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‘new media’ Category

  1. Engaged, content & shouting from the rooftops

    February 14, 2011 by Lesley

    Today is Valentines Day and partnerships are being created, celebrated and strengthened by acts of love, gifts, messages and more.

    I have been thinking about the values we put on relationships.  A marriage for example  brings happiness and stability to individuals, to families and to communities. But marriage, like anything else needs good care and maintenance if it is to last.

    In many places today some 40% or more of all marriages end in divorce. Is this because marriage is out of date? Could it be perhaps that marriages fail because the arrangement itself is faulty?

    A marriage deserves priority and only by sharing can people grow together.  A person who is primarily concerned with what he or she is getting from the marriage will never be truly happy, even if that individual remarries several times. In all honesty I think a marriage works only when each partner focuses more on giving than receiving.  As we grow our needs change,  to be able to adapt and to understand what our partner needs, feels or wants, is fundamental to a sustainable relationship.

    Why should relationships in business be any different?

    A person who feels they aren’t valued or important may move on, have an affair or file for divorce. They will probably confide in their closest friends and tell others of their bad experience.

    Online and social media give us the opportunity to learn what our customers prefer and want, and we are able to have conversations with them. By talking to them and asking questions we are taking an interest in them. They feel valued, important and involved.

    Rather than blasting marketing messages at them, and acting in a ‘controlling’ way, find out what they want and prefer to read and see. Work at the relationship, invest time in understanding your audience.

    A bit like a square peg in a round hole, old school marketing techniques don’t fit in a social space. Try not to see the likes of Twitter and Facebook as just another marketing tool, but as a way of getting to know your audience, serving your customers and developing customer loyalty.

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    Category B2C, Customer Service, Small Business, Social Media, Social Networking, new media | Tags: | 6 Comments

  2. The 6 Week Challenge

    September 6, 2010 by Lesley

    I am running some more 6 week Social Media courses.

    Why 6 weeks you ask.

    Ok, well this is not just about learning which buttons to press and how to link Twitter to your website or blog.

    This is about connecting, relationship building and trust.

    For those people who do not sit for the majority of their time in front of a pc, have the latest smart phone or tablet, then the online world can be a litle hard to navigate.

    If all you have done is ‘sell at’ and you don’t quite get the concept of ‘connecting with’ and relationship selling, then this course is designed for you.

    I started connecting and networking online in 1996. This was not work related. It doesn’t need to be. It is all about becoming known, liked and respected. Business comes second.

    I go out of my way to help and support others. I know that relationship building is at the heart of Social Media.

    During my course I help others to connect with the right sort of people, people with whom they can converse and build trust. Explaining the true meaning of advocacy and reciprocation,we look at what you can give and not what you can take.

    It works for me, and thousands of others.

    Come and learn which buttons to press, how to link your networks, what applications do what…..

    …….but more importantly……

    …..come and learn how to connect with meaning on the Social Web and begin an amazing journey and form the first of many relationships founded on trust and openness.

    A small and interactive group with lots to learn and even more to discuss…….

    ……I will even refund you your money if you don’t think it was worth it.

    I am confident this course will change the way you do business, for ever.

    6 week Social Media Course - click - for further details and how to book

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    Category B2B, Small Business, Social Media, Social Networking, new media | Tags: ,,,,,, | 16 Comments

  3. What I enjoy the most about my Job

    August 7, 2010 by Lesley

    I am so grateful for the advancement in technology. Without this I would not get the kind of job satisaction that I do.

    I have always been a ‘service’ – providing support in one way or another to small businesses. Sales support, telemarketing, virtual assistance…..and now I help with Internet technology and new Media.

    Today is no exception, I am helping some local people understand Twitter. For those of you who are Internet savvy, and spend vast amounts surfing the Web you may wonder why training is necessary. But remember, we are not all the same.

    Helping others make the best use of these tools is very rewarding.

    I come across businesses and individuals who start out with a Twitter account and who have no real idea of what this versatile tool can help them achieve.

    Many do not appreciate the new way we can now ‘do business’ – shifting the emphasis from ‘selling at’ to ‘connecting with’ and as a result often experience bad or no results for the effort and time they put in. These people then become disillusioned and in some cases ‘unfollowed’ because of the way they present themselves online.

    If a few hours with me saves them hours on end of wasted time, then to train is a sound investment.

    I still find that for many paying for training is viewed as some sort of ‘con’. After all these new Media tools are free to download and to use. There are people out there offering training for huge amounts of money – to me the amount charged is often the ‘con’.

