How To Run A Social Media Marketing Campaign Using Just a @BlackBerry

Greetings Dear Readers

Wolfgang Bonisch @charlotte_niche and @fredfelton at the @psasouthafrica National Convention 2012
                                                           #vocalislekker



This has been a crazy month for me helping out PSASA with some social media marketing
for their National Convention.  My company Falconscove helped them out with some social media
strategy and then the social media marketing at the convention.   Most of this was done using
just a @BlackBerry

Here are ways you too can market a event or convention using just a @BlackBerry

1.  Make sure you have UberSocial installed on your Blackberry


This proved to be my number one tool at the Convention.  Wherever I went I used
my UberSocial which gives you the wonderful options of sharing posts to Twitter, Facebook,
Linkedin and your Black Berry Messenger.

2.   Upload As Many Pics as you can


It has been proven that people look more at pictures than at statements so during your event
try and upload lots of pics.   Make sure you add the hashtag associated with the Event.

3.  Do some live blogging


For this I chose the Tumblr App for Blackberry and I must say it is rock solid, it works everytime
and automatically posts to Twitter and Facebook for you.  So during the event or at the end of the day
do some live blogging about the Speakers or the Event.

4.  Tell your Tweeps what is going on at the Event


People are curious and they want to know what is going on at Events.  So if you hear a gem
or a nugget of wisdom spread it with your Tweeps.  They will remember that.

5.  Make sure your battery is fully charged.


I know it sounds like a stupid thing to say but so many people forget to do this.  So just in case
take another battery with or your power cord and charge when necessary.


Yours in Social


Fred Felton
Social Media Strategist & Speaker
Falconscove
A Digital Media Agency
email: falconscove@gmail.com

5 Ways To Use A Social Media Hashtag Effectively

Greetings Dear Readers

At Falconscove we are busy helping PSASA with the social media strategy for their National Convention.
They are using the social media hashtag #vocalislekker.   Along the way it dawned on me one must make
sure you use the hashtag correctly along all channels.

Here are 5 tips to ensure you use your social media hashtag effectively.

1.  Select one hashtag across all channels


So many times companies decide on a hashtag and then along the way other people decide to use
a alternative one or something similar.  So if you decide on a hashtag eg #durban that hashtag
must be used in all tweets you send out, all facebook updates you send, all pictures you upload, blogs
you write etc.  It does not help if some people use #durban and some people use #dbn
Remain consistent.

2.  Use the hashtag in everything you share online




It's important to make sure everyone uses that hashtag especially at a conference.  So make sure
the same hashtag is used in all emails, tweets, facebook updates, pictures, videos etc.
Inform people beforehand what the hashtag will be.

3.  Trending topics


If you get it right then that hashtag will start to trend in the trending topics section of Twitter.
As long as everyone for example at a conference uses that hashtag and keeps sharing
info about the event.

4.  Make sure everyone knows


It's important especially at conferences for the MC to be told what the hashtag is and to let them
tell everyone what the hashtag is and that they must use it if they tweet about the conference or
take pictures or blog about it.  This helps that hashtag start to trend.

5.  Make it sound cool


Sit down with your staff and work on that hashtag.  It must have a nice ring to it.
People must want to share it with their tweets.  Make sure everyone knows it and passes it on
to others.  Keep track of the social channels as sometimes Tweeps will ask what the hashtag is.
Perfect time to remind them.  Have fun sharing that hashtag.


Yours in Social

Fred Felton
Social Media Strategist & Keynote Speaker
Falconscove
A Digital Media Agency
Social Media Management, Strategy, Talks & Workshops
email: falconscove@gmail.com

5 Ways To Get More Followers On Twitter

Greetings Dear Readers.

A great number of my clients and delegates at the workshops I teach at and at the talks I give
keep asking me how do you get more followers on Twitter.

Well here are 5 Tips to help you get more followers, these tips have helped me and hopefully
they will help you as well.

1.  Take a look at your business card


The easiest way is to take a look at your business card.  How many of you have your
twitter username on it?  Do you know how many business cards you give out each day
or when you go to networking meetings?  Well make it work for you.
Simple but effective.

