Do you Digg it? How to Leverage Social Media and Make it to the Front Page of Digg

Do you “Digg” this or how about I “dugg” that? Social bookmarking is a great way to get exposure and link backs to your website. Many predict social bookmarking is a dying cause. All trends and tools come and go. Go with your gut, use the tools you like and don’t use what you don’t.

I started using social bookmarking in the last 9 months, when I started blogging more and more. I actually had something to social bookmark, or at least I thought so.

Last week in a Skype conversation with Dean Bairaktaris, known as TheDudeDean online, we talked about Digg, an important social bookmarking site and the value you behind it. As one of the former “top Diggers” he had lots to share with me. These are my take away thoughts from the conversation with TheDudeDean.

Here is how to make it to the 1^st page of Digg:

1. Don’t be the first to submit your content to Digg. The Dude said “This just looks bad and doesn’t encourage other Diggers to want to ‘Digg’ it.”

It is always better if a friend or a follower submits your content to Digg.
You do not want this to be the same person every time to submit your content.
You can get buried if you do make it to the front page using poor tactics/poor content.

2. Be the first to submit a hot news item to Digg. The first one to submit an article gets all the credit. The ones that “Digg” it afterwards helps you make it to the first page.

Make sure it is “Digg” worthy.
Don’t just click “Digg” to be doing it.
When you “Digg” something read it, know what & why you are clicking “Digg”. Post a comment on why you like it.
Search for your submission before you submit. The Dupe Detector will often screw you. Try to avoid Duplicate submissions(Dupes) as much as possible.
Learn about canonical URLs (read URL normalization). Sites like YouTube and WordPress can generate different URLs for the same post. Especially YouTube. While this does allow you to Dupe posts, this is generally frowned upon. For novice level users this isn’t a bad thing, but if you’re on the top active list, Digg Support will notice you doing it. Digg Support always bans you without any warning.
Submit from “White List ” sites, in other words don’t try to get a brand new site to pop right from the get go, that takes time. Its a lot easier to get a main stream site to go popular on Digg than it is for a new site. Use di 66.net and socialblade .com they’re both great tools for finding out whats REALLY going on over at Digg.

3. Follow other Diggers and “Digg” their submissions.

This is a great way to get their attention and eventually if you submit the right kind of content, get them to “Digg” your submissions.
Their followers will “Digg” your submissions if the “ Diggers” do.

Special thanks to TheDudeDean for the great conversation and education last week about Digg. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter. He is quite an interesting, knowledgeable techie for the rest us #geeks to know.

Being the Online Marketer that I am, the conversation with TheDudeDean gave me all sorts of ideas how to use social media to get my submissions and my clients submissions “dugg”.

How to leverage social media to make it to the first page of Digg:

Ask your social media connections to follow you on Digg and follow them back.
When you submit to Digg let your social networks know you did, use the hashtag #DiggUser on twitter.
Form an alliance with as many “Diggers” as you can that are in your social network.
Ask different connections “Diggers” in your network to submit your blogging content. (Remember, you don’t want to submit your own blog posts to Digg.)
Once another “Digger” submits your post, let your network know about it, so they can go “Digg” it also.

Now that I have given you my Digg marketing ideas, a few sample Status Updates or Tweets to ask your network gently to “Digg” your submissions. You want to be cautious, so they don’t tune you OUT and turn you OFF.

When you submit someone else’s post to Digg: Just submitted (title & link url) to Digg by (Twitter ID or tag on Facebook). I hope you “Digg” it to!

When someone else has submitted your post to Digg: Just noticed my post (title & link url) was submitted to Digg. So excited & flattered. Do you “Digg” it?

If you know the Twitter ID or are Facebook friends when the person that submitted you to Digg make sure you thank them for doing so. Let them know you appreciate them! (And don’t forget to submit them and “Digg’ their other submissions also.)

Many of you may have heard me say this, and I am going to say it again: Ask for what you want, all they can say is NO. Remember, people want to help you succeed. You just have to give them the idea how they can help you.

It’s your turn! Fire away … what Digg tips and ideas did you come up with while reading this post?

