Social Media for Small BusinessCalgary Chamber of CommerceHow do you become the local expert and build trust in your community?Stuart R. CrawfordVP, Business DevelopmentBulletproof InfoTech403.206.2233

Before we beginWhat social networking/media sites you use today?FacebookLinkedInYouTubeTwitterBlogsOther

Introduction to social mediaMore than just Facebook!Is social media ready for business?Is business ready for social media?What is Social Media?Allows people to connect, share and influence those around usAllows us to help othersAllows us to promote othersAllows us to reach others

Allows people to connect, share and influence those around us

Allows us to help others

Allows us to promote others

Allows us to reach others

Why Social Media and Why Now?Why is social media so important?Old marketing tricks are becoming extinctPeople are looking for someone they can trustWhy is it important now?Prospects are turning to search and web communities to find informationThe evolution of businessThe Industrial AgeThe Information AgeThe Participation Age

The Industrial Age

The Information Age

The Participation Age

Small Business in changing!Changes in the way business is doneChanges in the way customers interact with usChanges in the way prospects find usChanges in the way people share informationChanges in the way people talk about usChanges in the way we approach the marketChange is coming, change is here and the old way doesn’t work unless combined with new mindsets!

Remember this…before we beginInformation is a commodityIf you search hard enough, someone has posted something online for free Information we previously charged for! Everything is free!Don’t believe me, just do a Google search for “Calgary mortgage brokers”We need to change and change to survive!

Google search Calgary mortgage brokersOct 13, 2009How do you compete?Where can you get an immediate advantage?Where can you build trust?

What resources are available?What we will cover today5 Social Media tools you can use nowBlogsLinkedInYouTubeBlogtalkradioTwitterThere are many more…

Lets get started

Getting recognizedThe thought leader in you is bornTalk about everything around youBuild a followingOffer real adviceBuild relationshipsFollow eventsAdd commentaryAct as if…Demonstrate daily - you are a leader

Should you start a blog?What would you say?Why a blog, what is so important about blogging?Many industry thought leaders blog dailyThey are viewed as an expertCommunicate with clients and prospectsYou start to build trustTalk about stuff around youHuman side of your business

Tips for a business blogSet up shop (Call to action, contact, how to work with me)Think like a business (sales, marketing, service)Build a consistent brand (brand awareness)Extend your platform (what’s next beyond blogs)Build powerful networks (the right people)Equip your clients (give the tools to serve themselves)Focus on the relationship (know, like, trust)Make trust a must

Where do you start?Resources Availablecalgarybloggers.cawordpress.orgblogspot.comBlogging support groupschrisbrogan.comstuartcrawford.comPlan, Plan , PlanFind your nicheDetermine your goalsThen…Find a professionalYour blog must match your websiteStart writing and write again

calgarybloggers.ca

wordpress.org

blogspot.com

Blogging support groups

chrisbrogan.com

stuartcrawford.com

Find a professional

Your blog must match your website

Start writing and write again

Build a professional networkStop using FacebookStart using LinkedInWhy LinkedIn?Business to BusinessProfessional groupsAnswers to questionsProfessional image

Business to Business

Professional groups

Answers to questions

Professional image

LinkedIn success tipsYou need to be onlineYou must have a complete profile, it is you!Have a detailed summary of those you serveProfessional picture (no logos)Pay it forward (recommend others)Add passion to everything you doBe open and reachableSolve problems and join groupsTipAdd your email address to your name or your description

Start now with LinkedInSetup an account @ linkedin.comUpload your pictureWrite your summaryRecommend three colleagues weeklyJoin three groupsLinking CalgaryCalgary EntrepreneursChamber of Commerce

Why video?People have short attentions spansRather watch than readCan be easily sharedYouTube is one of the top search enginesWhy type of video works?YouTube – embedded videoWalk-on videoHave others talk about you

YouTube – embedded video

Walk-on video

Have others talk about you

Your own TV ChannelAll it takes is a camera and creativityhttp://www.youtube.com/bulletproofIT

Video TipsEnsure you add text with your videoGoogle can’t index video without textEmbed video on your website or blogTake your handy cam everywherePractice, Practice, Practice

Online radio Do you have a face for radio?Online radio is freeand funReach new audiencesShare easily with your clientsPromote your partners and your clientsStart small and work your way upBlogtalkradio.com

Twitter…connects everythingUse Twitter to link everything togetherMore than just a tool to share “what you are doing”Blogs, YouTube, online radio can all connect via Twitter

Twitter…it is about sharing infoStart the viral spreadingShare interesting stories and ideasPromote others, clients, colleaguesEngage with your communityFollow Calgary Chamber at @calgary_chamberRemember your hash tag (#YYC)

Who is on Twitter?

Get on Twitter todaySetup an account at twitter.comCustomize your page Upload photo – no logosSetup a wallpaper, this can be your companyWrite your short bioInclude linksStart following othersUse services such as hootsuite.comRemember, share information others would be interested in

ConclusionIt just maybe too late!Social media is here to stayThe old ways need to be blended inYou must start to use the tools now!Create a blog, share your insightsUse LinkedIn daily, answer questions and provide valueStart leveraging Twitter to promote your businessConsider video and audioFind a support group to help youThis is just the tip of the icebergMeetup.com, slideshare, tripit….plus more!

Most importantlyCreate something, do things, create your own impact….most importantBE MEMORABLE

Now what are you going to do?What are you going to do next?Start BloggingCreate a LinkedIn accountUse Twitter to promote your businessCreate a YouTube channelHost your own radio showNothing at allother

QuestionsFollow me on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn…www.facebook.com/stuart.crawford.calgary.computer.servicewww.linkedin.com/in/stuartcrawfordwww.twitter.com/stuartrcrawfordwww.twitter.com/bulletproofITwww.twitter.com/calgarybusiness

Q & A