Posts Tagged ‘AAU Teen Talk Radio’
The Delaware Blogger was on MadHouseTV
Most of you know that I host a weekly Podcast, Social Media Sunday with the Delaware Blogger, which is live every Sunday at 6 PM EST on Blog Talk Radio for AAU Teen Talk Radio/TV/Magazine. The last live broadcast for the year was on Sunday and the topic was Social Media and the Church, it was my 15th Podcast and I must admit that when I first started I was unbelievably nervous. The shows on the 26th of December and 1st of January will be encore programs so if you missed them, make sure to log on to listen.
The show’s Executive Producers are Roger and Chevrona Johnson and they are also the CEO’s of the Whitney E. Johnson Foundation. I am very appreciative to both of them for giving me an opportunity to host my own Podcast, but was even more so when offered the opportunity to take the show on the road and host it live on cable at Madhouse TV Studio in Long Island, NY.
With everything scheduled for last Thursday, hubby and I drove from Middletown, DE to Long Island, NY which by the way was definitely not an easy trip, but that’s another story for a different day. However, I was able to drive the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Ultimate AWD which I was reviewing for Hyundai via Drive Shop USA so it wasn’t a bad ride.
Arriving at the studio a little past noon, my guest, Nikki Valentine, owner of N.V.Me Designs and her models were already inside busy preparing for the 2:00 show. Check out my Instagram page to see pictures of everyone getting ready as well as some great memorabilia inside the studio owned by Tommy Maher, aka The Woodstock Guru on Facebook.
Nikki and I were able to run through our script which we had previously written when she came to “shop my closet” the week before which you can see on my YouTube Channel. The topic of our segment was “Balling on a Budget – Outfits from the Office to Party Fab” and she and her models did a great job in featuring these outfits.
The link to the broadcast is below, so check it out and then come back and leave a comment as I am anxious to know how you liked the show. I hope Chevrona liked it as well as I would love to go back for another segment.
This is also going to be the last blog post of the year as I shut down DeDivahDeals and transfer it to DelBlogger and when I come back in the New Year, there will be great reviews and giveaways – so enjoy the holidays and be safe!!!
Don’t forget to leave a comment with your review of the show and let me know if you would like to see me back on Cable TV!
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE SHOW
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Well here we are again edging closer to the cold winter winds, so the time has come to say, “so long to short sleeves” This is the last time that I’ll be wearing a short sleeve dress to work without a cardigan or blazer. If you remember, this was actually the dress I wore to the Bloggers Night at the Grub Burger Bar.
My open toe shoes are also going to be packed up and replaced with tights, booties and boots. As much as I love the heat of the summer, I must admit that I am looking forward to the shorter and colder days of December.
I was trying to remember where I purchased this little black dress and then remembered that it was one of several that I had purchased to wear to my grandmother’s funeral in 2009. I am not sure if I wore it or chose instead to wear a blue one which was her favorite color. The Ethnic necklace with matching earrings were purchased several years before at a boutique in Wilmington.
These are my favorite peep-toe pumps; Jessica Simpson animal print that were purchased at a Consignment Shop in West Chester, PA. The purse is an Avon Accessory.
Hubby took a vacation trip to Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic two few weeks ago, and for some strange reason I couldn’t sleep alone so I was up late way too late writing blog posts, including this one.
Now that he is back, I am sleeping like a baby and am very happy to have him home safe and sound. I am glad that he had an opportunity to get away and take some time to himself. After all he deserved it after the cancer diagnosis and the chemo treatments he underwent last year.
I am in the process of re-branding my business and my blog, so stay tuned for more exciting changes other than the obvious name change from DeDivahDeals to DelBlogger.
Speaking of staying tuned, don’t forget to follow me on AAU Teen Talk Radio on Blog Talk Radio – Social Media Sunday with the Delaware Blogger Sunday evenings at 6 pm and if you miss them, make sure to listen to the rebroadcast as it helps me with my ratings.
Click here to listen to last week’s Podcast.
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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.
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 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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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5 Ways to Use Facebook Live for your Business
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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.
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.
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
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
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?
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Top 10 Benefits of a Facebook Business Page
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Everyone is on Facebook – need I say more?
