Saturday, November 28, 2009
Twitter and Facebook stats
Twitter had 54.7 million unique visitors worldwide in August 2009, up from 4.3 million in August 2008, according to ComScore. Currently, Facebook has more than 300 million active users. 50 million people joined between July and September 2009. Read more
Personalized Presents
Using your photographs, letters, recordings, videos I create personal websites, multi-media presentations including Powerpoint slideshows, videos, and beautiful one-of-a-kind spiral bound books. Great for the holidays, anniversaries, reunions, milestone birthdays, memorial tributes and more. We can work within your budget. email me at info@DorriOlds.com.
Afraid of Social Media Sucking Up Your Time?
Here's 10 helpful tips:
1. Skim: the first phase of online promotion is often reading. This can be anything from Twitter posts to Facebook updates, blog posts and online articles. Here's a tip: skim. You'll want to be very selective with anything that you feel is worthy of an in-depth read. Save your time for the real important stuff and skim the rest.
2. Subscribe to RSS feeds, but only those you actually read: it's tempting to subscribe to a whole bunch of RSS blog feeds (just like it's tempting to get an email box full of newsletters but save yourself the hassle and only subscribe to content you can actually read). The same goes for people you follow on Twitter, if they don't add value, let them go. You don't need the noise.
3. Keep a timer nearby: if you are allocating time each day to your online activities, it's safe to assume you'll go over time unless you really police yourself. Get a kitchen timer and keep it near your desk, when the buzzer goes off, stop!
4. Automate whenever you can: automating can be the key to your online happiness. When you have autoresponders or auto content generators in place they can save you scads of time. An easy and quick way to implement this might be your newsletter sign-ups. There are a variety of systems, one of them via Constant Contact that will allow you to easily automate sign-ups. Even if you have a giveaway for signing up, the system can handle this too!
5. Consolidate your online presence: when you use sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Squidoo, you can really consolidate what you're doing online. Why? Because these three sites "talk" to one another, what that means is that if you update one, they all update. Makes it easy, doesn't it? While you still should visit each of these to populate them with content, you can also plug your information into one source and have it update all your properties. The 'source' can actually be your blog too. Using a site called Twitterfeed can update your Twitter account each time you update your blog, and there are widgets in Facebook and Squidoo that will do the same.
6. Get a routine: get yourself into a social media routine. You'll want to identify the best times of the day for you to blog, get active on Facebook, Twitter, etc., and then don't diverge from that. Stick to a schedule and a routine.
7. Cross-pollinate your stuff: much like my section on consolidating, you'll want to also cross-pollinate your content. Syndicated online articles are a good example of that. You can link to these articles from a variety of places. Your Twitter account, for one, will really benefit from this content, and you can also upload it to Facebook and Squidoo.
8. Do only essential things: you can waste a lot of your time online. By now you know that a million things can distract you; it's important to keep to the essentials. This means that you define what pushes your campaign forward and what doesn't. By doing this you will gain a better sense of where it's best to spend your time. For example, if blogging seems to get you a lot of new newsletter sign-ups, continue doing it.
9. Don't follow the leader: while there are a lot of folks out there telling you what to do (including moi), you want to do what's right for you and your campaign, not what's popular. Twitter, for example, might make no sense for you at all. So don't just follow advice because you trust the source. Listen, learn, then do what will have the biggest impact on your campaign.
10. Create a plan: without a direction, any path will do. Make sure you have a plan for going online, don't just do it because it's "hip" or everyone else is. Make sure you spend some time creating a focused outline of what you'll do, what your goals are and what you need to attain to accomplish these goals. A plan will not only keep you focused, but also stay better on track with your marketing. A plan should include goals and a to-do list so you make sure and sift through all the action items you need to create a rockin' online campaign.
These days, social media is a must for anyone promoting anything. But it doesn't have to mean that it's a time suck too. Keeping a social media presence also means managing it carefully. Know where to spend your time, what needs to be limited and where your efforts need to be expanded. Sometimes the quickest way to grow traction online is to isolate your efforts, while everyone is throwing it all "out there," you can create a focused plan that will not only gain you momentum, but readers as well.
from Author Marketing Experts, Inc.
1. Skim: the first phase of online promotion is often reading. This can be anything from Twitter posts to Facebook updates, blog posts and online articles. Here's a tip: skim. You'll want to be very selective with anything that you feel is worthy of an in-depth read. Save your time for the real important stuff and skim the rest.
2. Subscribe to RSS feeds, but only those you actually read: it's tempting to subscribe to a whole bunch of RSS blog feeds (just like it's tempting to get an email box full of newsletters but save yourself the hassle and only subscribe to content you can actually read). The same goes for people you follow on Twitter, if they don't add value, let them go. You don't need the noise.
3. Keep a timer nearby: if you are allocating time each day to your online activities, it's safe to assume you'll go over time unless you really police yourself. Get a kitchen timer and keep it near your desk, when the buzzer goes off, stop!
4. Automate whenever you can: automating can be the key to your online happiness. When you have autoresponders or auto content generators in place they can save you scads of time. An easy and quick way to implement this might be your newsletter sign-ups. There are a variety of systems, one of them via Constant Contact that will allow you to easily automate sign-ups. Even if you have a giveaway for signing up, the system can handle this too!
5. Consolidate your online presence: when you use sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Squidoo, you can really consolidate what you're doing online. Why? Because these three sites "talk" to one another, what that means is that if you update one, they all update. Makes it easy, doesn't it? While you still should visit each of these to populate them with content, you can also plug your information into one source and have it update all your properties. The 'source' can actually be your blog too. Using a site called Twitterfeed can update your Twitter account each time you update your blog, and there are widgets in Facebook and Squidoo that will do the same.
