Twitter has become one of the most widely used tools for social networking and, increasingly, for business. Users of the Macintosh OS will find that they have a new feature that they may find very useful if they rely upon the service a great deal. Twitter, through this feature, allows you to send an update to all of your followers from anywhere without having to log into the service itself. It works as a simple alt menu function.

The Function

Using this service, you can send a tweet from anywhere within the OS environment. For example, if you happen to be working on the Safari browser and find something interesting that you would like to tweet to your followers, you can simply highlight it, click on it and select the option to tweet. This can vastly cut down on the amount of time it takes to send information to your followers and encourages more use of the system.

This functionality will be expanded so that it can be used on any Apple device. This means that users of these systems will be able to very easily send whatever information they want to their followers and makes it much easier for them to share information on the fly. Of course, if you happen to be a business user, you can easily send anything you want to the people that follow your business when you are offering a special deal on goods or services or when you just want to make sure that your business is in their minds.

Other Features

Twitter also introduced a follow button that allows users to instantly sign up to be a follower of a webpage. If you happen to be a business user, this is a very easy way for you to encourage your visitors to follow you without requiring them to take the extra step of finding and following your profile on Twitter. These buttons are added in the same way that any other social networking icons added to your site and make it very easy to expand the possibilities for communication with the people with whom you do business.

Twitter has also introduced an application for mobile browsers that makes it easier to use the service on the go. Much like other applications, it reformats the service in a way that is much easier to read on the smaller screens of mobile devices and which doesn’t require users to try to click tiny links on a small screen.

With all of these new features, the Twitter service is enabling users to employ it in more flexible ways and to ensure that they get the most out of the service if they’re using it for business. Adding the social networking icons styled button to your website is a great way to pick up new followers and using the mobile application is an excellent way to keep in touch with them when you are on the go and when you want to send them a quick tweet to keep them apprised of new offerings.

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By now, you have observed the phenomenon that is social media. Social media has surpassed Internet communication and has become an online resource all its own. Face Book now has over 300 million users, while LinkedIn has 55 million professionals networking around the world. You know of social media…now the question is: should you play social media manager and start your own social media campaign?

It is far too easy to say yes, and encourage new company owners to embark upon a half-hearted social media experiment, just so they can say they are part of the trend. However, creating a social media campaign requires investment not only in money but also in time. The only way you can justify social media expense is if you can observe the benefits and identify the purpose of your campaign.

Why Should a Business Use Social Media Websites?

Running a social media campaign is not just about setting up an account and filling out a profile. A social media manager is actively involved in a company’s online marketing and oversees status updates, features, profile information, links and numerous other details because it is all part of one important project.

What are the most obvious advantages of social media campaigning? Social media is a great opportunity to subtly build brand awareness and brand trust, to keep your customers updated as to new company news, to interact with your public, to promote goodwill, to find new leads and to survey a portion of your audience.

What company wouldn’t benefit in these areas? Social media is well worth the investment, provided the company can find a competent social media manager and devote the proper amount of time to running the page. A company that invests in social media shows itself to be attentive to its online audience, smart to new technology, and actively involved in cheap and easy advertising. In many cases, your prospective leads will be more interested in how you conduct yourself as a company in the public eye rather than with how you “sell” your website on a homepage.

The Proper Approach for a Social Media Manager

The person in charge of running your social media pages should have a strategy in mind as he or she begins setting up profiles and posting updates. Part of running a successful social media site involves avoiding the most obvious mistakes. Do not bother creating a social media profile or page if you haven’t the slightest idea what to say. Make an effort to separate your personal and professional pages, so that you can represent your brand with dignity.

A social media manager is wise to the beneficial effects that social media networking can bring. However, before starting a campaign it is wise to identify your marketing goals, not just online, but as a company moving forward into the new age. The only way to calculate return on time investment is to compare your goals and your company’s progress.

