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....  :)

God Turns On His Side - Another Google Update

Google may -- or may not -- have updated last night. And, now, us social media types are hopping about like bunnies on a hotplate trying to figure out what that means to you, our clients and, also, to us.

What? But wait. (I can hear you saying.) Aren't you guys experts? Isn't that why I pay for you in the first place?

Well, yes. But everytime google updates the nature of the game changes and with that, we all have to make changes, too.

What most folks don't realize about social media is these companies don't really care about making sure that everyone sees the latest picture of you,r adorable new kitten. These companies are in it for the money. How do they make money? Well, we've all seen those, sometimes innappropriate, ads in our Facebook feeds or sponsored messages on Twitter, or featured posts at the top of our search engine inquiries. The money in social media comes from businesses trying to connect with users.

But now, again, a little known fact (that's well known in social media circles): The second most trusted way to choose a prospective service or product is by testimonials from strangers on the internet. From strangers. (The first, of course, is recommendations from family and friends.) Consequently, all major social media platforms are moving toward the referral system services (a paradigm that is already very profitable in China). All social media platforms would like to be the Number 1 referral engine in the west. So, expect to see lots of changes both on Facebook, Google+, and google results pages with that in mind.

What's so important about Google? Two out of every three online searches originate at google. Google cannot be ignored because what they are doing affects the bulk of customer inquiry on the internet and will influence how the rest of the market will operate.

This current update (if, in fact there was one) looks like it is changing the nature of search engine results and will reboot the debate about whether SEO (search engine optimization) is dead . I, for one, will be watching the situation closely; so I can bring you the best advice to help your online success.

So, my point? Your online presence is in need of constant monitoring and tweaking to maximize your online success because the game is changing constantly and without warning. Never trick yourself into thinking that you're done or god might roll right on top of you.

In the Social Media Gold Rush, We Can Forget The One Thing That Will Guarantee Us Success

Social media marketing is rather like a gold rush, right now. People are coming from the four corners of the earth to try to win some gold. Small and large businesses, alike, are pulling out their pick axes. Some are definitely striking it rich but some are just digging in the dirt, and contradictory advice is coming from all sides.

But that's not necessarily the fault of your local social media expert, because the really fun part of the process is this: the major social media sites keep digging up that gold and moving it. Of course! I would, too, if I were them.Their goal is to make more profit through advertising. Our goal is to get the word out there without spending too, too much money. Hmmmmm....

Folks who enjoyed serious success early on have now found their gold has been moved. For example: SEO providers have been optimizing the heck out of websites over the last few years, carefully sprinkling keywords everywhere, streamlining the look and the feel of the site (many sites look exactly alike these days), and generally doing a great job. So why is Google throttling the traffic to these sites? Well, it's kind of like going into a casino and knowing how to count cards. Eventually, they kick you out.

The game is changing drastically it seems almost minute by minute. Even as a blog get posted, its advice is going stale (I guess including this one!). Business might feel pressured to jump and jump fast to adjust their marketing strategies and through it all forget one important thing.

What's that? Their Customer. The one person who can really tell a business what they should be doing.

In these crazy times, we need more and more to get back to the basics of marketing.

1. Who is our Customer?
2. What does s/he want?
3. What does s/he need?
4. How is s/he finding what s/he needs?
5. Where is s/he looking?

Answering these questions will give you a much clearer idea of how to use social media to market to your Customer. Your approach can be thoughtful. Your website can be designed to appeal to the very folks you are trying to attract.

For example, if you are a personal trainer offering exercise coaching and you determine that over 65% of your potential clients are women 45-55 years old, you might choose Pinterest as a marketing platform because Pinterest is most popular with women. You might soften the lines and the colours of your website. You might promote yourself in terms of the bikini body as opposed the six pack.

Or if you are a clothing manufacturer and you determine that your customers are mostly male, 18-24, you might consider Tumblr, a micro network that attracts teens and youth. You might update your site to be quirky and interesting to young people.

Your Social Media Director or Consultant should be talking, all the time, about your clients and what they're doing online, what sites they're visiting online. Because if your Customer is there, then that's where you want to be too. Avoid turning over too, too much dirt to find the gold. Follow your Customer.

Jacqui Burke is a Social Media Consultant based in Toronto, Canada. http://www.jaybirdsocialmedia.com

You're why we're here. How can we help you?

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

Mobile Optimization. You can't afford not to.

This is my second post about going mobile -- or getting your website ready for mobile users.

Your small business simply cannot afford not to go mobile. So many customers are looking for your business right now on their cell. A website designed for easy mobile access, viewing, and click-through will make you more money because such a low percentage of websites are ready. Cellphone users just pass on sites that are difficult or clunky but they'll land on yours.

The cellphone/video generation is coming of age. They are buying houses, cars, and everything else. Be there when they go looking. The fastest growing age segment on cell devices are 50+ and they are cash-rich as they downsize, interested in your product or service, and looking for you with their new gadget. Yours should be the site they find. You don't have to choose my services for your upgrade (though I would love it if you did) but you should be doing this right now.

Contact me for more information. We're actually offering a free assessment this month, a $300 savings in which we will make recommendations and offer solutions that are tailored to your needs.

