Social media for the reluctant
October 13, 2011 by Barbara · Leave a Comment
I was at a networking lunch recently. When asked for a show of hands about half the room was not using social media, or even sure what it was exactly. That inspired me to create this basic overview.
The constantly changing world of social media can quickly become overwhelming. There are expressions, abbreviations, and ways of communicating unique to the milieu, Facebook has Likes and Twitter has hashtags (#), for example.
If you want to dip your toe into social media, I encourage you to explore. I had to experience it before it made sense. Choose just one thing, be clear about what you want to get out of it, and start exploring.
That one thing could be reading a blog. (Hey, you’re doing that right now!) The next level of experience might be leaving a comment on the blog. (Just keep scrolling and you’ll be there. Go ahead, leave a comment. I’ll answer.) You might find links to other blogs on similar topics of interest. (There are two links in this post you could visit.) Over time, you get familiar with blogs, commenting on blogs, you might even feel you know the bloggers you have been reading. This applies to any of the social media platforms. Now rinse, and repeat. You’ve started. Read more
LinkedIn for business-to-business marketing
May 12, 2011 by Barbara · 6 Comments
The most used social media platforms are Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Some would say that YouTube is quickly joining that trio.
I am often asked about using social media for business-to-business (b2b) marketing. “Do I have to use Facebook and Twitter?” they moan.
There are two parts to the answer.
First, when you are networking on behalf of your business, you want to go to where your prospective clients are. The same applies to social media. If your clients are on Facebook and Twitter, then go figure out how to be there in a meaningful way. Read more
On the fence about social media?
April 7, 2011 by Barbara · 4 Comments
Perhaps I’m feeling more social now that we have daylight savings time and warmer days. Or maybe it reflects the conversations I have been having about social media with Puget Sound AEC firms.
I see a definite shift from two years ago when I moderated a panel on social media for SMPS and most people replied to the question, “How is your firm engaging in social media?” with answers like “We’re too busy, and don’t know how we’d add anything to our plates;” and “I’m not sure how social media applies to what we do.” Read more
My year as social media explorer
March 28, 2011 by Barbara · 8 Comments
I’ve been learning about social media for more than a year now, and I keep asking other people how they are engaging with it.
My audience basically falls into two camps: professional service firms, primarily in the design and construction industry, and small and solo business people who are often active in Biznik.
My AEC colleagues mostly still watch, often maintaining personal accounts and blogs while their firms debate how to engage as a firm. In general, LinkedIn predominates, no longer seen as just for job seekers, many believe it is the best place to find and meet other professionals. Jan Flesher’s periodic blog posts about the AEC industry set a good example for using social media to offer value. Read more
December reflections – looking back at 2010
December 31, 2010 by Barbara · 14 Comments
With the new year upon us, it’s a great time to reflect on the year just ending and look ahead at what we want to create in 2011. If we don’t take time to evaluate and learn from our experiences, we are more likely to miss new opportunities or repeat our mistakes. Reviewing the prior year gives us a chance to connect the dots in our own business (and life) and to notice the pattern of changes from year to year. This process keeps us up-to-date with ourselves as well as the changing marketplace. I offer some questions and invite you to carve out a few hours of quiet time for this valuable practice. Read more
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As a 25-year veteran of marketing professional services, Barbara Breckenfeld is a strategist and a storyteller. She helps helps businesses grow as a consultant, marketing coach, and seminar leader.
