Spence Smith

I’ve been putting together a very social media plan for some friends of mine to make sure they are started on the right foot as they are in the beginning stages of what could be a great ride.

Whenever I do this, I’m always reminded of the very basics needed to building an effective social media platform for any business or blogger.

1. Know where you are going. When a person comes to your site, what do you want them to do? Unorganized, cluttered, hard to read sites turn people off. A person should be able to come to your site and know exactly what you are about with little effort. A clean, easy to read site with good content always wins and the easier it is for people to buy product on your site the better. If I have to keep clicking into multiple screens to buy something… I’m probably going to back out before I get to final payment button.
2. Your site is home base. Yes you are on Twitter, Facebook and might have a YouTube channel but are they pointing your people back to home base? Twitter and Facebook are perfect for engaging your people online, creating conversation and giving them info they otherwise might not have. Youtube is awesome because it gives you a chance to educate people about your product in a creative or inexpensive way and gives others a great way to keep people entertained.
3. Respond to all comments, tweets and Facebook mentions. This is where people notice whether or not you are really engaged with them and care about who they are as the consumer of your product or as a reader. If you ignore them in these areas, they will eventually stop coming to hang out with you online. It’s almost like being in the same room with someone who never acknowledges you. The conversation that’s happening online about you is your chance to offer great customer service and win some loyal fans. Try to lead the conversation… not react to it when it’s too late.

But no matter what, eventually Twitter, Facebook and YouTube need to funnel your people back to your site where you can communicate with them in more detail and convert them into a paying costumer… or if you are trying to build a popular blog… a loyal reader.

This is where it really all begins. If your site, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube channel are out of sync and not on the same page, you will get frustrated and feel slightly confused about what you are really trying to do online… and you might even give up the effort.

Just remember your site is the end result. Twitter, Facebook and YouTube don’t have to all be on the same level when it comes to results. One of the three will always outshine the other two. Once you figure this out, use it to drive traffic to your site while the other two networks provide secondary support and grow organically.

Which brands to connect well with online? Do they keep you engaged and wanting to come back to buy more products from them?

Now that I’m walking into being a stepfather, I’ve been noticing a few things about me that I need to shore up. You see, I’m feeling the need, want and desire to be a much better example to these two incredible kids whose lives I get to be apart of. Not just in the real world we live in but the the virtual world as well.

I don’t want them to be embarrassed of my online presence and I want to set the right example for their online presence as well.

I’ve never known what it is to be a parent. I love kids and I love these two kids the most. I look forward to every day I get to be with them because I know I’m always going to experience something funny with them or get surprised with some sweet moments of just being together. We have those moments together where they ask questions and want real answers and there are those moments when I get to ask them questions… to get them thinking a little bit.

As I walk along side these little lives, I’m noticing something…

For all you parents out there, I know you know what I’m about to say…

These kids notice everything. Even the things I don’t think they notice… they notice. It’s eye opening for me, but also a great reminder of the man I need to be… and also the man I want to be.

So, as I have been stepping up things, I’ve been going through my life… like re-arranging my closet so that I know what I have in me that needs to stay or go away. Again… A little eye-opening for me. I’m not single anymore and I can’t live like I’m the only one I answer too. It’s amazing how much has changed in this part of my life in the past two months.

One of the big things I’m paying attention to these days is the example I set for them online.

They are on Facebook with their friends. They sit down and watch YouTube just as much or more than they turn on the TV. They are engaged in community with their family and friends online… and they see what I do, what I say… and ultimately how I live my life… even online.

If the kids are paying attention to what I’m putting out on twitter or facebook, then I figure others are as well right? So, some of the things I used to throw out there won’t be coming out in my twitter stream or showing up on facebook like they once did.

The changes will be subtle and some of you might not even notice, but I will… and so will the kids.

I think it’s important for the online world to be a place where people learn from others and are encouraged to move forward in life. Not a place to bully people. It’s not a place to air out our anger against others or to bring someone down in a 140 character statement or a blog post. I don’t want these kids thinking it’s ok to do that or that it’s even productive for anyone. Honestly, I think when people bring others down online, it’s a selfish move. I’ve seen it happen in these kids lives with their friends and it was devastating, but also an important time teach them how to be with their friends online and how to handle them in real life.

How about you? How do you view your example online and where do you draw the line?

I’m changing the focus of my blog a little bit. I say a little bit because this is the direction some of my posts seem to go…. That is… Influencing People To Go Beyond Themselves.

