MY2Cents

2012-02-11T08:43:00.000-08:00

Welcome to LinkedUpGR TV Social Media Profiles! We're highlighting people who work using social media on a full- or part-time basis on behalf of West Michigan companies and organizations.

This edition is part 2 of our interview with Jessica Puchala from WZZM13, the local ABC affiliate owned by Gannett Broadcasting, and home to the Weather Ball!

Jessica is WZZM13's Social Media Coordinator, Multimedia News Producer & Online Buzz Reporter.
In Part 1 Jessica talked about her role at WZZM13. In part 2 Jessica talks about getting started with social media and how she manages her activities and time.

What about you? How did you get started with social media? How do you manage your time and social media activities? Do you go directly to Facebook or Twitter, or do you use a dashboard like HooteSuite, TweetDeck, or SproutSocial? I love to hear about your social media experience. And, your comments are welcome.

Connect with the Jessica on twitter @JessicPuchala and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/JessicaPuchalaWZZM

Host: Michael Yoder - http://MichaelYoderGR.com
Producer and Editor: Jason Johnson - http://jasonjohnson.tv/
Additional Editing by: Jeremey Mullens - http://jeremymullens.com/
Video footage, editing and location provided by: WZZM13 - http://www.wzzm13.com/

2012-01-31T11:32:00.000-08:00

Welcome to LinkedUpGR TV Social Media Profiles! We're highlighting people who work using social media on a full- or part-time basis on behalf of West Michigan companies and organizations.

This edition is an interview with Jessica Puchala from WZZM13, the local ABC affiliate owned by Gannett Broadcasting, and home to the Weather Ball!

Jessica is WZZM13's Social Media Coordinator, Multimedia News Producer & Online Buzz Reporter.
This is Part 1 of a two part interview I did with Jessica.

Recently, 89% of respondents to the LinkedUp Grand Rapids benchmark social media survey said that the person responsible for social media at their company has other job responsibilities. As you find out in the video, this certainly seems to be the case for Jessica. Among other things, she is responsible for coordinating, educating and championing social media throughout WZZM13.

What about you? Do you manage social media for your company or a client company? If so, do you have other job responsibilities, or is social media your sole focus? Let us hear your comments.

Connect with the Jessica on twitter @JessicPuchala and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/JessicaPuchalaWZZM

Host: Michael Yoder - http://MichaelYoderGR.com
Producer and Editor: Jason Johnson - http://jasonjohnson.tv/
Additional Editing by: Jeremey Mullens - http://jeremymullens.com/
Video footage, editing and location provided by: WZZM13 - http://www.wzzm13.com/

You Are What You Tweet! An Infographic

2012-01-23T07:54:00.000-08:00

LinkedUp Grand Rapids Christmas Project--Grand Rapids Home for Veterans

2011-12-20T13:13:00.000-08:00

Giving Back to our Veterans at Christmas.

2011-12-08T09:59:00.001-08:00

I have the privilege to lead the LinkedUp Grand Rapids group here in West Michigan. It's an incredible group of nearly 9,000 business professionals who not only know how to network and grow businesses, but who give back to our community.

This Christmas season we are collecting items for the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans from now until Thursday, December 22. This is our 2nd year doing so as a way of saying thank you to our military veterans for their service and sacrifice for our country.

There are two ways to donate:

1.) You can click on the following link and make a monetary donation. We will take that money and buy items veteran's wish list and deliver them. CLICK HERE!

2.) You can donate items from the veteran's wish list and drop them at one of the LinkedUp Grand Rapids member companies listed below.

Please review the Veteran Wish List of items that are acceptable items to donate. DO NOT wrap items.

For those of you in West Michigan who would like to join in and donate, here's a list of drop off sites for donated items:

CQL, 3344 Grand Ridge Dr., NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525 – Open8 AM to 5 PM, M-F

Lighthouse Group, 4465 Wilson Ave., Grandville, MI – Openfrom 8 AM to 5 PM, M-F

IBS Financial Group, 758 W. Fulton, Grand Rapids, MI – Openfrom 8 AM to 4:30 PM, M-F

EHTC, 5136 Cascade Rd SE # 2A, Grand Rapids CharterTownship, MI 49546-3728 – Open from 8 AM to 5 PM, M-F

KSS Enterprises, 410 44th St. SW Suite E, Grand Rapids, MI49548, Open from 8 AM to 5 PM, M-F

Hairacy Salon, 1801 44th ST. SE, Grand Rapids,Mi 49508, OpenM: 11 AM – 8 PM, T: 9 AM to 9 PM, W: 9 AM to 4 PM, Th: 9:30 AM to 9 PM, F: 9 AMto 7 PM, and S: 8 AM to 2 PM

Owen Ames Kimball, 300 Ionia, NW, Grand Rapids, MI49503-2507, Open from 8 AM to 5 PM, M-F

DollarVille, in the Cedar Rock Mall, on M-57 (14Mile Rd.), Rockford---1/2 mile east of 131 (exit 101) near the former Rosie'sDiner, Open 9 AM to 7 PM, M-Sat

The last day to drop off donated items will be Thursday, December 22.

Grand Rapids Home for Veterans Wish List:

- New Batteries: AAA, AA, C and D
- Universal Remote Controls with Large Numbers
- Gift Cards to: Meijer, Burger King, Wal-Mart, McDonalds, Target, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Cracker Barrel, IHOP
- New Postage Stamps (prefer Forever Stamp)
- Unused Cross Word, Sudoku, and Word Search Books
- Recent Paperback Books and Magazines (Published within last 6 months)
- New Men’s and Women’s Underwear; all types & sizes (must be new and in original package)
- T-Shirts & Sweat Shirts: Small, Medium, Large, X Large, XX Large, XXX Large
- Sweat Pants: Small, Medium, Large, X Large, XX Large, And XXX Large
- Button-Down Shirts: Small, Medium, Large, X Large, XX Large, XXX Large
- Men’s jeans and casual pants 40-42-44-46-48-50-52 size pants all lengths
- Mittens, Gloves, Hats and Scarves
- New Socks for Men and Women as well as Diabetic Socks, all sizes and colors
- New Tennis Shoes with Velcro Closing and New Shoe Laces: White, Black, or Brown
- Quilts, Afghans and Lap Robes (Recommend Lap Robes be 48”X48”)

The following items must be in new, unopened package:
- Body Wash, Shower Gel, After-Shave and Pre-Electric Lotion with fragrance
- Shampoo, Hair Gel, or Conditioner with fragrance, Men’s Hair Dressing & Hair Spray
- Deodorant (roll-on preferred) and Eye Glass Cleaning and Repair Kits
- Lip Balm/Chap Stick, Dental Floss, Denture Cream or Denture Cleaner
- New Three-Headed Electric Razors and Replacement Heads
- Individually Wrapped Small Candy Bars (soft) and Cookies
- Individually Wrapped Chips, Pretzels, and Crackers & Cheese
- Crystal Light and Hot Chocolate Mix (powdered drink mix)

Please feel free to contact me with questions or concerns. And, if you like, say thank you to our veterans in the comments below.

Merry Christmas,

Mike Yoder

3 Ways To Say Thanks To A Wounded Warrior This Christmas

2011-12-02T12:12:00.001-08:00

It's the season for giving, right? I'd like to share an opportunity to give that was presented to me by friend and CEO of Fashion Has Heart, Michael Hyacinthe. Michael and Fashion Has Heart recently launched The Corporal Hoffman Project. The project is utilizing fashion, art, and local communities to make a wounded warrior's dream come true. Despite the inability to talk or even move as a result of a sniper's bullet in Iraq, Marine Corporal Josh Hoffman is determined to use his heart, mind and creative passion to inspire other wounded warriors to continue to live and dream.

