I am still baffled that Google has not gotten its act together and fixed this ongoing issue with Google alerts not working! I wrote a post about it on 2/22/2013. Over a month later, and the issue has not been resolved. I just learned about this alternative, and I’ve read that it is a formidable option to Google’s ever failing alerts system. Try Talkwalker alerts system. Please share by commenting below if you like this option. Thus far, I feel it’s a mirror system to Google’s now defunct system. As a social media marketing agency based out of Miami, Florida, following trends on a daily basis is an integral part of our work. I am quite excited about Talkwalker.
Wishing you a great day,
Aanbelle Taub
I recently got a call from a small business owner in Hallandale, Florida, who happens to be quite proficient in social media marketing. He was seeking the services of my agency because he had reached what he referred to as “social media burnout.” Actually, this is quite common. I can relate– I eat, breathe and sleep social media! Both in my personal and professional life. Luckily, I have found the antidote to social media fatigue. I’d like to share some tips with you on how to avoid social media burnout:
- Don’t try to be on every social media network! Leverage the social media channels that best fit your business’ needs. Let’s go over some examples: If you own a bakery, Pinterest and/or Flickr are the perfect social media forums for you. Why? Because both focus on blogging through pictures. An image says a thousand words. Your cake creation will be enough to convert a visitor to the site to a client. If you’re a jewelry designer, same scenario. However, if you’re a veterinarian, blog posts back linked to Facebook are far more suitable than the latter! Why? Because writing about the importance of annual canine teeth cleaning is far more informative than a picture. It offers the consumer an avenue to make an informative decision about his/her pet’s care.
- Plan ahead. The common mistake many business owners make is that they try to be on every social media channel. A complete waste of time and energy. For instance, Twitter is not an effective tool for the average business owner! I mean that sincerely. I often use it as a seo tool for my clients. What I mean is that unless you’re JLo, chances are that your followers are not interested in what you had for breakfast, or what services you have to sell. The biggest mistake business owners make is trying to sell their services on Twitter. They get no response (obviously!… this method is the modern-day unsolicited telemarketing calls we all used to get years ago), and get discouraged. I’ve written some helpful twitter tips in past blog posts. Decide which channels include your target audience and engage them with useful information. DO NOT SELL your services! Engage your audience and the business will come! For example: Sydney! Faye-Davis, a prominent Williams Island realtor, does an impeccable job with her social media efforts. Sure her website contains listings, but she also writes about up-to-date finance trends which affect lending. She writes posts advising landlords on how they can attract potential renters.
- Use your time efficiently! Allot one day for writing your blog posts. If you need 2 hours, schedule it in. Then, allot the next day for linking these posts on 2 to 3 social media channel max. I suggest Facebook and Google Plus. Maybe LinkedIn as well. However, on this network, please don’t share what you’ve had for breakfast. Keep it strictly professional.
I suggest selecting at least one or two of these tips and putting a plan in place for effectively utilizing your time on social media.
If you have any tips you’d like to share, I’d love to hear from you. Use the comment section below.
Wishing you a great day,
Anabelle Taub
If your small business has a physical location, use the “Check-In” feature to claim its “Places Page.” Your customers will then be able to “check-in” with their mobile devices, which will automatically post to Facebook, letting all their friends know that they support your business. Best of all, it provides free online advertising.
Google Hangouts was introduced in 2012 and I think it’s the such a wonderful forum to help authors and publishers save money on book tours and do live readings and book signings from the comfort of their living rooms.
Google Hangouts lets you create digital events where participants can join a ‘hangout’ and watch the author read from their book. 4 participants at a time can join in the conversation, while others watch live. The ‘hangout’ is streamed live on Youtube and could be used by the author as an archive, as well as embed the video on the author’s website/blog, not to mention social network forums. Readers can even order personalized copies of the book signed to them by the author online and have these books sent to them.
Thanks for stopping by Eco Press. Today’s social media small business marketing tip will cover how to engaging clients/followers on Facebook. I received an e-mail from a business owner in Hollywood, Florida, inquiring about Facebook marketing tips. As a digital social media marketing agency we manage many of our clients’ Facebook business/fan pages; suffice it to say that we know a thing or two….
