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.

Some old marketing things will simply never go away.

Have you given any thought to your Unique Selling Position when designing your web marketing strategy?  Only after you have designed and crafted it with your team, can you successfully implement your vision/strategy with your online marketing, search engine optimization tactics and social media activities.   This will help position you in the business market?

If you have answered no, you have some work to do.

At Ulistic, our USP is totally zeroed in on empowering our clients to do their own online marketing using the solutions, services and tools the entire Ulistic team use ourselves.  We help our clients understand and master the fine art of marketing business online.  The clients we serve win because of our focus on training how they can either elect to do their own social media and search engine optimization or at least have a complete understanding of the process before they outsource the work to our team of Calgary SEO professionals.

Do you know what your USP is?

Many small businesses have no clue on what makes them unique or even why they exist in the first place?  Some have an idea but can not clearly share it.  Many times it ends up being a personal communications challenge vs. anything else.  If you need proof just go to your local Chamber of Commerce breakfast or networking event and you can see examples of both those who don’t have a clue what positions their business and who may know but have a disconnect from what they think to what they share verbally.

Why would I do business with you over the other guy who sells the exact same piece of hardware or provides similar types of services?

Sometimes it just comes down to communicating with you clients, teaching them something new, showing them a new way to do things and provide that extra amount of care and attention the other guy doesn’t offer.  Sounds pretty simple, however most companies fail at the simple tasks of communicating effectively.

Enter the endless money pit!

I have a tough time sleeping when I know someone is going down the wrong track and they are blind to everything around them. Helping the clients we serve understand their own unique selling position is critical.  My intention is to never work with a client until they know where they want to go. I can simply help them get there.

Before you embark on any social media campaign or even speak with a social media consultant you need to have a clue on why your business exists in the first place.  There are plenty of coaches and mentors or simply speak with someone who can assist you in crafting your message.

What makes your business unique in the marketplace?
Why is your business here?
What pain can you cure that no one else can?

Lots of questions, can you answer them?

Having David and Helen alongside me at Ulistic really allows us to help small business in Calgary with a total marketing and even basic coaching package.  Plus, when you combine all of our experiences including my experience with Calgary Small Business computer support and the IT business in general.  Well you have a complete team to help you.

What does the next 12 to 18 months look like for you?