How to Engage Followers on Twitter

Chances are, your business already has its own Twitter page. Twitter is a great social platform that allows you to interact with your followers and share short messages. Yet many businesses find themselves getting hooked on increasing their followers, when really, they should be focusing on engaging their followers.

Consider this example. Company ABC goes through all the marketing efforts to draw in more followers. They have over 10,000, and they’re proud of this numbers status. Yet even with all of these followers, they rarely receive favorites, retweets or comments. On the other end, Company XYZ has only 2,000 followers, but their engagement is high. It seems like everything this company churns out gets some type of response. Which scenario is better?

Obviously, Company XYZ has done more to engage their followers, and instead of focusing on the number of people following their page, they put their effort into building strong rapports with their follower base. These are the types of people you want to be interacting with on social media because they are truly invested in your brand.

So, how exactly do you stop looking at the numbers and start engaging?

Tweet Valuable Content – Establish your brand as an authority, and start getting information out there that is relevant to your industry. Aim for unique content that only you may know about, as well as links to your blog and website.

Respond to Followers – It’s important that you keep the conversation going by responding to your followers. Check your page often so that you can respond to retweets, comments and questions.

Tweet Often – The beauty in Twitter is that you don’t have to be shy. Since you don’t want to tweet links all of the time, share a few fun facts every day, ask short questions or comment on a discussion regarding a trending topic.

Use Hashtags – Hashtags are a great way to group topics together, so be sure to throw some tweets in there that follow suit with trending topics. You only need to use hashtages in about 25 percent of your tweets for them to be effective.

Follow Back – Follow people who will have something in common with your brand. A true follower who is invested in your brand is better than one who just adds a number, so look for those who will find purpose in what you sell or do.

What are Hashtags and Should I be Using Them?

c/o: mashable.com

Hashtags. We’ve heard of them. We’ve seen them on tweets, status updates and Instagram photos. Sometimes they are overused, sometimes underused. These simple yet effective tools still have many businesses wondering, “Should I be using hashtags?”

A hashtag is a # symbol that is used to mark keywords. All keywords with a hashtag in front of them are then grouped together, making them easier to find. Hashtags got their start on Twitter, but the trend has emerged on social sites like Instagram and Facebook. Hashtags hold importance when joining a discussion, sharing news on a trending topic or creating more exposure for a post or photo.

In short – yes – your business should be using hashtags. The trick is that you should when to use them, as more isn’t better in this case. In fact, if you overuse hashtags, you’ll actually have less engagement.

The best reasons to use hashtags include the following:

Conversations – If you want to join in on a conversation, a hashtag makes perfect sense. This way, anyone searching under that particular tag will see your post come up in the discussion. Hashtags in this context actually do a good job of filtering out content, except in the case of #Superbowl that drew in a record 4,064 tweets per second.

Targeting – You probably have certain products that you would like to target to a particular group. A hashtag can help with this. You can use particular keywords to target moms, dog owners or body builders for instance.

Marketing Effort – If you dare, you can start your own hashtag and let it serve as a small marketing campaign. If it doesn’t work, you have nothing to lose, but if it does catch on, you have everything to gain. Domino’s Pizza encouraged their followers to tweet #letsdolunch and gave a special promotion once the number hit 85,000.

Follow Friday – #FollowFriday began in 2009 as a way to recommend followers to other followers. Think of it this way. You’re at a party, and there are plenty of people there. You introduce some of your favorite friends to a pal of yours, and he introduces some more and the chain goes on. The same happens with #FF, and it’s a great way to pick up new leads.

#ThanksforReading

5 Mobile Tech Trends in 2013

c/o: Nadia Meslem

Where desktops and laptops once ruled the roost, it’s now smartphones, tablets and notebooks that come out on top. Users enjoy their small frames that boast the same speed and power as any computer. Having appreciation for this new sector of the market is important for marketers since it allows us to expand our campaigns to meet the needs of the mobile market. Here are five trends to watch for in the coming months.

1. Big Screens

Smartphones and tablets may be lightweight, but the screens are growing bigger. Some of the hottest smartphones are boasting screens that are 5-inches in size, while tablets are going for 12-inch screens. Both sizes are designed to enhance the user friendliness of taking photos, web browsing and posting media. The good news is that you don’t have to sacrifice weight for screen size. Expect 2013 models to grow slimmer and lighter.

2. Near Field Communication

NFC is a technology that allows devices to communicate with each other when they are touching or at least near another. You’ve probably already seen some of the commercials showcasing this technology, but expect it to continue growing. In fact, NFC payments are up-and-coming, allowing people to tap their phones on a terminal to make a purchase.

