Savvy Sexy Social

This Friday: Shoot the Schmitt with @Throwboy & @CassidyQuinn

Amy Schmittauer — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:29:48 +0000

Tune in this Friday June 21, 2013 at 1pm ET for another live episode of Shoot the Schmitt. We will be joined by Roberto Hoyos from Throwboy and YouTuber Cassidy Quinn.

Come back to this blog post for the live stream!

Stream is also available and notified via YouTube for subscribers of our YouTube channel.

See you Friday!

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Post tags: cassidy quinn, featured, roberto hoyos, shoot the schmitt

Original article: This Friday: Shoot the Schmitt with @Throwboy & @CassidyQuinn

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Podcasting: Why Is It So Popular? [VIDEO]

Amy Schmittauer — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 11:00:41 +0000

Have you noticed it seems like everyone has a podcast these days? I mean yeah, I’m one of them but it’s not all bad right? Maybe it seems like everyone wants to hear themselves talk but have you thought about how a podcast might improve your social media presence?

Watch Podcasting: Why Is It So Popular:

Audio is a really interesting medium to share your message in. It’s very easy to consume even if you just think about your favorite radio station to listen to during your commute or while you’re working in the office.

So why not use those opportunities where people are exciting to have someone in the background of their everyday, especially the talk radio listeners and offer them something they’re already interested in as one of your viewers/readers: your content?

Why is audio cool?

Audio is important because there is more of a tolerance to hear information or content for longer periods of time. We listen to the radio, audiobooks, music and other stuff like that for longer periods of time so there is more space for someone in content creation to share their message.

Also, there’s nothing that replaces good conversation. Not even blog posts or 3-minute videos. Some of the best content I’ve heard or even came up with on my own were from talking with someone about something we have in common to build ideas. So if you then record that and call it a podcast, you’ve got something really valuable for both yourself and your audience.

Look like a connector

It’s great to show off who you’re chatting with on your podcasts as well because this build your reputation as a connector in your industry which is ALWAYS good for business. Have the opportunity to chat with some of your favorite people, expose them to your audience and share interesting ideas that everyone would love to hang onto every word of.

This IS networking

Podcasting is just networking. The good kind. Instead of thinking about the next event you can shove your business card out to, think about who you can promote with an audio interview and at the same time because able to pick the brain of for the good of the content. Good networking is just good conversation.

Thinking about starting your own podcast? Here are some tools you might find useful if you’re a noob.

Let us know in the comments if you have a show so we can learn more about it!

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Post tags: featured, podcast

Original article: Podcasting: Why Is It So Popular? [VIDEO]

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Interlinking for Better Blogging [VIDEO]

Amy Schmittauer — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:38:06 +0000

We’re always trying to find ways to get other websites to talk about our website, but what’s more important than that? Actually talking about (and linking to) yourself!

So for Savvy Tuesday I’m going to talk about the strategy of interlinking and why it’s important for you to do within your content marketing strategy.

Watch Interlinking for Better Blogging:

Good SEO isn’t about gaming Google anymore. They’re much smarter than that, which is why their algorithm is always changing. It’s all about being helpful with your content. You know, that normal person thing I’m always talking about. Interlinking is a way to make both Google and your readers very happy, which is the best kind of SEO.

To back up for just a second let’s talk about what interlinking is in case you don’t know. When you interlink on your blog or website you are anchoring text with a link that will go to a page of that same website URL. One example would be if you were writing a blog post about how to train a puppy, one item might be that you need to crate potty train them and you could link that item to another blog post where you talked more extensively about the crate training process.

This is why blog posts should always be specific. Because you will always be able to explain more. But you can do that in another blog post and link to it!

Why does Google care if you interlink on your website?

The more strategically (not spammingly) post links to relvant content on your website within content the more you can help search engines categorize and navigate your site. This is really important for how relevant your site will appear in search so you’re making that process easier to analyze.

Why does your reader care if you interlink on your website?

Website visitors are looking for content. So if you’ve piqued their interest with this blog post, you now have an opportunity to keep them around and chcek out more of your stuff. Especially when you add the information they were already trying to learn about. They may have answered one question with this article, so now take them somewhere else with an interlink that will expand on their understanding in another specific of the topic.

