Tag: personal PR

Social Media & Personal PR: Youtube, Vine, & Snapchat

Aaaaaaaand…we’ve reached the final post of this series, and the final post on this blog! As this blog comes to an end, I hope I was able to pass along some of my knowledge to you, and that I helped you see the importance of social media for your small business, as well as tools that are available to you as a small business. My last posts dealt with Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram. This final post is going to quickly go into the benefits of marketing your business through YouTube, Vine, and yes, even Snapchat.

YouTube

(Google Images)
(Google Images)

We all know the potential of viral videos. They can be shared/talked about a thousand times over, and passed on from person to person for months. We remember and enjoy viral videos. They become part of pop culture, they make their way into our vernacular, they even sometimes become verbs. HOWEVER (and this is a big however), DO NOT EXPECT TO MAKE A VIDEO AND HAVE IT GO VIRAL!

Sorry to yell, I just had to firmly get that point across. But making videos takes time, and time is money, so why make a video if it won’t reach anyone? Well, it will, it just won’t necessarily become viral. Also, yes making a video takes time, but it does not necessarily need to cost a lot. Use resources you have  readily available to you: your team, an iPhone or any smartphone with a camera, and the location of your business (if it’s a physical one). You don’t need a lot to make a video that you can easily share across your social media platforms and ask your audience to share with people who may not necessarily be tuned into your brand/business [quite yet]. Here are 6 more tips for using YouTube for marketing:

  • don’t expect to go viral
  • buy YouTube ad space that can be shown before videos
  • DIY Focus Groups:  let the comments and tools such as YouTube’s own Hot Spots be your stand-in for a traditional focus group
  • watch YouTube videos to learn new tricks, see what gains/captures attention, to get creative insights, etc.
  • track your ROI (if you’re spending money on YouTube ads)
  • find a niche to broadcast to your audience

Here are some articles for further reading on YouTube marketing:

  • http://www.simplybusiness.co.uk/microsites/youtube-for-small-business/
  • http://mashable.com/2011/11/05/youtube-small-biz-tips/
  • http://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/small-business-finances/youtube-marketing-tool-small-business/

Vine

(Google Images)
(Google Images)

“Vine is a mobile app owned by Twitter that enables its users to create and post short looping video clips. Video clips created with Vine have a maximum clip length of seven seconds and can be shared to Vine’ssocial network, or to other services such as Twitter and Facebook.” (definition from Wikipedia). People enjoy Vines because they are short and too the point, and given that it’s seven seconds long, people have found inventive ways to tell short visual stories within that allotted time. Here are tips on how a small business can use Vine to promote their small business:

  • put a face to the name – send your customers a message from you, the business owner, or from members of your team
  • Starring: your product! – come up with a creative way to show your product/its benefits in 7 seconds or less
  • give a tour of your office
  • announcements – have fun with announcing contests, sales, etc.
  • mark milestones
  • mini advertisements
  • mini how-to videos with your product

Further reading:

  • http://www.publiseek.com/publicity/10-ways-to-use-vine-for-small-business-creating-a-6-second-video-pitch-for-your-business/
  • http://www.outboundengine.com/blog/7-creative-ways-to-use-vine-for-small-business-marketing/
  • http://www.shopify.com/blog/8715649-7-creative-ways-businesses-are-using-vine-to-engage-customers (this article gives examples)

Snapchat

(Google Images)
(Google Images)

“Snapchat is a photo messaging app developed by Evan Spiegel and Robert Murphy, then Stanford University students. Using the application, users can take photos, record videos, add text and drawings, and send them to a controlled list of recipients” (definition from Wikipedia). This venture is a fairly new one that not many businesses have taken part of yet. Because of this, you have a way of setting yourself apart from the crowd and having fun with this app. A lot of people use it, and this is a very direct interaction opportunity for you and your customers. There aren’t many tips/ideas on how to use Snapchat for marketing yet, but one frozen yogurt company in New York, 16 Handles, came up with a pretty cool idea on how to use it. They had users Snapchat the company a picture of the customer at one of shops tasting yogurt, 16 Handles would then send a coupon back as a reply, and the person couldn’t open the coupon until they were at the register, because it would delete itself 10 seconds later. The coupons were redeemable anywhere from 16% to 100% off your purchase. This is such a cute and fun way to interact with customers, and surely those customers had to tell their friends and family about their experience after that! So while new, Snapchat has so much potential and is a fun and exciting new way to consider when looking for new ways to market your business.