3. Wireless Charging

Tired of carrying around that bulky charger everywhere you go? Soon you won’t have to. With everything else going wireless, it would only make sense that a charger would too. Wireless charging stations are popping up in restaurants, coffee shops and bars, and some new phones have wireless charging capabilities built into them while others need a separate charging back or cover.

4. Mobile Payment Processing

Instead of carrying around a bulky wallet, users are looking for virtual wallets instead. Google Wallet is one of the first of its kind, and even Apple has introduced Passbook. What these virtual wallets do is allow users to make payments over their phone. This payment system has been slow to grow, but the technology is catching up fast.

5. Personal Clouds

No longer do people place emphasis on having the physical copies of photos, videos or information. Having this data stored on a personal cloud meets the same goals while keeping everything organized in one place. Thanks to the syncing capabilities of today’s smartphones and tablets, personal clouds are like a complete world served on a digital platter.

Blog sponsored by: WSI Web Sales Now

Is There a ‘Best’ Time to Send an Email?

c/o: LegendsWeb

Even with all the hype that social media marketing brings to online marketing campaigns, email still remains a fundamental building block in any successful marketing plan. Emails are simple to send out, and you can reach a wide number of people at once. They cost minimal to produce, especially if in-house people write the emails for you. Additionally, you can measure the results, determining how many people opened your email, how many forwarded it and how many just plain ignored it.

Ignored emails are the worst. Did you know that you can avoid some of your emails from going ignored, never answered or deleted? There are best times to send an email and worst times to send an email. Knowing when these times are and using them to your advantage can greatly improve your email marketing campaign.

Here’s the lowdown, according to a 2012 report by GetResponse.

• Nearly 24% of emails are opened within the first hour of being sent. These numbers go down to 9.52%, 6.33% and 4.8% in the second, third and fourth hours, respectively.
• Emails reach their best results in the first hour of delivery.
• Top click hours are from 8-9 am and 3-4 pm.
• Nearly 40% of emails are sent between the hours of 6 am and noon.
• Another 30% of emails are sent from 6 pm to midnight.

So what do these findings mean for your email marketing campaign? First, the best time to send your emails is in the morning, preferably right before the top click hours. If you miss this opportunity, send the email out in the early afternoon. By taking advantage of the top open and click hours, you’re maximizing your opportunity for having your email read, forwarded or shared.

Another factor to be aware of is the various time zones. Use Time Travel scheduling to ensure that your email hits at the right local time across regions. This is a common mistake marketers make, but it’s important to have your emails reach everyone at, say, 9 am so that you can measure results accordingly. Of course, also be sure to follow your typical email marketing standards such as creating engaging titles, easily digestible information and platforms that show up on all devices.

Blog sponsored by: WSI Web Sales Now

What is Inbound Marketing?

c/o: nayand

Online marketing is always coming up with new terms, so here’s another one for the books: inbound marketing. This term has been creating a lot of buzz lately, but not everyone knows what it means. Inbound marketing is a type of marketing that earns the attention of consumers while they are shopping. Outbound marketing is the opposite. It interrupts consumers with print advertisements or television commercials. While outbound marketing has traditionally gotten the most attention, inbound marketing techniques are proving to be winning strategies.

Consider this example. A customer is interested in purchasing an espresso machine. She’s online shopping and knows that she wants to make the purchase, but isn’t sure which model is best for her. She comes across a website that has a short video about how to use their espresso machine. This allows the customer to see the product in action and learn more about its uses. The site also has a pop-up message where the customer is able to sign up for newsletters and offers from the company.

Here’s what was accomplished through inbound marketing:

• Attracted a customer
• Converted a visitor into a lead
• Converted a lead into a sale
• Turned customers into a repeat customer

What makes inbound marketing successful is that the customer is already researching information about the product and is more willing to listen to what you have to say. Unlike outbound marketing where you’re trying to draw in interest to consumers who aren’t exactly interested, inbound marketing goes after the people who have the better chance of becoming a customer, and a repeat one at that.

Just like other types of marketing, inbound marketing must follow suit with your business. Take a good look at the products and services your company offers to determine the best ways to grab a potential customer’s interest. Examples of inbound marketing strategies include social media, search marketing, contact marketing or video marketing and optimization. Remember that the market is always changing, so it’s important to assess your customers’ needs on a regular basis to best reach them and turn them into high-margin leads.

