Together with LMC, who is hosting the event at the Bertrand Crossing Campus in Niles Michigan, we at SocialMarketingExpert.org  were keen to share our enthusiasm for this new communications channel and highlight the opportunities for organizations and businesses of all sizes and in a range of industries.
Managing Director Lizz Clarke said:
“We’ve been working with social media for some time now and have been delivering real benefits to our clients. We wanted to get involved with Social Media Day and know that there are still so many people who want to know more about social media but are uncertain where to start, or what will work best for their business. Our morning seminar will help to demonstrate how to integrate social media into a communications strategy, and offer case studies of successful projects as well as provide a chance for delegates to ask questions and share their experiences.”

We are finalizing the dates for the four events, so if live around the South Bend Indiana area, and you are interested in attending these social media webinars, contact Wayne Clayton @ socialmarketingexpert.org – PH: 5764-514-5095

Mashable.com is one of the largest and most trafficked blogs on the Internet. It keeps track of such social networking giants as Facebook, Myspace, Youtube and Bebo, plus many other social networking sites. When a new social networking site is created, when an existing one adds a new feature, when there are problems with a networking site, Mashable reports it.

There is a lot to be said for using social networking sites to promote and sell your real estate. Social networking sites are home to millions of users, some of which, it must be allowed, are searching for property. The social networking phenomenon is a relatively new one, though, so it pays to keep track of what applications and updates can benefit you as a realtor. This is where Mashable comes in.

A casual search on Mashable.com for keywords relating to real estate nets articles about Trulia.com integrating their search with Google Streetview, Zillow.com’s funding being now worth $87 million, and the introduction of propertyqube.com, a new social network for people interested in real estate. And these are just three examples of information relating directly to the real estate industry on a popular blog that doesn’t target it as a subject.

For the busy realtor, a site that keeps track of innovations in the social networking scene can be invaluable for taking advantage of the latest and hottest sites, features, and applications. If you’re using multiple social networking sites to promote your real estate, it can be time consuming to keep track of the latest innovations and websites.

Mashable isn’t just a passive information repository. It also has an active community, a web-related marketplace and hosts a huge social network grid where you can search for fellow Mashable members on popular networking sites.

Finding out what potential clients are using to keep connected and how to connect to them is a crucial element of using the Internet to find property buyers. Mashable.com makes a great shortcut and is a huge repository of information for the social network-minded realtor.

Alex Brown’s love of horses started long before he launched the blog, Alex Brown Racing, but it was Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro that pushed the blog into prominence — and eventually established it as a site dedicated to the welfare of horses. Along the way, Brown learned many things about creating and nurturing an online community using tools, including Wikis, Facebook and Twitter, and following certain principles, such as: Be authentic, be transparent, be consistent and build trust. Brown, one of whose goals is to rescue horses destined for the slaughter house, talked with Knowledge@Wharton about his strategies for bringing attention — and money — to the cause. Transcript can be found at: knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu

When I was young and visiting my Grandparents at the family funeral home – Egan Funeral Home in Bolton, Ontario – I would spend a lot of time with him walking into town, going to the post office and running other errands. I was always amazed about how many people knew him and that he knew them. His success – just like other past generation Funeral Directors – could be attributed to being a helpful member of community, whether professionally or in other activities. They knew, they liked him, and when they needed his services, they could trust him.

Since life is different nowadays and there are a lot less people in the “social hubs” than there was 50 years ago, it doesn’t mean that you have to go to the same places that Gramps hung out – he was where the people were. You should apply the same philosophy – Go To Where The People in Your Community Are!

Now, I’m not saying quit all of the groups that you are currently involved with – but you should take some quick inventory on your time invested vs. the exposure and reach that you get.

If you think that I am just pushing this Facebook stuff on you because I am a bit of a techie – you’re wrong. I’m trying to tell you that it is probably one of the biggest networks in your town and you need to be there!

Do you know how many people in your market are on Facebook? Would you be surprised that I could tell you exactly how many to the individual, gender, age? It’s easy to find out – and also you can advertise so directly it would blow you away!