Otherwise, they may have come up with another question that they’re going to go back to Google to find the answer to, most likely on another website. By keeping them around with anchored text and links within your site, you’re not only pleasing them with knowledge but dropping your bounce rate, the rate of which a visitor lands on your site and then leaves without visiting more than one page.

How do I interlink?

It’s pretty simple to interlink. Just like you would add any other link to your site, you just add the URL of the page within your website on a keyword or phrase where someone would want to go. You really want to make sure you are linking to places that would be expected based on the context of that phrase. I’m not going to be happy with you if you linked the phrase “crate train” and sent me to a picture of a dog in a crate, but I’ll be very happy if as I was reading the important of crate training, you linked to the actual process that I should follow. Context and expectation is very important and being frivilous with your links is a good way to lose a reader.

There are also plugins that can help you find links automatically, so check your repective blogging platform for those types of capabilities if you’re lazy and didn’t read the last paragraph.

Are you interlinking? Have you noticed your bounce rate dropping in return?

photo credit: Max Klingensmith via photopin cc

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Post tags: blogging, featured, interlinking

Original article: Interlinking for Better Blogging [VIDEO]

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Hashtags Have Arrived on Facebook [VIDEO]

Amy Schmittauer — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 17:13:29 +0000

Shocker! Facebook is adding functionality to be more like other social network. Hashtags have been very popular in places like Twitter and Instagram and it’s definitely been something in demand on Facebook but only because people are used to it, not because it necessarily belongs.

Anyway, they’re here and now you can prepare when they roll out to your account. Learn more in today’s video.

Watch Hashtags Have Arrived on Facebook:

This is a really interesting development for Facebook because it is a network that is difficult to be discovered via organiz growth vs. investing in ads to get more exposure. So looking at your hashtag strategy on other networks and thinking about how some of that might convert to Facebook is important.

At the same time, this might not be as simple as we’re hoping it will be and there might be another big chance for Facebook to monetize here. So be prepared for this to not be the complete answer to your prayer in marketing on Facebook.

What do you think about hashtags on Facebook? Are you a fan? Or not?

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Post tags: facebook, featured, hashtags

Original article: Hashtags Have Arrived on Facebook [VIDEO]

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Contactually’s New iPhone App for More Convenient Networking [VIDEO]

Amy Schmittauer — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 16:06:58 +0000

You may remember last year I made a video about the contact management platform that I swear by, Contactually.

Well they announced this week that they finally released their iPhone app and I’m so excited to share with you the ways you should be taking advantage to get even more savvy at managing your network and staying in contact.

Watch Contactually’s New iPhone App for More Convenient Networking:

If you haven’t seen my previous video and are not using Contactually to manage your network, you are losing out on big bucks. Sometimes we just accumulate so many business cards, acquaintances, new friends and get lost in work and forget to nurture those relationships. Contactually prevents you from doing that. I’m not going to over explain, because you can learn about it here, but I will say that my business is very heavily reliant on these reminders so that I can continue to have new and referred clients come my way.

The app is going to be make this even more amazing, but it’s hard to take time to let Contactually know when you’re meeting with people so it doesn’t have to remind you later giving it more power to prioritize who you truly haven’t caught up with lately. But with the app on my phone, just like I check in on Foursquare when I’m visiting a business, I’ll checkin with Contactually to let it know who I met with or ran into. What’s better, whatever we talked about will trigger me to assign tasks to myself in the app so I will remember to connect them to someone or put a project in motion that we discussed.

There are so many possibilities when you’re more productive about nurturing your network. Get this app if you have an iPhone and definitely use Contactually regardless. You will not regret it. I will even be your first follow up email if you want!

Are you using Contactually? How has it helped your business?

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Post tags: contactually, featured, iphone app

Original article: Contactually’s New iPhone App for More Convenient Networking [VIDEO]

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We’re All in Sales :: Greatest #OGS13 Takeaway [VIDEO]

Amy Schmittauer — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 12:17:55 +0000

As most of you know, I attended Ohio Growth Summit last Thursday here in Columbus and I wanted to share my greatest takeaway for those of you who couldn’t attend.

Watch: We’re All in Sales :: Greatest #OGS13 Takeaway

“You are all 100% commission sales.”

