Below are 5 areas to help you measure your Social Media success and consider making changes for 2011:

Honest Benchmark – It starts with an honest review of where you are at in Social Media.  I am assuming if you are reading this post you are one of the many businesses which implemented Social Media this year.  If I was meeting with you in person I would ask if you followed through with your Social Media strategy and goals this year.  So many businesses jump into Social Media with great plans and a minimal strategy only to decide to abandon Social Media because they realize it takes more than just setting up a few profiles.  Even some of our clients at Square Martini Media after creating a detailed Social Media strategy discovered in the process that Social Media is a big of a commitment and had to reconsider moving forward.  Social Media takes someone within a company or a firm like ours actual hours, time, and money to make successful.

Review Analytics – Use Google Analytics or something similar to review your site traffic for the year.  If you are using Social Media as a marketing tool to bring traffic to your hub (website or blog) you should clearly see what areas within Social Media are working and which one are not.  This is a great way to discover opportunities while having some reality checks at the same time.  What worked and what can be improved on?  Are there areas within Social Media that you are spending a lot of time yet not getting the desired results?    Make the decision to change or abandoned what is not working and focus your resources on new strategies or expanding what is working.

Blogging and Facebook Business Pages – Are you creating new content?  Did you commit to a certain amount of posts this year and did you follow through?  Have you adjusted your posting calendar for both your blog and Facebook business page this year and have your reviewed the results?  Are there certain topics, themes, or discussions that seem to be more successful than others?  For many businesses their blog can be the majority of the traffic for their site.  Take some time and discover the posts that are still driving traffic to your website and how you might expand on them for 2011.

Social Media Profiles – When is the last time you updated your Linkedin Profile?  And speaking of profiles have you seen your Facebook profile lately?  Many business owners set up a profile and never look back.  Business goals and messages change, make sure your message is congruent with both your personal and business brands.  Block out time to review and make needed adjustments to your main Social Media profiles.

Show me the money! – Let’s talk about sales!  If you are using Social Media to create sales make sure to review your sales and see where they are coming from.  Is the time, effort, and money you are spending on Social Media bringing new sales to your business?  I have to make it clear that I am assuming you are tracking your sales.  Not kind of tracking or broadly tracking, but really making sure that you and every employee is making every possible effort to identify where each and every sale is coming from.  I have talked to many business owners this year who swear they are tracking their sales.  Typically when I dig deeper and ask more questions about their sales they realize they are not tracking as well as they thought.  This is one of the biggest mistakes made in business today.  You must have great sales tracking to know if Social Media or any marketing strategy is working.  If you cannot clearly identify sales from Social Media it is time to adjust your tracking methods.

This is just a starting point for your Social Media marketing review and I would welcome any additional suggestions via comments below.  Make a commitment right now to not close 2010 without insuring your Social Media success for 2011!

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Take the time to review your Linkedin profile right now.  Look at your Current and Past positions, Summary, Interests, and Groups for opportunities to implement the Linkedin profile strategy discussed in the video.

I hope you enjoyed the Social Media Minute and I look forward to your thoughts and comments. Please subscribe to the Square Martini Media YouTube channel and if you have a question you would like covered on the Social Media Minute, let us know by giving us your Social Media Minute Question.

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One of the most important benefits in creating social media profiles for your personal brand or business is the ability to control what potential clients learn about you when searching online.  The reality is with very little effort you can control the top 5 to 10 Google or Yahoo search results for your personal brand or business.

Here are the top 5 social media profiles you should consider keeping up to date:

1. LinkedIn - Known as the business social network yet many have no idea how to use LinkedIn to generate business.  The most common mistake I see with LinkedIn profiles is they are not complete or up to date.  Many times your LinkedIn profile is the number one search result for your name.
2. Twitter - A confusing social media tool for many but rest assured it’s really quite simple.  You can learn more about using Twitter for business from out past posts.  Twitter is the number two Bing search result for my name.
3. Facebook - Almost everyone has a Facebook profile!  But you must know that your Facebook profile is an extension of your personal brand and business.  What is shared and said on Facebook does not just stay on Facebook and many people are using Facebook as a reference tool.  My personal Facebook profile is the third result for my name on a Yahoo! search.
4. Plaxo - An online address book that is widely used by business professionals and also has a social network component called Plaxo Pulse.  My public Plaxo profile is the sixth listing in a Google Search.
5. Google Profile – Creating a Google Profile will allow you to control how you will appear in Google.  Your Google Profile will typically be the last result on the first page of Google.

