NET-TECH REPORT: Using Facebook for Marketing and PR

Net-Tech Report with Chris Kauza

For the last few months we've been exploring how to use various online tools to build relationships and enhance your offline networking abilities. We've already written about Facebook and some of the reasons you as a business owner should integrate it into your business and networking plans. We've also published articles on how Facebook has promoted more authentic networking, a brief overview on Facebook and it should be an integral part of your social media plans, transcendental and timeless perspectives on life and living in the networking world of Facebook, the fantastic growth of Facebook among online Candians (did you know it was HALF?!?!), and even setting up our own National Networker (TNNW) Fanpage on Facebook.

But this month, we're going to talk about using Facebook for Marketing and PR.

Here's one approach that Mike Nierengarten of Anvil Media, used to promote one of his clients, Animation Mentor. Animation Mentor is a four-year old, online animation school. In additional to Animation Mentor's already-existing website, Mike established a presence for them on Facebook, using a three-tiered approach:

1. Profile

2. Facebook Page

3. Fan Page

The profile was set up first, as a way to connect with current students. With an ever-increasing user base, it is likely that whatever your business is, you will find many of your current and potential customers on Facebook. Once you have people coming to your profile, you can more easily convert them into Fans on your Facebook page. Fan pages are great because they are indexed by Google and other search engines, and are viewable to unregistered people. This is important for building awareness and driving online reputation management. However, you can't send out “group messages” through the Facebook fan pages, so some of your communication will be limited.

Two other important things that Mike did:

1. created a Prospective Animation Mentor Student group for prospective students to connect and share their thoughts

2. promoted the page off of Facebook using an Animation blog

Last August, the Facebook page they created ranked for targeted keywords on Google (e.g. #23 for "animation school", #9 for "character animation"), they had over 700 fans with a mix of currents students and interested students interacting online, and also an area for prospective students to address their concerns and interact directly with someone from the school in their space. They also had an approximately 3% conversion rate (i.e. complete an application) from the Facebook page. As of this writing, they have over 2,200 fans. They have put together a low-cost (practically free) marketing engine for Animation Mentor.

In future posts we'll talk about press releases and article marketing, and how to use your blog and sites like HARO to enhance your credibility. In the meantime, if you have any questions, feel free to contact me at Chris@AskABusinessGuy.com.

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NET-TECH REPORT: Using Facebook for Marketing and PR

U.S., HAWAII: Be The Stage

by Danielle Lum

Hawaii Bureau Chief

In February, I conducted a workshop at the Hawaii Women's Business Center. With more than 15 people in attendance, I’m told that it was one of the Center’s best attended workshops. (Excuse me a second while I pat myself on the back.)

When Board president Joann Seery asked if I would be interested in doing a workshop for the Center’s clients, I jumped at the chance to do it. My reasoning was two-fold:

1. I love to teach. It’s something I always wanted to try, and since I became an adjunct professor at Chaminade University, I really think I have found my calling. I consider it a privilege to be able to help others learn so they can apply it to their lives and businesses.

   
   
2. Just as importantly, I saw it as a great opportunity to expand my network.

It took me about two hours to prep for the workshop. I first assisted the center in writing the workshop description, then crafted an outline of what I wanted to cover during the class. I also utilized my BNI 10-minute presentation to practice a portion of what I was going to cover during the class.

On the day of the workshop, I was thrilled to wake up with the starting of laryngitis. OK, so not really thrilled, just challenged.

I opened the workshop with a quick joke about my voice and puberty and begged their indulgence in getting past the raspy and soft volume. Since most had probably had a sore throat or laryngitis in their lifetime, I got their sympathy and was able to connect.

I’m not going to go into the specifics of what was covered during the workshop. Let’s suffice to say that I was able to provide them concrete information that they could use immediately.

As I reflected on whether the workshop was a success, I went back to the two reasons I agreed to do the workshop: 1) love of teaching and imparting knowledge and 2) expanding my network.

