If you’re a small business owner, chances are you’ve heard all the buzz about social media sites.

You’ve probably heard the fairytale-like stories of people who used social media to grow their company and their bottom line exponentially. The reason that these stories sound too good to be true is because, in most cases, they are. Social media is a great tool for small businesses to use, but it is not the final solution that will guarantee huge quarterly profits and healthy annual growth. There are a few things that companies should remember when utilizing social media.

The Human Element

People are most likely to buy from other human beings, not some robot with a status update and a profile picture. What I mean by this is that if you are going to utilize networks like Facebook or Twitter, the person who is managing your company’s account should be a great communicator. They should be engaging and interesting. Customers want to know that there is actually a human on the other end of the account so find someone with charisma to manage your social media campaigns.

How Much Is Too Much?

Be sure that you do not spread your social media manager too thin. One of the most damaging things that any company’s social media channels can go through is lack of consistent updating. Ideally you will want a few interesting informative posts on your channels each day. If you have two or three people handling the accounts, you can probably get involved on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and MySpace. If you only have one person working in social media, you will want to focus your efforts on one or two channels. Identify which demographics you’re targeting and plan your focus accordingly. If you’re looking to recruit new talent, you’ll probably want to be on LinkedIn and Twitter. If you’re looking to push products to young people, MySpace and Facebook might serve you better.

Shake Hands

The final thing to remember about social media is that it does not replace the old fashioned business of making real life relationships. Social media is a great way to start relationships and continue to grow them but make every effort to attend chamber of commerce meetings, meet with colleagues in person and talk to veterans of your business. There is nothing like sitting face to face with someone and talking about the business, family, life or any other topic.

People are most likely to buy from someone they know and it is easiest to get to know people when you can look them in the eye.

In order to make social networking work for you, you need to be patient and persistent.

Just as in the physical world of networking, it is going to take more than a couple of weeks to build relationships and get your network going.

However, the more you reach out to others and contribute, the more quickly you will see results. If you have an email list, you can get a real boost from that at first, but in the long term, the idea that the more you put in (give), the more you will get back truly works in the social networking world.

Focus your efforts on contributing what you know; show your expertise, and others will notice and look for more from you (eventually paying you in the process). If you find discussions to which you can contribute, and do so regularly, it will pay off in long term success. But don’t overdo it especially when you are using Digg.com or StumbleUpon.com. These two social networking sites have strict measures when using their services.

If you do not enjoy the process of connecting with others, perhaps these media are not for you. However, if you like a good conversation, think about your social networking as a series of conversations with people you do not really know, but who will appreciate what you have to say.

Focus your efforts on contributing what you know; show your expertise, and others will notice and look for more from you… If you find discussions to which you can contribute, and do so regularly, it will pay off in long term success.

Public messaging

One of the most interesting things about social sites is that you can send messages to others privately — the way you do with email — but you can also make them public. As often as you can (when it makes sense), try to make your messages public. In that way, many others can benefit from the information you share rather than just one person, and those others will get to know you better as well.

The message could be about a new product you are creating or a workshop you are giving (or attending), a speech you are giving, or anything that might benefit others. They will want to know more and will contact you. Be careful what you say as you comment and message publicly, though because you cannot withdraw what you have said — so pay attention to what you say and make it positive!

The networking site that is currently most productive for this type of communication is Twitter; the more you send messages, the more followers and interest there will be from others.

One important thing to be aware of is that these sites may change their looks and options fairly quickly. You have to be flexible and allow for this because the social networking world is a fast moving one. In-fact from my own recommendation I would encourage that you sign-up with their news letter so that you can be updated regularly so as to avoid negative surprises.

You may find over time that you will want to give up one of the networks because it no longer meets your needs. Just be aware in advance that this can happen, and you may feel that all the work you put in is gone.

However, that is not entirely the case. Your comments and other links will still be there, directing others to your site and your other profiles. You can move on to other things and know that you will still be gaining page rank for your site and more.

