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5 Ways You Can Improve Your Online Reputation

Tuesday, February 28th, 2012

Building an online brand and earning a solid reputation takes a lot of time and energy, but it only takes one disgruntled customer with a large enough audience of their own to leave your name tarnished. Observing, maintaining, and improving your online reputation is a crucial priority for any brand. If your name needs some lifting up, try these five suggestions to bolster your reputation on the internet.

#1 – Don't Hide from Criticism
No one can please everyone, and every business will encounter a customer from time to time who just isn't happy. Sometimes these customers will even take to their Twitter, Facebook, or blog accounts to let the world know what they have to say. This may be your worst marketing nightmare, but you can't hide under the covers and pretend it isn't happening. Speak up, correct misconceptions, offer apologies when necessary, and do whatever it takes to correct the situation. Let the unsatisfied customers – and anyone else following along – know that you are listening and that you care.

#2 – Encourage Satisfied Clients to Speak Up
You probably have more happy customers than you know. People are more likely to talk about a business they are unhappy with than the ones that meet their expectations. Create opportunities on your social media accounts for the people you've pleased to share what you're doing right.

#3 – Build Relationships with Your Loyal Customers
One of the largest benefits to social media is the ability to personalize your brand. Talk with your customers in a friendly manner. Let them know you appreciate their business. Interactions will encourage a priceless loyalty among your online followers.

#4 – Engage in Relevant Discussions
Spread word about your brand and promote a good reputation by joining online discussions that are relevant to your industry. Sharing valuable tips and insights with those in your field will create a personable and trustworthy reputation.

#5 – Find the People Talking about You
The most effective method for improving your online reputation is to know when it needs work and why. Pay close attention to your mentions on Twitter and scour the web for your company's name by using the Google alert feature. Thorough reputation tracking will help you find and solve reputation problems before they grow too large to manage.

If you are looking to improve your online reputation, our resources and extensive marketing network at AMA Tampa Bay can give you the help you need. Learn about the benefits of joining us today.

Tags: American Marketing Association, Florida, internet marketing, online branding, online reputation, Social Media, Tampa Bay
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Social Media: Why It’s a Must for Small Businesses

Tuesday, February 7th, 2012

It's not just teenagers logging in to their social media accounts every day to check their timelines and alerts. Many businesses now run their own accounts, which they update as fervently as your average 16-year-old. By using online tools such as blogs, Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn businesses can spread word of their services, effectively communicate with their customers, and advertise new deals and products without making a dent in their budgets. If you run a small business, it is about time that you, too, join the world of social media.

Make a Connection
Today's consumers love feeling as if they have a personal relationship with the companies they conduct business with. An active social media account can transform a distant and impersonal office into a friend. When a customer feels as if they know you as more than just a corporation, it inspires feelings of loyalty and trust. Along with using social media to share information, use it to make true connections with the people who support you and your professional efforts.

Spread Word Fast
Social media gives you an instant platform for quick communication anytime you need to announce a new product, make a change in office hours, ask for customer opinions, or respond to negative publicity. Instead of waiting until you publish the next monthly or seasonal company newsletter, any news you have can be shared within seconds through your social media accounts.

Find New Customers
Not only is social media an effective method of communicating with current customers, it can also help attract new clientele. Offering valuable content or discounts for followers will bring in a consistently increasing follower base. You can also track down and strike up conversations with people or businesses that fit your ideal customer profile.

How do you use social media to benefit your business? Share and learn from the extensive network at AMA Tampa Bay! Consider joining us today.

Tags: American Marketing Association, Facebook, Florida, LinkedIn, small businesses, Social Media, Tampa Bay, twitter
Posted in Social Media | 2 Comments »

Top Reasons Companies Fear Social Media (And Why They Shouldn’t)

Tuesday, December 27th, 2011

Social media isn't just for the 20 and under crowd anymore. Every day more businesses and publicly facing personnel create Facebook pages, Twitter accounts, and LinkedIn profiles. Although some companies are understandably hesitant about dipping their toes in these foreign waters, it could mean new levels of success for your business. Here are the top miscalculated reasons why you might be resisting the social media business revolution.

You Don’t Know Where to Start
If you aren’t using social media in your personal life, you might not know how to begin building online profiles for your business. Although signing up for these services is often self-explanatory, where will you go from there? Complete novices often outsource their social media efforts to experts, but a do-it-yourself approach is also feasible. Your efforts should be divided into two categories: establishing a connection with your customers and potential customers, and providing valuable insights, advice, and interactions with your followers. These are both characteristics that any business owner will naturally possess, regardless of his expertise with technology.

