Succeed in your business... STOP worrying and START focusing...

Worried about whether or not your website is getting top ranking in the search engines?  Concerned about the number of visitors coming to your website?  Wondering what visitors are doing when they visit your website?  Most of you still do.  It's time to STOP worrying about all that and START focusing your efforts on the FREE resources that you're not taking advantage of. What are these FREE resources?  It's called "Social Networking". Facebook, Twitter, Blogs, YouTube, LinkedIn, foursquare. Most of these resources have quickly overtaken websites in search engine results as people use the Internet to search for your products and services.  Need proof?  Here are the results of a search in Google.  Note how many of the social media resources mentioned above are listed here.  Note how many are listed more than once! http://tinyurl.com/4x375eh

Now... what makes these resources so much more valuable to you and your business than your website?  They're used by people who have made a choice.   They have made a conscious decision to "Like" and "Follow" and "Connect".  THESE people are your potential clients, customers, and referrals!  These are as close to a "sure thing" as you can get! Next time you're watching your favorite show on television, don't "fast forward" through the commercials.  Start watching them... for one reason... and one reason only.  Pay attention to how these companies are marketing their products and services.  You'll start noticing that a large percentage of these major companies are now steering people toward their Facebook Business Pages rather than their websites.  These companies spend a great deal of money with marketing experts and teams of advertising people.  They are showing you the way. So... now what?  Just jump in and start doing it?  Where do you start?  Starting off wrong can set you back months.  HOW do these companies have cool "Landing Pages"?  How do put up a coupon for them to print and bring into my place of business?   How can I have my real estate listings show up on my Facebook Page?  What is "retweeting"?  Why should I do it? I've said it before... and I'll say it again. Just because I can sell my home doesn't mean I'm a real estate expert. Just because I can change the oil in my Yukon doesn't make me a mechanic. Just because I can do my own taxes doesn't make me an accountant.  You will spend hours trying to figure it all out... doing the research... "dabble" in it just to "test the waters".  I can guarantee four things. You'll get frustrated. You won't "get it". You won't have the time. You'll fail. The dilemma... If you're taking time away from your business to set up and manage your "social media", I can assure you... your business is suffering. However, if you're NOT using "social media" with your business, I can assure you... your business is suffering. That's why I'm here. That's what I do. I've spent 18 years working with the Internet helping businesses like yours. From developing websites, search engine marketing, newsletters to social media management. It's a business.  It takes time... which is one of  your most valuable commodities.  It takes knowledge and understanding.  It's OK to admit you don't understand it.  You're not supposed to.  You know your business.  I know mine.  Seldom would I ever answer the question "Why should I do it?" with... "Because everyone else is doing it".  But you know what?  Things have changed.  If you're NOT doing it... and doing it RIGHT... you're being left in the dust as we speak.

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Webmaster... Doesn't Mean "Expert"

If you've ever logged in somewhere, uploaded a photo or two, typed in some text, added a link or created a personal web page to share with family and friends, you can officially call yourself a "Webmaster".

After studying several dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a variety of both offline and online resources, I’ve learned that no two definitions are exactly alike.  They all, however, suggest that if you've ever created a web page and have a link you can send to others so they can view what you’ve done then you are officially a "Webmaster".

Using dictionary.com, a resource which displays several definitions for a single word or term collected from a variety of dictionaries including "Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary", "The American Heritage® Dictionary", among others, let’s break it down:

Web Page: A document on the World Wide Web, consisting of an HTML file and any related files for scripts and graphics, and often hyperlinked to other documents on the Web.

Web Site: A connected group of pages on the World Wide Web regarded as a single entity, usually maintained by one person or organization and devoted to a single topic or several closely related topics.

Webmaster: The alias or role of the person(s) responsible for the development and maintenance of one or more web servers and/or some or all of the web pages at a web site. The term does not imply any particular level of skill or mastery.

Pay particular attention to the last line: The term does not imply any particular level of skill or mastery.

What does this mean?  You can add "Webmaster" to your résumé if you've ever created a template style web site or a personal web page, at websites like "Google Sites", "Facebook", “Twitter”, "Flickr", “MySpace”, "WordPress", etc…  It's a web page, viewable on the Internet and you created it.  This suggests that “Facebook” alone has more than 3 million “Webmasters”!

My point?  I think it's pretty clear.  Sure… I can sell my home all by myself… that doesn’t mean I’m a “REALTOR®”.  Nor can I call myself a mechanic just because I changed the oil in my Yukon.  It might be wise to do a little research before hiring your next "Webmaster".