I hope all these posts have been informative, helpful, and have given you some ideas about how to optimize your customer-business interaction experience.

Signing off for the last time,

bye, y’all!

Social Media & Personal PR: Instagram

Hello, hello all! I’m still talking about personal PR for your brand through social media, and my last three posts dealt with Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. Today’s post is going to talk about Instagram, which is still a relatively new social media platform that many businesses are still trying to figure out how to optimize for themselves and their customers.

(Google Image Search)
(Google Image Search)

Just like Twitter and somewhat like Pinterest, Instagram is a fun and easy way for people to interact with your business. It’s also an easy way to keep people interested in what’s going on with your business. Still fairly new, Instagram has 150+ million users with 55 + million pictures being uploaded per day (Constant Contact). That’s a lot of pictures and a lot of potential for someone to be seen. So, how can a small business use this for its advantage? Below I’ll provide a few tips and ideas to help a small business utilize Instagram for further awareness and interaction.

Tip 1: Add Your Personal Touch 

This is your chance to show off your personality and/or the personality of your business. Many people only interact with a business in a transaction sense: I need to purchase something from you, so you sell me that something. One aspect of small businesses that I think is really cool is the opportunity to know where exactly your products/services are coming from. What I mean is a lot of small business owners make it a point to be seen by their customers and to let them know that they appreciate said customers supporting their business. This is nice because usually small business owners put a lot of time and money into their business, and, of course, nothing can replace that basic need for human interaction. Instagram can help you take this a bit further. People are interested about the brands they interact with. They like to see daily happenings and the inner-workings of a company and its culture. Use Instagram to show your business’ culture off. Personal touches leave lasting impressions on people. So how can you do this? Anyway you can think of! Post a picture of you playing a prank on your team; post a picture of you and your team in a meeting discussing the future of your business; post a picture of a fun new way to interact with your products/services. Anything you can think of that accurately portrays your business culture and values will keep the attention of  your audience, and help them feel as if they know you on a more personal basis.

Tip 2: Network & Reach New Demographics 

Given the sheer number of people and pictures on Instagram, you’re bound to find some who have no idea about your business/brand. This is a good thing! You’ll be able to reach a whole new audience in addition to keeping your current one interested. Also, Instagram is still a social network that goes beyond pictures. Use it to its fullest extent. Don’t be afraid to comment on other people’s content, tagging followers, following new people so you’re on their radar, etc. The key word is NETWORK. So get to some networking and help Instagram work for you.

Tip 3: Use Hashtags 

People stumble upon other people’s accounts through the searching of hashtags. However, no one likes clutter? What am I referring to? If you have an Instagram, personal or otherwise, you’ve seen people who take a picture of somethings and use 20+ hashtags to describe it. Don’t. Be. This. Person. It’s annoying and honestly, it comes across as a bit unprofessional. People will pass you over, or not respect you because they’ll think you’re just hashtagging for more follows and likes. Let your pictures, content, and interactions speak for themselves. Uee a few hashtags (I personally think more than 5 is too much) that speak about the important parts of your picture/brand, and let people find you.

A Few More Tips:

  • make sure to link your Instagram to your personal website and on your other social media platforms
  • post pictures with a plan in mind – it’s ok to post the odd random photo, but mainly, let your photos serve your business and your interests; you don’t want them to be a visual reflection of incoherent/ADD tangents that have nothing to do with you promoting your image
  • in addition to hashtags, use mentions to gain attention; this is simply by tagging a follower or someone you want to follow you in a comment or photo
  • get people to interact with you! offer instagram-only contests

That’s all for now, everyone! Stay tuned for Youtube, Vine, and Snapchat as I close out this series. Here are a few articles if you’d like further reading:

  • http://blogs.constantcontact.com/fresh-insights/instagram-for-your-business-2/
  • http://www.webpronews.com/5-ways-to-make-your-small-business-shine-on-instagram-2014-01
  • http://www.nfib.com/article/how-3-small-businesses-use-instagram-for-marketing-60237/

Until then!