I was successful on both counts. Attendees left energized and ready to apply what they learned to their businesses. And I expended my network. How do I know I expanded my network? Simple:

1. I was able to gather cards from most of the attendees. I then sent a “thanks for attending my workshop” note to them.
   
   
2. I have since referred friends and associates to a few of the businesses that were represented at the workshop. I assisted my friends AND I assisted those who were new to my network.
   
   
3. I have received follow up phone calls and emails from attendees who want to sit with me and pick my brain further.
   
   
4. I had briefly met three or four of the attendees on other occasions. Upon meeting them this time, I made a point of saying that we had met, and the circumstances of our meeting. They were impressed that I would remember them.

APPLY THIS TO YOUR NETWORKING EFFORTS

When I take on a new client, one of the first things I tell them they need to do is position themselves as an expert among their target audience(s). There are many ways to do this, and giving speeches and presentations is one of them.

When you are on center stage, everyone in the room is watching you and waiting for your wisdom. Just being in the spotlight gives you credibility and helps others to understand who you are, what you do, and how well you do it.

Most people have trouble with the fact that everyone in the room is watching you. My best advice to that is: practice, practice, practice. The more you know your stuff, the easier it will be for your presentation to flow. You may be nervous, but because you are prepared, no one will ever know.

I’m not going to get into the specifics of how to give a great presentation (I’ll be doing a workshop on it for the HWBC later this year, so watch for it if you want more information), rather, I want to focus on how you can use presentations to expand your network:

1. Be prepared. The only thing worse than not doing a presentation is doing a bad presentation. Make sure you know your topic and your audience so you can make a good impression. Your credibility is on the line. 

   
   
2. Get names. This sounds like a no-brainer, doesn’t it? I wouldn’t have included it except that I was talking to a friend yesterday. She does presentations all the time, and has done them since I met her over 20 years ago. She just realized that she has never collected names and contact information from anyone in any audience. It’s always been catch as catch can, and, honestly, not very effective. She is now in the process of designing a comment card that she will ask everyone in the audience to complete.
   
   
3. Give out your business card. Another no brainer, but you’d be surprised....

   
   
4. Follow up. If someone comes to you at the end of your presentation and wants to talk, schedule a coffee, lunch, drinks, etc. For those whose names you collected, send an email or other communication (I’m partial to handwritten cards myself) to thank them for taking time to attend. If you have a newsletter or e-newsletter or article, ask if they would like to receive it. This will keep you at top of mind.

So, good luck! Get on the stage. Expand your network. You can do it.


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Danielle Lum is the president of NK Design, Inc., a public relations, advertising, and marketing company in Honolulu. A boutique agency, NK Design specializes in assisting small and new businesses to create memorable message strategies and reach potential customers.

Learn more about Danielle and NK Design:

http://nkdesignhawaii.com/
http://www.linkedin.com/in/nkdesign
http://prponderings.blogspot.com/










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U.S., HAWAII: Be The Stage

U.S., HAWAII: The Riddler

By Danielle Lum

Hawaii Bureau Chief

Ask questions. That’s the advice good networkers will give newbies to the networking world. Ask lots of questions and people will think you’re a great networker.

Unless you’re “The Riddler.”

I ran into The Riddler at an event I recently attended. He asked a million questions. What’s your name? What do you do? How long have you been doing that? Who are some of your clients? Do you have children? Where did you go to school? Is this your first ABC event? Do you enjoy what you do? How long have you been in business for yourself? Do you enjoy being in business? How long have you lived in Hawaii?

They were good questions, actually. He would have been doing really well… if he bothered to listen to the answers! He was looking at me, he appeared interested, but it was painfully obvious that he was so busy thinking about his next question that he wasn’t listening to a word I was saying.

But it didn’t stop him from asking additional questions. And more questions. Then even more questions. He asked questions about information I provided in the first five minutes of conversation. After a while it felt like he was going down a previously selected list. All too soon I felt like I was being interrogated. Too many questions!