You see… over the past several months, when it comes to my blog, I have felt a little disjointed. When it comes down to it… I really enjoy encouraging others to do something they have either never done before or to get them to look at life in a different way that allows them to be stretched… and grow… and get a bit out of their comfort zone and just do something different in their life… you know. Live a little!
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When I first got into blogging, I found the whole experience to be fascinating. I couldn’t believe I could write about anything I wanted and that other people would randomly find it online using searchable words on Google. Then they would actually read and comment. I know, it must sound a little geeky for some of you but for me… it was a new frontier to be conquered.

So I started blogging… almost every day.

In 2007, I joined Twitter and my online life went to another level. The experience, again, was fascinating and I immediately saw the vast opportunity to connect and engage with people on a whole new level. At first, myself and my close friends who started on twitter in 2007 were made fun of and joked about around casual conversations by people who weren’t on twitter … YET … and didn’t understand at all what it’s potential was.
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Google has long been considered the mac-daddy of all things Internet and Search Engine. “Just Google it”… and you can learn about anything you want. It’s why a few years ago Google changed their search engine to scan more blogs for updated and current content than traditional websites.

The most recent content (opinion, news, tweets, etc.) wins. But wins even more if the site posting the content has a good history of posting fresh and updated content. It’s one way we teach clients how to get on the first page of Google.

So if people are searching for an answer. They are searching for answers from trusted sources. It’s in these answers where content becomes King… and who can you trust more than a friend to give you an answer?

A friend you are connected with on facebook or twitter maybe?

Not sure about a movie you want to go see? You can read people’s opinion on twitter or maybe a review they wrote and posted on facebook via twitter… which probably is on their blog somewhere.

What made you become a raving fan of Mumford & Sons? Was it seeing their name pop up in tweets on a regular occasion? Did one of your friends post a picture from their concert or a youtube video posted on a facebook wall? Did someone you like say… ‘OMG!!!! Mumford & Sons freaking rock!!!!’

This is why Facebook and Twitter ARE The Social Search Engine. At anytime I can ask a question and get a very real answer and opinion. Not that blogs or static sites don’t have the answer from a Google search, but ask a question on Twitter or Facebook and the answer will come very quickly.

In fact, Google believes this is very important. Why? Just Google something and after your results come up on the google page, look to the left of the screen and click the Realtime link. There you will see a combined feed of real time content (mostly twitter) where people are talking about what you Googled. Make sense?

The bottom line is this.

Influence comes in many forms and from many sources.

And nothing says influence like word of mouth from a trusted source… a friend on Twitter or Facebook.

How does Twitter or Facebook influence you?

As a society, we have never had the resources and opportunity to learn like we have today. I have always felt that college is very important and valuable. But… now that I’m past my college years and am applying myself to new ways of thinking, I’m realizing how much more there is to learn. The best part is I can learn from others in a very practical and easy way of gathering information.

It’s called… THE INTERNET!!!

I know… You must be thinking. Spence has lost it this time… trying to sell us on this whole Internet thing again.

Well… it’s true.

I’m always learning something new from friends and colleagues but when it’s just me and I’m in the mood to gain a greater understanding of something new. I go online.

I read blogs of people who are in the know on the subject I’m seeking out. I read lots of online news sites. I Google everything I’m curious about and use Wikipedia to help guide my learning.I set up RSS feeds to go to my Google Reader and I’m constantly scan for something new to learn.

These days, it’s amazing the mountain of information we have at our fingertips. Just a click away and it’s mostly free.

I was explaining the benefits of twitter to a friend of mind. I told her, it’s the quickest way to get information as it’s happening or to see what others are reading and what they are learning. Twitter is such a great tool for learning from others!

So… I know some of you feel stuck at times. Stuck in that place of wanting to do more but don’t know where to start. Wanting to hash out an idea and need to find others with the same idea or see if there is a way to fine-tune the idea while learning from like-minded people.

Go online. Don’t let yourself be limited in the questions you ask. You can research anything you want to find out.

At the end of the day, learning is best when it comes from someone else’s life experience and the Internet is a great place to start.

The Internet is one of the ways I learn new things. How about you?

When I engage someone in conversation, I’m expecting to have a… conversation. I say something… the other person responds… I say something again… the other person responds… you get the picture. Sometimes if a person is a master of conversation, I will hear… WOW so-and-so is such an engaging person; I love how they bring me right into conversation!

