Alberta Business Marketing

I remember way back in the day when I got my first computer.  It was a Compaq Presario 433.  It was a great computer, loaded with Windows 3.1, Tabworks and a bunch of other great software.  I remember connecting to the Calgary Freenet at 2400 bps and I was off to the races.

Viruses were small files that were attached to files on a floppy disk that spread by people passing infected disks back and forth.  Not really a big threat to the average computer user, we just had to be cautious about scanning any type of floppy disk that came our way.

Wow, lots has changed since those days…

I received an email today from my colleagues at CRN Canada about a brand new type of cyber threat to hit the social networking circles.  Yes, now the popular pastime for many is now being targeted.  CRN informed me this morning about a Facebook password scam making its way around the Internet.

Social Networking Services are an obvious and very attractive avenue for password scams, phishing sites and other malicious activities which our out there just like the old virus on the floppy was, to disrupt life for the unsuspecting computer user out there.  However, these malicious and “pain in the butt” activities are now out there to steal our personal and perhaps corporate information.

Important reminder about password requests via the Internet

If or when you get an email from Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or any other social media service or website in general asking you about your password…Don’t follow the instructions. Legit companies of any shape or size would never send you an email asking you information about your password or requesting you follow some sort of instructions about changing your password.

These types of scams are nothing new and they have been around for a while.  So all you security freaks out there, don’t go running around saying social networking is bad (the same thing happened to a number of industries out there).

I am sure the banking industry is thankful for social media because the pressure and the focus may be off them for a while.

Read more about the Facebook Password Reset Scam.

Tags: Compaq Computer Corporation, Computer virus, Facebook, Facebook Inc, LinkedIn Ltd, password, Phishing, social media, social media service, social networking, social networking circles, Technology/Internet, Twitter Inc, Windows 3.1, World Wide Web
Posted in Alberta Business | | Comments Off

Has this ever happened to you?  You go to your Chamber of Commerce luncheon or networking event and out of the blue some guy in a slick and shiny suit gives you their business card for no reason at all telling you to call them if you need to buy whatever they have to push.  I have to ask, why are you giving me your card and what makes you think I will do business with you in the first place?

I have been following some of the networking tips shared by Bob Burg over the past little while about networking etiquette and what is acceptable bahaviour when it comes to handing out your business card at events, lunches etc.  Well, according to all the experts and networking gurus they state “never give out your card until someone asks for it”.  Good advice in my opinion.

This same approach can spill over to the online world.  Especially one of my favourite business to business sites, LinkedIn.  Why do some people reach out to you when you really have no relationship?  There are legitimate people out there looking for help or advice, great this is what social networking is all about.  Some maybe looking to sell to you, this is what social networking is not about.

Therefore, if you are reaching out to sell something using online social technologies, don’t.  If you are looking at linking up with some to build a network, share experiences, share client needs or seek help or advice….make sure you state that in your request.  You will have a better chance of successfully building your online and face-to-face networks.

Don’t through your card in someone’s face…wait for them to ask for it.

Tags: bob burg, Business/Finance, collaboration, Human Interest, linkedin, LinkedIn Ltd, online and face-to-face networks, Online social networking, online social technologies, Social information processing, Social Issues, Social network service, social networking, social networking sites, social technologies, Stuart's ramblings, Technology/Internet, World Wide Web
Posted in Alberta Business | | Comments Off

Hello from Phoenix, Arizona

This evening I managed to invest some time with HTG1 and the HTG Advisory Council here in the Valley of the Sun, Phoenix, Arizona.  Tonight is a sad night for me.  It was my official last social engagement as a member of Heartland Tech Groups (HTG) and the HTG Advisory Council.  A great bunch of awesome guys, however with my new career direction in the Calgary Search Engine Optimization and Social Media world. it is unfortunate but I am no longer a fit for HTG, as a member at least.  There maybe something else we can figure out, hopefully.

Canada’s Social Media Landscape

Yesterday I mentioned the Social Landscape and what I feel are contributors to the overall landscape in our socially connected online world that we live in.  A critically important online world that can’t be overlooked any longer by business, families and anyone else who is stuck in a log cabin up north totally disconnect from all human interaction.

Many of us as professionals in social media, throw the words “social media” around pretty loosely.  But really what is social media?  Many of my peers including myself have different descriptions for social media and as a consultant serving the Calgary community I may just continue to use it, out of context in my mind, because that is what people know.

In my opinion, Social Media is simply the art of communicating, the art of delivering the message to a reader, the crafting of the message for people to view, and the reaction to the original message or posting.  Print media is the same thing, the newspaper you read is the tool for reading print media.  I can get the message in a magazine, paper or even a cocktail napkin.  In our online world, Facebook is just a tool for you to read social (online) media.  I hope this make sense to many of you.

Social media is the message, Facebook is the tool, and social networking is the art of creating mutual win-win online relationships and social currency is the “go giver” of the online world.  Like I said, I hope this makes sense to many of you.

