Easy Ways to Stand Out On Social Media

I hope everyone is kicking off 2023 strong and getting set up for a great year. I've been busy with the launch of BeClub, my new podcast, and finishing the remodel on our house. All good stuff! And in the spirit of sharing goodness, I wanted to give you some easy tips for standing out on social media. It's still early in the new year so it's the perfect time to grow your brand and increase your visibility on social media.

Here you go...

My best EASY tips to stand out on social media:

1. Don't post something just because someone else is. In other words, don't post something just because you think it will get likes. Post what comes naturally to you. People love REAL...imperfections and all. So don't stop being you and don't stop sharing that with others.

2. Choose your primary platform. I'm moving more and more to Reels and TikTok. You might choose Facebook or Instagram. It's okay to be active on others so you are seen. But choose one platform to make your home and master it!

3. Don't be afraid to learn and try new things. And have fun. Social media should not be a chore. Learn the skills necessary to make it fun for you and your audience. When I started on TikTok, I struggled because I was trying to look like all the big influencers. It wasn't fun for me. It wasn't engaging for my followers. But once I slowed down and learned some very basic skills, it became easier to let my own personality show.

 
4. Share what you know, what you are passionate about, what sets your soul on fire. You'll notice I never engage in anything about crypto or forex. Not my thing. ZERO interest. Even when I'm talking about ways to make money, I never mention these. Because I can't speak to them with any FIRE! But get me talking about FREEDOM and CHOICES and you'll see me get all fired up about that. Because no matter what path you take to get there, the ability to choose your own path is what truly matters to me.

5. Build relationships. Ask your audience questions and reply to the comments. Interact on other's content. Get a conversation going! This is where the magic happens! Don't just post and run.

6. Make videos or Go LIVE...or both. I don't do much livestreaming. Mostly because my internet is so unstable. Joys of country living! But I do a lot of videos and reels. Video, especially short form video, is the hot thing! And it gives people a chance to feel like they are really getting to know you, and therefore like you, and ultimately trust you...enough to do business with you.

 
7. Be consistent. Show up regularly. This is probably the most important thing you can do. We have all seen the person who is just getting started and they are all excited about their business. And they are everywhere! But then, either they don't get the results they think they should right away, or they get tired because they didn't learn early on how to pace themselves...and suddenly they are just gone. And then a month or two later, they either are onto something new or they've gotten reenergized and they pop back up again...but their audience has already moved on. This is not a get-rich-quick scheme. This is business. People need to see you showing up over a period of time so they know you are here for them over the long haul.

It's time to think long-term. Not just today's sale or tomorrow's sign-up. This is why it's so important to build your brand and show up consistently.


These are my 7 top tactics to help you stand out on social media. Maybe they seem simplistic, but trust me. If you implement these faithfully, you will see the results!


Which one did you like best? Are you already doing these? What are your results? Do you have any other tactics that have worked for you? Comment below and let me know.

Are You Ready To Be "Reel" Famous?

Back in the pre-Covid days, I used to hold live workshops where I taught folks everything I was learning about social media and marketing. They were a lot of fun and hugely successful! I love nothing better than working hands-on and face-to-face with people! But the best part was seeing the look in someone's eyes when the light bulb came on and you knew they understood the power of social media and attraction marketing.

Then came the pandemic and everything changed...including, it seems, how people feel about live events. Where I used to fill a conference room, now I struggle to get half that.

And it's not just me. I've been to events lately where I expected at least 1000 people...only to find 200-300.

It's sad really. There's nothing like networking and learning in person! Maybe we have gotten so used to isolation, we forgot how to interact with people. Maybe we've just gotten too used to Zoom as a part of our life. I don't know what has changed. But I don't like it.

But if you can't beat 'em, as they say....

I'm joining them. But not on Zoom.

I'll be honest....

The next few months are going to be very busy for me and I do not have the time for daily or weekly Zoom meetings. So my logical move is to use a tool tailor made for bringing folks together in one place to learn...

My FB group.

For the next 28 days in the Ninja Marketer group, we'll be doing a Reels Challenge.

I am going to be seriously building my presence on TikTok and upping my Reels game on FB and Instagram and I'm looking for folks who see how short form video can help build their audience and want to really capitalize on it.

If you've ever wished you had a posse to run with and a safe space to practice a new skill, this is it. The challenge is just starting so you haven't missed anything.