(P.S. Did you Digg this post? Be the first, second, third and so on … wherever you fall in line I will “Digg” it. One thing you can count on is I will not be the first. I have to follow the most important piece of advice I learned from TheDudeDean.)

Stop Using Social Media as a Communication Crutch!

Do you use social media as a communication crutch? Are you saying things in 140 characters that you should NOT say at all? Have you said anything online or via email and wanted to hit the DELETE button immediately? Once you hit send, share or post it is too late in most cases.

I was inspired earlier today to write this post after several direct messages back and forth with a fellow social media professional/friend. All of us techies and social media junkies have become addicted to being casual about our communication.

We need to stop having conversations online via social media networking sites and email that should be done in person, or at least via telephone/Skype!

How many times have you sent a Direct Message (DM) on Twitter and realized it didn’t send as a DM, but instead to all of your followers? Now everyone that follows you could be reading it. Go in and DELETE it promptly and apologize PUBLICLY to the person you shouted the message to. (Twittiquette Tip: Remember, you sent in to the public, be prepared to admit your failure to the public!)

How often have you seen someone post something negative on Facebook that made you want to HIDE them from your News Feed or even UNFRIEND them? I know I see it all the time … I saw two updates just yesterday that made me cringe. You could be turning OFF your friends and followers with your negative tweets or Facebook status updates.

We have gotten comfortable about what we say to others online. We have learned to say it short and sweet (sometimes not-so-sweet). We have gotten so use to character limitations in our tweets and status updates that we even think in 140 characters. I feel like I am talking in 140 characters sometimes.

Ask yourself these questions before communicating online to others:

Does the communication contain anything negative?
Can what you have to say be misinterpreted?
Can you say it unless than two sentences and the person understand what you are saying and feel good about your message?

If you have to consider the above when communicating trust me and make a phone call, have a Skype conversation or have a meeting in person instead! Perhaps, maybe you shouldn’t even say it at all. There are many times I will type something to vent and then hit DELETE immediately. (That is right guys …. you read that correctly – I get frustrated too. Did I run my perfect image you had of me? Hope not! LOL!)

Tips to good online communication:

Write it and take pause. Read it again before hitting send. (Then read it again afterwards.)
Type it in a Microsoft Word document first. This will also help with catching typos and grammar errors.
Preface the message with how you want to delicately discuss something and thought a email communication might be the best way to communicate effectively (for those that feel a phone conversation might make it even worse).
Get a neutral third party to read it and give honest feedback and critique!

I am definitely not a communication expert; my focus as you know is social media! These are just my ideas and strategies that have helped me along the way. Hey, you, communication experts please chime in and give us your expert opinion!

Now it’s your turn … Successful communication starts with all of us collaborating and sharing our secrets to success. Can’t wait to hear from you! Comment away!

Honoring the Women in My Life …. International Women’s Day

Today is International Women’s Day … I thought I would honor some women that made a difference in my life. I am going to name a few that have affected me from my younger years and then move into the current.

Mary Gregory, mom. My mother taught me at the age of 2 years old that you can have a business, be a successful women and a mom. She raised 5 children by herself, while building and running a successful marketing business after my father left her and 5 children alone with no child support. Believe it or not, she could be yelling at us one minute and having a professional phone conversation the next. (It’s always been a family joke – we all learned how to cry in one breath and answer the phone professionally the next. In other words, turn on our emotions and turn them right back off.)

Jimi Bratt, (@jimibratt) sister. She taught me that if I asked just right I could get whatever I wanted from mom. (She did after all have her own Dillard’s credit card, when we were growing up.) Later this translated into learning to ask for what I want and working until I got it.

Dr. Helen Harkness (@careerdesign), first real job (besides mom and the pizza phone girl). . She took me under her wing and taught me how to communicate with successful professionals in career turmoil, write resumes and score career assessments among a few things. She challenged me to learn new things in technology (because she sure wasn’t going to do it). My job was everything at the age of 18 from answering the phone, doing the dishes to taking out the trash. I learned no job is too small or insignificant. The most important thing I learned from her is to never stop, don’t cut yourself short and be passionate in whatever you do. I still work with Dr. Harkness virtually. She is a woman of passion and purpose. You all should know her.

