Winning Strategies

Social Networking Well Kept Secrets

We tweet and we facebook, we use plaxo and LinkedIn- - and many sit back and wonder HOW oh HOW do those social networkers keep up with ALL those sites! 

Well, the best kept secret is that we don't. The most active social 'networkers' have selected a 'prime' tool that they occasionally update.  That tool then updates/feeds all of the other sites that they are interested in updating. 

I love to write and encourage people towards success.  For me, I  try to write one short blog a day on the motivational blog. When I post to the Winning Strategies blog, usually via a hurridly sent email from my blackberry, it automatically updates Twitter and Facebook.  I have setup Plaxo to pull information from Twitter- and whala- I update 4 sites with the click of one SEND on my blackberry as I'm sending an email to my Typepad Blog.  It is simply amazing and, on average, take abouts 4 - 6 minutes a day depending on how much I have to say and how moved I am to write.  Some days I spend absolutely no time at all on it because I have no motivation and no words come to mind (writers block) (laugh).  I have setup LinkedIn to pull from the blog and those updates happen automatically as well.

One executive that I spoke to today uses Twitter as his 'prime' tool and has it feed several other sites.  Ping is also a great way to connect all of your sites (http://www.ping.fm/).  I personally don't choose to use ping since I have chosen to selectively share information from varying twitter accounts and social networking sites, working to keep 'work' and the 'motivational blog' somewhat separated.

Send me any questions that you have.  I'll certainly try to answer them.  Happy Tweeting.

Why Social Networking may Work for You...

Party Planning- the Facebook way-
Michael and I decided while on our date last night that 'yes', we would plan a party at our house.  We picked the date and the menu.  We jumped out to facebook and ran through our facebook friends list.  For the facebook novices, this is the list of friends that we have accepted onto a 'friends list'.  They are our friend 'network'. 

We planned the invitee list and sent invites over facebook from our blackberries in the restaurant.  From start to finish, total planning time-    8 minutes.  This is life in the fast lane.  If you find that you can't find enough time in the day to get it all done, you may be able to find a few minutes by using efficiencies gained using social networking.  I know- you don't want to believe it.  You don't know how you REALLY feel until you try it. So- give it a try.

Anyone saying social networking is dead, is dead wrong...

Laugh- I hate to be controversial, but social networking is definitely not dead.  I have a blog and a web site and have had both for several years.  I get about 40,000 hits a month on my website.  When I write about social media, my hits double.  No doubt about it, the public is clammoring for information on social media.  Can you guess what my other hottest topic is?  You'd never guess, it is scoliosis.  I'm guessing that is because of the lack of available information.

Statistics don't lie.  People are logging onto the web site and the blog to learn more about social networking.  Now, why would they do that if it were dead? (smile)

Get Some Social Networking Help

It doesn't have to be so hard.  Social networking can be easier than you think.  I've compiled all the 'helps' together in a 10 page Social Networking Handbook and am making it available digitally for $2.99.

Discovering Social Media

Tonight I sat on a panel to discuss Social Media for WITI (Women in Technology) Dallas.  Companies are trying to figure it out.  More and more we are seeing people that are changing the way that they consume, use and access information.  The statistics are daunting.  We can sit back and pretend that the trends are not shifting, but they are.  The movement to increased social media and social networking is happening whether or not you accept the trend.

It may be time to start utilizing an online presence that works for you.

1. Establish the goals that you'd like to accomplish.  This will help you know if you are achieving what you have set out to achieve.  You need measurable goals.  If you don't achieve them, then it will be easy to assess the viability and return on this valuable time investment that you've made.
2. Determine your brand that you'd like communicated throughout your online presence.  Without a stated or defined brand, your online business persona could be less able to achieve any goals that you've set.  See the importance of your brand and online presence:
   www.bethanywilliams.org
   
   
3. Find the best mode to use to achieve your online brand.
   
   LinkedIn
   Plaxo
   Facebook
   Twitter

Start with just one step forward....stay tuned...more to come.

Advanced Social Networking- HootSuite

HootSuite
Today I logged onto www.hootsuite.com and I loved it.  OK- I'm not your average, "don't make me do social networking or I'll hate you forever" kind of gal.  I know.  I hear many of you that dislike it immensely.  I actually enjoy social networking.  I enjoy it , in part- because I am a PRODUCTIVITY maniac.  If there is a better/faster/more efficient way to do something, than I'm in.  (Hence my previous posts on online bill scanning from www.paytrust.com, online digital photo albums from www.snapfish.com, personal administrative assistants at www.mpvalet.com and the most regular log ons to http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/default.aspx to find a pre built worksheet or microsoft word document that I can use rather than build my own document).

I like efficiency.  I like communication.  I like the ability to categorize and 'sift' through tidbits of information.  For me, HootSuite is like reading my OWN personal newspaper with the addition of messages that are there JUST for me.  Can you imagine reading the New York Times, with a column that said, You are a Great Mom, I'm glad you took the kids to the park?  Now that is a reading activity that I can enjoy (laugh).

If you have begun using Twitter, and Facebook, and many other sites, it may be time for you to at least explore HootSuite.  As I learn more- - - I'll update you in my blog!  Enjoy.

Your LinkedIn Profile

So- you have accepted the importance of your brand and you also accept that you will enforce your brand with your online presence- - - now what?  Now you will refine your Linkedin profile to attract the attention of the viewers that search for and view your profile.

