Social Networking | Solo Mompreneur

Preparing Your Buyers To Take Action

Think of your own buying habits.

I’m going to venture a guess in saying you’ve had occasions where you’ve thought of a purchase, knew exactly what you wanted, and bought it immediately upon entering a store.

Am I right?

And other times you’ve needed to make important decisions first before pulling out your credit card or cash to make the purchase.

You most likely needed to as yourself questions like, “Do I need it?”, “Can I afford it?”, or “Is this something that is right for me?”

In that case, the interactions you have with the product and the company selling the product are critical in allowing you to build a relationship first – which creates that all-important know, like, and trust factor.

People do business with People – NOT with businesses.

Social media prepares your customers to more readily take action once you have established a relationship with them.

Here’s how it works:

People come in contact with you and/or your products or services.
They are mildly interested so they join your community.
They sign up for your email opt-in list or follow you on Twitter or maybe become your friend on Facebook.
Each time you engage these interested individuals, they get to know you a little better.
If they continue to be interested in you and what you have to offer, they will eventually be ready to buy.
Some people are ready to buy right away and some need a little more time.

Think of it this way:

Your only job is to interact with people and be your authentic self. All that is required of you is to invite people to your community and get to know them. That’s it!

Straight Talk On Why You Should Use Social Media To Market Your Business

By Melanie Kissell 2 Comments

The new way of marketing with social media is not just a different set of rules; it’s a whole new game. Marketing is being totally transformed and the internet is a game changer.

For the minimal cost of internet service, it’s possible to reach the entire world from your computer.

The days of old fashioned (traditional) advertising are numbered. Have you noticed how many newspapers and magazines are either closing or moving online?

Even television commercials (yuck) are slowly becoming less and less effective. Why? Because more people are spending their valuable time online and much less time sitting in front of the television.

The game changer, the internet, has created lots of different venues for reaching prospective customers and clients. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Blogging, just to name four, are all effective platforms for engaging your target audience and making valuable and lasting connections that can lead to sales.

Social media venues are ideal places small business owners can go to interact with their target market and with other business builders. The days of shouting out sales messages are over! Entrepreneurs can now create their own communities based on their passion, products, or services.

Know what’s really cool? [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blogging, Building relationships online, Customer Care, Online Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Social Networking Tagged With: Blogging, Facebook, Internet business success, LinkedIn, Social Media, Twitter

Business Building Strategy – Smaller Is Better

By Melanie Kissell 9 Comments

You might suspect this post is about …

Chunking down your bigger projects into smaller, more manageable bite-size tasks for better organization and to help you stay on track.

Or …

Having a smaller number of words in your blog posts than most other bloggers doesn’t mean your message is any less powerful or has any less impact on your readers.

Or …

Instead of trying to accomplish some daunting, humongous goal – having a series of smaller goals leading up to that giant one is a more sensible approach.

But …

It’s none of the above. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blogging, Building relationships online, List Building, Making money on the internet, Online Marketing, Small business owners, Social Media Marketing, Social Networking Tagged With: Blogging, Internet business success, List building, Social Media

Social Media Site Designed To Help You Get Things Done

By Melanie Kissell 10 Comments

I decided to go on a hunt for a social media venue that focuses exclusively on PRODUCTIVITY – one that’s designed to help
entrepreneurs and other solo professionals GET THINGS DONE.

Productivity is vital to your success. With all the online noise and distractions, an ongoing business-building learning curve, and the solidarity of working from home, productivity can be a challenge.

Take a look at the short video below. I think Blellow is a community worth checking out.

Blellow is a community with a focus on productivity. It’s a place for freelancers and professionals to collaborate, find work, and solve problems!

What are you producing in your business these days? Are you producing results? How would you rate your productivity level on a scale from 1 to 10?

Filed Under: Build an online empire, Productivity, Social Media Marketing, Social Networking Tagged With: Blellow, Freelancing, Internet business success, Productivity, Social Media

Social Media Savvy

By Melanie Kissell 14 Comments

It’s true.