Unfortunately, the term doesn't require a set of credentials in order to use it on a business card.  It doesn't suggest certain qualifications which are paramount when offering guidance to clients regarding Internet related matters.  It doesn't indicate a level of expertise necessary to develop a professional, successful, and search engine friendly Internet marketing tool.  It’s been watered down, compromised and abused and no longer denotes any type of authority where Internet related matters are concerned.

Yes, there are plenty of qualified, knowledgeable individuals still using the word to describe their occupation.  The challenge is in trying to determine who can do more than simply buy a domain name and create some web pages by pushing a button or two in a software program.

The truth is, any professional possessing the complete skill set necessary to provide you with competent and knowledgeable consultation along with the ability to properly develop an effective Internet marketing tool for your business will be overqualified to use the term "Webmaster".

Written by William H. Wells III for Monroe County, Tennessee Newspapers.

Monroe County, Tennessee includes Coker Creek, Madisonville, Sweetwater, Tellico Plains, and Vonore

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Email Etiquette - It Could Make or Break the Deal...

There’s no question email is still a powerful and vital communication tool. Although the first email was sent back in 1965, we didn’t really begin using it in business until 1993.  Since then, email has been used by business owners and professionals to communicate with each other, with clients and with complete strangers. The problem?  Email really just "came to be".  No rules or guidelines.  Few know about “email etiquette”, or “netiquette” as it's also called.  Understanding netiquette is critical.  Mistakes can kill business relationships.

There are many netiquette guides and rules.  I've been using email daily for 18 years.  During that time, little has changed.  It's still about text communication being sent and received, occasionally with an attachment or two... or more.  I’ve compiled a list I call “Top 10 Tips for Effective and Professional Email”.

1. Use a business-like email address. Free services like Gmail, Hotmail, AOL, Yahoo!, etc… are less professional and frequently used by spammers.  Spam filters often block these email addresses. Your email could get “lost”, your recipient won’t receive it and you’ll never know.  If you have a website, email service generally comes with it. Use it. If you MUST use ISP email such as TDS, BellSouth, etc… or free email service, avoid cute or suggestive words.
     
2. Use the “Subject” line effectively.  Summarize your point in five words or less.  Avoid using common symbols like: !, ?, ‘, “, *, $, %, as well as words such as ‘online’, ‘sales’, ‘urgent’, and 'money'. You may as well delete the email yourself. That’s what most spam filters will do.
    
3. Use a polite, professional, respectful greeting or salutation.  Don’t be presumptuous and assume you’re on a first name basis.  Use of words such as ‘Greetings’ or ‘Hello’, followed by Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Dr., (if appropriate) is safe.
     
4. Keep it basic. Avoid stationary, graphics, logos, and fancy fonts. The email may look fine to you. However, spam filters can’t wait to intercept, delete, or strip it bare before passing it on.  Those who may receive your email could have trouble viewing it.  Stationary, logos and fonts can turn into attachments.  Email programs don’t always display email the same way it was sent, especially if viewed on PDAs, Smart Phones, or cell phones.
    
5. Watch what you say and how you say it.  Comments made in person, accompanied by gestures and facial expressions, will be understood as intended.  The same comments in text can easily be misinterpreted.
     
6. Avoid emoticons, abbreviations and ALL UPPER-CASE LETTERS.  Leave the smileys, BTW’s and LOL’s out of your professional email.  It’s PROFESSIONAL email, remember? Using all upper-case letters is the email equivalent of shouting.
     
7. Use a “Signature” at the end of your email. You close letters, memos, and other hard copy correspondence.  The same applies to email. Conclude politely and professionally with ‘Thank you’ or ‘Sincerely’, followed by your full name, business name, phone number, email address, and website address.  Most email programs allow you to set up a signature which is automatically added to your email correspondence.
     
8. Be considerate. Confirm before sending attachments. Verify that the recipient can receive large files and open certain file types.  Sure, you may be able to send attachments over 1 MB in size.  However, whether dial-up, high-speed, and now with recipients using Smart Phones to view email... enough of these can clog a recipient’s email forcing them to sit, wait, and in some cases, prevent them from receiving email altogether. Files made on “Windows” software may not be viewable on a “Mac” and vice-versa. Checking first will save time and minimize problems.
     
9. Proof Read and Spell Check. You get one chance to make an impression.  All credibility is lost if the recipient is busy trying to interpret a word or sentence instead of focusing on your message.  Most email programs provide "spell check".  If yours doesn't, use word processing software, check it there, then copy and paste it into your email.  This is also a good method for checking grammar.
     
