Why use social media for your business: Facebook and Twitter

It is becoming increasingly apparent that social media and in particular Facebook and Twitter are becoming a standard advertising methods for businesses. Static websites are becoming old technology and are being replaced by blog sites such as WordPress. Our digital world is changing and people (think: customers) are becoming accustomed to engaging with people and businesses instantaneously. In fact, President Obama declared the US as a nation of “Google and Facebook” in his 2011 State of the Union Address.

You will notice that social media icons/buttons are being added to websites, e-newsletters, email marketing and blogs. Customers have the ability to “Like” your products and posts and repost your information on their Facebook page. Also customers can “Retweet” items of interest on Twitter. What happens then? Your business product, blog, information is instantly shared with that customers group of friends, family and colleagues. This passing along of information from is called viral marketing.

According to Constant Contact Viral is defined as “When a piece of content on the Internet is shared organically, without prodding or encouragement from the business, organization, or person who created it, it is said to have "gone viral." This means it has been shared on social networks, posted and reposted, tweeted and retweeted multiple times.”

We get asked frequently if a business should have a Facebook Page and Twitter Account. In today’s online world and communication methods our answer is YES.

So let us recap and expand on why your business should be on Facebook and Twitter:

• Facebook and Twitter allows two additional methods of increasing your brand awareness.
• They allow opportunities to expand the online profile of a businesses.
• They allow businesses to engage and interact instantly with the online community.
• Social Media sites have SEO (Search Engine Optimization) through dynamic and changing content.
• Social Media generates increased brand and product exposure through viral marketing.
• Facebook offers a large variety of applications that can reflect the nature of your products and services.
• Facebook fans can “Check-In” via their mobile device at your business which instantly updates their personal page with information about your business.
• Facebook Insights can offer businesses a way to researching the demographics of their fans and view the success of their posts.
• Facebook and Twitter are searchable in search engines such as Google.
• They allow businesses to share specials, offers and offer incentives to potential clients.

Localism

Several, several years ago a close friend emphasised the importance to shop our "Main Street" for the holidays.  He also explained the importance of spending our own dollars locally and how in turn that act stimulates our local economy. Since that time we strive individually and as a small business to promote shopping at locally own businesses.

Our clients are primarily local small businesses and independent contractors. Through them we continue to see first hand how local spending habits and local support positively impacts the success of their businesses. These same business owners are diligent about returning their personal dollars into their communities.

We want to thank those individuals who have stepped forward in support of their communities and those who have acknowledged our efforts. 

And another plug - Shopping locally is a year around activity (not just for the holidays). Try buying building supplies at a locally owned hardware store and your socks from a local department store or boutique.

What will my kids remember?

Photo from:
 http://www.intellivisiongames.com/history.php

I grew up in the 1980s with a tv that was encased in wood and had 12 numbers on a turn dial knob. I was excited when Atari, Intellivision, Beta and VHS came out.  The sounds of Space Invaders and Frogger are still quite clear in my head.  Now all of these systems have been replaced by certainly more impressive systems.

When it comes to computers, phones and software...some of my friends might call me a nerd. I truly love to see how I can use new technology in my business. BUT when it comes to television - I'm slow to catch up. My excuse is that I don't watch much television.

Recently on a trip to Best Buy I was shocked by the slashed prices on flat screen televisions. Then recently while computer shopping online I noticed that Sony was about to launch their Internet ready television which comes with a mini keyboard.  Apple has a similar product - AppleTv.  These Internet televisions intrigue me  - I can't wait to try them out.

It makes me wonder though - When my kids are my age... what technology will be obsolete?

The professional photo?

I spent some time last night on a major real estate industry site - Realtor.com.  I must say that I was shocked by the number of real estate agents who still use professional photos that appears to be the original professional photo taken back when the agent first earned their license. 

According to the National Association of REALTORS, nine (9) out of ten (10) home buyers use the intenet to search for homes.  In addition to viewing homes, these buyers use agent photographs and biographies to determine who they want to work with.  Buyers like to work with brokers that they can identifiy with. Now ask yourself, what does your photo say about you?

Yes, most of us want to imagine ourselves in our younger years (perhaps skinner and with less grey hair). But - Why? As a real estate agent you should present yourself and be proud of an accurate you. Show your age, personality, experience and your style.

This new photo doesn't need to be an expensive photo studio head shot.  Grab a fellow broker or family member and go outside to an identifiable location in your market area or stand next to an architecturally rich building feature. Have fun, snap a few shots and then enlist someone to help format the photo for use on your MLS, Realtor.com and other industry websites.

So if your current photograph showcases you with big bangs that look hardened by Aqua Net... it is truly time for a new photo.

Shop Locally!

This poster was developed by the Camden Rockport Lincolnville Chamber of Commerce and the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce. It is so very important to shop locally, especially when the holiday season is upon us.