Trends: What do you do when you see a new trend developing? Ignore, implement or keep a watchful eye.

What do you think when you see someone following / doing what you think is a silly trend?  Do you ignore them, do you read up and research it? What exactly do you do?

I know looking at the pictures to the left of me “planking” on a guard rail you are probably laughing and puzzled. I was inspired to write the post based on a recent photo I look following a trend “planking”. You can read all about the trend online. They even have a Facebook page.  I took some “planking” pictures over the weekend to have a laugh with a friend who spent Saturday taking his 13 year old son “planking”. Some trends are silly and come and go quickly, however some trends are here to stay. 

Here are a few social media trends that most people ignored and they are still around and thriving:

• Facebook was started by some college students. People thought it was a trend for kids.  Facebook now has over 800 million users. Quite a trend! Wouldn’t you have liked to say you were one of the first, I know I would have. 

There are businesses that just focus solely on building Facebook applications and games. Any website that doesn’t have Facebook “Like” and the other social media integrations they offer are considered behind the times. If you have a business and don’t have a Facebook Business Page you are behind. If you don’t have a Facebook Profile you are even more behind.

• Twitter was started in March of 2006. The first Tweet was sent at 9:50 pm PST by Jack Dorsey. At first there were only a few regular users, now they have over 200 million users. I remember the first time someone mentioned Twitter to me I had never heard of it. I needed a training lesson and live demonstration to see what it was all about (a far cry from my Twitter addiction today). This Wikipedia post about Twitter is quite interesting.  

Developers are now continually building the new latest greatest Twitter tools to manage your following, grow your following, Tweet, etc.  I personally have used and use many of them.  To name a few of my favorites – SocialOomph.com, Tweetdeck.com and Tweepi.com.

If a trend is something that could affect your business look at it a little closer before just dismissing it.  Follow it!  I am not saying act on it, but watch it a little closer than turning a blind eye. 

This is my approach with a new technology trend:

1. Does it make sense?
2. What are others saying about it?
3. Could it be applied to your business?
4. Would it damage your reputation?
5. Does it cost you little or nothing to implement the trend for a short time to test it?

I usually will test a new social media trend, so I can support my clients and friends with answers to their questions. I like to know the positives and the negatives. I then will think about the strategies that can be used with the new trend for business owners.

These are just a few thoughts I have on trends.  I know you have some great feedback also. Now, it’s your turn! Please comment and share!  Thank you!

P.S. I realized after taking the “planking” photos last weekend, I was actually doing it wrong. To me, that made it even funnier! If you want to see the rest of the photos I made, check out the album on Facebook. Also, for those that are thinking I am losing my mind, I was “planking” on a guard rail in a park, not on the side of the highway!

Are you ready to STOP diluting your network and STOP polluting online? Tips for Proper Online Etiquette

Are you ready to STOP diluting your network and STOP polluting online? That is right … I just said online pollution – the trash we put out to our friends and about our friends online via Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, etc.

I recently spoke with a great group of ladies at Essential Energy.  I was presenting the “Not So Secret ‘Secrets’ of Social Media Marketing”.  Their experience level with social media ranged from zilch to aficionado. 

One of the attendees asked me “What can I do about friends that take photographs of me and post them on Facebook.  I told her “unfortunately, you are at their mercy”. 

Etiquette tips about Digital Photographs:

• Show the digital photo to those in the photo when it is taken. Anyone that doesn’t approve of the photo can speak up.
• Email those in your digital photographs a copy.  Give them the opportunity to request you don’t post the photograph.
• Crop the picture.  Look at the picture closely at all those in the picture. If the picture isn’t flattering or shows someone in a bad light, cut them out of the photograph.
• Tagging photos on Facebook. Don’t tag your friends on Facebook in the photos. Let them do it.  Send them a link to the album via a private message on Facebook and say “You are in a couple of these photos. I didn’t tag you, but go in and tag yourself in the ones you want to.”

More about this  … “Is this Photo of You? Are You Protecting Your Digital Footprint?”  for suggestions how to avoid getting photos snapped of you don’t want out there.

Another asked about ”Proper Online Etiquette”.  I have been thinking about this topic quite about since this time. A few thoughts …

Proper Online Etiquette:

1. Get permission. Before you share something a friend told you privately via a message, email or Twitter Direct Message get their permission. Give them the chance to say “No”.
2. Facebook Tagging. So you post an article or something on Facebook (a note, photo, status update, etc.) and you want to tag some friends so they see it.  Make sure you have an understanding in advance with those you tag, so they don’t care that you do it.  Send them a private message and say, “I posted a Facebook Note I wanted you to see, I tagged you. I hope you don’t mind”.  Once they give you the ok a few times when you ask them in advance, from then on tag away!
3. Facebook Event Invitations. I don’t know about you, but I am getting so many of these on a daily basis it is hard to keep track of the ones I actually want to receive.  Here is my advice on this:  Spend some time when you create an event and actually select the people that would be interested in going and live in the area of the event. You can target this event invitiations by lists and area. Put this tool to use and STOP diluting your network and polluting online.
4. Twitter Mentions. This is like Facebook tagging and it is just as annoying when someone mentions you in a Tweet and all they want to do is drive you to their article.  Especially, when you don’t even give them a name of the article.  I myself will do some mentions like this, but it is with friends that have told me they don’t read their Direct Messages and the best way to get their attention is this method.  I myself will send a Direct Message to someone if I have some content I have written I want them to see.  There is a fine line between spamming and annoying with this, so be cautious on doing too much of this.
5. Give credit where it’s due! When you are on Facebook, Twitter, etc., if you have a friend / business page that has shared a piece of content via a status update or tweet and you share it with your network – give them credit for it.  Your friends can tell when you have taken their content and shared it to your profile without giving them proper credit. Tag them on Facebook or mention their Twitter id in the tweet. (If the Facebook tagging isn’t working, put their name in the update and if they see it, they know you tried!)

More about this …. From Chris Brogan – Etiquette in the Age of Social Media and from eHow – Social Media Etiquette!  

One final thought to keep in mind …. I have found in using many different social networking sites, people do things online that are not proper online etiquette, but that is not their intention. They usually don’t realize what they are doing or how it affects and possibly offends you and others. Keep that in mind and be patient, gentle and tactful in letting them know.  (You could just send them a link to this blog post and say “see item # and so on”. LOL! #Joke)

I hit a few of the high spots. It’s your turn …. Now! Share some of your Online Etiquette Tips and lets help each other to grow and develop online!

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 di66.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:

1. Ask your social media connections to follow you on Digg and follow them back.
2. When you submit to Digg let your social networks know you did, use the hashtag #DiggUser on twitter.
3. Form an alliance with as many “Diggers” as you can that are in your social network.
4. 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.)
5. 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:

1. Does the communication contain anything negative?
2. Can what you have to say be misinterpreted?
3. 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!

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