What comes first? The social networking or the egg?

December 29th, 2008

And by ‘egg,’ I mean ‘blog.’

Beth Harte and Geoff Livingston recently wrote a great article about weeding out the ‘carpetbagger’ social media experts. In their list of 25 things to watch out for, I agreed wholeheartedly with 22 of them - and feel quite strongly about the three I disagree with.

The first point: ‘First recommendation is to blog’ is tackled below - the other two (blog ghostwriting and personal branding) are coming soon.

I can see why it might not always be the right first step for every single person or company. But, I have a hard time swallowing the notion that blogging first might be a misstep for most people - or that its suggestion would make the suggester a ‘carpetbagger.’ I started with my blog and then walked onto the social media scene, and my chosen order was highly beneficial for me, both personally and professionally. Here’s why:

1. Slow, steady, safe pace. My blog gave me a quiet place to watch my ideas develop and be instantly published. At first, no one was even looking, then readers started to show up, then their comments arrived. I had time to find my voice and learn how to respond to people in this medium. If you haven’t noticed, social media happens fast - especially on Twitter - and jumping into the networking madness before I really knew myself online (or how ‘online’ worked) was not the best choice for me.

2. Reason to interact. When you first start reaching out on social networks, sharing your blog content is a great way to introduce yourself (and I don’t mean in a pushy, salesy way) - but it does give you something to say. Having written your posts, you’ve obviously formulated your own opinions on topics that you will now feel confident discussing. Also, as a blogger, you have a healthy dose of appreciation for the other bloggers out there and it’s something you have in common (writing, tech, design, functionality, etc.) to connect about.

3. Portfolio, calling card, resume. Your blog is all of these things - so when people check out your Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, (etc.) page or bio, they have a clickable link that immediately provides an in-depth look into who you are and what you do. When I go to someone’s Twitter bio, for example, and there is no site/blog listed, I have virtually nowhere to go - no way to connect, forge a relationship or network. In this scenario, there is only a small amount of information available that tells me what this person can do for me and what I can do for them. Personally, when I network, I want all of my talents and skills visible to maximize my connection possibilities.

4. Blogs, by definition, expand our ability to be found online. My blog is part of my social networking world. Before I even set foot onto a social networking site, I had built a community around my blog. Then, my blog and my social networking sites blended, merged and grew together - and they continue to do so. In fact, both my blog and my social networks feed each other via organic searches, as well as word of mouth. (people find my blog and then come to follow me on Twitter and vice versa).

A blog is a brilliant way to establish an online presence by letting the world know all about you and your thoughts on everything connected to your industry and area of expertise.

5. Blog as listening tool. I don’t care what your business is - you have to listen to clients, customers, colleagues, peers, the world to succeed. Otherwise you won’t know what they want, why they want it or how you can give it to them. Blogs are a great listening tool because you can ask questions, listen to comments and watch your stat diagnostics (what people are searching for and reading). Of course, social media is a great listening tool as well (would never suggest otherwise).

6. Freedom and ownership. With so many rules and guidelines, blogs allow you to publish, to own, to think your thoughts and explore without being at the whim of a publisher. Your own real estate is always a great place to start…didn’t Madonna start off by singing and dancing around the house in her underwear? Certainly not on the world stage.

And, at the end of the day, I love blogs because they allow for so many different opinions - no one has to be right or wrong, but the arguments can and should be heard and discussed.

What did you do first? Blog or social networking?

Do you feel strongly that one or the other should happen first?

Filed under Blogging, How To, Marketing, Myth or Reality, Networking, Politics, Social Media, The Business | Tags: Beth Harte, Blogging, blogs, copywriting, Facebook, Julie Roads, LinkedIn, marketing writer, social media, social networking, Twitter, writing, Writing Roads | Comments (11)

LinkedIn adds useful applications to the community…finally

October 30th, 2008

For all of you who wonder, and ask me, if LinkedIn is really worth it…they’ve just done something that is tipping the balance heavily to yes.