But before we get into my Funeral – Facebook Formula, you have to make sure that you have the basic foundation of Facebook Profiles and Pages. So we are going to build off of the 7 Mistakes Funeral Directors make with Facebook article, I want to outline what the Best Practices are for Funeral Directors for using Facebook.

The purpose of this “Best Practices” is to cut through all of the noise and give you the straight goods and short-cut the learning process for you as I teach you to nurture your online relationships to build your community, increase your credibility and visibility because people want to do business with people that they Know, Like, and Trust – Facebook can help you achieve that!

I don’t want Facebook to be a new time-waster although I must warn you: if you are new to Facebook, it is easy to get sucked in, connecting with old friends, checking photos, playing games, taking quizzes, etc. Anyway, after the initial rush wears off, it will be back to business – relationship building business that is!

Before we get into the Nuts & Bolts, we need to know the difference between Profiles and Pages.

Facebook Profile Pros

* You can have one-on-one interaction
* You create a feeling of a more personal connection
* You gain “perceived” credibility with more Friends
* Your Friends can message you (pro from their perspective)
* You can be Tagged in photos and videos and appear automatically (sometimes good)

Facebook Profile Cons

* You need to have mutual agreement for friending
* People must be Facebook members and logged in to view
* You can’t message all friends at once or you could get banned
* You are limited to 5,000 friends
* You could get inundated with messages in your Inbox
* You can be Tagged in photos and videos and appear automatically (sometimes bad)

Facebook Fan Page Pros

* You can have an unlimited number of fans
* You have the ability to message an entire group
* Your page can be accessed by the public (no Facebook login required + it can be indexed by Google (see naming below)
* Your Page appears in homepage stream which is a great way to remind your Friends about updates and new content * People have opted in to hear updates about your business, unlike your profile

Facebook Fan Page Cons

* It is sometimes hard to get people to become Fans
* The term “Fan” is a little weird, especially when applied to a Funeral Home
* Doesn’t feel like a personal connection
* You don’t have the same personal relationship as you only post as the “Business” not as yourself

Ok, now that we know some of the differences, let’s build both a Profile and a Page – leveraging the Pros to our advantage.

Profile Set Up – Phase 1 (1 hour):

1. Select an appropriate photo: one that best connects you to your audience
2. Upload Contacts from Email Accounts / Outlook: (I skip the “Invite Others To Facebook”)
3. Complete the Profile information: make it as complete as possible but keep within your comfort level.
4. Complete Education and Work Profile Information: this makes it easier for your old contacts to find you
5. List all of your websites under contact information
6. Create Memorable Web Address
7. Upload Contacts from Email Accounts / Outlook

Profile Set Up – Phase 2 (1 to 2 hours + ongoing):

1. Search Friends’ Friends List
2. Search Groups and Fan Pages for possible contacts: You don’t even have to join the group – just see who the members are. But join if you think that it would be valuable
3. Search Your Competitor’s Friends: click on the View Friends link and add any friends that you think would be appropriate to friend

Notes: When entering a website address (URL) make sure that you use the “http://” before the www… as that will make the link clickable.

Fan Page Set Up – Phase 1

1. Choose the Category > Local > Event Planning Service OR Professional Service
2. Choosing the Right Name – Place Important Keywords together with your company’s name such as ‘Your Town’ Funeral Homes (unless that is a competitor’s name) | Your Funeral Chapel (see McCall’s example)
3. Upload your logo or an appropriate photo – make sure that it is recognizable and if possible, have some personality
4. Complete the Edit Information
5. Upload Photos and Tag yourself or staff members if appropriate
6. Upload Videos – How To and FAQ videos would be preferred over commercials – again you are trying to build a relationship, not to sell anything (don’t exclude commercials – just limit them)
7. Add Links to helpful information from your website
8. Suggest To Friends – Be selective to who you invite at the beginning until you really have your page “super-charged”

Please remember, Facebook Pages and How Funeral Homes Can Use Facebook are a Work in Progress, these are some general best practices (for now).