I’d like to share some of these tips with you:
- How frequently should you post? Once a day, twice max!!!! Your followers/fans hate to be bombarded.
- KISS (Keep It Short & Simple). Enough said!
- Which day of the week is the worst day/decent or best day/s to interact on Facebook? Studies point to Wednesdays as being he worst. Mondays and Tuesdays are decent days to engage. Saturdays and Sundays are the absolute best days to post, engage and interact.
- What type of content should you post? Keep posts under 80-90 characters. As we evolve into a digital society, our attention spans become shorter-and-shorter. Studies show that the shorter your posts are, the better chances you have that your clients/followers will actually read what you have to write! [Extra Tip: Post pictures and ask questions! Studies show that the rate of comments by followers may reach up to 92%. We absolutely agree].
We hope you’ll find these tips helpful. We utilize these guidelines on a weekly basis; apply the same to your small business marketing plan and you’ll reap the rewards.
Wishing you an amazing day,
If you’re not sure how to use social media to your business’ advantage, or can’t for the life of you figure out how QR codes work, I am sure that by the time you’re done reading this post, you’ll get it! I have to admit, at Eco Press (a Miami based seo and social media marketing agency) we don’t often use QR codes, because we think that for the average small business, they are not needed. However, the following example is really a perfect way to use this matrix barcode.
Let me preface by writing this, I am using McDonald’s as a prime example because it’s a good one; but, being the animal rights advocate that I am, I absolutely denounce the unethical beef farming practices.
Onto more objective views of the fast food super giant…. McDonald’s adopted a new global packaging design using QR codes, which can be scanned by a smartphone, to provide consumers information about the food they’ve ordered. The QR codes debuted at more than 14,000 McDonald’s restaurants in the U.S. this week and will expand to international markets throughout the year.
More on their social media strategy: “Our new packaging is designed to engage with customers in relevant ways and celebrate our brand,” says Kevin Newell, McDonald’s chief brand officer. “Customers tell us they want to know more about the food they are eating and we want to make that as easy as possible by putting this information right at their fingertips.”
You can generate free QR codes yourself. Sites such as qrstuff.com offer you the option of creating your own matrix bar code in an array of colors.
As a passionate seo and social media marketing agency owner in Miami, I am writing this blog entry with a great deal of frustration!
Today’s topic of choice how clueless business owners are when it comes to social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. I am both annoyed and surprised. I am annoyed at people in my industry who take advantage of the naive business owners (there’s nothing I hate more than unethical work practices) and at otherwise smart and savvy business owners who are so blinded by the term “Facebook followers,” or “Twitter followers.”
Let’s take this concept of followers. So last week I was contacted by a start-up company (while I won’t divulge the details I can share that it is related to the pet industry, anyhoo I digress.…) and we scheduled and a phone appointment for this past Tuesday. So I am on the phone with the owner of this start-up and his representative ( a wonderful marketing professional who suggested he talk to me about seo work). They start talking to me about the concept and then the owner of the company interrupts and tells me with much pride that his company has hired a social media company some months back and that he has 12,000 followers on Facebook and 10,000 on Twitter, respectively. At that moment I realized that this shrewd business man had been taken BIG time by this so-called social media marketing professionals, and that he really has no clue what this impressive number (NOT!) really amounts to. You guessed it, well, at least I hope you did (and if not, I promise you that you will in a minute), these thousands of followers mean a big fat Zero, Zip, Nada, Nothing!!!
I interrupted him mid sentence, and asked him, what is the age group (demographics is key!) of these so-called followers (I’d be willing to bet that most of them are fake followers and that he has no idea that he was taken advantage of)? He answered that at least 50% of them were between the ages of 13 to 17. I had to take a deep breath, as I didn’t want to seem condescending, and then I told him that in actuality this number of 10,000 meant nothing. As his target group are paying adults, not school age individuals. I stopped him dead in his tracks. He thought about it (and probably was shocked too) and said I was right, that come to think of it, this was not a favorable statistic to go by. To say the least!! I then asked him how much interaction (engagement) was going on between his company’s social media representatives and these followers? I don’t think I got a clear answer. I don’t think he knew the answer either! I know what the answer is– slim to none!
