10 New Social Articles on Business 2 Community |
- Educating in the Round: A Call for Academic Collaboration
- 10 “Must Know” Features on LinkedIn
- LinkedIn Offers Personalized Banner Image For Company Pages
- Top 10 WordPress Plugins For Today’s Blogger
- Sensational Social Media Facts, Figures and Statistics – 6 Infographics
- Does Your Business Need Unified Communications and Collaboration?
- Double Browsing [Infographic]
- How to Create a Great LinkedIn Bio
- Google for Authors Simplified
- LinkedIn Pages Like Facebook and Twitter
Educating in the Round: A Call for Academic Collaboration Posted: 06 Oct 2012 01:30 PM PDT As I write this I'm getting ready to head to one of my teaching gigs. I am an adjunct at two colleges and was brought on board to both of them to create and teach classes in social media marketing. When I was first brought in at the one school two years ago, I was given a copy of one of the basic marketing textbooks that is used at colleges and universities around the country. It was an up to date version of the text, presumably with all the latest information, but when I went to the index to look up social media, I was somewhat shocked. This text which covered just about every aspect of marketing in pretty good detail, was missing something. In fact, it was missing a lot. In going through the book there was just one reference to social media that was not even one paragraph in length. While most of what I teach seems to fall well within the realm of marketing, a lot of it crosses over into areas like PR and communications. And even though the classes are listed as marketing classes, they are really much more than that. With a background in communications, it's only natural that I bring some of that to the table. It's really got me thinking about how we approach this whole thing called social media from an educational standpoint. When I work with clients and help them create and maintain a strong social presence, I don't talk a lot about marketing, per se. But there it is at the top of my website for all to see: marketing. And that's because that's what people are looking for: help in marketing their businesses online via social media. But I also warn them that if they approach social media from nothing but a marketing perspective, they are doomed for failure. A marketing mindset is not a social media mindset. And in the classroom, I'm teaching a class called "Social Media Marketing". It gives the class shape and lets students know what they are in for. But they are getting so much more. As I look at a book like Marketing in the Round by my friends Gini Dietrich and Geoff Livingston, and as I work with clients, I understand the need to break down the departmental silos and work toward a more collaborative internal structure. So shouldn't that be the same thing we are teaching students as we prepare them for jobs in this thing we call the real world? When it comes to social media, I think we should be "educating in the round." I wonder if classes like the one I created and teach should really reside in the marketing department alone. I know that some aspects of social media are included in a variety of marketing and business classes, and I also know that the folks over in the communication department are working hard to integrate it into their PR classes. But perhaps what we need is a more collaborative interdisciplinary effort in the classroom that better mirrors what we are looking for in the board room. If we expect marketers, PR professionals, and others to work collaboratively, why not start preparing them in the class? I currently sit on the board of the Software Productization Center at Millersville University. This program brings together faculty and students from the Computer Science, Marketing/Business, Public Relations, and Art/Graphic Design departments to work together and help local entrepreneurs create and market their software/technology ideas. Not only are these students learning valuable skills while they create real products, but they are learning a lot about collaboration within the framework of real world working environments. I've watched these students grow, and kept in touch with several of them post graduation, and I see a difference between them and those students who never venture outside the walls of their chosen field. We need to encourage this type of collaboration and thinking with our students. No matter how they are positioned, I'll continue to teach my classes from this interdisciplinary perspective, bringing both my marketing and communications experience into the class. But I'd love to see more of this in colleges and universities across the country. I'd love to see students from the business & marketing department working and learning alongside those in the communications disciplines, and perhaps other departments, just as they will need to do once they graduate and get jobs. What are your thoughts? Do we need to rethink how we approach academia as we seek to better prepare students for the job market and life in the "real world"? |