Social networking systems are online clubs where people of the same interests can join together. General websites like Facebook, Faceparty and MySpace allow friends to connect to one another online. However, social network systems connect people with the same interests as well. Popular interest sites include flickr.com for photography, Avatarsunited.com for online gaming and CollegeTonight.com for students.

 These systems cater to everyone as they play on the individuality of their members. Virtually anyone can create his own website with personalized interests, pictures and blogs. You can create your very own worldwide webography.

However, it is also possible to earn using social networking. In fact, not only is it possible to earn using social networking but even better, you are actually getting paid to socialize! No kidding.

Read on to find out the best sites to earn while using social networking.

Yuwie.com offers their members a change to earn using their social networking system. It’s the same as Facebook or MySpace but the social network pays you to blog, find friends and upload videos.

ZTC.com, which stands for ZoneTastic Community, will pay you for having a social networking site with them. ZTC believes in giving back some of the money you make on your site (by affiliate marketing) so gives a percentage of the profit to their members thus letting them earn using social networking.

Similar to Yuwie.com, they offer blogs, photos, videos, music sharing and friends. ZenZuu.com, another site that promises you can earn using its social networking, allows their members to take part in an Ad Revenue Sharing program all the while offering the standard features of any social networking system. However, what makes this network different is that you are able to become a ‘Rep’ for the company where you can sign up unlimited numbers of people for infinite profit.

 Other social networks cater to the creative mind, such a Hugpages.com, which lets you make money through the affiliate program just by writing articles, blogs and making comments about other members’ pages. Speak your mind and get paid a portion of the advertising profit. The more articles you write and the more friends view them, the more money you earn while using social networking.

Ximmy.com, another social network for bloggers, allows their uses to be rewarded for publishing articles and posting comments. Through a point system, every comment posted or published article gives you points, thus you can earn using social networking. So instead of just wasting time playing on the Internet, earn using social networking and get your creative juices flowing.

While social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook may appear to be treasure troves for employers at first glance, they can actually prove to be hazardous to businesses when used for hiring decisions.

Employers and recruiters have uncovered what appears to be a gold mine of applicant information on the internet. By searching social networking sites such as Facebook or MySpace for potential hires, recruiters feel they are effectively able to “get into an applicant’s head” and see a more accurate portrait of who that person is.

Unlike the traditional hiring tools such as team interviews, psychological testing, calling past employers, and background checks, social networking sites hold out the promise of revealing the “real applicant.” Statistics from various surveys, news articles, and anecdotal evidence confirm that there is an increased use of social networking sites to screen candidates.

Stories from recruiters show why these sites are so enticing.

One recruiter recounts how she had found “The Ideal Candidate” for a prestigious consulting firm. Then, just out of curiosity, she ran the applicant’s phone number on a search engine, and – wow! Up popped some rather explicit ads for discreet adult services that the applicant was apparently providing at night. Another recruiter tells the story of finding an applicant’s MySpace page, where the intern had demonized his firm, his boss and his coworkers in considerable detail and by name.

Here is the usual approach for a recruiter utilizing the internet to screen candidates. Search by name for the candidate. Refine the search by taking the applicant’s name and then adding the terms “Facebook” or “MySpace.” Next, a recruiter can go to MySpace and Facebook directly and see whether they find a site belonging to the applicant. Depending upon how a user chooses to set his or her own privacy settings, finding information on a social network site can be very hit or miss. Also, a recruiter can search a blog search engine, such as www.google.com/blogsearch. Business sites such as Zoominfo or LinkedIn can be run.

This article, however, examines why such an apparently easy to use and readily available tool has its dangers and drawbacks.

No Court Cases of Record Yet

At this point in the evolution of social networking, there are no published cases yet on point. Lawsuits take time to work their way through the courts until an appellate court is finally called upon to issue an opinion. However, it is all but certain that some day an employer will land in court being sued on allegations of discrimination or a violation of privacy for making use of a social networking site in the hiring process.

