Miss Kemya | January 25, 2012
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2012 Is The Year of DO

I’ve been reading posts over the last few weeks about people selecting their word or words of the year. Are you familiar with this process? You select words to use as a baseline, guiding your actions as you work to meet your personal, professional and/or spiritual goals for the year.

I’m not new to the “define your word” process. I’ve been a fan of the practice for some time now. However, my life, goals and aspirations are so complex (as is your life I’m sure) that I’ve never been able to clearly define one, two or three words to adequately describe my plan for the year… until now.

You see, it hit me one day. It was a normal day, and as usual random thoughts were bouncing around in my head. All of a sudden it hit me. I have my word for 2012 – DO.

DO. Nothing too fancy, nothing too exciting, but 100% magical. You see, I can research an idea until I’m dizzy. I can toy with concepts and plan action items until I’m blue in the face. I can strategize with the best of them. But you want to know why so many people never realize their dreams? Never live up their potential? Never become all that they are capable of becoming?

They spend so much time reading, researching, and thinking about all their plans, that they never actually execute anything. They fail to DO. I have been guilty of devising far too many plans and failing to execute them. I admit this. We’ve all been there haven’t we?

Now do you see why DO is such a magical word? It’s pretty magical right now isn’t it? I know I could have picked “execute” as my word, but DO just sounds so definitive doesn’t it? It holds so much more power to me, so I figured, go with the simpler word.

And the icing on my cake: I’m sharing my word with you. Which means I am holding myself accountable to the community I’m building over here. So expect changes, ups and downs, and powerful transformations from me, with a few snippets of random nonsense thrown in for good measure. 2012 is my year to DO. Thank you in advance for participating in the journey!

Ciao,
Miss Kemya

What’s your word, words, or phrase for 2012? What led you to your choice? Leave a comment and share with the rest of us! Let’s accomplish our goals together!

Category: Random Chats |
Miss Kemya | January 19, 2012
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Automated Tweets Can Stunt Your Growth

Let me start by saying I know plenty of Twitter users who automate their tweets. I have no problem with this whatsoever. I do the same thing. However, some people schedule most, if not all, of their tweets. Here’s where the problem comes in.

You Can’t Schedule All of Your Tweets Because…

  1. Your scheduled tweet may refer to something that is no longer being discussed. Time moves fast on Twitter. Our attention spans are fleeting. For example, I’ve seen people retweet an event that has already passed. That’s a clear giveaway that your tweet was scheduled.
  2. Your tweets should be engaging. Not simply a “click this” or a simple “RT”. You should be commenting on tweets, asking questions, responding to retweets, @replies and comments. If you are doing this in a timely manner, you can’t possibly schedule all your tweets.
  3. You will miss the live interaction. If you are not engaging in live conversations, you’re missing the whole point of Twitter. Which means your Twitter strategy needs some CPR or you’re doomed to stagnant growth. That just stinks!

Having a presence on Twitter requires more than tweeting and retweeting links. It requires interactions, live conversations, and, if you’re on Twitter for business, it requires a STRATEGY.

Moral of the story: Social media is not a set-it-and-forget-it marketing tool. Scheduling posts is fine, most of us schedule posts. But you must keep up that live connection, that live conversation to successfully build your social media strategy. The same goes for Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+… you get the idea.

If you are a scheduling offender, try this approach. Make time to go live daily and often, and you should see a noticeable difference in the quality of your interactions with your social media friends.

Ciao,
Miss Kemya

How’s your Twitter savvy? Could you use a few tips to build your Twitter presence? Have I got an event for you! Visit my fanpage at http://www.facebook.com/PhiscoMarketing and “like” the page. Then click the “Events” tab and attend “Get Twitter Savvy NOW!” happening Thursday Jan 19th at 8pm ET. See ya there!

Category: Social Media Platforms, Social Media Strategy, Twitter | Tags: , ,
Miss Kemya | January 16, 2012
4 comments

7 Mistakes Twitter Users Should Avoid

So far, we’ve looked at several tips to build your Twitter strategy. First we used 10 Quick Twitter Tips to get you on the right track to building a Twitter profile and network. Next, we learned a few easy ways to build your Twitter following.

