Using Social Media Marketing
 to Connect with Customers
     and Increase Sales

         A Hot Topic
• Moderator: Glen McCandless
  President, Focus Marketing; Publisher, SellingToSchools.com
• Panelists
  – Brandi Heinz Brown
    Social Media + E-commerce Manager, ETA hand2mind
  – Charlene Blohm
    President, C. Blohm & Associates
  – Ileana Rowe
    Principal, Corporate Growth
  – Mitch Weisburgh
    Managing Partner, Academic Business Advisors, LLC
Our Goal for This Session is to…
Meet your expectations based on the
description in the conference program:
– Why social media; How to get started.
– What networks to use? How to get best results.
– Social media as part of your overall marketing strategy
– How social media marketing can be used to attract and
  retain more customers
– Best practices for K-12 and hi-ed audiences
Audience Poll
Why invest in
social media marketing (SMM)?
         Convince Me!
What are the benefits of SMM?




According to
a survey of
marketing
managers
Choices, choices, choices …
Which SM
networks do we
use to engage
various
stakeholders?
Twitter, Google+, or Plurk
  • Educators often raise their problems
  • Educators look for good information or links
  • You can connect if you can offer advice or
    links that helps them in their jobs and lives
  • If you connect, you increased your brand
    recognition
Potential Users   Users   Thought Leaders
#Edchat and other chats
  • Expands your network of contacts
  • Find out what mindshare leaders are
    talking about
  • If you contribute valuably, connectors are
    more likely to share your information

Potential Users   Users   Thought Leaders
EduPln, Classroom 2.0, and other
         Ning Communities
• These members are often the technology
  leaders, and you can connect with them
• Many tech savvy teachers go to these
  sites, and if they see your name, you have
  increased your brand recognition

Thought Leaders   Potential Users
EdWeb, WeAreTeachers, and other
    proprietary communities
• You can be a sponsor to directly reach
  their members
     – Run a contest
     – Run webinars
     – Advertise

Potential Users
Reading & Commenting on Blogs
 • Blog writers are often thought leaders:
   market research
 • Potential buyers & users read these blogs
 • Blog article links are often valuable to Tweet
   to other educators, while also connecting you
   to the blog writer if you site them

Thought Leaders
Writing Blogs
• Places you as an expert or thought leader if your
  blog content if valuable to educators
• Tweet to hashtags to make entries better known
• When potential buyers look for you, they will find
  your blog articles
• Method of staying in touch with potential users
  and buyers who subscribe

Prospects   Customers   Thought Leaders   Potential DMs   Users
LinkedIn
 • Industry groups, but not many educators
 • Post job openings and look for jobs
 • Become known within the industry by
   responding to group posts



Education Community   Thought Leaders
Facebook
• I’ve yet to see a well used education
  business page
• Follow some groups of educators to
  expand your network
• Contribute links and advice to groups to
  be perceived as helpful and a thought
  leader
Users   Potential Users
Diigo, LiveBinders, and other social
            bookmarking
• Keep track and tag links that will be helpful
• Recall links when they are relevant to a
  question that was raised



Potential Users   Users   Thought Leaders
How to get started:
 Vendor options, costs, required resources
What do you really need?
• Overall strategy and messaging
• Implementation and development
• Ongoing content creation and management
• Tracking campaign results and ROI
Resource: How To Spend Money on Social Media, http://socialfresh.com/social-
media-is-an-investment/
How much are you willing to pay for it?
• Social Media isn’t FREE!
• Remember your goals need to be aligned
  with your available resources
• No budget for SMM? If you’re already
  allocating marketing dollars to print, TV,
  radio or directory listings, evaluate the ROI
  with hard data. Can you reallocate?
Costs Infographic




Resource: http://www.scribbal.com/2011/05/infographic-how-much-does-social-media-really-cost/
How to get it done
•   Full-service agency
•   Consultant
•   Full-time hire
•   Training (for current staff)
•   Free online resources
•   A blended approach
Effectiveness vs.
Effort and Use of SMM

