Extreme Facebook Profile Makeover
November 24, 2007 - Posted by Shama Kabani
I have been using Facebook for over two years now, and I have realized that your profile is really the key to a successful social media strategy. It is at the heart of your entire online marketing strategy and needs to be consistent and clear. Inspired by the Thanksgiving spirit, and the questions I keep receiving in regards to social media marketing, I am going to start doing Extreme Facebook Profile Makeovers. I will do one a week. (Please note that I reserve the right to do them more or less frequently, depending on demand), and I invite you to join in with your comments as well. The best efforts are group efforts. If you want to sign up, the ONLY way to sign up is by leaving a comment on this blog post. Be sure to include the link to your Facebook profile. Please make sure that your Facebook… read more
3 Reasons You Shouldn’t Use Social Media Marketing
November 23, 2007 - Posted by Shama Kabani
In the past two posts, I have laid out strategies to leverage Facebook. Today, I am going to backtrack a little and give you three reasons why you should not be using Social Media Marketing. Reason 1- It’s not part of your marketing strategy- It is not worth the effort to play around with social media marketing. It could easily backfire if you don’t know what you are doing. If you are serious about building a community around your brand, then plan it out. Make it a part of your comprehensive marketing plan. Set quantifiable goals. If you don’t have a plan set, you might find yourself spending hours "wandering" online. Now, there is nothing wrong with testing out the field. In fact, that is some what necessary. However, make sure you have a specific amount of time set aside that serves as your testing phase. Reason 2- You don’t… read more
The Number#1 Key to Marketing Successfully On Facebook…Or Anywhere Else
November 21, 2007 - Posted by Shama Kabani
No Man’s Blog has a great post about the top Facebook applications. All the Facebook applications have been divided into three main categories- Identity formation – 43% Phatic Communication – 37% Other – 20% Identity Formation Applications are applications that relate to one’s self: personality quizzes, movies I like, horoscope applications, favorite quotes, etc. This is good proof that people use social networks mainly to reinforce and extend their identity. Social networking isn’t about friends first. It is first and foremost about defining and solidifying who we are. Then, it is about building our network. The keyword is OUR. Here is a visual that may help define how Social Networking really works: What does this mean for us when trying to market through social networks? 1) Focus on the People- People still don’t care about what you have to offer. They care about what they can GAIN from that offering…. read more
Top 10 Ways to Use Facebook to Promote your Business for Free
November 18, 2007 - Posted by Shama Kabani
There are plenty of social media platforms that you can participate in today, and they all have their pros and cons. The best way to choose a platform to participate in is to look at the people that hang out there. In my opinion, Facebook is one of the best platforms for networking-both personally and professionally. I also use Linked In and Twitter. Linked In is nice for having a more or less static professional profile online. Twitter is good for “blasting” bits and pieces of news to friends and clients. The one social networking group I am not part of is MySpace. Privacy controls are more lax at MySpace than I prefer. Of all the social networks, Facebook is the real gem when it comes to all-round marketing and networking. I have been using Facebook for the past two years, and it is an excellent marketing tool. Here are… read more
Dear Shama…Help! I Hate Selling
November 16, 2007 - Posted by Shama Kabani
Dear Shama, I am a management consultant with years of experience in the corporate world. I kicked butt at my job, but left two years ago to start my own firm. The clients who used to work with me at the company continued to work with me after I left. Now those projects are coming to an end, and I have none in the pipeline. Here is the kicker-I HATE selling. I hate telling people "please let me work for you." I am considering going back to my old job just because I hate to sell. I do LOVE working for myself though and don’t want to go back. Please help! -Stuck in Phoenix Dear Stuck in Phoenix, First, let me congratulate you on asking for help before quitting. Now, let’s get you unstuck! I think the reason you (and most service professionals) hate to sell is because of the… read more
Around the Blog World…
November 14, 2007 - Posted by Shama Kabani
37 Tools for Taking Action and Getting Things Done- Get more done, in less time. Mason Hipp shows us how! Free Press Release Distribution- Ever wish for an all in one online office workspace? It doesn’t get better than this! SPIN Selling- An ethical way to sell by catering to the client’s problem. Adam Salamon explains how it works. What the Web REALLY looks like- Kate Trgovac discusses diversity on the web and what that means for us. What is the Social Media Landscape?- Rich Brooks helps us understand how to leverage the power of social media.