    The social web is about connecting and sharing, and not about how much money you can make from people’s inexperience or lack of knowlege. A contact of mine on Twitter remarked the other day that he had been offered Twitter training for £1000. It was a huge shock to me that this sort of figure could be quoted, or indeed expected.

    It is behaviour and reactions that I teach, not ‘rocket science’.

    Be wary of those that charge huge amounts of money – it isn’t necessary at all.

    So how do I make a living if I do not charge ‘consultancy’ rates?

    I provide insight and help and when I do a good job I am recommended.

    Doing a great job means I am recommended over and over again.

    What do you think?

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    Category Small Business, Social Media, new media | Tags: ,,, | 21 Comments

  4. There’s no excuse

    August 4, 2010 by Lesley

    What is the best thing you could buy to help you and your business? I started thinking about this, and no matter which way I thought it always came back to ‘mobile technology’ .

    In such a busy world, where we are usually stretched beyond our limit, people often say they haven’t got time to blog, to Tweet, to network online.

    New technology allows us to do this on the ‘go’. I can update my Facebook whilst queuing at the supermarket checkout, I can read and respond to LinkedIn messages, update and converse on Twitter, check in on Foursquare and I can even write a blog.

    Once upon a time we had to be in the office just to make a phone call – I can remember those days!

    Mobile technology not only allows us to keep up to date with friends and colleagues and up to date with appoinments, it also allows us to be spontaneous. A photo can be uploaded to Facebook or Twitter in a flash, an idea for a blog can become a published article in a few moments. We can see who is where as we check in with Fourquare. I really don’t need to list everything…..I could be here all day.

    So, when people say they don’t have time, I say they have and they will.

    What is your most valued piece of technology, and why?

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    Category B2B, Small Business, Social Media, Social Networking, new media | Tags: , | 17 Comments

  5. Growing Up with Social Media

    July 29, 2010 by Lesley

    If you are a small business and already engaging with Social Media, perhaps with Twitter and  Facebook, you have established an online presence. But, have you considered developing and maturing your strategy further?

    mulimediaMulitimedia

    As well as being a great way to show case your products or services, multimedia use can also help humanise your business more. You can illustrate your company culture by including photos and video of company events, even staff events. Video is a great tool for showing ‘how to’ for example and can sometimes be far more effective than the written word and have more impact. Multimedia can make your company seem more friendly, it can show you care about your staff as well as being a great way to help the consumer.

    integrate online and offline communication

    Integrate Online & Offline Communications

    If you do some form of offline advertising then include details of your Facebook Page or your blog url. This way you are inviting customers to check out your community, which will help build trust. Consumers may join your community and get a feel for the type of company you are, which will help convert sales in the future.


    spread your message

    Spread your Message

    Do you say the same things on Twitter as you do on Facebook? Adapt your messages and keep them suitable to each social media platform. Not only will this attract interaction from a broader audience, it avoids sending out duplicate information to your community. I have seen the same message posted on Twitter and on Facebook over and over again, and if users are registered on both platforms they are simply getting duplicate messages. Work out what will work where.


    Local Online Directories

    Local – Online Directories & beyond

    Local businesses can keep visible by including themselves in local business directories. finding these directories can be difficult. Check some local companies, even some of your competitors and see where they are listed to give you an idea of where you need to be. Dont forget to use Google maps using Google Places help for small businesses. This may be the first contact a customer has with you, so ensure all your information is up to date and update regularly to include any new products or services. You would be amazed at the number of companies who move premises, change their fax or phone number and forget to update their listings.

    Register and claim your business on such platforms as Fourquare - great if your business is public facing. You can reward regular customers with deals, special offers, even ‘freebies’. The buzz around Foursquare is increasing by the day and consumers love the competition element which acts as a magnet for cutomers to visit you again and again.Location based applications encourage the user to leave a tip ( what things are available at a venue for example, or what facilities are there), others encourage you to rate the venue or leave a comment. Create a conversation around your business.


    Competitions, Contests & Special Offers

    The true value of a Social Media is to build a community around you. You can use your community to drive sales, assist your marketing efforts and crowdsource. You can create some buzz by introducing some kind of competition or offer an exclusive discount. This will encourage competition between members of your community. Try to include customer participation in a competition through writing articles for example, this can help the message go viral. Reward members of your community with discounts or exlusive deals. This demonstrates you care about them, value them and by rewarding them you show you are a great company to buy from and engage with.

    What ways have you used to develop your community? What would work for you as a consumer? Please leave your comments below, I’d love to hear your story.

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    Category B2B, B2C, Customer Service, Small Business, Social Media, new media | Tags: ,,,, | 33 Comments

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