And I am off ....
c
For those of you who haven't heard, I have entered a 30 day blogging challenge! The object is to create a blog posting a day for 30 days ... and while doing so, watch my business grow! And .... if I complete the challenge, Connie Green (the challenge creator) will provide me visibility not previously enjoyed! I heard that and there was no way I could say no!
Daily blogging is how I originally added blogging to my business life. In the beginning my blogs simply went to myself - sad, but true! However the "doing" helped me find the style of conversation I wanted for my blog. With my website being information rich and my newsletter serving to "announce" information .. my blog needed to be much more personal. The daily exercise of "doing" got me through that 1st block. No longer would I sit looking at a blank screen for what seemed like hours! What was once difficult became spontaneous, part of my daily routine and fun!
THEN, I got carried away with LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter! My daily blogging took a back seat. I do still write blog postings to complement my weekly e-mailings .. but that has been "it" for a while. That's why I am so happy to enter this challenge. It is time to re-ignite the use of blogging for my business growth!
There are so many exciting things to do with a blog. We totally forget that blogs are also social networks and that they also serve as launching pads to other avenues of success such as article writing. And of course, very shortly blogs will be the main hub of our online presence, replacing the traditional website in that role. A 30 day exercise to develop and make my next level of blogging spontaneous, fun and part of my daily routine is just what the doctor ordered to kick off 2010!
I promise, as always, .. to share all that I learn from this journey with you!
Keep your business growing!
margie
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
4 Pointers For Twitter Business Success
Hello everyone,
By now you have to realize that Twitter is here to stay. And, I am sure most of you have an account on Twitter ... the question is how often do you use it and simply "how" do you use it? Have you had success?
I got on Twitter when it was still pretty much a whisper and have watched it grow and change, sometimes for the good and sometimes for what I thought was bad.
My first success in meeting new people and acquiring new busines came early on.. and then the spammers and advertisers arrived on the scene. Instead of opportunity for interactive connections, to me, Twitter became an information center. I got bored ... has anyone else felt this way on Twitter in the last year or so??
Well things have changed and I am once again totally excited about Twitter. Guess, like all things, it is growing up and finally evolving through "ugly" adolescence into something I feel is great! I have taken a new control of Twitter and started to use "it" instead of it using me! Walking my own talk you might say.
Here are 4 simple steps I implemented to reacquaint myself with the joys of Twitter: (1) I tailor my list of who I follow to "only" those I want to follow. (check out the new list feature - really helpful here ) (2) I make a daily goal to reach out to three new people a day (already in my feed) and leave comments to set the stage for more future interactivity and a true connection. (3) I think about my postings ... what I say and how I present what I say in the 140 character limitation. I try my best to be conversational and speak in terms of the benefits of my business. .. making it fun by relating my activity to fly fishing ( see my recent posting on this under social networking) (4) I am consistent.
There is still nothing like creating a new "real" connection on the internet. Hopefully these 4 pointers will put you in the right direction for the same success.
If you think you would like more guidance and instruction in making Twitter work for you, I have put together a fantastic 1-on-1 hand-holding training that we implement at "your" pace! I guarantee that at the end of it you will own your use of Twitter! It is being offered at a fantastic "roll-out" fee this month only.
Check it out here: http://www.todaysway.net/rollout/1on1twittertraining.htm
Otherwise, make sure you follow me on Twitter at: www.Twitter.com/margiehanson. I can't wait to tweet with you!
As always, please leave your comments and thoughts. What success have you had on Twitter? Have you experienced the numbness with it that I went through? What do you love about Twitter?
Keep your business garden growing,
margie
By now you have to realize that Twitter is here to stay. And, I am sure most of you have an account on Twitter ... the question is how often do you use it and simply "how" do you use it? Have you had success?
I got on Twitter when it was still pretty much a whisper and have watched it grow and change, sometimes for the good and sometimes for what I thought was bad.
My first success in meeting new people and acquiring new busines came early on.. and then the spammers and advertisers arrived on the scene. Instead of opportunity for interactive connections, to me, Twitter became an information center. I got bored ... has anyone else felt this way on Twitter in the last year or so??
Well things have changed and I am once again totally excited about Twitter. Guess, like all things, it is growing up and finally evolving through "ugly" adolescence into something I feel is great! I have taken a new control of Twitter and started to use "it" instead of it using me! Walking my own talk you might say.
Here are 4 simple steps I implemented to reacquaint myself with the joys of Twitter: (1) I tailor my list of who I follow to "only" those I want to follow. (check out the new list feature - really helpful here ) (2) I make a daily goal to reach out to three new people a day (already in my feed) and leave comments to set the stage for more future interactivity and a true connection. (3) I think about my postings ... what I say and how I present what I say in the 140 character limitation. I try my best to be conversational and speak in terms of the benefits of my business. .. making it fun by relating my activity to fly fishing ( see my recent posting on this under social networking) (4) I am consistent.
There is still nothing like creating a new "real" connection on the internet. Hopefully these 4 pointers will put you in the right direction for the same success.
If you think you would like more guidance and instruction in making Twitter work for you, I have put together a fantastic 1-on-1 hand-holding training that we implement at "your" pace! I guarantee that at the end of it you will own your use of Twitter! It is being offered at a fantastic "roll-out" fee this month only.
Check it out here: http://www.todaysway.net/rollout/1on1twittertraining.htm
Otherwise, make sure you follow me on Twitter at: www.Twitter.com/margiehanson. I can't wait to tweet with you!
As always, please leave your comments and thoughts. What success have you had on Twitter? Have you experienced the numbness with it that I went through? What do you love about Twitter?
Keep your business garden growing,
margie
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
The New Facebook Layout - What Do You Think?
Hello all,
So what do you think of the new facebook page? Do you like it? Wish it had never happened?
x
Personally I don't mind it that much. I like the Live Feed but what drives me crazy is that the News Feed ( which I have no use for) seems to always come up by default when you log in or return to your account after a bit of time. DO NOT LIKE THAT AT ALL!
x
Otherwise I like the new suggestions on the right side where you can reconnect with someone you haven't interacted with for a while. Also like the suggesting of friends for new friends or friends who simply do not have many friends ( on facebook :-) )
x
What do you "really" think? Let it all out!!!
x
Keep your business garden growing ...
margie
So what do you think of the new facebook page? Do you like it? Wish it had never happened?
x
Personally I don't mind it that much. I like the Live Feed but what drives me crazy is that the News Feed ( which I have no use for) seems to always come up by default when you log in or return to your account after a bit of time. DO NOT LIKE THAT AT ALL!
x
Otherwise I like the new suggestions on the right side where you can reconnect with someone you haven't interacted with for a while. Also like the suggesting of friends for new friends or friends who simply do not have many friends ( on facebook :-) )
x
What do you "really" think? Let it all out!!!
x
Keep your business garden growing ...
margie
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Six Steps For Going Fishing On Social Networks
Hello all ...
Is social networking a bit confusing for you?
Are you wondering how you make it work?
Are you just not "getting it?"
Well, here's an approach that I hope will be fun, helpful and believe it or not, productive for you! It's my six steps for "Going Fishing" on social networks.
Put a "GONE FISHING" sign on your door and let's catch and cook some fish!!!!
- First we must decide what kind of fish we want to catch?
When social networking:
Who are the people that buy what you offer?
f - Identify the waters the fish you want swim in ... fresh, ocean, stream, lake, etc?
When social networking:
Which social networks do the people who buy from you use the most?
Strictly Business - LinkedIn
Fun & Business - Facebook - Twitter - Plaxo
Maybe they are found on blogs?
Maybe on YouTube? Maybe MySpace?
xd - What kind of hooks/flies will the fish you want bite?
When social networking:
What are your buyers looking for?
What do they crave?
What are your hooks?
What connects you to a buyer?
Break your services/products down into individual "luring bites."
Create a hook per bite.
Create lots of these "bites" .. the more you have, the more prospects you will connect with!
x - What casting methods will place your hooks where the fish you want will bite?
When social networking:
Pay attention to how your "hooks" are presented!
Communicate "with" your readers as if they are right in front of you!
Have a conversation. Engage - Relate - Be With - Share
Speak with .. not at!
x - Reel your fish in!
When social networking:
Sometimes your prospect comes in with one try!
Sometimes you need to "play" with the line a bit.
Whatever you do, don't let it get off the hook!
x - Catch and Cook!
When social networking:
Yes .. . now your prospect can be cooked into a sale. Sometimes it's a one-step cooking procedure. Sometimes you need to cook in stages...
You might "hook" your prospect in Twitter but have to bring them over to Facebook for them to really get to know you. Facebook can sometimes create a more bonding community of fans and friends depending on how one has built out their fan and/or friend base.
So grab your gear.. keep it simple and have some fun!
Put a "Gone Fishing" sign on your desk for at least 30 minutes a day.
Let me know what you catch! Keep me updated by posting comments here!
Keep your business growing ..
margie
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Got Your Blog Up & Running Yet?
Hello all,
Well, do you? Is your blog up and running yet? I hope so, as the time is rapidly arriving when your blog will be the hub of all your online communications. Your website, as you know it today will move to a supporting role.
Let's talk about what it takes to get a blog up and running. I think there are two "most" challenging pieces in the process of creating your blog. One is in creating the style and tone of your conversation within your blog. Two is in having people participate, write comments, ask questions and interact!
Do you agree these two areas are difficult? Do you have other areas of difficulty? What have you found works for you? I'd like to share your input with all.
Per my weekly mailing this week, I feel that the "just do it" approach is the best one for creating the style and tone that will make your blog work. Personally I don't see anyway that one can decide upon a "way" to write! You can begin with a thought .. try it and see what comes out. Then you can tweak and fine tune until you know what you need to do. To me, it is like a puzzle. The blog is one unique piece within the "whole" of your online communications platform. It should not duplicate .. it should enhance, add, and cement the whole of your relationship building.
Getting people to participate, I'm finding, is an ongoing endeavor of patience. I say, you must stay with it. People will read before they start to participate.... am I right- all you readers "only" out there?? One method that does seem to produce results is making a point to comment on other people's blog. Otherwise, keep inviting. Ask, like I am asking now :-) Anyone else have results they would like to share?
Blogs are important, so let's get the issues out. As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts, questions, ideas, and results!!!
If you would like to receive my weekly mailing please go to the side of my blog for the subscription link. I"d love to have you on my mailing list!
Keep your business growing ...
margie
Well, do you? Is your blog up and running yet? I hope so, as the time is rapidly arriving when your blog will be the hub of all your online communications. Your website, as you know it today will move to a supporting role.
Let's talk about what it takes to get a blog up and running. I think there are two "most" challenging pieces in the process of creating your blog. One is in creating the style and tone of your conversation within your blog. Two is in having people participate, write comments, ask questions and interact!
Do you agree these two areas are difficult? Do you have other areas of difficulty? What have you found works for you? I'd like to share your input with all.
Per my weekly mailing this week, I feel that the "just do it" approach is the best one for creating the style and tone that will make your blog work. Personally I don't see anyway that one can decide upon a "way" to write! You can begin with a thought .. try it and see what comes out. Then you can tweak and fine tune until you know what you need to do. To me, it is like a puzzle. The blog is one unique piece within the "whole" of your online communications platform. It should not duplicate .. it should enhance, add, and cement the whole of your relationship building.
Getting people to participate, I'm finding, is an ongoing endeavor of patience. I say, you must stay with it. People will read before they start to participate.... am I right- all you readers "only" out there?? One method that does seem to produce results is making a point to comment on other people's blog. Otherwise, keep inviting. Ask, like I am asking now :-) Anyone else have results they would like to share?
Blogs are important, so let's get the issues out. As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts, questions, ideas, and results!!!
If you would like to receive my weekly mailing please go to the side of my blog for the subscription link. I"d love to have you on my mailing list!
Keep your business growing ...
margie
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Is It Time To Add A "Live" Feed To Your Communications Platform?
Hello all,
Have you ever wanted to add a live feed to your website and/or blog?
You often see them with fianancial news, sports updates, and headline news! BUT, the time is coming where people want to be kept up to the moment on all sorts of subjects!
Make sure you visit http://www.feedzilla.com and in 3 simple steps you can have what you see here at http://www.todaysway.net/livefeed.htm I just put it up quickly on a page, but you can embed it within a page on multiple resources. Check out their site!
Lots of different topics are available. I chose to have a feed on social networking! There are many, many topics. You can even search by keyword. Sizing can also be adjusted.
This is where we are headed everyone! Live feeds are making their statements. What do you think? Will you use one ...if so why and where? Let me know!
Keep your business garden growing ...
margie
Have you ever wanted to add a live feed to your website and/or blog?
You often see them with fianancial news, sports updates, and headline news! BUT, the time is coming where people want to be kept up to the moment on all sorts of subjects!
Make sure you visit http://www.feedzilla.com and in 3 simple steps you can have what you see here at http://www.todaysway.net/livefeed.htm I just put it up quickly on a page, but you can embed it within a page on multiple resources. Check out their site!
Lots of different topics are available. I chose to have a feed on social networking! There are many, many topics. You can even search by keyword. Sizing can also be adjusted.
This is where we are headed everyone! Live feeds are making their statements. What do you think? Will you use one ...if so why and where? Let me know!
Keep your business garden growing ...
margie
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