Flattery will get you everywhere. And social media venues are no exception.

Online marketers often complain that social media sites are a waste of time. They spend hours crafting and posting promotional offers and updates that bring no sales, no clients, no subscribers, and no results.

The truth is that using social media venues is a smart, savvy, effective way to get your message out to your target market. The key is knowing HOW to do it right. Having one-way conversations by posting “Me, Me, Me”, “I, I, I” messages simply doesn’t work.

Sorry to hurt your feelings but … nobody cares about “You”.

In order to get the results you desire and deserve, remember that flattery will get you everywhere. You may not be ready to hear this, but you must be prepared to “give” before you “get”.

Here’s how it works:

Compliment

Give others a thumbs up, a shout out, or kudos for a wonderful blog post, an inspirational quote, a helpful resource, a personal story, etc. that adds value to your life and/or your business. Simply let people know that you appreciate them or admire their expertise. Of course, be absolutely genuine. Don’t say it if you really don’t mean it. Everyone can spot a phony, fabricated remark. You’ll be surprised how far sincerely complimenting others will, in turn, get you noticed online and build your credibility.

Comment

Always take a few minutes to leave your thoughts in the comment box on someone’s blog. Comments create backlinks to your site, providing a tremendous benefit to you. However, posting self-serving promos, coupon offers, and other sales messages will get your comments blocked. Remember that most successful online professionals moderate their blog comments. “Selling” is not proper social media etiquette and you’ll be labeled as hype-y and probably banned from future comments. Only leave well thought out, appropriate comments that are directly related to the topic.

For more simple and creative ways to build your business on the internet and more info on social media marketing, subscribe to the Online Success Newsletter … it’s 100% free and always loaded with expert tips and fantastic resources.

Filed Under: Blogging, Building relationships online, Social Media Marketing, Social Networking Tagged With: Blogging, Business, Internet business success, Marketing, Marketing and Advertising, Marketing your services online, Social Media

10 Ideas For Using Twitter As A Results-Driven Marketing Tool

By Melanie Kissell 14 Comments

Listen to this post if you like!

I’m a big fan of Twitter and I believe Social Media Marketing is essential if you’re trying to build your business online.

You can’t turn a blind eye, ignore the fact, sweep it under the rug, or crawl into a hole of denial. Take a look at television ads these days. Social media venues are here to stay!

The last time I checked, Twitter is growing in popularity by 40% a month! If you’re struggling or confused about out how to utilize Twitter as an effective, results-driven marketing tool, let me share some strategies that will help you to get the most out of Twitter.

Keep these guidelines handy for using Twitter to brand yourself and market your business:

Provide value and share biz tips and tools
Create anticipation
Drive conversation
Showcase your Biz
Announce important events and product launches
Build community
Be helpful and answer questions
Brag a bit! You deserve it. And show a little personality!
Experiment with giveaways, discounts, and contests
Post surveys

In keeping with proper and acceptable etiquette, make sure that less than 10% of your Tweets involve any kind of selling or promoting. So what should you be Tweeting about?

Re-Tweet information from your followers that you find useful, funny, or relevant.

Share Twitpics – the most opened links on Twitter!

Communicate newsworthy items and events and be sure to ask your followers to Re-Tweet messages for you.

Speak in your authentic voice and show why your biz and you are pretty cool!

Send out welcome Tweets to new followers (no selling, please) and become the go-to person in your niche by providing helpful tips and resources and answering questions from your target market.

Promote what you want to promote, but keep relationship building your highest priority.

Not quite sure how to “brag” the right way on Twitter?

The biggest challenge is getting over the “fear” of bragging. My friend and colleague, Cathy Goodwin, can help. Just get her mp3 recording and 25-page workbook by going to: BRAGGING 101 (This is my affiliate link and I give it my highest recommendation) Tiny investment – Big results!

