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Social Networking: Is This Really The Goal?

By Rachel Minihan   |   January 16, 2010

I was on Twitter the other day and @JamesFeudo posed the question, “Which do you like better.  Networking online or offline?”  It struck me as interesting, because when I think about networking, I think that it is most effective when our online and offline worlds collide – when we leverage one to make the most of the other.

First, here’s how I see the offline world closing in on the online world.

Imagine walking in to a conference.  During the brief period before the structured content begins, you had three good conversations and collected an additional 10 business cards.

Great work!  Read More »

Your Social Media Plan For 2010

By Rachel Minihan   |   December 30, 2009

2009 was a big year for social media!  YouTube starting seeing 1 billion hits per day.  Facebook topped the 350 million users mark.  Twitter became the most used word in the English language. And, the big search engines recognized the power of the micro-blog and incorporated this content into their search results.

Watching all of these successes, the message has come through loud and clear that social media/networking/content is now a significant platform on which we, as business owners, must be present. Read More »

Follow Me Already!

By Rachel Minihan   |   December 16, 2009

I just hung up with a frustrated colleague.  I had invited her to follow one of my new Twitter accounts and she quickly called by phone (I know, I know – that’s sooo 2008!) to say, “I’ve been using Twitter for two months and I’m providing quality content.  I only have 24 followers.  You just opened that account and you already have that many.  How can I get more followers?!?!?”

Before we go any further, let me digress and mention that using Twitter is NOT all about how many followers you can collect.  It is about the relationships that you build.  Read More »

Why Social Media Creates Fear, Terror, Panic And What To Do About It

By Rachel Minihan   |   November 30, 2009

Fear, terror, panic . . . call it what you will, but this look slinks onto people’s faces as I talk with them about opening up their businesses and/or themselves to the world at large via social media outlets.  The reaction isn’t surprising since new things are often scary with “what ifs” swirling around in your mind.

If you relate to any of the following “what if’s,” recognize that you are not alone in worrying about the unplanned nature of social media, but don’t let it stop you! Read More »

3 Top Twitter Tools For Free Publicity

By Rachel Minihan   |   November 16, 2009

Long before social media became a buzz word, businesses understood the power of publicity. After all, the costs of driving publicity are generally less than those of traditional advertising, with even greater rewards.

People automatically place more value on what a reporter has to say about your company compared to the company’s own spokesperson. Publicity can improve search engine rankings, empower employees, and reach a wider audience than traditional advertising. Read More »

Twitter, Google & Bing – Oh My!

By Rachel Minihan   |   October 30, 2009

This just in: Twitter conversations will soon be searchable through both Google and Bing.

For those using Twitter as a business tool, Read More »

How To Craft A Viral Message On Facebook

By Rachel Minihan   |   October 16, 2009

A couple of weeks ago on Facebook, most of us saw the video of a nine-month old, diapered baby getting his groove on to Single Ladies by Beyonce. (If you didn’t, check it out: it was hysterical!)

As a business owner, it can be frustrating to Read More »