Climbing the Social Ladder

Hey there, Parker here.  Today my thoughts are on social media optimization (SMO).  It is all the rave.  If you have a product, you want to generate buzz across multiple platforms.  You want them to instant message it, email it, rate it, poll it, share it however they may choose.


You want people to talk about your product and you want them to tell their friends to tell their friends to talk about it too.  You want to be the 90s dancing baby all over again.  You want to go viral to generate leads and so you've decided to optimize your social media presence.

ok, the dancing baby was cool

I say go for it!  I'm all about leveraging technology to provide another customer touchpoint.  It is smart to engage users on their chosen channels of communication.  If you're satisfied with your search engine optimization plan you may be ready for SMO.


I understand the value of SMO.  I've been electronically sharing my opinion on products since entering my first chat room on IRC (mid-90s).  I'm pretty darn good at managing my social media presence.  However, I stop short of the title "expert" because SMO is a relatively new field and growing fast - no single person can claim to know it all.


With that in mind, Mitch Joel's latest post "Experience Has Nothing To Do With Your Social Media Status" will be of great benefit as you embark on SMO.  I agree with him that just because you have a few thousand followers on Twitter, does not mean you are an automatic expert in the field.


Although truthfully, if you do have a few thousand followers on Twitter, I'm open to hearing how you got them (seriously, call me).


Have a Happy Halloween, folks!


Best,
Parker

Thank You Open Source and Freeware

Hi all, Parker here.  I’m taking this moment to say thank you to all open source software developers and the global communities that support them. Big shout-outs to a few of the content management systems I’ve used – TYPO3 and Drupal – that have taught me the importance of separating content from design. Flexibility and scalability are essential keys of managing corporate websites and the sharp minds that troll the forums answering my every question deserve this moment of praise.  I'm talking you UltimateTech_GuruLord1408!

I’m raising my glass to interactive digital media software like Issuu and SlideShare because they have made my websites dynamic and my documents easy to share. Who knew folks would miss the old-fashion way of turning a page by hand so much that they would seek out the interactive flip version of a PDF over a regular PDF? Bravo, team. Bravo.

Let’s all give a round of applause to my favorite photo and video sharing applications Flickr, Picasa and YouTube. Actually, your universal name recognition speaks for itself. I’ll just stand up and slow clap until everyone else in the room joins me. Clap…. clap…. clap….clap…

Finally, to my first free web service Hotmail – email accessed from any computer, anywhere in the world (with an internet connection). We have a long history, me and Hotmail. My account dates back to the mid-90s:  pre-marriage, pre-kids, pre-talithaparker.com. Who knew we would stay together so long? I’ve grown up. Hotmail’s transformed. Yet we're more connected than ever because of the iPhone.  Here’s to you Hotmail!


Best,
Parker

Be Your Own PR Firm

You're in the business baby!  You're building assets and managing liabilities.  You're marketing your business and developing a strategy that will allow you to
 - get in the door
 - make the pitch
 - close the deal


If you successfully handle your cash flow and steadily increase your ROI, you can retire comfortably and be happy knowing you've had a productive, profitable and satisfying career.


You're in the business of YOU!  That's right, folks.  You, Inc.  The You Co.  You LLC.  And when it comes to the promotion of your business, you should be your own PR firm.

Global Fair Trade Shopping Website

Years ago, my good friend and marketing colleague in Columbus, OH offered this advice: be in the business of "ME" and create a brand.  Today, Mark Cardwell is the founder and owner of Global Fair Trade Shopping LLC.  Using his advice, I reviewed my resume and applied it as the basis of my business plan.  I listed a summary of myself, my abilities and services, what distinguished me from other web professionals, how I planned to achieve my short and long-term career goals, my risks (weaknesses and short-comings) and my salary details (current, industry & desired).

My business plan defined me, my potential and my goals.  But it was my marketing and PR plan that pulled it all together and provided the direction to reach those goals. The result: I’m successful; I love my career and I’m profitable.