Blog sponsored by: WSI Web Sales Now

3 Online Google Tools Every Business Should be Using

There are hundreds of online tools available for businesses, which makes it hard to know which ones you should be utilizing. There are the obvious choices, such as social media sites like Twitter, YouTube and Pinterest, but there are also specific tools that can help you size up your marketing efforts, connect with customers and optimize your website. Best of all, these tools can be found with Google, and they will help you rank better with the search giant.

If you have a business, it’s time to get familiar with these three online tools:

Google Webmaster Tools

If you want to get the best results from your SEO efforts, Google Webmaster Tools will help get you there. These tools check for malware and crawl issues, ensure optimal website speed and look at incoming links to your site. You may also set geographical targeting to reach customers in a particular area and better assess your indexing based on your sitemap. Basically, these tools enable you to have a better optimized website that is easily read by Google.

Google Analytics

Another Google prodigy is Analytics, which allows businesses to monitor their websites and statistics. With these numbers, you can better see where your marketing efforts are falling short and make the necessary changes to bring your business back to the top. Google Analytics is anything but basic. Expect to look at in-depth reports based on your target audience’s demographics, where your traffic is coming from and which keywords users are searching for. Thanks to Analytics, you can uncover what’s driving users to your site.

Google AdWords

Google AdWords is simply great for tracking down the best keywords to use in your content. It improves your PPC marketing efforts as well as your placement in organic search rankings. With SEO becoming even more complicated thanks to the changes in Google’s algorithms, using AdWords is a great way to overcome some of these newer obstacles. You can also use the free platform to help manage your advertising budget. If you want the best PPC campaigns and smart keyword usage, AdWords is the friend to get you there.

Blog sponsored by: WSI Web Sales Now

How to Attract Followers on Twitter

Twitter has quickly become the central news feed for everything related to breaking news, craft ideas, popular recipes and celebrity gossip. It has also become a hub for businesses that want to connect with their audience in a refreshing way. Instead of just connecting with potential customers in a sales-orientated manner, Twitter allows businesses and their target audience to build a relationship. But, how exactly does this relationship work, and what can you do to attract new customers?

For businesses, Twitter has a simple, effective platform that allows them to post fun facts as well as links to interesting articles, press releases, blog posts and other information that is related to the industry. When a person “follows” the Twitter account, they receive these posts in real-time in their Twitter feed. It’s a great way for businesses and their audience to stay connected, and businesses are able to shine in a variety of areas.

Always Use Proper Etiquette

In order to attract – and keep – followers, it’s important to always have proper etiquette. While you certainly do not need to write a “thank you” after each response, you should be replying to questions and negative comments. Always handle them in a professional manner, using the mentality of “the customer is always right.” The difference is that the customer won’t just go and tell others how you handled the situation, the evidence will be posted on the internet. So, always be nice.

Encourage Interactive Followers

It’s also effective to get your followers more interactive with your company, so don’t be afraid to post contests. Ask your followers to re-tweet your message for a chance at the prize, and hopefully you pick up a few new followers, or at least interested folks. This is easy for your customers and easy enough for you, too. Also make sure that your Twitter page is optimized, meaning that you have a call-to-action in your banner and a unique background that showcases your brand. You want to make a good first impression.

Optimize Your Twitter Page

Finally, make a few more efforts to optimize your Twitter page and grow your audience. Link your blog with your Twitter account so that new posts are posted automatically. When responding to questions or concerns, include a landing page with helpful information. Offer up incentives and keep active by posting regularly. Don’t be afraid to keep your competitors close by following industry leaders, and also be sure to follow customers to see what their interests and likes are. With a comprehensive effort, you can grow your Twitter audience while still keeping a good rapport with your existing followers.

Blog sponsored by: WSI Web Sales Now

New Facebook Phone Keeps Users Connected

c/o: businessinsider.com

The ‘Facebook phone’ has finally made its debut, providing users with an array of apps that allow them to keep connected with the social media site. For those who spend their days on Facebook, this new platform may be a real treat.

The HTC First has been dubbed the Facebook Phone since it uses the Android Operating System and incorporates Facebook’s signature blue interface, sending users directly to Facebook feeds and other apps. Since all smartphones can have Facebook apps, the HTC First needed a unique selling point. The highlight to this phone is that it has Facebook preloaded on it, and the social media site dominates its purpose.