There are many
channel options!
Expect to apply
more effort
(resources) to get
better results or to
expand SMM
channels
The Steps
1.   Use Your Network – ask for referrals
2.   Expanding Your Search – online directories/investinsocial.com
3.   Ask, Ask, Ask
     – Who will be managing my account?
     – Will you be implementing recommendations or will I?
     – What tracking tools do you use?
     – Which metrics do you actively track and report on?
     – Once the engagement has ended how will the transition process work?
     – Which accounts will I have access to and which will I own upon contract
       completion?
     – Can you provide writing samples from any content creators working on my
       account?
     – How will I be updated regarding my campaigns progress? Weekly call?
       Email? Monthly report?
     – How will you recruit new followers and fans?
Putting it all together
1) Get your house in order – The Foundation
    Website/Blog – usable, strong calls to action, easy to find
    great content for your target audience, keyword-rich landing
    pages
2) Research/Listen
    Create a listening station for your brand and industry terms
    Survey current clients
    Research top industry blogs, tweet chats, hashtags, etc.
    Find key influencers
    Keyword research
    Study competitors
Monitoring:
     Who’s talking about us, and where?
Start with brand mentions, then build out your keywords.
Example:
   – Started with Follett = Too many results!
   – Revised to “Follett Software” and “Follett-ken”
   – Misspellings and abbreviations: “Follet” and “Follett Lib”
Do it with:
   – Google Alerts
   – Save Twitter Searches
   – Did you know you can track links to your website by saving
     a search on your website URL?
Monitoring Others:
Industry Topics and the Competition
Topical Hashtags      Keywords
• #edchat             • Relevant to your industry
• #edtech             • ebooks
• #mathchat           • Manipulatives
• #ntchat             • Math manipulatives

Conference Hashtags   Competitors
• #etis12             • Company names
• #iste12             • Company social accounts
• #ira2012
3) Goals/Objectives
     What do you want to achieve with social media?
     Measurable KPI’s
     Realistic/Time sensitive
4) Strategize
     Create your plan to achieve and measure your goals
     Define target/create personas
     Concept creation
     Tactics/Tools
     Content strategy/Editorial calendar
5) Launch!
     Create your assets, profiles, blog posts, etc.
6) Evaluate
     Weekly/Monthly reporting
     Review of KPI’s
     Testing
     Tweaking / Optimizing
Reporting
Weekly Dashboard
• Exposure
  (Reach/Views/Clicks)
• Engagement
  (Interactions)
• Growth
• Website Referrals
• Highlight posts
edWeb.net at ETA hand2mind

Started in January 2012
Keys to success:
• Hot Topic
• Focused Audience
Community Performance
Members:                          672
April Live Webinar Attendees:     ~50
Total Webinar Viewings:         2,273
Average Views/Webinar:            568
Pinterest
Most popular pins (2 of
top 6 are our products!)
Some Examples
The 30-30-40 Rule™
Channel          Possible Strategies
Facebook     •    Service providers: showcase personality for company or brand
             •    Content providers: credentials/thought leadership, contests and
                  promotions, sales leads

Twitter      •    Consumer engagement
             •    Media relations
             •    Research
             •    Customer service
Pinterest    •    Promote products and link back to online catalog
             •    Illustrations and ideas for customer use
             •    Sales leads
SlideShare   •    Thought leadership
             •    Sales presentation
             •    “How to” and “What to” featuring products or services
YouTube      •    Showcase faces/voices of leadership team and customers

Google+      •    Similar to Twitter and Facebook, plus higher SEO in Google
                  rankings
LinkedIn     •    Employee or customer recruitment
             •    Credentials/thought leadership and networking
Tying SMM to
Online Strategy
Contact Information
                 Moderator
• Glen McCandless
  gmccandless@educationmarketexperts.com

