Unprecedented growth of Social Media

As I continue bringing Social Networking and Social Marketing to the masses through my seminars, I find many people are very confused or even intimidated by the sheer number of social network applications available for people to use these days, and the number continues to grow. When we made our “Introduction To Social Networking” training video earlier this year there were around 375 mainstream social networking type applications. It’s now estimated (only 5 months later) to be in excess of 3000 applications and services!

Don’t be confused by Social Networking

Many of the people I’ve met while presenting tell me that they find the whole Social Networking scene really daunting and offputting, and this can be true, especially if you’re a newcomer and you want to get started quickly. Initially there are many things you need to think about and do, and altogether it can seem like a huge, tangled pile of spagetti making it  difficult to know where to begin. To help address this Mark Peters (of Star Radio fame) and I are in the process of putting together our Social Networking video training series. We decided to make it easier by breaking everything down into a series of small simple steps that were easy for anyone to follow.  So, if you’re puzzled about whether you should be Tweeting or you’re just wondering what all the fuss is about then you’ll find this training video is especially for you.

Sit back, relax and learn

Mark and I wanted to produce something that you could not only give to your Granny to get her to use Twitter or Facebook ,but would also appeal to the fully competent IT “SuperGeek” that doesn’t get out enough, and could even be watched by people who know a little and wanted to learn a whole lot more. The video below is the result of our first module of 20 which will follow over the coming months – and it’s totally FREE!

My advice to you all is “don’t worry” and don’t feel intimidated or put off. Go and make yourself a nice hot cup of tea /coffee, relax, hit the play button, sit back and enjoy!

Download the full FREE version HERE>>>
(includes iPhone/iPod/iTouch/MP3/MAC/PC versions + training notes)

Download Introduction to Twitter HERE>>>
Download Introduction to Twitter Productivity Tools HERE>>>

Book me for your event HERE>>>
Get a FREE SuperBlog like mine HERE>>>

1. Creating the right image on Twitter

I don’t know about you, but if truth be told, I find it really annoying when I discover a follower that hasn’t made any effort to upload their photograph to their Twitter profile. To be honest, I’m not really interested in building any kind of relationship with someone who can’t be bothered to upload their photo, in fact I find myself wondering “Why are you here?”…. On the other hand, if you don’t know how to upload your photograph, click here and I’ll show you how!

2. Make first impressions count

As those of you who have attended my Social Networking seminars will know, Twitter is nothing more than a Social Networking tool and should be used to communicate with your followers in a similar way as you would by attending a face-to-face network meeting. The first thing people see of you on Twitter is your profile image. People form instant impressions, you only have those first few valuable seconds before people form opinions about you. It’s all down to you to ensure it’s the right opinions, in fact you could make it (or break it) if you’re not careful with how you present yourself.

3. Write a killer bio and tell us where you are

Who are you, what do you do, what do you like and why should I click your follow button? Whether you think you’re a sales person or not, to gain followers you need a bio that makes people want to click your follow button and interact with you, and that means you have to sell yourself. There’s no point in following a “Bored mum of 3″ or someone who’s “Watchin’ the world go by…”, that sounds totally uninteresting. If you can’t think of anything interesting to say about yourself then it’s far better to say what you love doing, what inspires you and what you’re looking for in life. That gives people something they can get their teeth into, interact with and get to know you better. It’s also interesting to know where you’re from, “Somewhere on the galactic InterWeb…” may sound amusing (the first time) but it’s really not! I want to know where my followers are in the world and it adds a lot more weight, meaning and colour to Tweets when you know whereabouts in the world they’re coming from.

4. Use a nice friendly photograph of yourself

You wouldn’t go networking with a paper bag on your head would you? No! Why don’t you upload your photograph? It really is important!! It’s not as though it’s rocket science or really complicated. If you haven’t already uploaded your photo then what are you waiting for? If you are one of these people then why not take a few moments to find a half decent photo of yourself, crop it to size with your desktop paint application and upload it. We want to get to know you! If you would like to learn how to know how to upload your photograph, click here and I’ll show you just how easy it is

5. Pay attention to your appearance

When I’m at a network meeting and I meet people who haven’t bothered about their appearance I’m left with the impression that they’re disorganised or lazy, or both. I for one wouldn’t recommend someone like that to my fellow networkers, or entrust them with work for my clients. I’m not saying that they have to be in designer clothes and dripping with expensive bling, just as long as they’ve made an effort to make themselves presentable. After all, they may have to accompany me on a client visit and I don’t want to have my reputation damaged by someone else’s lack of attention to their appearance as this comes across as unprofessional. Having a decent photograph of yourself on your Twitter account makes all the difference, it goes a long way to creating the right impression to people visiting your profile.