Your marketing plan should include a PR strategy that makes you look good and handles the negative or pitfalls that occur.  Here are a few marketing and PR tips I’ve learned while in the business of ME.

Focus on Results
Your time is valuable so stay focused on results whether they are tangible - higher ranking in search engines, increased site traffic, job offers, ad revenues, etc.  Or intangible - regarded as a thought leader in your field, providing valuable content for repeat visitors, higher self-esteem giving you the confidence needed to take that next big leap! 

Build Awareness
Your network is an important asset.  Groom it, grow it and use it wisely.  Leverage social media to build awareness of your services (talent, knowledge, experience and skills).  Professional associations, industry events, newsletters and informal meetings are opportunities to attract new customers (contacts).  Online or in-person, be in the business of YOU - be authentic, be consistent, be engaging and entertaining.

Manage Risks
If you read my previous column about Parker's Thoughts: Social Media and Your Personal Brand Risks, you should have already put into practice a zero tolerance policy.  Don't tweet it if you can't stand behind it.  Don't post it if you don't want others to know it.  And don't say it if you can't replay it in front of your boss (or mom).

Know Your Business
Bottom line: A business stays in business to make money.  YOU are a business and if you have a strong brand with a solid history, other businesses will want to partner with you by offer of employment.  That is called your career.  The quality of your career affects your cash flow and your business partners are looking for a return on their investment.  Know your strengths and weaknesses then be ready to make improvements.  Remember, luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.

You’re in the business baby!  You’re a captain of industry, the belle of the ball and the CEO of You, Inc.  Be your own PR firm and you’ll be profitable, happy and successful in your career.

Best, 
Parker

Parker's Thoughts: Social Media and Your Personal Brand Risks

Hi there, it's Parker here.  This has been on my mind lately so I have to say something.  Often you hear stories of a person who accidentally leaves the speaker phone unmuted and speaks his true feelings about the boss aloud for the entire group to hear.  Or someone who gossips about another in the restroom, not knowing said person is in the next stall.  Embarrassing right?  Well people, that's called risk.


You open your mouth, you take a risk that your words will come back to haunt you.


Does that mean you should stop talking, sew your mouth shut or rip out a vocal cord?  Well, maybe (don't get offensive, some of you should consider those options).  But why do that when your instant message, tweet, facebook status update or 4-square check-in could be just as incriminating?


Social media allows you to broadcast your every thought, your every whim, to a world-wide audience in real-time.  Your forum comments and blog posts get collected in search engines and displayed in search results.  If you're a celebrity, your tweets are often screen-captured and that image is saved for later reference.  Take it from me, 7 years later and my rant about Beyonce still comes up!


Just like you can't unspeak those disparaging remarks about your boss, you can't always un-tweet the 140 character text about your night filled with binge-drinking and debauchery that lead to you calling your boss requesting time off to care for your ailing family-member (the hangover).  Either way, your boss finds out the truth.


If your personal marketing strategy involves a venture into online social media, understand that every keystroke and finger tap is contributing to your personal brand.  For better or for worse.  


Here are some options:

• Lose the brand equity you've spent years cultivating and start all over with a new online identity. (no!)
  
• Split your energy in half, worrisomely manage two completely separate personal and professional online identities, and never the twain shall meet. (pffft!)
  
• Treat risk management and social media as a high priority and develop a zero tolerance policy. (yes!)

The choice is simple.


Best, 
Parker

Welcome to Talitha Parker's Corner - Online Content Management, Web Marketing and More!

Hello, hello, hello and welcome to Talitha Parker's Corner - Web Marketing and More blog!  Here, I will post my thoughts, rants, raves and observations related to online marketing (or not) from time-to-time.


First up, a link to a wonderful article published a while ago but is just now hitting my radar.  You can apply these same tactics to managing your personal brand.  And honestly, everything about the author's company - website content and design - is must read material!  

labbrand.com

Now let's all read Vladimir Djurovic's "Integrated Branding: A Multi-Disciplinary Approach" and apply it to our own personal brand strategy.  Don't forget to leave your thoughts in the comments section!




Best, 
Parker