That’s right. There is no hidden elixir to ensure success with your social media campaign.

BUT there are absolutely some very basic, yet critical elements which must be at the foundation of all of your social media. (There are also pieces to the puzzle that take a bit more research and know-how.)

Here are just a few to get you on the right track:

Content is king (or queen). Just like in ALL marketing, what you say and how you say it is absolutely vital. There is an art to writing shorter, pithy social media copy. Grab your microscope and make it your business to study how other posts get (or lose) your attention.

Get the most bang for your social media buck. While social media is largely free, there is a cost of time. There are literally thousands of options. Be sure to choose the channels that best reach your target market, leverage your time, and promote your brand.

Get others involved. This isn’t all about YOU. It’s all about ME. Okay, not “me” per se but the “me” in every single human on the planet who wants to know what’s in it for them. Pretty basic human nature. Every good sales person/marketer understands this quality and it doesn’t evaporate just because we’re on a social site. Ask for opinions. Share quotes. Comment on posts.

Don’t sell directly from social media. If you crash into the social media world with your best used-car salesman pitch, you’ll be quickly ostracized by your social media brethren…and rightfully so. Social media is not a tool for selling but a tool for building relationships. (The good news is the sales are a natural progression of strong bonds. BE PATIENT.)

Play nice. Social media lives on for a very long time. Search engines pick posts up. Other people can spread the word about your posts whether positive or negative. Just as if you were face-to-face with a person from your community rather than behind a keyboard, treat them the way you’d like to be treated.

If you’re still baffled by how to set up a powerful strategy in your business using social media, by all means consider joining me for an in-depth workshop called, Social Media Strategies to Build Your Community, Expand Your Brand & Connect with Your Target Market.

It’s a 4-week webinar series that starts Wednesday, March 10 at 1pm PT/4pm ET.

Yup, it’ll be recorded if you can’t make it live. Check it out here at www.RedHotSocial.com. Trust me, I’m not holding anything back on this training. Hope to see you there. Meanwhile, if you have any comments about how YOU use (or would like to use) social media, please add them below.

And if you have any questions, let us know at www.RedHotHelpDesk.com.

· Instead of ‘you’ use ‘u’
· Instead of ‘and’ use ‘&’
· Instead of ‘your’ use ‘ur’
· Instead of ‘for’ use ‘4’
· Instead of ‘to’ or ‘too’ use ‘2’
· Instead of ‘before’ use ‘b4’
· Instead of ‘favorite’ use ‘fave’
· Instead of ‘great’ use ‘gr8’
· Instead of ‘later’ use ‘l8r’
· Instead of ‘people’ use ‘peeps’ or ‘ppl’
· Instead of ‘are’ use ‘r’
· Instead of ‘please’ use ‘plz’
· Instead of ‘thanks’ use ‘thx’
· Instead of ‘with’ use ‘w’
· Can it be a contraction? Instead of ‘I will do __’ use ‘I’ll do __’
· Do you really need that pronoun? Instead of ‘I hope __’ use ‘Hope __’
· Get rid of ‘that’ and ‘the’ whenever possible

Of course what you choose to Tweet about is even more important than the length of your Tweet. If you want to learn how to use Twitter to build your list sign up for my class *Social Media Strategies to Build Your Community, Expand Your Brand & Connect With Your Target Market* I’ll be giving a full disclosure presentation. It starts March 10, 2010, Wednesday, 1pm PT/4pm ET for 4 consecutive Wednesdays. There are other details to share so I invite you to visit www.RedHotSocial.com now and see if this is a fit for you.

Now go out and Rule the World, baby!

Warmly,

Lo

I had packed three outfit options since I wasn’t sure what mood I would be in. I brought my pink designer mini, my red Grecian-inspired dress, and my multi-colored sequin shift . . .all with appropriately matching shoes and jewelry. (Not sure if guys know what goes into putting together the perfect look for them but that’s another post!)

Well I had never worn the sequin shift before so it was my first choice. Only after dinner (and round one of dancing) did I realize I couldn’t ignore the pain any longer. The sequins were scratching the heck out of my tender armpits. (Cue the red dress. All was well after the change and the night was incredibly smooth.)

After coming home and settling in it dawned on me; a special weekend getaway is a lot like social marketing. It’s a lot of fun but if you’re not prepared it can go terribly wrong.