Stephanie Cross (@stephaniec2c), 1st social media job. Special thanks to Stephanie for responding so quickly to my email that day in April of 2009. I emailed her and said “I am a quick learner and love social media. If you ever need some part time help let me know.” I got an email back the same day that said “yes” and pretty much you’re hired. We had a conference call about her client’s projects, emailed everything I needed to know about the clients and I set up three social media campaigns and started managing them for her. She took a chance on me and I appreciate her confidence in my skills. Without her I wouldn’t have started my own business, LissaDuty.com in September of 2009.

Ana Lucia Novak (@AnaLuciaNovak), online connection, social media strategic partner and friend. I connected with Ana online when she was managing a social media campaign of a former client I was contracted work with while at another social media company. I sent Ana some content to use for the client and got a message back “Please call me.” We became fast friends and started sharing social media strategy. Ana has a wealth of knowledge, information and resources. She shares it abundantly with all that will listen. Ana and I have become strategic partners on many adventures and I can’t wait to travel to San Francisco to meet her in person.

Natalie MacNeil (@nataliemacneil), connection to someone with online clout. One day while surfing the web for blog posts about Twitter, I came across a blog post “30 Women Entrepreneurs to Follow on Twitter” on Forbes.com, written by Natalie. I immediately followed everyone on the blog post and Natalie. If I hadn’t found that blog post I wouldn’t have meet Shelly Kramer, Vicki Flaugher(@SmartWoman) or Coree Silvera (@MarketLikeAChik) to name a few. I learned from Natalie, who I consider a close friend, that I can reach out to those, even out of my circle of immediate influence and become their friend online by being myself. Natalie is a kind, generous person and I am definitely better for knowing her. Do check out her blog, She Takes on The World. I read it daily and recommend you do too.

Patty Farmer (@pattyfarmer), an online connection that I took offline. When I decided to start my virtual assistant and social media marketing business I started growing my connections on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. I connected with Patty Farmer on Facebook, then Twitter. We immediately started chatting back and forth. I registered to attend a Twitter meetup Group and Patty sent me a message that she was going to be there also. If she hadn’t sent me that message I might not have joined HPMDallas (Hot Pink Mamas & Red Hot Papas) and wouldn’t have meet the next person in this blog post. Patty has coached me on marketing through numerous conversations via phone and in person how to brand myself offline, which definitely plays into my online marketing also.

Michelle Ketterman (@expertinventory). I don’t even know where to start with this woman. She is a jack of all trades kinda of gal. She encouraged me, built up my ego and gave me the confidence to continue moving forward with my social media business when business was slow, draining on my marriage and then going through a divorce. Michelle’s has a true passion for helping people succeed in whatever they do. Thanks Michelle for helping me to remember my value, when I didn’t.

Robin Moss, (@robinatribit) professional and personal friend. I met Robin at the DFW Social Media Marketing Meetup and we immediately started talking about Twitter. At that time Robin’s online presence was there, but not as established as it could be. We connected and she actually hired me to do some Twitter training with her. She knew what to do, but just needed someone to stay on her about doing it. She took my advice and her marketing experience and has grown her online Twitter presence from 400 following her to over 2400. Robin also taught me not to barter my services. She said “someone always gets the short end of the stick”. That is still my motto today. Thanks, Robin! (Also, a special thanks to Robin for listening to me talk about my failing marriage on and on for hours.)

Victoria Warner (@victoriawarner), attorney. I connected with Victoria actually during a social media presentation I was giving on the “Not So Secrets ‘Secrets’ to Social Media Marketing”at Dr. Harkness’s office. Victoria is a great attorney and has helped me through all aspects of my divorce. I am so thankful when I sent her that Facebook message at 6:00 am on a Monday morning that said “Call me ASAP. I need a divorce” the phone rang a few minutes later. I still remember the look on my ex’s face when he said “You already have an attorney?”, when I hung up the phone from Victoria. It was priceless and gives me a great laugh today.

Shelly Kramer (@shellykramer), online friend. Shelly is another friend with clout. She doesn’t act that way though. Her ego is small and her generosity big. She is honest and sincere in everything online, rather it’s to her benefit or not. She states her opinion and is never afraid to do so. Shelly, thank you for reminding me to be authentic and genuine online on a daily basis.

