Are you ready for your close up? Hang on, we're all going video.

The video generation is here and it's all grown up. In its thirties already, it's buying houses and buying cars. It likes to go out for ramen and it likes to go out for latte. But most of all, online research is showing that it likes video. It likes video more than it likes even a little bit of text. It likes pretty pictures and pretty moving pictures. And if you want to get and keep its and the following generations' attention, you'd better understand video. How to shoot it, edit it, where to post it.

 Why? Social networking sites are responding to this research and you'll have to respond, too.

• Facebook is preferencing posts with high quality images and any kind of video
• Twitter is allowing photos and videos of certain sizes to be displayed in the stream, NOT just as a link in a tweet.
• Youtube is poised to be the biggest social network in the near future
• Pinterest, essentially pretty pictures, is in the top ten social networking sites, despite being a relative newcomer
• Vine (micro-movie site) and Tumblr (big on animated gifs) are extremely popular with the younger generation

But, I can hear you think, how the heck am I gonna keep up? I've only got so much time during the day! Well, it's not as hard as it might seem and there is a comfort level for all of us.

Many movies out there are simple slide shows. This might be a great place for you to start. However, if you want to go down the live video route, fear not. 

First you need a lot of raw footage. Video that you can cut and paste to make a nice movie. Remember, much of the world's video content is coming from handheld devices, these days. The video can be basic. Some users even prefer basic video over slick, professionally produced video. But, whatever your concept for your movie, get a lot of video. And don't worry about getting things right in one take. Think more about small, punchy segments and hit those on the head.

Once you have your video, you need to edit it into shape. There are many solutions that are currently absolutely free.

1. Trust Microsoft. Microsoft's Movie Maker
   This sofware can do everything you need including upload raw video into one project, add titles, edit and organize video, add music, add credits, and publish. Professionals mock this software but it will do the job you need it to do.
2. Online Movie Making Sites
   Upload your video, edit, add titles, add music and other sound effects, and publish all with drag and drop menus and gooey interfaces. Try Magisto or Animoto.
3. Open Source Video Editors
   As you get farther down the road of video editing, you might want to consider using an open source editor like VSDC. These take a long longer to learn - VSDC doesn't have manuals! But they are well worth it if you want to start adding more advanced features to your movies. Mac also has free video editing software.

Some editing tips:

• Keep your movies short - under two minutes. This might allow you to use your footage in multiple movies but, also, allows you to keep posting and posting more and more new content. The internet is hungry for content; so multiple posts beats a perfect post every time.
• Don't sweat the small stuff. As you go along the road, you will get better and better and more efficient. Trust in that process and breath. Get the video done and get it out the door.

Now. Where to post?

1. Youtube. This is the most popular video site for videos large and small. If you have a presence, here, make sure you complete your profile in full.
2. Your own Vlog on Blogger (or other blogging site).
3. Your own website (though leveraging blogging and social media sites is preferable)
4. Vine. Only for small, six second looping video. The Twitter of video and acquired by Twitter not long ago.

But on a last word? Once you post it, don't let it sit. Make sure the world knows about it. Blog about it, talk about it, post about it, tweet about it and you will start to win yourself a following. Which is what it's all about, right?

If you need any help with any of this, just click on one of my social media buttons above to contact me. I'd be happy to help. Course, next time, I'm gonna do a video....  :)

5 Steps to a Killer Social Media Strategy

We all know that if we want to be effective, we need to know exactly what we want to do and how we plan to do it. Sound simple? Yes, it is. But most folks don't take stock and plan. Now, I am not saying that these folks aren't effective, I am saying that they aren't being as effective as they could be. Successful people plan. They plan out their day. They plan out their week. They plan out their short and long term goals. And they definitely plan out their Social Media Strategy.

How to develop a Social Media Strategy? Treat it like as the marketing project it is.

1) The 'Whats'
First, you need to know what you want to do. What are your goals with Social Media?

1. Are you looking to connect in a more personal way with your clients?
2. Are you setting up a general inbound marketing plan to attract more clients to you?
3. Are you wanting to establish better customer service online?
4. Are you wanting to up your brand exposure?

Not sure what you want? That's fine, too. Find a consultant who can offer some training and some insight into what is possible and what isn't (we offer a reasonable service, by the way and would be happy to give you a hand). This isn't too expensive, will save you a lot of time researching, and will help you hit on a strategy that will get you started.

