Lesson 6: Linked-In

Intro:

Bonjour! And Bienvenue to week 6. You getting more comfortable with all these concepts? Hopefully they’re not feeling as foreign? There’s so much content to cover and these first several weeks are dedicated to introductions. If you’re not so new, bear with us, in later weeks we will go more in depth. But keeping with these first several weeks, today we’re giving you your first introduction to the most business oriented social networking site, Linked-In.

Lesson:

Here’s a short video we thought summed up the possibilities with Linked-In. Watch it Here

Here’s the second video lesson to watch this week. This one is a bit longer:

LinkedIn Explained http://vimeo.com/7383707 LinkedIn Explained

Action Items:

Do you have a Linked-In profile? Yes, No? If no, get one! If you’re not sure exactly what to do with it yet, don’t worry. You’ll learn as you go, but it’s a big step to sit down and fill out the information – make sure your profile reads 100% complete. Then once you have it, connect with us. Let us know how you’re doing by using this social media tool.

Sandi on LinkedIn
Allan on LinkedIn

You can also create your handy LinkedIn signature to share on your blog or as your email signature:

LinkedIn Signature

Sandra Maki First LadyInSights Group, Brighton, MI 10355 Citation Drive Brighton, MI 48116 US		Work: 810-623-5839 Mobile: 248-798-0239 Email: smaki@insights-group.com http://www.linkedin.com/in/sandimaki
See who we know in common		Want a signature like this

Feedback:

If you have questions on these videos or any other social media topic email us at info@insights-group.com.com or you can search for answers on our website, InSights-Group.com or InSightsForDentists.com.

Lesson 5: Facebook

Intro:

Happy Lesson 5! Here we are, onto a new topic, and onto a new medium. Hopefully you understand a bit of blogging and social media because we’re getting specific, our new topic: Facebook.

Lesson:

We’ve got a video from our archives about Facebook. This was recorded prior to Facebook’s most recent changes – though many of the concepts remain the same. So watch it if you need to become more familiar with some of the functions, but keep in mind some things have changed. Read more about the changes here.

http://vimeo.com/7334178

Facebook: Navigation http://vimeo.com/7334178 Facebook Navigation

Next:
Read these two short articles below. We’ve written them to give you some basic to-dos for facebook.

FACEBOOK INTRO PART 1

There has been much written about how to use Facebook properly and effectively, and still many people miss the very fundamental items that make being on Facebook worth the time and effort. So here are the basics:

1. You must have a photo. If you don’t, you might as well not have a profile in the first place. If you don’t have a photo, you’re not even in the game.
2. Your main profile photo should be of you – not your significant other, your kids, your dog, your motorcycle, or your favorite sunset. There are other places in your profile to put photos of your favorite things.
3. Your photo should be of your face, not some long-distance shot where no one can even see your face. And no sunglasses, hats, other people or other objects in the photo.
4. If you can, having a professional photographer take a professional headshot is a fantastic idea, and very much worth the money.
5. There’s a text box in the left-hand column right below your profile photo – use it for a quickie synopsis of who you are, what you do, the name of your business if you have one, and your website or blog address. While your personal profile is not the place to actively promote your business, it’s OK (and a good idea) to mention your business in this space.
6. Put a lot of information in the Info section of your profile. Information about people is interesting to people. You want people to get to know you, and limiting this section to your basic contact info does not further that cause. They want to know your interests, hobbies, favorite things, affiliations, and so forth.
7. Be active. Posting once a week will not garner much attention. It doesn’t take long to make a short post. Do it at least once a day, maybe more.

FACEBOOK INTRO PART 2

The name on your Facebook personal profile must be your name, not your business name.  This is perhaps the most egregious mistake that anyone makes on Facebook.  If you are John Smith who owns ABC Company, then your personal profile must be named John Smith, not ABC Company, and the photo must be of you, not your company logo.  Personal profiles are just that – personal.  They are not to be used for your business.  If you have already made this mistake, undoing it might be painful and awkward, but necessary.

Do not use your personal profile to actively promote your business.  You can mention your business activities frequently, but not in a “sales” tone.  Saying “I met with a client today and signed a deal for ____.” is different than saying “Call me for a quote on your _____!”  The first is simply telling about your life and activities.  The second is an attempt to sell.  Facebook is not a place to sell anything.

Action Items:

• Do you have a facebook profile or fanpage? If not, make one and send us your first friend request. Be sure to add to your business page us by inviting your friends below the photo on your new business page.
• Make sure to pay attention to the following:  A professional, consistent, easily identifiable picture.
• Do you have information about yourself? If someone were to look at your page do they get a feeling of knowing you? Pretend you’re someone else looking at your page, what do you see?
• If you have made the mistake of mixing your personal profile with too much business, see about fixing it.

Feedback:

If you have questions on these videos or any other social media topic email us at info@insights-group.com.com or you can search for answers on our website, InSights-Group.com or InSightsForDentists.com.

Lesson 4: Blogging – Advanced

Intro:

Welcome to the last week of your first month, if you are a bit confused or lost or needing help from last week, we’re here again, going deeper in last week’s topic, blogging. Watch this quick video about RSS feeds first.

Lesson:

WordPress Lessons (Link to 7 Training Tutorials) If you are a wordpress user, you will find these tutorials especially helpful. They apply to the self hosted wordpress platform (installed on your domain). If you are using a WordPress site hosted at WordPress.com some of the functions will be different – and we HIGHLY recommend that you get wordpress hosted on your site, or purchase an additional hosting plan and move it over. If you need any help with this, please let us know!

