The Wax Blog

I’m straying way off course and off schedule in honor of the 7th anniversary of Wax Marketing – today! My biggest lesson? Dealing with the big GWF – the gut wrenching fear that comes with owning a small business. I don’t think it’s good marketing strategy, or business acumen, or networks that makes or breaks a small business. I think it’s the ability to deal with fear.

The only thing we have to fear is fear itself, right?So the next time you wake up in the middle of the night worried about that big check you need to cover payroll – or  when half your customers decide your service is a “luxury” they can do without – try these and see if they work. Here’s how I’ve learned to deal with GWF  over the past seven years. I hope you’ll add your own fun tips and ways to get around it too! (more…)

I talk a lot about the need for the right “mix” when you promote your product, business, book, whatever it is – engaging in social media is no different. To get a good result you have to find the recipe that’s 100% ALL YOURS. But just like the hard-to-bake souffle, there are some ingredients I’ve seen in of the work of ALL successful social media contributors.   Here are the components I believe you should always use for your  social media recipe…and some of experts who cook it up just right. Feel free to add your favorite folks – let’s get a good list going! (more…)

I  found a company willing to share a true, B2B social media case study complete with strategy, tactics, and heavens to betsy, they even measured it!  As I perused my newly invigorated LinkedIn account I discovered Ed Loessi CMO and Chief Strategy officer for Boston-based RapidInfluence, a consulting company that focuses on the implementation of strategic plans. (Boy does every company need this!!) RapidInfluence embarked this year on a social media strategy and not only successfully implemented their strategy, they’ve documented it on their blog

Ed has kindly allowed me to re-blog their social media post here on the Wax blog – but I would strongly recommend you read the full blog on the RapidInfluence site here to view all the graphics and visit more links.  Please add comments with suggestions you might have for RapidInfluence on new things they might do or things that have worked for your firm. We’re all going to be learning new stuff forever in this world!

From the  RapidInfluence Blog, October 6, 2009 (more…)

Since we all just had a good time talking about what NOT to do on LinkedIn I thought I’d post some things you SHOULD do. LinkedIn, according to Mashable just surpassed 50 million users. Although it’s clearly not the sexiest of social networks (the media loves them some Facebook and Twitter) LinkedIn is incredibly valuable, especially for the B2B set.  You can definitely market your business but remember – you’re building relationships one to one. That means there are no shortcuts.

These are things that are working for me but I would love to hear any cool ways you’re using LinkedIn successfully. Remember,  there are no experts in social media just the intellectual capital of the collective. (Seriously I just made that up ) (more…)

I got a message on LinkedIn today that pretty much shows what you should never, ever do on LinkedIn – or on any social media. Before you read it consider this:

1. I have over 500 contacts on LinkedIn -( if you want to link to me click here but let me know it’s cuz you read the blog)

2. I’m an active member of many groups on LinkedIn

2. I have never met this guy

We can learn more from these kinds of posts than any tip post I might do. Add a comment and tell me why YOU think this is bad – would you buy from this guy’s company (or him?) How much damage do you think he’s done, assuming he spammed this everywhere?

Here’s the email text…of course I’ve deleted his name and company.

Dear Bonnie:
I’m LinkedIn! Are You? I took the plunge and joined LinkedIn. I’m not certain if you already have a profile on LinkedIn, or if you are even using LinkedIn, but if you are, I’d like to take this opportunity and add you to my professional network.

If you’re not already using LinkedIn, what are you waiting for? Relationships Matter! Your professional relationships are key to your professional success. LinkedIn strengthens and extends your existing network of trusted contacts.

LinkedIn is an online network of more than 25 million experienced professionals from around the world, representing 150 industries.

Thanks for your consideration!

Thank You,

I read an article the other day that said professionals should only have ‘professional’ ringtones on their cell. Then mine went off (currently George Thorogood’s ‘Bad to the Bone’) and I forgot about it until now. Next, I read an article about  being careful not to put too much personal info on your social media pages if you want to appear ‘professional’. Right after I had posted the details of my latest crash skiing, complete with raves about my visit to an incredibly good looking doc at the ER.

So which is it? Do we have to be all stuffy and proper if we use social media for work and for pleasure? I don’t think so and here’s why. I want to do business with people that I know and I suspect you do too. Yet in the virtual world we live in we don’t always get to meet our clients and colleagues in person. Facebook in particular gives me a chance to connect personally, something years ago I would have done in a golf game. For those new to social media here are a few tips I’ve learned in the past year or so to help you blend the personal and private to deepen your work relationships without risking damage to your business:

• Don’t post trivial activities like dropping hubby off at the train station
• If you really like putting trivial activities on Facebook don’t be-friend anyone you might want to have a professional relationship with
• On the other hand, don’t use Facebook ONLY for blasting client deals and promotions. That is just as inappropriate as a pic of  baby’s first poopy diaper (SERIOUSLY I SAW THIS ONCE)
• Post mostly “work like” comments during work hours – it’s more likely that’s when clients and colleagues will be reading
• Keep most of your tweets work-ish during the day or it looks like you’re a goof off
• If you’re on LinkedIn write only VERY professional posts. That is a strictly business site!
• If you’re going to use twitter for something inane to build followers (like my live tweets during American Idol) send a warning tweet that for the next couple hours you’ll be hashtagging wife swap like crazy
• Don’t ever use profanity. Not even with asterisks.
• Think about every post before you hit that enter button. In other words, post consciously!!
• Don’t post the same things over and over to try to get a reaction. This just shows you’re annoying.
• Always assume that everyone reads ALL your posts, even if you know that’s not true.
• Add your twitter, facebook, linkedin and other social media to your work email signature.
• Follow me on twitter to see how it’s done. (just kidding – but do follow me)

Sure, save the bad jokes for your closest friends in private. But if you really want to engage, open up and let people see your humor and a bit about your daily life. I’ll bet it takes the conversations with your virtual colleagues a whole lot deeper.

Here’s a great article from Chris Brogan on personal branding and social media if you want to read someone who REALLY knows what they’re talking about!

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So don’t hate radio just because it’s old. Think about how you might include it in your strategy in 2009 instead. For some tips on how to do that, I love Gordon’s Radio List If you can get past the hype on his website, Joe Sabah has some pretty good tips and a nice list too.

The duck  is a radio, by the way. It’s hard to find pictures of radios that aren’t boring.