2) Who is your client?
Take a good long time to think about who your client is and how that person, likely, uses the Internet. Is that person constantly online, tweeting her whole day? Or is that person logging on once a day to do some light surfing and check to see if more pictures have been posted of his grandchildren? It's very important to think about this because it will shape your strategies. The previous two types of clients, for example, will tell us whether to focus on Facebook or Twitter, whether to concentrate on certain types of posts or content, and even whether to use images or text primarily in our posts.

There is Big Data to help you figure out what your standard client is doing and how s/he responds to different media. You can research online or get some help but your demographic has a profile. Take advantage of that information.

3) Get your tools together. 

1.  Get some posting software.
   If you are planning to post yourself, you need a method by which you can post everything (or a lot of things) when it's convenient and space the posts out during the day. There are various pieces of software out there. I recommend Hootsuite because it's the deck I use. If you find the software confusing, get training. It's worth it because it will save you so much time in the future.
2. Set up tracking mechanisms. 
1. Google Analytics - this great tool allows you to put a widget on your website pages and track visitors to your site and their behaviour on your site. Analytics will also give you insight on demographics. It's a great tool for small business and it's free, right now.
2. Hootsuite and other tweet decks will report on your progress. Set up these reports.

4) Don't forget the power of email.
The opportunity to collect your potential client's email (along with permission to email them) is a critical component of all social media strategies right now. Make sure that you are gathering these email addresses and contacting them frequently (2-3 times a month for a brick and mortar business, 2-3 times a week for online sales). If you are not a writer, don't worry. A photo blog might be a great idea for you!

5) Learn from yourself.
As you work up your killer strategy, check your stats daily. First thing in the morning. If the stats are growing at the rates you set out in Step 1, great. If not, think about how to change what you're doing to up those stats and meet your goals. Consult with a Social Media consultant or just get down and dirty yourself and google it. It's really important, here, to be honest with yourself. Follow what the figures are telling you NOT what your years of marketing gut is saying. Numbers don't lie. Only spend time and money on what actually works.

Hope this helps! Good luck out there!

5 FREE Social Media Tools I Use Every Day to Build My Business

1.       Hootsuite
http:www.hootsuite.com

Hootsuite is a posting platform that allows you to post across platforms at once, schedule posts to go out during the day, and generally do pretty much anything you can do on your various social media sites but from one location. Free up to five social media connections. Essentially, this platform allows you to reach more people with one post, and get all your posting done at one time. Natch!

2.       MailChimp
www.mailchimp.com

Mail Chimp is a tool for sending out graphically rich, appealing emails but, also, it keeps track of your list maintenance for you. You don`t have to do a thing! With email STILL being the number one way to connect to your potential clients, Mail Chimp has proven to be an invaluable tool. Free up to 2,000 contacts.

3.       Google Analytics
http://www.google.com/analytics

I am religious about checking out my and my clients`s stats every day to see if I can catch trends as they happen, or push more what works. Google Analytics is a solid tool to see where your traffic is coming from, visitor behaviour, and can even track conversions.

4.       Many Contacts
www.manycontacts.com

Want to increase your conversion rate? Use Many Contacts! Not only does this site make form building easy, it collects your data for you (and syncs it with your Mail Chimp – or other email service) automatically. Awesome!

5.       Google Keyword Tool
https://adwords.google.com/KeywordPlanner

If people are looking for your business online, how are they searching for it? Use Google Keyword Tool to increase optimization and boost your keyword strength. This is totally free but you need a google account to use it.

These tools are really great. If you need help setting these up or consulting, I am available for consulting and training on a reasonable per hour basis.  Contact me:

http://www.jaybirdsocialmedia.com

info@jaybirdsocialmedia.com

@jaybirdsocialmedia

+647-292-0210

What Google wants, Google gets. 3 Ways This Can Build Your Business RIGHT NOW.

 

How can what Google wants affect your business?

1. Google wants Google+ to be more popular than Facebook.

Well, who wouldn't? One way Google is encouraging this is favouriting posts on Google+ pages on its search engine; so, posts on Google+ rank very high up on Google Search ratings. For example, if you post on your Google+ business page about a flower special you have for your florist business in the beaches, that post may, very well, hit in the top 10 searches for 'Beaches florist' on Google. Google represents two out of every three searches made online; so this effect is nothing to sneeze at. 

How long will this effect work? Until Google gets what it wants or abandons the strategy.

How do I take advantage of this?

1. Create a Google identity (if you haven't already)
2. Make a Google+ business page (make sure your profile is complete and your business verified).
3. Research keyword searches that are common for your business using the (you guessed it) absolutely free Google Keyword Search Tool.

