Introduction to Social Networking and Media - Raleigh NC presentation

Here is a recent beginners introduction to social media that I used at a presentation in Raleigh North Carolina. This was a private presentation and not open to the public. Some of your definitions or prices may vary in comparison to the ones I have below. Not a problem at all. Just take note. I am a real life sociable human being that uses social networking and media to express my person and my business. What better way to get your name and brand in the mix of things, in this new world media era? It is the modern day version of "writing your name in the wet concrete." Make your mark, establish your brand, build your network, be sociable, build your business, service your clients, make friends. BAM!

1. What is social networking? It is a social act, function or club where you can get together and connect with other people, possibly leading to friendships and/or business relationships.

2. What is social media? It is using your people skills to reach out to others, connect, share your personal and business media, and build relationships. The methods of communication has changed with the Internet; but the most important part is to be sociable, or at least make your business seem so and learn how to.

3. Who invented social media? It was an evolution of human behavior and communications. It was a fad until our current President used it to win the world over during his campaign. Then people started paying big attention.

4. Why is social media needed?

• Forms (mail to fb me) and places (outside to online) of communication have changed.
• People used to use telephones, now use text and/or Skype for free video calls.
• People used to spend time with neighbors, now spend time with Facebook friends.
• People attend public social functions sometimes, but connected online all of the time.
• This is where you will find your new friends, clients and future. (this is where they live)
• Friends do business with friends. Facebook friends hold more weight than a stranger.
• I trust my social circle more than I trust Google search results, SEO, or an algorithm.
• It is the best way to make the most, and most valuable connections in minimal time.
• You can search sites like Twitter & get crowd sourced information from a huge network, and up to the second, no more stale search information.

5. What about my website?

• If you have one, great. If not, we could have one built for you or use a blog site.
• Your main website is not included with a social media package unless requested.
• Main company websites could run anywhere from $1500 to $50k+
• Wordpress websites could run anywhere from $500 to $2k+
• A website is your headquarters. Social media is your arms, legs, mouth, feet.

6. What online platforms should I get with a “social media package?”

• Email - this is with Googles email, called Gmail. This is only an admin email.
• Blog Article Site - supplement to a website, sometimes used as a main online presence.
• RSS Feed Site - worldwide feed article distribution service.
• Photo Album Site - allows you to upload photo into online albums, add captions, etc.
• YouTube Video Channel Site - allows you to upload videos online, add info, links, etc.
• Twitter Updater Site -  used for quick daily updating and connecting.
• Twitpic Photo Updater Site - used for quick daily photo updating.
• Information Bin Site - used for compiling your media and distributing on Twitter.
• Social Network Site - usually a Facebook business page where people “Like” it.
• Tracking Site - gives you statistics on how may people are clicking to your content.
• SM Management Site - allows you to easily manage your social media in one place.

7. How do I get started with social media? This is where I am supposed to say "Contact Me" - but I will skip that part and say something like "Just Do It!"

8. How much time will it take me per day? After proper social media building and training, if you put an average of 10 minutes a day into making and growing connections, you will do great.

From Twitter, to Foursquare, to SCVNGR

The evolution of social media is taking place all of the time. New ways to reach out and communicate with others are being created daily. The revolution is past and we are here.

The great rave is Twitter and how we can share a simple sentence or two, be a part of a growing online community, and get amazing results. The same way we do in speaking. We break paragraphs into bullets and get straight to the point. Well... I know that some people do not try to consolidate the conversation and could use 5 minutes to tell you what they could have said in 12 seconds, but that is not "green" communication. Why waste a word when we do not need it. Why type a few extra characters that end up being useless to the convo? Tweets make us keep it simple.

Then Foursquare was the hot item on the social media market. Location Based Social Networking. We could base our interactions on where we actually were. So when I am at restaurant, I could check-in, let others know where I am, and make a comment whether good or bad about the place or experience. Facebook even copied success and created "Places" into their social network site. Fun fun for everyone.

Now the bonus comes, and SCVNGR is the key. They took the location based social networking to the next level where they give you simple challenges that sometimes force you to interact, but add bonus rewards for doing so. I call AWESOME!!! Anyway... I am currently working with the Asheville North Carolina team managed by Brett, and bridges are being built! People are stepping into the game and offering great incentives for playing at "their place" of business. Now, we finally get a bonus for this type of social media networking. Your return on investment (ROI) is already in place!