For this project Fashion Has Heart is teaming up graphic designers with American Heroes like Corporal Hoffman who together collaboratively develop a graphic design that fulfills that Veteran's creative vision. All of the designs that are created are then made available for sale on apparel and products with the proceeds going to help with the rehabilitative needs of America's Wounded Soldiers. In this case, Corporal Hoffman will receive 20% of all the proceeds from the designs he creates.

You can get involved in several ways. One way you can show your support is by attending the Corporal Hoffman Project Launch Party on Friday, December 9 from 6 PM to 9 PM at the Regal Financial Group corporate headquarters in Kentwood, MI. You will be able to meet Corporal Hoffman and Michael Hyacinth at the party. You will also be able to purchase a limited edition poster that was created using one of Corporal Hoffman's designs.

Another way you can get involved is by spreading the word about this project. By sharing information with your network of connections through Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, you'll help increase awareness about this worthy cause and project. Here's a link you can share about the project: The Corporal Hoffman Project. Here's a link to a short video about that project that you can share: Corporal Hoffman Project Video.

Finally, you can support this project by purchasing one of Corporal Hoffman's designs in the form of a t-shirt, poster, or skin. Here's the link to the store on the Fashion Has Heart website. Purchase Here! His designs will be uploaded and made available in the store very soon. And, don't forget that if you attend the launch party next Friday, December 9, you'll be able to purchase a limited edition poster of one of Corporal Hoffman's designs suitable for framing.

Thank you for taking this unique opportunity to give and say thank you to Josh and other armed services veterans for their sacrifice to make possible the freedom we enjoy as citizens of the United State of America.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Want to add some zip to your blog? Try this!

2011-11-14T13:21:00.001-08:00

Image via WikipediaWhile at the CrushIQ conference in Washington, DC I sat in on a session with @tdizdarevic from Zemanta. He was giving an overview and update on their blogging tool. Since this is a blogging tool that I find indispensable for writing my blog posts, I was looking forward to learning some tips and tricks for using Zemanta.
After Tin's brief overview of the product, I asked about placement of pictures in blog posts. This has been my one main frustrations with Zemanta. When trying to add an image to blog posts, it was forcing me to place them in a certain location. And, when I tried to add multiple images, it always posted the new image at the top.

It turns out that they are releasing a new version of Zemanta that will allow you to place images wherever your cursor is located in the post. It will also allow you to add multiple images without placing them on top of each other. A big improvement!
Zemanta will integrate with just about any blogging platform via just about any web browser. It is great for helping make sure you get the most from your blog posts by suggesting images, related articles, and tags. Give it a try. I think you'll find it a great blogging buddy.
That's My 2 Cents. What do you think? Are there any tools or resources that you use to enhance your blog posts? What are they?

LinkedUpGR TV Social Media Series: George Lessens Part 2

2011-11-08T05:48:00.000-08:00

Image via WikipediaWelcome to the latest edition of the LinkedUpGR TV SocialMedia Profiles series of interviews. We're talking with people from WestMichigan companies who use socialmedia in their job on a part- or full-time basis. This week we're wrapping up our two part interview with George Lessens, the chief meteorologist at WZZM 13.

George is my favorite meteorologist becausehe let me actually change the color of the weather ball! For those of you outside of Grand Rapids, the weather ball is a West Michigan icon. We even have a saying that goes along with it: Weather ball red, warmer weather ahead; weather ball blue, colder weather for you; weather ball green, no change foreseen. If the weather ball is flashing, it means the end of the world is coming (Not really. I just thought I'd throw that out there.)

Anyway, George is a great guy and he's really embraced social media in his work as the chief meteorologist at WZZM 13. Here's the 2nd half of the interview I did with George a few weeks ago.

Here are some takeaways to look for inpart 2 of the interview with George:

George's plans for a new YouTube channel and why
The tools that George uses to manage multiple social media channels
Practical advice and words of wisdom from lessons learned by Lessens!

Do you have any suggestions for George and WZZM 13? What could they do to provide more engaging content via social media? Please post in the comments below.

Next time we'll be talking with Marne Vander Weide of San Chez Bistro, one of my favorite restaurants in Grand Rapids! Let me know what companies you think are doing a great job of using social media. Maybe we'll interview their social media person. Thanks!

Connect with George Lessens on twitter@glessens and on Facebook at George's Facebook profile

Host: Michael Yoder -http://MichaelYoderGR.com

Producer and Editor: Jason Johnson -http://jasonjohnson.tv/

Additional Editing by: Jeremey Mullens- http://jeremymullens.com/

Video footage, editing and locationprovided by: WZZM13 - http://www.wzzm13.com/

LinkedUpGR TV Social Media Profiles: WZZM 13 George Lessens

2011-10-29T12:29:00.000-07:00

Image via WikipediaWelcome to the latest edition of the LinkedUpGR TV SocialMedia Profiles series of interviews. We're talking with people from WestMichigan companies who use socialmedia in their job on a part- or full-time basis. This week we start atwo part interview with George Lessens, the chief meteorologist at WZZM 13.

I enjoyed talking with George becausehe's a Penn State grad, and because he seems to have embraced the use of socialmedia to engage with viewers of WZZM 13. George began his career at WZZM 13 in1980 as weekend meteorologist. In October 2007, he became the longest tenuredmeteorologist at any single West Michigan TV station: 26 years, 11 months.

Check out the following video to getto know George Lessons and how he is using social media as the chiefmeteorologist at WZZM 13.

Here are some takeaways to look for inpart 1 of the interview with George:

How George got started in social media
The two social media channels George uses mostto engage with viewers
Why George uses those particular social mediachannels

Do you use a social media channel tostay up on the weather? Have you ever commented on the weather or posted aweather related image to a social media channel? Why? Why not?

Next up is part 2 of our conversationwith George. Don't forget to leave comments and suggestions on who you'd liketo see us interview. Thanks!

Connect with George Lessens on twitter@glessens and on Facebook at George's Facebook profile

Host: Michael Yoder -http://MichaelYoderGR.com

Producer and Editor: Jason Johnson -http://jasonjohnson.tv/

Additional Editing by: Jeremey Mullens- http://jeremymullens.com/

Video footage, editing and locationprovided by: WZZM13 - http://www.wzzm13.com/

LinkedUpGR TV Social Media Profiles: Wrapping Up w/Paul Jendrasiak

2011-10-22T14:17:00.000-07:00

Welcome to another editionof LinkedUpGR TV Social Media Profiles series! The series is designed tohighlight people who work using social media on a full- or part-time basis onbehalf of West Michigan companies and organizations.

In this week’s edition we wrap up our conversation with Grand Rapids, MI socialite, Paul Jendrasiak, the CEO/Founderof Spam Bully.Paul’s interests include photography, travel, world cuisine, and musicof all kinds.

Paul concludes with comments on influence and developing a niche in social media.

Here are some takeaways tolook for in Part 3 of the interview with Paul:

• Paul's take on the responsibility that users have when posting on social media: If you steer people in the wrong direction, they will remember.
• The importance of developing your niche in social media: Focus on what you do and the needs of your customers.
• Listen for what Paul describes as the best approach for attracting customers.

What company do you think does a good job engaging with people in social media? I’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas.