2. Google wants to be your Gateway to the World.

Right, right? If everybody is looking for products, services, and destinations through Google search and Google maps, then Google becomes one of the most powerful marketing engines on the planet. They have developed FREE tools that help you connect with your clients right now.

Google Places is a business registry that is linked with Google Maps, allowing your business to show up on a Google maps search of your area. This is critical, now that folks are searching primarily for products and services on their cell phones. They will be attracted to your business simply because it has a listing on Google Maps and it's located just around the corner increasing walk-in traffic and local awareness of your business.

Businesses listed in Google Places also enjoy a dominant spot on the right of the google search results page for local searches.

How long will this last? Until Google gets what it wants or Google abandons this strategy.

How do I take advantage of this?

1. Create a Google identity (if you haven't already)
2. Create a Google Places listing. Make sure that your listing is complete, with hours of operation, etc., and fully verified.

3. Google wants to be the #1 Referrer to the World

K, again. Who wouldn't? Currently, potential clients believe online reviews left by strangers and, of course, reviews by family and friends ahead of traditional forms of advertising. Google Places allows customers to leave testimonials on your products or services. After 5-6 testimonials, a rating out of five stars will show under your listing, increasing a client's perception of the reliability of your business.

How long will this last? Until Google gets what it wants or Google abandons this strategy.

How do I take advantage of this?

1. Get a Google Places listing for your business.
2. Encourage good clients to write a testimonial for you by sending them a direct link to a review form. Here is an example of that link:
   
   
   https://plus.google.com/115505053294590812173/about?gl=US&hl=en-US&review=1
   
   The long number in the middle of the link is your Google Identifier. How do you find it? Simply copy and paste it from the url of your Google Business Places listing.

There. Three things you can do.

Do me a favour: if you liked this post, go ahead and click on that Google Testimonial link and give me a good review. I'd be honoured.

If you want to take advantage of these techniques but feel daunted, we're offering a flat rate to set this all up for you -- for a short time only. Contact me:

Contact me:

website:  http://www.jaybirdsocialmedia.com

email: info@jaybirdsocialmedia.com

twitter: @jaybirdsocialme

phone: +1 647-292-0210

Facebook Limits Your Audience? Two Ways To Still Be Seen

Facebook has just announced that they are limiting - even more - the amount of business page followers who will naturally see any given post. Why? They want you to spend money to boost the post, of course, and who's to stop them? They're running a business, too, right? Their business is monetizing human interaction. I might do the same thing if I were them.

But for those of you, like me, who are small to micro businesses trying to make it in a very competitive market, Facebook's recent change in operation does not bode well. We're all working hard to build a following and, now, that following -- even though they have opted to see our content -- won't see it unless we pay for it.

Daunting? Yes. It feels like it's going to become a game about who has the most money, again, right? Weeeeell, not exactly. Here are two simple techniques that will help you beat the system - at least for a little while.

1. Like your own posts.

Sounds tacky, right? People who like their own posts seem to be vain and silly. In fact, not very long ago, liking one's own posts was the height of Facebook gauchery.

However, you will notice that some folks are liking their own posts as a matter of course, now. Why? Facebook added a little ticker on the side of the screen that shows folks actions pretty much in real time. A kind of an unfettered feed, this ticker will tell you who's liking or commenting or sharing right now. Now in the most recent incarnation of Facebook, that feed only refreshes if you do, however, it's still there. If you like your own posts, that action comes up on the ticker feed increasing your chance that people online will see it.

Also, Facebook will keep a post alive and show more people the post the more people like and comment on it. So, if a post is interesting to your audience, the platform keeps putting it out there. Posts that are uncommented or unliked (therefore uninteresting) will simply disappear. A post, then, can still go viral -- get seen by a ton of folks -- if people respond to it, like it, comment on it, share it.

So, like your own posts on your business page. Change back to your own self and like that post again. It will help.

2. Form a Marketing Support Circle

Following on this idea, it would be great if a post would get an automatic like or two as it goes up or gets a comment or two early in the process or is guaranteed to get a share or two. It follows, then, that small business can seek out other small businesses and form a marketing support circle. It might only take three or four individuals supporting a few posts a day to make a big difference in how many people actually see the post in their feed.

So, get out there and find three or four others who are trying to do what you are trying to do. Help each other. Like each other's posts. Comment and share each other's content both as a business and as an individual. It will help.

There. Two ways to work around the new Facebook restrictions. At least for now. Until they change it all again.