LinkedIn NSA we ROCKED THE BIG APPLE!! LinkedIn NSA Members didn’t just rock the Big Apple, because we are ahead of the tipping point by staking our claim to the Social Media Marketplace we ROCK THE UNIVERSE TOO!!!!!
It was my honor to address my fellow NSA members on this most important new tool in the speaker’s business armamentarium.
On Sunday, August 3, 2008 at 2:15pm EDT in the Harlem Room (7th floor) of the Marriott Marquis we filled a room set for 89 with a Fire Marshall capacity of 104 to a whopping (and dangerous) 136 people! NSA and the hotel posted people outside the room to prevent even those leaving to go to the bathroom from reentering. Our introducer began the session 15 minutes early and personally requested 15 minutes extra material for the audience so the planned 75 minute program became a 90 minute instant NSA classic.
The audio CD is available through NSA, look for:
“Do YouTube? Getting LinkedIn to the New Internet” – Maurice A. Ramirez
This 90 minute digitally interactive program will detail how, between December 26, 2007 and July 31, 2008, I have, though Social Media Marketing alone:
All this for the investment of an hour a day and NO MONEY!!!
The questions that participants text messaged directly into my PowerPoint will be answered on my blog (www.disaster-blog.com) in the coming days.
By the way, do you remember that favor I asked you and the participants to do for me? You know the one where we demonstrated the power of Social Media Marketing (like text messaging) and direct digital audience interaction with the speaker and the program by text messaging the following to everyone you know is attending the NSA Convention:
Come to the Harlem Well this message is added 38 people to the room BEFORE THE DOORS WERE CLOSED BY NSA!!!! Now that is powerful. If you are among the many who could not get into the session, or if you would like to have the presentation, please purchase the audio CD from the NSA, then send me an email that the CD is en route to you. I will reply with a copy of the actual PowerPoints from that day. I seldom share actual PowerPoints, but you all have earned it.
5 keynotes,
2 book deals,
2 foreign consulting contracts &
a position as a featured writer
Here are the Answers to the Questions raised during and after the presentation:
Can you recommend the best platforms to set up a blog?
Like all online platforms in social media marketing, the “best” blog platform depends on the specific needs and goals of your business plan and your social media marketing plan. I use Typepad, but Blogger, Wordpress and others are very effective.
Is noting ''www'' before your blog's url really necessary or is that to it make it easier to recognize as a url?
Yes, use “www” before your website addresses. On those sites that allow direct links, if you forget “www” the links won’t work. On many sites, http://www is actually required for direct links to work.
What is the role of reader response and commentary on your blog?
I use blog response as a means of promoting dialogue as well as discovering the interests of my market.
Do you monitor, restrict or otherwise control reader interaction on your blog?
Of course I do. My blog, my rules. I have only declined blog entries that ave been off topic or blatant advertisements for someone else’s services.
In your session you talked about blogging. The person I work for has a website and wants to link her blog to her website, how would we go about doing that?
There are several ways. Many blog sites now allow your custom url to be directly directed to your blog (DNS redirection). Of course you can simply forward a url to the blog site. Your web master can also employ the more technical means of directing to your blog or capturing your blog with HTML or Java code such that your blog appears as a page on your website.
If blogs have peaked, what's the next "big thing" or "killer app" in social media marketing?
The “next big thing” is dedicated virtual presence environments. Currently, the only commercially viable platform offering this is Second Life. Within the Second Life environment, it is possible to create closed, member only areas (islands) and invitation only educational events (seminars). Howard Dean even held a Second Life political rally in 2004.
When it comes to article leveraging, what are the best sites?
Having used over 100 article banks, I have found ezinearticles.com to be the most effective for me in my niche. This said, the best one for your business and niche may be different. Myezinearticle.com is also very effective. Of course all of your articles should also be posted to your blog.
What if you are a young professional and already have a Facebook, on private, for you and your college friends. Create a second one for work?
Yes, have two, one for personal use and one for professional use, but be absolutely sure that your private site is not found unless it is completely congruent with your professional site. No one likes a two faced business contact.
What presentation software are you using?
I am using PowerPoint 2003 with the PollEverywhere add-in.
Great new idea for audience input. How do you do the questions and answers by text messaging? How did U set this up?
I set-up a “free text” poll on PollEverywhere.com then insert the poll response window where I want the audience questions to appear. When the slide is displayed, the poll appears as a black and white flash scrolling video.
Sounds great but how does this become real money in real banks?
By having specific “Bull’s Eyes” linked to measurable business goals you close deals that equate to real money in real banks (Thanks Randy).
What is “critical mass” in a social network?
250 first degree contacts to generate business for pay.
1000 first degree contacts to generate referrals from your network.
Do Online Social Networks have email?
Yes, but it is better to use your standard email. It is even more important to have your email address on your public profile.
Do you use form emails or write everyone from scratch?
I absolutely use form emails as the basis for a highly customized email for each new member of my network to open a dialogue.
How do you reduce spam attracted by posting your email address?
I don’t get much spam with a clickable email address on all my sites, but if you are afraid of spam, use a spam filter but you may lose a lead or two. Alternately, spell out your email address phonetically,
i.e. renaissancedoc <at> mauricearamirez <dot> com
How many social networking responsibilities can you delegate to assistants? What would be best to delegate?
Initially you should perform all social networking yourself. Once you have a system that works, you can delegate some functions to assistants. I do not delegate any portion of the process since my niche trusts that when my signature appears, they are speaking with me. If your niche will tolerate delegation of some communications, the first thing to delegate is the oversight of your interest groups since the invitation of new members to your network is the most time consuming and least personal portion of the process. On the other hand, it is more important to know what not to delegate. Never delegate follow up communications with new network members or established network members.
I know you say Social Media Marketing need not cost anything, but if I want to hire someone who does this work? Will you teach it?
First of all, no one worth your investment would “do it for you.” Several are very qualified to teach you to establish and maintain your online social networks. I plan on hiring Ford Saeks to remake my websites and integrate all my online venues using his technology along with Java code I have written for the purpose. I have taught several clients to exploit Social Media Marketing and will work with the five hot seat participants from the NSA program. I would be willing to discuss private consulting with new social media marketing clients.
Would you give this program at our NSA Chapter?
Yes, just email me and we can talk. (hire@mauricearamirez.com)