                 Panelists
•   Charlene Blohm charlene@cblohm.com
•   Brandi Heinz Brown brandi.heinz@gmail.com
•   Ileana Rowe iqr@comcast.net
•   Mitch Weisburgh mitch.weisburgh@academicbiz.com

Social Media Marketing Full Presentation

  • 1.
    Using Social MediaMarketing to Connect with Customers and Increase Sales A Hot Topic
  • 2.
    • Moderator: GlenMcCandless President, Focus Marketing; Publisher, SellingToSchools.com • Panelists – Brandi Heinz Brown Social Media + E-commerce Manager, ETA hand2mind – Charlene Blohm President, C. Blohm & Associates – Ileana Rowe Principal, Corporate Growth – Mitch Weisburgh Managing Partner, Academic Business Advisors, LLC
  • 3.
    Our Goal forThis Session is to… Meet your expectations based on the description in the conference program: – Why social media; How to get started. – What networks to use? How to get best results. – Social media as part of your overall marketing strategy – How social media marketing can be used to attract and retain more customers – Best practices for K-12 and hi-ed audiences
  • 4.
  • 5.
    Why invest in socialmedia marketing (SMM)? Convince Me!
  • 6.
    What are thebenefits of SMM? According to a survey of marketing managers
  • 7.
    Choices, choices, choices… Which SM networks do we use to engage various stakeholders?
  • 8.
    Twitter, Google+, orPlurk • Educators often raise their problems • Educators look for good information or links • You can connect if you can offer advice or links that helps them in their jobs and lives • If you connect, you increased your brand recognition Potential Users Users Thought Leaders
  • 9.
    #Edchat and otherchats • Expands your network of contacts • Find out what mindshare leaders are talking about • If you contribute valuably, connectors are more likely to share your information Potential Users Users Thought Leaders
  • 10.
    EduPln, Classroom 2.0,and other Ning Communities • These members are often the technology leaders, and you can connect with them • Many tech savvy teachers go to these sites, and if they see your name, you have increased your brand recognition Thought Leaders Potential Users
  • 11.
    EdWeb, WeAreTeachers, andother proprietary communities • You can be a sponsor to directly reach their members – Run a contest – Run webinars – Advertise Potential Users
  • 12.
    Reading & Commentingon Blogs • Blog writers are often thought leaders: market research • Potential buyers & users read these blogs • Blog article links are often valuable to Tweet to other educators, while also connecting you to the blog writer if you site them Thought Leaders
  • 13.
    Writing Blogs • Placesyou as an expert or thought leader if your blog content if valuable to educators • Tweet to hashtags to make entries better known • When potential buyers look for you, they will find your blog articles • Method of staying in touch with potential users and buyers who subscribe Prospects Customers Thought Leaders Potential DMs Users
  • 14.
    LinkedIn • Industrygroups, but not many educators • Post job openings and look for jobs • Become known within the industry by responding to group posts Education Community Thought Leaders
  • 15.
    Facebook • I’ve yetto see a well used education business page • Follow some groups of educators to expand your network • Contribute links and advice to groups to be perceived as helpful and a thought leader Users Potential Users
  • 16.
    Diigo, LiveBinders, andother social bookmarking • Keep track and tag links that will be helpful • Recall links when they are relevant to a question that was raised Potential Users Users Thought Leaders
  • 17.
    How to getstarted: Vendor options, costs, required resources What do you really need? • Overall strategy and messaging • Implementation and development • Ongoing content creation and management • Tracking campaign results and ROI Resource: How To Spend Money on Social Media, http://socialfresh.com/social- media-is-an-investment/
  • 18.
    How much areyou willing to pay for it? • Social Media isn’t FREE! • Remember your goals need to be aligned with your available resources • No budget for SMM? If you’re already allocating marketing dollars to print, TV, radio or directory listings, evaluate the ROI with hard data. Can you reallocate?