You see, when it comes to building a business, there are only two things that matter...

Lead generation and sales. If you are spending your time on anything else you are wasting your time. And short form video is a great way to build your audience so you have people to talk to and share your offers with....

Especially if you are creating Reels with PURPOSE and INTENTION.

So this month, come along with us and let's do this Reels thing! It's going to be fun. And it could be profitable as FB pays creators for Reels. And YouTube will begin doing the same for YouTube Shorts in January.

If that sounds interesting, join the challenge HERE!

I am pretty excited about this! I may not be standing in front of you seeing the look on your face as you master a new skill but seeing all your cool new short form video content is the next best thing!

Who's Using Reels?

In case you missed it....

Reels are HOT right now. In fact, all aspects of short-form video are taking the online marketing world by storm!

TikTok

Instagram and Facebook Reels

YouTube Shorts

I'm using them all and you should be too.

I recently did a VERY BASIC training for my folks on the mechanics of creating TikToks and Reels.

And after thinking about it for a while, decided I should share it with my loyal readers as well. 

Watch the video. Then go do some REELS...or TikToks...or Shorts...

Or all of the above!

5 Tips for Building Your Business On Social Media

I LOVE social media. I didn't grow up with all this technology but I have learned to really tap into the power of the internet...especially social media. It has allowed me to find my audience, build my tribe, generate exposure...and yes, make money. 

I build my business almost entirely online. Which means I don't spend a lot of time going to "networking" events. I don't make cold calls. I don't do three-way calls, or "opportunity" calls. I have no need. I generate plenty of business without all that.

Think about it. You can use social media to sell your products or services, either directly or by sending people to your website or email list. You can use FB groups and your email list to create a community of people who love you and will become raving fans. You can use it to grow brand awareness. And you can reach people anywhere, because...HEY, IT'S THE INTERNET!

How can YOU use social media to build YOUR business? Here are some tips:

1. Find your market. This is the most important step in building your online message. It can also be the hardest. Most of us, especially network marketers, have been taught to think of everyone as our market. That is simply not true. You need to be as focused as possible. For example, you might think that my market is anyone who wants to build their business with social media. But it's not. My target market looks more like this:

"Small and home business owners, age 50+, who want to use social media marketing and the internet to help build their businesses but struggle with the technology and understanding attraction marketing concepts." 

Does that mean if a 40-year old asks for my help, I'm going to say no? Of course not! But when I'm marketing, I target my my copy and my images to that specific market. And I pick up a lot of "overflow" because guess what! 50-year-olds aren't the only ones who struggle with technology. And a LOT of people don't understand attraction marketing.

2. Go where your market is. You want to get your message in front of the people most likely to relate to it and take action. That means you have to be on the platforms your folks are on. Yes, everybody immediately thinks of Facebook. But there's also Twitter. Instagram. LinkedIn. Pinterest. YouTube. And now TikTok. Do your research and find out where your people are. For example, I don't use LinkedIn much. Most of those people are either professionals with firms or agencies that do their marketing for them. Or they understand things well enough that I am not their person. But I am on TikTok. (Why? Isn't that for like 12-year olds?) I hear you. But again...guess what. There are a lot of more "mature" folks there too. And the fact that they are there shows me they already understand some basic marketing concepts and may be open to learning to do it more effectively.

3. Build your brand. 

People often confuse brands with things like logos, slogans, or other recognizable marks, which are marketing tools that help promote goods and services. But it's so much more than that. It's who you are. It's who you serve. It's what you believe in and value. It's how you serve your market. It's your vision and your mission. It's what makes you different from everyone else out there promoting the same products or services. It's knowing why people should trust and follow and ultimately do business with you.

Once you have all that figured out, you can create a logo, or slogan, or tag line that helps get that message out to your audience.

4. Create content that helps your audience get to know, like, and trust you. Everything you post should have a purpose...either building that audience, engaging with your audience, or selling to your audience. Think of building an audience that trusts you by share valuable info like tutorials, tips, how-tos, or training.

Help them get to know and like you by sharing your life with them...behind-the-scenes look at your workspace or office, family photos, pet photos, your story of how and why you started your business.

