Facebook Privacy Notice - False Alarm!
Good Monday morning, everyone! While we were all getting over our carb comas and Black Friday/Small Business Saturday shopping hangovers, a "notice" started going viral about new Facebook privacy guidelines. This prompted a flurry of Facebook posts declaring copyright for page contents.
Relax. Nothing has changed. Our friends at Mashable help set the story straight:
The idea behind the “notice” is that Facebook’s listing as a publicly traded company will negatively affect its users’ privacy, which is not true. Simply put, Facebook and its users are still bound to the same terms and conditions that are accepted by users when they sign up for the service, and posting a legal “talisman” of this kind on your profile does nothing to change that.
So, carry on and have a great Monday!
2013 B2B Predictions are Here
That's right, here are some B2B predictions for 2013, courtesy of Search Engine Journal.
Will we see more marketing automation?
Is outbound marketing losing ground to inbound?
Will direct mail surge ahead as a way to move eyes off of screens?
Read on to find out and remember, VoiceMatters, LLC is here to help you find the way that works best for your business.
If a Picture Paints 1,000 Words, How Many Facebook Likes is That?
Share the visual story of your business - people love to read about your latest event or achievement but they also like to see it. Plus, did you know that Facebook posts using photos generate 53% more likes?
According to HubSpot's Inbound Marketing blog, posts with photos also produce a 104% increase in comments, all leading to increasing your page's EdgeRank algorithm:
This percentage difference is substantial, and it emphasizes a huge opportunity for businesses to use photos and images as a means to increase Likes and comments, and thus EdgeRank. EdgeRank is Facebook's visibility algorithm based on users' interaction with your Facebook Page content. Boosts in Likes helps increase EdgeRank, which can then cause a page's content to appear in News Feeds more often, increasing visibility.
Read more: http://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/33800/Photos-on-Facebook-Generate-53-More-Likes-Than-the-Average-Post-NEW-DATA.aspx#ixzz2CIw67KG5
So take that extra moment to whip out your smartphone and take a picture of the new product that just came in or the new hairstyle you just created or, well, you get the idea. Increased engagement leads to a stronger relationship with your page fans and customers, and that's good business.
Client Feature - Consign for Design Home Treasures Shop Local for the Holidays Contest / Spend $125 with Souderton Borough Merchants to be Eligible to Win E-Reader
In celebration of Souderton’s 125th anniversary, Consign for Design Home Treasures, 118 N. Main Street, Souderton, is holding a Shop Local for the Holidays contest. The task is simple. First, “like” the Consign for Design Home Treasures Facebook page. Then, spend a total of $125.00 at any locally-owned small business in Souderton Borough now through Sunday, December 23, 2012 to qualify to enter a drawing for a NEW Kobo E-Reader with matching case.
“We wanted to do something to celebrate Souderton’s 125th anniversary and what better way for a small downtown business like us than to hold a contest encouraging our community to do their holiday shopping right here in town,” said Rich D’Amico, owner of Consign for Design Home Treasures, also known on twitter as @PhillyPicker.
Participants must bring copies of their sales receipts totaling $125.00 to Consign for Design Home Treasures through December 23, 2012 to make their entry official. There is no limit on the number of entries and the $125.00 must include multiple purchases. Purchases from large national and regional companies/chains are excluded. The drawing for the Kobo E-Reader takes place January 5, 2013. No other purchase is necessary and participants must be 18 to enter.
Facebook's Promoted Posts - Not the Villain After All?
If you spend any time at all on Facebook, you've probably seen posts from users angry that the introduction of promoted posts are decreasing their page views. This is especially so for small business owners who've come to rely on Facebook as a major marketing tool. I was right there with them, based on this post from the website Dangerous Minds and Facebook's track record of changing things up.
It seems that it's more coincidence than conscious plot, as outlined in this article from Techcrunch.com. It's still all about likes, shares and posting content that has value to your audience.
Join Me at the Social Business Future Conference This Friday
There's still time to get in on a terrific networking and social media learning experience - the Social Business Future Conference.
Happening this Friday, November 9 at DelVal College, this is a day-long conference presented by SoMeBizLife. Whether you're completely new to using social media in your business or you're interested in using it to the max, this will be a day well spent.
Here's Chuck Hall of SoMeBizLife to tell you more about it:
Welcome to the Social Business Future from Your Marketing Exec, LLC on Vimeo.
Tickets are available until tomorrow, November 8. See you there!
May We Speak for You?
VoiceMatters, LLC has just completed a telephone greeting project with the Webb Building Group and would love to do the same for you! VoiceMatters, LLC provides a wide range of voiceover services and can offer script writing services as well. Visit our voiceover page for demos.
Resume Service Now Available from VoiceMatters, LLC
VoiceMatters, LLC, in a continuing effort to help you tell your story, is happy to announce the addition of resume writing to our editorial services. We know what businesses value in an employee so let us help you craft a resume that communicates your value.
Using the information you provide using our Resume Inventory we'll create an attention-grabbing resume that tells your professional story. Pricing ranges from $250-$650 (based on level of profession).
Take advantage of this one-time introductory offer - be one the first five people to access the VoiceMatters, LLC Resume Service and pay only $150!
We can't wait to help you land that dream gig! Start here!