  • 19.
  • 21.
    How to getit done • Full-service agency • Consultant • Full-time hire • Training (for current staff) • Free online resources • A blended approach
  • 22.
    Effectiveness vs. Effort andUse of SMM There are many channel options! Expect to apply more effort (resources) to get better results or to expand SMM channels
  • 23.
    The Steps 1. Use Your Network – ask for referrals 2. Expanding Your Search – online directories/investinsocial.com 3. Ask, Ask, Ask – Who will be managing my account? – Will you be implementing recommendations or will I? – What tracking tools do you use? – Which metrics do you actively track and report on? – Once the engagement has ended how will the transition process work? – Which accounts will I have access to and which will I own upon contract completion? – Can you provide writing samples from any content creators working on my account? – How will I be updated regarding my campaigns progress? Weekly call? Email? Monthly report? – How will you recruit new followers and fans?
  • 24.
    Putting it alltogether 1) Get your house in order – The Foundation Website/Blog – usable, strong calls to action, easy to find great content for your target audience, keyword-rich landing pages 2) Research/Listen Create a listening station for your brand and industry terms Survey current clients Research top industry blogs, tweet chats, hashtags, etc. Find key influencers Keyword research Study competitors
  • 25.
    Monitoring: Who’s talking about us, and where? Start with brand mentions, then build out your keywords. Example: – Started with Follett = Too many results! – Revised to “Follett Software” and “Follett-ken” – Misspellings and abbreviations: “Follet” and “Follett Lib” Do it with: – Google Alerts – Save Twitter Searches – Did you know you can track links to your website by saving a search on your website URL?
  • 26.
    Monitoring Others: Industry Topicsand the Competition Topical Hashtags Keywords • #edchat • Relevant to your industry • #edtech • ebooks • #mathchat • Manipulatives • #ntchat • Math manipulatives Conference Hashtags Competitors • #etis12 • Company names • #iste12 • Company social accounts • #ira2012
  • 27.
    3) Goals/Objectives What do you want to achieve with social media? Measurable KPI’s Realistic/Time sensitive 4) Strategize Create your plan to achieve and measure your goals Define target/create personas Concept creation Tactics/Tools Content strategy/Editorial calendar 5) Launch! Create your assets, profiles, blog posts, etc. 6) Evaluate Weekly/Monthly reporting Review of KPI’s Testing Tweaking / Optimizing
  • 28.
    Reporting Weekly Dashboard • Exposure (Reach/Views/Clicks) • Engagement (Interactions) • Growth • Website Referrals • Highlight posts
  • 29.
    edWeb.net at ETAhand2mind Started in January 2012 Keys to success: • Hot Topic • Focused Audience Community Performance Members: 672 April Live Webinar Attendees: ~50 Total Webinar Viewings: 2,273 Average Views/Webinar: 568
  • 30.
    Pinterest Most popular pins(2 of top 6 are our products!)
  • 31.
  • 32.
  • 33.
    Channel Possible Strategies Facebook • Service providers: showcase personality for company or brand • Content providers: credentials/thought leadership, contests and promotions, sales leads Twitter • Consumer engagement • Media relations • Research • Customer service Pinterest • Promote products and link back to online catalog • Illustrations and ideas for customer use • Sales leads SlideShare • Thought leadership • Sales presentation • “How to” and “What to” featuring products or services YouTube • Showcase faces/voices of leadership team and customers Google+ • Similar to Twitter and Facebook, plus higher SEO in Google rankings LinkedIn • Employee or customer recruitment • Credentials/thought leadership and networking
  • 34.
  • 35.
    Contact Information Moderator • Glen McCandless gmccandless@educationmarketexperts.com Panelists • Charlene Blohm charlene@cblohm.com • Brandi Heinz Brown brandi.heinz@gmail.com • Ileana Rowe iqr@comcast.net • Mitch Weisburgh mitch.weisburgh@academicbiz.com

Editor's Notes

  • #32 3/4 Americans use social technology
  • #35 Our home base is our website