Let’s take a quick peek at what I mean…

August 2009 research shows one of the biggest social network sites having approximately 400 million users, staying logged in for an average of 55 minutes a day, with 14% earning over $125K a year.

That means almost a half a billion people logging in every single day, building relationships, exchanging information, and making BUYING decisions on everything from services to products to information. (YES, even the things you’re promoting!)

I’d like to explain to you how you can get your share of that huge market in a complimentary teleseminar called:

*7 Mistakes Even Smart Marketers Make with Social Media*It happens Wednesday, February 17 at 1pm PT/4pm ET.

http://www.redhotcopy.com/start/socialmediaintrocall.php

(And YES, it will be recorded. But please register for MP3 access whether or not you can make it live.)

There are plenty of gurus out there who can decipher the social media for you but I’m going to share the pitfalls that I see even A-Listers make over and over again. (My methods have gotten me invitations to speak around the world, interviews with CEOs & celebrities, as well as a very targeted subscriber list devoted to my brand.)

I feel moved to share what I know with you. There is so much power behind social networking when you know how to use it. Although not exactly like a romantic getaway, social media can reestablish relationships (and actually forge new ones). But you must be prepared and have a PLAN. Hope you can join me on Wednesday!

Oh yeah, this is the red dress I changed into. It was much more comfortable!

(I also encourage you to follow me on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/redhotcopy as well as Facebook so you can ’spy’ on what I’m doing and how you can do the same!

A brouhaha ensued. Those who were named were deeply honored and those who weren’t were upset (naturally). So if your name, your nominee, or someone you think is a genius marketer didn’t make the list . . . they aren’t alone.

While I give strong consideration to other nominees these are MY coolest marketers for 2009. There are some new selections this year, and some who I still think are cool who had to drop off to make room. I limit to 50 so it’s a more concise sampling for you. Here they are in alphabetical order. Please enjoy!

1. Adam Urbanski for his experience in teaching anyone from a crowd of novices to experts new things about marketing. http://www.themarketingmentors.com

2. Alex Mandossian content-rich teleseminars and for setting the standard for virtual trainings with his Teleseminar Secrets course, http://www.alexmandossian.com

3. Alexis Neely for blending estate planning with marketing by effectively shifting her market to the decision-makers in this field: women, http://www.alexisneely.com

4. Ali Brown for helping women and men find the courage inside them to be the biggest THEM they want to be, and then breaking it down to show them how to get there, http://www.alibrown.com

5. Baeth Davis for her rock ‘n roll sense of humor, her ability to grow her business while servicing others, and her out-of-this world gift of hand-reading, http://www.handanalyst.com

6. Bonnie Hutchinson for her talent of leading behind-the-scenes for events and trainings as an energetic stronghold, http://www.soulpower.com

7. Cathy Goodwin for her no-nonsense approach to critiquing and creating magnetic copy, http://www.copy-cat-copywriting.com

8. Christina Hills for her paint-by-the-numbers style of virtual teaching including review, feedback, and a live project. http://www.websitecreationworkshop.com

9. Christina Merkley for bringing her spin of visual and spiritual aspects to trainings and personal growth, http://www.shiftitcoach.com

10. Ciara and Simon Daykin (“The Implementers”) for just figuring out where they want to go, then making it happen quickly, http://www.daykinproductions.com

11. Dan Kennedy is still the master marketer of us all; once you learn his basic methods you can add your own twist, http://www.dankennedy.com

12. Eben Pagan genius at taking traditional styles of marketing and meshing them with human nature to get incredible revenue results, http://www.doubleyourdating.com

13. Elizabeth Potts Weinstein for knowing all the latest geek devices and what wastes your time versus what supports you best, http://www.thewealthspa.com

14. Ellie Drake for bringing thousands of women together across the globe and giving them a voice to inspire others and themselves, as well as her celebrity-studded TV show, BraveHeart View. http://www.braveheartwomen.com

15. Elyse Hope Killoran for her ability to bring the Law of Attraction teachings to the marketing world, http://www.choosingprosperity.com

16. Fabienne Fredrickson for teaching the softer way of getting clients, http://www.clientattraction.com

17. Frank Deardurff for his cutting edge web strategies and design, http://www.frankdeardurff.com

18. Frank Kern for bringing personality into marketing while still making money and being cool, http://www.frankkern.com

19. James Roche for his uncanny gift to get to the bottom of what works for you very quickly through coaching, http://www.infoproductguy.com

