Alberta Business Marketing

Whenever you speak with a Calgary Social Media Consultant many of my peers in the industry will tell you about the importance of using Twitter in your business.  This is a true statement, however I look at tweeting in a very different way compared to what I once did.  One question you must ask yourself is this, are you tweeting with purpose or are you simply making or adding to the noise?

In my early days of using Twitter, I was simply about making the most noise out there.  I once thought if I made enough noise I could rise above the noise and in reality I simply added to the noise that was out there, and you know something – people will turn you off.  Picture the loud mouth at your business networking club who always boasts about how great their business is or how well his kids are doing in school, you know that person…what do you do?  Most of us avoid him or her.  You know the noise I am speaking of in the online world it could be mentioning that you are at the local Starbucks on Foursquare, tweeting useless bits of information and retweeting other people’s noise.

I do like the idea of retweeting other people’s useful information, however the question I have to ask is this.  Are my tweets enriching someone else’s life or business?  If the answer is no, I really need to think long and hard about sending out more noise into the Twitter universe.

Twitter is such a powerful tool but often abused by many small business owners because of the advice of some social media professionals out there.  How about this advice?  Instead of simply sharing a link to someone else’s article using Twitter that really has no value or broadcasting to the world something they really don’t care about.  Can you not write your opinions about what the other person’s article, blog post or link meant to you on your own blog.  Offer your own insight and opinion using your own platform.  Position yourself with your own thoughts instead of simply tweeting without any purpose.

Can you use Twitter effectively?

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There has been a number of people claiming to be Social Media Experts who are attempting to capitalize on the  social media craze. Social Media technologies are not going anywhere and now they are woven into the fabric of business communications.  However, knowing this, there are a number of social media professionals in Calgary and I am sure this trend is occurring everywhere in the world.  People looking to make a quick buck on the social media rage out there.

Why your business doesn’t need a social media consultant?

Wait, isn’t this what I do for a living?

Not exactly, David and I are more than just social media consultants.  Ulistic’s focus is on the entire web marketing strategy for small business.  As professionals in the “all up” approach on Internet Consulting, we totally understand that social media is just one piece of a very complex puzzle.  Our complete approach is very different from many of the social media consultants who are popping out of the woodwork, just like a dandelion on a spring day.

Tip:  If you want to know the biggest difference, just look at their website.  This is a strong indication if they are a complete marketing professional or just someone offering to write your blogs, tweet for you or update your Facebook page.

Your business doesn’t need someone to do your social media for you.  This is something the business must own.  Ulistic core message is on helping business owners, directors and executives who have business websites to become owners of their web presence.

When it comes to Social Media, Twitter is merely 140 characters and the truth be told, is a great way to listen and learn about things happening in your community, with suppliers and perhaps learn about events happening around the city.  Some of my clients never send out a tweet, all they do is listen.  Twitter on its own will not sell products or even have some one pick up the phone and call you.  Remember the core lesson of business and sales which I learn learned from Bob Burg.  People do business with those they KNOW, LIKE and TRUST.  Simply tweeting, blogging and Facebook is not enough.

Facebook Fan Pages are also gaining in popularity and once again on its own…doesn’t make me want to pick up the phone and call any business let alone join as a fan.  Just leave your Facebook idle for a couple of days and see how many invites you get to join someone’s fan page.  My own strategy is never to join a fan page of someone I don’t know, never have worked with or don’t feel comfortable endorsing face-to-face.

Familiarization, mentoring and education is the secret

David and I are completely focused on empowering business in Calgary and those across the globe so they take ownership of their entire social media and web marketing strategies.  It is not about doing, it is about empowering and educating our clients so they know what we know and ultimately they can do it for themselves.

At the end of the day it is about lead generation.  You can be the best thought leader, community player or blogger…but if you are not generating leads for your business, what are you doing?  This is what we teach our clients…how to create new lead generation activities, one of my clients just emailed me and told me her new blog has generated her first lead. Love it when this happens.

Sure, we can kick-start a campaign, but at the end of the day…you, the business owner, VP Marketing, Director of Business Development are ultimately responsible for your web marketing and overall business strategy.

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