Social Media Has Changed How I Watch TV

by Frederika Angus

In the United States, people are popping their popcorn and settling down with their TVs on and their laptop or smartphone near by. It’s about time for another Presidential Debate. Now I’m not big on politics, but I do like to be informed. Besides when over 75% of my Facebook News Feed and nearly ALL of my Twitter feed is filled with status updates on the debates, I can’t help but want to tune in.

My husband and I listen to the candidates with our eyes firmly on our smart phones, looking for the funniest tweet, or most interesting picture that is going viral during the broadcast. I’m one to follow the Twitter or Instagram hashtags to find the best content, while he searches for certain well-known entertainers to give him the best laugh. For nearly 2 hours, we pass our phones back and forth amused and entertained, not from the actual content of the debate, but from social media!

Social media has completely changed how I watch TV!

I’m not a huge TV watcher by nature. I’d much prefer to read or listen to music. Unless it’s football season and my favorite team the San Francisco 49ers are playing. Then I’m glued to the tube. But I’ve digressed. When I do tune in to a show, it’s almost unnatural to do so without my phone in hand. It’s like having a huge viewing party with all of my closest social media fans!

From a marketing perspective, I’ve seen both the campaigns do some amazing marketing during the debate, including buying hashtags on Twitter and investing in ads on Facebook to target their ideal market.

Here are a couple articles to see how they’ve been using social media to market for a political position:

Obama Beats Romney in Internet Savvy & Social Media

http://www.forbes.com/sites/karstenstrauss/2012/10/09/obama-beats-romney-in-internet-savvy-social-media/

Romney Facebook App Asks You to Message Friends for His Campaign

http://mashable.com/2012/10/22/romney-facebook-app/

The Presidential Campaign on Social Media

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/10/08/technology/campaign-social-media.html

Does this give you any ideas on how you can utilize the different social media platforms to market to your ideal customers?

Come over to my Facebook Page and tell me about them!

Talk to you soon!

Why Your Social Media Marketing Isn’t Producing Leads, Relationship or Revenue

by Frederika Angus

I came across an article on Inc.com titled Social Media Marketing: Why It’s Not Paying Off. As a marketplace strategist and digital marketing expert, I was at first taken aback by the title. I’ve seen first hand how social media can help brands and businesses be found, be heard and also be profitable.

The article discusses that most businesses aren’t seeing the returns of the time capital they are investing on social marketing. As I thought further about why this may be true, 3 things stood out.

1) Spending too much time on social media – As an entrepreneur, I understand the importance and necessity in some instances to wear multiple hats while carrying a tray of full plates. Sometimes it feels like we could run off and join the circus with our juggling skills. One of the biggest gripes I hear from clients just like you is that there isn’t enough time in the day to get everything done. Have you ever said that? Smart businesses understand that a social media presence is not just a nice to have; it’s a necessity. It’s where potential clients and customers check you out and even see what their friends say about you before spending with you. And it is important for your brand to show up consistently on social media.

Because it can be an effective tool for lead generation, some believe more time on social media creates more leads. In many ways this is true. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to be the one to post all of your content. This is definitely one of those activities that can be easily outsourced. Perhaps you have another employee that is well versed in all things social. If not, look for a social media marketing firm that is skilled in not only being on the social media platforms but also in building connection and relationships on social media. This brings me to my 2nd point.

2) More talking than listening – Have you ever been frustrated in a conversation with someone more concerned about getting their point across over hearing what you’re saying? One of my favorite John Maxwell quotes sums it up perfectly. “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” For me this is an integral part of my businesses core values. I am honored and very grateful to have clients that I partner with that I not only care about, I like them too!

When it comes to social media you’ll notice several different user types. Some are personal users and use the social sites as their online journals (read: lots of TMI). Then there are the business users that use the platform solely promote themselves and their business. In my experience and those of my clients, the most profitable and productive social media marketing efforts are those where the focus is not only what you have to offer, but also on communicating and interacting with your ideal clients where they hang out online.

3) Targeting everyone – There are 950 million on Facebook as of June 2012. There are 140 million active on Twitter as of March 2012. You would need a huge funnel to handle prospecting through all those leads available on social media. Marketing on social media is no different than traditional marketing. Knowing your ideal client profile is the foundation all marketing campaigns must be built on. While it is tempting to want to sell your products to everyone, you build the greatest brand loyalty and relationship by focusing on those who are already looking for what you solution provides.

Now tell me –

Have you tried Social Media Marketing?

What is your biggest challenge with using social media for your business?

Leave me a comment below and let me know!

Talk to you soon!

Social Media Day – June 30, 2012
by Frederika Angus

It’s that time of year again where we celebrate all things social media! Back in 2010 Mashable created Social Media Day in an effort to “recognize the digital revolution” happening everday on social platforms.

Social media enthusiasts are gathering all over the world on June 30th. If you’re interested in finding a meetup you can join in your local area, be sure to go to http://www.meetup.com/Mashable/ and search by your city.

In honor of Social Media Day, I will be posting social media tips all day on my Facebook Page and on Twitter that will help enhance your brand. You don’t want to miss out on all the valuable information  so be sure to click here and Like me on Facebook now and click here to follow me on Twitter.

Can’t wait to hang out with you all on Social Media Day!

Talk to you soon!

I love all things social. Apparently I have been a social butterfly since I made my grand entrance into the world. To this day, my mother would swear that after my first breath, instead of crying like “normal babies,” I looked around the room and said, “Who?” As if to ask, who invited all of you to my party! (Let’s just say that the account could be exaggerated by her extreme joy of my arrival after 18 hours of labor.) All that said, if it involves communication, both written and verbal, I am on it!

Last evening while managing my Facebook page, I noticed that I was invited to an event that started at 8:30pm. My first thought was who invites someone to an event 2 hours before it starts? Don’t they know I have to have the right outfit and right shoes?

Upon closer investigation, the invite came from someone who isn’t on my friend’s list and the event’s title was Congratulations** JetBlue Airlines Have Chosen You!

“Awesome!” I thought to myself. “I won! All have to do is click this link… but wait I don’t fly JetBlue, how would they know to choose me? And wait I don’t get to wear sparkly shoes to the party?!”

I recognized that the sneaky social media marketers where looking for unsuspecting users that would click the link, input their email addresses, so they could blast offers that have nothing to do with airlines or tickets.

As a marketer, I know having customer email addresses are extremely valuable. It allows you to connect with you with your ideal clients, both prospective and current. Obtaining those email addresses however must be done with integrity.

Effective social media campaigns will seek first to serve, develop relation and then offer what their fans are asking for. Businesses that follow this model will see long-term brand loyalty.

Consumers have been trained to be skeptical of marketing tactics that are too good to be true. Unfortunately, some companies have not been ethical in how they generate their revenue and misuse marketing and positioning leaving customers jaded. While this may make it tougher for high-quality brands, it doesn’t make your marketing efforts impossible.

Your authenticity and integrity in marketing will boost your brand’s reputation and attract the right clientele. Ensure your social media marketing campaigns are focused on ethically showcasing your company. Doing so will allow your brand to shine!

Talk to you soon!