ItsAllGeek2Me 
Should Your Business Still Be On Social Media?
Posted on September 17, 2018 Leave a Comment
The other day I was reading an article in Forbes about the demise of social media. I read the article to find out, if not social media then what. I was waiting for the big reveal, but it never came.
True there are people taking breaks from social media or even deleting their accounts. The algorithm can have a negative effect on organic reach. But there are still reasons why social media still makes sense for small businesses.
- It brings your business up higher in the Google ranking. — Having multiple locations online where your business can be found will raise your Google ranking since most people never go past the first page of results.
- Customers still check out businesses on social media. This is a great way for businesses to inform customers about sales, promotions. etc. It also give businesses an opportunity create personality. To post information about employees, the background story of the business and behind the scenes information.
- It’s cheap to advertise. Businesses can advertise for less money than almost any other vehicle. Also, advertising can be targeted to your specific audience. When you advertise on Facebook, the ad also shows up on Instagram. You can also set up your advertising to show up on other sites.
What can you do to make social media more effective?
- When people do interact, make sure you are responsive. Like comments and reply to comments on your page. Respond to messages. Let people know you are there and listening.
- Boost posts. Don’t just boost sales posts, boost posts that tell people more about your company. Don’t post boosts that link the reader to other websites or articles.
- Think about what your readers want. Make your page fun, informative and entertaining.
- Share posts from your business page to your personal page.
Your presence on social media is still important, but always be looking for the next big thin. That’s what I do! If you need help with your online presence, let’s connect kparis@itsallgeek2me.org.
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Why Tim Cook Should Hire Me?
Posted on August 27, 2018 Leave a Comment
I was reading an article yesterday entitled, “Why Tim Cook Should Hire Your Grandmother?” It was an interesting read about how young the tech world works and how they just don’t understand the needs of the aging population.
Some of you might not even know who Tim Cook is. He’s the new Steve Jobs at Apple and has lead the company to be the first Trillion dollar company. But Tim, there’ still room to grow.
I’m not a grandmother, although I am technically old enough to be one. But I have many other qualities besides my age that make me a great hire for Apple. If you know Tim Cook, have him give me a call.
1.I love Apple. I have an iPhone, iPad, a MAC and AirPods. I own Apple stock. I even have a t-shirt from the headquarters. I am the company’s biggest cheerleader.
2. I am a teacher. I have spent my life teaching multiple subjects from public speaking to weight loss to social media marketing. I am good at learning things well enough so I can explain them to others.
3. I am good at figuring things out. I am not afraid of pushing buttons until I find a solution. And if there is a way to break something, I’m find it.
4. I have an Internet following and a social media presence so I will be able to promote new products and push out information.
5. I am a tech interpreter. I can decode the information that the techies are distributing and break it down into language that my fellow Boomers can understand.
So Tim Cook if you’re reading this, I’m ready to negotiate.
Let me know if there’s anyone out there what wants to join me at Apple headquarters. Maybe we can give him a discount for bundling.
Just in case Tim doesn’t call, I am available to help you with your social media needs whether you want one time consulting or ongoing social media management. Contact me at: kparis@itsallgeek2me.org.
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Know Your Contest Rules: Don’t End Up in Facebook Jail
Posted on July 23, 2018 Leave a Comment
Your business needs a little push and you think a contest may be just the ticket to get you noticed, Facebook has strict rules concerning contests and violating them could cause your page to be suspended or shut down.
While contests can be fun, it’s best to have a quick review of the rules:
- Acknowledgement that the promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by or associated with Facebook.
- If you use Facebook to communicate or administer a promotion (ex: a contest or sweepstakes), you are responsible for the lawful operation of that promotion, including:
- The official rules;
- Offer terms and eligibility requirements (ex: age and residency restrictions); and
- Compliance with applicable rules and regulations governing the promotion and all prizes offered (ex: registration and obtaining necessary regulatory approvals).
- Personal Timelines and friend connections must not be used to administer promotions (ex: “share on your Timeline to enter” or “share on your friend’s Timeline to get additional entries”, and “tag your friends in this post to enter” are not permitted).
This is the most common violation I see on Facebook. In addition, while you can ask people to like your page, you cannot require it as part of the contest.
For more information about Facebook contest rules, go to:
https://www.facebook.com/policies/pages_groups_events/90onb
If you need more help with Facebook or other social media, send me an email: kparis@itsallgeek2me.org.
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What I learned being a one-armed paper hanger
Posted on June 25, 2018 Leave a Comment
Growing up, my family often used the expression, “I’m busier than a one-armed paper hanger. ” Maybe that’s because I come from a family o
f wallpaper hangers. I’m not sure. I never truly understood that expression until I broke my left arm a couple ofmonths ago. Being a lefty and having a broken arm has taught me many lessons that I was just too stubborn to learn any other way.