You can create profiles on many more social networking sites but at a minimum take the time to create these five and keep them up to date with your current business and contact information.  Taking the time to do this will insure people will find you or your business when they are ready to buy!

And remember, I didn’t say you have to be actively participating on each of these networks to be found on search engines.  Of course, you’ll always get back what you put into each one.  But to ensure you’re solidly anchoring your personal brand, taking the minimal step of setting up a profile is an investment worth making.

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In case you were unaware, iPhones and Droids have access to all the social media sites that a computer would have, but it has the convenience of size. Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, YouTube, and even your email are all at the tip of your fingers- literally!

Angie Swartz, the proud owner of a Droid, explains how it helps business through social media in this week’s Social Media Minute.

Here’s a quick review of Angie’s points:

1. iPhones and Droids make it easy to fit social media into your busy day because your phone is with you all the time.
2. These smart phones help you keep up with important customers when you’re not at the office.
3. They help you keep up with competitors when you’re not doing work for your own company.

I hope you enjoyed the Social Media Minute and I look forward to your thoughts and comments.  Please subscribe to the Square Martini Media YouTube channel and if you have a question you would like covered on the Social Media Minute, let us know by giving us your Social Media Minute Question.

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For starters, LinkedIn is the number one business network.  LinkedIn has over 50 million users all over the globe with every Fortune-500 company represented. This is a network you cannot afford to miss.  LinkedIn is easy to setup and forget.  But just like you forget LinkedIn, so do all your LinkedIn Connections.  Your connections forget about you.

Social Media Tip: One simple step to insure you maintain top of mind awareness with your connections is to Update Your Network Status on LinkedIn.  This update will be listed on your connections home page as well as the weekly email LinkedIn sends to its users.  LinkedIn asks the question: What are you working on now?

Examples for your LinkedIn status could include:

• If you are a Financial Planner you might say, “Just finished meeting with a new client, it’s refreshing to see the excitement when I give new clients their financial plan”.
• If you are a Home Remodeler you might say, “Just completed our 200^th kitchen remodel and the owners are still surprised we finished on time and on budget” .
• If you sell Insurance you might say, “Just reviewed another home owners policy and showed the clients why they were under insured and how to correct it for an additional $28 per year!”

Updating your status is easy, time effective and most importantly effective.  We recommend scheduling a weekly appointment  that reminds you to update your status.  You’ll be investing ten minutes to reach out to your LinkedIn community.  Is that an investment you can afford to make with the largest online business network?  Afterall, you can do it in your pajamas should you choose or during your mid morning break in the office.

Want to read more about Social Media? Square Martini Media has plenty of articles with useful information for you and your business. Check out the links below and browse our website for more great advice!

• 7 Top Tips for Creating A Linkedin Profile That Markets Your Business

• Using Social Media Share Buttons to Increase Website Traffic From Linkedin

• 11 Reasons Why You Should Be Using Linkedin

And if you’ve got a great example of inspiration for writing social media strategies, please share it here  in a comment or on our facebook page.

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Everybody else is doing it, right?  All types of companies are turning to Social Media.  Large fortune 100 companies, big local companies, all the way down to your favorite coffee shop down the street.  Is everyone just jumping on the band wagon or is this social media stuff really working?

Is it because you do not want to be left behind?  The companies that are building their social media presence now, creating great content online, and attracting an online following, are the ones that will continue to grow at a rapid pace.  Those companies starting now will be far ahead of anyone jumping into the social media pool a year from now.

Maybe there are other reasons?  Maybe its because you see your competitors using social media.  Maybe you are interested in social media because it is all the rage…  Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, and blogging are the current buzz words and you want to be a part of that buzz.

The reason why you see big brands using Facebook instead of their website is they want to create a presence where their customers are spending their time.   Everyone is doing it because social media works.  The companies with a strategy are attracting new business using social media as you are reading this.

The reasons why your business should get started with social media are endless.  The most important thing is to get started and figure out how social media can work for you and your business.  Take the time to listen to what is being said on Facebook and Twitter about your business, brand, or industry.  Research the web and read blogs that mention your business name.  Find out what your customers are saying about you and your brand online.  Use Facebook, Twitter, and blogs learn before you jump in!  And most importantly… get started now!

