Introducing the Blogging Summit 2011: Get YOUR Social Media Swag!

 Do you have Blog Swag? 

Pam Perry, "The Swag of Social Media" coming soon!

Before I tell you how this virtual summit will help your business gain more exposure, more qualified leads, better customer engagement and more sales, let me share a story with you.

PROOF BLOGGING WORKS...
In October 2009, Michael Stelzner started Social Media Examiner, a blog for marketers and small business owners. Almost overnight, his site became one of the top business blogs in the world.

He didn't advertise, didn't rely on the press and almost none of his traffic came from search engines.
Slightly more than a year later, he has nearly 50,000 email subscribers, a half-million page views a month, and has generated nearly $2 million in sales from the site.

Everything he does focuses around delivering high-quality content along with intelligent marketing.
Michael's story is not unique. A significant 43% of U.S. companies will be marketing via their own blog by 2012, according to eMarketer.

Now the connection... Blogging represents a new marketing frontier because it bypasses all the costly middlemen and allows you to own your own platform, quickly engaging with your customers and prospects! AND this presents an enormous opportunity for you.
SO WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?
Michael (and his team) have been working for months to bring the best minds in blogging together in a fully online event called Blogging Success Summit 2011
 
More than 4,400 marketers and business owners from around the world attended his last two summits. Businesses were transformed. In fact, 95% of attendees said they'd attend again.

This summit's focus is to empower you to implement successful blogging strategies, grow a loyal following, generate quality leads and sell with your blog.

23 of the world's leading social media superstars will be summit instructors.

Presenters include Technorati CEO Richard Jalichandra, Scott Monty (head of social media, Ford), Darren Rowse (co-author, ProBlogger), Brian Clark (Copyblogger), Michael Stelzner (Social Media Examiner), Debbie Weil (author, The Corporate Blogging Book), Douglas Karr (co-author, Corporate Blogging for Dummies) and experts from McDonald's, Cisco, Southwest Airlines, Sony and Procter & Gamble.

Plus join Joe Pulizzi (co-author, Get Content Get Customers), Mari Smith (co-author, Facebook Marketing), Jay Baer (co-author, The Now Revolution), Chris Garrett (co-author, ProBlogger), Dave Garland (author, Smarter, Faster, Cheaper), Mike Volpe (VP of marketing, HubSpot), and Rick Calvert (CEO, BlogWorld)--just to mention a few.

Attendees at our two last summits included well-known organizations such as General Electric, American Express, Staples, General Mills, Intel, Harvard, San Francisco Giants, Kraft Foods, Hyatt Hotels, Stanford, IDG and Disney. But you don't need to be a big business to benefit!

This is the world's largest online blogging event designed to empower marketers and business owners to master blogging. And the great news is it's a live online conference you can attend from your home or office.
Go here now to learn more: http://bit.ly/pambloggingsummit

Get your BLOG SWAG going! 

Pam Perry, YOUR PR Coach

Coaching you to get more "SWAG in your Social Media"

 Look for upcoming the book and webinars in 2011 from the SMS Team!

http://bit.ly/pamperrywinnerstartupnation

P.S. You can get 50% off if you act before Jan. 13, 2011.

Twenty-three blogging pros will show you how to use blogging to market and grow your business.

Remember, the experts teach the sessions live (and it's all online). So you don't need to leave your home or office! Go here to see how this works: http://bit.ly/pambloggingsummit

P.P.S. As a way of saying "thanks" for checking out the summit, there's a gift just for marketers called "Building Community with Facebook and Blogs" (valued at $59) waiting for you. Go get it here: http://bit.ly/pambloggingsummit

P.P.P.S. If you're an author, and want personal coaching from me - see http://www.pamperryonlinepr.com and sign up for the next LIVE PR Boot Camp! All NEW for 2011 focusing on Social Media SWAG!  Hear the podcast - see the video testimonials!

See www.PamPerryPRCoach.com too and join www.ChocolatePagesNetwork.com!

Social Media and Online Relationships Matter: Christmas Tribute from Pam Perry, PR Coach

First I want to say thank you for your company, support and making 2010 a very special and memorable year for us at Ministry Marketing Solutions, Inc.


This has been a year of Synergy Energy for sure! 

We have met so many new friends, customers, clients and joint venture partners and we were blessed by the amazing people who have come into our lives through the power of social media.

This is just a clip of our gratitude to YOU too. Hear the song, listen to the words. It's for YOU. 



So, What’s happening in 2011?

Lots of changes happening in 2011. We have heard what you need most: PERSONAL SUPPORT to help you navigate the social media marketing landscape (from someone you trust).

So our focus in January is getting ready for our exciting SOLUTIONS DRIVEN workshops.
These are online workshops and classes that will give you step-by-step instructions and ongoing personal support - to reach your goals for your book, business or ministry.

