Week 2 of the New Year’s Resolutions.  Are you starting to lose steam? There’s an app for that!!  Actually, there’s a multitude of apps for that.  Tracking habits or changing habits is a great use of technology. The apps have reminders. They have rewards. They involve your support group. A couple even charge you real dollars for failure!  So take a look at these suggestions and pick an app that fits your needs.

from Inc Magazine       6 Must-Have Habit-Boosting Apps

from Lifehack      24 Best Habit Tracking Apps

from BuzzFeed      These Apps Will Actually Change Your Life

Get the biggest bang for your buck by writing a great post.

Example:  Thank you @Jean Flis for your great presentation today at @WSRG. I love your “core, pop, fizz” mantra.  I can do that! @Heartlink

1. Go to the person’s business page to make your post. That’s where they really need your support.
2. @Jean Flis  will put the post on Jean’s personal FB profile.  Only do this if you think she would want the post on her personal page.  If in doubt, skip the personal page.
3. @WSRG will put the post on the WSRG networking group page. That’s where Jean made the presentation so you want the thank you to show up there.
4. @Heartlink will put the post on another group page that you know Jean belongs to.
5. Adding the comment about “core, pop, fizz” gives other people who see the post something to respond to, to “engage” with since FB wants engagement.

The @ sign tags the page. When you start typing the WSR, FB will give you a list of WSR… pages to select from.

Yes, you could add a photo of Jean doing her presentation to add more power to the post.

THANK YOU Jean Flis with Premier Design Jewelry for being my example. Jean is the go to gal for anything related to jewelry.

Could a contest bring you new clients or new sales? It depends. Read this article to see some examples of successful contests. Consider your business, your goals, your budget. Then let’s talk about a contest for you! Click here to read more about Contests. 

I want you to be a bit intimidated by this article. Why? Too many times we think of social media as making a post. And yes, make it on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+,… But there is more to social media than just making a post – IF – you want it to be a major part of your marketing campaign. There is a difference in having a “social presence” and really marketing via social media. This article is specifically about how to use Instagram but the concepts are the same for any social media. If you want impact, you have to customize to the specific platform. And you have to customize to the platform’s audience. So look at your marketing plan. Do you need a presence? Do you need real social activity? Then we can plan appropriately. Click here to read the article. 

“The difference between evangelism and sales is an evangelist typically has the other person’s best interest at heart. It’s not about fulfilling a sales quota and earning commission.”

I want to be an evangelist, not a salesperson. I’m not knocking salespeople. Raised by one. Married to one. Surrounded by them. Always looking for one at Lowe’s. BUT… being an evangelist is better because it is more satisfying in the long run. As a salesperson, I might make 1 sale. As an evangelist, I make a client for life.

Both Michael Stelzner and Guy Kawasaki understand this. In this podcast, they share their knowledge. I encourage you to listen in!

Product Evangelism: How to Evangelize and Create Advocates

I get emails from clients and sometimes from spammers offering to make me a Google star within 30 days for 1 low monthly fee.

Ain’t happening!  This is definitely one of those “If it sounds too good to be true, it is” offers.

Here is a snip from an ad by GoDaddy.

SIX months. Don’t even start an SEO plan that you can’t fund and stay with for at least 6 months.

KEYWORDS – A successful SEO campaign is going to be for specific keywords, not everything you do.

20% of their customers don’t make it to the first page of the search results.

I don’t mean to rain on your parade. There are circumstances where SEO can make a difference for your site and for your sales.  But it is not a quick fix. It is expensive. It is work to make it happen.  Do your research. Get references on the SEO company. Set a budget.

Your Computer Lady does only very basic SEO work. The baby steps. If you want a SEO program, I can give you some referrals. I’d be happy to review the proposals you get to help you get the best options.

This article from Social Media Examiner not only has recommendations, it has instructions on how to use the apps for specific problems.

This is “must read” material for those of you who use candid shots for your social media posts and blogs. Professional photography skills aren’t required. Whew! But worthy subjects and legible photos are. So one little tweak like removing the ugly wall plug on your photo can make a huge difference.

Take your photography to a higher level!