So here’s my thought: Instead of providing more tips of what to do, how about I switch it up and give you a few suggestions of what NOT to do on Twitter? The don’ts of Twitter are just as important as the do’s of Twitter.

7 Mistakes Twitter Users Should Avoid

  1. Don’t include a link with every single tweet. You can say something thought-provoking, ask a question or make a statement without a link. It’s ok. Your followers won’t click all those links anyway.
  2. Don’t go on a personal several-tweet rant. You just might irk me or someone else and get unfollowed. By the same token, don’t get into the habit of having a 30-tweet conversation with one person over Twitter. Call or DM that person.
  3. Don’t send several emails in succession. You’re not helping yourself with exposure at all. Spreading them out increases the likelihood your followers will see your tweets. In other words, if you send out 7 tweets in a row over the course of 3 minutes and I’m not on Twitter at that time, I’ll miss your content. If you spread those 7 tweets out, there’s a better chance you’ll catch me on Twitter and I can see your content.
  4. Don’t be so concerned with the numbers. Spammers will come and go all the time, which will make your numbers change daily. By the way, you can’t always tell a spambot by their profile. People follow and unfollow all the time with no reason whatsoever. Therefore, you should be more concerned with the quality of your followers.
  5. Don’t constantly sales pitch yourself. That’s a quick way to get unfollowed. You will definitely get on people’s nerves. Twitter is not all about you.
  6. Don’t tweet at everyone you follow to follow you back. It’s just tacky. Yup, I said it, T-A-C-K-Y.
  7. Don’t abuse the auto DM. I have received the same auto DM more than once from a person I followed, and you know what that tells me? They’re not paying enough attention to their followers, and they haven’t updated their auto-DM use. This gets on my nerves, and I guarantee I’m not the only one annoyed.

Don’t assume you will become famous on Twitter simply because you’re active every day. The value in Twitter lies not only in frequency, but with content and engagement. I just had to throw that bonus tip in to keep you sane.

If you’re active on Twitter I bet you’ve seen several of these missteps made and they might have made you cringe. So now you know what NOT to do on Twitter. This list should help prevent you from looking like you don’t know what you’re doing. Just keep in mind, we’re here to socially engage AND HAVE FUN.

Do you have any more Twitter don’ts to add to the list? Comment and share your Twitter peeves!

Ciao,
Miss Kemya

Join us here on the Phisco Marketing fanpage Thursday Jan. 19 at 8pm ET to get your Twitter questions answered: http://www.facebook.com/events/295706667148747/
Category: Twitter | Tags: , , ,
Miss Kemya | January 10, 2012
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7 Ways to Build Your Twitter Following

Are you trying to figure out how to build your following and find your Twitter voice? Have you been tweeting for a while but you’ve been inconsistent? Are you working with a stagnant network? Have I got a few tips for you!

  1. Post unique content daily, as in not a retweet. Find interesting content on your own and share it with your followers.
  2. Comment and reply to other people’s tweets. And have something to add, more than a “nice post”. Tell them what value you gained from their content.
  3. Recommend people to follow. Recommendations are not just reserved for #FF, you may do this anytime, there are no rules. A perfect example: “You should follow @MissKemya for her marketing brilliance, cool blog posts and small biz advice”. You can tweet that whenever you like!
  4. Participate in tweetchats. This is a surefire way to increase your following. There are so many tweetchats happening on a regular basis, I add the ones I like to my calendar as appointments so I don’t miss them.
  5. Perform searches for people talking about your interests, both professional and personal, and follow those people. Search locally and internationally to build your network.
  6. Even though you’re tweeting as a professional, expose your personality so people can get to know you. Tweeters like getting to know each other, quirks and all.
  7. Tweet every day, as in 7 days a week. If you want to communicate with a variety of people, hop on Twitter several times daily and do all of the above.

