The Social Media Kool-Aid Guzzler: For many businesses after taking their first step (sip of the Kool-Aid) in social media they tend to immediately jump all in or start guzzling.  Businesses try to drink the entire pitcher of Kool-Aid in one sitting.  They set up profiles on every possible social media network barely stopping to take a breath and not even considering how they will keep up with all these profiles.  Social media strategy is out the door but they are sure all these profiles will bring them business.  Eventually these businesses decide the Kool-Aid doesn’t taste all that great.  It could be within a few weeks or a few months but all the social media activity stops and these businesses will now tell you “I tried that social media thing and it does not work”.

The Social Media Kool-Aid Big Gulpers:  Have you seen these before?  The 44 oz, 64oz, wait that’s not big enough the 1 gallon jug people carry around with a big straw hanging out?  Picture this jug full of Social Media Kool-Aid.  These Kool-Aid Gulpers are social media super users.  They are similar to the Guzzlers typically not having a social media strategy but don’t seem to quit.  They are constantly drinking, updating too many profiles and are the types of users you always see iPhone or Droid phone in hand.  In the middle of a meeting, party, or conversation these users are trying to update Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn.  They may be taking pictures and uploading to Flickr or even shooting video and trying to get it up on YouTube on the spot.

If you are one of these two users how can you possibly be losing business?  You are doing everything right… right?

For the Guzzlers they lose business by spending so much time learning and applying social media as fast as they can and then just let it all go.   A lot of businesses think they need to do social media and think they can do it themselves.  Business owners and executives step away from their primary roles and try to become social media experts.  By doing this their business actually goes down and then a few months later they stop using social media anyway.  All that time and effort goes to waste.

For the Gulpers they don’t realize they are alienating the people around them.  These could be prospects or customers who don’t understand why you have your phone out and in hand.  The perception is you don’t care about the meeting or conversation which creates a feeling of indifference.  This indifference can grow to the point of losing long standing customers or prospects that are ready to buy.

The moral of the social media Kool-Aid story is to be aware of what you can become.  You truly do not want to be a Guzzler or a Gulper in social media.  If you are a business wanting to get started in social media ask for help.  Seek out social media marketing firms within your network and find out how they work.  Create a social media strategy and implement it over time.  Social media works for all types of business but you must have a strategy and plan.

If you want to learn how you can work with Square Martini Media on your social media strategy please visit or contact us page and use the form, email, or call us today.

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1) Reconnect
With so many users on Facebook it’s become very easy to connect with friends, clients, and co-workers both current and past.  With each connection (friend) you have the opportunity to let people know what you are currently doing and possibly turn this connection into a new client.  It’s amazing the amount of new business you can create with old friends.

2) Expand your network
Meet new people in your target market within your target area.  This can be very local or you can expand your Facebook connections globally.  Members of a network like Facebook are open and want to network!  Just keep in mind accepting friend requests without engaging them will not expand your network…  Becoming part of the conversation is the key.

3) Personal Branding
Facebook allows you to promote yourself and your company.  The info tab within Facebook can be very detailed allowing your connections (friends) to learn more about you. Adding your websites and additional Social Media sites is highly recommended.  Facebook also allows you to update your status or what you are currently working.  This helps create conversation within your network, conversation creates relationships, relationships bring new clients and referrals.

4) Advertising
Facebook has a powerful advertising engine that enables businesses to specify a specific demographic target, see how many people that demographic will hit, and advertise to that demographic.  This is very similar to Google Adwords but targeted in the Facebook network.  Advertising success within Facebook will be different depending on your company but should be tested especially if you are currently advertising on Google Adwords.

5) Visibility
Staying top of mind with clients, prospects, and friends leads to more business and referrals.  By updating your status, adding pictures, and letting your network know what you are doing you are creating stronger relationships with very little effort.  I cannot express how valuable this is!  The more people you have in your network the more potential you have to create top of mind awareness with your connections.

6) Fan Pages
Pages give your business or brand an identity on Facebook.  With a Page, those interested and following your brand can become “fans”, and when they do so, all their friends will see this.  These Pages also add to your website SEO as they are indexed by Google!

7) Groups
Groups on Facebook are similar to Pages, but are meant to be built around a group of people rather than an individual business or brand.  Becoming part of a group helps you expand your network with potential clients.

Hopefully these 7 Top Reasons Facebook is a Must Have for Your Business has opened your eyes to the potential of Facebook for your business.  For those of you still deciding if it’s worth your time investment spend a moment digesting a few of the current Facebook demographics:

• 35-54 year old demographic segment continues to grow the fastest, but it accelerated to a 276.4% growth rate over the past 6 months This segment is doubling every 2 months!
• The 55+ demo is not far behind with a 194.3% growth rate
• The 25-34 year population on Facebook is doubling every 6 months
• There are more females (55.7%) than males (42.2%) on Facebook
• Over 26 million users on Facebook are living in the US

So the question for you is how many of your customers or potential customers are in Facebook and are you going to reach out to them?

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1. Networking – Clearly the more active you are on LinkedIn the more exposure you have.  This brings you more clients and referrals
2. LinkedIn Search People – Who are you looking for?  You are only one, possibly two, LinkedIn connections away from your next large customer.
3. LinkedIn Answers – With LinkedIn, you have the ability to ask questions and get answers from the entire LinkedIn Network.
4. LinkedIn Profile – Your profile is a great way for people to remember who you are as well as what you look like.  Having your picture and information current is an excellent way for people to identify with you at a future event.  Viewing someone’s profile while following up via phone gives you a great advantage since you can instantly identify ways to engage them in the conversation.
5. LinkedIn Recommendations – With LinkedIn, you can receive ongoing testimonials. When your clients and vendors give you recommendations, you gain instant credibility.
6. Google Search – We are now in a time where most people will do a Google search for your name and company before deciding on a purchase.  Your LinkedIn profile along with the recommendations from your clients and vendors will be near the top of any search on your name clearly adding to your credibility.
7. LinkedIn Groups – LinkedIn gives you the ability to create and join groups.  The ability to join groups with likeminded people or your target market gives you a great advantage as well as increases your exposure to potential clients and referrals.

So can you really make money by using LinkedIn?  Check out this great article on LinkedIn’s Blog “I’ve made millions of dollars through LinkedIn”.  You can’t afford not to be in this network!

If this 7 Top Reasons LinkedIn is a Must Have for Your Business still hasn’t convinced you that participating in LinkedIn is worth your time post a comment because we would love to hear your reasoning.  If you have a great success story with LinkedIn please share it by leaving a comment!

Although an essential element Square Martini Media considers LinkedIn just one factor in your overall social media business strategy.

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