SSS for Success: Simplified Social Media Solutions

Social Media Made Easy

Calling All Case Studies: The Search for Key Industry Players

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Calling All Case StudiesSSS for Success (Simplified Social Media Solutions) is in search of new Success Stories!  We’re looking for organizations who are willing to have their social media marketing efforts documented in exchange for a discounted rate of products and services, so that we can have the opportunity to showcase our talents and help propel your brand to the next level with new media!  Specifically, we’re interested in organizations in the following industries:

  • Food Trucks (preference given to San Antonio-based businesses):  Got a must-have culinary treat that has people traversing the globe (or your local city) to find you? Well, we want to work with you!  Food trucks are the ideal place to grow and expand a location-based, mobile marketing initiative, and we’ve got some innovative plans we’re eager to put into action!
  • Family-Owned Small Businesses:  We're looking to work with an established family-owned small business to showcase how the integration of social media can infuse positivity and bring in new business by strategically targeting customers in the social media space.  We want someone with a story to tell about their business that is compelling and encourages people to “shop small” with them.  Multi-generational companies and even social media skeptics are welcomed!  Let us show you how a few simple and easy steps can expand your reach and increase your sales by delivering new and returning customers!
  • Faith-Based Organization or Ministry:  We have a great online marketing package that’s primed for a faith-based outreach initiative!  This package is ideal for a ministry that’s looking to bring their offline offerings to the online space (where many of their followers already are).  It’s designed to appeal to the members of your flock that already use varying parts of social and mobile technology, and introduces the organization to some of the ways they can enhance their message in the digital arena.
  • Fundraisers (preferably Non-Profits):  Years ago, we had a great experience with a non-profit fundraising initiative, and we're ready to recreate this success.  Specifically, this campaign will revolve around email marketing and the integration of a very cool platform designed streamline online fundraising and donor relations.
  • Open Call (Pitch Us):  If your organization is interesting and deserves consideration, fill out this form and pitch your case.  We're open and innovative enough to take on an exciting challenge, if one’s presented!

In order to take advantage of this Call for Case Studies, you must:

  1. Have a Creative and Collaborative Spirit:  We're willing to work with you, but we can’t do it alone!  We’ll consult with you and show you the way, and even train you to do the work yourself, if that’s your desire, but you must be actively involved, and ready to tweak some of your old modes of thinking. 
  2. Be open-minded enough to know that there will be some trial-and-error as we work to find the right social media marketing mix that works for you, and be willing to explore, experiment, and tweak your plans as needed.
  3. Accept and understand that processes will be documented for internal purposes, and may be shared externally via SSS for Success marketing materials (with your approval).
  4. Understand that the discounted rate being offered to your comes with an agreement to provide positive promotion of SSS for Success through referrals to colleagues and professional networks.  True, you’re not obligated to do this, but it would be nice.  This is also our incentive to do a great job when working with you!  We want you be so happy you worked with us that you can’t wait to tell at least 5 people about the great products and services you received!
  5. Be ready to make more money through sales, donations, and/or additional customers, save money though efficient operations and a better online marketing strategy, and have your biggest social media marketing problems solved through Simplified Social Media Solutions!

Get started now by filling out our intake form. 

We can't wait to work with you!

Kindra Cotton, Social Media Specialist

12 Things College Students Need to Know About Social Media

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12 Things College Students Need to Know About Social MediaA few years ago, I was asked to put together a piece that ultimately was titled “10 Things College Students Need to Know About Social Media”.  Today, when I go back and revisit that piece, I see much of the information is still relevant, so I wanted to bring this topic up again, and add a few extra tips.

As you know, social media is a great way to stay connected with family and friends, and get connected with new people while expanding your long-term professional opportunities. Thus, here are 12 Things College Students Need to Know About Social Media:

  1. Be Friendly, Look Around, and Stay Engaged: Do a little research and watch how people interact with others, then jump in and join the conversation! Comment on blogs, make @replies on Twitter, and introduce yourself to someone via Facebook, follow interesting folks on Instagram, Pinterest, or Tumblr based on the topics you like. When you speak for the first time, say “Hi (insert their first/user name)” and mention something that is an area of interest for them and highlight your mutual interests.  Remember, most people’s favorite word is their own name and their favorite topic is themselves.
  2. Choose Your Network and Friends Wisely: While it’s great to connect with people and actively engage with them, know that everyone isn’t going to be your friend, nor is their worth to your network the same.  Don’t just add friends to have a huge friends/followers list. Work on having a connection that matters and make the investment in your network by choosing members carefully.  Plus, currently it looks as though there’s likely going to be a long-term benefit to doing this, now that some companies are using your social media networks to determine your creditworthiness based on your friends’ payment histories.
  3. Follow Up: Your word is your bond, even in social media. If you say you’re going to do something: Do it! If you can’t meet a deadline, make an appointment, or keep a prior commitment: Let people know that in advance. Also, if someone says they’ll get back to you, or that they’d like for you to get in touch with them at a later date: Send a reminder and follow-up to make sure you don’t get misplaced from someone’s busy schedule.
  4. Apply the “Front Page of the Newspaper Test”: newspaper_stackThough the concept of newspapers and the physical front pages of them are becoming an antiquated idea, the concept of “The Public Eye” is not. While the throng of “reality TV shows” would have you believe otherwise: “all news isn’t good news”. Before you publish something online to a social media outlet, think “What would my mom/dad/loved one whose opinion I really respect think if they saw this?”. Also, it’s not a bad idea to ask: “What would this look like if it were broadcast to the world?”. If it’s something that can be taken out of context, or make you look bad to potential employers or clients, think again about posting it. Know that nothing is “private” if you put it out there, regardless of whatever “safety controls” that are offered on various social networks. If it’s there, it can be leaked, so if you don’t want EVERYONE to know something: Don’t post it!
  5. Google Yourself and Protect Your Reputation:  Censor yourself (see #4) and edit as necessary. Consider the fact that everything you do, say, or upload to the internet can be archived and potentially displayed in perpetuity (i.e. forever), so remember that when you upload content and make comments. Google yourself once a month and see what others are finding out about you.  Use Google Alerts to monitor your name on the web and receive email alerts whenever you show up in a search result.
  6. Take Control of Your Personal Brand: Purchase your name as a domain name now if it’s available, and stake your claim to your name on all the social media networks. Get control of the information that’s on the web about you, and do that by strategically posting comments on blogs, engaging in online communities, and being mindful about what people can find out about you by doing a Google search.  As time progresses and you work on making more of a name for yourself down the road, you’ll appreciate having been proactive about your personal brand and the image you project to the online world.  FYI: Social Mention (when it’s working) does the same as Google Alerts, but across the social web.
  7. Promote Yourself and Others: Start a blog hosted on your domain name, and start building your personal brand early. Include a nice, smiling photo of yourself, and lots of information about who you are on the “About” page, in addition to highlighting the best way for people to get in touch and connect with you. Do a Twitter Search for a topic of interest to you, and find like-minded people, join related online communities, and comment on their blogs.  When you see something you like, promote it and tell everyone why you love it!
  8. Get LinkedIn: LinkedIn is a great resource and provides a vast professional network that can mean job opportunities, internships, mentoring, career advice, and entrepreneurial opportunities.  Fill out your profile with “future-oriented language” highlighting how your past experience has prepared you for future successes. Join Groups and send personal messages when you invite people to join your network.  Put in a little effort and show that you know a little about the person, and highlight some areas of interest you both share.
  9. Be Flexibly Adaptable: As soon as you master one social media platform, it will surely change, so continue learning and surveying the landscape for new developments in social media. Find out what others are using and why they like it, and always be willing to try new things.
  10. Don’t Rely on Reputation Management Services: Over the past few years, I’ve seen a surge in the number of companies (and subsequent web and TV advertisements) promoting “reputation management” services.  Now, I admit, I haven’t tried any of them, but the basic premise of how they work seem to be flawed, as they aren’t doing anything that ultimately you can’t do yourself, with some time and a bit of research.  I wouldn’t pay someone THOUSANDS of dollars for whatever services they’re offering.  Also, as I watch these commercials, most of these companies really do come across as “wolves in sheep’s clothing” preying on people that don’t know much about technology and for those whom a “reputation management service” sounds like it could be offering a good deal.  Ok, before I get off on a tangent, let me reiterate my point: Don’t rely on a reputation management company to correct any past mistakes you’ve made online, because for the most part, deleting things from The Web isn’t really effective.  It’s likely been archived, saved, documented, or even screencapped by someone else, thus be wary of companies that are offering to improve your reputation, especially since some of them are suffering from black-eyes to their own reputation.
  11. Learn the Networks and Use Them to Your Advantage: The great thing about social networking as its flourished over the years is that it’s easier to find your niche and others that are into what you like.  In fact, now that social media has started to mature, you can actually see what networks are best for whatever you’re seeking to accomplish.  For instance, Facebook has a tendency to be the people that you already know and are connected to via some real-world connection, either via past school, church, or job-related activities.  Twitter, on the other hand, is filled with celebrities and people connecting in real-time across the globe.  LinkedIn is more “professionally-focused”, as its users tend to be business-oriented in their interactions and connections, and Pinterest, Tumblr, and Instagram are all very popular with the creative arts crowds, as Pinterest attracts folks into pictures and collages, Tumblr works to be the be-all for shared media content, and Instagram continues expanding its reach moving from pictures into video.  In all, each network (and there are way more than this for sure), has its own audience and people that gravitate towards it.  The best advice here would be to note what interests you, and then figure out which network is going to be the best tool for connecting you with like-minded folks!
  12. Think Long-Term: College is 4-6 years of fun and learning, but don’t forget to keep your end goal of being prepared to handle all of the responsibilities of adult life in mind in all of the decisions you make. Make social media choices that you can look back on years from now with a fun and familiar grin, instead of a shameful chagrin.

