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Avoid Crude and Lewd Twitter Followers

June 27, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Twitter has become HUGE in the world of social media. But, it’s NOT perfect. You’d be surprised who they allow to have a Twitter account. Unfortunately, they don’t have HIGH security settings like they do on Facebook and MySpace. This means that anyone can follow you and that could be detrimental to your business.

Small business owners do everything they can to protect and uphold their reputation. One mishap and you could lose a ton of customers. It’s unfortunate, but true. This is WHY you must be careful with Twitter. You never know who will be following you.

For example, I received an email that someone was following me on Twitter. I logged into my Twitter account and let’s just say that I was not thrilled with what I saw. Vulgar is a good word to describe the person who thought it would be a good idea to follow me. Disgusted is an UNDERSTATEMENT of how I felt. I immediately sent an email to Twitter DEMANDING that they do something about it. I blocked the person, but when I opened up my Twitter account I still saw the person. It was a very disgusting picture/pose, and I was not AMUSED to say the least.

crude_sw

Twitter is NOT that sophisticated when it comes to privacy. They’re NOT like Facebook and MySpace which gives you a ton of PRIVACY selections. This is the drawback to Twitter.

As a small business owner, you want to ensure that your followers on Twitter are not, how shall I put this, indecent. After all, people can see WHO is following you on Twitter. Imagine the looks on your customers’ faces if they see indecent followers on your Twitter account.

Many small business owners use Twitter as a means to BOOST traffic to their website, connect with customers/clients, others in the industries, and interesting people. Imagine the surprise you may find the next time you log into your Twitter account.

If you ever encounter any crude and lewd followers on your Twitter account, send an email to abuse@twitter.zendesk.com and see what can be done about it. Unfortunately, Twitter’s terms and services DO NOT state that they WILL REMOVE any accounts that may or may not be appropriate. They do have terms and services to protect children, but they miss the mark when it comes to small business owners.

You must be vigilant when it comes to your Twitter account. If someone follows you that you feel is inappropriate, immediately BLOCK the person and contact Twitter. Perhaps if many people speak out, the people at Twitter will update the PRIVACY settings to ensure that NO ONE can just follow you!

Savvy Writer Rebecca

Filed Under: Overcoming Obstacles, Search Engine Marketing, Search Engine Optimization, Social Media Tagged With: , , , ,

Attract More Business with Twitter

June 17, 2009 By 1 Comment

bluebird_tweeter_saavy

Twitter can help drive traffic to your website. This social media platform has taken the world by storm. If you’re not taking advantage of social media, what are you waiting for?

Twitter is FREE and easy to use. You can set-up an account in no time and connect with new and current customers.

Social media platforms such as Twitter can help small business owners grow their business. Spending a small amount of time using Twitter each day can increase your business prospects. How do you get Twitter? All you do is “Google” Twitter and sign up. It’s that easy.

Twitter Tips & Tricks

  • User name can be 15 characters. Twitter will let you know if a username is available. If the one you want is not available you’ll have to think of another username;
  • Choose a design that correlates with your website. If you can, choose a design that coordinates with your website, i.e., colors and design;
  • Tweets are 140 characters. What makes Twitter popular is the fact that you can only TWEET 140 characters. Keep it short and get to the point. Not only TWEET about your business, but give “brief” tips.

Reasons to use Twitter

  • Twitter is free to sign up. Your business can soar to new heights by TWEETING each day;
  • Fast and easy to use. It doesn’t take a “users manual” to set-up a Twitter account. What takes a bit of time is tailoring your Twitter page;
  • Limited to 140 characters. If you have a tendency to be long-winded, you may find Twitter a bit of a challenge;
  • TwitPic complements Twitter. This is free as well. If you have a Twitter account you can use TwitPic to upload pictures. This is great if you have an interior design or graphic design business;
  • Network with other people. You can meet people within your industry, gain new customers, and keep current customers up-to-date;
  • Drive traffic to your website. Social media such as Twitter is a great tool to drive traffic to your website.

Twitter has taken over the world! Everyone who is anyone has a Twitter account. You can TWEET all day by using “Twitter Tools” such as TweetDeck. You can keep this handy little tool open and submit your TWEETS throughout the day. Just don’t over do it!

If you don’t have a Twitter account, sign up today! It’s a great social media tool for small businesses. You can follow other businesses and they can follow you. It’s a great way to connect to people and to the community in which you live.

~ Savvy Writer Rebecca ~

How could Twitter enhance your small business?

Filed Under: Freelance Writing, Networking, Search Engine Marketing, Social Media, Tips and Tricks Tagged With: , ,

Make Social Media Work for You

June 11, 2009 By 1 Comment

Small business owners, it pays to partake in social media. You can drive traffic to your website and business. The bottom line is that many people are internet savvy these days. They like to surf the internet to find answers to their questions in a matter of minutes. If you’re not capitalizing on this phenomenon, you don’t know what you’re missing.

Social media can seem tedious and time consuming. Stick to the rule of thumb which is a minimum 40 hours per month in order for your website to gain traffic. However, some people spend 15 hours per week (3 hours per day) which is 60 hours per month.

Here’s a Sample Breakdown

  • 1-2 hours on Twitter — per day
  • 1 hour of blogging — per day
  • 30 minutes of analytics — per week
  • 15 minutes on Facebook — per day
  • 15 minutes on LinkedIn — per day
  • 15 minutes on Google Alerts — per week
  • Check email 3 times per day

Is a freelance writer needed to help you with your social media? It makes sense. Chances are a freelance writer already does social media in order to promote her business. Hiring a freelance writer that knows and understands SEO and social media is a win-win situation. Not only do you receive unique content, but social media will be effortless.

