Can a Business Owner or Social Media Manager Unplug?

Did you hear that marketing-savvy resorts are now offering honeymooners an “unplugged experience” at destinations promising to have “no Wi-Fi, phones, or TV”?

I don’t know any social media manager or business owner who would (or could) take an unplugged honeymoon. Well, not willingly.

A recurring discussion among social media managers is the difficulty we face “unplugging.” We even check to make sure any vacation destination we’re headed to has either wi-fi or good cell phone coverage. If we don’t have 24/7 access to one or the other, we don’t go. Some of you will say you’ve got to have both.

I saw this cartoon and laughed at the awful reality of it!

Courtesy of H. Caldwell Tanner, cartoonist at LOLDWELL.com

Source: Smartphones are the New Cigarettes (http://loldwell.com)

Any social media manager or business owner could write a list of many more symptoms of smartphone dependence, couldn’t we? Do any of these sound familiar?

True Tales of Smartphone Dependence

1) Social Media Managers Need Sleep

Do you sleep with your smartphone so you can check it in the middle of the night? I know at least three business owners who do (no, I’m not one of them — but I won’t speak for Scott).

One social media manager friend is talking about starting a new business that will give brand managers a break. Many solopreneurs, small businesses, and self-employed freelancers have customers in different time zones. While you’re sleeping, someone on the other side of the world might be trying to reach you via Twitter with a desperate public plea for help. It’d be nice to have the customer service angle covered during those times you have to unplug out of sheer necessity.

You know, like sleeping.

I’ve been encouraging my friend to go for it, but he’s too busy managing multiple social media accounts to take the idea any further.

2) Social Media Managers Need Showers and Baths

A graphic designer and writer friend uses her smartphone while she showers. I asked her how she keeps her phone from getting wet. She wipes her hands on a dry facecloth laying on the floor outside the tub, then uses the shower curtain liner as a barrier between her phone and the spray.

She’s been complaining a lot lately about her phone “acting wonky.” Hmm. You think?

I admit to checking my phone while brushing my teeth. I only need one hand to brush my teeth once the toothpaste is on the brush.

3) Social Media Managers Need Time With Their Children

Another social media manager admitted to checking her smartphone while at the state fair with her very young daughter. (You know who you are!) She really did have to stay checked in, because she has a lot of clients. I remember how happy she was that she didn’t have to respond to a single person that day. No emergencies!

There are some self-employed professionals who really can’t take the day off unless they’re willing to risk the ire of a customer who’s not getting their needs met. Honestly, it only takes one angry person on your social media radar to start a fire and escalate it while your back is turned. A timely response can prevent a wildfire.

I’m so glad by the time I needed a smartphone, our daughter was a young adult.

4) Social Media Managers Go to Church

At a youth group I lead every week, I used to ask the teens to drop their smartphones in a basket we passed around at the start of the evening. They were so upset and offended, I eventually let it go. I mean, parents are using their smartphones during church services, checking email and social media feeds.

I’ll say this: teen smartphone addiction has upped my teaching game. I consider it a victory when I only see one or two teens looking into their laps over the span of that hour. Should pastors start using more visuals to keep the congregation’s attention up front?

5) Social Media Managers Sometimes Have to Intervene Quickly

Another social media manager friend of mine says she can’t ever truly unplug, because her brand has such a high risk of “bad experiences” being shared via social media. She’s in the blood donation field. Dentists, hospitals, and restaurants are in the same “immediate intervention required” category of social media management.

I’m glad I’m not in an of those industries. I might have to start sleeping with my smartphone.

Anyone remember the Greenpeace vs. Nestle social media nightmare? I’ll bet whoever’s in charge of Nestle’s PR and social media management today sleeps with his smartphone — if he sleeps at all.

Share your own stories of the new reality of smartphone dependence, whether humorous or not.