Hope all this information was helpful.  Let me know what you think, and if you have any other tips for looking professional in the online arena?

Leave a comment below or fill out the contact form.  You can also find our automated social media news stream on Twitter @sss4success.

Have a great day!

Kindra Cotton, Social Media Specialist

12 Things College Students Need to Know About Social Media

Saying Something Nice: How to Write an Effective Testimonial for a Business

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Saying Something Nice: How to Write an Effective Testimonial for a BusinessWe’ve all seen testimonials before, and as such, we know they aren’t all created equally.  In today’s business climate, a sincere “qualified” testimonial from a satisfied customer goes a long way, especially in an age where social media and word-of-mouth marketing are replacing traditional advertising venues.  Let’s look at these two testimonial examples:

  1. “I loved your product and it saved me a lot of time and money!” – L.M.
  2. “The only word I can think of to express how great your New Fangled Widget is “WOW!”. I don’t know how I lived without it in my life, and I don’t know what I’d do if it were taken away!  The moment I got it, I put it to work and it saved me 30% on my utility bills in just one month!  I appreciate how fast you delivered and installed the New Fangled Widget and your Customer Service Representatives were so attentive when I inquired about the possibility of upgrading to New Fangled Widget 2.0.  You have a new customer for life, and I can’t wait to come back to you when it’s time to upgrade.  Keep up the good work!” – Heywood U. Cuddleme, Manager, Hugs-R-Us

There are vast differences between the two, both in terms of length and substance.  First, the first one looks a bit made up, and it’s very generic, in that saving time and money, while being a good thing, doesn’t really tell you about the product and how it may have done that.  Also, the signed name “L.M” doesn’t inspire much confidence, nor does it give you the impression as a would-be reader of this testimonial that you could somehow contact “L.M.” to verify his testimony, should you want more information about how the product fared.

On the contrary, the second testimony clearly shows the person’s enthusiasm, gives a specific instance of how the product was used to deliver a real benefit to its user (i.e. saved 30% on utility bills in one month), and it’s signed by “Heywood U. Cuddleme”, who could easily be Google Searched and located by looking up the “Hugs-R-Us” in your community.  Overall, the second testimonial would likely inspire more people to do business with your company, as they can see a very enthusiast cheerleader is encouraging them to do so!

Here is a brief guide that highlights the best way to leave the most effective testimonial that looks good for you and the business you’re rewarding with kind words:

  • Avoid Generic Language:  Mention the name of the product or service you’re testifying about, and tell what specifically prompted you to talk about your experience and how the product or service in question impacted you or your bottom line.
  • Be Verifiable: Transparency is very important today, especially in the new media era where information is everywhere.  If you take the time to write, comment, or testify about your experience, please leave your name, title, and company, so that people will know you’re a real person, and not just a filler comment that may have been planted by the company.
  • Be Specific: Tell why you would recommend this product or service.  Specify the benefits you gained from the product/service’s features.

Compelling testimonials that are verifiable, drastically increase the effectiveness of your message to new customers of the business because they are the word-of-mouth beacons that help shine a light on the really good products or services in that marketplace.

So, with that in mind: What tips do you have for giving business testimonies?

By the way, if you want to leave a testimonial for the great service you’ve received at SSS for Success, click here (and use "Testimonial" as the Subject line).

Kindra Cotton, Small Business Survival Specialist