Ever read an add in a Sunday newspaper that made you want to run to the store and make a purchase?  You want to create a profile that appeals to the reader.  You want to create an appealing representation of the work you have done, your interests and passions, and the reason that someone may want to SEEK YOU OUT and offer you a better position.

Ok, I have heard you.  You are not looking for a better position.  It does not matter.  You will begin to build your awareness and brand so that WHEN YOU DO want to look for work, it will be easy to find.

Step Away from the Title

Within corporate america, we have become addicted to titles.  These titles within our company DO NOT mean anything to people outside of that company.  You need to explain what you do in an industry standard way that would appeal to people at ANY company, not just your company.

Recognize the Internal Benefits

If you are working in a big company, there are internal benefits to beefing up your LinkedIn profile.  There could be important leaders within your company that do not KNOW YOU and do not KNOW WHAT YOU DO.  This is not a great position to be in.  If a position comes open that you would be great for, they WILL NOT think of you if they do not KNOW YOU.

Write a Fantastic Advertisement

Your LinkedIn profile is really much more than an online resume.  It is an advertisement for you.  It should show Return on Investments that companies have benefited from having YOU on their Staff.  It should be a results oriented view of YOU.  The reader should be excited about what YOU could do for THEIR COMPANY.  

Surf Around Linkedin Profiles

What JUMPS out at you?  What amazes you?  Your profile should AMAZE others.  It is a competitive landscape.  SPEND SOME TIME ON IT.  Refine it until it jumps off the page.  Find profiles that you like.  I happen to like several profiles to include - but not limited to- -Joey Sudomir, Mark Eimer, and Paige Speck.  Keep enhancing your profile.  It will pay off.

I helped someone redo their profile and they got 3 interviews the next week.  Recruiters are watching. They are looking for candidates.  They may be looking for you- - - - - but you may have done such a poor job of selling yourself that they cant find you.  Make it easier for them to find you.  Stop inhibiting your future opportunities.  Accept the online branding capabilities and excel at creating an exciting and :off the charts- - - - profile.

I cant wait to see it.

A Big Idea for the New Social Networking Age

Many of you have administrative assistants that help you to 'manage' your schedule.  They ensure that you arrive at all the right meetings and keep up with your work commitments.  I see a new future arising.

I believe that keeping up with your network is becoming so important, that executives will begin utilizing office resources to aid them in keeping up with their networks.  Who are those 2 or 3 key contacts at your level that it is imperative that you connect to?  How about 3 up and comers that you know?  There should be 8-10 people that you 'work' to stay connected with.

You will get more 'big ideas' and sustain more success by exploring what others are doing and learning from your network.  Start thinking of ways to 'change things up'.  Make an out of the box plan that incorporates networking into your age old routine.

Let me know how it works out.

The Importance of Your Brand and OnLine Presence

People should be able to find you.  They should be able to 'google' you and find you without having to page through pages and pages of other people.  Your goal should be to begin enhancing your online presence.

I had this discussion with my Aesthetician, Cheryl Cox.  She has moved around a bit in the last few months and her patients don't know where to look for her.  She was frustrated.  I advised that she create an online presence.  She started with linkedin (http://www.linkedin.com/pub/cheryl-cox/16/386/5a2).  By beginning to build an online presence, you make it easier for people searching for you to find you.

What if someone had business for you?  What if they wanted to hire you?  What if they wanted to use your services (if you are a consultant)?  Would they be able to find you?

Having an online presence in today's world is a MUST.  It is no longer a nicety.  It is a required step in the business process.  As you begin to build information, you will become more searchable and easier to find.

Start with the following:

• Linkedin-  find them on the web at www.linkedin.com
• Plaxo-   locate them via www.plaxo.com
• Zoominfo-   scan any information that may be present for your identity at www.zoominfo.com
  If you've had articles on the web or showed up in any online presence, this will allow you to 'claim'
  your information and validate the information, ensuring that it is accurate.
• Facebook-  once you've added the above business sites, consider hooking up with old friends from
  highschool and college at www.facebook.com
• Twitter- and when you've accomplished all that and want more punishment, try to figure out efficient and effective ways to market yourself on www.twitter.com

There are very positive reasons to go forward with an online presence.  Start small and then build.

Wishing you many entries on a google search.  Grin

Plaxo: Social Networking Tool

In this blog on the series of social networking tools, we will address Plaxo (www.plaxo.com). This tool is growing in popularity due to its appealing and easy to use user interface. It's purpose is to connect you to your work 'network'. Many people asked why they need Plaxo if they use Linkedin. Linkedin seems to have a broader base of members, but you will find that you learn more about the people in your Plaxo network. It is 'more than an online resume'. Think of it as a work networking tool with a small window into 'a little more detail' on that network.

Home Page

The home page gives you an idea of recent activity that has occurred with the people that are a part of your network. This is one of my favorite ways to read blog posts from those in my network that have a blog. Readers can click on 'I liked this' to give you an idea of appealing content.

Birthday Notices

One of my favorite features is the birthday notices. Plaxo emails upcoming birthdays and gives you a chance to send an e-card . It allows you to 'keep up' with birthdays you wouldn't normally be able to keep up with. It will widen your ability to be thoughtful with people in your span of influence.

Career

There is a new section called 'My Career' aimed at keeping your eye on the horizon and preparing you for that next opportunity. I'd have to say that I joined Plaxo originally just out of curiosity - but I've been very impressed with how much I've enjoyed it.

How To:

It is quite easy to get started.

1) Logon to www.plaxo.com

2) Start a simple profile

3) Connect to a few people that you know (I expect an invitation)

4) Watch, post, and learn

Enjoy!