If you’re still relatively new to Twitter, I suggest you take a look at my original post “10 Quick Twitter Tips” to make sure you’ve already got the basics covered. Then join us here on the Phisco Marketing fanpage Thursday Jan. 19 at 8pm ET to get your Twitter questions answered: http://www.facebook.com/events/295706667148747/

Ciao,
Miss Kemya

I share more details of my personal Twitter strategy with Jason Shoup on Pluggio’s Blog - checkout the interview!

Category: Twitter | Tags: , , ,
Miss Kemya | January 4, 2012
4 comments

Daily Tasks Don’t Have to Be Boring

Has your mode of operation become predictable and lackluster? When is the last time you tried a different way of doing things? I don’t mean drastic changes, I mean little tweaks in the way you do seemingly ordinary tasks. Take the blah out of your day. Daily tasks don’t have to be mundane. Finding new ways of doing seemingly simple tasks can ignite your imagination. For instance,

Do you use the same social media sites every day? Experiment with a new one! I think we can all agree there is no shortage of social media platforms. While you’re at it, make a few new friends to correspond with on the new site to make it interesting.

Do you correspond primarily via email? Try sending a few handwritten notes. It sounds cliché but it’s true: people like receiving handwritten notes. Make sure you keep a roll of stamps on hand or you’ll never actually mail those notes.

When’s the last time you saw your client (or prospect)? Instead of emails or phone calls, offer to meet a client for lunch to chat, or drinks to socialize. It’s always nice to see a client face to face and break bread together. It builds the relationship. If you’re not local, try Skype, Google hangouts, or some other form of video chat instead of phone calls for a meeting.

Do you read the same blogs or magazines regularly? Reading content from the same sources can get predictable, so why not try a few new media outlets for a fresh perspective? And pick something off-topic altogether, you might just find a new source of inspiration.

Have you been using the same old newsletter format, or the same e-blast template too long? Experiment with a few new templates and see which ones your readers like. Ask them to comment and pick their favorite. You can even turn it into a contest if you like, after all, who doesn’t like prizes?

Again, you don’t have to make drastic changes (unless you want to), a slight shift in the way you do simple tasks can light that spark! Do it for yourself, your business, and your audience. Switching up the format does wonders for your creative spirit!

Ciao,
Miss Kemya 

PS – I’m partly talking to myself, but if I helped you in the process, hooray for the both of us!

Category: Business Maintenance, Random Chats | Tags:
Miss Kemya | December 30, 2011
2 comments

A Few Simple Ways to Leverage LinkedIn

Are you using LinkedIn to build your brand and increase the visibility of your business? If not, you should be! Assuming you already have your basic profile complete, don’t you want to have a profile that commands attention and makes people want to connect? Of course you do! So here are five quick tips to round out your LinkedIn activity and make your profile more robust.

LinkedIn Logo

Send email regularly via LinkedIn to your connections. I especially make sure to do this when I notice a connection isn’t posting updates or appearing active in any other way on LinkedIn. It gives them a reason to check back into LinkedIn. It also gives me a conversation starter and a chance to catch up with them.

Maximize those applications on LinkedIn. Why? People actually look at your apps, as they round out your profile and give a better picture of your professional interests. Portfolios, blogs and books, oh my! Browse the applications and select a few that you can use to enhance your profile. You can always remove or add an application, so see which ones will work best for your products and services. The applications are listed in the “More” drop down menu:

Get social and extend the conversation from LinkedIn to another social media platform. Use your Twitter address and/or Facebook profile or page in your comment signature. I’ve taken relationships from LinkedIn to Twitter and Facebook and beyond.

Personalize as much information as you are allowed on your profile. For example, LinkedIn allows you to list up to 3 websites. Did you know that you can modify the standard website names of “company website” “blog”, etc as provided by LinkedIn? No worries if you didn’t know, here’s how you do it, it’ll take you 2 minutes: under “edit profile” go to your website listings and click “edit”. In the drop down menu for Websites, choose “other”. This will allow you to give a title to each individual website. I’m sure you want the title of your company/blog listed here. This is an easy fix!