Here’s great news on a Facebook event I’m actually happy to hear about… because it comes from a true leader in the social media space – Mari Smith.

If you’ve been trying to get social media to work for your business, you know that Mari Smith provides some of the best guidance there is for making sense of it all.

And as entrepreneurs and small businesses owners, we are all interested in getting better at Facebook marketing and relationship marketing in a big way!

So, I’m VERY excited to tell you what’s in store for you on Tuesday January 31st. Mari’s going to be leading one of her informative, FREE webinars — The New Relationship Marketing – FREE Webinar Series! — on Facebook Marketing for 2012 — and you’re invited!

This will be a lively and informative webinar about how to grow a raving fanbase on the world’s #1 social network — Facebook.

With all the recent changes over at Facebook, sometimes it’s tough to stay ahead and use the world’s largest social network to guarantee consistent visibility, engagement and growth for your business. That’s why Mari’s offering this free webinar, to get you up to speed on Facebook Marketing right at the start of the year. It’s all about the best ways to develop your Fanbase audience so that they REALLY connect with you. And when they join in and respond, they’re ready to buy from you, too!

Register right away to save your seat on Mari’s first big Facebook event of 2012 before it fills up (because if her previous webinars are any indication, I really think the seats on this one will be overflowing too!) I’ve already signed up, so let’s both start this year off with a big boost to our Facebook marketing for 2012!

The New Relationship Marketing – FREE Webinar Series!

I hope to see you on the webinar!

Comments, questions or suggestions? Please leave a comment below!

Cheers,

Here’s an idea for making this Friday more fun and fruitful.

In addition to doing your own Christmas shopping online, give your Facebook friends and family good reasons to do likewise.

The screenshot below shows a Facebook status update about reading Ken Follett’s “Fall of Giants” on my iPad, and how Ed was enjoying his new Kindle Fire on a rainy afternoon.

That’s a strategy that you can use every day of the year to make extra coin.

Respect your Facebook friends by making recommendations relevant and of interest, i.e. stay on topic on your business profile, and don’t inundate close friends with updates about incredible web hosting deals on your personal profile.

As ever, personal endorsements need to be REAL and honest. Getting stumped by follow-up questions will wreck your credibility and future earnings potential.

It’s also a good idea to add a disclaimer such as “When you buy the book through my link Amazon pays me… about enough to send my mother a Christmas card”.

Happy Turkey Day and best wishes for a prosperous Black Friday!

Good grief. What’s up with the Facebook Stalker app (and all the idiots that are promoting it)?

Folks, it’s just another way that scammers are getting you to give up your Facebook password.

Don’t fall for it!

First of all, if your Facebook security is good (no telephone numbers, addresses or real birth years), then you don’t need to worry about those who will steal your identity.

And if you have played fast and loose with your personal information get LifeLock identity theft protection!!!

Secondly, it’s easy enough to tell if you have a REAL stalker (and I’ve dealt with 2 of them over the years).

They don’t just lurk – they pursue you — relentlessly.

They send you every app in the book, send you loving messages and then express real frustration when you don’t respond. (Have you seen “The Resident“? Watch it.)

Dealing with Facebook stalkers is easy — defriend the creeps.

I have 2 Facebook accounts. One for family and REAL friends (those whom I’ve actually met, spent time with… love). The other is for people with whom I do business. Some folks are on both accounts… but never would I allow a stranger into my ‘friends and family’ account.

Back to the point, as far as an Stalker Trackers application on Facebook — there’s no such thing.
The original stalker app was removed from Facebook very quickly due to security issues. Don’t believe that others will be any different.

So, don’t fall for the bandwagon and promote it. In too many cases, it’s just a front for nefarious programmer/scammers to access your account.

Can you imagine how valuable a backlink from Huffington Post, AOL or Reuters would be for your website in terms of traffic and increased customers?

A link like that is well within your reach if you join HARO (Help a Reporter Out). All you need to do is sign up for their twice daily emails to receive queries from reporters looking for information to publish.

