Are you flummoxed about how to market your business using Facebook?
In a tizzy over Twitter?
Let me help you.
FREE STUFF
There’s plenty of free information on this site to help you get more likes on your facebook page, learn ‘twitterquette‘ or even get the ‘twitterati’ to help you! This is updated regularly so make sure you subscribe so you never miss a post!
And please click on any or all of the follow buttons over on the right for daily tips etc .. I’m very sociable so I really would welcome your friendship.
Because Your Business Is Worth It!
I offer consultancy, training and coaching in to help you get more business through facebook, twitter and other Social Media platforms.
Understanding if Social Media Marketing is Right for You
Social Media Marketing is not the same as advertising, networking or PR even though it has aspects in common with all three. It can change the way you do business and could keep you in business when others are failing.
1 hour (Skype available) Free.
Creating your Social Media Branding
Everything you do and say on social media channels can have an impact on your business, you need to learn how to express yourself as your brand without ‘faking it’ or changing who you are. This can seem a tricky balance and many people tell me they don’t know what to say in their status updates. This 2 hour session will leave you with a clear idea of what you want to express about your business and yourself and how to do it.
2 hours (Skype available) £97.00
Facebook Marketing Help
If you want to set up your own Facebook Business page or find out how to get more likes on your Facebook page or you’d like to understand how groups work or how to share information then this is for you. Every business is different so these sessions are bookable in sessions from half an hour upwards. If you are a complete beginner I recommend the 2 hour session to start, if you need more time you can always book more later! If you just have a couple of questions the half hour Skype session will be perfect for you.
30 minutes (Skype only) £27.00
1 hour (Skype available) £48.50
2 hour (Skype available) £97.00
If you are short on time I can set up a facebook page for you, these vary considerably so get in touch for a quote.
Twitter Marketing Help
Twitter can be overwhelming but if you use it well it can lead to sustained business growth and a wealth of other opportunities. I can take you all the way through from starting a profile to teaching you how to handle multiple accounts. You can also learn how to post your blogs to twitter, how to schedule sales messages and much much more. If you are a complete beginner I recommend the 2 hour session to start, if you need more time you can always book more later! If you just have a couple of questions the half hour Skype session will be perfect for you.
30 minutes (Skype only) £27.00
1 hour (Skype available) £48.50
2 hour (Skype available) £97.00
Profile Set-up £149 (includes ensuring all relevant information is in place.)
Targeted Audience Creation
This is the art of getting people to follow you on twitter, but not just any people, I specialise in finding people who are actually likely to want to hear from you and may be in the market for your products or services. To give you an example, a restaurant in Woodbridge won’t find an audience in Edinburgh particularly useful, so I find the local foodie community instead! There is a one-off charge of £99 for this which I guarantee at least 250 followers.
LinkedIn Marketing Help
LinkedIn is traditionally known as THE business to business social media site, but for many thousand’s of people it is nothing more than a glorified CV.
Stand out from the crowd by learning how to use LinkedIn effectively. Together we’ll look at optimizing your LinkedIn profile, which LinkedIn groups can help you, adding your blog to LinkedIn and using LinkedIn questions. If you are a complete beginner I recommend the 2 hour session to start, if you need more time you can always book more later! If you just have a couple of questions the half hour Skype session will be perfect for you.
30 minutes (Skype only) £27.00
1 hour (Skype available) £48.50
2 hour (Skype available) £97.00
Blogging Help
Do you want to start a blog but don’t know how to go about it? Or have you started but don’t know what to say or how to spread the word? Whether you need help with incorporating keywords or are nonplussed by plug-ins together we can get you on track. If you are a complete beginner I recommend the 2 hour session to start, if you need more time you can always book more later! If you just have a couple of questions the half hour Skype session will be perfect for you.
30 minutes (Skype only) £27.00
1 hour (Skype available) £48.50
2 hour (Skype available) £97.00
Blog Set-up
Basic 3 page blog with contact details, social media contact details and share buttons for all major social media sites – £199.00
Copywriting
2 Blog posts a month – £97.00
Not sure if I’m right for you? Me neither! Let’s have a chat and see, I promise that if I can’t help you I won’t take your money!
You can mix and match any of the above services to suit your needs, if like so many people these days you feel you need to be utilising all of these options you will receive a 10% discount on your invoice total.
Am I Close to You?
