SDG Web Agency Blog

Building Customer Loyalty, Not Competitive Fear

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Every business, big or small, new or old, struggles with building customers, and sometimes keeping them can even be more difficult. But instead of feeding the green monster, called fear and jealousy, perhaps its better to focus on other things. Focus on what you can control.

Its humbling to say we've lost a few customers over the years, some we were hoping not to lose, and others we were relieved to. Regardless, and whatever the reason may be, its best to know how to build customer loyalty.

Here are some things to look at on how to build customer loyalty and not competitive fear. Its something we've been implementing over the last ten years we've been in business, and as a result, many of our customers have been with us since the early years.

Be Honest - so don't "FAKE IT, TILL YOU MAKE IT", it just makes you...well, a FAKER. If you lie about what you do, how can someone trust you with their business? Here is a more detailed blog post on "Honesty".
Deliver On Your Promise - especially when it comes to your service or product. If you don't, that's the fastest way to lose customers. Make sure that your deliverables are exactly what you'll be giving, and that the customer knows what those all mean, so they don't misinterpret the end result.
Say Sorry Sooner Than Later - so when you do screw things up, and you will, you may just quench a growing fire that can get out of control. Just swallow your pride and admit when you're wrong, you will feel so much better, and your customers may do too. Which leads me to the next crucial point...
Wow Them Sometimes - just make sure you pick the right time, and do it as much as needed. Super impressing your customers all the time may nullify the "wow" factor and can perhaps drive you out of business. Not to mention, maintaining the "wow" factor can be draining on your company resources, not unless your Apple of course. And we're not just talking about just cash flow, it can also mean the people within your company.
Keep Competing With Innovation - just don't do everything under the sun. Growing too fast can kill your business. Innovation starts from within, so take in what you can handle, but keep challenging yourself to improve your product or service. Its never easy, but with hard work, innovation can help keep customers valuing your company for many years.
Respect The Competition - because fearing them is neither healthy or conducive. So instead of talking bad about your competition and tooting your own horn, rather, learn from the competition, and see what they can teach you. You will gain more respect and confidence when you are honest about yourself and others. People will see that, and respect you for it, which is a step closer to winning them as a customer.
Practice What You Preach - is perhaps the hardest thing, so keep working at it. No better way to earn respect and build more customers, but then to practice what you preach. Whatever your product or service is, show it off by showing how you do things or how you utilize your own products.

Now doing all this may not result in you keeping every customer, and sometimes, you may need to let go of some. Here's a post about having to fire customers.

So focus on what you can do best, and keep firing those engines of innovation, and you'll keep building your rapport, and customers that will last for years to come.

No doubt there are other great tips on building customer loyalty, but these definitely are on the top of our list. If you have something to add, please share on the comment box below. Thank you!

Stop Bleeding Jobs, and Just Start Reaping Them

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 06:21:00 GMT

Often times we get into a situation where you think things are gonna change, or for some magical fairy dust to start glittering on a situation to make it better, but in the end, there's no hope at all.

As a business owner, we've had to deal with these "blunders" or like the title says "bleeding jobs" that has no positive end in sight. You think after the first couple of times, we would learn from our mistakes. But habit gets in the way, or a promise of a better future. Nope, not getting political here.

Here are some things I've learned that I hope, you can learn from, so you can "stop bleeding jobs" that just bleeds you dry, and "just start reaping" from your honest to good work. These are just signs we have noticed that seem to be apparent in people who just like to keep you bleeding.

Signs That They Are Bad Clients - Bleeders:

Employees Don't Hang Around - we see this a lot unfortunately, and they could be for various reasons. It could be just by chance, other opportunities, bad managing style, not enough pay, etc. You name it, they just can't seem to hang on to their workforce.
Lying Becomes a Habit - when they admit to lying to you, that's probably a red flag. Its even worse, if you catch them in it, and you both just shove it under the rug.
Customers Are a Running - everyone has them, and those that are simply questionable in their traits, like the previous point mentioned, don't seem to keep customers around.
Scope Creep Galore - its when they keep asking for more than was agreed on or beyond the original scope. To them its understood and common, but to the parties involved, not so. Time and pay doesn't change, just the continuing rise of work & expectations.
Your Time Has No Value - which relates to the previous, but in a scale of seriously not caring at all, on "how much time" you have actually put into something. It simply doesn't matter to them, as long as the job gets done, and that it doesn't cost them anything additional.
Looking Like a Big Fish - not necessarily a bad thing, but noticeable in our experience, where these business owners always want to look bigger as a company than they really are.
Pointy Finger - they are reluctant to take responsibility for any mishaps on their part, they will either share the blame, or put it all on you. Yeah, that's icing on the cake on a scope creep project.
Bad Mouths Everyone - except the person they are with of course. Putting someone down is easy, when the other person is not there to defend themselves.
Prying Critique - they not only love to critique or judge other people, they will pry on you personally, despite the fact that there is a plank in their own eye. Everything from what you eat, to how you exercise. They love sharing their infinite wisdom to the world.
Corner Cutting - anywhere from hiring under-experienced workers to not paying or delaying payment to vendors. They will cut corners to pay themselves.

