web 2.0 is a two-way street
So, I have this friend…and this is how our conversations usually go:
Me: Hi! How are you?
Him: Great, things are really good. I just got a new client, the kids are growing fast, built a new playset in our backyard.
(pause)
Me: Sounds excellent. What did you do for the holidays?
Him: Oh, it was awesome – we went to the Bahamas. Jill’s parents rented a house for everyone, we stayed for 1o days.
(pause)
Me: Wow! Fantastic. You said the kids are well? Little Oscar’s going into kindergarten just like my Sophie this year, right? Are you all ready for the big step?
Him: Yeah…we’ve been reading him books about school and walking the route to school, met his teachers. I think he’ll do great!
(Pause)
…and on and on…every single conversation.
Hopefully, you picked up on what’s missing here. These conversations are 100% one-sided. Never does he ask me about me or my life – even when I prod him a bit. And, honestly, I don’t have time for it. Not in my live social life and not online.
If you want to succeed in either arena, I suggest you join the conversation. Participate. Don’t be just a taker, ewww. It doesn’t feel good on the other side. It’s a big devaluing gust that no one wants.
Talk to your followers, friends, connections, other lenses, favorites – however you connect. Just a simple thanks, tell me who you are and what you do is a great way to start a conversation that can end up just about anywhere, but it’s usually somewhere good. You’re building your team, your network, your audience – plug in to them, they won’t forget. At least I never do.
Filed under How To, Networking | Tags: blog, blog marketing, Blogging, copywriting, Julie Roads, marketing writer, online networking, relationship marketing, Social Media, Web 2.0 participation, Writing Roads | Comments (3)when are online social networks NOT time-suckers?
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.
Filed under How To, The Business | Tags: copywriting, Facebook, freelance copywriter, Julie Roads, LinkedIn, marketing writer, online networking, online social networks, Twitter, Web 2.0 participation, Writing Roads | Comment (1)julie roads: total geek
This post is an open invitation for you to jeer, throw tomatoes, laugh, ridicule….or join me. This weekend I had three separate opportunities to tell people I was just meeting about my business and this industry of marketing, social media, copywriting and blogging.
I start by saying that I’m a writer. That I write for a diverse range of clients and that I specialize in blogging, blog marketing, social media participation – both production and consulting. And as I say the word marketing, I see the tangible attitude shift. The wonder inspired by of the word ‘writer’ fades, and the ‘ewww, a sleazy salesman’ judgement falls like a red velvet curtain – heavy and fast.
But, I don’t let it stop me, not even for a second. I start talking about permission and relationship marketing – and their power. About the fact that I’ve made a commitment to myself and my clients that I will never send spam, buy a list or force a product or service on the people. About the amazing things that happen because of my social media participation. About how my client’s have grown through their blogs. About the fact that I can’t wait to see what happens every day.
And here comes the geek part. Every time this happened, every single time, I got massive goose bumps. It’s like my whole self lights up like a Christmas tree. My work makes me so happy.
Go ahead, take your best shot…
Filed under The Business | Tags: blog, blog consulting, blog marketing, Blogging, copywriting, Julie Roads, marketing writer, permission marketing, relationship marketing, Web 2.0 participation, Web 2.0. consulting, Writing Roads | Comment (0)
