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Social Networking Guide

Making Your Emails More Engaging

May 5th, 2010 by Clifton Hatfield

Back before high speed internet and faster download speeds, text based emails were the only option. Today, in 2010, the internet speeds around the globe have increased many times over, thus making the way we see and interact with the web an overall better experience.

Don’t be afraid

Don’t be afraid to use graphic emails which have more color and are more appealing then the traditional plain text emails. It is true that plain text emails have less of a chance of falling into the junk folder, but more often than not, it is the actual content (words used) within the email that flag it for spam. Also, don’t hesitate asking the subscriber to add your email to their contact list.

Web 2.0 Emails

Web 2.0Considering making your emails more engaging with surveys, polls, testimonials or anything that is going to create interaction between the subscriber and your content. Spark that curiosity in your readers that will cause then to desire opening your emails because they want to see the results of a survey they participated in on your blog, or because they want to watch your latest testimonial.

Everyone is NOT created equal

Consider an even more strategic approach to email communication with your list by interacting with members of your list based on their position in the life-cycle of your campaign.  “What the heck does that mean?” If you are treating your newest subscribers, who have read and clicked your emails, the same as the ones who have been on your list for months or even years, it’s no wonder they have become immune to your emails or have unsubscribed.

Those who have been a part of your list for a longer time are the absolute prime subscribers for marketing. Does it make sense to send the same marketing email to someone new and may not know as much about you, your brand, and your products as it would to someone who has read all of your emails, purchased your products, and shared your content with others? No, it makes no sense at all and simply poor marketing tactics. Thus, everyone is not created equal through the eyes of a successful marketer. Always remember WHO you are marketing to on the internet. Not just by age, gender, and location; but by their dedication, loyalty, and integrity.

Interested in receiving my emails?

The Emotionally Unsubscribed

May 5th, 2010 by Clifton Hatfield

As an internet marketer, it is absolutely essential to have an autoresponder as a tool to build your email list, generate leads, and grow your home business. The latest figures from the Direct Marketing Association show the average unique open rates and click rates for house lists at around 22% and 8%. Those are amazingly high numbers considering the time everyone spends each day processing legitimate emails and spam. The more I thought about it, I wondered what variables influence those numbers and then I found a short article about ‘the emotionally unsubscribed’.

Emotion SadWho are the emotionally unsubscribed?

The emotionally unsubscribed are those people who don’t unsubscribe to your email list, but who don’t open or click on the email either. Overall, you can expect about 60% of your subscribers to be inactive during a 6 month period.

As such, you need a strategy to engage your email subscribers. Not only by just giving them something to read or a video to watch, but by getting the content you deliver just right. Successful email marketing needs to have a balance between selling, informing, and entertaining in order to keep your subscribers engaged in your content.

Learn how to make your emails more engaging.

How To: Upload a background to Twitter and Youtube

May 5th, 2010 by Clifton Hatfield

I have produce a quick and simple video tutorial on how to install upload a background graphic to your Twitter.com and Youtube.com accounts. Please comment if you have any questions! Thanks!

Become a Fan on Facebook — Nevermore

April 19th, 2010 by Clifton Hatfield

Facebook IconFacebook drops Fan Pages for Liking a page. Below I have relayed the source. Check it out. Then tell me what YOU think here –> What do you think of the new Like button on Facebook Pages?

Why did “Become a Fan” change to “Like”?

To improve your experience and promote consistency across the site, we’ve changed the language for Pages from

“Fan” to “Like.” We believe this change offers you a more light-weight and standard way to connect with people, things and topics in which you are interested.

What does it mean to “Like” a Page?

When you click “Like” on a Page, you are making a connection to that Page. The Page will be displayed in your profile, and in turn, you will be displayed on the Page as a person who likes that Page. The Page will also be able to post content into your News Feed.

Can I still “Like” a News Feed story about my friends Liking Pages?

No. When you see a Feed story about a friend Liking a Page, there will be no feedback links below that story. However, if you hover over the Page name, you will see a small preview of the Page and the number of other people who have also Liked that Page. You can then Like that Page to add it to your profile, or you can click through to the Page itself.