What to Look Forward To, By Firing Them:

Better Work - there are many good people out there that if you do a good job, are actually decent. The bleeders are out there too, but I'd like to think there are more good ones.
What Comes Around - goes around, despite the "bad mouthing" and the "prying critiques", people are smarter than you think, and truth is just around the corner.
Vigor Returns - bad experiences can be stressful, so get ready to feel the weight come off your shoulders.
Other Opportunities - when you are stressed, you get distracted, and you don't sometimes realize that there are other opportunities that are waiting for you in the corner.
You Get Paid - for what you are worth. Yes, that can actually happen again, and its about time!
Appreciation for Hard Work - is probably one of the best feelings you'll have in life, is knowing that your hard work is very much appreciated and the praises you deserve come your way.
Sunny Days - are coming back, and your day just keeps getting brighter. You start loving your work again, and those around you, are glad that you did.
Family Love - is where you'll notice that those closest to you, will start seeing the nice real you again. And they are super ecstatic you're back.

Be Tactful and Considerate, And Start Reaping

Now before you go off and do something rash and regretful, make sure you do the "right thing" and cover your bases, and as someone who doesn't like firing clients, its up to you, think things through. If its a situation where others can get hurt or get something negative out of your decision, do the best you can to make it easy for them. Don't expect the perfect or most positive outcome, but do what you can, with the time & money that you can bear, with no regrets. Regardless, the bleeding needs to stop, and you need to move on to bigger and better things.

Bleeding jobs destroy businesses and families!

Are you a Good or Bad Social Butterfly?

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 16:25:00 GMT

Stop using social media the wrong way, and start reaping the benefits of what it can do for you and your business. Its not enough that you have a website, you need to go out into the virtual world and provide value to people. Give and give, and in no time, you'll see the rewards.

Signs of a Bad Social Butterfly:

Twitter:

You are not there. You create an account and just stop!
You rarely retweet or recommend anyone to follow
You attack people with different beliefs, opinions or thoughts
You just automate and don't engage
You don't put a link or a description on your profile
You are a celebrity and you don't follow anyone (Unless you are one)

Facebook:

You complain about everything and everyone on your updates
You are not a fan of any person, group, organization or business
You send the same news updates everyday & all day
You tag people on a video or a picture, just so they can read or watch something that will not interest them
You post wall comments on people you barely know and sell them your product or service
You private message a complete stranger, asking for a favor
You send game invites to everyone...repeatedly, incessantly and obsessively

Blogs:

You steal other blogger's content and claim it as your own
You don't have any blogging friends or people you recommend or respect
You talk about your products and services in a way that just sells and does not bring value to your readers
You don't comment on other people's blogs and give them an encouraging word
You do not allow comments from others

Be a Good Social Butterfly

Well, instead of writing the good ways you can be a social butterfly, you can simply just do the opposite on some of the items mentioned above. To put it in a few words, just build rapport, be like-able, and trust-worthy, because in the end of the day we do business with people we know, like and trust.

Adaptability Is Not Only Good Offline But Also Online

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Adaptation - the ability to withstand or survive a given outcome simply by adjusting to its conditions...it is a necessary change of actions or condition in which survival is the goal. Don't you agree?

To say the least, the word "adaptation" has been a pinnacle of what our company is going through. Heck, the whole country, and even the whole world is going through this ever changing force of nature, called adapting. Not to sound dramatic or anything, but change is in the air.

We Moved!

We Ventured!

We Changed!

We Learned!

We Adapted!

Learning how to adapt can be life or death for most businesses nowadays.

Are you adapting to the change of what your customers want or need?

Recently, we launched a customer website, and its a responsive website, or in these blog post terms, it has the ability to change depending on the device of which the user is on. Our Brevard County customer, Viera Diagnostic Center, has been with us for at least 5 years now, had been itching to change its outdated website, and they made the right decision to do so. Especially now.

