Social Media....Fall in Love & Boost Sales

Raylee Melton
Owner - Moth Media

I believe that a hand shake and a smile will always be necessary. I also believe that social media is a powerful force today.  But how do you do business with Facebook feeds?

Social media is changing everyday! Countless books, podcasts, companies and blogs have announced self-proclaimed titles like “Social Media Guru”.  My point? No one really knows where Social Media is headed.

Here at Moth Media we offer a navigation strategy instead of an all knowing claim: We like to call it Moth Navigation.

Here are a few steps to help get started.

Step 1 Find Someone from your past

How fun is that! Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a newbie with social media, take the time to reconnect with someone. There is a strong sense of comfort knowing that they are doing well.  

Tip:  1 in 5 divorces are linked to Facebook. So, please be careful who you contact.  

Step 2 Automate your campaigns

This is so easy! Sit down once a month and plan out your posts. There are several service providers that will help you automate your page. I like Hootsuite. It provides a huge value as well as a sense of relief that your posts are consistent and manageable.  

Tip:  Be sure to mix in a few live posts from time to time to keep your stats up.

Step 3 Engage

These are your customers, so you must have something to talk about.  How can you help improve their life? What can you tell them to make things easier or better? Always direct your posts towards your ideal client. Keep a focus on that aspect and you will attract the right clients.

Tip: Quality client care is all about added value…show them you care.

Step 4 Create an editorial calendar

When you’re planning out your posts for the month, I recommend the following:
Start with your calendar events

1. Add in quotes
2. Be sure to ask questions
3. Provide “how to” information
4. Sprinkle in a few product spotlights

Tip: It’s the destination, not the plane!  Please, Do NOT spam your followers with product information. Create a conversation…be cool!

Step 5 Have Fun with it

Social Media is about having fun & being social. When you post information that is interesting and informative you’ll see your page come to life.

Before long you’ll not only boost your bottom line but just as importantly, you’ll be falling in love with Social Media and having fun!

2013 New View Blog

The New View Blog is changing and starting January 1st, 2013 we're revamping the way it is presented in hopes of providing better content.  Content you, as Young Professionals, might actually like to read.  The 2013 Blog will consist of weekly guest blogs updating each Monday morning.  These blogs will feature CEOs and Presidents of local companies, politicians, foodies, YPs, start up founders, non-profit leaders, fashion experts, and more.  The blog will be an ever changing environment so feel free to leave your ideas and thoughts in the comments section regarding topics, bloggers you'd like to hear from, or whatever else might be on your mind.  While we can't promise to fill every request we'll do our best to accommodate as many as we can.  And if you're enjoying what you find please tell you friends and coworkers!  The more people we can reach the better. 


We look forward to making 2013 the best year New View has had.  If you're already involved, keep involved!  If you're not involved and want to be, message us and we'll get you details.  Check us out on Facebook for even more information on our events and what we're about.  Thanks for stopping by!

Facebook - www.facebook.com/newviewwdm
Online - www.wdmchamber.org/new-view.html

Face-to-Face Is Always Best!

As a marketer by trade, I have seen – no make that “experienced” the power of networking many times over.   And although social media has and will continue to play an important role in our integrated marketing efforts,  in my opinion, it will never take the place of face-to-face networking.  Why is that?  Simple.  When you are engaging someone new via social media, be it Facebook, twitter, texting, etc.  hard as you try, you are unable to convey your emotions, your facial expressions, your voice tone, your body language.   In a face-to-face meeting, all these things work together to deliver your personal brand – helping to make you, well…unforgettable!

If you have been spending too much time behind your desk staring at your computer, now is the time to get out and meet some real people.  But before you do, here are a few tips that will assure your success.

1.    Remember your networking goal.  If you are out to bring in a new client or land a new job, chances are you will return from the networking event sorely disappointed.   A realistic networking goal is to meet and make one or two new friends.  New clients and job offers rarely come your way without first having a relationship and this takes time.

2.    The best way to share information about yourself is actually to ask other people about themselves.  It’s true.  When you ask a new acquaintance to share information about themselves and show a genuine interest in what they do, chances are they will reciprocate and ask you to talk about yourself too.

3.    Be a good listener.  This is key in engaging other people.  When they begin talking, zero in on what they are saying and try to ask a follow-up question or comment on their response.  Remember, the most  important networking question you could ever ask someone is….”If I were to refer a prospective client (or customer) to you, how would you describe this person?”  This will definitely get their attention and show your interest.

4.    Don’t leave home without them….business cards that is.  Make sure you have an ample supply and are ready to give your card to someone at the appropriate time.   While you don’t want to scatter them across the room, like falling confetti at a celebration, you do want to make sure you have a clean, crisp business card that represents you well.   In accepting a business card from another person, make sure you look at it, taking a few minutes to comment on it, before putting it in your pocket.  If possible, jotting down a note or two on the card, will help you remember that person, once you return to the office.

