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Posts Tagged ‘Copywriting’

With all the buzz about social media, social networking, and other social sites, it can get very frustrating not to mention distracting.

All of this with social media is good, but be careful.  This is about being social yes…but you must keep your focus. 

Facebook has many distractions.  Applications, games, surveys, sending cards and flowers, joining different groups…etc.  Twitter can be distracting as well with all the tweets coming through, applications, responses, direct messages… etc

I’ve witnessed this first hand since beginning about a year ago.  There can be so many things to try to do, applications to try, posting on Facebook and Twitter, creating a profile for LinkedIn and just the day to day “to dos” in addition to so much to learn.

This is one of the main questions asked, “How much time will I have to put into social media”?  The answer depends on what you want to accomplish and yes, you will have to spend some time with updates, responses, and blog postings.  But how focused you are can determine if it’s a lot of time, or just the time needed.

Here are a few things to try:

1. Determine your focus.  Always stick to your core messages and values.  Make sure your posts reflect those messages and values.  The general rule is 80%-90% business and 10%-20% personal. 

2. Make a list: Write down what you want to accomplish today, this week, this month.  Break it down into “doable” sizes and cross them off as you complete them.  There’s something about seeing a list with accomplishments marked off that keeps the energy flowing.

3. Set your timer: Allow specific items a specific amount of time to get accomplished.  When the timer goes off, wrap it up and move to the next item.  If you’ve timed it right, hopefully the item is complete, but if it’s not, it’s well on it way to completion when addressed the next time.

4. Allow times for breaks: This can be one of the most look over items.  Stop what you are doing, walk away from your desk and on to your porch or deck.  Take a few deep breaths of fresh air.  If you can’t go out at the moment, if there is a window near your desk, just turn away from your desk and enjoy the view outside your window.  All through the summer I enjoyed watching several humming birds flying around the hanging basket near my computer room window.

These are just a few things to help you keep your focus.  What can you add to the list?

Technorati Tags: Building Business, Copywriting, Internet Marketing, Livvie Matthews

2. Join several of the Social Networks, but only focus your time on 3 possibly 4: You don’t want to spread yourself too thin.  Again, social media can be quite distracting and overwhelming at times unless you focus your efforts and focus your time.

Technorati Tags: Blogging, Copywriting, Internet Marketing, Livvie Matthews, social media marketing

On LinkedIn your most valuable piece of real estate is your Public Profile/Summary area.  What is your profile (or lack of it) saying about you?

As a copywriter, one of the first places I look for information on a person, client, or business is their LinkedIn profile.  I’m amazed at the number of people/businesses that aren’t utilizing their LinkedIn Public Profile area.

LinkedIn is a powerful professional networking site viewed by other businesses, colleagues, prospective clients and patients, and your competition.

If you had the opportunity to advertise (Free) your business/practice on the front page of your city newspaper, would you jump at the chance to share the benefits of your business or would you just pass it up?  I’m sure you would jump at the chance!

Similar to a newspaper, your LinkedIn profile area is your ‘Front Page’ opportunity to tell your viewers – who you are, what you do, and most importantly…how you can solve their problems.  

Here you want to list your business information, accomplishments, and benefits you and your business provide.  It can be as long or as short as you want it to be.  Medium length is a good length to create. 

You want to make sure you give your viewers the information they are looking for. List the benefits for them. How you can solve their problems, what solution they will receive in doing business with you, how you can make their life simpler-less stressful.   Answer in your Public Profile area the questions your viewers are asking in their minds, what they are looking for – why they are searching.

Your Public Profile area is where you and your business can shine. But remember, they aren’t asking about you, they are asking what can you do for them!

Make sure you also create your shorter, more professional, LinkedIn Public Profile URL, if you haven’t done so already.

Whether you create your profile yourself or hire a reliable copywriter, don’t overlook your LinkedIn Profile: Your (powerful) Front Page Opportunity!

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Would you like to learn more about using Social Media to increase your online visibility, build profitable relationships, and grow your practice?  Livvie Matthews, a Certified Social Media Specialist, Blogger, and Speaker, is passionate about helping dentists leverage the incredible marketing power social media presents for their practice and their bottom line!  Email  e-mail Livvie@writebusiness.net or visit http://www.writebusiness.net/blog    http://www.linkedin.com/in/livviematthews

Technorati Tags: Building Business, Copywriting, Livvie Matthews, social media marketing

Saturday when I went to our mail box, we had a post card from our mortgage broker.  What’s so unusual about this you might ask?   

My husband and I refinanced in 2003 using the same mortgage broker from the  original purchase in 1996.   Every 3 months like clock work, we receive a “little orange card” in the mail from our mortgage broker.  Did you get that we had used him in 1996 and refinanced with him in 2003? 

Just since refinancing alone, we’ve received one of his ”little orange cards” every 3 months (like clockwork) for 6 YEARS, that’s 24…little orange cards!

Each time the card contains a piece of interesting information.  It may be mortgage information, family information, community information, or even a cute  story, but no matter what it contains, he always bring the information back in some way to purchasing or refinancing a home.

Many of the times when we receive them, I just glance at it and throw them away.  But whenever I see the “little orange card” in our mail box, I know who sent it and what it’s about…just from the color of the card! Now that’s branding!

Does it matter that I don’t always read the information…no, but I still know who it’s from.  Does it matter that it sometimes goes straight into the trash…no, but I still know who it’s from. 

Does it make a difference that we even receive this “little orange card”…you betcha it does, because when we got ready to refinance, who do you think we got in touch with…the fellow sending us the “little orange card!”  We’ve also referred several people to him, including our daughter.

Why did we contact him or send him referrals?  Because he had taken the time to build a relationship with us.  We had come to recognize his name, he had built credibility, and we trusted him.

How about your business?  What is it about your business that set’s you apart from the rest?  Could your clients know just by the color of a post card that you were sending them information? It doesn’t have to be through the mail, what about your e-mail, your posts, your information…is there anything about it to set you apart?

What about frequency?  How often are you contacting your clients, your mailing list, your prospects?  Like clockwork, we receive the little orange card every 3 months…4 times a year, year after year.

Our mortgage broker knows, especially in today’s market, it’s critical you keep your name and targeted marketing content in front of your client/patients and prospects! 

By being consistent and persistent in sending out the little orange cards, he has become the “go-to” person for his target audience.  He not only has their solution, he IS their solution.  What about you and your business?  What’s your …Little Orange Card!

Technorati Tags: Building Business, Copywriting, Internet Marketing, Livvie Matthews, social media marketing

Recently I wrote a post titled Social Media and Copywriting: The Best of Both Worlds discussing copywriters, social media specialists, and content. 

Laura Spencer just wrote a good post  for Freelance Folders titled Social Media Basics for Freelancers and also includes some very useful information geared to freelancers and social media such as:

 Barriers to Social Media

Finding the Right Social Media Websites

Effectively Using Your Time on Social Media  

How to Connect With The Right People

Share Your Social Media Tips

Whether you feel overwhelmed by social media or feel you have it under control, Laura  brings good information to the table.    What about you?  Where are you with social media…comment and share your thoughts.

Technorati Tags: Building Business, Copywriting, social media marketing