I’m most frequently found helping businesses in Woodbridge, Ipswich, Felixstowe, Stowmarket, Saxmundham, Aldeburgh, Southwold, Bury St Edmund and Sudbury, in fact just about anywhere in Suffolk!
What if I’m Not?
I also cover Essex, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and the London Area and am happy to help you via Skype if you are further afield.
Email me at gem.illuminate@gmail.com
Call me on 07840 799630
Skype me by finding gemma.gemina
Leave a comment and I’ll get in touch with you or simply use the contact form below!
Add blog to our blog directory.
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HiyA enjoy the tips by the way! @Symply_photo
Thank you! You’ve made my day
it’s just started raining outside so I needed some sunshine and you sent it to me 
Hi ! If you could say which was the most important aspect of social media to generate sales, which would it be? Thanks, Carol
Oh that’s a really tough one Carol, great question, well done! I would say that do have to remember that the balance between social and media needs to be maintained – you need to chat and engage, but you also need to let people know what you are selling; otherwise they may really like you, but buy from a competitor purely because they don’t know what you are selling! Conversely too much shouting about what you are selling and no engagement means you lose the business because they don’t like you!
Balance wise I try to keep my tweets to around 50% conversation, a great tool for measuring yourself on this is twtrland, you can see my profile hear complete with little graph that shows how many tweets are @replies etc – http://twtrland.com/update/profile/GemLThompson
Thanks Gemma. Good info. Appreciated.
I LOVE buffer too – they have changed my life and improved my Klout score! Thoroughly recommended. If anyone is interested you can find out more about them here – http://bufferapp.com/r/0bb84
Gemma, this buffer is only if you blog, right? I dont…
No Carol, it can be used by anyone that reads blogs or articles online and shares them, or that retweets people. It’s really a scheduling tool, you set the times you want tweets to go out at and they go into your buffer to be tweeted then. But so much easier than most scheduling as you don’t need to copy & paste, just click a browser button! I LOVE it, I read a lot of blogs in the evening or at odd times like 6am Sunday morning and if I shared everything the instant I read it people either wouldn’t see it or would see too much at once!
Mind you, it is still additional to conversations (and to get them started) not to replace them
But if you load Buffer if you’re in meetings all day, it helps maintain Klout! It’s really worth putting the button on your blog.
so me again – is it like hootsuite whoch i use to schedule tweets re my business – would you recommend one over the other?
I use both, I use hootsuite as my regular dashboard and I use it to schedule things like my tips of the day on here if I’m going to be out and also to schedule my ‘sales tweets’ so I don’t forget to do them! I use buffer to share what I’m reading and liking and to share my own blog too … Haven’t tried it for #ff’s as I stopped doing them a while ago and replaced it with my Facebook Friday feature, that seems to get people more likes than than #ff’s gets them follows
i see thanks ! have a good eve .
Wonderful article, Gemma…thanks so much!!!!
excellent information, thank you
Very interesting thanks for posting
Is it possible to have an “initial chat” with you first to get a handle on what you offer? Thanks x
Of course it is
it’s a pre-requisite really so I can also find out what you need and make sure that the time is dedicated to that. Will be in touch tomorrow to arrange – and of course there is no obligation to have the session.
Interesting Thanks for posting
so true, I have RT’d on twitter
Hi Helen, I sure will be … Got Monday set aside for Tony’s SEO comp so by the afternoon I’ll be desperate to pull my head out of link building for a while
Are you on Skype? You can add me by looking for gemma.gemina if you like.
Looks like a great service for busy and overwhelmed business owners Gemma! Hope to meet you soon at one of the local networking events.
Lots but planning in stages! For Norfolk Directories need to focus on the launch and growth and then roll out Cambridgeshire Directories.
For Maximum Wellness I want to focus on nutrition consultancy and corporate wellbeing!
You?
Final preparations for The Spring Wedding Expo on 19th Feb at Kesgrave Hall x
Expanding one and stopping one and starting something new to me but have always wanted to do it! (I think that covers it.)
Very confused by Marc’s but sounds good anyway! What comes after the the Feb Wedding expo Nicola? And good luck Helen – I know you’ll make both a huge success!
I’m planning an online, study-as-you-please site, more public courses and more one-to-one client consultations … oh am hoping Skype consultations will continue to work well next year and should be re-launching my website very soon …
To turn my start up cloud accounting practice into a viable business!!
Hi Gemma, I’ve got a page for my business UcanEco2 but am all -at-sea when it comes to what to do next. How to promote a good idea without being pushy?