Social Media & Personal PR: Pinterest

Hello, again. In case you missed out, I’m starting a new series which you can find the first post of here. This is the second post in my series “Social Media & Personal PR”, which is looking at a handful of the most popular social media platforms and how small businesses can utilize them to get word of their brand out and interact with their customers and potential leads. Today’s post is going to focus on one of my personal favorites:

(Google Image Search)
(Google Image Search)

For the people who are not familiar with Pinterest, or have heard about it, but not really sure what it means, Pinterest is “a visual discovery tool that people use to collect ideas for their different projects and interests. People create and share collections (called “boards”) of visual bookmarks (called “Pins”) that they use to do things like plan trips and projects, organize events or save articles and recipes” (definition from Wikipedia). One of the really cool things about Pinterest, besides the amazing amount of good and quality content shared between its users, is the potential for getting noticed. Me, Morgan, someone who is not famous and doesn’t have a significant internet presence, has 618 people who follow all my boards and I follow 177 people myself. I also have people who follow individual boards of mine that don’t necessarily follow everything I pin. This may not seem like a big deal to you, but only about 10%-15% of my followers are people that know me. This means that the potential for getting people’s attention to the point where they choose to follow and repin your content is high. I don’t pin things as much as I used to, but when I did, there was a time when I was getting a handful of new followers every few days.

I say all that just to show you that Pinterest is such a viable and easy option to getting your brand/business’ name out there an interact with people. Now, before you write Pinterest off as being about wedding, baking, and clothes, here are some tips on how to curb your Pinterest activity for your business:

  1. Think Outside the Box When Creating Boards – any old company can post articles or pictures about its products, but come on, that’s way too easy and frankly, a bit boring/overdone. Take for example a French company named Carte Noire that makes instant coffee. While they don’t actually have a Pinterest page that I am aware of, there content is all over Pinterest. They have a host of beautifully shot videos showing how to make different gourmet desserts that pair well with their instant coffee (look them up on YouTube). If they were to have a Pinterest page, one of their boards could be called “Dessert & Espresso” as opposed to having a board with pictures of their instant coffee.
  2. Hold contests – this one is easy. Who doesn’t like a bit of healthy and fun competition?
  3. Add a “Pin It” button to your website 
  4. Bundle your social media & cross-promote across all of them
  5. offer coupons on pinterest/pinterest-only deals
  6. Actually Pin Content Regularly!

So hopefully that provides some insight into the fun and interactive world of Pinterest. Here are some articles in case you’d like to do any further reading:

That’s all for now, y’all! My upcoming posts will also talk about Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, Snapchat, and Vine.

Catch ya soon!

Social Media & Personal PR: Facebook

Hello again, friends! Last post, I finished up my series on different tools small businesses should consider using to reach new clients and different ideas for optimizing customer-brand interaction experience. Now, I am starting a shorter series on the specific social media that people interact with the most, and how brands/small businesses can go about conducting their own PR online through the various media. To start off, trusty old Facebook!

(Google Image Search)
(Google Image Search)

Facebook took the world by storm when access was granted to those beyond the undergraduate realm. With 900 million active users per month, Facebook certainly is a force to be reckoned with (TheGlobeandTheMail.com). So why should your business have Facebook page? Well if the potential for the sheer numbers of people that can interact with your brand isn’t enough to convince you, then hopefully the rest of my discussion will.

Here are some statistics that Facebook’s own research produced:

  • 1.19 billion users globally
  • 4.5 billion daily generated likes
  • 728 million people log in daily
  • 4.75 billion pieces of content shared daily
  • 16 million local business pages created as of May 2013 (this is a 100% increase from June 2012)

I feel these statistics accurately show that at the very least, every small business should have a presence on Facebook. Now, it’s no lie that it is hard for brands to engage customers through Facebook. Most brands, even big ones, achieve about a 1% interaction rate between the brand and the customers it attracts on Facebook (Econsultancy.com). While this may dishearten you, consider this: these are still results! Results = exposure which in turn = awareness. The interaction, however little, also legitimizes your brand/business’ social media presence. This allows for people who casually check out your page to visit your website or even your other social media platforms you may have linked to your page (which you should have linked to your page, rather). Consider this 1% interaction rate as a starting point on which you can build upon. If you choose to focus your social media ventures on Facebook, then there are ways to increase the chances that you get more of an interaction from your followers.

