If you're frustrated trying to track what's said about you or your clients on social networking sites, here's a tool you might want to try. Collecta.com is a relatively new search tool for cruising the social networking sites.
It will cough up results from blogs, articles, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, YouTube and lots more. You can even filter your search for results by articles, photos, videos, and comments written about blog postings or articles.
Collecta, unlike other search engines, remembers your searches for future use. Searches yield results quickly and the results are updated in real time for as long as you keep the site open. Best of all, it has a leg up on a lot of search engines in that it remembers searches and that makes it easier the next time you use this tool.
Give it a try.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
Facebook Should Be Inclusive, Not Exclusionary
When unwelcome postings begin to appear on your business' Facebook page, what's your first reaction? For many, it's to remove the unwanted postings.
But remember that Facebook is all about gathering fans, not alienating people.
Sure, there are clear instances where you should quickly remove postings. Pornography is one. Or when a person posts info and/or pictures that are clearly outside the intent of your FB page and/or offensive. Don't ever let your business be linked to a page that could be seen as offensive by the majority of people — and you'll know that sort of thing when you see it.
But think before you delete. Stop and consider a link that you might not be crazy about, that maybe brags on a competing business in a competing town, or offers a deal that you can't match for a product just like you are selling. Judge each of those types of postings on a case-by-case basis and use common sense. Could that link bring you more business or more fans?
What about criticism of your business? If it's legitimate, respond. If it isn't, say why. But don't hit the delete button. You never want fans to see your site as one that sanitizes. Or that only carries praise for you. That's not authentic, and soon your regular fans will realize that.
And they will go away.
Facebook is where like-minded people can gather. If managed well, it can have your customers doing the selling for you, heaping praise on your products, and supporting your sales goals.
If your FB page is exclusionary, word will get around. Like any “in-crowd” that becomes disillusioned, your fan base will start to head for more authentic pastures where social networking discussions feel more genuine.
But remember that Facebook is all about gathering fans, not alienating people.
Sure, there are clear instances where you should quickly remove postings. Pornography is one. Or when a person posts info and/or pictures that are clearly outside the intent of your FB page and/or offensive. Don't ever let your business be linked to a page that could be seen as offensive by the majority of people — and you'll know that sort of thing when you see it.
But think before you delete. Stop and consider a link that you might not be crazy about, that maybe brags on a competing business in a competing town, or offers a deal that you can't match for a product just like you are selling. Judge each of those types of postings on a case-by-case basis and use common sense. Could that link bring you more business or more fans?
What about criticism of your business? If it's legitimate, respond. If it isn't, say why. But don't hit the delete button. You never want fans to see your site as one that sanitizes. Or that only carries praise for you. That's not authentic, and soon your regular fans will realize that.
And they will go away.
Facebook is where like-minded people can gather. If managed well, it can have your customers doing the selling for you, heaping praise on your products, and supporting your sales goals.
If your FB page is exclusionary, word will get around. Like any “in-crowd” that becomes disillusioned, your fan base will start to head for more authentic pastures where social networking discussions feel more genuine.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Top Three Things To Remember When Answering An RFP
Request for Proposal. Anytime you're dealing with a government agency or big company, you're likely to compete for the business through an RFP process. In an RFP, the client describes what is needed, and details expectations like what specifically needs to be delivered, a prescribed budget and a timeframe.
It's human nature to zero in on the substantive points that are requested like your credentials, rationalizing why you're the best to take on the business, and trotting out those beautiful case studies and kudos from past clients. But while you're doing that, don't forget the top three things that anybody doing an RFP response should consider.
The basics really do count. But they're easy to mess up.
KEEP THE FOCUS ON WHAT THE RFP IS ASKING FOR. Follow the format laid out so that it's easy for the reader to see that you're addressing all the points in the RFP. Submit case studies that focus specifically on what the RFP needs. Don't describe a great grand opening when the RFP is focused on a seasonal campaign. Provide examples that illustrate the client's need. ONLY.
PROOF, PROOF, PROOF. It doesn't matter how beautiful the RFP looks or how smart your clients say you are if the document is peppered with typos or words are missing. Even a few typos serve as speed bumps for a reader, and send the subliminal message that the responder lacks attention to detail. And clients like to think that you touch all the bases and handle the details. After all, one of the reasons they farm out work is so they don't have to obsess about things like that.
TURN THE RFP RESPONSE IN A DAY BEFORE IT'S DUE. Don't work on your response until the eleventh hour. Rushing to finish is the number one reason that errors occur. Plan your own response timetable as well as you plan the content, format and design. And submit it a day early. Who knows what could happen on deadline day to make you miss the deadline all together.
It's human nature to zero in on the substantive points that are requested like your credentials, rationalizing why you're the best to take on the business, and trotting out those beautiful case studies and kudos from past clients. But while you're doing that, don't forget the top three things that anybody doing an RFP response should consider.
The basics really do count. But they're easy to mess up.
KEEP THE FOCUS ON WHAT THE RFP IS ASKING FOR. Follow the format laid out so that it's easy for the reader to see that you're addressing all the points in the RFP. Submit case studies that focus specifically on what the RFP needs. Don't describe a great grand opening when the RFP is focused on a seasonal campaign. Provide examples that illustrate the client's need. ONLY.
PROOF, PROOF, PROOF. It doesn't matter how beautiful the RFP looks or how smart your clients say you are if the document is peppered with typos or words are missing. Even a few typos serve as speed bumps for a reader, and send the subliminal message that the responder lacks attention to detail. And clients like to think that you touch all the bases and handle the details. After all, one of the reasons they farm out work is so they don't have to obsess about things like that.
TURN THE RFP RESPONSE IN A DAY BEFORE IT'S DUE. Don't work on your response until the eleventh hour. Rushing to finish is the number one reason that errors occur. Plan your own response timetable as well as you plan the content, format and design. And submit it a day early. Who knows what could happen on deadline day to make you miss the deadline all together.
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