Here is another example.  If you are a publicly traded firm in Canada and need to combat some negative press coverage in the print media world, you can turn to social media to help share your side of the story to reach your audience.  Different tools and perhaps the same message.  Twitter can be a service or tool for you to get your word out (the media).

Love to hear what you all think on the this topic.  This is my first leg of what I can the “Social Landscape”.

Tags: Arizona, Calgary, canada, collaboration, Consultant, Facebook, Facebook Inc, heartland tech groups, HTG Advisory Council, HTG1, important online world, member at least, mutual win-win online relationships, Online social networking, online world, Phoenix, print media, print media world, search engine, Social information processing, social media, Social Media Ventures Inc, Social network service, social networking, Technology/Internet, Twitter Inc, World Wide Web
Posted in Alberta Business | | Comments Off

I have started to write my next book, which will be an eBook on LinkedIn and practical uses for this great social networking service.  This book is for small business owners and those firms who service our vibrant small business community.  More details to follow soon.

A simple approach to a very powerful online tool for your small business

This is an all too common question within the business community today. I can see it still, you have been in business for many years and some “social media experts” waltzes through your front door and says “Hey man, you gotta use social media or you are out of business in the next few years, can I sell you my Social Media package?”. This sort of over-the-top approach to online marketing is leaving many business owners confused and scratching their heads.

There is some truth to how important social media in business is today, however it is just one “spoke” in your overall marketing strategy. It is a very big spoke and tools such as LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com) can help you build strong and vibrant online communities, surround yourself with other thought leaders, give you an avenue to build your own crowd source network and open new doors that you may have never had in the past.

Many small business owners, sales professionals and those who work in the vibrant small business community are still confused by all the pressure to embrace social media and other social technologies within their own businesses. In reality, it is not confusing at all. You need someone to help you. Someone to debunk the myth and show you how the power can be harnessed without taking you away from your core role.

There are many social technologies available to us today, but which one is the best and why?

The answer to this question is multi-faceted – we need to decide what your end goal is. What are you looking to do? When do you want to do this? and Why?

Social media and its related technologies can help you create a loyal following of people interested in what you have to say, but only when you make it interesting. If you are boring or come across as always having something to sell, you may risk having people turn you off instead of achieving your end goal.

It is this behaviour that has the naysayers waving their flags and telling the world social media is just a passing fad?

Tags: linkedin, networking, social media, social networking, Stuart's ramblings
Posted in Online Marketing | | Comments Off

Are you interested in reaching new potential business opportunities?

Are you being told that you must be present on Twitter and Facebook, but can’t understand why?

Are you seeing your colleagues win more business simply by being found on the Internet?

The way people connect and share information is changing drastically.  People are sharing information openly about everything.  Searches on Google are hitting all time highs.  Requests for “good people” are happening everyday on LinkedIn and the Twitter phenomenon is changing to serious inquiries about business.  Are you ready?

Social Media is taking off however many of Calgary’s vibrant small business community is playing catch up.  Are you wanting to know more about how social media may fit into your business?  Sitting on fence and not sure what direction to take.  ULISTIC may just have the answer for you.  Come on out on Feb 25, 2010 at the Blackfoot Inn from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM to learn from David and I on how we have embraced the power of social technologies to grow several businesses across North America and especially right here in Calgary.  Social Media has changed the way businesses work online and also how “word of mouth” referrals makes the rounds online.

Dave and I want to share how we did things so you can do it for yourselves.

Register today by clicking here

During this full day training session, which is $197.00 + GST for each attendee (we have heard similar social media courses in Calgary are running for almost $500) you will what David and I have done over the past 3 – 5 years to promote our businesses online and win new business opportunities.  Social Media is not rocket science, but you need to know where to start, what to do, how to automate all the services and also how to track your reach and effectiveness online.

Bring your laptop (or we can loan you one) for this hands on training, because you will be doing work and not just watching a bunch of confusing PowerPoint type slides.  We guaranteed you will leave with new tips and tricks on social media and also if you haven’t even started using Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn for your business, you will be the end of this interactive training day.

Here are what some of our past students have said about taking our social media training in the past.

“Stuart has always shown great confidence in his area of experience and has effective teaching skills. I enjoy Stuart’s easy manner and ability to set all participants at ease.”
Carolyn Jones, Happy Earth Inc.

“Stuart has been teaching us the basics to Social Media. We started with blogging, and now on Linkedin. We are very impressed and now we have learning the extra benefits and focus on the why.”
Jo-Ann Grimwood, Business Owner

Here is what we plan to cover during our time together:

1. The importance of Social Media
2. An overview of the top Social Media sites and how to use them.
3. Hands on setting up your Social Media accounts.
4. Preventing the fatal mistakes with your online communications.
5. Build your Social Media followers – how to get good followers.
6. How to place yourself as an industry expert with your followers.
7. Reach people with practical online videos that tell your story & how to syndicate your videos.
8. Automate… how to manage your Social Media strategy for multiple sites with one tool!

This is a great opportunity for you to get a jump on what social media can do for your business.  Register today by clicking here

Hope to see you on Feb 25.

?

Tags: Calgary, social media, social networking, training
Posted in Alberta Business | | Comments Off