Every day there’s a new “you have to try this” tool on the internet to tell you just how awesome you are, how awesome your business is, and all the places you’re failing. Its’ easy to get caught up in tweets and blog posts and email blasts telling you that with “two clicks you can be at the top of the rankings.”

When a client of mine sent me a link to a new product from Microsoft a month or so ago, I was a little skeptical, but since they wanted to try it, I figured I should too. And I’ve been surprised at how easy and straightforward it is. And let me say up front, this is just me liking something, no one’s paying me to tell you about it!

Brandify is a handy free tool that that measures your online appearance. You login with an existing social media account and it creates a list of recommendations for ways you can improve your online presence. This is a great product and one that I recommend to anyone who is look for a free and straightforward solution to figure out what you’re missing with your online presence. And there’s no pressure, I try to do one recommendation a week or so. Some of them take time, and others take just a few clicks.

Next time your marketing to do list seems daunting, setup a Brandify Account and see how easy it is to check some of those seemingly frustrating tasks off your list!

I had lunch with a friend today and she asked “do I have to join Pinterest?” My answer? NO.  She’s active on Twitter and Facebook and oh yeah, running a really great business, that’s doing WELL.

When you’re running a business there is a TON you have to get done, and now it’s clear that social media is a “have to do” item on your marketing to do list. But as i’ve mentioned before, you have to be comfortable with what you’re doing. We all know I refuse to join Facebook, and that’s OK. 9 times out of 10 when I tell someone this, their response isn’t “well you should” it’s “I’m so jealous” or “I wish I hadn’t.” Social media and all marketing are a responsibility. I’d rather do a couple of things well, than everything half-assed. If you have to ask “do I have to?” you’ve already answered your question.

If you don’t want to do it and it’s a burden, you won’t do it. If it’s something that you believe is integral to the success of your business and you have the budget to bring someone on to manage it (or another team member) then that might be a workable solution. However, if it’s just you, and the idea of one more thing to check/update/pin/retweet a day makes your head want to explode, then you should say no.

Take a few minutes to reevaluate your current sales and marketing efforts every few months. Is what you’re doing working? Are you “pinning” and it’s not bringing in new business? Then go ahead and stop for a month, or reduce the time spent and increase it in areas that you are seeing results from.

And if you need someone else to give you that permission, Hank & I are always happy to let you off the hook.