DeDivahDeals

Fashion and Fun after Fifty

Archive for October, 2016

Facebook Live For Business

Happy Halloween to all who celebrate and I know there will be a lot of Facebook Livestreaming happening tonight, which make’s today’s blog post very timely.  This is actually the second part of last week’s blog post, Social Media and Videos in which I discussed YouTube on my Podcast Social Media Sunday with the Delaware Blogger.

Anthem Culture

What is Facebook live?

Facebook Live lets you connect with your fans, friends and followers by sharing real-time video of what you’re seeing and doing.  Earlier I mentioned Periscope which is the live broadcast app on Twitter which was and perhaps still is very popular, but I prefer Facebook Livestream because of the countdown option and for some strange reason makes me less nervous.

In my first Podcast I talked about the difference between Facebook and Twitter and how the Facebook friends are like the friends you had in High School and Twitter is like the friends you wished you had in high school.  Maybe that’s why Twitter makes me nervous, it’s broadcasting to friends that I wish I had in High school…weird right?

Facebook for Business on a smartphone

Facebook Livestreaming can be seen live by people who follow you but if they missed it  live it will appear in their News Feed and on your timeline. When you’re watching a live video or a video that was live, you can tap or click Subscribe to get notified the next time that Facebook account starts a live broadcast.  So tell your followers to subscribe if they are watching to keep them in the loop.

Setting up a Facebook Live video is pretty easy – from your FB page click the ‘’LIVE”  icon and then describe your live video – you can use letters, symbols or emojis which is your title and what other’s will read in the News Feed

You can choose who you want to view it “Friends, “Public” or a specific “Facebook Group” then press “Go Live” you get a 3 second countdown and you can video face forwarding or turn camera around to video your surroundings.

Tips for Facebook Livestreaming from Social Media Examiner

  • While people are watching you, invite those viewers to tap the Subscribe button. This way, they’ll get notified the next time you’re live.   After you end your live broadcast, it will be saved on your timeline like any other video you upload.

  • Have a focus for your broadcast. Know what you plan to talk about ahead of time so you don’t have a rambling on about nothing unless that’s what the video is about. Knowing what you plan to talk about and doing it well will do wonders for your reputation.

  • Create a compelling title. It goes without saying that you should relate the title to the focus of your broadcast. When people get a notification that you’re live, the title is the only thing they see when deciding whether they want to join you.

  • Strive for great audio. Speak loudly and clearly close to the phone or use a microphone. Like with any video, your audience needs to be able to hear what you have to say. To this end, avoid broadcasting anywhere that has a lot of background noise.

  • Use both the front and back cameras. Since you likely won’t want to have the camera in your face the whole time, you can easily toggle back and forth between the two. When the camera faces you, the audio is better. Speak up when filming away from yourself.

  • Acknowledge your audience. When you go live, be sure to mention your friends and fans who are viewing, if it seems reasonable. Alternatively or in addition, respond to comments either during or after the show. – I don’t always wear my glasses that I am not great at doing this.

  • Test different broadcast length and times. Facebook recommends you go live for at least 5 minutes. Anything from 2 to 20 minutes is just fine. See what your audience likes and use that as your gauge. Also try going live at different times to see when most of your audience is around.

  • End with a call to action. Live video can be an integral part of your social media marketing, so make the most of it by directing your audience to a specific place. Include a simple call to action at the end of your video, such as to visit your website or private message you for more information on the topic.

  • Repurpose Your Video – As with other content, you’ll want to use your video in as many places as relevant.  Write a blog post with some of the highlights and embed either the Facebook post itself or just the video. Then share it on all of your social media profiles.

  • FACEBOOK LIVE

5 Ways to Use Facebook Live for your Business

  1. Behind the scenes. Come up with “adventures” that would be of interest to your friends and followers. If you could take a group of friends with you somewhere, where would that be? It could be somewhere you go during downtime (to the beach or a concert) or else directly related to business.

  2. Find something fun and relevant for your friends and followers to know about and take them there. For example, if you sell surfing gear, a day at the beach would be right on target, the same as a concert would be if you work in the music industry.

  3. Q&As. Pick a day and time and let your friends and followers know you’ll be on live to answer their questions. Do this monthly, weekly or regularly, when you you’re getting lots of inquiries.

  4. To get even more out of it, plan ahead. Create an event and encourage people to ask questions in advance, so you know what to address in your live stream. This will give you tremendous material for future content.

  5. You can write blog posts or video tutorials as answers to your questions, too. Q&As are also excellent for market research.

Create How-To Videos: . Find something that pertains to your expertise and relates to your business, but is also personal. Then show your audience how to do it with simple steps.

  • Use a tripod and point your Android or iPhone camera at you or even at your computer screen, and explain how to do something as you do it.

  • Product demos. Just like with how-tos, do live product demos for your friends and followers. Unbox products that you use for your business or simply share how you use them. Alternatively, show new uses for your own products. As with all video, you want to be having fun as you do demos, so your audience has fun too.

  • Breaking news. Compile sources that inform you when there’s breaking news in your industry. Then when something happens within your area of expertise, you can go live immediately and share it with your audience.

