Launch yourself in 2011 more successfully!
I don’t consider myself a Scrooge when it comes to the holidays but I do find that when trying to plan for 2011 I keep having the same conversation with people – “I’ll wait until after the holidays to start anything new”
January 1st always propels us into new ventures whether it’s business or personal. The most successful among us launch new ventures at the start of a new year because they create the momentum in the fall. Think about this one thing – 60% of businesses will have new funds available starting January 1st how will you be ready to pitch your new product or service in January?
What you can do now to promote yourself in 2011?
•Start a blog (write 2 short posts per week now and when January comes you will have 8-12 weeks of material) - 6 hours of time
•Create an Internet radio show – 3 hours of time
•Re-design your web site – 4 hours of time
•Launch a social media campaign (that’s more than starting a Facebook page) 6 hours of time
What can you create with a plan and support? Schedule a free 30-minute consultation with me and launch yourself successfully in 2011.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
Is the Internet dead?
Is the Internet dead?
Word on the street and the net itself is that it is dead. The World Wide Web is in decline. Why is the net in decline?
Peer to Peer Communication – 23% Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, location based communication sharing and use of Apps – Apps now allow you to bypass going to web sites. You can go directly to the information you want if you are using a Smart Phone, Kindle or iPad. Companies are making money on Apps; if they offer them for free then they sell ad space on them to other companies. I love my Pandora music App but it now has ads. If I want to avoid those annoying ads, I have the option to pay for it for $36.00 a year, so for now I will listen to ads. 90% of information on web sites is free but consumers seem willing to pay for the convenience of single applications that give you the same information.
Traffic on video related sites – YouTube accounts for 51% of Internet traffic. People are watching a lot of short video clips, TV highlights and using services like Hulu.com (which I love). What does this say about the future of network TV? Moreover, if you do not mind paying for it you can purchase your favorite shows for $1.99 each through iTunes. The 18-30 age group downloads 60% of what they want to view instead of watching standard network or cable TV.
World Wide Web – 23% going directly to a web site, compare this to 10 years ago when 85% of traffic went through the World Wide Web.
If you are in development for a new project or just considering where to put your marketing dollars you cannot ignore these stats. Does this mean that web sites are dead? Not at all – websites still allow you to share information in a larger format but your web site should have an active blog in order to draw traffic your way. The blog should include writing, video and podcasts. Users want interactive experiences. I noticed a television ad the other day for new televisions that will allow users to download apps through the television. People will now be able to check Facebook, Twitter or any other popular social networks during commercial breaks.
With all this change in how people access information my question is how are you changing your marketing plan to keep up with technology?
Word on the street and the net itself is that it is dead. The World Wide Web is in decline. Why is the net in decline?
Peer to Peer Communication – 23% Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, location based communication sharing and use of Apps – Apps now allow you to bypass going to web sites. You can go directly to the information you want if you are using a Smart Phone, Kindle or iPad. Companies are making money on Apps; if they offer them for free then they sell ad space on them to other companies. I love my Pandora music App but it now has ads. If I want to avoid those annoying ads, I have the option to pay for it for $36.00 a year, so for now I will listen to ads. 90% of information on web sites is free but consumers seem willing to pay for the convenience of single applications that give you the same information.
Traffic on video related sites – YouTube accounts for 51% of Internet traffic. People are watching a lot of short video clips, TV highlights and using services like Hulu.com (which I love). What does this say about the future of network TV? Moreover, if you do not mind paying for it you can purchase your favorite shows for $1.99 each through iTunes. The 18-30 age group downloads 60% of what they want to view instead of watching standard network or cable TV.
World Wide Web – 23% going directly to a web site, compare this to 10 years ago when 85% of traffic went through the World Wide Web.
If you are in development for a new project or just considering where to put your marketing dollars you cannot ignore these stats. Does this mean that web sites are dead? Not at all – websites still allow you to share information in a larger format but your web site should have an active blog in order to draw traffic your way. The blog should include writing, video and podcasts. Users want interactive experiences. I noticed a television ad the other day for new televisions that will allow users to download apps through the television. People will now be able to check Facebook, Twitter or any other popular social networks during commercial breaks.
With all this change in how people access information my question is how are you changing your marketing plan to keep up with technology?
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Friday, June 11, 2010
Social Media Best Practices - How 15 minutes a day on Facebook can help you
Social Media Best Practices – How 15 minutes a day on Facebook can help you.
I regularly have conversations with people about what they should be doing with all the social media options. “Should I use Twitter?” “I have a Facebook page but I’m not certain what the heck to do with it”
Using these tools is an option and while plenty of people are on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn there are plenty that are not, or using them in a very limited way.
Here are some best practices for using Facebook for marketing. This is an effective word of mouth tool – why not use it?
Facebook
• Create a personal profile to keep your network informed. Trust them to spread the word about you and what you are doing.
• Feed your network regularly – add information of value to those you know. (post no less than twice a week)
• Remember what you add will help shape opinions about you and your business. Become a “go to” person within your network in your field of expertise. If you know the insurance business share what you know!
• Use Facebook to help you get feedback. Are you considering something new? Your network can provide essential feedback which is invaluable.
• Enjoy the opportunity to share and connect personally. If you want people to carry your message about something new – do the same for them.
• Build a strong personal network before launching a Fan of Page.
