Articles
The True Cost of Social Media for Businesses
I recently came across a great post and set of stats from Chris Abraham on Google+. The article “True Costs of “Free” Social Media Marketing Costs Make Outsourcing a Viable Option: Social Ally Research Shows That Effective Use Of Social — Including Monitoring, Research and Content Creation — Can Cost Up To $300,000 Per Year” lists research and statistics that I find to be pretty accurate, depending on what size business you have. I have worked in the social media / tech / online media field as a business owner & service provider since 2006 and have worked with $7m – $10m+ companies. Chris’ suggested price ranges are on target. From the article, expect to pay:
- Around $10,000 : An in-house social media manual and online training course
- $1,500 to $10,000 a day : Hiring a trainer for on-site workshops
- $5,000 to $100,000 : Technology costs such as blogs, mini sites, video equipment, custom Facebook tabs and apps, online newsroom and mobile apps
Of course a company with under $1m in revenue or just a handful of employees need to “DIY Social Media”, but it’s stil not *free*. I have found that smaller companies actually need more help getting ‘out there’ in social channels but have much less resources to get it done. Larger companies usually have a better defined sales, marketing, and service funnel that can more easily be adapted to incorporate social media. Smaller companies (myself included) generally fall into the category of “doing everything, all the time, by all possible people”.
The issue for me? “Knowledge is knowledge” and because a company doesn’t have the resources to pay doesn’t mean the knowledge is worth less and can be deeply discounted. When I charge $7,500 to one company for a day of training & materials and then get asked by another to provide the same training & materials for $300 it’s tough. The small company shops elsewhere and ‘get what they paid for’ for their money and it’s usually not great. I want to help, really I do – and on very rare occasions I take on the work at a nominal fee. The small company makes out for a steal, I am left scrambling to make up revenue, and my other clients feel ripped off. There has to be a better way.
The reality of it is that small business owners are left to fend for themselves (the DIY part), but still need guidance and solid resources to educate themselves from. The worst part? The business owners can’t afford the _time_ either of themselves or a key employee to dedicate. The idea of “DIY” learning what they need to know – let alone spend an hour or so a day, every day, in practical use of social media communication – is nearly impossible.
The solution? First, business owners need to realize they need to find time to learn, strategize, and deploy a social media plan. Women business owners (in my experience – this is not always the case) have less free time due to family obligations. The average American watches an average of 34 hours of television a week - that’s the first thing to go! (For the record I do not watch ANY television, I work no less than 16 hours a day, 7 days a week, so there really isn’t any time.) Once you find that extra hour or more a day, business owners need to read, research and retool themselves. Books, conferences, offline/online training, membership sites, and “watch & learn” from other companies online. All this while trying to maintain and grow your core business.
As a small business owner, where do you go to educate yourself to promote your business within social media? What things are time-sucks for you and what is actually successful for you? Do you hire consultants or outsource help? Do you feel you are making progress or slipping behind?
read moreHangOuts On Google Plus A Relationship Builder
If you haven’t played with Hangouts yet on Google Plus you are missing out. Here’s why…
Don’t miss this one of a kind hangout with writers Mike Elgan and Chris Lang, streamed live at 4:30 EST on Tuesday.
Here’s a few people you want to watch to get a feel of what hangouts are about and how powerful they can be.
On this live air hangout Yifat Cohen, Brad Brock Predovich, Mike Elgan, Gabriel Vasile, and Chris Lang Google Plus experts share their thoughts on Google Plus and more.
People are creating friendships at warp speed by simply sharing what they are about on hangouts. To get you started here are a few tips to keep in mind.
3 tips for Hangouts:
#1 People are being invited into your space so give them something to remember. Ask yourself what are your interests? What are you about? What do you want people to remember about you?
For example if you are a writer, have books on shelves in your background. People are fascinated by what type of books you have read. Perhaps your a mystery writer or poet. You would want to have books featuring Sherlock Holmes, or Emily Dickinson.