  • Report news and also add your own thoughts and opinions, so people know what to do with that information. Doing videos like these helps you establish your expertise. Remember, journalists, other influencers and potential clients could be watching. Tremendous opportunities may be waiting for you.

Video streaming, especially through Facebook Live, is an incredible opportunity to showcase your knowledge and increase your fan, follower and customer bases.  Since video is super-strong right now and Facebook Live seems to get higher organic reach than other types of content, it’s definitely worth getting ready to add Live to your marketing plan just as soon as you have access.

Are you using Facebook Live for your business and if so, do you have any tips to share?

aau-radio-with-the-delaware-blogger


How to Wear Layers for Unpredictable Fall Weather

Today’s guest post was written by Cathy Habas, and the timing is perfect, especially after my post on Wednesday featuring this Fall Fashion outfit from Chadwicks of Boston.

photo shoot at Glasgow Park

After a sweltering and often uncomfortable summer, fall brings welcome change. But fall can be unpredictable. The days are hot and the nights are cold. An unexpected breeze can bring on quite a chill. And if you live in a mountainous region, the differences in temperature become even more apparent depending on your altitude.

So if you have a long day ahead of you, you might find yourself in need of a warm outfit for the chilly morning and a summery outfit for the heat of the day. Factor in windy conditions, and you’ll need to bundle up even more.

keeping warm with a mug of hot cocoa

Don’t worry! There’s no need to change clothes in the middle of the day. With some smart layering of clothes, being comfortable is as simple as taking off or putting on a jacket. Let’s take a look at some ways to wear layers while still looking professional or trendy this fall.

But first and foremost, don’t forget to check the weather forecast! Take a look at the highs and lows, as well as the wind chill factor.

Start With Leggings and Socks

Choose some medium-weight leggings to keep the chill off your legs. Stay away from sheer tights, which wind will cut through like a knife, and from thermal leggings, which will turn you into a bucket of sweat. (In a pinch, you can always nip to the bathroom and take off your leggings if they are just too much.) Dark colors are always in style in the fall, like black, grey, brown, dark blue, maroon, olive or marigold.

If your toes tend to get cold, wear some socks over your leggings! You can even incorporate them into the outfit by having the sock cuff peek over the edge of your boots.

Add a Dress

The foundation of your layered outfit will be a dress. It’s a good idea to stick with a simple design and to not choose a busy pattern. Each layer of clothing that you add to your outfit will add a new color, texture, pattern and design. Unless all of your other layers are plain and you need some pizazz, keep the dress nice and simple, like a blank canvas. White dresses are perfect for layering, so don’t let that old “no white after Labor Day” saying lead you astray.

Loose-fitting dresses are preferable over body-con dresses so that you can let your body breathe a little when the weather warms up in the middle of the day.

what to wear in the fall

Try to stay away from dresses with cut-outs, little to no back coverage, deep necklines and too much shoulder exposure. It’s not that you’re trying to be overly modest, but rather a cool fall breeze will find every inch of bare skin (yes, even under a jacket!) and chill them to the bone. Take our word for it and leave the beach dresses in the closet.

Something cute and simple like the Ariana Mesh Shift Dress is perfect, but in the end, don’t overthink it. Choose whatever makes you feel comfortable and confident!

Add Something to Cover Your Shoulders and Arms

Some people like to wear long-sleeved shirts under dresses, but I find this to be a little stifling. After all, if you get too warm, you cannot remove the shirt very easily. However, wearing a long-sleeved shirt over your dress works out much better and makes it look like you’re simply wearing a skirt.

But I prefer to choose a jacket, cardigan or sweater for this layer. If you’re quite concerned about the cold, add a vest first for an additional layer of warmth.

Jackets that fall to your waist line are ideal so that the skirt of your dress has plenty of room to poof, twirl and flow. It’s also wise to choose a button-down instead of a pullover, so that you have the option of keeping it open when you feel warm, or buttoning up against the cold.

It’s even better if your jacket or cardigan has pockets! Sometimes wearing gloves is overkill, but that doesn’t mean your hands won’t get cold.

wear-a-hat-in-the-fall

Add a Scarf

Choose your favorite scarf to keep your neck and chest extra warm. Scarves add a wonderful layer of protection on a windy day. Don’t opt for the mega-warm, knitted variety just yet. Silk scarves are okay, but Pashminas are even better. There are dozens of ways to tie them, so they can look like a work of art while also serving a practical purpose.

Final Touches

Consider wearing a beanie or other head-hugging hat, and don’t forget to pick out your favorite boots! Pick out your purse, add a couple chunky rings or earrings, and you’re all set. The scarf and jacket can be removed or added throughout the day as needed, and you should be able to always strike a balance between being too hot or too cold.

Coordinating all of these layers into an outfit that doesn’t look mish-mashed is part of the fun. But don’t be afraid to be bold! So neon green isn’t really a fall color; wear your favorite scarf anyway! Your clothes are an expression of yourself and should instill confidence in you. They are also one of the first things people will notice about you, so stay true to yourself for a great first impression.

