Are Hash Tags The New Mentions?

The #Hashtag is a powerful marketing tool thanks to Twitter. Their purpose is to categorize a Tweet or now, an Instagram or Facebook post. THEY ARE EVERYWHERE.

  When you use a #Hashtag you are entering a world of users around a topic, not just communicating to one person. Sure, people want individual attention, but there is significant importance when you communicate to a group of users that are all interested in and discussing the same topic.

Let me explain how the #Hashtag works:

1. Write a tweet: Ex. Eva Longoria’s dress was beyond gorgeous.

2. Placing The #Hashtag: You can place them at the end of the tweet, which is most popular, or if you need to save space, next to a word in the tweet or post that would be a #Hashtag. The rule is not to over use it and be repetitive. 

3.What to #Hashtag: Look at the topics and buzzwords. In this case, Eva Longoria is a celebrity, so she would be good to #Hashtag and I would do #Grammy’s because that is what I was referring to and it’s a big event that will most likely be trending.

Speaking of trending, another thing to know is that #Hashtags become trends.  On Twitter, to the left of the screen there are the trends of #Hashtags and when you click on one, or search one in the search bar, you get a whole host of tweets that use that #Hashtag. If you can get a #Hashtag with the name of your company or product trending, that’s huge. It will make you recognizable on a global scale.

#Hashtag #Socialbflycon #Blogpost #SMM

"What iPad Should I Buy?"

At least once a week someone asks me about iPads. My clients wants to know which one is better, the difference between the models, how to set one up, and how to use it in general. Some even want to know what the point is in having one. That said, the most important question that I receive is, “What iPad should I buy?”

The first thing that you have to know is that iPads aren’t one-size-fits-all. There’s a reason why Apple has made so many different models. Yes, the more updated, the better, but even if you can afford the newest models there are plenty of decisions to be made such size, gigabytes, wi-fi or no wi-fi, and so on. 

To end your frustration, let me walk you through how to make the right decision for you.

1.       The Screen: Do you want the small screen of the iPad Mini or do you want the big screen of the iPad 2? Do you want the clarity and speed of an iPad with Retina Display or does it not matter to you? If you want something that can fit in your bag, is light weight, and you have good eyes, then there is no reason not to get the iPad Mini. Unless, you need the gig space.

2.       The Space: How many gigs do you really need? Do you plan on putting all of your music and videos on the device? Do you want to read ebooks? Are you intending on working on your iPad instead of on your laptop? Are you hoping that your iPad will replace your main computer? Are you an app maniac? If you didn’t say yes to all or the majority of those questions then get a 16GB. It will fit enough data to sync peacefully with your iPhone (assuming you have one.) Just remember, the more gigs you use, the slower your device, so you may want to aim for  slightly more gigs than you expected. If you said yes to all of the above, consider one of the full sized models.  

3.       Wi-Fi, 3G, and Cellular: At this point, you have another decision to make. If you want to be able to use your iPad anywhere you go, then a model with Wi-Fi and 3G is essential.

4.       The Color: You would be amazed at how difficult this decision is, but make sure that you can live with it. It sounds silly, but the color of your iPad is something that you and others will notice. If you intend to buy a cool case, then it may not be important. However, if you’re considering matching your iPad and iPhone colors, think hard.

At the end of the day, it may be worth hanging out at the Apple Store for an hour or so and playing with all the different models until you make your decision.

Let Your Freedible Flag Fly

 Freedible.com is a brand new food start up that is fighting for a cause; this July 4^th they’re launching a new campaign to declare your independence from food restrictions. This new social network is specifically designed for all of us who are restricted from food because of allergies, or because we feel better when leaving certain foods out of our diets. The network is a unique and fun way to connect with others who share similar food concerns, needs, habits, and desires. Their clever motto, "because food is not one-size-fits-all," speaks to me and I'm sure that it speaks to many of you.

 Here's how it works:

1. Navigate to the site. Open an account - use Facebook if you can because it makes the login super easy.

2. Set up your profile: With the help of the organized tabs, simply locate your profile towards the top right and editing is a click away. Write a short bio before selecting one or more of the food restrictions you have, be it dairy, nuts, gluten, top 8 allergens, vegetarianism, etc. If you fill this out by the end of this month you get entered to win a grand prize!