2.  Your email signature


How many emails do you send out daily?  Well once again make it work for you.
Use a powerful tool like Wisestamp and add your Twitter username and profile
into your email signatures.  Helps a great deal.

http://www.wisestamp.com/


3.  Your Website Or Blog


How many of you have a website or blog?  How many of you have your a
Twitter Follow Me Button on your site or blog?  Once again get active and
get a Twitter Follow Me Button and add it to your site or blog.

https://twitter.com/about/resources

4.  Your Company Letterheads and Documents


Once again take a look at all of your Company Letterheads and Documents
you send out to clients.  Do you see your Twitter name on them.  If not
get busy adding it.

5.  Link Your Facebook To Your Twitter Account Same For Linkedin


Twitter also enables you to link your Twitter account to your Facebook account
so your Tweets appear on Facebook.   You can also link your Twitter account
to your Linkedin Feed and your contacts there can see you are on Twitter.

All valuable tools in gaining more followers.

What techniques do you use to gain more followers on Twitter?


Fly high, Fly free

Fred Felton
Social Media Engineer & Keynote Speaker
Falconscove
A Digital Media Agency
Social Media Talks, Workshops, Training, Branding and Management
'We Will Make You Famous'
email: falconscove@gmail.com

5 Ways To Market Your Event Using Social Media During The Event

Greetings Dear Readers

This week I am giving you 5 ways to market your event using social media during the event.
I am just back from doing a writing workshop with Speaker and Publisher Robin Jackson and
I thought I would share some tips for you on how to use social media to market your event during it.

Sure you have done all the hard work to market it before the event.
During the event is another story.  If you do it right more people will want to come to it next time.

Here are 5 tips to help you get started.

1.  Check in using Foursquare


A great way to create awareness is to use Foursquare to check in to the venue and tell people
why you are there. Include a hashtag as well, we used #IPW.  Make sure your Foursquare
is linked to Twitter and Facebook and even your BBM so you can reach many more people with it.

2.  Use a hashtag and be consistent with it


During the event use the same hashtag.  Do not veer away and use other hashtags.  Decide
beforehand what your hashtag is and stick with it.

3.  Use pictures


People love visual images of events so do not be shy, take some pics of the venue, of the
speakers, of the guests, of what is happening and upload them to Twitter, Facebook, Flickr
and Instagram.

4.  Tell people what is going on


Now your Tweeps will love you for this, so try and Tweet now and again all the great
things you hear at the event and smart advice you hear.  Share it with your Tweeps
and with your friends on Facebook.

5.  Try a live blog


You can even get someone to blog live from the event and create even more awareness.
Use the blog Tumblr and if you are more hands on with a mobile use the app for tumblr
and blog from your mobile.

So there you have it.  5 ways to market your event during it.  Hope you use them in the future
and tell me what you experienced.

Do you have any other tips to market your event using social media?


Fly high, Fly free


Fred Felton
Social Media Engineer & Speaker & Trainer
Falconscove
A Digital Media Agency
'Social Media Is Our Biz'
email: falconscove@gmail.com

#SocialMedia Advice By Musicians For Musicians

Greetings Dear Readers

This week I had the pleasure of interviewing some musicians and I asked them how
they use social media to market their music.

Let's hear what they had to say.

Leee John


This musician was far ahead of others and in the 90s he already set up his
website.

Check it out at www.leeejohn.com

From there you can find his links on Twitter, Facebook and MySpace

He suggests you build up a huge database of leads and fans.
He sees Facebook as a way to interact with fans.
Twitter is something you check while you are walking on the beach.

The Village People


They use both Twitter and Facebook but use
Facebook more to interact with their fans.

I attended a concert they were at and noticed how live on stage they took a picture
of the audience and posted it directly to their Facebook page and announced to the
audience to check out their Facebook page.  A wonderful concept.

Take a look at what they do on their Facebook page.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Official-Village-People/202364961024

The band also manages their Facebook page themself.

You have to be in the social media world or otherwise you are nowhere.

Nik Kershaw


He likes Twitter and sees it as a good tool.
Interact with him @NikKershaw on Twitter.

Rick Astley


Another Artist that uses Twitter.  You can find him on @rickastley
He also has a radio show and chats to interesting people on it.

Well hope you learnt some social media tips from the masters.

If you would like to read more about them and a review of the concert they were in
read all about it on Umhlanga Life.

http://umhlangalife.blogspot.com/2012/02/interviews-with-famous-musicians-and.html


Fly high, Fly free


Fred Felton
Social Media Strategist & Speaker
Falconscove
A Digital Media Agency
'Social Media Is Our Biz'
email: falconscove@gmail.com

email us to book Fred Felton for a talk or training workshop on Social Media

What is Pinterest?