Hi Sue – great page and they look like great products .. I’m all in favour of greening our planet
1st things first you need to get some people to like your page, this post should help … http://socialmediaillumination.co.uk/how-to-get-more-%E2%80%98likes%E2%80%99-on-your-facebook-page/ It’s ok to ask people to like your page and don’t forget to tell them what’s in it for them. For example I had no idea aloe could help calm down heartburn!
Many thanks for that, Gemma. Excellent info.
Good stuff Gemma, proof that your system works. I’ve nearly doubled my ‘likes’ in a day too.
Have to say I’ve been very pleasantly surprised – I think it is partly the ‘New Year Enthusiasm’ but I’m happy nonetheless!
Thanks Gemma for your invaluable tips! I’m just ‘properly’ starting back after the Christmas break- so I’ll let you know how I get on!
Looking forward to hearing more from you Kitty!
Glad you like it Jo, feel free to ask any questions or add any comments
All the best for 2012, Gemma!
Hi Robert – do you have a facebook page? If so post it in a comment beneath the announcement as I wouldn’t want to lose track of it
Hi Gemma – thanks for the welcome. D’you know, it’s ooh, almost 3 years since we first met up on here…
Doesn’t time fly?
Caroline
Doesn’t it just! Good to see you doing so well!
Hi Nicky, good to meet you here too! Will do my best to give you the best tips possible
Hi Heather, great to meet you! Hope you’ll find this page as usefule as the fab Free Graphic Design Tutorials
Hi Alisha, terrific to meet you too. Took the liberty of having a peek at your page and it looks very inspiring
Thank you! Nice to meet you too.
Hi Cathy, thanks so much for visiting, nice to meet you too
Hi Amanda! I’m often in your neck of the woods so will certainly look you up! It’s always good to connect and swap ideas
Hi Tracey … Did you want to know how to get a tab on the side with recommendations on or how to get the recommendation box to show when people first like the page?
err both I guess, well the first one really, I didn’t know about the second lol
Hi Tracey – got to dash but had a quick look at your website and LinkedIn and as you don’t already have a tonne of recommendations that you’d have to transfer it might be worth looking at this app – https://www.facebook.com/apps/application.php?id=100997693327480&sk=info
Hey, flattery will get you everywhere, Gemma!
-Caroline
I really like your message on your welcome page Alisha – very pertinent! -Caroline
Why thank you very much. We started this page/site back in June, and there’s a lot to do but we are really enjoying ourselves! -Caroline
Thank you!
I’ve liked your page too. Excited to see what we can all learn from one another.
That would be great. Do give me a call when you next come!
Thank you, you are stars!!!
Hi Gemma – I have set up Market Place but actually wanted the how to get the recommendation box to show when people first like the page and heard you have to set a place. Do you mind looking at YourlocalPR to see if it’s set correctly? Thanks in advance. PS good tip on Opening Times
Ooh! Isn’t it nice when 2 people you know connect up!
-Caroline
Alisha – I know and thank you for stumbling over us!
Isn’t thrilling how we are all exchanging info and ideas.
Caroline
Yes it’s awesome! LOVE IT
Yep tis there – fb post that one automatically, I just wish they wouldn’t do it when someone first likes a page as at that point I don’t know yet if I want to recommend it!!
Hi Amanda, I may well be passing Colchester Friday pm, I have sent you a friend request and maybe we could meet for a coffee then?
Yes, thanks Free Graphic Design Tutorials – I must say, you have sent a lot of people Gemma’s way! Thanks for the heads up and now look! We’re gonna have a FACE TO FACE!!
Great to have you here Jay! Hope you find this just as helpful
Hello Isla – lovely to meet you! Thanks so much for following me here and on Twitter!
Hi Sophie, great question! I do recommend unfollowing if they’re tweets add no value to you – there are some people I follow that may never follow me back and that’s just fine, however if it’s another business and I’m not learning anything or being amused by them then yes I will unfollow, I tend to have a clearout about every three .
Sorry – cat jumped on keyboard! He wants feeding! Anyway as I was saying I clearout about every 3 months and I use http://www.tweepi.com to do it, I don’t like to clear out too often as sometimes people are just a bit slow in looking at their new followers.
You might also find this blog helps http://socialmediaillumination.co.uk/to-follow-or-not-to-follow/
Excellent, thanks Gemma, a clearout is due methinks! Also a great reminder that tweets need to be interesting and engaging in order to retain followers!