The initial goals were to make a site that would meet the norm or standards of most websites. We thought differently and created a website that would surpass most sites today. At least, in a manner of speaking, in how its prepared to meet the demands of tomorrow's users and ever-growing user-base of today.

Basically, the website, its design, along with its content will change depending on the users device. If they are on a mobile device, which most users are actually on more than their desktop counterparts, it adapts to their small screen. So users won't have to zoom in just to see the websites images and text.

Users on a desktop with an average size monitor can see the full-blown version of the site just fine. Tablets have been considered as well, which vary in size and monitor resolution.

Online adaptability can also mean life or death for your business!

If you don't have a mobile version of your website, then you can be missing on an avenue where business & commerce is headed, and the fact of the matter is, your customers are already there. What are you waiting for?

Build It, Market It, And Start Socializing

Sat, 21 Jul 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Don't just build a website and let it die till you remember that you had one years later, only to regret you spent money on it, and wonder why you are doing it all over again.

We Don't Build Websites, We Build Online Businesses...

...that is what we tell our potential customers each time. We explain to them that your website is an extension of your business. Its function, like in any marketing scenario, is ultimately to drive you more business, and also keep the ones you have as well.

As you know social media is a popular topic in marketing. Here some things to consider when marketing your site on social media:

Be Social - join the social media revolution and get a Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Youtube, etc...and start being social.
Socialize Not Commercialize - social networks are there for a reason, not for you to just babble on like a relentless car salesman.
Build Value First - if you want something, give first. Build your worth by giving away some stuff. It doesn't have to be free product, it can simply be knowledge. You are the expert, show it off.
Keep Giving - don't count your givings and expect the same return. The internet is like the stock market, you never know what your return will be, if ever. Give and serve, because you want to genuinely help others.
Be Tactful - the best way to get a child to do something, give them what they want. Not that your audience are children, well they sure could be, but what I mean is, think of your audience first. If you are going to share something about your business, what do you think they would like to hear and how?
Respond - reciprocate the interaction, don't be afraid to reach out or respond accordingly. Don't leave traffic waiting for you to interact. Be on top of it.
Capture - if you are giving something away, make sure you politely ask in exchange some form of data exchange. This will allow you to build up a list or database of various markets.
Grow Organically - its not a rush to the finish line, there isn't one. Its about the journey, so enjoy the interactions, and grow accordingly. Do not purchase scheming tactics to boost "likes" or "tweets" or "traffic", just to feel good. Often times, its just fluff. Traffic that comes just goes, and no rewards have been collected along the way.

These are just few tips that we feel are good for marketing your business online in various social media sites. Let us know if you want to add to the list, give us your tips & tricks.

Convince The Powers That Be, Your Company Website Sucks

Fri, 08 Jun 2012 04:00:00 GMT

There are times when we get contacted by an employee of a company, and they are looking to inquire about website redesign, and often times they are the ones pushing for it, and not the owners or managers of the business or organization. So here's a quick blog if your in that position, that you know you can do a better job, if your company will just update the website. Here's what you need to know.

Reasons Why Everyone is Not Onboard About Updating Company/Organization Website:

Management/Owners are Unfamiliar with the Technology - believe it or not, what someone does not know, fears them, and having to learn something new can be intimidating.
Do Not See the Benefits - spent a lot of money on a website years ago, and it still has not paid back.
Think They Can Not Afford to - what they spent years ago, may not cost as much, and certainly technology capability has changed.
Business Does Not Need It - major purchases happen through research online by nearly 93% of Americans, can your company afford not to be part of the discussion.
Think That Customers Will Always Stay Loyal - economy sucks, so loyalty is out the window (up to a point), but if your products and services are pretty much the same, savy buyers choose price most of the time. Your website can help make sure you stand out.
Technology Implementation is Costly - yes it can be, but its worth the investment, when implemented correctly, adding to a streamlined business that is efficient and competitive, your company grow.
Only Do Business Locally - most businesses service those within a 50 mile radius of where they do business, if not less, so being online is pointless, at least that is what they say. But if everyone is getting online and not driving to your business, how are they know you exist? Junk mail!

Okay, so these are legitimate reasons here, but it is unfortunate if not dealt with. A great CEO once said, if you are not growing your business or if your business is stagnant, you will be out of business soon enough. Especially with the speed of how technology is growing, most businesses can not compete with other businesses that have the competitive technological edge.