Greetings Dear Readers

www.pinterest.com

Today I am talking about the word that is on everyone's tongues, Pinterest.
So many of my social media clients are asking me What is this Pinterest?

Well here are some tips all about Pinterest.

Pinterest is basically a digital scrap book.  You can post wonderful pictures
and put them into various categories.

Here are some tips to get you started:

Look for images that catch your eye


When you start up on Pinterest you will be bombarded with many images.
Look for one's that catch your eye and are in line with your style or image
and move your cursor over the image you have 3 options there
you can repin it on your own board, like it or comment on it.
I recommend you do all three.  Remember to repin it on a board
that fits in with the image so a picture of a fancy house would go well
in My House for example.  A image of good food would go well
in Food I like etc etc.  If you comment try and ask a question you may
get a reply from somebody and build a relationship.

Add it to your Facebook timeline


Pinterest gives you the option to connect Pinterest to your Facebook timeline.
I suggest you do this as you will benefit from cross marketing and if you are
building a brand it will be seen on both networks.

Start following Pinners


People on Pinterest are called Pinners.  Start looking for Pinners that have the same
style you have or have wonderful images or inspiring images and follow their pins
and connect with them.

Build your own boards


Create boards that you like with your own likes and let your imagination do the rest.
Go wild and put up your own pics, pictures or images that inspire you.

Tips for Writers and Photographers


You can even add pictures of your books on Pinterest to market your books.
The same for images from your book launches and images of your characters
the list is endless.  Photographers can put up images they have taken as a way
to create awareness of what they do and the kinds of photo's they take.

Pinterest is always refreshing


Always remember that as you go down on the screen Pinterest is always uploading
new Images so keep going down the screen you will be amazed at what you find.

Tips on Repinning


When you repin a image you also get the option to share it on Twitter.
Once again another wonderful cross marketing option.

Pinterest also has Videos


You also have the option of uploading Videos to Pinterest.  That means you can
show people what you get up to.  If you are in theatre you could show people your
new show or a excerpt from your show.


Pinterest Goodies

Take a look at the Pinterest Goodies link below which lets you integrate Pinterest into
your browser, your phone and your website or blog

http://pinterest.com/about/goodies/


What Pinterest Has to Say


A useful link is also what Pinterest has to say about the sight.  Worth a read.


http://pinterest.com/about/etiquette/


Learn on the go


Finally like everything else in life you learn on the go.  As you use it you will pick up tricks and of course
watch what others do and learn from them.  However always remember use it as you want to
and share those wonderful images and ideas that are in your head with other Pinners.

Happy Pinning!

Do you have any tips worth sharing about Pinterest?


Fly high, Fly free


Fred Felton
Social Media Engineer & Keynote Speaker & Trainer
Falconscove
email: falconscove@gmail.com
cell: 076-977-5788

call or email to book Fred for a social media talk or consultation

Don't forget to sign up for the #IPW Writing Workshops - tinyurl.com/ipwworkshop

100 Social Media Influencers In South Africa and counting #followsa

Greetings Dear Readers

Been very busy guest blogging for @IdeaBounty and getting some wonderful writing
and social media workshops ready for the near future.

Along the way I came upon a article on the Top 100 Social Media Influencers in the World.
I tweeted it out and the likes of @PoppieSlops and @franki1 tweeted me asking why don't
we have a list of the top 100 Social Media Influencers in South Africa.

So I told them I would start it for South Africa along the way @MelAttree suggested
we make it a wiki file which means that all of South Africa can contribute.

So feel free to contribute and add who you think should be on the list.
It's over 100 people and counting at the moment.
Interesting note, I am getting most of the feedback and suggestions via Twitter.

Top 100 Social Media Influencers In South Africa

Click on the link and see if you or someone you know is on it.

The names you see on the list are their Twitter names so go see who they are and add them
if you don't know them yet and chat to them.  You might just make a good friend.

Tweet me on @fredfelton if you have any suggestions, like it?  hate it?
You can even jump right in and edit it.

At the very worst you can add them all to your twitter account and you will have
a very interesting timeline.

It's an ongoing experiment so keep sending me your suggestions and I will try add
it to the list when I can.

Hopefully we can make it a yearly list.


Fly high, Fly free


Fred Felton
Speaker  & Social Media Engineer & Author
Falconscove
A Digital Media Agency
Social Media Is Our Biz
www.falconscovesa.blogspot.com
email: falconscove@gmail.com
twitter: @fredfelton