Writing by Brick Marketing on Tuesday, May 19, 2009 Leave a comment
Twitter has evolved into a cultural phenomenon very quickly. New social marketing related verbs have spawned just from the name of the website and it is growing in power every single day. Just like the days of MySpace when it first launched everyone wants to be envolved in the Twitter community. If you are still one of those business owners that doesn’t think it is right for your business you are most likely in denial. I drop updates into the Twitter account that we have and it doesn’t necessarily generate a great deal of conversation but when we look at our analytics account we see that we receive generous amounts of traffic to our site. All businesses should be on Twitter in some way. Here are 5 ways Twitter can help grow your online presence.
1. Following People: Research and find your competition on Twitter. Take a look at the type of people that are following them. Chances are it is your audience so start following them. Over time some of these followers will see and and check out your profile. Some will visit your site and some will just click and follow you. You now have the attention of that potential customer or client.
2. Promote Your Blog: Do you have a blog you write in everyday but are not sure exactly how to promote it. Try taking your blog posts and posting them in your Twitter account for everyone to see. This is a sure way to generate new traffic to your blog especially once you have built up a decent amount of qualified followers you will quickly see the amount of traffic to your blog build as well.
3. Twitter Directories: There are many Twitter directories out there since the birth of this giant social platform. Twitter directories are a great way for others to find your Twitter profile. Promotion will be important for others to find.
3. Real Time Search: Are you a service based business? With Twitters real time search ability you can attempt to track down other people talking about what you offer.
4. Conversation: Once you start generating conversations with people their list of followers will see who they are talking to and eventually make it to your profile. Once they are in your profile that could potentially be a new customer or client.
5. Link Building: At the bare minimum the act of building a profile for your business and filling out the profile areas completely is a form of link building for your business, even if you don’t use it that much.
Writing by Brick Marketing on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 Leave a comment
Yelp is a type of website that can either make or break your business if launched at the wrong time. Social marketing reviews are great and very powerful but if you launch one and your business has a less than stellar reputation you could easily dig yourself a hole that will be difficult to get out of.
Yelp was founded in 2004 and was designed to bring the community together so that they can share voices and opinions on certain local businesses. Yelp is now one of the largest online review websites in the world. If you are performing some link building activities for your business and you finally decide to launch a Yelp profile you must be careful that you do not have angry customers or disgruntled employees. Is your brand followed by many or hated? I know it is difficult to answer this question but if you open the doors for others to write what they want about either yourself or your business then you must be ready to take in the bad and the good. Once someone leaves a negative comment on your profile there is no way to remove it. How ever if you have a business that is flourishing with lots of happy customers than this Yelp profile could help you generate even more business!
Customers are more willing to come visit your store or use as a vendor when they have been able to read what others have said about your business. The more positive information you have the better it looks for your business, obviously. So if you are confident about your business don’t hesitate and sign up for your Yelp business account today.
Writing by Brick Marketing on Monday, August 25, 2008 Comments (4)
Twitter is trying to battle spam for several different reasons. The obvious reason of course is that no one wants to receive constant streams of spam, even in sms type messages. Twitter is a little different as it hosts millions ‘conversations’ at once, a factor that has lead to numerous outages. Remove the spam and you may reduce activity by 10-25% - maybe more, I doubt less.
Spam has been the curse of internet since mailing lists and bulletin boards. As the title suggests, I doubt there is a social site anywhere that is spam free. Where I do see a problem is in the definition of the word spam. What is spam to you may be acceptable to me and vice-versa. You may block a site because you feel you are being spammed, I may find their activity fine or only bordering on spam.
A general definition for spam could be: sending unsolicited, unwanted, irrelevant, or inappropriate messages, particularly commercial advertising.
If you were to study that definition closely, we could all be accused of spamming at various times when using social marketing to promote ourselves, products or web sites. We all obviously draw a line somewhere and when someone crosses it we can them as spammers.
I accept there is obvious spam. Those that use robots to leave thousands of useless and meaningless comments on web sites, particularly to unrelated sites - that’s spam. Sending emails after being asked to be removed from the mailing list that is spam. Wanting to tell the world you have a great new post, or even a great new product, where is the line and when does it become spam?
This is one of the issues that every social media site has to deal with. How to determine if someone is spamming, borderline spamming, or just doing a little too much promoting. Every site has spam. Every day I receive spam both in my inbox and through the comments here.
