Then it came time to plan Foursquare Day Las Vegas with the Foodtrucks, I wanted her there and this would be the first conversation via phone that Marianne and I would have, it lasted about an hour.  It was like we where old friends, not like we where just talking for the first time on the phone.   I began telling her how Madeline my 17 year old could not find a job and the next thing I knew Marianne was hiring her. “Go get her a health card and she can work for me”-Marianne

Marianne had never met me in person, just tweeted with me, had no clue what my daughter looked like or anything.  Now my brat is her brat, they our (not that any of us are Hawaiian) Ohana, The Ohana Created by Social Media.  Marianne and Roxy have Dallice and Makenna my other daughters so spoiled with Shaved Ice.

Photo courtesy of  Ryan Shewchuck

Yeah sure, eventually I would of got around maybe to trying @SnOwONOShaveice, but with out Twitter or other social media outlets the Foodtruck Revolution that is spreading like wildfire would not of peaked my interest.  If Marianne would not of been paying attention to her brand #foodtrucks and joined in on the conversation with myself and Jolene from @Sloppijos my interest would not of turned towards her. Seriously, I live in the desert never been to Hawaiian, had no clue what shaved ice was..

Now time for me to go on my rampage!  Shaved Ice is not  and I repeat NOT a Snow cone, it takes time to shave the ice and Marianne is a perfectionist!  Your shaved ice is made to order and made with Love!  So what I am saying is it is so worth the wait.  If you are into instant gratification then I suggest a snow cone, but if you believe that “Good things come to those who wait” then you will value and appreciate your shaved ice the minute it starts it’s dance on your taste buds.

The best way I can describe it, is sticking your tongue out when it is snowing and catching snowflakes with your tongue. (like I would know what that feels like, living in the desert)

I hope you will share this Ohana’s story and get yourself some #ONOlicious shaved ice!

Almost forgot!  If you are one of those that doubt the “Power of Twitter”, ponder on this story for a while…

I have fallen in Love with Cinchcast.com.  Recenlty, I took a podcasting course from VAClassroom I highly recommend it Andrea Kalli was our instructor and she always over delivers!  Hopefully they will release “Podcasting Marketing Success Strategies”  course again soon, so you can enjoy it yourself.  I get distracted so easily, the reason I brought the course up is because Andrea instructed us to create an account at Blog Talk Radio.  After signing up to Blog Talk Radio, I received an invitation to Cinchast.   I created a screen cast to show you why I love using their service and would love for you to join me there.  Cinchcast is powered by Blog Talk Radio.

Click here to view the embedded video.

This is a huge misconception! Assuming that your target audience is not out there in the Twitterverse tweeting, or Facebooking, becoming Fan’s of your competitor’s Fan Pages,  checking in on Foursquare leaving to do’s or tips, or leaving reviews on Yelp.

As a teenager everytime I told my Dad “I ASSumed” he would respond with “When you  assume, you make an ass out of yourself”  Yes this is a bit on the dramatic side even for me, just had to make sure you got my point.

This assumption that your clients are not participating in the social media channels  is a costly assumption.  Do you want to pay the cost?

Go to Twellow, Wefollow, Nearby Tweets, and Local Tweeps, then put in your location and see if your geographical location has an audience on twitter.   So where they there?

I don’t have time to Tweet, blog or Facebook – I am running a business!

Have you heard of  “Outsourcing”?  This is where a social media marketing specialist can be of value to you.   A social media marketing specialist can get your profiles in place, and customize them for you.  Set up a management system for you.  Coach and train you how to use this system.  But above all the most important thing a social media marketing specialist can do for you is help you “Define Your Social Media Marketing Strategy!”

I’ve tried it for a couple months and it doesn’t work – we haven’t seen an increase in customers through our doors since we started tweeting.

My dad also tried to teach me that “Patience is a Virtue”  I still have issues with this lesson, I’m all about instant gratification.  However, I had to get over my instant gratification when it came to participating in social media marketing and you will have to get over yours to.

You will need a long term brand engagement plan so you can connect with your community, share specials, and build your business over the long term.  After, all I am sure it’s not your plan to just try a month or two to  run a successful business.

“Patience is the secret sauce.” – Gary Vaynerchuck

I already advertise in the local paper and radio and that seems to be doing just fine for us.

How much are you spending on advertising in the local paper, purchasing radio ads, or ads in the local Yellow Pages?

Ok, let’s be honest here, do you use your phone book or call 411?  Yeah, I have this friend let me introduce you to him, his name is Google. I go to my friend Google and let my fingers do the walking….

Participating in social media marketing is “Cost Effective” the only expense you’ll incur is choosing to have a social media marketing specialist set your profiles up, train you to use the sites, set up a management system, and coach you by developing a strategic plan of action.

Any more objections?

Let’s review the steps it takes to build a brand and build a community.