Some tips to increase interaction with your brand/business:

  • profile picture should be a recognizable picture of your brand logo
  • have a direct link for your website
  • include contact information
  • invite your friends to like your page
  • CONTENT IS KING! – as I’ve mentioned before, post often, post what is relevant, and make sure your content is smart and good so it gets/keeps people’s interest and adds to the likelihood that your content is shared and passed around
  • post at the right times (e.g. if something happening in culture currently relates to your business)
  • know who you’re posting for
  • advertise your Facebook page in your store, on your business website, in your Tweets, and across whatever other social media sites you use
  • engage your followers – through content, through promotions, by commenting back, etc.
  • go to friends of your followers
  • consider using Facebook ads

Through these tips, you’ll increase the chances of promoting your brand and increasing engagement with your brand. Don’t shy away from Facebook just because the ROI seems low. Simply consider using it along side one or a few other social media platforms (e.g. Twitter, Pinterest, Vine, etc.).

Ok, that’s all I have for today! Look out for my next blog post about Pinterest, easily one of my favorite social networking sites.

Until next time, y’all!

 

 

 

 

A list of articles I used for this post that you can read into further:

  • https://econsultancy.com/blog/63912-how-small-businesses-can-make-the-most-of-facebook#i.kqjas8hlcfro11
  • http://smallbusiness.foxbusiness.com/marketing-sales/2013/11/14/6-steps-to-promoting-your-small-business-on-facebook/
  • http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/facebook-marketing-for-small-business/

 

Email Marketing – why it’s worth it

Hey guys! Here is part three in the series of posts I’m publishing dealing with the different options I discussed about social media in relation to small businesses. So in case you missed my last post, I’m linking it here. Each week, I will release a more comprehensive discussion, followed by a review of different services the following week.

Last week, I provided an overview of three different email marketing services and what each one offers to a small business. Next week, in continuing this series, I’m going to go into go into an overview of inbound marketing and what it can do for a small business. Now, let’s move on with the agenda!

As I mentioned in my very first post, email marketing is the sleeker, much cooler, older sibling to direct mail. The same benefits of direct mail exist with email marketing, except to a greater extent and with the ability to reach even more of a target audience and multiple ones at the same time. It’s easier, cheaper, and keeps the customers engaged and happy…so what’s not to love, right?

However, according to Experian Marketing Service‘s annual Email Benchmark Survey study, personalized emails lead to SIX TIMES higher transaction rates for small businesses, BUT…only 30% of brands utilize this method proactively and often. Only 30%? That seems a little   way off to me! So why isn’t this number much higher?

Well, in truth, partly because many people feel that emails are outdated. The new and en vogue ways of engaging customers include social media and mobile media (though more studies are showing that a growing number of people mostly check their emails on their phones, so don’t count email marketing as an option out, just yet). Email is great because it delivers a conversation directly into a person’s inbox, which is perhaps the most personal way marketing can get; people use their smartphones in every possible situation you can think of. A growing number of people also settle into bed for the night, phone in tow, inbox up and running.

If none of this still isn’t convincing you, let me reiterate the benefits I discussed in my first post, and then some:

  • same benefits of direct mail
  • sending personalized emails to wider ranges & narrower targets
  • the low cost due to it being entirely electronically based
  • practically everyone has an email address
  • exact return on investments can be tracked (and is very high when properly done)
  • email marketing comes in second to search marketing as the most successful way to online market

and so many other benefits (click here to read more).

So, in my opinion, email marketing shouldn’t be discounted just yet. This horse is alive and bleating…healthy and ready for its race! As a nice little gift for everyone reading, I came across a website that offers a free e-book that offers more insight into email marketing and its benefits, and that can be found here (scroll to the bottom of the page…I am not being paid to promote this company!). I’m not sure if you have to sign up with this website or not to access the book, but I feel it bears further looking into. With as much as 57% of small businesses actively trying to expand their email communication with customers, email marketing is an option that more than 30% of brands should be using.

 

Signing off for now! Next week I’ll continue this series, but we’ll be discussing inbound marketing. As always, feel free to comment or send me a tweet!

Email Marketing – what options are available?

Hey guys! I’ve decided to do a short series of posts dealing with the different options I discussed about social media in relation to small businesses in my post from last week. So in case you missed my last post, I’m linking it here. Each week, I will release a more comprehensive discussion, followed by a review of different services the following week. For now, until I get more information, I am going to do a quick review of some of the top services I’ve come across.* So, here is the second part in my multi-week series!

