Posted by Mark Campanale on Thu, Aug 05, 2010 @ 11:21 AM
by Mark Campanale, Marketing & Social Media Manager
I know too many people who look like this: 
What if you had an appointment with a prospective client, and 
upon meeting them for the first time, they covered their face; to make it worse, they didn't reveal themselves for the entire meeting. How would you feel? What kind of connection would you have with this person?
I'm increasingly mystified by the # of people who create a profile in the Social Media realm and do not add their picture to their profile. Is it fear of being known?
The benefits of having a full profile are as follows:
1. You build credibility: your full profile shows you are real and not just a lurker in the shadows
2. You build stronger connections: people want to connect with people, not silhouetted icons.
3. You become trusted: a full profile shows that you are committed to the community
4. You are social: Social Media is not for hiding behind a computer; it about engaging others and contributing to communities and the feeling that actually know the person before you meet them in-person!
In your professional profiles, (LinkedIn, Twitter, Blog, etc) be sure your picture matches the message you want to send. Stay away from vacation/party/college photos. As most people are still just using Facebook for personal use (a trend that will balance in the near future), your profile picture can be a bit more relaxed, but don't be stupid; you are still building a personal and professional brand.
I'm curious to know a) if this article helps and more importantly, b) why do people choose not to add photos to their profile?
Posted by Mark Campanale on Tue, Aug 03, 2010 @ 07:44 AM
by Mark Campanale, Marketing & Social Media Manager
I love LinkedIn. There are so many powerful tools in this one community that can help you meet new people, reconnect with business contacts, get questions answered by people you've never met who are willing to help you, even earn new business.
What LinkedIn is not for is - unsolicited spamming. I'll explain:
In one of my groups, I asked a question that my Marketing Dept. desperately needed an answer for. I was immediately rewarded with 18 responses, all with fantastic information; all from people whom I've never met, but were willing to help me because I was part of their community.
BUT! I was also discouraged when I recieved 2 e-mails and 2 phone calls from sales people who saw my post in the LinkedIn group and proposed their services. THIS IS NOT WHAT LINKEDIN IS ABOUT!
LinkedIn is about building solid, professional relationships. As of this posting, I have 400 connections which equal approximately 4 million professionals in my network. If the SPAMMERS knew how to use LI, they would've looked at my profile to see if they could get introduced to me through a connection we have in common - LI makes it easy with a link that reads:
GET INTRODUCED THROUGH A CONNECTION
I am far more inclined to take an appointment when someone is referred by one of my trusted contacts. It happens all the time - it's why LinkedIn is so powerful and been around for so long because it PRODUCES ROI!
The take away is, don't lurk; don't think the answer to somebody's question is your services. Find a way to connect with prospects through your contacts. You'll earn more than new business; you'll earn trust, which, in business, is the most valuable tool you can use.
This is my profile: http://www.linkedin.com/in/markcampanale
Feel free to see whom we have in common or who you may know that can introduce us. I'm always willing to help other's succeed in business.
Your comments are greatly appreciated.
Posted by Mark Campanale on Wed, Nov 04, 2009 @ 08:07 AM
By Mark Campanale, Marketing & Social Media Manager
At the beginning of my social media presentations, I always ask:
"Can I get a show of hands of who is on (twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn, etc)?"
The forest populates with just about 100% of attendees arms waving in the air.
Then there's the follow up:
"Keep your hands up if you are using (twitter/Facebook/Linkedin, etc)."
And the forest becomes sparse with a few saplings (ie, arms half raised), and then a little chuckle from the audience (as in, 'hey, I'm not alone!')
When I follow up with 'why?', I get the following responses:
1) Too busy
2) Too time consuming
3) Don't get it
4) I'm too old
5) I don't see the value
Which for me is perfect, because then I can focus my presentation on opening people's eyes to the value of using social media for personal and professional success.
I'm finding that many people see the social media tools like a gym membership - some sign up, go a few times and then decide that it is too much hassle to go. While others see the ‘membership' as what it should be; they become members of a network of people that share the same goals. In the social media case, it is the sharing of information.
Help me out -what have you heard as excuses for signing up for a social media account but never using it? Comments will be posted with full credit in my new e-book, 'The Kickstand.'
Posted by Mark Campanale on Mon, Jul 20, 2009 @ 03:25 PM
By Rebecca McDaniel, Marketing Specialist
Networking can be the key to successfully building long-term relationships with people who share the same interests as you. I find it exhilarating to meet people who can give me insight on certain topics or who could even provide me with potential business ventures. But what happens after you meet them? Do you call, follow them on twitter, add them to LinkedIn...? Do you write them an email or simply do nothing? Do you address them professionally or like a friend? The initial anxiety I had behind the follow up counteracted my efforts of networking. I personally worried if the person would remember me or if my emails were regarded as a nuisance. I agonized about the professional vs. personal tone, what to talk about, or the appropriate length of the email. I never knew exactly how to properly follow up, but after reading an article by Liz Lynch, the founder of the Center for Networking Excellence, I was able to rid my fears and implement her following rules.
"1) Find a reason during the conversation to follow up. It's always easier to make the follow up call or send the follow up email if you know the other person is expecting it. Ask enough questions during your conversation to learn about their goals and what's important to them, and listen for ways you can help.
2) Make sure the reason to follow up is a value-add for them. Look for a reason to give information that will have value for them, not just something that benefits you. In other words, unless they specifically asked for it, promising to email your sales brochure or your resume doesn't count.