Engaging people online is much the same way. As much as I’m into teaching people to engage others online, I had to check myself. Am I really engaging people online or am I throwing out thoughts as a monologue and not creating dialogue?

To engage people online ultimately comes down to being willing to have conversation online.

Write a post, get a comment, writer responds to comment. If the conversation needs to continue in that forum, then it does.

Tweet out a message, someone @reply’s to your message, you reply back… and the conversation continues.

Post something on facebook, someone ‘likes’ it or leaves a comment, you reply back… and the conversation continues.

If you want to engage people online, YOU HAVE to be engaging. YOU HAVE to reply and comment back. Even if it’s to just say thanks.

This experience is a two-way street. If you have an online presence and you aren’t taking these steps to engage people (your clients, fans or friends)… then you are missing the point entirely and missing out on a better online experience… and potentially missing out on making a sale or a deeper connection to a better customer service experience for your company or brand.

So lets review:

Reply to comments on your blog. As many of them as you can. I try to reply to all comments these days. Intense Debate or Disqus are great plugins for this. You can replay back right from email.

Reply to comments on twitter. It doesn’t matter if it is an @reply to you or something you see in your stream. Reply.

Reply to comments on facebook. Again, reply back to as many as possible.

Oh… and one more thing. Commenting on other people’s blogs, twitter messages and things they post on facebook is a pretty good idea as well… when you can of course. Get the picture?

Question: How important is engaging others online to you? How does it make you feel? What results are you seeing for experience?

I spend a lot of time in the social media world. Getting to know people, learning about new technologies and trying to figure out effective ways to market to people by engaging them online. It’s pretty fun… especially when I know there’s always something new around the corner waiting to show itself as the cool new pool on the block.

On occasion, I consult and advise brands who are either new to social media and looking to get their feet wet or they have a little bit of experience with it and are wanting to take things to a new level.

Either way they have to answer the same question I ask them..

Are you here to play in the shallow end or are you here to dive into the deep end?

There’s no wrong answer here. Social Media will be what you make of it and it’s very much a place where you can get out of it what you put into it.

So… If you are new to this social media world, listen to me when I say this…

Don’t let it overwhelm you and don’t wait for the next big thing to pop up before you decide to dip your toe in the water. Start with what you think you can handle and learn from what you see others do. We all start at the beginning…. in the shallow end.

You know… it’s like playing in the shallow end of the pool and feeling a bit nervous about going into deeper water. If you stand there and watch others go into the deep end of the pool, after a while you are going to say… Well I can do that too! Next thing you know… You are swimming in the deep end wanting to explore every bit of space in the pool.

If you have some social media experience and are already swimming in the deep end of the pool, listen to me when I say this…

Social Media is an ocean of opportunity with plenty of room for you to explore. So go as deep as you want, but don’t forget the basics of survival in the deep end of social media.

Keep it authentic, transparent and most importantly… Make it your own. We want what is uniquely you

Question: Do you ever feel overwhelmed with social media? If so why?

I’ve been cleaning up my twitter profile to really know who I’m following. I think the process is going to take a few days to get it where I want it to be, but once I get there I think it will be an even more engaging experience for me.

There’s one thing I see as I go through this cleaning process. It’s really simple actually and can make a huge difference in how people engage with you.

Here it is… ready?

Fill out your profile. THE WHOLE THING!!!

It’s not that hard.

There are on five areas that you need info for and it will only take you a few minutes to complete.

Your Name… that’s a given. Most people do this one well. Put your real name. It will be easier for your friends to use google to see if you’re on twitter.

Location… Easy. Put the city you live in. City and state. If you don’t want to put your city and state, make up something funny. It’s ok. You can do it.

Website… If you have a blog or a website of some sort. Put this here. It’s a great place to drive traffic to your site. If all you have is facebook, then put it here. If you have none of the above, just put in your twitter address. I know… it seems redundant but twitter suggests it and what could it hurt right?

Bio… again, easy. All they want is something less than 160 characters. It can be words that describe you or again.. something funny works too. Put whatever you want in there but take time to fill it out.

Photo… Anytime someone follows me and they don’t’ have a photo in their profile, I wont’ follow them back. I want to see who you are or what you represent. If you don’t like the way you look then put up a photo you do like. Just put something.

Why is all of this important?

