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Seven Social Media Mistakes

Social Media Process
Image: Social Media Process V1.0
©2009 by Damien Basile (↑)

Social media is the big buzz. We've been swept up in the currents of Linkedin, Facebook, and Twitter. We can allow the currents to carry us to new connections, new business, and massive reach and visibility. Or we can get caught in the riptides that pull our reputation under.

The biggest mistake in social media is not realizing that social media is a presentation. That's right.


Success in social media follows the rules of effective presentation skills.



Mistake one: No purpose or focus. What is your objective? Why are you using social media? What are you trying to accomplish? To make new contacts? To promote yourself or your business? To research? To reach new markets? To establish yourself as a thought leader? To find a job?

Mistake two: No strategy How will you use social media? How often? Which forms? Frequent communication is better than an occasional posting.

Mistake three: Speaking to the wrong audience Who is your audience? Are you simply collecting names or are you more targeted? Linkedin is more business-like and professional. Facebook is more social and casual. For example, if you're serious about job hunting you'll want to use linkedin as well as Facebook.

Mistake four: Projecting the wrong image. I've read posts about working on a boring project for a client. Maybe you know your client isn't one of your connections. But what about the people who referred you? What are you saying to them? People tend to let their guard down more easily on Facebook. It's inappropriate to talk about a nasty divorce, problem kids, or drunken driving. This is not a private conversation. Worse yet, is to use another's name in a survey. Ex. "Do you think Jane Doe is good looking?" People fail to realize that they are always on stage. Mistakes after a live presentation can be forgotten. In social media, your blunders live forever on the internet.

Mistake five: No real message. What do you plan to say? How will you say it? What is the style and tone of your communication? Nobody is really interested that you're watching TV. This kind of banter is content free. Provide value and you'll attract more followers. New blog entries, an interesting statistic, a link to an article or even a thought-provoking quote or book reference will make you more interesting.

Mistake six: Hard selling: Nobody likes a presenter who sells from the platform. It's no different in social media. If every post is an ad for your products and services you'll soon be disconnected. Let people know about your accomplishments but don't tell them to buy.

Mistake seven: Not building relationships. Many people put up a profile and never visit the site. Maximize your presence by updating your profile to let people know what you're doing. Ask questions. Answer questions to establish your expertise. Invite people to connect with you and then stay in touch. Be a resource. Connect others. A good presenter knows how to create a relationship with the audience.

Nothing will ever replace face-to-face communication. But meeting in person can be time consuming. Social media can be a phenomenal platform to build a reputation and to communicate with the world.

Just be sure you know how to present yourself, your message and your value.

Diane DiResta (↑) is president of DiResta Communications, Inc., a New York City consultancy serving business leaders who want to communicate with greater impact - whether face-to-face, in front of a crowd or from an electronic platform. DiResta is the author of Knockout Presentations: How to Deliver Your Message with Power, Punch, and Pizzazz, an Amazon.com category best-seller and widely-used text in college business communication courses.

Blog: http://businesspresentations.blogspot.com (↑)

For a free audio course and newsletter visit http://www.diresta.com (↑)

Article Source: EzineArticles.com (↑)


Viral Marketing Gone Wrong?

Viral Marketing Success
Viral Marketing Success
Graphic by Paul Durban, Information Product Design at Blazonfire.com (↑)

Without a doubt it seems that “Viral Marketing,” is a powerful buzzword. Just tap into an existing social network and have your marketing message spread — essentially — for free.

Sounds like a big money saver that can slash your advertising costs dramatically while increasing response. Your message is not yelled at a cold prospect but instead delivered by a friend.



And it spreads, … if it is done right.
  • Usually big corporations are prone to not doing it right.
  • Corporate managers are listening to their agencies …
  • Agencies are doing it wrong because they still believe you can buy attention and sales for big money. Their share in this kind of deal is not insignificant.



Viral Campaign For Turning TV license dodgers Into Paying Subscribers


The idea is fun and spreads but I don't see much potential for making people pay a mandatory fee which they refuse to pay up to this point. Especially because the idea seems to spread more outside the intended target audience.

Have a look. I made a viral video for myself.

Internet Marketing Star John W. Furst
Internet Marketing Superstar John W. Furst

Note: Unfortunately the application has severe browser compatibility issues. If you cannot access it try the lower quality YouTube version (↑) I have made from it.

My wife and and my sister in law have been stunned when I surprised them. → Continue reading:

10 Hour Mastermind - Andy Jenkins With John Reese

Entrepreneurial Success Stories: John Reese And Andy Jenkins
Two Entrepreneurial Heroes

Have a nice beautiful Sunday!

This will be a very short blog post but (hopefully) will keep you busy for a long while.

This information could severely impact entrepreneurs' chances (yours) for immense success in business.

But why should you listen to two crazy guys, one with a Viking helmet, one in front of the pyramids?

The answer is quite simple: “Both of them are already at a stage in life where they can do whatever they wish to do. And they have big fun running their businesses.” Sounds like a great role model for me.

Listen to what two of the very successful entrepreneurs in the Internet marketing community,
Andy Jenkins and John Reese,
have to share with you.


Listen to there looooong mastermind call:
  • Listen
  • Take notes
  • Learn
  • Model
  • Harvest the fruits
And of course:
  • ENJOY!
  • Did I say, “It’s FREE!”
  • And leave a comment for me, please.


Get their proven answers to questions like:


  • Part 1 – Why you leave so much money on the table
  • Part 2 – Should you compete in Big Markets or Niche Markets?
  • Part 3 – Should You focus on ONE Business or seek Multiple Streams of Income?
  • Part 4 – How much is it costing you to be COOL to your customers even when (especially when) they’re WRONG…?

  • Part 5 – The Wisdom and Rambo and Andy Dufrane.
  • Part 6 – The Action to Acquire Method — How to get ANYTHING you want.
  • Part 7 – The Honest To GOD Truth about Automated Money-Getting.
  • Part 8 – The Value of “LIVE”

Now, without further ado:


Yours
John W. Furst

P.S.: Leave a comment here! How do you like this kind of info from me?