Walmart is a great example of this. This company is known to be the leading purveyors of implementing new technology. They use critical business information to the fullest, allowing them to predict, prepare and respond with blazing speeds on market shifts.

Okay so technology is important, but what do I tell the powers-that-be on how to get a new website, because its not helping me sell their products and services with this outdated, misinformed, and unprofessional looking website.

So What Can I Tell My Boss, To Update Our Website:

A Website Is Sometimes the First Impression You Make - like we mentioned, people research online first, so if they stumble on your website, what impression are you making? This can deter or win-over a potential customer. Can you say, lost sale?
Internet is the Best Marketing Tool - compared to all the traditional marketing mediums, the internet is by far the most cost-effective due to its ability to reach people and availability.
Information On the Website Is Outdated - and therefore visitors to your site are not getting the information that you need and your credibility decreases. An outdated site gives people an impression that your business may not be stable and therefore not be around when they need it.
Improve Customer Loyalty - by constantly being in your customers mind. Send out highly targeted newsletters to your customers and give them a reason as to why they should have your loyalty.
Improve Customer Support - you can use your website to minimize unnecessary calls thus improving efficiency or allowing for a better allocation of your workforce.
Improve Business Operations - by managing your online presence more effectively and streamlining your process when dealing with customer data. From reporting, CRM tools, to even database management. Your website needs to be working for your business.
Test/Capture New Markets - by having your website be search engine friendly. Optimize your site so when your potential customers are looking for you online, you can be found. By doing so, your business can reach new markets, and your business can grow.

These are good reasons to improve your website, especially if its not doing anything for you now. Like most relationships, your website needs the attention it needs so that it can perform as it should.

Tell us if this blog article was useful, we want to hear your thoughts. Thank you.

3 Top Reasons Why Websites Fail

Sat, 30 Apr 2011 16:00:00 GMT

There is a long list as to why websites fail, but I think by giving you just the top 3 reasons why your website fails, the rest won't matter, its broken. Act on it!

#1 Top Reason Your Website Failed - No Call-to-Action

You got them on your site, now what do you want them to do. What's the one thing you want visitors to do when they go to your site? Here's how you can make it so:

Have an obvious button that takes the visitor to the next page YOU want them to go.
Have an obvious button for each page unless its the final destination.
If its not a link, any downloadable stuff, needs to be obvious as well.

#2 Top Reason Your Website Failed - Too Much Going On

Just imagine 3 people talking to you at the same time. Some websites out there do the exact thing, they put too much information "above the fold" with different colors and images, getting you to see everything all at the same time. Here's what you need to do:

Prioritize your information, the top being the most important, from left to right.
Minimize your images. Use it intentionally and let it complement, rather than just decorate.
Minimize your text. People don't read much on the web. Keep it short and simple.

#3 Top Reason Your Website Failed - Lacking Credibility or Authority

You may have a great looking site that gives users a proper flow to get them to the ultimate page on your site, but if you can't convert the user into a customer, or a buyer, then you've failed. Most of the time, the reason why that happens is because you don't answer the question, "Who are these guys?" Here are some tips to increase credibility:

Answer the question, "Who are you?".
Have a way for users to contact you. An email or phone number would be nice, especially an address, if possible.
Answer the question, "Why should I trust you?".
Provide valuable information that is useful to the user.
Spread the message and get guests posts or interviews with the media.
Provide real to life testimonies.

Hope that helps.

Dishonesty Can Kill Your Business - Couponing Won't Save It

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 17:23:00 GMT

The first time I use a group couponing service by LivingSocial, and I get a bad taste. I was initially excited because I finally was able to find a useful coupon that I really needed. I don't need discounts to luxury items I don't use, I just needed an oil change and some other work for the family van.

This is a story of how dishonesty can kill your business, and utilizing huge couponing deals won't save it...

If your business sucks, people will know, and they won't reluctantly share the bad news to others. They may purchase once because of the discount they got, but they may never return.

So here's the story folks...

Got a notice from LivingSocial about an oil change and wheel balancing coupon offer, so I paid over $60 and saved $100 or so. Not bad.

Made an appointment, but had to reschedule, yet they were really nice about it.

As I was waiting already for nearly an hour and a half in their lobby with FREE wireless (good job), I happen to stand up and see the mechanic putting back my hubcaps on my wheels. I noticed they put the nice shiny part faced down on the rough surface (not good). The last one he put on, he had issues with, so he took out the ring inside of it, and adjusted it, while it was nicely laid on the rough surface (that's bad). Once he did that, he installed it on the wheel, and he still had issues with it.

