Successful Blog

  • Home
  • Community
  • About
  • Author Guidelines
  • Liz’s Book
  • Stay Tuned

Social Media Etiquette for Your Business

January 18, 2017 by Thomas Leave a Comment

mobile-phone-1917737_640If you’re a business owner using social media these days to promote your brand, welcome to the group.

Millions of business owners around the globe use social media regularly in order to push their products and/or services, hoping that consumers answer the call.

That said properly using social media is of the utmost importance, especially if you want your brand’s online reputation to be a sound one.

So, would you consider you and your team well-versed on social media etiquette? If not, do you planning on learning more in how to go about being a good social media participant?

Being Socially Responsible

So that your brand can do its best when it comes to social media and your business, remember these important pointers:

  • Message – For starters, what kind of message are you intending to send with social media? Some business owners simply use social media because their competitors are on it. While that is a decent enough reason to be active on sites such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube and others, it certainly shouldn’t be your prime reason. First and foremost, you should be on social networking sites to deliver your brand’s message. That message should be as to why your products and/or services are superior to your competitors. Make sure each and every time that you go on a social site it has some purpose to it. Just casually using social media is fine for people with personal messages, but companies are best-served when they have a reason to use social sites on a daily basis;
  • Messenger – Do you have a designated messenger or messengers to deliver your social message on a regular basis? Some companies opt to have one person in charge of their social efforts, while others have multiple people doing the job (including the owner at times). You need to decide which voice or voices will deliver your message, thereby allowing for a more consistent voice;
  • Commitment – How committed will you and your team (if you run a company with employees) be to social media? Unfortunately, some business owners only dabble on occasion with social media, thereby missing out on some great opportunities to get their brand the recognition it needs to survive. Be sure to make social media one of your priorities as a business owner. Just coming and going on occasion is not going to be worth your time or that of those consumers doing or looking to do business with you.

Avoid Negative Social Media Experiences

  • Positivity – Although you might be tempted to fire off a negative post every now and then, avoid it at all costs. It is one thing when you don’t run a business to engage in some tit-for-tat negativity on social media. It is an entirely different animal when you have a business reputation to nurture and ultimately protect. Yes, some consumers (including even longtime customers) might get under your skin every now and then, but avoid the temptation to strike back on social media. If you decide to respond to any negative comments, always do it in a professional manner;
  • Growth – Finally, always be looking to grow your social media presence over time. While making money is and always should be your top priority (don’t forget customer service and its importance too), being relevant on social networking sites is all but a necessity these days. With millions and millions of consumers the globe over on social media, you would be foolish to think it can’t do some good for your business. That said take the time to craft a well thought out social media approach, one where your business shines daily.

As a business owner, how are you putting social media to work for your brand?

Photo credit: Pixabay

About the Author: Dave Thomas covers business topics on the web.

Filed Under: Marketing /Sales / Social Media Tagged With: brand, business, Facebook, social-media, Twitter

In a content slump? Try these Twitter features!

September 9, 2014 by Rosemary Leave a Comment

By Dorien Morin-van Dam

As bloggers, business owners, social media managers we know it’s just not OK to only share your own content.

I personally try to adhere to the 80%-20% rule for myself and my social media clientele, meaning 80% of the time I share other people’s content vs. 20% of the time, I share mine or the content of my clients. And on certain platforms, it quickly turns into 90%-10%.

Sometimes, however, it’s hard to find good content to share across your platforms, and it’s easy to get discouraged. Twitter has always been my back up plan and I’d like to share three ways I use Twitter to curate content to share.

figurine with bluebirds

3 Twitter Features To Curate New Content With Right Now!

1. Twitter Lists

Use your own lists or lists others have created. Here are the sequences I use to curate content Twitter lists.

a) From my own lists: I go to a list and click on ‘Tweets’. For example, I might go to a list called ‘Steamfeed Authors’. I know that every single author on that list talks about social media.

First, I might scan to see if I can find links to the same blog posts in my feed. If I do, I will go check it out. Usually, when multiple people Tweet the same content, it’s relevant to me as well.

Second, I look for patterns and trending topics. They are usually fairly easy to spot. It could be a new feature on a platform, or breaking news. I will RT if I spot a pattern.

Last, if I can not find anything right away in the feed of those authors, I can easily identify just one author by clicking on their name and then find their own latest blog post.

b) From others’ lists: To find new lists, I will find those who influence me (or my client) on Twitter and check out their Twitter lists. If it looks to be a great list, I will subscribe (that means that next time I will not have to go find it; it will now be shown underneath my own lists!). Then I might follow some of the people on this new list and take the steps outlined above.

2. Twitter Search

You can search anything and everything on Twitter. Just drop a topic in the Twitter search bar and go!

