So many small business owners get on what I call the “marketing roller coaster.” One day they’re saying, “ Oh, my God, I need to market myself more.” Then they’re climbing that huge hill on the roller coaster saying “market, market, market, market.” After they eventually get to the top and clients come in, they’re enjoying the rush all the way down the hill, and then “Holy cow! I don’t have clients!” and it’s back up the hill!
Social networking helps you get off the roller coaster. It’s more like tending a garden — with consistent small efforts and attention, the seeds you plant will bring in a regular crop of clients. If you take small steps each day, your garden will flourish. This is my short story of how social media saved my business:
The truth is: social networking is a core business strategy. It’s not a fad, it’s not going away anytime soon.
Here are some interesting facts:
• LinkedIn was launched in May 2003. It has over 75 million registered users and 2.25 million login weekly.
• Facebook was launched in February 2004. It has over 500 million users and over 60% of them log in daily. The fastest growing population in Facebook is women ages 54-69. Over 70% of mom play games like Farmville on facebook.
• YouTube was launched in February 2005. There are over 2 billion videos watched a DAY. As of October 2010 over 1 billion subscriptions on YouTube-those are people asking to get notified when your channel loads a video!
• Twitter was launched in July 2006. There are over 100 million registered users and 40% login daily to the tune of over 3600 tweets per second. Regular users tend to be affluent, making more than $250,000 a year on average. Twitter indexes to search engines, so when used strategically, it expands your exposure.
The Key to your success? Know your target market and then develop a strategy to show up where they are. For example:
• Are you a speaker or coach where trust in important? Then build your YouTube presence.
• Do you work primarily with fortune 500 companies? Spend your time in the right LinkedIn groups.
• Are your customers moms? Get on facebook.
• Do you sell luxury or high priced items? Twitter is smart for you.
Remember, network online like you do in person and it will build your business.
Invest the time in your marketing online and it will reward you! Are you planning your marketing strategy for next year?
Ann M. Evanston is a “Chief Breakthrough Officer” teaching other Business Warriors how to slow down, and find the most unique part of their business that makes them stand out among the crowd. She has been named one of the top marketing consultants by About.com, is a guest blogger for Showcasing Women and takes pride in moving you from “blah, blah, blah” to “BOOM, BOOM. BOOM!”
Love it..is there a part two?
As usual, you’re right on top of it Ann. I’ve seen it in action ~ when I’m consistantly using my social media tools, I see business come in. I’ve back off for a few months for personal reasons and I’ve seen a change.
I have noticed that Facebook works the best for me. Moms love to support other moms. We share a lot in common, we talk about our kids. Yes, I will admit to playing some of the games, but they are social (you need to help each other out to get to more levels in the games). I’ve met some customers by playing with them. (ok, I also play because I like it).
I’m taking the next couple of weeks to plan out 2011. I wish I could have heard you speaking at the event in the video. Looking forward to continued learning from the Warrior!
Its definitely rewarding me and I am working on my strategy for next year now I have a new role 🙂 Don’t really know what else to say as you KNOW I totally get this and I got it by taking a leap of faith and not questioning too much when doing SNCC. I think if clients allow themselves to take that leap of faith and trust in what you teach then those results all come together. Just had to say and hope some others read this comment.
Louise Edington
Facing Fears and Frontiers Over Fifty
http://louiseedington.com
I just love that there is logic and intention to all this! SoMe has been overwhelming and murky to me. Mostly an obligation. When I see your questions about type of market and the answer linking to different social media, it makes so much sense! I very much look forward to learning more in SNCC.
I love your videos Ann, not just this one but all of them. I am a visual person so get much more out of watching them than reading.
OK, I’ll bite. what’s wrong with Blogger? Otherwise, great info. Must. Blog. More.
Very cool, post. I would have not thought that Twitter is a good place to market luxury or high priced items. Regarding facebook, I thought a recent article on problogger was fascinating regarding the success of the like button. A stock trader site did poorly very few likes .. while a celebrity oriented site did well… certainly some demographics (or is it psychographics) in play there.
…that was a weird place to end, but kind of provocative if I was using either blogger or blogspot or considering them. Like Kathy Alice I didn’t know Twitter was the place for luxury or high priced items sellers. Can’t wait for part II.
Pat Zahn, Photo Solutions Superhero
http://www.patzahn.com
Great information, Ann! I am currently composing a list of things that I would like to accomplish using the social media tools next year. This way, I can work from this list one item at a time, and it keeps me focused.
Ann, love watching you speak. This is such an inspirational video – seen it before, but never get tired of hearing the very salient points you make. Love the POOR analogy. As your stats show, social media is where it’s at!
