 It’s that time of year when many are heading back to school. There's something about this time that makes me want to learn new things so I included a link to a quiz if you're in the mood to test your knowledge.
This week you'll learn how to make your content go viral, discover interesting and useful data on Instagram and receive answers to your Facebook questions. Let’s jump in!
How To Make Your Content Marketing Go Viral [Research] by Heidi Cohen
Some great ideas here! Her first point is to be upbeat. One thing that stands out among the angst and dreary news on social media is that uplifting post. Sure we need to look at the facts of what’s going on in the world and right now there isn't a whole lot of pretty going on, but we also need beauty. You don’t have to be a Pollyanna just share what fits your voice. Beyond those two things find the good news that is out there; share a message that uplifts.
Instagram Research You Need NOW! [7 Charts] by Heidi Cohen
On previous posts I talk about how important images are in your social media marketing. Here Heidi shares some great research on Instagram, one of the fastest growing platforms. She says: “In under two years, Instagram has surpassed the Library of Congress in terms of the number of photographs.” What does this mean to you? It’s a great place to reach people who love to share images. Share great images and people will take notice.
The 12 Most Common Facebook Questions, Answered (Test Your Facebook Knowledge) by Jim Belosic on Social Media Today
Got a Facebook question? This article answers them all in the form a fun quiz. Test your knowledge or just scroll down to the answers for a quick review of Facebook. Here’s a question you might not know: What does the “Talking about this” number really mean? Three points if you get this one right.
Please visit me over at New World Creative Union every week where I share a weekly tip with a great group of creatives. And if you're a poet, writer, artist,photographer, etc. please join us!
 This week it's about getting in line with Google Penguin, the importance of using images and how being a consistent poster makes all the difference in your numbers. So let's do like the penguin and plop in.How Google Penguin Will Impact Your Social Media Strategy on Social Media Magic,
Social Media Magic says:
You already know that SEO and social media are inevitably linked together. You can’t have one without the other. After all, what’s the point of blogging if no-one will ever get to read your post. This is where the danger comes in. I’ve learned that to make sure you’re on the right side of these happy feet – make these changes now!
•Check that your content has a keyword density of 2% or less. Any more, and Google Penguin will think you’re keyword stuffing.
*That’s just one of eight suggestions that will help you to focus your website and get in good with Google Penguin, Google’s algorithm update. Too many keywords don’t make for easy or interesting reading either.
Social Media Images: 5 Options [Examples] by Heidi Cohen
Heidi tells us:
Images, especially photographs, are 2012’s social media darlingsacross platforms from Facebook and Twitter to Pinterest, Tumblr and Instagram. They act like glue to attract attention and keep participants interacting.
*A picture is worth a thousand words and a picture of words (those jpeg tiles you see around the social networks) is worth more shares than quotes in status lines. This is because those tiles catch our attention with their color and size. So if you’re going to use these or create some of your own make sure the text is large enough to be read easily. If people have to click on it to make it out…well that’s not always going to happen. My number one rule in any marketing, make it easy for people to discover, share, buy, etc.
One Simple Secret to Social Media Success: Post Consistent Content Your Audience Loves by Beth Kanter on Social Media Today
Beth shares:
You are only as good as your last Facebook post and if you don’t post consistently, using an editorial calendar – then your engagement and reach drops. If you are just posting any old content, not what your audience loves, then you won’t see much engagement. And, if you don’t bother to look at your data, get insights, and make changes – you are wasting your time.
*The editorial calendar is a great tool. It helps you plan ahead and keep consistent. Beth has lots of other helpful links and ideas in this article. I highly suggest you take a look. The one article she mentions, 10 Types of Content that We ALL Love! by Gregory Ciotti, is probably the most helpful link.
Please visit me over at New World Creative Union every week where I share a weekly tip with a great group of creatives. And if you're a poet, writer, artist, photographer, etc. please join us!
 This week it’s about your image, content marketing, and using images in your marketing. Let’s jump in and see what the experts have to say!
20 Tips to Avoid Being a Social Brand Gone Wrong! By Pam Moore “the marketing nut”
Pam says:
Pick the top 3-5 words you want people to feel when they come in contact with your brand? Do you want them to feel empowered? Inspired? Peaceful? Trust? Energetic? Hungry? Fulfilled? These 3 words can be the driving force behind your brand development. We leverage such process and it literally shaves weeks off of development and design projects as it helps get the designer, developer and you on the same page from the start, not after the site is coded!
*Take the time to think about this one. These descriptive words create an image in your mind which you can than translate into how your website and logo look as well as how you act and treat your visitors. And remember to carry this out beyond the virtual world.
