Learn about infographics software.

© 2012, TiffanyO.. All rights reserved.

Rigor is a concept that comes to mind because for Facebook to be more than just a cool tool, the human business operator must come to the table equipped with:

solid understanding of their USP

core online sales cycle and backend processes to support the new flood of leads and traffic

back end team ready to support design, writing and community management

flexible personality with ability to be vulnerable, quirky, fun and genius all at the same time

have a product, brand or service WORTHY of promotion

see the world as bigger than themselves, this ready to SERVE

That’s business mindset rigor.

People, as social-prenuers, we “say” social media is fun and effective, and it is! But I add, if you want to “Crack the Code” and be profitable, you must have a rigorous mindset. Bring your “A” game and have some mojo!

With all that said, if you are still reading, take heart. It can be done, and you don’t have to break the bank doing it. There are lots of folks that have already developed tried and true systems and strategies. The key is: get ready with my checklist above and listen above the noise of everyone “claiming” to be an expert.

Social Media must BE their business. Real clients. Real results.

Check out Amy Porterfield’s new webinar and coaching program. She’s authentic and focused on more than retoric — real results.

Another great industry expert that gains great visibility for her clients is Pam Perry. She packs a powerful online PR punch. You can find her wealth of expertise here–>>Pam Perry PR, and get ready to launch like a superstar

If you need foundational support (Innovation Strategy or Core Social Brand Equity training, see me). It’s my gift, craft and business. Book a complimentary strategy session here.

As I build a new social footprint for my new brand (Tiffany-O), I’m pondering more questions than ever before. I’m going slow, to go fast. Take this journey with me by subscribing to this renewed business blog for continued updates as I build, reposition and re-learn along the way!

© 2012, TiffanyO.. All rights reserved.

While that goal is still somewhat relevant, through the years, my business has emerged, and even morphed into something different. So have I.

Because of bending with the waves of life, I now ask myself the very same questions I used to answer for my clients. Funny, because at the time, being an early adopter, I thought the questions were no-brainers-lol!!

The tools have changed, which makes the premise for some answers slightly different.

Here’s what I mean:

Should I have a group or a page?
I used to say “it depends”. I still say the same thing, but for very different reasons. Before, groups didn’t bring you as much bang for your buck, but a page did.

Today, groups rock! Great place to build community and showcase a niche. You may have more authentic interaction here because people want to be apart of something bigger than themselves. You also have the ability to share docs, have discussion threads, and more, all around the niche.

When comparing the numbers vs engagement, sustained over a longer period of time (beyond your 90-day product launch tactics), this may be the way to go.

But, if you are launching a product, brand or service, a page is definitely worth the investment in social “real estate”. Location, location, location. You also need the numbers, anf Facebook pages helps by giving you the ability to promote posts, run targeted ads, sell from the platform, or just get a “like” without ever visiting the page. Oh, did I mention the custom apps with lead capture and the reveal tab? Both are great for the sales cycle, if you have one. Hint, hint.

The repositioning of my brand, life goals, and business resources, along with the dissolution of the old pages, custom app and FBML tabs, caused me to take a long hard look at my overall business strategy and infrastructure. I’m going with a page, but participating in groups.

Tomorrow, I talk about “rigor” in the social landscape to convert all your energy to solid leads.

© 2012, TiffanyO.. All rights reserved.

To a greater or lesser degree-depending on how you communicate with your design firm.

As a Creative Director, I often interpret the brand message and the client’s brand brief into a campaign. While guiding the team, input from the client is critical. Ultimately, their gut check is a part of the process. Creative work is a process (part art, part science) and your instinct merits a voice in the development of your brand.

To market and share your new look, you’ve gotta “own it”-in other words, you need a passion for it and to be proud of it. The concept should resonate with you. If you lack commitment to the creative direction you may later second guess it, and that lack of confidence will be difficult to hide and expensive to undo.

So, don’t be afraid to tell your designer that their work sucks! Insist on your vision. Don’t sign off and approve a design unless you are sure they nailed it. Get what you want.

Got a design story? Tell us in the comments below.

© 2012, TiffanyO.. All rights reserved.

No one can remember the long urls given out during conference calls and on webinars. However, finding a way to convey the online location of great advice, services and your products is a necessity. So, what can you do to simplify the process and make it short and sweet?

