Here’s a few remarkable stats on the world’s #1 social network, Facebook:

· Top 2009 Google search term was “Facebook” (Google Insights)
· 2nd most visited site next to Google at #1 (Alexa)
· 350 million users and increasing rapidly
· Fastest growing demographic age 30+
· 700,000+ local active business Fan Pages

Facebook Pages (aka Fan Pages) are much like a second, more interactive, website. They are SEO. I don’t want you to miss this so I’ll say it again. They are Search Engine Optimized and that means that your Page can be found through powerful search engines like Google… driving traffic and generating leads! You can send mass messages, promote events and share a wide range of engaging and educational content. It’s really more like an event than a site or brochure. It’s a great opportunity to share your company’s message and build relationships.

Check out how these Pages are doing it right:

1        Customized Landing Page
Victoria’s Secret Pink has a great landing page. By default, all Facebook landing pages are set to the “Wall”. You can easily change this by adjusting the settings under “Wall”. You could offer viewers a more attractive and engaging welcome. Pink’s landing page offers free stuff, promotes sales, entices with internal links (polls, photo gallery) and even offers cell phone wallpaper when you text your phone.

2        Build Credibility. Share the Workload.
Orange Salon. They take care of basics in their Information panel (hours of operation, phone, address) and share customer reviews on their “Wall” and in “Photos”. Fans are really engaged and grateful. A “Reviews” tab would also be good here, too. There’s nothing more powerful than a loyal fan. They posted what seems to be a customer submitted video. After a closer look, it’s made by the salon. In any case, it’s great to have video to help build personality and credibiliy. Even better if it’s a real fan video. For example, Coca Cola found a “real” Fan Page and made it official. They acknowledged them publically then supported them to do the work.

3    Fun with Video.
Dunkin Donuts. A talking coffee bean may not be what comes to mind when considering what makes a great Page, but hey… social media is best when it’s fun! Dunkin Donuts added a custom tab called “Maurice”. You can make Maurice the bean say some funny things and send it to a friend or post it to someone’s wall (viral). You may want to consider an attractive custom tab page including a welcome video introducing your company. Post it on YouTube to take advantage of additional SEO benefits.

4    Trick out Your Page.
Alicia Keys. There’s a ton of apps out there and choosing the right small selection depends on your business. If music is your thing, enhance your Page with iLike, an app (tab) which allows you to post audio, video, bulletins, links, “sounds like” tags and tour dates, all on one page! Pizza Hut actually has an app so you can order a pizza without ever leaving the comfort of your Facebook site. Make interacting with your business easy.

5    Become a Resource to Your Clients.
The Wilson Law Firm. What caught my eye with this Page was their effective use of “YouTube” and “Discussions” tabs. Postings such as “10 Biggest Mistakes People Make Following a DUI Arrest and How to Avoid Them” and “What to Look For in a Virginia DUI Lawyer” build credibility while offering help and giving people a reason to return and share. Many other law firms including Fenwick & West LLP also offer  a “Documents” tab which is a great way to share pdf articles.

Discover how we can partner to create a much better web site that generates scores of leads, builds customer relationships and creates massive profit at this link: www.readygomedia.com (www.joanneprobyn.com until official ReadyGo Media launch).

Cheers,
Joanne Probyn

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and Bring In More Money and Clients in 2010!

George Plumley
Author 24-Hour WordPress Trainer

Joanne Probyn
Creative Director, ReadyGo Media

Are you ready to learn some killer tips that will make your website REALLY work for you in 2010?

I’ve teamed up with web developer George Plumley for a FREE 60 minute webinar that can take your site to the next level. We’ll share with you 15 Power Tips that I’ve personally used on my own site - and best of all, you can start using these “Power Tips” right away!

Whether you’ve just started your website or you’ve had one for several years, the tips from this webinar will make your site more useful to visitors and more visible to search engines. And because we can show you what we’re talking about on screen, the easier it will be to absorb these tips and see how they can work for you!