More than a few people have suggested that social media sites are like the “phone books” of the modern age. Social media is where people go to learn information and the first rule of business is that you must go where people go. How can you justify not showing your brand and establishing your name in such a crowded location?

You could take it even further by saying that social media marketing is like the fusion of a phone book listing and a television advertisement. The necessity of social media is obvious. Now you should ask: what are you as a social media manager willing to do to make your social media campaign successful?

“Social media is no longer a distraction from your job but part of your job. Companies go to great lengths to hire social media managers to keep the company culture strong. Find out why business needs social media!”

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If you are new to the idea of social media marketing then it’s important to start with a refresher course on the most important websites making names for themselves and how you, as a business owner or perhaps even a social media manager, can use these online tools to your advantage.

Firstly, do not copy and paste your profile information and status updates to every major website. You must create a strategy in which you use each social media website for a unique and relevant purpose. It’s better to not use a website at all than it is to create duplicate social media pages. Why is this? Because (a) search engines typically penalize web pages that feature duplicate content and (b) you’re communicating with the same audience saying the same thing.

Successful social media managers suggest that you strategize and decide upon a special purpose for each website that you decide to incorporate into your campaign. Let’s consider the four most important websites and effective ways to use them for business.

Face Book/Fan Page: Face Book allows business owners to create either a personal or business page. If the owner chooses to incorporate a personal page into business, he or she will be allowed more options than using a strictly business profile. At this point, the owner can create a fan page or business page and serve as an administrator of the page. He or she will then have the ability to add friends and perform standard Face Book features that are not available with a business page. Face Book can be used for business in the way of advertising new products, services or discounts, as well as sharing multimedia images. Face Book is also ideal for networking, as users can view friends of friends.

LinkedIn: LinkedIn is a professional website helping people to expand their network of friends and acquaintances. Unlike Face Book and MySpace, LinkedIn promotes a business first attitude. Features here include people finders, job listings and questions and answers. LinkedIn can be used to increase your visibility, connect with more companies and users, enhance your search rankings (since LinkedIn is web searchable) and perform company reference checks. Some people love LinkedIn because it allows them to “stalk” interviewers and potential employers, or potential employees on the management side. LinkedIn also uses keywords to its advantage, making networking much easier even for newcomers.

Twitter: Twitter limits all of your links and statements to 140 words. Twitter is ideal for sharing status updates, connecting with important people, answering questions, providing insight into the daily experience, and searching for relevant keywords to your business. There are also many valuable web tools like Who Should I Follow and Summize, which give you further advantages in searching.

MySpace: MySpace operates similarly to Face Book but with many more options in the way of formatting the page, creating a unique theme and lending you more web space. MySpace is popular among younger users and is the preferred social media site for web-savvy merchants and entertainers who want to focus more on visual spectacle.

Blogging: WordPress, Blogger, Tumblr and SquareSpace are among the most popular blog sites online. Practically every popular social media site has limitations on how long posts can be, thereby giving the advantage to blog sites when it comes to full features and long commentaries. However, full-length blogs are among the most effective tools you can use for establishing professional credibility and targeting new leads with keywords.

All of these popular websites are being used to promote businesses and encourage interaction with the large online community. Have you signed up and filled out your profiles? More importantly, have you devised a short-term and long-term strategy as to your goals and objectives in each particular social media site? This attention to detail could spell the difference between success and an embarrassing waste of time ala PeopleofWalMart.com. Keep your social media page positive, welcoming and above all else, interesting!

“You have heard about social media, but you may not be familiar with how the idea works and what websites are the most valuable to pursue. Learn about the top social media sites and how you can use them for business.”

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One of the most common mistakes companies and managers make is delegating the position of social media manager to an untrained staff member; perhaps someone who works well with computers (or even customer service) but someone who doesn’t really understand online marketing.

It is important to emphasize that social media is a facet of advertising/marketing, every bit as important as website development and TV/radio spots. Many large companies actually hire a social media manager by name and pay full salary to organize and strategize a complete campaign. Though you are communicating with the public, and though you are giving the appearance of hosting a laid back and fan-friendly site, the strategic approach is actually formal and cautiously set out from the beginning.

