Social networking is NOT new. I first found what could be called social networking back in 1995, but even then it was old. In the 1960's or 70's it starter out as Usenet I knew it as alt newsgroups. Back in 2004, it was the only way to meet others online; it just wasn't used to often for or buy businesses. Think Prodigy Forums, think "forums" for any type of person or problem, think AOL Groups. Fast forward again... Today, all consolidated business, strategic, marketing, and financial plans should include at a minimum discussion about social marketing/media. Most should include integrated marketing and network strategies. Integrated = a variety of marketing strategies that build on each

This week I received a message on LinkedIn from someone who will remain nameless, who said "I would be interested in making a connection with you and getting to know you. Is there a time that we could set up to connect?" Short, sweet and to the point and included an email address. After checking his website, I saw that it made sense for us to talk and emailed him back some days and times I was available to talk. I too was interested in learning more about his company and the association he runs; it would be a good connection. So far, really good, right? However, instead of an email with a time and date

When it comes to websites, you have many choices. You actually may have TOO many choices. That's one of the reasons why many small business owners are using yahoo or gmail email accounts (a big no, no in business), hope that no one asks for their website URL or they're just loosing business because they don't a website or their website reads "under construction" or "I'm parked" If you hire a web designer too quickly you may spend a fortune on your first website only to hate it a few months later. In fact, I never recommended that a business owner pays to have their first site created for them. Instead create your own (it's not

LinkedIn Tip #1: Branding Your Email Address Is your email address optimized for your social networking sites? If not, you're making yourself too difficult to track down, and people will give up trying to find you. This week I sent a mailing to my 1137 LinkedIn connections. Here are a few of my observations: 4 email addresses sent me an auto responder asking me to click on a box to confirm that I was a human. Those systems are good for personal email, but don't let your clients or prospects go through hoops or they're bound to go elsewhere. (Many people -- myself included -- delete those individuals from our e mail lists. Now I've removed

Here is an excellent article on the Top Ten Ways to Use LinkedIn™ By Guy Kawasaki  The article was originally written in 2007 and updated in 2010.