Abridged: VerticalResponse

When it comes to social media marketing and Facebook in particular, the name of the game is engagement. Conventional wisdom says that the best way to keep your Facebook fans engaged is to reward them, the most obvious way being with free products, discounts and other types of giveaways. For many small businesses or businesses with limited resources, though, doing this on a regular basis is tough. So, instead of thinking of this as a barrier, think of it as a creative challenge.

• Provide Exclusive News – Have a new product or service coming out or an upcoming sale or discount that hasn’t been announced yet? Reward your Facebook fans by sharing the news with them a few days early and let them share it with their friends and fans. Doing this gives more traffic to your Facebook page.
• Let The Games Begin – It’s not a secret that all your time on Facebook isn’t spent on business, there are a few minutes here and there spent on your favorite game. Take advantage of these few stolen minutes playing a game and be social.  Try asking your fans trivia questions or share favorite games with you. Engage socially with them more.
• Rally Around A Cause – If your company already contributes to a charity with any sort of regularity, why not get your fans involved? Cause marketing is an extremely powerful way to engage your fans, make a difference, and give your brand a bit of personality while you’re at it. Don’t know what cause to support? Ask your fans for their input. Try tying in fan activity for the cause.
• Give Credit Where Credit Is Due – Simply recognizing your fans is a great way to bring smiles to their faces. Consider selecting a fan every week to feature on your wall and thank them for their support. A little goodwill goes a long way.
• Be Responsive – Another form of fan recognition that is often overlooked is to respond when they leave a comment on your wall. If a fan leaves a compliment on your wall or responds to one of your status updates, take the time to acknowledge it. There’s no better way to show your customers that you’re listening.
• Take It Offline – Engage with fans by sending them a message and inviting them to visit your store, or if you don’t have a store to one of your events, social circles or just out for coffee and get to know them better. Engaging with them offline will help them fully engage in your business as you with theirs.
• Don’t Give Away The Farm but Give Away A Dozen Eggs Instead – Okay, so technically this costs money, but the point is it doesn’t have to be a lot. Have a fan contest. What little rewards might you have that fans will appreciate nonetheless? Gift cards, USB drives, and a small discount off their next purchase…little rewards have the ability to delight your customers and go a long way. By doing small rewards also give you the opportunity to do more promotions on a recurring basis. Doing this creates buzz and make one winning fan really happy, a lot of small ones make it so the fun doesn’t have to end.

Whether you’re working from home or at an office, identify the hours when your performance is at its peak. Everyone has different hours or days that bring out their productive side.  In fact, a study done by HRWorld.com found that Tuesdays seem to be the most productive. Because on Monday office workers have too many meetings and email to catch up on, but people knock down the most items from their to-do lists on Tuesday. Whether it be a Tuesday or not, learn when your peak performance hours occur so you can make the most out of your day and/or week, then outsource the rest.

What can you outsource this week?

Facebook represents an enormous business opportunity for millions of small businesses worldwide. With over 500 million users, it is the largest social network in use today.

AGilpin Consultants can help you create and manage a successful Facebook presence, using the power of your business fan page – you know the one that people can ‘ LIKE’.

Our basic Facebook package includes:

• Facebook Fan Page creation
• Custom Landing Page
• Custom Image Profile pic
• 45 minute training and marketing strategy session

Call us today (815) 886-0564 to schedule your complimentary consultation.  Visit our services to learn more about how we can help you today.

This week I’ll be celebrating my 39^th Birthday and I would love to celebrate it with all of you.

Over the next few days you will receive chances to WIN a Gift from me.  That’s right; I am giving you birthday gifts.  How cool is that.

I can’t spoil the surprise’s but believe me it’s a celebration that you don’t want to miss!

Like any good birthday party, I will be giving away a couple of prizes and some virtual goodie bags!

You have to join the party to be entered to win and to receive your virtual goodie bag. There are many ways to join in on the FUN.

You can:

Click and Join the Party! 

Click and LIKE my Facebook page

Retweet or mention @AileenGilpin  my Virtual Birthday Party

Comment on my blog post or on Facebook

Or do ALL OF THE ABOVE!  The more you do the more chances you get to win.

Now let’s PARTY!

For many years during the holiday break I find myself like many others do, work on setting new goals, revisiting what worked and what didn’t work prior and prioritizing and thinking forward for the New Year.

Instead of my typical regiment during this time of year, this year I have decided to do something different, at least for me this is new.

Inspired by my mentors recent blog post So Long 2011…Welcome 2012! my New Year’s theme word is going to evolve around the word Self-discipline.

Self-discipline

Self-discipline can be defined as the ability to motivate oneself in spite of a negative emotional state. Qualities associated with self-discipline include willpower, hard work, and persistence.

Therefore in 2012 I vow ….

• To work on my business ideas and projects immediately so that my clients can benefit

~Launch and Co-Author a new blog to highlight and help market self-published authors

~Finish my products (seminars, ebooks, and reports)

~Maximize the use of affiliate programs I am a member of

• Workout more and make healthier eating habits for myself and my family

• Wake early to work on myself – thanks to a good friend Pam for referring The Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo

• Only check email a few of times per day at particular times

• Focus on my target market and those that will help drive my business

• Virtually work smarter, not harder

In finding some inspiration I came across this video that seems suiting for this post, I hope you too will find it powerful.

This short film illustrates the power of words to radically change your message and your effect upon the world. 

Here’s to a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year!

I am looking forward to growth in the coming year

and wish you the same.

I would love to hear your thoughts on 2012…have you thought of your “one word?” Please do share in the comments!