I want To Be Your Social Media Consultant

Social media strategist, Internet marketer, social media guru, social media ninja / expert / rockstar and the names keep coming and coming.  Is it just me or are more and more social media voices now the equivalent of a digital Amway Salesperson?  It seems as if anyone with an Internet connection is now an “expert”.

Well as we all know…not everyone is an expert and the waters for solid and valuable content are beginning to get cloudy.  It’s a shame too, because so many folks have good information and stories to share…unfortunately it’s the cheeseballs that seem to yell the loudest.  Not because they have good information but because there are so damn many of them.

So how to you know if your social media “expert” is in fact selling you snake oil?  Many have masked themselves quite well.  Kinda like the Terminator where they look human, but when you peel the layers back it’s just an empty robot.

Here’s some things that should be setting off the bull sh*t meter.

They Name Themselves “Experts”

An expert is such a rare bird.  Just because I know more about a subject than you doesn’t make me an expert on it.  I probably know more about the St. Louis Rams and Saved By The Bell Trivia than you, but I don’t walk around claiming to be an expert on those subjects.

According to Malcolm Gladwell’s book, Outliers, it takes at least 10,000 hours before one can master a subject.  Last time I checked none of us have been spending 10,000 hours diving into social media (although sometimes it feels like it).

The only time I want to hear that someone is an expert is when a reputable source is calling them that…not when it’s on their business card.

They Double As A Life-coach

This is really a shame, because I’ve actually met some really talented life coaches who get amazing results with their clients.  But never have these talented life coaches also doubled as social media gurus.  I’m not saying it can’t be done…but many of the rats claim to coach lives.  Be weary.

They Speak About Social Media As A System

Social Media is not a system.  That’s a ridiculous statement to make, much less base consulting and strategy on it.  Social Media is not a  Tae Bo workout.  It’s not a video series that if I put in and follow today I can get the same results if I put it in and follow ten years from now.

Only talk About How’s And Never Why

There are certain social media tools that are pretty standard.  Twitter, Facebook Pages, Blogs, ect and each of these tools have a pretty standard ways to set them up.  But they should be used as an individual process.

I’ve written about How to Get Followers On Twitter because it is important.  But equally as important as getting followers is why you want them in the first place.  I constantly try to focus on the “why”.  The how is easy, anything can be manipulated.  But that never moves the “why” you should want to.

100,000 random twitter followers offer me absolutely nothing.  Focus on goals and strategy.  The “How” always develops from the “Why” first.

Everything Is About Automation

This ties exactly to the social media “system”.  Some aspects of social media or any marketing channel can be automated.  But the biggest advantage of social media is the dialogue and engagement you’re creating.  If you only focus on automating everything you’re doing oline…you’ve completely missed the point of why you’re marketing in this space.

The Numbers Don’t Match

Having 40,000 Followers on Twitter is a lot!  But it can always easily be recreated over time with any of your accounts.  The only reason you should ever want a follower on Twitter is the hope of future engagement.

If your followers aren’t clicking on your links, replying back to questions, and engaging in your content then who cares if you have 1 million followers.  Before you buy an ebook about how to get Twitter Followers, make sure they talk about targeted and engaged followers.

I recently watched a video of an avid video blogger who is selling Twitter ebooks.  I was the 58^th view of that video in over a month.  Don’t buy content from people who can’t convert their own numbers.  If you have 40,000 Twitter followers, I would expect if those followers are interested in you…you should have more than 58 views / month.

They NEVER Actually Say ANYTHING

I’ve sat through countless webinars, Live Ustream feeds, YouTube Videos, because I am always trying to learn.  Not learn a new “system”, but always trying to challenge my thought process and maybe change the way I perceive a topic or think about my approach.  Unfortunately, a good sized chunk of these video conferences never really teach me anything because they won’t stop talking about themselves.

I get that you need to be personable and if that means you yuck it up on YouTube, great.  But at some point you need to actually offer some knowledge.

Affliction or Ed Hardy T-shirts

This is kinda silly, but is it just me or do these people not own a button down shirt without a giant cross or fleurdelis in rhinestones on it?  I know it somehow proves in their mind that they’re rebelling against the traditional system.  But the only thing they’re rebelling against is style.