Erika Napoletano (@redheadwriting), online friend. This woman has a passion for honesty and tells it exactly like it is every time, no holds barred. She writes exactly as she thinks it, profanity and all. You will actually get a B**** slap or two from her on a weekly basis. She writes with passion and reminds all of us that we need to be authentic and if not, she will call you on it via a blog post. Erika’s writing on her blog, Red Head Writing is Rated R usually, but still quite worth the read.

Friends, as you can see these are just a few women and the stories how they have inspired me and continue to on a daily basis. I could go on and on with names of women and the stories, but I only allow myself so many words for each blog post and I have already went way over.

Please share below a story of a woman and how they inspired you! Don’t forget their social media links and yours!

Facebook How To …. Understand Your News Feed, User Profile and Business Page

Do you really understand Your Facebook News Feed, User Profile and Business Page? What are the differences?

First, I have to address a statement a prospective client said to me last week, which has inspired this blog post:

“Every time I post an update on my business page it posts to my Facebook Profile too.”

My response:

The status update you are posting on your business page is not posting to your Facebook User Profile. The reason you are seeing the updates that you post on you business page is because you have clicked “Like” on your business page and the update is appearing in your Facebook News Feed.

That was a tongue twister to say as you can imagine …. at this point I usually recommend to the prospective client they consider my two hour Facebook Social Media Coaching session in which I explain all these nitty-gritty details.

Understanding Your Facebook News Feed ….

When you are logged as your Facebook User Profile the updates in your News Feed consists of status updates of your friends and business pages that you have clicked “Like”. You sometimes will see (based on your friends privacy settings) the new connections your friends have made, comments others have made on their status updates and pages they have recently clicked on “Like”. You will also see your status updates that you posted on your Facebook Wall Tab. This is not an all inclusive list of what you will see in your News Feed, but it gives you an overview.

Understanding Your Facebook Profile ….

When you click Profile while logged in as your Facebook User Profile (not as your business page) you are viewing your recent status updates and Facebook activity. The Profile tab will show your new friend connections and “Likes”/comments you posted on your friends’ status updates and other business pages you like. You will also see the business pages that you have clicked “Like” recently and blog post on 3^rd party websites that you clicked the Facebook “Like” icon.

Understanding your Business Page ….

First I must say that on March 10 Facebook will convert all business pages to the new layout. That is right … if you haven’t already moved your page to the new format you might as well do it before Facebook does it for you.

Before you convert your business page to the new format, do you have any Facebook photos added to your albums? If not go ahead and load up the ones you want visible at the top of your Profile Wall tab now. It’s better to have some pictures up there then the default blue box. If there are pictures in the panes that you do not want to show simply scroll over the photo and an X should appear in the upper right. Click the X on the photo and it will be removed from the pane view. It’s still in the album where it was originally added, it’s just not in the pane view on your Facebook Wall.

Your custom Static FBML tabs still work with the new business pages. You can still have a custom landing tab be the default for new visitors to your page. Instead of the tabs to view listed at the top of your business page going across, they will be in a column on the left. The names of those that like your page are only visible to the admins of the page. The visitors to the page will only see a total count of how many “Likes” the page has.

Once you convert to the new business page you can post on the page as the page or as your Facebook User Profile. You can post a status update as the page then as your Facebook User Profile post a “Like”/comment underneath. The default setting is to posting as the page when you are your business page.

To change this setting:

Click Edit Page on top right hand side
Click Your Settings on upper left hand side
Uncheck the box that says “Always comment and post on your page as Page Name even when using Facebook as Your Name”.

You receive notifications with the new business page format. It shows you those that have liked your page recently, clicked “Like” on the page’s status updates or commented.

To view these notifications you have to be logged in using Facebook as the page. To do this click “Use Facebook as Your Business Page Name”. You can switch back to your Facebook User Profile by clicking “use Facebook as Your Name”.

Business Page News Feed

On your business page News Feed you will see status updates of any pages that you have clicked “Like” when logged in as your business page. Just to clarify … you will not see status updates of those that “Like” your page in the business page News Feed, only the pages that your business page “Likes”.