Or possibly your an photographer, perhaps have pictures of your best works of exotic places you have visited, and have them framed nicely on your wall.
#2 Introduce yourself and have a quick elevator message of what you want to share that is important to you? Nothing to commercial, just mostly get to know you stuff. Are you playful.. be creative. When someone has a fantastic idea, during a brain storming session, ring a bell. Nothing to annoying just a small bell, ring it when you feel a eureka idea has been born. Possibly have some soothing music in the background that is relaxing and inviting.
#3 Do you own a cap, we are visual now and it’s important for you to feel good. Ask yourself do you have a theme color or a favorite color you like to wear?
Mari Smith wears turquoise it’s looks gorgeous on her, and I’m sure it makes her feel good when speaking in front of people. Color is important, people react to colors like blue, it conveys trust.
Hangouts is one of the best features of Google Plus. It’s a way to see people and to get to know their personality, their mannerisms, you instantly can see if someone is interested by their reactions.
They say that your eyes are the window to your soul, and I believe once you see someone face to face, you get to know them at a much deeper level. The richness of experience of getting to know someone is enhance immensely.
So I encourage you give hang outs a try…
Get more inspiring posts from Margie D. Casados on Google+ 
Margie is the contributing editor to Chris Lang, he’s the author of “Google+Marketing: An Hour A Day” coming summer 2012 from Sybex… …
Some of
read moreKomen vs Planned Parenthood
In the midst of the very public Susan G. Komen foundation debacle, there is a great deal of speculation and finger pointing about the root of the problem and the potential implications. Did they change their grant making policies to exclude Planned Parenthood specifically? Were their decisions and actions politically motivated? Will this have a permanent and lasting impact on the SGK brand? Stepping back from the speculation about political and anti-abortion motives, I want to examine the root of this disaster and the impacts on the brand and fundraising for both SGK and Planned Parenthood.
Fact: Susan G. Komen for the Cure changed their grant funding criteria so organizations under investigation were no longer eligible for SGK grant funds. Regardless of what I may or may not think about the reasoning behind this decision, the important fact is that a change was made.
Fact: SGK notified Planned Parenthood that due to these new criteria and the current investigation into their organization, they will no longer be eligible for SGK grant funding.
With the announcement of the policy change, Planned Parenthood tapped into their vast network of supporters and advocates who launched a massive campaign decrying the actions of SGK and demanding they reinstate the Planned Parenthood funding. Whether this results in reinstatement of the funding or not is less relevant than the massive public outcry at the decision in the first place. (At the time of this article’s publication the SGK foundation has apologized for the situation that arose from changing their grant criteria, but has not unequivocally stated it has reversed the earlier decision to defund Planned Parenthood – see the 2/3 press release to draw your own conclusions). In the 48 hours following this decision, Planned Parenthood has already raised more than the amount they stood to lose from the SGK grants, and this funding shows no sign of slowing yet. The media and marketing specialists for Planned Parenthood showed their genius at using this situation not only to solidify the PP brand, but to use this seemingly disastrous situation as an opportunity to appeal to the public for fundraising dollars.
The Susan G. Komen Foundation, on the other hand, made one mistake after another.
Mistake: SGK did not anticipate the enormous impact of this policy change or the massive coordinated response spearheaded by Planned Parenthood and their supporters and carried out through social media.
Mistake: SGK, when it finally issued a press release on 2/1 came across as passive aggressive and condescending, thus exacerbating the damage to their public brand. The second press release on 2/3 alluded to another change in policy without actually stating they would reverse the funding decision.
When making a change in grant funding criteria, SGK should have thought long and hard about the possible ramifications of this change. This decision plunged the organization headfirst into the abortion debate, and situated them as opposing an organization with which they had previously had several years of partnership. In addition, as any nonprofit professional can tell you, fundraising is a tricky business. We are constantly at the mercies of public opinion and must not only be consistent with our messaging, but work diligently to fulfill donor intent. When donors are unhappy with organizational decisions, they promptly move their dollars elsewhere. Many individuals and public figures have indicated they will no longer contribute to the Susan G. Komen foundation due to their controversial decision, thus increasing the likelihood that other donors will similarly move their donations to other breast health organizations.
