Media Monday: iContact Archive

I finally had a moment to sit and search for the info on how to make past e-newsletters available for review.  iContact has a fabulous blog post about it that lays out easy-to-follow instructions.  Once the archive URL was generated I created a new tab in my blog menu, but instead of creating a page I had it redirect to the archive URL.  Works beautifully, and it's self-updating.  No muss, no fuss--just the way I like my technology and media!

Media Monday--eNewsletters

I signed up for the free trial at iContact and sent out my first eNewsletter in two years earlier this month.

An eNewsletter for June, matching welcome notes for those that request to be on my mailing list--whether through market or through the internet, and a sign-up form on the blog.  Not a bad start, eh.  I still need to sort out the Facebook app for mailing list sign-ups and see if there's an option for a Web-based copy to post here on the blog like one of their competitors has.

Added bonus? A personal phone call from customer service to see how my first mailing went, an opportunity to check out Vocus, and they have oodles of online self-help support including blog posts and how-to videos.

Return on investment?  17% of my mailing list returned the week the newsletter went out; and one with a friend!  Not certain how much is coincidence, but I'll take it!  And two weeks later when I sent a "postcard" to notify that I had to take a sick day, I received replies wishing me a speedy recovery--so very kind!

Do you have an eNewsletter?  How often do you send it?  What content do you include?

-JS

Media Monday--Twitter

I had tried Twitter in 2009, but always felt redundant in posting and never grasped the Twitterverse concept.  Facebook worked better with my logic; Twitter I couldn't wrap my brain around sufficiently.

After chatting with Hank at Social Post Interactive on one of his podcasts, I decided to give it another go.  Especially since HootSuite makes it so much easier to handle multiple social media venues.  I'm really enjoying it this go-round!

Following folks in your community (geographically, socially, and/or professionally) truly is key.  Through HootSuite, it's easy to plug in an URL and have it automatically shorten--this opens opportunities to link pictures, blog posts, or other websites.

Hash-tagging can convey emotions, shades of sarcasm, or tags/labels/metatags which can further expound your point or lead others to your twitter-feed.  Also, from the tiny screen, it's easier to tag others into your conversation than it is on Facebook.  Tagging others can improve your social media reach by showing up in their feed (and some folks may be more inclined to retweet,or re-post, when you show them some love).

Have you tried Twitter yet?  You can find me @pauseNC.

-JS

Media Monday--HootSuite

During the Social Post Interactive's podcast about small business use of social media I lamented about not being able to post to my business Facebook page from my phone.  The Facebook app for Blackberry only does my personal profile page.  HootSuite was suggested--TA DA!

HootSuite is a free app that allows you to distribute one post to multiple social media venues.  You can attach an image or file, schedule a post for a future date/time, share your location, and adjust your privacy options; you can even utilize your Twitter tags (but not Facebook's) and feed your blog posts.  Oh, and when posting from the computer you can add a link/URL and automatically shrink it.  It was easy enough to set up an account, to link my current social media accounts, and to download the mobile app from Blackberry App World.

I did have some frustration with it during the week.  Every time I tried to post from the phone it failed to post to Facebook.  Turned out that when I first connected my fb account I had opted out of letting the app access it whenever.  No more problems once I re-connected it and permitted anytime access.  I can post directly from the computer or phone, and I can schedule a post from the computer or phone--pretty exciting, eh?

What did you do with your social media or social marketing this week?  Have you tried out HootSuite yet?  Has your message reached any additional people in the past week or two?

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Social Media Update:
Facebook Page: 21 Likes
Twitter: 10 Followers

Media Monday--At the Starting Line

Social Post Interactive, LLC kindly invited me to participate in a podcast about social media use by small businesses.  I thought I would create a blog category to keep track of my efforts as a result of the information and ideas I received; perhaps it will prove useful to other small businesses.

Prior to the podcast my small business social media included a recently started blog and a recently started Facebook page (I had re-aligned my web presence after a 15-month maternity sabbatical, during which my original website expired).  The blog didn't have any public followers, and the Facebook page had 17 fans. 

While my Facebook URL is on my sandwich boards at market, my social media links are NOT on my business cards.  I lamented over it greatly when I was placing the order, but the cards felt cluttered with the links added to everything else--the state legislature requires that I have my licensure information, I wanted to indicate my primary modalities/services (chair, Thai foot massage, infant massage classes), and I needed to have my phone and email.  I need to ponder an adequate solution, but for now it'll have to do.

So, I'm armed with information, I'm at the starting line with a fresh web presence, and where I'm starting from is now documented.  Shall we see where this goes?  Do you think I'll achieve a high return-on-investment with my no- or low-cost marketing efforts?  Do you have a business, event, or cause that you're trying to move forward through the use of social media?

Tune in next Monday!
-JS