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Facebook Pages, Ooh La, La…

facebookSo, you must have heard that Facebook is undergoing some changes, yet again. But please don’t despair, I promise these enhancements look to be great. Especially from a business Facebooker standpoint…

I was in the midst of creating a new Facebook Page this week for one of my dear clients and boy did I pick the right time to hit the books! Studying that is! Yes, studying Facebook.

In my business it’s hard but imperative to keep up to date on changes, enhancements, improvements, widgets, gidgets, and gadgets. I swear, every little break I get in between projects I spend in my feedreader (reading over 400 new articles a day or at least the headlines, he, he…) By the way, I share all the stuff that is the most Impactful from an online marketing perspective. You can grab my Google Reader Shared Items Feed and save yourself a whole whack of time trying to find the best reads.

So, what makes me go Ooh, la, la over the new Facebook Pages? Here it is in a nutshell – and keep in mind Facebook’s Mission: To Make the World More Open and Connected…

In case you were wondering a Facebook Page as defined by Facebook: is a customizable presence for an organization, product, or public personality to join the conversation with Facebook users. the Page focuses on the stream of content posted by the Page administrator (and it’s FREE, yes it is FREE to create your own Facebook Page).

(These highlights are complements of Facebook)

  • Facebook is unifying and simplifying the way people interact on the site by making Facebook Pages similar to user profiles.
  • By leveraging the real connections between friends on Facebook, a Page lets Fans become brand advocates. Posts by the page will start to appear in News Feed, giving Pages a stronger voice to reach their Fans…
  • In addition, pages now have the flexibility of multiple customizable tabs previously exclusive to user profiles.

Here are the things in my own words that I am excited about. This is an actual message I sent to my client to get the ball rolling on this new Page:

Now the pages will look more like a regular profile and have news feed updates, etc… I have downloaded the new Facebook Pages Primer and am taking lots of notes. The key is to keep the page content updated regularly. We can post news, events, photo’s, video, etc and it will now show up in the fans news feeds attracting viral attention from their friends, etc… So basically, any news, updates, sales, new products, etc we can promote on the page. Also, I can create a badge of the page to promote on the site and blog.

Here are a few question I have in regards to getting this new page published:

* What graphic/logo do you want to use as the main photo (note, this will show up with every update within the fans main Facebook news feed so it should be something very attractive.
* We will have a choice of which tab (wall, info, discussion, photos, video, boxes) that you want as the main “landing page” for new potential fans to see as they first arrive.
* The Wall tab will be where all the main up to date information is posted. It’s like the main news feed. If you want to post content that does not go into the news stream (that shows up on all fans news stream walls) we will post it on one of the other tabs and choose – do not publish.
* The page will be able to send a status update – just like a users profile. And that update will show up in the fans news stream as well.
* Each tab will have it’s own unique URL for off-site promotion (how cool!).
* And, the best feature is the “Additional Insights” tool. This tool is free and is like an analytics for the fans “engagement” tracking. You will be able to view how many fans comment on your posts, how many facebook users start and stop viewing your posts in news feeds, etc…

So, just so you know the Facebook Pages “news feeds” are not yet showing up in the users stream but they say to expect it any day now.

We will launch the new page just in time for all the hoopla!

So don’t wait, start browsing around other Facebook Pages. Take some notes on what looks good, what looks bad, what is working and what doesn’t… Good luck, and please share your page with us below in the comments section!

Note, Facebook graphic is compliments of Iconspediathank you!

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5 Ways To Increase Your Email Open Rates

I just came across 5 amazing email marketing tips from Entrepreneur.com.

The article written by Derek Gehl is titled: “Top Secret: Get Your E-mails Opened”.

Here are the major points that are simple, and quick to implement immediately:

  • Take full advantage of your custom fields to make your subject line really compelling. Use the Name & City fields such as this: “Janet, want to get out of Tucson this weekend?”
  • Keep subject lines under 41 characters and include your benefit, offer, or most important element right within the first few word.
  • The more your subject lines look like personal e-mails from friends, family members or business associates, the more likely it is that they’ll be opened.
  • Avoid capitalization, exclamation marks and dollar signs.
  • Make sure your subject line is related to your actual message.
  • Come up with an interesting angle that grabs your customers’ attention and makes them want to open the e-mail.
  • Never stop testing and trying new subject lines.