And as I drove home from the event, I think what bothered me the most about The Riddler wasn’t the constant barrage of questions, but that he was asking for the sake of asking. He wasn’t really interested in the answers.

Missing the point

Networking is about making connections. The easiest way to make a connection is to ask questions. The key is listening to the answer. Because it is only when you listen that you will find a commonality to make the connection.

I’ve seen networking tips that advise you to have a list of questions you can use to start a conversation. But if your whole game plan is to ask questions, though, you’re missing the point.
Instead, you should prepare three or four standard questions you use to break the ice, and then hold your end of a conversation. It may entail asking additional questions, but it might not. The key is to listen and take your cues from what the other person is saying.

I have a friend that I consider a master networker. It seems like he knows everyone in Hawaii. We can’t go to too many places where he doesn’t meet up with someone he knows. I watch him in utter amazement.

Whenever he sees someone he knows, he recalls a special tidbit about the person and asks about it. For example, he knows a woman who loved her red VW Beetle. Whenever he sees her, he asks how “The Love Bug” is treating her. If the person has children, he asks how they are doing. If they participated in an event together, he brings it up in conversation.

The key is that he knows the details of the person’s life because he 1) asks questions and 2) listens carefully to the answers. He’s not just waiting for the person to stop talking so he can talk or ask another question. He is genuinely interested in what the person is sharing. He asks just enough questions to keep the conversation going.

It also doesn’t hurt that he has a great memory that he exercise daily to keep supple and functioning.

Riddle Me This

I’m sure The Riddler went home feeling pretty good about his networking experience. After all, he asked me 20 questions, and the networking guide said that people who ask questions are memorable.

Yeah, I’ll remember him all right. Not the way he intended, I’m sure.

If you can identify with The Riddler, ask yourself what you can do differently next time. How can you use questions to guide a conversation without being the entire conversation?

When you can do that, you will be positively, absolutely memorable.

Danielle Lum is the president of NK Design, Inc., a public relations, advertising, and marketing company in Honolulu. A boutique agency, NK Design specializes in assisting small and new businesses to create memorable message strategies and reach potential customers.

Learn more about Danielle and NK Design:

http://nkdesignhawaii.com/
http://www.linkedin.com/in/nkdesign
http://prponderings.blogspot.com/


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U.S., HAWAII: The Riddler

Promote Yourself Through Captive Audiences

By Danielle Lum

Hawaii Bureau Chief

The economy is hitting many below the belt. A number of my clients have had to tighten up the bottom line and have asked me to fashion public relations plans out of shoestring and no-string budgets.

My goal for clients is usually the same: increase the public profile of the company or individual. How we go about attaining that is different for each client and depends on a number of factors.

So the present dilemma is this: How to increase public profile without spending a lot of money.

It's not a hard question, actually. The answer is one that effective networkers should also be considering and pursuing.

Speaking engagements.

Speaking engagements are wonderful opportunities:

• You can showcase who you are and what you do. You're in the spotlight the whole time.
• You have more than 60 seconds to explain why you are an expert in your field.
• You have more than 60 seconds (usually between 10 - 20 minutes actually) to create a connection.
• You have a captive audience that is hanging on your every word, waiting for you to share nuggets of wisdom
• It's low cost - maybe even free if the organization you're speaking to picks up the cost of your lunch or conference fee

Go. Do. Don't Come Back Undone

The mere mention of public speaking can make even the most confident person break into a cold sweat. In fact, a great majority list public speaking as their number one fear -- ahead of dying.

Don't let this deter you! The benefits of speaking engagement s are limitless and, well, no one has ever died from speaking in public. None that were recorded anyway.

Booking a speaking engagement is often easier said than done. Most organizations won't schedule a speaker unless s/he has something -- information, wisdom, etc. -- to offer their members. And the bigger groups won't book you without knowing that you will do a good job and not bore their members to tears.

So you need to create a track record. First thing you need to do is to figure out the topics about which you can speak. Make a list. Which of those topics can you expound on for 10 minutes? Which of those topics will be exciting and interesting to others? Put those at the top of the list. Look for different and new angles to topics that others have already covered.