The webinar will also give me a chance to announce my newly branded company - ReadyGo Media - and again you’ll be able to see how powerful even just a few changes on your website can be.

Join us for this FREE ground-breaking webinar and you’ll learn:

· The single biggest mistake you can make on a website.

· The easiest way to drive more traffic and increase your Search Engine ranking with Google

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· You usually have one opportunity to make a good first impression. Don’t send the wrong message. Learn how employ powerful marketing to leverage your time for growing your business, instead of being a slave to it.

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I had the pleasure today of attending the Economic Growth Forum at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. The morning sessions were described by some as “dense” and by others as inconsistently informative and engaging. Whatever the opinion, all seemed to be in agreement with Ginny Hasselfield, Director of Leadership Giving SFU. She said the big morning take-away was the quote “Canada needs to become the Julliard of knowledge.” There’s great concern we’re loosing 50% of our PhD’s to other countries. We’re seeing a push to view knowledge as Canada’s new resource. This concept also colored the last Vancouver Board of Trade event I attended with speaker Stephen J. Toope, President of UBC.

Todd Buchholz, former White House Director of Economic Policy and bestselling author of numerous books including New Ideas from Dead Economists, delivered an entertaining and straightforward perspective of the global economic crisis. Which, given the complexity of the subject was remarkable in itself. Here are a few points I found interesting.

Todd spoke optimistically of a few things we’re doing that will steer us away from another “Great Depression.” These include the printing of money, maintaining raising tax rates, and welcoming foreigners (not doing these things became the tipping point that moved a “regular” ol’ depression into a “Great” Depression). Focus turned to the individual with emphasis on putting the passion back into our businesses and brands. Grassroots sales and business development: strategically select your customers, understand the value of their business, offer exceptional service, employ innovative thinking and act with civic leadership. What Todd thought would really help us move forward is when people finally realize everything is “on sale.” It will move us from fear and connect us with our increased buying power. That said, it’s not all that surprising he doesn’t stand by most alternative sustainable economic theories. Instead, he thinks mirroring our sustainability goals with taxes on unsustainable activities will move us toward making better decisions while holding onto positive changes we’ve enjoyed in the past 100 years. He asks, and I paraphrase, “aren’t you glad to be living past 47 without horse-drawn trollys, garbage in the streets, and outhouses?” Maybe, but I still have to wonder… at what cost?
I’d like to finish with a quote from an admired marketing expert, Alan Weiss. He speaks to how we can help our businesses thrive during the end this downturn:

We need to ask “How can we help you?”

“Ask how you can best help your target market improve during a recovery, and then demonstrate it. Typical high potential areas: hiring and rehiring; luring back past customers; rebuilding brand and image; rebuilding morale and loyalty; identifying high growth opportunities; professional development; financing; upgrading technology.” – Alan Weiss, Summit Consulting Group

Anxiety is the dizziness of freedom. — Kierkegaard

How can I help YOU?
I would be delighted to speak with you about how we can partner to help you meet your business goals in this economic recovery. Yes, Joanne Probyn Media goes the extra mile. You’ll be thrilled with our customer service. But don’t trust me; check out our testimonials. We’re a team that’s all about passion, innovation and meeting your unique needs at every step. Contact Joanne today.

Thank you to the Vancouver Board of Trade for hosting this event and to nDevilTV for the feature image.

Your web site is the centerpiece of your brand. It’s often your first and only chance to make a good impression. Visitors decide in 5-8 seconds if they will stay or go. Here’s a few lessons from those that failed in keeping our attention.

