5 stars for Sprout Social–Your new social media content manager and more

Are you in need of a social media management system that has an easy to maneuver interface and dashboard? Would you like one place where you can manage all of your important social media sites? Do you need great analytic content along with helpful advice you can understand and implement immediately to help your social media marketing? Sprout Social is the social media management system you need today. The best part of Sprout is that you can have a free trial with the level that fits your needs for a full 30 days with no credit card.

Other bloggers, managers, and businesses are raving about Sprout Social. There are three major reasons why others are raving about Sprout Social.

1. When you’re a social media manager, an account executive, a business owner etc. you often need to print out a paper report of your social media analytical data. Sprout Social prints out a perfect report for you with your company logo.
2. The customizable inbox is one of the best features. It’s so easy to miss some form of communication from a customer or client when having to oversee so many different social media sites messaging systems. Sprout Social allows you to click on the boxes that you want to receive messages in your Sprout Social inbox.
3. You can compare yourself or your business with competitors. You can compare daily mentions, see who’s talking to your competition, and a few other terrific features.

Here is another non-bias review about Sprout Social from Ask Aaron Lee. Check out the Kidnap Customers website, they give a really great review and breakdown of features for Sprout Social. You really have nothing to lose, it’s a risk-free 30 day free trial with no credit card for setup. Go to Sprout Social now and give it a try.

See this article at examiner.com.

Top ten social media sites that can increase your marketing efforts

See my latest article from examiner.com . . .

 

 

Social media is an ever changing monster! One day social media might be your best friend and the next day social media might be your sworn enemy. Whatever day it might be, learn how to use social media marketing to your advantage today. Forecasting for social media marketing or digital marketing is not traditional in any way; you cannot forecast too far ahead using digital marketing, or you might come out way behind. In order to stay ahead of the curve you must be constantly reading blogs, articles, attending webinars, and seminars to stay ahead of the digital marketing game. Below are the top 10 social media marketing sites and mobile applications that you need to utilize daily.

1. Facebook
By now you should be using Facebook for your business. Create a Fan Page and interact with your clients, patrons, fans, etc. Post important events, product launches, industry news, and sales or promotional deals your business might be promoting. Use Facebook as a way to communicate with your fans on a daily basis.

2. Twitter
There’s a place to post 140 characters about what’s on your mind, an article you’ve written, an event you are going to, an opinion you want to share, or a picture you want to post is all in one spot called Twitter. Twitter is a great place to share breaking news or look for breaking news. However, you must utilize Twitter to the fullest, otherwise it might be a waste of time to even set up an account.

3. Pinterest
The fastest growing social media site in history is Pinterest, and it’s very addicting. Pin pictures with a description and see others repine and like your pictures or videos! Re-pin other “pins” that you see your friends post. Most importantly, if you’re a business post pictures of you doing business or at an event. Post a picture and 10 steps to getting rid of the worst wine stain ever, or re-post that awesome recipe onto your board called, “Company picnic ideas.” Get your followers to think outside of the box and post relevant pictures and videos.

4. Instagram
Take pictures using Instagram on your smart phone and post them on your Instagram feed plus post the pics directly onto your Facebook and Twitter page, too! You can add affects to your pictures instantly from the mobile app. People love pictures, so post often.

5. Youtube
Just as you might be reading this article, you are more likely to watch me talking about this article on a video that I post on youtube.com. Give advice or tips that your clients want to hear and see by taking a video of yourself talking about your product, service, industry, etc. Go to my youtube.com channel here!

6. Google+
You need to be using Google and Google+ to help your business. Google algorithms love those who use Google, obviously. Does your business like reviews, if so, ask your clients to give your business a review on your Google Place page.

7. Foursquare
Check into that lunch meeting at Nobu, allow for your Facebook and Twitter followers to see where you are at, where you are doing business, and where you lunch and dine! Foursquare allows your followers to see what you do throughout the day and it may seem a little “big brother” but it puts your business logo out there, it reminds people about your business and what you do. Also, share or give a review about places that you check-in at. People will start to value your opinion and follow you because they want to know about your opinion and may often share what you say on their own social media sites.

8. LinkedIn
LinkedIn is still a great place to network with like-minded folks. Learn about your industry, stay in the loop regarding the latest and greatest trends, and if you are looking for employment or offering employment, LinkedIn is a great place to be online. LinkedIn groups are a great way to network online, find fellow industry players and continue to learn about your industry and new trends.

9. Soundcloud
Create a podcast, or create a 15 minute interview with someone that is an industry leader and share it on Soundcloud.com! You can share your recording on many other social media sites! Let people hear you.

10. Quora
Be an expert in your industry and answer questions at Quora.com. Ask questions and have numerous people give you answers regarding your industry, social media, marketing, etc.

Take the time to go and learn more about each one of these sites or mobile applications and see how they can help your business now. You can start to see results in as little as a few weeks when you utilize all of these social media tools and start using them in conjunction with one another.