It's exciting. Keep watching your email or checking us at the website.

Also, a new book: THE SWAG OF SOCIAL MEDIA. Details of that coming soon!  

This book is available as an ebook at The PR Pro Shop too. 
FREE...my gift to you until CHRISTmas! 

Are you Googlicious? Take this Test to See.

Got Google Juice?

I’m not claiming to be an expert SEO or a whiz at Web Analytics and I really am not a “geek” or a “techie.”  I am a public relations professional who reinvented my business and have made some pretty significant strides in the online world. This year alone we’ve been honored with five awards and received trade publicity for our social media marketing tactics. It’s PR 2.0 and it’s working for our clients.

But still a lot of folks don’t “get it.” They think Social Media Marketing is just trend.  But it’s not. It is a way of life. It is the new economy. It is the way companies are thriving while other companies who aren’t “GOOGLICIOUS” are dying.

Test Your Googlicious Quotient:

1. Do you have a Facebook account with at least 1,000 friends in your niche?
2. Have you set up a “Like” Page for your  brand, book or business and connected it to Twitter?
3. Do you tweet at least 5 times a day by adding value?
4. Do you use Twitter tools like Tweet Deck or Hoot Suite with your tweets?
5. Do you have an updated and full and complete Google profile?
6. Have you set up a Youtube video channel that brands you by name and look?  
7. Have you created at least one video and posted it on your channel with relevant key words to your brand?
8. Do you have a Linkedin account with recommendations from others proving you to be all you say you are and key words in your “about me” section?
9. Are you part of any groups in Linkedin and post comments with links (live urls) there often?
10. Do you blog regularly (at least once a week)? Do you have blogroll on it and RSS feed?
11. Do you podcast or are featured on Blogtalk Radio frequently?
12. Do you have photos of yourself tagged on your blog or website with your name as the description?
13. Have you secured a personal domain of your name at a “dot com?” Have you used NameCheck.com to secure your social media “real estate”?
14. Do you have a list of the key words people search for in your industry? Do you use them in blogs and in other content-sharing activities?
15. Have you installed Google Analytics to your blog or website? Do you know where your traffic is coming from and where they are going when they land on your site?
16. Do you have a FriendFeed account?
17. Do you Bookmark items in Digg, Stumbleupon or De.lic.ious?
18. Do you have a professional Flickr account for your photos and videos?
19. Do you have a Slideshare, Scribd or GoogleDocs account?
20. Do you have an email marketing program that posts your emails to your social networks?
21. Do you post articles in article directories and/or do your regularly distribute social media releases?
22. If an author, do you have an updated bio, your blog and video in your Amazon profile? Do you have an online press kit?
23. Are you connecting with your core customer in Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn by delivering “fremiums” to them and growing your email list an average of 10 per week?
24. Do you have RSS “chicklets” or “widgets” on your blog or website that gives you backlinks (which is a key SEO rankings)?
25. Do you have most of the Google products: Google Reader, Google Friend Connect, Gmail,  GoogleTalk,Youtube, Google maps, photos, Feedburner and Google Buzz?

If you have 15 or more “yes” answers, you are on you way to being very Googlicious and having your possible customers, potential clients and media find you. Once they find you – that’s where the “Ka-Ching” happens!   

People are searching in Google – can they find you? And once they find you, do you know how to convert that connection into a customer?

Want to know more about this process? See our tools and tips at www.pamperryonlinepr.com

 Coming in 2011 > Solutions Driven Workshops Online!

Blog on!


See www.PamPerryPRCoach.com too and join www.ChocolatePagesNetwork.com!

Vote to Help Select the Lineup for Blogging While Brown 2011- Los Angeles!

Vote for Karen Taylor Bass and Pam Perry

The purpose of Blogging While Brown is to give Bloggers of Color an opportunity to meet each other for the first time, discuss current issues affecting Bloggers of Color, and learn about the latest technology that will assist them with publishing their work. 
 Blogging While Brown was created in response to widespread dissatisfaction with the amount of diversity in some of the largest blogging conferences.
A critical mass of Bloggers of Color has yet to attend these established conferences, however the initial response from Bloggers of Color to the idea of holding their own conference has been overwhelmingly enthusiastic.
Bloggers of Color are excited about a conference, for, by and about them and look forward to moving beyond the single panel or discussion focusing on diversity that are typically featured at some of the larger blogging conferences.

DIRECTIONS: Vote "thumbs up" at http://www.bloggingwhilebrown.com/vote-traditional-pr-method/#

SESSION TITLE: Infusing Traditional PR Methods with Social Media

Click the LINK!!!