One of my favorite ways to use social media is to bring attention to others, send web traffic their way, and drive new customers to them. The Pinterest platform is a great way to do that! Everyone you know buys gifts for friends and family, right? Use your Pinterest profile to push traffic toward the businesses, artists, and artisans you want to support!

[We won't explain here how to launch a Pinterest profile. This is for those of you already "pinning."]

For Valentine’s Day, we created a “Happy Valentine’s Day!” board featuring gifts created by crafters, artisans and artists:

Here’s all you need to do:

1) Create a new Pinterest Board on your profile.

Click “Add+” at the top of your Pinterest profile, and in the popup, click “Create A Board.”

 This will pop up:

Now, follow the prompts to create your new board. We named ours “Happy Valentine’s Day.” Not a holiday? How about “Gift Ideas” or “Products We Love”? When you’re done, click “Create Board.”

2) Find the artist, shop, or artisan you want to feature.

Search for favorites by brand name using Google or your search engine of choice, or use the URL they’ve hopefully supplied in a Twitter, Google+, or Facebook bio. [Note: Facebook images are not "pinnable."]

In my example, I’m using SweetSoaps. SweetSoaps has a website, but the images I want are on the SweetSoaps Etsy profile. Check out their heart-shaped Bacon Soap!

3) Once you find the image you want, click “Pin It” in your toolbar to see the images in an array.

All the images on that particular page will appear in a new window, as seen below.

4) Hover over the image you want to “pin.”

Click the “Pin It” button that appears and follow the prompts. In the drop-down menu, choose the board you want the image “pinned” to (in this case, our “Happy Valentine’s Day!” Board). Next, fill in the description. If you include the price of the item using a $ sign, Pinterest emblazons the price across the top left corner of the image. Once you get all the particulars checked off and filled out, click the big red “Pin It” and you’re all done! [Note: If you want to share your new find on Twitter, click that little box first.]

Here’s what my final “pin” of the heart-shaped maple-scented bacon soap from SweetSoaps looks like:

Now, here’s the best part! When someone viewing our New England Multimedia Pinterest profile clicks on the image of the soap, the picture opens up. One more click takes the interested viewer straight to SweetSoaps’s Etsy profile, where he or she can buy the soap — and see the rest of the SweetSoaps specialty soaps inventory!

Now that’s sharing the love on Pinterest!

Are you using Pinterest to do social sharing in a deliberate way, driving traffic to your website or someone else’s? Have you seen any other examples?

Interviews with Social Media Pros

Welcome to the second installment in our new series of interviews with professionals using social media and blogging to market their brands. We want to give you a peek at the people behind the businesses, show you how they got started using social media and blogging, and how they’re putting that experience to work building online networks.

Newport Naked Magazine

Next up is the multi-talented and ambitious Cedar Poirier, a young Newport, Rhode Island native who launched a new magazine in 2011 called Newport Naked. [Guess who's on the cover?]

So, without further adieu, here’s Cedar!

Cedar, where can we find you and/or Newport Naked online?

Cedar Poirier: Newport Naked has an interactive website at newportnaked.com; you can find me on Facebook as well as on our Newport Naked Facebook Page.

Describe your brand for our readers.

Cedar: Newport Naked is a local, free magazine made up of a variety of articles.  We base them on things we find fun and interesting with ties to Newport, as well as all the information of a guide.  There are no politics; we want to keep it young, upbeat and fresh.  We also offer the magazine in 3-D flip form on our website.

What was your very first personal experience with social media?

Cedar: Facebook; being a sailor, it helped keep me in touch with other sailors who were traveling and my land-based friends and family. (Note from New England Multimedia: We first met Cedar when she was part of a crew that sailed us around Newport Harbor for a video shoot we produced for 12 Meter Charters. Watch the video to see Cedar in action.)

What was your very first personal experience with blogging?

Cedar: …I haven’t found the time to blog yet… (Note from New England Multimedia: Who needs to blog when you run a magazine?)

Do you remember when you realized social media and blogging could be used for marketing?