Whether you run a large international nonprofit organization or a small local affiliate, maintaining and improving your brand is a key to continued fundraising. All decisions you make, particularly those with the potential for public backfire, must be carefully thought through and planned for. Marketing and media specialists can help mitigate difficult situations to enable continued public support and for an organization as large and well-known as Susan G. Komen for the Cure to make such a catastrophic marketing misstep in this day and age is baffling and unforgivable.
Though I am certain this disaster is far from over, at this point Planned Parenthood has clearly come out on top.
Becky Raymond is a nonprofit professional, avid knitter and novice gardener who enjoys writing, blogging and writing book reviews. She lives in central Vermont and can be reached at inquisitivehippo@gmail.com or www.inquisitivehippo.com.
Why is Sharing with Sincerity Important?
The best example of sharing with sincerity I could find is Trey Ratcliff.. his caption on his profile is .. “Life is short. I create pretty things.”
Trey is almost up to 1 Million followers, Why? I believe because he truly shares with sincerity.
I recently viewed a video Photographers@google:Trey Ratcliff . It featured Trey sharing’ his concepts about sharing’.
The most important message I got out of it was, about being vulnerable. And through being vulnerable, this is when you can have a more enriching experience in whatever it is that you are doing, in whatever it is you are sharing.
For instance, in social sites, finding people with common interests, being genuine and sharing how you feel about a post, concept or idea. Not just saying what you think everyone wants to hear, but to share about what you truly think or feel.
As adults, sometimes we forget to just be who we are, fear can hold us back from truly expressing ourselves.
Another important point Trey shared;
It’s okay to be uncomfortable artistically, it’s okay to make mistakes. It’s in the creation process of being creative, and letting yourself go, is where ‘art’ has the possibility to blossom.
How are these two concepts related sharing and being vulnerable?
The next time you share, try not to think about approval or disapproval of your post, but more about what you want to share.
Ask yourself, to step out of the bubble, give yourself permission to feel uncomfortable, and share what you are passionate about.
Margie is the personal editor to Chris Lang, he’s the author of “Google+Marketing: An Hour A Day” coming summer 2012 from Sybex… and also serves as the Corporate Secretary for Gadget MVP.
read moreInterview with Te-Erika Patterson
Some women are fearless. Or crazy in a glorious way. They may, oh, do something like wear a bikini in public and ask people to take photos of them as an experiment in body image. Perhaps they give away all their belongings and voluntarily become homeless to show other women how to rebuild their lives. Organize a job fair while they are looking for work. Create a website focused on achieving dreams. Things like that.
Te-Erika Patterson has done all of that and more. Women of Google+ was fortunate enough to interview Te-Erika about the amazing projects she has been part of and find out what new projects are on the horizon. Women of Google+ is looking to schedule Te-Erika for a Live On Air Hangout, keep a look for the dates in our calendar.
read moreA Torrent of Story: Meet David Grigg
In November of 2011, while many authors were attempting a 50,000 word novel during National Novel Writing Month, I introduced the Flash Fiction Project on Google+. This project offered authors an alternative to NaNoWriMo, asking writers to create a piece of flash fiction for a shared visual inspirational image. Most participants created anywhere from one to fifteen pieces of flash fiction, but David Grigg wrote a piece of fiction for every day of the project. Just released, his A Torrent of Story includes all 30 pieces of original fiction paired with commentary on his writing process. David was gracious enough to agree to an interview about his participation in the Flash Fiction Project and his newly released work.
Becky: What first inspired you to participate in the Flash Fiction Project?