Next up is an interview with a special guest from WZZM 13. Don't forget toleave comments and suggestions on who you'd like to see us interview. Thanks!

Connect with Paul or Spam Bully on Twitter: @PaulJendrasiak / @SpamBully. And don’t forget to check out the Spam Bully Facebook page.

Host:                Michael Yoder -http://MichaelYoderGR.com
Producer:          Jason Johnson - http://jasonjohnson.tv
Editor:              Jeremey Mullens -http://jeremymullens.com/
Location:          Green Frog Photo -http://www.greenfrogphoto.com/

Related Information:

LinkedUp Grand Rapids - Website
LinkedUp Grand Rapids - LinkedIn Group
LinkedUp Grand Rapids - Facebook Group

LinkedUpGR TV Social Media Profiles: Paul Jendrasiak Part 2

2011-10-15T09:46:00.000-07:00

Welcome to another editionof LinkedUpGR TV Social Media Profiles series! The series is designed tohighlight people who work using social media on a full- or part-time basis onbehalf of West Michigan companies and organizations.

In this week’s edition we continue our conversation with Grand Rapids, MI socialite, Paul Jendrasiak, the CEO/Founderof Spam Bully.Paul’s interests include photography, travel, world cuisine, and musicof all kinds.

In Part I Paul talkedabout what attracted him to social media and how he got started. He also talkedabout how he uses it as a catalyst to promote awareness and interest. In Part 2, Paul continues with more thoughts on how social media is being used today compared to the way it was used just a few short years ago.
Here are some takeaways tolook for in Part 2 of the interview with Paul:

• Social media is used in different ways for different reasons—you need to find what works best for you.
• Paul's advice for businesses and individuals--learn from others, but be yourself/unique.
• It's important to think before you post.

So, where do you think social media is headed? Have you ever posted something you wished you wouldn't have posted? I’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas.

Next week we'll wrap up our conversation with Paul with the 3rd and final part ofthe interview. And, don't forget toleave comments and suggestions on who you'd like to see us interview. Thanks!

Connect with Paul or Spam Bully on Twitter: @PaulJendrasiak / @SpamBully. And don’t forget to check out the Spam Bully Facebook page.

Related Information:

LinkedUp Grand Rapids - Website
LinkedUp Grand Rapids - LinkedIn Group
LinkedUp Grand Rapids - Facebook Group

LinkedUpGR TV Social Media Profiles: Paul Jendrasiak

2011-10-08T11:39:00.000-07:00

Welcome to another editionof LinkedUpGR TV Social Media Profiles series! The series is designed tohighlight people who work using social media on a full- or part-time basis onbehalf of West Michigan companies and organizations.

This week’s edition is Part I of aninterview with Grand Rapids, MI socialite, Paul Jendrasiak, the CEO/Founderof Spam Bully.Paul’s interests include photography, travel, world cuisine, and musicof all kinds.

In Part I Paul talksabout what attracted him to social media and how he got started. He also talksabout how he uses it as a catalyst to promote awareness and interest.

Here are some takeaways tolook for in Part I of the interview with Paul:

• Social media is constantlychanging—Paul started with My Space, which is pretty much dead today.
• Paul was attracted to social media originally as a way to find out aboutevents and activities.
• Social media can be used as a catalyst to spread the word about yourcommunity, causes, and events.

So, what got you started using socialmedia, and what’s your main purpose for using it? Are you promoting good causesor your community? Or, is it simply the way you stay in touch with family andfriends? I’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas.

Stay tuned for Part II ofour interview with Paul. It will be posted next week! And, don't forget toleave comments and suggestions on who you'd like to see us interview. Thanks!

Connect with Paul or Spam Bully on Twitter: @PaulJendrasiak / @SpamBully. And don’t forget to check out the Spam Bully Facebook page.

Related Information:

LinkedUp Grand Rapids - Website
LinkedUp Grand Rapids - LinkedIn Group
LinkedUp Grand Rapids - Facebook Group

LinkedUpGR TV Social Media Profiles: PART II w/John VanderHaagen

2011-09-01T13:08:00.000-07:00

Welcome to theLinkedUpGR TV Social Media Profiles series! The series is designed to highlightpeople who work using social media on a full- or part-time basis on behalf ofWest Michigan companies and organizations.

This week’s edition isPart II of an interview with John VanderHaagen, Social Media Sales &Marketing Manager for the Grand Rapids Griffins. The Griffins were the firstteam in the American Hockey League (AHL) to have a staff person dedicated tosocial media on a full-time basis.

In Part I John talked about the keys to getting and keeping fans, the use of “behind-the-scenes” content tokeep fans engaged, and using trial and error to determine what works best withyour audience/fans.

Here are sometakeaways to look for in Part II of the interview with John:

• Knowing youraudience and focusing on the social media channel(s) they are using most
• Ways to educateyourself on social media trends and issues: local people and groups
• Words ofwisdom--Don’t wait and Don’t be afraid to jump in and try

Stay tuned for ournext interview with Marnie Vander Weide from San Chez Bistro! And, don't forget to leave comments and suggestions on who you'd like to see us interview. Thanks!

Connect with the Griffinson Twitter @griffinshockey Check out the GriffinsFacebook page.

Host: Michael Yoder - http://MichaelYoderGR.com
Producer: Jason Johnson - http://jasonjohnson.tv
Editor: Jeremey Mullens - http://jeremymullens.com/
Photo Credits: Paul Jendrasiak - http://GRNow.com
Location: Green Frog Photo - http://www.greenfrogphoto.com/

Infographic on The Growth of Social Media

2011-08-30T13:16:00.000-07:00

I couldn't resist sharing this interesting infographic of the growth of social media over the last several years. Google+ isn't represented because it is so new. What do you think? Will G+ join perennial powerhouse Facebook at the top of the social media heap? Or, will it fade into oblivion like Google Wave?
Source: The Growth of Social Media: An Infographic

LinkedUpGR TV Social Media Profiles: John VanderHaagen

2011-08-26T09:06:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the LinkedUpGR TV Social Media Profiles series! The series is hosted by Michael Yoder, and is designed to highlight people who work using social media on a full- or part-time basis on behalf of West Michigan companies and organizations.

In this, the first of a two part video interview, Michael talks with John VanderHaagen, Social Media Sales & Marketing Manager for the Grand Rapids Griffins. The Griffins were the first team in the American Hockey League (AHL) to have a staff person dedicated to social media on a full-time basis.

John talks about his experiences and current plans for social media and online marketing. He also shares some of the insights and recommendations on getting started with social media and a common mistake many companies make when getting involved in social media.

Here are some takeaways to look for in part one of the interview with John:

• The key to getting and keeping fans
• What John does to keep fans engaged
• How John uses trial and error to build a successful social media program

Stay tuned for part two of the interview with John VanderHaagen on the LinkedUpGR TV Social Media Profiles series.

Connect with the Griffins on Twitter @griffinshockey Check out the Griffins Facebook page.

Host: Michael Yoder - http://MichaelYoderGR.com
Producer: Jason Johnson - http://jasonjohnson.tv
Editor: Jeremey Mullens - http://jeremymullens.com/
Photo Credits: Paul Jendrasiak - http://GRNow.com
Location: Green Frog Photo - http://www.greenfrogphoto.com/

That's My2Cents. Tell me what you think. Who would you like us to interview? What would you like to know from some of West Michigan's social media peeps?