What Makes a Qualified Social Media Manager?

A social media manager is a marketer first and is now specializing in this new online marketing avenue. Targeting is a major point of business and involves identifying your professional and online goals, as well as your audience. Questions such as, “What are the needs of my business?” and, “How can my social media page help me reach these objectives?” are imperative. Additionally a social media manager should also predetermine the budget (time and money) for social media, as well as who will be posting updates and replying to comments. Another issue to consider is networking with other contacts; is it a priority and who specifically in your industry are you targeting with your updates, commenting and interaction?

A social media manager should also have excellent writing and communicating ability, as well as a willingness to reach out to the community and engage in virtual conversation. One important aspect of social media networking is making friends with people you don’t know. In social media, you really don’t know who’s who and who is going to be your most valuable ally a year from now.

There is a great deal of team effort in social media management and every decision made should fit in with a company’s broader marketing strategy. All employees involved in the campaign should know this strategy and it should be detailed inside a social marketing plan.

Factors That Will Make Your Campaign Successful

Most importantly, it’s important to create a rich company culture, one that lends itself to the online experience. The New York Times (February 12, 2011) recently ran an article that suggested that not every profession needs social media, such as financial firms or law firms. However, we have also heard reports coming from the Kentucky Bar Association that due to the high use of social media within the legal industry, the Bar now sees fit to regulate social media as a form of advertising.

Therefore, it’s not going out on a limb to say that every company can benefit from social media—as long as the strategy is laid out and assignments are effectively defined and delegated.

Lastly, remember that social media is an evolving technology, and thus campaigns should be adaptable to what survey data reveals. Unlike a website, which largely exists for sales purposes the primary benefit of a social media page is for your customers. The page is there to serve them, interactively provide information they need and make them feel part of the company’s culture.

It’s up to a highly organized and ambitious social media manager to keep things fun and festive, but always productive.

“A qualified social media manager can help to create a brilliant social media campaign. Unfortunately, many companies underestimate this marketing professional’s role. Find out what is needed in social media and how to succeed.”

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Etiquette is the type of broadly interpreted social science that can inspire an entire book worth of tips, understandings and precedents. However, we only have time to provide the basics of social media etiquette in this feature. There are multiple disciplines of proper etiquette, including behavior concerning social media websites and portable devices in the office, as well as how to generally “type” to people online. The main focus of this article is to share how one goes about presenting himself or herself as a professional company.

Being a Friend First, a Company Second

While there are various instances of impoliteness on social media, the one golden rule everyone must abide by is that social media doesn’t tolerate spam. If you spam a person’s page or post a comment advertising your services, you will probably find your comments deleted and your ID blocked as a friend forever. Unfortunately, many people misunderstand the word spam and think that if they personally post an advertisement for a product rather than relying on a robot, they are not spamming.

Wrong! Spamming refers to any untargeted solicitation. Why, the term spamming could even be used to refer to a “sales pitch” that you give to someone else in casual conversation. Social media is a walled paradise away from the “hard sell” business world outside and the last thing anyone wants to hear is an unsolicited advertisement.

How then do you go about “advertising” without advertising? Usually by way of (1) sharing helpful and objective information about your industry; (2) posting about incentives, discounts or gifts to your customers; (3) company news, local shows, new directions, new campaigns; (4) multimedia content; (5) sharing links to third party sites that fit in with your message and objective.

You can also subtly advertise by showing yourself to be an expert in your field, one that doesn’t need to advertise or beg for attention. You focus on establishing credibility and in creating brand awareness—not on making promises or bragging about your accomplishments.

Social Media Interaction Etiquette

When it comes time to make friends and to spread goodwill throughout cyberspace, make sure you approach your pages and their pages professionally and respectfully. This not only requires a positive and dignified manner of speaking, but also requires some tact when it comes to talking with the community.