Join appropriate Groups, including local groups. Groups are a goldmine of information and opportunity! Don’t limit yourself to industry specific/niche groups; there are plenty of general groups that may spark your interest. And by all means, announce your presence, join in the discussions, and/or start your own! You don’t gain visibility by lurking. While you’re there, sign up to receive daily or weekly digests from those groups. And read the emails! No need cluttering your inbox if you don’t use the information. You can use these digests to catch up on discussion topics as well as target the more active members of the groups.

Don’t forget, when you’re sending an invitation to connect, nothing says spam more than the default canned message. And please don’t leave the message area blank, yes that still says spam. Take the time to write a couple of sentences about why you want to connect. For more info on that one, read my previous post on using a personal message to connect.

Now for the extra sizzle…

Are you doing all the above, yet still don’t feel like you’re making the most of your LinkedIn activity? Would you like to take your LinkedIn activity to the next level? If so, here’s a little known secret, it’s a biggie… use the question and answer section! It’s a section under that same “More” drop down menu that lists the Applications.

This is where you get to showcase your expertise, and highlight your brand. This is the happening section of LinkedIn, the place to be. If you have a specific niche, or are knowledgeable about particular subjecst, go here to ask questions and give answers. Ask any of the movers and shakers on LinkedIn and they’ll tell you, the Q&A section is where the magic happens!

Ciao,
Miss Kemya

Are we LinkedIn? Connect with me here – http://www.linkedin.com/in/kemyascott - and let me know you found me via this post. See you there!

 

Category: LinkedIn, Networking, Social Media Strategy | Tags: , ,
Miss Kemya | December 27, 2011
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Where Are Your Future Customers?

Sounds like a simple enough question doesn’t it? But, can you answer the question?

Let’s ask this another way. Where do your prospective customers go to find your product or service? Are they going to a brick and mortar store? Are they asking their peers? Are they mimicking the choices of their competitors? Are they performing online searches, based on their needs? Are they buying online at indie boutiques or big box e-retailers? Or are they lingering all over the place, waiting for a celebrity endorsement or a slew of testimonials before they make a purchase?

What does it matter, right? Your customers are everywhere aren’t they? Well, it’s slightly more complicated…

Target Customer

Now, let me ask, where are you marketing your business? Are you using the correct marketing channels to reach your customers? I know so many people are relying on social media to make them rich. However, social media is not the only answer. The marketing and sales process has existed since the beginning of time, and the fundamental process has not changed.  You still have to go where your customers are looking to buy your product or service.

I’ll address social media since that’s the general marketing tool of choice these days, especially for DIY business owners. If your customers are not looking for you on social media, all the tweeting and facebooking in the world will not create sales. If you don’t know your audience, there lies a fundamental flaw in your sales and marketing strategy.

Here’s a bit of advice: Define Your Target. Once you figure out your target market, you can find the social media platforms they most often use. Look at those platforms as the basis for your social media strategy.

If your customers aren’t around to hear your message, it really doesn’t matter how loud you shout it, nor how any times you say it, does it? So again, I ask my original question: where are your future customers? If you cannot answer this question, I suggest you figure out how to find them. They just might be looking for you too!

Ciao,
Miss Kemya 

Category: Marketing Strategy, Social Media Platforms | Tags: , , ,
Miss Kemya | December 22, 2011
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Don’t Point That QR Code To Your Home Page!

For those of you that don’t know, a QR code is a quick response code that is primarily used to direct people to a particular web page. You can use any number of sites to generate the code. Most are free; some are paid if you want a fancier looking QR code. You provide the content, usually a web page address, and presto, you get a QR code. You can then insert the graphic image of the code on your printed materials or anywhere you choose to.

QR codes are for smartphone users. You have to download a QR code reader app to use the codes. The app takes a picture of the QR code, and directs you to that particular bit of information – it could be a web page, vcard, or some other digital place.

QR codes are primarily used for mobile viewing. If your site is not optimized for mobile viewing, you’re missing the boat. Sure there are some people who embed their QR codes on their website, but that’s not where the value lies for the purposes of this post. Note: you can use your phone to point and click a QR code on a computer screen, it works!