As a self-professed control freak, I’ve had relinquish control of many things and ask for assistance with even the simplest of tasks. For example, one day I was in my house and I couldn’t get a pickle jar open. It may sound ridiculous, but not being able to do these minor tasks has been very frustrating.
But I have learned several lessons that I think will serve me well, even after I get my cast off.
1) Where there’s a will there’s a way — Although I was never able to fully figure out how to open a pickle jar by myself, I have learned how to do many other every day tasks in unique ways that I never would have thought of otherwise. For example, I’ve learned how to use dictation on my laptop so I can write blogs, Facebook posts etc.
2) Sometimes you need to ask for help — After a number of mishaps including a broken bottle of wine, I learned that it’s ok to ask for help. In fact, sometimes it necessary. I try to do as much as I can, but I’ve learned it’s ok to ask for help. However, if you do, you have to do #3.
3) Sometimes you can’t be in charge — I have a had to allow other people to drive me while I calmly sit in the passenger seat trying not to tell them how to drive. This might sound easy for some of you, but for me this has been a challenging tasks that has taught me to relinquish control and to be patient. AI have also learned that other people have ways of doing things that are not necessarily wrong, they’re just different from your way.
4) Slow down — Putting on my shoes and tying the laces can take upwards of 20 minutes. Getting dressed and brushing my hair, 45 minutes to an hour. Everything takes so much longer than I want it to. I have had to become a student in the art of patience. This lesson has been the most difficult.
My cast is coming off in a few weeks and I know there will be many months of physical therapy. I can’t say I have enjoyed the experience; however, the lessons I learned have been invaluable and will make a difference in my life moving forward.
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5 Reasons to Keep Up Your Social Media
Posted on June 12, 2018 Leave a Comment
The other day I got a referral for a local business. Like many others, I googled the business and found its web page. Of course, I always like to check out a business’ Facebook page, so I clicked on the icon. The last time there had been a post was 2012.
Many businesses make this mistake. They start a page and then abandon it. Unfortunately, it’s linked to their Website. When was the last time you posted?
So why should you keep your Facebook and other social media current?
1. People notice. When people are looking for a business. The first thing they do is google it. Then they check out your website and social media. If you’re not keeping it up to date, it looks as though you don’t care about your professional reputation..
2. The old saying goes, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” It’s true. What kind of impression are you making if your social media is not up-to-date? It looks like you can’t manage your own workload.
3. Social media is a great place to keep your customers up-to-date in real time. It’s much more flexible than a website. Not using it is really causing you to lose business.
4. Maybe one of your social media sites is up-to-date, but not all of them. Make a decision to only keep the ones that work for you and that you’re willing to keep up-to-date. Otherwise it looks as if you have difficulty balancing your priorities.
5. Everyone is on social media today. If you’re not, you’re losing an opportunity to connect with the community and your customers.
I always say, “Social media is like having a pet.” It needs to be attended to every day. If you make the decision to have a social media site or multiple sites, make sure you have the time to take care of them.
If you need help keeping up with your social media sites, contact me: Kparis@itsallgeektome.org or call 410-746-5801.
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Business Inspiration from an Unlikely Source
Posted on May 28, 2018 1 Comment
Being a small business owner definitely can have it’s ups and downs. Those who speak of being your own boss have probably never owned a business. True, you make your own decisions, but every customer is your boss and every decision has consequences.
It’s easy to doubt yourself and worry as to whether or not your making the right decisions. So when I was working out at the YMCA I was surprised at how a trainer’s words rang true for me.
A young man was working with the trainer. The trainer loaded the barbells and the boy said. “I can’t lift that.”
The trainer looked at him and said, “You haven’t even tried. How do you know you can’t do it?”
The boy began to complain that the trainer had loaded too much weight on the barbell and he could never lift it.
The trainer said, “Trust me. Just try.”
Reluctantly, the boy laid down on the bench and with the trainer spotting him, lifted the weight 12 times.
“I told you you could do it,”the trainer said. The boy still looked amazed.
I’ve been in that same place. Wondering if I should go after a contract. Could I really fulfill the terms of a particular project? And I didn’t have any spotter helping me.
But every time I accomplish another goal or finish another project, I flex my muscle and say, I did it.
Being a small business owner is about doing the heavy lifting and whenever I have doubts, I just hear the trainer’s words. “How do you know you can’t do it if a
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What Is Your Second Site?
