Previously, we gave you some tips on how you could use social media to reach out to more customers. We discussed how you could boost profits by using social media to attract people to your store or to get them to come out to your events. It is possible to take online connection, offline. But what about the interested customers who are too far away to get to know you in person?

Researchers who measure the public's use of social media sites like Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, have found that people who use social media have a tendency to spend more money online than people who do not. For example, research showed that those who use Facebook a lot spend more than those who use it a little and both of those groups spend more than people who do not use Facebook at all.

Now you might be thinking that this makes sense--if they are already comfortable networking and socializing online, why wouldn't they do some shopping online as well? It is logical that people who are online already would not mind spending some money while they are there. What is not logical is for business owners to ignore the potential to reach customers via social media sites.

A presence on social media sites means that you have access to a group of people who are quite willing to spend money online. You may not be able to interact with all of your customers in person, but you can certainly share with them online to let then know what you are doing and get their feedback.

Some people are concerned that increased use of social media will erode personal interactions—meaning that there will come a time when some of us barely speak to each other at all. While it is certainly true that technology has changed the way we communicate, it does not have to lessen the quality of our interactions.

If you run a business, then you know that interaction with current and potential customers is vital. Social networking can help you create more opportunities to interact. In a recent study , Hubspot found that inbound marketing via blog and Twitter doubled average monthly leads for small and medium sized business. Here are suggestions on how to engage your followers:

• Use Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn to publicize events and sales. Some people may not walk into your store, stop by your county fair booth, drop in on your lecture or visit your farmer’s market stall on their own, but an invite will encourage them to do so. It only takes a little effort to get your online acquaintances to become in-person connections.

• Promise discounts to those who mention that they learned about a product via social media. Some businesses use online tools to draw people in, asking them to say a secret password or to just mention were they heard about the discount. This will give you an opportunity to get an idea of how many of your online connections are willing to engage with you offline. It will also allow you to meet them and impress them with your customer service and expertise.

For those of you who really want to spend your time concentrating on keeping customers happy and spend less time online trying to foster these interactions. Staff Advantage is here to help. We can implement and monitor your presence on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter for you. We offer a variety social media packages to support your online presence.

If you are just looking for some help in getting started, we can help you launch your foray into online social media, provide a brief consultation and then you will be one your way. Or we can start and then monitor your social media presence for you.

When we mentioned that Staff Advantage can help you take on social media, we mentioned the fact that the number of Facebook users who are between 35 and 49 has grown exponentially. This is true and one of the reasons why businesses who think that social media is only for the young should not ignore the possibilities of what it can do for your business.

So please do not think that what we are about to say is in contradiction to that idea; rather this is yet another reason why social media is so very important for your business.

According to a study conducted by the International Center for Media , college students are in some ways addicted to social media. According to ICMPA research, “without digital ties, students feel unconnected even to those who are close by.”

While we don't think that addiction is a good thing, we want to comment on the fact that the buying public of tomorrow relies heavily on social media. Even if you think they are not your customers now, they will be. Businesses that plan for longevity look for ways to entice and engage their current and future customer base.

A presence in some form of social media is important for your business strategy, today and in the long term. Niche-driven marketing is the way to go: you don't have to reach everyone; you just need to connect with those who are most interested in actually doing business with you.

Staff Advantage offers several Social Media packages that offer a range of services. If you are a do-it-yourself type who needs a jumpstart. You can employ us just to help get you started- we'll create your profiles, set up a dashboard so you can monitor social media sites and give you an hour of training/consultation.

On the other hand, if you want to get in on social media, but don’t think you can dedicate time to it, we can get you started and then monitor your social media accounts for you.

We have already mentioned that the team at Staff Advantage can help you take on social media, but perhaps you need more specifics. We have met a number of wonderfully savvy business owners who do a lot to promote their businesses offline, but when it comes to online promotion, they have not gotten past the e-mail stage.

Perhaps you are one of these people who have not embraced social media because you really do not understand it. Let's talk about Twitter , for example. Many people like to speak of it with disdain because they really do not understand just what this power online tool can do for their business and their website. Twitter allows you to reach out to an increasingly distracted public and to the search engines that dictate what internet users see at the same time. It really is a win-win.

A message on Twitter is called a "tweet" and each tweet has a limited number of characters. Think of tweets as mini-ads. While there are some who are there for purely social reasons, a good number of Twitter users really want to exchange information. You can provide Twitter users relevant content about your business, you industry and do a little promotion of your products and at the same time, you may find that other people do the same for you. You have the potential to connect with an unlimited number of people all over the world via Twitter.