Thanks John – it was great to meet you there! Don’t forget to ‘like’ this page for your daily tips and weird pictures of blue lions etc!
Pretty Well thanks
Thanks for liking me! How’s yours?
No worries, it’s GREAT to CONNECT with social media people like yourself
Friday is AWESOME!!!!!! 
Hi Tanya … Good to have you here! Glad you like the tip .. Plenty more where that came from!
http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk/ has some great case studies to keep you busy for 20 minutes also they are the UK’s leading SEO. In fact, I have been reliable informed that any new Google trials in this market area are trialled in the UK first as we are much more ready to adopt new technologies than the US and greater part of Europe it appears.
Thanks for that info Gary, I’ll take a look
Learning all the time thank you Gemma ;o)
I’ll do my damnedest to keep that going
feel free to ask away – and don’t worry if it’s confidaential you can inbox me … find me at https://www.facebook.com/gemma.thompson.illuminate
If only I could – message you that is! There lies the problem
are you on skype? if so find me at gemma.gemina and I may be able to help you through that – should just take 5 mins so no charge for that!
Thanks Aggie! Glad you liked it but no need to feel like a novice, we all start somewhere!
Will skype next week if I may, will let you know in advance. Keep up with the project. Have a good weekend.
Thank you Mark!! Will do my best to help them
Hello! Nice to meet you!
Hi Lisa, sorry I did reply to you earlier but it looks like the comment didn’t go through… Damn gremlins!
Anyway it’s an excellent question and one that seems to be on a few people’s minds as I’ve been asked that 3 x this week!
The answer varies however so I’ll write a blog on it for you, will endeavour to post it by Monday if the tech settles down
Louise you lovely person! Thank you so much
Thank you! Comments like that keep me going when my poor little brain wants a lifelong holiday!
Does not sound good Renee
Simply irritating Suze – that’s all…also a good sign I should log off & head to bed!
Some of the servers were down for maintenance today but should only have affected you for a short while, 30 mins to an hour max … Hope that was all it was
Thanks hun…real annoyance but it seems much bigger than that as it was early this morning & just a few minutes ago when I tried to share the BBC2 link on my page – had do it in a very round about way to get in on there! Me thinks someone’s fibbing (FB, not you!) x
Complicated question! To start with yes, but there is such a thirst for knowledge out there that I recommend getting it up to twice a week at least. However it is better to be consistant, it looks bad when you haven’t blogged for months so by all means start with a steady once a week
Cool. Its hard finding something useful to write about all the time that’s why I only doing once at the moment. I guess when I have enough I can do some recycling if its current
Thank you!! I did it myself and I’m not very experienced with graphics so I really appreciate that
Do you mean things like the little tag and world logo? I don’t insert them, facebook does that automatically well you fill in those sections in the info area and click save. (Thank god cause I am rubbish at coding!)
When I type in text on the ‘about’ edit’ where there is a list I wanted to create bullet points or something similar to show that it is a list. I didn’t get any automatic symbols. Sorry this is probably asking you something beyond what is fair! I just thought others may also want to know. Your point about putting the website in at the top was really helpful. Thank you!
Aha! So sorry! Bit dim – in the long info text those bullet points are there because I copied and pasted it from a word doc that I had it formatted in (with the bullet points!) hope that helps more
(still no coding!)
Ah that does help thanks!
Sharon I don’t think I’ve liked your page … Pop a link to it here for me and I will
Thanks ! You could be the first. I’m just getting started and I’m not sure about how to do a proper link…but my company page is called Realifelearning. It is also the same on twitter.
Have found you and liked you
to do a proper link is super easy too – just look right to the top of your browser when you are on the page and you will see the link you need in the white box there. Simply copy it and then you can paste it in a comment or anywhere else! If you are pasting it in facebook do type a space after it before hitting return as facebook can be a bit glitchy sometimes and may ‘drop’ the link if you don’t 
Good question Helen … I think that one deserves a whole blog post! I’ll get back to you on that
Cheers, Gemma Thompson.