5.    And speaking of returning to the office…that is when the follow-up should take place.  Take time to write a personal note or email.  Maybe make a “friend” request on Facebook or follow that person on Twitter.   Whatever you do, make sure you reach out and touch that person again to further your relationship.   Follow-up is key to networking success. Without it, you merely become a collector of business cards.

While networking can and should include social media, to begin new relationships and strengthen current relationships, there is simply no substitute for connecting in person.

Rose Breuss, Director of Marketing

rbreuss@mhcspa.com

515-288-3279

McGowen Hurst Clark and Smith, P.C.

Certified Public Accountants and Business Advisors

www.mhcscpa.com

 

***McGowen Hurst Clark & Smith, P.C. is the May 3rd After-Hours event sponsor.  Come out to Saints Pub + Patio for some casual networking!***

Generation Y, Millennials, Etc...

Call us what you will; we’re the generation born in the 80s and 90s.   We’re the young professionals in today’s work force.  And considering all of the generalizations and stereotypes, I’d say we are doing just fine.

I’m really fascinated by articles and speakers giving presentations on generations in the work place, and I think it’s great to hear the pros and cons of all 4 of the typical generations. 

According to fdu.edu, these are the 4 generations in the work place today:

                1. Veterans, Silent, Traditionalists (1922-1946)

                2. Baby Boomers (1946-1964)

                3. Generation X (1965-1980)

                4. Generation Y, Millennials, Echo Boomers (1981-2000)

I’d much rather learn about them in order to work together in a more functional and efficient way than to waste my time thinking everyone over 45 can’t use a computer (Hardy har, har).  So, when I came across this article, I felt I should really share it:  Leave Gen Y Alone!

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did…and I really hope it motivates you to research other articles on the topic.  There is some really interesting information out there on the subject.

Lindsey Mathews
New View Board Member & Outreach Committee Chair
Project Delivery Coordinator
Shive-Hattery Inc.

How do you Tweet? Things I learned from 'Tweet N Eat'

So, I’m not in sales.  But I went to the West Des Moines Chamber’s ‘Tweet N Eat’ lunch and learn, because my personal Twitter account is…well, sad.

I forget about my account for weeks at a time.  When I do tweet, the entertainment level is mediocre at best.  That is, unless I’m retweeting something.  Nine times out of ten, it’s about stellar things New View is doing (Hint, hint!). 

Yesterday’s panel of professionals whom use Twitter for business were really helpful.  Not only did I learn how to tweet a bit more strategically, I learned I can branch out from my often-used hash tags.  That’s about as advanced as I’ve gotten in the year (or more) I’ve been on Twitter.

Whether for business or professional use, here’s what I learned:

1. Encourage a call to action! – This tip rang out most to me.  Twitter can’t and won’t do anything for you if you don’t motivate your followers to do something, right?  Whether you encourage followers to visit your business or simply reply back to your post with an answer to your question, you need to encourage action.  Be interactive on Twitter, not just active.

2. Give out your username or “handle” as often as you can.  – I have noticed more and more business cards are including Facebook and/or Twitter icons – but rarely do I actually see their specific username (How can I follow you, if I don’t know your username?).   Sure, I could go home or get out my phone and search for your name or company name.  But let’s face it, Millennials, we’re lazy.  We want it and we want it now. 

3.  “If you follow me—I’ll follow you. – There’s more to this.  You can simply request to “follow” someone and hope they will “follow” you back.  But no one in business will ever tell you they got somewhere because of hope.  Sorry, the truth hurts (Wanting and hoping better breed some motivation to take some action otherwise your dreams are going down like my 5^th grade “Invention Convention” attempt.  I called it “The Reminder Machine,” but it didn’t actually require anything you’d think a “machine” would.  It was basically some fabric and post-its.  But I digress…). Do everything you can to ensure those you “follow” will reciprocate.

4. When someone takes the time to give you/your business a shout out on Twitter, you should reply! – It’s polite and no matter what people say (including me), we Millennials really do enjoy and appreciate manners.

5. How you use your Twitter account needs to be based on your industry type and customer demographic. – A marketing consultant will not use Twitter for their business in quite the same way a restaurant owner will.   The marketing consultant may post links to interesting or insightful business articles that they feel their existing or potential clients would find useful.  The restaurant owner may post Saturday’s food and drink specials, in order to draw a bigger crowd that night.

The tips I learned from the panel were endless.   While I can’t possibly share them all, I do want to share a few last things:

·         No matter what type of business you use your Twitter account for, balance in your tweets, some should be links to business articles and some should be more personal.
·         Ensure some of your  tweets link to articles and business related material

·         In an increasingly tech-savvy world, it’s very important to find new ways to create connections with your patrons

Question:  Do you tweet?  If so – do you have any great tips to share?