Build a Network Through Social Media

Build a Network Through Social Media

A successful small business owner will take advantage of social media. Many people put off social media, but they eventually “buckle” and jump on the bandwagon. Twitter is the easiest social media platform to use. You are only allowed 140 characters. It’s easy to send “tweets” every hour on the hour, just don’t go overboard.

Many successful small business owners use social media endeavors in order to reach out to clients, vendors, and potential clients. It’s good to network with other businesses within your industry. You can make great contacts and you never know when you’ll receive a referral. It could happen.

Connecting with clients via the internet is great way to promote your business, find new and former clients, and to reach out to the community where you live. If you lost clients for whatever reason, you can gain them back through social media. Perhaps they moved away and couldn’t remember the name of your business. If they search the internet, they’ll be able to locate your business and become a client once again.

Being part of the community is a great way to welcome new residents. Sending out advertisements/direct mail to new residents can generate business. Make sure to include your website advertisements/direct mail Many people like the convenience of the internet. All they have to do is type in the URL and BOOM they’ll find your website. Offer a discount to new residents, and they’ll become a client for sure.

If you don’t have a website, it’s time to get one up and running. If you’re not internet savvy find a web designer. You can always use WordPress.org and hire someone who is familiar with the program. Other options are Weebly.com, GoDaddy, Homestead, and countless others. Begin a website today, gain new clients tomorrow!

~ Savvy Writer Rebecca ~

Filed Under: Freelance Writers, Social Media, Tips and Tricks Tagged With: , ,

Get a Business Referral in Five Easy Steps

June 9, 2009 By 1 Comment

Women small business owners, you can get a business referral in five easy steps. Now, if you’re a bit shy about asking for referrals, it’s time to get over it! This may sound easier said than done, but it really is easy to do. It just takes confidence — in you and your business!

Successful small business owners know how to ask for a business referral. It helps if you know how to network and understand networking. That’s another blog post! Obtaining a referral is quite simple — all you do is ask! What’s the worst that can happen? The person may decline. No biggie. Thank him for his time and move forward and ask the next person. As women small business owners, you must be discerning when you deal with people.

Referals Will Get You Far

Networking Will Get You a Referral

Five Easy Steps to Business Referrals

  1. Join networking/referral groups online and or in your area.
  2. Tell everyone that you know about your business — this includes family and friends.
  3. Place an advertisement on Google and in the local newspaper.
  4. Do social Media. This includes Facebook, Twitter, Digg, and other sites.
  5. Ask for the referral.

Many women small business owners will not ask for referrals — some feel that they will not be able to receive any business referrals. It comes down to an “old way” of thinking — that it’s a man’s world! Change your thinking, change your business. You can receive a referral for your small business; all you have to do is ask for them.

Asking for a referral doesn’t have to be painful. It just takes CONFIDENCE and determination. If you want your business to be a success, you must do what it takes to promote it and obtain clients/customers for it. Sitting in your home or home office waiting for the phone to ring or for someone to walk through the door is wishful thinking. Although, it could happen, but there’s a slim chance it will not happen that way.

Women small business owners, who want to succeed in business, will seek out business referrals for their business. Join groups such as BNI. This organization can help you generate leads and sales. They are located across the USA. It does work. In fact, one member, a chiropractor located in the Phoenix, AZ area earned $33,000 from a referral! Obviously this is a HIGH amount — not the norm. The key point here is that it happened by being a part of a networking/referral group. These extraordinary income amounts do and can happen. So…Women small business owners get out and get those referrals!

~ Savvy Writer Rebecca ~

What’s holding you back from asking for a business referral?

Filed Under: Clients, Freelance Writers, Networking Tagged With: ,

Small Businesses Make a Budget Work for You

June 6, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Many times freelance writers here the following phrase from small business owners, “…I don’t have a budget. Just work up a quote and get back to me.” This doesn’t work. As a small business owner, you do need a budget. In fact, most organizations have and revise their BUDGET each year!

When a freelance writer asks if you have a budget, please think about this. Yes, you do have a budget. You know how much you want to spend. If you don’t, who’s taking care of the books? Budgeting is a MUST for your business.

Many small businesses may have a small amount to work with in the beginning. This is fine. Don’t waste a freelancer writer’s time by saying “give me a quote” if you KNOW you have a set figure in mind to pay the freelance writer. Your time is valuable as is the freelance writer’s. Be up front and honest with the writer. Many freelance writers will be willing to work with you, some may not. It depends on where the writer is in his or her career. Remember, one email campaign can make you MILLIONS! It could happen.

What's Your Budget? It Pays to Have a Budget!

It Pays to Have a Budget!

The next time a freelance writer asks, “…what’s your budget?” don’t ignore this question. Tell the writer that you’ll get back to her. If you REALLY don’t have a budget, make sure the freelancer knows what it is you’re looking for in terms of service.

Having a budget is a great way to negotiations. Many freelance writers will work with you; they will negotiate and be flexible on a project. All you have to do is ask. If the writer says NO then find another writer. It’s best to find a writer that you feel comfortable with — especially if you’re looking for a writer to work with you on a long-term basis.

Budgeting for your advertising/marketing is important for your business. If you don’t, you run the risk of OVER SPENDING on items such as online ads, print ads, and other advertisements. Marketing your small business is imperative for its growth, but you want to be SMART about it. Make sure you have solid marketing plan that includes SEM (search engine marketing), social media, and other marketing endeavors.

The next time you require the services of a freelance writer; give her YOUR budget or ask for quote. If the price SEEMS too high, make sure you take into consideration how MUCH MONEY she’s SAVING you in the long-run and your PROFITS can increase because of GREAT writing!

~ Savvy Writer Rebecca ~

Do you have a budget? If not, why?

Filed Under: Clients, Freelance Writers, Freelance Writing, Networking, Tips and Tricks Tagged With: , ,
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