Cedar: I didn’t realize how important it was until we started Newport Naked. Having the online magazine with interactive links to our advertisers’ websites was a great selling point.  It was also important to be able to reach people outside of Newport by having it online. When I started getting feedback on Facebook and compliments from our advertisers, I knew it was the beginning of me being tied to my computer.

Specifically, how do you use social media and blogging for your own business?

Cedar: I like to keep people updated on Facebook and our website’s bulletin board.  We post upcoming events around town and I like to plug deals or events happening from our advertisers…of course if I find it funny, or have my own photos of something current, local or fun I will share regardless…a wide variety (but still no politics).

How much time would you say you spend on social media for your brand each week?

Cedar: 10 hours.

Are there any social media tools or apps that you can’t live without right now?

Cedar: Just my computer.

Do you plan out your social media posts ahead of time?

Cedar: Sometimes…if it’s a planned trip or event I want to share we will plan for it, and get the photos and info we need. Otherwise I share whatever I come across.

How important are keywords in your social media and blog posts? Do you pay much attention to SEO?

Cedar: What’s SEO?

Do you take any time off from social media during the week or year?

Cedar: If I can’t help it, don’t have reception or am just having too much fun to pick up the laptop!

What would you say is your greatest strength when it comes to social media and blogging?

Cedar: Putting my own personality into it and having great friends who give feedback.

What would you say is your biggest weakness when it comes to social media and blogging?

Cedar: Posting late at night.

If you had all the time in the world, or could hire all the social media managers and bloggers you needed, what would your brand’s social media and blogging strategy look like?

Cedar: Lots of visuals; I find people really respond to photos and visuals.  I would hire a few writers to continue a weekly schedule of events and to go out and cover each happening.  Create a weekly giveaway and update the website more often.

Is there anyone whose social media and blogging prowess you admire?

Cedar: …I don’t really have time for others, but I do like the how-to’s…fixing up old houses, cars, sites with helpful do-it-yourself info.

What do you wish you knew more about when it comes to social media and/or blogging?

Cedar: Blogging.

If you could only choose ONE social media platform to use for your brand (in tandem with blogging), which would you choose?

Cedar: Facebook

Are there any social media platforms you wish you had more time for?

Cedar: Blogging.

If you could create the perfect social media manager for your brand, how would you describe them?

Cedar: Tall, dark and handsome…I kid! Ha ha. Someone who has experience, a following in our local area, and shares the same interests as our magazine….oh — and a fast typer.

Visit the Newport Naked Website 
Follow Newport Naked on Twitter
Like Newport Naked on Facebook 

Thank-you so much, Cedar!

Anyone have any suggestions, questions, or comments for Cedar? Ask away!

If your Fans aren’t engaging with your Facebook Page by “Liking,” Sharing, and Commenting, your EdgeRank is suffering. We did some brainstorming and came up with 10 creative ways to say “Happy Valentine’s Day!” on Facebook (besides the typical 10% off specials) to try to get your Fans talking! You can offer prizes with these if you like, but be sure to check Facebook’s rules for contests and promotions first.

10 Creative Ways to Use Valentine’s Day to Engage Facebook Fans

1) Ask your Fans to share “How we met” or “How I/he proposed” love stories on your Facebook Page.
2) Offer — in exchange for every new Facebook Fan — to donate $1 or more to a charity or foundation that shows love to those in need. The best charities are those that serve children, animals, families dealing with illness or disasters, the homeless, and the poor. Have a tight budget? Cap the donation.

