Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Don't Panic!


According to Manta Connect, Social Media is a great way to market your business for little or no money. But it's not something you can set up and walk away from. You have to invest time in order to see rewards. It's important to engage with your followers regularly and to be consistent with your interactions. The more you do this, the more likely you are to sell your products and services. Don't have the time? Don't panic! Spend the money to hire a manager for your page. It's not expensive and it's totally worth it.

Social Media is an inexpensive, easy way for businesses of any size to promote a sense of community around their product or service. A strong sense of community leads to loyalty. And loyalty leads to repeat business. And who couldn't use more of that?

Get help establishing your business page and managing it if you can't or don't want to. It's not a big deal, unless you don't do it. Then you can panic.

Monday, March 26, 2012

The NEW Facebook: Are You Ready?


On March 30th Facebook will automatically be changing all business Facebook pages to a newer format known as Timeline. You may be familiar with it from your personal page. There are many similarities but the changes are dramatic enough that people are already calling me about it asking for help. Facebook is allowing Page Administrators to preview the new look or to go ahead and change over their pages early.

I am holding two workshops in April, on the 5th and 12th, at 6:30pm at the Summit Health facility in Concord, called Introduction to Facebook for Business, Real Help in Real Time. During these workshops I will cover the basics, but also focus on the new format.

Please keep me in mind when you need help with your pages. Most questions are easy to answer and it is simply a matter of where to find something that has been moved to a new location on the page.

Guest Host Lisa Wilber "On Being the Host"


When Joanne e-mailed me a few weeks ago asking whether I would be interested and available for guest hosting on her radio show "New Hampshire Women In Business" I couldn't help but think of Les Brown and how he had waited for his opportunity to be on the radio and how one day it came. (if you haven't heard Les' story, search "Les Brown rock radio" on YouTube - it's awesome!) I didn't have to wait for the host to fall off the wagon, she only had a schedule conflict! Of course, I cleared my schedule and said YES! I had been interviewed on radio a number of times in the past, but I knew hosting would require a new set of skills and I was ready for the challenge. Although Joanne didn't ask me to, I wanted to line up my own guests so I could experience what her job is really like. I decided to devote the first hour to my love (Direct Sales) and the second hour would be a guest from another industry. When I began calling New Hampshire direct sellers that I knew I was surprised how many of them did not think this type of exposure would be good for their business! Many of them did no marketing what so ever so they did not realize how important it was. I quickly realized that I needed to focus on people I knew in direct sales in New Hampshire that I already saw were marketing themselves, because they would immediately realize what a great boost radio exposure can bring. My first hour line up brought Joanne Johnson with Discovery Toys and Kerriclaire Hodson from Athena's Home Novelties. Because I know that our industry is not taken as seriously as most, I also asked industry giants Nicki Keohohou from the Direct Selling Women's Alliance (DSWA) and Keeper from www.DirectSellingLive.com to call in during the second first half of the show to share testimonials about our industry and profession.

In the second hour I switched to non-direct sales with a business colleague from my home town: Master Suzanne Couhie from RTH Martial Arts and Wellness. She and her husband are the highest ranking and accomplished Taekwondo masters in all of the United States yet few in our town or state are aware of their accomplishments. I was just sure if more people in our area knew of their school, they would be making that drive to Weare -- especially to have their children train during vacation and summer camps -- with the Masters. Master Couhie was a delight to interview and I walked away thinking "I hope I can leave a life legacy as rich and full as the Couhie's".

The two hour show went by faster than I imagined it would. Mr. George was very helpful assisting me with all of the ins and outs of being on the radio, even when I was kidding him that his show that precedes "New Hampshire Women in Business" should be called "The Man Show". I had a great time, learned a lot and really appreciate the opportunity to flex my on air muscles. My hope is that Joanne found me a good choice for a guest host and that the listeners walked away feeling that they received good value for their investment of their time. I always like to shoot for Win-Win and it would be great if this was a Win-Win for us all and I know it was for me!

Lisa Wilber
www.winnerinyou.com
www.facebook.com/winnerinyou

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Information is POWER! Support local radio!


As you may know, I host a weekly radio program, NH Women In Business, each Friday live from 11-1pm. When I started the show almost 2 and a half years ago, I did it for selfish reasons, to have credibility with my radio sales accounts (I know, right?). Instantly, however, I began to see the power behind radio and it grew into what it is today: a strategic marketing tool that business owners, women and men alike, can use to promote their business or upcoming event. Post production includes follow-up on Facebook with the podcast links and each guest receives a QR Code for the mobile podcast site. This means that they can use the QR Code on all marketing materials, including their appreciation marketing with Send Out Cards, as well as on their website and business Facebook page.

This week I am looking for businesses that would be willing to underwrite this important programming. For the cost of 10 :30 second ads on another radio station, sponsors can have the same ad run 6 times each week during the show and be mentioned numerous times on the return of breaks. They also have an open invitation to be on the show once a month at their convenience. Their website link is added to my website, and of course I tell everyone in the world who they are and how much I love them.

For more information, email me at joanne@leapyearmarketing.com or call 724-603-LEAP

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Business Page "LIKES"


There is a very good reason why businesses should all LIKE business pages of our professional associates. When one business LIKEs another on Facebook, it is considered a professional courtesy. It is what I refer to as a gentle recommendation. It lets other people and businesses know that you recommend the other business from your own business, not just yourself personally. This is just like walking into your client’s office and referring one of your networking group members while you are there. It also reflects your attitude around your business community by showing that you recognize the importance of businesses working together.

So this week, log into your business page as the business (not as yourself personally) and visit pages of businesses that you would recommend. Click the LIKE button to show your support. And while your LIKE button finger is warmed up, if you feel so moved, please visit and LIKE NH Women In Business and Leap Year Marketing.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Happy Birthday to Me!


Thank you to everyone this week for all the birthday wishes. I think the best app Facebook has is the ability to see who’s birthday it is. Facebook is a relationship developer and whether you see a person face to face or not, you can build a level of understanding about people. Watching interactions of words, photos, and stories allows you to comprehend people individually and as a whole. Just dropping a quick hello or happy birthday may not seem like a big deal but it is meaningful to the recipient. I received over 200 messages on Facebook this week and it really gave me a boost. If you want to make a difference to someone this week, take a minute to chat with them, even if it is for just a minute online. If you want to make a difference to a client this week, connect with them on Facebook and allow them to get to know you. Oh yeah, and ask them to like your page.
p.s. Please like my page!