Do you manage a Facebook page for your business? Social media is a free way to stay in contact with your customers. (Most of which probably don’t visit your website very often.)

Facebook provides a great way to get people interacting with your business from a platform they’re already using on a daily basis. There is a method to managing your Facebook business page and we have a few tips that will help build your fan base and elicit interaction on posts.

Post relevant information
Your posts should be industry specific. If you sell computers, an example post could be details on the new Apple iOS 5 operating system. Not all posts need to contain information about your business but they should be applicable.

Poll your audience
Free tools like the “Questions” application allow you to survey people who “like” your page. If the question is a good one people are more likely to contribute and share the question on their own walls for more eyes to see.

Media adds depth
Adding a photo is rather simple and increases the likelihood that people will view your post. If you have several photos from an event or a conference you attended, create an album.

Pat yourself of the back
Use your Facebook page as a PR tool. Tell your fans about accomplishments and customer success stories. Did your business just win an award? Take a picture and put it online for everyone to see. Success instills customer confidence and customer confidence equals more business.

Have a contest
These contests don’t have to be formal. It could be as simple as saying, “the first 10 people to like this post will get a coupon for $5 off their next purchase.” If people know you are prone to offer deals they will be more likely to visit your page without being prompted.

Bonus tip: Try to use proper punctuation and spelling whenever possible. You should also avoid smiley faces and excessive exclamation points. It’s great to be excited but too much schmooze could make you look like a jerk.

5 tips for gaining impressions and interaction on your Facebook page is a post from: RSA Blog

Pissed off ghostwriter

Hiring a ghostwriter can be an attractive approach to social media, if you’re a business owner or marketer with little time on your hands to devote to keeping up with social updates on multiple platforms.

There can be some pitfalls to this approach, however – not the least of which is the perceived in-authenticity of the person who has someone else speak for them.

In the case of Mark Davidson, it would appear this morning that he’s been utilizing several ghost writers for his Twitter account, and one of them was just fired. The problem is this person still has access to Davidson’s account, with amusing results. For example:

And all the funny stuff that @markdavidson wrote, that was all me. The other 2 ghostwriters are really boring. Good luck, bro…

This situation taken on first look, the feeling I get (besides the ache in my gut from laughing) is that Davidson has been a little deceptive – or is it apathetic? While I understand the reason Ghostwriters might be used, knowing it still shifts my perspective to one of caution and distrust regarding this particular person. I have to wonder if this is true for all his followers.

Now I’ll admit, this could be a stunt. It could be fake. Maybe his account was hacked and someone is lying. Maybe he’s just having fun (in that case, well played, Mark). There’s no way to know at this point, but the lesson is clear: be careful when hiring ghostwriters – it could cause more problems than it solves.

What do you think?

Hiring Ghostwriters for Social Media is a post from: RSA Blog

The web-based social media tool, Hootsuite, made some major changes to the freedom users have when updating their Facebook pages.

Hootsuite has always allowed you to schedule messages and post updates with Facebook in the past. However, the new features are like icing on the cake. They include the things you thought about when you would sit at your computer asking, “Why don’t they let me do this?”

Overview

Hootsuite lets you combine all your accounts from different social media platforms in one easy-to-read-and-update dashboard. This lets Joe Schmoe, or “X” company, update their Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. accounts from one place, at the same time. It can be a real time-saving tool when you plan on being unavailable or will be out of the office for the day.

Updates

Most of the updates deal directly with Facebook accounts, but some are relevant to others.

For Facebook…

You can now upload photos directly to a group page, make comments and “like” items, which send directly to Facebook.

There is also the addition of location components that give you the choice to include your whereabouts.

A filtering system lets you search for topics within your page or from the rest of the internet.

Benefits

Hoosuite has always been beneficial because of the time it helps save. Now, with even more functionality, the tool lets you control more aspects of your social media sites from inside the application.

Listed above are just the main updates. There are many more technical features that we won’t get into right now.

Conclusion

If you or your business use social media, or want to start using it more effectively, give Hootsuite a try. As with any new technology, it will take some playing around with and getting used to, but you will quickly see the efficiency pay off.

Hootsuite Update Includes Location and Advanced Facebook Features is a post from: RSA Blog

Places

Did you know one in five Google searches is for local information? People of all ages now go online to look for details about local businesses and organizations. That’s why it’s so important for business owners to make sure they manage their web presence – one place to start is your Google Places listing. Are you listed? Have you “claimed” your listing? Updated it with correct phone numbers, addresses, websites, business hours, special deals and promotions, photographs and even videos?