Example: Here’s how Macy’s is gaining new “Likes” using a third party app

Before you “Like” Macy’s Facebook Page

After you “Like” Macy’s Facebook Page:

3) Are you a service company? Offer a set dollar amount of services to a named charity once your Facebook Page hits a certain number of Fans.
4) Ask your Fans to try to come up with the most words using the letters in “Valentine’s Day,” or use another simple puzzle.
5) Ask Fans to share their “Keep the Love Alive” tips on your Facebook Page. For a business angle, ask your Fans to share their “Keep the Love Alive” tips for businesses who could use some customer service training!
6) Start a “Share the Love” promotion on Facebook using an image or graphic with a quote about love, and asking Fans to click “Share” to “Share the Love.” If you want a business angle, use a quote about customer service. Might work: Get your brand name in the image somewhere, perhaps in the lower corner. Some Fans will share these, while others won’t.
7) Have Fans fill in the blank for a statement like: “I feel the most loved when __________” or “The nicest Valentine’s Day gift I ever received was __________.” For a business angle, ask Fans to fill in the blanks and tag their favorite businesses on Facebook: “I’d love a Valentine’s Day gift bought at _______________” or “The best place to take a Valentine for dinner/a romantic night/a romantic vacation is _______________.”

8) Have Fans share their favorites in a specific category like love quotes, love songs, romantic movies, or romantic restaurants.

Example: Here’s how the Interval Machine, a new app for musicians, songwriters and composers, is using Valentine’s Day to attract new Fans to their Facebook Page

9) Use your Facebook Page to post a trivia contest about Valentine’s Day, either listing all the trivia questions in one post, or asking Fans to “tune in” at set times each day (between now and Valentine’s Day) to get the trivia questions. If you want to tie your brand’s image to the promotion, take a cue from the way Old Sturbridge Village is using trivia questions. Here, they’d asked their Fans earlier about the most popular form of chocolate was in the 18th-19th centuries:

10) Use the Questions feature on Facebook to ask your Fans to choose their favorite Valentine’s Day gift, with options you’ve added. Invite them to add their own options, too. Or, ask them what their favorite kind of chocolate is in a box of assorted chocolates, what their favorite flowers are, or what their favorite color of roses is.

Now, use your other social media profiles to drive traffic to your Facebook Page to take part in your promotion. You’ve got to GET folks to your Facebook Page if you want them to engage with it!

What are some of the creative Valentine’s Day promotions or contests you’ve seen on Facebook? Better yet, share your own ideas or promotions in the comments, with links!

Becky DiStefano, Founder and President of Haute Tags™

Interviews with Social Media Pros

Welcome to the very first installment in our new series of in-depth interviews with professionals who are using social media and blogging to market their brands. Our purpose is to give you a peek at the people behind the brands, and show you how they got started using social media and blogging to build online networks they now put to work for whatever their goals might be.

First up is the lovely and talented Becky DiStefano, the founder, designer, creator and president of Haute Tags™, a new jewelry line touted as “the world’s first social media accessory.” Becky’s social media skills are a testament to her love of both the medium and relationships, as you’ll discover in this interview.  Read on to see how Becky got started using social media, what she thinks are essential skills for a savvy social media marketer, and how she uses social media to spread the word about her popular social media accessory line, Haute Tags™.

Becky, tell us about Haute Tags™!

Becky: Haute Tags™ is a social media accessory line born of a love of social media. Our high-end tags are engraved with one’s Twitter handle, favorite hashtag, logo, e-mail address or name and bejeweled with gorgeous Swarovski® crystals. We are the world’s first social media accessory collection designed to take who you are online and show it off in the real world.

Haute Tags™ with Swarovski® crystals

What was your very first personal experience with social media?

Becky: My first experience with social media was MySpace. I loved reconnecting with old friends and schoolmates. I always wondered “what happened to so and so?” and this was the best opportunity to find out what everyone was up to!

What was your very first personal experience with blogging?

Becky: I used Squarespace to create my own blog called “BeautyInRI.com” which is no longer live. I blogged about beauty products, events, news, etc. and also provided an online directory to beauty boutiques and salons in Rhode Island. I even won a “Best of Rhode Island” award from Rhode Island Monthly for “Best Beauty Blog.”

Do you remember when you realized social media and blogging could be used for marketing?

Becky: I realized it when I started writing for GoLocalProv and my editors encouraged me to go on Twitter and to post my articles on Facebook. Suddenly hundreds of people were reading and sharing my work and I realized its true potential.