3. Have fun using the site! It features a community cookbook where you can search recipes for some 50 different restrictions, getting started guides, and a custom blogs directory to help you find ones that are relevant to the way you eat. Specifically learn how to handle these restrictions for kids and adults. You can read their lists of food ingredients to watch out for or explore their delicious recipes. Don't forget about their "TableTalk" discussion forums to share conversation with people who might have different diets, but face similar issues, as well as their numerous affinity groups to communicate with individuals who share your specific issue or dietary needs. Finally, if and when you're ready to share a meal, you can use the recipes search to find a meal that all your guests can eat.

On the 4th, Americans gather to eat, watch fireworks and celebrate our freedom, which is why Freedible, Inc. is the perfect subject for this holiday post.

Instagram’s Instant Success Continues

Instagram is the smartphone app that allows anyone with a creative spirit to become a professional photographer and NOW videographer. That’s right, they have made the next move to compete with newcomer Vine and maybe even Snapchat, on a more serious level. If the new filters and 15 seconds of steady filming capability don’t sell you, then I don’t know what will.

Let me explain why every tech writer, photographer, and social media marketer is talking about the app as if it just came out.

1.     Fun and Professional Photos in Seconds-With a quick tapping motion and a few swipes of exciting filter choices, you can take a photo of anything imaginable and not only change the look, but claim it as art.

2.     Sharing Is Caring-Share your work of genius on Instagram, sure, but also Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Tumblr, and email. Your photo or video can go viral in a flash; pun intended.

3.     Commentary and Praise-You’ve heard the cliché of every artist hating their own work, but I think that it’s harder when everyone is liking, hash tagging, mentioning, and commenting on your posts. There’s a special feeling you get when you see those little hearts next to your user name.

4.     Branding-For companies, Instagram is a goldmine. Both companies and consumers can boast about your brands products and services for free. Hey, those filters can make anything look good.

5.     Video-As of the past few days, you can turn your amateur smartphone videos into a comparable Spielberg.

If it’s not clear as to why Instagram is the photo-bomb, maybe you should clean your tiny lens. Doesn’t it make the fading of the digital camera a bit less scary?

Be Fancy With Foursquare

 

Foursquare is an under utilized social network. The app itself is free, unless you want to become an official business, which has its perks. Let me explain.

 

Foursquare is a social network where the goal is letting everyone know where you are at all times. Now, that freaks out A LOT of people. There may be some risks, but there are way more benefits.

Here is an article that gives three of the best reasons to use Foursquare smartly.

 

 Still not convinced? Ask a Foursquare mayor; I’m one of many. Seriously, it’s time to get yourself on the map. I know - I’m there.

I Tweet, You Tweet, We All Tweet

Twitter has rapidly become one of the most powerful social networks of all time. In fact, over 288 million people use the site and app actively and all of them are consumers in one way or another. They are on there because it's trendy and they are looking for all things, people, and services that are trendy too. It's obvious why all the brands and companies would want to be on there. 

Here's what you need to know; setting up is the easiest part of Twitter. Open an account using a Twitter handle (your user name) that makes sense.  Put up your logo or icon. Then write a super short, interesting, and engaging bio. The last step is to upload a custom background and the image 
surrounding your profile picture. 

Managing your Twitter is a labor of love. Make sure that you're following the right people, meaning your target audience and competitors. You want to communicate using quick and short quips, visuals, links to articles, hash tags, mentions, and retweets in order to gain followers. Twitter feeds are in "real time," which means that once you post it's gone along with the millions of others. As a result, you will need to be tweeting frequently. But remember, it's worth it - the early bird catches the worm. 

Facebook: You Need to “Like” The Basics

 

 

 

For some of you, this post may seem redundant, but there are plenty of people who don’t know how to use Facebook for their business. As a result, we are going to go back to the basics.

 

What Is Facebook?