Keynote speakers this year included Anthony Iannarino and Amber Mac who knocked it out of the park, as well as a lot of amazing breakout sessions. It was just a great day for anyone able to attend and better their business.

The best piece of advice for small businesses that was shared actually came from the first keynote with Anthony. He said “You are all 100% commission sales.”

That might sound odd because you have this great idea and you’re trying to put it to work. You aren’t thinking you’re a sales person, you’re just the thought leader and there are people who can help you with that. But here’s the thing, you may not think you are or want to be in sales but you are. Just like how the marketing department is every department. How the customer service department is every department. You need to think like a sales person so you can find the success you’re looking for by turning your idea into a business.

Best quote of the day: You’re in sales. Get over it.

I also really liked my friend Jess Ostroff‘s breakout session because the mindset for this theme continued with how you may be wasting your time on tasks that can be taken care of with productivity platforms or a virtual assistant. You should be out selling your company to the world! Not spending hours on the little day-to-day tasks that are undoubtedly important but can be handled by someone else.

Don’t think about these assistants as just an expense. Think of that money as how much time you’re getting back to go out and make more money for the company. Your time is worth a lot more than you’re crediting it to be.

Overall, the big picture is all about value. How much of it are you offering to your customer.

If all you do is sit around and think about what your competitor is offering for what you’re doing, you’re wasting too much time. It’s about YOU. What value do you offer and how much is that worth?

Find the dissatification of your customers offer a solution and then go above and beyond that. That’s how a really valuable product is made.

What is your sales strategy?

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Post tags: featured, ohio growth summit, sales

Original article: We’re All in Sales :: Greatest #OGS13 Takeaway [VIDEO]

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Twitter Lists Update [VIDEO]

Amy Schmittauer — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 11:00:29 +0000

Twitter announced a big change to the way they do Twitter lists this week and a ‘hallelujah’ is definitely in order.

Watch Twitter Lists Update:

Twitter lists are a great way to keep organized the people you are following which makes it a lot easier to target audiences and effectively market yourself. They were pretty restrictive before by limiting you with how many you could create and people you could follow but that’s all now changed.

You are now able to create 1,000 different Twitter lists, up from 20 previously.

Wow! That’s a lot of lists. Even chronic OCD people would be happy with that. You should be making as many lists that would be useful to you as possible. And make some that your audience will appreciate too! Creating those resources will help build up your Twitter following by making you a connector and thought leader.

You are now able to add up to 5,000 people to each list, up from 500 previously.

Does it get better than that? I mean, this is one heck of a limit that will be hard for you to reach. It also makes it even easier to build very thorough resources for your audience so start adding!

Keep in mind public vs. private lists.

I love that there are two kinds of lists on Twitter. The ones I want the whole world to know about and the ones I don’t. Remember that a public list will alert anyone that has been added to it in their interactions feed and anyone can subscribe to it (even if they are not following you). Private lists however are just that and no one will see it but the creator. The people on the list won’t be notified that they are on it either. Great for keeping track of people (or let’s just call it like it is… stalking.)

Are you using Twitter lists to their potential? (Kinda hard to do now since they’re practically unlimited!)

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Post tags: featured, news, twitter lists

Original article: Twitter Lists Update [VIDEO]

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Google All Access vs. Spotify for Music Streaming [VIDEO]

Amy Schmittauer — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 11:00:34 +0000

Google rolled out their contribution to the music streaming scene, Google All Access, at their developers conference a couple weeks ago. I signed up and I’m hooked. But I’ve also been a loyal Spotify user since it came to the U.S.

So I wanted to bring up the pros and cons of these platforms so you can help me decide. Which is better?

Watch Google All Access vs. Spotify:

I instantly got hooked on Google All Access because the of the radio feature. You get so much more control over the playlist even though it is automatically created instead of manually so you can skip, delete and rearrange the songs that are suggested. I love this because I have a control issue and also because it makes it easier to go back and remember titles and artists.

The only problem I’m having is that I want to further customize a station by adding more like artists and music but I’ve only figured out that my feedback is enhancing the auto-station. So a little annoying but still much better than other options I’ve seen for discovery.

The biggest issue I could have forseen was not being able to use All Access on my iPhone which is why I love Spotify so much, but I’ve heard recently that it is in fact coming to iOS. So that really levels the playing field.

