Welcome to episode #2 of The Big Business Show! If you missed Doug Watson of Lab Four sharing some awesome social media marketing tips in episode #1, be sure to get caught up. You can also watch other videos I’ve uploaded on the Big Business Show’s Vimeo Channel.

Today, I’m highlighting a good friend of mine, Amy Howell. She is the owner and founder of Howell Marketing Solutions based in Memphis, TN. What I love about Amy is her business wit and social smarts. This lady really knows how to maximize social media for her business and her clients. In this interview you’ll learn;

• The importance of relationships in marketing,
• What social media is really all about,
• Her top social media tools and why they’re important to her business,
• How to maximize social media for your business,
• and more!

It’s only 2:45 long but I guarantee she’ll teach you a thing or two! When you’re done watching it share your social story in the comments below. How are you maximizing social media to market your business? What are your best practices, tips, or advice? Share it below and let’s add some fuel to this social fire!

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Rod Kirby helps entrepreneurs, small business owners, and organizations take advantage of social media marketing and new media through his company, Kirby Enterprises. Follow Rod on Twitter here.

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Note: Some of the ideas in this post originate from my newsletter, “4 Ways to Extend Your Brand – the Web 3.0 Way.” It includes some of the tools mentioned plus a few others that you might find useful.

According to Mashable, “Morgan Stanley’s [data] analysts believe that, based on the current rate of change and adoption, the mobile web will be bigger than desktop Internet use by 2015.”

Is your blog ready for the mobile revolution?

If not, now is the time to ensure visitors can get your content from their mobile devices. Below, I’ve outlined a few tools, plugins, and services that can help you in “mobilizing” your blog or website.

WordPress Blogs

WordPress consistently impresses me with the sheer amount of functionality you can unlock in your blog through plugins. There are numerous plugins that can easily create a mobile version of your blog, but I want to share with you three of my favorites.

WordPress Mobile Edition – The WordPress Mobile Edition plugin is my favorite for turning your blog into a sleek and sexy mobile version. Even with a blog as complex as mine it breaks it down into posts, pages, and renders it all beautifully.

WPTouch – This plugin makes your blog function like a mobile app more so than just a mobile version. WPtouch features ajax article loading and effects that gives it that native app feeling.

PadPressed (Aff link) – Make it easy for iPad owners to navigate your blog with Padpressed. This premium plugin generates an iPad friendly version of your WordPress blog with swipe gestures, touch navigation, and more. Best of all it’s super easy to install with no coding required. Simply upload the plugin to your WordPress plugin directory, activate it, tweak a few settings, and you’re good to go!

Watch this video to see just how awesome your site could look on an iPad.

Make Other Blogs and Websites Mobile

I know that I tout WordPress a lot, but I do understand that it’s not the only blogging platform out there. Many of you use Blogger, Typad, and a myriad of other blogging platforms. Here are a few tools that should help you take your blog mobile.

• Mobify – Mobify is a web service that optimizes websites and blogs for mobile access. You’ll need a little working knowledge of CSS to get your mobile site looking just the way you want it, but at least the basic version is free. You also get a custom mobile domain name and can pay for more advance features as your needs grow.
• Mofuse – Similar to Mobify, this service offers iPhone app creation as well as mobile versions of your site. They also make it easy to design your mobile site with a WYSIWYG editor – no coding necessary.
• IMT – If your blog uses the movable type platform then there’s good news for you! This plugin will create a mobile version of your site for iPhone and Android visitors! Best of all, it’s free.

Other Tips

• Submit Your Blog to the Amazon Kindle Store – Did you know you could submit your blog into Amazon’s Kindle store? You sure can! Simply add your RSS feed to Amazon’s web service, make your blog free or charge a fee, preview it, and upload it to the Kindle store!
• Create a Mobile App with iSites – Why not skip making a mobile version of your blog and just create an app for a specific platform? iSites is an online app builder for iPhone and Android devices that takes the technicality out of building apps. There are fees associated with the service, but the value of it can’t be beat.
• Create a Mobile Shortcut for Blackberry Devices with BBLauncher – Ever download an app from Blackberry App World only to find out it directs you to a website instead? This is exactly what this service does. My advice; use any of the tools mentioned in this article to generate a mobile version of your blog and use this service to direct your readers to it.

We live in a predominantly mobile society and as time goes on, your readers will expect you to keep up with the times. I’ve got goals to create mobile apps for The Success Center by the end of the year so stay tuned. Did I miss anything? What tools, tips, or services do YOU use to make your blog or website mobile? Sound off in the comments below.

