Archive | July, 2009

FaceBook Fan Box – Get Some

by on July 28, 2009 in Best Practices, FaceBook

If you are an admin on a FaceBook Fan Page, you can create a Fan Box (top left on the page, just under the logo). This is a little bit of code that lets you embed a “Fan Box” on any website, bringing FaceBook interaction directly to your web page. You can see an example of this in the left column of my page where I am running an example for some organizations I feel passionate about.

How did I do this? Too simple, I added a Text Box Widget in the left column of my Word Press theme. Then, I pasted the code FaceBook generated for me into the text box and clicked Save.

Why do this? Ideally we want a circle of communication in our networks…see the Back2Basics image a few posts down. Encourage participation on your FaceBook Fan Page.

Why are Fan Pages better than Group Pages? 2 very simple reasons. First, when you post to your fan page it hits the newsfeed of all of your fans (not true on groups). This is a power that you can abuse. Don’t worry, if you abuse your posting ability your fans will show you by un-faning you (sorry – new word). Second, FaceBook Insights. You have to be an administrator of the page to see these, but they are awesome. You can see how many times photos or videos have been viewed, how many new fans, postings by fans, etc. This is not as powerful as Google Analytics, but it is a feature you do not have if you are the admin of a FaceBook Group.

Need help? Shoot me an email, let’s talk.

Comments { 0 }

Updating Your FaceBook Profile- Relatives?

by on July 28, 2009 in Best Practices, FaceBook, LinkedIn

Not sure when this feature rolled out, but I just added my parents and sister under my FaceBook profile. Why is this important? FaceBook is starting to do more mapping. I am a little surprised they did not add cousins. I like my cousins a lot and want to add them to my profile.

Why is this important? I would not have noticed this feature if I did not decide to update my Profile on FaceBook.  How often is appropriate? Whenever you want to. New favorite book or movie, or maybe you just got a new Google phone number like I did. Whatever the reason, keeping your profiles updated is important. Like Nike, Just Do It!

Comments { 1 }

Social and professional networking and the Generation Gap

by on July 23, 2009 in Best Practices, FaceBook, LinkedIn

Recently, I was told by a an older gentleman that social and professional networking sites are not for finding jobs and that a generational gap exists between us and them. I was somewhat disappointed that this comment came from a man who has the power to hire people into a great local organization. I was also a little shocked at his resistance to social and professional networking online using technology like FaceBook and LinkedIn.

Why? Because we were at a networking meeting for starters. Also, because I see all of our online networking activity as a great extension of that rotary phone we grew up. Only now, that phone travels with me everywhere and is used to update my Twitter account, FaceBook status, track my calendar, email, play games and of course capture media to distribute on my social networks.

Maybe if I was a little more present, or less interested in being diplomatic, I would have responded with my usual response. “You’re right, LinkedIn and FaceBook are not for finding a job, they are for growing revenue and increasing profits.” I say it because I believe it.

If you learn how to use the social and professional networking tools available, you will accomplish increased sales. You will never need to make a call again. You will also become a valuable commodity as an educated, technically savy employee who is ahead of the curve. This might not help you find a job, but in a traditional company this may wind up saving your job.

I do not believe there is a generation gap in the world of FaceBook, LinkedIn and Twitter. I believe we have an obligation for “each one to teach one.” Find someone you know and share what you know. Invite an old or young person to FaceBook or LinkedIn and invite them to get together and show them how to use the software. Every time you do this you will grow the strength of your own network, accumulate social capital and share an experience with someone who has something equally valuable to share with you. Be a Guru, a Teacher, a Student. Be Yourself.

Comments { 6 }

Back to Basics

by on July 21, 2009 in Best Practices

Back2BasicsThis image was done by Phil Guy. It reminds me of the Harry Chapin song, “All My life’s a Circle.” Each or any of these arrows can be the center of your attention. Each can also be a critical step in building sales, name recognition and relationships with your customers. Getting Back2Basics and developing a strong base is essential for growth. Each of the above arrows must be integrated into your social media strategy.

The question you must ask yourself is, how can I inspire activity within the various arrows? How can I ignite people to engage?

Comments { 0 }

The Law Of LARGE Numbers

by on July 15, 2009 in FaceBook

Looking at a few stats today, I am in awe of the Law of Large Numbers. FaceBook is approaching 250 million users, most of which think of it as their “social” network. LinkedIn has eclipsed 40 million users, most of which think of it as their “professional” network.

How do you make FaceBook “professional?” Easy, put up a full and complete profile that enables your friends and connections to know you better than they do in the real world. This means all of your jobs with full detailed summaries, just like on your resume with all of the interesting details that make you worthy of being a friend. Want to do business? Keep it “Off The Wall” (RIP Michael Jackson) and use the email system to talk shop and open relationships and opportunities.

LinkedIN? Keep it simple. Get on the phone and follow up with those connections in the real world. Use that mobile phone in your pocket to make business happen. If you are not using your minutes each month you are losing business. Get on the phone and make it happen.

Look at the size of Linked and FaceBook and get the Law Of Large Numbers working for you.

Comments { 0 }

Be a Part of The Revolution-Follow Everyone on Twitter

by on July 10, 2009 in Random

The Twitter Revolution has happened, are you a part of it? If you need one reason, this is it. Unprecedented access to news as it is happening, from real people – not the biased reports from Fox and CNN or the NY Times or Washington Post. Real people are breaking news on Twitter faster than traditional media and this is the Twitter Revolution.

I know, you don’t care about the news, you are trying to sell more product and dig your organization out of this economic mess called 2008. Great, Twitter is enabling sales the exact same way Amazon did 10 years ago. Be a part of the Twitter Revolution.

