Learn with me: Schedule your Twitter posts

One of my job’s functions is to schedule Facebook posts. After doing it for a couple of weeks, I found that it is easy to forget to post important information unless you post it right that second when you remember about it. However, usually such information has a time and a date when it should go out. How delighted I was to learn about the HootSuite! With this great Social Media Dashboard you can schedule your posts ahead of time. Moreover, it supports several Socia Networks, including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and some others.

It is only Monday, let’s keep on learning!

Learn with me – Social Media Strategy

This semester my MKT 495 class had a challenge to come up with an integrated marketing campaign for a local casual dining restaurant. It is no news for anyone that during this economy consumers are looking for deals. With the popularity of such websites as Living Social, Groupon and others, consumers can arrange their restaurant trips in a way that they would not have to even pay a full price. Add to that specials restaurants offer during Happy Hours, and here comes a recipe for tasty lasagna paired with a recipe for disaster.

On the day of the presentation every team spoke about offering deals and promotions, including the team I was in. From Happy Hour specials to Day-of-the-week specials, we offered it all only to find out later that week from the client that she does not want to make the place look cheap. And this is when I got reminded (again) that marketing is not about offering a cheaper deal – it is about eliminating the “selling” part by making customers fall in love with you and your product.

 

One of the tactics we introduced was to create Facebook Business Page and update fans about deals and promotions. However, when all you do is post on your page about discounts, then you will only get online community to come to your place when you have those discounts. So what I learned today is a way to revamp your Social Media strategy. Here it comes…

SOLUTION!!!

Create really personal experience on your page. Introduce an owner, let fans know what the owner’s personality is, what he/she likes to do and anything interesting about this person. Let them know the owner’s face. Why is that important? Well, imagine you are the owner of a small local restaurant and you are shopping for groceries. One person recognizes you from the video they have seen on Facebook (any other social media) and tells his/her friend that you are an owner of that restaurant. Here is their possible conversation:

–       Oh, that’s an owner of “Little Joe’s”

–       Really? I never been there!

–       You should go, the food is great and the owner loves wine, so they really have a great wine-selection!

You can also give customers a peak in the kitchen. Introduce the Chef, after all, Chef’s talent should be celebrated, show how food masterpieces are made and decorated, and share your expertise in food-making and administrative process. When you convince your customers that you are an expert that is when they will share their wallets’ contents with you!

 

Improve your Facebook page – Learn with me

Learn with me: Improve your Facebook page

Have you ever wondered how some companies have A-ma-zing looking pages? I have. So I learned several techniques to improve your page and here they are:

1. PageRage Facebook Themes.

Remember the scins MySpace had (when we used it)? Well, you can do the same with your Facebook page. I am not saying you should, this App will only work if you already have an established brand colors and emages. If, however, you don’t, then do not use this application. If we overuse it on Facebook, then it will end up like MySpace.

1. Docs.

This one is phenomenal! While it would not work as Google Docs (don’t attempt using Facebook docs for group projects), this App is great for sharing your portfolio or a Resume. Also, you need to know that the uploaded document willnot be embedded into you page, the user will be redirected to docs.com to view your information.

1. Link to Twitter

This App is great if you don’t want to post the information twice: to FB and Twitter. Go to Facebook/twitter to connect the pages.

1. RSS Graffiti.

I use this one. This Application pulls new posts from your blog into your Facebook feed as they appear on your blog. Just go to Facebook/RSS.graffiti to get it.

1. Static FBML

Ever noticed those nice custom tabs that some business pages have? Well, it is easy to make one with FBML. Add Static FBML to your applications, then choose to use it for your page. After it is added, go to your settings and click to edit it. You can change the name of the tab and add your own design or images. All you need is upload your design into photobucket and then copy html text into your FBML. If you would like to add any text,you would need to code it with HTML, some basic coding knowledge is enough. I did it, trust me, you can too!

1. ShortStack.

I haven’t used this one myself, but heard that Peppermill is using it. So check it out on Facebook/chortstacklab.

Secret Santa on Twitter

Just opened my Google reader and learned that Twitter is holding Secret Santa this year. Yep, you can sign up until tomorrow and will receive your match from your own followers (only those who signed up for Secret Santa as well). This is an interesting step of Twitter to become more personal, but will it work? Mashable is signed for Secret Santa and has 1407 followers, yet has 0 matches. What are my chances with my about a 100 follower number?

Although the idea is really unique, I feel that online should stay online. Don’t get me wrong, I am 100% for online experiences, but I am against those experiences spilling over to my real life. How sad would it be if I had to turn to Twitter to receive Christmas gifts?! Perhaps, I would rather try harder to make real friends, than receive a gift from an online community….

 

Hashtag – Learn with me

Although I opened my Twitter account over a year ago, I believe I am still new to Twitter. However, after one amazing AMA Speaker Bret Simmons came to our luncheon, I am learning both blogging and posting on Twitter. Last week I learned a new word – Hashtag. I did my research and now I am ready to say I know what it is. I also organized this information in a way that would be easy for you to read and process.

Definition

A #prefix to a tweet word, which basically means that the word with a prefix is a common topic that could be easily searched for and found on the web.

How to use

• Simply place # before your word.
• Research at http://tagal.us/ if your topic already has a hashtag and then use the existing one.
• Pick creative name under 10 characters
• Only use it for valuable information

Good uses

Conferences and events –  Give your conference a hashtag. For example, #sphones for your Smart Phones Conference. Conference attendees then can find each other and learn useful information. Remind attendees of your hashtag through every media used. For those who do not use Twitter or are not familiar with hashtags, provide a Website Widget that displays the conversations (Use Twitgrid).

Polls – You can ask people to post their opinion followed by a hashtag.

Contest – I actually participated in one. One of the Fashion Magazines asked to tweet about my favorite designer followed by #favdesigner (just an example). At a certain date all who tweeted with the hashtag were entered into a drawing.