10. Fill in the “TO” email address last. Ever hit “Send” only to realize you forgot to attach something?  Or worse… you realize you said things you really didn’t want to say.  Filling in the “TO” email address last helps prevent accidentally sending an email before you’ve completed it, proofed it, spell checked it, attached files, or reconsidered.

Not only can each of these tips be expounded on, but this list just scratches the surface. Visit your favorite search engine and type in “email etiquette” or “email netiquette” for more information if you really wish to perfect your email communication skills.

Written by William H. Wells III for Monroe County, Tennessee Newspapers.

Monroe County, Tennessee includes Coker Creek, Madisonville, Sweetwater, Tellico Plains, and Vonore

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Email Management: Control Your Inbox... Control Your Life!

Are you overwhelmed when you open your Inbox?  Do you even want to KNOW how much time you've wasted looking at the same emails until you could find the one you’re really looking for? You’ve said, "I don't have time to read this particular email right now.  It's not as important as the one that just came in.  I'll read it later."  Suddenly, you're wondering why it's August, and you've still got email from January in your Inbox.

You CAN control your Inbox and even keep it empty!  The key is to evaluate how you process and organize your email and then make some changes.  You'll gain control, improve response time, and keep up with critical actions and due dates.

Let's look at 5 things you can do to take control of your Inbox.

1. Recognize the difference between “Reference Email” and “Action Email”.  “Reference Email” requires no action.  You simply wish to keep it in case you need it later.   “Action Emails” require action on your part.
    
2. Establish a simple, effective “Email Filing System” using email file folders.  Statistically, as much as one-third of your email will be reference email.  Immediately transfer this email to the appropriate folder!  Even if you intend to read it immediately, read it from it's folder.  This way, if you ARE interrupted, you'll know where it is when you have time to get back to it, however, it's no longer cluttering your Inbox.  Once reference email is filed, all that’s left in your Inbox will be action email.  The next three items will help you with your action email.
    
3. Schedule UNINTERRUPTED email time.  You schedule meetings, calls, etc...  Email time is THAT important.  No calls.  No visitors.  Action emails require decisions. Good decisions require focus.  Focus requires uninterrupted attention. Establish a regular time each day to process email.  Mark it on your calendar and KEEP THAT APPOINTMENT! This disciplined approach will develop into a good habit over time.  Of course you’ll scan your email during the day for urgent messages or requests from your boss or client, however, you’ll quickly notice how much easier it is to deal with these.
    
4. Process messages one item at a time, starting at the top.  Resist the temptation to jump around in your Inbox.  Sort email by the order in which you wish to process it; by date, subject, sender, etc...  Create folders for co-workers or clients.  Move the first email to the appropriate folder.  Immediately go to that folder and handle that email.  Go back to your Inbox and repeat the process. This can be hard at first with hundreds or even thousands of messages in your Inbox. However, as the number of emails in your Inbox lessens, you'll reach a point where you can process all of your new messages in one sitting whether it's 10 or 110, and keep your Inbox clean.
    
5. Use the "Four D's for Decision Making" model to quickly decide what to do with each email.  With this model, you have four choices: (1) Delete it, (2) Do it, (3) Delegate it, (4) Defer it.
    
   DELETE IT - Statistically, you'll delete about half of all email you get. Afraid to delete?  Ask yourself the following questions to help you decide.  Does it relate to a meaningful objective you're currently working on? If not, you can probably delete it. Why keep information that doesn't relate to your main focus? Does it contain information you can find elsewhere? If so, delete it.  Does it contain information you'll need within the next six months? If not, delete it. Does it contain information you're required to keep? If not, delete it.
     
   DO IT (in less than two minutes) - If you can't DELETE IT, decide, "What action do I need to take?" and "Can I DO IT in less than two minutes? " If you can, just DO IT.  You'll be surprised at how many messages take less than 2 minutes to process.  File it, reply to it, or make the quick phone call. You'll probably handle about one third of your email messages in this manner.
    
   DELEGATE IT - If you can't DELETE IT or DO IT in two minutes or less, can you DELEGATE IT?  If so, delegate it. Move it to the appropriate folder, reply to it and send it.
    
   DEFER IT - If you can’t DELETE IT, DO IT in less than two minutes, or DELEGATE IT, then it will require special attention. Since this is your dedicated email processing time, DEFER IT and deal with it after you've finished processing the rest of your email. Generally, about 10% of your email will be deferred.

Use this model daily!  Statistics show on average, people can process about 100 email messages an hour. If you receive 40 to 100 messages per day, all you need is one hour of uninterrupted email processing time to get through your Inbox. Additional statistics show that of the email you receive: 50% can be deleted or filed. 40% can be delegated or completed in less than 2 minutes. 10% can be deferred to complete later.