20. Joan Stewart for her knack to find the unusual in the story and capitalizing on it. http://www.publicityhound.com

21. Jocelyn “Toolie” Garner for her ability to break down complex technology into information even technophobes can get, http://www.toolie.com

22. Jody Colvard for keeping up with the latest online and offline video trends that make entrepreneurs look great, http://www.fmgnetwork.com

23. Joe Polish for his unconventional marketing methods in the carpet cleaning industry and his ability to align with superstars, celebrities, and authors, http://www.joepolish.com
24. Joe Vitale for being one of the first on the scene of spiritual marketing as well as being a remarkable copywriter, http://www.mrfire.com

25. John Carlton for being hands-down the most respected copywriter and personal mentor on this list as well as his irreverent sense of humor that makes me feel like I’m in the boys’ locker room at his events, http://www.john-carlton.com

26. John Reese because he’s brilliant by staying under the radar but everything he touches turns to gold, http://www.income.com

27. Joseph Sugarman because his books and copywriting successes live on to help marketers new and old, http://www.psychologicaltriggers.com

28. Kelly O’Neill for her firsthand knowledge of marketing to the affluent, http://www.uplevelstrategies.com

29. Kendall SummerHawk for her firm but gentle ways of coaching entrepreneurs how to get paid what they’re really worth, http://www.kendallsummerhawk.com

30. Kevin Nations for making getting and converting leads a natural state of mind, http://www.kevinnations.com

31. Kim Duke for taking the scariness out of women selling by teaching relationship marketing, http://www.thesalesdivas.com

32. Lee Milteer for being a strong woman in a masculine world from the get-go and doing it her way. http://www.milteer.com

33. Lisa Manyon for her ability to promote herself and her clients shamelessly using press releases and her copywriting skills, http://www.writeoncreative.com

34. Lisa Sasevich for teaching a different way to close sales without being like a used-car salesperson, http://www.theinvisibleclose.com

35. Marcia Hoeck for her talent to see the bigger picture as a business coach and spot pitfalls before you hit them. http://www.marciahoeck.com

36. Mari Smith the queen of social media stays on top of the latest trends and freely shares her findings, http://www.marismith.com

37. Marie Forleo for providing an alternate universe to the “same old business model” and keeping things light by living her truth, http://www.marieforleo.com

38. Melani Ward for combining her unique brand of coaching with numerology and excellent copy, http://www.melaniward.com

39. Michael Michalowicz for his “potty humor” and useful advice for entrepreneurial start ups, http://www.toiletpaperentrepreneur.com

40. Michael Port for being one of the most generous marketers I’ve ever met and truly caring about his community (it shows), http://www.michaelport.com

41. Michele Pariza Wacek for her creative ways to stay in front of her audience while not being pushy (and for her fierce loyalty), http://www.michelepw.com

42. Mike Filsaime for his well-orchestrated launches, http://www.mikefilsaime.com

43. Nancy Marmolejo for her high-energy way of explaining social media while being extremely approachable and genuine, http://www.vivavisability.com

44. Patsi Krakoff and Denise Wakeman for knowing the insides and outsides of blogging and social media while freely sharing their expertise with other entrepreneurs, http://buildabetterblog.com

45. Ray Edwards for figuring out what the market was looking for in copywriting and providing it quickly and efficiently, http://www.rayedwards.com

46. Sandy Grason for envisioning then stepping into her empire of fabulousness, and showing us how to as well, http://www.sandygrason.com

47. Scott Stratten for being an early adopter of relationship marketing and is not afraid to tweet snarky observations of people misusing social media, http://www.un-marketing.com

48. Sherri McConnell for her aptitude to grow an enormous membership site and raise five children while keeping her sense of humor, http://www.naww.org

49. Suzanne Falter Barnes for her ability to show entrepreneurs how to easily get national media coverage, then leverage that coverage for massive exposure, http://www.getknownnow.com

50. Yanik Silver for his willingness to be quirky in his marketing to get attention and also have fun, http://www.surefiremarketing.com

STATUS UPDATE: The Blog Squad is now two separate business with Denise Wakeman focusing on blogs at http://www.buildabetterblog.com and Patsi Krakoff doing content writing at http://www.writingontheweb.com

This list was started last year by accident (more or less). I hosted two workshops on the *She Factor Marketing System* last year about this time. It seemed many new peeps to my community hadn’t been exposed to many of the marketers who have shaped my own business, Red Hot Copy.

