So You've Asked People To 'Like' Your Facebook Page, Now What?

I have a lot of friends who are small business owners.  Unfortunately many of them haven't included social media tactics in their overall business strategy. *sigh*  But, THAT's another topic for another time.   

Back to the subject at hand... 

So...you've asked people to 'like' your new Facebook company page.  Now what?   First and most important, look at your company's business goals.  Remember: 

Social Media is Not a One-Off  =  Your social media strategy shouldn't have its own agenda.  It should align with your overall business strategy.  For example, if one of your key issues as a company is to raise the level of awareness around a new product or service, then your social media efforts should support that.  

Create An Editorial Calendar - An editorial calendar is basically a daily listing of posts that will go on your page. Relevant, consistent, engaging content is super important on Facebook.  Sure, being spontaneous is a part of social media.  But remember, you want to focus on your overall business goal(s) too.  An editorial calendar will help you do that.  It will help you stay on track.  

Keep Your Posts Short & Sweet - No one has time to sit and read a thesis about your product and whatnot.  Keep it short.  The shorter, the better. 

Add Images - A post without an image is like a cupcake with no icing.  Blah.  Content is moving fast on Facebook. People are seeing all kinds of things in their feed.  You want to grab someone's attention quickly.  Great images can do that.    

Real Time Engagement - Not only do you want to add fans to your page, but you want to interact with them too. You want to answer their questions, respond to their compliments and assist them if they have a problem.  If you can't do these things personally, hire someone who can. 

Understand & Utilize Facebook Insights - Insights is sooooo valuable!  This tool will show you who your fans are, where they live, what posts they like, what times of day they're online, etc.  Get familiar with Insights.  It will help you find out which content works best for your audience and how you can improve. 

Scheduled Posts - You can schedule posts on Facebook.  In fact, you can schedule posts up to six months in the future.  How cool is that?!  With this feature, you'll be able to post more content without being strapped to a computer all the time. 

I know this seems like a lot, but if you really want your business/brand to have a successful Facebook page, you have to take it seriously.  Start with these things first.  I think you'll be pretty impressed with your results.  

Photos Of The Week: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr - The Family Man

As we take time out today to remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the civil rights leader and humanitarian, we shouldn't forget what an amazing family man he was.

I love these pictures of him!  They tell his story much better than I ever could.... 

You're Being Interviewed By The Media? Here's What NOT To Do!

Take a look at this interview with former reality star Kate Gosselin and her twin daughters.  Brace yourself.  It's brutal.



Awkward, right?  My guess is that Ms. Gosselin's publicist prepped her and her girls for this interview.  But when the cameras started rolling...something happened.  The kids became nervous (understandable).  Emotions took over (common mistake).  And the interview took a left turn with the reporter's questions (it happens). 

Know this: Great interviews don't just randomly happen.  No. No. No.  Preparation is key!  

Tips:

• As an interviewee, you have to know what you want to accomplish in the interview.  Ask yourself - What is my goal here?
  
  
• Decide what it is you want to say.  Create 3-4 key messages and stick to them.
  
  
• During your interview, stay focused and confident.  Remember, you're there to accomplish your goal!
  
  
• If you're asked a question and you don't know the answer, say so.

Being interviewed by the media can be extremely intimidating.  Without the right preparation, you could end up making a fool of yourself.  No one wants that, right?  Right!

A Press Release Is NOT a PR Strategy

I received a "SOS/help" text message recently from someone looking for a press release template.  A template?  In all fairness, this person doesn't work in PR.  And to my knowledge, they've never worked with a publicist or a PR professional directly on a project (In other words: They've never hired a PR person).  I don't know why this person needed a press release, and I totally understand their blindness when it comes to PR, but it got me to thinking....  

Sooooo many people think that the magical, enchanted press release is the key to gaining positive exposure for their product, client and/or service. That somehow, sending a press release is going to land them a spot in a national publication or popular network show. Nope.  Nothing could be farther from the truth! 

Now, don't get me wrong.  A press release does serve a purpose.  But, it's simply a tactic; A piece of an overall PR strategy. Tip: In order to be effective, a press release should be relevant and newsworthy.  It should tell a story of value, and it should be well written. Why?  If your press release is created correctly, your chances of having it published "as is" increases significantly.    

Sending out a press release to the media is great, but it shouldn't be the extent of your PR plan.  It's equivalent to trying to swim in three feet of water.  You'll just be flapping and kicking your heart out...and going nowhere.

Pic Of The Week (Girl Power)

The Golden Globes aired last night.  Actress Lupita Nyong'o (12 Years a Slave) shut it down in a gorgeous Ralph Lauren ensemble.  Talk about Girl Power!  Whew.  Gah.  Gorgeous.

Don't Downplay Your Dopeness For ANYONE

                                  “A girl should be two things: who and what she wants.”  - Coco Chanel 

I love EVERYTHING about this picture.  This is Iris Apfel.  She's 93 years young.  She's a businesswoman, interior designer and fashion icon.  In 2012, at the age of 90, she became a visiting professor at the University of Texas at Austin.  Listen.  Miss Iris is the bizness (no typo).  Blue eyeshadow, red lips, funky glasses, gaudy jewelry and all!  

I could do a post about finding your little light and letting it shine, but I won't.  I could remind you to do you and forget about what everyone else thinks, but you already know. This photo pretty much sums it up: Be true to your heart.  Be fearless.  Be you.

  



  

Happy Birthday Zora!

If you want me to turn into a chatter box, ask me about The Harlem Renaissance.  I looooooove this period of time in history.  LOVE.  

The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural movement in the 1920's.  It was a creative awakening when African Americans fully embraced literary, musical, theatrical and visual arts.  The movement originated in the Harlem section of New York, but wasn't confined to that area.  Its impact grew and created a huge impact on the consciousness of the world.
  
Zora Neale Hurston was one of The Harlem Renaissance's most popular artists.  An amazing storyteller, her writings were bold and honest.  She was fearless and made no apologies for living her life exactly how she wanted.  If you really want to experience her greatness, read Their Eyes Were Watching God.  Zora wrote it in 1937, after the ending of a love affair she had with a younger man.  A beautiful piece of work.  A masterpiece.

Today is Zora's birthday (she passed away in 1960).  I wish I had an opportunity to meet her.  I think we would have liked each other.  We're both from Florida.  Writing is our first love.  We both have a wicked sense of humor. Soooo much in common!  Yeah, we would have definitely hit it off.  The best way I can honor her now is to try & live my life the way her writings read: Vivid, spirit-filled, fearless and love embodied.  

The universe gave birth to a gift named Zora.  For that, we should all collectively give a heartfelt...thank you.