5 Things You Can Do To Grow Your LinkedIn Group

2011-08-19T13:00:00.000-07:00

Just five months after celebrating it’s third birthday and 6,600 members, the business networking group, LinkedUp Grand Rapids, surpassed 8,000 members—that’s 1,400 new members in five months! LinkedUp Grand Rapids continues to be the largest Michigan based business networking group on LinkedIn.

LinkedUp Grand Rapids was started on March 4, 2008. Today the group boasts a lively discussion section, a frequently updated jobs section, and four sub groups that are focused on Social Media, Sustainability, Community, and blatant self promotion (called, “I’ve Got What You Want”). It also has a web site--http://www.linkedupgr.com--a Twitter profile (@LinkedUpGR), and a Facebook group.

How did I grow LinkedUp Grand Rapids to over 8,000 members? First and foremost, it's about people. Just because LinkedIn is focused on business, don't forget the personal touch. At least part of the success of LinkedUp Grand Rapids is due to the fact that I try to make it personal. Even if I've not met someone face to face, people feel like they know me because I've taken the extra time to send a personal note or make a commentthat let's people know I'm paying attention. I've tried to inspire loyaltyand confidence by taking the extra time to acknowledge individuals. Ithink some groups have a herd mentality. It's as simple asactually using someone's name in correspondence. Instead of Dear NewGroup Member, Dear Tom or Claire means so much more.

Here are five things that I've done that might help you grow your group:

A well defined group—geography, industry, profession, etc. LinkedUp Grand Rapids is geographically defined. The only criteria for membership is that the person must live and/or work on a full-time basis in the Greater Grand Rapids / West Michigan region (Lansing to the Lakeshore, and south to Kalamazoo). The value this creates is that everyone in the group is a business professional from the area who knows the economy and the culture, and they have a vested interested in the community--they pay taxes! They are physically able to participate in face-to-face networking events that are critical in building trusted business relationships. And, they can participate in events designed to give back to the community.
Acknowledge and follow up requests to join, questions, and concerns—within a reasonable amount of time. Early on in the development of the group, I determined that I would respond to every request to join the group. Initially I created a standard response that I would cut and paste for requests to join that were accepted and another one for those that were rejected. Later I customized the templates provided by LinkedIn. Many people have expressed gratitude for the welcome message they received upon joining the group. As the group has grown, the requests to join from people outside the area have increased--some from individuals who have moved away and from others who simply want to exploit the group for their own profit or gain. Even those who have been rejected respond positively when I take the time to explain why.
Hold regular meet up opportunities, but not too frequent. It's critical in building trusted business relationships that we have opportunities to meet in real life (IRL). While social media has given us the opportunity to connect and network faster and with more people, we still tend to do business with people we have met IRL. In an effort to keep things interesting and relevant, I have purposely spaced out the group's meet up events. It allows for more planning and keeps the events from getting too routine. The value this provides is relevant events that attract more participants giving attendees the opportunity to network with more people.
Keep discussions focused on questions and topics relevant to the group—free of spam and self promotion. From the very beginning I have monitored the discussion section of the group in an effort to keep it free of spam and self promotion. Topics posted in the discussion section should be interesting, relevant, and helpful. Basically questions and topics to which members of the group can respond. The value this creates is a rich source of information that will benefit group members. It also provides an opportunity for group members to establish themselves as a resource or as a subject matter expert in their given field.
Be a resource to group members—take your role as group owner/manager seriously. Recent survey results show that nearly 80% of people depend on their network of connections for recommendations. Group members will seek you out for help in connecting with other members. By facilitating these connections you will help members grow their professional network and their business.

These are just five of the things I've done to help grow the LinkedUp Grand Rapids group. There are more including things like having an up-to-date profile picture to help people identify you. You can read more about that in my previous post HERE.

That's My2Cents. Now it's your turn. Do you have a group on LinkedIn? What do you do to help your group grow and provide value?

The Job Hunt: Using Social Media

2011-08-13T19:18:00.001-07:00

Giving Away The Good Stuff

2011-08-08T06:16:00.000-07:00

I firmly believe that if you're going to make it in business, you have to be willing to give away the good stuff. By "give away the good stuff" I mean be willing to share your connections, your time, your ideas, and maybe even your "secret sauce" while resisting the urge to sell. As Jeffrey Gitomer, author of the book, "Little Red Book of Selling" says, "People love to buy, but they hate to be sold."

Image via WikipediaMy wife owned a soap & bath salt business for several years. I often told her that she should make a video and show people exactly how to make soap. She always resisted expressing concern that it would hurt her business. She was worried everyone would start their own soap business or make their own soap. My response was, No way! When people see what it actually takes to make a batch of soap and the time that it takes, very few--if any--would actually start making their own soap. Instead, it would demonstrate my wife's expertise, knowledge, and skill at her craft. Plus, it was much easier to just buy her soap.

Over the past three years I've grown my professional networking group, LinkedUp Grand Rapids, to 8,000 members by giving away the good stuff--my time, energy, ideas, business connections, events, etc. Simply put, I've been helping people connect with other people to develop and grow trusted business relationships (online and in real life) that help the local economy and result in making the area a better place to live, work, and play. I've also maintained an emphasis on giving back to the community.

Membership in the group is free. The only criteria for becoming a member is that the person lives and/or works on a full-time basis in the Greater Grand Rapids /West Michigan region. I host face-to-face meet up events that now average 200-300 people that are typically free or require a small donation that is contributed to a local charity. When we have food, it's typically provided free of charge to attendees.

Through the group we've collected relief supplies for Haiti, collected food and other items for local charities like Kids Food Basket and The Grand Rapids Home for Veterans, and we raised $1,500 for a scholarship and recently donated $725 to the John Ball Zoo JUMP program for underprivileged kids.

People often wonder why and how I run LinkedUp Grand Rapids for "free". The answer is, by giving I get in return. Not always directly, but often indirectly. It's true that I barely collect enough money to cover the costs of running the group. But, indirectly it has led to a great deal of business for me. My professional network of connections has increased exponentially, and I've received several employment opportunities, contracts, and speaking engagements as a result of running LinkedUp Grand Rapids.

The Elevation Principle says that great content
combined with other people and without marketing
messages will help your business rapidly grow.

I was recently given the opportunity to review Michael A. Stelzner's new book, "Launch: How To Propel Your Business Beyond The Competition." In it, Michael truly does give away the good stuff. In the very first chapter he gives you--in detail--his Elevation Principle that he has used to take his blog, Social Media Examiner, from 0 to 90,000+ email subscribers since it's launch in late 2009.

Interestingly, Stelzner's Elevation Principle starts with helping people. He says, "If your marketing strategy centers on helping people with their smaller problems, many will seek your help to solve their bigger issues." The result is "You no longer need to sell! Instead, you demonstrate your expertise by the content you produce, the ideas you showcase, the stories you share, and the people you attract." Hmm, sounds similar to the point I was trying to make with my wife about her soap making secrets and what I'm doing with LinkedUp Grand Rapids.

But, Stelzner doesn't stop there. Chapter after chapter he gives detailed examples based on his own experience building his multi-million dollar business. As I read the book it confirmed many things I've been telling my clients, and it sparked tons of new ideas that I intend to use. I will definitely be recommending it to my current and future clients.

The book will show you how to:

Create highly sharable content that meets people's needs
Indentify and work with outside experts, many of whom will gladly promote your content
Attract and retain raving fans that will help your business grow
Creatively market and sell to people who will gladly purchase your products and services

If you are a marketer, work with social media, or are a business owner who wants to grow your business, Launch is a book that I recommend. You can get the entire first chapter for free by clicking HERE.