You’re Avoiding Public Criticism
Yes, social media has made many customer complaints more public – but this will happen whether you are involved in social media or not. Your involvement in the online world will actually give you a way to find disgruntled customers, reach out to them, and make things right. It will also provide your PR team with a platform to respond to negative publicity if it reaches the masses.

You Have Doubts about Your ROI
Social media may be free, but it will cost you time. How will you know that your efforts will be worth the extra hours you and your staff put into an online presence? Although finding exact numbers could be difficult, it is common business sense to go where your customers are. If you are targeting an audience of people who frequently use social networking sites, you need to establish your name there with them.

Looking for tips on launching a successful Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn account? Consult with social media veterans through our network. Learn about all the benefits of joining AMA today.

Tags: AMA Tampa Bay, Facebook, Florida, internet marketing, LinkedIn, Social Media, Tampa, twitter
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10 Ways to Get More “Likes” on Your Facebook Page

Tuesday, December 6th, 2011

Does your Facebook page resemble a ghost town these days? Use these tips to attract followers and increase interaction:

Establish a fan base with friends first. It’s intimating to be the first one to like a page. If you are just starting out with Facebook’s pages, create a foundation by asking your friends and family to click “like.”
Spread the word on your website, blog, or other social networking accounts. Facebook will give you a page badge, or “like” button, that you can place on your own site.
Fill out the employment section. Type in the name of your page in the employer field while filling out your personal profile, and an easy link will be created at the top of your wall.
Include a link in your email signature. As long as you have 25 or more followers, you can create a custom URL. Include the link at the end of your standard email signature.
Mention your Facebook page on your business cards. Not every person who gets your card will have an immediate need for your services, but providing them with a Facebook page will give them a way to instantly connect with you in the time being.
Create Incentive to Join. Whether you hold seasonal contests or provide discounts for Facebook followers, your customers need a convincing reason to sign up.
Communicate clear information about your business. Getting potential new customers to your page is only half the battle. Now you need to convince them to click “like.” Have you effectively articulated what your business is and how it can help them?
Deliver quality content. The best tip for attracting and keeping a following is providing value in your updates. Most Facebook users will peruse your last few updates before deciding to like a page.
Update regularly. If a potential follower notices that you haven’t posted anything in months, they probably won’t like your page even if they love your business.
Interact with your customers. Facebook thrives on community. Show your potential followers that if they like your page you will listen to what they have to say and build a relationship with them.

Our network of marketing professionals can help you achieve immediate growth on your Facebook page. Join us to share and receive tips on all forms of online marketing.

Tags: American Marketing Association, Facebook, Florida, online marketing, Social Media, social networking, Tampa Bay
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5 Ways LinkedIn Can Benefit Your Business

Tuesday, November 15th, 2011

If you’re looking for a way to build an online presence for your business, signing up for the social networking site LinkedIn might be your first step. Unlike other internet social scenes, such as Facebook or Twitter, LinkedIn is designed specifically with businesses and professionals in mind. You won’t need to wade through seas of animal pictures, goofy videos, or mindless chatter to find information about the resources, networks, or job candidates you are looking for. Not certain about how LinkedIn can help your company? Here are five ways the network routinely helps companies every work day:

Pull in new customers. Interacting in groups relevant to your industry, or answering questions from other users will spread your company’s name and grab the attention of potential future customers.
Connect with your clients. Linking up with current or past clients will remind them of your services and products, keep your name fresh in their mind, and give you an easy way to alert them about changes or additions happening within your business.
Network with other professionals. Instead of viewing other similar businesses as competition, LinkedIn transforms them into valuable resources. When you face challenging circumstances or decisions, you can ask questions or seek opinions from others in your industry.
Search for new hires. Whether you need another employee, or you want to outsource certain tasks, LinkedIn can show you the resumes, portfolios, or recommendations for potential workers.
Find investors. LinkedIn can help connect you with investors who might be interested in funding a new start-up, project or expansion.

A network of professionals will help you build a strong business and career. Along with LinkedIn, the American Marketing Association will provide you with the connections and resources you need for success. Learn about the benefits of joining us today.

Tags: American Marketing Association, Florida, internet marketing, LinkedIn, social networking, Tampa Bay
Posted in Social Media | 1 Comment »

Is Twitter a Marketer’s Friend?