If you have a backlog of hundreds of messages, it will take time to reach the point where your daily routine will keep you up to date. It's important to get the backlog down.  Set aside blocks of time to work through it. Very quickly, you'll begin to enjoy email. You won't accidentally miss email.  You won't have to go on a "search and destroy mission" just to find a particular email.  You'll be organized.  And your business will reflect it.

Written by William H. Wells III for Monroe County, Tennessee Newspapers.
Monroe County, Tennessee includes Coker Creek, Madisonville, Sweetwater, Tellico Plains, and Vonore

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Facebook: Just for kids? Think again! 2010 Demographics

Facebook: Think it's just for kids?  Think again!  2010 Demographics

I've talked to hundreds of business owners over the past few years... and one "myth" continues to become the topic of conversation in regards to using Facebook for their business.  They'll say to me "it's just kids who are using it... and that's not my audience".

Well... I intend to keep this article short and sweet.  I'll simply let the numbers in the graph below tell the story.  Make sure you pay attention to the percentage of increase over 2009.  It'll definitely change your mind.

Facebook 2010 Users Age Demographics and Percentage of  Increase over 2009

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Twitter - 5 Tips for Beginners

Using Twitter but think you should have more followers?  Afraid to use Twitter because you don't think you'll have any followers?  By following the five basic steps below, you'll go a long way in changing all that.

1. Utilize Your Other Online Profiles
   Most everyone has additional online profiles such as Facebook, LinkedIn, blogs, etc...  Regardless of how big or how small... use it to springboard into Twitter. If it’s a blog, mention that you use Twitter in your posts or articles.  Link to Twitter from your profile and contact pages. If you’re on Facebook, there's a tool available to link your Tweets to Facebook. Include it on your website, in your email signature, on your business cards and anywhere else you have the opportunity.
     
2. Start Following Others
   Look for businesses and people with similar interests and start following them.  By following others, you let them know you exist, so they can find you with one click.  Sure, some may find you through Twitter directories... but it's better to get out there and start following.  This will lead to others seeing you and following you.  When this happens... make sure you follow them back.  One important note:  Twitter is full of spammers, PR junk, and companies that follow you in the hope that you will follow them back.  Don't follow them. You'll get nothing butt annoying Tweets that equal the junk mail you get via email and snail mail.  That's one reason why I discourage the use of automated services or scripts to add followers.  Keep a watchful eye on your follow list and you'll get the most out of Twitter.
    
3. Tweet, Tweet, and Tweet Some More... Oh... and Don't Forget to "Re-Tweet"
   The more active you are on Twitter the more likely others will find you and begin following you from within Twitter.  Every Tweet comes up on the Twitter Public Timeline... so increasing the number of Tweets can help you appear more often there.
    
   A word of caution however... Tweeting too regularly about nothing worthwhile will cause you to lose followers. Pace yourself and leave room for others to respond.  Twitter can actually become quite confusing once you have too many trains of thought going all at once so stick to one topic at a time and create pauses between them to let others interact.
    
   Re-tweeting another person’s post can be viewed as an act of kindness.  Those who Tweeted will appreciate it and will be more likely to do the same for you. However, don't expect someone to retweet your content just because you retweet theirs.  Remember, retweeting is about providing value to your followers.  Generally, people will not retweet your Tweet unless it's informative or helpful to them or their followers.
     
4. Your Tweets Should Have Value
   Tweeting on a personal level may be fun... and for many that’s as far as it goes. However, if you’re interested in growing your Twitter influence and audience you need to provide your followers (and potential followers) with value. It’s the same principle as growing a blog.  If you help enrich people’s lives in some way they'll be more likely to follow you... want to additional information from you... and pass the information along to friends, co-workers, and colleagues.  As a result your Tweets, re-tweets, and replies should "matter".  Of course you can toss in a few personal tweets and have some fun with it, but unless you’re providing something useful to people (information, entertainment, news, education etc) they probably won’t follow you for long.
     
5. Tweet During Peak Times
   These times will vary depending on where you live and who you want as your audience.  It may mean being awake when you'd rather be sleeping... but Tweeting during peak times will increase the chances of your Tweet being visible to your audience rather than get buried and lost beneath all the other Tweets that come in and begine to push yours to the bottom of the list.

In November 2010 there were an estimated 175 million Twitter users with an average of 500,000 being added each day.  It's never too late to start.  Don’t stress about your numbers.  It WILL take time... but if you follow the steps above and genuinely connect with your Twitter followers... the rest will take care of itself.

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Watch your Ps & Qs... and your WTFs & OMGs...