David: I was fairly new to using Google+ and didn’t initially have a lot of people I was following, but somewhere along the line I saw a reference to your project. It appealed to me a lot because I have always wanted to write fiction, and indeed had written and had published quite a few stories and a couple of short books for early teens. But that was a long time ago, when I was in my twenties and thirties. Ever since then, I’ve been trying to get back to writing, and as I’m now 60 and trying (vainly!) to retire, I was keen to try my hand again. The Flash Fiction project appealed to me as a way of forcing me to confront this desire and really do some more writing.
Becky: At what point did you decide to tackle writing a piece of fiction for every image prompt in November?
David: I certainly didn’t start out with that aim in mind, and in fact was dubious about whether I could write anything. The first day’s photo gave me a lot of concern and I struggled to get the story done in time. I managed to hit the second day, too, although with a rather short story in a slightly strange tone (it’s a myth, I guess). On the third day I really stumbled. I was running very short of time and only managed to get a short poem in place – that still niggles at me, by the way. I’d love to be able to say that I wrote 30 stories in 30 days, but no, it’s 29 stories and one poem! Anyway, the fourth day came around and I managed to write something for that. And then on the fifth day I was on a bit of a roll and my long-supressed creative urges were coming to the fore. That was when I decided to really go for it.
Becky: I know there’s been a publishing gap for you, but has there been a gap in fiction writing for you as well?
David: Yes. I literally hadn’t written any fiction for 26 years. The last story I wrote was in 1985, and it was published in an anthology that year.
Becky: Why did you decide to take your fiction and create a published work?
David: Well, there I was at the end of the month with 30 pieces of fiction and some 33,000 words. I could try (and probably still will) to polish up some of those stories and sell them commercially; but there was something about the whole collection of material, all written very quickly, that I thought could have value to others who are trying to write. In particular I thought that my creative process – how I managed to come up with a story idea based on those challenging images, every single day, could be useful for other aspiring writers.
Becky: Can you tell me a little about your typical writing process?
David: I’m not sure that there’s anything ‘typical’ about it yet – I have still to try writing outside of the Flash Fiction Project and determine if I can keep the process flowing. But how I operated during the project was like this: In about mid-afternoon my time you would post up the challenge image. I would spend most of the rest of the day and evening thinking about it on and off. Sometimes I would come up with a story idea before I went to bed, but most times I wouldn’t. Then I would lie awake for a while, thinking it over and perhaps starting to get an idea or two. Typically I would then wake up at about 3 am, and usually quickly settle on a viable idea, and go back to sleep. Then in the morning I would sit at the breakfast table with my iPad – my wife and I both have iPads - and after I had eaten I would pull up a text editing app on the ipad and start typing. I can’t type very well on the iPad, but then I’m thinking pretty slowly when I write, so the typing really doesn’t slow me down. Once a draft was done I would spend maybe another hour polishing it a bit, and then upload it.
Becky: Something tells me that writing on an ipad is a tad bit different from how you wrote fiction in the 70s and 80s.
David: I started writing on an old Olivetti manual typewriter, which required a lot of force on the keys. When I taught myself to touch type (in my mid teens) I felt like I was building muscles on my little fingers! After I got a paying job I acquired an IBM Selectric typewriter (like you see in Mad Men) and that was a lot better, but there was no capability to revise or edit. You just had to re-type. It was completely different back then, but it did have its advantages. When you have to re-type a whole novel to get another revision, there’s a whole process which happens in which I found that I was transforming the writing as I read the previous draft and typed the next. Editing a digital text isn’t quite the same.
Becky: One advantage I’ve seen to G+ is the ability for self and indie published authors to talk about their work. What advantages do you see for authors using G+?
David: The biggest advantage is just the community feedback. I’ve found Google+ to be, in general, a very friendly and supportive place. It’s a really good way to connect to others; but I do think that a project like yours is a great complement to this, because it gives a focus.
Becky: What suggestions could you offer others considering self-publishing right now?