Needless to say, he ends up punching the hubcap in causing two big cracks on opposite ends. Its obviously ruined. I didn't react right away, and merely sat down, hoping that my eyes were deceiving me.

I tweeted about it right then & there, you can see it below:

A few minutes later the acting manager was approached by another employee in the front desk, and he was making some punching actions with his fist, and the acting manager looks at the direction of my car. So I'm assuming, at least he knows and can do something about it. (Not sure if he did really know, but who punches when they talk.)

About 5 minutes or so passby, and the acting manager calls my name and says I'm ready to go. I asked testingly, so "How did it go, any issues?", and he replied about how my wheels were "towing", and kindly illustrated the issue with a toy car he had underneath the counter. That was nice!

He kindly thanked me, and I returned the favor, and walked reluctantly to my car. First thing I noticed, the hubcaps were filthy. I came in the place and it was spanking shiny. I just bought it 2 weeks ago, after waiting months not getting it, because I wanted a certain one. I didn't want to go cheap and get it at Walmart.

Judgement time, and there it was, the nicely cracked hubcap (picture below), that is obviously ruined covered in grease. So I carefully walked back and told the acting manager, and he didn't seem surprised. He looked at it, and I told him that I saw the guy do it. He went back inside to got his phone and took a picture. He asked me where I got it and that he would get a replacement. He said he'd take care of it, and I went on my merry way.

Got a call back from him when I got home, and he said he got a similar one, and that I'd have to come into the shop so they can install it for me. I told him, that would take another hour of my time to do that, since it took me 20 minutes getting there each way. I suggested he ship it, and he boldly refused to do so.

I reluctantly told him I'd passed by when I was in the area to get it fixed. Being non-confrontational in person, I boldly told him over the phone that I wasn't happy with it, and that I had to tell him about "the incident", and that it seemed that they knew about it. He offensively said he didn't know and blurted out, "I don't give cars back broken, if I had known about it, I'd fix it there and then".

Is it me being picky not wanting them to install it, since they broke it in the first place?

What's the moral here...

This is what should of happened if they wanted me the customer to be happy & possibly win their loyalty:

The mechanic should of told the acting manager. (Honesty pays, dishonesty does too, but the outcomes are totally different.)
The acting manager should of got a replacement before all the work was done.
Made sure to check the work before the customer does. Dirty hub caps...come on, it takes a few minutes to clean that up.
Be honest with the customer about the foulness, and...
...Apologize for the inconvenience & extra time.

Yeah I'm grateful that they got me a replacement, yet I'm ticked that I have to go back, but I'm even more peeved that they didn't even say SORRY! Apologizing goes a long way, and making it right, corrects a wrong.

They lost a potential loyal customer.

And no coupon in the world will make me go back. And you figure, if they wanted my business, they would attach those nice stickers underneath your window to let you know when you need another oil change.

It was a failed attempt to utilize the power of offering coupons.

If your service sucks and you can't retain customer loyalty by wowing them with your service and keeping your brand fresh in their eyes, just close shop and go home, because people will know how you treat your customers.

I hope I wasn't too bashing but rather I just wanted to point out that if you have dishonest practices, and shady customer service, its time to rev up and fix it, because times have changed. Word gets around quicker, easier, and faster than you think.

Lastly, no bad riddance or anything of the sort to coupon sites like LivingSocial, Groupon, and now Facebook Deals & Google Offers. I think they are great. Just choose wisely!

XBM Explodes in 2011 in Orlando This April

Sat, 02 Apr 2011 04:00:00 GMT

We are proud to announce once again our involvement with XBM (ExtremeBusinessMakeovers.com) this year. So come on over and find our booth. Aside from being a great client, our friend Thom Scott, the man behind this great event, is a man we love and admire. This year, the panel of speakers, are Joel Comm, Kevin Eikenberry, Dr. Rick Ernst, Scott Ginsberg, and more.

All around, its a panel that will touch almost every facet of small business. I am personally looking forward to hearing Trey Pennington and Thom Scott, on their topic "The Power of Purpose/The Power of Story".

Come by our booth and get a chance to win a raffle prize. Hope to see you there.