Cathy Habas Cathy Habas is a Louisville-based freelance writer specializing in fashion, health and home improvement. She received her degree in English from Indiana University Southeast in 2014. Learn more about Cathy and get in touch with her at www.cathyhabas.com.


Wrapped in Style and Warmth with Chadwicks of Boston

Yes, summer is officially over and even with a warm snap last week, the Autumn winds are blowing and there is a definite crispness in the air.  I finally cleared my closet of the summer shorts and tanks and pulled out the long sleeve dresses, sweaters, wraps and wool skirts.

A few weeks ago when I got home from church, hubby and I took a Sunday afternoon drive and chose to cruise through Glasgow Park as we are planning on walking the trails there on Saturday mornings.  There were several walkers, joggers, and parents with kids in strollers on this bright and beautiful day.   Glasgow Park is a great place to go if you are looking to add a little exercise to your weekend routine or just get some fresh air with the family or to walk the dog.

  Wrapped in Warmth

Obviously,  I was not dressed for any serious walking, however, I did walk over to the pond to see the Geese gather and take in the warmth of the sunshine on my faceWearing this Blue Wool Midi A-Line Skirt from Chadwicks of Boston and Multi Color Shawl kept me comfy cozy and cute – what do you think?

Chadwick's of Boston

Some of you may remember getting the Chadwicks of Boston catalogs in the mail and if you were anything like me, you would go through each page, “dog-earring” the ones with items that you wanted to order.  This Blue Wool Midi A-Line Skirt was one of them as it is perfect for  church and work and when the snow flakes begin to fall, I will be wearing my boots with it.  I love the front kick pleat which makes it easier to maneuver when walking in the snow.

Affordable Fashion from Chadwick's of Boston

The American Shawl is a great cover-up because oftentimes I find wearing a heavy sweater uncomfortable especially by the end of the day.  Wearing a shawl keeps my arms warm when walking outside and then I can shed it once inside the car or in the office when a “personal summer” hits – and you know what I mean #menopause

Chadwicks of Boston has been around for a while but their clothing is still modern and affordable.  Ordering online at Chadwicks of Boston is easy and they have styles and sizes from Tall to Petite as well as Plus Sizes all at affordable prices to fit most budgets.

photo shoot at Glasgow Park

Check out the Wool Shop at Chadwicks of Boston to find this Midi A-Line Skirt which is also available in a New Camel color and the American Fringe Shawl is a one size fits all versatile and affordably priced garment.

Chadwicks of Boston  Wool Midi A-Line Skirt: Wool skirt with a slight A-line silhouette and a modern front inverted pleat that adds a unique touch. Front and back darts create a great shape. Hidden back zipper.

  • Wool/polyester/other
  • Polyester lining
  • Dry clean
  • Imported
  • Lengths: (M) 31″; (P) 28″

Disclosure:  I am participating in a compensated campaign with this brand.  The styling and the written words are my own.


Social Media and YouTube Videos

Two weeks ago on Social Media Sunday with the Delaware Blogger we discussed Social Media and Videos and my special guest was Bryan Shelmon from Anthem Culture who is vlogging his vision on YouTube.

Anthem Culture

I am going to break up this blog post into two separate posts because I want to discuss YouTube and Facebook Live separately, however, you can head over to the Podcast to hear the full version now.

aau teen talk radio promo

YouTube

With an estimated 500 hours worth of video being uploaded to YouTube every minute, in August 2016 alone, videos uploaded to YouTube generated 127 billion views, both organic and paid. THAT’S A LOT OF EYES!

When I first started my YouTube channel I tried to make my videos perfect and trust me they were far from it, but some of you guys watched them and even gave me positive comments so I kept at it – still not perfect but it was fun nevertheless.

YouTube is the second biggest search engine online, and it gives businesses a gigantic platform to gain viewers. Users aren’t satisfied by physical ads or static marketing anymore, they want interactive and engaging material.  Uploading video content, that showcases your businesses views and ideas, gives you the aura of expertise and authority. By uploading videos with tips and strategies, businesses can not only get attention but also provide help and value to customers, which will build respect.

Tips and How-To videos are great ways to develop your company into becoming an expert on the topic. When viewers see the videos, they will recognize you as an expert for providing those tips and advice especially if it was good and that is definitely a win win for everyone.

When I did my first YouTube videos they were created to complement or be a companion to my existing blog, DeDivahDeals but I wanted my followers to see me and it did open up a wider audience.

My second blog, Blogging with Blake is a teaching blog so I basically took what I did in my workshops and put it on video, again widening my audience and making it appear as though I am authority in the field of social media and guess what I am…because here I am now doing Podcasts  – SOCIAL MEDIA SUNDAY WITH THE DELAWARE BLOGGER

Trust me it took a while before I became comfortable in doing them, but the more I ‘taped” the more fun it became

Blogging with Blake Header

YouTube Videos builds credibility and trust – uploading content on YouTube or  Periscope, Meerkat, Vine and Vimeo, businesses are able to give reasons for customers to take a closer look at their services and products.

Credibility comes from information and there is no easier or direct way which will be absorbed more quickly than through video content. 15 seconds of video content can be more engaging and provide more information than an entire page of ads, text or those throwaway flyers you get in the mail – we as humans are very visual creatures with short attention spans – less than that of a Goldfish!