The bottom line is that if you don’t leverage your followers and convert them from followers to clients, your social media campaign is completely ineffective. It is better to have an active engagement with 5 followers/fans than have 100,000 followers who will never buy from you or repost anything you have to say!
In the real world, a business owner or shrewd entrepreneur would understand the concept of leveraging. The concept of demographics. So why is it that most business owners don’t get that social media platforms work in the same way? I think it’s largely due in part to us becoming like robots. We allow technology to do the thinking for us. If you watch the news, you’ll have a quick blurb of the reporter’s @ socialmedianame appear. It’s all about, follow, follow, follow! Well that’s exactly the end results. We’ve become a bunch of followers, instead of leaders!!
Please, I implore you, if you’re in the marketing for an SEO or SEM company to run effective marketing campaigns on behalf of your company, please don’t let anyone over sell you on social media forums and thousands of followers. Your ROI (return on investment) will amount to zero. Think things out. Be innovative in both your business concept and model, and think of social media demographics as you would if you targeted these consumers through offline marketing.
If you’ve enjoyed this article, please share it with other like minded individuals. Have anything to add? I’d love to hear from you. Just comment below.
Thanks for stopping by,
Anabelle Taub
It seems that more and more people who are sick and tired of local status quo politics run by apathetic or self-serving politicians within their communities, consider, or do run for office themselves. Have you considered running yourself! If you think you can’t, allow me to give you some inspiration………..
I am extremely excited about the possibility of having Michele Lazarow win the seat of city commissioner, in the upcoming 2012 Hallandale Beach elections. There are two things I am really passionate about in life- animal welfare and social media. There are a few moral virtues I will not waver on– trust and integrity. Michele Lazarow is a true animal lover/activist, and is a woman who possesses great integrity. I’d love to see her win, and bring about some sensible, fresh municipal changes. Because Ms. Lazarow is so inspiring to me (she managed to do the impossible, and got an ordinance passed, which limits puppy store owners from corrupting the great city of Hallandale…. but that’s a whole other story), I wanted to write about tangible social media tools that can be used in political campaigns. I should note this- Ms. Lazarow did not pay me or ask me to mention her in this article.
As such, I really believe that a person who does not have a lot of money to run a political campaign, can do so efficiently, smartly, and even beat out their opponents with deep pockets. I am really convinced that PR as we knew it, is dead. Running campaigns without a dynamic social media plan– and sticking to paper run tactics (meaning, mail outs, newspaper ads and the like)– well, that is surely being phased out as well.
The common denominator you should consider– engagement! Don’t bore people by tweeting dozens of times that you’re running for office. Make your social media profiles about your constituents, not about you!
All your really need is a smart phone!
- Visit the local businesses within the town or city you’re running for office in, and tweet about the delicious sandwich you just had at Beau’s Sandwich Shop (just an example). Take a picture of yourself and the business owner, then Tweet and Facebook it via Instagram. Visit as many of the small businesses in the area, let the owners know you’re running for office, PAY for which ever service you’re getting, and try the above. You’ll win the owners over, and they will spread the word around town about you as well. Be sure to ask them what they think about how the municipality treats them as business owners. Do they see room for improvement? Communicate to them that you will take their concerns seriously, and try to do something about their grievances (if any) once you’re elected!
- Encourage your constituents to visit your Twitter and Facebook profiles (you’ll need a blog, too, please don’t overlook this powerful engagement tool) to write in comments about what type of changes they’d like to see take place. This is your ticket to win the election! However, do the right thing– once you’re elected, take these concerns into strong consideration, and tackle them head on. For if you do, you are almost guaranteed a second term!
- Create a YouTube channel. Send out a volunteer or two with a video camera (they can use their smartphones) and target locals by standing outside of the local grocery store/market and asking them to take part for a moment, by voicing what they’d like to see change within the city. Think demographics! Retirees would love to have a voice, so give them the opportunity. 30 seconds or less. Post these videos, organically, just as they are. You can then post your responses, or write a response out, and include the link to your response, within the video. This way, you’ve not only utilized YouTube, but you’ve created great content for your blog as well. Be sure to collect their email addresses as well, let them know you’ll be emailing a link to the video.