3) Once you find an opening, make the follow up offer. When you find a way to connect them to a resource or contact in your network, speak up. You can say something like, "I have a contact who may be able to help you with that. I'd be happy to send you her information."
4) Ask how they would prefer to be contacted. Ask for a business card so you have their contact info, but also ask what's their preferred method of follow up. Some people like email while others prefer the phone. They'll appreciate that you asked and are likely to be more responsive.
5) Follow up soon after the event. Do your best to send the information you promised within a few days of the event. Not only will it clear up your to-do list and mental bandwidth, but it will also show that you have your act together and that you care about the relationship.
6) Stay in touch. Connecting with each other on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter allows you to stay in touch unobtrusively and follow what is happening with them so that you can continue to find ways to add value and strengthen the relationship."
GOOD LUCK!
http://personalbrandingblog.com/setting-up-for-successful-follow-up/
Posted by Mark Campanale on Mon, Jul 20, 2009 @ 01:17 PM
By Andrea Little, Marketing Intern
It all started with MySpace.
As a rebellious 16 year-old, I made a profile behind my mom's back complete with self-taken pictures, a hot pink background, and a Jimmy Eat World single. Soon after, I left MySpace for Facebook.
Now, I'm also a tweeter, a YouTube user, a blogger, and a LinkedIn user. (No idea what these mean? Read my "Social Media Dictionary.")
I admit that at one point, I was confused why a person would ever need so many different places to talk about themselves.
But during my time as a Communications major, I've realized that the social media phenomenon is bigger than sharing pictures from last night's party or telling the world what you ate for dinner. Social media presents a completely new platform for companies to reach their customers, connect with current and potential employees, and leverage themselves above the competition by humanizing their products and services.
What I learned about Advertising, Marketing, Public Relations, and Journalism four years ago is now outdated. Companies and media agencies who do not keep on top of social media trends and digital technologies will also become outdated.
A Social Media Success Story
This example comes from Queensland, Australia's Cummins Nitro advertising agency. With a relatively small budget of $1.7 million, the "Best Job in the World" campaign was exposed to more than three billion people worldwide and generated more than $150 million in publicity value.
How did they do it? A huge part of the campaign's success was the use of free, worldwide social media networks like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. The winner of the contest continues to blog, tweet, and share photos on Flickr while he acts as island caretaker. (Read more about the campaign here.)
Triumvirate's Social Media Success
Since the marketing interns (Becca, Lindsey, and I) began helping Mark Campanale with Triumvirate's website and social media accounts in June, our website traffic rank has increased from around 3 million to 1.6 million (lower is better). Our work on search engine optimization has attracted new customers and accounts.
Where our competitors are stagnant, we are gaining standing, and where they are absent, we have a huge presence. Our 200+ Twitter followers include global environmental organizations, activists, and customers. We've been referenced alongside the LA Times and recommended to other Twitter users by well-known environmentalists.
We've made connections with clients and prospects from healthcare, higher education, industrial and life sciences on YouTube and LinkedIn. And our Facebook page has over 300 friends and fans.
To quote marketer Sarah Hofsetter, "Covering your ears is not a viable strategy." Utilize social media, and you will enhance your reputation and enrich your personal and professional networks.
Posted by Mark Campanale on Mon, Jul 20, 2009 @ 10:16 AM
By Andrea Little, Marketing Intern
Social Media - it's a term you most likely hear every day. But do you really know what it means?
This short list is meant to clear up basic questions about what social media is, and what the various platforms are that Triumvirate uses. If you have any questions that were not answered here, email me at alittle@triumvirate.com.
Blog (abbreviation for "weblog")
• A frequently updated online journal usually written in a casual, conversational tone.
• A place to publicly share thoughts and ideas.
• Usually displayed in reverse chronological order, with more recent entries at the top of the page.
Facebook (www.facebook.com)
• A global social networking site.
• Over 200 million unique users.
• Allows users to customize their own profile page with personal information varying from Favorite Music to Educational History. Users can "friend" each other and write on each other's profile "wall" or message board.
• Important features include uploading and sharing of photos and videos, instant messaging, and thousands of available specialized applications.
• Similar network: Myspace.
LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com)
• A global social networking site for professionals.
• Over 40 million unique users.
• Allows users to customize their own profile page with work history and areas of expertise. Users can "connect" with other users and form professional networks.
• Important features include getting recommendations from other users and joining "groups." For example, Triumvirate has a "Troubled Waters" group, meant to connect LinkedIn users who attended our roundtable on the subject.
Social Networking
• The platforms (like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube) and tools that people use to "publish, converse, and share content online" (blogs.aquent.com).
Social Marketing
• Using social media to directly interact with customers and humanize marketing efforts.
• "Social Marketing eliminates the middlemen...provides a unique opportunity to have a direct relationship with customers and to both listen and talk" (Bryan Weiner, "Social Marketing Playbook").
Social Media
• The content shared through online platforms including text, video, images, photos, audio, and other media.
Twitter (www.twitter.com)
• A global social networking site.
• Over 23 million unique users.
• Allows users to create their own username and send brief updates (less than 140 characters). User profile pages include a short user biography that sums up interests and topics that the person may "tweet" about.
• Users can "follow" other users. This simply means that user wants to see the other user's updates or "tweets." Users can also reply to or repeat the updates of users they are following, thus starting a conversation.
YouTube (www.youtube.com)
• A global social networking site centered on video sharing.
• Over 16.6 million visitors a day, with 20 hours of video uploaded every minute.
• Allows visitors to watch, comment, and share videos. Visitors can create free accounts, subscribe to their favorite channels, friend other users, and upload their own content.