5 tips to make your videos worth watching

youtube-logo

People aren’t going to click on your video to see a boring infomercial or stay to watch it in it’s entirety so…

1 – Create good content and be consistent for your targeted audience.   You want to create a channel which is more than just putting up videos.  Think about your audience where are they in the buying process? Trying to cold-sell to customers and prospects might not work initially because they may not be interested in your  products yet, Most people who find your videos on YouTube are usually in the discovery stage and aren’t ready to commit to a purchase.  They want to check you out first.

2- It’s important to choose keywords that are relevant to people who are looking for new information and to provide video content that educates them based on those keywords. Make sure to use keywords that people are looking for when searching for products, services or tutorials.  Think like the customer.  “How to boil and egg” which is a basic analogy but works.

The goal of your videos should be to search out and find those viewers who are interested in learning more about your products and services. You’ll have an easier time converting website visitors after you’ve warmed them up to your offers.

3 – Your videos should focus on providing video that engages and educates people, but leaves them hanging a little. Use the video to convince them that they need to visit your website to get the information they require or come back for future videos.

End your video by saying something like Please visit my website at blah blah blah.com or for more information” call us at, send an email to or find us on our  social media platforms.

4 – Optimize Your Channel Page to Drive Traffic

Always provide contact information for your company; include links to your website and other social media profiles.  Also make good use of your banner header, where you can insert four clickable links. Be sure to add appropriate calls to action there. Including your request to subscribe – using a statement like, “if this is your first time here, subscribe because…give them a reason for subscribing, give them the value or their subscription.

5 – Give your video a catchy title for the thumbnail and don’t spend a lot on fancy equipment because most people are watching videos at work from their desk with a their smartphone, not some major television production on ABC or CBS.

Remember the opening seconds of video must hook viewer and give them what the title states.  

Are you using YouTube to broaden your brand and expand your business online?

 


Slow Cooked Chili with Jennie-O Lean Ground Turkey

Happy Crocktober!

Cooking in the fall is fabulous especially when you use a Slow Cooker or Crock Pot.

Last weekend I made a Slow Cooked Turkey Chili using Jennie-O lean Ground Turkey.  This is one of the easiest weekend or weekday meals to prepare. The next day leftovers are equally good so make sure you make enough to have some!

I love any recipe that you can dump into the Crock Pot in the morning then come home to a fully cooked meal…and of course a kitchen that smell delicious!

Jennie-O Ground Turkey

Ingredients:

  • 16 oz package of Jennie-O Lean Ground Turkey

  • 14.4 oz package of frozen peppers and onions or Pepper Stir Fry

  • 14.5 oz can of Diced Tomatoes

  • 15.5 oz can of Black Beans rinsed in cold water

  • 10 oz package of frozen corn

  • 1 package of low sodium Chili Mix

  • Optional Ingredients: Cilantro, Green Onions, Cheddar Cheese, Sour Cream, and of course a little of Hot Sauce!

Jennie-O Ground Turkey Chili

You can brown the Ground Turkey first in a little Olive Oil before placing in the Crock Pot, however, I prefer to use frozen Ground Turkey which allows it to thaw as it cooks with the other ingredients.  If you brown the ground turkey first, cook on high for 2 hours, otherwise, on low for 4 hours.

 This Turkey Chili can be topped with shredded cheddar cheese or sour cream and of course a little hot sauce.  Hubby loves cornbread and served over rice.

What is your favorite Crocktober meal?


Totally Thrifted Outfit from Goodwill

If you recall in a previous post in which I talked about de-cluttering my closets then you would have realized that I have more than one, as a matter of fact, I have racks of clothes in both the guest bedroom as well as in the basement.

I started de-cluttering the basement racks first and donated several boxes of items back to Goodwill most of which were initially thrifted and then I moved on to the guest bedroom closet.

  fashion after fifty

I still haven’t done my walk in closet, the one that I mentioned makes me nervous every time I open the door.  I am not in such a rush especially since I can put together an outfit from items for the other closets.  This outfit was actually saved from being donated, the multi-color top was in the basement and the green maxi skirt was in the guest bedroom and together they made an appearance on a cool crisp Autumn day.

The colors of the purse, purple and green was a perfect accessory for the outfit and it along with the necklace were also thrifted new from Goodwill.  Believe it or not, I haven’t been thrifting in several months simply because I don’t need anything, nor do I have any room on the racks!

sandals from Kmart

The tan wedge sandals weren’t thrifted, but were on sale at Kmart when I purchased them several years ago and they are very comfortable.  I also bought them in black but had to order them online as they didn’t carry them in the stores.  thrifed accessories from Goodwill

The weather is still up and down here in Delaware so next week’s outfit will feature the black cap sleeve dress which was perfect for the Bloggers Night at the Grub Burger Bar event that I attended on last Thursday.

outfit totally thrifted from Goodwill  Are you listening to my Podcasts on Sunday?  If not,  you should because they will be some Giveaway Promotions going on as we head into the new year.  Social Media Sunday with the Delaware Blogger is every Sunday at 6 pm on Blog Talk Radio with AAU Teen Talk Radio.  

Which closet do you dread cleaning out the most, your clothes closet, the kid’s closet or the coat closet?

wedge sandals and maxi skirts

 


Social Media and Small Business

Monday’s blog posts will be recaps of Sunday’s Podcasts, which if you haven’t started following yet, can be found on Blog Talk Radio.   Social Media Sunday with the Delaware Blogger – AAU Teen Talk Radio is on every Sunday at 6 p.m.

aau-radio-with-the-delaware-blogger

 

On October 2nd, my special guest was Nikki Valentine and we talked about the re-launching of her business N.V.Me Designs, click this link to hear the interview. 

Nikki Valentine, owner of N.V. Me Designs

If you are a small business owner who is just starting out and are looking for ways in which to get customers inside your doors if you are brick and mortar or go online to buy a product or service, you do realize that you must have a presence on social media right?

Current and potential customers are literally walking around with your business in their hands.  A few weeks ago, I attended a networking event at the Chase Center on the Riverfront, and everyone there had at least one social media platform in which to connect, most if not all had a Facebook business account which is what we talked about on the Podcast.

Facebook for Business on a smartphone

Social Media is a numbers game, however, it’s not how many you get, but how many you keep and how many of them take action.

FACEBOOK AND SMALL BUSINESS

Facebook now has 4 million advertisers and it’s being powered by more small businesses trying to reach customers, particularly on their mobile devices.

People are spending more time on their phones, more engagement on their phones, doing more things on their phones, because phones can do more. I remember the brick my hubby gave me as an engagement gift, it weighed about 10 lbs and it was attached to the car, then came the bag phone but all it could do was make and receive calls. 

car phones in the 90s

Now mobile phones can do practically anything, conduct searches, give map directions, promote sales, take pictures and record live video.  Businesses are beginning to understand that they need to be where people are, and that’s on their mobile device. 

Setting up a Facebook Business Page is easy but you must have a personal page first, and there are many sites with instructions , I also have a Slideshare presentation that you can download.  Leave a comment below if you would like me to email you a copy

Facebook is where you can virtually hang out with your family and friends but more importantly with your customers and/or potential clients and customers.  Facebook is for entertainment so remember the 80/20 rule and don’t post “buy me” posts constantly. 

Share content from others in the same niche or industry and remember that what you share is perceived to be what you believe so be very careful when posting because using a “like or share is not an endorsement” disclaimer doesn’t hold water – just don’t post it.

  Find Us on Facebook

Top 10 Benefits of a Facebook Business Page

  1. Everyone is on Facebook – need I say more?

  2. Increased Exposure to Potential Customers – everyone is on Facebook right?

  3. Gather More Leads – gather leads in the form of email addresses — so you can contact them outside of Facebook.  Promotion of contests, giveaways through newsletters

  4. Facebook business page costs you exactly $0. – but you don’t own it so start a blog!

  5. Insights and analytics – you can see where your audience is coming from (likes, reach, page views, engagement, shares, performance, etc.)

  6. Build Brand Loyalty – if you consistently provide valuable and entertaining content, your followers will stay loyal and share your message, product or service

  7. Increase Your Web Traffic – social media platforms are the wheels that drive the vehicle to your website or blog and eventually to your store or service

  8. Boost SEO – Search Engine Optimization – being found online – Google me

  9. Be Mobile Ready – Facebook is already built to be mobile friendly, so take advantage of it.  Facebook page on a mobile device it shows users:

  • Hours of operation – Address – Reviews – Phone number to call directly from the Facebook mobile app

  1. Check in on Your Competition! – Facebook makes suggestions based on competition in my area in my same (or a similar) niche. Choose pages by clicking “Watch Page” or search for pages in the search box.

Pavlograd UKRAINE - December 18 2014: Person holding a brand new Apple iPhone 5S with Twitter logo on the screen and twitter page on laptop. Twitter is a social media online service for microblogging and networking communication.

TWITTER AND SMALL BUSINESS

I have said it before and I’ll say it again, Twitter is by far my favorite social media platform.  Why – well for one, it’s quick, it’s happening right now in real time and I love hashtags. 

I liken FB to the friends you had in high school and Twitter are the friends you wish you had in high school.  It’s where the cool kids hang out and if you ever been retweeted, liked or followed by a celeb then you know how exciting that can be!

Hashtags are the best thing since slice bread!

Tweet that!

Twitter will display all other tweets with that hashtag – great way to search or find potential customers or topics to follow and share – great way to get your message and content out there. 

“I don’t get Twitter” is a common statement among small business owners. With more than 316 million active monthly users engaging in instant conversations, the social platform shouldn’t be ignored.  The main difference of Facebook and Twitter is on Twitter, following someone is not necessarily an admission of friendship, but an interaction and conversation in 140 characters or less.

If you already have a personal Twitter account and have been using it for your business, you may want to create a separate business account so that any personal information is not passed onto your business followers.  –  But remember that your brand is your brand not matter where it’s coming from.

Be as visible as possible, put on your Twitter handle on business cards, email address, flyers, etc.  Tweet only business info and not personal tweets on your business account.

