Guidelines

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22
Feb 12

Evolving the Role of the Community Manager

Community management is not a new concept by any means –  But the rise of social business has given life to the role in a whole new way. What used to be looked at as a role primarily for moderation of niche community forums, is now seen as a necessary function within any company that cares about evolving their business to meet the needs of the social customer.

There are three things becoming increasingly more important for the role:

(1) Perfecting your timing: It’s incredibly important, especially for new and growing communities, to pay attention to spikes in activation and engagement within your various communities.

(2) Playing the numbers game: Understanding and reporting on a community’s visitor data and analytics is something that’s fast becoming an important function of the community management role.

(3) Improving searchability: Search engine optimization is a tactic that certainly falls more under the realm of marketing, but it’s a skill that more community managers should take in to consideration when developing content for a brand.

Learn more about the the evolving role of the social media manager at socialbusinessnews.

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21
Feb 12

6 Google+ Tips for Businesses

In less than 1 year, Google has reached over 30 million users, far exceeding expected growth rates. It is important to determine if Google+ can be beneficial to your business, and if so, what is the best way to interact with your demographic?

Here are 6 Simple Steps to start your business out on Google+:

1. Fill Out Your Page: Pay attention to keywords that are important to your business, and the keywords that are important to your customers.

2. Add Links Throughout Your Page: Links help you get found in searches, plus they can lead customers back to your company’s website.

3. Make Use of Hover Text

4. Promote Your Business Page Everywhere: Currently companies cannot circle people until other’s have circled them first, so you’ll want to make sure people know about your page!

5. Get Your Employees on Google+

6. Be Interesting

Do you have any additional tips for advertising your business on Google+? Has your company had any success so far on the new social platform?

Read the full article at Social Media Examiner.


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21
Feb 12

5 Tips For Using LinkedIn’s Mobile Site

Have you checked out LinkedIn‘s mobile site yet? No, not the mobile app — the in-browser mobile site. It’s very powerful and very useful for connecting with LinkedIn’s 135 million users. After all, mobile page views account for over 11% of total visits to the social network for the professionally-minded.


Here are five tips for using the mobile site:

1. Share Useful Links and Information: This is made easy with the mobile site

2. Get Updates: you’re greeted with a scrollable list of connections updates

3. Connect with a new acquaintance: Use linkedin instead of a business card

4. Spend time with your groups: Follow group discussions on the go

5. Get Invited: Manage your invitations

View more details on each of these steps at Mashable.

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16
Feb 12

7 Rookie Social Media Mistakes And How To Avoid Them

Social media can be tricky. If you do a million things well, they may go unnoticed. But if you make just one bad mistake  you can be the source of criticism for months, and maybe even years, to come.  Keep reading about these 7 social media sob stories and how to prevent the same things from happening to you.

Netflicks launches Qwikster

Netflix got a lot of heat after it decided to launch Qwikster, whose purpose was to separate Netflix’s DVD-by-mail service from its online streaming service.  When users tried to follow @Qwikster on Twitter, they found a user who talked about drugs and cursed a lot. Even though he wasn’t associated with Netflix, a bad name and poor judgment became associated with the Netflix brand as a result.

Burger Kings Facebook Contest
Burger King started a Facebook contest called the “Whopper Sacrifice.” If a user de-friended 10 of their Facebook friends, they would get a coupon for a free Whopper. This caused a lot of dismay and confusion because Facebook is about connecting with your friends, and this campaign encouraged people to connect with fewer people. It also violated Facebook users’ expectation of privacy, causing Facebook to shut down the campaign.
Read the rest of the rookie social media mistakes and how to prevent them from happening to your company at hubspot.

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15
Feb 12

Foursquare In Context

If you’re a regular user of services like Twitter or Foursquare, you’ve undoubtedly been met with skeptics and naysayers who wonder aloud, “Why would I want to tell anyone what I’m having for lunch?” or “Why would I care if someone is having a ham sandwich?”

Fair enough, but the inquisitors fail to take into account the all-important factor in any conversation, whether it’s in person or online: context.

This new video helps to put Foursquare’s services into perspective for people who wonder “What’s the value of  ’checking in’?”