 

Facebook is the mother of all social networks. It’s not a mystery why they have the funds necessary to buy up every other company that might be seen as competition. Mark Zuckerberg figured out that people want to communicate with other like minded people. Facebook allows you to reach current and potential customers  from all over the world by interacting via a profile, group, or business page.

 

What’s The Difference?

 

Your profile is a virtual version of yourself. People use it to connect with friends and family, but you would use it to show off your professional knowledge and expertise. Upload a photo that makes you look personable and post interesting and helpful information, articles, videos, and more that will make others want to interact with you. The goal is to get as many “friends” as possible.

 

Groups allow for other Facebook users to have an open discussion about a topic, product, or company. You can invite everyone in the group to events, settle disputes, learn about your customer needs, and more.

 

A business page is your biggest ally. The focus is on the company;  its mission, its services and products, and so on. This is where you will show off your company and interact with as many people as possible. The goal is to get as many “likes” as possible.

 

How To Set It Up

 

Setting up a Facebook account has never been easier. Start by opening an account with an email address and password. Once that’s done, you can fill out a profile with information on yourself that will put showcase you as an expert in your field. Afterwards, set up your business page to promote your company. It’s a lot like data entry, but you have to be strategic. Don’t forget to review the numerous privacy settings, but I wouldn’t suggest blocking the world from your profile and page because it will be much harder to get exposure.

 

Get on Facebook, “friend”, “like”, and prosper.

Apps: A Lifestyle Choice

 

I don’t know why, but the warmer months make me think of shopping. Maybe it’s because I'm about to move to a new apartment, so I am spending money up the wazoo, but I don’t think I’m alone. This is why I’m going to tell you about my favorite lifestyle apps.

 

To make this simple, I’m going to break them up into two categories, coupon apps and shopping.

 

Coupon Apps

 

LivingSocial: One of the more famous apps for deals, this free app is a must have when looking for a cheap vacation and discounted entry to events. Search is by location. You can look through “today’s deals”, “escapes”, or “fun & events”. Worried about keeping track of your deals? Not to worry, they have a “my vouchers” section.

 

Groupon: Similar to Living Social, but they have more to offer. It’s not just about experiences, but products too! Browse through umpteen deals using “nearby,” what’s “featured”,  “goods,” “just for you,” “summer deals,” and “getaways.” It doesn’t end there. You can earn rewards by spending certain amounts of money at different locations. Also, you can earn $10 for every invite that purchases something. Just remember to read the fine print on each deal and realize that you don’t get your Groupon instantly.

 

RetailMeNot: Not a new app on the couponing block, but still great. You can now take the coupons with you on the go! Listen out for the cheerful “ka-ching” sound letting you know when they have coupons for you to look through. Both for online and in store purchases, this app is guaranteed to help if you’re shopping at the right places. Each coupon is rated by success, so you know when to not waste your time.

 

SnipSnap: New to my iPhone, this app is almost like a social network for coupons. Share what you have and search for those you don’t! Follow people that post the best coupons for your needs and organize the coupons you electronically save. It’s easy to use and fun too!

 

Shopping

 

Etsy: If you’re a lover of anything and everything handmade or someone who has something worth selling, this is the app for you. Look through what seems like an endless amount of products and items that were made with TLC. There are some incredible artists on this app and impressive craftsmanship.  It’s really hard to ignore, especially with the app being so visual.

FAB: This little gem is very addictive. You have officially been warned. Anything that you would want to buy that has a unique look or purpose can be found here. Under appreciated artists join together to make this app special. Swipe through furniture, jewelry, nick knacks, and more. Fab really is fabulous and organized to boot. You won’t be disappointed. Prices do vary.

 

eBay Now: It’s not surprising that this app took off so quickly with it’s mother eBay backing it up. This is the app to use if you need something last minute. Search through the items and products based on your needs and have it delivered to you by the end of the day. The delivery fee can be annoying, but if you’re caught in the rain without an umbrella, well, you get the picture.

 

Overstock: A veteran to the online and television shopping world, this app has everything that the site does on the go. Load time is almost as quick as your bank account emptying. Super easy to navigate and place an order.