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About The Author

Rod Kirby helps entrepreneurs, small business owners, and organizations take advantage of social media marketing and new media through his company, Kirby Enterprises. Follow Rod on Twitter here.

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Last Friday I went to the Memphis Business Journal’s “Grow Your Business Expo” and had an opportunity to chat with Doug Watson. Doug was one of 2 keynote speakers for the day presenting on social media for business. In this clip Doug shares some valuable tips on maximizing it for business.

It was a really great interview and I’m super glad (phrase of the day kids) that I met him and had a chance to talk with him. If you’re ever in the Memphis area and you need some career or corporate training, Doug and the Lab Four team can definitely help you.

Enjoy the video. Run-time is only 3:46 but it’s jam-packed with power tips to help you maximize social media for your business. When you’re done let me know what your top social media marketing do’s and don’ts are in the comments below!

Having trouble watching this video? Click here! Check out The Big Business Show’s Vimeo Channel too!

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About The Author

Rod Kirby helps entrepreneurs, small business owners, and organizations take advantage of social media marketing and new media through his company, Kirby Enterprises. Follow Rod on Twitter here.

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If you followed along with the Social Media Marketing Success Series (links to the recap post) last week then you know that the final and most important part of social media marketing is asking for the sale.

Well, I believe I’ve put together an awesome service that will solve a lot of your social media marketing problems and I’m asking for your business. This package deal was put together for groups, organizations, bloggers, entrepreneurs, small business owners who are not maximizing social media for their business.

If you’ve already got a blog and are maximizing social media for your business, then you might give my success coaching or other services a try. I guarantee I can help you take your business, brand, or blog to the next level. Watch the video below and you’ll find the details of the package after it.

Note: Seems as though Vimeo doesn’t like my webcam at all so there are a few audio sync issues. My apologies, I’m working with tech support to see what quality of video I need to upload in the future. Thank you for your patience.

Having trouble viewing this video? Watch it on Vimeo instead!

Social Media for Business Launch Package

Need an “all-in-one” solution to maximizing social media marketing for your business? This package includes a new brand identity, web presence, and content creation to launch you into social media marketing success!

• Custom Logo Design
• Business Card Design (Print options offered once design is complete.)
• Domain Name
• Web Hosting
• WordPress Blog Installation & Set-up (includes plugins, social buttons, and more!)
• Customized Facebook Fan Page
• Customized Twitter Background
• Customized Email Newsletter Template
• 1 Month of Success Coaching Services (1 session per week – You’ll learn the ins and outs of social media marketing, how to maintain your blog, and more!)
• 1 Month of Blog Content Creation (Tailored for your business, industry, products, and services!)
• 1 Month of Twitter Content & Updating
• 1 Month of Facebook Fan Page Content & Updating
• 1 Month of Custom Newsletter Content Mail-outs

Investment: Only $495 (payment plans are available!) – Call 1-415-ROD-KRBY [763-5729] or Email me NOW for Details!

P.S. - Want exclusive discounts, deals, and specials on every service listed? Sign-up for my “Success Tips!” newsletter! Subscribers get coupons, news, and info before everyone else does – plus great tips for marketing their business.

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Disclaimer: We will never share your email address with anyone, period.

About The Author

Rod Kirby helps entrepreneurs, small business owners, and organizations take advantage of social media marketing and new media through his company, Kirby Enterprises. Follow Rod on Twitter here.

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Social media marketing is more than simply having a blog, Facebook fan page, and blurbing out your latest products on Twitter. It’s about building and nurturing relationships and community beyond your brand.

I’ve talked a lot about maximizing social media to market your business on this blog, but I’ve never given you a “sequence of events” before like I have in this series. If you’re a small business owner or serial entrepreneur here’s what you have to do in order to be successful in social media marketing;

Step 1: Build a Web Presence for Your Business

Having a web presence is defined as having an Internet footprint. It’s more than just having a website where people can read about your company, see your services, and order from you. It’s how a person finds, follows, and fellowships (connects) with you online.

Read More . . .

Step 2: Build a Brand for Your Business

Social media marketing gives your business the opportunity to carve out a unique niche across the web. How are you going to represent yourself, business, services, or products? What image, feeling, or emotion do you want to convey whenever someone thinks about you and your business? This is the basis for branding. In this short clip I’ll show you the 5 elements to building a brand for your business.

Watch Video . . .

Step 3: Build a Marketing Base for Your Business

You’ve got to build a base which will become the foundation for your business’s success. Think of having a base as the same as having a marketing list. However, instead of a random list of people who don’t know you, you’ve got a list of people who trust and want to buy from you.