Hi Tina, that recommendation box pops up occasionally, usually for new likers on a page who of course don’t know if they want to recommend a page yet! (what’s that about facebook???!) I’ll just go grab the link for that contact button, although as people can now message a page directly I have seen a drop in the amount of people using it …
https://www.facebook.com/contact.form that’s the contact form link
Thanks gemma – since following you I have been trying to get my social media house in order! Keep up the good work! T
Well if you ever need more pinpointed help feel free to get in touch – I know all this knowledge looks expensive but I like working with small businesses so I keep the price down! And can do sessions over skype!
Yes pages can like other pages but they don’t show up as an additional like in the likes number. So right now I have 767 likes on my page, if another page hits like it will still show as 767 likes but if a profile decided to hit like it would go up to 768. When you are logged into your page if you clikc the ‘home’ button at the top it will show you a newsfeed with posts from the pages you have liked as your page
Hope that makes sense … I think this would be a good topic for a blog post!
Thank you! I can’t believe I never looked at that home button before! Is that what visitors to my page see?
I’d love a blog post on this, I find the profile/page thing so confusing.
No – it’s your home feed so you see pages you like in it – they see the profile section
Will write a post for you soon 
Funny you should ask, I’m in the middle of putting a course together along with a friend of mine, should be up and running within 30 days! If you like you can go to http://www.online-illumination.com now and sign up to stay informed
Got some very cool plans for it which should really help 
Yes please count me in x x
Hi Gemma
Thanks for all the helpful tips . Really like you writing style- very easy to follow.
James
Thank you James! Popped over to your site and I’m very impressed with you too! Fancy starting a mutual appreciation society?!
Blogging please
I’m looking for some sort of help guide on growing social media audiences.. Something that assumes basic marketing knowledge and focuses on generic tasks and approaches that have worked well across different markets to build focused and active audiences.
Working on it Guy! Will take your comments into account
Thanks
fingers crossed it all works out 
http://www.orwellcomputers.co.uk that should make it easier
Hi Robin, yes most definitely, the first thing we need to do is a thorough consultation however so I know I fully understand your business and what you want to achieve. The consultation is free and can be done over the phone. After that we decide between us what the next step is but generally people start with a 2 hour session which comprises of a mix of theory and practical training depending on needs. That is often followed with more sessions but sometimes follow-up sessions are as short as 30 minutes just to get people over particular hurdles etc. Some people don’t have any follow up sessions – it all depends on the individual business
Oh if you are free Monday morning I have time for a phone consultation then … around 10am suits me
Can I get back to you about 10 AM, it sounds good though.
Sure
I am in Woodbridge on Monday, would it be best to come and see you or is a phone call better for you?
Depending on the time you are free there i could pop in and meet you for a coffee there .. what kind of time is good for you?
Whatever works best for you Gemma, Am I correct in thinking you are based in Woodbridge?
almost – about 15 minutes further on up the coast! I could do either 10.30am or 2.30pm if either of those suits?
2.30 would be perfect, but don’t put yourself out if a phone call is easier for you. I only suggested it because I thought you were in Woodbridge. I am also a bit old fashioned and like to meet people
No it doesn’t put me out at all, I’m heading down the A12 after anyway so it’s on my way
I suggest we meet at Frangipani on Cumberland St
Ok it’s a date 2.30 frangipani
And I always do as I am told
Hi Kandygrain! Happy to help if I can, send me your number in a message and let me know when would be a good time to call you
Abbey you can add your Facebook page to TweetDeck. Go into TweetDeck, Settings button on the top right, select Accounts, click on Facebook. Then at the bottom of that window you should see the Pages that are assigned to you. Click on the boxes to the right to either activate or deactivate these accounts. You can see/use/post as your page as required
I can’t see that and sorry to be anal but it’s Abbie
thanks for your help
Thanks Kaylene! Have liked your page too!
this appeared in the my newsfeed! not a fan of the FB selected newsfeed and how much you interact with others. It sort of ignores those people that like to see stuff but dont interact. I guess though that is now the ticker. It seems all a bit overcomplicated.
Can’t see it onions but will look on PC
I’m not seeing anything different in the IoS Facebook app.
Ah yes I see it outside of IOS. Does this mean the page postings will eventually be separated I wonder.. Not sure of the purpose or value with this.
Helpful, if people can actually see non-sponsored page content / get the info from pages they like. Thanks for the info
Hey Gemma, just looking at Pages Feed myself too
– that’s how I found this post, because I never see your stuff in my regular feed (although I do get updates from some Pages, and not just the big companies who can afford to pay). Have a great day! x
Sorry Tina, working on getting it fixed … Sorry! Is there any particular info you were looking at as I could always share it here in the meantime … ?