 

Tophatter: This newbie may turn out to be my best friend or my worst enemy. Have a go at the animated 24/7 auction house in your pocket.  Bid on endless items, while chatting with others bidding on your item and the auctioneer. Interested in selling? Here’s the app for you. Communicate with those bidding on your item to help get it off your hands! This one’s a good way to try to get quality items for cheap or watch for the entertainment value.    

Recycling My Pinterest Post

It wasn't so long ago when I wrote this post for my mother's professional tech blog.  It's not surprising that it's still relevant to any profession that has a visible or tangible product or service.

Pinterest is a site made up of pins - photographs and videos of anything that you can imagine - positioned on pin boards (virtual bulletin boards.) These visuals includes clothes, animals, architecture, DIY projects, tech gadgets, and much more. Anyone can open an account in a matter of minutes for FREE and create one, or dozens of boards to showcase products, opinions, ideas, etc. Remember that no one buys anything they can’t see.

The social media aspect is that there are millions of pinners all over the world, so just like Facebook, or a blog, you can follow, “like”, and comment on people, brands, single pins, or entire pin boards. Pinterest is a massive network of people who simply like all sorts of stuff, and you have the opportunity to make them like you, your products, and your ideas.

If I were you, I would get going before your pins get lost in the mix.

Still not sold? There is a tab at the top of the Pinterest home page titled “gifts,” which allows users to name a price range for items they might want to buy. In the blink of an eye, a page with a huge number of purchasable products of all kinds appear on your computer screen. Just click on a pin and you are linked to the site where that product is sold.

There are other great things about Pinterest. You can spend time checking out your competition, communicating with fans, or posting a short video, hoping it goes viral. Did I mention that there is a smartphone app?

Pinterest is a marketer’s best friend. And in case you’re saying to your computer screen, “I’m not a marketer,” you’re in denial - because every professional needs to become a brand in this day and age in order to be successful.

Happy Pinning!

LinkedIn: Your Link To Success

It’s time to focus on the most important online networking tool, LinkedIn. After celebrating their 10^th birthday, LinkedIn is still a hot topic.

What’s LinkedIn?

LinkedIn is a purely professional website and app that allows you to “link in” or connect virtually. The site, built on the idea of “six degrees of separation,” actually breaks down the degrees and opens your network up to millions of people. Set up a free basic account and instantly upload your online resume!

Why Is LinkedIn Important?

Where do I even begin? To start, LinkedIn is personal and accurate because you can only link with those you have met in person. In order to connect with them you need to have worked at the same location, gone to the same school, or have their email. It’s a great way to make sure you’re not wasting your time on spammers. Secondly, everyone in business today, especially small business, knows that referrals are only becoming increasingly important. You can refer one of your links to another! Finally, LinkedIn is a place for those who need to hire or be hired. They have a fantastic job section where you can filter through thousands of positions all over the world in many fields, or look through millions of online resumes.

Who Uses It?

LinkedIn is the site that EVERYONE uses. According to mediabistro.com, 175 million people all over the globe are Linked. To be more specific, of the 25 million daily active users, 55% are women and 45% are men. Of those people, 61% use it as their primary professional networking site. Are the light bulbs turning on yet? And these are educated users. Half of them have a B.A. or graduate degree.

How To Use It?

Thankfully, LinkedIn is designed to be user friendly. When you initially sign up, you will be given some guidelines to help you set up your profile. Add on all important jobs, charity work, education, interests, how to contact you, your skills, and more! Get recommendations from bosses and clients or even get endorsed for the skills you list. This is the place to show off! The site is divided into sections via tabs such as companies, jobs, profiles, a search, and more. Yes, I said companies! Create a company page that explains what your business is all about and what you have to offer!

It’s time to break down boundaries, people! Expand your network and learn HOW to network.

Managers Helping Manager

 

With so much content and so little time to post it, it’s comforting to know that there are a lot of websites, apps, and people who are willing to help. These tools take very little knowledge and time to utilize. Here is a list of content managers, some old and new, that can help your business sore.