The service is paid no matter where you listen but if you sign up before June 30, 2013 it is $7.99 a month versus the usual $9.99 for everyone else. And of course you get a 30 day free trial.

I’m still deciding what I’m going to do at the end of my trial because I am a loyal Spotify user and pay $9.99 a month with them because I like to travel with my music on my iPhone and they make it really simple.

I love the playlists I made on the platform, but it’s not just that. I love seeing what my friends are listening to and subscribing to their playlists and them subscribing to mine. It feels like we have a musical connection better than the days when we were sharing headphones during lunch in high school.

Facebook integration definitely gives Spotify a huge advantage because of how easy it is to connect with those same friends on Spotify to watch their listening activity. Friend integration with All Access? You better have a community on Google Plus because that’s gonna be a thing at some point.

So you see my dilemma? I really love finding new music because I get tired of the same stuff all the time, but I want to be in control. At the same time, I don’t want to leave my friends and my awesome playlists behind. And am I really going to by $18.00 per month for music? It’s lookin’ that way, isn’t it?

What music platform are you using?

P.S. Help me with my charity: water campaign for my birthday!

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Post tags: featured, social music, streaming

Original article: Google All Access vs. Spotify for Music Streaming [VIDEO]

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Freshbooks: Accounting Made Awesome For Small Business [VIDEO]

Amy Schmittauer — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 11:00:02 +0000

My accountant was a little disappointed when he saw my file of receipts and spreadsheets to do my taxes this year. I guess I didn’t think about how much harder I was making it for him, much less myself, by not having a great accounting software to help me. After all, I use the Internet for just about everything else.

So for Savvy Tuesday this week, I’m sharing why I love Freshbooks (aff.) Now, I’ll be honest. I didn’t like it at first when I tried it a few years ago. Just didn’t feel right for me at the time so I did all my invoicing with word processors. But since I’ve made the switch in 2013, I’m hooked. I log in for fun. Not even joking. Just to see how things are going in my accounting department. Because that’s what it is.

Watch my Freshbooks video to find out why you should try it too:

My first favorite thing about the platform is that it will auto-invoice for my retainer clients. Which only makes sense. If someone is paying me the same amount every month, why do I have to waste time making a new invoice from scratch and sending it out myself. Freshbooks is smart enough to handle that on its own. I don’t have to think about anything other than the project and getting the work done. The invoice is auto-created and then paid. Perfect!

I also really love the time tracker for when I need to bill hourly or show my hourly work. Nice little timer that sits on my desktop while I get stuff done. Not to mention having that little thing tick tocking right in front of you keeps you from veering over to social media for “just a quick look” which leads to productive time lost. Oh the hidden features…

Expense tracking is so simple with Freshbooks when you connect your business account. All debits show up in expenses and when you have time you just have to put everything in their expense category and you’re done. You can even upload a picture of your receipt so you don’t have to keep those pesky things around. Absolutely wonderful. I hate receipts.

Best of all, amazing customer service. They actually answer the phone. Fascinating! I know! It’s hard to commit to outsourcing part of your business, but in this situation it’s worth it especially when you know you can give them a call and straighten things out if something’s not right.

SIGN UP HERE: Support the Triple S and sign up with Freshbooks through this affiliate link. You’ll get 30 days free to try it for yourself.

Original article: Freshbooks: Accounting Made Awesome For Small Business [VIDEO]

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Shoot the Schmitt Ep. 7 with Csandreas and Stewdippin [PODCAST]

Amy Schmittauer — Fri, 31 May 2013 17:00:00 +0000

So excited that Shoot the Schmitt is back (how many times have I said that really? I even forgot how many of these I’ve done.) The format is officially being settled on Google Plus Hangouts so I can interact with the audience live in the chat, but I’ll also be uploading the audio to iTune if you still want to subscribe that way.

Meet my friend Chris Sanders and Ricky Anderson. They are amazing video creators on YouTube and there are definitely some great things you’ll get out of our chat together about how to treat your community and how that will come back and do amazing things for you in the long run for your brand.

Thanks to everyone who made it to the live show! Leave your comments here if you’re catching up.

Video:

Audio (without all the technical difficulties):

Original article: Shoot the Schmitt Ep. 7 with Csandreas and Stewdippin [PODCAST]

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