Once you have your topics set, make a list of the organizations in your area. Look for organizations that have interests similar to those about which you can speak. For example if you are a massage therapist with an expertise in ergonomics, consider groups whose members are human resource managers or business owners. These people will want to hear you so they can pass the information to their employees. They might even hire you to talk directly to their employees.

Now you have your topics and your target organizations. Make your calls. Sell yourself. Get booked!

Prepare for negative responses. And definitely keep going because someone will want to hear you or give you a chance. Stay positive!

Along the way, practice, practice, practice.

When you think you know your presentation, practice it again. Practice until you feel comfortable and the presentation is second nature to you. Solicit your friends and family to serve as surrogate audience. Ask for their critiques to help you improve.

When you do get a booking - and you will get a booking - remember that the audience is captive. You want to make a good impression and boring them to tears is not the best way. Instead, wow them with your brilliance, your confidence, and your ability to connect.

One last tip

Be sure to bring business cards and a flyer/brochure about your business. I've attended many luncheons where the speaker doesn't leave way to contact him/her after the day is done. Talk about missed opportunities!

Instead, be sure to bring a "leave behind." Something your audience members can take with them to remind themselves about how much they enjoyed listening to you and how much valuable information they learned. And, most of all, give them a way to contact you to book you for something else, purchase your services or your product, or just create a deeper connection with you.

Happy speaking!

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Promote Yourself Through Captive Audiences

When Networking, Don't Be The Mouth

By Danielle Lum

Hawaii Bureau Chief

I was invited to attend a meeting. There were about 15 people there, of which I knew maybe three people. A great networking opportunity ever I've seen one!

The beginning of the meeting was open networking around a tray of sushi, shrimp and chips and dips. In networking fashion I met people, made connections and traded business cards.

I met some very nice people, and enjoyed the give and take of "what do you do?" and "how is your business doing in this economy?"

Enter The Mouth.

We all know The Mouth. You know, the person who won't stop talking about him or herself. How many times have we wanted to run, screaming, in the other direction when we see The Mouth coming? I know I can't count that high.

Anyway, I was in a two-way conversation when The Mouth edged her way into our sphere. We were talking about our businesses and people we knew in comment; there was give and take. She listened to me. I listened to her. It was quite pleasant actually.

It all changed when The Mouth joined us. The conversation switched to The Mouth. What The Mouth does, how great The Mouth is, how The Mouth single-handedly whipped Hawaii's economy into shape. I swear she didn't take a breath long enough for either of us to speak.

I was happy when the meeting got started because I finally had a way to politely excuse myself from The Mouth.

True to form, though, The Mouth dominated the meeting. She told of her experiences, viewpoint, and opinions. It was exhausting, and actually lengthened the meeting by at least 30 minutes. I could see rolling eyes around the meeting table as The Mouth droned on and on.

So today's lesson is simple: Don't Be The Mouth

Networking is about making connections. Finding what you have in common so the next time you see the person you're positively memorable. It means talking, asking questions, and more importantly, listening to the answers. Let the person you're connecting with be part of the conversation. Be a participant in the conversation, not the dominator.

You may be great at what you do, or you might be the expert on the topic of conversation. However, bombarding others with your brilliance at a networking function will earn you The Mouth status. If you really need to make a point or feel your insights or expertise would be valuable for the person with whom you are talking, arrange a follow up meeting or coffee.

You will make a better first impression and you'll get a second chance to make a connection.

I find that the people who leave me with the best impression are those who can hold a balance conversation. They ask as many questions as they answer and talk as much as they listen. It's easy to talk with them. Effortless. Connecting is easy because they make it easy to do so.

The choice is yours. Do you want to be The Mouth or leave a favorable impression.