So, how do you build a market base for your business? Let’s start with your blog and email then work our way down to social networking sites.

Read More . . .

Step 4: Ask for the Sale

When it comes to social media marketing many entrepreneurs either;

• Ask for the sale too often – Aggressively pitching a product or service over social networks.
• Don’t ask for the sale the right way – Come across as “pitchy,” forced, or non-caring.
  or,
• Are too scared to ask for the sale – Constantly giving but scared their market base will rebel against them if they offer a product or service.

Hopefully, after this post, you’ll be empowered to ask for the sale and never again fall into one of those three categories.

Read More . . .

Series Wrap-Up

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this series as much as I have putting it together. I would love to get your feedback on it in the comments below. Over the weekend I’m going to work on producing an audio book based on this series so you’ll have access to all of it whenever you want it.

Call to Action

If the series has your spirit stirred, fired up, and ready to take your business to the next level contact me for help! I’m launching new services next week that will help entrepreneurs, small businesses, bloggers, and anyone else that wants to take advantage of social media marketing. Here’s a sneak peak at what’s coming next week;

Web Presence Building Services

• Domain name registration
• Web hosting
• WP (WordPress) blog set-up (theme customization, plugin installation, blog logo design)
• And more!

Brand Building Services

• Custom logo design
• Business card design
• Custom Twitter background design
• Facebook Fan Page customization
• And more!

Market Base Building Services

• Twitter updating (unique content) & follower build-up
• Facebook fan page custom content & fan build-up
• Custom newsletter content creation
• Custom blog content creation
• Video production services (includes shooting, editing, effects, etc.)
• And more!

If you see a service offered that meets your need, please, use my contact form and let me help you take your business to the next level! I’ll reveal pricing and other details next week, but, contact me today if you want a project quoted.

Rod

P.S. –  Subscribe to my “Success Tips!” newsletter for a special one-time introductory offer that will go out next week! I’ll also offer discounts and other freebies through the newsletter periodically as well.

P.P.S. – If you’re a “do-it-yourself-er” and don’t need the services mentioned above but still want to learn how to maximize social media for your business, contact me! I offer success coaching, consulting, and training at unbeatable prices. Sessions can be held over the phone, via Skype, or even in person no matter where you live in the U.S.! (That’s right, I can come to you and be your personal coach for the day! It’s cheaper than you think . . . trust me!)

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Disclaimer: We will never share your email address with anyone, period.

About The Author

Rod Kirby helps entrepreneurs, small business owners, and organizations take advantage of social media marketing and new media through his company, Kirby Enterprises. Follow Rod on Twitter here.

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Welcome to the Social Media Marketing Success Series! There are 4 things you have to do in order to be successful in using social media to market your business; you have to Build a Web Presence, Build a Brand, Build a Base, and Ask for the Sale. We’ll go over each of these this week and give you everything you need to succeed in social media marketing!

Ready?

Let’s Go!

Note: The series recap – 4 Steps to Social Media Marketing Success is now available!

Part 4 – How to Ask for the Sale

A couple of years ago I worked as a technology specialist in Officemax. It was my job to sell the latest computers, printers, and other gadgets to meet customer needs. I remember an older lady coming into the store needing help finding a printer. After about 45 minutes (yes, 45 mins!) of explaining the different features of my top printers she said, “Young man, you’re a good teacher but you’d be a great salesman if you’d just ask me to buy one already!”

I didn’t realize it, but I spent so much time explaining the different features of each printer I never really “sold” her either of them. The mark of a great salesman is asking for the sale. Explaining the feature set of my best printer then asking her, “would you like to take this one home with you today?” could have saved me 45 minutes of my time and hers.

What Category Do You Fall Into?

When it comes to social media marketing many entrepreneurs either;

• Ask for the sale too often – Aggressively pitching a product or service over social networks.
• Don’t ask for the sale the right way – Come across as “pitchy,” forced, or non-caring.
  or,
• Are too scared to ask for the sale – Constantly giving but scared their market base will rebel against them if they offer a product or service.

You CAN make sales with social media marketing!

Hopefully, after this post, you’ll be empowered to ask for the sale and never again fall into one of those three categories. Keep these things, about social media marketing, in mind and you’ll be on your way to success;

a. The Bible says, you have not because you ask not - James 4:2 (King James Version),

b. Social media marketing is all about “giving to get,”

and

c. What’s the point of building a marketing base if you’re too afraid to market to them?