Trust Your Gut

Within a few minutes of a Webcast or Webinar, if you begin to get a slimey feel to the situation then close it down.  Trust your gut.  The one if any gem of knowledge they’ll share with you can easily be found somewhere else online.

Be careful out there folks.  The social media fort has been overrun by the masses focused on a quick buck from you.  I’m not judging anyone selling content online because I have purchased some valauble stuff.  But try to support the good folks who are honest with their intentions.

As long as you understand that social media is an arm of the bigger marketing picture you’ll be in good shape.  I hope that this blog and others like it become a bomb shelter of knowledge for you.  Because the war for your attention is underway.

This is DAY 11 of my “28 Day Blogging Challenge“

Get the Real Time Marketer Directly to Your RSS HERE

Scott S. Bishop is editor for Real Time Marketer and a marketing strategist with a specialty in social media.  He is an avid blogger and active across the net.  He is @thescottbishop on Twitter

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How To Get Followers On Twitter

How to get followers on Twitter is a mad science.  Like it or not, if you’ve chosen Twitter to market yourself or your brand, you’re going to need to learn how to get followers.

Is there an exact science how to get followers on Twitter?  Yes.  And No.

There are certainly steps you can take to get followers on Twitter, but understand that knowing how to get followers on Twitter and actually achieving that goal are two different things.  It takes some time and energy to achieve your goals.  Twitter is not a quick fix and success does not happen overnight.

Your focus should be on Targeted followers, not numbers.  Buying an ebook or “system” to get thousands of followers on Twitter is a complete waste of your money.  Even if they work, the only followers you’re attracting are others who bought the same ebook or “system” and now you’ve got thousands of followers who have zero interest in you, zero interest in your company, and offer you absolutely nothing.

Your top focus for getting followers on Twitter should be attracting targeted folks who value your content, and engage with you.  If you don’t have that…there is no reason to be on Twitter and you should spend your time elsewhere.

Have a Consistent Voice

Having a consistent voice is the most basic and  best advice I can offer any brand or individual about Twitter.  Decide what your voice is going to be, and stay on target.  If you’re a brand on Twitter, this is pretty easy.  You’re going to be tweeting about your products, business, and industry.  But if you’re on Twitter as you, a personal brand, it’s not so cut and dry.  Decide what goals you want to accomplish.

For example, I was active on Twitter long before I had this blog as a platform for my voice.  My goal on Twitter was clear…I was going to be someone known for offering great marketing and social media content.  So each day I tweeted the articles I felt were solid and was currently reading.  After a while, you begin to be trusted as a source for information and a go-to for which ever particular niche you decide to focus on.

This doesn’t mean that you can’t tweet information about other interests or add some personality.  Absolutely tweet what you find interesting, but you need an overall arching theme to your profile.  It can be anything you choose, just make sure you’re consistent.

Be Active

If you’re going to be on Twitter, your profile must be active.  This means you are tweeting everyday.  If you’re scared about being tethered to a computer all day long, don’t be.  You can send a Tweet from any cell phone by using the SMS text function.  Twitter is about communication and engagement.  If you’re not active, you don’t offer any value.  If you make the decision to be on Twitter, commit to being an active valuable member.

Be Local

Being local on Twitter is important.  Have your city on your profile as where you are tweeting from.  Don’t have geo-location numbers, have an actual physical place.  When I look to see who is following me, I’m more likely to follow back those from my location.  If you live in a suburb, select the larger city for your profile.  Being local also gives you a sense of community.  Tweet about what’s happening in your city, and follow others that are local.

Some cities tweet more than others, here’s a list of the top Twitter cities.

Engage With Others

Give people a reason to follow you.  If you’re only pushing content and not engaging and creating a dialogue, you’re not creating value.  Engage, connect, discuss.

Submit Yourself to Directories

It’s a quick and easy way to have your profile become associated with specific locations or topics.  It doesn’t take long and it certainly can’t hurt to be listed.

• Twellow
• We Follow
• Geo Follow
• Just Tweet It
• Twitterhollic

Follow Others with Similar Interests

Use #hashtags to find others that are tweeting similar content, but use them sparingly.  You can also look at lists you or others are on to find folks that may be tweeting valuable content you’ll find interesting.  Follow some of these folks, and if you’re adding value, many will follow you back.  Again, use common sense when following people.    Twitter has rules about how many folks you can follow at one time…and it just looks bad when if you’re following 2000 people and 145 and following you back.  Choose targeted folks to follow.