Game On!!!

How My Social Media Can Help Your Business

Social media is a new form of communication. We used to write letters and talk on the phone, but those days are just about gone. If it is not in our email box, or Facebook mailbox, or in our Twitter at replies or direct messages; it is not really that important or urgent.

I have completed dozens of fully comprehensive social media packages for individuals and businesses all across Asheville, WNC and around the Country. I do social media. I do not do web design and "also social media," making it of secondary importance. This is the priority when it comes to me and my work. Originally I was doing Internet marketing and social networking as a "ghost" marketer for several private companies, but have since offered my services to anyone and everyone who needs help.

Social media is not something that we play with when it comes to business. Just because you or someone you know sets up a Twitter account or Facebook fan page for you, does not mean it will be a successful platform. Some of these new marketers only know about 10% of social media info, and to you they may seem to know everything. NOT! Many times people who do not know anything about social media get solicited and led by someone who knows just a little bit more than they do, waste their money, do not see any results, pass the hype, and eventually get discouraged by what they were taught. Don't let a novice teach you something as important as social media! Your business life and future may be hinging on making the right moves. If you are serious about your company, you need to let these shallow social media consultants practice on someone else, not you. This is business!

What I do for my clients is create a comprehensive social media and networking package that reaches the main platforms where your potential clients will be. I set up a blog, which is an article site where you can add information to regularly, giving the search engines more and more content about your business. Then I set up a update site where you can post updates about your business, things you do, links to your site, and also personal comments of sorts. I add a photo update site with a bunch of photos that have great descriptions and tags. Then I create a video channel for your company. I take and make videos or slideshows and upload them online giving them the proper descriptions and tags to make sure the search engines find them. I then make a photo album site where you have online photo albums filled with pictures of your business etc. I attach an rss feed to your blog and grab some of the bling gadgets they provide for you to reach more readers. I use a feed bin site to compile all of your social media into one place and also feed it to your update site.  Finally, I choose a social network site that best fits your business and create fans or connections for you. I am also attaching the location based social networking site called Foursquare to many of the businesses I work for. All of these social media sites are your property when I build them and they point directly to you and your website.

On top of that, I show most businesses how they can easily maintain their social media in about 5 - 10 minutes per day. This is not a burdensome activity. I set it up so you see people coming to your website and get real life results. Yes, you will have fun and you will get business if you do it right. I am here to help you and make sure that happens.

Social Media Backwards

Sometimes, in this day and age, social skills start online and then could be integrated into your person to person instances. Many people possess great communication and networking power online, but when it comes to face to face; some introversion can take hold. Being able to break open a conversation with a complete stranger in public can be difficult sometimes. Even making a "cold call' on the telephone can be hard. Making that "cold call" on the many social media platforms makes it so much easier for all of us. There have been several times in the past where someone friended me on Facebook and I accepted them because I simply wanted more friends and connections. Recently, many people have sent me a friend request with something like "Hi, I see we have 47 friends in common and wanted to connect." Great! I usually make the connection if it seems sincere. There have also been times where I have friended someone and they sternly shot back at me and said "I don't know you!" No problemo. If you know anything about me, you know I love to reach out to people that I don't know. Maybe it is the sales experience I have brought to the social media table that allows common rejection to disappear pretty quickly. I don't have to "know" you to request a business connection, social connect, or possible friendship. In sociable media, we are able and permitted to reach out and ask for an online handshake back.

Social media is not something new, but taking it online kinda is. Remember when we were scared about anyone that we met online? If we got an email from someone we even thought we did not know, we used to freak out a little. We felt invaded; like someone was attempting to enter "our" world. Times have changed and we have now become used to someone asking for a connection. Many times it is a flattery of sorts if a "stranger" asks to enter our online world. And sometimes, if we meet those people in person after getting to know them online, we are like old friends that have not seen each other in years. Social media has changed our society.