ORGANIZERS: Pam Perry and Karen Taylor Bass

PRESENTATION TYPE: Workshop

PROGRAMMING TRACK: The Business of Blogging

Pam Perry and Karen Taylor Bass, PR Pros

DESCRIPTION: Stand Out, Get Noticed, Get More Business using Social Media to brand and get publicity that will make you a BRANDING SUPERSTAR!

Karen and Pam doing the PR Bailout workshop

    * Infuse your traditional PR methods with new social media tools

    * Create PR campaigns that will extend your reach and coverage

    * Raise your online visibility and drive website traffic

 QUESTIONS THIS SESSION WILL ANSWER

1. How to increase friends, fans and followers in social media and get qualified leads (list building tactics) for successful email marketing campaigns

2. How to create a better blog that will increased natural search ranking (showing up in Google) and use article marketing to double your exposure

http://pamperrysocialmedia.eventbrite.com

To learn more about Pam Perry and Karen Taylor Bass please visit:

Pam Perry, Book Publicity Coach

Karen Taylor Bass

Please VOTE FOR OUR SESSION:
http://www.bloggingwhilebrown.com/vote-traditional-pr-method/#
Thank you! See you in LA!



Blogging While Brown Program Book Scribd

15 Reasons Why Amazon is the World's Most Popular Bookstore

Today's guest post is part of the virtual book tour  for 
How to Sell More Books on Amazon
 by Ministry Marketing Solutions Synergy Energy partner, Dana Lynn Smith

Amazon.com accounts for the vast majority of online book sales and about 22 percent of the total book sales in the United States. The site is also a leading retailer in many other product categories. Just how big is Amazon? Sales in the third quarter of 2010 were up 39% to $7.56 billion.

It's important for authors and indie publishers to have a good understanding of this dominant book retailer. 

Listed below are some of the top reasons that Amazon is the most popular place to purchase books (and a whole lot of other products) online:

1.    People know and trust the Amazon brand.

2.    Amazon sells most books and other products at a discount from list price and they aim to be the lowest cost retailer.

3.    Customers in many states pay no sales tax when buying on Amazon.com, resulting in further savings.

4.    Regular Amazon customers know that they will get free shipping if their order totals at least $25 (for most products shipping directly from Amazon). Personally, if I want to buy something that's under $25 and I'm not in a hurry, I'll place it in my shopping cart and then purchase the item later when I have something else to buy.

5.    Purchasing is quick and easy for regular Amazon customers because their shipping address and credit card information are already stored in their profile. Shoppers can buy an item with just one mouse click.

6.    Amazon.com lists a vast selection of 14 million books. Out of print books can often be found in the Marketplace section of the site, available through used book dealers and individuals.

7.    While online stores can't replace the experience of browsing in a bookstore, Amazon provides a good book shopping experience. The site offers tools that make it easy to find just the right book, the ability to browse a book's content though the Look Inside program, and book reviews to help customers feel confident in their selection.

8.    It's convenient to purchase several items in one place. Shoppers can buy books, electronics, pet supplies, software, vitamins, kitchen gadgets and much more in one spot.

9.    Amazon gift cards make a wonderful gift for book lovers and everyone else, due to the huge selection of merchandise available on the site. Gift cards can be emailed, printed out, or mailed by Amazon at no extra charge.

10.    Amazon's Kindle store offers the largest selection of digital ebooks anywhere, with more than 720,000 titles. During 2009, it's estimated that the Kindle store accounted for 90 percent of all digital ebook sales. Amazon shoppers can even purchase Kindle ebooks as gifts for others.

11.    Readers don't even need a Kindle ebook reading device to enjoy ebooks, magazines, newspapers and blogs from the Kindle store – just download the free Kindle app to read content on a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone, Blackberry, or Android or Windows phone.

12.    An army of affiliates in the Amazon Associates program link to books and other products on their own websites, in exchange for referral fees from Amazon.

13.    Amazon continues to offer innovative programs and services. For example, in November of 2010, they announced that customers can go to www.amazon.com/giftcards-facebook to create personalized gift cards that can be delivered on the recipient's Facebook Wall up to a year in advance.

14.    Also in November, Amazon unveiled Price Check by Amazon, a price comparison app for the iPhone that lets shoppers scan a barcode or snap a photo of an item in a retail store (or speak or type a product name) and receive instant prices on Amazon.com and other online merchants. Customers can purchase the item from Amazon with one click.

15.    For international customers, Amazon operates sites in Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, and the United Kingdom.

To learn how to boost your book's visibility on the world's most popular bookstore, increase sales, and improve profits, check out How to Sell More Books on Amazon

by book marketing coach Dana Lynn Smith. For more book marketing tips, follow @BookMarketer on Twitter and get Dana's free Top Book Marketing Tips ebook at www.TheSavvyBookMarketer.com

Dana Lynn Smith

Tour: http://bookmarketingmaven.typepad.com/booktour/sell-books-on-amazon.html

Amazon Facebook Page: www.amazon.com/giftcards-facebook

Book Sales page: Buy the book here

Also See www.PamPerryPRCoach.com too and join www.ChocolatePagesNetwork.com!