Action Items:

Last week you were given the task to look up some blogs out there, to see what you like and what you don’t. This week, it’s time to prepare your blog. After watching the videos, you’ve heard some other people’s stories now it’s time for your own ideas.  Think now about your blog. What do you want to say, what do you want people to know? Become the interactive writer. Start! Here are some content creation tips:

Content – Content – Content

• Make sure that you use short headlines that will influence someone to click because they have to get the rest of the story.
• The first sentence of your post is also critical. It’s what people will see when automation happens to the various social media sites.
• Tell a story in your post with relevant keywords.
• People like quick bullet pointed lists, it makes the content easier to skim.
• Be positive and inspiring. That gets huge response and share rates.
• If you have a new post, share with the words: “new post” or “this just in” to let people know that it’s not something they’ve seen before.
• Share at the times of day when your audience is likely to see your content. Early morning, evenings and weekends.
• Share appropriate content at appropriate times. Business news early in the business day, inspiration and entertainment evenings and weekends.
• Inspire, inform, educate and repeat.
• If you want comments on your post, ask for them. If you don’t ask we don’t answer.

Action Items:
1. Create your Gravatar
Create your Gravatar: Go to the site gravatar.com and using your email address (hopefully you have one dedicated to your social media engagement) set up an account, add your photo, list your website and save. Now, when you post comments on blogs, your photo will show up with it. We’ll know when you’ve completed this task as well, because our Mailchimp service will now show us your smiling photo. Way to go!

2. Write 3 Blog posts, 100-250 words and email them over. We’ll give you some feedback and you’ll be ready to post!

Feedback:

If you have questions on these videos or any other social media topic email us at info@insights-group.com.com or you can search for answers on our website, InSights-Group.com or InSightsForDentists.com.

Lesson 3: Blogging Explained

Intro:

Welcome to week three! How are you liking this? After two weeks do you think you understand the basics and benefits of social media? Well even if not yet completely, keep leaning into the process, and in later lessons we’ll revisit these topics. This week, you’re going to test the waters with “blogging”. We are continuing on with our lovely videos, this week discussing the whys and how-tos of the become your own writer world of “blogging”. Here’s a quick video explanation of blogging to watch before you get into the longer lesson below.

Lesson:

1. Watch the Blogging Explained Video

Blogging http://vimeo.com/7242859 Blogging Explained

Alternate Link: Blogging Explained
2. Next, head over to this cool article: What does web design say about your small business
3. Here is a discussion of wordpress themes, and a few free wordpress themes to browse.
4. Here’s a great article about blogging, of course it’s awesome!
5. Let us know if we should talk about the design of your website. We can help!

Action Items:

Having watched the video, what did you learn? Is it all new information, have you heard some of it before? Your task this week is to look up some blogs for topics you’re interested in, or pertain to your business. What do you see that you like, that you don’t like? Notice the styles of different people out there. If you think a blog might be for you or your company, think like your consumer at these blogs. How would you make them different?

Send in your responses to the following questions:

1. Determine your target audience. What is the demographic? Is there more than one? What are they interested in? Segment your audience as appropriate.
2. Then make a list of categories of content you would like to share with each of the target segments.
3. What are some important keywords about your business that you should keep in mind?

Feedback:

If you have questions on these videos or any other social media topic email us at info@insights-group.com.com or you can search for answers on our website, InSights-Group.com or InSightsForDentists.com.

Lesson 2

Introduction:

Welcome back! It’s lesson two time! You got your first taste last week and now you’re here for more. Well then, we shall move on to the lesson without delay. This week be prepared to learn more about Social Media.

Lesson:

Watch the video below:

Social Media II http://vimeo.com/7265617 Social Media 2

Alternate Link: Social Media 2

Action Items:

This week we’d like you to begin thinking about your plan – and building your foundation.

Please send an email back to our team answering the following questions:

1. Name/Company

2. What does your company do? What do you specialize in?

3. Do you use social media? For what?

4. Do you have a blog, or do you plan to create one?

What are your business objectives for participating in Social Media?
1.
2.
3.
4.

Feedback:

If you have questions on these videos or any other social media topic email us at info@insights-group.com.com or you can search for answers on our website, InSights-Group.com or InSightsForDentists.com.

Due to popular demand, our Social Media Series is being released one lesson at a time. Feel free to jump in wherever you find yourself. Happy Socializing!

Lesson 1: Social Media Explained

Intro:

Welcome to your first week as an email student of Social Media and related practices! This week we’re starting with the basics, what is social media. To help demonstrate these foreign concepts we’re bringing you parts one and two of “Social Media Explained”. Enjoy! (Here’s a quick video we thought you might enjoy)

Lesson:

Social Media 1 Part 1 http://vimeo.com/7242933 Social Media 1 Part 1

Social Media 1 Part 2 http://vimeo.com/7248995 Social Media 1 Part 2

Alternate Site for viewing:
Social Media 1 Part 1

Social Media 1 Part 2

Action Items:

We realize that these two videos are long, so if you’ve stuck with it, we suggest you do this too. Think about what direction you want to take yourself, or your business in. Which site could you see you or your business on? One in particular? All of them? We challenge you to create your account, and for this first day, just play. Look around, take it in, figure out how it works, and connect with some friends.

Send us a link to your social media account profiles (copy/paste this into a reply email):

Name/Company
1. Website:
2. Blog:
3: Facebook Profile
4: Facebook Page (Business)
5. Twitter
6. LinkedIn
7. Youtube

Make sure you keep a list of your profiles somewhere handy as well. It will really help in future lessons as we are blogging and sharing some of our content.

Feedback:

If you have questions on these videos or any other social media topic email us at info@insights-group.com.com or you can search for answers on our website, InSights-Group.com or InSightsForDentists.com.