Are You Using E-Mail Marketing?
What is E-mail Marketing and why should it be part of your Social Media Strategy?
Email marketing is best defined as the practice of sending an email,electronically, to a group of people on a list to sell and promote a product or service. Email marketing is immediate as all e-mails are sent simultaneously to your subscribers.
Using e-mail marketing permits you to create newsletters, announce promotions and special events, in advance, and schedule specific dates for them to be sent out.
With email marketing, you can track, at a glance, who is reading your e-mails and how many clicks you are getting on the links placed in your messages.
To learn more about what you need to know about e-mail marketing, CLICK HERE, or below to listen to my interview with an executive from the leading e-marketing company, Constant Contact.
STILL NOT INTERESTED IN SOCIAL MEDIA?
“We don’t have a choice on whether we do social media, the question is how well we do it.” – Erik Qualman, author of Socialnomics: How Social Media Transforms the Way We Live and Do Business.
If you don’t believe the impact that social media has had on our lives, both personally and professionally, click on the link below and listen to this remarkable video. The statistics are several months old, however the message is loud and clear.
The most interesting statistic I found was the one indicating that 93% of marketers use social media for business – do you?
If you want to discuss what social media can do for you, whether on a personal or professional level, do not hesitate to contact me at 917 921-4518 or by e-mail at jblue@bluetutor.com. Feel free to click here to receive my free white paper on Technology Tips on setting up a home office and becoming a true road warrior.
ARE YOU AN ACTIVE LINKEDIN USER?
LinkedIn has become the number one tool for business people looking to expand their network. Executive recruiters and employment agencies rely heavily on LinkedIn to find job candidates and perform background checks.
Whether you are in career transition as a result of corporate downsizing, starting a new business, searching for a job, looking to re-enter the job market, or just wanting to expand your company’s market penetration, understanding how to effectively use LinkedIn and being proactive is a critical tool in achieving your goals.
“Outbound” marketing, such as mailing resumes and fliers as well as e-blasts have become less effective, since the pure volume of material received is overwhelming and people are getting better at blocking unsolicited e-mails.
By contrast, “Inbound” marketing is based on relationship building which is the core of LinkedIn’s business. This is the power of LinkedIn. Being proactive means you can expand your network of business professionals and learn a lot about a company by reviewing their profile and a list of their employees that have LinkedIn profiles. This allows you to identify employees that you can connect with in order to network within the company to gain access to decision makers.
Using social media, whether it be LinkedIn or any of the other major players, does not take the place of personal contact. However, from a business prospective, I suggest you take a hard look at LinkedIn, whether as a new or current subscriber.
If you, or someone you know, is looking for a job and would like some advice, including some tips on how to use LinkedIn, click HERE to listen to a rebroadcast of my radio program with a leading Executive Recruiter.
If you have any questions about this or other technology issues, do not hesitate to contact me at 917 921-4518 or by e-mail at jblue@bluetutor.com. If you are in career transition, feel free to click here to receive my free white paper on Technology Tips on setting up a home office and becoming a true road warrior.
ARE YOU USING SOCIAL MEDIA TO PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS?
7 Questions You Should Be Asking Yourself
1. Are you using social media for both personal and business purposes?
2. Do you have a social media strategy for your business?
2. Have you integrated social media into your marketing plan?
3. If you are one of the 700 million plus Facebook users, have you set up a separate business page?
4. What sites are you using: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Tumblr, Foursqure, etc.?
5. Are you interacting with your contacts and groups on a regular basis?
6. Are you using sites such as Google Analytics to evaluate your social media strategy?
7. Are you able to manage your social media program or do you need to hire a “cyber ghost assistant” in order to devote time to running your business?
Remember, a successful social media program is one that has been customized to fit your specific needs. Make sure your goals are clear before jumping into the social media waters.
If you would like to discuss how to set up a social media plan, do not hesitate to contact me by phone at (917) 921-4518 or by e-mail at jblue@bluetutor.com.
In addition, click HERE to join my mailing list and receive my FREE whitepaper on setting up a home office and becoming a true road warrior.
WHAT BOOMERS AND SENIORS WANT FROM TECHNOLOGY
Why Boomers and Seniors are Embracing Technology
Contrary to common belief, Baby Boomers, born between 1946-1964, as well as seniors are embracing technology. As a technology adviser and trainer, the one expression I hear more than any other is “Technology helps me live a fuller life.” As long as it is kept simple, they are always looking for technology to help them discover new ways to enhance their lives. Below is a list of some of their favorite pastimes.
1. Video conferencing – Whether it’s Skype or I-Chat (on MACs), keeping up with parents, children and grandchildren has been the biggest incentive for elders to embrace technology. Weekly video visits has strengthened ties between generations. How about some of your friends in different continents? And for FREE!
2. Sharing photos and videos – Can’t attend a graduation, wedding, or birth of a new grandchild? These precious memories can be sent to you as the event is occurring.
3. Want to contact someone who is not available by phone? Text messages are received instantaneously. All you need is your cell phone.
4. Social networking sites have permitted boomers and seniors to reconnect with long lost acquaintances. Signing up for Facebook will insure that you will be up to date with your grandchildrens’ activities and see the latest pictures.
5. Eyesight failing? Electronic reading devices (kindles, I-Pads, etc,) will let you enlarge print and to listen to the audio of your favorite books, magazines, and newspapers.
6. Want to watch Charlie Rose anytime? Visit his website for past shows.
7. Looking for a new job or volunteer work? Instead of wading through the classified, try searching online.
8. Widows and widowers are flocking to online dating services. Gone are the days when the only way you could meet someone was at a bar, social function, or through an introduction.
9. No need to stand on line at the bank. Elders prefer online banking to pay bills and check balances.
10. Tracking your portfolio – No need to call your broker. All your financial information is available online.
The list is endless. However, whether it is researching exotic travel locations, looking to buy a new car, checking movie reviews and times, seniors and boomers have more spending power than any other generation and are more than willing to spend it on new technology as long as it is simple, requiring little maintenance.
Need to Access Your Files on the Road? Try Dropbox
Dropbox allows you to access your files from the road, from any computer and mobile device such as an I-Phone, I-Pad, or blackberry. No need to run back home or to the office to retrieve documents. Dropbox is the ultimate “cloud application” for the road warrior. Works with both Windows and MAC based computers.
Here’s why you should be using Dropbox:
- Up to 2GB of free storage. $9.99/mo for 50GB, $19.99/mo for 100GB.
- Sync any size and type of file, documents, pictures, videos, audios, etc.
- Saves any changes when working on files in Dropbox.
- Share files with friends and business associates.
I have set up folders in my Dropbox account the same way they are organized in my computer. I never have to worry about getting a copy of my passport, driver’s license, medical claim forms, etc. Writing a book? Simply upload it into Dropbox and work on it from any computer or smartphone.
The new Ghost Writer. Do you need a “Cyber Assistant?”
The Internet has become the single most important tool for people and business owners to keep in touch and be heard. Whether it be blogging, tweeting, or simply maintaining a presence on Facebook and other social media sites, these tasks can become overwhelming. Today busy people are turning to freelance writers to be their “Cyber Ghosts” to write blogs and post important events, product developments and services for them. This new breed of personal assistants are bright, Internet savvy and possess excellent writing skills.