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Filed Under: Bragging, Building relationships online, Internet Marketing Tools, Online Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Social Networking Tagged With: Bragging, Cathy Goodwin, Free marketing tools, Marketing your services online, Twitter

“C” is for Challenge

By Melanie Kissell 10 Comments

Tomorrow I will be publishing my final post – my last contribution – to the 30-Day Blogging Challenge hosted by Connie Ragen Green.

I want to share my list of all the wonderful takeaways, lessons learned, and unforgettable experiences as a participant in this event.

“C” is for Challenge. But during this challenge, I came to realize that “C” stands for so much more! It also stands for …

Commodities – Friendships are the best and most valuable commodities you can acquire. The friends I made during this challenge are some of the most talented, bright, and creative people imaginable and I cherish every single one of them.

Commitment – Writing 30 posts in 30 days was a huge undertaking for me as well as for some others who participated. Commitment shows character and builds character.

Capacity – There was no such thing as limited space or limited seats to join this challenge. Everyone was welcome.

Cooking – I got my hands on some new recipes and learned some culinary secrets during this event! What a treat to have a couple of food experts on board.

Concentration – The only real way to make it all the way through this challenge was to become like a horse with blinders on and focus, focus, focus!

Collaboration – Bring a variety of personalities, skills, and expertise together. Combine that with energy, inspiration, and motivation … and lookout! Joint ventures, interviews, and an upcoming collaborative radio show are just the tip of the iceberg for this group!

Comedy - Laughter is the best medicine. I had a blast meeting others who value a sense of humor as much as I do!

Cooperation – Everyone did a fabulous job of visiting lots of blogs, posting wonderful comments, following networked blogs on Facebook, staying updated at TweetChat, giving support, and Re-Tweeting posts.

Communication – Some of the best stories I’ve ever read were communicated during this challenge! People offered advice, a listening ear, business building tips and tools, relaxation techniques, tutorials, book recommendations, and how-to’s.

Compliments – I will forever embrace the words of encouragement and all the positive, uplifting comments I received during this event. There was rarely a day that I didn’t witness someone paying someone else a confidence-boosting compliment.

Complaints – There were none!!

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Filed Under: Blogging, Building relationships online, Joint Ventures, Social Networking, Storytelling Tagged With: Blogging, Connie Ragen Green, Internet business success, Twitter

Fabulous Follow Friday Friends

By Melanie Kissell 5 Comments

I’m a big Twitter advocate and enthusiast.

So many of my followers are the most fascinating and most wonderful people you could ever want to meet!

Today I am excited and proud to introduce you to some extremely talented and amazing bloggers!

My Follow Friday Shout Outs for this week are:

@HetherBestel ~ Heather can help you move from mad dash to organized serenity. Just call her “The Queen of Calm”! She’s the author of “More ME Time” –> The busy woman’s 3-step plan to reclaim your life and find joy every day.

Words that describe Heather: Creative and Compassionate (and generous beyond belief!)

@MarthaGiffen ~ Martha’s got the “Lingo List” –> The free list of internet marketing definitions to help you get started and to guide you through the MAZE of online marketing. She takes the guess-work out!

Words that describe Martha: Witty, Warm, and Wonderful (and very responsive!)

@MarciaHoeck ~ Marcia can show you how to turn your existing staff into a successful team that makes your business more $profitable$. She won her husband’s heart by juggling and in the fourth grade she was the Hula Hoop Queen!

Words that describe Marcia: Polished and Poised (with a tremendous sense of humor!)

@BobbyMiddendor ~ Bobbye’s expertise is copywriting –> She’s the keeper of words that bring heart to your marketing and soul to your business! Bobbye shows Conscious Creators how to craft copy for the web.

Words that describe Bobbye: Soulful and Sensational (and intellectual, to boot!)

Following any or all of these fabulous friends will definitely enrich your life and your business!

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