Inspire and motivate them by sharing inspirational and motivational quotes. People love them. And don't forget to share the story of your results in business or using your products. If you sell weight loss, share the story of your own weight-loss journey. Cosmetics or jewelry...share the story of how much more confident you feel when you know you look your best. Trying to recruit? Share the story of how your business has impacted you financially.

5. Yes, you can sell on social media...if you do it the right way. First remember the 80/20 rule. 80% of your content should be value. Only 20% of it should be promoting your business.

Use your social media content to connect with people. Don't pitch them! Just talk to them. Once you start interacting with them, you will be surprised at how easy it is to work what you do into the conversation. If they don't seem interested in your offer right now, get them on your list or in your group. Just because they say no today, doesn't mean things won't change tomorrow. Once they are on your list, you can market to them 365 days a year.

Make sure all your promotional content has a call-to-action (CTA). I know it's sounds strange, but people really do need to be told what to do. So make sure you tell them whatever it is you want them to do to move to the next step.

I know. This seems like a lot. But I promise you it works. Take it one step at a time. Make sure you understand each step before you move to the next. For example, it's hard to know where to look for your audience if you aren't sure who they are.

And if you want to be part of an amazing group of supportive, encouraging, helpful, entrepreneurs who are growing their business just like you, join our Facebook group!

Go GIF Yourself!

I just learned something really cool!
And of course, I just had to share!!!

Everybody loves a good GIF....

Right?

Well, I just learned how you can GIF yourself!

I've wished I could do that sometimes...

Just for fun.

Now I know how!

Here's a VIDEO that shows you how to do it too!

So go GIF yourself and have some fun!

The Ultimate Social Media Marketing Battle Plan

Love it or hate it, social media is here to stay. And if you're in business, you had better learn how to use it effectively and efficiently for your marketing. 

But how do you do that? There are so many platforms. Which one should you use? What should you post? How often? It's enough to drive you crazy. Or at least spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on some social media marketing "guru" who has all the answers.

Well, I'm here to tell you that there is no one perfect answer. Which platform should you use? The one you enjoy using. The one your target market interacts with you one. What should you post? Things that inform, entertain, and engage your followers. How often? Often enough to be visible. Not so often that your posts are competing with each other. 

So in other words...Do what works for you.

Do I have some recommendations? Of course I do! Read through my suggestions. Take what feels right for your business. Ignore the rest. Because in the end, social media should be FUN! If you find yourself dreading the time you spend there, you are doing it wrong!

The Plan

I could write a book on how to successfully use social media to market your business. But I'm busy writing a different one so you'll have to be content with this post! Which means I'm going to assume you understand the basics of social media marketing: what it is, why we use it, what terms like engagement and algorithm mean. I'm going to focus on those questions we all have. Which platforms should I use? How should I use them? And how can I do this efficiently and effectively so I'm not wasting hours every day post online?

Step 1: Determine which platforms you are going to use. Again, don't pick platforms you don't enjoy using. TikTok is hot right now and many of my fellow marketers are using it. I'm not. I don't enjoy doing videos. I found a lot of toxic people on TikTok. I really don't understand how to use it effectively. And so I'm not there. For me, it would be a waste of time better spent elsewhere.

The platforms I recommend for your social media marketing:

1. Twitter

2. Pinterest

3. LinkedIn

4. Instagram

What? No Facebook? 

Facebook is an important platform. It's the juggernaut in the social media world. And you should have a presence there. But they have made it very difficult to actually market there. Use it to build relationships and make connections. Host a Facebook group. Interact with friends and followers. But I think you'll find your business will be just fine if you focus your hardcore marketing on other platforms. 

Along with the four platforms listed, you will want to build an email list. Yes, email is a form of social media. And a list is a critical part of your success. People who opt-in to your list have indicated they are interested in what you are offering. They were willing to give you there contact information to get it. That's a solid LEAD. And if Facebook, Twitter or any of the others close down tomorrow, you still have all the contact information of your list subscribers. So business goes on uninterrupted for you, while everyone else is trying to figure out how to connect with their market again.

The last thing you may want is a blog. This one isn't as vital as an email list. But I think it's worth pursuing. It's the only other thing online, besides your list, that is totally yours. If all my social media platforms were to go away, I would simply share information on my blog and then use my list to drive traffic there. 