Below is a list of 68 requests I received late this afternoon. Surely, you know something about one of the following topics. If not, the next list will come out tomorrow morning.

Biotech and Healthcare

1) Need women who’ve dealt with menstrual abnormalities (Large women’s health/relationships website)
2) Natural Remedies for Sensitive Teeth (AOL Health)
3) Seeking younger women affected by prescription drug shortage (Women’s health magazine)

Business and Finance

4) Need speakers (Retail Bankers Conference)
5) Investment professionals (national Consumer Magazine)
6) Buying House After Short Sale (Finance Site)
7) Looking for California lawyers with creative career strategies (California Lawyer)
Undiversified – and loving it? (Reuters)
9) Consumer advocates to discuss tax audit coverage (National Consumer Magazine)
10) Stock analysts (National Consumer Magazine)
11) Looking for People with Executive MBA’s (The Huffington Post)
12) HR consultants and online communication – defamation concerns/issues (SHRM)
13) Best Strategies for Overcoming Writer’s Block (http://drshannonreece.com)
14) How to mount an ad campaign for your restaurant (Pizza Today (trade publication))
15) E-Commerce Websites (Viralogy.com)
16) Goal-setting mistakes new business owners make (NFIB.com)
17) How important are visionboards to your success in life and business? (Book)
18) Small Business Leadership Stories (AMEX OpenForum.com)
19) Have State and Federal Regulations Impacted Your Small Farm? (MyBusiness Magazine)
20) How do Employers Drive Away Employees? (CNBC.com)
21) FSOC’s study of prop trading and SEC study of fiduciary duty (Active Trader)
22) Seeking unemployed women veterans (USA TODAY)

Education

23) Yellow Ribbon Program (Military Advanced Education magazine)
24) Chore Wars (Demand Media)

Entertainment and Media

25) Did you see, perform, fund a show re: ARTS of INDIA at KIRKLAND Performance Center (425 Magazine (regional lifestyle magazine))
26) Casting SoCal Relationships/Marriages/Infidelity In Crisis In Need of Therapy (WEtv/Ish Entertainment)
27) TLC is looking for British Royal Memorabilia collectors for a new Royal Wedding Special (Television)

General

28) Internet U: Improve your job skills online (MSN Money)
29) dog and cat diarrhea (Petside.com)
30) Cool NYC Business (Freelance – TBD)
31) Booking meetings with hotels undergoing construction or renovation (Insurance & Financial Meetings Management magazine)
32) Seeking the World’s Richest, Fittest Men (Men’s Health Magazine)
33) What must be included in a good flex-time policy (Small business association website)
34) Architectural Antiques in luxury Las Vegas Homes (Regional Magazine)
35) Do you LOVE your job? (Calgary Sun – Tag Goulet’s column)
36) Oral sex (I’ll tell you when we correspond)
37) Having Trouble Sleeping? (WebMD)
38) Business Travelers (Associated Press)
39) Financial Exploitation (Nightly Business Report on PBS)
40) American heroes, Brit actors (E! Online)
41) Appraisers or Vintage/Antique Experts (National Geographic)
42) story on international paper (weekly print)

High Tech

43) Seeking smartphone apps for moms (Major parenting site)
44) Organizing/Electronics (Newspaper)
45) Your company that has a useful web-based business application (ShoestringVenture.com : The Startup Bible Blog)
46) How Going Mobile Makes Your Support Team Better (Zengage, Zendesk CRM blog)
Lifestyle and Fitness
47) Web show for women seeking guests (Friday Girl TV)
48) Spring Decorating Tips (Better Homes & Gardens.com)
49) Summer Entertaining (Cabin Life Magazine)
50) ISO anecdotes: women who feel pressure to be “perfect” (major women’s magazine)
51) Best Plumping Lipstick (Tyra Bank’s Beauty & Fashion)
52) Mermaid Parade Participants (Time Out)
53) Winter Blues/Surprising Foods (Redbook Blog/Yahoo Shine)
54) Homemade Lip Gloss (She Knows)
55) Whiter smile in 24 hours (She Knows)
56) Office Toys (Studio One Networks)
57) Makeup Collections for Valentine’s (BeautyStat.Com)