Panelists from the ‘Tweet N Eat’ lunch and learn:

Phil James, Good Milkshake LLC -- @goodmilkshake

Katie Bradshaw, Jasper Winery --@jasperwinery

Jeff Garrison, EOS -- @jcgarrison

Jeremiah Terhark, DSM Daily -- @dsmdaily

Josh Poindexter, DSM Daily  -- @dsmdaily

Moderator:  Danny Beyer -- @DannyBeyerIA

Lindsey Mathews
New View Board Member & Outreach Committee Chair
Project Delivery Coordinator
Shive-Hattery Inc.

Turning dreams into reality

For years, I would pass storefronts with “For Lease” signs in them and my mind would instantly evaluate the space to see if it met my criteria to be a martial arts school. Most of the time something about the space didn’t fit, so I would nix it from my head. On other occasions, it was about the time; it wasn’t right. For a variety of reasons, my martial arts school wasn’t meant to be…Yet.

Since I moved to the Des Moines area, I have been training primarily in backyards and basements with a few people. During this time, I have fine tuned my teaching skills along with seeking new avenues of learning for myself. 

In retrospect, I had set the stage for opening the school long ago and the pieces finally fell into place in 2010. In April of this year, I opened the doors to Kapatiran Suntukan Martial Arts.

This isn’t to say it was easy.  I needed to figure out if I could afford it and did a lot of jumping through hoops to make it work, but I made it happen. I believe wholeheartedly that when we set our minds to reach a goal, we have it within us to achieve them.

The expressions of the martial arts I teach have a balance of understanding our surroundings and what to do when the fecal matter flies. These skills are transferable from physical aspects to conversational skills; however, both take practice to gain that understanding.

The basis for both styles I teach is movement. This movement is a combination of evasion and body english to put you in a position that will be advantageous to you while breaking down the structure of your opponent. This translates into a conversation of understanding the dynamic that is established, as well as what your goal is. This will show how you need to approach the discussion.

 Depending on the situation and the goal, you may need to confront it head-on, or you may need more subtle tactics to deflect attacks to get your point across. 

I offer one free class (in either style), so you can try them out and see which is better suited for you.

Drop by the school and give it a go.

To explore a little more, visit: http://www.ksma.us/desmoines.html

Email me at:mailto:%20jay@ksma.us

Or give me a call at: 515.255.9698.

There is a West Des Moines Chamber Ribbon Cutting at the school on June 22 at 5:15. We are located at 4930 Franklin Ave. in Des Moines. Stop by to check it out, have some food and soft beverages and ask questions.

Jay M Carstensen
Director: KSMA
Jay@ksma.us

The fuzzy line between social and professional networking

Most of us know (or quickly figured out); Facebook and business do not mix.  An electronic diary of sorts, Facebook is probably sharing more than you are aware of. 
If you’re in search of career opportunities, having your personal and social lives blaring about to the entire world can muddy the waters of landing your dream job. 

A majority of us witnessed the viral up-rising of Facebook while in college; we latched on and never looked back. We wake up in the morning, grab a cup of coffee, and connect to the world-wide web.  Facebook, email, instant messengers, and other social networking sites keep us connected twenty-four hours a day. 

When was the last time you did not connect to the web? I bet you can’t remember. Nearly 266 million people access the internet in North America alone (as cited in “Internet Usage,” 2010). That’s nearly 78% of the entire population [North America]. 

Depending on your career aspirations or your business’s vertical, Facebook can be an effective way to network professionally.  According to Neal Schaffer (2010), companies are spending almost 20% of their total marketing budgets on social media.  

What does this mean for you as a career professional? It means there is an increased likelihood of potential employers and businesses seeing your social networking profiles.

Unless you want your future boss to see a photo of the night you decided to moonlight as a karaoke professional after one-too-many margaritas, I’d keep the social networking for your eyes (and your friend’s) only. 

Tips for maintaining a “clean” social networking profile:

·         Use social sites such as Facebook only to build relationships with your friends

·         Limit the amount of images/photos you and your friends post

·         Examine your profile carefully and decide what you want potential employers  and  business contacts to see

If you need assistance and information on up-and-coming professional networking sites, SmallBizBee.com (2010) recommends the following 40 top social networking sites for small businesses and career professionals (here’s the top 5):

1.    LinkedIn

2.    Meet the Boss

3.    PartnerUp

4.    Qupacity

5.    Ryze

Internet usage statistics; the internet big picture. (2010, June 30). Retrieved on May 18, 2011, from http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats.htm

Schaffer, Neal. (2010, December 14). LinkedIn vs. Facebook for business in 2011-The battle begins. Retrieved on May 18, 2011, from http://socialmediatoday.com/nealschaffer/252062/linkedin-vs-facebook-business-2011-battle-begins

The ultimate list: 40 social networking sites specifically for small business, entrepreneurs, and startups. (2010, February 2). Retrieved on May 18, 2011, from http://smallbizbee.com/index/2010/02/02/ultimate-list-40-social-networking/

Kari Ratkovich

Freelance Social Media/Writing Consultant

Kari.Ratkovich@gmail.com