Good luck, and please share your savvy email marketing tips.

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11 Key Areas to Outsource in 2009

I captured a lot of key information recently from a free conference call hosted by Tina Forsyth, Online Business Manager and Cindy Greenway Virtual Manager, Victoria Business Solutions that I am very excited to share with you. The call titled, “VA Specialties that Clients are Eager to Pay For” was full of valuable information for both virtual assistants and for clients who are feeling overwhelmed and wondering what they can indeed outsource successfully to a virtual assistant ~ A big “Thank You” to both of you Tina & Cindy for this amazing call!

I have been in contact with 5 hot leads within the last 2/3 weeks who have a lot in common. They don’t operate the same type of business however a few of the commonalities they all share include:

a. Their businesses are experiencing tremendous growth in 2009.
b. They are starting to feel overwhelmed with the current workload and anticipate even more going forward.
c. They all had heard of a virtual assistant but are just not 100% sure of how it will all come together.
d. They all said, “I need more time to focus on what I love doing”.
e. And, they all found me through my social media endeavors!

With that being said here are the 11 Key Areas You Can Outsource Successfully in 2009:

1. Affiliate Marketing Management

Find the most affordable tools/systems for your campaigns, setup affiliate program action plan, bring on new affiliates, build lists, keep in touch with and ensure affiliates have all the tools they require, track affiliate sales and payouts, develop strategies to enhance campaigns, create/oversee the production of artwork, liaise with affiliate partners and/or their associates as required, develop system to track all social media activity/conversations about the campaign and ensure an appropriate level of engagement is taken by or for you.

2. Social Media Marketing (hot)

Take stock of your current level of involvement in social media marketing and devise a workable action plan going forward. Ensure a proper level of engagement is mapped out for your business and all of your social profiles across networks such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and tools such as autoresponders, article author boxes, email tag lines, etc are displaying your profile links. Incorporate strategies and systems to capture key conversations that are taking place about your brand and forward key information that you need to know and filter through everything else accordingly. Find key groups within your niche that will add the most value to your business. Create and submit content to all your social media channels that will add value to your brand and build your credibility. Ensure all of your “fronts” on the web are in top shape and encourage visitors to share and interact with you through social media. Make efficient use of effective social media tools such as bookmarking, RSS, tagging, submitting content, etc while documenting these systems and tools along the way.

3. Traffic and List Building Specialist

Finding and setting up the best list building system for your business. Branding and/or maintaining a consistent look/feel for your business across all of your communications. Scheduling communications in conjunction with your business and/or marketing plan, product/service launches, and major sales promotions. Database maintenance. Content creation. Seeking out cross promotions and/or joint venture partners. Spreading viral marketing offers across multiple social media channels. Tracking key statistics and information. Competitive tracking and research. Build and maintain solid relations with existing subscribers.

4. Video/Podcasting Production (hot)

Develop a production schedule for video and/or podcasts. Research and use the best tools and/or resources for your business ie., cameras, equipment, etc. Edit, tag, and publish audio and video to key submission spots that make sense for your business. Ensure social media marketing specialist is kept informed about keywords, tags, and RSS feeds for each production. Monitor traffic and analytics. Keep up with emerging trends.

5. Online Business Management

Manage the daily operations of your business giving you more time to engage in your area of specialty. This can include a broad scope of activities that revolve around planning, project management, and ultimately growing your team and your business.

6. Blog Management

Ensure the blog is setup with the best presentation for your readers and that it is easy for your readers to follow, subscribe, share, and find you across all your social profiles. Ensure blog is submitted to key directories and sites within your niche. Write meaningful content geared specifically towards your readers that engages with and shares your readers content as well. Ensure comments are moderated and responded to in a timely fashion. Ensure content is exciting and welcomes comments. Ensure content is syndicated where it should be. Develop strategies to make reading your blog fun. Ensure graphics, sign up boxes, and all RSS feeds are always in top working order. Install Google Analytics, Webmaster Tools, and develop a spreadsheet to track statistics and watch trends. Use these key statistics to watch and develop content that attracts the most readers. Ensure ongoing maintenance and branding are kept up to date. Use creative strategies to promote the blog and content. Keep a “hot list” of who is talking, commenting, blogging, or sharing social media stories about your blog.