Travel
58) Best Climbing Tour Companies in Colorado (Adventurefy TV)
59) Seeking “Mancation” Ideas (Examiner.com – San Jose)
60) looking for tips on ways people can save $$ on their next vacation (magazine for a major national credit union)
61) Twitter for budget travel (Bankrate)
62) Travel Commission Earnings (ASTA Network Magazine)
63) FAM Trips (ASTA Network Magazine)

From The New York Times, to ABC News, to HuffingtonPost.com and everyone in between, nearly 30,000 members of the media have quoted HARO sources in their stories.

Everyone is an expert at something…. YES, even YOU!!

Sharing what you know may get you the big backlink you’ve been looking for.

If your contribution suits the reporter’s storyline, you may get a a link to your website. Granted, it might be a nofollow line, but it’s still a backlink that allows people to find your site. Plus, demonstrating your knowledge in a particular niche helps build your brand.

Visit HARO today.

So, you’re touring around the Clickbank Marketplace looking for a good product to promote and you find one that you like.

Before you grab the product hoplink and paste it into your full-scale review of the product, look for the Facebook “Like” button and give it a click as shown in the screenshot below.

When you hit the “Like” button, ClickBank will automatically generate a HopLink to the product and post it to your Facebook profile as shown in the next screenshot.

If any of your friends make a purchase after clicking your link, you earn the affiliate commission!

NOTE: To earn affiliate commissions, you must be logged in to your ClickBank account before clicking the Like button. ClickBank will not retroactively credit any sales resulting from links created when you are not logged in to your ClickBank account.

I messed up my Facebook strategy right from the outset.

I created a profile and let everyone and his brother become my “friend”.

That was all well and good until I had nearly 5,000 friends and realized that was going to be all that Facebook allowed.

Limiting friends?

I have 100′s of thousands of subscribers on my email lists and only a certain percentage buy. I want to GROW my lists, NOT limit their numbers.

Egads.

Hmmm… 5000 friends and there was no way to tell which of them was interested in my personal exploits vs. BUYING products I recommended.

Had I bothered to do some research, I would have learned that profiles were limited in terms of the number of friends you can have — not to mention that things get completely confusing between REAL friends and those folks who wanted to stay in touch for my business acumen… DESPIITE my obvious lack of Facebook expertise.

Argh.

So, what to do?

Consult Facebook experts such as Mari Smith and Learn MORE about Facebook.

It turns out that what I should have done after creating my profile, was create a Facebook PAGE for people who are interested in my affiliate marketing and blogging business teachings to LIKE (or FAN).

Talk about embarrassing.

I had to create a Welcome Page and install Facebook code on each post for folks to ‘Like This’ and get my work recognized.

Then I had to cull all those ‘friends’ from the original profile and try to redirect them to my new pages. That was pretty much a bust.

Talk about a waste of time.

THEN there was the advertising debacle.

I could have accessed Jonathon Volk’s book on Facebook advertising beforehand, but NO…. I thought I knew better.

I blew $100 in the space of 15 minutes on a Facebook ad.

Granted, $100 isn’t a great deal of money to me, but considering it brought me only one “Like”, there’s NO way my short Facebook advertising adventure was worth the trouble considering none of my products sells for more than $47.00.

Stupid, stupid me.

Anyway, please avoid making the same mistakes with Facebook.

Get professional help as suggested above – save your time and do Facebook right the first time.

Get Mari Smith’s Social Marketing Method

Mari Smith’s 240-page digital guidebook is jam-packed with how-to’s, strategies, checklists, templates, screenshots and diagrams from which you’ll learn how to build profitable relationships using Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other social media marketing venues.

Not only that, but you’ll also get Monthly live open Social Media Q&A calls, PLUS, over a dozen archived Facebook & Twitter Q&A calls and webinars!