Reviews started popping up immediately last week, and most were in favor of Facebook Home. The biggest surprise is that many felt that with this being the first attempt at a Facebook phone, it wouldn’t be until several models later that the interface really took on its vision. Yet the HTC First is truly a great surprise, and it does a sufficient job of keeping users effortlessly connected with friends and family.

What can you expect from Facebook Home? As soon as you turn on your screen, you’ll see a stream of posts come through on the News Feed. Notifications pop up on the home screen so you won’t forget about special events or friend requests. You can even chat with others while you’re using other apps, another smart way to stay connected. Also, text and Facebook messages are kept in one place. Talk about organization.

The Facebook Phone is a game changer, as there will be more phones just like this one, and each one will get better. Not to mention, the Facebook Phone will most likely inspire other phones of its kind, such as a Twitter phone maybe? With more devices moving in this direction, businesses can expect their social media marketing campaigns to have an even greater effect, as reaching consumers in real time has never been easier.

Blog sponsored by: WSI Web Sales Now

Enhanced Campaigns: Should You Upgrade?

Google recently announced yet another exciting expansion to the Google world: Enhanced Campaigns. While the critiques have been both positive and negative, many businesses are still left in the dark about how Enhanced Campaigns can help their business.

What Can I Expect from Enhanced Campaigns?

To start with, Enhanced Campaigns has removed some of the mobile-centered features that businesses are used to, such as the ability to target tablets or specific mobile devices. Yet there are many new features that have been added to simplify a company’s marketing efforts across platforms, as is the case with using ad scheduling for sitelinks, controlling ad extensions with the ad group and making bid adjustments at the campaign level.

The goal of Google AdWords Enhanced Campaigns is to manage bids across devices, locations and time zones. Using bid adjustments, it’s easy to connect with customers from all over the globe while being relevant and accurate. Where businesses had to once specifically target different groups of people based on their electronic devices – tablets, mobile devices, laptops – they can now use one platform to manage their ads.

Enhanced Campaigns decides the best ads to use, as well as the sitelinks and click-to-call phone numbers based on the device they’re using. What this means for your business is that you can get the information you want to the right customers on the right platform. This makes your business look smart, relevant and technologically stable while giving your customers a simplified way to connect with your company.

No Need to Upgrade…Yet

Business do not need to upgrade immediately; in fact, you may be better off waiting if you’re already running a sophisticated mobile campaign. But, businesses will definitely need to address the good in Enhanced Campaigns because this is just another move toward the future. Even though many businesses are unhappy with the fewer options to target specific devices, Enhanced Campaigns shows that we’re moving in the direction of collectiveness, where all ads can be managed under one roof, whether your customers are on a tablet, a smartphone or a laptop.

Blog sponsored by: WSI Web Sales Now

How to Maintain Strong Customer Rapports

c/o: thadz

Ah, customer relationships. They’re almost as complicated as relationships with your family or significant other, or in some cases, they may be more delicate. With the internet, customers are less forgiving of transactions gone wrong. All it takes is a bad day and a bad attitude, coupled with something that went wrong on your end, to give your business a bad name. Not to mention, with the access that customers have to competitors, it’s easy for them to switch over. No longer do people have to be limited to where they shop and spend their money.

With this arrangement comes more struggles for businesses as they have to be on their toes at all times. Think of it as a challenge that will never go away. The good news is that focusing on your customer rapports will go a long way in the industry. By fostering good relationships, taking care of your loyal customers and providing a competent product or service, you can keep your current customers and gain new ones in the process.

First, give customers things that are of benefit to them. For ideas, see what types of incentives your competitors are giving. For instance, stores that sell bath and body products will offer a free item for coming into the store. Restaurants give away free appetizers with a meal. Other stores have special gifts on their customers’ birthdays. The goal is to recognize your customers’ loyalty and not just offer up random discounts.

Next, give your customers a way to connect with your company. It’s not a good feeling to have purchased a product and find that it’s near impossible to reach a human. Have an online chat on your website, as well as a strong presence online. Encourage your customers to reach out to you on Twitter or Facebook and share their experiences. The more your customers are talking, the more engaged they are in your company.

Finally, have strong marketing efforts in place for loyal customers that add a personalized touch. For instance, send out different email blasts to customers based on their shopping history. Once again, customers want to be rewarded for their loyalty, and by recognizing a recent purchase made to your company, you’re doing exactly that.

Customers have always been the backbone to businesses, but now it’s even easier to miss out on sales because of the overload of information on the internet. Maintaining your customer relations is the best PR you can give your business, and it’s what will ultimately set you apart from your competition.

Blog sponsored by: WSI Web Sales Now