6. Get a routine: get yourself into a social media routine. You'll want to identify the best times of the day for you to blog, get active on Facebook, Twitter, etc., and then don't diverge from that. Stick to a schedule and a routine.
7. Cross-pollinate your stuff: much like my section on consolidating, you'll want to also cross-pollinate your content. Syndicated online articles are a good example of that. You can link to these articles from a variety of places. Your Twitter account, for one, will really benefit from this content, and you can also upload it to Facebook and Squidoo.
8. Do only essential things: you can waste a lot of your time online. By now you know that a million things can distract you; it's important to keep to the essentials. This means that you define what pushes your campaign forward and what doesn't. By doing this you will gain a better sense of where it's best to spend your time. For example, if blogging seems to get you a lot of new newsletter sign-ups, continue doing it.
9. Don't follow the leader: while there are a lot of folks out there telling you what to do (including moi), you want to do what's right for you and your campaign, not what's popular. Twitter, for example, might make no sense for you at all. So don't just follow advice because you trust the source. Listen, learn, then do what will have the biggest impact on your campaign.
10. Create a plan: without a direction, any path will do. Make sure you have a plan for going online, don't just do it because it's "hip" or everyone else is. Make sure you spend some time creating a focused outline of what you'll do, what your goals are and what you need to attain to accomplish these goals. A plan will not only keep you focused, but also stay better on track with your marketing. A plan should include goals and a to-do list so you make sure and sift through all the action items you need to create a rockin' online campaign.
These days, social media is a must for anyone promoting anything. But it doesn't have to mean that it's a time suck too. Keeping a social media presence also means managing it carefully. Know where to spend your time, what needs to be limited and where your efforts need to be expanded. Sometimes the quickest way to grow traction online is to isolate your efforts, while everyone is throwing it all "out there," you can create a focused plan that will not only gain you momentum, but readers as well.
from Author Marketing Experts, Inc.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Internet Marketing Strategies
Good morning and Happy Thanksgiving! Because I'm addicted to twitter, facebook, email, blogging, linkedin and all things social media, I'm already online today despite the holiday :) While surfing the web this morning I'm shocked at how many typos I came across. What's my big promotion tip for today? DON'T DO THAT! Don't have typos in your marketing text, it makes u look stoooopit. Write and tell me your plans for today. Cheers!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Promotion for your Website(s)
I just pitched an article to The Resident. They accepted. This will be to announce the new website launch of the Little Baby Face Foundation, an organization that helps kids born with facial deformities. Stay tuned for the article. By the way, this is my website redesign so I'm especially motivated to promote it! No flies on me.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Never one to do things moderately
I had/have writers workshop last night, tonight, tomorrow night and night after that. All in different places with different people! what are u up to this week?
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Twitter Lists I Follow
@mashable/design
@mashable/web
@mashable/tech
@mashable/mashable
@twitter/team
I look forward to your suggestions/comments/questions regarding lists on twitter. Can't wait to read comments!
@mashable/web
@mashable/tech
@mashable/mashable
@twitter/team
I look forward to your suggestions/comments/questions regarding lists on twitter. Can't wait to read comments!
Friday, November 20, 2009
HOPE during this tough economy
Web design jobs and graphic design for printed pieces are still coming in. Articles for publications—both online and in print—are still being assigned. Somehow the business world keeps turning. Social Media keeps growing. It's so important to look towards the positive and not count the negatives. Happy Friday everybody!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
Twitter Lists!
The idea is to allow people to curate lists of Twitter accounts. For example, you could create a list of the funniest Twitter accounts of all time, socialmedia, local businesses, friends, or any compilation that makes sense.
Lists are public by default (but can be made private) and the lists you've created are linked from your profile. Other Twitter users can then subscribe to your lists. This means lists have the potential to be an important new discovery mechanism for great tweets and accounts.
Lists were created in response to requests from people who wanted better ways to organize information on twitter since it's gotten so huge.
I think this is exciting. Who's liking lists so far?
Lists are public by default (but can be made private) and the lists you've created are linked from your profile. Other Twitter users can then subscribe to your lists. This means lists have the potential to be an important new discovery mechanism for great tweets and accounts.
Lists were created in response to requests from people who wanted better ways to organize information on twitter since it's gotten so huge.
I think this is exciting. Who's liking lists so far?
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Helpful resource for Blogging & Social Media
Sree's Twitter Guide
Helpful Twitter tip: make your tweets 120 characters so people can easily retweet
Other tips from Sree: Blog in your own unique voice on topics that you have expertise in. Strong opinionated posts tend to get more attention. Especially when they are about provocative topics.
Now if we all just had 24 more hours in each day we could do it all perfectly, eh?!
Helpful Twitter tip: make your tweets 120 characters so people can easily retweet
Other tips from Sree: Blog in your own unique voice on topics that you have expertise in. Strong opinionated posts tend to get more attention. Especially when they are about provocative topics.
Now if we all just had 24 more hours in each day we could do it all perfectly, eh?!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Learned a few things!
I attended another American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA) event last night—Profitable Social Media Networking for Writers. The panelists were a highly qualified bunch. I was impressed. These ASJA functions serve as excellent networking ops and a great way to meet people that I actually like! Us writers are such a cool bunch, eh? So eccentric, so extreme. I love it. If anybody is interested in specific tips I gained last night please ask about How To:
- Build Your Brand
- Deepen Your Connection with Audiences
- Gain Writing Assignments
- Get better plugged into new trends for Story Ideas
- Grab and Maintain Someone's Attention
- Focus and Market Your Expertise
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