Client News - Last Chance Ranch in Home Stretch of ASPCA Rachael Ray #100K Challenge
If you’ve been thinking about getting a dog or a cat, you’re in luck. Now is the perfect time to become a pet parent courtesy of Quakertown-based Last Chance Ranch’s adoption challenge.
From August 1 through October 31, 2012 Last Chance Ranch is working to place 600 dogs and cats – double their normal adoption rate – in good homes as part of their participation in the ASPCA Rachael Ray $100K Challenge. “It started back in April with the voting that qualified us for this part of the Challenge. We were so grateful for the outpouring of support then and are hoping that we’ll be just as successful in this home stretch,” said Chris Baringer, Last Chance Ranch Animal Care Operations Manager/Humane Investigations Officer.
Last Chance Ranch is making it as easy as possible – while still remaining true to their mission of the utmost safe care of the animals – to adopt a dog or cat. As of this writing, a donor has covered the cost of 10-12 large dogs and Last Chance Ranch is waiving the adoption fees, making the dogs essentially FREE to good homes. If you’re more of a cat person, Last Chance Ranch is also offering $10 kitten adoptions through October 31, 2012. There is also a need to foster these kittens prior to adoption.
Many adoption events are planned. Meet the Dogs takes place at Last Chance Ranch’s 9 Beck Road, Quakertown location August 4 from Noon-3PM and again August 15, 16 and 17 from 2-6PM and August 18 from Noon-3PM. Features include half-price large dogs (over 50lbs) and $10 kittens. The kittens have been spayed/neutered, vaccinated for distemper, dewormed and microchipped. The dogs have been vaccinated, spayed/neutered and microchipped and are sent to their new home with an engraved tag and a 6lb bag of Verus brand dog food. The adoption blitz continues the evening of Tuesday, August 21, 2012 with the Iron Pigs’ Dog Day at the Park where you’re invited to bring your dog to the game and visit Last Chance Ranch’s booth to see who might become your new furry friend!
Look for even more adoption events as Last Chance Ranch works to save more four-legged lives than ever before. Keep up with the adoption tally at www.lastchanceranch.org. If you have questions or would like to visit the animals outside of these events, call 215-538-2510.
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About Last Chance Ranch:
Last Chance Ranch (LCR) is a 501(c)3 non-profit, all volunteer animal rescue group. LCR rescues the old, the young, the injured, neglected, malnourished, abused, and forgotten. We accept all breeds of equines, dogs, cats, and small animals. LCR has joined the ranks of small animal rescue groups and saved at least a few of these "kill shelter" pets from such an undignified ending to their lives. For more information call 215-538-2510 or visit www.lastchanceranch.org.
Old School is the New School
One of this week's articles of note is Ken Krogue's "The Death Of SEO: The Rise of Social, PR, And Real Content" where he points out that traditional SEO is being overtaken by - ready? - good old fashioned valuable content.
Invest in real, valuable, relevant content that your audience wants. Grow your internal thought leaders to where they can add value to your audience and positioning in the market. Follow internal SEO practices to make sure it is found and sees the light of day. Take the time to make it so compelling that people talk about it and share it.
Valuable content is what draws people to you. It's part of what makes them trust you enough to do business with you. Certainly, SEO still has a viable role, but in the end it seems old school is the new school.
Thanks to @JeremyVictor of MakeGoodMedia.com for the original tweet to this article. Follow Ken Krogue on Twitter.
What do you think? We'd love to hear your thoughts.
VoiceMatters, LLC Clients are Do-gooders!
Our clients are up to nothing but good this weekend! Check it out:
A&T Chevrolet-Subaru will host yet another Cookouts for Causes this Saturday, July 7, 11am-2pm at their Chevrolet lot (801 Bethlehem Pike, Sellersville). Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bucks County will be at the grill.
A&T Chevrolet-Subaru will also be part of the 40th annual Pennridge Community Day! A&T Chevrolet-Subaru is represented on the planning committee, is a sponsor and also provides the annual water balloon toss! Pennridge Community Day is held in Lenape Park, Perkasie. It starts at Noon Sunday, July 8 and ends with a tremendous fireworks display. Follow the day's events on Twitter at #PennridgeCmtyDay.
Last Chance Ranch, 9 Beck Road, Quakertown, will hold a Meet the Dogs session from 12Noon-2pm tomorrow, Saturday, July 7:
Come out tomorrow from 12 - 2 and meet the LCR dogs! If you've already submitted your application and were APPROVED, you could take your new family member home tomorrow! If you haven't yet and are just THINKING about adopting, come out tomorrow anyway - there is no committement to adopt. It's a great way to start getting involved in the #100KChallenge!
Just Another Malware Monday
Just in case you've avoided all media today (And if you've been doing so sitting by the surf, that's terrific and no, I'm not jealous at all!), news has come that there's a DNS Changer Malware virus that may be lurking on your computer and set to engage on Monday, July 9.
Thankfully, the FBI is on it and has provided a website to assist with checking to see if your computer is clear and what to do if it's not.
So before your sign off for the weekend, take a second to see if you're computer is clear. It'll be one less thing to worry about on Monday morning!
Have a great weekend.
Before we begin, a little advice.
At long last, I'm getting down to the business of business blogging. But before I begin in earnest, some sage advice courtesy of someecards.com:
