Interactive Conversation Is The Way To Market In 2009

Hello ...

KNOW that in 2009, Social Networking, which includes blogs, networks, local message boards, and anything that exchanges conversation, is here to stay! It is not a fad, not for kids, and not temporary. It is a serious marketing technique that if you don't implement will leave you and your business very far behind.

It is simply marketing via conversation and it is important for you to know that each social network has its own personality and type of conversation. Make sure you check that out before committing yourself to the wrong conversation for your message to be appreciated.

What has happened to make this burst of "being" happen? There are multiple reasons for this "burst" of acceptance. Number one, by my way of thinking, is that social networking is a great diversion, plus it is a great way to expand your circle of prospects and a great way to economically market your business! Add that it is fun.. and you've got your answer!

Do whatever you need to do to become a part of this new world of communicaitons. I do advise that you begin slowly... one network type at a time. You'll see.. it won't take long for you to be able to juggle a bunch of different conversation groups and thus be able to ......

Keep your business garden growing!
margie

Why You Should Be Blogging

Hello all,

I want to know, from those of you who have a blog, how easy it was for you to create your blog and/or get into the writing of the postings. Did you find that once you started the thoughts for the postings came naturally? Please let me know your experiences.

If you do not yet have a blog, tell me what your fears are. What is keeping you from proceeding?

I have found that the old Nike saying, "just do it" takes care of all fear on the internet. Nothing is as complicated as the mind will assume it to be and that INCLUDES blogging. What I tell my beginners is not to do an overkill. By that I mean each entry can be just a single thought, a simple point for discussion. This makes it easier to receive comments and also easier to create multiple postings each week.

What do you think? Tell me all your thoughts, advice, fears .... ?

Keep your business garden growing!
margie

Local Online Advertising

Ok .. welcome to all my weekly "Keep Your Garden Growing" mailing readers! I hope you have come with lots of comments, opinions and input from our mailing this week.

We're talking about local online advertising. Does it work? Should you do it?

I say "yes!" One thing I know is that people do not go to the yellow pages like they used to for finding a plumber, a hair cutter, a dry cleaner, etc. They go online. They also go online for local professional services such as an attorneys, insurance agents, etc.

I believe that every local business should have at a minimum some kind of online listing. Most of the local online advertisers in my mailing were free. At least get yourself listed with those.

Also, if you have some type of local listing you can get by without a website ( not as well as if you had a website, but you can get by). So, expense should not be a factor.

Times are changing. Local businesses need to be on the internet! What say you???

I Love Twitter .. BUT Am I Missing Somthing?

Good Morning All!

It is January 5, 2009 ... the first official work day of the new year! Hope you are off and running with wonder in your eyes and excitement in your hearts!

My thoughts this morning lie around what I believe is the "HOT" resource for all to be using in 2009 ... and that resource is Twitter. If you are not on it yet, get on it. My weekly mailing will address more about this with details on how to start if you are not already using Twitter. If you are not on my weekly mailing list go to the side of my blog to the subscribe links.

This blog posting is about the way people use Twitter. I am discovering as my connections increase that some of the internet gurus are "constantly" sending out tweets. I will receive up to 10 or more in a row from the same people. Often they are replies to specific people, but their tweets are beginning to annoy me!

Now I am well aware that I can block this sort of activity, but some of the senders have some value that I am not ready to totally eliminate. How does one deal with this? I am open to input...

What are your thoughts ... experience? Is blocking the only way to go here?? Am I wrong in my reaction? Should I value this aspect of Twitter as well? Am I missing something about Twitter and how to get the conversations going?

I am anxious to hear from you!

Keep your business garden growing ...
margie

Happy New Year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Here's to 2009 ... may it be a communications wonder ...
where we learn, expand, earn and achieve!

Keep your business growing ....
margie

Saying Good By To 2008! What A Year It Has Been

Happy New Year to all!

What a year it has been for on-line communications! Facebook took off, as well as many other social networks ... but also we have seen the birth and rapid growth spurt of Twitter! We have seen everyone get involved in social networking, large corporations as well as solo-preneurs. There seems to be a coming together from all levels that good business is good communications! Relationships count. Trust and loyalty go hand in hand. All and all ... as we have crossed all global barriers, we have become more one-on-one as in days of old. Amazing!

Keep all of this in mind as you cross into 2009. Make sure you grab from it all what works for you. What will keep your communications on track and still benefit from all the resources that are around you. Remember that it isn't what you use, but how you use it. Your success is still a function of what you bring to the table, not what kind of table you use.

I look forward to new adventures on-line that I am sure await us in 2009! I will certainly continue to explore and share with all of you...

Keep your business garden growing!
margie