TweetLater - Follow the leader, but which leader .… or just simply lead?
Recently there has been much to do about the use of Twitter add-ons and extras such as TweetLater that can be set-up to welcome new followers via public reply or direct message; automatically follow new followers; and set-up scheduled tweets. See my post How Do You Say It’s a Pleasure to Meet You! Too much of a to-do about well, not much. It’s so easy to get swept up into the roar of crowd about what is considered proper etiquette, acceptable and deemed appropriate.
Since I am a newbie of sorts in the social networking scene, I have fond myself jumping this way and that way. All the while wanting to do what is considered socially correct in the business networking circles; aka - the majority in Twitterville. After switching the Outllook rules that forward notices to TweetLater on and off several times over as many weeks, I think I’ve had enough. Actually, I know I’ve had enough.
I use TweetLater to acknowledge new followers. I don’t spam them with a link to my website. My website is in my profile so there isn’t a need. I simply want a timely tweet to let my new followers know that I appreciate their interest. You can’t be hooked to Twitter 24/7. I can’t – between building my Virtual Assistant practice and raising a family that involves keeping up with an active 2 year old – their ain’t no way, Joe!
The Point
As the adage goes - you can please some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time. So I’m pleasing myself and taking the lead. TweetLater helps me manage those that follow me. I can then go back as time allows and view a new follower’s site, see if I want to follow them (9 out 10 times I do) and send a more personal reply commenting on one of their blog posts or their website.
Photo by martellobrasile
Viral Marketing - The Point, In Other’s Words …..
Marketing Tactic - Focus developed through a lens.
Building a static website can be both a thrill and a chore. The thrill lies in developing a unique presence on the internet - a proud moment for an entrepreneur that toils through what can be a long process. The website is also a device that must always be tweaked and edited as your business grows and evolves – therein lies the chore.
A quick and easy solution to develop a defined focus on a segment within your business when time is of the essence and of limitation - build a Squidoo Lens; the brainchild of Seth Godin. Wikipedia defines Squidoo Lens as:
….. a network of user-generated lenses—single pages that highlight one person’s point of view, recommendations, or expertise. Lenses can be about anything, such as ideas, people or places, hobbies and sports, pets or products, philosophy, and politics.
Building a lens can be as quick and simple as 15 minutes spent drafting text or it can be more in-depth in layout with added gadgets and HTML. The following are a few uses for a Squidoo Lens:
• Feature new services
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Promote a new e-book or other give-away
• Reviews – books, software, services
• A “how to” – for your potential customers
• Top tools or sites relevant to your industry
• Launch an opinion survey
• Discuss new business trends
Here are two examples of recent Squidoo Lenses that I created. The first lens is a series of the most commonly asked questions by those unfamiliar with the Virtual Assistant Industry - Virtual Assistant - Most Frequently Asked Questions. This is a great marketing tool to use on Twitter when someone asks a question about a Virtual Assistant and our industry. With Twitter’s 140 characters limit – the link can be tweeted with maximum impact.
The second lens features new Internet Marketing Services in my Virtual Assistant practice. As a recent graduate of VAClassroom’s Interment Marketing Virtual Assistant program, I created a Squidoo Lens that promotes the services I provide to entrepreneurs assisting with their internet marketing campaigns - Internet Marketing Virtual Assistant.
The Point
Do you a new focus within your business that you want to promote quickly? Need an easy marketing tool but don’t have time to revamp your website? Create a Squidoo Lens that features your business and you. An added plus - the backlink to your website assists with SEO.
Photo by rabih
Blogging Inspiration - Andy Rooney finds inspiration in his kitchen drawer.
Throughout the years, I’ve always enjoyed 60 Minutes. The in-depth look at what is current in the news. The interviews provides a window into other’s thought process and the investigations intrigue the detective in me. My favorite segment though is at the end. The last 2.5 minutes spent with Andy Rooney. Armed with his opinion and ready to tout off on cue, he looks straight into the camera and presents his view; sometimes brash, always laced with humor and practicality, and a bit of sarcasm tossed in for good measure.
Did he pave the way for video blogging? Wikipedia defines video blogging as:
Video blogging, sometimes shortened to vlogging is a form of blogging for which the medium is video. Entries are made regularly and often combine embedded video or a video link with supporting text, images, and other metadata.
The structure is certainly there – recording of short snippets of video that is shared with others. Mr. Rooney is on every week at the end of broadcast. He always has some type of supporting prop that adds visual to his video. Mr. Rooney uses his platform to speak his mind on happenings in his world or ours; to rant at what irritates him; to show others a different view; and to connect with his audience (his followers).
So where does Mr. Rooney get his ideas? I caught the clip below when it aired last month.