10 “Must Know” Features on LinkedIn Posted: 06 Oct 2012 10:00 AM PDT LinkedIn serves as the world's largest professional network online with more than 175 million members. The opportunities the site offers its users is continually growing. LinkedIn can be used and leveraged by everyone. Unfortunately, LinkedIn is often seen simply as a tool for those seeking employment. But the social network has become so much more than that – offering a platform for sales executives and entrepreneurs to connect with a variety of opportunities. So: If you or your company isn't using LinkedIn yet, what are you waiting for? LinkedIn's benefits are known worldwide with two new members joining each second… and there are two more… and two more… You get the point – LinkedIn is growing and expanding at breakneck speed, and its features are improving as well. Below is a top-10 glossary on "must know" LinkedIn features. LinkedIn Glossary:#1 – Profile While a profile is one of LinkedIn's most basic elements, users tend not to take full advantage of it. Simply adding your current and past positions isn't enough: Your LinkedIn profile is essentially a digital resume that allows other users to view a snapshot of your professional history. Having a professional profile photo is a must. This not only allows people to quickly identify you, but it lets other users know that you are, in fact, a real person. Profiles with photos are seven times more interactive than those without a photo. So, take the time to enhance your personal brand via LinkedIn to achieve better results. #2 – Connections Connections are everything. LinkedIn views connections as someone you actually know or a trusted business contact. Unlike other social media sites, LinkedIn urges users to only connect with users they know and not complete strangers. This platform has policies set up to try to mediate users from "spamming" others on LinkedIn. If 14 or more users reject your invite to connect claiming they don't know you, LinkedIn requires you to provide an email address for each new invite you attempt to send. The best thing about connections on LinkedIn is that one connection can link you to thousands of other users through 2nd or 3rd connections. Once you're connected to someone, they can introduce you to others in their network. It's very easy, if used correctly, to grow your LinkedIn network. #3 – Groups Groups offer an opportunity for like-minded users to share news, ask questions and post opportunities. They're filled with people who share an interest in a certain industry or topic. Groups can also be used as a knowledge base; users can ask a question and, within minutes, have experts providing answers or suggestions. #4 – Recommendations Recommendations help build credibility for users. This is a useful feature that allows you to gather short excerpts from past or present colleagues and peers around your work. This feature offers recruiters the opportunity to "reference check" users without picking up the phone. There's a newer feature called "Endorsements," which is a simpler way for users to recommend your work. Instead of writing a paragraph or two, a user can just click "endorse" to recommend a certain skill or expertise you have listed on your profile. #5 – Company Page LinkedIn recently rolled out a new company page layout. The page features are largely the same. The company page gives users an overview of a company, its services and its career opportunities. A LinkedIn page can serve as a condensed version of a company's website, which allows users to learn about a company without having to leave LinkedIn. There are several advantages to a company page—like my personal favorite, the Careers page. It allows you to post jobs, showcase employee testimonials and view stats on the current staff of a company. Check out the Slingshot SEO LinkedIn company page to see one in action. #6 – InMail InMail is LinkedIn's version of email. Users send InMails to all of their current connections, and can attempt to send InMails to users they'd like to connect with. It's a great tool for following up with someone you met at a networking event; InMail can also be used as a stepping stone to sending an invite to connect. Users can reach out to prospective candidates, clients or connections with an InMail, explaining why they're interested in connecting. #7 – Advanced Search Are you looking for a candidate with a specific skill set? Or, are you looking for a mentor in a specific industry? The advanced search tool allows you to go way beyond the normal search by entering in specific criteria for your search. A LinkedIn user can search for those who work at a specific company, live in a certain geographic location or hold a specific title. #8 – Alumni Tool The Alumni tool specifically showcases users who share an alma mater. If a user is trying to get an "in" with a certain company, the Alumni tool is a great way to find out if you have a connection with anyone who currently works at that company. It's also just fun to check in on what your peers are doing after graduation. #9 – News We all have our preferred news outlets, but have you ever considered using LinkedIn? At the top of your LinkedIn newsfeed, you can find a variety of news stories from different sources. The News tool uses your profile, status updates and groups to determine what your interests are, and then targets news stories that fit into those categories. #10 – Applications The first nine features discussed are just a small list of the things you can do with LinkedIn. To receive more benefits as a LinkedIn user, check out the number of Applications available. These applications range from Tripit to Reading List from Amazon. No matter what your objective is on LinkedIn, there's a host of applications that can enhance your experience. One of my favorite applications is SlideShare; it allows users to show off presentations they've given. This is an added bonus for those selling a service or looking for new career opportunities.