You can also use a hashtag in front of keywords. If that’s not enough, try advanced search on Twitter. Read more on how to search and what to search in these articles. Once I find something that I know my audience will love, I use the RT option, or I might go the article itself and share it on a different platform.

3. Trending Topics

Have you used it yet? In case you didn’t know, Twitter Trends are tailored just for you! Trends offer a unique way to get closer to what you care about. They are tailored for you based on your location and who you follow. I also noticed that what’s trending for me is different on my desktop vs. my iPhone, and that has to do with my location. So when in a content slump, check out trending on ‘Twitter’ and join the on-going conversations!

Now that you know more about Twitter and how to use it for content curation, I hope your content slump is over and you will start sharing awesome content once more!

Author’s Bio: Dorien Morin-van Dam is owner and social media marketer at More In Media, a social media consultancy in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Dorien provides social media consulting, management, training and education; she is passionate about teaching social media to small business owners. She services clients all over the USA and has worked in many different industries as well as with several NPO’s. In her spare time, Dorien manages four kids, three dogs and a husband. She runs marathons and loves to bake, travel and read.

Photo Credit: Mira Pangkey via Compfight cc

Filed Under: Content, Successful Blog Tagged With: bc, Content, curation, Twitter

The How & Why of Adding to Other People’s Twitter Lists

December 12, 2013 by Rosemary Leave a Comment

By Nick Kellet

Until now first person curation has been the name of the game when it comes to Twitter Lists.

Making lists on Twitter has been a solo task.

If anyone wanted to be suggest omissions to your lists it meant asking. Asking always causes friction. The need to ask stops people from acting.

No longer. Enter Listly. Friction free crowdsourced Twitter Lists.

Now you can make a list on Twitter and manage it from Listly.

You get the best of both worlds:

  • Curate on Listly
  • Subscribe on Twitter

What that means is:

  • Anyone can add suggested omissions directly to the list
  • You can seed your lists from any number of other lists
  • Duplicates will be ignored.
  • You can auto accept suggestions or moderate suggestions via the Listly list queue
  • Items accepted to the list are added to your Twitter list (and the person added is notified via Twitter as normal)
  • Items removed from list or sent to the queue will be removed from your Twitter list.

People can get discovered for being on your list as you can embed the list on your blog (as can anyone).

If your blog is on WordPress (self-hosted), you can use the Listly plugin.

If not you can use the Javascript version, which works on just about every blogging platform except WordPress.com.

Here’e an example of a list of Doctors on Twitter – 600+ and growing fat – it’s been viewed 6k+ time and embedded on multiple blogs.

150+ people have helped to create this list.

List.ly list example

You can choose the layout you’d like to use to embed the list on your blog. Here’s a preview of this list in “Gallery” mode.

List.ly Example

Your Twitter lists become embeddable content that helps everyone on the list get found and in so doing, drives traffic to your blog.

As people can suggest omissions to your list over time your blog post will keep changing. People can also vote to change the ranking and order of the list. This keeps your content fresh in the eyes of search engines.

As your content evolves over time, new people will discover your lists and potentially share, vote and contribute. It’s a process that extends the lifecycle and value of your content.

With Listly, lists get better over time.

Here’s the workflow.

List.ly Twitter Infographic

Are you using Twitter Lists today?

Lists let you be more focused in the way you listen and engage. Lists are a segmentation tool. Smart marketing folk stay focused and segment their markets into targeted niches.

Segmenting on Twitter on your own is hard. It’s also a never ending task if you need to do all the work.

The Internet & The 1% Rule

Today we expect to be able to create, contribute or consume.

Regular Twitter Lists don’t follow this rule (no contribution) and that’s the issue Listly’s Twitter integration addresses.

Modern internet users expect to be able to participate.

Now, because anyone any can contribute Twitter Lists can follow the 1% rule

  • Create (1%)
  • Contribute (9%)
  • Consume (90%)

This means List become valuable resource where many people can help and consume what others have created. These lists get more valuable over time. People gravitate to trusted resources. Better lists get more subscribers.

These could be your lists.

You could be providing utility to your audience.

The real magic happens when you choose to collaborate and work with others.

Will you create resource for your local community?

Will you serve a global niche and help surface everyone in that niche?

This is how real communities form.

People connect around a passion.

Where will you begin?

Author’s Bio: Nick Kellet is Co-founder of Listly. Founder @Gifttrap & @AnswerSets. He creates & curates ideas, loves software & games, and is a master community builder. Connect with Nick on Google+ or LinkedIn.