If you're not already convinced, here are some stats. Happy surfing!

 2013 Cell Phone Statistics
New information has been released about how we used our cell phones, smartphones, and mobile devices in 2013. Some of the stats show a clear move among the average cell user towards it being their primary gaming, internet, and communication device. 

• 97% of adults have a cell phone. (Up 4% from 2012)
• Of these, 56% of those phones are considered "smart phones"
• the average smart phone user looks at her phone 127 times a day
• The cellular phone is the most quickly adopted technology in history. 
• Cell phones are seen as key to actively participating in your community. 
• 29% of users describe their phone as something they can't live without. 
• 9% used their phone to contribute to charity. 

2013 Showed Growth in Mobile Marketing Importance

• 34% of all users are "mobile only", meaning they use only their mobile devices and have no other computer or telephone. (Up 9% from 2012)
• 41% of mobile users browse on their mobile devices for a product after seeing it on an ad on television. 
• 80% of users will participate in e-commerce this year. 
• 36% of smartphone users admit to "shopping around" on their phones while at a retail location, before committing to a purchase. 

Pick up the phone! 4 Critical Website Techniques For Small Business.

Cellphones are becoming a dominant method for folks who need to find a local business right now. Right this minute! People who are looking on their phones are often buying right now.

Imagine. You are on the way to visit a friend at and you don't have a gift. What about flowers? What about a gift basket? You grab your cell phone and find out that there's a gift basket store just a block from their house. And it's open. Easy-peasy.

Imagine. You're working a set of appointments in a new area in the city and you have to, have to get some dry cleaning done. Pick up the phone. There's a handy dry cleaner right there. Easy-peasy.

Imagine. You're on your way to a big presentation and, disaster! You spill that Timmies coffee all over your printed materials. Need a copy shop right away! Pick up the phone. Easy-peasy.

I, honestly, don't know how I functioned without the phone. I may be saving a good hour a day in efficiency and productivity just making use of features like web search, transit schedules. That's a lot of time, either to work or (gasp!) to spend with family and friends. And the whole world is starting to do the same. You want this business. It's the equivalent of having a storefront in the centre of town that gets tons of foot traffic because of location.

How can you maximize your chances of getting this business

1. Search engine optimisation.
There is room, on a small screen,  for about three entries. If the search is 'sports equipment Yonge and Eglinton' and you have a sports store near that location, you want to be one of the three top entries. Through the use of Social Media, keywords, and other techniques, your shop can be there.

2. Have a website designed for easy viewing and navigation on a cellphone.
Many sites require a second, specifically designed mobile site. However, most of my clients are small, local businesses with small websites. For these folk, I recommend a re-design and a switch to Responsive code. Responsive code checks what device is viewing the website and optimises the site for viewing on that device. It's nifty and intelligent -- and you don't have to go to the bother of updating two sites every time you decide to have a promotion!

3. Your phone number should be front and centre and clickable.
Your company's phone number should be at the top of your website. Aaaaand, front and centre on every page. Most websites have stopped even putting the phone number on the front page, let alone at the top, making a cell phone user really dig for a quick way to contact you. Crazy. What are you hiding your number for? And remember to make that number clickable - so that if the cell phone user clicks it, the number is loaded straight into his or her phone. Easy peasy.

4. Put critical details at the top.
If he or she only had a tiny, little screen to look at, what would be the most important thing for a customer to see? What does a person on the run want to know? Is the store open? Where is the store? What specials are on right now? What brands do they carry? Put this information or links to this information right at the top for your cell phone users.

This might require a redesign of your website but it is critical to increased sales figures as the world switches to handheld devices.

5 Reasons For Why Social Media? Because Yes.

To some, social media is their primary (and low cost) toolset for gaining, keeping, and keeping in touch with clients - and making more sales. Inbound marketing is taking off. Why?

1. Traditional Advertising Ain't Working Anymore.
Traditional advertising is being zapped, ignored, muted, switched off. Build yourself a list of consumers who *want* your information. Who are more likely to read it, watch it, digest it.

2. Keep The Connection.
We all know that a happy client is the best advertising; so we all work hard to make our clients happy. But in order to really capitalize on the word-of-mouth generated by your hard work, you want your company name on the tip of that satisfied client's lips. Social media marketing is a low cost, highly effective way of staying connected. Sending an newsletter a month is all you need to do and your client will remember both you and your great service.

3. Promote To An Already Warm Market
Got a little time on your hands or a little extra product lying around? Tell your already satisfied clients all about it quickly and easily; give them a deal and make a bit of profit out of unused assets. Send special promotions via email, post them on Facebook, Google walls. Tweet! Once set up, this costs you nothing but a bit of time.

4. Grow Your Community
Simply being out there and active in social media will attract potential clients to your online community. You can build your list of email addresses and followers naturally with various techniques. The more followers you have and the more email addresses you contact legitimately every month, the more sales you will make.

5. Be Known. Build Your Brand.
A solid social media marketing campaign can be like a large billboard at the side of the road. Everybody knows about it. And when the time comes that they need your product or service, they are going to be more likely to think  of you.

Inbound marketing is poised to be business' communication platform of the future. And you can have it now. And with a minimum of investment. Really.