Starfish Family Services and the Plymouth Rotary are both leaders in their humanitarian efforts and I was excited to present to both organizations last week. Starfish was recognized as one of the top places to work by the Detroit Free Press and I could see why they earned such recognition. From the stories they shared, you could tell their work was meaningful. Just as importantly, they presented awards to various work teams for their collaborative achievements.
I received a very warm welcome by the The Plymouth Rotary, too. I was truly honored to present to this group of go-getters and, (to coin a phrase from best-selling author, Bob Burg) they are also go-givers sponsoring many mission trips to communities in need.
Being clear on one’s mission and vision is so very important and something I truly believe is integral to creating a great life and business – at least it has been an important tool in my life. I realized over time just how important my personal vision statement was to keeping me focused every day. What’s my vision?
“A world that embraces quality, nurtures wisdom, and values integrity. A world where together we share our uniqueness to motivate others to strive for excellence by demonstrating courage, character and balance.”
In the good times and the challenging times it keeps me faith-filled. I believe we each have a uniqueness and it is that uniqueness when fully expressed, developed and embraced that our true greatness resides – that we live in harmony with who we are. Yet, so many times we don’t understand that uniqueness or don’t fully express it. But yet when we do, it helps serve or inspires so many more people.
Do you have a vision statement or constitution you live by? I’d love to hear it.
Until next time…
Create a great life,
Lisa
P.S. Remember: As part of my free business growth teleseminar/webinar series, I’m hosting a high-content teleseminar called:
Make Money and Draw in More Clients While You Sleep!
REVEALED: The Amazingly Simple Steps to Waking Up Profitable
You want to be on this call and REGISTER EARLY. I’m making a REALLY BIG announcement on this call so you don’t want to miss out on this opportunity.
So if you are committed to catapulting your business to new levels in 2011, I’ll “see” you there!
P.P.S. Success Circle Community – We’re having another special guest on November’s High-Content Call. (If you are interested in learning about how to put your business goals on the fast track by becoming a member of the Success Circle, click here.)
And now for this week’s high-content article…
6 Surprisingly Simple Steps to Integrating Social Media
Are you still trying to figure out how to integrate social media into your Marketing Mix? You’re not alone, many small business owners are confused about how to blend social media into their business. You might have signed yourself up for LinkedIn or Facebook but you find yourself wondering if social networking really works. Then, weeks go by and you keep hearing about how important social media is to growing your business but aren’t quite sure what next step to take.
The good news is that there are surprisingly simple steps you can take to integrate social media into your marketing mix and it is easier than you might think. It just takes thinking through what you’re already doing today and where you can incorporate it into your daily business processes.
Consider these tips to integrating your social media into your business:
Add your social media links to your email signature. One of the most visible pieces of marketing real estate but most underutilized is your email signature. In your signature, include links to your Facebook page, LinkedIn profile or Twitter page. If you have a regular e-newsletter, include links to your social media sites, too. Remember to include your call to action. If you want them to connect with you simply put “Let’s connect on (then a link to your social media site.)
Add your links to your Estimates or your Proposals. Encourage your customers or clients to connect with you by placing links to your social media sites on your estimates or your proposals. Once you meet and establish a relationship with them, send your customers or clients an invitation to connect on your social media site if they haven’t invited you first.
Systemize your content posts. Review your yearly calendar. Identify certain dates, product or program launches, or anniversaries in business, etc. Identify specific dates where you will post on social media announcing these special dates. Have a special anniversary for your company coming up? Mention it on social media. Be sure to give high-content value, too. If you’re an Event Planner, post regular tips or articles, such as the top 10 things to consider when planning a party. When you schedule regular content on social media you become more visible and increase your credibility as the go-to person for your product and/or services.
Notice trends. Do you see a trend happening in your business? For example, you’re a residential contractor and have a slew of customers wanting bids for renovating their bathrooms. Hold a “Worst Looking Bathroom” contest asking your social media contacts to submit a picture or a video of their worst looking bathroom. Write a blog about the top five things to consider when remodeling your bathroom and update your status on social media with a link to your article. Determine your call to action: Ask them to submit their pictures and/or videos to your social media page and anyone who does will be eligible for a coupon (or whatever you decide to provide.) On a chosen date, pick a winner for 10% off of their bathroom redo. Post the winner. After the remodel, post before and after pictures detailing your work and highlighting your satisfied customer.
Interweave your Marketing Strategies. Let’s assume you have a new product launch. List your social media page in your traditional press release. Indicate that additional information about the product will be included on your social media site.
Flowchart Your Social Media Funnel. Take a minute to write down how you could include social media in each of your existing business processes or systems. Have a website? Include your social media links on it. Have a free e-newsletter? Make sure your social media links are in your follow up messages and included in your e-newsletter. These are great ways to expand your network.
In your day-to-day business processes and systems, consider how to integrate your social media. Write down your ideas and tackle a new idea each day or week.
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Lisa Mininni is President of Excellerate Associates, home of The Entrepreneurial Edge System, a comprehensive program showing entrepreneurs how to fill their business in record time. For more information on systemizing your business, pick up Get Ready, Get Set, Go! ebook at http://www.freebusinessplanformat.com and receive weekly business growth strategies, too.
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