Sharon Hiebing
Follow Your Dream Compass
http://www.wealthships.com
Ann – Thanks so much for sharing all this information – in so many ways it either justified what I am doing and/or helped me tremendously with what I am doing. First of all – love the video. It made me very excited to see you in person at spark and hustle. Secondly, you may be one person who loves social media more than me! It is great to listen to someone who really “gets” social media and it’s place in our society…I am still surrounded by many who do not. Third – I have been blogging on wordpress (which I know you love) and just YESTERDAY – deleted an old blogger blog that I had! Finally, I am developing a product for women and I am most learned in fb, so I see that as a good thing….Although, I use twitter, I hope to get better in 2011! Rachel B
Occasionally I forget that I am in the business of marketing my services–not just
delivering my services. Thanks for the reminder that marketing needs to be an ongoing, daily process. A business owner needs to make consistent, persistent effort to raise their profile and the visibility of their business and attract clients. With a plan and a strategy, one will exponentially increase the chances of success. The most effective actions for my business are those actions that are effortless for me and that build on my strengths. I market my services by doing what comes easily to me.
Rachel Lavern
http://www.rachellavern.com
Personal Transformation, Enlightenment and Development
This is just so you! Good presence, good info, good questions for listeners and good focus. And everyone will have to wait with bated breath for the rest of the story!
Candace Davenport
http://www.ourlittlebooks.com ~ Little Books with a Big Message
I enjoy networking online as much as in person. The conversations are just as robust and the connections just as meaningful. You also run less of a risk of ending up at a Starbucks staring into your $4.00 grande skinny non-fat sugar free vanilla latte by yourself when your 1 on 1 is late or a no-show.
Am learning about the power of Social Media and so excited to be taking the SNCC so that I can overcome my fears and misperceptions. Next year will be a great year — am working on our marketing plan/budget right now. Was hoping to see what you had to say after your last sentence about blogging!
Ann, as always, enlightening. I love your positive approach and the facts as to the reason these four main networks are important. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate all that I’ve learned from you. I must say, 2010 is my year to have learned about Social Media in a big way and it’s fun…Thanks to you! Happy Holidays
Very interesting, I wanted to hear more…Would be fun to see you live sometime as we’re in the same area (sort of…). Looking into a membership site right now for my clients, so perfect timing 🙂
Brandy Mychals
Split Second Perceptions
I am relatively new to the whole social media thing. I am certainly not the most savvy and I definitely have some growing to do, but I already have pet peeves. I really hate people who don’t socialize on social sites! I don’t follow people on twitter who aren’t followers themselves. On facebook, so many people seem to be tucked back in a little hole. They pop out to say something they either think is clever, or even more odd, very personal, and then they disappear. Ughhh!
I’m here to interact and grow and learn, not project randomly into the ethos.
Love your energy, and your ability to be chief gardener! I have loved loved learning all about tending my social networking garden, with your help. What a ride its been, I am so excited to hit 2011 running.
Jennifer Duchene
Home Makeover Mixtress
http://home-decorating-makeovers.com/
Thanks for this inspiring presentation. Lots of energy here — rapid-fire sound bites, and each one can be elaborated to a blog post of it’s own. About 16 months ago, I attended a presentation you made on this same theme, and it rings true even more now. My favorite two of your Simple Gems: Show up where your market is, and interact online like you do face-to-face.
Great video I wanted to hear more. I really appreciate knowing the facts of when the platforms originated. I used to feel so far behind with social media but when comparing it to when I got involved with PC I’m way ahead of the game given the fact they are all relatively new. The IBM PC came out in 1981 and I didn’t get seriously involved with a PC until 1986 in contract to my involvement with social media I see a promising future for jumping in early.
Lisa Ann Landry
Vibrating Positive Energy
http://www.imagedevelopmentgroup.com
I loved this Ann. And I could really feel you say that you had a calling to speak publicly. It comes across completely when you are on the stage. I hear your message loud and clear and am so enjoying the ride. Thanks too for the info on the different platforms. Looking forward to hearing more. And thanks for getting me up on my feet regarding SoMe. Getting ready to run.
This is a video that I will come back to often, as a refresher, motivator. The first itme I saw you speak (Mompeneaur Conference in LA), I was motivated to really start using social media, and now I’m on my way.
As usual, such great information! And I love the way it ends after tip #1, great hook!
Lisa Vitale
lisawifemom.wordpress.com
The small businesses are getting ignored in these issues, especially when looking for small business loans or financing.
The big corporations don’t seem to have an issue raising money by selling bonds, big bank loans. Small business loans aren’t getting approved that’s why so many are looking to business cash advances to leverage their credit card receipts.
Charles Baratta
Co-Owner
http://www.merchantloans.com