1. 1. Complete your profile entirely and set it to “visible to everyone.”
2. 2. Include all relevant keywords and skills in your profile so it  can appear in search results.  
3. 3. Build your network by connecting with past and current clients.
4. 4. Join (and interact with) industry and alumni groups related to your business.

5. Ask for recommendations from past and current clients or people who’ve done business with (sub-contractors, vendors) and give them back. 
6. Participate in Linkedin Answers by answering relevant questions based upon your expertise. 
7. Create a custom URL for your profile and include it on relevant communications including an email signature, newsletters, and websites.
8. Share tips, articles, and client successes as status updates.
9. Start and manage a group for your business.
10. Post company news and resources such as discounts or upcoming events.
11. Create and add a profile badge (find in settings) to your website and email signature.
12. Buy a Linkedin ad that only your target market will see.
13. Post jobs to find talent or contractors.
14. Promote your blog with applications such as Blog Link and the WordPress App.

Are there any ways you use Linkedin for business? Do you have any success stories? Please share.  You can also learn more about our social media services.

P.S. feel free to add your company’s Twitter handle in the comments section.

Beauty Escape is hosting its third make-up bar event in Houston, TX on Saturday, August 6, 2011!  Makeovers, cocktails, and gifts are all part of this RSVP-only extravaganza. The “menu” consists of makeup application services from professional makeup artists paired with signature cocktails. After the guests are “transformed,” a photographer captures their looks with a complimentary photo. Learn more here.

Beauty Escape provides various (and affordable!) sponsorship opportunities  for companies to connect with female consumers in the 21-45 age bracket.  To request a sponsorship packet, please contact Elana at Elana@BeautyEscapeMakeupBar.com.

Event Date and Time
Saturday,  August 6, 2011
1 :00 – 6:00 PM

Location
Hyatt Regency Houston
1200 Louisiana Street
Houston, TX 77002

Sponsorship Information
Elana@beautyescapemakeupbar.com

Media Inquiries
Latoya@LV-PR.com  | 678.670.9707

I would love an office decorated with a purple color scheme. I’ve scoured the Internet for anything purple and found these cool office spaces I’ll use as my “inspiration”  to create my dream office.

Purple combines the stability of blue and the energy of red. Purple is associated with royalty. It symbolizes power, nobility, luxury, and ambition. It conveys wealth and extravagance. Purple is associated with wisdom, dignity, independence, creativity, mystery, and magic.

How would you describe your “dream” office?

1. Twitter: Tweet about your current special 2-5 times per week. Use hashtags for Foursquare and your city and/or state. Retweet people who have checked into your location.
2. Facebook:  Post a status update 1-3 times per week highlighting your special. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to insert a link to the Foursquare “Join Now” page for anyone interested in participating.
3. Printed materials: Insert generic text on your marketing brochures and flyers. I would recommend that you include the Foursquare logo and generic language such as “Check in here to unlock specials!”
4. eMarketing: Let your enews subscribers know you’re on Foursquare. They’ll appreciate finding out about new discounts/offers.
5. Website: You already feature your social media accounts and specials online, Foursquare is just another one you need to add to the mix.
6. On-site: Display posters on the wall or signs at the cash registers. Some businesses use sidewalk blackboards.  Take advantage of the free window clings Foursquare sends once you sign up. 
7. In general: Make your Foursquare specials exclusive. Don’t offer the same special an individual can access elsewhere.If a particular special isn’t working, activate another one to gauge its effectiveness. However, if one is doing particularly well, stick with it!

Tell us about your experience (good or bad) with Foursquare! Or, if your company is interested in getting started on Foursquare, we would love to help! You can contact us here.

Hopefully this will help move you in the right blogging direction! :-) Also please share your experience (good or bad) with any of these platforms.   

	WordPress	Blogger	Tumblr
Photos
Software/Platform Name	WordPress	Blogger	Tumblr
Cost	$?0.?00	$?0.?00	$?0.?00
Hosting Type	Free ?and ?open ?source ?software	Developer-?hosted ?platform	Developer-?hosted ?platform
Main Features	Audio HTML code Open Source Templates Plugins Post Preview Pre-made Templates Spell Check Video Widgets	Audio HTML code Open Source Templates Plugins Post Preview Pre-made Templates Spell Check Video Widgets	Audio HTML code Open Source Templates Plugins Post Preview Pre-made Templates Spell Check Video Widgets
Features included in the blog that allow for search engine optimization SEO Features	Link to Other Blogs Notification when someone links to your blog Permalink RSS Feeds Searchable Comments Traffic Statistics	Link to Other Blogs Notification when someone links to your blog Permalink RSS Feeds Searchable Comments Traffic Statistics	Link to Other Blogs Notification when someone links to your blog Permalink RSS Feeds Searchable Comments Traffic Statistics
Programming Language	.NET-base Java-based MySQL PHP Ruby on Rails	.NET-base Java-based MySQL PHP Ruby on Rails	.NET-base Java-based MySQL PHP Ruby on Rails
Of the top 100 most-visited blog sites online (as calculated by Technorati), the number that use this platform or software. Blog Platform Usage (top 100)	27	3	0
Requirements to signup and/or use the software. Requirements	Appropriate scripting language Valid Email Address	Appropriate scripting language Valid Email Address	Appropriate scripting language Valid Email Address
Main website for the entity. Website	Website (Click to visit)	Website (Click to visit)	Website (Click to visit)
How this blog can link with social networking sites Social Networking Features	Auto-link to Facebook Auto-link to Twitter Publish from Social Network Profile Share profile on blog	Auto-link to Facebook Auto-link to Twitter Publish from Social Network Profile Share profile on blog	Auto-link to Facebook Auto-link to Twitter Publish from Social Network Profile Share profile on blog
Whether the blog allows multiple users to either manage a developer-hosted blog OR implement the same blog software multiple times. Multiple Users on One Account?			No
Notable Blogs	Perez ?Hilton,? ?ProBlogger	The ?Official ?Google ?Blog,? ?PostSecret
Main email address for entity. Email		go@blogger.com	john@tumblr.com
Email Type	Web ?Form ?on ?Site	General	Executive

