Work Smarter Not Harder

If you don't Start with a Social Media Strategy you are going to spin your wheels and waste your time. Get a plan, Work Smarter Not Harder...

Many people jump into the world of Social Media hoping to drive traffic and new customers to their websites. Often they aren't familiar with the rules of the game, the terminolgy, the technology and they don't have a Plan. No Strategy.

The Result of Not Planning a Strategy is

These New Contributors end up creating duplicate content across several web platforms. It's not the sin it used to be but why confuse the search engines? What- confuse search engines?

Duplicate Content confuses the Search Engines

If you are creating the exact content on every page you have on the web, a blog, a site, a social network when the spiders (web crawlers) go out to index your content, they will not really understand where you want them to tell people to go on a search.

They also don't like to have Multiple or Duplicates show up on their search results. This hurts the search engine user, the search engine and you by "PUSHING" any quality content you created DOWN rankings because you left a messy trail of bread crumbs.

You also spent all that time creating the content on mulitple pages and thats working harder not smarter. It's something MANY people do when they first start out so the good news is, you can stop and get a plan!

What you want to do

Decide WHERE are you going to do most of your relationship building?
Social Networking, Social Media? Ok Great. These are great places to meet and engage with people but the more important question is

WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO SEND THEM FROM THERE?

Most of us have a blog or a website with a blog.
Bingo! This is like your HUB, your HOME key, your HOME base. This is where you can be you.
Promote what you want. Share what you want. This is where you want to send everyone! Even those little Web crawling spiders.

HOW?

On you social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook and MySpace you can post quick BLURBS - short PITHY titled posts and links to that HUB.

For those of you who use Twitter and Facebook this sounds familiar. We do it all the time but now I've got to help the New Contributors learn.

When you provide LINKS to your main blog or site

Those little web crawlers notice them. They crawl over the web that you are spinning and see that you keep pointing people to the main HUB. Now they report back to the Mother Search Engine and say ..."HEYMOM- this is a hot spot for these PITHY search terms and phrases. I double checked it!"

Ok maybe they don't talk- but you get the idea. :)

In summary

• Post the good stuff in one great spot.
• Then drive traffic to that spot.
• You will save yourself some time, your fingers some pecking away on the ol keyboard and be more effective.

The added benefit of having more time here is that now, you have time to create Quality Content and DEVELOP Relationships With People because you aren't constantly typing, copying and pasting.

If you are ready to learn with a Mentor / Coach who will help you Navigate and Leverage 21st Century Technology... CONTACT ME

You know the trend in 2010 is to have Facebook Pages for your Brand, Business, Product or Service. It's also a great way to network without using your Profile where you socialize with friends and family.

Here are 3 step by step video tutorials to show you how to set up the Static FBML version of your Facebook Pages. Static FBML works like HTML code and you will need to create it to get Facebook Pages that Stand out, are Inviting and make you look like a PRO!

How to create Facebook Pages (step 1)

There are certain things that you want to Have on your Facebook Pages "content" wise.
Tips for your Facebook Pages

As mentioned in the Tutorial above the next step is to utilize the Static FBML feature to create a Welcome Page for your Facebook Pages. In the video this acted like a landing page. A door that invited people to "Become a Fan" and that you could really dress up with some great images.

It's dynamic and thinking outside the box!
It's not the boring "Cookie Cutter" blue and white look of Facebook, its YOU and your Brand.

You are going to need the following:

• A Custom Image (no wider than 520p)
• A photo host like Photobucket or Flickr
• A HTML editor like Windows Live Writer
• The Static FBML app from Facebook

Now that you have everything you need this video will show you How to Upload this to create the Static FBML code on your Facebook Pages so that you have a great WELCOME Page.

How to Upload your Static FBML Welcome Page to Facebook Pages (step 2)

You've create Facebook Pages.
You've loaded your Welcome Page with the Static FBML Feature now what?

You want to give people a reason to join your Page.
You want to provide useful information, elements of fun, create discussions and be Engaging.

On Facebook Pages you have a feature called INSIGHT
It is located under your photo/image on the Left side bar. This is a very cool tool!

It will help you find out what posts you make that get the best responses from fans!
Learn more about Gaining INSIGHT on Facebook Pages here.

In this video I will show you How to WORK with your Insight feature on Facebook Pages.
Where to find it, how to do research with it and more.

Utilizing INSIGHT feature of Facebook Pages to get more Fans and Engagement (bonus)

Make sure that you come over and connect with me on My Facebook Page and we'll continue to network and grow our relationship. We'll also be able to share information and have some FUN.

Max Worthington
LAComedyAwards.com

He teases the Hollywood Stars on the red carpet!
He buddies up for pictures with Celebrities and he gets lots of Hugs from the Award Gals at events. He's Max Worthington of LA Comedy Awards.