One reason that the use of social networking sites presents a risk stems from their original purpose. In the beginning, users intended to limit access to friends or members of their own network, arguably creating a reasonable expectation of privacy. It’s like a “cyber high school,” but instead of seeing your friends near your locker, you can see friends and make contacts all over the world. Younger workers in particular may well regard invading their social network sites in the same way older worker may regard someone that crashes a private dinner party uninvited – a tasteless act that violates privacy.

The conventional wisdom, however, is that anything online is fair game because any reasonable person must understand that the whole world has access to the internet.

When analyzing the privacy issues, an employer may want to take the “Las Vegas test.” Assume you are at a business meeting in Las Vegas, and at the end of the day you adjourn with professional colleagues to a cocktail lounge in the hotel lobby. Several drinks later, you engage in a very frank exchange about your employer or co-workers. You may be indiscrete or even act a little silly. How would you feel if a colleague took photos with a cell phone and sent them to everyone you knew, along with some of your more interesting comments? Technically, you were “in public” – in a public cocktail lounge. True, but most people would still call it an invasion of privacy. This is based on an objective belief founded on broadly based and widely accepted community norms that what goes on in a private conversation should not be seen by the entire world, even if it occurred in a public venue where anyone could have seen or heard.

For many young workers today, social networking sites are the equivalent of that Las Vegas cocktail lounge!

Even though they communicate and share photos in a forum that can be public, there is sense that what goes on in MySpace or Facebook stays there and should stay there. This argument is buttressed by the fact that in order to enter some social networking sites, a user must agree to “terms of use” and to get details of another site member, the new user must set up their own account. Additionally, these types of websites have “terms of use” typically do not allow “commercial” uses, which can include screening candidates. Since a user must jump through some hoops, it can be argued that there is an expectation that the whole world won’t be privy to confidential information.

On the other hand, a recruiter can argue that the routine “terms of use language” where someone simply hits the “I agree” button is not much of a privacy barrier. In addition, if an applicant fails to utilize the privacy controls provided by the website, that undercuts any reasonable belief that what was on the website would remain confidential.

This Issue Far From Being Settled

The bottom line is that the question of whether an applicant has a reasonable expectation of privacy can depend upon the specific facts of the case being litigated, and the issue is far from settled. Frankly, it could be decided either way.

That is why recruiters should not simply assume that anything on the web is fair game.

One area where an employer or recruiter would be flirting with particular trouble is if information from Facebook or MySpace is obtained by manipulating the sites. This could be done by creating multiple identities or by using “pretexting,” which can include pretending to be someone else or something you are not. For example, Facebook allows greater access into sites within your own network. If a recruiter were to violate Facebook rules and create fake identities just to join a network belonging to an applicant, that would likely cross over into the realm of employer behavior that is overly intrusive and invades too deeply into private matters.

Off-duty conduct is another tricky area. Some states have prohibitions limiting use of private behavior for employment decisions. However, employers do have broader discretion if such behavior would damage a company, hurt business interests, or be inconsistent with business needs.

Is It Discrimination?

Discrimination can also become a substantial issue. A candidate may say or depict all sorts of things that reflect race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, medical condition, disability (including AIDS), marital status, sex (including pregnancy), sexual preference, age (40+), or other facts an employer may not consider under federal law or state law.

This can give rise to the problem of “Too Much Information,” also popularly referred to as “TMI.” The employer’s own search of these sites can make an employer knowledgeable of factors that should NOT be considered for employment purposes. The issue then becomes: “How do you unring the bell?” How do you prove that you didn’t use the information you found as part of your hiring decision?

A related issue is whether a firm is treating all applicants in a similar fashion. If recruiters or human resource staffers are performing internet searches on a hit or miss basis, with no written policy or standard approach, an applicant that is subject to adverse action as a result of such a search can potentially claim to be a victim of discrimination.

Also problematic is that on social network sites, a recruiter may view photos, personal data, discussion of personal issues and political beliefs, behavior at parties, and other information that an applicant may not have intended for the world to see. Employers may have to consider whether what a person says on their site is true, and if true, whether it would be a valid predictor of job performance – if fact, whether it would be employment related at all. After all, people have been known to exaggerate or make things up. They may believe they are just having fun or spoofing their friends.