As a way of enabling me to "give away the good stuff" and be helpful, Michael Stelzner and Social Media Examiner were kind enough to provide a copy of the book for me to give away to my readers. If you'd like a copy of the book, here are several ways you can enter to win a copy. Each method of entry gives you another opportunity to win the copy of the book.

Subscribe to my blog
Leave a comment about this post that includes the following: "I want a free copy of Michael Stelzner's new book!"
Go to my Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/MichaelYoderGR, "like" the page, and then come back and let me know you "liked" the page in the comments below.
Share this post with a friend. Have them leave the following comment: "[YOUR NAME] sent me here!"

I'll draw the winning name from all the entries on August 31. The winner's name will be posted here and on my Facebook page.

That's My2Cents. Now it's your turn. What do you think about giving away the good stuff?

Does Your Online Presence Reflect The Real You?

2011-06-02T09:33:00.000-07:00

Image by Hysterical Bertha via FlickrI was driving my 19-year-old daughter to work the other day--I seem to be doing a lot of picking up and dropping off these days--when I saw something that made me laugh out loud. We were driving behind someone in a Pontiac Aztek when I noticed the license plate frame which read: "Treat me like the princess I am." The only thing is, when we went past the car, the driver was a man!

So, it got me thinking about my online presence in social media channels like LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and so on. Do the images published in my online profile(s) accurately portray who I am and what I do? Does the headline or title in my LinkedIn profile give a clear picture of who I am and my capabilities? Is my profile optimized using words that truly reflect the focus of my work or business?

Steven Rosenbaum recently published an article that highlights the fact that we live in a world where it seems that everything we say and do is public. So, it strikes me as being pretty important to pay attention to what our online presence says about us. The question is, Are you a guy driving around in an Aztek looking like a princess?

That's my two cents. What do you think?

Social Networking: Relationship or Transaction?

2011-05-16T10:56:00.000-07:00

LinkedUp Grand Rapids sponsored another one of our large group networking events on May 5. There were 200 to 300 guests, and people generally had a great time. However, not everyone's experience was the same.

LinkedUp Grand Rapids May 5 Event

For example, here's what one attendee had to say:

"Last night is the fourth time I've attended a networking event that I was motivated to leave early because of poor etiquette on the part of several attendees...Like you, I've been to hundreds of these events over the years, representing various roles. Most recently I've noticed a different culture, and unfortunately one that happens to be overshadowing any good spirit I may bring to the occasion.

Last night in particular I heard from a few dozen or more friends/colleagues that they're also discouraged and quickly becoming disinterested in participating due to a growing number of people who enter with the wrong attitude. Please allow me to give you an example:

Person walks up to you and immediately assumes you want their business card and whatever they have to offer will not only solve the theoretical problems you have at work, but the world at large. Sound familiar? Yes, I'm certain it does.

These people appear to have mistaken RELATION for TRANSACTION and somebody needs to re-direct their better intentions. If closing business should happen as a result of my choosing to engage in such networking, fantastic! But that result should be ancillary to my/our desire to grow stronger business/personal relations with others. I want their card if I ASK for it, and not before then. I don't wish to hear a diatribe about how they can solve the world's problems, at least not until I've shown some interest where they've EARNED my attention.

People are growing strong resentment for this (rapidly expanding) group of people, that position themselves as "the" answer and inevitably call on you within one week to hard sell their pitch over the phone AGAIN. I'm all for meeting new people and completely understand the importance of how doing so helps business, potentially mine and theirs, but these events are sliding into an unethical slope."

Here are some other perspectives on the same event:

"I overcame my networking woes thanks to a great LinkedUp Networking event on May 5."

"Even while shooting head shots and being hosts, my partner and I were able to meet some great people and make some business connections. One of the great things about this group (LinkedUp Grand Rapids) is how nice, and proactive people are. All you have to do is show up and in a minute or two you are meeting people that just come up and say hi."

"I was impressed with how proactive the attendees at this event were! I've been to many 'unstructured,' large-group, networking events where the majority of the people stuck to socializing with others they already knew (sometimes from within their own company!)-not exactly what I consider networking. In this case, those I met were sincerely interested in introducing themselves to unfamiliar faces in the crowd. 'Bravo!' to Mike Yoder for his leadership and facilitation of this event and to those who understand how to make the most of it."

Here's My2Cents:

People attend networking events for different reasons, with different expectations, with different backgrounds, and with different levels of comfort in these types of situations. Some people simply like the social aspects of networking events. Other people are trying to grow their professional network of connections. Still others are looking for employment opportunities or a sales opportunity. Be prepared to encounter people of all types. Not everyone you meet at a networking is going to be right for you or your business. You need to understand that going into it, and that's okay. Be polite and excuse yourself from the conversation and move on to the next one.

For many people, networking and meeting new people is uncomfortable. However, it can pay big dividends when it comes to growing your business. That doesn't necessarily mean you should be shoving your business card or brochure into the hands of everyone you meet or put up with people who are trying to give you their card. Believe it or not, not everyone wants your business card. Use some common sense and exchange business cards only when it seems appropriate. In other words, when the person you're talking with seems genuinely interested in continuing the conversation or staying in touch.

Another thing to remember is that people love to talk about themselves. So, don't be too quick with your sales pitch or list of what you want. Try asking questions and listening. In fact, I'd suggest listening way more than you talk. You'd be surprised what you might learn, and how people will perceive you. Let people ask for your opinion or information about what you do.

When I'm working with clients, I often talk about using the Four B's: Be Interesting, Be Relevant, Be Helpful, and Be Yourself. I honestly believe that if you practice these Four B's, you will be very successful in social media and in social networking situations.

Social networking isn't a quick fix. It does take some time and effort, and it just might be a bit uncomfortable. However, I am convinced that, if done correctly and politely, it will pay huge dividends in growing your network of professional connections and your business. And, you just might learn to like it. Who knows, you might even make some new friends.

Jeffrey Gitomer, in his book, "Little Red Book of Selling" says, "All things being equal, people want to do business with their friends. All things being not quite so equal, people STILL want to do business with their friends." So, go make some friends!

That's My2Cents. What do you think?

Get Your Profile On Networking Event

2011-05-05T06:13:00.000-07:00

Grand Rapids Triathlon--Tony Gates Broadcast

2011-04-09T12:36:00.000-07:00

The Five Reasons You Need a Profile Picture.

2011-04-06T07:46:00.000-07:00

How do I look?

Don't you recognize me?

