Go Green with Internet Marketing - Webinar

There seems to be a demand for Internet Marketing 101. Many small businesses are hungry for knowledge on how to do it themselves if they don’t have the budget to outsource professional services. Many business owners and traditional marketing executives are beginning to recognize the importance of social media and an online presence. Until recently, colleagues at business networking events would look at me bewildered or give me a look to say “that’s nice honey, but I think you are crazy and wasting your time” when I told them about my job managing social media and various Internet marketing tactics. Just this month, the tide has turned to “Oh yes, I have heard about that Tweeter. Should I be on it?” This makes my day, as I love to educate others about how Twitter and other social networks can help their business through exposure, customer relations, and actual growth.

By teaming up with Andres Hernandez from BIIS Solutions, Bolt is taking education to the web[inar] in order to educate more people in locations around the world at one time. One of the reasons I love webinars and Internet marketing is that it is eco-friendly. While I try to always put direct mailers and coupon ads in the recycling bin instead of the trash, we want to let marketers know about an alternative that allows them to conserve trees and their resources, plus increase sales with online strategies.

Here are the details for our Go Green with Internet Marketing I: Strategies to Increase Sales webinar:

Conserve resources and drive more prospects to your Web site with Internet Marketing strategies that work. In the first of our Internet Marketing Webinar series, you will gain valuable information on how Web 2.0 has changed the exchange of information online and how this impacts your business. Whether you are a small business owner, entry level professional or marketing executive, our team of panelists will define and explain the benefits of the following online tools:

* Social Media - Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, MySpace, YouTube and more
* Web Sites - Structure and content
* Internet Marketing - SEO landing pages, online news releases, PPC campaigns, affiliate marketing and more
* Analytics - Tools and resources to analyze your ROI

Presenters:
Andres Hernandez, CEO, BIIS Solutions, http://www.biissolutions.com/
Anne Carr, Social Media Director, Bolt PR, http://www.boltpr.com/
Caroline Callaway, Owner, Bolt PR, http://www.boltpr.com/

May 13, 2009
10:00 a.m. - https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/325723218
6:30 p.m. - https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/518860995

Cost:
$39

If you sign up for the webinar and are already on Twitter, we will use the hashtag #greenim and invite others to do so, too.

By: Anne Carr, anne@boltpr.com

Should I Be On Twitter?

Yes! There are reasons for everyone to tweeting or, at the very least, following what others are tweeting about. This is especially true if you have a brand or a business. Amazon.com, although a leading Internet empire, showed its gray hair this weekend when it remained silent while social media users slammed them for allegedly removing gay and lesbian themed books from its lists and search results.

A major trending topic on Twitter was #amazonfail. Hashtags like this are used to track conversations on Twitter. Had Amazon been tracking its social media presence, it could have reached out via Twitter immediately to apologize and prevent the spread of a detrimental hashtag.

Twitter was not the only network with expressive users; there were outcries on Facebook, blogs and other channels. Two lessons to take away from this:

• Monitor your brand on Twitter
• Respond to tweets relating to your brand immediately

Not sure how to use Twitter or monitor your social media presence? Please feel free to email me with questions at anne@boltpr.com. At Bolt, we love to be a resource and offer social media consulting services or channel management.

By: Anne Carr

Get LinkedIn or Get Left Out

I am always surprised when business owners, professionals or job seekers tell me that they are not on LinkedIn. Perhaps I live in a social media bubble, but I want to shake them and say, “Do you know how many opportunities you’re missing?!” Instead, I kindly suggest that they join and calmly explain the value. Here are the top two reasons why everyone (including you) should be on LinkedIn:

Search Function: LinkedIn users are able to do a keyword search and find users with the keyword in their profiles.

• For example, I used the keyword search to find people who were involved in fundraising to let them know about a new resource (Legacy Benefit Auctions). Recruiters use the same function to find job seekers.
• On the flip side, I have also been contacted by several business owners and professionals who came across my profile when looking for Public Relations or Social Media services or even just for networking purposes.
• Tip: Make sure to include key words in your profile that reflect your expertise. Think about which keywords someone would use when searching for an individual with your skill set, and then sprinkle them into your bio

Web Site Traffic: LinkedIn is one of Bolt Public Relations’ top referring sites.

• Your profile can be a mini-landing page for your business, so it is important to include a link to your web site.
• Tip: Join groups and participate in discussions. After you post a comment in a discussion forum, include a signature at the end that includes your business name and link to your Web site. If group members are intrigued or impressed by your comment, they will go straight to your Web site. Make it your goal to participate in a discussion or answer a question at least a few times a week for maximum exposure.

If the idea of setting up a strategic LinkedIn profile or managing your LinkedIn visibility is overwhelming, Bolt offers social media management services and consulting. We would be more that happy to meet with you to help you set up your profile and map out a plan for you. This would include discussing your goals, from finding a job to boosting traffic and positioning you as an expert in your given industry, in order to set up a successful strategy. You should know your purpose before joining any social medium.

For more information about Bolt PR, visit http://www.boltpr.com. And please, connect with me if you are on LinkedIn.

By: Anne Carr