Mystified by social media?

Heard that it's something you might want to consider? Is it all hype? How do you get started?

We understand your confusion.  There's a lot of hype out there, a lot of misinformation and -- to use the technical term -- there's a lot of B.S.

You run a business, not a hobby.  So you need to sort out what is what.  So here's the straight goods.

Social Media Is Real - It's An Effective Business Tool

That's the straight goods.  This YouTube Video is a good overview and it will illustrate that this is something that is going to affect your business from now and into the future.  It's going to be as important as the internet was to business.  Why?  Because social media is just an extension of the internet - of the world wide web.  It's delivering what the web promised - an interactive experience, that fulfills a human need for interaction and social contact.  As any marketer will tell you, you make money by responding to basic human needs.

So naturally, you are seeing an explosion of interest out there.  But like all technology innovations, it will settle into a more business-like framework and those who master it will make money.  Those who don't will see their business suffer.

Social Media Advantage - Our Program For Business Results

We offer a complete program in the social media sphere to ensure results.  It's exclusively for business and exactly what you need to succeed.   No hype.  No true believers.  Only a relentless focus on business results.

As always, our offerings are tailored to meet your individual needs.  But here's some of our quick-serve offerings:

• Social Media Basics Bootcamp - Need to get ramped up in Social Media?  Attend our bootcamp and learn the basics quickly.  No prior social media knowledge required.  Our instructors are truly experts and have some of the best people in the industry today.  They know their stuff, so they don't have to baffle you with buzz words.  They'll explain, answer questions patiently and help you get running.  The bootcamp is available in a shared version (meet others like yourself and network!) or have an "in-house" version for your company.  Delivered over the internet.  Reasonably priced and a great start.
• Opportunity Evaluation - How well can you use social media in your business?  Where do you start?  Is it even appropriate for your business?  We'll do a full profile of your business and show you where (and where not) to use Social Media tools and techniques.  We'll give you a profile of other similar businesses and a "no hype" analysis of how they have met these challenges.
• Social Media Metrics - Measure your success.  Guide your program.  As the old adage goes - "If you can't measure it, you can't manage it."  We'll help you measure it. Quickly and effectively.
• Socialize Your Web-Site - People spend only a few seconds to evaluate a web-site.  That's another reason why people use Social Media techniques.  They keep people active on - and coming back to - your website.  Find out how to socialize yours.
• Lead Generation - We'll show you how to find, develop and nurture "warm leads" using Social Media and other techniques.
• Social CRM - How do you use your existing CRM more effectively using Social Media techniques.   We'll show you free and low cost alternatives that you can use to leverage your business and enable lead generation, e-commerce and drive your sales numbers.
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Social Visibility - If they can't find you, they can't buy from you.  One of the greatest things about Social Media is simply the way that it makes you visible to a group of interested people who talk about you, refer you and even buy from you.  We look at how visible you are and propose simple, workable and affordable strategies to make social media work for your business.
• Channel Development - Channels are still the most effective way to sell, distribute and deliver your product or services.  Large businesses know this and use it effectively.  Thanks to Social Media and new CRM tools, you can have your own successful channel program.  This is NOT multi-level marketing or any of those get rich quick schemes.  It's tried and true techniques for developing and using a professional and proven business approach to develop sales.

On a budget?

No problem.  Social Media doesn't have to be expensive.  It should also pay for itself.  We use three techniques to ensure that we deliver to your budget:

• Open Source - most of the tools you need don't have to have big price tags.  We use the most effective.  Many are free.  Even the paid tools are a fraction of the cost of many of the big ticket items that are out there.  We know the right tools and the best tools.
• Collaborate - Use a personal network that you develop to help you generate and deliver content and even services from your business.  Why will people do this for you?  There are a number of reasons that depend on the circumstances.  Some of the world's most successful software programs are developed this way.  If you understand this model you can save vast amounts of time and money.
• Outsource - Hiring internal people is costly.  Not only do you have to pay them, but you have to manage them.  We remove the cost and the risk.  You have resources on tap when you need them for just as much as you need.  Reasonable prices.  Great results.

Don't Have Time?  Outsource!

The sign of a successful business person is that they know the value of their time.

One of the greatest issues that businesses face with Social Media is that they simply do not have the time to make it work.  We can fix that.  With one quick, economical program you get Social Media "In A Box".  We cover your entire program from strategy to implementation -- and we run it for you.  Simply.  Effectively.  With a very reasonable price tag.  You are free to do what you do best -- mine the leads you are developing and deliver the services.

Custom Programs For Your Business

Don't see what you need here?  We can customize a program for your business and provide you with coaching.

Need Proof?  We Have Stellar References and Examples Of What It Takes

Call us.  Email us.  Check us out in our Social Media capacity.  Here's some of the places where you can see us at work:

Game Changing - Our weekly podcast about new events in Social Media and the Real Time Web.  Every Monday night at 8 pm ET/5 pm Pacific and available as a podcast from the site or at iTunes

PodPoster - The application that turns the iPhone into a podcast catalog and provides an instant means of delivering your comments to a specific podcast

Customer Experience - Our weekly combined podcast and blog looks at Customer Experience and has companies and guests around North America.  It broadcasts live every Sunday night at 9 pm ET/6 pm Pacific and is available as a blog (www.improvingcustomerexperience.com) and a podcast available from the site or via iTunes

The Frequency - An example of leading edge social media work, this award winning site takes Social Media to new levels.  Our experts developed it and we host it.

If You've Read This Far, You Know You Should Call

You can reach us by using the Contact Us link on the site.  Or call us 1-800-741-9375 ext 1000.  Ask for Results.