Social Media Marketing: Slow and Steady Engagement Wins the Race
I am more convinced that in this ever changing world of social media marketing, that the old saying "slow and steady wins the race" is very true. I remember the early days of my Virtual Assistant business, and most small business owners believed that we needed to "push" our message out on various platforms. As social media exploded, those platforms were just another avenue to "post" your latest idea, blog or product for sale. The social media arena is quickly changing. So how do we do engage in the most effective way with our ideal client effectively? Here are a few tips that I have seen work well for many of my clients. 1. Get to KNOW your fans and followers. What do they love? What do they LOVE about you? Why did they choose to follow you and/or read your blog or comment on your post? What is their ULTIMATE goal for their business? For Example, on Facebook, be sure to learn how they came to become your fans and be sure to Welcome Them! 2. Find the common thread that you share with them. Did they connect with you on Facebook from another platform? Are they also followers of your blog? How can you best serve that potential client? Do they need your advice? Do they need another expert who can better help them? What is their "pain point" One of the reasons that Pinterest has become such a hot trend in 2012 is because people can truly engage with what "connects" them. It is very interesting. 3. Engage, Engage, Engage
Read MoreVirtual Assistant Tip: 5 Steps to Build Quality Relationships
I am in my third year of my Virtual Assistant Social Media business. I am convinced more than ever of the power of positive relationships. As a Virtual Assistant, I have the pleasure of relating and engaging with MANY various types of business owners each week: Business Owners PR / Marketing Staff Website Developers Trainers Additional Contractors related with the Client's Business Beginner Virtual Assistants More! As the economy slowly changes, the one constant I see is the power of relationships. Here are 5 tips to consider when engaging in the relationships with your business and your client's business support needs. 1. Less is More - Listen more than you talk when engaging with fellow business relationships (for yourself and your client). I listen to what my clients' needs are, and when I speak with one of their vendors directly, I make sure that I listen to ensure that the vendor and my client are on the "same page". If someone ASKS my professional opinion, I give it, honestly. 2. Engage Authentically - Be sure to engage positively with all members of a client's team. It is important that you are authentic when you engage with your client, their connections, vendors, etc. If you genuinely like a post click "like" or "share". Stay business professional (not too much personal interaction) Use common courtesy, say "please" and "thank you". Publicly say THANK YOU - on various social media sites (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, ComeOnInside, etc.) 3. Have Your Clients Back - Plan Ahead - Without a question, the days when I smile from ear to ear is when a client out of the blue says "thanks for having my back". As a Virtual Assistant Social Media Manager, my job is to ensure consistency of information so that the client has the freedom to engage and relate as they do best. 4. Excellence - It is imperative that you offer excellent service to your clients (and their team members). Remember, every person you touch is a potential referral source! I get a lot of business from third party vendors I may have engaged with one time for a particular client. I do an outstanding job and go the extra mile to make sure the client's reputation is in tact and the project is done well. 5. Become a Connector - If you are not a perfect fit for someone, be honest. If you can't help someone, try to offer a solution that will help them. It does take a bit of time to sometimes find an alternative fit for a potential client, but I want to make sure that client is taken care of. If they took the time to reach out and call me (often after researching for a while) I want to do what I can to help them fulfill that need.
Read MoreShould EVERY Business Have a Facebook Fan Page?
I am frequently asked: “Should ALL businesses have a Facebook Fan Page?” That is a GREAT question! At our initial meeting with a potential client, I find many business owners want a Facebook Fan Page for the following reasons: 1) Everyone has one 2) It will be archived by Google 3) It is part of a larger marketing strategy I have encouraged clients, who are confused, to get a plan...
Read MorePutting the “SOCIAL” back in Social Media
Times are definitely changing….we can connect faster online than ever before: Inside919, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Poken, Blackberry (aka “crackberry”), Iphone, etc. What isn’t changing is the need to continue to be SOCIAL in Social Media. I am blessed to work with so many different types of business owners. I understand, first hand, the importance of putting your information and ...
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