Google creates basic Places pages for many businesses automatically, but the business owner has to “claim” and update it with complete information. Check if you already have a Places page by searching for your business name under Google maps, and clicking on your link when it shows up on the left. If there isn’t a listing for your business, you can create one. If one exists, you’ll have the option to claim it.

When claiming a business, you’ll need to choose a way to verify your listing. Google will either send you a postcard with a PIN number or call you with a PIN number; either way, you will need to type in your unique PIN to verify ownership and complete your Google Places listing.

Your Google Places page comes with a slew of benefits. Not only are the pages free, but they usually appear on the first page of local search results for your business. That’s because Google has given precedence to local searches, and this only helps your overall visibility.

Most importantly, your Google place page is interactive. Your URL, address and phone number are all right there, so a potential customer can go directly to your website, call your business, click on pictures of your business, see your location on a map, and get directions to travel there. All the information is in one place, which makes customers happy – and more likely to visit you.

Is Your Place on Google Places? is a post from: RSA Blog

We’ve come a long way since 2007, with incredible growth in the SEO/social media portion of our business. It didn’t come without a healthy dose of challenges, but that’s what we’re all about and we’re still going strong.

What we do isn’t easy in this changing world of Pandas and Zaarly’s; each new update or piece of technology brings a fresh challenge to our doorstep. Our task is to stay on top of it all *and* bring our clients with us. So we’re always reading, always experimenting, forming new strategies, brainstorming with the rest of RSA, attending seminars, trying to figure out the best approach, the reason for that traffic spike, or how to turn an apparent failure into a success or at least a lesson.

What we hear more and more often from clients themselves are things like, “I know it’s important and I have to do it at some point…,” or, “I noticed a drop in traffic when I stopped SEO,” or, “Every website should be optimized for search engines,” are becoming more common. Business owners and marketers are getting it – an invisible website is an invisible business.

So what’s the hang-up? Usually it’s budget. No one wants to throw thousands of dollars at something they don’t understand the mechanics of – even if SEO seems necessary it can still look like a bunch of voodoo.

That’s why we try to take the mystery out of it all. We tell you exactly what we’re doing and why, and show you the results.

Inside RSA Search & Social is a post from: RSA Blog

Love your nuts

Have you ever been so excited about something that it didn’t matter who you were talking to you just had to share it with them? Maybe it’s your favorite team or band, or maybe even your favorite brand.

That happened to me recently. I picked up a book and it’s one of those that just sets your brains on fire and you find yourself nodding or commenting audibly as you read. I happened to be lounging by the pool while I was reading this book, and as I laughed out loud and frantically made notes in the margin a shadow was suddenly cast over my pages.

“What’s that you’re reading?” I looked up and the person asking was notably intoxicated, barely able to stand on his own. Now the average person might not have bothered to give a serious answer, but I, being not average, took off into an animated rant about how the contents of the book could change people’s lives. The inquiring drunk stumbled off mumbling to himself, “that lady is nuts,” while I sat there grinning, thrilled to have shared what I was reading.

And I keep sharing! Why? Because I believe it; it resonates with me. It’s something I can identify with, something I can get behind and be a part of.

Maybe you’ve been on the receiving end of a similar diatribe and thought the very thing my inebriated Sherlock Holmes did: “this person is a nut!” But imagine for a moment this “nut” was raving about you or your product. Would they have your full attention then?

These proverbial nuts are the kind of customers every business should strive to have! They are your biggest fans. These are the people who will champion your brand long after you are gone. So rather than stumble away from them shaking your head, instead shake their hands and get to know them. Discover what it is they love so much about your brand and what you can do to make them happier still. Start a conversation that will keep them talking and ranting to everyone they meet – sober or otherwise.

–

Photo courtesy of strangeones

Love Your Nuts is a post from: RSA Blog

When you’re searching the web for a product or service in your area, where do you go to find it?

Many people start with Craigslist, then check out the area listings on Ebay and as a last-ditch effort they might even browse the Facebook Marketplace. These services are all tried-and-true methods of person-to-person commerce because they are well established and used by thousands of people each day.

Now, lets take a look at Zaarly, a brand-spanking-new e-commerce site who’s motto is,“what you want, when you want it.”