Or if a site shows, for example, that an applicant has a tattoo or a piercing, what then? Employers may need to ask themselves whether having a tattoo is really a good reason not to hire someone.

Employers that hire younger workers may need to come to grips with new generational differences.

One rule to remember: If a website is searched by a background screening firm on behalf of an employer, then consent and certain disclosures is mandated under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

What’s REAL on the Internet?

In addition, how do you know what is “real” on the internet? How do you know that the “name” you found is your applicant? You don’t. With more than 300 million Americans today, most of us have “computer twins” (i.e. people with our names and even a similar date of birth). There is also the question of how does a recruiter even know for sure the applicant actually wrote the item or authorized its posting? How doe the recruiter know if its even true, or just a matter of someone being silly with their friend?

There are anecdotes on the internet of false postings under another person’s name – a sort of “cyber identity theft.” If anonymous information is posted, such as in a chat room, there is the new phenomena of Cyperslamming, where a person can commit defamation without anyone knowing who they are.

What Are the Lessons for Employers and Recruiters?

Using the Internet to screen candidates is not risk-free, especially when it comes to social networking sites. There are no legal cases yet, but news travels fast on the web, and employers who rely overly much upon social networking sites may find that job applicants are not as eager to look at their firm. If an employer or recruiter uses the internet, they should first consult their attorney in order to develop a written policy and a fair and non-discriminatory procedures. As a general rule, the later in the hiring process the Internet is used, the less open an employer may be to suggestions that matters viewed on the Internet were used in a discriminatory fashion. The most conservative approach is to not use the Internet until AFTER there has been a conditional job offer.  For legal protection, employers should considering obtaining consent so that applicants are on notice that their web persona is fair game. Employers should not use any fake identities or engage in “pretexting” to gain access to information. The most conservative approach is to perform an internet search AFTER there is consent and a job offer is made contingent upon completion of a background check that is satisfactory to the employer. Whatever your policy is, it should be written.  For employers that recruit at college, there is a trend to require employers to notify students ahead of time as to their policy for searching online for an applicant’s cyber identity.For job applicants, the advice is simple: Don’t be the last to know what a web search about you would reveal.

If you do not want employers looking at your social networking site, then set the privacy parameter to “restricted use only.” As a savvy applicant, you can even go on the offense and create an online presence that helps you get a job! 

Donna Kozik describes how to effectively use a Facebook group to build your list.

When you think about it, there are only 2 things that people are looking for in Social Media. It does not matter if you are in real estate, mortgage banking, insurance, or even in marketing of some type. People are always looking for something.

You just need to make sure that you know what those things are.

Most people in the Social Media arena are progressive thinkers and progressive people. Most are ahead of the curve in the web 2.0 world, and most have a focus of being ahead of the pack. The early adopters of Social Media, which I am one, started on the Social media scene 5 years ago. There as not much there, but what was there, was used as best as it could be used.

People then, and people now, are still the same. They always will be. But in the Social media arena, they are looking for 2 things that will help them.

Help them feel better about whom they are. Help them feel better about what they do. And help them feel better about where their life is going. All people are in some way looking for that forward focus. That is why in the social scene, there are 2 things people seem to be seeking more than anything.

Only two.

1) CONNECTION.

Most people in Web 2.0 ville are looking for Connection. They want to connect with people, information, new ideas, new trainings, new events, new groups, new videos, but whatever they are looking for, they want to CONNECT.

Connection is part of the culture we grew up in. People in real estate understand the person want to feel emotionally connected to a house before they purchase it. People want to feel connected to a car before they decide to buy it. And people want to feel connected to something before they start building that bridge of trust with you. You must make an effort to connect in a way that they will respond to in social media.

IN Social Media Marketing, Connection is NOT Correction as so many people think. They are NOT looking to be told that their life is not any good, or is lacking. They are not looking to be told their home is too small for them. They want to Connect to something or someone that will make them feel better about themselves and where their life is headed. You do that in conversations on twitter, facebook, myspace, orkut, moli, LinkedIn, and the like.

