There were five articles this week that really captured my attention.

  1. Have you started using Quora yet?  I signed up a few months ago and I am beginning to see the value of this question and answer tool.  Here are 10 tips from Inc Magazine on how to use it to build your business:  http://www.inc.com/guides/201102/10-tips-for-using-quora-to-build-your-business.html
  2. Have you thought about using Facebook as an e commerce platform?  It may be time to consider it.  http://socialmediatoday.com/mattambrose/272418/why-facebook-could-dominate-next-generation-ecommerce [Read more...]

I was sent even more articles this past week from all of you.  Here are three  post that I found insightful:

  1. There were two posts about Facebook that I loved.  The first one was written by Beth that outlines many of the changes that are happening to your Facebook Fan pages.  She puts these changes in plain English for you.  So, “Take Advantage of the New Facebook Features for Business.”
  2. The second article on Facebook came from Denise Wakeman.  Her post about “I’m Giving Up on Automation” was great.  Many people like to automate the publishing of their blog content to Facebook.  Automation is not always the best answer.
  3. What Nuns, Yes Nuns, Can Teach You About Social Media. This may change your approach to Social Media forever.

From the Blog

We had five great blog posts this week.  If you missed any, here there are:

  1. Monday:  Beth started the week with her focus on Remark!able businesses and organizations.  Her topic today was:  A School District on Facebook? Unheard of, Right?
  2. Wednesday:  Sarah took a lead from the Super Bowl ads and wrote, “Is Surprise Advertising Old School?”
  3. Thursday:  Michelle focused on “Staying Top of Mind Through Video Content.”  In this article, she features four businesses in Central Minnesota that are utilizing video on their websites.
  4. Friday:  Wow, Friday was a great day to inspire you with new things that are coming.  Beth wrote on the new Facebook Features for Business and….
  5. Josh provided us with a peak at some new features in WordPress 3.1 that are expected soon!

Your Turn

What do you think?  What did you find inspiring this week?  Share your comments below.

Each week I am sent hundreds of blog articles on topics from social media, leadership, sales, customer services, and more.  I wanted to share some of the things that have been passed on to me over the week to provide you with some inspiration (or just plain entertainment.)

This Weeks Cool Links:

There are post that I found insightful this week.

  1. Inside the Mind of a Community Manager.  I suspect this is how Beth’s mind works when she is managing communities.
  2. The second graphic I first saw from Chris Brogan on some Shocking News about Cell Phone Usage.  Do you use your phone to check the time more than you use it to make phone calls?

From the Vivid Image Blog

We had five great blog posts this week.  If you missed any, here there are:

  1. Monday:  Beth started the week writing about “Customizing Facebook for a Remarkable Experience.”  This article looked at five our our clients and the goals they have for their Facebook Fan pages.
  2. Tuesday:  Sarah Manley wrote about “A Crowning Social Media Story” and her journey through Facebook.
  3. Wednesday:  I wrote about “Secret Ways to Get More Out of Your Facebook Fan Pages.”  This was inspired by all of the questions we get about getting new Fans and engaging them on Facebook.
  4. Thursday:  Michelle featured one of our clients, MVTV Wireless, and how they are using Facebook.
  5. Friday:  Ryan ended the week with “Going Green With Design.”  IT really got me thinking about colors and the emotions they elicit.

What is New

We had three great projects go live this week for three wonderful clients:

Your Turn

What do you think?  What did you find inspiring this week?  Share your comments below.

When you have a rural small business, your clientele and target customers are clients are likely spread out and difficult to categorize in any one specific group. Marketing with social media to such a wide variety of people can be a challenge, as knowing how to appeal to a diverse group of people is never an easy task. Here are three basic tips to keep in mind when marketing with social media. As you get more familiar with your target market’s presence on social media sites, you will get a better idea of how to tailor these tips for your specific needs. [Read more...]

The Clay Coyote GalleryUsing social media is not limited to big cities, big brands or big budgets. In fact, taking time to engage in social media marketing an hour a day is all you need to establish your small business as a social media player, engaging with the community and potential clients and customers.

Why make things more complicated when you start?

One hour a day. It doesn’t even have to be a continuous hour. [Read more...]

rural minnesotaIt’s no secret that I have a passion for rural Minnesota and helping small businesses. That is why I love traveling around Minnesota, teaching others how to grow businesses or non-profits using technology and the web.

