marketing Strategies

Sorry for the lack of posts, but I have been starting a new web marketing business and have been very busy. It is called Sirf Web Marketing Strategies, located in Penticton, British Columbia in the sunny Okanagan. It will be offering social media marketing, web development, graphic design and much more!

Go to http://www.sirfmarketing.com/ if you want learn more about my company.

Keep an eye out here for more posts soon.