Twitter

Why Twitter? I can hear you already. It's full of trolls and bots. It's toxic. You can only post short little blurbs (280 characters). Yes, all of those things are true...if you let them become true. I have been on Twitter since 2009 and never once have I had to deal with trolls and haters. I simply don't allow them in my Twitter feed. And I have learned how to recognize bots. And 280 character limits have taught me to make my message CONCISE!

Why Twitter? Because your competitors are there if they are serious about their business. Because millions of people use it every single day. It's one of the busiest social networks. Because your community will become brand ambassadors, retweeting and sharing your content. And because Twitter let's you post links! Unlike FB, Twitter has no prohibition against posting links to your offers. Which makes it ideal for driving traffic wherever you want.

Twitter is easy to use. Keep your Twitter handle simple. Don't use numbers or other characters to make it unique. @MaryJo47225508 does not look professional and certainly does not inspire confidence in her business. 

You are limited to 280 characters per tweet. But you can tweet images and video. Use them!

And don't forget, you can link back to your content. If you can't say it in 280 characters, turn it into a blog post and then post the link!

You can check out some other tips for using Twitter on my blog post Twitter Tips. Or join the Ninja Marketers Facebook Group for a 5-Day Twitter Challenge.

Pinterest

I love Pinterest. As we become an increasingly visual society, what better way to market than with images. But what makes Pinterest special is that each image is a clickable link. Think of it like a giant storefront or shopping mall and every image is like a window into your business. 

Like Twitter, Pinterest allows the posting of link so it's a great way to drive traffic to your website, blog, sales page, or lead magnet. And while posts on Facebook and Twitter have a very short life span, the average life span of a post on Twitter is 3 months. I have posts that are 2 years old still generating leads and traffic. 

The key to success on Pinterest is creating the right boards and then posting relevant content. Again, don't forget the video! Very few people are using video on Pinterest yet so this will really make you stand out. 

For Pinterest Tips, visit my post Best Practices for Pinterest.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn has become the largest professional network in the world. This is not a social platform. What works on Twitter and Facebook won't work here. LinkedIn users are professional networkers. Does that mean they are not a market for your opportunity? Absolutely not! LinkedIn is an untapped social media GOLD MINE!

I freely admit I have not been active on LinkedIn for many years. When I started social media, LinkedIn was still in it's infancy and no one really understood its potential. I have recently revisited LinkedIn however. And I am convinced it will be one of the top social networks for business, if it isn't already. 

I am still in the process of learning how to use it well. So no...I don't have any great insights to offer. But as I learn, I share with my folks. So if you want to keep up with all my findings, subscribe to my email list. That way you'll be sure not to miss out on anything.

Instagram

Instagram is one of the HOTTEST social media networks. ALL the major influencers have an Instagram profile. You know who I'm talking about. *wink*

While I am not as active there as Twitter and Pinterest, I do post there. It is a great platform for those who are more visually oriented. And just because it is not my main platform doesn't mean I haven't learned a few things. Check out my post Instagram Tips for ideas on how to show off your brand on Instagram.

Email Marketing

I know you have all heard it.  Email Marketing is dead. Let me ask you a question. How many emails did you get today? If it was dead, do you think all those business would be wasting time on it? Not only is it not dead, it's a vital piece of your overall social media strategy. 

I have already explained the benefits of email marketing. People who have opted in to your list have basically given you permission to market to them. They have provided you with their email address with the understanding that you will be sending them stuff periodically. That list of names and email addresses (and sometimes even phone numbers) is yours. No one can take that away from you. Twitter may go. Facebook may make it all but impossible to do business without paying. But that list is yours. 

I am not going to go into a class on email marketing here. Again, that's an entire book in itself. I will tell you that you will need an autoresponder to get started. There are plenty to choose from. MailChimp. ConvertKit. I use AWeber. Quite simply, I think they are the best. I have been using them since I first started building my list waaayyy back in the the day. 😉  You can check them out for free.

If you want some additional guidance on how to build and leverage your list, I recommend the Simple List Leverage 5-Day Challenge. For $1 you will get 5 days of training from the fabulous Diane Hochman, the undisputed QUEEN of email marketing. Plus you'll receive a 30 day free trial of the marketing and training system I use everyday to build my business.

Blogging

I hope you have decided to add blogging to your social media mix. Yes, blogging is a form of social media! If you truly love to communicate and share with your tribe, you will love having a blog as a place to do that.