They want to feel GOOD about a conversation with you, no matter the social network. They want to feel FOCUSED ON and Tied into a conversation that will help them feel more a part of something that can increase and enlarge their life and future.

CONNECTING with people is simply reaching out and taking their hand over the internet and letting them feel PLUGGED IN to something and someone that can help you connect to new possibilities and to new destinies.

THAT is simple and the truth. Keep the Connection authentic and real, and they will listen to what your conversation is about and start drawing closer to you and your message.

2) Elevation.

People want to feel like they are being lifted higher in their life. They want to feel like their life is going somewhere and means something. We all do. We all are looking for that special feeling that we are special, and as trite as that sounds, it is the truth.

What can you do to create that feeling that they truly believe they are walking on air?

Life them up by noticing something g they said that has helped you.

Compliment them.

Give them a kind remark about their efforts in what they are doing in Social Media.

Ask questions they might know the answer to show you appreciate their knowledge..

Send them new ideas on their passion.

Notice something about their conversation that you can totally appreciate and let them know about it.

Empower them with encouragement.

Thank them for learning something from them.

WHY?

It will make them glad they talked to you in Social Media. And they will remember you the next message, tweet, or conversation. They will move from the Awareness stage, to the Appreciation stage in Social Media.

As a realtor, you will see that they can start to trust you, and even start referring possible clients to you as people they know are moving out or into – your area.

Remember- it is NOT what you said. But how you made them feel by Connecting with them and Elevating their hope and future in the Social media Marketing arena.

blessings…doug

In this three part series the boyz discuss Facebook and internet etiquette. Fellas, has your lady hijacked your Facebook page? Are you tired of stupid status updates? Do you like the new FB changes? The boys talk about it all. Friend The Al & Tony Show on Facebook. For more shows, audio and video go to www.truth.media.net Please leave a comment and subscribe. New shows updated every week with live streams on ustream.tv

1. Make a great Facebook profile.Think of your profile as a part of your brand. Make sure you include information like your education, work experience, along with your personal interests. Also, in order to make an effective profile, add a picture of yourself or one that is relevant to the product or service you are selling.

2. Add as many friends as possible.This is one of the reasons why many so people choose Facebook. Members are able to meet their old friends and make new ones. By building new relationships with more people, you will be able to ensure that your marketing efforts will be worthwhile. Since you can see the friends of your friends, you will be able to add more people, making it easier to build an extensive network.

3. Join a number of Facebook Groups.By joining groups that are relevant to what you are selling, you will have access to valuable contacts.

4. Create your own group if you can’t find one that is associated to your business.You can add members, post articles, start discussions, which could all ultimately lead to lasting relationships. You also have the option of having your advertisement directly linked to your group.

5. Syndicate your blog on your profile through RSS.This means that each blog post you make will automatically be shown on your profile page. This leads to more exposure to reach more readers giving you more leads and eventually more business. You will pick up more backlinks to your website as well, which is a driving force when it comes to SEO strategy.

6. You can also comment on profiles of other members.Even if it is just a short message that you write on someone’s wall, it will give you more exposure. Just make sure that it is a relevant or meaningful message.

7. List your events.They can be events that you organized or events that are related to your business. For instance, if you are launching a new service or product, you can create an event and then invite your friends and acquaintances who you think might be interested. You will be able to see who is planning to attend your event and – afterward – guests can leave their feedback. This is probably one of the simplest and cheapest ways to do Facebook marketing.

8. Take advantage of the gift-giving applications in Facebook.You can send virtual gifts to your friends and acquaintances. This is another effective way to build relationships.

9. Besides the gift-giving applications, you can also make use of the gaming, movie and music applications Facebook offers.There are many apps to choose from so you will be able to find one that will be interesting and relevant to your business.

10. Create a community.This is one of the best benefits that Facebook has. A group of people who will be connected to you through a community will be open to what you are sharing. This is another great way you can start building your brand and using Facebook to make your business more profitable.

With these simple yet effective tips, you will quickly realize that Facebook is not only an excellent social networking website but also an indispensable tool in online marketing.