Twitter is a great way to connect with your targeted audience and for your targeted audience to connect with you in real time – for example, two weeks ago I had to rebook a flight on a non-refundable ticket with Delta airlines and the customer service representative was amazing!  After I handled my business, I immediately posted my satisfaction to Delta Airlines and they immediately responded. 

Now small business owners don’t have the luxury of being online constantly like the bigger brands, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t check in first thing in the morning or right before going to bed in the evening to see if your brand or business was mentioned.

Speaking of which you can open an account at www.mention.com where you will enter the name of your business and then be alerted anytime someone mentions it it’s a social media monitoring and listening app that keeps you in the know.

Twitter is great for PR and networking, especially for event coverage and promotion.  Using a hashtag for an event and then getting attendees to tweet about using the hashtag gives you wider exposure.

Although you can’t own a hashtag you can register it for the event so that people can follow along at www.Twubs.com.  And if your hashtag is unique and you use it enough it becomes part of you and your business brand, i.e. #DelawareBlogger if you Google that you will find me all over the internet.

Businesses should have a Twitter account for several reasons:

  1. Consumers are frustrated with call centers –  Oftentimes, individuals will go on Twitter after they’ve already sought a solution by calling the company’s helpline.

  2. Instant gratification – Twitter allows customers to feel more in control of the timeliness of the solution. They can immediately go online, research a solution to try helping themselves or vent their problem in real-time, asking for help, whether from the brand or other customers.

  3. Airing dissatisfaction publicly is part of a solution – Some people just want to be heard, good, bad and ugly, and sharing on Twitter gives them gratification. Some people like to tweet, tweet, tweet like a duck at 3 o’clock in the morning!

  4. Hashtags allow you to Search for Terms Related to Your Biz – finding customers where they hang out and with whom – always check the followers of your followers and follow them if they are relevant.

small business owners

Top Ten Twitter Tips – from CatchFireFunding.com

1. Follow industry leaders.

First, find your industry leaders on Twitter and follow them, all of them. These people are vital to building the right follower base. 

2. Follow authors who write about your industry.

You probably have a few favorite industry experts whose books you’ve read. Follow them on Twitter, but also follow all of the industry experts who’ve written books in your field. If you don’t know who these authors are, go to Amazon and search out books in your industry. Find the author’s names and follow them on Twitter.

3. Follow other authors.

Who writes the articles in the magazines and trade publications on your industry? Find out who these people are and follow them on Twitter. When I became active on Twitter, I followed every author I could find who wrote about entrepreneurship. While not everyone has a Twitter account, I found that 9 out of 10 authors and writers do.

4. Know your target audience.

Like you need to know your customers, you need to know your audience. You can have 1,000 followers who will never turn into customers, or you can have 100 quality followers who will either convert to customers, refer customers, or add value by sharing quality, relevant content. It’s important that your Twitter followers have something to gain by following you and vice versa.

5. Follow your industry hashtags.

Twitter has this great tool where you type in a hashtag in the search bar, such as #smallbusiness, and instantly a feed pops up with relevant posts and articles. It’s important that you monitor your industry hashtags so you stay current on industry trends and technology. You also use these hashtags when you Retweet and share posts. When you use the appropriate hashtag, you ensure that your post is “seen” by your target audience. Go on Twitter and play with the hashtags in your industry until you know which ones apply to your business.

6. Share quality content.

Twitter is all about adding VALUE; it’s not the place to oversell products and services. Read articles about your industry trends and share them on Twitter daily. Not only will you be learning, you’ll provide value to your target audience.

7. Tweet about industry events.

Stay on top of industry events and Tweet about them, whether it’s a local tradeshow or a national convention. In your Tweet, include the event’s hashtags and a link to the website so people can click on the link themselves.

8. Be engaging.

Twitter is not a spectator sport. Actively participate, comment and like others’ posts and Retweet (share) them daily. Twitter is all about building relationships and ADDING VALUE. One great way to add value is to write and share informative blogs, and of course, include your industry hashtags when posting so your audience will be able to find and read your content.

9. Post daily and repeat.

For your small business to succeed on Twitter, you have to post daily. Post at least 3 to 5 Tweets per day with several Retweets, which is similar to the “sharing” feature on Facebook. If your followers see that you haven’t been active in a month, they’re likely to “unfollow” you.  Use images as they get retweeted far more than just text

10. Don’t go off topic.

Your Twitter page should be relevant to your business, it should not discuss anything controversial, such as politics, and it should not go off topic. Keep the posts relevant to your niche market.

Most importantly – Engage the Influencers in Your Niche – as you know, bloggers are on Twitter and we love to retweet and share – sharing is caring and we are also looking to connect with businesses for collaborations and brand ambassadorships.  We retweet each other’s posts and would do the same with yours so connect with us on Twitter.

I have a chart that I found online that is a great reference tool which I will send to anyone who may be interested in receiving.  It lists all the popular social media platforms as well as the audience and demographics who uses them – a handy little cheat sheet so if you would like a copy, please leave a comment and I’ll send it in an email. 