1. Sharing
2. Connecting
3. Conversing

If you are looking for instant gratification, you won’t find it with Social Media. Having a long term plan for your social media activities will ignite brand exposure and interest.

Tips on engaging your Fan’s on Facebook.

Consistently share quality and relevant content.

The key to maximizing engagement with your target audience is “Active Participation”.  Yes, you have to show up, if your not there, if your not participating it won’t be effective.

• You must be present, available, supportive, and listening.
• It’s important to respond to comments.
• Engage your fans by asking questions.
• Check your Fan pages wall feed during “High Traffic” times during the day (at this time Facebook does not notify you when a fan makes a post on your wall, hopefully this will change soon).

Offer relevant events on Facebook.   You can create and share events on Facebook by using the “Events” application.  When creating the event take into consideration “SEO” and ask yourself  if  I was searching for an event like this what keywords would I use in my search.

• Once the event is created invite your friends (You can only send 100 invitations  at a time for friends).
• Fan page admins can send an update to fans about the event.
• Send a personal message to key friends in Facebook and encourage them to share the event.
• Post the event link in targeted groups.
• Utilize Facebook Social ads.
• Promote the event in other social networking sites like Twitter, and Linkedin (Linkedin has a great Events Application also).

Leverage Facebook Applications, slowly integrate them in your fan page.  Each page comes standard with: Notes, Events, and Photos.  Here are a few additional ones that are useful for business:

• Static FBML
• Blog RSS Feed Reader
• Networked Blogs
• Youtube Box
• Extended Bio
• Posted Items Pro
• Flash Page

How are you engaging your Fan’s on Facebook?

10 Tips For Promoting Your Facebook Fan Page:

1.  The first thing you will want to do is become a fan of your own page.   So when people come to your personal profile and look at your information they will see the pages you are a fan of.  Plus it’s your creation and your proud of  it.

2.  Upload a picture.  Here you can get very creative you have 200 pixels wide x 600 pixels deep, a vertical header/graphic.  It’s like that great real estate you get when you create a custom Twitter background, so the possibilities are endless.

3. Facebook/Twitter is an application that allows you to link your fan page to Twitter.  Twitter will be updated everytime you post on your fan page.  You have  settings you can choose from:  Status, Photos, Links, Notes, and Events.  This application totally get’s “Link Love”  driving traffic back to your fan page from Twitter when your followers click on your link.  By the way I’d love to Tweet with you on Twitter.

4.  Create a “Welcome” landing page using the Static FBML application (This is my all time fav application, go be a fan).  You can have a video welcoming  them to your fan page and invite them to stay by clicking the “Become a Fan” button.  This application allows you to add your autoresponder html coding so you can give away your “FREE” Ebook or tips to your fans once they subscribe.

5.  Acknowledge your fans by allowing them to interact with you.   When they have this ability they are being engaged, heard,  and know that they are important to you.   In turn, this interaction gives your business more exposure giving you a reach to other potential clients.  You can do this by clicking the “Options” button under the “Share” button on “What’s on your mind”  then you will see three options, choose “Your Page + Fans”:

6.  Share your page with your friends by clicking on the share button on the left side of the page scroll down towards the bottom click share.    A box will come up that says “Post to Profile”  you have the option to type a message or send a message.  When you “Post to Profile” there is a lock icon that gives you choices of who to share with.  Here’s a visual:

7. After sharing your page with “25 Friends” that choose to become a fan, Facebook let’s you have a Vanity URL.  You can get your Vanity Url here.  You can  place your vanity url  in serveral key places:

• You can have it displayed on your personal profile in the information box under your picture.
• Add it to your email and forum signatures.
• Have it printed on your business card.

8. Facebook also gives you tools to promote your fan page with a “Badge” or a “Fan Box”.  With a “Fan Box”  you have 3 options:  Include Stream, Include Fans, Include Facebook Logo that has “Become a Fan’  button.  The “Fan Box” is a way to acknowledge your fans, just sayin…
yourvirtualgirlfriday.com

Promote Your Page Too

9. I love applications, and “Notes” is right up there with “Static FBML”  it allows you to syndicate your blog feed into your notes in Facebook.

10.  Do you send out a newsletter to your list?  Invite them to become a fan, don’t stop there invite them to all your social media homes Twitter, Linkedin, etc…

Did I say 10 tips, well I told a little white lie…..

11.  Wear it “Loud and Proud” place button hotlinks on your website (I hope it is a blogsite preferably a WordPress.org one, if not this is another discussion.)

12.  Keep your content fresh and updated, your Fan Page wants your attention.  Don’t forget that right now Facebook is only #2 to Google you can find this information on Alexa.com and as I’ve said before (broken record I know) Fan Pages are highly indexed in Google and other search engines…. Not to mention the viral effect that occurs when a Fan interacts on your page.  Not only does it show up on your fan page but it may appear on the Fan’s feed.  Introducing you to their friends and possibly the start of a beautiful relationship.