Social Media Starter Plan

People are getting so frustrated with social media. Some think it's the "magic bullet" and others think it's  "bunch of hype" and a waste of time. And there are a ton of folk who "just don't get it." 

Well, it's really just a new marketing method.

But people are overwhelmed and are running all over the place without a plan.  Well, here's a Simple Social Media Starter-plan that you can do about 15 to 30 minutes a day and start to get more traffic and learn how to build your "tribe."

Here's the plan for those just starting out in social media:

1. Visit blogs that are in your area. See my blog roll (Pam's Fav blogs on the right hand side on this blog for ideas).  Follow blogs you find interesting and have great content. Learn from them!
2. Read blog posts, take notes, write comments, post comments. Posting comments gives you a virtual footprint.  Makes you visible.
3. Visit Youtube, watch videoes, make comments, subscribe, share on Facebook and twitter 
4. Visit Facebook pages of the blogs you're reading/following, send friend requests  - add a personal note to why you want to connect with them
5. Visit their Facebook like pages, like and COMMENT
6. Visit their Twitter accounts, follow, retweet at least one of their tweets 
7. Visit their LinkedIn page and connect with them  (read their links and info there too)
8. Read their Ezine articles or the scribd or listen to their blogtalk show & SHARE the info to your social networks via facebook or twitter

Social media is about marketing and spreading your message. connections. But, first you have to engage and get a feel for it for real. If you do the above consistently, you'll develop quality relationships and it will increase your value and your following. 



See www.PamPerryPR.com too and join www.ChocolatePagesNetwork.com!

Social Media is Simple

Pam Perry Online PR for Tools and Training

What it really takes to become a best-selling author, Video with William R. Patterson

I see so many authors who have this great idea to write a book. They get inspired and lock out the world for three to 12 months and write. Their words flow from their fingertips to the keyboard and after before you know - they have a manuscript.

According to a publishing industry survey, 80 percent of Americans think they should write a book. And only two percent actually finish a manuscript.

So you've finished writing the book. Now what?

For more writers, they think it's about finding right agent or publisher. They then search the internet for agents or publishers and send out query letters. And then the rejections come in. They realize that no one wants to publish them without "proving" they that can publish and market own their book first.

That's why the self-publishing industry (once called Vanity Press) has flourished! Everyone is a publisher. Traditional publishers want to know if you have real marketability and are willing to take the risk to publish yourself.

To most writers this sounds crazy. They think that it's their great book traditional publishers want. Not so. They need authors who have a built-in audience. They need authors who know how to sell books.

Bottom line. It's business - not personal.

But before you write a single word (or before you spend the money getting your book published), review these questions and honestly assess if you are ready to become a best-selling SELF-PUBLISHED author:

1. You have at least $2,500 to $5,000 to invest in the project.

2. Your topic is a topic that is very "marketable" in a book.

3. You regularly support other author events, i.e. book signings and lectures.

4. You frequently visit bookstores, know what the trends are and know (and read) some of the best sellers.

5. You have a website AND a blog to sell/market your book. (You blog regularly and have a following, right?)

6. You've published articles or regularly speak/lecture thereby you have an "audience" for your book.

7. You research and read books/magazines on publishing or go to writer's conferences or are apart of a writer's group - either online or offline.

8. You know a professional graphic designer, PR Coach, editor and webmaster - or at least know where to hire one.

9. You have a written marketing plan and know how you're going to sell your book- before you've written it.

10. You have at least 10 to 20 hours a week to promote your book and have money for a PR Coach.

If you have answered "yes" to 7 or more of these questions, you are a good candidate to be a successful author. If not, you now have a guideline as to what to do before you start the publishing process.

See this video to make it all clear for you...William R. Patterson, guest on Synergy Energy Show

Hear William Patterson and Pam Perry on the Chocolate Pages Show

SEE EVENTS BY Solutions Driven Workshops| Click Here!

Visit our PR Pro Shop for tools and tips for authors!

Here's how To Get Found and Get Famous via Google

Did you know Google is now a VERB in the dictionary? We don't go to the library to look up stuff, we "google" it.

Google is pretty much running things. I always tell my clients, “If you’re not on Google, you don’t exist.” Well, although you may exist, you are invisible to millions! So, is your ministry, business or book invisible? If you want to get out there and get noticed, the quickest way is Google.



The Internet has changed everything and social media has changed everybody. We don’t go to the Yellow Pages for phone numbers or to the library reference desk for information anymore, we Google. Even when we’re looking up information about an author or ministry, we Google!