Extreme Business Makeovers
April 29th to May 1st, 2011
Orlando, Florida
http://ExtremeBusinessMakeovers.com

The Big Event Just Got Bigger - Start The New Year Right

Tue, 28 Dec 2010 05:00:00 GMT

The economy is still struggling, but it doesn't have to stay that way. And thanks to the many guys that I've gotten to know in the "Go-Giver" community, SDG didn't have to suffer much from it. Who else then to host, and lead this incredible event in the new year, than my good friend Bob Burg, along with professional speaker and renowned businessman Paul Martinelli, called "The Big Event".

This event just got even bigger, now that my all time favorite writer & speaker will be sharing his timeless wisdom with us. His name is Dr. John D. Maxwell, he is an international best-selling writer & speaker who's written many books on leadership.

Along with three other speakers, they will be joined with a great following of "Go-Giver" business owners, making this a must-see event of the new year. As it says on their site:

"Join us and experience the benefits of hearing other business owners’ challenges and how they overcame some big obstacles. There will also be plenty of opportunities to interact with each other as well. Let us all come together … and challenge and support each other to be the best we can all be and take control of our lives and businesses."

Hope to see you there.

To find out more details & to register, visit their site today: www.thebigevent2011.com

Invitation to Become a Go-Giver & Get Social Brevard

Tue, 26 Oct 2010 20:31:00 GMT

So things with #GetSocialBrevard is coming along pretty good. But its no time to relax and ride the wave, lets keep building this thing up. If you haven't heard about what's been going on. Basically, a bunch of Brevardians have been meeting monthly (last 2 months) for the purpose of "getting social". Its not your normal networking event. Here we talk about "Social Media", and how we can benefit from it, and how we can help Brevard, so to speak, get on the bandwagon of social media.

Watch the video below to find out more: (Thanks to our friend Ivy, co-founder of Your Simple Media):

So next month, at Duran Golf, we'll be meeting again, and for 30 minutes or so, I'll be going over the 5 Laws of Stratospheric Success, from the book, "The Go-Giver", by Bob Burg & John Mann, and how it applies to social media.

Why come? Aside from the great connections, the food, and learning about Social Media and how it can apply to your business, we want you to be a part of a new movement here in Brevard. This movement is founded on the Go-Giver laws, and that's why we're addressing it on the next #Tweetup. Yes its a #tweetup as well.

We'll be at the Duran Golf Club from 6 to 8pm, on November 11, 2010. See yah there!

REGISTER NOW via Eventbrite

Here's last month's #GetSocialBrevard photo gallery on Facebook.

Brevard Gets Social, Will It Linger Or Stinker

Wed, 15 Sep 2010 14:00:00 GMT

It was a pretty exciting week. We had our first ever Tweetup in Brevard. Thanks to Space Coast Business & Pizza Gallery & Grill for sponsoring and hosting the event. If you weren't there you can follow the discussion with the hastag #getsocialbrevard.

If what I just said, went over your head, no worries. Its just Twitter talk. Hopefully the image below will shed some light.

Now the question is, will this keep going, or will it eventually die down? Brevard is known for its techy industries, but not for its locals being all that techy or up-to-date with new marketing technologies. I hope I'm wrong, because being a local myself, I'd like to think we're up to par with the rest of the country. But honestly, that's just wishful thinking.

So what will it take for Brevard County to step up to the social media challenge and get everyone on board. I think Andrew Gall, of Space Coast Business, said it well, and I'm paraphrasing, "...that having this 1st Tweetup is a start."

Here are some things I believe needs to happen:

Believe In Social Media (You saw the numbers, if not, see it again here.)

Learn How To Be More Social In-Person & Off (People do business with those they know, trust and like.)

Embrace Change (Learn new stuff, or the competition will.)

Start Building & Stop Selling (Build relationships, stop shoving your business card down someone's throat.)

Collaboration & Healthy Competition (In today's market, the one with the most help, wins. You can only do so much alone.)

Humility Not Humiliation (Don't think you're better than others, you may just learn something.)

Service More Than Leadership (We all want to take the reigns, but lets think of the greater good first.)

"I wrote this because just like you, I want Brevard to succeed."

It would be great to see people working together in mutual respect, and ownership. That way we can all run our businesses successfully and ride this storm of economic difficulty.

I didn't say it was going to be easy, nothing worth doing ever is.

To close up, I would love to know what you think about what I just said. Maybe you disagree or agree with me. Better yet, you got something to add, will give you credit if you do.

Regardless, speak your piece and let everyone know how we can all make a positive change. If you use twitter, please, leave us your handle and comments below. This way we can connect further and who ever reads this can connect with you.