I was recently scanning the connections in one of my Ning groups, and was shocked at how many people did not have a profile picture. This is a business social networking group set up for people to connect, get to know each other, and to build trusted relationships. How am I going to build a trusted relationship with a blank profile or an egg shape? Or, when it's a group photo, you're too far away to see your face, or it's a picture of your family pet? After all, we don't walk around in public or go to work with a bag on our head.
So, let's look at five reasons you need a picture on your social media profile:

It's about being social. It's called social media or social networking. If you don't want anyone to see your face, don't go out in public and don't join a social network. Unless you're in the federal witness protection program, we want to see what you really look like. Facial expressions are universal and tell us a lot. A good picture also helps us identify you and feel comfortable with you.
First Impressions. Do I really need to say more about this? First impressions are difficult to overcome. If your profile picture is blank or a cartoon character, how do I take you seriously about anything. I love it when someone says they are into social media, or God forbid, some sort of social media expert and they don't have a decent profile picture.
Seriously. Do you honestly think a prospective employer or collaborator is going to take you seriously if you are too lazy or can't figure out how to upload a decent profile picture? If you want to be taken seriously in any respect (not talking about the banker or accountant type of serious), upload a recognizable photo of yourself.
Legitimacy. Spammers and bimbos are everywhere. There are also millions of interesting and legitimate people on line, too. If you use a fake picture or one that doesn't look like you (from a few years ago), it makes me wonder what you're hiding. Make sure you don't get lumped in with the spammers and bimbos by not having a profile picture or one that's a little too PG 13.
Meet ups. Let's face it, it's awkward enough meeting a person for the first time in a neutral location like a local coffee shop or restaurant. I've been in the situation a ton of times where I didn't know what the person I was meeting looked like. After a few embarrassing attempts, I found the person I was supposed to meet. Don't make it more difficult by not having a profile picture. Most people are going to do a search to get some background information from sources like Facebook or LinkedIn before they meet you. Make it easy on them by having a good profile picture. It makes that first meeting much more comfortable.

A few final thoughts. You don't have to spend a fortune to get a decent profile picture. Just make sure it's close enough that people can see your face clearly. Remember, the thumbnail picture for your profile on some sites is pretty small.
When I talk about a good profile picture, I don't mean a picture like the ones we all got in grade school. It doesn't have to be the same as everyone else. You can be creative and artistic. Again, the idea is that it represents who you really are, and that we can identify you.
What would you add to list of reasons for having a profile picture? I'd love to hear your thoughts and ideas.
That's my two cents...

Why aren’t you on LinkedIn?

2011-03-22T10:51:00.000-07:00

Today marks a historic achievement for the business focused social media channel, LinkedIn. Today, March 22, 2011 LinkedIn went over the 100 million member mark. In fact, they are now averaging about 1 million new registered members a week! 73% of

del.icio.us Tags:

the Fortune 100 are represented on LinkedIn.

Personally and professionally I’ve benefited from being a member of LinkedIn. I am fortunate enough to own and manage a LinkedIn group called LinkedUp Grand Rapids that has grown to nearly 7,000 members in just three years.

As a result of having a LinkedIn profile I no longer make cold calls. I get leads, I’ve gotten jobs, I’ve grown my consulting business, reconnected with college alumni, connected with decision makers that led to RFP’s and contracts, and I’ve met a lot of great people who have become both friends and business associates.

So, my question is, Why wouldn’t a person want to have a LinkedIn profile?

del.icio.us Tags: LinkedIn,social media,social networking,business networking,connecting,cold calls,business development

The Paper Tweet!

2011-02-16T09:43:00.000-08:00

For the people in your life who just don't "get" Twitter, this might be the answer.

Paper Tweet - 140 Characters or Less by Knock Knock

The Bandwagon Effect

2011-02-15T13:45:00.001-08:00

del.icio.us Tags: social media,new media,networking,social networking,collaboration,communication

This is a blog post that my good friend and collaborator, Cindy Grace (@FuzzyRedRobe) wrote along with some comments from me. Enjoy, and please share your comments at the end. Thanks!

Yesterday, I spent the afternoon at my favorite coffee place engaged in a most intriguing conversation with my friend and colleague Mike Yoder. Mike and I have both been involved in the business of mass communication for more decades than I'm willing to admit and as usual, our conversation took a turn towards new media. I think for us veterans in particular, observing the shifts in new media is fascinating. It's sort of like watching a butterfly struggle and then successfully emerge from its cocoon. In essence, what was intended as a way for kids to hang out and "chill" via the internet has turned into an amazing new venue for those of us in the information sharing business to reach those we want to share a message with.

And, unlike the traditional media venues where we first practiced our craft, this new media talks back! And gives us feedback. And allows us to tweak a message within minutes of sending it out if necessary. It is indeed a Brave New World.

One of the things Mike and I have observed in the past couple of months is what we have termed, "The Bandwagon Effect." It is at once a dream and a nightmare. Never before in the history of marketing has there been the opportunity to get people on board for a cause like there is in social media. Rallying the troops is a simple key stroke away. It's heady. It's gratifying. It can be dangerous.

So, we'd like to caution communicators and consumers to stop, look and listen before jumping on the bandwagon.

What do we mean by this? Well let's break it down into three parts.

For communicators.

Before you "build" the bandwagon take a little time to consider the implications. We realize that in crafting a message or in organizing an initiative, you are NEVER going to please everyone. You could literally be on the verge of offering true world peace and some grumpy pants somewhere would find a way to take offense or criticize. It's just the nature of the business. With that in mind, try to consider all of the ramifications of what you are proposing before you pull the trigger and go online with it.

Mike's advice:

We need to remember that people may not be as passionate or engaged as we are about our bandwagon. And, while we may spend our days (and nights) tweeting, posting, and updating our status, not everyone has an alert set up to notify them the instant we send out a message. So, give people the information, the option, and the time to consider your bandwagon.

Cindy's advice:

Be honest in your intentions.

Don't use a cause as a gimmick to build a fan base. For one thing, if this is all a gimmick, your fan base won't be a true fan base and you'll most like suffer significant attrition once your campaign or drive is over.

Don't use a cause as a "cover" to self promote. People are smart. If the focus is constantly on you and not the cause, people are quick to figure out what you were really hoping to accomplish.

Be realistic in your expectations.

I learned this lesson the hard way. A client wanted to donate some money to a good cause. The client's fan page was going gang busters and we were gaining 20-30 new fans every day. We decided it would be a good idea to offer to donate $1 for each new fan we received within a certain time frame. It NEVER occurred to us to set a dollar limit. Within 12 hours, we had 500 new fans. My client wound up happily cutting a very generous check but the lesson was learned. We'd not considered the power of social media and whether or not our donation would somehow exceed what we were willing or able to contribute. Because our intentions were honest, there was no attrition. Our fans are loyal and the numbers still continue to climb. The client wants to continue to support great causes but we now know that we have to set parameters so that we can realistically meet the obligations we set out to meet.

For consumers of the message who are jumping on the bandwagon.

Mike's advice:

I often get asked about social media etiquette. My response is always, it’s no different than in real life or in interpersonal communication. The same is true when considering which cause to support or bandwagon to jump on. Just because the cause is being promoted using new media, make sure to check the facts, check with trusted sources, and check your gut. If it feels a bit shady or like it is more about self promotion, then proceed with caution.

Cindy's advice:

My advice is simple. Don't get caught up in the immediacy that new media affords. Clicking a like button or making a hasty comment is an instantaneous thing. Pay attention to the message. Are you really supporting something worthy? Is it a true community building campaign? Will there be real benefits for supporting this cause? If the answer is yes…then by all means go for it.

For consumers of the message who find the bandwagon to be a garbage truck.

Mike's advice:

It’s easy to throw stones. I know I need to remind myself from time to time that this is all pretty new territory. Many of the ways in which new media are being used have never been done before. And there are those who are pushing the limits ending up crossing the proverbial line of what is acceptable. Some have crossed the line out of ignorance while others cross it in a very calculated manner. It’s often difficult to tell the difference. There are always two or more sides to every story. So, make sure to check the facts before you decide to be too critical.

I’m not a big fan of using new media to trash people, companies, or causes. Things can get pretty ugly and spiral out of control. I’ve seen it happen. I’d suggest contacting the person or company off line before setting the bandwagon on fire in the public square. But, if you don’t get an appropriate response or satisfaction, then maybe it’s time to go public with your concerns.