Here are five ways to quickly gain friends, fans and followers via Google:
1. Set up a Google account. As well, set up your gmail account, youtube account and your blogger blog. It’s all done in Google because they own it all. Try not to leave anything blank.
2. Set up your “Google Profile” in your Google account. Make sure you include a photo, short bio, website links and all your social media URLs. Put in keywords that relate to your expertise.
3. Upload a video. This is the quickest way to get indexed. Youtube (remember it’s owned by Google) is the most visited website on the Internet; the Google “spiders” are always crawling in there. Make sure you name your video with good “keywords” and “tags” that people would look up when searching for you. This is critical! You want to be found by people looking for your expertise. They may not know your name, but you want them to find you because of what you do. Put it in a “keyword or key phrase.”
4. Blog. If you are not blogging, you are missing out. It’s more than just an “online diary,” the blog is the “personality” of your online presence. You can add video, photos, reviews, and articles from other sources (you must get permission first). As well, you can link to things like your facebook badge and your other social sites streams from Twitter. (See http:// www.ministrymarketingsolutionsblog.com for an example).
5. Link up with the big three social media sites (for guaranteed Googleness!): Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin. Facebook is a powerful place to build your brand and garner fans and friends. On Twitter, you can get tons of followers. Have your friends, fans, and followers meet you at your blog to really get to know you. If you are active, these social networking sites will rank you high in Google.

The whole social media experience is just plain old networking on steroids.

People do business with folks they know, like and trust. If you are transparent and au- thentic online you’ll quickly “grow” your base of friends, fans and followers.

Final tip: Don’t sell or yell on social media. The key thing to remember is that it’s about listening first and then engaging. I see so many people on social media just yelling about themselves and selling their wares. No one wants to be friends with a salesperson.

How to engage and build relationships on social media:
1. Comment on blogs and videos. Give the author or creator some encouragement; thank them for the post and let them know what you got out of their content.
2. Retweet someone else’s twitter and “like” someone’s comment on Facebook.
3. Call in to a teleconference or blogtalk show and ask questions.
4. Bottom line: In order to get friends, you have to show yourself friendly. When you’re networking or marketing online, remember that people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. Keep the emphasis on “social.” It’s really about building relationships with people; not numbers.


Now, what do you do to ENGAGE on social media? Are you just a "drive by" blogger or lurker? 

Tell me what you do in social media to be SOCIAL and how much time do you spend on it a week or day?

My guest, Shama Kabani, in December on the Synergy Energy show!  She rocks.

You Can Do Your Own PR, Rock it Like a SuperStar that YOU Are

Do you ROCK?  I don't know if you saw the BET Special, Black Girls Rock! but it was the most inspiring thing I've seen on TV in a long time. World changers, history makers - NOW.

But you know what? I rock. YOU rock. We all rock! So let the world know. Get out there. Market YOUR MESSAGE. Do your OWN PR.

If you are "shy" - Get over it! Break out of the box and be BOLD!  Know that you ROCK and the only way people will know your greatness is to let your LIGHT SHINE!

 

 

Here are the tools to do your own PR:

1.  Have a marketing mentality.  We are a brand. So what is your brand image? What are you portraying to the world?  Is it an "A list" brand? What you believe you are on the inside will be broadcast on the outside. Do the inner work first. Know that marketing is not a dirty word! It is a way to connect with others and live your purpose, fulfill your dreams and be a blessing to others.  So think of marketing as networking - you are meeting and greeting. Remember to represent yourself as a "celebrity" at all times -and you're sure to be treated like one. Examples: Oprah, Tyra, Beyonce, Susan Taylor and Dr. Stacia Pierce.

2. A bio and great head shot photo.  Make sure you get a professional photo - and one that has YOUR personality imprinted in it. A real good photographer can help you with this. These are the tools of the pros.  Write an authentic, interesting, short, snappy bio. A bio that will make people go, "WOW." Think of it as a intro to you to the world. What do you want people to know first about you? Imagine your bio being read at a big awards show like the NAACP Image Awards or Black Girls Rock.  Hear the announcer introduce you to stage. How does it sound?  Not a "wow"? Then redo it until you can hear the applause in your head.

3. A press kit. You need a package/portfolio of your achievements, press clips, broadcast interviews, articles you've written or have had written about you. Put in your brochure, your HOOK, fact sheets and any other signature items that make you who YOU are. Brand YOU. Add endorsements or testimonials.  In order to get recognized faster, you might want to get an optimized online press kit. See http://tinyurl.com/pamperrypr and get the details on the Instant Media Kit to take your business, book or career to the NEXT LEVEL!