Business Page Profile

On your business page profile you will see the status updates and recent Facebook activity of your business page, which would include comments posted on status updates of other pages and pages that you have clicked “Like” as the business page. Business pages cannot comment on Facebook User Profiles, at this point, pages can only communicate with other business pages.

As you have seen from all the specifics listed about … Facebook has many intricate details. I could go on and on about Facebook User Profiles and Business Pages. I am going to end with this and trust I have answered your questions.

It’s your turn … what did I miss? Share what you see as essential for other readers of this blog post to know. Looking forward to your feedback and questions!

Another Facebook Secret … Moving Friends to Fans or “Likers” as some might say

Moving Friends to Fans or “Likers” as some might say

– I had to include this line, as I have had too many laughs about it with friends who also specialize social media marketing. When Facebook changed to the “Like” button for Fan Pages, which they now call Business Pages we all made lots of wise cracks.

At the end of last year, I shared One of My Facebook Secrets and I feel the need to share another one today. Perhaps I should call this a Facebook Strategy verses a secret. I have many secrets still hidden away to share with you in my Facebook Training sessions.

I am inspired by the questions asked by my friends, fans, followers and well, you. It motivates me to help you solve your problems, answer your questions to help you and others grow their network and brand strategically via social networking sites.

Last week on Twitter, Angela Shelton, after reading my blog post Are you a RULE BREAKER? Know Your Facebook Rights and Wrongs she had lots of questions for me. She wanted to know how to convert Facebook Friends over to her Business Page (Fan Page). She said she had tried to move them over in the past, but they usually ignored her request, didn’t see it or were offended because she wanted to unfriend them of Facebook.

What they didn’t understand is she was not trying to unfriend them, she was wanting to follow Facebook’s Statement of Rights and keep her Facebook Profile for personal connections and her Business Page for professional connections. I had no quick answer to solve her problem in the 140 characters that Twitter allows. I decided to write a blog post giving suggestions how to entice them to “Like” her Business Page.

Here are the strategies:

Post a status update on your Business Page that would get “Likes” and comments. Something about your business of course, not personal. Perhaps a new client you landed or recognition you received for your business. Go to your Facebook Profile and say “Just posted some exciting news on my Business Page (link to business page)”. Make sure and go check it out. Don’t forget to click “Like”.
Post a status update on your Facebook Profile that says “Friends, I truly love connecting with each and everyone of you. I have recently been made aware of Facebook’s Statement of Rights regarding Facebook Profiles and Business Pages. I want to keep you updated on my business, but according to Facebook I must do this on a Business Page. Please go click “Like” (link to business page here) and let’s stay connected there also. We’ll still have some fun on my Facebook Profile, but it will be focused somewhat different.”
Post a status update on your Facebook Profile saying “I am having so much fun connecting on my Business Page, if you haven’t already checked it out, please do (link to business page here)”

These are just a few strategies to get your friends moved across to your Facebook Business Page. I hope these ideas inspired a few other statements you can use to entice them. You can repeat these statements of course from time to time (maximum once per week) at different times to catch all your friends.

As your friends click “Like” on your Business Page, assign them to a list (Read how here) on your Facebook Profile that limits the status updates they see on our Facebook Profile. They will get use to not seeing your Facebook Profile status updates regularly and gradually been communicating with you on the Business Page. Eventually, (wait several months), you can unfriend them on your Facebook Profile if you want and they probably won’t even notice.

Another quick something to know …. at this point Facebook Business Pages cannot communicate with Facebook Profiles, only other Business Pages, so if you unfriend someone from your Facebook Profile, the only time you would be able to communicate with your them from your Business Pages is when they comment/”Like” something posted on your Business Page or as you from your Facebook Profile via messages, etc…. (This will be limited based on how they have their Facebook Privacy Settings established.)

It’s your turn! What tips did you come up with for moving friends to fans? How are you going to entice them to “Like” your Business Page? Look forward to hearing from you!

P.S. Special thanks Angela Shelton for the inspiration of this blog post! You should give her a follow on Twitter and check out her Facebook Business Page. Her background is quite interesting.

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