I’m telling you, this could be the next big innovation in person-to-person selling, and with over $1 million in transactions in less than a month, I don’t need to explain why.

Zaarly is completely location based and has a super clean interface, unlike Craigslist, which is cluttered and unattractive. The social backbone of Zaarly lets you easily login with your Facebook or Twitter account and provides an internal means of communication between the buyer and seller.

Unlike other websites, Zaarly lets you do favors for people. This simply means that not all transactions that take place on Zaarly involve the exchange of money for goods or services.

Say someone needs a chainsaw but they don’t want to pay big bucks to buy or rent one. Well, just Zaarly it and see who will provide. You could say, “I’m looking for a chainsaw to use for three hours,” then add some details about the preferred chainsaw (engine size or blade length specifications), and post it.

The most frequently exchanged items on Zaarly are tech gadgets like iPods, but there are also some unusual requests, like a space suit or in-office concert.

What’s going on in South Dakota?

Zaarly action as been pretty limited in South Dakota, but that goes with the territory. It’s a common trend for new technology to start at the coasts and major U.S. cities before working its way into the Great Plains. Currently there and only a few dozen Zaarlyers, and most of those transactions are odd requests, like a Dairy Queen Blizzard delivery in Sioux Falls.

There’s no reason why South Dakotans need to be the last group of people to adopt a cool new idea. Make a listing on Zaarly today and see what can happen. Tell your friends about it and you might be surprised how quickly the idea can spread.

The goal of Zaarly is to make sharing your skills and resources easier; I don’t have time to wash my car, but maybe the guy just down the street would like to make an extra ten bucks. Take advantage of this new service and see what can happen!

What do you think of Zaarly? Will you, or have you tried it yet? Tell us in the comments section below.

Zaarly: Craigslist, only cooler is a post from: RSA Blog

There are all sorts of tools that you can use to help your start-up, small business or established corporation grow. Whether you want to improve communication with your employees or provide a better buying experience for your clients and customers, there is probably a tool for that.

It’s no secret, and you’ve probably heard it before – we live in an information age. There are always new gadgets coming out and it can be difficult to keep your business on top of the latest trends. We’re here to help!

These are a few tools that I have found most successful for social and business communications.

1. Skype: This application lets you easily connect with people that you would otherwise never see. Maybe you have a client that lives across the state. Use this tool to improve relations with customers, co-workers and even your distant relatives and family members. Most laptops already come with a built-in webcam and if your desktop computer doesn’t have one they can be purchased for less than $30.
2. Dropbox: If your business doesn’t already have an internal file sharing program you should give Dropbox a try. This application is free to download and super easy to use. You can create folders for different projects and share them with select people. The more you spend, the more storage space you will get. Try out the free version and you will get 2 GB storage space. If you like the program you can upgrade to the 50 or 100 GB plan.
3. Square: A relatively new product, Square is a miniature credit card reader that plugs into the headphone outlet of your iPod, iPhone, iPad, Droid or whatever smart device you have. The device is free and adding your personal or business bank account is easy. Now you can accept payments wherever you are, not limited by cash or check-only purchases. The cost of renting a standard counter-top card reader is expensive and takes up a lot of space. With Square, you can save money and have the option of mobility when going to trade shows and business meetings.

I would talk about Facebook, Twitter and other social media but by now I’m sure you already know the value of those tools.

Don’t be afraid to try something new. The tools listed above and many others like it are proven time-savers and moneymakers. You can maximize efficiency, gain new business, be social and have fun while doing it.

Tools to make your business blossom is a post from: RSA Blog

check in anywhere

Shades of The Island of Dr. Moreau! (hint: Google H.G. Wells)  Modern-day mad scientists (let’s call them “software developers”) have been merging social networking concepts with a range of other technologies and rolling out new hybrid beasts that could eventually change your marketing and public relations strategies.

One that we’re keeping a close eye on here is a species known as “location based social networking” (LBSN) – combining short message service (SMS), aspects of gaming, smartphone technologies and GPS capabilities.

Location-based Race

A number of competitors are active in this marketplace. You might have heard of or use Gowalla, Foursquare, Facebook Places, or forerunner Brightkite – free  services that allow users to “check in” and announce their location to others through an app downloaded to their phone or via SMS text message. Users can earn rewards for exploring new places and doing interesting new things, and can leave tips, reviews and recommendations for others who later check in.