Search engines also take notice of Twitter, searching public tweets and include them in search results. And connecting your Twitter account to your website and keeping it active, is another way to make sure that your website has fresh content--something the search engines really favor. For more tips on how to leverage Twitter, check out 5 Tweet-Worthy Small Business Twitter Strategies.

Investing even a little time and energy into Twitter is worthwhile. However, if you do not feel that you or your staff can take on one more thing, why not call on Staff Advantage to help? We have a number of Social Media packages and will be happy to work with you.

If you are not yet using social media, we have to ask: why not? We know that marketing is an important aspect of your business and that you want to reap the most benefit from your marketing efforts. We can tell you that social media, whether it is Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter, is definitely worth the investment of your time and other resources. Social media is a 24/7 marketing enterprise; it is working even when you are not.

Those of you who think that social media sites like Facebook are only for the young, should take note: research has shown that “the biggest growth spurt for Facebook has been in the category of users from 35 to 49 years old (www.bizjournals.com).”

No matter who your customer base is, we can tell you that they are probably using some form of social media. Even if they are not, you can use social media to reach new customers.

Stepping into the world of social media does not have to be daunting. In fact, Staffing Advantage can help if you do not want to wade into the social media pool on your own or if you don’t think you can devote any time to it.

Some people are surprised at the idea that someone would hire someone else to assist them with social media services. Why is this? If you allow someone else to care for other precious assets like your health or your children, you can certainly accept some help with running your business.

Having someone assist you with online communication is an update of what companies and small businesses have done for years--hiring people to write newsletters and press releases. The content and direction come from you, we just do some of the heavy lifting for you. Take a look at our Social Media Packages to see how we can help you reach more people and boost your business. And if you like what you see, but what to tweak it a little, we are happy to customize a package that will fit your needs.

We recently shared some tips for how you can be more productive. We mentioned the value of planning your day and here are some suggestions for writing useful to-do lists.

Divide large tasks into steps
Your ultimate goal may be quite large and it is likely if you just throw a huge task on your to-do list, you will feel overwhelmed.

If you need to find a venue for a banquet, you could write "find banquet venue," but unless you have a place in mind, you won’t be able to check it off that quickly. Think about the small tasks that need to be completed like: listing possible venues, contacting possible venues or finalizing the banquet budget.

Use action words
When it comes to motivating yourself or people who work with you, you likely know that action words help when speaking. Well, that same principle applies to all that you write—even to-do lists for yourself. There is a very subtle difference between “Make appointment with new prospect” and “Call new prospect before noon” but a few words make all the difference. The second phrase really is a call to action whereas the first phrase lacks urgency.

Be detailed
Notice that in the example above, there is a time frame included. If you meet a new prospect who tells you that he or she is in the office during the mornings and out with clients in the afternoon, use that detail for motivation. An even better to-do list item would be “Call new prospect before noon, 555-555-5555.” Do not give yourself any excuses to get sidetracked when you pick up the phone. If you write the number down on your to-do list, there will be no need to look it up because there is a good chance that you will get distracted.

Here are 25 online solutions to create a customizable to do list. If you find you need help running your business, but are not ready for a new full-time staff member, why not hire a virtual assistant? A virtual assistant can help you get organized or assist with specific tasks.

When you run a small business, a lot depends on you. It is your responsibility to keep yourself healthy, productive and motivated.

Here are some tips to help your days run smoother--

Plan your day

Whether you do it when you close up shop at the end of each workday or do it first thing when you start your day, planning is key. Sometimes the pressure of needing to get things done makes you believe you do not have time to plan, but this could not be further from the truth. You cannot afford not to plan! When you plan, write down the three things you must do that day. You can write down other things, but be sure to prioritize your top three. You will feel a sense of accomplishment when you can cross those off of your list. Here are more ideas on time management.

Check in with yourself

Whether you have employees or not, you know that many bosses like to see if their employees are staying on task and give them some encouragement to remain focused if they are not. When you are the boss, you need to do the same for yourself. If you look back and feel as if your day was less than productive, take yourself to task. Periodically,throughout the day take a moment to examine whether or not what you are doing is a good use of your time and if it is furthering your goals. If not, move on to another task that will be more beneficial.

