Alberta Business Marketing

I was reading a very interesting online article from my very good friend in New York state this morning.  Joe Panettieri is a trusted colleague, friend and someone I take my guidance from when it comes to blog writing, social media and online marketing.  Joe runs a few very successful blogs focused on the IT services industry where he shares news, trends, observations  and a number of other creative topics focused in the vibrant information services world.  Joe has carved out a niche.

In one of his recent blog posts, Joe asks the question “Small Business Social Media: A Noisy Waste of Time?”

This got me thinking in the very early hours about my most recent 24 hours and how my online social media has worked.  In the past 24 hours I was interviewed by “The Canadian Employer” magazine on social media in Canada plus Ulistic is very fortunate to be working with another successful REALTOR in Calgary.

What does this tell me?

When used effectively, respectfully and with purpose…social media can help position your business and generate a buzz about what you do in your market.  However, for some “Social Media” is just a noisy waste of time.  ReTweet this, post this, share that…with no intent or purpose…just adds to the noise.

Here are some things I attempt to do each day that ensures my investment in social media does end up as just noise out there:

• Focus on a niche - Just like my buddy Joe has found success in a particular industry so can you.  You must pick a niche and excel in that niche.  Sorry folks, being spread out across multiple platforms doesn’t work and for those who say “small business” is my niche.  Sorry to disappoint you, but that is just to broad of a focus.  What business models do you know?  What industries can you learn?  Where can you excel?
• Master that market – Once you pick your niche…master it.  Learn everything you can.  How is business done?  How are the movers and shakers in that industry.  What are the terminologies used?  Where do you see gaps  and how can you fill them? (When I started in the IT industry I focused on oil and gas.  I made getting to know what everyone does in a company crucial to knowing the industry…so should you).
• Continue to learn – Never stop learning or never stop sharpening your saw.  Attend their industry trade shows.  Participate at their local events.  Attend their courses.  You must never stop continuing to learn.
• Post intelligence - Don’t post noise (hey, learn from me).  Post relevant observations on what is happening in that market, not just various statements and useless junk.  If you have nothing to say…don’t retweet just to be heard.

Focusing on quality information and post/sharing with purpose will stop you from adding to the noise.  Know your audience and how you can help or assist them.  Seek the advice of an expert to help get you started in the right direction.

Here is a quick acronym to help you with your blog posts, tweets and anything you do online:

S – share
W – with
I – intent
P – purpose and
E – excellence

Can you SWIPE?

Ulistic focuses on working with Technology firms (small business computer consultants and managed services providers) plus real estate agents, REALTORS and those in the Real Estate business (mortgage brokers, agents etc).  We do work with general small business however we know that our marketing needs to focused on our niche markets as well.

Once you get this and you focus on SWIPE….your social media will raise above the noise.

If your IT services firm, real estate brokerage requires help with online marketing, social media or simply getting you found online…give me a call today at 403.775.2205…cheers Stuart.

Tags: 403.775.2205, blog, Business/Finance, Calgary, canada, it consulting, Joe Panettieri, leadership, managed services, mspmentor, online article, real estate agents, real estate brokerage, social media, technology
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Managed Service Providers is a term really only used by a selected few in a tight community of small business technology support companies across the globe.  These firms are committed to helping small businesses with all their computer and network support, most of them are also focused on Microsoft networks and Microsoft services.  This is definitely a blood-red ocean, and there are a number of firms looking at tapping into this market of support companies from around the globe.

On Thursday, I was blessed to enjoy a great chat with Mark Checksfield via Skype (a free telephone service) who works with Naverisk, a leader in the Australian/New Zealand market  in the remote monitoring, remote support and patch management marketplace.  Naverisk came highly recommended to me from some great friends in the business and Stuart Selbst.  Even though I provide no IT services to clients that require me to use their services, it was great to discuss the market and opportunities with Mark and keep my finger on the pulse of a community where I recently finished 15 years of service.

Naverisk is a firm located in Auckland, New Zealand and they are starting to get traction in the Australian and New Zealand Managed Services market.  Mark even shared with me that they are now gaining some momentum in the US and Canada, a market which has great potential.

I am no expert when it comes to these tools and actually when I was providing computer services to small business in Calgary I often thought of these services as simply a cash grab.   In reality, at the end of the day they provided no real value to my clients (one of my friends this week told me that he actually removed one of these solutions because he claims it was invasive (he first used the term TROJAN) and violated his own privacy policy) and for many of peers often emptied their bank accounts as they jumped from solution to solution.  I have found with Naverisk a different approach, Mark appears to be aligned with the “Go Giver” model and their pricing structure is affordable and flexible for every computer support company.

I would give Naverisk a review if you are looking for a remote monitoring tool for managed service providers.  For me, I am not gaining financially from writing this post, I want to share with you a solution which appears to meet the needs of every technology support firm and is aligned with the core principles of being a Go Giver.

Tags: Auckland, bank, Business, Business IT, business technology support, Business/Finance, Calgary, canada, free telephone service, International trade, leader, Live Virtual Help Desk, managed services, Mark Checksfield, Microsoft Corporation, Naverisk, New Zealand, remote monitoring tool, Stuart Selbst, supply chain management, technology support, Technology/Internet, United States
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Even though I don’t do much with IT services these days, much rather pass this soft of stuff over to my friends in the industry now.  If you need IT support, contact me, I have friends who can help your Calgary small business.

But, I still have a tremendous amount of respect for Erick Simpson at MSPU.  So, why not share this information for him after all he helped me big time over the past few years.

Tags: Business, Business IT, Business/Finance, CompTIA, dallas, Dallas CompTIA, Geography of Texas, Human Interest, managed services, MSP University, Professional certification, Service Delivery Boot Camp, Texas, Union Station, USD
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