For each hour I spend researching, writing curriculum, driving, and delivering speeches, I bet I get back tri-fold from the experience. Each person I meet has amazing ideas, insights into their industry, questions that challenge me to think, and humor to round off my day. [Read more...]

I was driving home with my 11 year old daughter a few days ago.  She was sad that I was going to be going to a conference in Chicago over the weekend.   I told her it was a great conference that will give me a new outlook on what and how I blog, use social media, and educate others on building online community.

She said, “Daddy, why do you need to go?  You teach this stuff to others.”  I never really thought about this from her perspective. [Read more...]

Christmas Treats 5Belated holiday gifts, Birthday, or early Valentine’s Day ideas…

Need a great gift idea for that special someone in your life whose own life is encompassed by social media efforts? While an ergonomic computer chair is a great idea, I guarantee you that the best thing you can give them is the gift that keeps on giving.

I’m talking about writing an article on your blog or a guest article for someone else; no strings attached. Take your passion and writing skills, and donate a little time toward something that really matters. We’ve all had requests from others to write an article about this or that.  Think of your friends, clients, and colleagues; then go back through your notes or emails and follow through with a few requests.

If you haven’t had any recent requests for guest articles, then choose a few topics that you LOVE and write from the heart. Give a shout out or a link to someone who you care about who also has a common interest or expertise in that area. There is no better way of expressing your gratitude and best wishes for 2010 than to create positive, helpful, and inspiring content for others.

photo credit: smajee

My daughter and I recently went on a trip to Barnes and Noble to find a couple books.   She is a math genius and wanted to find a book to help her study math at a higher level.  I had an obsession to find a book that was recommend by a friend.

Our drive was uneventful.  She played on her laptop.  I listened to NPR.  Wasn’t quite the bonding time I had hoped.

Thirty minutes into our trip she looked up from her laptop and said, “Dad, look!  A smiley face!”  Sure enough, a farmer has taken the time to plow a smile right into the field.   Not a big deal.  But it has put a smile on my face and my daughters face every time we look at this photo.  Enjoy!

IMG00051

It was a small article in PC Mag, just 157 words, that caught my eye.  [Read more...]

What is working in your sales and marketing process today?

If you are like many businesses, there is one thing that is working very well.  Word of Mouth.  Recommendations from other people… [Read more...]

Below are the materials that we used to play the Social Media Game at the “Resilient Leaders – Resilient Organizations: A Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation Convening.” [Read more...]

I would like to offer a sincere thank you to those that attended “Resilient Leaders – Resilient Organizations: A Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation Convening” in Redwood Falls, MN.   [Read more...]

Spam filters suck.  Sorry for being so blunt, but they do.  They tend to filter emails that you want to receive and deliver messages that you don’t want to receive. [Read more...]

One of the most common concerns small businesses have about starting a blog for their business is the task of writing regular blog posts. [Read more...]

I have received this video from a few friend in the last week and thought I should post it for everyone.

Have you have every wondered:  “why bother with social media?”  Great stats  – some very surprising.   Welcome to the revolution.

trimlogoAre you a freak about tracking and measuring?  Look no further than tr.im to satisfy your freakish nature. Tr.im is an url shortening service that adds a host of tracking and measuring tools, and best of all, it’s free. [Read more...]

Large corporate chains have extremely strict rules, hp_logo_1ford_2regulations and guideliPrintnes outlining the presentation of their brand.  These well-established brand names are designed to engender specific feelings and reactions in their targeted customers.   As a small business, social media provides you with the same opportunity to establish a solid and recognizable brand name for your company, with added benefit.  As a small company without the stringent requirements handed down by the corporate office, you have the freedom to establish any kind of personality you’d like for your small business. [Read more...]

Even if you are running a small business in a rural area, that does not mean social media marketing is impractical or unprofitable.   Social media marketing techniques can be tailored to work with any size business, in any location.   Do not assume that social media is limited to big cities or certain demographics or businesses. You do not need to be running a web-based business to benefit from social media marketing.   Check out these social media marketing tips for small business and see how many you can put into play. [Read more...]

To increase your market share, another company must lose.  Market share is a competitive mind set.  In order to win, you must take business away from someone else.  It is a zero sum game.  In order to gain 10% market share, others must lose 10%.  To increase market share, most businesses spend an insane amount of money on advertising. [Read more...]