Posted on April 23, 2018 1 Comment
You’ve always had a Facebook page and perhaps that’s all you ever needed. But times are changing and many businesses are reluctant to rely solely on Facebook. It may be
time to look at adding an additional platform. But which one is best for your business? Check out this quick list:
Instagram — Do you have great visuals? Are you looking to appeal to the under 35 demographic? Then Instagram is right for you. In a few clicks, you can show off your products or the lifestyle that your products will give your customer. But Instagram is the most needy of all the platforms. You need to post at minimum 5 times a week and you can only post and interact from a mobile device.
Twitter — If you are your brand then Twitter is the right platform for you. Twitter can help leverage you as an expert in your chosen field. It is a great way to get information out. It is also a great way to communicate quickly and get a pulse on your followers.
LinkedIn — If you do B2B, then LinkedIn is where you should spend your time. LinkedIn is where America does business. You should not only have a personal page, but also a company page. Even if you don’t decide to be active on LinkedIn right now, you should reserve you company page name.
Pinterest — Pinterest is the most under appreciated social media platform. It is the Rodney Dangerfield of social media. It get’s no respect. But for any business geared towards women under 35, it’s perfect. Weddings, fashion, decorating, etc.
Snapchat — Not sure it’s worth your time if you are a small business, but if your target is the under 25 crowd, give it a try.
Hope these quick tips help you decide on a second platform. Need more advice, contact me at kparis@itsallgeek2me.org.
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Is it Really Time to Deactivate Your Facebook Account?
Posted on April 8, 2018 Leave a Comment
Today’s the day that Facebook comes clean about the 87 million people whose information was compromised by Cambridge Analytica. It was a lead story on the Today Show this morning.
The current Facebook controversy reminds me of my daughter’s favorite Disney flick, “Beauty and the Beast.” The villagers storm the castle with torches and pitchforks screaming, “Kill the Beast.”
Everyday I read articles about people deactivating their Facebook accounts. The trending hashtag is #deactivatefacebook. But are we really ready to kill this beast?
According to Social Media Today, the average person spends two hours a day on social media, 35 of those minutes on Facebook. Without Facebook, we might just have to talk to each other.
But maybe it’s not about deactivating accounts. Maybe it’s more about using social media responsibly and being more cautious.
Most people have never checked their privacy settings and don’t know the policies surrounding privacy and how information is shared.
I don’t believe it’s time to abandon social media. It’s about using it more responsibly. It’s important to remember why you like it: keeping in touch with friends far away, sharing photos and celebrating with friends.
The more you know, the more you can protect yourself and your information. Take the time to review Facebook’s data policy. Find out the types of information collected, how that information is shared and how you can manage and delete that information.
This breach will have serious implications for individuals as well as Facebook. But it’s been a wake up call for everyone that we need to pay attention to what we do online and hold platforms accountable when they put profit over customer service.
Being an informed user can allow you to continue using social media while protecting yourself and your information. Maybe it’s not time to kill the Beast, but rather tame it.
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7 Need-to-Knows for Social Media Marketing
Posted on March 26, 2018 Leave a Comment
I spent this weekend creating my new syllabus for my next class. A couple of years ago, I began teaching health professionals social media marketing. These individuals, mostly women, will be small business owners responsible for attracting clients in an already crowded marketplace. Most of them start with little money, major debt from school and a desire to build a business quickly. My job is to show them how to use social media to grow their business’ online presence and hopefully grow their business.
We fit a lot into this class, there are a few take aways I want the students to leave with.
1. Business social media is totally different from personal social media. Even people who have personal experience with Facebook, Instagram and Twitter don’t always know what to do when it comes to their business. It’s very different.
2. Master one platform rather than trying to post on all platforms. Each social media platform has a purpose and an audience. We examine who is their target audience and which is the right platform for that audience. Too many businesses make the mistake of trying to be on every platform and then end up not posting at all.
3. Invite your friends and family to like and share your social media marketing sites. Although they may not ultimately be your customer, they have friends who may be. It’s a quick way to grow your page.
4. You have to spend money. Although social media marketing is less expense than traditional marketing, you have to be willing to commit some funds to advertising. Advertising will raise your profile more quickly and help people learn more about what you are offering.
5. Social media advertising is more targeted. Good or bad, social media knows a lot about its users. You can put parameters around your advertising so the right people see your message. You can even download an email list into Facebook so you can target those individuals Facebook pages.
6. Social media does not necessarily lead to business, it leads to exposure. Social media is part of an overall marketing plan. There is still a place for direct mail, networking and sponsoring events.
7. Consistency is key. Having a social media platform like Facebook is a responsibility. You have to attend to it like a plant or a pet. If you choose to market through social media, then you have to post, respond to comments and review the insights so you keep getting better.
The syllabus is complete and I am excited to be starting another in June. I love helping small business owners and future small business owners. If you have more questions, contact me kparis@itsallgeek2me.org.