Well Facebook is ever-changing so it’s hard to say how permanent this change will be! However the word at the moment is that they will all be separated … Although I suspect promoted posts may still hit the regular newsfeed!
INteresting, thanks for the insight.
I have just been looking further at it, and as you know I think it is a good idea so there is a Social and a Business feed. Now here is a very interesting thing. Because of my need to only see Page feeds when I wanted to and not be swamped by all the pages I liked, I created a wide range of ‘Interests’ and took all the pages I put into the particular interest out of my personal feeds. Now looking at the new PAGE feed, I see that only the pages I had left to show in my feeds are shown in the new Page Feed, and all that I had unticked and put into an interest page are NOT shown in the page feeds. Hope this is of some interest to some people
I only choose to have close family and friends and people/companies I am really interested in and want to know what they are saying/posting on my Facebook and get really annoyed when FB ‘decides’ for me what I can and can’t see or what they think I might want to know about, it drives me nuts if I’m not interested in something then I don’t ‘like’ it therefore things I have ‘liked’ I should be able to see. It is all getting very complicated and quite disheartening for those of us that are not very technically minded over and above the norm of general understanding.
Back online now
All of the above and more
It will be used to announce to the world that I will be changing the niche for my social media marketing business — more information coming soon!
A healthy dose of ambition, that’s what I like to hear Lorraine
Ooh Diane! Sounds exciting!!
I’ve had a taste of pretty good sales this holiday season… & I’m hungry for MORE!
how to improve sales, getting the right people to follow you..
Getting the right people to follow you is exactly what I specialise in! Tell me Debbie, who are the right people for you and I’ll use your target market as a specific example
Oh and I’m definitely covering improving sales
I have a list
Send it on over
parents, new mums, pregnant mums i make and stock cloth nappies, baby clothes and childrens party supplies
Lol it’s far too detailed but if I can trim down to one or two items like world domination etc i will
Thanks Debbie Any preference on where they live? Even if it’s as simple as UK? Oh and do you have a twitter account too?
Actually Mustafa Detailed is good
it can still include world domination as its final goal though 
i will post anywhere so that’s not a problem, my twitter is @Debs_partybaby
i have a good following but not enough sales.. 633 followers which is great in itself but i need and want sales out of it lol..
Righto! Will use you as an example and let you know when it’s done
ok
good on u girl xx
Hi Magdalena, thanks so much! That’s just the kind of comment to get me going on my first proper day back at work
please do feel free to ask me anything about social media … It’s one of the ways I get inspiration for my blog posts so all questions are welcome!
Hi, I work for a social enterprise helping disabled children and families and would love some help with pour social media. We are ‘Cool2care’ we have a face book page but need to increase our following particularly to new families and people we could help.
Hi Alicia, thanks for responding
I’ll include you as a case study too! Will be a week or two before the video’s are ready but I will let you know 
Hi Chiara, I would use aweber to deliver the audio via email – they are not expensive and seem tho be the most effective – I’m planning to change onto them after experiencing issues with everyone else I have tried! You can use paypal to take payment and I’m sure you can add paypal buttons into aweber emails too – check them out here http://www.aweber.com/
Gemma must have been in competition with you today on Town 102 talking used cars.
Ooh! Ok now I want to know your listener figures!!
Did you have fun? Was it the legendary Mr Pandolfi interviewing you?
Well, I posted earlier in this comments thread and came back because I wanted you all to know how I did! I lost 45 lbs in 5 weeks and am keeping it off. The results speak for themselves. This product is life-changing – thank you,20
https://www.facebook.com/pages/emcbuzmwrz/333059396814712?sk=app_208195102528120
It feels chaotic to me, Posterous closing down, so I’ll scrap what investment I made in that, but at least less than MySpace.. ever changing features on Facebook, Google adding more and more.. Rich snippets, authorship.. I just want to add value to my client base rather than thinking about what google and the like’s of facebook really want me to do for them each day.
Nope we focus out energy on what we are doing.
That’s always a good idea!
Duh!
Marketing…. Used well, social media is fantastic for marketing….used poorly….Oh dear!
Definitely marketing. If you focus too much on the social element you can make some big mistakes!
Social.
Like your answer too Adam … Got a why for me???