Quick Tip:

Learn about and use link shorting services. Get clear on best practices, how they boost your brand, and how they protect you online.

Here is a little about Twitter’s: (for this I have created a short link called http://bit.ly/twittershortlinks) or the full article here===>>http://support.twitter.com/articles/109623-about-twitter-s-link-service-http-t-co

A few other link shorteners:

1) Here is my favorite: BIT.LY (great for tracking stats)
2) Here is a great new social good service just launching: BRE.AD
3) Here is one of the first to get it started: TINYURL

What else would you add? Add to the comment section below.

© 2011 – 2012, TiffanyO.. All rights reserved.

Note: While a presence is important, even more critical is engaging and developing a pipeline that pumps fuel in your engine while the boat is docked.

During a training session I led with a group of travel agents, we explored ways to leverage social media boost their business. 30 ideas emerged that I wanted to capture part of the list in a post.  Feel free to add to the list.

1. Forget about publicizing your agency and focus on giving people an experience every time they interact with you.
2. Share travel tips.
   Everyone wants advice and reminders, so be the first to put them out there.  Be the go to travel resource for your community.
3. Check out competitor sites.
   You may find your target audience hanging on their every word.
4. Highlight the scoop in hot destination spots.
   This may be a great opportunity to shape consumer opinions if mainstream news has obscured the beauty of a great place to visit.
5. Blog about it.
   Online blogs are not as regulated at print media.  You have the opportunity to shape consumer opinion, so be sure to sound your voice!
6. Video.
   Start carrying your flip-cam when you do site inspections – we want to see what you see.
7. Reviews.
   Include live interviews with your connections at the airlines, resorts, and the like.
8. Client testimonials.
   Encourage your clients to post videos while they are on their vacations – great way for someone else to publicize your brand and expertise.
9. Post industry news and deals.
   i.e. If the airlines are running a web only deal, why not tell your peeps about it?  So what if they don’t buy it from you, they will thank you and remember you had their best interest at heart.  The next time they need a family vacation planned, they’ll be ringing your phone.
10. Digital brochures.
    Chances are your clients may not get into your brick and mortar offices as often as you would like, so you’ve got to lengthen your reach.  Digital downloads or online brochures are the way to go. Post the links or send the latest brochure in your newsletter.  Point to the page where the deals are inside!
11. Destination and point of origin news.
12. Weather updates.
    If it’s the middle of February, why not entice your audience with the tanning weather forecast of the Dominican Republic?
13. #Hashtags
    If your clients are booked for a great vacation, create a hashtag that they can follow and use while on vacation.  This could be a great opportunity for them to have an experience with you and “their” friends and family while away.  You may also be a virtual tour guide for them!
14. Articles.
    If you want to be found online in searches, then you’ll have to create tags for your posts.  If you are using the Notes feature in Facebook, or are a blogger, be sure to use tags that will cause your topic to bubble up when searched.   Think in terms of keywords.
15. Extend mainstream media placement to your social networks.
    i.e. If you are an Account Exec at The Columbus Dispatch, and you want to demonstrate the extent of your “reach” then you’ll want to publicize the placements in upcoming print articles within your social networks.  Your clients will be loyal raving fans.

If you liked these tips, and want more, be sure to subscribe to this blog for instant notification of subsequent posts.

Oh, by all means, if you have questions or want to add to this list, add it to the comments section below.

P.S. Last night attendees of the session left with a copy of my book for only half the price.  I wanted to extend the same deal to readers of this post!  Yup, you got it, purchase the book from this post and you’ll get it at 50% off!

© 2011 – 2012, TiffanyO.. All rights reserved.

The tip of the month is to be “Enchanting”. Yes, that’s it. If you have a customer base or online community, enchanted customers means everything. It’s Rule #1 of engagement on the web. Tech Guru, Guy Kawasaki, just completed a new book called Enchantment—The Art of Changing Hearts, Minds and Actions. In it he discusses several brands and what makes them successful and influential. Influence is rooted in psychology, and online, social media has a huge
“ego-system”—it’s the “Me” in media. So focus on the following with your customers and in your online communities:

1. Speak to emotion (theirs);
2. Develop the pillars of enchantment, likability, trustworthy and a great cause.
3. Then have a great service.

