Notes from the event can be found here (thanks Nikki!). Special thanks to Portage Media Jeremiah Staes for recording and production of the video. And a thank you to the Social Media Club Detroit for putting on the event and the Detroit Public Library for hosting. If you get a chance to go downtown to the library, I highly recommend it. The building is absolutely beautiful inside and would be a great place to host an event, meeting or group.

For more information on creating a social media strategy and on social media measurement, please consider attending our upcoming online webinars (just need a web browser and an internet connection):

• Crafting a Successful Social Media Strategy – Wed, Apr. 14th – 12pm – Register Now!
• Measuring Social Media Success Webinar – Wed, Apr. 21st – 12pm – Register Now!

We are helping to teach small business owners how to use social media as one of the marketing strategies for their business. Social Media is the #1 choice to get started marketing a business, and to add to an already established plan. Best of all, it doesn’t cost you a thing. Just a bit of time invested. So many things are changing daily, and by having a presence on the web, and utilizing social media, incredible opportunities present themselves. So many of the people who have attended our classes are amazed by what doing a few simple things online start to do for their business. We have a member who has been in business for 16 years. She says that since coming to InSights classes and putting into place some of the things we teach, her business has more than doubled. Social media helps us connect to each other, fellow entrepreneurs and business people, and to our consumers. – Sandra Maki, Insights Group, Co-Founder

Insights is connecting people and to people by using a variety of social media, including Facebook, MeetUp, CollectiveX (for community) and regular blogging.  Similar to directing an orchestra, various social media are used in concert to promote events, information and connect people.  Using RSS feeds, Facebook and the Insights Community (CollectiveX) can be updated with posts from the blog.  When events are scheduled, they are promoted on Facebook, Meetup and the Insights Community, with coverage on the blog.  A synergy of socia media, using the strengths of each to reach the right audience, has helped Insights help businesses, and in the process, help themselves.

Being social is all about giving.  Sandra and Allan help other businesses learn to use social media effectively, by teaching classes, providing insight and connecting people. They are helping local businesses reach beyond their traditional marketing efforts to increase their networking effectiveness. When you give and help people, they are more likely to recommend you.  And, as most people who have met Sandra or Allan will attest, they are well worth the recommendation.

Is your Michigan business using social media effectively?  Send us an email and tell us about it.

Technorati tags: social media, strategy, social media strategy, business, marketing strategy, marketing

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While many people recognize the venues and events managed by LEPFA, most people are not aware of the existance of LEPFA.  When Amanda Snook, Marketing Manager, came to LEPFA, there was no social media use at all. Now, LEPFA is utilizing Twitter, Facebook, and Flickr to reach out to the community.

My goal is to get people not only KNOWING about the things that LEPFA does and the places we manage, but to get them talking to their friends about Thirsty Thursday at Olds Park. Maybe they will share with their coworkers about the great conference they went to at the Lansing Center. For me, it’s a new way to meet people, to get feedback about our properties and events and to encourage name building of the LEPFA brand. - Amanda Snook, Marketing Manager, LEPFA

Amanda is also trying to give the authority a face.  To show people that LEPFA is run by people, individuals who care, not a bureaucracy. That caring face comes through on LEPFA’s twitter account, run by Amanda.  She has conversations, promotes other businesses, helps people, and generally has a friendly, optimistic personality.  She wants people to see LEPFA events as a family-friendy with a large economic impact on the region.

Connections and conversations are also important in LEPFA’s social media use. LEPFA uses a Facebook group to connect with people in the region.  While LEPFA post news and information about their events and venues, group members can also post links and have discussions with the Authority and each other.

Social media, for us, allows interactivity between what LEPFA does and what people want. It’s an instantaneous way for me to know what we are doing right, what we are doing wrong, who is hearing our message and which people are the champions of our town. - Amanda Snook, Marketing Manager, LEPFA

Amanda has recently started using Flickr to post and share photos of the area and hopes to eventually use YouTube to post tours of facilities and event coverage.  By using social media, Amanda has raised awareness of LEPFA and the venues and events they manage, as well as given people a individual  that they can connect and interact with to make LEPFA’s services better for all involved.

Is your Michigan business using social media effectively?  Send us an email and tell us about it.

Technorati tags: social media, strategy, social media strategy, business, marketing strategy, marketing

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