Cindy's advice:

It is extremely rare that there is anything out there in the world of marketing and communication that does not have some small element of self service involved. it's always been that way. After all, the end goal is to make people like you, support you and if you're selling something…buy your stuff.

If in your estimation, the bandwagon is poorly constructed…take it up with the bandwagon builders. It's not fair to lash out at followers who are honestly trying to do good. As a communicator, I know that for the most part, we're all a bunch of silver-tongued devils who have perfected the art of crafting words to persuade. Don't get angry at those that are persuaded.

Not to go all biblical on you, but I'm reminded of the story where Joseph (owner of the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) says to his brothers who sold him into slavery, "you meant it for evil but God intended it for good." So perhaps some big bad morally corrupt organization launches a philanthropic event to build good will. Even if you find major flaws in the framing of the event and take issue with the evil corporation, perhaps it is worthwhile to consider that at the very least, the event has opened a dialogue and once dialogue has been initiated, true change can begin to take place.

My New Favorite iPhone App

2011-01-27T12:06:00.001-08:00

del.icio.us Tags: social media,networking,LinkedIn,iPhone,iTunes,business card,social networking

Yesterday I read that LinkedIn had acquired CardMunch, an app that allows you to add the information from a business card to your contacts simply by snapping a picture. And, they guarantee 100% accuracy! Of course, I had to go get the app and try it myself. It’s awesome. I tried it on about 35 or 40 business cards and it worked like a charm.
The reasons I love this app so much are plentiful. It is so easy. Seriously, just point your iPhone camera at the card and line it up with the guide lines and BAM! it takes the picture and does the rest.
Another thing I really love is that it displays images of your business cards like looking at album covers in iTunes!

CardMunch CardFlow is like iTunes for your business cards!

Other cool features that I really like are full text search, auto add to iPhone contacts, and One Tap LinkedIn. The LinkedIn feature allows you to invite someone to connect via LinkedIn, and will even send out a follow up email.

Connect via LinkedIn directly from the app.

And, the best thing of all is that it’s free! So, go check it out in the App store and see for yourself what an easy and useful app this is for dealing with business cards and contact information. And, be sure to come back and let me know what you think. Thanks!
7AG63CB9FEH2

The social media boom is here and you're a bust!

2011-01-01T10:10:00.000-08:00

This is a post from Jeffery Gitomer's blog http://www.gitomer.com. See my comments at the end of Jeffrey's post.
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The social media boom is here and you're a bust!
Jeffery Gitomer

Every time I’m in front of an audience I ask two questions:
1. How many of you have some social media involvement? (Almost everyone raises their hands.) 2. How many of you wish you were better at it? (Almost everyone raises their hands.)

And keep in mind this is from a (supposedly) sophisticated group of people. They all have smart phones, most of them get personal Facebook notices on their phones, but for one reason or another they have chosen not to enter the world of business social media. Many are on LinkedIn and have a few connections, almost none of them tweet, and even fewer have their own YouTube channel.

What’s your social media status?

REALITY: Some HUGE companies have gone all out in social media, while others have their heads buried in the sand or are playing ME TOO, because they woke up one morning and found their competition gaining ground through a prominent and active social media presence. Still others are claiming “regulations” are keeping them from engaging.

Here are a few examples of big companies taking BIG advantage of business social media:

Starbucks is asking customers opinions and soliciting customers ideas (where do you think the idea for that little green stopper splash stick came from?).
The CEO of Sun Microsystems blogs daily.
Burger King is continuing to let customers “have it their way” online with information and coupons.
IBM is utilizing every aspect of social media and has plans to double their effort in 2011 by trusting and encouraging their employees involved on a personal-business level to their individual customers.
Proctor & Gamble is all about Facebook and is substituting TV ads for social media presence. (WOW!) Ford is using social media as a PR communication device and consumer sounding board and feedback opportunity.
Comcast is tweeting individualized customer service help messages.
And as if they weren’t customer service dominant enough, Zappos tweets their service responses, and as a result RECEIVES THOUSANDS of positive tweets.
All of these companies, B2B or B2C, emphasize the same word in their philosophy and their outreach: COMMUNITY. They all recognize that their customers have a voice, and by listening and responding to them, they’re discovering benefit and profit.

These are NOT isolated examples – they are typical examples of how big business is using the power of social media to inform, communicate, serve, and sell.

How are you doing? What’s your “community” strategy? Who are you listening to? Who are you responding to? Or are you still answering your phone and “serving me better” with nine options? Pathetic.

Here are 6.5 TOUGH questions designed to make you think, plan and act:

1. What are you doing about the social media opportunity?
2. How are you attracting customers and prospects?
3. What’s your value message beyond product offerings?
4. How are you engaging customers and prospects?
5. How are you connecting with the people you engage?
6. What’s your social media doubling plan for 2011?
6.5. What policies, trust issues, and lawyers are holding you back? Get rid of them (no play on words intended regarding the lawyers)!

Those are painful questions that need answering before January of 2011 rolls around.

REALITY: And while you sit around strategizing and legalizing a business social media plan, your competition is laughing at you, hoping you’ll delay even more.

TWEET POWER: I tweeted this quote last night, “The more you hold your people back from using social media at work, the more your competition will kick your ass.” Less than one hour after it hit the Internet, more than 50 people had re-tweeted it, and more than 100,000 were exposed to the message. And ME. FOR FREE.

REALITY:
People have made the following statements, or asked me the following questions, over and over:

How do I use BUSINESS social media to attract?
Isn’t social media for kids?
I have never tweeted.
I tried it and didn’t get any results.
My boss won’t let us use Facebook at work.
HUH?

REALITY:
Individuals (like you) can safely setup their own value-based, value messaging BUSINESS page on Facebook INSIDE the parameters of whatever guidelines your business has. And you can do the same with twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

PROBLEM: It requires hard work
MAJOR CLUE: Start today!
---------------------------------------------------------------
Jeffery gives some great advice. So, what are you doing to move from talking about social media to making it a part of your business strategy for connecting and engaging with your target audience? Can you answer Jeffery's 6.5 tough questions? Don't delay, start today! If you're ready to put in the effort, let me know. I'd be glad to help answer those tough questions and put together an actionable strategy to join the conversation.

Happy New Year!

New LinkedIn App Developed for LinkedUp Grand Rapids

2010-11-17T10:50:00.000-08:00

I’m an art critic…

2010-09-24T13:49:00.001-07:00

del.icio.us Tags: art,social media,michigan,grand rapids

…for the next two or three weeks! ArtPrize has started in Grand Rapids for its sophomore year as one of the most lucrative art competitions in the world. The top prize is $250,000! One of the unique aspects of ArtPrize is that the winners are selected solely by public vote (very social media). So, I, along with a few thousand other people, get to be an art critic and give my opinion via votes on my smart phone using SMS or the cool app built by the ArtPrize organizers on the art from nearly 1,700 artists from around the world.

If you can make it to Grand Rapids during the next couple of weeks, I highly recommend you do so. The city is alive with the excitement and energy that this art competition brings to our well kept secret on the West side of Michigan.

If you can’t make it to Grand Rapids, go to ArtPrize on the web and check out the artists and their works of art.

And, keep an eye out for additional blog posts from me. I’ll be sharing pictures and videos from my encounters during ArtPrize. Here’s a few from the first few exhibits I’ve viewed. I can’t wait to see more!

Are you worried about the phone book?