There you have it, QR codes in a nutshell. Now for the tricky part: where to point the QR code? Here’s where the marketing strategy comes into play.

You’re already aware of the short attention spans we have these days. You need to give someone a good reason to click the code. May I share a tip with you? Do not design your QR code to point to a general landing page. The purpose of your QR code is to increase engagement and/or conversion. If you send someone to a general home page, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity to share information with someone who is clearly interested in your business. Take them to a specific page that has a clear message or call to action. Here are three easy examples for using QR codes, each with a different purpose:

If you have a product for sale, you can use a QR code to point to your featured product, and include a discount specifically for QR code users.

If you’re hosting an event, put a QR code on the event program and have it point to the event’s Facebook page for attendees to post live comments and pics.

If you’re looking for a job, put a QR code on your business card and have it point to your LinkedIn profile or digital resume.

Yes, I happen to use QR codes, that’s one of mine below. If you’re at a computer you can point your phone to your screen and click it. Go ahead, you know you want to.

As you can guess, QR codes give you a huge opportunity to direct people exactly where you want them to go. QR codes are still relatively new, so do not assume because you have this code on anything people will understand it or use it. Period. It’s a fun new tool, but it’s still a mystery to many. So if you’re going to use a QR code, have fun with it and make it worth your effort.

Ciao,
Miss Kemya

Category: Marketing Tools, Social Media Platforms | Tags: ,
Miss Kemya | December 20, 2011
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5 Criteria To Help You Decide Which Professional Organizations To Join

We’ve spent a little time talking about professional memberships. In the first post, we talked about building your network with professional memberships. Next, we detailed five easy ways to maximize your membership dollars. What’s left? We need to tackle the most critical question of all: how to decide which professional organizations to join? You may use these 5 factors as a starting point:

Membership base: Who are the members? Are you looking to get exposure to your target market, vendors, and/or competitors? Do the members constitute your audience? Are they your peers, potential affiliates or partners, or a general mix of professionals? Is the membership with a local chapter of a national organization? Is it exclusively local or simply nationwide? All of these membership criteria will make a difference as you work to expand your network and reach new clients.

Activity and interaction: How active is the organization? Do they host weekly, monthly or bi monthly meetings and events? How is the interaction facilitated – via in person events, online, or a mix that is feasible for you? The level of activity makes a difference if you’re looking to be an active member. You need to determine how much scheduled face time and regular interaction you’ll have with other members. An active organization will offer frequent opportunities for you to get to know fellow members, which in turn helps you build those relationships.

Time: Is the time you will have to invest to reach other members realistic? This is directly related to the level of scheduled interactions. Will you have to reach out to members on your own to foster communication, or will the organization provide that forum, either in person or online? How much time and effort will you have to spend to communicate with other members? Platforms can be in print (directories, newsletters, mass mailings), online (forums, group emails, webinars), or face-to-face. But you need to determine all the different ways the organization fosters internal communication.

Money: Is there a fee to join? Will your company reimburse you? If not, can you write it off as a business expense? Can you otherwise swing it?

Development opportunities: Are you the sharpest knife in the drawer? Can you learn from your fellow members? And I don’t mean in the generic “there’s always something I can learn” or the “you can learn something from anyone” sense. I’m talking about real learning and quality education from people who are where you want to be. You should be looking to develop and enhance your skill set, so hanging around people who are at the same level or below your current level all the time will not enhance your skill set for the purposes of this post. If you can’t readily identify a track of higher learning and development for yourself, the organization might not be the fit for you.

Be honest with yourself about each of these factors. You want to feel like your time and money is being well spent. You will want to stay motivated to continue participating in activities and attending events once the “newness” wears off. Will you enjoy thought-provoking dialogue for personal and professional development, or will you spend more time making small talk and swapping stories? Remember, you can make small talk at the grocery store!

