Google Search Results Include Facebook and Twitter posts – Is Your Small Business Included?

When you perform a Google search, it’s very likely that the most recent and relevant blog articles, news, and social media conversations related to your search are now showing up in Google’s search results.  Search results are a mix of links to standard website pages and relevant Facebook posts, Twitter comments and more.

Social Networking content is relevant in the eyes of Google! Google is indexing social media content in real-time.  I’ve written a short article about 5 simple steps you can take to start a social media campaign for your small business.  If you are a small business, you should not miss out on this opportunity to appear more often in search engine results.

5 Steps To Create a Small Business Social Media Campaign

Social Media is now at everyone’s fingertips.  A solo entrepreneur  or small business has access to the same Social Media tools as a big company like Coca Cola.

“How can you squander even one more day not taking advantage of the greatest shifts of our generation? How dare you settle for less when the world has made it so easy for you to be remarkable?” – Seth Godin

Success takes time, no overnight miracles in this venue.  But rewards are out there for those who keep plugging away.  Some back to basic principles can help you formulate a Social Media Marketing Campaign.

1) Clearly state your target market
Where are your potential customers hanging out?  Facebook, MySpace, Twitter?  Think about your demographics and choose the social media sites applicable to your market.  It’s not one size fits all.

2) Figure out your objectives
What is it you are trying to accomplish if you start using Social Media?  Brand awareness?  More traffic to your site?

3) Come up with your Social Media Strategies
Hardselling is not recommended.  Think about ways of using Social Media to establish your business as a resource of helpful information.  You need to earn trust first, sell second.  How can you earn that trust?

4) Measure your campaign’s success
Be sure you have researched how to measure the effectiveness of your social media campaign – you can’t know if what you are doing is working unless you know how to measure it.

5) Create a Social Media action plan calendar
Take some time to plan out the next 3 months, then make a calendar of action items you will work on every day that will convey a consistent message to reach your goals.

Be fluid in your thinking.  Trial and error is ok.  And remember, the very best thing you can do to have success with Social Media is to start.

Black Friday Deals on Facebook!

The shopping season frenzy is upon us.  Retailers have been making their [social media] lists and checking them twice.  If you’ve “liked” some of your favorite stores and brands, you’re in for a special treat this year as more companies will be offering Black Friday deals to fans of their Facebook pages.  You’ll finally get a little payback for liking and watching your favorite businesses work  their social media magic.

Check out the Facebook Black Friday deals here!!    http://www.facebook.com/blackfridaydeals

Will TJ Maxx iPad show only last year’s Facebook posts?

Did you hear?  TJ Maxx is selling iPads.

Since TJ Maxx generally carries the outcasts of  last year’s clothing styles, when you log into Facebook on your TJ’s iPad, will it only show last year’s Facebook posts?

What does a slightly irregular iPad look like?  Did Apple really produce too many iPads and now they are liquidating them for us Maxxanistas?  I want to know.  But I doubt my local TJ Maxx is going to be one of those ‘select stores’ that is now carrying the iPad.

TJ Maxx jumping into high tech gadgets brings up a lot of questions.   I seriously doubt our local TJ Maxx store clerk will be able to tell me what SMTP server I should enter to setup my email.   Perhaps the Apple store doesn’t care where you bought your iPad, they will support it?  Not sure.  I don’t have an iPad…I’ve been shopping Marshalls but I haven”t found one…yet.

Can we make money with Social Media or not?

Yes.  But indirectly, and you need to get creative.

Businesses need to accept the fact that social media  communication generally does not lead directly to a sale.  No instant gratification with this marketing tool.    Like I talked about in my last post, Social Media helps build relationships, and those relationships are your ticket to conversions into sales.  People like to buy from people they trust. Social Media helps you build up a group of people who trust you and your business and products.

If you want to use Social Media, think long term.  That’s the key. Building strong social media assets through consistent, long term social media campaign planning, is one of the ways you’ll  keep 10 steps ahead of your competition.  That will translate into your busines making more money if you stick with it.

I can help you target your market on the internet, reach your niche market through organic SEO and social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter and Linked in.  Visit websbymegan.com to learn more!

It’s a Social Media frenzy out there – get on board!

Relationship Building via Social Media

You don’t know what you don’t know.

We live in a rapidly changing online world.  It’s easy to get lost in the shuffle, losing hours every day surfing the web, texting, shopping online, etc.  Social Media has defined our new online world.   But it’s easy to lose site of what’s really important, what really matters at the end of the day.  Relationships.  We love our gadgets, our smartphones, laptops, iPads, MP3 players, and more.  But does any of it matter if we don’t have people to share our lives with?  To share our skills, services and products with?

We like to do business with people we know and trust.  It’s just that simple.  We have an opportunity to use today’s high tech online gadgets to connect with people every day.  And not just to sell them something.  To really connect, to offer experiences, insight, advice. You don’t know what you don’t know…by connecting with more people you will learn just that and expand your knowledge, depth and opportunity.

I see great things happening with Social Media.  I see it as an opportunity to connect authentically, when it’s done right, with people all around the country and all around the world.  Those connections can be casual, personal or amazing business opportunities.  Learn to take advantage of our new ability to make new, meaningful relationships online.