Archive for the ‘Social Networks’ Category
What a Contest Can Teach You about Your Beliefs, Your Business and Your Audience
Wednesday, January 4th, 2012
In early December I launched my new web site. The video on the home page was extremely well-received. I got emails, posts, shares and calls about it. I wrote a post about that here.
It inspired me to create a contest for my audience. It was a challenge to them — Create a video stating what you believe and post it to the Social Deviants Facebook page and you can win a half-day intensive with me.
Here’s what I learned from the “What I Believe” contest:
1. Weight Watchers is now doing a very similar ad campaign. What can I say, I’m a trendsetter 
What’s more likely, is that brands are catching on to the importance of beliefs in accomplishing goals, finding like-minded friends and followers and in telling a story that can change one’s world…if not the world.
2. Figuring out what you truly believe can be a challenge. When was the last time you had to speak up about what you believe? Outside of politics-charged forums, we rarely sit down with ourselves and truly think about what it is we believe — about life, parenting, friendship, business, health, money or spirituality. When someone (me) challenges you to declare what you believe in under three minutes, you think “hey, it’s less than three minutes, how hard can it be?” Then you sit down in front of the video camera and come up blank.
Writing out and prioritizing what you believe, especially in this context of growing your business, is essential. I have heard from almost everyone who made a video about how this really helped them get clarity in their lives and businesses.
3. Putting your beliefs out there on video and on the internet can be scary. There is a HUGE visibility piece that comes from taking a stand and making your move on the internet. What if someone doesn’t agree with you? What if they hassle you online? How will you defend yourself? What if no one likes you?
Here’s my response to those questions: Check your ego at the door. Remember that the gifts you were given aren’t for you — they are for others. When you make service of others your priority, you care little about needing to be liked and more about needing to help those in need. Also, like attracts like. Yes, there are goons out there who like to complain and spread negativity, but I have noticed that most people just want to connect with others like them and feel like they are understood.
I work hand-in-hand with clients on building their online platforms, and getting comfortable on video is a big part of that for many reasons:
- YouTube is second largest search engine
- video has a 300% higher conversion rate than marketing without it
- your audience wants to get to know you better to see if there’s a good fit
4. Even people with best intentions will let an opportunity pass or wait until the last minute to act. This contest was over three weeks long. It started way before the holidays. Yet almost everyone who entered waited until the last week, if not the last hours of the contest to do so. Some had technical difficulties, which could have disqualified them because they posted after the midnight deadline (but I’m a softy and let it slide…this time).
Thing is, I knew that would happen. It’s in our nature to put off until tomorrow what could be done today. I had amazing people tell me they were so excited to have the opportunity to work with me and couldn’t wait to create a video, but come crunch time, they fell short. I also knew that I would find some way to reward every single person who showed up. I was going to do something small like this blog post where I mention everyone. However, I was so moved by the videos received, everyone got their own strategy session. Don’t ya wish you’d made a video? If it’s important enough to do, it’s important enough to Do It Now.
5. Teaching goes both ways. I learn something every day from my audience. I was inspired by these lessons:
- From Torrey Shannon: Hardships are blessings in disguise and criticism can mean you’re doing something right.
- From Jeannie Spiro: No one should ever have to settle and it’s possible to move through fear and doubt and come out on the other side.
- From Ellie Lara: That in addition to taking care of our carbon footprint, we must nurture a positive carbon thought print
- From Kym Chartrand: Confidence is gorgeous and curly hair has a special power.
- From Liz Cerami Taylor: Turning 40 is a call to action and that you should do things you’re terrified of.
- From Diane Michel Untz: That hurt people tend to hurt people, that music is one of the most important and effective ways of healing, that those who had a rough start can still have a great finish and those who think it can’t be done should move over for those doing it.
Congratulations to Diane Michel Untz of Nashville Unleashed for submitting the winning video. And thank you to everyone who shared what they believe with me. You are truly social deviants and I look forward to your strategy sessions!