There is one point that I insist on. Check your followers every few days and Follow Everyone back. Everyone? Yes Everyone. O.k, I block a few of the porno people, but when I say Everyone…I really mean everyone. Make the system work for you. This is a basic habit and a good one to follow. If you limit who you follow you only limit your access to information. Do Not Limit Yourself! Lead by providing relevant, good information, Follow everyone so you get access to information.

If you remember one thing I have said about Twitter, Follow Everyone. Start with me @sonicallstar.

Comments { 0 }

Opening Up A Can Of Worms

by on July 9, 2009 in FaceBook, LinkedIn

wormsWhen is it appropriate to open up a can of worms on your social networking sites? Business people will tell you to stay away from extremes, never open up a can of worms. Stay away from politics and religion. I suggest you do not listen to them. When you are bored, open up a can of worms!

You can’t do this every day, it will lose it’s impact. You must be tasteful and respectful as your friends weigh in with different opinions. Sometimes this is challenging… By using your ability to moderate and encourage people to have an opinion, you will get to know them better. I know, that is not always a good thing ;-) .

At the heart of it, I want you to know that if you find FaceBook boring, take a look at the man in the mirror and make a change.
michael jacksonI am choosing to remember Michael Jackson as a humanitarian and talented artist. Rest In Peace MJ.

Comments { 0 }

Are you spreading the love on LinkedIn?

by on July 7, 2009 in LinkedIn

Have you written any recommendations on LinkedIn this week? Why not? It is easy, tell the truth and keep it short and simple. Three lines is perfect, five lines means you better have a lot to say.

Why? Because it is the easiest way to strengthen your connection with people you know and have worked with. You show up on their page as someone who has recommended them, taking a higher priority over all of their other connections. They are listed on your page as someone you have recommended. More importantly, your recommendation hits both of your news feeds.

Giving a recommendation is better than getting a recommendation. My suggestion is you should try and give at least 1 recommendation per week for the rest of the summer. If you do not have 10 people you can write recommendations for, then you need to add more connections. Spread the Love on LinkedIN this summer.

Comments { 0 }

15 minutes of Fame equals participate daily

by on July 5, 2009 in Best Practices

As you implement your social media strategy, take a careful look at how many social networks you are going to participate in. How much time can you dedicate daily and weekly? Jim Cramer of Mad Money and The Street says you MUST research each stock you invest in for 1 hour each week. This is my new mantra. For every social network you participate in prepare to dedicate at least 1 hour per week participating.

Break up the time in any increments you want, but make sure that each network gets an hour of your time each week. I believe you need to participate daily, but of that is too much of a commitment than find time as is appropriate for you. I look at LinkedIn daily, but only dedicate time to it once a week. I will check FaceBook multiple times per day and I am on Twitter everyday. You have to find the balance that works for you. I am a creature of habit, if I do anything for 3 days, it is like I have been doing it forever. This means I have to participate daily or I will neglect the network completely. Get your 15 minutes of fame daily, participate.

Comments { 0 }

Twitter decides to steal – Finally!

by on July 1, 2009 in Random

Finally, Twitter has looked at what the people writing software for Twitter are doing and stolen some features to add to the website. Look at your followers and you will see a new interface with icons that look exactly like Seesmic and Tweetdeck.

Is this good? No, it is great!!! Now you can simply and easily Write to the person, Direct Message, Unfollow or Block the user. Simply click on the Gear like button and a drop down appears. The other nice feature added a few months ago was an easy way to click on your name right on the home page and see any tweets referencing you.

Slowly Twitter’s website is becoming more useful. This may increase adoption of their micro-blogging services more than anything as many people are too nervous to install random software and supply their username and password for Twitter to that software. Twitter is adopting the philosophy of FriendFeed and rolling out features without a lot of fanfare (note – FriendFeed just added a Themes Feature allowing your FriendFeed page to be a little easier on the eyes, ok at least customized). This bodes well for Twitter and may be a sign that the programmers and engineers are finding a balance between growth, scaling and development.

Conclusion- Do Not Sleep! If you have an agenda, a product, or sell anything, you must be on Twitter.

Comments { 0 }

Twitter – It is NOT too late to join the Revolution

by on July 1, 2009 in Random

Lately, Twitter has been on my mind a lot. I used to hate Twitter, just like the military kids hated the hippies in the 60′s. My inner hippy has openly embraced Twitter and I am ready to come out of the closet….I LOVE Twitter! Without a doubt, I am feeling better already. Why do I love Twitter?

Despite the all too regular Fail Whale status of Twitter’s network, the massive amount of Spam I get from auto DM as I follow people, and the amount of junk tweets I sift thru…underneath all of that ruble, is a gold mine waiting to be explored. How do I know this? First, because the US Government asked Twitter to keep their servers up so Iranians could continue to post updates concerning their election issues (best source of news instantly). Second is because companies like Dell are seeing sales increasing dramatically relative to their quantity and quality of their Followers.

Recently my Twitter philosophy hs changed from register your name, if only to protect it to YOU MUST BE ON TWITTER!

O.k, so you are on Twitter but do not kow how to build up a Twitter following? It is slow painstaking work. I use the Find People feature to search looking for some relevant accounts based on my niche interest. I take the top ten accounts and follow them, then I start looking at who those accounts are following and who are following these accounts. I then try and follow as many people and companies as possible within my specified niche. When I have reached my limit, I wait a few days and use Twitter Karma to delete all of the accounts not following me back and bulk follow all of my new followers. This takes 15-30 minutes a day. Slow painstaking work.

The Revolution will not be televised, it will be on Twitter in real time. If you sell a product or service, you must be on Twitter, actively engaged. Like the rest of out lives, this must become a habit you can live with. Twitter is very powerful and you must use these tools to further you business. I am a convert.

Comments { 0 }