April 8th, 2008
By: Shama Hyder
1) Leverage your Profile- If a client walked into your office, what would you want them to see? Would it be articles you have written? Your professional looking demeanor? Awards you won? Your Facebook profile is your virtual office. If you wouldn’t put it up in your office, don’t put it on your profile. Your profile allows you to showcase your talents to prospects. Use this space wisely.
2) Reach out- I am not sure what it is about Facebook, but people respond to messages faster than email. It’s more casual and has a coffee shop hello feel to it. I have reached out to many people I didn’t know and the result has always been positive. Ask for advice, offer feedback, or just say hi. The idea is to get the conversation started while being respectful of people’s time.
3) Add applications selectively- There are some applications that are MADE to get your business noticed. Some of these applications are: My Box, Business Card, and Blog Reader. You can search for these applications on Facebook and pick the ones you like best. Don’t clutter your profile. Keep it clean and professional. These applications are marketing tools.
4) Join Groups and Participate Actively- There are online groups on Facebook for almost every topic imaginable. And some groups are more active than others. Find active groups related to your industry and participate. Leave comments, start discussions, and reach out to fellow members. Don’t see a group that you like? Start your own! It’s easy and it helps establish you as a leader in your field.
5) Easy to get in touch with Bloggers and Reporters- Bloggers and reporters are people too. They are always looking for sources to cite. The best part? Many of them are on Facebook and on constant alert for the next cool story. They are also easier to get it touch with on Facebook. My friend, Peter Shankman, started a group on Facebook to connect reporters with expert sources. His group grew so big that he now has his own site. It’s f’ree to join and has led to great publicity for many. You can check it out here.
*Bonus-* Add me as a friend! I’d love to get to know you better.
Posted in Facebook Marketing, Marketing Tools for Your Service Business, Marketing Your Business | 1 Comment »
March 18th, 2008
By: Shama Hyder
1. Do I need an eZine? Aren’t there a lot out there already?
The short answer-it depends. It’s a great way to keep in touch with the people who enjoy what you have to offer. But only do it if you can provide quality information. I have seen some great eZines that really add to my knowledge, and others that seem like never ending ads for everything under the sun. If you feel like what you have to offer will really help your target market, go ahead and get an eZine started! The trick is to be honest with yourself without being overly critical.
2. What is the best way to manage my list?
Don’t manage it through outlook or your own email provider. Not unless you have a list of 10 or fewer. There are some programs out there that can make it very easy to create forms and send out regular broadcasts. Constant Contact and Aweber are two popular programs. Aweber is what I use. I absolutely love it and recommend it to anyone who needs a list management program.
3. How many times should I reach out to my list?
This is a hard question. It depends on your target market and on how much time you can devote. Start out with twice a month and get feedback. I used to produce this eZine twice a month, and subscribers asked for more so I switched to a weekly format.
4. Double-opt in or not?
Double-opt in refers to getting someone’s permission twice before adding them to your list. Once when they sign up using a web form, and a second time when they confirm through an email. Always go with double-opt in. It’s safer in the long run and you will have a list of people who truly care about what you have to offer.
5. Text or html?
Both have their pros and cons. Text is simple looking and may lack flavor, but it will look uniform on most computers. Html looks better, but you may have to deal with occasional coding issues. My personal preference is html-but it is a matter of preference. You can always get feedback too. I started this eZine in text and evolved it into html.
6. Where do I get so much content?
This is tricky. As long as the content is fresh, most people won’t care where it’s coming from. Definitely write some original content because it is a great showcase for your expertise and a platform for helping others. Occasionally, you can share someone else’s work as long as it pertains to your target market.
Any more questions?
Posted in Marketing Tools for Your Service Business, Marketing Your Business | No Comments »
January 10th, 2008
By: Shama Hyder
Currently, we are working with two clients (both non-profits) who are struggling with the same issue-marketing their intranet. We often think about marketing as an external practice, but it is just as important to market within the organization. Once employees are on board, the entire operation runs easier.
Here is the definition of an intranet according to Webopedia:
A network based on TCP/IP protocols (an internet) belonging to an organization, usually a corporation, accessible only by the organization’s members, employees, or others with authorization. An intranet’s websites look and act just like any other Web sites, but the firewall surrounding an intranet fends off unauthorized access.
Like the Internet itself, intranets are used to share information. Secure intranets are now the fastest-growing segment of the Internet because they are much less expensive to build and manage than private networks based on proprietary protocols.
Both our clients have spent a good amount of time and money on creating an intranet that can allow them to share valuable information within their organization. The problem? Actually getting their members to log on. Here are 5 ways to effectively market your intranet:
1) Make it exclusive- If the intranet becomes a place where exclusive content can be found, members are more likely to log-on. Don’t splash the same content on emails and memos. Let them access it exclusively through the intranet.
2) Make logging on a breeze- We are currently building the intranet site for the American Heart Association. One of our key goals for this site is to keep the login process as simple as possible. We live in hectic times, and if it isn’t simple most people aren’t going to bother taking the time to figure it out.
3) Get user input- Asking is the simplest way to market the intranet. Ask the members who are going to be using the intranet for their input. How can the intranet be made more accessible to them? What features would they like to see? And most importantly-What’s keeping them from using it on a regular basis now?
4) Set-up a rewards program- Subway Sandwiches has an innovative program which rewards franchisees who participate in the online "Subway University" courses. It’s a great way to increase participation and cultivate a healthy competitive spirit within the organization. Figure out a way to reward your members for using the intranet.
5) Give it time- It can be disheartening when you put a lot of effort into a project, and your members aren’t as thrilled about it as you. Give it time. It may take a few months for all the members to get on board and get comfortable with your new intranet. Even if you implement new marketing strategies, have patience with the results.
Posted in Leaders with Intuition, Managing Your Business, Marketing Tools for Your Service Business, Marketing Your Business | 1 Comment »