I am certainly glad that I am not the one determining what is and isn’t spam. User flagged options can be used effectively although it is still open to abuse. Digg would be a good example of where a group can decide that anything you submit gets torpedoed straight away. Spam is here and we are probably all guilt of it at some time. However, if social media sites like Twitter can reduce the amount of spam, it would certainly make them more attractive.
Writing by Brick Marketing on Friday, August 1, 2008 Leave a comment
It appears that social media, particularly in the form of blogs, can now be used by public companies to meet their public disclosure requirements. Neville Hobson has reported the story on WebProNews.
Yesterday, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved new guidance for publicly-listed companies in using traditional websites and social media channels like blogs to meet the SEC’s public disclosure requirements under Regulation FD.
This brings the SEC into the 21st century and more importantly, recognizes the widespread use on the internet. Blogs will most likely go through another commercial spurt, this time from public companies.
Neville makes two observations:
- This could be the moment, the tipping point, when the social media news release really comes into its own, given its purpose of presenting news and information in a format that is designed for online interactivity.
- It could well give a kick in the pants to how corporate websites are managed and controlled, opening up the development of those sites into genuinely interactive and useful tools. A bit like how blogs work in many ways.
They are both salient points. Social media will now grow stronger with some sites no doubt trying to capitalize by developing dedicated sections to news releases and public disclosures. However, as mentioned in the second point, blogs will be the real winners in the longer term because of the control that goes into publishing them.
A side issue that should be worth noting. As public companies start to use social media for public disclosures and press releases, they will need to beef up their online reputation programs to ensure nothing getting out of hand due to a poorly worded or interpreted release of information.
Writing by Chris Lang on Saturday, July 5, 2008 Comments (3)
Do you know what pitch is? You may think you do, but let me tell ya, it is not what you think.
So what is pitch?
They use it to seal asphalt. If you have ever watched a crew laying out pitch you probably noticed FIVE really, really, important things about pitch:
Pitch is black.
Pitch is really freakin hot.
If you get too close to it, it sticks to you.
If you do get it on you, it burns the hyde right off you.
Like naplam.
Once you get burned by pitch, you avoid pitch at all costs.
Once you know what pitch is, you do not go near it again.
Pitch sucks.
Things have changed and it is harder to sell something on the Internet that ever before, but I do have a solution for you that will change your marketing for good.
It used to be you could just drive traffic to your sales letter and people bought it. Easy huh?
Not anymore, If you attempt to sell someone something right of the bat, you have already killed the sale. Done, goodbye lead, goodbye sale(s). Notice I said “sales.” Plural.
Internet consumers have seen just about every pitch there is. It is like trying to market MLM. “OH, you mean like Amway” is the first thing you hear right out of their mouth. MLM can make millionaires, but MLM usually comes with pitch. Once you know what pitch is, you avoid it at all costs.
“How the hell do I sell anything without pitching it to the lead” you ask, thinking I am an idiot.
You don’t try, that is the key. I am a student of human nature. I am also a student of how some men seem to have it made when it comes to women and that is one of the best ways to watch marketing and learn from it.
Let’s say a nice, good looking guy goes to a party on friday night. He is looking good, but not overdressed, fresh haircut, feeling confident and charming.
9:00 The first girl he approaches gives him the cold shoulder.
10:00 He tries again, same thing.
11:00 The party is huge, the girls are hot, and they are everywhere, our “guy” has a few beers in him, and is having a great time. Confident, all American smile, outgoing, funny, he will definitely succeed. He puts on his best PR smile and goes back in. Can’t lose, Right?
11:30 Midnight, shot down twice more, no numbers, not even a decent conversation. NOTHING.
All he has to do is up his numbers and try a little harder, flash that smile, make em laugh. He will not be beat. The place is full of hotties, he can’t lose.
2:00 AM, cut to the chase, our guy is eating at Denny’s with his buddies. Male buddies. They also did not even leave the party with a number. Guys 0, Pitch 4.
Every time our guy got shot down he tried a LITTLE harder. The more he did not succeed, the harder he tried. Beer had its effect. Not good.
Every girl in the world has heard every line there is and so has every web site visitor.
Everyone on the Internet has been there for a while, they know what pitch is. Pitch will burn you if you get too close. You avoid pitch at all costs.
OK, OK, I got it, so how do I sell without pitching?
I am a very average looking guy. REAL average. I am getting a little old, few extra pounds too. But while at the same party where our “guy” and his buddies struck out, the average Joe left with the info of a extremely intelligent, worldly, very attractive girl in his pocket, 10 years younger than him too.
I can do that because I do not try. DO NOT TRY. (no pitch, it burns you)
AND, I did not ask for the phone number, DID NOT ASK! DID NOT TRY. I asked for their email address. Most have not heard this, but it works like a charm and that is what you should be doing on YOUR web site.