Hi! I want to learn more about foursquare! from foursquare on Vimeo.

Learn more about the value of checking in scottmonty.

Case Studies / Guidelines — No Comments
14
Feb 12

6 Ways To Capture More Likes On Facebook

Facebook ‘likes’ are quickly turning into currency for credibility. The more ‘likes’ your business has, the more seriously consumers will perceive your company. Extra bonus: every time someone ‘likes’ your page, each of your updates shows up in their news feed, thereby providing them constant reminders of your brand.

So how can you pump up your ‘likes’ to Apple Inc. and Gap levels (2.7 million and 1.4 million, respectively)? Follow these tips and you’ll soon be on your way.

Tag- provides visibility and attracts more likes

Donate to Charity- If you’re inspired to try this but aren’t sure what charity will resonate with your customers, Jordan recommends the trial and error method to see what brings about the most interest.

Host a giveaway/contest

Create a Splash page: A splash page asks the visitor to ‘like’ your page before seeing your wall contents

Reward Re-posts

Get personal

Read more details on each of these, and case studies at openforum.

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10
Feb 12

The First 5 Things To Do On Your Google+ Page

You followed the sage advice of social media experts who told you why your business should be on Google+, and you created a business page for your brand.  Now what?

Here are the five first things you should do with your Google+ business page:

1. Optimize your page for search engine optimization (SEO): Verify your page with Google, Add a carefully crafted tagline, Write a complete introduction, Add recommended links.

2. Upgrade your page’s visual appeal.

3. Post high-quality content: Before you get your first follower, put up at least three or four posts.

4. Attract followers: Promote your page on other social media channels and website.

5. Interact and engage.

Read more on each of these steps at prdaily.

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7
Feb 12

How Pinterest is Becoming the Next Big Thing in Social Media For Business

Pinterest, an online bulletin board for your favorite images, is already experiencing wild growth. The site registered more than 7 million unique visitors in December, and it’s driving more traffic to company websites and blogs than YouTube, Google+ and LinkedIn combined.

How It’s Being Used

Perhaps the most powerful business application is the ability to post images of your company’s products on your Pinterest board and link them back to your website. It works as a sort of virtual store catalog.

Driving Sales

Pinterest already is driving buyers to some websites. In the last six months, the retail deal site ideeli.com has seen a 446 percent increase in web traffic from Pinterest and sales resulting from those visits have increased five-fold.

Is Pinterest Right for Your Business?

The site does have some drawbacks for businesses. If your product or service isn’t particularly visual, your images may not tie directly back to your brand.

Learn more about how you can use Pinterest for marketing at entrepreneur.

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2
Feb 12

7 Ways To Use Pinterest to Promote Your Business

Image centric social networks are rapidly gaining market share due to their high engagement levels. Pinterest has become the social media network to watch after growing over 4,000% in the last 6 months.

There are a number of ways that you can use this growing social network to promote your business:

1. Share your products: Doing so creates a virtual product catalog of interest to these consumers or for gift ideas for these groups. You can also create a “best of” board, showing off your most popular products.

7 Ways to Use Pinterest to Promote Your Business

2. Add to gifts: When you create an entry for your pins, you can add a price tag and link to your website.

3. Highlight Services

4. Maximize SEO efforts

5. Offer added value

6. Offer Exclusive Content

7. Engage with Users

Learn more about each of these ways to use Pinterest to promote your business at JeffBullas.

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31
Jan 12

5 Ways To Brand Your New YouTube Profile

Are you wondering what to do with the new YouTube look and feel?

Here are 5 tweaks you can make to improve branding on your YouTube Channel.

1. Add Your Custom URLs in the newly placed description area

2. Add overlays to all of your videos: Now you can simply create the promoted video, pause the campaign and still have the power of the branded overlay.

3. Prevent other ads from showing on your video

4. Check “always take subscribed users to the feed tab”: The “Feed” tab not only brings your subscribers that much closer to seeing your channel comments, but they’re more likely  they’re more likely to dive in and start commenting themselves to keep up with the conversations.

5. Prioritize your favorite channels on your home page using the pinned subscribers feature

Read more on each of these steps at socialmediaexaminer.

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