Because most twitter users view a completed profile as a real person or a real brand trying to engage us online. When someone follows me (and if i get a chance) I will look at their profile and make a decision if I want to follow them or not. If there’s no picture, I move on. I won’t follow without a picture. If they have filled out their whole profile, then it gives me a quick glance as to who they are and the decision is much easier. If there is no information in their profile, again, I won’t follow. You probably look like spam to me and probably are spam.

But what if this is you and you aren’t spam? Then take a few minutes and fill out your profile. It makes a huge difference to those of us who hang out on twitter.

Also… did you know you can capitalize letters in your screen name? SpenceSmith looks better than spencesmith in my eyes. It helps make your name stand out just a tad.

For those of you who are on twitter, how do you view incomplete profiles? Does it matter to you?

On December 14, 2010 I started using Posterous.com as my site of choice for all of the pictures and videos I post online. Every picture I post is shot with my iPhone and what few videos I post are also shot with my iPhone as well.

I love it. It’s easy and you can read how I edit my iPhone photos here.

These are the seven reasons I am loving my Posterous site right now.

1. It’s easy to set up and it’s free. Hint: free and a well supported dashboard with easy to use stats and posting features. Oh Posterous! You had me at hello!
2. Templates are cool and you can customize with your own look. There are template designs for multiple functions and if you are a css code monkey, you can skin your site to look however you want it too. ( It’s shallow enough to play in and deep enough to drown in.)
3. I post using one email address (post@posterous.com) and it posts wherever I want it to land online. With one email, it posts immediately to my twitter and facebook account. If I wanted to, I could also set it up to post on YouTube, my blog, flicker and many more. Just remember, if you post using an email account, make sure you always send from the email account you have in your Posterous profile.
4. The pictures look better in this format than twitpic or yfrog. The view expands when you click on the picture and I love how much of the photo you can really see.
5. It works with Google Analytics. If you have a Google Analytics account, then it’s very easy to set it up and track stats for your site. The number of views for my photos have gone up dramatically – more than I ever had with TwitPic. I think it’s because the site is more accessible and the pictures are very easy to view, especially on a smart phone. It’s very appealing… and I like appealing.
6. Thumbnail pictures show up in Facebook as a picture, not just a link. This is the function I was originally looking for when I signed up. I love it when I see pictures post in the facebook news feed as pictures and not just a link to a picture. It makes it easy for people to immediately engage with the photo instead of having to click another link to see it. The photo also goes into its on Posterous folder in the photo section of the facebook profile. Again… Easy and more engaging.
7. The iPhone app is simple. I use the app to check stats right now, but I can post pictures from the app whenever I want to.

That’s it. I’m starting to see more people use Posterous accounts. If you are using one, then send me a link in the comment section.

For those who aren’t using posterous, what are you using? Are you posting pictures somewhere online or have you found something easier for content in general? Something that works well for you? Tell me… I’m curious to know.

In the world of blogging, content is king, but keeping your content organized with focused categories creates a better experience for you and your readers.

When I first started blogging, most templates had category options already laid out. I didn’t know what to do with categories like this partly because I wasn’t as focused as I am now on what my content was going to be. So I would just write and if what I wrote fit into one of the categories they had for me, then I put my post under that category, otherwise, I just marked it as ‘uncategorized’, which now have come to realize is a lazy move on my part.

Anytime I read a post that is ‘uncategorized’ , I think.. You know, it doesn’t take much to think about where the post should actually go on your site.

Let me explain. When people come to my site, I want them to see I live part of my life through triathlons, travel and social media and that I love posting iPhone photos in My Posterous Pics. When I write, I’m thinking about my posts in those categories. Social Media, Travel, Triathlons and anything I write outside those categories falls into my Life category. (See screen shot above)

If you are looking to go after a little more “low hanging fruit” to beef up your site, then take some time to think about what you want to write about and categorize it.

Here’s a good tip… try to keep your categories to less than five. The reason is two fold – 1. It helps give you and your reader focus when it comes to your content. 2. If you are like most of us bloggers and want to display your categories in the header, then fewer than five categories will give you enough room to add your “About” page tab and “Contact” tab without messing up the actual lay out of your blog. That is of course, if you are looking to put all of that info into your header. You don’t have to at all. It’s your site after all! Just make sure you remember this.. The easier it is for your readers to understand and navigate your site, the more they will enjoy you and your site. If your site looks too busy and unorganized, then you might be losing readers.

As I’m fine tuning my content and changing up a few things over the next couple of months, I would like to know what steps do you or would you take to fine tune your content?