6. Don’t use your logo – People buy from people!

One of the most common questions I’m asked at my seminars is “Is it OK to use my logo?” If you’re a huge anonymous organisation like the BBC, I think that’s fine. However, you have to remember that Twitter is a Social Networking tool, and the keyword here is “Social”. Just take a moment to imagine this… You’re at a social network meeting and someone comes up to you and shoves their business card in your face and then proceeds to give you their five minute elevator pitch – Would you be impressed? No! Would you continue a conversation with them after that? Probably not, you’re more likely to smile politely and move on to someone who’s less uptight about selling you their business. I enjoy finding people I can work with, who are fun and likeable and who have things in common with me and what I’m trying to achieve. I never build relationships with businesses; I build relationships with the people who work in them.

7. Don’t wear dark glasses, unless you have to

The first thing I look at when I meet someone is their eyes, so make sure everyone can see yours in your online profile photograph. I find that people wearing dark sunglasses make me feel uneasy, that’s because sunglasses hide the eyes and create a barrier. Don’t wear them in your photo unless you need to for medical reasons, or they’re actually part of your online persona.

8. Don’t change your photo too frequently

I hate it when I get used to interacting with someone and they keep changing their photograph every week, I lose track of them too easily. By all means, if you really have to change it to update your seasonal dress (because you look silly wearing a scarf and bobble hat in the middle of summer) that’s fine! It’s not a good idea to get to finicky with your photograph and keep changing it every five minutes because people lose track of who you are, particularly if they already follow a lot of people. Your photograph is part of your brand and you should build your reputation on it, and change it only when it’s absolutely necessary.

9. Make it “up close” and personal

Your photograph should be up to date and your face should be prominent, in fact the closer the better as it comes across as much more personable. If at all possible, your photograph should also reflect your character and personality. If you’re an approachable, laid back happy person then make sure this is reflected. It should say as much as possible about you so that the right people are attracted to you and it makes it easier for them to interact with you.

10. Be careful your photo doesn’t contain private information

Take a careful look at any photos you upload to your online profile. There are some really unscrupulous people out there who will do anything to get hold of your personal information, so just check that your photograph doesn’t contain any, and doesn’t give too much information away. I’ve heard horror stories where children have posted photographs of themselves onto the internet which were taken outside their house, with their door number clearly showing! Just as you wouldn’t put that nice new PlayStation 3 in your window for any passing burglar to see, make sure that no private information is featured in your online photo for the world to see either, you could be inviting trouble!

If you want to find out more tips and tricks to improve your social networking activities have a look at the training courses available on our site HERE>>>

To get you going with your social networking strategy check out our free course HERE>>>

Blogging is core to your social meda strategy

The most successful online networkers are using their blog as the central key component to their online social networking strategy. I offer attendees to my seminars a free SuperBlog which has special aspects that work in the background to create superb Google rankings, allows you to analyse results and enables you to create a comprehensive online marketing strategy designed to bring business to your door. If you’re interested in a free SuperBlog you can find out more HERE>>>

If you would like me to present at your event or seminar then click HERE>>>

A few attendees to my Social Networking seminars have told me they’ve had some problems uploading their photograph to Twitter so I thought it would be a good idea to publish some very simple step by step instructions for everyone.

As you can see from the screen capture to the right, Twitter does give you a little help in selecting the right photograph, and gives some advice on copyright, but unfortunately it’s not very helpful if you’re new to this kind of thing, particularly if your not very computer savvy.

Here’s a link to my article “Top Ten Tips To Create a Twitter Image That Attracts More Business” which gives valuable advice on chosing a good photo for uploading to Twitter which you should find it very useful.

If you are proficient with computers please accept my apologies for the simplicity of this article, but please remember that this is really for those novices who dearly want to become part of the social networking scene, who run into problems that stop them from doing so.

So, let’s get on with the step by step instructions!