Once you join an organization, you’ll want to reconsider these factors on an annual basis. Your needs will change as your business grows, so what seemed like a good fit a year ago isn’t necessarily right for your needs now. There is one more point I cannot emphasize enough. Don’t feel pressured to join any organization because your peers are members, or because the title sounds like somewhere you need to be. Do your homework and make an educated decision based on your own needs.

Ciao,
Miss Kemya

Category: Marketing Strategy, Networking | Tags: , ,
Miss Kemya | December 13, 2011
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Quick Tip: Choosing Social Media Platforms

Which social media platforms should you use? Now you know I’m not going to say all of them! But I am curious, which platforms are you using? More importantly, are you using them all effectively, or do you have a mix of profiles that aren’t really working for your business?

Consider these factors as you join social media platforms:

  • how often you can post
  • what you will post
  • how and where your prospects communicate on social media
  • which social media platforms your competitors are using
  • your business offering

I know there are tons of social media choices out there, and there seems to be no end in sight. However, take this key factor into account: the most effective ways to communicate with your audience. After all, isn’t that one of your main goals, to reach your prospects and clients?

For example, do you have a visually based business (ex. photography, culinary)? Your business could take great advantage of Facebook and Flickr because you can post photos of your work. Is your business technical in nature? Submitting your blog posts for syndication as opposed to trying to fill a photo bucket may be more helpful for your business. Are you building a public speaking platform? Creating your own YouTube channel may be a great avenue for you. Do you offer a back office B2B service? LinkedIn may become your best friend!

Once you take into account the nature of your business and the market you’re trying to reach, you can get better informed about the most beneficial social media channels for your business. Whatever you do, don’t sit idle. Jump in and join the conversation!

Ciao,
Miss Kemya 

Category: Marketing Strategy, Social Media Platforms, Social Media Strategy | Tags: , ,
Miss Kemya | December 5, 2011
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How Much Time Does That Meeting Really Take?

What is time to an entrepreneur? Time is a precious resource, much like cash dollars. As you go about building your business, I know you participate in your share of meetings. To what do you charge your meeting time to? If it’s for a current client, that’s part of the cost of doing work for that client, so that’s a no-brainer. But what if you’re taking meetings with prospective clients, how do you figure the cost of your time? Do you know how to identify the real time associated with a meeting?

Let’s use this example:

I have a lunch meeting that I’ll label as networking/business development with a potential client that I have never met before. I’ve talked to them on the phone, and decided to follow-up with a face-to-face meeting. In this example, I am not getting paid by this prospect for this consultation. My meeting is scheduled from 11:30-12:30. I track client acquisition costs, and time is a cost. In this client’s file and on my calendar, how much time have I allocated to this meeting? Here’s my answer:

* Research to prepare for this meeting (took me one hour)

* On the day of the meeting, I schedule the meeting for 10:40-1:30 on my calendar:

  1. Travel time + parking is about 35 minutes
  2. I need a 15 minute buffer to deal with traffic and/or arrive early to the meeting
  3. Time at the actual meeting (1 hour)
  4. Time it takes to get to my next destination, or back to the office. (30 minutes)
  5. Time it takes to write a thank you for the meeting email or note and send it. If you write handwritten notes, you might need to stop by the post office, buy a stamp, and mail it.
  6. Time it takes to circle back and follow-up with this client to start the next phase of your interactions.

This is a rough estimate, but this 11:30-12:30 meeting actually takes more than 3 hours of my time. This is the amount of time I use as I calculate the real cost of acquiring this client. This is the time I need to include in my calendar on the day of the meeting. Simply writing 11:30-12:30 as a meeting on my calendar will not help me to plan my day efficiently will it?

The same method applies whether you’re an entrepreneur or you work for someone else. Any meeting you attend will most likely have more than the planned meeting time associated with it. So the next time you participate in a meeting, estimate the real time your involvement will take and you’ll be more efficient at managing the rest of your time.

Time management is one of those tools that you cannot afford to take for granted. Everyone doesn’t naturally have it, but everyone can learn it. Assessing the real amount of time you spend in meetings is a great place to start. Meetings are some of the biggest time stealers around!

