So, you have several social media accounts.

You interact with your network on a regular basis, but still you aren’t receiving enough traffic from those sites to your home base from the people you have been called to serve.

You need a strategic social media marketing plan that will attract clients & increase your bottom line.

To learn more about effectively using social media as a solo entrepreneur, I interviewed Gail Z. Martin, the best-selling author of  30 Days to Social Media Success: The 30 Day Results Guide to Making the Most of Twitter, Blogging, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Listen Now

Interview Questions for Gail Z. Martin

As usual, I asked Gail the questions that I thought you might want to ask her if you had the opportunity–questions that would get right down to the root of using social media marketing in the best way.

1. So, Gail, your bio is so impressive and it is apparent that not only are you good at what you do, but you are passionate about it. When did you realize that being a marketing expert is what you were called to do?

2. Gail, you are known as the “Get Results Resource” for marketing that works, helping small and start-up businesses, consultants, coaches, authors, and solo professionals succeed through affordable publicity. Tell us about a specific client you coached who had more time than money to invest in his or her marketing budget but were still able to meet their business goals.

3. Gail, I love the fact that you refer to your book as The 30 Day Results Guide. You say that we will see our social media marketing go from zero to full speed if we apply the RESULTS approach for the next 30 days. Please break down the RESULTS approach for us while we take copious notes.

4. Gail, I think it is so important that we now go back to the basics and by that I mean we need to discuss what you call the most powerful marketing tool—the business plan. Unfortunately, there are small business and solo entrepreneurs who are in business without a plan. Give us your take on what should be included in our business plan.

5. The next important document that you layout in the book is the action plan. On page 41 you say, “Your action plan is the key to the rest of your 30-day success because it’s your map and your to-do list.” Let’s say that one of Molly Marketer’s business goals is to increase her list of subscribers to her ezine from 200 to 2000 in the next 12 months. What would her to-do list possibly look like for just the next 30 days?

6. Gail, you have been selected to be a member of my debate team. We affirm that social media is a marketing essential for the small business or solo entrepreneur. What would be three of our arguments to support this stance?

7. Gail, you cover the gamut of social media in your book, including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Squidoo, Digg It, YouTube, Flickr and blogging. Now, Pinterest, Instagram, and several other new sites can be added to the list. What would you say to the entrepreneur who feels pressured to be on as many sites as possible?

8. Gail, one of the most intriguing concepts that you explain is the “touches and trigger points” concept. What are touches and trigger points and how do social media play a role in them?

9. Gail, this is my favorite part of the show—the part where the expert gets to consult with an entrepreneur live. Today, we have Stevii Mills, the Shepreneur’s Best Girlfriend of www.juststevii.com. Stevii would like to get your help with developing her social media marketing plan. Would you take her through the process you outline in chapter 2 and then give her some advice on how to best align her social media marketing efforts with her business goals?

10. Gail, after that amazing mini-consultation I am sure that someone listening would love to work with you or have you speak to their organization. How might they get in contact with you and what kinds of programs, products and services do you offer?

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Have you ever wondered what is the most effective way to build your brand?

Have you pondered over how you might get noticed by Google and actually show up in search engine results when your target audience is looking for the products, services, and programs you offer?

One of the most effective ways is by sharing your thoughts, expertise, and personality on a blog—

Better

Listening

On

Google  

Choosing a niche, “owning” it and finding your authentic voice for commenting on that niche is one of the best ways to stand out in your industry.

Your blog gives you a platform for connecting with your target audience on a regular basis, addressing their concerns, while showing off your specialized competencies. What a wonderful way to differentiate yourself! Denise Wakeman, marketing advisor and founder of The Blog Squad, puts it this way:

Your blog is where you have the opportunity to really get into a relationship. It’s far more effective than Twitter’s 140 characters, a status update on Facebook, or a picture on Flickr. Your blog is where you educate, entertain, engage, and enrich your reader.

Remember, no one has been through what you have been through exactly the way you have gone through it.

Nobody has your “spin” on your industry like you do.

No one can “do you” but you.

Therefore, sharing yourself on your blog with those you truly want to serve should become a top priority. It is that connection that turns your target audience into clients–ideal clients, who see you as the only problem solver who can fulfill a particular need.

Benefits of Blogging

There are so many benefits of blogging; however, the following are the most prominent ones:

• Your blog is your home space where you can freely promote your brand online.
• Your blog is the most economical way for you to create an attractive, on-brand Web presence without having to constantly use a programmer or web designer.
• Your blog improves your search engine rankings because ranking algorithms value frequently updated content.
• Your blog is the one place where you have most of the control.
• Your blog helps you to establish trust with your target audience.

 

Committing to the Process

Blogging takes time.

Whether you are writing your blog post or creating a video for video blogging, you must prepare what you have to say. You must research what your target audience really needs and wants to know. Then, you must organize your ideas.

Even if your blog post is short and succinct, it must speak to your target audience. If it is long, the value within must be worthwhile.

So, how often should you share?