 

1.     Hootsuite: A platform that allows you to post and schedule posts of texts, images, links, and more to multiple social media networks simultaneously. It even allows those who have more than one person working on social media to access the same account with ease. The basic membership is free and totally worth using. It’s time to stop worrying about having the time to tweet every single moment. The downfall is that it doesn’t connect with the more visual networks such as Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube. However, there is a Hootsuite app, so everything can be done on the go.

2.     Refollow: This $20 a month Twitter tool will be your new best friend if you like it after a small test run. Manage your followers in bulk, block the inappropriate ones, and find out things like when they last tweeted or how many people they are following. This is the fastest and easiest way to unfollow and follow the wrong and right people.

3.     Barley: is one of the new guys on the block, but built on a veteran concept. Not everyone has the time, brainpower, or energy to learn code. This makes small companies who have even smaller budgets have a panic attack when they know it’s time to create a website. Once they let you in, the lucky 1,000 a day, will get to create, manage, and edit their websites flawlessly with zero code knowledge needed. Completely customizable on your laptop and on the go, Barley strives to get in touch with the middle man who wants to help small businesses set up for a small $18 a month.

4.     Get Satisfaction: May be new to you, but not to Pampers and Walmart. This company understands that small businesses are based on referrals, and loyalty comes from communities that are involved in the conversation. Check out their trial to set up one of their community managers on your website, Facebook, and more. Find out where the problems are, what people love about your products and services, and how you can answer client questions.

5.     Feedly: A user friendly app that will help you manage the content you want to share by feeding you information on different topics and from different blogs, sites, and RSS feeds that interests your clients. Organize your Feedly into categories that will help you access relevant content quickly and blast it out into the social media universe. Share on Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, Email, copy the link, and more.

 

It shouldn’t be difficult to manage your content. Become your own manager.  

 

*Feeling confused? Call me for a free 15 minute consultation!

Me, the Butterfly

I know that I am always preaching for you to get personal and tell your story to help your clients connect, so to be fair, I’m going to share mine.

I was always the decisive and determined type. When you are interviewed for a position at a company, they are likely to ask you what your five-year plan is. If I had been interviewed at the young age of 10, I would have told you that I was going to be a famous chef. I spent my high school years attending culinary boot camps, studying and cooking in various kitchens, and even doing a short stint at TheCulinary Institute of America.

One day, day I woke up and didn’t want to be a chef anymore. I felt disappointed, confused, and overwhelmed as many do who have to change their career path. It was time to keep food as my passion and move on. My parents refused to let me transfer out until I had a plan. Planning was in my nature, and it wasn’t long before I saw myself as a journalism student at SUNYPurchase. “I’m going to be a food critic,” I said confidently.

By the time I was finishing up my freshman year, I had started the food beat for their online news source, ThePurchaseBrick.com, created my own cooking show on Brick TV, and started a thrilling social media marketing internship. As if I wasn’t busy enough, I joined endless clubs, ended up helping with events as a member of the executive board of the oldest and largest club on campus, and co-founded another. Somehow, I still had enough time to throw some of the biggest and wildest themed parties on campus. Maybe you see where I’m going with this.

My last semester of college came and while others were freaking out about what they were going to do for the rest of their lives, failing on purpose to stay, or getting trashed; I was focusing on my next move. I completed my senior thesis on the link between food and social media in New York City, “The New York Food Chain,” and was on the prowl for a position that would be meaningful.

Yes, I was having a small existential crisis, but that only motivated me to dig deep inside and evaluate my talents and think about my desires. After a great deal of thought, I decided that I wanted to work in social media marketing and event planning. The two go hand-in-hand, really. Naturally, with this economy, it wasn’t easy to slip into the impressive full-time job of my dreams. However, I moved into working as an assistant to several executive vice presidents at a prestigious residential real estate firm, Halstead Property, LLC.

It only took eight months for the word to get out that I had social media experience. I found an incredible agent to be my first client, who then went on to refer me to many others. And this is when I transformed. With the support of my friends and family, I harnessed my entrepreneurial spirit, and started Social Butterfly Consulting. 

I became a butterfly and like real butterflies, I made an impressive journey, which got me where I am today. Now, as I spend my time trying to fly up my business ladder, I only wish to help you fly up yours.