He's MCeed the LA Music Awards and kept us up to date on the LA scene via his mobile phone and Facebook. Max even spots Jay Leno so often in the Industry he made a game on his Facebook Page... "Guess what Jay Leno's Driving tonight?" and he always gets a PIC!

For those of us who follow Max we get a personal inside look into Hollywood's Business Scene. Beyond the Red Carpets, back stage in some cases and for us, that's better than anything TMZ could dream up! Bit of Glam none of the Slam.


In the OLD DAYS, you had to "Network" like crazy. Going to every event you could, introduce yourself to everyone, take a business card then come home and input ALL of the info into your rolodex and email address book.

You should still Network like that and Max does. Nothing replaces "The Real Thing" but by using Social Media and 21st Century Technology Max has been able to "Target Market" by keywords, locations and build quicker relationships. He can then Build these deeper in the real world at Events.

In Hollywood it's all about "What's Hot" the "Latest BUZZ". This is why so many of us tune in to Entertainment and Gossip shows to watch our favorite stars. Max has this for his "backyard" just building a blog could help him POP UP with the current buzz in Hollywood on the "global" search engines. That's New TRAFFIC for LAComedyAwards and new Relationships for Max to build on.

Max also instead of emailing his list (old way) can now post to multiple sites like Twitter and Facebook to keep his new traffic up to date. These updates go out via the web and for those of us who have them set up on our MOBILE devices. "HELLOOOOO Nurse!" JL That's Massive! That's Instant!

I'm big on telling people "Do what you LOVE!"
Max loves to Laugh, Make jokes, Have Fun and he's lucky - He KNEW if he went after his LOVE he could make a career out of it! (You can do the same thing with your Passion and Joy's!) Max took the action to make that happen. He did the leg work, the hand shakes, the research, the Networking and now, It's Real, Popular and Growing!



JohniLouise: Max, you're niche is Comedy what drew you to that industry in Hollywood?

Max Worthington: The nuns in 6th grade made me do my material in front of the assembly, I didn't have a choice. Jokes or whipped with the pointer stick. first part is true, second part I'm just guessing.

JohniLouise: Can you tell us more about LA Comedy Awards? How it began? Whats the
goal/ dream that you have with it?

Max Worthington: LA Comedy Awards (LACA) began out of total despair and frustration, and the need for me to have a new show and business. The goal is to help launch stars to legendary status in TV and Film.

JohniLouise: You definitely take advantage of your location by getting out on the red carpets in Hollywood- can you tell us how you networked yourself into that position as a professional?

Max Worthington: We'll that's going to cost you, insider information like that, well to be honest you have to send nude photos. JUST KIDDING! But you still can if you'd like.

(JL... o_0 !!! )

1. A cable access TV Show, guests with a pulse on whats happening in the city.
2. The availability of editing software, and video cameras
3. The need to have fun and be cool so I can impress the ladies.

Johni: I mean, not just anyone can stroll onto the red carpets!

Max Worthington: These days it's not hard to get access to red carpet events, publicists are pulling out their hair! Everyone and their mother has a tip sheet, a camera, and a mic. Its which side of the velvet rope are you on, and if your on the tip sheets that counts.

JohniLouise: Any Networking Tips to share?

Max Worthington: Networking is more about follow up and phone calls, call the person, dont text them! Email sucks too.

Note to Self- Call Max next time =)

JohniLouise: I was reading an article in Cosmo (March 2010) called "50 ways to Charm Anyone and Always Get what You Want"- it was about Flirting- I sware I thought of you Max! =D...

In the article it mentioned that Even in Business Flirting is good (within reason) and I've seen several video clips of you on the red carpet working the Flirt angle "Professionally" - why do you think people respond so well to the Flirting when you do it?

Max Worthington: It works, could have fooled me, I'm still single, at 46, people think I'm gay for crying out loud! Maybe it's because I've been out of the dating loop so long I dont try too hard, and it's not serious flirting.

JohniLouise: Do you have some Professional "Flirt Tips" for us?

Max Worthington: If you want to be a good flirt you must like the person your flirting with, then ask them to do something absurd for five bucks, like eat something off the ground.

JohniLouise: While you're enjoying those sunsets on Hermosa Beach what do you think you
want to do next? Any big plans/ goals you haven't told us about yet?

Max Worthington: Next I want to get photo ops with Johni, the Guess Jeans kind! And I want close the Beverly Hilton for the big show.

JohniLouise: You've got a Blog you update regularly...Youtube...(where we met)...Twitter and A great Facebook Page with a Fast Growing Fan Base...

JohniLouise: What else would you like to do with Social Media for LA Comedy Awards?

Max Worthington: I'd like to see YouTube go streaming 24/7 like Ustream.