Blogging experts say that blogging three times per week is ideal, however, you may find that this is not practical for you. In that case, I advise you to do at least one of three options that I do choose each month:

• Choose the 3-2-3-2 Method.  Just this year, I decided to find a happy medium with what the experts suggest. I have decided to blog three times per week, then twice the following week, then three times the next week, and finally, then twice during the last week of the month.  At least twice during the month, my blog posts are about the interviews that I conduct on Books That Transform on Blog Talk Radio. That leaves 8 blog posts for me to focus on compelling content on personal branding, marketing, or personal development.
• Choose one day a week to write your blog posts based upon your monthly editorial calendar. On a Saturday morning or Sunday afternoon, you may devote several hours to writing your blog posts based on an editorial calendar you have created. Your calendar should include major topics that appeal to your target audience. You can then create posts that address those topics using materials such as current books, magazines, or journals from your industry to provide factual information while blending your personality within.
• Set an appointment with yourself to blog 3 days per week during a certain time. Set the appointment and keep it. Write until you finish and post it right then. Procrastination will keep you from your writing and thought processes. So, treat your blog like it’s your baby that you must attend to—your child who needs your attention and your spouse who needs your dedication.

The Bottom Line

Blogging for business is no longer an option. 

However, if you do not have the will power to commit, let it go or don’t even start. There is nothing like seeing an outdated blog on a website. It speaks volumes about your commitment to the maintenance of your brand. 

If you can’t commit to two to three times per week, begin with once a week and do not forget this:

A blog for your business is going to attract the right people into your world, and that world should be the hub of your online business…..Use the blog to demonstrate your expertise, create dialogue, and build a community of fans and a springboard for unlimited opportunity for you and your business. ~Denise Wakeman

Your Thoughts

Are you ready to start blogging? What is your greatest challenge as it relates to blogging?

An Encyclopedia of Incredible Tips

When I purchased Red Hot Internet Publicity: An Insider’s Guide to Marketing Your Book On The Internet, it was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

It is the most comprehensive book I have seen on book marketing as it covers every single possible question or concern that an aspiring or veteran author might have when it comes to creating a presence online. 

It is apparent that Penny’s goal was to over-deliver on the content, as we are often told to do as entrepreneurs, trainers, educators, or service professionals, and that is what she did.

I literally could see this book as at least 5 different books–all chocked full of strategies that actually get results.

My Transforming Talk with Penny Sansevieri

You have to know by now that I absolutely LOVE reading and sharing transforming talks with authors with you. Today, I was blessed to talk to Penny Sansevieri and honestly, I could have talked to her for hours.

If you don’t mind me saying so, this interview was AWESOME!!!! Penny shared so much information that would help you, me–anyone who has a story, experience, and expertise to share with others through their writing.

Here are some of the questions I asked Penny. Listen to the show to find out what she had to say.

• Penny, you demonstrate your expertise in a big way in Red Hot Internet Publicity. It is as if you wrote an encyclopedia for authors all over the world, covering every single possible concern or question they might have when it comes to promoting their books. What was your biggest challenge as you brainstormed what to include in a book such as this?

•  I’d like for every author or prospective author who is listening to our discussion to take away some concrete, action steps that really work in today’s marketplace, so let’s begin “at the beginning.” I am writing a book right now. I have two chapters done. What would you advise me to do first as it relates to marketing my book?

• When I read the first 100 pages of your book, I find out how important an author’s website is as his/her piece of internet real estate. What are the things no good website can be without?

• Should an author have a separate website for the book or just promote the book on their own website?

•  Penny, there are some authors out there who have websites, but they have not entered the blogosphere or they started a blog, but they don’t post on a regular basis. What is the number one reason that authors should be bloggers and what are the major mistakes that bloggers need to avoid making?

•  One of the greatest tips you shared in the book is “People don’t buy books, they buy benefits.” With that in mind, what must an author do to create a site that gives customers what you call “A Nordstrom Shopping Experience”?

•  Penny, you lay out so many ways to promote your book on the internet. For the remainder of the show, I’d like to focus on this. If you had to choose the top 5 ways for book promotion, what would they be and why?

•  Penny, there may be someone listening who has already published his or her book, already has a website, but they just have not been able to make an impact their target audience as they’d hoped, what would you advise him or her to do right now?

 

Listen To The Show Right Here!

Wasn’t that a great discussion? Feel free to share any insights you gained from the show right here. I love to hear from you. Also, please share this post with those in your network that you believe will benefit from Penny’s knowledge and expertise. You may contact Penny at www.amarketingexpert.com.

Blogging is for those who love to write.

Blogging is for those who have the time and interest.

Blogging is well…..not for me.

Have you ever allowed those thoughts to parlay through your mind? Well, I understand exactly where you are coming from and why you might feel the way that you do. But, that is why knowledge and awareness are so critical.

Perhaps, no one has made you aware that if you are in business, blogging is non-negotiable.  Even today, when there are millions of blogs on the world-wide web,  if you do not have one, one blog is still missing.

Establishing your expertise, sharing your ideas online, and informing your target market of the services and/or products you provide–should be goals of yours as an entrepreneur.

Using a blog as the main way that you do that is a MUST.

But, don’t take my word for it.

The Blog Talk Radio Interview with Denise Wakeman

Listen to Denise Wakeman, online visibility expert and founder of the Blog Squad in the interview conducted today on Blog Talk Radio.

In the interview, you will learn the following:

• The power of blogging in the 21st Century
• How to determine whether you are a “successful” blogger
• How to Create Great Content When You Don’t Like to Write
• How to View Blogging as a Marketing Tool
• The Length of a Quality Blog Post
• The Validity of Membership Tribes
• Should you focus on quantity (when it comes to comments and traffic)?

Comment Luv

• What did you learn from the interview?

• Are you ready to get started blogging, today?

Coaching with Denise Wakeman

Get more expert advice and coaching from Denise Wakeman on blogging and your online presence at www.denisewakeman.com.