Asking for email addresses and NOT trying to sell anything. Not trying to sell. Not trying at all, no pitch.
Your sales letter sells.
You do not sell.
Your blog does not sell.
Your auto responder does not sell.
You market. Your blog markets. Your auto responder markets.
The Bottom Line
After someone gets to know you, after you have sent proven content that HELPS your email subscribers. After your readers know you have a product, after they know that you do better that the rest because you use that product yourself. After your readers know your name, what you look like, what you sound like, after they realize that you are not some salesman knocking at the door. After your readers realize you don’t sell Amway. After your readers know you are not a spammer, con man, full of crap or full of picth, then you sell them something.
This is the time for pitch, when your subscribers have come to trust you! Full on sales letter, best headlines, tons of bonuses. You are bringing a valuable piece of information into your FRIEND’s life.
How do you do this? With an auto responder. You can decide at what time in your marketing process your subscribers get the pitch, what time they get pure content, what time they get marketing that makes them a warm market lead.
Because you cannot sell without pitch. You just have to know when to use it.
Get That E-mail Address!
Chris Lang is a social marketing consultant. He works from home, devising wickedly evil social marketing tactics and trying to take over the world.
Writing by Brick Marketing on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 Leave a comment
One of the most important relationships between a website and a visitor, particularly a customer, is the websites reputation. When it comes to seeking help or seeking advice, a website or webmaster needs to be able to demonstrate an expertize, to be considered an authority on the topic. Social content is one to establish that reputation.
Everything you say or do on any of the social sites is, to all intents and purposes, permanent and there for the world to see. When you leave your mark, it needs to show a degree of respect to others and, when offering advice, a level of knowledge that exceeds those around them. Social content is often viewed by thousands over time - as a marketing exercise, it exceeds every other form of media.
I have often seen questions asked, and the question is often rather silly when you first view it. However, from the writers perspective, they are probably quite sincere in their request for advice. The number of answers I see that belittle the asker is quite frequent. My response, if you are going to treat that person like that, I don’t want you in my friends list.
Treat the question with respect, or leave it alone. Remember, days, weeks, months perhaps years after, that question and answer will be read. The last thing you need is too look a fool with your answer. Build respect, build authority and respect will be returned. With it comes all the benefits of being considered an authority.
Writing by Brick Marketing on Wednesday, May 7, 2008 Comments (1)
Whether you are blogging or building a web site their is one piece of social content that will always grab a visitors attention and that is a graphic, picture of photo. Many people are visual and while the written word can send a message, a picture, as they say, can tell a thousand stories.
Humans are strange creatures. When it comes to pictures, it needs to be funny, cute, dangerous or just plain stupid - and I mean that in the nicest way. Social content that involves images that people can talk about will get shared. Cute animals, particularly if they are doing something strange, or acting human; funny cartoons; people jumping out of buildings and people doing something crazy to themselves like tattooing ads to their heads; these will all get shared
around the social networks.
If you think about it, finding a picture or graphic that fits one of these topics could be a social marketing dream. Place your site URL in one of the corners, or blazon it at the top or bottom, then let it go viral thoughout the social webisphere. Social content submissions like these can work wonders for your web site.
The next time you come across something that looks a little crazy, or a little too cute, think about whether or not you can capitalize on it through your social content programs. Opportunities don’t often come around like this, when they do you need to jump on them.
Writing by Brick Marketing on Monday, May 5, 2008 Leave a comment
I will preface this by saying that one size doesn’t fit all and sometimes, by a fluke of good fortune, terrible social content does go viral, occasionally as a case of how not to do something.
There are many articles written on how to produce social content to get your site noticed. There are not as many that tell you what can get your content totally canned - the social content turnoffs.
Incorporate the following into your social content and you may be doomed for failure:
- Unprofessional design - there is nothing worse than a really amateurish looking site
- Hard to read text - either the wrong font, size or color. If I cannot read it I am gone.
- Ugly, inappropriate or obtrusive ads. Need I say more.
- Pop ups; unders; overs. Considered rude and inconsiderate - my pet hate.
- Poorly written content. Particularly grammar, spelling and lack of subject knowledge.
- Bad, hard to find or missing navigation. Why is it when I want to read more I cannot find a link to any further articles - even though you tell me they are there? Bad news.
These are all major site turnoffs and, generally speaking, totally unnecessary. There are ad units that can blend in with most sites. Pop ups will chase away traffic. It is not difficult to publish pages that are easy to read and provide good navigation links. If your social content looks bad, so do you.