- Find out which journalists are covering the elections in your town/city, follow them on Twitter. Anytime they write about an issue affecting your town/city, chime in by writing your opinion, or what you would do to bring about a change. More than likely, you’ll get a mention by way of a RT (retweet) from this journalist, or even better– an article covering your platform.
As Mahatma Ghandi said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”
If you’re a volunteer or an employee of a non-profit organization, but are not sure which social media tools you should use as part of your marketing plan, here are some very effective tools I’d like to share with you.
First, let’s go over the basics of a non-profit marketing plan. 4 basic items to consider:
- Who are you trying to engage?
- What are you trying to achieve?
- What are the tools you’re going to use? (Don’t worry, I got you covered)!
- What will your marketing plan’s results look like when you’re done?
You need a solid marketing plan (much like creating a business plan, I’d create both). The above four pointers are a good place to start. To implement your plan, you’ll need some great social media tools. The following are the most desirable (in my humble opinion) social media tools best used for campaigns specific to non-profit-organizations:
- Search for key word terms (for example, pet rescue) on search.twitter.com. You will find twitter users who are speaking about pets or pet rescues. I would start by following them, and than reaching out to them, by asking them to visit your blog, or view your YouTube videos. DO NOT TRY TO SELL THEM ANYTHING, OR ASK FOR IMMEDIATE DONATIONS. If you do that, they will surely block you, or unfollow you.
- Create a fundraising campaign organized with twitter. Click to read their guidelines for non-profits.
- Promote awareness of your cause using Facebook and Twitter via Twibbon.
- Organize a petition with act.ly. I actually think this is a nifty tool to reach groups, organizations, or famous people who might share a mutual passion for your cause. This is by far my favorite social media tool for raising awareness.
- Create a cause, and add it to your organization’s Facebook page.
- Add your blog’s feed to your fan page wall via the Notes application.
- Add your events to your Facebook fan page.
- Ask your Facebook fans to upload videos which support your organization. (For example: if you create YouTube videos, be sure they have happy endings, and allow these videos to be embedded by others). Take a look at Hope For Paw’s videos. They are the perfect example!
- Apply for a designated nonprofit Youtube Channel. This is an incredible tool. I love it. Be sure that your videos have a happy ending, not a sad one! Encourage your supporters to engage and upload video responses.
- My absolute other favorite tool- the Google for Nonprofits. The benefits after you’ve been approved for eligibility is incredible. Apply Here.
- Be sure that your website or blog has a “Share This” widget.
I have two passions in life, my first, animal rights advocacy, and second, I am a social media marketing aficionado. I sincerely hope that these tools help you raise the funds your worthy cause surely deserves. I’ve armed you with more than enough information and tools to run your very own non-for-profit marketing campaign. However, you will need to dedicate a lot of time for your cause to succeed. You may need the help of additional volunteers. If you have the funding for it, you should absolutely consider a professional social media marketing agency to help run your campaign. Feel free to contact me to discuss a possible non-for-profit marketing campaign. Eco Press offers discounted rates to legitimate 501(c)(3) organizations.
Your Turn: I would love your feedback on this article. Please let me know if you find the tools useful and/or helpful. Please share any other tools you’ve used, that you think others would benefit from.
Thanks for taking the time to read my article!
– Anabelle Taub
Recently, I discovered a nifty tool to unsubscribe from so many e-mail subscriptions, which I never opted to be a part of. I’ve tried it all, spamming, even clicking the unsubscribe option at the bottom of dozens of e-mails I receive every week. Even though I am in the social media marketing business, and am well versed in the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003 which mandates every e-mail recipient be able to opt out of any commercial (self-promoting) e-mails, I have grown tired of having to manually unsubscribe or opt-out. With dozens of unsolicited e-mails received daily, manually opting-out has become a laborious task. Until now!
I just came across a great tool I’d like to share with you. Unroll.me will help you get rid of unwanted subscriptions with just one CLICK! It’s super easy, even for individuals who are not computer savvy.
I hope you like this tool. Please share it with your co-workers, friends and family. For more nifty social media tools, please follow my Eco Press Twitter page, or subscribe to my blog.
Wishing you a great day!
Anabelle Taub
Eco Press: A Miami Based Social Media Marketing Agency, Socializing Brands Across The Globe