People live on social networks. People will now go to Twitter or Facebook to ask their friends queries, where before they would go to Google and ask. Your friends are going to give you a personalised answer. Social crowdsourcing is the way of the future. People with experience can only answer those questions, Google can’t, and it’s the people you trust who you’re going to listen to. Companies only benefit from social media when people can connect with a human being inside the company. Social media only allows for that type of connection. So think social first, the marketing will come later when you’ve forged that connection.
Thanks Adam
Marketing
Marketing
Marketing
Marketing
Thanks for commenting Sophie and Emma, I’d love to know why you picked marketing
Thanks for commenting Sophie and Emma, I’d love to know why you picked marketing
Hmm, that’s an interesting answer Adam. what about the difference in tastes/views – ie the subjectiveness of a person’s view?
With Google, you could argue that it’s more objective.
Hmm, that’s an interesting answer Adam. what about the difference in tastes/views – ie the subjectiveness of a person’s view?
With Google, you could argue that it’s more objective.
I guess there can be different meanings for the ‘social’ element. For me it can mean how ‘social’ you are with people. I am guessing for Adam it may mean the amount of social network platforms you used?
I guess there can be different meanings for the ‘social’ element. For me it can mean how ‘social’ you are with people. I am guessing for Adam it may mean the amount of social network platforms you used?
I think asking your peers, answers a lot of questions, such as ‘where’s the best place to eat in Woodbridge for vegans’? or ‘is barclays website down?’ or what the heck is ‘dogging tales’? Certain things Google isn’t going to be able to answer well, or know the answer to quick enough. It’s a trend that people are shifting to the social web to ask these questions, people will of course still use search engines. Companies how ever need to adapt to this trend as this is where people are socialising online. Lynx was a good example – they quickly saw people tweeting about doggingtales and mentioned that the guy with two women used their deodorant
Then they next day they posted a photo of themselves in masks. They thought social first, they got themselves into the conversation, then they used marketing the next day – in a indirect, viral way.
I think asking your peers, answers a lot of questions, such as ‘where’s the best place to eat in Woodbridge for vegans’? or ‘is barclays website down?’ or what the heck is ‘dogging tales’? Certain things Google isn’t going to be able to answer well, or know the answer to quick enough. It’s a trend that people are shifting to the social web to ask these questions, people will of course still use search engines. Companies how ever need to adapt to this trend as this is where people are socialising online. Lynx was a good example – they quickly saw people tweeting about doggingtales and mentioned that the guy with two women used their deodorant
Then they next day they posted a photo of themselves in masks. They thought social first, they got themselves into the conversation, then they used marketing the next day – in a indirect, viral way.
Social – engage with others don’t just expect to be chatted with or referred business to. Can’t stand how Many people are using it as a link Sharing platform I want to be able to build a relationship with you before I recommend or use you
Social – engage with others don’t just expect to be chatted with or referred business to. Can’t stand how Many people are using it as a link Sharing platform I want to be able to build a relationship with you before I recommend or use you
What is ‘Dogging’?!
What is ‘Dogging’?!
Not something to be discussed here Neil! I think channel 4 did a programme on it recently
Not something to be discussed here Neil! I think channel 4 did a programme on it recently
Adam O’Connor posed the question?!
Adam O’Connor posed the question?!
Haha sorry
Haha sorry
The other danger is that people are silly on social media
!
The other danger is that people are silly on social media
!
I happened to read an article about it recently being a good example of Lynx using social media
I happened to read an article about it recently being a good example of Lynx using social media
Gem – just picked up your comment about ‘Awesome’ being absent in your book. Relieved!
Gem L Thompson I get daily alert emails full of surveys, guidance etc from an outfit in the US called MarketingProfs. Some of it useful but equally very US-focused. It would be great to have similar insights that are Brit focused – an idea for a new enterprise? Worth exploring? And actually given the sorts of questions asked on SBS we have a lot of source ideas already
“media” – because important laws should protect us from falsehoods xx
I started my business on Facebook, got 5000 leaflets still in a cupboard! Work it out!!
If you understand that your message is more powerful when shared by someone else with their friends, then you will quickly realise social is the most important aspect. It boils down to understanding what your customers want. If you deliver content they want, they will share it and do the marketing for you.
Yes British for me as well
I wouldn’t waste to much more of your time finding followers for a Twitter account that doesn’t tweet regularly. That’s not what Twitter is about. No point being on there.
I promote myself as dealing with Suffolk and North Essex. Some principles remain constant but other local factors are important. I have to fill in insurance forms each year and these ask for regions in which you work as well as countries. There is a cost to spreading your net wider in some circumstances.