Provide the opposite and you will find visitors appreciative. Sometimes appreciative enough to send your social content viral.
Writing by Brick Marketing on Thursday, April 10, 2008 Leave a comment
Sometimes as a writer you find yourself unable to find that spark to fire up the fingers and produce the kind of content that your readers come to expect each day. Writers block! The bane of any writer, and yet, in a small way it can add power to your social marketing strategies.
If you are a regular reader of those in your social marketing circle, I am sure they have written articles that you have found not only interesting, but useful as well. I can hear opportunity knocking.
A simple cure for writers block. Steal their content! Of course not. However, I am sure you could add your little blurb to their thoughts. Perhaps even copy a little chunk - properly referenced of course - and then add some comments.
What does this have to do with social networking. First, if it is done properly, you will be continuing the conversion started in the original content. Secondly, the original author will appreciate the link and most likely appreciate the fact that someone thought their article worthy of reprint.
One aspect of social networking is the circle of creating content and watching as it permeates around the web, each author adding their views on the subject. It can be interesting to watch as topics go viral.
The next time you get writers block, have a look around you and see who’s content you can build on. It is interesting to note some of the top bloggers and their posts. They are often simply rehashes of articles from their networks of friends.
Writing by Brick Marketing on Tuesday, February 26, 2008 Leave a comment
A social marketing friend was playing around one day and discovered a new way to leverage the social content he writes. There are few things more satisfying than to get MORE use out of content you’ve already created.
Anyway, he dipped into his social blogging archive, back to April about 2 years ago. He published 14 articles that month. So he opened that file, and he opened a new text file. And then he took one paragraph at random from the first blog post and pasted it into the text file. He copied a random paragraph from the 2nd blog post and pasted it into the text file. He copied a random paragraph from the third blog post … well, you get the idea. He copied 8 paragraphs from 8 blog posts, then closed the blog archive to see what he had.
And you know what? This new “article” wasn’t half bad. The social content almost made sense as-is (or as-was). My friend chose a couple of new keywords to focus the article. Then he went into each paragraph, changed a word here, a sentence there, smoothed it all a bit, and in 5 minutes, he had a finished product. Sure, it sounds crazy. But try it … I’ll bet you can really leverage all your past years of social blogging.
Some other leveraging ideas:
- Look over your past blog posts for the best of the best. Take one that’s really good, get out your video cam, and film a 2-3 minute segment. Upload it to YouTube. Link to it from your site and MySpace and LinkedIn and any other social networking profiles you have.
- Keep track of every question that is emailed in to support, and every answer you give. Some of these Q & As probably suggest a “how-to” video you can do. Others may be appropriate to combine into a blog post.
- Outline an ebook you want to write. Write out the title for each chapter and section. Now write your blog posts with each of those titles as the headline. In maybe 2-4 weeks, you’ll have an ebook.
- If you have an active blog readership, do one blog where you ask questions about what resources people use to achieve certain results, or why they choose product A over product B. Then compile the results into a report to entice new readers.
To squeeze every last penny’s worth out of every single thing you do, plan ahead. Before you do it, whatever it is, think what other uses your social content could have. Blog. Article directory. Video. Podcast. Comment on someone else’s blog post. Ebook chapter. Free report for new subscribers. A somewhat different spin gives you a whole new article. The more you target multi-purpose content production, the more effective you will become.
Writing by Brick Marketing Admin on Sunday, December 23, 2007 Leave a comment
(Source) Venture capitalists are already looking around to see what they can fund in the way of original content, as evidenced by the news FunnyOrDie.com just got $15 million, and writers are banding together to see what they can launch. The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that three striking writers have joined up with a former MTV exec to start a web series called “The Void” for the WorldWide Biggies studio.
Hollywood writers love to socialize. They also love to write and if they’re not going to get paid for doing what they love from wealthy Hollywood producers then they’ll just go elsewhere. What would any self respecting content producer do?
But they’ll soon discover that the economics of online business is different than the Hollywood business-as-usual mindset. The bright side is that Internet citizens love to be entertained. They just don’t like to pay a whole lot for their entertainment. But they made need to. If creative television writers can create great entertainment for the Internet for a fraction of the cost, they can sell many more units for less cost and keep a higher percentage of the profits. There is potential to make even more money than they could make working for “the man.”
That’s the beauty of the Internet. It’s got a built in social networking. It’s also got a built in content development mechanism. The two things that Hollywood writers love and adore. They may not need their producers after all.
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