Take a break

The temptation to work nonstop and forget about lunch is all too real for people running small businesses, where so much depends on a small staff or may be even just you. You will actually be less productive and may burn yourself out if you do not schedule break time. A break will re-energize you. Sometimes you spend more time on a task than necessary because you need to take a break so your mind can relax. A break will allow you to return to work with a renewed focus. Don't forget to take time to enjoy your life. 

I've seen articles that boast “Top 10 Ways to Improve Traffic to Your Website in 2010” or “Top Trends and Forecasting for 2010”. I've read the articles, and they no doubt include valuable information. But before you start implementing new plans for the future, I recommend we revisit a few old rules, specifically voice mail etiquette. While it's an old, forgotten topic, I think it's an important subject.

I know we are riding the tails of a recession and some of us are overworked performing double duty while our co-workers were recently laid off. But I've got to say...I've heard quite a few rather tired, blasé voice mails. I can here the despair in your voice. Did I mention this is not my voice mail I'm referring to, but the mailboxes of my equally overworked clients whose voice mails I check daily. Luckily, my clients are spared the mundane, monotonous messages that I hear; however, not everyone has a virtual assistant checking their messages.

I assume people leave voice mails for a good reason, and they expect their messages to be heard with some sort of follow-up action. May I give a few recommendations:

1. Articulate – seriously. Slow down, speak up and speak clearly. I know you know this, people! This is nothing new.

2. Limit your words. Keep your messages brief. Include your name, company, brief purpose of the call and your phone and/or email address. Please, please, please do not ramble. Kate Zabriskie of Business Training Works, Inc. took the words out of my mouth when she wrote, “If you are rambling, for the sake of others and your reputation, stop yourself and rerecord“.

3. Duplicate. Reiterate your phone number twice. The less time I spend rewinding the message to go back and find your number, the more likely you will be at the top of the list for a call back.

4. Never leave a business voice mail that says, “Call Me”. I can not stress enough, how frustrating that is. So, now I have no idea why you called, and I can't adequately prepare for the returned call. This is not the best use of my time.

5. Stop saying, “Um”. You sound informal and unprofessional. Don't do it.

6. Smile. My husband who used to work in sales advised me to do this. Before you get on the phone, smile. It loosens your facial muscles, and you sound much more pleasant in your message. In all honestly, I am more inclined to return a call right away when the voice message is positive, and the person on the other end sounds like they are having a good time.

I realize that these tips are common sense. But I hear more and more voice mails that are sub par. Here is a sample voice mail that is appropriate:

(Smiling)“Hi, this is Andrea Dwyer with Staff Advantage at 404-556-0156. I had a couple questions about the revisions you requested for the marketing newsletter. Can you please call me? Again, it's Andrea Dwyer with Staff Advantage at 404-556-0156.”

So, by all means, read the “Social Media Trends and Report for 2010”or implement “The Top 10 Tips for an Online Marketing Strategy in the New Year”, but don't abandon your core competent practices. If you don't put effort into the little things, how can you conquer the big things?

Introducing dynamic guest blogger, Jennifer Fowler.

Recently I have had the opportunity to work from my virtual office while also furthering my education. Making the transition to the virtual office is rewarding and challenging. Rewarding in the sense that I am able to perform the tasks that I enjoy - working behind the scenes making my clients look good and their jobs easier. Challenging in the sense that I am quickly learning that the social media world, while difficult to fully grasp, offers a networking avenue that I have not traveled before.

This growing virtual market is exciting. I am meeting professionals like myself from all walks of life. We are all striving for greatness. Virtual Assistants know what it takes to get any job done. We are entrepreneurs, leaders, perfectionists, and students. As such our time is valuable and must be managed with the big picture in mind.

There are Virtual Assistants that are in this profession out of desperation to find an income stream. Then there are those of us, like me, that are passionate and will search high and low for those clients that need us the most. While our virtual offices may include children's toys and our pets curled up at our feet, it is still a thriving,productive office because the environment is our shrine of existence. We thrive in a world of constant change and welcome the change to virtual gladly. The challenges within our environment accompanied by our years of business experience make us who we are.

We are the Virtual Assistants that make THE DIFFERENCE!