Make the effort to fill out your profile page completely, if for no other reason, than to link people back to your sales website. Explain the type of person you want to befriend on your profile so that there are no misunderstandings. It is similarly impolite to befriend people randomly without any introduction or explanation as to who you are. While you can take a chance and “add” a person based on just his/her likable profile, never start selling your business immediately after adding, because this will forever associate you as a spammer.

Make sure that all posts are dignified, relevant and politically correct. Not only should you reflect honor and discretion in your posts, but you should also make sure that you are not forwarding too many messages to your friends or sending out time-wasting requests based on your daily actions. If you have a social media manager ensure they follow your rules for engaging your tribe.

Finally, post your work in a word processor first so that you can catch any spelling or grammatical errors before you share them with the world. A misspelling that goes months without a correction reflects poorly on a professional organization.

Following these tips can help build your brand awareness over time, and more importantly, build your brand trust amongst the community. What tips would you like to suggest?

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Now that you have a social media campaign set up, what can you do as a social media manager to ensure your huge popularity? Obviously, you are not going to make much of an impact if you merely set up a fan page and provide a few updates. What does it take to make noise and start a “raving” social network?

Basic Tips on Starting an Exciting Social Network

First, you must connect to important people within your industry. Focus on interacting with people that can help you whether they are at the “top” or “bottom” of your online society. Reach out and connect to people who are popular; this is one of the best ways to increase your online popularity when you have none of your own.

Take a lesson from guerilla marketing and use your imagination to build anticipation before your actual site launch. You can post comments about your launch on other blogs or on your other websites. Make sure you have enthusiasm as you write about what project you are working on. This builds anticipation, letting people know that something exciting is soon to happen. You could also use foreshadowing messages to arouse curiosity, or perhaps to address a problem that your company (or social media site) will address.

You can also strategically devise messages and blogs, centering on a theme that culminates in the launch of your social media site and or new product line. For instance, you could post status updates alluding to features your social media site will have, or whet everyone’s appetite by saying on a friend’s blog that you will post a more detailed commentary (replying on the primary issue) at your new social media site.

Do not expect to get a huge reaction from your own social media site if you haven’t already been active at other pages, leaving comments, asking questions and engaging in discussions amongst your peers. A sure-fire way to get a huge social media reaction is to join the community before you launch the business page, just as an individual. As you grow in membership, remember to get feedback from your friends as to how to improve the site.

Social Media Tips That Get Big Results

If you really want a big reaction from the online community then you have to provide some sort of incentive—something that creates a need or at least an intense want in your audience. The online audience responds to incentives that are not helpful but problem solving. This is why many social media managers focus on providing high quality and industry-appropriate content; the type of subject matter that teaches followers an important lesson from which they can benefit. True incentive in this respect would be, not merely reposting common knowledge, but perhaps linking to an interview with an established professional or an eBook of specific information. Everyone responds to savings and gifts. However, are you truly giving something of value to your audience?

If you are promoting a contest giveaway or other discounts, are you publicizing the contest and allowing enough time for people to spread the word? If you are asking for members to sign up (or join your friends list) are you providing them incentives beyond average, giving them reason to seek out official membership?

Keep your page clean and easy to read with plenty of multimedia content. Lastly, offer to help promote your friends and acquaintances at your new social media site. All of the insanely popular and “raving” social network pages offer special incentive, freedom of expression, wondrous entertainment and the latest industry news. Make these four points priority and watch your social networking page bloom!

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The social media network Twitter has taken online communities by storm hasn’t it? You can’t go anywhere without hearing at least snippets of this social media website’s influence on both the general public and business tycoons as well. It’s not just a great way to meet and greet with the locals though. Studies have shown that a large number of small business owners and large ones are Tweeting away so as to promote their trade.