Work With Me

I hate to slip in the self promotion, but the reality is that many business owners simply don’t have the time to be active and focused on Twitter.  I’ve helped get new brands up and running on Twitter with targeted followers.  If you simply don’t have the time to do it yourself…let’s chat.  And of course, if you’re not currently following me on Twitter…lets connect.

This is DAY 6 of my “28 Day Blogging Challenge“

Get the Real Time Marketer Directly to Your RSS HERE

Scott S. Bishop is editor for Real Time Marketer and a marketing strategist with a specialty in social media.  He is an avid blogger and active across the net.  He is @thescottbishop on Twitter

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foursquare marketing

Foursquare, the location based social game, recently announced that users can now check in anywhere in the world.  So how and why should your businesses take advantage?

If you’re unfamiliar with Foursquare, you can read about it HERE

Marketing using Foursquare is beneficial because although a small user base, they are loyal.  It also takes up almost no time, so the ROI can be high.  Foursquare marketing is most appropriate for brick and mortar businesses (people physically walk into your store to make purchases), but anyone can be taking advantage of Foursquare.  Here’s how:

1.   Add Your Business

If you’re located in a large city your business may have already have been listed.  If it’s not…simply add it to the network by clicking “Add This Place”.  You’ll need to fill out basic info like address and phone number.  Be sure to fill out and complete the entire form.  You’ll want to give users as much information as possible.   (If someone else has already added your business, make sure all of the information is correct and complete)

2.  Add Friends

Like any social network, you need people to communicate with.  Foursquare makes it easy to add your current contacts in your Gmail, Facebook, and Twitter accounts.  Although you should try all three avenues, the majority of your friends will come from Twitter followers because that will most likely be the highest % of folks using Foursquare.  Don’t be surprised if you only have a few friends, Foursquare is still in its infancy.  If you only have locations in one city, you may only want friends who live in that particular city.  A few people from outside your location may travel, but I recommend marketing to folks who can buy now.

You can add me HERE

3.  Get Active

Check in to your work each day.  This will let all of your friends know where you work, and also allows your business to remain fresh in their minds.  Along with checking in, add “Shouts” (profile updates) that are relevant to what’s going on.  Do you have events coming up?  Any promotions you’re pushing?

As you check in to your own workspace, make sure you check into other locations as well.  No one will appreciate it if you’re only on the network to only promote yourself.  Checking into other locations is also a great way to see what other businesses are doing and how their utilizing the network.

4.  Add Tips

On each location you check into, you’re allowed to add “tips”.  Be sure you add specials and promotions that are going on.  You can also add tips for ways to find easy parking around your business, website promotions, if you deliver, anything that you think users may find useful.

5.  Reward Those Who Check In

You should be rewarding Foursquare users who check into your business.  Sign up your business to advertise with Foursquare HERE.

Because you will be checking into your business each day, you’re likely to be the mayor fairly quickly.  So cater your promotions to anyone who checks in, not only being a mayor.

6.  Spread the Word

Link your Foursquare account to both your Twitter and Facebook accounts.  This will allow you to notify all 3 networks that you’re active on Foursquare, but also attach a “Shout” and let your networks know what specials you’re running.  Like any other social media marketing strategy, utilize all of your networks to spread the word.

7.  Outside The Box  / Events

As more Foursquare users begin to use the network in your city…get creative and have a little fun with it.  Announce specials that can only be seen in the “tips” portion of your profile.  Hold events for Foursquare users so they can all check in to your business.  Anything to show a little creativity.

Foursquare is in its infancy, and I am a proponent of not overwhelming yourself with network overload.  But these actions should take no more than 10 minutes to set up, and about 45 seconds to check in each day.  Because of the little time commitment, it is my opinion that the ROI is worth it.

Get the Real Time Marketer Directly to Your RSS HERE

Scott S. Bishop is editor for Real Time Marketer and a marketing strategist with a specialty in social media.  He is an avid blogger and active across the net.  He is @thescottbishop on Twitter

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