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Have you ever had clients who weren't yet sold onFacebook? Most people know Facebook could potentially help them grow their businesses, but getting a page set up and managed properly can still be a daunting task for many folks.

 

First off, you might need to nudge your clients toward acting. When researching your pitch, find examples of similar businesses that have vibrant Facebook presences. Let the clients know what they're missing out on. You can also get their attention by showing them the data on Facebook's exponential user growth and the mind-blowing predictions of continued growth. Here you can even focus on the clients' particular markets. Finally, show them some examples of pages you've helped develop in order to establish your own credibility.

Via Martin Gysler

Social Media doesn't work for the vast majority of small businesses.

That was the main message in the USA Today article titled, Study: Social media a bust for small businesses, published on April 17th, 2013. From the news item:"About 61% of small businesses don't see any return on investment on their social-media activities, according to a survey released Tuesday from Manta, a social network for small businesses. Yet, almost 50% say they've increased their time spent on social media, and only 7% have decreased their time. What businesses are trying to get out of social media: 36% said their goal was to acquire and engage new customers, 19% said to gain leads and referrals, and 17% said to boost awareness. Facebook was most cited as the hardest to maintain social-media platform, according to the survey." There is a big lesson in this data...

 

What you want from social media may be very different from what it is.

Via Martin Gysler

Ragan has published a survey looking at how companies structure their social media teams. An infographic summarizing the findings is below and the full report can be downloaded here.

In summary:

42% of companies have just one person looking after social media.40% of companies have 2-3 people looking after social media.9% of companies have six or more people managing social media.25% of companies have interns helping with social media.86% of companies measure social media in terms of likes and followers.Of all comms departments, advertising is the least likely to be in charge of social media in 26% of instances – marketing and PR are most likely (70% and 69% respectively).
Via Lauren Moss

The video game industry is worth more than $100bn worldwide, so it's no surprise that businesses are using gamification to try to boost sales.

The idea is that by adding gaming elements to the sales process, such as small challenges and rewards, you can increase customer loyalty and advocacy.  

 

As in every game or competition, the participants have to be motivated by a worthwhile reward. It’s also true that the greater the reward, the more you can ask people to do to earn the reward.

Via Martin Gysler

Here are 101 fantastic social media technology tool tips that you can use to promote your business on social media.

 

Are you looking for some tools and tips related to social media tools and technology?

 

Want to add a bit of magic to your social media marketing?

 

As we specialise in tools and technology we come across great tips and tools every day.

 

From the list below we guarantee you will find something very useful for your business.

Via Martin Gysler

Pinterest is a fast emerging visually oriented social network that provides a platform that can bring out the creative marketer. So how can you market your business on Pinterest whether you are a B2B or a B2C company?

Via Martin Gysler

The rules change all the time, here some new insights about Social Media and how you should post on it, very interesting. [note Martin Gysler]

 

The best way to encourage customers to “like” you on Facebook is to offer entertaining and engaging content that motivates them to want to be on the inside circle for your business. In an adaptation of the 70/20/10 rules for learning and management, SnapRetail suggests that 70% of the content on your Facebook page be resource material and valuable content posts, 20% be sharing others’ content, and only 10% be store promotion.

 

Read more: http://bit.ly/PtfrN9

Via Martin Gysler

The owner of one of my favourite cafes recently started using Twitter and Facebook. However, when you interact with her business online, you get very little sense of the woman behind it. Her online footprint is polite but, frankly, it lacks personality. In reality, she is a larger than life character who epitomises her brand. She lives and breathes her cafe — and is well known (in real life) for her food, unique decor and events.

She told me: "I just don't want to be in the spotlight. I want people to interact with my business, not with me. I don't want to be the centre of attention."

Fair enough. However, in a world where consumers are bombarded with marketing and advertising messages, some experts believe we are living in an age where personal branding is vital for success. And that means NOT shying away from the spotlight.

Via Martin Gysler

Though some forward-thinking businesses are already using Instagram, chances are you aren't yet, and neither are your competitors. With its universal appeal, however, Instagram is not a medium marketers should ignore. And you'd better move quickly if you want to make an impact.

Via Martin Gysler

Do you run contests on Facebook?

Would you like to make your next Facebook contest stand out?

This article will give you 4 ideas to improve your next Facebook contest.

Why Facebook Contests?

Facebook contests are a popular way for you to get your audience engaged and excited about your brand. More and more companies have adopted the use of Facebook contests to better track participation and engagement.

Via Martin Gysler

How can business owners optimize Facebook Graph Search? It's the Facebook feature we've all been waiting for!  The ability to find things on Facebook -- A bank of one billion+ users that log in from their home, office, and mobile phones.

Via Martin Gysler

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and love is in the air. But even if there isn't someone special in your life right now, as a marketer, that doesn't mean you still can't get into the lovin' spirit. If you're creating marketing people love, that is.

 

But just like there's more than one way to skin a cat, there's more than one way to make people hate your marketing guts.

 

So we thought we'd round up a pretty hefty list of ways (101, to be exact) that you can create the polar opposite of lovable marketing -- how to make people hate your marketing. So double check your marketing tactics against this list to ensure you're being as lovable as you possibly can to your prospects and customers. Because love is all you need ... and probably some leads.

 

Warning: Sarcasm and snark abound.

Via Martin Gysler

The aptly named world wide web has opened up new methods of marketing for businesses both great and small. The benefits of localizing company websites to target foreign markets are now widely recognized (Common Sense Advisory studies suggest an average return of US$25 for every $1 spent on localization) and many businesses now use social media platforms for domestic marketing, but very few appear to be using those platforms to promote their services abroad.

 

For example, Econsultancy’s 2010 Social Media and Online PR Report reported that 83% of marketers were planning to increase their spending on social media this year, yet only 26% had plans to run campaigns in more than one country.

 

Read more: http://bit.ly/MJM7kE

Via Martin Gysler