What is a QR Code?

Why use them? It is an inexpensive and measurable resource to turn a mobile interaction into a favorable online call to action. 
 
Where to find QR Code Generators and Scanners
There are many free generators to create your barcode. Here are a few to try:

• http://qrcode.kaywa.com/
• http://www.qrstuff.com/
• http://quikqr.com/
• http://www.qrstuff.com/
• http://createqrcode.appspot.com/

To find a scanner on your phone, go to your app store and search for “QR code reader.”

Ways to Use QR Codes for Your Business
Here are a few ways to utilize QR Codes. Remember to always include simple instructions on how to scan the barcode.

1. Add a QR code to your business card that redirects to your website, instructional video, or even your Twitter or Facebook account.
2. Are you presenting at a conference or seminar? Place  a QR code on a presentation slide so the audience can obtain your contact info.
3. Use a window decal on your store front so potential customers/clients can get additional information if they stop by after hours.
4. Get more use out of your promotional items by printing QR codes that links to special offers/incentives.
5. Place one on your receipts or invoices that redirects your clients to customer service info or product/service info.

Examples

My business card

Calvin Klein Billboard

Pepsi Ad Campaign

Tailor Made Hotel promotes Facebook Page

Are you using QR codes for your business? Tell us about your experience.

Has your company recently set up a Twitter account to connect with customers/clients amongst the network’s 160 million registered users* but now you’re stuck with yet another social media account thinking, “Now what?”
Well this post is for you! Listed below you’ll find some short and sweet tips and ideas to get the ball rolling. Enjoy!

1. Make sure your bio has relevant keywords about your business.
2. Add keywords to your Twitter pic (avatar) by naming the file with relevant keywords before uploading it.
3. Get listed in directories such as Twellow, WeFollow, Listorious, and Just Tweet It.
4. Use twitter widgets to display updates on your website and/or blog.
5. Or, add a Tweet button to your website and/or blog so visitors can share info from their account. AddThis is an easy to use application.

6. Promote your Twitter handle on all of your marketing collateral, business cards, websites, and even your email signature.
7. Share interesting pictures of events or products with applications such as Twitpic.
8. Give and request referrals.
9. Participate in Twitter chats. Here’s a good list of ongoing chats.
10. Or, organize your own weekly chat by utilizing a  hashtag.

11. Ask your top followers/friends to share company news.
12. Share and/or link to relevant industry tips and news.
13. Manage your Twitter account (along with other social networks) with free applications like Hootsuite that allow multiple users and scheduling functionality.
14. Make use of hastags more often so your tweets will be linked with other related ones.
15.  Don’t make it all about you. Retweet (RT) others’ tweets that you find interesting.

16. Be polite. Thank followers for any mentions/RTs.
17. Have fun. A trivia contest for a chance to win prizes (i.e. coupons, freebies) are always popular amongst followers.
18. Or, host a Twitter follower day for special discounts on services/products.
19. Skip the corporate sounding tweets and be personable.
20. Yes, you should strive for consistency but avoid overtweeting especially spammy stuff.

21. When linking to relevant web pages always use a trackable link like those offered by bit.ly.
22. Don’t be afraid to recycle popular tweets.
23. Attending a conference or other business events? Tweet quotes, tips, and ideas.
24. Diversify your tweets to include replies, personal thoughts, retweets, etc.
25. Host a question & answer  day (or hour) where you answer questions from followers.

26. Follow vendors and contractors you work with.
27. Respond to tweets about you and your business.
28. Tweet discounts, coupons, packaged deals, and/or other incentives.
29. Announce job openings.
30. Tell followers something they won’t see/hear on your website or other places; give them a behind the scenes look at what you do at your business.

We hope this helps. Please share your thoughts, tips, and/or questions. Or, learn more about our social media services.

Business Insider: Twitter Abbreviations You Need to Know

CNN: Why We Can’t Unplug on Vacation

Ragan.com: 10 Tips to Make the Most Out YouTube

The Wall Street Journal: Getting Customers to “Check-in” with Foursquare