It's All in the image!

It's been a very busy week, so all I'm going to do is give you an image.  Look and Learn is what I like to call it :) I know it's big, but it is a great look into what small businesses are actually out there doing.

Is Google Taking Over the World?

 Before you start reading let me forewarn you, I am in no way, shape, or form against Google.  This is simply a post to get you thinking and to drive conversation.

I know many people, including myself, have turned the word GOOGLE into a verb.  I am not "searching" the web, I am Googling, the web.  This made me realize how dependant many individuals are on Google.  I'm not saying this is a terrible thing, but is Google's presence monopolistic?   FairSearch (www.FairSearch.org) was brought to my attention and there is some very interesting material on the site.  Here's their About Us section:


FairSearch.org is a group of businesses and organizations united to promote a healthy Internet future, where economic growth is driven by competition, transparency and innovation in search verticals and online services. We believe in enforcement of existing laws to prevent dominant companies from engaging in anticompetitive behavior and to protect investment and choice across the Internet ecosystem.

Until I dug around this site a little bit, I never realized the impact Google was having on my life.

Like I've mentioned in an earlier post, my Dad is a small business owner.  I read an article about how Google has the power and ability to change its ranking of your site without warning, explanation, or any sort of appeals process.  This is scary for ANY small business owner.  Many small businesses do not have the means to compete with other large companies for these top rated spots.  Here's the link to the article, you should give it a look:
http://dmjuice.desmoinesregister.com/article/20110904/OPINION01/309040027/1035/OPINION

So, what do you think?

UnMarketing

Let me fill everyone in on my most favorite, all-time, best marketing book I've ever read .  Yes, I know it seems crazy reading an entire book, not textbook, on marketing, but I loved it.  The book is called Unmarketing by Scott Stratten.  Follow him on Twitter, you won't regret it.

Anyways, I wanted to share with everyone why I love this book so much and why it's a great book for small business owners to have in their collection.  Stratten breaks down traditional marketing practices into practical and useful marketing he has entitled "unmarketing".  Stratten delves into every aspect of marketing for a business, and gets into great detail on the basics of social media.  Once you read the book, which I know you will, you will find out Stratten is in LOVE with Twitter.  I'm not going to give away too much, but Stratten tells specific stories of how successful companies have used Twitter to help their business, one involving Naked Pizza (pg 89).

 Stratten's humor throughout the book is one of the reasons the book was so hard to put down.  As you're reading you feel as though you are actually having a conversation with him, which makes the book a keeper.

I'm going to leave you with one of my favorite quotes from the book.  Stratten bases his unmarketing philosophy around the idea that business is all about relationships, simple as that.

"If you believe that business is built on relationships, make building them your business." Enjoy!

11?

As I was reading an article entitled "A Social Media Strategy for Start ups in 11 Steps", I thought to myself really, ONLY 11 steps?  The article was a great read on what small businesses should be doing to enter the technologically advanced 21st century, but I am only going to focus on the 5 that I found most important ad appealing.   

     1. Start with research and be informed.        
         Too many businesses are just jumping straight into social media without conducting the proper research beforehand.  Twitter and Facebook are pretty easy to jump into, but consider your other options as well.  Use other companies in your industry to guide where you want to take your social media presence.  Look and see what what was successful for others and use that knowledge when you apply it to your own business. 

     2.  Be active, but watch what you say.
           It's important to keep your audience engaged and coming back from more.  Don't always tell, it's more important to ask and put out content that your customers want.  It's incredibly annoying when businesses just push out information (or products), and they don't listen to their consumer.  Make sure you are posting frequently enough to keep your audience coming back, but don't overdo it.  If you have nothing to say or share, then don't.  The more success you have as a company the more you will have to say, so find a good balance.

     3.  Have the right attitude. 
          Communicate with your followers like you would a new friend.  There's nothing much else to say. Be nice, but don't sound desperate. 

     4. Build a community brick by brick.
          It's all about relationships.  No matter what industry you are in, the first step to anything is building that trust and relationship.  Don't just add people to add people.  In my opinion, it is the most desperate and pathetic attempt at building your network.  Make your social media worth the time of the follower and that is how you will gain a following.  It is very impressive when a business can connect one on one with a customer.  If someone asks a question on a social media platform, answer it.  Be personable!

     5. Never give up.
         Social media can be a stress for many, especially as a start up.  It's just one more thing to add to your full-time schedule.  However, make time for your social media presence.  It is better to sit down once a week for an hour and focus on your social media, than take 10 minutes here and there throughout the week.  Don't stress out about what to say.  Share your company's culture, talk about interesting events going on in the community, etc.  Remember to be human, it makes everything easier :)



Here is the article in it's entirety -- http://thenextweb.com/socialmedia/2011/09/07/social-media-strategy-for-startups-in-11-steps/


That's all I have for today!

Here We Go!

Hello everyone!  I am starting this blog for my Digital Advertising class, but also as a way for me to share my opinions (good or bad), with the world.  I have chosen to dedicate this blog to start ups and social media.  I know this may sound a little confusing, so let me explain.  Ever since my dad started his own financial planning business, I've realized entrepreneurship may be something I undergo later in my life.  As a small business owner, my dad has just entered the social media craziness, and it takes awhile for a 50 year old man to catch on.  I want to explore how small business owners tackle the social media world, on a budget.  Also, keeping up with social media trends is no easy task, it's a full-time job. 

So, how do small business owners do it?  Hopefully I can gain some insight and share it with all of you.  Stay tuned for my first official blog where I will actually talk about something interesting.  Have a great week!  I'll be back with you at the by the end of the week.  :)