Why? That’s because Twitter can be used by almost anyone to connect with all kinds of people from all walks of life in a single social network that millions have used just as effectively. This makes it quite a powerful marketing tool but you still have to be careful how you’re using it. Knowing how to network on Twitter effectively does not mean you should jump ahead as soon as you get the chance to.

Don’t rush your debut on this social scene for one thing. You might commit a faux pas the likes of which can seriously damage any chances you have to increase your popularity.

Of course there are only so many friends you can make. If you want to build an effective network, you have to pitch your ideas to your followers in such a way that they don’t realize you’re trying to market to them. A good way to do this is to focus on the chit chat in general by avoiding any business lingo from entering into the conversation. You have to make them think that you have their best interests at heart rather than you’re there to make money off of them.

Sharing interesting videos or music on your Twitter account is also a good way to reel in your niche enthusiasts. If you find something in the news or on YouTube you especially liked, then you can share the link on your account page. If you reeled in those followers using your target market, then chances are they will like it.

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Ah yes, social media. You know there was a time when talking to your peers meant hiding behind false sentiments and apologetic gestures. Now you can let your emotions and comments free reign just by using Twitter as your medium of expression! It’s a great way to let those thoughts free but did you know that it can be also used for increasing your popularity? Knowing how to maximize your Twitter time can help you do just that.

Conduct Twitter Parties

Think a soiree without the mess which basically involves a group of your friends/family getting together online to discuss a particular topic you have interest in. No party invitations needed here all you need to do to announce your shindig and use a specific hashtag (#) announcing the time of the party as the host. If you know how to maximize your Twitter time effectively this way, you can manage a whole bunch of followers without a problem.

These kind of virtual parties are an excellent way to get up close and personal with your online pals AND without having to spend a nickel on drinks and snacks! You can also provide free gifts just like the real deal. Who knows? You might just (virtually) bump into a potential client.

Tweet your way into their hearts using Tweetchat

This is actually an external site but it’s one of the best ways to engage in Twitter parties. All you have to do is to go on Tweetchat, enter the aforementioned hashtag and you can post every tweet you want to put up. However, the great thing about this site is that it can be used to do other things as well. It can be used to discover your niche in the online market as well as an excellent way to meet people with the same interests as you. This will enable you to build your credibility and make lifelong friends as you do.

Follow the ‘Leaders’

Now you can’t expect all of them to follow you as soon as you put up an account. Once you get used to tweeting on a regular basis, you can start searching for new supporters and start following those that already have a following on this social media website. If you’re an activist for instance then you can follow organizations that do similar work to get to know what they’re up to. It’s also a good idea to read their recommended links and follow any influential figures they happen to represent. This will aid you in making a name for yourself online and increase your circle of ‘friends’ at the same time.

Have you tried having a virtual party on Twitter?  Do you have a tips to share below…

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Once you know all of these things the next step would be to provide solutions for their dilemmas. Why? Who do you think people will gravitate more towards? Someone who actually cares for their needs or someone who just likes the sound of his/her own voice? This is also why you need a plan of action.

That’s what these podcasts are all about. Plan to have one ready each week if you want your audience to stay riveted to your site. Make sure that each has several smaller segments that can be produced independently, so that you don’t need to spend too much time on thinking up new ideas. No need to burn yourself out.

Think of it as a mini movie script that can propel your reputation to new heights. You may not see your name in lights, but at least your business may get the recognition it needs online. It may take several tries on your part before you record a perfect one, which you can then hone to perfection using editing software and by adding transitions, introductions and concluding credits..

Now that the podcast is complete, it’s time to upload it on to a podcasting site. Upload it to your own site if you have one or on exclusive podcasting sites. Word to the wise, try and add it as a feature on your own site if you want to generate traffic as quickly as possible.

Podcasting websites have a cyclic system which they use for every one that uploads their own. You see, at the end of each week, if a new podcast is uploaded it takes the place of the previous one. However, don’t worry if that happens to you. Usually an archive of prior podcasts is maintained on the producer’s site which can be viewed by those who need them.

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