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When Networking, Don't Be The Mouth

First International Real Estate Blogging Initiative, From PR Web

Blogging Systems Group, Leading Provider of Blogs and Social Networking Technology to the Real Estate Industry Partners to Create the First International Real Estate Blogging Initiative

In a first-of-its-kind approach, Blogging Systems Helps Buy Property In Israel provide real estate blogs, social media lead generation features and MLS-like listing tools to real estate professionals in Israel.

Princeton Junction, NJ (PRWEB) August 23, 2007 -- www.bloggingsystems.com - Blogging Systems Group, the leading provider of blogs and social networking technology, has partnered with Buy Property In Israel (BPII) to offer blogs, social networking and MLS-like tools to the Israel real estate industry.

Blogging Systems, led by founder and CEO Richard Nacht, offers a unique technology platform that includes a variety of blog and social networking tools enabling real estate professionals to communicate directly and personally with customers, prospects, employees, and website visitors.

We are dedicated to helping real estate professionals world-wide realize the potential and power of blogging for lead generation, search engine optimization and community building.

With their new partnership, Buy Property In Israel has exclusive rights to sell Blogging Systems' blogging platforms in Israel to the real estate industry.

BPII is the leading website about all things related to buying property in Israel. BPII helps put buyers around the world directly in touch with Real Estate Agents in Israel.

"Blogging Systems is excited to partner with BPII creating the first push to integrate blogging into overseas real estate," said Nacht. "We are dedicated to helping real estate professionals world-wide realize the potential and power of blogging for lead generation, search engine optimization and community building."

Blogging Systems and BPII are working together to offer the Israel real estate industry the following blogging platforms:

• Single agent blog sites
• Lead capture and listing features
• Enterprise blogs & social networking platforms
• Company blogs
• Intranets

"Blogging Systems' unique blog and social networking technology allows Buy Property In Israel participating real estate professionals to reach out and engage with potential buyers," said Lyle Plocher, Director of Buy Property in Israel. "We are excited to offer agents a platform in which they can create a unique blog, post property listings and generate inquiries from interested buyers."

Interested agents have the exclusive opportunity to be one of the first agents to launch a blog in partnership with Buy Property In Israel. Contact Lyle Plocher at 1+602-373-3725 today.

Others interested in launching a blog for their overseas real estate initiatives outside of Israel, please contact Richard Nacht, at 1+609-203-3300.

About Buy Property in Israel
Buy Property In Israel was conceived and founded by Lyle Plocher, a U.S. Resident and Real Estate Broker. His desire to see people outside of Israel have information about purchasing property in Israel and access to actual Real Estate Listings in Israel was the driving force behind this website. Think of Lyle and Buy Property In Israel as matchmakers putting buyers around the world directly in touch with Real Estate Agents in Israel.

Lyle is the owner and Designated Broker of Urban Connection Realty in Phoenix, Arizona and is also an Associate Broker with Venice Properties in Venice, California. In addition, Lyle has earned the designation of "Certified International Property Specialist" from the National Association of Realtors in the U.S. During Lyle's visits to Israel, he has traveled throughout the country and met personally with many of the Agents whose Listings appear on this site. If you have any questions or comments about the site or about buying property in Israel, those are always welcome. You can reach Lyle by e-mail at lyle(at)buypropertyinisrael.com or by phone at 602 373 3725 in the U.S.

About Blogging Systems
Blogging Systems provides blog and social networking platforms that produce a low-cost, high results tool for Community networking (both offline and on the internet), effective communication and collaboration, competitive marketing, lead generation, sales and customer relations.

Blogging Systems provides turn-key blog and social networks which are the ultimate communication, collaboration and marketing tools. Ours is a "soup to nuts" approach with experienced blog and social networking professionals who guide clients through the process step-by-step. Not only do we provide the most robust blog and social networking platform on the market today, we back it up with training and technical support. Clients receive a turn-key system and the training and knowledge needed to use it as a complete marketing system.

For more information about how to add a blog to your real estate marketing tools, visit: www.BloggingSystems.com or call: 800-985-BLOG (800-985-2564).

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First International Real Estate Blogging Initiative, From PR Web