Do you have any Facebook or Twitter tips to share?  Don’t forget to check out my Podcasts which are on Sunday at 6 on Blog Talk Radio, AAU Teen Talk Radio.

social-media-sunday-with-the-delaware-blogger


Blogger Night at the Grub Burger Bar

Thanks to a Facebook invitation from Julianne Cross, I along with several food bloggers were invited to a Private Taste Testing at the Grub Burger Bar at the Concord Mall.  I drive by the Concord Mall every day on my way to work so I saw the installation of the bright red letters “grub Burger Bar” marquee go up but had never stopped to check it out once it officially opened.  That definitely will change as I plan on stopping in now at least a couple times a month to pickup dinner for my men and me.

restaurants at the Concord Mall

grub Burger Bar at Concord Mall

The Private Taste Testing was organized by Sara Teixido, Owner of Goddess of Vintage and food blogger of Delaware Yum.  Not ever having had dinner at any restaurant at the Concord Mall I didn’t know the menus but I knew not to have a large lunch and I am thankful that I didn’t. 

Not only were we given an opportunity to taste test over 6 Beef Burgers, 3 Burgers that “Don’t Moo” including Tuna and Salmon burgers, we also test tasted 4 different salads and 4 appetizers. 

The Grub Burger Bar’s menu is extensive with options to suit everyone’s taste and these are the menu items that we had an opportunity to sample:

Cheese Fries apetizers

Cheese Fries topped with Monterey Jack cheese, grilled pineapple, jalapenos, Teriyaki & BBQ Sauce

Snacks: Luau Fries, Cheese Fries, Harlem Chicken Tenders, and Ahi Tuna

Chicken Tenders with Mississippi Comeback Sauce

Chicken Tenders with Mississippi Comeback Sauce

Burgers: Jive Turkey; Swimmin’ Up Stream, Burger of the Sea, Bacon Love#9, Front Porch, Guacapotle, Lockhart Legend, VooDoo Mushroom and You’re My Boy Blue.

Grub Burger Bar

Beef Burgers Beef Burgers Burgers with Bacon

Turkey Burger

However, if that wasn’t enough, we also sampled 3 delicious handcrafted shakes which were named the Kitchen Sink, Worms and Dirt and the ET Shake.  Below are just a few of the fabulous menu offerings and if this doesn’t make you hungry, nothing will!

Handcrafted Shakes

Pretzels, peanut butter, salt, butterscotch sauce, caramel sauce, chocolate chips, coffee grounds and potato chips

ET Shake

Handcrafted Shakes at Grub Burger Bar

ET Shakes – Reeses Pieces, peanut butter and chocolate garnished with a peanut butter cookie

milkshakes made with oreo cookies

Crushed Oreos topped with gummy worms

milkshakes made with gummy worms

There are currently 18 Grub Burger Bar locations around including this one in Delaware and all the ingredients are freshly prepared with no artificial preservatives including in the sauces chipotle aioli; tequila lime aioli and the wasabi-teriyaki dressing.  

dipping sauces for burgers and fries

There is a well stocked bar with Domestic and Crafted beers as well as ceiling mounted televisions for the sports enthusiasts.

Craft beer is available at Grub Burger Bar

Adult Beverages at Grub Burger Bar

Thanks to the WiFi connectivity I was able to do a Facebook Livestream which hubby watched.  When I got home he was hoping that I had brought a Salmon Burger, which I didn’t, however, I did bring a “You’re My Boy Blue” burger.  It was definitely one of my favorites as it also became for my son who ate it before I even had a chance too. 

burgers with bleu cheese and onions

“You’re My Boy Blue” Burger

This burger contained crumbled Bleu Cheese, Caramelized Onions, Tomato and Arugula.  My best friends from New York chimed it online because they want me to take them there the next time they visit and I assured them that it would definitely be part of our weekend lineup!  If you are a burger person or even if you are not, you need to check out the Grub Burger Bar because they have an awesome array of salads including a Pesto Turkey Cobb and an Ahi Tuna which I was apprehensive at first to try but once I did, it was amazingly good!

salads at the burger bar

Ahi Tuna Salad

snacks and salads at Grub Burger Bar

snacks and salads at Grub Burger Bar

Thank you Julianne and Sara for inviting me to be part of this event and I will definitely be heading back to the Grub Burger Bar for not only the burgers and salad but to purchase a few Gift Certificates which will become part of a Podcast Holiday Giveaway promotion.  Stay tuned for the details which will be announced soon on Social Media Sunday with the Delaware Blogger on Blog Talk Radio, Sundays at 6 pm.

photographing food

Bloggers are never without their cameras

customer satisfaction at Grub Burger Bar

Thank you for awesome service at Grub Burger Bar

Bloggers in Delaware

Private Taste Testing at Grub Burger Bar

 


Best Dressed Cowgirl Wins a Hoagie

A few weeks ago I attended a networking event at the Blue Ball Barn in Wilmington which was sponsored by the Women’s Business Center.  If you follow me on Instagram you would have seen several pics and a Flipgram of the highlights. 