3. Invest in some coaching. Whether you need an image coach, media coach, internet marketing coach, PR coach or a life coach - in order to to be your best and be ready for the "red carpet," you need to get some professionals to help you. This will boost your confidence and this will make sure you don't make any costly MISTAKES!
We have audio products, ebooks and group or personalized coaching programs to help you BRAND like a Superstar.  Don't be cheap with your brand. Prepare for success. 
See you on the RED Carpet!

ABOUT BLACK GIRLS ROCK!:

BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Inc. is 501(c)3 non-profit youth empowerment and mentoring organization established to promote the arts for young women of color, as well as to encourage dialogue and analysis of the ways women of color are portrayed in the media.

Since 2006, BLACK GIRLS ROCK! has been dedicated to the healthy development of young women and girls. BLACK GIRLS ROCK! seeks to build the self-esteem and self-worth of young women of color by changing their outlook on life, broadening their horizons, and helping them to empower themselves. For the past four years, we have enjoyed the opportunity to enrich the lives of girls aged 12 to 17 years old through mentorship, arts education, cultural exploration and public service. At BLACK GIRLS ROCK!, young women are offered access to enrichment programs and opportunities that place special emphasis on personal development through the arts and cooperative learning.

By speaking to the next generation in their formative years about issues of self-worth, goals, and aspirations, the organization reinforces the message that young women need not objectify themselves or relinquish their autonomy. BLACK GIRLS ROCK! has boldly taken on the crisis of our female youth of color here in America head on and understands the need for positive self-images and a strong sense of awareness. WE SEE SOLUTIONS.

See www.PamPerryPRCoach.com  and

http://brandingsuperstar.posterous.com/

 LIVE YOUR DREAMS. MAKE A DIFFERENCE. 
Speak NOW.

What makes you ROCK? Post a comment.

Top 10 best practices on how to use social media to promote your event (Part I: #1-5)

  Special Events. They sell your book, position you as an expert and gets your buzz going. YOU gotta have 'em.  But How do you get "peeps" in the seats?

We often get asked “How can I leverage social media to promote my event?” So we started collecting best practices from event organizers who use Eventbrite. We pulled them all together in this post to help you get started down the path to social media glory. But it’s important to note that social media is a clunky gun, not a silver bullet—it’s a channel, not a strategy. The best way for each event to utilize this channel will vary depending on who the target audience is and how they engage online.



It’s no silver bullet. That said, social media can be an incredibly powerful promotional tool, allowing you to reach more of the people that care about and ultimately want to attend your event. When people share information about your event with their network, that message carries much more weight than a traditional ad. It’s a personal endorsement of your event. Social media is also the perfect tool to generate buzz, to get people talking about your event in a recorded fashion where others can stumble across it and get caught up in it too. It’s not a new phenomenon. That’s how people have promoted their events from the beginning: get people talking about it. What social media brings is the ability for anyone to discover the chatter, giving it far more reach and power.

But it can be a game-changer. We’ve built a lot of features into Eventbrite to support sharing of events through social media and we see the results every day. Facebook is the greatest driver of traffic to our site, which means people are sharing your events on Facebook, their friends are seeing the posts show up in their feed, and they are clicking on the links that bring them back to your Eventbrite event page. That’s really exciting, and I hope you can see the powerful implications that it has on the way events are promoted and discovered.

Some guiding principles
1. Choose the platforms that make sense for your event. There are a few options when it comes to promoting your event through social media, and each has unique advantages and disadvantages. For example, Facebook and LinkedIn show who’s attending and aggregate conversation about the event in one place, while Twitter provides the opportunity for anyone to discover the event. Building your own social network around your event may be the thing to do if you have an appetite for building a richly branded online experience, but it won’t give you the virality of established social networks. Look to strike a balance across several platforms—but most importantly, understand where your target audience is already engaging. Identify existing communities by searching on LinkedIn, Facebook, or other forums, monitor Twitter conversation, and locate the platforms that have the most activity. This is where you’ll want to place the majority of your efforts.

2. Define success metrics and don’t underestimate the effort required. To new users, online communities might look self-sustaining. They’re not. Facebook, Twitter and the rest all take work, ideally in the form of a dedicated individual who can keep dialogue flowing and seed productive conversations. Continuous new content and engagement tactics are required to grow the vibrant community necessary for achieving buzz around your event. Define success metrics so that you know how you’re tracking—number of fans or followers is a great place to start, but engagement metrics are most important. Facebook’s Fan Page dashboard gives good stats and there are some great free Twitter analytics tools (we use Twitalyzer) that can measure engagement levels of your tweets.

Use Facebook to create a destination for engagement
3. Publish your event to Facebook. From right within the Eventbrite management console you can publish your event to Facebook and it will automatically create a Facebook Event, pulling in all the event details from Eventbrite. You can publish the event as a stand-alone event created by your Facebook profile or as an event associated with a specific fan page. Facebook Events allow you to easily invite your friends and fans and it makes it easy for them to share with their friends. It creates a central location for attendees to begin to connect and share their excitement for the event.