Ciao,
Miss Kemya 

Category: Operations | Tags: , ,
Miss Kemya | December 1, 2011
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5 Easy Ways to Maximize Your Membership Dollars

In the previous post, I started you on the path of building your network with professional memberships. Next, I want to tackle the benefits of such memberships and affiliations. If you’re not yet a member of any professional organizations, think of this post as an overview of the benefits you can reap. If you’re already a member of professional organizations, are you maximizing your membership dollars to build your network and expand your circle of influence?

Here are just a few of the typical benefits of professional memberships that I’m almost certain your business can use for marketing purposes:

Use the membership directory to cross promote, build your network, and advertise. Some organizations post a directory online and make it accessible to members and non-members. Others include their directory in their monthly e-blasts to members and non-members. Some organizations publish a hard copy directory, which gets distributed locally and regionally. All of these distribution outlets afford you an opportunity for exposure.

Often times, there are spotlight opportunities, whereby you can showcase your business to hundreds or sometimes thousands of professionals, who may become networking partners or clients. Some organizations use a spotlight moment as a part of their events, and some will include a spotlight on a new member in their publications. Put yourself and your business in the spotlight!

Does the organization have sponsorship opportunities available? Events you can sponsor? Can you apply to be a speaker or host venue for the event? If your company is a sponsor, your company’s logo and website will probably be featured on the organization’s website. You may be able to use a cross-promotional banner on your own website or blog. There are usually different levels of sponsorships, so choose (or get creative and offer) a level that works within your budget.

Does the organization have committees you can join? Committees are a marketing goldmine, but not in the overt way you might think. These committees may afford you an opportunity to network both inside and outside the organization. In other words, give you an icebreaker or a conversation starter. You may also use your committee participation as an opportunity to demonstrate your skill set. When you take part on committees, you naturally show your strengths as a thought-leader, team player, industry expert, meeting facilitator, public speaker, etc. In addition, you may have the opportunity to strengthen your abilities in areas in which you may not currently excel. In other words, learn to turn your weaknesses into strengths.

As a member of a professional organization you have built-in leverage, an automatic conversation starter. For example, I’m a sponsorship chair for an industry-specific international charitable event. So I basically have an excuse to call any firm or vendor affiliated with my industry. Talk about a HUGE promotional opportunity! Because I have a legitimate reason to call on companies, and not just push sales, I can usually get a decision-maker on the phone. Not too shabby huh? All because I’m a member of a professional organization and I voluntarily joined a committee.

I know you have a few organizations in mind that you have wanted to take a look at and potentially join. Make an educated decision to find the right organizations worthy of your time and money. Then integrate the benefits of your membership into your marketing plan to maximize those membership dollars!

Ciao,
Miss Kemya 

Category: Marketing Strategy, Networking | Tags: , , ,
Miss Kemya | November 28, 2011
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Build Your Network With Professional Memberships

Professional organizations offer a HUGE opportunity to network and build connections. Yes, you most likely pay a membership fee, but this is a necessary marketing expense as you build your business.

When researching organizations to join, think about the benefits you will receive from your membership. Sure, lots of organizations host monthly meetings, and in theory these are great networking opportunities. Uh oh, wait for it… I said “in theory” and here’s why: If you’re a member of an organization that hosts regularly scheduled live programming, you most likely need to arrive early or stay late to network. Does your schedule allow for this extra time, and are your fellow members hanging around as well? This is a big consideration as you use your limited resource of time.

If you’re not a member of any business organizations

…find three or so professional organizations you can join. These can be related to your industry, geographically-based, or they can be just for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Step outside of your comfort zone as you research, and give each organization a test drive. Attend a couple of events, meet some of the members, and look at their member profile. Then you will be able to make an educated decision to decide if that organization is a good fit for your needs. Don’t just spend the money to join without doing your homework!

If you are currently a member of an organization

…take a moment to assess your level of participation and your membership benefits before you automatically renew. Your needs may have changed since you originally joined. Evaluate your needs periodically to make sure your membership expenses are in line with your current needs.