Step 1:

Log onto your Twitter account andclick on Settings in the Twitter menu

Step 2:

From the settings page, click the Picture Tab

Step 3:

On the Picture Setting page click the Choose File button

Step 4:

When the File Open dialogue dialogue box appears;

Navigate to the folder where you saved your photograph and click it.
You should see your photograph’s filename in the File name box at the bottom.

NOTE: You can only upload a photograph that meets the following criteria:

• Smaller than 700k
• .JPG
• .GIF
• .PNG

Step 5:

If you’re happy to upload the photograph you selected then click the Open button

Step 6:

You should now see the filename you selected in the Picture Settings tab.

Click the Save button

Step 7:

If  the picture you chose meets the criteria I mentioned above you shoud see a message “That’s a nice picture!”

If you didn’t meet the criteria, go back to Step 3 and and repeat the process,  selecting a file that does meet the criteria

Step 8:

Click the Home button to view your picture in your Twitter profile

Step 9:

You should now see your picture in your Twitter profile, click your photograph

Step 10:

Now click your picture to see yourself in all your glory and give yourself a big pat on the back for a job well done!

Click here to follow Ian McKendrick on Twitter >>>

As everyone knows, the core of your social networking activities is your blog. 
To get started with your blog quickly and easily you can get a SuperBlog just like mine HERE>>>

If you want to find out more tips and tricks to improve your social networking activities have a look at the training courses available on my site HERE>>>

Download my FREE Social Netwoking Training Video HERE>>>
(includes iPhone/iPod/iTouch/MP3/MAC/PC versions + training notes)

Download Introduction to Twitter HERE>>>
Download Introduction to Twitter Productivity Tools HERE>>>

Book me for your event HERE>>>

Stand Out and be Seen in your Marketplace

Surround yourself with potential customers by using the new marketing phenomenon that gives you unparalleled visibility and enviable Google rankings.

It costs very little, it’s fun and it’s growing faster than any other marketing tool. If you want to tap into the new way to grow YOUR business, you MUST NOT miss these two events.

FREE Social Networking Optimised SuperBlog AND Internet Domain name for ALL attendees

PLUS – everyone who attends either of these events will get a FREE Social Networking Optimised SuperBlog AND domain name (conditions apply)

If you’ve dismissed Social Networking and you think it’s just for kids and people with too much time on their hands – think again!

During the past twelve months, Richard Branson, Tom Peters, Bill Gates, Malcolm Gladwell, Steve Jobs, Peter Drucker and many other business gurus have started using Twitter alongside pundits, politicians, journalists and broadcasters.

UK traffic has increased by 63% and predicted growth for the coming year is 435%! Unlike social networks Twitter has a broader appeal with business users and those over 35.

Many are ditching their traditional website/newsletter method of communicating in favour of Twittering and Blogging as it works on many different levels and produces immediate results.

It’s cheap, it’s easy, it gets you a good SEO ranking and it brings you lots of new contacts. (And you don’t even need a webmaster!)

Ian McKendrick, MD of www.cambinet.com and www.letspresentit.com has a weekly feature on Star Radio to explain how and why business people can benefit from this amazing resource so you can get regular support by listening or visiting the Star Radio website at http://www.star107.co.uk/.

Ian has teamed up with Mark Peters, Breakfast presenter and Programme Controller of Star Radio to produce a complete Social Networking training course which is due to be released on March 1st.
Watch the course overview by clicking HERE>>>

Proven Social Network Strategy designed to surround you with prospects

On Feb 24th Ian will give you an overview of a proven Social Network Strategy designed to surround you with prospects that need what your business has to offer. Core to that strategy will be your blog, where you and your business become the focus of your prospective clients. To finish the session Ian will explain, in clear and simple language how to use your free blog to raise your profile, and begin managing it as a Social Marketing business tool.

On March 31st after a brief recap of how you approached mastering the basics, and dipped your toes in the water with your free Social Networking Optimised blog, Ian will lead you through a detailed Marketing Strategy based on using these new tools. You will be introduced to some new Social Networking applications that combine into a truly formidable platform which will enable you to crank everything up to the next level.

Come to either or both!

February 24th and/or March 31st 2009
Time: 6.00pm – 8.30pm   – Light refreshments from 6.00pm

Venue: e-space North
181 Wisbech Road
Littleport (just 5 miles from Ely)
Ely, Cambs
CB6 1RA