1. No hooks to entice the visitor to dig deeper.
   People go to your web site because they hope you’ll solve a problem, provide an insight, or entertain them. Offer your customers a “hook” or “bait” relating to why they came to your site. This link should connect them to relevant content.
2. You don’t immediately speak to your customers’ wants and needs.
   Even a clever “hook” will fail if you don’t speak to their needs. Have you ever actually asked them? Understand the top three reasons why they go to your web site and make these easy to find.
3. You welcome your visitor.
   Your intentions are good but you may delay your visitors from learning about your company. You have 5-8 seconds. Explain what you do and how they will benefit from working with you instead. Some call this a “Value Proposition”.
4. No free resources.
   Free resources are a very pervasive marketing strategy. Do you offer your clients scores of juicy resources and value-packed content? People are always looking for free stuff. To give is to receive.
5. Title isn’t descriptive or Search Engine Optimized.
   “Index” in the title (top of browser) is like calling your company “Name”. Most people put their company name up top. Titles offer an easy free way to improve SEO. Include keywords that describe your business, a tagline, key services and your city. Nielsen/NetRatings claim 24.4 percent of searches include the city. Here’s the HTML code: <TITLE>Put your descriptive title here.</TITLE>
6. No tagline.
   A catch phrase (three to eight words) at the top of your site is an excellent way to communicate what you do and how your customer will benefit from working with you. Help your visitor answer “Where am I and what can I do here?” and you’re golden.
7. No Blog
   Blogs are excellent for SEO and building your reputation as an expert in your field. Blog 3-5 times a week? Pat yourself on the back. Rarely or don’t blog? Think again. The payback is opportunities and leads. No time? Outsource it or publish a few lines or even a picture. It doesn’t always have to be an
   in-depth article. New content keeps ‘em comin’.
8. Mystery Navigation and Flash Introductions
   People will leave if they have to guess what to do next or if something is tricky click on. Just because things move, doesn’t make them good. It may seem impressive but it often delays, frustrates and confuses. Content must be relevant and delivered efficiently. Aim for predictable instead.
9. Your design isn’t distinctive.
   Stand out from the crowd and be different. Communicate your brand’s message. TIP – Avoid offering too many products or services. It’s diluting and confusing. Aim to specialize instead.
10. Not telling people what your services are.
    Learn what your clients need to motivate them to make a commitment. Do you have a services page? You’re on the right track. If it’s loaded with answers to questions they often ask you, enjoy a gold star! A bulleted list is helpful but can leave people wanting more. Give them insight into the process of working with you. Include packages.

BONUS  You speak in your words, not your clients.
Mirror your client’s style. Speak in their words and to their needs. Your messages will be understood and have an impact. Write to connect. Value their time and avoid unnecessary details.

Discover how we can partner to create a much better web site that generates scores of leads, builds customer relationships and creates massive profit. Contact Joanne Probyn Media today.

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Thanks to Purpleslog for the “Burning Money” image.

Can one drink their way to a better world? Apparently so. The effect isn’t immediate but if we work hard, stick together and persevere we’ll make a difference! 

SF Green Drinks started in 2003 and was created to provide networking opportunities to the SOMA community geared at environmental professionals. Since then it has grown to include anyone who is interested in the environment and remains a place where people share ideas, learn, network and (you guessed it) drink (green drinks, optional).

DJ Fiddler

http://sfgreendrinks.org/

I recently enjoyed a great stay in San Francisco and have many thoughts and experiences I look forward to sharing. Sustainability is a great place to start and a logical follow up from my recent blog on carbon footprints.

While visiting the beautiful new museum California Academy of Sciences, I was impressed by the minimal waste the cafeteria generated. (Yes, I do get impressed but such things.) We expect bins for recyclables. What’s unique is the Academy also composts. In fact, in composts almost everything! This photo is of their drinking cup produced by Tater Ware (Biodegradable Food Service). Cups, cutlery and plates are all made from potato and compostable.

In a recent study by Datamonitor (including 15 countries over 4 continents) 48% of all respondents said they would switch brands if they thought one product was using excessive packaging. This information presents a great opportunity: build customer loyalty by exploring sustainable packaging alternatives.

It’s a real pleasure being part of a sustainable business while supporting my clients in learning how to get the most of greening their packaging, branding and advertising. We’re living in a time where it’s easier than ever to find, reach and build relationships with customers. We can do this sustainably, while increasing your income. Ask me how.