Tags: internet marketing, personal branding, social deviants, social marketing, what i believe contest
Posted in Advice, Coaching, marketing, Social Networks, youtube |
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Welcome Videos, Social Marketing and Why You Shouldn’t Follow Your Dreams
Wednesday, December 28th, 2011
The new and improved Social Deviants web site launched a few weeks ago. I worked with two teams of web designers and developers to create what I hope represents not only my vision for Social Deviants, but yours, as well. I wanted it to look great, of course, but I also wanted it to be a living, breathing expression of what I believe about what I do for a living and the kind of people I work with.
That’s why I agonized over the welcome video. Soooooo may web sites these days throw up a welcome video that’s lazy and ineffective, and really says absolutely nothing of value to the people who visit the site.
“Hi, I’m so-and-so. Thanks for visiting. To get your free report on X that will change your life and make you millions, sign up for my newsletter.”
I’m bored of seeing the same video with a different talking head on every forgettable home page. I have hundreds of free reports and MP3s that have done little to endear me to the person or company who own the site or add any value to my business.
That’s why I decided to do something a little different with my home page “welcome” video. I’m still a talking head, but I tellyou what I believe not only about social marketing, but about life, regret and why you shouldn’t follow your dreams. Quality service and products that are useful and valuable matter, but people today want to know what a company believes in. That’s even more crucial when there’s a personal brand behind the shingle.
If social media is about relationships, I want you to feel like you know at least something useful about how I think. If that strikes a chord with you, maybe you’ll dig deeper, get to know me and other social deviants on Facebook, Twitter, this blog and through my newsletter. Perhaps you will understand that what I can help you do online is bigger than your business. I help you take big ideas and turn them into big messages so that you can make a difference, make money and make your mark.
What do you believe? Make your own video and upload it to the Social Deviants Facebook page. On Friday, December 30th, I’ll be picking one lucky person to receive a half-day intensive (via Skype). We’ll delve into your online strategy and get your 2012 brand, business and marketing on the track to EPIC. All I ask is that you keep them under three minutes, and please keep them PG-13
Tags: branding videos, makreting videos, social marketingg, website video, welcome videos
Posted in brand, marketing, social media, Social Networks, Start-up/Entrepreneur |
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How to Sell Using Social Media
Wednesday, December 21st, 2011
There are a few great folks out there creating wonderful, valuable information about Facebook ads, video and other tools. HOWEVER, there are also a bunch of hacks out there who so desperately want to “break six figures,” that they plug-in a formula:
- Create sales page with video that doesn’t tell you how long you’ll have to sit in front of it. These make me want to pull my eyelids off.
- Said video contains all text with their long, drawn-out voice over introduction of what they are going to tell you, of the big secret they are going to reveal, “but first” they have to feed you more of the introduction to get you on the hook. This is the part where it looks and sounds like they took a class on “How to Sell” that they found on the back of a cereal box. It’s desperate and frustrating. Get to the point already.
- or the video is of them talking at you like you’re eight years old telling you that you won’t be able to succeed without their “secret” formula – that your business will be crippled without what they know. Crippled? Really? Is it the cure for Polio?
- Then you have to opt-in or cough up cash for the “real” information.
If you’re like me, I always feel like I need to take a shower after I listen to most of it. These people don’t care about you. They want you to buy their product so they can be a success story for their business coach.
Some of these folks won’t even be around in a year or they’ll be repackaging the same stuff with a different bow because they haven’t really found their passion and believed they could make money from that yet. They’ve hopped on the bandwagon and are going to ride it into the ground.
It’s funny because most of this information, I give away for FREE every week on my Coffee & Convo marketing calls. Not only do I give it away for free, but I customize the content based on your specific question. I dig in and deliver a solution to your problem. Does that make me the schmuck for not cashing in on you…or does that make you the schmuck for buying into the hype?