Starting a blog is easy. There are plenty of platforms to use. When I started 14 years ago (yes, I've really been at this that long), there were only two. Blogger and WordPress. WordPress was a bit more than this tech-challenged gal could handle. So I opted for Blogger. And I've been here ever since.

Like your email list, your blog is yours. No one can take it away from you. It's your way to speak your message to anyone and everyone. And it's a great marketing tool. Don't believe me? Just ask Ray Higdon!

As a blogger, of course I have written about blogging. Check out these posts for some information to help you get started:

Starting To Blog

Why Blog?

It's Time To Talk About Writing Blog Posts

Tools Are Great But Who Has The Time For All This?

Now that you have an idea of what tools you need in your social media marketing arsenal...

Twitter

Pinterest

LinkedIn

Instagram

Aweber

Blogger

It's time to get to work. Ready to be overwhelmed? Don't worry. You can do all of this in a few hours a week. The key is automation and repurposing content.  

First let's talk about automation. Many platforms don't like the use of schedulers. They are too easily co-opted by bots. But if you do it correctly, you can use them to help decrease the time you actually spend online posting. There are three that I have used and recommend.

SocialOomph: When I first started seriously using social media, I used SocialOomph. Basically, because it was free. But that didn't mean it was useful. It served my purposes quite nicely. Since then, it has developed and changed to keep pace with the changing world of social media.

HootSuite: From SocialOomph I moved to HootSuite. Why? Because I was told all the professional marketers used HootSuite! As good a reason as any, right? But they were a bit expensive for my budget back then, and I didn't just didn't see the need for my two little social media accounts. But if you have 10 or more accounts or work with a team, HootSuite may be for you.

Social Jukebox: Today I use Social Jukebox. It's easy, affordable, and does everything I need. And I love that I don't have to continually reschedule my posts. I basically set it up once a month (YES! I schedule a month's worth of posts at a time! How cool is that?) and then forget it. If I need to add or delete something during that time, it's a snap to go in and edit my "jukebox".  In my opinion, it's the best tool available to help you save time on social media.

Repurposing Content

One of the easiest ways to save time with your social media is to repurpose your content. What does that mean exactly? It means using one piece of content in multiple ways.

Write a blog post. Break that down into shorter social media posts. Turn the contents of your blog post into a video. Take quotes from the blog post and make quotes posts. Write your list about the content of your blog and include a link to the post. If you are a podcaster, interview some experts on the topic of your blog post or do your own show. Record an audio only of your video to download. 

The hardest part of creating content is coming up with new ideas. But if you take one good idea and repurpose it, you can create content from it for days!

It works they other way as well. As an example, I saw an image that was talking about Jibber Jabber. For some reason, it just struck a chord with me. I turned that image into a blog post about Jibber Jabber versus stories that speak with passion. And then of course, the blog became a video, which became and audio file, which became....etc, etc,  etc.

Between automating as much as you can without losing that personal touch and repurposing your content, managing your social media marketing will be a 2 - 4 hour/week walk in the park.

But Wait, There's More!

Of course there's more to learn than this. What to post. When to post. How to interact with your followers. So much more than I could ever cover in one blog post. This gave you the basics. It's a starting place for your battle plan. Now it's up to you to "sharpen the axe". You can do that here by reading this blog.

You can join the Ninja Marketers Facebook Group.

You can subscribe to my email list. 

You can do all of the above!

Because I will be here, using all the social media tactics at my disposal to share my message with anyone who wants it.

You CAN do this! I will show you how!

 

Instagram Tips

   

Instagram is one of the hottest social media networks. I admit I am not as active there as on other social media platforms. Not because it isn't worthwhile. It absolutely is a good platform for people who are more visually oriented. But I do use it and have learned a few things in the process So if Instagram is your platform, show off your brand and get traction by following these simple tips…

Set up a business account. You are in business. So set up a business account. This gives you access to tools you don't get with a personal account. including insights, ads, and shopping.

Write good captions. Yes, Instagram is a mostly visual medium. But that doesn't mean you get to ignore your captions. It's all part of your brand. So don't rush this process. And don't worry about length. If you've got something to say, go ahead and say it. Just make sure it's worth it.

