5 Reasons Small Businesses Find More Customers Using Social Media
According to a study by office services firm, Regus, smaller companies are the most successful at using social media to meet new customers. In fact, the study goes on to state that nearly half of small businesses around the world have acquired a customer through social networks. At the risk of sounding completely arrogant, my…
Read More5 Ways to Nurture Client Relationships Using Social Media
Congratulations! You’ve found your client on Facebook, linked up through LinkedIn and followed them on Twitter. Now what? Many consultants, agencies and service providers think that their social media “duties” end there. In fact, that’s just the beginning. Just as a phone number is only valuable if dialed, connecting on social media is only valuable…
Read MoreOnline Content: The Power of Emotion
I ran across a thought-provoking article on Bloomberg Businessweek today, addressing how effective brands harness the power of emotion. Steve McKee (@SteveMcKee) states, “A feature can always be matched. A claim can always be mimicked. But an emotional sweet spot is something your brand can occupy all by itself.” McKee’s words remind us to step…
Read MoreNew Facebook Features: One That’s Hot, One That’s Not
Okay, it’s true. I have a love-hate relationship when it comes to professional use of Facebook. When I say love-hate I mean that in every sense. There are many weeks where Facebook is an absolutely incredible source of connectivity and traffic for my clients and my own business. Still there are some weeks when I…
Read MoreWriting a Blog Post That Generates Sales Leads
Generating sales leads from your blog while remaining authentic is not only possible, it’s mandatory! But, during the editorial planning and brainstorming process, it’s easy to overlook the most effective sales-generating blog post ideas. Am I saying you should rehire Your Inner Sales Guy? Heck no! I’m encouraging you to add genuine, straight-up value that…
Read MoreThe Simpler Side of Social Media ROI
Today I was talking to a client by phone and was telling her a story about how I have a speaking event and webinar guest appearance coming up—both thanks to a colleague I’ve known for a year or so. She asked, “How did you two meet?” Then it hit me… We never have! It was…
Read MoreThe Most Essential Part of Your Blog’s Design
YOU! Hmmm… I could actually just end this post right there. 🙂 It really IS that simple. As a Thought Leader, your impact doesn’t end with the content. You also need to dominate your blog’s design. That means incorporating an image of YOU in your blog’s masthead, header or another prominent, site-wide area. Feeling shy…
Read MoreHow to Handle a Cyberjerk
“Some arrogant !#*&@$ sabotaged my LinkedIn Discussion.” “This rude guy commenting on my blog post just won’t let it go!” “Why am I so irritated with this Twitter twit? I don’t even know her!” The topic of cyberjerks has come up a half-dozen times with clients in the past few months. I get calls, emails…
Read MoreTen “Keeper” Quotes from NSA 2010
Last week, I was privileged to attend the 2010 National Speakers Association (NSA) Convention. Although I was honored to share my knowledge at a “Meet the Pros” table, my favorite part of the convention was soaking in everyone else’s wisdom and experience. With over 1,200 Thought Leaders in one room, the air had an electricity…
Read More5 Steps to Finding News Feeds and Blogs Worth Following
After writing 5 Steps to Organizing the Blogs You Follow, I received many questions on how to go about finding relevant, high-quality blogs. Thank you for your questions and feedback! Influential Thought Leaders tend to embrace others’ ideas and soak up information like sponges. They can’t get enough of peoples’ knowledge and live to build…
Read More5 Steps to Organizing the Blogs You Follow
One of the best ways to stay on top of what’s shaking in your industry and “sharpen the saw” each week is to read content-rich blogs! Just as reading books helps make us better writers, reading blogs helps make us better thinkers and bigger networkers! Yet, I still hear over and over again, “Yea…I’ve been…
Read MoreJoin Me at the National Speakers Association 2010 Convention!
Will you be attending The National Speakers Association 2010 Convention next week? If so, don’t forget to sign up for Meet the Pros! Each breakout session is limited to a hand full of attendees, so reserve your spot ASAP! I’ll be hosting a Meet the Pros Session focused on how blogging can benefit you as…
Read MoreEmbrace and Nurture Your Followers
Once again, TED blows us away with their simplified dissection of leadership and how to “make a movement.” Key messages: You’re not a leader until you have your first follower. As a true leader, you must embrace your followers as equals! How does this translate to your online presence? Respond to comments on your blog…
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