Filed Under: Marketing /Sales / Social Media Tagged With: bc, curation, lists, Twitter

How to really make Twitter work for your business

March 8, 2013 by Rosemary Leave a Comment

By Tina Hamilton

By now entrepreneurs and small business owners should be aware that marketing from social media platforms is highly advantageous—namely Twitter. I thought I knew it all when it came to utilizing Twitter for marketing efforts, however, the old saying “you never stop learning” proved to be very true. I knew Twitter for being a notorious platform for fans to follow celebrities on, and for big businesses to establish contact with people via blasting multiple daily tweets. I was under the misconception that when it came to marketing, only large corporations benefited from using Twitter. I was mistaken, for in the words of Yoda, “size matters not.” Twitter can even benefit a kid with a lemonade stand.

Simple rules to follow

When setting up a Twitter business account there are some simple rules you will want to follow that I discovered are very effective. If you are a home-based entrepreneur the Twitter winds will blow your sails towards the shores of other companies and marketing experts with whom you can connect. Marketing your brand on Twitter (correctly) will open more doors for advantageous encounters.

Brand yourself

When setting up your profile make sure you take advantage of the area reserved for your profile photo and instead upload an image of your company’s logo. This will help to establish brand recognition, and the verbal tweets that you provide can be placed with a visual image that will brand itself into your audience member’s minds.

Wave your Twitter flag

In other words, let EVERYONE know that you are on Twitter. Tell all your friends and followers on Facebook, Linkdin, Pinterest, and any other social media platforms you may be using. This is a numbers game: the more followers you get, the better your brand’s online exposure will be.

Being a leader means to be a follower

As a business leader you will want to follow as many businesses, entrepreneurs, marketing experts and those who are relevant in your field. It is common “Twitter etiquette” that if someone follows you, you follow him or her in return. You should also follow all of your competitors for two simple reasons: (1) you can keep an eye on “what they are doing” and (2) it provides an opportunity for their followers to discover and follow you.

Stick to business

We all know that bartenders aren’t supposed to talk about politics and religion, and the same holds true for business Tweets. As you will see lots of tweets floating through cyberspace that stress views on non-business related issues, you may feel tempted to respond. But don’t. Running a successful Twitter campaign requires one to stay on neutral ground at all times.

Get visual

Sharing images is a great way to draw attention to your brand. People are more inclined to respond to tweets that include images—just make sure they are business appropriate. A photo of the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders could offend those who dislike the team or upset those who think cheerleading objectifies women. Instead, show an inspirational and motivating image or personal photo from your place of business (a happy client using your services, for example).

Growth!

Trust me guys, follow these tips and you will see a difference in the number of people you communicate with via your brand. Not only have these methods helped me; they have helped many others who took them on board. Here’s to some successful tweeting!

Author’s Bio: Tina Hamilton is a veteran journalist who enjoys covering a wide range of topics like social media, business, society, and others as a staff writer for Organic Media Group, a boutique SEO consulting agency. You can follow Tina on Twitter as @TinaTheScribe.

Filed Under: Marketing /Sales / Social Media Tagged With: bc, followers, social-media, Twitter

Time for a Tune-Up: 8 Simple Updates to do Today

December 20, 2012 by Rosemary Leave a Comment

by Rosemary O’Neill

Social profiles have gotten a lot of tweaking in the past year.  Have you kept up with all of the updates?

Today’s the day to roll up your sleeves and get it done.

Here’s a handy cheat sheet:

1. Twitter header

A few months ago, Twitter started including a photo header at the top of your profile.  It should be a graphic 1252 pixels wide by 626 pixels tall, maximum size of 5MB.  You can easily change it by going to your Twitter profile settings page.  Here are the details straight from Twitter: https://support.twitter.com/articles/127871.

2. LinkedIn company page header

Not to be outdone, LinkedIn now allows you to have a profile header for your company page.  The graphic should be a .png, .jpg, or .gif no more than 2MB.  Size recommended is 646 pixels wide by 220 pixels tall or larger (you can crop on the page). Here’s a handy video on setting up a company page: http://youtu.be/WiTQL_M_fv0.

3. Facebook cover photo

You should already have this one nailed, but just in case…your Facebook cover photo should ideally be 851 pixels wide and 315 pixels tall, and under 100KB (for fastest load time).  Here are Facebook’s recommendations: http://www.facebook.com/help/125379114252045/.  Remember that Facebook frowns on calls to action or overtly promotional content within the cover image.  It’s intended to be a compelling photo or graphic, not a banner ad.

4. Pinterest business pages

Your favorite slack-time hangout just put on a business suit. If your business is suited to graphic imagery, or you want to flex your creative juices, you might want to create a business account (or convert your existing personal account, if you’ve been using it to support your business). Learn all of the details from the Pinterest announcement: http://blog.pinterest.com/post/35710687813/new-tools-for-businesses-in-the-pinterest-community.

