Linkedin offers you an incredible opportunity to also showcase your expertise as a blogger, presenter, problem solver and dynamic player in your industry.

Linkedin affords you a powerful social networking platform that is noticeably different than Facebook.  It is almost 100% professional!  No mafia wars, getting tagged in high school photos you wish you had never been reminded of, and a much more focused agenda.  The strategy you need to employ is to find a good balance between going for the kill and nurturing a long-term relationship.  The former is aggressive and can be a turn-off although the tenacity will open doors.  The latter is perfect for social media that fosters a relationship approach to marketing; however, it need not be too passive.  Here’s a helpful article on being a “hunter” and a “farmer” in your sales approach.

If you are wanting to use social media tools like Linked in to pursue a new career or land that first job after graduation, you will likely need a social media resume.  I also pass on a number of good quality links on using Linkedin specifically in your job search.

In additional to these ways to use Linkedin to market your business, come join our Linkedin webinar for only $35 Tuesday evening at 8:30p CST.    Two more nighttime webinars left this month!  (click link below)

For some of you, you need to try Facebook Ads to reach our target market better.

• Advertise your upcoming event to a highly targeted demographic
• Promote your new Facebook Fan Page
• Market your products and services to a specific geographic of Facebook users

John Jantsch, founder of Duct Tape Marketing, offers “5 Steps to Successful Facebook Advertising” to get you started.  As well, John wrote this primer on Facebook Ads almost a year ago “Using Facebook Ads for Content Awareness” – both are excellent, and since they are from the creator of Duct Tape Marketing, you know they have to be good.

( Learn more about Duct Tape Marketing coaching )

Image source: edmerica.com

A new service we are offering our clients is CUSTOMIZED FAN PAGES!

Why settle for the DEFAULT version of Facebook’s Fan Page when you can create a customized Fan Page that will WOW your customers and invite more participation.  The more visitors and fans are impressed with your Fan Page, the more likely they will engage with you on more advanced levels.

To learn more, visit this page for more details, including pricing, for Customized Facebook Fan Pages.

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2010 is going fast – are you finding yourself behind on your marketing already?  If you are in the DFW area, here’s a great reminder about how NOT to be caught off guard when it comes to the Super Bowl traffic headed our way next year.

We have created 4 nighttime webinars just for the small business owner who is too busy during the day to stop and “do marketing stuff.”  (we hear this all the time, so you are not alone!)

All webinars begin at 8:30p CST.  Individual webinars run only $35!

2/16 – Creating a customized Facebook Fan Page that acts as a communication tool with your best ambassadors, and how to use the Fan Page to drive traffic back to your site.  You’ll learn some ways to make your Facebook Fan Page look NOTHING LIKE the default Fan Page – are you ready to STAND OUT?   Sign up now.

2/18 - Still confused by Twitter?  Learn how Twitter can be used to showcase your expertise and credibility – and how to use it in a way that actually generates interest and traffic (without self-promoting the whole time!)  Register today!

2/23 – Linkedin is a powerful networking tool – but most professionals do not maximize their profile – do you know how to import your blog?  We’ll show you.  Do you have some great PPT presentations that would demonstrate expertise in your industry?  We’ll show you how to include those as well.  These are things we have shared with rooms filled with expert networkers and recruiters and even they are amazed about all you can do with Linkedin.  Enroll for this webinar.

2/26 – If a potential customer googles your business, what will they find?  For many of you, there are reviews sitting out there on review sites like Google/Yahoo Local, Yelp, CitySearch, InsiderPages, MerchantCircle, Angie’s List and a host of industry-specific online review sites.  Would you like to get more reviews?  We’ll teach you how to do it.  Would you like to know how to respond to a negative review (you’ll get one someday if you don’t already have them)?  We’ll show you how to professional react without doing further PR damage.  And we’ll show you a simple technique on how you can not only remain aware of what’s been said about you, but you can showcase only positive reviews!  Don’t miss this opportunity!

Are you marketing ready?  If not, you can sign up for all 4 nighttime webinars for less than $100.

image source:  blaugh.com