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Increased Exposure to Potential Customers – everyone is on Facebook right?
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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
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Facebook business page costs you exactly $0. – but you don’t own it so start a blog!
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Insights and analytics – you can see where your audience is coming from (likes, reach, page views, engagement, shares, performance, etc.)
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Build Brand Loyalty – if you consistently provide valuable and entertaining content, your followers will stay loyal and share your message, product or service
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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
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Boost SEO – Search Engine Optimization – being found online – Google me
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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:
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Hours of operation – Address – Reviews – Phone number to call directly from the Facebook mobile app
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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.
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:
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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.
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I have decided to use Sunday’s Podcasts for Monday’s blog posts and on October 2nd, the topic was Social Media and Seniors with special guest Demia Avery a new author, you can hear the interview by clicking this link.
On the Podcast I talked about how seniors can use the internet and social media to turn a passion or a lifelong dream into a reality, perhaps even a profitable one. Whether it’s vlogging, blogging or conducting online workshops and even podcasts, seniors can share their knowledge and expertise with others as a way to supplement their income, to share words of encouragement or wisdom, keep in touch or to relieve isolation and loneliness.
I started my blog DeDivahDeals in 2012, and what started out as a way to fill a void after the death of my grandmother, turned into something much more. As a matter of fact, my blog was recently nominated as one of the Top Five BEST BLOGS in Delaware and I won’t know until Friday whether or not it was chosen, but if it is I will tweet it out!
Way before starting the blog, DeDivahDeals, I would post my outfits of the day or #ootd as well as deals found in and around the state of Delaware onto Facebook. However, after a few months, I noticed that my family and friends which at the time was a small circle, wasn’t really feeling it nor was I feeling the love so I decided to head over to YouTube and check it out.
YouTube opened up a whole new world, because there were so many vloggers who also had blogs and they were sharing their daily deals and outfits. When I saw the Goodwill thriftinistas, I was in paradise!
After all, growing up in the projects in New Rochelle, NY my grandmother had us at the Salvation Army or Goodwill all the time! I used to love those big bins full of clothing and I think that is where I got hooked on thrifting and have never been ashamed of doing so even before it become popular to do so.
It was then that I decided to start and blog and have since connected with so many wonderful woman that that void was eventually filled – although I still miss my Nana everyday. She was 98 years old when she transitioned in 2009, but she stayed active and involved until she the age of 97. She read constantly, wrote excessively, went to the senior centers, church, shopping and loved talking on the phone.
She didn’t stop traveling via Amtrak to North Carolina until the age of 95 and when she did it was alone. She definitely didn’t let any grass grow under her feet and I hope to stay just as active with the help of my family, friends and social media.
My grandmother like so many other seniors have a lifetime of experience which can be shared with the younger generations to make them stronger and more knowledgeable which can only help our future generations. Believe it or not seniors have and use Ipads/tablets, computers and some even use iPhones to surf the internet, and to connect with family and friends so creating instructional videos is not a long stretch of the anybody’s imagination.
You Tube is where people search when looking for tutorials or how to videos, so seniors can create videos of their hobbies, whether it’s crocheting, bridge playing, cooking, gardening, education and training…the sky’s the limit because there is a target audience for everything – trust me. As a blogger, I have seen some niche blogs that would blow your mind.
Seniors may not be as social media savvy as their kids and grands but they can be assisted by them. If they prefer to tread lightly at first, create a family Facebook group which is private and open to only the immediate family. Invite the grandparents so they can keep up with the happenings in the family.
They can log on anytime of the day or night to share a post whether it’s a family recipe, a poem, or a simple thought or birthday wish and they can also read what other family members have posted.
Do you have an Uncle Joe that loves telling jokes at the family reunion, well the family Facebook group would give him a platform in which to tell those jokes. Perhaps Aunt Patty makes a mean Peach Pie, she can post the recipe and even a picture of the finished product and remember everything on the internet ends up in the Cloud.
There won’t be a need to keep those handwritten recipes that get lost or faded through the years, you can leave your Legacy in the Cloud which is the title of one of my posts that I wrote for my other blog, Blogging with Blake.
There will come a time when your parents and grandparents can no longer travel safely as was the case with my grandmother in her 95th year, which brings me to another great thing about Social Media and Seniors, it can eliminate isolation and loneliness by keeping them in the loop.