Early on, some of these services were available only in the largest metropolitan markets around the world.  Successes there have caused them to open access to locations everywhere. They’re becoming more business-focused as well, seeing the huge potential to match businesses eager for customers with nearby LBSN members in the process of choosing their next stop.

Why you should care

Certainly, any business that would like to grow its reputation as a local hotspot or mustn’t-miss tourist destination can immediately see the possibilities here. Imagine a visitor to Rapid City relaxing in their hotel room and using Foursquare through their iPhone (or Droid or Blackberry) to see if people in their network have recommendations for restaurants or activities, and to look for discounts and incentives from places nearby.

And Foursquare might indeed be the one they’ll be using. Business buzz is that Foursquare is currently best positioned to break out of the pack and follow the Facebook and Twitter trajectory to “new household word” status.

Foursquare users earn points for checking in at locations and the person with the most points attached to a particular venue becomes its “mayor” – which affords them bragging rights and sometimes nifty rewards. Users can also find and unlock “badges” earned by checking in at various locations or performing certain tasks.

This is one of the fun aspects of the network and an ongoing incentive to stay engaged with Foursquare. In October of this year, astronaut Doug Wheelock unlocked the NASA Explorer badge by checking into Foursquare from the International Space Station. Back here on earth, you’ll see references to it popping up in a number of locations — like The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal websites, and your local Rapid City Walgreens.

So if you get a new smartphone, download a LBSN app and give it a try.  If you want to promote your business this way, give us a call.

(and BTW — if your brother-in-law soon smugly confides that Foursquare could just be the next Twitter – you can now yawn and say . . . “oh yeah, I already heard that.”)

–

Photo courtesy of teamstickergiant

LBSN – What it is and why you should care is a post from: RSA Blog

As self-professed social media junkies, we have a pretty robust obsession with keeping tabs on what’s happening right now in all facets of the marketing world. We constantly have our eyes peeled for info about emerging technologies, new platforms, and most importantly, innovative campaigns that mix it up in new ways.

Take, for example, some of the inspiring (or at least creative) work we’ve been passing around the office this week:

• Omo detergent: This Brazil-based campaign is taking the marketing + GPS recipe to a whole new level. The company planted GPS tracking devices in 50 boxes of detergent, which activate when the consumer takes them off the shelf. A promotions agency will follow the lucky buyer home, surprising the family with a video camera and a day of “outdoor fun.” A bit on the stalker side, perhaps, but definitely a new way to reach the consumer.
• Levi’s Walk Across America: This two-minute stop motion commercial nixed the aggressive sales pitch and went viral. It’s a visually stunning piece, and we’re partial to the footage of good old Mt. Rushmore. YouTube views hit nearly 2 million in just two weeks.

  Click here to view the embedded video.

• Domino’s: The pizza chain’s rebranding strategy continues with the admission that food commercials may actually (gasp) doctor the product before filming it. The Show Us Your Pizza challenge encourages hungry people to upload their own pictures of Domino’s pizzas for a shot at cold hard cash. Simple concept, but we give it an A+ for engaging the audience.

These campaigns all incorporate a social element: from the Levi’s video that’s been shared and commented on thousands of times to a dedicated website that will feature footage of Omo’s winners and their stories, social media has become an integral part of the marketing mix for both big brands and small businesses alike. Traditional advertising continues to be a major player for most businesses, but combined with social, the results can be especially powerful.

Of course, social media is constantly changing, which is both exciting (for us) and intimidating (for some of our clients). We see a lot of small businesses that are interested in venturing into social, but they’re nervous about getting started. Should they be on Twitter? What about FourSquare, or LinkedIn, or Facebook? Should they start a blog? What crazy stunts do they have to come up with to be competitive? With new tools emerging as “the next big thing” all the time, businesses are overwhelmed and unsure how to spend their time and money.

Our advice? Don’t worry about tackling every social media platform or replicating million dollar detergent stalking campaigns. Start small – focus on your business goals and pick a tool that will best support your initial efforts.  It takes commitment to build a successful social media strategy, but it doesn’t have to be over the top. Provide helpful information, talk with (not at) your audience, and post often. It’s really that simple!

Still confused about the whether social is right for you? Take a look at the answers to some  social media FAQs Kyle posted awhile back.

Social Media Inspiration: Detergent Stalking and Other Stories is a post from: RSA Blog