Finally, a bonus tool for all of the iPhone users out there! CardMunch allows LinkedIn users to snap a picture of a business card and quickly connect with that person on LinkedIn. The application reads a business card and finds its owner on LinkedIn to connect. It also serves as a business card repository on your iPhone. It's also a great tool to use for all of those networking events where you collect several business cards. For job seekers and professionals, LinkedIn can offer the chance to network with people in your field. For recruiters, LinkedIn can help identify and contact the right candidates for job openings. It's more than a social network—LinkedIn can be the most useful professional tool you have in your Internet arsenal. |
LinkedIn Offers Personalized Banner Image For Company Pages Posted: 06 Oct 2012 09:51 AM PDT This shouldn't come as a big surprise to anyone, right? With Facebook, Google+, and more recently Twitter offering personalized banner images for your page header, we knew that LinkedIn couldn't be far behind. Add Your Banner Image to Your LinkedIn Company Page1. Go to your Company Page: If you've "followed" your company page, then you will find it listed in a dropdown menu when you hover over the "Companies" tab in LinkedIn's primary navigation. If not, simply click the "Companies" tab to open up a search bar, search for and open your company page. 2. Click the "Upload an Image Now" link on the gold bar. 3. Scroll down (below the fold) to find the "Add Image" box – click "Add image". 4. Click "Browse" to find your image – your final image will be 646×220, but LinkedIn will give you an opportunity to crop your image if it is bigger than that – and select your image. Crop as needed and click "Upload" and "Save" That's all there is to it! When Twitter added the banner image last month, I was talking with someone that mentioned that they thought that the banner was a nice addition to Twitter, but he really hoped that LinkedIn didn't follow suit. At the time, I tried picturing the banner on the individual profiles and had a tough time seeing the value of it, but, as it turns out, it's a nice addition to the Company Page. I've never really given the LinkedIn Company Page much thought, or considered it to be of much value, however it's changing and growing, and LinkedIn announced that this is just the beginning of changes for the Company Pages. Definitely worth keeping an eye on in the future! What are your thoughts on the new Company Pages? Do you plan to use them more? If so, what are your goals and strategies? Thanks for reading. As always, comments and questions are welcomed and appreciated! P.S. If you're looking for our LinkedIn Company Page it can be found under EchelonSEO (one word) rather than Echelon SEO, or feel free to connect with me directly on LinkedIn. |
Top 10 WordPress Plugins For Today’s Blogger Posted: 06 Oct 2012 09:10 AM PDT
With each new day, there a many new blogs coming online and each of their owners is looking for an easy to use, scalable solution to bring their content to the masses. There is no doubt that the quality of your content has always been the most important factor to attract more visitors, but is it enough? In every aspect of our life we always want more, so nothing is ever enough that is why many bloggers introduce various WordPress plugins that compliment and improve the the blogging experience. There are so many popular plugins available in WordPress that it can take a while for you to choose the right ones for your blog. Every plugin has a different features and you, as the owner of that blog, have to find the plugins that meet your needs. Let's take a look at some of the most popular plugins you have to choose from and a few other new releases that you might not have heard about yet. W3 Total Cache – The Internet World is Fast, Are you?You can't make a top ten WordPress plugin list without including this gem. Always keep in mind that all your visitors are in a rush and nobody has time to wait for your page to load; with this plugin, your blog can keep pace with your visitors. The configuration can be a little bit daunting to the novice blogger so take you time and follow the installation instructions completely. Next time when your readers decide to go through your blog, they will be delightfully surprised at your blazing fast page load times. This plugin works even faster if you team it up with a Content Delivery Network. Social Media Widget – Be Socially ResponsibleThis plugin has been downloaded a half million times. The only true free traffic available on the internet is when the reader voluntary shares your content. When your blog is shared on these popular social websites, it will gain more views and your blog will be more popular than ever. There are so many new social media profiles that you can customize in this plugin enabling the reader to easily share your blog. More advanced users should look to integrate social sharing directly into their WordPress themes in an effort to reduce page load times. Boxify – Reduce Your Bounce RateThis new release won't be a secret much longer. This easy to use plugin allows your to format your content into eye catching boxes that draw the reader's eye to important content. The longer the user stays on your content, the lower your bounce rate. It's available for download here. All in One SEO Pack – The Name Says it AllEvery blog needs to have at least the bare minimum SEO optimization in place. This is where All in One SEO goes to work for you, even if you don't have a clue on how to best optimize your blog's SEO. Toggler – Turn Your Headlines into a Table of ContentsTo satisfy Google, writers are adding more and more content into posts bringing more value to the reader. This plugin makes it easy for reader to scan your headlines, "toggle on and off" different portions of your content and find the information that is relevant to their search. Behold the power of Toggler. Sexy Bookmarks – Add the Wow Factor to Your BlogAlso known as Shareaholic, this plugin is very popular with almost 2 million downloads. The latest version of this plugin really is your one stop, social media option. It's now bundled with related content recommendations , share counters for social proof and social analytics. Head over to WordPress and add it to your plugin arsenal. Login Security Solution – It's Better to be Safe than to be SorryThis plugin will track all usernames and passwords to keep your blog secure and beyond the reach of would be hackers. Social Metrics – Keep Track of your PopularityEvery blogger wants to know how well their blog is fairing on the social battlefield. This plugin gives you a smart dashboard from which you can immediately observe all the hype that is being created by your blog. Hello Bar – Greetings from the AuthorThis simple yet smart plugin is used by all the top bloggers to attract and draw the reader's attention and increase conversions. Used correctly, this plugin could easily be the best plugin you ever install. WP Touch – Smart Plugin for every Smart phoneEveryone has a smart phone these days and you want to be catering to these mobile users. Once this plugin is installed, your website and blog will be formatted according to your visitor's smart phone and they can enjoy your blog without any scrolling. This plugin can bring more mobile traffic and revenue with the help of the advertising option built-in to this plugin. What is you favorite plugin?(Photo: bobbigmac. via flickr/CC Attribution) |
Sensational Social Media Facts, Figures and Statistics – 6 Infographics Posted: 06 Oct 2012 06:30 AM PDT Social media is no longer just about Facebook. Social media is splintering and fragmenting as more users find increased activity about their interests and passions residing on other social networks. Facebook knows that it cannot evolve internally fast enough to keep up with this dispersion and so is resorting to identifying and buying fast emerging start-ups such as Instagram. Through the rapid rise of smart phones and mobile platforms globally such as tablets led by the surging iPad, the way we use and view media is changing business and marketing. Maintaining your business marketing momentum on a social web requires constant updates to identify and understand how and why users are using social networks. Here are some of the latest facts, figures and statistics to help keep you on top of the rapidly changing social media ecosystems. If you want to observe two technology addictions in this digital world then you only need to walk down a city street and see where people are looking. Its a mobile screen checking out a mobile social app. It is what people check before bouncing out of bed in the morning and before turning off the light at night. So what are some of the facts about this mobile social media addiction on Facebook's social network?
by Socialbakers Twitter in the last 12 months has become much more popular for the younger generation who didn't understand it or care before. Since this Infographic below was created, Twitter has passed 500 million users according to the analytics firm Semiocast. Some interesting facts and figures about Twitter:
Source: Infographic Labs 2012 Google+This social network has now hit 400 million registered users and has 100 million monthly active users according to a Google's Vic Gundotra. Some other facts and statistics about Google+ include:
Sourced from the Pardot Blog LinkedIn is the quiet achiever on the social network scene. In the last couple of months it has upgraded its user interface to improve its usability and sharing capabilities. It continues to grow strongly with well over 150 million users. What are some interesting facts and figures about LinkedIn?
Source: Powerformula.net The predictions for Pinterest vary from optimistic to world domination. It burst onto the scene about 12 months ago and is still maintaining amazing momentum. Some males question whether it is for them with the user base still skewed strongly toward females. So what are some facts and figures that are worth noting?