Use hashtags that are relevant. Hashtags are how your audience finds content on Instagram. You can use up to 30 hashtags per post. Although some Instagram "experts" recommend you use all 30, you probably don't want to do that. It can look spammy and turn off your followers. Plus, if you use irrelevant or repetitive hashtags, followers can choose not to see your content for that tag. So just use hashtags that are relevant, and specific to your niche.

Engage with your audience. Just like every other social media platform, interaction with your followers is crucial. Respond to comments on your posts. Like and comment and share others' posts.

Use Instagram Stories. Instagram Stories is the video feature on Instagram. You can use it to create short (less than 60 seconds) videos that your followers can watch.

Try the Gift Card sticker and button. You can now sell digital gift cards directly from your Instagram Story or profile.

Go Live on Instagram. Use Instagram Live to show your followers what you're doing right now. Host a Q&A. Interview an expert in your niche. Share a tutorial. 

Set up an Instagram Shop. This allows you to create your own online store within Instagram.

Give Instagram Reels a try. This is Instagram's answer to TikTok. And brands are already using it to stand out from the crowd. 

Post at the right times. This is actually a little more complicated than it seems. For information on the best...and worst...check out this article The Best Time To Post On Instagram in 2020.

Post quotes and other positive content. Most users on Instagram are looking for upbeat, inspiring images so stay positive!

Study your analytics. One of the reasons you want a business account is to get access to a host of statistical data. Use these stats to learn more about your followers and what types of content they'd like to see from you.

Best Practices for Pinterest

I love Pinterest! After Twitter, it is my biggest generator of leads and traffic.

Pinterest is a great way to drive traffic back to your website or blog. The shelf life of a pin is typically three months and one popular pin alone can continue to result in traffic for years to come…

Like everything else in 2020, the way we market on Pinterest has changed. If you follow me there, you will witness my profile undergoing an evolution to keep current with best practices. Techniques we were taught earlier are no longer valid.

So what is currently working on Pinterest? Here are my best tips:

If you haven't yet, create your business account and claim your website. This is the very first thing you should do. Having a business account allows you to use Rich Pins, run ads, and get analytics.

Use a face for your profile picture. Just like all your other social media platforms, Pinterest shows your pins to people who may not follow you or know who you are. People look at profile images as the first step to getting to know, like, and trust someone. If you put your face in your Pinterest profile image, it builds trust with your audience and is proved to increase your click-through rate.

Create the right boards. It used to be considered smart to create lots of boards covering a wide range of topics. This was supposed to help you connect with a broader range of people. The problem is that people who are interested in my "Fairy Gardens" board may be great people who share one common interest with me. But the odds are they are not interested in my business. Now, it's best to have fewer boards that focus on your BRAND and your CONTENT.


Post only to relevant boards. When you post content to boards that aren’t relevant, Pinterest considers this spam. The company may remove your post and even delete your account.

Pin to relevant group boards. Group boards are back! I know they went away for a while, but they are trendy once again, and well worth the effort to belong to them. I don't recommend you start a group board of your own unless you want to spend all your time managing it. But I do recommend you find good ones to join.

Publish pins before the holiday rush. If you post seasonal content, you’ll need to post 20-40 days before the actual event. This will give you the most traffic and the best engagement.

Add ‘Pin It’ button. Make it easy for your visitors to share your content by adding a ‘Pin It’ button to your blog or website. Be sure to publish visual content that’s already optimized for Pinterest!

Add board covers that look professional and create attractive branded images. When your Pinterest boards are unified with beautiful covers, new users are more likely to follow you. And attractive images get more favor in the Pinterest feed. Attractive pins catch the eye of pinners and slow their scroll. So keep in mind that on Pinterest, the IMAGE is more important than the pin URL.

Publish your pins in the evenings. Pinterest is a social network that users tend to get lost in and they know it. That’s why most people save their browsing until the evening after they’ve had a busy day. 

Publish 2 - 6 pins per day.  As in Facebook, too much content and you end up competing with yourself.

Use Video Pins. There aren't very many people using video on Pinterest yet. So if you really want to stand out, start creating 6 -15 second videos. In the wall of images on the Pinterest feed, videos will definitely catch the eye! These play without sound automatically, so do not rely on audio to get your point across.

You should be using Pinterest for business in 2021. It's one of the most valuable platforms for ecommerce. Think of it as a huge shopping mall with with hundreds of thousands of "window-shoppers." And each of your windows is a clickable link! It really is to your advantage to get yourself situated on it now. 