2010-08-20T14:43:00.000-07:00

del.icio.us Tags: Facebook,Foursquare,social-media,social networking

Social media channels have been buzzing the past couple of days about Facebook Places and Foursquare. Just in case you’re not familiar, Foursquare (and now Facebook Places) uses a smart phone’s built-in GPS to display restaurants, bars, parks, and other attractions in your city. When you visit any of those locations, you "check in" on the app, which broadcasts your location to your friends. You'll also see where your friends have checked in, which helps you meet up with them or find new things to do.

After you've checked in, you can write reviews and tips for the location, which will be available to other Foursquare users. These tips include everything from the best thing to order off a restaurant's menu to the secret cocktail that is a must-order at a local bar. Venues can also use the app to drive traffic to their location by creating specials for checking in or for becoming the mayor (checking in more than anyone else).

Much of the buzz has centered around whether Facebook Places means the demise of Foursquare because Facebook has 500,000,000 users and Foursquare only has about 3,000,000 users (Interestingly the day Facebook Places launched, August 19, 2010, was the biggest day Foursquare has ever had in terms of new user registrations). Certainly Facebook Places isn’t Foursquare’s only competitor—Yelp and Gowalla are just two that might be considered competitors—but, it is certainly the biggest. Consequently, Facebook has the potential to take over the space with its seemingly endless resources and global reach.

However, today there seems to be growing concern over Facebook’s policy of setting their default for Facebook Places as opt in. In other words, you are automatically in. You have to change your settings in order to opt out. That means that your friends and there friends will automatically see where you’re checking in unless you change the settings. Some people, dare I say many people, don’t want to check in and let people know where they are dining or working or whatever. Many women, and some men, have personal and home security issues with letting people know where they are or that they are not at home.

And that brings me to the phone book (I know, you thought I’d never get to the point). The first phone book was published in 1878 in New Haven, CT. It was one page with all 11 residences and 39 businesses on it. Since then it has become the most widely published book in history. And guess what, it has your name, address, and telephone number in it! Think about it. If someone wants to find out where you live or what your phone number is, they can look it up in the phone book. They don’t have to go on line or friend you on Facebook or follow you on Twitter. In addition to that, many people leave their house each day to go to work. That means that during normal business hours of 8 AM to 5 PM many working age people are not at home.

So why aren’t people up in arms over the “personal” information published in the phone book? Is it much different than posting your information or location on a social media channel like Facebook or Foursquare? Bottom line is that the “bad guys” don’t need to wait for you to post your information on Facebook or Foursquare to figure out where you live and/or whether you’re at home. I know this is somewhat simplified. And, I would agree that a good dose of common sense is in order whenever you choose to participate in social media channels like Foursquare. But, why all the paranoia about checking in on Foursquare, Facebook Places, Gowalla, or wherever? The phone book has been publishing your information on an opt-in basis for the past 132 years.

That’s My2Cents. What do you think? I’m interested in your comments and opinion.

What Would You Do?

2010-08-04T09:07:00.001-07:00

del.icio.us Tags: social media,business networking,communication,Facebook,Twitter,LinkedIn,blog

I often have people ask me about etiquette in social media. What should they do? How should they do it? My response is that interacting or communicating via social media is no different than in face-to-face communication. You would never walk up to a stranger and shout, “Buy my stuff!” Even in a situation where you know someone, you wouldn’t barge into a conversation and start talking about yourself.

For some, it helps to characterize the different social media channels as social settings. For instance, I’ve heard people say LinkedIn is like a business meeting, Facebook is like a reunion, and Twitter is like a cocktail party. My advice is that when you use social media, you should use the same etiquette you use in these social settings.

So, a couple things happened that got me thinking. First, I was watching TV and saw a commercial for a popular news show. They were promoting an episode called, “What Would You Do?” They planted people in public places doing various things to see what people would do. For example, they staged a group of young guys harassing a street person and waited to see if bystanders would confront them or just walk past without saying anything.

Then, I received a friend request on Facebook from a guy who is notorious for using social media as a means of shameless self promotion and traditional marketing. He simply can’t resist the urge to sell. Even when he tries to make his wall posts, tweets or updates appear to be questions or a discussion, his motivation is pretty clear.

What would you do? If you were in a LinkedIn group where someone constantly used it as a means of selling their stuff, would you confront them? If they started following you, would you follow them back? Would you accept their connection or friend request? Or, would you block them, hit the “I don’t know” button, or “ignore” their request? If you had accepted their friend or connection request and they were constantly blasting you with one-way marketing messages, would you remove them or “unfriend” them?

What would you do?

Top 10 Twitter Trends This Week from Mashable

2010-07-31T11:05:00.001-07:00

Mashable (twitter): Top 10 Twitter Trends This Week [CHART] - http://ow.ly/2jgsD

People Talk

2010-07-23T14:51:00.000-07:00

It’s a given that people talk. They’ve been talking since the beginning of human history. And, they continue to talk today...about your company, employees, brand, and products. The difference is that today they are doing it using social media where information has the ability to spread virally.

What are you going to do about it?

Brian Solis, author of “Engage! The Complete Guide for Brands and Businesses to Build, Cultivate, and Measure Success in the New Web,” says the following:

“...The greatest advantages of social media reside in its ability for worthy individuals and companies to shape perception, steer activity, incite action, and adapt to the communities that establish the market, both today and tomorrow. Engage or die.”

Again, my question is, what are you going to do about it? Are you going to engage, or are you going to avoid social media and believe that it is a fad? The 500+ million registered users of Facebook; 70+ million registered users on LinkedIn; and, 100+ million registered users of Twitter who are spending billions of minutes on line every month might disagree with you...and they are talking.

Engagement starts with listening. At the very least a company should be monitoring social media to listen for what people are saying about their company and its employees. And it’s a good idea to monitor or listen for what people are talking about in regards to your company’s products, about your industry, and anything else related to your company and its operations.

What’s the ROI of social media? Bestselling author and speaker, Erik Qualman, says: “...you will still exist in three years. The choice is up to you.”

My advice is to start listening by monitoring social media for mentions of your name or your company's name. There are lots of ways to listen; some free and some paid. However you decide to listen is up to you. But, you can't afford to not listen and engage. And, you might be surprised what you find out.

People talk. Are you listening?

MY2Cents

You Are What You Tweet! An Infographic

LinkedUp Grand Rapids Christmas Project--Grand Rapids Home for Veterans

Giving Back to our Veterans at Christmas.

I have the privilege to lead the LinkedUp Grand Rapids group here in West Michigan. It's an incredible group of nearly 9,000 business professionals who not only know how to network and grow businesses, but who give back to our community.

This Christmas season we are collecting items for the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans from now until Thursday, December 22. This is our 2nd year doing so as a way of saying thank you to our military veterans for their service and sacrifice for our country.

There are two ways to donate:

1.) You can click on the following link and make a monetary donation. We will take that money and buy items veteran's wish list and deliver them. CLICK HERE!

2.) You can donate items from the veteran's wish list and drop them at one of the LinkedUp Grand Rapids member companies listed below.

Please review the Veteran Wish List of items that are acceptable items to donate. DO NOT wrap items.

For those of you in West Michigan who would like to join in and donate, here's a list of drop off sites for donated items:

The last day to drop off donated items will be Thursday, December 22.

Grand Rapids Home for Veterans Wish List:

Please feel free to contact me with questions or concerns. And, if you like, say thank you to our veterans in the comments below.

Merry Christmas,

Mike Yoder

3 Ways To Say Thanks To A Wounded Warrior This Christmas

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