After we have learned to initiate and make the proper advances online, we may be ready to take these skills to the streets. I am talking about learning some social skills and connection practices online, and then practicing them in public, when you go to the store, and while you are working - eye to eye, personal, in-person conversation. Some people have claimed that all of these online connections are deteriorating our outward society. Ha; take a look at the how much it is and can evolve our networking world if used properly. In the time it used to take us to make a few connections, we can now make hundreds. We can meet dozens of people in days with common interests, goals, employment, and missions. How many people have walked up to you in public and said "Hello, I want to be your friend." Probably none, but many have done so to me every day online through social media and networking platforms such as Twitter, MySpace, Facebook, Blogs, YouTube and others. I believe this new media age is going to greatly improve community if we start thinking of "Social Media Backwards" and make a conscious effort to use it in public. Social media and networking builds community and allows us to take those relations deeper, and in much less time. It can and will improve your social skills and grow your whole life in general.

Now everyone... say "thank you" to social media!

Social Media - The Act of Being Sociable... Online

Social Media has now joined the ranks of a "must have" outlet for businesses in the past year. It used to be "just for fun" or an option, but as users increase, the dangers of not having a social presence can be very dramatic. For many businesses it has, or will become, the determining factor as to if your business will even survive. The reason being is that potential clients that already have a connection through social media and networking feels as if they "know" that business even if they have never met.

When I was in Vegas several months ago at the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Party at the Luxor, Tony Hsieh - CEO of Zappos (@Zappos on Twitter) and Christa Foley - Zappos Recruiting Manager (@Electra on Twitter) both contacted me on the @AskAsheville Twitter handle ready to meet and connect with me at Zappos Corporate Headquarters and at the Revolution dance club for Twestival 2/09. From that moment on, everytime I think about buying shoes or sneakers online, or someone asks me about purchasing online; Zappos http://zappos.com/ is the first thing that comes out of my mouth. They made a friend of me and built another fan. Why do I mention this? Because social media is making sociable connections online. They did not tweet me and say "Go to our site and BUY NOW!". They were more like "Hey, are you in Vegas? Let's get together and hang out!" I was busy that evening with John Legend, Danica Patrick, Bar Refaeli and the others, and had to fly out first thing in the morning; but the connection was made. I was attracted by the sociable vibe they exhibited and it made a permanent impression on me.

Being sociable is not that easy for many people. Who likes to walk in a crowded room, announce themselves, and sincerely connect with everyone there? Not many. Social media is a personality, a vibe, a way of life. Some businesses attempt this online when they are very unsociable in "real life". Sociable media works so much better when you are willing to work from the inside out, and improve the social skills in your life as a whole. Then, when you take it online, people will openly (and even gladly) connect with you. All of us have heard about people "being reserved" and not that social. That simply will not work, or it will at least leave you behind in Social Media and Networking. You are stuck with some options. Either fake your sociability, attempt to blend, or improve your social skills. I recommend the latter, while implementing the blending attempt.

In closing, social media is so much more than an online game, job or responsibility. It is something that can force you to become that connecting sociable person you may have been looking for your whole life. It may teach you how to be more social and how to connect with many different people, businesses, and walks of life. Step one of social media and networking is simple... BE SOCIABLE!

Love G

G Social Media on YouTube - Videos

G Social Media has been doing YouTube videos and accounts for many companies for awhile now. We finally decided to get him in front of the camera so some of you can meet him face to face.

Here are the videos:

G Social Media in Asheville North Carolina

Making Social Media Simple

G Social Media talks on Twitter, Facebook, Networking & more...

"I hope I can help you with some of my Social Media and Social Networking videos. If you have any questions, please ask me them!!! Oh, please rate and comment on the videos too! I will love you forever, lol."

7 Damaging Sins of Social Media

When dealing with Social Media, it is a whole different world to many. You must be sociable, you must have information, and then your attitude is always a very important factor. Some of these "sins" are normal practices, and some are done by people just not paying attention. These are just some points that I have observed and gathered in the past few months that I wanted to share. Maybe you have noticed some of the same? Maybe some of these are your habits? Please read:

1. Screaming network with a clique motive - These people wear the badge of "Network", but are wearing the "Lone Ranger" hat. It is all about them, their people, and the people they grant "their approval" on. Social Media is networking, communications, crowd sourcing, connecting, reaching out, pointing in, providing info, and doing your part to contribute whether your are in business or by yourself. Many people do not understand this concept; they simply "think" they do. They use social media to where it is all about them, crush others who even seem to be walking down the same path; and do even worse if they are in the same geographical area. I have heard of companies that have helped establish a "spammer" account to attack others and discredit them. Is this their "alter ego"? No, this is who they really are. Talk about bad business and creating bad Karma! Beware of these cliques! Learn to really network by creating exposure for your business and reaching out to others! Do not only network with them who you adamantly agree with, those you "like", and those you know. There is a big difference between an open and closed network. Let yours be open!

