Social media expert or wannabe? ... or how to spot a fake social media expert.Let me start this piece by saying that I am not a social media “expert”. I use social media for marketing and promoting my business, but It is not a service that I routinely do for people. What frustrates me is people that claim to be experts in helping businesses in social media, but are blatantly not.The more you look around, the more people there are that proport to be “experts” in this area. Why are there … [Read more...] about Social media expert or wannabe?
How to get 1000s of followers on Twitter
How to get 1000s of followers on Twitter So just how to get 1000s of followers on Twitter.. quickly? Well maybe you can't - at least not in the way you are expecting or many spammers will have you believe is possible.One of the ways that smaller (and big) business can attract customers is through social media. Twitter for a variety of reasons has become very popular. A short lesson from history about twitter In the past when we wanted to market we needed mailing lists of thousands or … [Read more...] about How to get 1000s of followers on Twitter
15 reasons I will unfollow you on twitter
Reasons I will unfollow you on twitter Following a post on connecting or more accurately not connecting on LinkedIn a few weeks ago, this prompted me to write a short series on other social networking tools.Please read this in the context of how and why I use Twitter. My/ our context for Twitter For me and the RapidBI team, Twitter is both a marketing and engagement tool. I (RapidBI) use twitter to reach potential customers or website users. My interest in you is as much about what you … [Read more...] about 15 reasons I will unfollow you on twitter
10 reasons I won’t connect to you on LinkedIn
10 reasons why I won't connect to you on LinkedIn Connect to you on LinkedIn - well that depends...LinkedIn has become THE connection and networking tool. It easily allows members (for free) to connect with people they know, share ideas, thoughts and of course look for new employment opportunities.The principle is simple, if you know someone then invite them to connect… it's as simple as that. Or is it? Do people connect to you on LinkedIn, why?When I first joined LinkedIn I would … [Read more...] about 10 reasons I won’t connect to you on LinkedIn
How to use Twitter for great customer service
Social Media & Customer Service Over the past few months I have been (un)fortunate enough to have experienced some very poor customer service in the context of relatively high value purchases. In each case after failing to have the problem acknowledged by the appropriate customer service channel I have put up a direct tweet or two, and the reactions have been curious.From a direct point of view I have had everything from very quick resolution through to being completely ignored. However … [Read more...] about How to use Twitter for great customer service
Learning and OD through Social Media
Can we Learn from Social Media? One thing that amazes me is the lack of acceptance in the Learning and Development world of Social Media. At a conference workshop last year, out of 40 people only three used social media for learning.Sure some organizations are setting up LinkedIn groups, Ning or other groups and forums for people to share ideas, but that is in many ways an extension of networking or action learning that already exists, just migrating to new platforms.Learning through social … [Read more...] about Learning and OD through Social Media
The Perfect Training Room Of The Future – now!
Anatomy of a Training Environment What should be in the training room of the future? Times are changing as should the use and technology within a training room and training venue. But what technologies could be used to create an effective learning environment? While at some high-tech training rooms recently it got me thinking, what would I want in my perfect training room? Let's look at what most training rooms (should) contain:Powerpoint/ data projection Flip-charts Walls to put … [Read more...] about The Perfect Training Room Of The Future – now!
Six reasons why all business need a website
You can start a business easier today than ever, but you must have a corresponding website for your business. Every business big or small should have a website, but those that are smaller will have to take more time and effort to build their presence online. Whether you have just started your business or finally realized that you need a website for your company, there are many benefits that come with having a website.Having a professional website for your business can boost your success at a … [Read more...] about Six reasons why all business need a website
What is a business blog? A marketing tool?
What is a Blog?Lets look at the background behind this technology, so we can understand where it is coming from.Research into the history behind blogs suggests that it was Pyra Labs is the company that adopted the word Blogger, and made the service a big success (now known as Google blogger/ blogspot).The people that were the co-founders of Pyra Labs were Evan Williams and Meg Hourihan. "Pyra" was also the name of the company's first product. It was a web based application … [Read more...] about What is a business blog? A marketing tool?
Twitter as a marketing tool for training courses & events
Using Twitter to market your training event As the training market changes, increasingly more and more trainers are looking to promote their on-line and open courses events, But how do you get people to attend and how do you keep costs down?If you are a member of TrainerBase or Training journal (TJonline), both have the ability to promote your events, however it is doubtful if either can fill a course. Some use paid for services, where a high percentage of the revenue goes to attracting … [Read more...] about Twitter as a marketing tool for training courses & events
Are you credible as a coach or consultant? Are you hiring credible providers?
