Niche Social Networking and Sports Connectivity
As social networking gets more intertwined in our daily lives there is an ever increasing demand for niche social connectivity sites. Most of my friends are engaged actively in sites like Twitter, Facebook, Mixx, and People but unfortunately these sites lack a focus that caters to specific segments. Instead, those sites engage and connect large scale groups. A new site, that I am extremely excited about, connects people are interested in sports.
Timu.com is the niche social networking and sports connectivity site that is taking to social networking into a new realm. Both in lines of social media but also in the realm of team communication. As a sports enthusiast, avid skier, Seahawks season ticket holder, ex harescrambler and desert racer, and former Junior Olympian, I get a lot of pleasure out of talking and sharing experiences with others that have a similar passion, no matter what the sport. That void is what Timu fills and which other social networks cannot provide.
Read more
Facebook Status Update & Micro Blogging Experiment
Yesterday while sitting at my desk an idea popped into my head after reading some status updates and which ones generate discussions. A few times I have randomly posted status updates that I knew my friends would instantly jump on the chance to “dis” me on. The most recent was a status update with reference to the video game I play and it really got people’s attention.
Read more
Employers search YOU as a job applicant
This morning I was scanning through the presets on the radio when the word “social networking” jumped out at me. Adam Corolla and his guests where discussing how a person’s Facebook and MySpace profiles could negatively affect a job applicants interview. This is not the first time I have heard and/or discussed this very topic. Back in 2006, seems like a long time ago, I was listening to NPR and the topic of Googling job applicants arose. These two topics are so similar and if you are not aware how search works then it may seem like no big deal to post more personal information on a Facebook or MySpace profile.
Read more
A free alternative to hosting your own website
For many the problem of having a website stems from the fear of technology. In the early stages of the internet building a website was done by masters of html, server side hosting and a host of other magical tricks. But today’s alternatives have made it as easy as having a MySpace account. My first two sites where a MSN Space and an Advanced Access real estate website. Now I have a few blogsites, have built blogsites, blog on other professional websites and have a host of free social professional blogs and profiles.
It has taken the better part of a few years to learn all this and the biggest thing I’ve learned is it does not have to take a few years to learn. Getting an online presence is far more important today then just a few years ago especially is a slow economy. The easiest way to gain a website is to join a social professional network and complete the free profile steps.
The first place to start, and get the feel of free web advertising, is to register at www.MerchantCircle.com. MerchantCircle is an online directory designed strictly for businesses and allows its users to create a profile, list contact information, upload a picture/logo, receive testimonials and even have a blog. It’s free, easy and within a few minutes your business can be online and in a search engine friendly directory.
Still not sure where to start? Go to www.MerchantCircle.com and register. Fill out the require fields and don’t be afraid to disclose business contact information, it’s safe and secure. When you’re done hit submit at the bottom of the page and voila, you have a webpage online.
From the merchant dashboard you can navigate through the profile, add in information and further build a free website. Don’t get frustrated when things go wrong or it seems challenging to get the hang of.
Next…[EDITING POST]
It is all a learning curve but once one network is figured out other networks will fall into place.
What can traditional networking do to increase your market presence?
As a small business marketing consultant I come across many types of businesses that have one thing in common; they want to increase profitability in an affordable and streamlined fashion. Marketing is more much more than a single act; its a constant action that builds branding and awareness through effective means of targeting market segments.
But the limits of targeting a market segment are not just limited to ranking at the top of search engines. There are more traditional methods to gain quality business contacts and that is why TW Resource Group joined the LeTip business networking group. Today there was a business mixer in Marysville where many entrepreneurs gathered to share their business specialties.
The many different networking groups offer the small business owner to get their business in front of many people who may need or might know someone who needs the services you offer. Yes, these networking groups require a commitment to attend meetings, mixers, board meetings and training seminars but the long term ROI is immense. The biggest argument I hear from business owner “why not to join” is the time commitment out of their already busy schedules. But if business is to be had by committing a small block of time every week isn’t it worth it?
In my opinion it is. Small businesses can not normally afford a large marketing/advertising budget to generate a long-term source of fresh business. Getting involved in a group that is designed to build contacts as increase the size of a client base is one of the most effective small business marketing strategies.
After joining LeTip TW Resource Group has made many contacts, provided small business marketing proposals and even closed a few deals all in a period of a month and a half. Get involved in local business mixers, professional networking groups and make you and your company known through out the community. The dividends will pay themselves a few folds before you know it.
Take a proactive position to your company’s success and get involved because your success and survival depends on it.