5. Your own site needs some tweaks

When is the last time you spiffed up your own blog or home page? Do you have a widget on there from last year’s conference? Take 10 minutes and look at your own site with a newcomer’s eye, or have a friend look — a refresh might end the year on a high note.

6. Update your avatar

I’ll step forward and say “guilty” on this one.  My avatar is from a favorite photo that was taken 7 years ago.  Ouch.  It’s time to cowboy up and get a new picture taken.  How old is your avatar?

7. Forum signatures

If you participate in online communities around the web, you probably have customized forum signatures in some of them. Usually these are appended to the end of your posts, and include a favorite motto, sometimes a link to your site, or your bio information. These can get totally forgotten in the day to day hustle. Take a moment today and fix the broken links, update your job title, or breathe some new life into your forum signatures.

8. Stop procrastinating on Google+

I know, it involves “code” and it seems really tricky (it sortof is).  Many posts have been written about how to implement the author tag for Google+, but the best one I found (and the one that actually worked for me) was this step-by-step from Social Media Examiner: http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/google-author-tags/.  Do this one today.

If you systematically go through and complete these 8 minor tasks, you’ll get a bounce into the new year with a fresh face to the world.

Filed Under: Personal Branding Tagged With: avatar, bc, Facebook, forums, Google, graphics, LinkedIn, personal-branding, pinterest, Productivity, Twitter

What to do when you have Twitter block

May 24, 2012 by Rosemary 8 Comments

by
Rosemary O’Neill

cooltext443809558_authenticity

So you’ve decided to use Twitter as one of your content marketing tools. You’ve built up a respectable following, you engage with people, send out a steady stream of diverse original content and RTs, and you occasionally attend a Twitter chat. Everything is good, until….Twitter block!

It’s similar to writers’ block, except in 140 characters. You see, if you aren’t contributing a reasonable number of Tweets throughout the day, you won’t be seen in your followers’ streams.

The average lifespan of a Tweet is supposedly only one hour, according to ReadWriteWeb. That means you need to space out your Tweets in order to keep your voice “in the stream.” I believe that the optimum number of Tweets per day is somewhere around 5-10 for the normal user.

Here are 10 solid tips on how to stay visible without driving yourself insane.

  • It’s OK to tweet an important piece of content 2-3 times in one day, at different times; just change your Tweet wording up a bit to keep it fresh.
  • It’s OK to use a scheduling app like Buffer or Crowdbooster to space out your Tweets, as long as you are actually available to reply to people who respond to your content.
  • Look for 5 people who recently RTd you, and RT something of theirs that you think will resonate with your followers.
  • Take a pretty picture and add a relevant comment to it.
  • Find 5 people who follow you who you haven’t directly engaged with yet, read their bio and/or website, and mention them with a comment or compliment.
  • Use the “OH” tag to tweet something interesting you heard someone else say IRL.
  • Don’t resort to quotes all the time! But if you’re reading something interesting on your Kindle app, highlight a great phrase and Tweet it out using the integrated share tool.
  • Ask a question. It could be something industry specific, or as minimal as “what should I watch on Netflix next?”
  • What big project are you working on? Can you “leak” out a little tidbit of it as a teaser? People love to be on the inside, behind the scenes.
  • Do a series of Tweets that are related…Christopher Penn does “#the5” which is the five things you need to know that day. Could you do 3 tips for starting your day happy? Perhaps a series of 10 great blog links?

Where do you find great stuff to share with your connections? Have you ever felt Twitter block?

_____

Author’s Bio: Rosemary O’Neill is an insightful spirit who works for social strata — a top ten company to work for on the Internet . Check out the Social Strata blog. You can find Rosemary on Google+ and on Twitter as @rhogroupee

_____

Thank you, Rosemary!

You’re irresistible!

ME “Liz” Strauss

Buy the Insider’s Guide to Online Conversation.

Filed Under: Marketing /Sales / Social Media, Successful Blog Tagged With: bc, LinkedIn, small business, social-media, Twitter

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • …
  • 9
  • Next Page »

Recently Updated Posts

6 Keys to Managing Your Remote Workforce

9 Reasons To Use WordPress

Useful Marketing Tools That Wont Bust Your Budget

Do You Have What It Takes To Be A Successful Blogger?

Do You Have What It Takes To Be A Successful Blogger?

6 Tips for the Serial Side Hustler

How to Make Your Blog Popular



From Liz Strauss & GeniusShared Press

  • What IS an SOB?!
  • SOB A-Z Directory
  • Letting Liz Be

© 2023 ME Strauss & GeniusShared