Facebook Statistics

April 8th, 2010 by Clifton Hatfield

Today is April 8th, 2010 and I was wondering how much the Facebook numbers have grown. I hadn’t check in a while due to a busy schedule but I thought I would take a peek this morning and share the numbers with all of my visitors. Below I have typed out the Facebook Statistics to give you a better idea the power house Facebook really is and what kind of potential you have by establishing a strong presence within this social networking phenomenon.

Company Figures
  • More than 400 million active users
  • 50% of our active users log on to Facebook in any given day Continue Reading

HOW TO: Organize an Event on Facebook

April 8th, 2010 by Clifton Hatfield

facebook-eventSome people wonder if all this social networking is really making us more social — we’re just sitting in front of our computers, after all. But Facebook, the web’s largest social network, plays host to 3 million event listings each month. And these are offline events, ranging in size from small, friendly get-togethers, to company picnics, to enormous political protests.

In the past, getting the word out about an event, even if you only intended to invite your close circle of friends, meant a lot of work getting on the phone or emailing invitees individually, coordinating RSVPs, or even hanging up flyers. Facebook though, allows you to quickly create an event listing, invite people, and then watch word of the event spread virally out from your network of contacts (if you choose to allow it). This guide will show you how to successfully run an event on Facebook.

Continue Reading

How to Write an Attractive Profile

March 20th, 2010 by Clifton Hatfield

Now that you are all signed up and confirmed as a Facebook user, you need to set up your profile. This is quite easy to do but it does require some thoughts. Because you are using Facebook to increase business and to connect with customers and business associates, it is essential that you use good business sense when setting up your Facebook profile.

Obviously, when filling in the blanks, you fill with care. For your screen name, as a business person, the best thing you can do is use your own name. Many people use their business name and if you want to do this, you might want to consider setting up a second account with your business name, then connect it to your personal Facebook account where you are using your real name.

facebookPeople generally don’t want to see ‘the business.’ Instead, they want to see the face behind the business – you.

With each blank that you fill in, remember that potential customers, current customers, and business associates will be reading what you’ve written. It cannot be said enough – write with caution. You want to sound human and friendly but you don’t want to go overboard here. If anything else, answer questions in a way that gives you more credibility in your market. While you may not see the extra applications that you can add to your Facebook profile in the beginning, it won’t take long before people start sending you applications for you to add. Again, use caution. Continue Reading

Top 10 Social Networks for Entrepreneurs

March 13th, 2010 by Clifton Hatfield

Looking for a job? Consider creating your own. There are a number of social resources to help you connect with other entrepreneurs and get your business ideas off the ground. Here are the top 10 social networks for entrepreneurs. Each helps entrepreneurs succeed by providing them with the guidance, tools and resources they need to setup their company and gain exposure.

Have another social site to add to this list? Tell us about it in the comments.

1. Entrepreneur Connect

Entrepreneur Media, the company that produces Entrepreneur Magazine, started a social network over a year ago specifically for entrepreneurs and small business owners called Entrepreneur Connect. Like all social networks, you have the opportunity to create your own profile, explore the community, share ideas with other entrepreneurs and network. Unlike most social networks, this one frowns upon too much self-promotion and applauds idea sharing.

You can use this network to connect to service providers, suppliers, advisers and colleagues. Just like LinkedIn and Facebook , there are professional groups that you can join or create. Another cool feature is that you’re able to start your own blog and possibly have it appear on the main page. This is similar to what Fast Company has done with their website.

2. PartnerUp

PartnerUp is a social network for entrepreneurs who are searching for people and resources for business opportunities. Anyone can join, but business partners, co-founders, executives and board members will get the most out of this one. In this network, you can ask or offer advice, find commercial real estate and find service providers like accountants and marketers for your business.

The big differentiator with this social network is the commercial real estate “MoveUpSM” program that serves entrepreneurs who have experienced a hard time trying to find office space for their business. They also have a Resource Directory that allows small and mid-sized businesses to advertise their services. Continue Reading