There are 3 steps to asking for the sale in social media marketing, you’ve got to warm-up your market, lead them into your sales funnel, and ask boldly for the sale. Let’s review each step and I’ll share some power tips with you along the way!

Step 1: Warm-Up Your Market

You can’t just ask your Facebook fans, Twitter followers, or blog readers to buy your product or service if you barely engage with them on a regular basis. You have to “wake them up” if their asleep, give them more reasons to share your content with their friends, and get their friends to follow you if they don’t already. Here are some ideas on how to do it;

• Consistently share articles, news, podcasts, videos, and tools related to your product or service across your social media channels.
• Create a blog, video, or podcast series that addresses a common problem for your followers.
• Start a guest blogging contest to get some interactivity going on your blog.
• Use giveaways and sweepstakes to generate interest in your blog and get people ready for “what’s next from you.”
• Guest blogging is a great way to bring awareness to your blog and generate new life blood.

Step 2: Lead Them into Your Sales Funnel

Once you’ve got people’s attention and the traffic is flowing on your blog, then it’s time to drop a bomb and get them into your sales funnel. Before executing any of these ideas, be sure to have your payment automation system in place. If wouldn’t make sense to have a market ready to buy but you’re unable to accept payments now would it? I recommend starting out with Paypal’s business merchant services. The fees are small and the service is great. You can even get a virtual terminal for taking orders via phone, fax, and mail! Ready for some sales funnel ideas? Here you go!

• Launch a free e-book and include links to a product or service sales page at the end.
• Offer a free seminar or workshop based on your most popular content. This is an excellent way to position yourself as a “thought leader” and expert. Be sure to sell a product or service at the end of each session!
• Launch a webinar and provide your best advice for free and offer an exclusive 1-on-1 session afterwards.
• Did you create a video series of “How-to’s?” Put them together in a DVD package with a “special offer” at the end.
• Conclude your blog series with a final blog post that offers a product or service to solve your reader’s problems.
• Promote your “sales funnel project” via email, newsletter, blog, and all your social channels.
• Offer exclusive coupons and discounts to your newsletter subscribers or Facebook fans.
• Announce your project at peak times throughout the day and remember to engage, share, and connect while you do it!

Step 3 – Ask BOLDLY for the Sale!

You’ve established a web presence, built a solid brand, established a marketing base, warmed-up your market, lead them to your sales funnel, and now the moment of truth is upon you. It’s time to ask for the sale. You’ve come this far so you might as well go all the way! Here are some tips to help you succeed;

• Make it easy to buy your product or service. Use “buy now” buttons versus links, large and bold type, and visible “calls to action” in your sales copy.
• Make your case! Don’t just explain what a product or service is, illustrate the benefits of using it, and the value of having it.
• Show the quality of your work with testimonials. If you don’t have any from past clients offer a limited free trial or sample in exchange for freshly written testimonials.
• Make sure your sales copy is tight! That means; no typos, grammatical errors, and etc. Edit like you want to make a sale.
• Make a simple offer and don’t ask for the whole world. Offer between 1-3 products, services, or package deals at a time. Giving too many options confuses people, overwhelms them, and they’ll just leave your sales page.

If you’ve warmed your market up and got them into your sales funnel with a helpful project, then you’ve earned the right to ask for the sale. Don’t miss your opportunity to make the money you’ve always wanted to online. It’s not hard and it definitely isn’t easy, but it does take a little work. I hope you’ve gained a better understanding of social media marketing and what it takes to truly be successful.

Don’t go too far, because, tomorrow I’ll be making some major announcements (what kind of success coach would I be if I don’t follow my own advice?). It’s something that I think will bless your business tremendously so stay tuned. I’d love to get your feedback on the blog post and the others in the Social Media Marketing Success Series. What did you think? Did you learn anything? What will you take away from this series? What would you like more information on? Sound off in the comments below!

Note: Read the series recap – 4 Steps to Social Media Marketing Success here!

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Disclaimer: We will never share your email address with anyone, period.

About The Author

Rod Kirby helps entrepreneurs, small business owners, and organizations take advantage of social media marketing and new media through his company, Kirby Enterprises. Follow Rod on Twitter here.

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Subscribe Today & Receive Free Updates in Your Inbox!

You Like Free Stuff Don’t You?

 

Enter your email address:

Disclaimer: We will never share your email address with anyone, period.

About The Author

Rod Kirby helps entrepreneurs, small business owners, and organizations take advantage of social media marketing and new media through his company, Kirby Enterprises. Follow Rod on Twitter here.

Continue Reading