The 10-Step Content Marketing Checklist On Copyblogger
The Copyblogger lets us know that:
Content worth reading usually:
Appears under a headline that attracts and pulls in the audience, and
Is genuinely useful, focusing on problems readers actually care about, and
Is formatted to engage and hold attention, and
Is at least moderately entertaining.
*Keep this list in view when creating your content.
Maybe You’re Just Thinking About Content All Wrong By John Jantsch on Social Media Today
John shares:
Create content partnerships to lighten the load
*Maybe you authors and ministers out there have no trouble coming up with content to share, but you often don’t have the time. Ministers, perhaps church volunteers can write guest posts, a testimony of their experience at your church or your youth minister has something to share with parents. Authors, you can have your publicist or agent share their expertise or you can offer your platform space to up and coming authors…share the light.
I’m throwing in a couple of bonus articles on using images in your social media marketing. With Pinterest, Tumblr, and now Facebook’s Timeline the image is more important than ever on social media networks. And it’s always been worth a thousand words.
A guide to using images on Facebook By Jim Belosic on SmartBlog on Social Media
Images: 5 Ways to Feed the Content Beast By Heidi Cohen
Please visit me over at New World Creative Union every week where I sharea weekly tip with a great group of creatives. And if you're a poet, writer, artist,photographer, etc. please join us!
 Every week I’ll be reading, reading, reading. I’ll find the top five social media posts that will help you in your endeavor to build your online presence. I’ll share a tidbit of them and add anything else that will be of help to you. Be sure to click through to the original posts to learn even more.
This week it’s all about the power of the image, of the story, and how important it is to find those teachable moments. Let’s dive in!
7 Ways Photos Support Marketing (HINT: Social Media Included) by Heidi Cohen
Heidi says:
Photographs communicate better. Skip the thousand words, there are instances when an image is a better method of conveying the precise meaning. This is particularly true for fashion-oriented businesses such as clothing and make-up. With a photograph, there’s no confusion over what color green you’re referencing.
*There is a reason someone once said, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” It saves you time and energy trying to explain something. Authors you can use pictures to convey the feeling of your book. Artists already get this. And spiritual organizations can display what they do via pictures of their meetings and events not only to draw seekers in, but to help the new comers feel comfortable when they first visit.
Photography for Social Media: 5 Detailed Tips by Daniel Lemin via Convince & Convert
Daniel shares this tip:
If you have taken any photography class or even picked up a Photography for Dummies book in the last 20 years you’ll be familiar with the rule of thirds. You see, most 35MM images – whether film or digital – are rectangles. A photo where the subject is in the center of the image just isn’t very interesting to look at and often invokes the “amateur” tag. The rule of thirds encourages you to divide the photograph in your mind into thirds, and position the subject either in the left or right third of the image. It’s generally accepted as good composition.
*The other tips are great, but if all you remember is the rule of thirds you’ll be ahead of the game. And since I just told you above that you should be using images I couldn’t leave you without some practical advice on photography.
GIFs, JPGs and PNGs, Oh My! by R.J. LaCount - Published at Portent, an internet marketing company.
*This one is to give you a little insight into those different file types when working with your visual content.
How to Tell A Compelling Nonprofit Story: Part 1 (#12NTC) by Nancy Schwartz via GettingAttention.org
Nancy tells us:
What makes people lean forward for more of the story:
- The time-tested story arc with a clear beginning introducing the characters/people and the challenge, middle where the leads are sent out into the world and face the challenge head on, ending with resolution and a resonant conclusion.
- Aiming for the heart, so you engage your audiences at an emotional level first.
- People/characters that people can identify with.
- A way that listeners/viewers can help resolve the challenge (as a donor, citizen advocate, volunteer).
*One thing I would add is that when your character is facing the challenge you need to emphasize the low point. The death and resurrection of the hero is a very powerful storytelling device.
5 Reasons Why You Need to Stop Marketing and Start Teaching by Mack Collier via MackCollier.com
Mark says:
Sharing what you know means sharing your passion, and that inspires people. Don’t we all love hearing someone talk that truly loves what they are doing? Because they aren’t talking from a script, they are sharing what’s in their heart. Teach what you know and share with us why you love what it is you do, and who knows, you may convince us to love it just as much.
*Nothing wins people over like a person who lights up. What sets you on fire? Talk about that and you’ll catch people’s attention. All the talk about teaching in this article is about really talk about giving. When you give, people want to give back whether it’s by sharing your great advice or actually committing to your organization or buying your works. This is what the social web is all about, the cycle of reciprocity not the art of persuasion.Please visit me over at New World Creative Union every weekwhere I share a weekly tip with a great group of creatives.And if you're a poet, writer, artist, photographer, etc. pleasejoin us!
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