If you are wondering about which Facebook tools you should be using here is my list:
Tools for getting the word of mouth going
1. Profile Page – create one
2. Groups – join some and participate!
3. Pages – create for specific projects
4. Events – use to invite people to events like your Blogtalk radio show.
5. Notes and Photos – share your blog postings.
6. Messages – quick and easy way to update friends
7. Marketplace – Powerful sales tool.
8. Share / Posted Items – careful to keep these professional
9. Networks – think about this carefully before you join you don’t want to be spammed
10. Mini Feed and News Feed – read these daily to see what’s happening in your network.
Facebook is a free tool that you can use to market and promote your business – 15 minutes a day is all it really takes.
Next issue: Best practices for Twitter
I regularly have conversations with people about what they should be doing with all the social media options. “Should I use Twitter?” “I have a Facebook page but I’m not certain what the heck to do with it”
Using these tools is an option and while plenty of people are on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn there are plenty that are not, or using them in a very limited way.
Here are some best practices for using Facebook for marketing. This is an effective word of mouth tool – why not use it?
• Create a personal profile to keep your network informed. Trust them to spread the word about you and what you are doing.
• Feed your network regularly – add information of value to those you know. (post no less than twice a week)
• Remember what you add will help shape opinions about you and your business. Become a “go to” person within your network in your field of expertise. If you know the insurance business share what you know!
• Use Facebook to help you get feedback. Are you considering something new? Your network can provide essential feedback which is invaluable.
• Enjoy the opportunity to share and connect personally. If you want people to carry your message about something new – do the same for them.
• Build a strong personal network before launching a Fan of Page.
If you are wondering about which Facebook tools you should be using here is my list:
Tools for getting the word of mouth going
1. Profile Page – create one
2. Groups – join some and participate!
3. Pages – create for specific projects
4. Events – use to invite people to events like your Blogtalk radio show.
5. Notes and Photos – share your blog postings.
6. Messages – quick and easy way to update friends
7. Marketplace – Powerful sales tool.
8. Share / Posted Items – careful to keep these professional
9. Networks – think about this carefully before you join you don’t want to be spammed
10. Mini Feed and News Feed – read these daily to see what’s happening in your network.
Facebook is a free tool that you can use to market and promote your business – 15 minutes a day is all it really takes.
Next issue: Best practices for Twitter
Small Business Seminar on using Twitter
Upcoming Seminar: Twitter and Small Business presented by iConnie.com
Date: Saturday, July 10th
Time: 10:00am to 12:30pm
Location: Santa Barbara Channels TV
7000 Hollister Ave, Goleta CA, 93117
To register: Email Lisa Angle lisa@sbchannels.tv
Cost: $15.00
If you are a newcomer to Twitter or interested in how you can use this social media tool to help your small business this seminar is a terrific place to start!
Date: Saturday, July 10th
Time: 10:00am to 12:30pm
Location: Santa Barbara Channels TV
7000 Hollister Ave, Goleta CA, 93117
To register: Email Lisa Angle lisa@sbchannels.tv
Cost: $15.00
If you are a newcomer to Twitter or interested in how you can use this social media tool to help your small business this seminar is a terrific place to start!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Earth Day - time to change it
Last week there was a great deal of focus on Earth Day turning 40. Does age 40 make you mainstream no matter what? This is a great link to rethinking what we know thanks to Earth Day.
I like this list - it's real. We need a revolution.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/20/science/20tier.html
Last weekend I attending a local TEDx event and I listened to a young man that made me think about the revolution we need to turn around where we are with pollution and oil usage.
Here is his web site:
http://kids-vs-global-warming.com/Home.html
I hope age 40 brings a mid-life crisis and turn around to the Earth Day movement. We need to think much bigger!
I like this list - it's real. We need a revolution.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/20/science/20tier.html
Last weekend I attending a local TEDx event and I listened to a young man that made me think about the revolution we need to turn around where we are with pollution and oil usage.
Here is his web site:
http://kids-vs-global-warming.com/Home.html
I hope age 40 brings a mid-life crisis and turn around to the Earth Day movement. We need to think much bigger!
Friday, February 12, 2010
Single Steps
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”
Lao-tzu
Although this is the popular form of this quotation, a more correct translation from the original Chinese would be "The journey of a thousand miles begins beneath one's feet." Rather than emphasizing the first step, Lao Tzu regarded action as something that arises naturally from stillness. Another potential phrasing would be "Even the longest journey must begin where you stand." I read this translation correction a few years ago and the thoughts still resonate strongly with me – begin where you are. We are still in the first quarter of 2010 and there is still plenty of time to take action starting with small steps toward what is big for your business this year.
Most things start off very small and work their way into bigger and/or better things. Have you stepped your way to your think big goals?
Three quick jump starters:
1. Review what first gave you the most energy and inspiration as you started your business and note what you continually push aside as not possible.
2. Commit to exploring one component of your business plan that you never have time for and remember exploration can begin with a simple conversation.
3. Create a short deadline for what you will do with this new information.
I was raised in San Francisco and I love the Chinese New Year celebrations which is this weekend on February 14th. This year will be the year of the Tiger thought to be the time to tackle something most difficult in your life. So it’s still not too late in the year to begin your think big goals.
Next month I will follow up on this conversation with a podcast interview with two different Executive Coaches on moving thinking big for small businesses.
Happy New Year! xīn nián hǎo, pronounced “sing nee-ann how.”
Connie
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
