Monday, November 22, 2010

Take Action #32: Maximize your Facebook Profile - BY: Angela Lieb

Facebook has become a phenomenon over the last few years.  Launched in 2004 with 5,000 students, it has grown to over 550 million worldwide users as of the date of this post.  Users include everyone from young teenagers to grandmas, entrepreneurs and celebreties.  People use Facebook for different reasons.  Some use it as a master networking tool, others use it to catch up with past friends and others use it for a very select group of friends and family.
Today we are talking about how to Take action by maximizing your Facebook profile and a few tips on how to use Facebook for your business. 
I am assuming that if you are reading this blog, you have a Facebook account.   Keep in mind that you don’t want to post too much business info on your personal page, but there are some subtle things you can do to let people know what you do.  If you really want to promote your business, then I would suggest creating a fan page for your business.
11 Ways to Maximize your Facebook Profile
1.      Get rid of all the annoying applications (blocking things like Mafia Wars, Farmville, Hugs, Kisses, etc)
2.      Create lists – this allows you to read posts by groups (like family, work, high school) and you can set your privacy settings to only let certain lists see certain posts and pictures
3.      Create a Fan Page – I will create a how-to blog/video in a future post
4.      Accept “most” invites – again this helps if you have lists
5.      Post valuable comments on other profiles - this draws people to your profile
6.      Check out the local events
7.      Send private messages rather than posts – see how-to on this
8.      Have a mix of personal and business posts
9.      Post opened ended questions  - this solicits feedback
10.   Upload media- videos, links, pictures
11.   Link your FB profile to your other media – e-mail signature, website, business cards, blogs, videos
If you have any questions or need more help, just send me an e-mail and check back often to 111 Ways to Take Action for future how-to’s for Social Media.
Take Action by ramping up your social media.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Invite someone to dinner – Take Action #31 - By: Angela Lieb

As the holidays approach, this is usually the time that we invite friends and family over for dinner or a bonfire or a cocktail party.   I do realize that being a host or hostess is not a natural gift for many people.  You will notice there are certain people who always seem to be the hosts.  I think what holds some people back is that they think their house is too small or that they would have to repaint and clean the house in order to have a party.   There have actually been times that I decided to host a shower or Tupperware party because I KNEW that it would force me to deep clean the house and paint the dining room.  So sometimes it is just the motivation we need to finish the project.
Today’s Take Action idea is not only to invite someone over for dinner, but invite someone you would not otherwise invite.  For example, every Thanksgiving we usually invite people that might not have anywhere else to go.  This has included homeless children, friends whose family doesn’t live here or kids’ friends from college who didn’t make it back to their home town.  OR – maybe this is the time to invite the couple that sits on the sidelines as you watch your kid’s games.  You enjoy their company on the side lines; why not invite them to dinner?
Step outside your comfort zone and welcome someone you would not normally invite into your home.