Source: Fast Code Design Instagram is every start-ups dream. Invest some money and then get bought out after some blood, sweat and tears for a nice even $1 Billion by Facebook. It has now passed 100 million users. Some more interesting statistics sourced from Commscore include:
Want to know how to use it for business read more below: Want to Learn How to Market Your Business and Brand on Social Networks?My book – Blogging the Smart Way "How to Create and Market a Killer Blog with Social Media" – will show you how. It is now available on Amazon. I show you how to create and build a blog that rocks and grow tribes, fans and followers on social networks such as Twitter and Facebook. It also includes dozens of tips to create contagious content that begs to be shared and tempts people to link to your website and blog. I also reveal the tactics I used to grow my Twitter followers to over 110,000. You can read it now. Image by KEXINO |
Does Your Business Need Unified Communications and Collaboration? Posted: 06 Oct 2012 04:25 AM PDT The answer to the question, “Does Your Business Need Unified Communications And Collaboration?”, should always be a resounding YES! The truth of the matter is this: without Unified Communications And Collaboration, your business functions at a far less effective rate. Doubt this proposition? Then consider this: without United Communications And Collaboration, a full 100% of your business interaction needs to be carried out over the phone, or face to face. Who has the time? Suppose you’re doing business with partners in a time zone 13 hours removed from your own? If that’s not bad enough, an estimated 73% of all your business related calls will go directly to voice mail. Have you checked lately to see if your voice mailbox is full? Who has the time for all this inefficiency? When your business has Unified Communications and Collaborations, all of these headaches go away. Unifying all of your business communications will result in improved efficiency, faster communication with potential clients, and a whole lot more money in your pocket at the end of the day. The numbers don’t lie: a 20% reduction in the length of an average phone call, 320% increase in one to one text based communication, and 2800% increase in team based collaboration. These are not statistics pulled randomly out of some number cruncher’s hat. Unified Communications and Collaboration has the experience and the industry knowledge to make improved communication a reality for you and your business. When you are in your crucial first year of operation, the last thing you need is to be hamstrung by poor communication. Every intelligent business owner knows that the first law of corporate success is to build up the clientele base. With Unified Communications and Collaboration, you will have a fighting chance to do just that. So, why wait to unify your business communication? Your competition surely won’t! Infographic by Nextuc.com |
Posted: 06 Oct 2012 04:10 AM PDT Mobile phones have done so much more than just change the way we communicate. These little devices have can send us to complex portals of boundless information. No matter what activity — simple or complex — we choose to undertake, there is a way for us to access information from wherever we are to help us in that undertaking. Whether it’s translating something from a foreign tongue, or accessing Wikipedia to learn more on a certain topic, our phones help us. They also help us in routine activities like email, to-do list’s, and shopping. The Internet is so awesome because it basically changes everything about our lives. No more scouring for deals before we leave the house and head out shopping, because if you own a smartphone (and seriously, you really should by now anyways) you can access those same deals while your in the store. Or, if you find a better deal online you can leave the store and order it from home. A price difference of less than 3% is enough for a brick-and-mortar shop to lose half of their potential buyers. To keep them in-store, you can try and offer an exclusive discount on select items, but only when purchased there. You can integrate your online and offline inventories so that shoppers can enjoy the same offers and deals in-store or online. Or, you could compromise and give shoppers access to apps or coupons that can lower a product’s price, or honor discounted offers from the web at the store location. A discount of less than 3% can transform a potential walk-out into a buyer. via: Milo |
How to Create a Great LinkedIn Bio Posted: 06 Oct 2012 04:00 AM PDT As many of you will already know, LinkedIn is the choice of professionals when it comes to social networking. Whilst Facebook and Twitter are a great marketing tool, LinkedIn is a professional networking tool where you can find like-minded people within your industry, as well as search for jobs and connections which are valuable to your working life. With around 150 million users, the demographics on LinkedIn are very different to the ones you will see on other social media sites and is predominantly used by males between the ages of 25 and 57 years, although this is something that is changing. What isn't changing though, is the ethos of the site and so if you really want your profile to make a professional impact, then it's worth spending some time on your bio. This will ensure that you show up in search results and you can really use the site as a platform for showcasing your professional interests. What works best? First of all, in order to get the most from LinkedIn, it's essential that you complete your profile in full. Consider it your executive biography and ensure that you carry out the following:
It's essential that your profile is fully fleshed out if you want to be noticed and it's also vital that you keep it up to date. Once you have your profile in place, you can then begin to look at how best you can network; this will, of course, depend on what you are using the site for, personal or company. Saying that, if you're part of a company that doesn't have a LinkedIn presence, then approach the boss and insist that they get one. If people can see who you're affiliated with, then they will have an even better idea of your skills. Finally, start a group that's very relevant to those you invite and begin discussions that encourage others to get involved. This is a great way to engage with other users within your industry and helps you to show them who you are, as well as showcasing your expertise and voice within the industry, thus giving you more credence and extending your network. |
Posted: 05 Oct 2012 05:25 PM PDT One of the best search features to come along in a while for authors of original content is Google Authorship – one that is not particulary well known outside of tech circles.
