Learn Social Media with Laurie Dunlop

Leave nothing to chance is prudent advice. Social media opens exciting new doors for communication. Yet, as is always the case, people have found a way to exploit this new technology and wreak havoc in their wake.
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Learn Social Media with Laurie Dunlop

The social media sandbox might feel a tad intimidating at first – especially if you are not a 20-something, fresh out of college, tech-/Web 2.0-saavy go-getter. Before your eyes glaze over and that Twitter-twitch sets in, relax! You too can use social media to cross promote your content or event.
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Learn Social Media with Laurie Dunlop

1. Do interview your existing clients and see what blogs they read. Start reading and commenting in those blogs.
2. Do not write meaningless comments just to get your Web site link attached. Do lend your expertise.
3. Do start blogging with relevant content.
4. Do not be inconsistent once you start blogging. Keep it up!
5. Do find out whether your customers Facebook, Twitter, or use some other social media platform. Open accounts and participate.
6. Do not Tweet or Facebook off topic. Your potential customers do not care that you are off to bed. They do care if you are testing a new and improved solution to their problem.
7. Do submit your news releases to Digg, Delicious, and a newswire (paid or free).
8. Do add RSS feeds to the content on your Web site and blog.
9. Don’t ignore negative comments about your company or product in social media.
10. Do address negative comments and see whether you can help solve the problem.
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Learn Social Media with Laurie Dunlop

Everything is measurable in Internet marketing. That’s the mantra my company NetStrategies stands by! Analytics is the tool by which we measure. In following the data, a smart content writer can determine what a target audience does and does not respond to. The data helps you understand who your visitors are, where they come from, and where they exit during the buy-in process.
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Learn Social Media with Laurie Dunlop

My husband calls himself a Facebook widower. That’s because I spend on average 10-15 minutes an evening catching up with friends and updating my status. For me, Facebook is a wonderful way to stay in touch with old friends, many of whom I lost touch with over the years. I’ve reconnected with high school, college, and Army friends. Plus I’ve friended new people since moving to Northern Va.
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Learn Social Media with Laurie Dunlop

It happens. You make a short-tempered comment with your outside voice, wishing at once you had kept that statement to yourself. Yes, perhaps the auto mechanic is an idiot, or the cable company customer service rep should solve your problem sooner. But I know your mother taught you long ago, as did mine, take the higher road and never lower yourself. You’re better than that, right?

Your Tweet IS your outside voice. In fact, it’s louder and never fades away with the breeze. The Internet’s ability to remember is eternal. Like those dead sea scrolls, people can dig up your Tweets and anything else you write online for posterity.

Tweet responsibly. The New York Times recently reported that author Roberta Silman, upset by a negitive Boston Globe book review, Tweeted her displeasure and even posted the reviewer’s phone number and email, asking fans to “Tell her what you think of snarky critics.” Silman later issued a statement through her publisher, explaining “… in the heat of the moment I responded strongly and I wish I hadn’t. I’m sorry if I offened anyone.” She reportedly terminated her Twitter account.

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Learn Social Media with Laurie Dunlop

If a tree falls in the forest but no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound?

If someone complains about or compliments your organization online, but you have no social media presence, is it like that tree?

Nope! The forest now listens and one falling tree can cause quite a stir.

I recently spoke with Alison Chander, marketing manager for the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), about her association’s social media presence, especially on Facebook and Twitter.

AAAS launched its first page on Facebook in June 2007.

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Lt. Col. Kevin Arata, chief of social media for the U.S. Army, joins Internet Marketing TV AGAIN this week to talk about the growing use of Social Media by all branches of the United States military.

Lt. Col. Kevin Arata, chief of social media for the U.S. Army, joins Internet Marketing TV this week at the Pentagon to talk about the importance of the Army’s use of social media and Operational Security.