Keep Your Personal Profile Clean and Professional

Sure it's great to have fun on Facebook and Twitter.  And despite your best efforts to keep your privacy settings in check, your information will inadvertently leak out via friends and family... meaning that your seemingly insignificant photos, videos, status posts and game playing choices can have a negative impact on your future.

In August 2009, CarreerBuilder.com released a survey indicating that 45% of employers use Facebook and Twitter to screen job candidates... a more than 100% increase from the 22% recorded in 2008.  Another 11% plan to start using social networking sites for screening.  2,600 hiring managers participated in the survey, which was completed in June 2009.  Of those who conduct online searches/background checks of job candidates, 29% used Facebook, 26%used LinkedIn and 21% used MySpace. One-in-ten (11%) searched blogs while 7% followed the candidates on Twitter.  Although no recent surveys appear to have been released, one need only to use common sense to conclude that as social media and social networking continues to grow, more employers will be using these sites to screen potential employees.

Be mindful of the information you post online and how you communicate directly with employers. Thirty-five percent of employers reported they have found content on social networking sites that caused them not to hire the candidate.

Here are the top 8 reasons employers who were surveyed disregarded candidates after screening them online:

1. Candidate posted provocative or inappropriate photographs or information – 53%
2. Candidate posted content about them drinking or using drugs – 44%
3. Candidate bad-mouthed their previous employer, co-workers or clients – 35%
4. Candidate showed poor communication skills – 29%
5. Candidate made discriminatory comments – 26%
6. Candidate lied about qualifications – 24%
7. Candidate shared confidential information from previous employer – 20%
8. 14% percent of employers have disregarded a candidate because the candidate sent a message using an emoticon such as a smiley face while 16% dismissed a candidate for using text language such as GR8 (great) in an e-mail or job application.

Does that mean you need to STOP using social media?  Absolutely not!  In fact, just the opposite is encouraged.  You need to realize that you CAN leverage social media when advertising your skills and experience.  18% percent of employers reported they found content on social networking sites that caused them to hire the candidate.

Here are the top 7 reasons why employers who were surveyed hired candidates after screening them online:

1. Profile provided a good feel for the candidate’s personality and fit – 50%
2. Profile supported candidate’s professional qualifications – 39%
3. Candidate was creative – 38%
4. Candidate showed solid communication skills – 35%
5. Candidate was well-rounded – 33%
6. Other people posted good references about the candidate – 19%
7. Candidate received awards and accolades – 15%

“Social networking is a great way to make connections with potential job opportunities and promote your personal brand across the Internet,” said Rosemary Haefner, Vice President of Human Resources at CareerBuilder. “Make sure you are using this resource to your advantage by conveying a professional image and underscoring your qualifications.”

Haefner recommends the following DOs and DON’Ts to keep a positive image online:

1. DO clean up digital dirt BEFORE you begin your job search. Remove any photos, content and links that can work against you in an employer’s eyes.
2. DO consider creating your own professional group on sites like Facebook or BrightFuse.com to establish relationships with thought leaders, recruiters and potential referrals.
3. DO keep gripes offline. Keep the content focused on the positive, whether that relates to professional or personal information. Makes sure to highlight specific accomplishments inside and outside of work.
4. DON’T forget others can see your friends, so be selective about who you accept as friends. Monitor comments made by others. Consider using the “block comments” feature or setting your profile to “private” so only designated friends can view it.
5. DON’T mention your job search if you’re still employed.

Survey Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the U.S. by Harris Interactive© on behalf of CareerBuilder.com between May 22 and June 10, 2009 among 2,667 hiring managers and human resource professionals (employed full-time; not self-employed; with at least significant involvement in hiring decisions; non- government) ages 18 and over. With a pure probability sample of 2,667 one could say with a 95 percent probability that the overall results have a sampling error of +/- 1.9 percentage points. Sampling error for data from sub-samples is higher and varies.

About CareerBuilder
CareerBuilder is the global leader in human capital solutions, helping companies target and attract their most important asset – their people. Its online career site, CareerBuilder.com, is the largest in the U.S. with more than 23 million unique visitors, 1 million jobs and 32 million resumes. CareerBuilder works with the world’s top employers, providing resources for everything from employment branding and data analysis to talent acquisition. More than 9,000 Web sites, including 140 newspapers and broadband portals such as MSN and AOL, feature CareerBuilder’s proprietary job search technology on their career sites. Owned by Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI), Tribune Company, The McClatchy Company (NYSE: MNI) and Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT), CareerBuilder and its subsidiaries operate in the U.S., Europe, Canada and Asia. For more information, visit http://www.careerbuilder.com/.

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