Here are some pictures I took for the event, its on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=238886&id=517491854&l=3435f0c625

Here's a great article on building online communities: (thanks Andrew for sharing)

http://socialmediatoday.com/blaisegv/181855/10-key-guiding-principles-online-community-building-and-engagement

Web And Business Predictions Revisited for 2010 and Beyond

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 14:00:00 GMT

So I wrote a blog post 9 months ago on my personal "Posterous" account called "Web & Business Predictions for 2010". I wanted to revisit what I wrote and see how I did to further expand my thoughts on it. No, I don't have a crystal ball telling me or confirming these predictions by any means. So who knows if its accurate, but read further on and see if I was accurate. Now if I'm correct with most of my predictions for rest of the year and beyond, then this post will be advantageous to you. If not, sorry I wasted your time, but I promise its got merit.

Facebook is Gonna Dominate - I think everyone saw this coming, so this was easy. I do have to mention though, some are saying it will be gone in a few years. I beg to differ. My reasons for this will be on another post.
Its About Relationships - It always has been, and will be more so than ever. As the web and social media grow, that means anybody & everybody will have a website and a blog to pitch you their products & services, relationships will be at the core of anyone's success.
Real Value & Price - This is "The Law of Value" according to the "Go-Giver" author Bob Burg. Which states, "Your true worth is determined by how much more you give in value than you take in payment." As I mentioned earlier, everyone will be on the web, and that means price comparison will be more fearce than ever. So make sure in the relationships you build, you're complementing them with "real value & price", or else loyalty can be thrown out the door.
Building Loyal Raving Fans - Let me clarify. If you're going to build a fan base, make sure they're well equipped. Its the cheapest form of marketing. Make everything you have easy to share throughout all the platforms and media.
Twitter Alone is Dead - Anyone utilizing Twitter effectively knows this. More engagement requires further interaction than 140 characters. So make sure you have a blog or a website for your followers to go to.
Video Goes Even Further - Youtube is the new search engine. What??? Yes, people would rather watch a video than read something online. Darn, I guess I'll need to get on the bandwagon on this. Stay tuned.
Authenticity Redefined, True Morality is Pursued - True morality is not catching up as I had imagined. Although, with the help of social media, transparency is up, meaning that corporations can't hide behind traditional news anymore. They've got Twitter, Facebook, Youtube and much more to handle. So PR would be a nightmare if people called you out for doing something unethical.
Niche It Even More - This is funny, as I read this again. I remember getting tons of spam and email broadcasts from marketers on "how to niche..." this and that. Yes, this will grow even more.
Locally Focused, Yet Worldly Open - More and more, we hear "support your local businesses", and we'll hear it more until our ears bleed. So get use to it. If you are a business, try to do business with someone within your area. You give them business, it will be only a matter of time, when that favor is returned.
Locally Smart & Effective - IBO's (Independent Business Owners) who rely on locals will really need to step up their game and dive into social media quickly. They will still need to do it right and not just be a noise to their customers. This of course, gives them the ability to reach globally as well. Now how they maintain their brand to reach their customers is up to them. I would direct them back to #2.
Partnerships Becomes An Even More of a Necessity For Success - Yes, this is more crucial than ever. If you've got a product or service, and you are an underdog, you're gonna need help from others. So learn how to work with others. To make big changes without killing yourself, you'll need more help to take on the big fish.
Push For Multilingualism - On this one, it hasn't really pushed well, but big corporations understand this and soon enough, we'll all follow. This will be made possible by multilingual copywriters and marketers, making it easy for us to dive into this new market. We'll see what happens. At least for now, thank God for online translations on browsers.
Mobile Is The New Netbook - On my last post, I wasn't really sure what I was saying, but I knew an Ipad wasn't what I wanted. You see, I want something more portable yet just as powerful as a notebook. Perhaps a new generation of smart mobile devices will come along that will allow us to be truly mobile and accessible. Perhaps the new Samsung Galaxy Tab can fulfill that (Picture below). I'm sure Apple, Dell and Microsoft are all racing to get there.

FREE, FREE, Can Be A Turnoff

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:00:00 GMT

FREE Can Be A Turnoff, It Shows That You're Cheap

From business cards to websites, you see it all around, and you know their free. Now, let me ask you something. When you see that a business professional has a FREE business card or a FREE website, would you lose respect for them? Or would you think their cheap?

Its either or, regardless, you'll at least think in some form or fashion, that they simply can't afford it, and therefore, you may also deduce, that they may not be good at what they do.