4. Create a Facebook Page. For larger events a dedicated page may be appropriate as a central location to engage with attendees and people interested in learning more about your event. The best pages that we’ve seen post updates almost daily, giving fans a window into the planning process of the event. Have you just secured an amazing caterer? Has an exciting speaker agreed to attend? Has the event received coverage in the media? Multi-media is always compelling: if you can share photos of the space or get the main attractions (speakers, artists, etc.) to post quick videos on their thoughts for the event, it really helps to bring it to life. The Facebook fan page is not only a great way to get your attendees excited, but also to get them involved in the event itself by asking them questions that can influence the content or the agenda.

5. Invite friends and fans to attend and help spread the word. Search Facebook for other fan pages on topics related to your event and engage with the users there. Become a fan of that page, and you can then write things on their wall. I would carefully craft your message so that it doesn’t look like spam (people react very negatively to spam), letting people know about the event and why they should attend. Include a link to the Eventbrite page or the Facebook event when you post so users can click through for more content if they are interested. For example, a benefit concert featuring Slash went to the Slash Facebook page and told the fans that slash was going to be performing at their benefit concert rather than just saying “Support this great cause and attend this concert.”

You should also reach out to specific individuals who may be connected to your event topic or specific friends that you think would be interested. For example, say John is a big industry influencer. You can “Send John a Message” through the link that’s under his picture on Facebook. Again, be VERY careful to not sound spammy but instead let him know about an event that you think he would be interested in and why. Keep it short and include a link to your fan page encouraging him to be a fan and also a link to the Eventbrite page.

You can cherry-pick these individuals to connect with, but the real value will come when he fans your page or posts that he is attending the event and his whole network sees it.
Guest post By Tamara
 
Stay tuned for Part II of this series covering 
Twitter, LinkedIn, and building your own community.

See www.PamPerryPRCoach.com too and join www.ChocolatePagesNetwork.com!

How to Reach the Readers

Twenty Five Ways To Promote Your Book
1. Articles
2. An AWESOME author Bio
3. Banners
4. Blogs
5. Blogtours (guest post coming up on that!)
6. Business Cards
7. Brochures
8. Calendar

9. Databases
10. E-zines
11. Flyers to give out everywhere to everyone!!
12. Greeting & Note Cards
13. Letterhead that POPS!
14. Labels for your mailings of books to reviewers & media
15. Media Kits
16. Manuscripts (First chapters for advanced reading copies)
17. Newsletters
18. News Releases
19. Postcards (Km Brooks was a master at this)
20. Posters
21. PR coach
22. Reviews on Amazon
23. Stickers that say “Local Author” to put in your local bookstores!
24. T-shirts “Ask me About My Book”
25. Web sites with a landing page! SEE VIDEO BELOW!!


 
See www.PamPerryPRCoach.com too and join www.ChocolatePagesNetwork.com!

New Social Media Segment on Radio One: Answering questions and providing Tips

The internet has changed everything. Social Media has changed everybody. We don’t go to the Yellow Pages for phone number, we Google. We don’t go to the library reference desk, we Google. Even when we’re looking up more information about an author or ministry, we use Google.

Google is pretty much running things.  I always tell my clients, “If you’re not on Google, you don’t exist.” Not really – but you are invisible to millions online.

That's why I'm excited about the New Social Media segment I'm doing on Radio One's Newtalk WCBH1200 to help you "Crush it" online!  

What questions do YOU have?  We'll answer them live on the air! Leave them here in the comment section below and every week we'll discuss and provide solutions for your social media marketing issues.

Every Friday from 11 to Noon EST. Listen online or in your car or anywhere you are with a radio!

See www.PamPerryPRCoach.com too and join www.ChocolatePagesNetwork.com!

My Google juice
Got yours? 

Christian Marketing With Articles

One of the best ways to get traffic to your blog, website or blogsite is to write articles. My friend, Theresa Croft did a cool video showing you how to do it.

Read my articles that I've written on various topics like branding, social media, marketing and book promotion.  Go here, click this link.





Resources and tools by Pam Perry 
www.pamperrypr.com 

How to Use Web 2.0 to Get PR 2.0 For Your Brand, Book Or Ministry

Concentrate on great content so the search engine optimization will give you a high ranking when people are surfing online via search engines like Google or Bing. 

Adding links is another great way to increase your site rankings and get noticed among the search engines.  Read more, click this PR marketing article

See www.PamPerryPRCoach.com too and join www.ChocolatePagesNetwork.com!