The Point
This post – This Point is to me as well as you. You don’t have to look far and search deep for a meaningful subject that will set the world on fire with words. Just write. Blog about the mundane and the simple as well as the complex. Not all your posts are going to be stellar and be nominated for The Blogger’s Choice Awards. Take a lesson from Mr. Rooney and open up your “kitchen drawer”. Each post will resonate with someone or maybe just your own self.
Consistent + Professional = Results! The proof of the pudding is in the eating.
Working in this virtual internet-based world, blunders happen, links break, and typo’s happen when we’re bleary eyed from long hours. Yet our mistakes take center stage to the fresh eye; our site visitor, potential client, competitor or peer. You never know who will discover you tomorrow. It is vital to put your best foot forward at all times. A professional appearance, even when you work virtually must be a priority.
Recently, I’ve come across a couple of blunders in blogs and websites. I searched for the site owner’s direct email address to alert them to the issue. In one case, it was one of my peers. An industry leader and someone I look up to as a guide for my business. They are also my competitor. Even so, it reflects on our industry - Virtual Assistant industry as a whole. My reasoning to tell them is simple. If one of my peers discovered a blunder or a typo that I missed during proofreading I would truly appreciate their efforts to seek me out and alert me to the issue. I didn’t do it with a big read sharpie like I’ve seen my husband do on his student’s term papers. I did it with respect and from a place of good will.
The Point
Proof of the pudding is in the eating – results are what counts. In order to achieve results, a consistent and professional appearance must be maintained. After putting in long days of drafting and writing to get a project completed, go back in a couple of days and reread what you’ve done. Tweak your posts; learn from your mistakes for the next time. Create templates for projects to simplify the task. Regularly check links on your website and blog to ensure they are not broken. Ensure that you’re landing page used in various advertising campaigns are loading quickly and work in all browsers. You can work in your pj’s if you like but your work shouldn’t look as if you did.
Photo by jonno259
Mediocrity - The Point, In Other’s Words …..
Disaster/Emergency Planning for Businesses - Are you flirting with disaster?
I’m travelin’ down the road,
I’m flirtin’ with disaster.
I’ve got the pedal to the floor,
My life is running faster.
……
Been flirtin’ with disaster,
Ya’ll know what I mean.
And the way we run our lives,
It makes no sense to me.
I don’t know about yourself or,
What you want to be - yeah.
When we gamble with our time,
We choose our destiny.
Are you, flirting with disaster? Have you made previsions for yourself, your family or your business if you are suddenly faced with the inability to attend to your affairs? Molly Hatchet’s “Flirtin’ with Disaster” keeps playing in mind as I give thought to this subject.
This very situation has brought reality to the forefront within our circle of friends. Our friend Alan is solo-entrepreneur; runs a small retail store. Alan is just like you and me, building a business and achieving his dreams. An avid cyclist, Alan regularly rides late in the evenings to prepare for race events. He takes all the necessary precautions that are available to him to keep safe from harm. His bike is equipped with various lights, both rear and front. He wears protective head gear and reflective clothing.
Return on Investment (ROI) - The Point, In Other’s Words …..
Outlook Shortcuts - Time Savers
Entrepreneurs today seem to always be seeking new devices and the latest softwares to quickly accomplish more. We seek the trendy self-help books that are to lead us out of chaos and show us how to save time, manage effort and get more out of our day.
Start by looking at what you already have in place. An easy way to reduce time wasted is utilizing Outlook shortcuts. While it seems taxing in the beginning, once implemented, shortcuts become a thoughtless habit.
Just Tweet It - Find Followers and Promote Your Business
Are you new to Twitter and not getting the quality of followers that you would like to have? Not finding those that have like-minded interests? Tired of scrolling through what someone is eating for breakfast and lunch? Just Tweet It will help you find those that want to network with the same intent and with quality information to share. As stated on Just Tweet It’s website:
“Add your name to the directory and get found or find others like you!”
Just Tweet It is a directory listing for Twitter users. There are over three dozen categories, both business and personal. Create a listing with your name, twitter url and a brief bio. This is a great resource to promote your business and interests.
I discovered this tool from none other than a tweet from @GrantGriffiths , a self-described Home Office Warrior who gives information freely and who I follow. Grant tweeted his latest blog post Twitter Tool – Just Tweet It. The Twitter caveat is that Grant found out about Just Tweet It from a tweet made by someone he was following.
The Point
Finding Just Tweet It is a perfect example of how Twitter works; tweets become viral and spread rapidly. Information is shared and passed on to others. Incorporate Twitter into your daily routine. Create a Twitter profile, list yourself on the Just Tweet It directory and then find others that share your interests and start following them. See how far you can spread yourself around Twitter World.
Photo by Jacob Whittaker
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