Confession time: I’ve been there. I was guilty of believing some of these people when I first started out, too. It didn’t take me long, though, to realize that I knew WAY more (not a little more, but boatloads) about social marketing and the tools than most of these cats. It seemed I just chose to deliver my content a little more in my comfort zone. My job is to make sure that you are armed. I feel called to make sure that you know exactly what will boost your business, so that you can do what you love instead of feeling like you need to take another magic webinar that will solve your business’ money woes.
Here’s the deal – the minute you become an expert is when you stop buying more programs and opting into more webinars, and start doing and owning this knowledge. If you know that you don’t know something, ask me or friends. That’s what social media is for — personal referrals. If I can’t answer your question, or if I’m not what you need, I will point you in the right direction.
With all that said, the fact remains — you’re here to make money. So am I. Don’t hide behind it like you have some magic beans that will sprout wealth for customers. Be honest. Be of value. Be of service. And for crying outloud, don’t sell people information that is available for free if they simply searched Google or YouTube.
Where does your REAL expertise lie? THAT’s where the money is.
People do not hire me because I know about social media. Some of them think they do, though. They don’t hire me simply because I can show them how to create an ad in Facebook. The truth is that people hire me because I am the right teacher for them or because of my ideas, our rapport, because of my experience or background, and most importantly — because of the results they get.
So how do you sell using social media?
1. You don’t sell. You share useful information. You are helpful and friendly. Scott Stratten, the awesome (I’m pretty sure that’s an official title) built his stellar Twitter reputation and following not by selling. GASP! Nope. He got to know people first. In fact, if I’m not mistaken, he listened and chatted with his market (which he would NEVER call that) for six months before ever creating a program or asking people to buy it. You can guess what happened when he finally did create his bootcamp back in the day — it sold like gangbusters. Not only that, people were talking about it and sharing it all over christendom. Why? Because he listened to them. He heard what they needed. He developed a product that fit, and because he wasn’t always selling.
2. You don’t sell. “You give people opportunities to buy.” I learned that from Jason Falls back in 2008. Conversation leads to discovery of needs. Then you can offer solutions to problems.
3. Custom packages. Create the right container for client. This goes back to listening first. When you are so in tune with your target market, you will be able to create the right programs, packages, books, etc. that fit like a glove. What this does not mean — I’m not saying that you should change a 3-month package to a one-month one because one of your potential clients would like to “try you on” first. Nope. That’s definitely not what I’m saying. This is customizing based on your experience and knowledge of the problems and the right solutions needed. You know how much time and knowledge your clients will need. If it takes three months, then it does. However, within each working relationship, you’ll know that your client already has a great grasp on X, so you decide to concentrate on Y for the maximum benefit. It isn’t “cookie cutter” solutions.
4. Share your story to find kindred spirits. Story telling will become even more important in 2012. Your story and the experiences that make up you, will help you find your ideal clients. In turn, your clients’ stories will be of utmost importance in progressing the relationship and business. Master your story. Every day. Look and listen for the new pieces that fill it out and enhance you and your business.
5. Remember that your mission is bigger than you. Get out of your own way. Selling sucks. It does. That’s why you shouldn’t do it. It smells funny and no one likes it. However, the reason you wrote that book, created that product, developed that microchip, produced that movie was because you knew it would help people — entertain them, solve problems, make life better. Remember that and you aren’t selling anything. You are serving.
6. Be mindful of your target audience at all times. I’ve pretty much said this in every point made so far. Know who it is you want to do business with. Listen to them every single day in multiple ways. Ask questions. Do not, in the heat of the moment, create a program because you happen to like it. Make sure it’s the RIGHT product, program or service for your audience and speak their language. Not yours. No one really cares what awards you have.
7. Be honest. Admit that you’re there to make money. Be real. Be the best version of yourself. Social media and branding is really like charm school. It’s the version of you that you would be proud of your grandparent seeing. It doesn’t mean you’re hiding anything. It just means you know netiquette 101.
I could add more here, but I think I’ve gotten my point across. For true leadership and growth, it’s about relationships, service and trust.
Tags: internet sales, online marketing
Posted in Advice, How to, marketing, social media, Social Networks, Start-up/Entrepreneur |
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