LinkedIn has added 9 applications to its repertoire (where previously there were none) and Rotor Blog has done a smashing job of describing them. Here’s their rundown:

Amazon’s Reading list - lets you share a list of books that you are reading, follow updates from your connections and possibly get an idea on what you should probably read next

Blog Link - allows you to connect your blog to your LinkedIn profile, hence expanding the reach of your blog and promoting your LinkedIn profile through your blog as well

Huddle - provides you with a private and secure online workspaces which are packed with collaboration and sharing tools that would allow you to work with your connections

My Travel - lets you see where your LinkedIn contacts are travelling next or find out who among your LinkedIn contacts will be in the same place where you will be travelling to

Google Presentation - Honestly, I find this most useful and a great addition to the LinkedIn application facility as it lets you upload .PPT or use Google’s online application to embed presentation on your profile.

WordPress - why wouldn’t be this useful? It’s everybody’s favorite blogging platform right on your LinkedIn profile and lets you sync your WordPress-powered blog with your LinkedIn profile

Company Buzz - gives you the Twitter activity of your company and lets you view tweets, trends and top key words on the Twitter platform.

Box.net - lets you manage your important files online and then share them with your friends and business contacts.

SlidesShare - one of the most used online presentation tool comes right into your LinkedIn profile to allow you to create simple presentations which you can run online

Unlike Facebook, where widgets and apps reproduce like fruit flies, LinkedIn is taking a moderate and selective approach. I think the live blog feeds, the shared workspace and the Company Buzz/Twitter apps are inspired. But, the Amazon Reading List? I’m not feeling it…maybe for authors it’s helpful, but I’m not seeing its value for networking. (Open my eyes if this application speaks to you.)

Go check it out…I’m headed over to my LinkedIn account to hook up my blog…hope to see you there and can’t wait to connect in the LinkedIn venue.

Filed under Networking, News, Social Media | Tags: applications, blogs, LinkedIn, social media, social networking, wordpress | Comments (6)

blog redesign: an advertising deal

October 7th, 2008

Yes, you are still at the Writing Roads Blog, aka. Blogging Roads!

Last night my dear designer, Leslie Tane, surprised me by expanding my blog into three columns with a new theme called Amazing Grace, a lightweight, super-optimized WordPress theme packed with features (SEO, Adsense & Widget Ready) created by Vladimir Prelovac. I was thrilled as I’ve been itching for some more elbow room!

One impetus for this space-making was that I’ve been approached by several vendors looking to advertise. As many of you know, I’ve been on the fence about the advertising thing…or, at least, I was. Now, I’ve definitively hopped over to the advertising side.

Here’s why:

As long as I feel good about the vendors, why shouldn’t I provide them the opportunity to promote themselves.
I’m not forcing my readers to read the ads or click on them. This is optional and you won’t have to wade through them in order to get to the posts.
Okay, most people don’t say this out loud, but I’m going to: I work really hard on this blog. Why shouldn’t I receive support? There is no reason! I deserve it. You deserve it. We all deserve it!

A Deal for My Peeps

For the first two weeks (starting…NOW), I’m offering a deal on advertising. If you are connected to me on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn, or if you’re a friend of mine on Twitter Moms or Mom Bloggers Club, you will get 20% for one year.

125 x 125 pixel ad

standard rates = $30/month or $324/year (10% yearlong discount)
special discount price = $24/month or $288/year

125 x 250 pixel ad

standard rates = $45/month or $486/year (10% year-long discount)
special discount price = $36/month or $432/year

If you’re interested, please email me directly: julie (at) writingroads (dot) com. Payments will be made via paypal. Also, if you want to advertise, but don’t have your ad widget, I’ve got some great designers lined up that can help you with this, just let me know. Looking forward to promoting your business!

Filed under Blogging, Marketing, Networking, News, Politics, Social Media, The Business | Tags: advertising discount, blog, blog advertising, blog monetizing, Blogging, Facebook, freelance copywriter, LinkedIn, marketing writer, Mom Bloggers Club, Twitter, Twitter Moms | Comments (4)

bridging the web 2.0 gap: when social networking means different things to different people

August 27th, 2008

As you all know, I enjoy me some online social networking. I like my Facebook, my Twitter, my LinkedIn in particular. But, lately, I’m noticing this clash of the generations (or sensibilities, perhaps?).

Basically, people are using these networks for one of three reasons:

1. business activities

2. personal activities

3. a mixture of the two

But what happens when these groups bump into each other?

Sometimes it’s okay. For instance, I do love catching up with my high school friends on Facebook, and when I market my business and my blog there, they’re potential clients…it is a network, you know. And at least they all have jobs(ish) and understand that I’m making a living.