3 Ways to Manage ALL of Your Social Media Accounts!

More than likely you don’t really have 3-4 hours a day to manage all your social media accounts.  Time is money, and we must use our time wisely when running our own business.  Many businesses don’t sign up for Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Foursquare and others because we just don’t have the time to actually manage all those accounts.  Here are 3 resources to help you oversee and manage all your social media accounts.

1.  Hootsuite is a great tool that you can use to manage all your social media accounts.  There is a free service and of course, you can upgrade!  Go to Hootsuite to learn more.  It’s easy to use.  It’s a very popular resource too.

2.  iContact.com is a source used mainly for email  marketing, but now has a social media resource where you can manage your Facebook and Twitter accounts.  Super easy to use!  You must pay for this service, however the email marketing service they offer is really amazing and easy to use.  Go to iContact and see what package fits your needs best.

3.  Wildfire Promotion Builder is more advanced.  Its middle package is $2.99 per day and $25 per promotion.  If you are ready to take your social media campaign to another level and still want the ease of managing all in one place, check out Wildfire NOW!

Don’t be afraid to have multiple Twitter, Facebook, and other accounts!  Enjoy social media, and have fun with it!

 

Want to Know More About Silent Tagging?

Have you heard of “Silent Tagging?”  Silent tagging is done on your Facebook Business Page.  You first ask people if they want to silent tag on your facebook business page.  Once you have about 20-30 “likes” it’s time to tell everyone the rules of Silent Tagging.

Here is a common example of the rules for Silent Tagging:

SILENT TAGGING – PLEASE READ RULES!
Show your support for everyone!
1.) “Like” Wedding Marketing NOW. Tag Wedding Marketing NOW on your page to show we are Silent tagging or SHARE this post.
2.)Leave your link below by typing @ before your business name from your ‘personal’ account! Highlight each business name by hovering your mouse over the name then click like when the white box appears. Please do not like just the comment. That does not add you as a fan.
3.) “Like everyone back” Do not post and run. Have fun and get lots of new fans.

Now, if you are moderating/hosting the “Silent Tagging” aka: “Tag Party” on your business or community page, make sure everyone that is participating is playing by the rules.  If they are not, then delete their post in the thread!  Also, set a time limit on how long the silent tagging will go for.  I suggest 1-2 hours at the most.

Facebook is not thrilled about the “Silent Tag” craze because it does slow down their site.  Silent Tagging can be considered spam, and therefore your page could get shut down.  Don’t silent tag more than one “tag party” at a time!

The most successful silent tagging “hosts” are those who have about 1000 fans on your business page(s).

Here are what other people are saying about the “Silent Tagging” craze!

Silent Tagging Page on Facebook

A Great Article on Silent Tagging and Some Downsides to Silent Tags!

Passive Aggressive Behavior on Facebook or Twitter Will Ultimately Hurt Your Business and Brand

We all have bad days.  We all have bad experiences with people in our life.  What about that horrible experience at the local flower shop or grocery store?  Ugh, and we’ve all had to experience the automated phone system!  Point is our days are full of good and bad.  The bad makes us want to vent.  Venting is good, it is needed at times.  Vent to your gal pals or with the guys at the local pub.  Another great way to blow off steam is to go for a walk, workout, pump some iron, punch a punching bag, ride a bike, put on your headphones and go on a mental vacation.  Now days people tend to vent on their Facebook page or Twitter feed.

It’s just so easy to login to our Facebook account and start ranting.  Have you said something (in a ranting tone) on Facebook or Twitter intending for a certain someone to see it?  This is passive aggressive behavior and it can hurt your business, image, and brand.  We all have moments where we want to vent, and it’s just too easy to vent on social media platforms.  I am guilty of it, in fact most of us are guilty of venting on Facebook or Twitter at one time or another.  Don’t let yourself become “that” person, because we all know that person who always is saying something negative on their status, comments, and Twitter feed.

If you own a wedding business it is so important you realize that you are your business brand.  You never know who could be the next person to recommend you and your business from your Facebook or Twitter friends list and followers.  Remember hearing about the glass house affect?  Facebook and Twitter make you naked to everyone you allow to see your page and updates.  You may have also heard people say if you would NOT want your grandma to see your post or status update, you probably should NOT post it!  Be very careful with sarcasm too, many people cannot “hear” your tone when reading your post or update.

Controversial topics such as religion, politics, foreign affairs, etc. are all topics I typically do not talk about on my social media outlets.  Supporting a cause like stopping hunger, helping victims of a natural disaster, etc. are things I DO talk about on social media.  If someone has a problem with me supporting the local cat shelter then I am not sure why they are following me or my “friend.”  Just remember you have other options when you want to login and vent!  Take a deep breath and walk away from the computer, tablet, or phone!  Don’t waste time by venting online.

Facebook is the 3rd Largest Nation in the World!

More about facebook soon! Are you on Facebook? How often do you use Facebook in a day? Have you ever paid for advertising on Facebook? Are you aware of the FACEBOOK phenomenon?