Very reasonably priced, Mari’s Social Marketing Method is worth it’s weight in Gold!

Gee, blog commenters these days have some really strange names.

Like who would think to name their kid “seo strategies“, “plumbing fixtures” or “cheap shoes“?

Seriously, you gotta wonder what some folks are thinking when they post comments like this to a business opportunities / Internet marketing blog like NetProfits Today:

First of all, the NPT blog is about Internet and affiliate marketing, so WHY would a knowledgeable blog commenter use a name like “weddings” or “buy LCD TV” to try and attract traffic to their site?

Uh, they wouldn’t.

It’s unlikely that “cheap shoes” will get their comment approved on professional blogs.

Business bloggers immediately see that “cheap shoes” is probably a spammer or a complete newbie who has wasted money on a bad training course. And it makes me feel sad when “cheap shoes” actually does leave a good comment, but they’ve contravened my blog commenting policy so I can’t approve their comment.

The policy specifically states that “‘nice post, thanks’ type comments from “Buy LCD TV” posters will be marked as spam, so it is in your best interest to contribute to the conversation as a real person, if you are looking for some link love.”

I have no desire to reward  cheap traffic seekers who contribute nothing of value.

Even if the comment does get approved, it’s too much of a crap shoot to hope that people who are interested in doing business online might also be planning a wedding or in the market for a new TV.

So, if you want traffic to a site about weddings, go post a comment on a site where the topic is about weddings.

Having said all that, a real affiliate marketer can drive traffic to their wedding site from a blog about affiliate marketing, but they have to be smart about it.

“Smart” means:

• Building credibility by contributing value to the conversation. If your site is about weddings and the post is about traffic strategies, share an experience related to the topic and invite folks to look at a relevant page on your blog.
• Using your real name or a pen name. Not just a first name either. You gain additional credibility for your blog comment by including your real FULL name. Even something like Super Affiliate Wendy W. is more likely to encourage visits than “cheap shoes”.
• Having a Gravatar. Want even more credibility? Get a gravatar to show alongside your thoughful comment.

All that said, remember that you want traffic that stays on your site.

The fellow who pops by “acia berry wonders” from a bizop blog won’t help your bounce rate if he only sticks around for a half a second.

So take the time to post real comments using your real name and point to content on your site of real value to your visitors.

I just went through the process of submitting my video for revenue sharing consideration and discovered the rules and process for making money with your YouTube videos — and I LIKE them considering how much time I spent dealing with copyright infringement issues…

Here are some of the basics.

It’s NOT OK to use someone else’s material even if you…

• edit together or “mash-up” other works.
• alter it by 10%, 20%, 30%, etc.
• only use 30 seconds of a song or video clip.
• found it on the internet.
• nobody sent you a copyright notice.
• paid for it.
• give proper attribution (credits).
• are only singing the words of a favorite copyrighted song.

This is copyright infringement and your video will be deleted!

How to monetize your video

• After reviewing the Agreement you will be asked for some information about your video.
• Any information you can provide about the source of the music or visual images used in your video — and whether they have been included in your video with the permission of the source or person appearing in your video — will help the process move faster.
• DO NOT submit any TV shows, music videos, music concerts, or commercials without the express permission of the producer, unless they consist entirely of content you created yourself.
• Only eligible videos in your account may be invited for revenue sharing.

Processing your video can take time. Please be patient!

Once processed, one of the following will happen:

• If approved, advertising will appear with the video.
• If rejected, the video will be deleted from YouTube. You will receive an email notification if your video is rejected.

How and when you get paid

• After you link your YouTube account with Google AdSense you will be paid through your AdSense account
• You’ll be paid when
• Your earnings reach the payment threshold
• There are no holds on your account
• You remain in compliance with AdSense policies, YouTube policies and Community Guidelines

Simple, commonsense stuff — for MOST of us!

Comments, questions or suggestions? Please leave a comment below!

Cheers,