13.  Almost forgot… Share it on other social network sites.  Let’s take Linkedin, on your profile in Linkedin you have 3 spaces to list your websites.  Click edit and select other, in the space that says website title put “Facebook Fan Page” or “Become a Fan”  then put  your link in the next space. (make sure to include http://).

Do you have a suggestion to add to this list?  Remember Sharing is Caring……

Craig Cannings Co-Founder of VAClassroom.com:

“I was recently reading a 2010 Predictions post from one of my favorite blogs, Social Media Today and they were forecasting what trends would take shape in the coming year. Interestingly enough, the 2nd prediction on this blogger’s list was that “The Social Media Specialist position will become mainstream.” In fact, a few months prior, she did a post on the “Responsibilities of the Social Media Specialist (AKA Community Manager)” and she mentioned that this particular post was the most popular one she did all year.

It seems like the writing is officially on the wall: Your Social Media Skills will continue to be in serious demand in 2010! However, like any skill, it is important that it is developed and updated on a consistent basis in order to effectively service your clients’ evolving needs.”

Needless to say, I’m very excited about this prediction.  Vaclassroom.com is rolling out a updated version of their Social Marketing Specialist Program  which I have enrolled in.  In 2010 it is my goal to continue to be “Your Go To Girl For All Your Virtual Needs!”

Eleanor

Your Virtual Girl Friday

Fan pages are one of the hottest pieces of Real Estate online today. Facebook has over 300 million users, did you know over ten million of those users become fans of Facebook pages each day?  Here are five reasons why Facebook Fan pages are such a powerful channel to increase your visibility and raise brand awareness:

Fan Pages facilitate greater interaction with a  target audience.
Facebook Fan Pages are very SEO friendly and highly indexed in  Google.  Having a fan page on Facebook gives your business additional linking oppotunities “Link Love” and viral marketing “referrals”!

Fan Pages allow you to build and connect with an unlimited fan base. With the over ten million users becoming fans of Facebook fan pages each day they are giving you permission to message them and there is no spam folder.

Facebook Applications enable you to now create visually appealing FB landing pages. Have you come across a fan page that gives you the option to sign up for a newsletter, welcome page, or a testimonial page?

Fan Pages are a powerful viral marketing tool. As users interact with your page, this shifts to their walls and news feeds leading to increased exposure!

This has given businesses the desire to create compelling Facebook Fan pages, but either a lack of time or lack of expertise keeps them from creating their fan pages.  If they already have a fan page they may not know how to use their page to unlock the full marketing power.

Recently I finished taking the “Fantastic Facebook Fanpages” course at VAclassroom. In this short mini-course, I was able to obtain the following skills:

- How to design, develop and market your fan page with a user-friendly step by step guide
- How to create visually appealing Facebook landing pages
- Success strategies for leveraging Facebook applications to increase the visibility of your business
- Simple SEO tips for helping your pages get more traffic from the Search Engines
- Practical tips for building a targeted email list with your fan page.

You can take the course if you’d like or if you don’t have time to take a class and just want it done I’m here for you.

Here is my Special going on now until December 31, 2009:

Fantabulous Facebook Fan Page $150.00

Includes:

1. Custom banner using your logo and picture
2. Create a “Welcome” landing page
3. If you have audio or a video this can be added to the Welcome landing page(Video/audio to be provided by you)
4. One additional Landing Page of your choice (Testimonials, Coupons, FAQs, Products, Portfolio Page, etc)
5. Connect to other social media sites ex. Linkedin, Twitter to Fan page and add linkable buttons
6. Email Opt in box for you to capture leads
7. 1 hr training on how to manage your Fan Page, add applications,  and tips to market your page

When you click on the arrow that is pointing down it gives you two  choices

1) “Everyone”

2) “Customize”

When you select customize you can choose which fans you’d like to see your posts based on their country and language. If you are in the United States you can target fans by state or city.

So now as Facebook Page admin you have been ability to target your “Updates” to specific geographic areas.

This application is “Fabulous” for us Fan/Business page Admins on Facebook.  With it we can share our updates with our Tweeps on Twitter.  Facebook has given us the option to decide which updates we share with our  Tweeps “Notes, Links, Photos, Events, or Status Updates”  if your like me you’ll want to share all of them.

Multiple pages, no worries as long as you have a different Twitter account for each of your pages your set!
This new application does not work for our personal profiles.

Benefits:  More Fans, More traffic to your Fan page, More Brand visability, More Followers,  I could go on but I think you get it “Endless Possibilities!”

Your still here? What are you waiting for go to Facebook/Twitter it’s available now!

Look! I have a Tweet Tree for my sweet little Twitter birds. Not to mention that it captures my branded custom Twitter page!

At the click of a tab you can check out all your sites….

Go set up your page and come share your new signature! (After you read the post at Mashable you’ll understand! They just explain it so well).
Tags ; facebook gizapage soc med twitter