________________________________________________________________________________________

Jennifer is a virtual assistant and President of A+ Office Support. She has more that 15 years experience working with senior level executives.Her tough skin with an incomparable demeanor and ability to take the initiative make her a valuable support partner. You can find Jennifer at www.aplusofficesupport.com

In 6 Things They Mean When They Have No Money, Naomi Dunford does an amazing job of reading between the lines. Her interpretation of what consumers mean but don't say is simply detailed in her blog entry. Naomi starts by putting the reader into 3 categories:

1. People who sell things, or want to sell things.

2. People who are, without exaggeration, destitute and are very sensibly finding free information online about starting and running an ittybiz.

3. People who are financially comfortable but like to wave the I’m-so-fucking-liberal flag. (We know who you are. We can identify you by your screaming about the plight of the poor, while donating less than 1% of your money and 0% of your time to charitable causes.)

I would say that I fall into the first category. When Naomi and her company put out a new product, she receives feedback from people who tell her they have no money to make a purchase. I get this email when I reach out to new prospects. I start to question whether my price is competitive for what I offer. According to Naomi, they are lying to you. She breaks down what, "I have no money" really means.

1. I’ve bought four [things like your product] in the last two months and haven’t used any of them. I’m getting really disillusioned and I’m blaming myself for buying things and not using them. I feel I don’t deserve to buy your thing.

2. My spouse is really pissed off at me because I’ve been spending too much money on the internet/on clothes/on these crazy make-money-online schemes. Your product is not worth making things awkward with my spouse.

3. The last three [things similar to what you sell] I’ve bought haven’t come close to living up to their promises. Now I don’t really trust them, even from you. I think it sounds good right now because I’m excited, but when I actually buy it, I’m going to be really disappointed and mad at myself because I should have known better.

4. My marriage/job/life sucks, and I need some little conveniences to keep me going. (Latte on the way to work. Sending the kids with lunch money instead of lunch. Sending MYSELF with lunch money instead of lunch.) I CAN afford your thing (I do have the money) but if I bought it, I’d have to give up my little conveniences, and I’m not willing to do that.

5. I have another completely valid reason for not buying, but it takes too long to explain and it’s kind of embarrassing. (Examples: I drink too much. I have a feeling my spouse is about to leave me and I need to make sure I have money aside for a divorce and/or alimony. I just came very close to maxing out my credit card, and there’s a big psychological difference between an ALMOST maxed out card and an ACTUALLY maxed out card, and buying your thing would really freak me out.)

6. I don’t want to buy your thing but, for whatever reason, I feel the need to justify myself to you. Saying I don’t have the money feels like an inarguable and socially acceptable white lie. I get to feel good because I said nice things about your product, but I don’t actually have to part with my money.
I have to admit, I think #6 applies to me when I am propositioned to buy something. Honestly, I think I did this just last week to a persistent vendor on the phone. I have some money. I chose to spend it on another tools, products or services. Stop calling me!

This further perpetuate Naomi's point that those people really do have money. They're just spending it else where. If that consumer really wanted what you have and can not afford it, he would find a way.

They could split the cost [with a colleague]

They could offer to barter. (See my entry on October 21, 2009)

They could request a payment plan.

They could sell their guitar.

They could cut down on conveniences and luxuries for a few weeks.

Naomi's right. If you really want something, you find a way to get it. Even I saved my money, cut down on going out to eat and did hours of pricing research to buy the laptop that met my business requirements. I make these adjustments on a regular basis to get the things I want personally and professionally.

So, how do you entice the liars and the people taking their money else where? Naomi wisely says, "Nothing. Do absolutely nothing." I was relieved. That is exactly what I do when a prospect tells me they have no money. Well, I do say it a nice way, "Thank you for you time. If your situation changes, please don't hesitate to contact me in the future." Naomi has an excellent point, "If they thought it was overpriced, they would either tell you they thought it was overpriced, or they wouldn’t say anything." I completely agree that, "'No money' isn’t about price. It’s about value. They don’t currently see it in your thing, and your thing at a different price will probably not change anything. It might. It probably won’t."

The next time someone says, "I have no money". Don't over analyze their response and question the price of your product. Don't immediately offer them a discount. If they were truly interested, they would have approached you with an another payment option. And there is absolutely no benefit to getting angry or hostile. "People will give you ALL SORTS of reasons why they’re not buying. Be nice to them, but try not to pay too much attention to what the reasons are, because odds are, they’re not the real reasons."

Naomi Dunford is a a microbusiness marketing consultant, helping businesses with fewer than 5 employees create dynamic marketing campaigns on the cheap. She is a writer for IttyBiz.