Yellow Dog Consulting

Sales & Marketing Consulting for solo-preneurs.

Why Aren’t You Using LinkedIn for Follow Up?

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windowslivewriter10reasonstousefacebookforbusiness-95e1handshake-2I talk a lot about follow up. It’s one of my favorite things, as you may know if you’re a regular reader here on the blog. I’m continually amazed how many people don’t take advantage of LinkedIn! Yes, it’s Facebook for boring people business, but it’s a lot more than that.

When I’m at a networking event, occasionally I get someone’s card but don’t need to follow up with them. They were nice, but no spark at the moment. So what do I do? I connect with them on LinkedIn! “It was great to meet you yesterday at XYZ event” – and YES I do this the next day – out of sight out of mind! Don’t dawdle Amaryllis! The message can be short and sweet, there’s no need to make an offer or connection here. If you have their card and want to connect for coffee then call or email them. That isn’t the best use of LinkedIn.

I like connecting with people through LinkedIn because I make sure to post updates on a regular basis. My weekly blog post posts directly to LinkedIn and my monthly newsletter gets posted here. On a weekly basis on your LinkedIn homepage you just might catch my latest insights (like this one!)

If you work in an industry that frowns upon soliciting (I’m talking to you lawyers and financial planners), this is such a great and EASY way to get your name and face in front of them. It gives you a way to connect with them, without selling to them. If someone mentioned they’re need a lawyer but haven’t reached out to schedule that appointment, you can politely connect here. You don’t have to mention it, they’ll remember they need one.

I also like to use LinkedIn because people often use their personal email or they update their contact info. This way I know on a regular basis who’s moving where or starting what new company. And I can get in touch with them unlike an out of date business card.

Sure LinkedIn isn’t for everyone, but I bet you’re not maximizing the opportunities available to stay in contact with a larger network thank you thought you had.

4 Stress-Free Ways to Get Media Coverage for You or Your Business

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Sandra NomotoToday’s guest post is from Sandra Nomoto of Conscious PR Inc., in Vancouver, BC. Sandra and I met through eWomenNetwork and she’s a rockstar PR professional! Since I often get questions about PR, I asked Sandra to share a few tips for small business owners. Thanks Sandra!

Despite the almost instantaneous ways in which we can reach people today, potential clients come to us thinking that appearing in a particular newspaper, online magazine or blog, or TV show is a big mystery that requires a quantum physics degree to solve. Not so.

PR has never been easier to learn, and you’re already doing SOME form of PR if you’re in business. Any form of communication you’re doing to inform the public of your products, services, events, or other news is a form of public relations.

With that in mind, here are 4 stress-free things you can do to get media exposure for you or your business.

  1. Relationships first. Escape temptation to purchase an expensive and (ultimately) outdated media database. Research the outlets YOU want to get into and the people who are writing or reporting about the topics related to you or your biz, and cultivate relationships with them. You can do this online via social media, or offline if face-to-face over drinks is more your style. It’s called “Media Relations” for a reason.
  1. Ditch the news release template. Most media loathe the news release now. When you have news ready to share, send a 3-sentence e-mail pitch introducing yourself, your story, perhaps with a link to a newsroom online (containing the items in #3 below), and with your contact info. That’s all you need.
  1. Have video and high-resolution photos ready. Broadcast and online video outlets will want to know you’re a good speaker, this is where a YouTube or Vimeo channel helps, even if it’s just a few lines in a promotional video. Make sure you’ve got headshots of yourself and good high res photos of your location, staff, products, service-in-action, or events that print media can use in their story.
  1. Relax. If you’ve gotten to the interview stage and are having the jitters, try and remember that you’re talking to a human being and that you’re just having a conversation. The more natural you sound, the better the interview will be. And time ALWAYS moves faster in the interview dimension.

Need additional help? Learn the tools I’ve used in the last 10+ years to get media coverage for our clients through our Be Your Own PR Star in 90 Days online course. Members of eWomenNetwork, B Corporation, and 1% For the Planet receive a 20% off discount – just contact me at the link below to ask for the promo code.

Sandra Nomoto is the President of Conscious Public Relations Inc., a certified B Corporation and virtual PR agency that helps game-changing companies communicate their stories in traditional or social media.

How 40% of My Traffic Comes from Social Media

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This guy measures his trafficOn (or around) the first of each month I pull a report in Google Analytics for clients to see where traffic to their website is coming from. This month I was looking at my traffic and realized I had a lot (for me) coming from social media. Like 40% a lot. I was really surprised. And I knew exactly how it happened.

A few months back someone tweeted a blog post about how to double your traffic with social media.  And I started doing it. I setup Buffer at the beginning of the year and when I have a new blog post I spend 1 minute (okay maybe 90 seconds) in Buffer getting my post scheduled to go out a few times over the next month. That’s ALL I do.

Okay, maybe not all I do. I’m also engaging with my audience. What? Earlier this week the person who tweeted the article and I tweeted back and forth all morning about books. Like for fun books, not work stuff. ENGAGE. Will he ever be a client? I don’t think so, but people see that I actually engage with others on social media. My most popular tweet this week was about obeying the Olivia Pope diet for dinner. What does ANY of that have to do with work? Nothing. But when I do tweet out my most recent newsletter or blog post, people respect it because I don’t JUST force boring business stuff down your throat (but hopefully this isn’t boring). Be a real person.

Don’t assume that the ONE time you post your latest blog post to social media is when they’re going to be on and able to read it. Share it throughout the day (I always schedule an evening post, it’s how my husband usually finds it!) when your audience is active. Fun fact – Buffer will tell you when your traffic and posting times are best. YAY for a $10 a month tool that’s useful!

My favorite part? the traffic that comes from Facebook. I think we are all aware I’m not the one posting anything there. So someone must be referring to me or my posts there. You can’t measure what you don’t track. Here’s the analytics report I pull for clients each month. See what it shows you. It might not be the right fit. I’m not claiming to be an analytics expert (I mean, novice is generous..) but this is the info that’s interesting and important to me and my clients. Try it out, let me know what you learn!