Thursday, January 13th, 2011

Social media marketing is by now a staple product line at ad agencies as well as internal marketing departments. People are hooked on social media, so if a brand wants to reach that audience it must join in the conversation (as seems to be the preferred line at the end of commercials these days). There is no doubt that social media is a great means of reaching your audience and immediately sharing information with an engaged audience.

It seems as if Facebook comes to mind immediately when social media marketing is brought up. It makes sense; there are 500 million users and a lot of interaction, so this platform is a must. But you might be wondering about Twitter. Twitter is huge, with over 100 million users, and it is featured in prominent news programs, but is it good for marketing? The answer is most likely that it depends. Specifically it depends on what you sell and how you will use Twitter to your advantage.

Facts, Figures, and Statistics

A lot of Twitter metrics have been released over the last few months with 2010 ending, so it makes sense to look at several organizations’ metrics.

Digital Surgeons

According to Digital Surgeons, only 25% of Twitter users follow a brand at all. The positive news is that of this portion of Twitter users, 67% will specifically purchase the brands that they follow over other brands. That means that when you get a Twitter follower, you are communicating with an attentive and loyal customer. Other interesting tidbits include the fact that by Digital Surgeons’ metrics (which we should all take with a grain of salt) most Twitter users (88%) earn less than $100k a year. This might mean that if you are a brand that sells products at premium prices, then Twitter might not be your platform. But don’t get too wrapped up in that figure, because 76% of Twitter users are either in college or have a college education.

Twitter

It wouldn’t be prudent to ignore some of the facts that Twitter itself shares. They have a list of top trends in 2010 by category. Of the top ten technology trends, Twitter reports five trends that are specific products (mostly by Apple, along with one video game). Google Android and HTC made the list as well—not products, but still gold for anyone marketing those particular wares.

Under the “Movies” category, six of the top ten tweeted movies are geared towards kids. This can be interpreted as parents’ using Twitter to make recommendations to other parents. Think “I can’t believe I actually enjoyed Karate Kid” or similar statements. Remember that minors are the least prevalent age demographic on Twitter.

When it comes to sports, it was mostly individual athletes holding down the top ten spots, which could be useful to anyone who pays heavily tweeted athletes for endorsements or is looking for a new celebrity spokesperson.

What the Trend

What the Trend is an organization that tracks Twitter’s trending topics, then tries to delve into the data and clarify trends. For instance, Twitter reported Apple products as being five of the top ten technology trends, What the Trend lumps all of these products together and then states that Apple is the most tweeted-about company. There is definitely some usefulness to this extra bit of work. Of the top ten companies reported by What the Trend, eight are tec- based companies and only two, Uniqlo(fashion/clothing) and BBC (news media), exist outside of this industry. It doesn’t take a marketing genius to infer that techies would be more attracted to a tech-based platform like Twitter than others, but it still should be noted when putting together a marketing plan. When What the Trend broke down the top non-tech based companies the industries varied. Uniqlo and BBC took the top two spots but the rest of the list went as follows:

Lanvin-H&M-fashion
Capricho Magazine- print media (Brazil’s most popular teen magazine)
Nike- clothing and apparel
Four Loko- alcoholic beverages (keep in mind they got a lot of bad press so these weren’t all good tweets)
McDonald’s-restaurant
Air Tran/Southwest- airline
Cadbury-Kraft-food
TOMS Shoes- clothing and apparel

As you can see, all of these sets of metrics provide insight into who uses Twitter, which in turn allows marketers to use the platform more effectively. Keep in mind that Twitter “moves faster” than Facebook and many people use it for quick updates or information exchange. Twitter propels this by limiting your messages to 140 characters.

All in all, the best advice is to look at your products/services and see if they are relevant to the Twitter-sphere. You can try paying a popular Twitter personality to Tweet about you and then see what kind of response you get as a test run; it’s kind of a celebrity endorsement geared towards social media. You can also go all out and start a Twitter campaign–just make sure that you manage it correctly. With the right products and angle, you will likely find Twitter very effective.

For networking opportunities and the best information about marketing in the Tampa Bay area please visit the American Marketing Association of Tampa Bay online.

Sources:

Ad Age

Digital Surgeons

Twitter-Year in Review

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A Look Ahead

Bringing in a Ringer

Tags: American Marketing Association of Tampa Bay, professional organization Tampa, social media marketing, using Twitter for advertising
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