When your financial resources are limited, you need to think big, but not so big that you’ll get lost in the crowd. Choose organizations that give you opportunities for exposure and education. Now here’s where the work comes in: take ACTION! Use those opportunities to maximize your membership dollars!

Ciao,
Miss Kemya

Category: Marketing Strategy, Networking | Tags: , , ,
Miss Kemya | November 16, 2011
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A Quick 5 Point Checkup For Your Website

When is the last time you reviewed your website? Not just for aesthetic purposes, but I’m talking about the actual content? Of course you spell check every single time you post something on your website, but what if you didn’t catch a particular spelling or grammatical error? Are you certain all your links are working correctly? Oftentimes a link is broken on a website and the owner doesn’t know. Can your visitors readily find the information they want? Have you told your visitors what you want them to do?

If it’s been a while since you performed a page-by-page review of your website, why not schedule a 30 minute maintenance check? Even if you hire a professional to support your website, it’s still your business. It is your responsibility to make sure your website is fully functioning. Here’s a handy 5 point checklist you can use as a quick website checkup:

Review your calls to action. In other words, please tell me what you do and what you want me to do. I can’t say it any clearer. Place no more than 3 on any one page and make sure they’re easy to understand. And please put this information on your home page above the fold – meaning I don’t have to scroll down to get the information. Save your visitors time and trouble and you will be duly rewarded with more click-throughs.

Check and recheck all links and buttons to make sure they all load quickly and properly. If you have any affiliate ads and third-party links on your site, be sure to check those as well. Send emails to yourself via all your subscription and opt-in buttons to make sure they work.

Have you optimized your website for mobile viewing? Width and proportion can be different with mobile viewing versus pc screens. Test your website to be sure it looks correct on a smartphone. And keep in mind, Flash doesn’t always translate well with mobile viewing.

Contact information – we still use phones for talking (sometimes). Make sure your email address and phone numbers are listed on your website. There are plenty of people who don’t want to be forced to click through several pages and social media profiles to track down your email address. You could be missing out on opportunities and you don’t even know it.

Do you use a site map? Is it working? When you click it, does your site content show up organized and categorized for ease of use? If not, re-categorize your content and you site map will be more user-friendly. If you can’t re-categorize, your site just might need a more user-friendly structure. Keep an open mind!

Revisit, review and revise your website regularly, and don’t be afraid to have someone else spot check it for you. A fresh set of eyes will usually find something that would otherwise go unnoticed. Remember, you never get a second chance to make a first impression, and you want your visitors to have the ideal experience when they take the time to visit your site.

Ciao,
Miss Kemya 

Category: Business Maintenance | Tags: , ,
Miss Kemya | November 14, 2011
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Interview: Social Media With Females With A Mission

Have you heard? I was recently featured as a guest on Females With A Mission Blog Talk Radio program, where we discussed the do’s and don’ts of social media.

Here’s a snippet of the social media items and tips we discussed:

  1. Figure out your reason for joining a social media platform before you join. Next, take the time to learn a social media platform before you jump in. Each social media platform has its own bells and whistles that make it unique. Understand the features and decide how best to use them, then you can participate in a meaningful way. Hear a couple of tips to figure out where to start.
  2. Google plus profiles and business pages are relevant for SEO. It’s Google, you need to learn how Google+ works!
  3. Cross-posting content 100% doesn’t make for a unique engaging experience unless you take the opportunity to offer something different to entice people to seek you out and follow you in more than one place.
  4. Options to make your Twitter account and tweets more personal if you have employees at different locations.
  5. We discuss the Big 4: LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Google Plus.  Why use each and all of them?

As you know, social media alone will not get you anywhere without a strategy. Social media takes work, it’s not as easy as it looks. If you need help to develop your social media strategy, or have questions about why you should use the platforms, catch the program here:

Listen to internet radio with Females With A Mission on Blog Talk Radio

 

Ciao,
Miss Kemya

Category: Guest Posts and Mentions, Marketing Strategy, Marketing Tools, Social Media Platforms | Tags: , ,
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