You may also think, they're simply being shrewd or prudent with their spending.

How would you like to be portrayed? Successful, cheap, shrewd or prudent.

We all make judgement calls when it comes to "first impressions", we look at a person and try to see if we can like them, trust them or want to do business with them.

Next time someone gives you a business card, and its a freebie, check your thoughts. Or the next time you visit a website and its a freebie, because in the bottom of the site, its says, "free site by...", what do you honestly think of the business.

Now, don't get me wrong, "free stuff" is not bad. At least for this point, its not bad for nonprofits, but for a business, I don't think it pans out. There are so many options to choose from these days to get a website. You can get them really cheap if you wanted to, you just have to do all the work, or you pay someone to do it for you.

Just don't get it FREE, it looks bad, that's my opinion. Is it yours too? Tell me what you think.

The Ugly Truth of Social Media

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 14:00:00 GMT

Lots Are On It (Social Media Sites), Yet Lots Are Leaving &/Or Grieving

You heard the hype, you got on the bandwagon, so you created a Twitter, Facebook, & LinkedIn account, and now its there, but you still haven't leveraged what you got and wonder why you spent so much time and some money on it and you're not seeing results.

You need to understand that social media is just another communication tool, and like any other tool at your disposal, it needs to be mastered. So here are some tips you can take to heart in hopes that you can navigate this crazy world of social media madness:

Write down or type in your Goals! - Every time I do anything, I think of the beginning and the end result. This allows me to manage what I do, and how effectively my time is being spent. List your goals as to what you want to achieve. Whether it is building a following or a fan base, or even increasing your traffic. Whatever it is, track it.
Learn From the Right People - Tons of people call themselves experts, and very little of them deserve it. So how do you discern. Look at their track record, the work that they do, and if they themselves practice what they preach. No use emulating someone who's not doing it right.
Many People Are Communicating, Not Many Are Connecting - If you just tweet or update about what you do, and don't engage with others, you are just adding to the noise. Be human, talk to others, add value first. You see people in need, help! Get those experience muscles working, and build a name for yourself.
Bad Networking Moves Online - You try to sell without really listening first. By listening first, you'll know how to engage people. You'll know what peoples interest are. Imagine someone comes up to you and starts talking about their business, giving you only 2 words to say in response, hands you a business card when they are done talking & asks to give them a call and just walks away. Seriously, do not be that person online!
So Many To Manage - There are many social sites, you get an invite via email each day. Focus, focus, focus. Figure out where your target audience is hanging out. Know who your target audience even is. The top 3 I mentioned above is really essential though. Yes even Twitter. At least have a LinkedIn account and a Facebook Fan Page for your business. Leverage your friends and family first, then branch off to Twitter once you get those two down.
Lack Of Real Transparency - If you want people to know, like, and trust you, you need to show them who you are. Put some character on your blog, website, profiles, wherever you like. Gone are the days of hiding behind corporate walls of ambiguity.
Patience is a Web Virtue - Rome wasn't built in day, so don't expect that you'll be successful right away. Most recognized leaders in social media, have been doing their craft for years. Successful companies that have leveraged social media got their winnings from consulting with the best. Do what you can, but do it consistently and patiently.
Leverage Any First Time Initiators - I am talking about those who connect with you. If someone comments or sends you a nice post, reply back. That's the whole point is it not. If you have a LinkedIn profile and "good" people want to connect with you, why shouldn't you. Build your inner circle fast, and engage with your early fans, they will help you get where you want to go. If you ignore them, you end up with nothing.
Keep Learning Stop Crapping - Okay, that needs an explanation. What I mean to say, if you get content or complacent about things you need to know, eventually, what you know won't work all the time. You need to keep investing on your noggin. Knowledge is power, when practiced & maintained. Crapping is when you basically stop learning and start complaining about the world. That's my interpretation at least.
Get Social Online & Offline - This is such a crucial step. We are humans, we need to meet face to face. I challenge you to meet those you have met online and further connect with those people. Its an amazing feeling to put an face on an avatar.

The truth of the matter is, social media is a great tool, when used properly. The ugly truth unveils, when you don't put good etiquette into practice. Leverage this very cost effective means of interacting with customers, friends, partners and the like. You'll see the benefits rolling in, in the near future.

I hope this reaches out to you in a deeper level. I would hate to see you not succeed simply because no one told you. Now do something, anything, connect, engage, and change the world!!!

Best wishes to you and your endeavors...comment below and let me know how it goes. Would love to hear your response.