TheFreelanceNation.com- An Interview with the Founder
November 14, 2007 - Posted by Shama Kabani
Q- Hi Jay, Glad to “have you here” on After The Launch! As you know, most of our readers are independent professionals and professional service firms who are very savvy at what they do but sometimes have a hard time “selling” their services. Please share some information with us about The Freelance Nation and how it can help them. In general, The Freelance Nation was built to help freelancers increase their exposure on the Internet, help them find freelance jobs, provide access to self-employment support and offer professional networking opportunities. In terms of marketing, The Freelance Nation helps freelancers market their services on the Internet in 6 different ways: 1. Members get 2-for-1 listings on our network for $4.95 – one profile in TheFreelanceNation.com, and one listing in their home city e.g. LosAngelesFreelancers.com, SeattleFreelancers.com, DallasFreelancers.com, etc. This is what I like to call the “Big fish in a small pond,… read more
Apple-Google Yourself!
November 12, 2007 - Posted by Shama Kabani
My colleague, Stefan Töpfer, at the Small Business Blog, has been having a tremendously hellish experience with Apple customer service. He doesn’t have the laptop he ordered, but has already been charged the full amount. Instead of the laptop, he received a disk in the mail. Apparently-Apple cannot tell the difference nor do they care to correct it. Why else would they not return his calls and insist that he received the laptop? Bad Customer Service- Customer-Hi, I didn’t receive the product promised, but I was charged for it. Apple Company- Sure you did! Customer- No…I really didn’t…. Apple Company- Sure you did! Customer- I can assure you I didn’t. I have been an Apple buyer for a long time. Check your computer for my old orders. Apple Company- If you didn’t receive the laptop-PROVE it! We demand proof! Customer- ????? Come on Apple-this guy is a blogger who reaches… read more
BlogWorld Expo- Insider Scoop-Day 3
November 11, 2007 - Posted by Shama Kabani
The final day was filled with more great sessions and…lots of free t-shirts. Here are the major takeaways! The Cult of Blogging by Leo Laporte- It is important to create a community that follows you before you ever think of monetizing your blog. Monetization (making money from blogs) doesn’t work for everyone-and it not recommended for business bloggers. Important to create a persona and then build your platform around that persona. For example, if you are a teen and parents relation coach-a myspace page would work for you. Linked in maybe more your style if you are a business consultant. Not everyone will like what you do, and that’s okay- Kill them with kindness If that doesn’t work-ignore them Watch what you post! What you post stays out there…for a long time. Be sure you don’t disclose any personal details that you don’t want everyone seeing. Creating a Coherent… read more
BlogWorld Expo-Insider Scoop-Day 2
November 10, 2007 - Posted by Shama Kabani
Well, Vegas was definitely a blast and the BlogWorld Expo was inspiring. I got to meet some bloggers that I really admire. Here is the short list- Liz Strauss, Dave Taylor, Andy Wibbels, Jason Shellen, Glenn Reynolds, Stephan Spencer, Scott Allen. A definite thank you to Rick Calvert for organizing this huge event! And here are the main takeaways- BLOG WORLD DAY 2 Thursday, November 08, 2007 How to get Slightly Famous by Steven Van Yoder Take a multimedia approach to marketing your business. 6 Step Process- Target the best prospects. Don’t leave success to chance. Develop a unique and focused market niche. Position your business as the best solution. Maintain your visibility. Make sure your best prospects know who you are. Enhance your credibility. Get quoted in the media. Establish your brand and your reputation. You have to position yourself as a thought leader. You have to lead with… read more