2. Knowing, but not telling social media - Hanging social media over someones head is simply not right. Many people have heard about it and want to know more. Today, our culture and society is built off of information. You can go online and type any question you have into Google, Bing, Yahoo, Cuil or any of the other dozens of good search engines and find a wealth of information on just about every subject. If you know something more than the common person, open up and tell it. Share it with the people! The days of hoarding are over. Social Media is an open information system that bridges the gaps. Proclaim it so.

3. Having a critical social media attitude - Sometimes when we do not understand something, it is in our nature to attack it. A few minutes each day dedicated to learning new media and Internet communications would open anyone up to such a great world. Yes, even I remember the days when I would not touch email communications. I had my secretary (Tiff!) get on my computer, log in, and type out an email while I stood up, walked around and dictated. Then I would get excited after we were done and tell her "Send It!". Today, it is different. When I hear of something, especially when they say "new", I first think "opportunity" and then hit the computer to research the subject. Social media is the new superior form of connecting and communications. Drop the bad attitude and have a teachable spirit. You just might learn something new. Correction; you will learn something great and new, and love it. Social Media!

4. Wearing the "Big Head" - Have you ever met someone that thought that they were King of whatever? Growing up, there were kids who actually believed they owned the street we all lived on. I could use that as an inspiring thought, but not now. There are people in the Social media world who are anti-networkers and that snarl at people who learn something beyond them. They need to be the head honcho in everything. Oh, they give credit, but only when they are complimenting someone that they consider a lesser learned person. Ever had the big head? I have. I played baseball for a few weeks before they yanked me over to the All Star Team. I was excited and heartbroken at the same time. I was humbled. But when fans started cheering, even though it was only little league, I got the big head. I felt like Reggie Jackson! Having a big head is not that bad when you are a fair and just individual, but hand that big head over to some of these insecure gurus and it is all over from there. They use their big head to hurt, limit and criticize; and in turn damage social media.

5. Being a social media security bouncer - Social media is a learning curve and things are constantly changing. It is trial and error sometimes. We learn, teach, learn together, learn some more, and share our experiences. It is so funny that people think they have to tell people all of the time how to do it right, how their way is the best, and how everyone else is doing it wrong. They police the sites of others and base their networking off of slander. They lay in wait for someone to make a wrong move so they can jump in and subconsciously (and sometimes verbally) say "They are wrong, I am better". They actually believe that by hindering and "arresting" someone else in social media; they somehow become better. Not at all. Social media is a place where people live and let live. We may suggest or blog about tips, but who I am to knock or arrest someone else for their methods of operation? If you are on Twitter and follow everyone you can or follow everyone back, good for you. If you do not, then good for you too. Big Deal! Turn your "Officer" badge in and network with us.

6. Not working social media - Having new media and social media platforms and not using them anywhere near their potential is very hazardous. It is like having a beautiful new car that people have seen in the driveway, but for the most part it is hiding in the garage and barely used. You need to learn how to "Work It!" Push down on the gas and take Social Media for a spin. Balance, new content, and scheduling is very important for the growth of your business in social media. For some this seems like constant maintenance, but for us who have seen the power of new media; it is productivity and fun! The principle of sowing and reaping really takes hold here. What you put in, must come out! Start planting and working your social media platforms!

7. Not using social media - This "sin" is deadlier than them all. If I were drowning and there was a pencil, a quarter, a weight, or a life vest... I would grab the device that floats and that could support what I am attempting to do. Social media can not only save your business, but it can also land you in a whole new world with bigger and better opportunities. Not using social media is like trying to board a plane by waiting in the line at the grocery store. You will not make it to your destination! Your company will not fly! And the sad part is your business can even die.

Maybe it is time for your company to explore the many diversified angles of Social Media? Maybe you want to start simple small and build from there? Maybe Social Media is exactly what your business needs? Contact G Social Media for a custom plan for your business.