JohniLouise: How has using Social Media helped your industry or work?

Max Worthington: It's helped me make money and get the word out.

JohniLouise: Do you know of any ways it has hurt your industry or others?

Max Worthington: It's only hurts those who cant think of a work around.

JohniLouise: What's the one thing you want to do, but haven't yet that simply must
happen before you grow completely up?

Max Worthington: I'd like to shoot a small whining child out of a cannon.

JohniLouise: Last question what was Jay Leno driving last night when you saw him out and about?

Max Worthington: (Black Jag) But you should come play along in Facebook!

Thanks Max!
Be sure to click the LINKS in the interview to Connect with Max and LA Comedy Awards.

Key Elements to a Great Bio or (about You) page are things that you should consider when creating yours. If you can create a nice page that tells people more about you in a way that is effective and authentic which will help you have better results in your online marketing.


Using the Keys what you were actually doing was writing to the exact people you wanted to work with. It was all about being "attractive" and "relative" to readers so that they could see elements of themselves or similarities to make a connection.

As "Attraction Marketing" became the Web 2.0 (buzzword back in the day) way to design a bio it took off to great success!



1. Great Photo(s)

You do want to use photos. Great ones. Professional Quality is a plus although thanks to Photoshop and the like, a great photo can be created. YOUR image you definitely want to be smiling and "approachable".

Don't stop at the photo of you. Have some fun finding royalty free imagesthat you can use that represent what you do well. You can even work them into a slide show if you like so the page has some interesting movement and style. If you are "Creative" show it!

Make all of the images as close to or the same size as possible. It makes for a neater look.


2. Tell your story.

You aren't the only person who got "laid off" or ended up on unemployment. You aren't the only widower or divorcee. There are millions of others out there "just like you" who will relate to your story.

• Who are you NOW?
• What do you do?
• What did you Used to do?
• Why did you change your life/ living?

Approaching each one of these will make for a quick effective bio. I don't suggest posting the questions on the bio but rather working them into the story. Everyone has a story.

Bonus Tip: Use triggers, buzzwords, "I felt", "Exhausted", "Stressed" etc. Think of the words that describe your previous "daily grind". Odd's are high, your readers "Can Relate" to your PAIN.


3. Keywords and Phrases to Highlight these things that you do.

You might have to do a bit of research on the Keywords and Phrases that describe Your Job Title, Industry or what you want to accomplish but it's worth it.

These are the words that you want to Highlight in BOLD that you want to stand out to your readers. These will clearly demonstrate your skills, what solutions you provide to your clients and what clients you will work with. (see # 7)

4. Be YOU so that its believable and "authentic"

Naturally speak to them or write the Bio like a news article. It may even sound better if you step back and disassociate for a moment. Be the author not the person in the story. This will help in keeping from becoming too Personal. Remember, you don't want to write a book and if it gets too personal for you, it will gain length and lose its effective design.

5. If you are a FUN person, Have some fun, you'll attract other Fun people!

On MY BIO I made jokes and put up some of the funnier tweets that represented my life on certain days in key area's I was explaining. It made it more fun, showed that I had a sense of humor and wasn't afraid to laugh at myself or be laughed at.

Not everyone can do this. It's not appropriate for all industries. This YOU have to decide.

6. Be effective, telling a story is one thing, writing a book is another

Make an outline of what you want to write on your Bio or About You Page.
Using the questions in # 2 you can create a nice effective layout that is easy to read. Making it easy offers a friendly, non threatening manner to connect.

Bonus Tip: Don't be afraid to use BOLD sentences or "Headings" to separate them into sections. You can view MY BIO to see how I used an alternate color in bold to do this.


7. Add a Call to action at the end and be Specific.

You have described yourself and in doing so the type of people you want to connect with. You can also add a bit more specifics about these people as to draw out the truly serious people. You are looking for people like you.

YOU will get along better with people like you. YOU will find it's easier to work with someone who has the same goals, beliefs and intentions. Listing these effectively gets results.

Bonus Tip: In your call to action ADD a way to connect with you. Be it an Email Contact form or which social network (Twitter or Facebook by example) to meet.

Where you can use this Fabulous form of Marketing:

On your website "Bio" or "About" page
On your Facebook Welcome Page
On your social networks where you describe yourself

Creator Steve Testone has been planning on doing "branded" video tutorials for Snappages. However Steve is so Busy adding cool features he and the team haven't been able to get to them. I do educational videos, have the technology and use Snappages myself so I made some for us- For Now - to help YOU get going with your Snappages Site.

When Steve and the Team get the "Branded" ones done I'm sure he will let us know on the blog. I hope these help, remember all questions need to go to Steve and the Snappages Team by Clicking on "HELP"in your back office.

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