Topsy is a real-time search engine for the web that also provides nice information about what’s trending in real-time. A hidden gem is their Social Analytics which allows you to compare up to 3 different queries over time (in graphical format) for mentions. Topsy only includes mentions that are what they call “significant and valid,” meaning they take out bots and only include posts that have a link or have been passed on. Topsy’s Social Analytics will definitely be on my regular list of tools. Here’s a closer look…
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Feb
08
2011
Social Media in 15 Minutes Per Day
Social media really is most effective when you put together a strategy, have a plan for implementation and can devote at least an hour per day to engagement and content production. The reality is, most small businesses just can’t find an hour per day (sometimes even per week). While it may not be the most effective way to use social media, just 15 minutes per day can gain you some benefits. Here’s how: [Read more...]
Jan
18
2011
Finding Keywords for Social Media Content & Monitoring
As I mentioned yesterday, in 7 Social Media Monitoring Essentials, fortunately or unfortunately, keywords are a part of life on social media (and the Internet). Keywords are how search engines provide results and keywords are how we find what we’re looking for. On social networks like Twitter, where you’re limited by the length of the post, keywords are vital for targeting the right audience. So how do you go about finding the right keywords for your content (and to monitor)? Here are a few suggestions…
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Jan
17
2011
7 Social Media Monitoring Essentials
Monitoring is an essential part of any Internet or social media strategy. Even if people aren’t talking about your products or company, they’re probably having conversations that would be helpful — either for product development, customer service or marketing. Listening is a huge part of the value of social media and monitoring can help you keep up on the important conversations. Here are the essentials you should be monitoring:
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Jan
12
2011
Why Understanding Your Customers is Vital to Your Social Media Strategy
Whenever I help a company with a digital or social media strategy, we spend a lot of time defining the business and understanding their customers. Why? Because understanding your customers is vital to the success of any marketing strategy, online or off. Who your customers are, what they care about, what their needs are all dictate how you should be using social media in order to engage and have conversations. Any type of marketing is more effective if you’re reaching the right people with the right message in the right places. Understanding your customers will help you be more effective in your social media strategy and increase engagement with the right people.
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Jan
04
2011
Common Sense Guidelines for the Legal Use of Social Media
There are legal and best practice guidelines for how social media should and can be used by companies (Disclaimer: I don’t claim to be a lawyer. For legal guidance on these issues, please seek one out). The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has governance over trade and advertising in the U.S. and they have set up guidelines for how social media should be used by companies. While the guidelines are meant to protect consumers, following them will also help you create a reputation for trust. Feel free to read the full guidelines yourself, but here are some general common sense principles that should help:
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Jan
03
2011
7 Social Media Resolutions to Improve Customer Engagement
Being on social media is nothing new. A lot of businesses are on social media. Many are even spending a lot of time and effort on social media. But are they using social media to actually engage their customers? Treating social media as another advertising channel is a big mistake. Here are some social media resolutions that can improve your customer engagement and lead to true return on investment (ROI).
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Dec
17
2010
Impact of Measuring the Wrong Metrics in Social Media
You’ve got your social media strategy and tactics in place. You’re measuring everything you can: tweets, retweets, followers, friends, shares, visits, bounce rate, etc. But what do all these numbers tell you about how successful your strategy and tactics are? What if you’re measuring the wrong things? What’s the impact to your social media strategy?
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Dec
16
2010
Indicators of Increasing Brand Loyalty in Social Media
Yesterday’s post dealt with using social media to increase brand loyalty. But how do you know if what you’re doing is working? It can be challenging to measure brand loyalty since it often hides amongst other activities like engagement and plain old interest in your content. Unfortunately, there’s not a metric that points completely to brand loyalty, but there are a few indicators that you’re on the right path.
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Dec
15
2010
Using Social Media to Increase Brand Loyalty
Every company wishes for brand loyalists like Apple attracts. Airlines use frequent flier programs to try to increase loyalty. Local restaurants and coffee shops use stamp cards (buy 10 and get one free). Social media can also be used to increase brand loyalty if we first identify what makes someone loyal to a brand.
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