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Twitter Tips

I love Twitter. It is my social media platform of choice! Yes, you there is a character limit of 280 characters per post. You will learn to be concise! Yes, there are trolls and haters there. Just like everywhere else. But the benefits of Twitter far outweigh any negatives. 

Twitter is one of the busiest social networks but it’s also excellent for driving traffic back to your website. To get the most out of your tweets, follow these simple suggestions…

Keep your Twitter handle simple. Avoid adding numbers or supplementary characters to make it unique. 

Use longer messages. Twitter now allows users to post tweets that are up to 280 characters in length. 

Include video as part of your Twitter marketing strategy. Videos must be shorter than 2 minutes and 20 seconds. If you upload a longer video, you’ll be given the chance to edit it down to the required length. 

Make a tweetstorm. If you want to go in-depth about a topic, use a tweetstorm tool so your followers can easily follow your thread. 

Create videos that show behind-the-scenes of your business. This makes it more likely that your followers will like your brand and make a purchase. Maximum video length is 2 minutes and 20 seconds.

Avoid posting the same tweets repeatedly. Twitter now views this practice as spamming and may delete your account if you do this. 

Use a social media tool to find popular hashtags. Hashtags make it easy for users to discover your content. You can discover which ones are the most popular by using TagDef. or Hashtagify.

Pin your best tweet. Twitter allows users to ‘pin’ one tweet to the top of their profile. This is a simple way to drive more traffic to your website. 

Engage in trending topics carefully. Make sure you understand the hashtag and how it’s being used before you tweet. Otherwise you risk saying something that your followers might find offensive. 

Include more images. While text tweets can be easier to post they don’t drive as much engagement. Tweets with images are 90% more likely to get likes and replies. 

Add polls to your tweets. Polls can be a great way to gain valuable insights about the types of content that your followers prefer.

Curate content. Don’t just publish your own content. Gather content from other sources sources, and share it with your audience to diversify your Twitter posts. Retweet helpful articles, positive customer feedback, and user-generated content, among other posts, to maintain a solid Twitter presence and to better connect with your audience.

Use the right call to action (CTA). Include relevant and compelling CTAs in your tweets to generate more clicks. Go beyond asking your audience to share your content. Encourage them to visit your website, download content from your landing page, or use a discount coupon.

Schedule your posts. Schedule your tweets at the perfect time to ensure your audience sees them. Stay on top of your social media content calendar, and automate your Twitter posting schedule. There are reliable social media management tools, such as SocialJukeBox, that can help with this.

5 Ways to Get Noticed in a Noisy World

My friend Joie Gharrity (you'll meet her later this week!) says everyone deserves to stand in the spotlight.  And it's true.  As business owners, we all want and NEED to be noticed for what we do.  But have you noticed?  It's a bit harder lately.  There is so much noise, so much chatter, it's almost impossible for the small business owner to be stand out.  You either have to be posting EVERYWHERE 24/7 or spend a ton of money on ads.  Maybe even both!  And if we are just starting out, we may not have the time (many of us may still be working a job) or the money.  It's a battle we just can't win...


Or can we? 


The answer to that question is yes...we can!  There are some simple steps you can take to help you stand out and shine in this crowded space.


1.  Choose your space and master it!  Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, LinkedIn...and probably a few more I haven't mentioned.  Lots of the marketing gurus tell you to have a presence on ALL of these social media sites.  And I agree...to a point.  It's okay to have a presence on each of them providing your target market is also present there.  And with the automation available today it's easier to manage multiple platforms than in the early years of social media marketing.  But I still say to pick one platform and become the master there.  I am active on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram.  Less so on LinkedIn.  But Twitter is my home!  It's where I generate the most leads and interact with thousands of followers.  When I have something big happening, Twitter is where I make the announcement.  


Twitter is my space but it might not make any sense to you.  That's ok.  If you love Facebook, then become the Facebook whiz.  If you love using images and photos to convey your message, then Instagram or Pinterest may be the best spot for you.  It doesn't matter which one you choose as long as you are comfortable there, can master the platform, and build your tribe. 


By the way...if you are on Twitter, I'd love to connect with you.  Follow me here! 