It became so popular (and controversial) that we’re gonna do it every year.

Soooo…who is the coolest marketer to you? Not just because you’re friends, but because they deeply influenced you. Please let me know here along with WHY you recommend them and a link to their website.

I’ll make announcements by December 17…one week from today.

Thanks!

Lo

1) Getting your own personal growth out of an experience and sharing it with others;

2) Being respectful of other people while speaking *your truth*;

3) Sharing perceived flaws about your experience and things you think should change . . .

My perception is we never really outgrow our childish ways but build our *adultness* on top of them. In other words, we tend to justify why we feel certain ways. Hey . . . it’s biology and survival . . . I get it . . . but when it’s unnecessarily hurtful to others I feel the need to respond.

Most of us aim to be more evolved yet we often get caught up in our emotional selves (me included, by the way). I see the immediacy of the Internet and blogs and tweeting to sometimes be detrimental. What do YOU think?

Only MEMBERS are eligible for free Copy Makeovers like this one for Dr. Cindy Brown.

We need to stick together. Visit my new Sterling Plus Mastermind group and see what I mean!

Details are at She Factor Copywriting Bootcamp

By the way, one of the inspirations to REALLY get in tip top shape is my husband wants me to dress up like Jean Grey from X-Men for Halloween.

As usual, I was the only female on the faculty. Being ‘one of the guys’ while keeping my female perspective was incredibly empowering. I got the privilege of reinforcing exactly WHY *The She Factor* Marketing System exists. Yup…things are changing and guys DO THINK DIFFERENTLY.

1. Find 10 business models you like and adapt your model to that. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel.

2. Visit where your target market hangs out and see what language they type in to find each other. These words are priceless keywords you need to know.

3. Follow people in your industry on Twitter. Find out who is following them by visiting their profiles. Follow those people.

4. Become a merciless capitalist. (Yes, a dude thought pattern but since women still seem to be paid less in most marketplaces, something to consider.)

5. Non de plume. Take yourself out of the day-to-day details and focus on your gifts. In other words…DELEGATE and OUTSOURCE. www.AssistU.com, www.Guru.com, www.ELance.com, www.ODesk.com, www.MySunday.com, www.RentACoder.com

6. Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP) is jungle-level psychology brought to current society.

7. No more free info. You deserve to be paid for your expertise.

8. Use www.itunesu.com to upload content.

9. Google has an external keyword tool that’s free and pretty good.

10. “When all else fails, give them what they want.” Gary Halbert

11. “If you can’t give it away you can’t sell it.” Mike Morgan

12. 1000 click throughs in a pay per click ad is a good sample of how well your ad is performing.

13. Applause equals money. If you’re doing it right, you’re getting paid or ‘applauded.’

14. Don’t worry about the words when you start writing copy. Just worry about the MESSAGE. How would you explain what you do to the average Joe in a bar? Your message should be an ‘urgent whisper in a crowded room’ not a hypey sales pitch.

15. Don’t worry about being too simple or basic. Always cover EVERYTHING in your copy, even if you think they know it. Nothing is worse than leaving something out because you think they know it…and then to be wrong.

16. Good marketing has enormous amounts of theatre.

17. Need to make $2,093 every day for a year to be a millionaire.

18. Social media is all about inappropriate sharing.

19. David Garfinkel, Harlan Kilstein, Kevin Rogers, Mike Morgan, Stan Dahl, Mark Landstrom, and Ben Hart are flat out geniuses. Thanks for letting me stay in the boys club.

20. Billy Bob Thornton said, “Some folks call it a Kaiser blade. I call it a sling blade” in the movie Sling Blade regardless of John Carlton’s misguided attempt to pin it on the other mental patient. Thanks for the $20!

My copywriting bro, David Garfinkel

Harlan Kilstein, the hat critiquer…

Stan Dahl’s shiny head and Carlton watching the Oscars

Kevin Rogers on his bday

Ben Mack, The Morganizer, Lisa Manyon

Ben Harte with his gorgeous wife, Wanda

At any rate it was an amazing ride complete with top-notch learning and hard-core fun! If you were there and have something TASTEFUL to add please comment. Or if you have other things to share and weren’t there, by all means let’s hear it!

Warmly,
Lorrie

P.S. I still can’t believe a ‘Real Doll’ is over $6,500 or that I now know more than I ever wanted to about one…