But then, my nieces friend me and they’re 13 and they put up ridiculous pictures of me from family gatherings. And my sister-in-law writes ’stuff’ on my wall that I don’t want anyone else to see because she’s 23 and using Facebook in its original configuration - as an online yearbook of sorts for the college set.

None of this is a huge deal - I can delete and manage my page…but I find it fascinating to watch as Facebook grows and builds into something more professional and business networky than it once was. And, I’m enthralled by the friend numbers that the younger folk have - think of the network at their fingertips when they grow up and have something really important to share. Hmmm, guess I shouldn’t delete them as friends, they’re holding some prime real estate…oh, and I love them, they’re family after all.

Filed under Networking, The Business | Tags: copywriting, Facebook, generation gap, Julie Roads, LinkedIn, marketing writing, Networking, online social networks, Social Media, social networking, Twitter, Writing Roads | Comments (4)

are social networking sites redundant or do you need to belong to more than one?

August 19th, 2008

You should know by now that, with me, nothing is black and white. So, here’s my answer.

Occasionally, there is some redundancy when you have the same certain people in more than one of your networks, but that is more the exception than the rule - not to mention that those folks are usually die-hard online networkers, and they tend to really ‘get’ what you are doing with your broadcasts. And, if they’re following you in all of those places, they really like you and will just be happy to hear from you.

So, on this question, I lean heavily towards the ‘you need to belong to many social networking sites’ side. Simply because there are a gazillion people online and they choose to belong to different social networks because each network presents a specific personality, attitude and interaction capability - oh, and that’s where their friends play. As a result, when you decide to belong to a variety of networks, you are reaching a more diverse audience. You are reaching the Twitter people, the Facebook people, the LinkedIn people, the Tagged people, the Squidoo people, the de.licio.us people - and you are reaching them where they are.

To participate on multiple networks is to build, activate and inspire multiple audiences and to foster a bevy of solid relationships. My raison d’etre exactly.

Filed under Networking, The Business | Tags: copywriter, copywriting, Facebook, Julie Roads, LinkedIn, marketing writer, online marketing, online networking, online social networks, Squidoo, Twitter, Writing Roads | Comments (2)

when are online social networks NOT time-suckers?

July 31st, 2008

When you use them strategically for your business. Simply put, we participate in online social networks to connect to others. For your company or work, this connection parlays into new clients, new ideas, new business. So, how do you do it? How do you use Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn…and so many more, as a real marketing tool and not as a time-sucker?

1. Define time-sucking. Realize that to use these networks effectively, you have to spend some time on them. At the beginning you need to set up and personalize your account, connect to people and then continually communicate with them. This time spent is markedly different than time spent playing Scrabulous, tweeting about your lunch, etc. Though I’m sure you deserve a little bit of this mind-numbing, fun time every day as well. (no judgement)

2. Set up your profile to showcase your business. When people friend you or link to you or view your profile, make sure they can see who you are and what you do. If you can syndicate your blog on your profile, do it; if you can add images, do it. If you can add links, do it. And, show us your pretty face, do it.

3. Syndicate your work. Blogs fit in nicely here. When you put up a post, tell your network about it and give them the easy link. Blogs are an instant introduction to your personality and your expertise. If a project you just worked on went live, tell us about that too…showcase yourself. And, won’t your clients be thrilled.

4. Broadcast events, success, interesting news. Literally shout it out from the rooftops, you never know when someone will be looking for exactly what you’ve got.

5. Realize the breadth of your network. It’s not just the people you are linked to. It’s also the people they are linked to and beyond. Be interesting and use the words that are key to your business, company, industry…these things are searchable, you know, if you want them to be. They can also be viral. If you broadcast something that your network thinks others will find interesting, they will share it.

6. Participate. If I’ve said it once…Seriously, why should anyone listen to you, visit your link or syndicate your info if you aren’t doing the same. Your participation demonstrates to others that there is something in it for them as well. Don’t make it all about you….even if it is.

7. Network with your network. When it comes right down to it, this is good, old-fashioned networking. Talk to people, find out about them, see where your common interests are…suggest ways to move forward.

Some days will be more beneficial than others…that’s life. But on those really good days - the days when you make an incredible connection or strike a golden deal, any time-suckage will have been worth it….and so will the good karma you sent to a friend on Facebook.