Why do many people hire a coach or consultant when it seems clear they are not credible? This week I came across a post on Facebook. The post in itself was not unusual or uncommon. But it got me thinking.Do we need people to have any expertise of knowledge to be a coach or consultant? Do we just accept that people delivering training for our employees will just "fly by the seat of their pants" and deliver something? Are purchasers of consulting and training services intelligent … [Read more...] about Are you credible as a coach or consultant? Are you hiring credible providers?
Twitter as a marketing & CRM tool
Twitter: your CRM & marketing channel. It's about more than just followers...Over the past 12 months in my twitter contributions I have often included tips to help those involved in using twitter for their business (marketing). I often get requests to publish a full set - so here is a list of my current thinking about using twitter as a tool for building relationships for future business. In no particular order (other than alphabetical)...Add value - share interesting or useful … [Read more...] about Twitter as a marketing & CRM tool
Twitter as a marketing tool for SMEs
Low cost marketing for smaller businesses on TwitterBudgets are tight, time is short and the emphasis for many businesses is sales, sales, sales. And this is correct - for today... but what about the sales next week, month, year?Gaining sales from existing customers is by far the most effective cost per sale according to much of the research, however gaining access to markets is getting harder. In the UK once upon a time it was easy:2 commercial TV stations Few commercial radio … [Read more...] about Twitter as a marketing tool for SMEs
Why we need to explore all options BEFORE going to social media #hrblog
Social media is great, but some people need to learn to use it to complain as the last resort, not a first resort. This was brought home to me very personally in the last few days. Without knowing it, an individual went on social media and in essence attacked me. An unprovoked attack with no warning. I am not even sure the individual realised what they were doing. I suspect they thought they were attacking a large, faceless organisation. They weren't.How it started A recent comment about … [Read more...] about Why we need to explore all options BEFORE going to social media #hrblog
Trade show tips for exhibitors #cipdLDshow 2 Badges – one person – How to get a very different experience at Trade Shows and Exhibitions
Trade shows and exhibitions are a mainstay in the armoury of sales and marketing teams. They cost a lot of money to rent the booths. To design the stand. To have resources and people for the duration of the event. But are they making the most of the opportunity? Presentation Skills at Trade Shows many exhibition organisers offer training and guidance on standing, greeting and engaging people as they walk around the event. many are still not heeding this advice. At this years event for example … [Read more...] about Trade show tips for exhibitors #cipdLDshow 2 Badges – one person – How to get a very different experience at Trade Shows and Exhibitions
Modern Marketing – You don’t know what you don’t know
The world of business, sales, marketing and communications is changing, the question is are you 'up' with the new strategies or will you be scampering around for the scraps after the main pack have eaten?Use of social media as a part of an organizations marketing and sales strategy should not be overlooked. 10 key questions to ask your senior managers (or yourself)Do you have enough information to decide whether to ignore or engage new technologies? Do you know what your … [Read more...] about Modern Marketing – You don’t know what you don’t know
make-the-most-of-social-media-for-marketing
Make the most of social media for marketing Ok so you are one of those people (like me) that uses social marketing sites as part of your marketing strategy?Is your approached integrated or haphazard? Did you know that you can feed your blog posts to your twitter account or face book etc?You have to be careful about content as each is a slightly different audience, however if you can have more activity with less effort all the better.Tools like Twitterfeed help take your blog … [Read more...] about make-the-most-of-social-media-for-marketing
50 Tips for Using Twitter in Business
50 Tips for Using Twitter as a Marketing ToolTwitter is the communication tool of the moment. In 2008 if you had asked anyone about Twitter they would have thought that you were a bit of a geek - now many people are using it for social, learning and business purposes.Twitter is a powerful way to hear about the 'hear and now' thoughts on a key topic - not just from people you know or follow you - but from anyone interested in the topic - all in 140 character bite sizes pieces.Twitter can … [Read more...] about 50 Tips for Using Twitter in Business
Blogs do they work for you
Web 2.0 and all that it means… blogs, twitter, interaction etc but what does it mean?Humans are social animals, we need to be part of a social group, a hierarchy. With the demise of the extended family, the nuclear family and more and more isolation perhaps it was inevitable that we will need to find a ‘new social group’.It is curious that over the past 15 years membership of voluntary organisations has changed. We no longer go to the ‘clubs’ that we once did to feel part of some … [Read more...] about Blogs do they work for you
A Comprehensive Guide to Common LinkedIn Profile-Building Questions #HRBlog
Many of us have a LinkedIn profile, and there are many common LinkedIn profile-building questions that this article seeks to address. First off, when did you last update your profile? When did you add that MOOC course? - is your profile up to date or stagnant?Networking is the primary way to go about looking for a new job. Spread your net far enough, and you will eventually catch something. LinkedIn is the premiere job networking social media site. It enables users to form “connections” with … [Read more...] about A Comprehensive Guide to Common LinkedIn Profile-Building Questions #HRBlog