To my amazement I was chosen the winner of the Best Dressed Outfit and for that received a $25 Gift Certificate to Primo Hoagies.  If you’ve ever had a Primo Hoagie then you know that they are delicious!  My outfit was put together with new and old pieces which included an upcycled maxi skirt and it was ironic that the DeDivah – Fashion and Fun After Fifty won the award!

Best Dressed Cowgirl

The skirt was actually a maxi dress that I cut the bodice off to refashion into a skirt which you can read about in this post.  The necklace was thrifted a few years ago from Goodwill and I probably picked up the bracelet at Ross or Marshalls.  The purse is a closet staple and I love it because it’s large enough to carry everything I need for networking events including my camera and selfie stick.

cowgirl outfit

The cute booties and hat were purchased from TJ Maxx and I was lucky to find the hat on clearance for only ten bucks.  I immediately feel in love with the fringed booties and for only $29.99, you know I had to snatch them up for the Fall.

suede fringed booties for the fall

The Peasant Blouse and Crochet Vest were both purchased from Walmart and since they are new arrivals there were several colors of each available.  If you check your local Walmart store I am sure that you will probably find a nice selection of each.

fringed vest from Walmart

I had a great time at the Saddle Up for Business Event and I want to congratulate all the women and men who have worked hard on achieving their goals of starting a small business in Delaware.  These events are always morale boosters for me as I get ABlake Enterprises off the ground and where it should be in accordance to my goals and plans.

organizers of Saddle Up for Business networking event

Delaware Blogger  So what do you think, was this an award winning outfit?

 


Preparing for a Podcast

You guys do know that I have a Podcast right?  

 

Social Media Sunday with the Delaware Blogger What – you didn’t know…well I do and it’s live every Sunday night at 6 pm on BlogTalkRadio – here is the link to my 4th episode

http://bit.ly/2dxB3fq

Make sure to sign up to follow so you will be reminded of the show before it airs.

Hosting a Podcast had been a lifelong dream of mine so when I was asked to host a show I already had my title chosen!

 

social-media-sunday-with-the-delaware-blogger

This new collaboration with AAU Teen Talk TV and Radio came courtesy of Chevona Johnson, CEO and an Executive Producer along with her husband, Roger, Sr.  

Chevona is also an alum of Delaware State University (College) and reached out to me because she saw a few of my social media posts and I am glad that she did.  

The topic for the October 2nd episode was Social Media and Small Business with special guest Nikki Valentine. 

nikki-valentine

I also video taped a few minutes of me preparing for that Podcast which was fun so check it out here:

On this Podcast I talked about Facebook and Twitter for Small Business and below is what I covered on Facebook, next week I will post the Top Ten Twitter Tips.

Facebook now has 4 million advertisers and it’s being powered by more small businesses trying to reach customers, particularly on their mobile devices.

 People are spending more time on their phones, more engagement on their phones, doing more things on their phones, because phones can do more. I remember the brick my hubby gave me as an engagement gift, it weighed about 10 lbs and it was attached to the car, then came the bag phone but all it could do was make and receive calls.  

Now mobile phones can do practically anything, conduct searches, give map directions, promote sales, take pictures and record live video.  Businesses are beginning to understand that they need to be where people are, and that’s on their mobile device.  

Setting up a Facebook Business Page is easy but you must have a personal page first, and there are many sites with instructions , I also have a Slideshare presentation that you can download.  

Facebook is where you can virtually hang out with your family and friends but more importantly with your customers and/or potential clients and customers.  Facebook is for entertainment so remember the 80/20 rule and don’t post “buy me” posts constantly.  

Share content from others in the same niche or industry and remember that what you share is perceived to be what you believe so be very careful when posting because using a “like or share is not an endorsement” disclaimer doesn’t hold water – just don’t post it.

Top 10 Benefits of a Facebook Business Page

  1. Everyone is on Facebook – need I say more?

  2. Increased Exposure to Potential Customers – everyone is on Facebook right?

  3. Gather More Leads – gather leads in the form of email addresses — so you can contact them outside of Facebook.  Promotion of contests, giveaways through newsletters

  4. Facebook business page costs you exactly $0. – but you don’t own it so start a blog!

  5. Insights and analytics – you can see where your audience is coming from (likes, reach, page views, engagement, shares, performance, etc.)

  6. Build Brand Loyalty – if you consistently provide valuable and entertaining content, your followers will stay loyal and share your message, product or service

  7. Increase Your Web Traffic – social media platforms are the wheels that drive the vehicle to your website or blog and eventually to your store or service

  8. Boost SEO – Search Engine Optimization – being found online – Google me

  9. Be Mobile Ready – Facebook is already built to be mobile friendly, so take advantage of it.  

  10. Check in on Your Competition! – Facebook makes suggestions based on competition in my area in my same (or a similar) niche. Choose pages by clicking “Watch Page” or search for pages in the search box.

This was the 4th Podcast so make sure to check out the previous ones, Social Media Etiquette for Seniors, Social Media Etiquette for Boomers. The first episode was Social Media Etiquette for Students which didn’t turn out too well….my microphone didn’t work for the first 14 minutes…but there was music so enjoy it!  

I can’t wait to read your comments – please be kind but I do value your opinions.