Blogalicious 2010 presentation: Using Blogs to Market Your Book and Build a Tribe

WOW. Smashing success! So blessed. Just got back from the Blogalicious Conference! Check out my Powerpoint Presentation with video I did while there:

Blogalicious presentation notes blog to book with pam perry, pr coach

View more presentations from Pam Perry.

http://www.pamperryonlinepr.com PR & social media Tools and ebooks here

Author Platforms: Put your BEST Face, Foot and Brand FORWARD

Authors of the Month: Kim Brooks and Dara Nichol

Louise Bannerman, ACW/Detroit Member

American
Christian Writers

Detroit Chapter News

ACW - Detroit Chapter c/o Greater Grace Temple

Attention: Venus Mason Theus

23500 W. 7 Mile Road

Detroit, Michigan 48219 313.615.6704

It's Time to Upgrade

 

Those of us who live in Michigan are exceptionally blessed because we're able to enjoy four seasons that reflect the plurality of God's majesty!  The varied seasons serve as a reminder that change is inevitable and whether we choose to embrace it or protest it - it's coming.

With each new season the temperature changes, the sky either gets cloudier or brighter; flowers, trees and foliage either bloom, hibernate or wither away.  Animals change body temperature, color, shed or grow thicker fur to accommodate the season.

When seasons change nature gets a makeover and from time to time, we [human beings] should update ourselves as well.  "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" doesn't cut it for Christian authors.  If it's old, stale, overworked, faded, ill-fitting, boring, etcera, etcera...it actually is broken and does actually need to be fixed.  This is not limited to sprucing up the outward appearance but also it also means discarding negative thoughts, distructive speech and counterproductive deeds.

Like the plant and animal world, human beings also need to update or as Dr. Stacia Pierce puts it, Upgrade ourselves.  Particularly those of us who are in a position to attract the lost to salvation and to encourage the body of Christ to continue fight the good fight. 

Your most effective calling card is a polished image that epitomizes the glory of our Savior.  By nature we're attracted to others first by the image they project, THEN most evaluate character and skill levels. 

The adage that says "you can't judge a book by its cover" really isn't true. As an author, your book might be the greatest story ever told, but if your total package isn't solid, potential readers might never bother to so much as skim the back cover.

We will discuss more about image during the meeting on October 18th so don't miss it.  We will provide you with lots of information on how to update or enhance your image as a Christian author.  Our president eritus (Pam Perry) is doing a an important workshop.  Make certain you bring the items she specified in the section below.

Venus Mason Theus
ACW/Detroit Chapter President

Pam Perry Presents:

Your Author Image

HOW TO BRAND LIKE A SUPERSTAR!

Monday, October 18th - 6:30 pm

Greater Grace Temple City of David
Conference Center
23500 W. 7 Mile Detroit, MI 48219

 BRING IT!

Your corporate I.D. that is. Logos, taglines, photos, letterhead, mastheads...everything you use to market yourself. I will REVIEW everything 

Pam Perry, PR Coach

Guest Blog:
Are You Willing to Learn, Unlearn and Relearn?
By: Christina Dixon, ACW/Detroit Vice President
 

Several years ago I read a quote that made a huge impact on the way I approach learning opportunities. The quote was by futurist Alvin Toffler. In the early 1970s this business consultant spoke to corporate America with insight that has proven to be extremely accurate. He said,


"The illiterate of the 21st Century will not be those who can read or write. It will be those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn."


For  writers, this statement has many implications. There are so many things that have changed in the publishing industry since that time. In the early 70s those who self-published their books were not taken seriously.


Today, technology has opened the flood gates so that thousands of books are self-published every month. Authors are no longer at the mercy of traditional publishers who take months just to respond to your submissions, if they are accepting submissions at all. These days, when writers have messages that they are passionate about, they can choose from a myriad of options. Too often though, writers approach publishing with a glamorized perspective that clearly indicates the need to learn how the industry truly works.


Consequently some become discouraged and end up leaving their writing projects unfinished. Yet, as Alvin Toffler indicated, if there is an inability or lack of desire to learn, unlearn and relearn, many will be left behind in their efforts to reach the masses with the messages they've been given. What about you? 

Are you willing to take the time to learn about the publishing industry and the things you need to do to make your publishing experience fruitful? Don't be discouraged. Go ahead. Dig in and educate yourself. Go to the library. Join a writers group (like ACW-Detroit). Absorb all the information you can so that your expectations are realistic.  
Then act on that information!


I know it's a lot to learn. But, it's worth it!

PriorityONE Publications
Post Office Box 725
Farmington, MI 48332
Phone & Fax:
1-800-596-4490

E-Mail:
penspiration@yahoo.com

Publishing Today's Aspiring Christian Writers
 

 

Christina (left) and Venus (right)

American Christian Writers/Detroit Chapter 

See www.PamPerryPRCoach.com too and join www.ChocolatePagesNetwork.com!