5W/25 Partner Training Partners Webcast Series“Focused on Growing your Business”www.mssmallbiz.com/training

Social Media 101Defining and Understanding How to Connect with Your Clients and Colleagues Using the Latest TechnologiesStuart R. CrawfordVP, Business DevelopmentBulletproof InfoTech

Insert PollClick what social networking/media sites you use todayFacebookLinkedInYoutubeTwitterBlogsOther

Introduction to social mediaWhat is social media?Is social media ready for business?Is business ready for social media?The pace of changeCan you keep up?Where do you start?Feeling just a bit overwhelmed?

Why Social Media and Why Now?Why is social media so important?Why is it important now?The evolution of businessThe Industrial AgeThe Information AgeThe Participation Age

The Industrial Age

The Information Age

The Participation Age

Are you ready for change?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…Information 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 bing search for “setting up a computer network”We need to change and change to survive!

It is not a technology…It is a way of being!Haven’t we been doing this all alongTelephoneLettersInteraction between peopleRumor millsCoffee clubsEmailHasn’t the tools just become more sophisticated?

Do you think you are in control?“You can’t take something off of the Internet. That’s like trying to take pee out of a swimming pool.”Joe Ragan, NewsradioAs quoted in “Groundswell” by Charlene Li and Josh Bernoff

Managing the porous wallKeeping on top of what is saidInternal communicationsExternal communicationsWhat is being saidHow to keep on top of itTips and Tricks

What is being said about you?How do you keep on top of things?Why is monitoring your business online important?What are others saying about you?What are your employees saying?Why is monitoring your business important?

What resources are available?Put into action immediatelyWe can you startBlogsTwitterLinkedInYouTubeBlogtalkradioOthersWhat is working and what is not?This is where your peers can help

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 prospectsWhat is working and what is not?What are your competitors doing?What are they not doing?

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

Become viralStart the spread of youInteresting stuff is spreadMake your information easy to shareBe interestingHave you thought about videoWhat about audioPictures say a thousand words

Life can be shared in 140 charactersIs Twitter in you?Start the viral spreadingShare interesting stories and ideasPromote others, clients, colleaguesEngage with your community“It’s 140 characters...If you need a ghostwriter for that, I feel sorry for you.”@The_Real_Shaq, New York Times, March 26, 2009 When Stars Twitter, a Ghost May Be Lurking

Business and Community using Twitter

What is on the horizonThe only thing for sure this year is change will happenWhat can you do now?What can you do tomorrow?What about your marketing plan?Have you considered your peersWhere do your clients fit in?What can you do to promote them?

Each of us is a teacherWe also need to educateAre you?Ready to embrace the old, new and futureCan you talk about the tools?Can you coach your clients?Being a recognized expert on the toolsSharing your knowledgeThe time for real leadership is now!

Answer questions and provide valueBlogs and LinkedIn – More than just networking!Do you have a blog?Is it a sales tool?Is it an educational tool?Are you attracting the perfect clients?LinkedinWho is in your network?Are you answering questions?Where do you hangout?

What is hotStuff you must do now!Just when you felt overloadedFrom Press Release to Social Media ReleaseVideo, Video, VideoBe your own Radio Star!Can you create social media games?What can you do differently than the competitorWho dares winsBetter is not always better

You control your own PRWe are all our own media outletCreate and distribute your own press releasesprlog.orgpitchengine.comwireservice.caLeverage social media to distribute what you donew solutionsnew productsnew clients

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

ConclusionIt just maybe too late!Social media is here to stayThe old ways need to be blended inBe a coach and a mentorYou 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 businessWatch what is being said about youBecome a Social Media coachLeverage video, radio and online tools

Leverage video, radio and online tools

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

PollWhat 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 Twitter, LinkedIn…www.facebook.com/stuart.crawford.calgary.computer.servicewww.linkedin.com/in/stuartcrawfordwww.twitter.com/scrawforditmwww.twitter.com/bulletproofITwww.twitter.com/calgarybusiness

Q & A

© 2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Microsoft, Windows, Windows Vista and other product names are or may be registered trademarks and/or trademarks in the U.S. and/or other countries.The information herein is for informational purposes only and represents the current view of Microsoft Corporation as of the date of this presentation. Because Microsoft must respond to changing market conditions, it should not be interpreted to be a commitment on the part of Microsoft, and Microsoft cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information provided after the date of this presentation. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.