About Google AuthorshipThis week I received an email from Google about Google Authorship that suggests they are hoping to take it mainstream. The image above is a partial snapshot of the email that shows one of the most valuable attributes of Google Authorship. When regular folks like me write for popular sites such as Social Media Examiner, our content mostly benefits the site. This is fair because they have earned their authority by consistently providing quality content, and that earned platform is why the content achieves massive reach. Now, however, Google is sharing some of the SEO love by attributing the original content to its author, provided he or she has a Google+ account and has inserted the appropriate authorship code to help Google provide that attribution. That is very cool for authors and it too is fair. By giving both the platform and the author credit, Google is encouraging the creation of more quality content. This benefits Google's users, which is all of us who search the web. Everybody wins. Are you ready to get credit for your original work? Follow this link to learn more about Google Authorship.
More About AuthorsAs Google authorship continues to become integrated into the fabric of Google search, you will start to see boxes like the one above adjacent to their original content. It will provide information about the author, the number of people that have them in their Google+ circles (a possible indication of authority), and their most recently authored content. This is just one more reason for having a solid presence on Google+. If you happen to be an author, this alone should be reason enough. If you are not an author, you should be, one who uses their experience and expertise to provide relevant solutions for your community of prospects, customers, and influencers. At the risk of repeating myself, be advised that Google is using Google+ as the linchpin for the majority of its services, some of which are brand new or may not yet exist. Think about that, and whether or not now may be the time for you to get started with Google+. Having just eclipsed 400,000 million users, Google+ is clearly going to be a game changer for authors and local businesses that want to be findable on the web. Please know that while setting up Google Authorship is easier than ever, it still takes some patience. For one thing, it takes weeks until you will have evidence that it was installed correctly. So, work with patience and take notes should you have to go back and try it again. Are you using Google Authorship to be recognized for your original work? Is your business blogging? Leave a comment below and share this with your community. |
LinkedIn Pages Like Facebook and Twitter Posted: 05 Oct 2012 03:25 PM PDT LinkedIn is making some smart moves to personalize LinkedIn Company Pages, effectively creating a look and feel that is much like that of a Facebook page, while also respecting the professional culture of LinkedIn. Personal is the New ProfessionalPeople do business with people first, and then with the companies that stand behind them. The new LinkedIn Company Pages bring the comments of their employees front and center. This gives outsiders opportunities to size up the company culture, while also learning who may be more likely to engage, among other things. On Facebook you Like or subscribe to a Facebook business page, whereas on LinkedIn you follow a Company Page. The difference between Liking and following seems to reflect the nature of the respective networks; one is casual and the other professional. On Facebook people like pages, with the leaders predominantly being consumer brands. Curious about business opportunities with a particular company? Follow their LinkedIn Company Page. There's nothing creepy or unprofessional about it. It's no different than tracking a stock you may wish to invest in. Notifications Encourage EngagementIn addition to literally taking a page from the Facebook playbook, LinkedIn is also adopting a highly useful Twitter feature – notifications. While interruptive, there is no question that notifications encourage engagement. My personal experience is many of the 3rd party services that promise to help you stay in touch with your online communities will fail you from time to time. The reason is likely that they are not quite on the inside and therefore subject to unforeseen changes. Whereas, a notification directly from Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter is more likely to be reliable, and should therefore prove to be a welcome feature. Here's a preview of the new LinkedIn Company Page. What do you think? Are you ready to create your LinkedIn Company Page? I'm not ready to say game-changer yet, but the thought has crossed my mind. Stay tuned. You can get a few more details here and here. And this comprehensive article on 10 LinkedIn Tips for Growing Your Business will help you to get more from Linkedin in general. It includes a couple of video tutorials that will show you a new trick or two. Do you think LinkedIn can give Facebook and Twitter a run for leadership in business marketing? Leave a comment below and share this with your community. Photo Credit |
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