Specifically, how do you use social media and blogging for your own business?

Becky: For Haute Tags™, I use Facebook and Twitter to promote my brand. I do giveaways, contests and also remind people about the tags as a unique gift idea. It’s also a way to connect with the growing lifestyle community in Rhode Island: people who are passionate about fashion, beauty, lifestyle, and jewelry as well as helping small businesses grow. I send tags out to celebrities and editors, often connecting with people I may not have had the chance to were it not for social media.

How much time would you say you spend on social media for your brand each week?

Becky: Wow, that’s a big question! I’m online at least 6 hours a day so I’d say it’s a full time job! Thanks to my smartphone and my laptop, I’m constantly on social media because it’s what I love.

How many blog posts do you write each week?

Becky: I don’t blog currently but I post at least once a day about Haute Tags™.

Are there any social media tools or apps that you can’t live without right now?

Becky: I can’t live without Facebook and Twitter…they are how I stay connected, where I get my news; I literally learn something new everyday from these amazing sites.

Do you plan out your social media posts ahead of time?

Becky: Nope, I like to fly by the seat of my pants!

How important are keywords in your social media and blog posts? Do you pay much attention to SEO?

Becky: Currently I do not, but I am aware of how my words have an impact on who sees my website.

Do you take any time off from social media during the week or year?

Becky: I try to stay offline at night but sometimes there’s a Twitter party or a show I live Tweet about so I’m online; when I go out to eat, I really try to shut my phone off or at least keep it in my bag; it’s hard to disconnect!

Do you use an editorial calendar? Can you explain your process?

Becky: I do not because I just post on Facebook and Twitter at random…I love random.

What would you say is your greatest strength when it comes to social media and blogging?

Becky: My greatest strength comes in my skill to connect online and in real life; I see social media as a platform to meet incredible people in real life, and social media is kind of the “first” meeting; when you meet someone you’re Facebook friends with or with whom you Tweet, it’s like you already go way back and it makes the relationship really special.

What would you say is your biggest weakness when it comes to social media and blogging?

Becky: My biggest weakness would have to be my inability to disconnect. I have a hard time shutting off because I always want to know what’s going on and who’s who and what’s what.

If you had all the time in the world, or could hire all the social media managers and bloggers you needed, what would your brand’s social media and blogging strategy look like?

Becky: All the time in the world? That sounds fabulous! My strategy would be engagement and connections; it’s not enough to post a link and say “buy here!” You must engage and have conversations with your fans, friends or followers; I’d make sure my team was making sure they expressed themselves as real people, not automatons pressing buttons.

Is there anyone whose social media and blogging prowess you admire?

Becky: So many! The Couto ladies of Mom Generations come to mind because they are so honest and real and funny;  Vera Sweeney (Lady and the Blog), Jennifer Leal (Savoring the Thyme)…so many talented bloggers and social media mavens doing big things!

What do you wish you knew more about when it comes to social media and/or blogging?

Becky: I think I’d like to learn more about SEO and RSS feeds and how it all works. There is so much intricate design behind these networks that I’d love to know the nuts and bolts of how they function. Essentially I’d like to be Mark Zuckerberg for one day.

If you could only choose ONE social media platform to use for your brand (in tandem with blogging), which would you choose?

Becky: Twitter, hands down…I just love Twitter.

Are there any social media platforms you wish you had more time for?

Becky: I find time for all of them though I need to really get into Google Plus.

If you could create the perfect social media manager for your brand, how would you describe them?

Becky: My social media manager would have a fabulous sense of humor, they would be smart, open to new ideas, be super savvy when it comes to social networks, creative, innovative and overall NICE.

Visit the Haute Tags™ Website 
Follow Haute Tags™ on Twitter
Follow Becky on Twitter
Like Haute Tags™ on Facebook 

Excellent interview, Becky! Thank-you so much!

How about you, folks? Do you have any questions or comments for Becky?