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To guide you through making the best possible profile or redesigning your current Linkedin profile, use the following 7 tips:

#1 Use a professional picture and create a great headline

Use a professional picture – I am amazed at how many Linkedin profiles do not have a picture.  Linkedin is a professional network and your profile must include a great picture.  Choose the picture that represents you and reflects how you want people to see you.  If you do not have a professional head shot get one!  A temporary solution to a missing professional picture is to  have someone take a picture of you with a white wall behind you using great lighting.

Create a great headline – Your headline is a great description of what you do.  Are you a speaker, consultant, or writer?  Are you a serial entrepreneur with many business ventures?  The headline should include what you want your prospect and customers to read about you.

Remember: Your picture and headline is often the first and only part of your Linkedin profile that creates the first impression.

#2 Add all current and past positions as well as education

Current and past positions – Why did you join Linkedin?  Are you looking for opportunity, a new job,  to grow a network, or to attract more business?  If you answered yes, then you want to make it easy for a Linkedin user to find and connect with you by adding your current and past positions.

Education - Who better to add to your network then those friends from college.  Past friends and acquaintances from college could hire you for your next job, be a new customer, or possibly a great referral source for you.

Remember: Current and past positions and education is one of the top ways you can be found on Linkedin.

#3 Include your websites and blog using brand titles

Use brand or company name titles for your website – We all know how important it is to have a website or blog and Linkedin it makes it easy for you to include this information in a profile.  When creating a profile or redesigning a current Linkedin profile, you want to select “other” instead of “website” or “blog”.  Selecting other allows you to name the link as you can see in the example above.  This creates more brand awareness for your profile rather than the Linkedin standard of “My Website”.

Remember - Only list the websites you want prospects and potential customers to use.  List sights that are inline with your personal and business brand.

#4 Take the time to create a great summary that compels Linkedin users to connect with you

Create a great summary – The Linkedin summary is typically the one area everyone can improve.  It’s often used like a resume cover letter or short bio which is a common Linkedin profile mistake.    The best practices in creating a Linkedin summary is to include why you are on Linkedin, what you can do or offer, and what you are looking for on Linkedin.  If done correctly new connections will know what you are looking for and how they can help you.

Remember: Your summary alone can jump start your Linkedin referrals.  Spend some time on the summary, compare it to your competitors or experts in your field, make sure the message is clear.

#5 Use keywords and phrases throughout your profile especially in your specialties

Using keywords and phrases – Do you know the number one search engine online?  Internet users have been trained to Google everything!  Even if you prefer Yahoo! or Bing the term “Google it”  is the action you are taking when you type what you are looking for in any search box.  This carries over to all websites, internet users “Google it” to find what they are looking for.  On Linkedin you can search for any word or phrase and see profiles that match within your network and extended network.

Remember:  A name, company, industry, brand, title, or phrase can all be searched on Linkedin.  Make sure you are using keywords and phrases to insure the Linkedin network finds your profile when they are searching.

#6 Complete your contact settings, personal information, and groups

Complete your Linkedin contact settings, interests, and groups – This is the one area where you can show part of your personality or personal interests on Linkedin.  You want to include keywords and phrases as well as what you enjoy outside of business.  Make sure to include any past or current groups and associations as this is another way for connections to find you.

Remember:  People do business with people they know, like, and trust!  Adding a few personal activities and groups encourage or start the relationship moving beyond just a Linkedin connection.

#7 Grow Your Recommendations!

You must grow your recommendations – Have you ever purchased a product, seen a movie, or hired a company solely based on the recommendation of  one good friend or colleague?  This what Linkedin recommendations can do for you and your company.  By asking for and encouraging Linkedin recommendations you have the opportunity to leverage your Linkedin profile as a referral and credibility tool.  The more recommendations you have the more credibility you create in and out of your Linkedin network.

Remember:  The best way to receive Linkedin recommendations is to give them.  Look within your network for people you have done business with and make a point to give one or more recommendation every month.

If you create or redesign your Linkedin profile with these 7 tips in mind you will position yourself to attract more connections, prospects, and business from Linkedin.

Please add me as a connection by searching for Alan Underkofler on Linkedin. If you are ready to take the next step in Increasing Business Leads with a stand out Linkedin Profile make sure to register and attend our next Linkedin training where you will learn more ways to enhance your profile as well as different areas of Linkedin that can generate business and referrals for you.

