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Social Media 101Red Deer Chamber of Commerce

Defining and Understanding How to Connect with Your Clients and Colleagues Using the Latest Technologies

Stuart R. CrawfordVP, Business DevelopmentBulletproof InfoTech403.340.1011

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About Bulletproof

In business 22 years in Red DeerExpanded into Calgary in 200916 staff membersServe small business community in AlbertaNominated for 3 Microsoft awards in 2009Nominated for Best Small Business IT solution in Canada 2009We love to have fun…

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Before we begin

What social networking/media sites you use today

FacebookLinkedInYoutubeTwitterBlogsOther

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Introduction to social mediaWhat is social media?

Is social media ready for business?Is business ready for social media?

The pace of changeCan you keep up?

Where do you start?Feeling just a bit overwhelmed?

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Why Social Media and Why Now?

Why is social media so important?Why is it important now?

The evolution of business The Industrial Age The Information Age The Participation Age

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Are you ready for change?

Changes in the way business is doneChanges in the way customers interact with usChanges in the way prospects find usChanges in the way people share informationChanges in the way people talk about usChanges in the way we approach the market

Change is coming, change is here and the old way doesn’t work unless combined with new mindsets!

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Remember this…

Information is a commodityIf you search hard enough, someone has posted something online for free Information we previously charged for! Everything is free!Don’t believe me, just do a bing search for “setting up a computer network”We need to change and change to survive!

It is not a technology… It is a way of being!

Haven’t we been doing this all alongTelephoneLettersInteraction between peopleRumor millsCoffee clubsEmail

Hasn’t the tools just become more sophisticated?

Do you think you are in control?

“You can’t take something off of the Internet. That’s like trying to take pee out of a swimming pool.”

Joe Ragan, NewsradioAs quoted in “Groundswell” by Charlene Li and Josh Bernoff

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Managing the porous wall Keeping on top of what is said

Internal communicationsExternal communicationsWhat is being saidHow to keep on top of itTips and Tricks

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What is being said about you? How do you keep on top of things?

Why is monitoring your business online important?What are others saying about you?What are your employees saying?Why is monitoring your business important?

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What resources are available? Put into action immediately

We can you startBlogsTwitterLinkedInYouTubeBlogtalkradioOthers

What is working and what is not?This is where your community can help

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Should you start a blog? What would you say?

Why a blog, what is so important about blogging?

Many industry thought leaders blog dailyThey are viewed as an expertCommunicate with clients and prospects

What is working and what is not?What are your competitors doing?What are they not doing?

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Getting recognized The thought leader in you is born

Talk about everything around youBuild a followingOffer real adviceBuild relationshipsFollow eventsAdd commentaryAct as if…Demonstrate daily - you are a leader

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Become viral Start the spread of you

Interesting stuff is spreadMake your information easy to shareBe interesting

Have you thought about videoWhat about audioPictures say a thousand words

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Life can be shared in 140 characters Is Twitter in you?

Start the viral spreadingShare interesting stories and ideasPromote others, clients, colleaguesEngage with your community

Follow Red Deer Chamber at @reddeerchamberRemember your hash tag

“It’s 140 characters...If you need a ghostwriter

for that, I feel sorry for you.”

@The_Real_Shaq, New York Times, March 26, 2009 When Stars Twitter, a Ghost May Be Lurking

Business and Community using Twitter

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What is on the horizon The only thing for sure this year is change will happen

What can you do now?What can you do tomorrow?

What about your marketing plan?Have you considered your peers

Where do your clients fit in?What can you do to promote them?

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Each of us is a teacher We also need to educate

Are you?

Ready to embrace the old, new and futureCan you talk about the tools?Can you coach your clients?Being a recognized expert on the toolsSharing your knowledge

The time for real leadership is now!

Answer questions and provide value Blogs and LinkedIn – More than just networking!

Do you have a blog?Is it a sales tool?Is it an educational tool?Are you attracting the perfect clients?

LinkedinWho is in your network?Are you answering questions?Where do you hangout?

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What is hot Stuff you must do now!

Just when you felt overloaded

From Press Release to Social Media ReleaseVideo, Video, VideoBe your own Radio Star!Can you create social media games?

What can you do differently than the competitorWho dares winsBetter is not always better

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You control your own PR We are all our own media outlet

Create and distribute your own press releasesprlog.orgpitchengine.comwireservice.ca

Leverage social media to distribute what you donew solutionsnew productsnew clients

Your own TV Channel All it takes is a camera and creativity

http://www.youtube.com/bulletproofIT

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Online radio Do you have a face for radio?

Online radio is freeand fun

Reach new audiencesShare easily with your clientsPromote your partners and your clientsStart small and work your way up

Blogtalkradio.com

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Conclusion It just maybe too late!

Social media is here to stayThe old ways need to be blended inBe a coach and a mentor

You must start to use the tools now!Create a blog, share your insightsUse LinkedIn daily, answer questions and provide valueStart leveraging Twitter to promote your businessWatch what is being said about youBecome a Social Media coach• Leverage video, radio and online tools

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Most importantly

Create something, do things, create your own impact….

and

BE MEMORABLE

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Now what are you going to do?

What are you going to do next?Start BloggingCreate a linkedIn accountUse Twitter to promote your businessCreate a YouTube channelHost your own radio showNothing at allother

Questions Follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn…

www.facebook.com/stuart.crawford.calgary.computer.service

www.linkedin.com/in/stuartcrawford

www.twitter.com/scrawforditmwww.twitter.com/bulletproofITwww.twitter.com/calgarybusiness

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Q & A