7. Speaking Engagement Management

Work behind the scenes to ensure all technicalities are taken care of. Preparing, formatting, and distributing presentations, handouts, and other literature. Responding to inquires in a timely fashion. Maintaining your membership club, creating, formatting, and adding new content. Building effective follow up and lead generation systems.

8. Publicity Management

Designing and implementing an effective publicity plan. Getting your name and business out there whenever possible. Optimizing your profile across major press release portals, ensuring all new accreditation, businesses and achievements are added in a timely fashion. Writing and distributing effective press releases. Ensuring website, blog and social network profiles are prepped and media friendly. Tapping into key people and resources to keep you in the forefront.

9. Article Marketing Management

Preparing article marketing schedule annually, quarterly and/or monthly. Writing, tweaking, reviewing and optimizing articles. Seeking out and keeping track of important keywords. Write capturing bylines. Ensuring each article is relevant and consists of important information for your niche market. Seeking out new marketing opportunities, portals, forums, message boards, and other key areas where your article should be published. Creating buzz within your niche capturing hot topics of interest to readers.

10. Online Copywriting

Creating autoresponder schedule. Write, edit, and create autoresponders. Writing, editing, and optimizing website and blog copy. Ensuring effective keywords are used across the board. Ensuring appropriate meta tags, tags, and keywords are used consistently.

11. Newsletter Management

Create and implement newsletter tracking system that includes a basic schedule, newsletter campaign statistics, and newsletter lead management capturing key information such as  newsletter goal, theme, frequency, autoresponder list name, template, and promotion and article titles, opens, clicks, conversions rates, subscribed, unsubscribed and total leads. Collecting key information for newsletter, editing, formatting, and inputting information. Collaborating with key affiliates and others who contribute content.

A good approach to finding a virtual assistant who is knowledgable and ready to take over these key areas of your business is to take a close look at people who have enrolled in the VAclassroom training programs. The VAclassroom is a Niche Training Center that offers comprehensive training programs specifically for Internet and Social Media Marketing.

In fact, if your favourite virtual assistant is looking at ways to enhance their skill sets so that they are able to better assist you with your Internet and Social Media Marketing then this is the prefect opportunity to treat them with a seat in the “Social Media Marketing Specialist” training program that is launching on January 15, 2009.

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Snippets From Tom Antion’s Internet Marketing Training Site

I wanted to share this YouTube video from Tom Antion with you. You can watch as Tom discuses how easy it actually is to become a great Internet Marketer. I really enjoy watching his calm and sincere demeanor.

Tom has an exclusive training site over at “GreatInternetMarketingTraining.com“. Although it is a paid training site you will find great value in the Resource Directory where he provides free access to amazing resources. Take a peek here “GreatInternetMarketingTraining.com ResoucesDirectory“. Tom even provides the option for you to add a link to a resource you find will add value to the directory. You can also access some of his sample articles. One in particular is titled, “Picking Keywords” which covers topics such as: what makes a great keyword and tips on finding keywords.

I have found value in subscribing to Tom Antion’s YouTube channel – this is helpful when you have a busy agenda!

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Looking To Fast Track Your Social Marketing Virtual Assistant Skill Set?

VAclassroom.com certificatonIf you are looking to learn leading edge Internet Marketing skills in order to start an Internet Marketing Virtual Assistant business then you won’t want to miss this free seminar on Wednesday, July 23rd, 6pm EST at VAnetworking.com/seminars.

Social Marketing Virtual Assistant
facilitated by Craig Cannings

This seminar will reveal:

  • Two of the hottest Social Media niches for Virtual Assistants in 2008
  • How to win new clients and increase income potential simply by using Facebook and Twitter
  • Five Social Media Tasks Internet Businesses would love to delegate
  • The Best Social Media Research Tools

Craig Cannings is the co-founder of VAclassroom.com an online training centre where you can gain an Internet Marketing Virtual Assistant certification plus have access to all of the latest tools and resources unfolding in the Internet Marketing world today. As a member of VAclassroom.com you will be able to have continuous access to new courses, networking opportunities, and possibly meet your next client.

I am a member and have also received my certification which has given me the essential skills and resources that I was looking for to assist my clients with affiliate marketing, email marketing, web analytics, video marketing and much more…

Take a tour of the VAclassroom.com site and look at the ways in which you and your business could benefit from a membership there.

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