Last week, I discussed how email marketing was similar in concept to, but a more updated form of direct mail. Next week, I’ll provide a little more detail about this, but for now, I wanted to give a basic overview of the options available to small businesses

AWeber:

AWeber is a young company, having started its business in 1998. With 110 team members total, AWeber is a relatively small company, and perhaps even has a unique insight into some of the struggles faced by small business, considering. In terms of what this company offers your small business in marketing, the benefits include:

  • custom templates and sign up banners to match your business’ theme, color scheme, etc.
  • list management to group your clients/targeted groups together along identifiers
  • email performance tracking
  • plans start at $19 per month

Campaigner:

Campaigner is a solution that actually offers its services  to both small businesses (beginners) and corporations (professionals). Campaigner promises small businesses email communication capabilities that are highly personalized with the intent of giving the customer on the receiver end that one-on-one feel. Campaigner has been in business for over a decade, and offers small businesses:

  • the chance to grow your customer base through email lists
  • over 600 email templates, plus the ability to customize your own
  • email reporting to help you manage the success of your campaign
  • auto-responses
  • plans that start at $10 per month with the option of a free 30 day trial to see if you like the services

Constant Contact: 

Perhaps the most comprehensive of the three, Constant Contact encompasses more than just email marketing. Geared towards helping small businesses with self-promotion, Constant Contact offers personalized coaching in addition to email marketing services, social media marketing, event marketing, digital storefronts, a business listing platform, and online surveys of your customers. Plans start at $15 per month, and they also allow you to try their services for free for a short period (not sure how long, exactly). On the surface, this service seems to offer the most in terms of different ways to connect with your customers in today’s digital age.

Well, that’s all for now, folks. Quick update: I will be posting twice this week, since I wasn’t able to post last week (in fact, this was intended to be last week’s post). So look for part three of this series later this week; I’ll go into a little more detail about what exactly email marketing is and why it should be considered as a tool for small businesses to use. Please note, I am not endorsing one service or the other, as I do not personally use them myself. I chose these three businesses because they came up most in my search options. I can give a basic overview of a few more if y’all would like!

Until the next post…

Social Media Tools for Connecting with Customers

Many small businesses either fail at using or underutilize a vital tool that, if used correctly, will greatly benefit these companies in the long run…social media. Given the technology landscape in our world today, it seems silly that some businesses opt out of or don’t take the time learn how to maximize their customer relationships through social media. There are many tools out there that can be used for small businesses to connect with their customers: email marketing, inbound marketing, and

Email Marketing Services

With the same concept as direct mail, email marketing is the direct mail’s brand new face lift procedure. The same benefits of direct mail exist, but along easier lines. Sending personalized emails, but to a wide range of people exists as a possibility. Without the need to print so many pieces of mail, the electronic aspect allows it to be a low-cost, but high-potential communication tool. This is a great option because many people do not not have emails, and, as is so common of many today due to the endless abilities of our mobile devices, check their emails from bed. A small business that keeps customers engaged through coupon offers, newsletters, personalized offers, etc. has a greater chance of keeping a happy cliental. (3 Small Business Marketing Tools Connect You with Better Customers).

Inbound Marketing 

This form of marketing is a new concept that attracts a customer base through the production of online content. The cost is low, entry is easy, and it quickly gains the attention of people on the web. This form of marketing is new and uses content such as blog posts, social network updates, ebooks, etc. SmartInsights.com defines inbound marketing as “any tactic that relies on earning people’s interest rather than buying it.”

Mobile Apps 

This one is pretty self-explanatory. There are many services out there that allow for small businesses to create apps that engage their customers with rich features and impacting user experience for relatively low costs. Apps are a great way to reach potential customers because a majority of people either use smartphones, interactive mp3 players, or have access to computers with the ability to download apps.* Apps offer people a condensed but inclusive overview of what a business is about, what it offers to its customers, the vibe of the company, and so many other characteristics.

 

With all that is available in today’s technology age, small businesses have more options than ever to reach a customer-base and help their businesses succeed. Many businesses opt out of the social media landscape because they don’t want to take the time to understand it, or they do not have the funds to spend on extras while they are trying to keep a budding business afloat. While cost is a legitimate concern, there are many cheap and free outreach options that businesses can utilize to maximize on people who are out there but may not be aware of the business.

 

*I am speaking specifically from the viewpoint of someone who lives in America.