David: I would say that you mustn’t underestimate how hard it is to attract attention and readers. You are now competing in a free marketplace of many thousands, perhaps millions, of others trying to attract the attention of readers. That’s very daunting. The easy part is to write and publish your work to somewhere like the Amazon Kindle Store. But will you sell any? Will anyone read your work? Just how do you get those eyeballs on your book? I am finding that it is very, very hard. This is where a traditional publisher does have an edge, if you can have your work accepted. That’s the challenge, of course.
Becky: Well, hopefully we can encourage some readers to pick up your free story Paradise Lost and consider purchasing A Torrent of Story! Thank you for taking the time to talk with me.
David: A pleasure. Thanks so much for your support and encouragement. And particularly, thanks so much for your idea of the Flash Fiction project.
David Grigg is co-owner of Rightword Enterprises in Melbourne, Australia. He offers writing, editing, proof-reading and digital publishing services, with specialist knowledge in the areas of science, computer technology and interactive media. He can be reached on his website and on his blog.
Becky Raymond is a nonprofit professional, avid knitter and novice gardener who enjoys writing, blogging and writing book reviews. She lives in central Vermont and can be reached at inquisitivehippo@gmail.com or www.inquisitivehippo.com.
Gross National Happiness
Image from Flickr
Some things seem to happen by chance, while others seem too fortuitous to be explained away by the vagaries of fate. As I gathered resources for my happiness project, a friend at work mentioned the Gross National Happiness Project in passing. I promptly pulled up my favorite search engine to find out just what he was talking about.
Gross National Happiness is a novel approach to calculating wealth that “seeks to achieve a harmonious balance between material well-being and the spiritual, emotional and cultural needs of an individual and society.” Developed in the Bhutan, with the support of the UN Development Program, the GNH has attracted the attention of the world.
GNH is based on a radical premise – that when calculating wealth of a nation, we must consider other qualities of life, not only economic wealth. There are four pillars of the program:
- Promotion of Sustainable and Equitable Socio-Economic Development
- Preservation and Promotion of Culture and Traditions
- Conservation of the Natural Environment; and
- Establishment of Good Governance.
Within these pillars, the GNH highlights nine domains which contribute to overall happiness: Time use, living standards, good governance, psychological wellbeing, community vitality, culture, health, education, and ecology. The premise behind these domains – if we take care of the whole person, they are healthier and have higher overall wealth.
read moreLooking into the Eyes of Narcissism
I had the pleasure of talking to Kim Cooper to discover how she and her husband were able to build a better relationship and marriage by learning the difference between “Healthy Narcissism” and “Narcissistic Personality Disorder”. According to Kim:
- Healthy Narcissism: is a feature related to Greatness.
- Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Someone who lacks empathy and is impatient, rude and dishonest (manipulative) with their family. Someone who is trapped in false pride with an inability to admit shame or guilt.
Kim is a woman whose journey to find a solution for NPD with in her marital relationship lead to helping others benefit from what she discovered.
Kim is the author of Back from the Looking Glass, The Love Safety Net Workbook, 10 Steps to Overcome Codependence, Emotional Stupidity, and The Little Book of Empathy Love and Friendship. You can follow Kim Cooper on Google+.
Kim’s story is very inspiring. Just about everyone around her was giving advice to end her marriage, professionals, family and friends. However in her heart she knew there how to be an answer, that the marriage could be saved and her family could stay together and there could be peace in their home.
Where most would of talk just divorce, Kim decided to do something different. She researched, studied and found out about a behavior problem that could disturbed anyones life, to put it mildly, “Narcissistic Personality Disorder”.
Look at it from the perspective of a woman. Women are known to be the nurturers, and many times suffer from self esteem issues. They can be their own worse critics at times. Taking full blame for what is wrong in their relationships when it could be your partner is suffering from NPD to some degree or even yourself.
“Awareness is the beginning to understand possible change.”
read moreBe sure to +1 the Women of Google+ website!
Women of Google+ Community by Women of Google+ is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.