You’ll find your customers will pay a premium for better service, when you they are enchanted, even if you have a weakness, i.e. we love our iPhones and have stuck with AT&T because we’re enchanted with the iPhone.

Remember, with the democratization of information there is an equalization of influence (no longer a right, but a right of passage).  You have to want to change hearts, minds and actions—one person at a time.

Here’s is a wonderful interview with Guy Kawasaki as he discusses the pillars of enchantment.

As seen in the Granville Area Chamber of Commerce Technology Column [April 2011 Issue].

© 2011, TiffanyO.. All rights reserved.

This show will feature experts ready to share insights related to social media, marketing, the nuances of running a virtual business in the age of web 2.0 and the most common issues/solutions facing entrepreneurs in the global economy.

Why listen: We help business owners connect mind, body and soul. It’s a program that allows the heart, head, and hands to intersect.

Our weekly program is designed to address 4-areas of the entreprenuer’s life cycle (marketing & pr, networking, technology and taking time for yourself! – which is why we are in business).

Thursday’s at 4:00 p.m. EST.

Subscribe to the iTunes feed here:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/talk-social-networking/id405332500

© 2011, TiffanyO.. All rights reserved.

So you’ve got a blog, you are regular and have consistency, you also have an authentic voice and a passion for what you are blogging about-great!  So let’s talk about syndication and leveraging Facebook now.  Read more on the Beyond Social 101 Blog here.

Also, be sure to subscribe to this blog so you can be updated when the full discussion on DATV is released!  We’ll post the interview with Monica McGee – All Things Marketing Show and Debba Haupert – Girlfriendology.com (community builder and social media maven).

Subscribe to Talk Social Networking by Email.

Backstage at All Things Marketing

© 2011, TiffanyO.. All rights reserved.

I use the term strategy because if you are strategic about your voice, philosophy and ability to forecast trends, and you leverage a blogging platform to do it, you might have an opportunity to attract your target audience, raving fans and conversation generating skeptics -yes every blog needs them!

Interestingly, when blogging became popular, the largest demographics was, yes, you guessed it — teens. There is a shift happening right now, and that is among Generation X and boomers. According to Pew Internet Statistics:

Yet while blogging is less common for internet users under 34, it has increased in popularity among most older generations. Blogging among members of Gen X increased from 10% in December 2008 to 16% in May 2010, and 11% of Younger and Older Boomers currently blog as well. The result is a slight increase in blogging for adults overall, from 11% in late 2008 to 14% in 2010.

via http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2010/Generations-2010/Trends/Blogging.aspx

As more adults flock to the internet, social networks, and their mobile devices for news updates this gives the expert – i.e. YOU, an opportunity to create, participate, and edit the news and debates in your industry. According to Pew 67% of internet users ages 65-73 now get news online.

If the vast majority of internet users are getting credible, and not so credible information from the web, why would you NOT want to be there and lead the pack? The question is no longer “should I”, but “when should I”? And the answer is “yesterday, last week, last year”. Need I say more?

So, whether you decide to post via a micro-blog, Facebook notes, video blog, or a traditional blog, remember that your reach will increase exponentially as you integrate various forms of content between various social networks.

Learn more from a month of blogging topics, with the Digital 411 radio show personality: Dr. Erika Pryor. Here are a few segments that featured blogging and listen on talktainmentradio.com.

Meet Dr. Erika Pryor

I eat, sleep, live and breathe Communication, Social and Traditional Media. Much of my life is characterized by these exciting areas. As an added bonus, I have a deep rooted passion for the way people work with and negotiate communication and media to benefit themselves personally and professionally. Also, I consider myself a “natural born cheerleader.” I take a lot joy and pleasure in helping others feel empowered to reach their goals and do their “passion” work.

I’ve got the Digital 411, means, I spend a lot of time reading, researching, and studying social media, virtual marketing, and the integration of traditional marketing and PR with virtual/internet marketing and PR. Many of my ideas and what I learn are here and featured on my internet radio show, Digital 411.

I appreciate the support of her show for the my blogging conference:  Beyond Social 101 – Blah Blah Blogging Bootcamp and her hosting me on her program to discuss ways to avoid blog abandonment.

So, what do you think?  When is the “right” time to start blogging?  Add a comment below.

© 2011, TiffanyO.. All rights reserved.