Logo design and finishing an events website
If u need a reference pass them my way
today I shall b mostly trying to get ahead to make up for my week off next week 
have fun x
Thanks Louise!
Still trying to get through your fab chapters Louise! Adding more content to my new website and hammering app and web developers to deliver the last 2% before beta! Phew!
Liking the use of the word fab there! Just what I needed whilst grappling with chapter 5! Best of luck with the website!
A lot of my clothes have been bought in the UK but posted to Australia and USA etc
The total aim of House of Elliot is to be a global brand, we dont think we could rely on the UK soley for trade. Overseas customers are super excited about our products and if it wasnt for the carriage charges and import tax, we would have been setting up shop in every store in the US by now. This is our main hurdle. So to get around this hurdle, we are in discussions with our stockists who are prepared to be Distributors in their own countries. So, in answer to your question Gemma, Overseas plays a huge huge part in our business. Hope that helps x
aren’t they one and the same thing for the big brands?? for one man bands it is easier to know your client base on a ‘social’ level, engage with them on fun stuff but when you are big, all you can truly do is tell you about stuff and get feedback and social media is merely one platform for it – after all they are doing is paying somebody to post and like comments etc: its a job for them only.
Finally getting to beta (sorry I’ve not been in touch about your draft). Testing new service begins today. Motivation? A brighter future
hi there. just touching base with you again! i’ve set up a new business called STOW and will be checking in with you regularly for my SM tips! I’m currently very inspired by STOW – it’s getting me going every day!! Hope you are well xx
Ooh sounds like exciting times for you both … What’s STOW all about Carol? Good luck with the beta testing Guy, if you need feedback and I can be of use don’t hesitate to shout at me
Everyday, before I go to work, I think about the buzz I got when i passed my driving test, and can’t wait to pass that on to each and every one of my pupils. So it’s that feeling that motivates me in the morning!
Mmmmm, sounds cheesy but I love what I do for a living. Never feels like a Monday morning. Really
STOW looks gorgeous Carol, have liked your page
Carl that’s brilliant, I usually find the same, life is great when you earn money from your passion 
As for you Malcolm … You are a legend! Passing my driving test was definitely a buzz and as my nephew passed first time because of you I’m sure you’re spreading that buzz far and wide 
Thanks yes. I also could do with some help accelerating page rankings. Main competitor is at the top yet there is no marketing happening from what I can see. So he’s sitting there based on good backlinks.
What’s the website Guy?
Thanks for liking our page Gemma – will be in touch x
Sunshine
and my children
Gem – that’s an excellent question. for me it’s being involved in something I really love doing (playing around with graphics/colour/shapes) and trying to pass on some of that knowledge/enthusiasm to others.
BUT, if I don’t feel 100%, then I revert to ‘playing’ on some graphics programme (= market research) and that usualy gets me going again
Melodypods.com Gemma
Great site, lots of useful info but there is still room for you to add blog posts about the psychology of music and the effect it can have on all these spaces. Later you can add in testimonials too
Doing both of these will help you get to no 1 but they are not quick fixes…
Thanks Gemma. Hoping to launch first week of June and then less focus on development and more on marketing. Thanks will be in touch.
I live variety and each day is very different so no Monday blues for me
My post that has been shared on Twitter 50 times in the first few days, inspiring me to write more!
Brilliant!! Please share the link here as well
Great article Jonny, I’ve just reshared it and spelt your name wrong while doing so … I’m so sorry, can you forgive me?
Haha of course I can, double whammy on the spelling mistake too!
Not old … Just experienced
I’m really way too old mention The Inbetweeners, but this is the personification of British humour and whilst I’m all for a good bit of nostalgia, for me, this knocks the spots off the old stuff.
same here, normal posts without links or images do better for me.
Thanks for sharing Debbie, have you tried the questions feature recently? That seems to go out to around 90% of my likers
not tried that one yet..
I definitely recommend it
They moved it a while ago now though … Click on the events/offers icon to find it
I’ve seen that posts who put the links in the comment, instead of the update, tend to do better. So many people post, then add “link in the comments”.
Likewise found posts without links get more reach, but interestingly I have found that FB questions are equivalent to a post with a link in, virtually no one sees them.
Has to be only fools and horses for me!
Great to see you too Helen! Yes let’s make it happen