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Watch the latest video of “The Social Media Minute” to get ideas on how to use twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin to promote your next event:

Let’s recap on how to use Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin for your upcoming events:

1)  Use status updates on Facebook and Linkedin leading up to the event. Many of your followers, friends, and connections will  spread the word and promote for you!  New connections will learn more about you and possibly attend the event.

2)  Link the event before it happens with ALL the  people and businesses associated with the event (anyone hosting, being a guest, or sponsoring the event). The more people that are linked in this event, the more traffic and awareness will be directed to it.  We all want more buzz right? (You can link to other people in facebook simply by using the @ symbol. You must be facebook friends with them for this function to work.)

• If Square Martini Media was part of your event, you could include @SquareMartini in your tweets about the event.
• On facebook, you could include our facebook business page in your updates by using @squaremartini. This would link our business page to your update.  You might also write on the Square Martini Media Facebook wall about the event.
• On Linkedin you can add the Square Martini Media founders as attending or presenting at your event.

3)  “Tweet” to or “Invite” all your friends on twitter, Facebook and Linkedin. It helps spread the word and gives people time to plan to be there. The more people that commit to attend your event, the more virale buzz you create.

I hope you enjoyed the Social Media Minute and I look forward to your thoughts and comments.  Please subscribe to the Square Martini Media YouTube channel and if you have a question you would like covered on the Social Media Minute, let us know by giving us your Social Media Minute Question.

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Some of you may be thinking why video and why put them on YouTube?  This could be a post in its self but to keep it simple video is HOT, it’s something we recommend to many of our Social Media clients, and if you  looked at YouTube as a search engine it would be ranked number 2 above  Yahoo!.   So what you really should be thinking is how can you implement a video and YouTube strategy in your business?

To kick of the Social Media Minute please watch the following video as we explore using Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin to follow up after speaking.  In the video I discuss using Social Media to continue the conversation, establish stronger relationships, and move prospects in an audience to customers and referral sources.

I hope you enjoyed the Social Media Minute and I look forward to your thoughts and comments.  Please subscribe to the Square Martini Media YouTube channel and if you have a question you would like covered on the Social Media Minute please let us know by giving us your Social Media Minute Question.

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If you take a moment and ask your customers what they use their smart phone for you will hear all kind of answers.  Some may surprise you but many of these customers will say things like browsing the internet, sending tweets on twitter, and checking facebook.  You will receive similar answers when you ask what they are doing on the computer when they are not working.

With all of this focus on Social Media from your customers it creates a great opportunity for you to engage them where they are spending their time.  Going back to the original question here are 5 reasons why your company should be using Social Media.

1. Top of Mind Awareness - Once you have a customer why not make sure they always think of you before anyone else?  There many ways to do this and Social Media is one way that you cannot ignore!  By connecting with your customers in Linkedin, Facebook, and Twitter you maintaining top of mind awareness every time you update your status or send a tweet!
2. Creating stronger relationships - Social Media tools like facebook and twitter are used in the office as well as home.  This allows you to create stronger relationships where your customers are comfortable and where they are more likely to talk about you!  Social Media makes it really easy for your customers to give you referrals to potential new clients!
3. Listening - Your customers are most likely already talking about you, your brand, or your competitor’s brand.  Social Media allows you to listen, engage, and create conversation.  Conversation leads to new customers and new sales.  If you are actively blogging and adding content to your website as well as active on Linkedin, Facebook, and Twitter it will lead you and your company to new sales.
4. Building Customer Loyalty - Let’s face it people are moving so fast they forget what they did yesterday let alone who they purchased a product from last month.  Increasing customer loyalty and retention is about creating and nurturing the buying relationship.  This really gets started after the purchase has been made!  Social Media make very easy for you to keep that buying relationship going for months and years after the sale.
5. NEW FREE BUSINESS – What do I mean by new free business?  With Social Media tools you can create a base of loyal customers, users, and fans.  These customers, users, and fans will send you business.  They will think about you and talk about you!  The easiest business to receive is from prospects that have already been sold by your current and past customers or fans.  Giving your customers the tools to do this is the key and Social Media is currently one of the best tools you can use to make this happen!

Are you using Social Media in your business?  Please let us know by leaving a comment and sharing with everyone why you are and how it is working for you.

(If you found this post valuable please consider sharing it with your Facebook friends, tweeting it on Twitter, or stumbling it on StumbleUpon using the ShareThis button below as this action is one of the best compliments we receive!)

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