2.  Embrace the technology!  As I mentioned in the previous paragraph, you can automate much of your social media marketing.  Tools like HootSuite and SocialOomph or Social Jukebox allow you to schedule posts in advance.  You can link social media accounts so that what is posted on one will appear on others.  Of course, the same tool might not be right for every platform.  So once you have decided where to build your empire, do your research to find which tools and apps work best with that platform.


3.  Reuse your content!  It's hard coming up with fresh content everyday.  Especially if you are still working.  So reuse and revise.  For example, I will take this blog post and break it up into smaller posts for FB and Twitter.  I will use the image to post to Pinterest and Instagram.  I may find a couple of points and turn them into image posts for Facebook.  And when I'm looking for a topic for a video or Facebook Live, I will come right back to this post.


4.  Let your personality show!  When I first started on social media, I thought I had to be all professional and formal all the time.  But that's not me.  I'm the girl that does videos in her PJs or in Cosplay costumes.  I'm often snarky and irreverent and I tend to go against the norm.  When I finally let my true self show, my engagement skyrocketed.  Don't be phony.  People can spot phony a mile away.  So just be you. 


Oh - that doesn't mean you get to be rude, hateful, or hurtful.  If that is your true self, you are in the wrong business. 


5.  Provide value!  If you really want to stand out in the crowd, then share your expertise for free, with no expectations.  In a world full of people screaming, "Buy my stuff!  Join my team!  Notice me!", offering value free with no conditions is a definite attention-getter.  And when people see that you give away good stuff, they are more likely to purchase from you later because you have already proven your worth.


So...are you ready to stand in the spotlight?  Awesome!  Follow me on Twitter and I'll help spread your message if it's worthwhile.  I love retweeting value!  Or find me on any of the other social media platforms. 


Are you already getting noticed?  Share your tips and techniques in the comments!

Tis the Season for Giving Back

The Christmas season is all about giving. Gifts to those we love. Gifts to those less fortunate. Giving back to those who have helped us along the way.

Well, I want to give back too and I could use your help in a big way.

I know some of you have questions about using social media to build your network marketing business. Well, I have someone who has the answers. His name is Brian Basilico and he wrote the book on social media relationships – literally! So if you ask the questions, Brian will give the answers. We’ll share our experiences and pool our knowledge to try and make everyone's life easier.

We’ll be doing all this awesomeness on Monday night, December 29 at 7:00 pm Central time. We’ll answer all your questions about building your team, running a network marketing business and how to use the internet and social media to do it.

You can register for the event today! Just hop on over to https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5842819446783941633 and sign up!

Then, while you’re waiting for the big day, here’s how you help. Send in your questions. We don’t know what we don’t know until someone asks. And your question may be the same one a fellow network marketer has but is afraid to ask. So post them here in the comments section. Or email them to me at melodieann.whiteley@boomer-business-ideas.com. We'll take them both ahead of time and on the night of the event.

Get in on the action! Whether you have no experience or tons, we need you! See you on the
29th...

Facebook fanatic? Tweet-aholic? Mad for Pinterest? Tell Us Why!

Social media - whether you love it or hate it - is here to stay.  Everyday, it seems like a new one springs up.  First there was MySpace.  Then Facebook and Twitter.  Google+, Digg, Delicious, StumbleUpon, and Tumblr - and probably dozens more I can't even name. 

During a lunchtime meeting of my mastermind group, the subject of social media came up.  It seems we all have a favorite.  I am a huge Twitter fan.  Linda loves Facebook.  Jessie's new passion is Pinterest.  And Mike prefers LinkedIn and Google+.  What I found most interesting, though, is not that we each had a particular favorite, but that much of our reason for preferring one over the other actually had very little do with which one was best for our business.  We all use social media to help build our businesses, but few of us could actually tell which of our clients, customers, and subscribers actually frequented the same social media sites we did.  Sad, isn't it?  But it led us to an interesting research project.  Each of us has decided to use our blogs and/or websites to get some information on social media.  Something may come of it - a report or at least a blog post.  But mostly, we just want to satisfy our own curiosity.  How many others favor a particular social media site for reasons other than it's the best one for your business? 

So, here goes: Which social media site do you focus on for your business and why?  Answer by leaving a comment.  Maybe you can help coach the coaches by showing them why your favorite platform is the one we should also be using - because it's best for our businesses and not because we like the fact that interactions are limited to 140 characters!