According to statistics loneliness and social isolation have been linked to poor health outcomes. Social Isolation among older adults or seniors who live at home rather than living in senior communities, may be as high as 43%.
Encouraging seniors to remain active in their hobbies and interests, and providing them opportunities to volunteer can help them maintain their sense of purpose and keep them from becoming isolated and lonely.
So we can help our loved ones become more social media savvy, because you know that millennials, Gen X and Y as well as Teens and Tweens don’t need to leave the house to catch up with friends, follow current events, and find out what’s going on in the world.
E-mail and websites are one way to do this, but using a social media site like Facebook makes it even easier for an older adult to feel connected, simply by being able to see what others are posting.
Facebook also offers plenty of opportunities to participate in “watercooler” discussions of current goings-on and share recommendations for books, movies, and music.
Ask yourself: Don’t you feel more motivated to get out and see a movie or visit a restaurant if your friends are talking about it? The same is true for your parent or loved one.
In prepping for this evening’s podcast I found a great post over at www.seniornet.org/blog which listed 11 benefits of social media for senior citizens that I want to share:
1. Keep in touch
Social media is a remarkable tool for keeping in touch, especially for seniors who keep in touch with kids, grandkids, and sometimes even great grandkids, but it’s more than just family. Seniors are finding their college roommates, best friends from “the block” and elementary school crushes. The social networks enable us to view videos, read blog posts, share pictures and have conversations with people who we thought we’d never see again. Grandparents are friends with college-aged grandkids and keeping up with their accomplishments. To say social media has revolutionized the way families connect is an understatement.
2. Research
Seniors use social media tools to learn more about topics that interest them. In some cases it can lead them to cultivate hobbies and business ideas, and in other cases, such as with all the inaccurate health information available, it can be a confusing mix of resources. However, the Internet is enabling the over 50 crowd to learn more about new products, work on their genecology, and learn something new.
3. Ask questions
I don’t know about you, but I get frustrated navigating the phone menu to nowhere, so do so many others. By using the online tools available, many senior citizens can reach out via Twitter, Facebook, videos, blogs and live chats. Being able to talk to representatives and have all their questions answered, without being intimidated by voices, attitudes and a phone menu that doesn’t seem to lead anywhere, gives folks more confidence in a product.
4. Entertainment
Senior citizens can watch old television shows and movies, as well as find videos from “back in the day.” They can read ebooks, articles and blog posts, find song lyrics and find out what their favorite entertainers are up to. They can play games, either by themselves or with family and friends. Shut ins or those who can’t get out and around as well as they used to no longer have to feel lonely when they’re home alone.
5. Start a new business
Being online allows folks of all ages to start a new business. Perhaps they can sell crafts or give coaching advice. Or maybe they want to get into freelance writing or some sort of consulting. Many senior citizens would love to work but companies don’t want to hire them as they feel they’re “too old.” With social media and so many online productivity and networking tools, senior citizens no longer have to be forced into retirement.
6. Grow an existing business
Seniors who are still in business need to keep up with new programs and technologies. Social media enables them to stay in the game and compete with younger businesses. Use social media tools to connect and share. Answer questions, promote events and sales and more.
7. Learn
Just because one is retired or out of school doesn’t necessarily mean one wants to stop learning. Seniors are now taking courses online and reading online books, posts, articles and more to keep their minds active. Because seniors are now better able to keep up with emerging technologies, they don’t have to be considered “old and out of touch” and can hold their own in a conversation.
8. Share
Senior citizens aren’t merely people who are older than us. They’re also people who have been in the trenches. They have amazing stories and brilliant ideas. Through social media they can share all that good stuff with others. Seniors can blog about how life was when they were growing up or how things have changed during their lifetime. They network online and offer advices and mentoring to younger people and students and they can start Facebook pages to talk to others their age.
9. Meet others
The social networks allow us to meet others, for both business and pleasure. (No, not that kind of pleasure, I’m not talking Craigslist.) From online meetings seniors can plan offline meetups and networking events with like minded people and people their age.
10. Find work
65 is no longer the age of retirement for active seniors. Many would like to continue working, if not full time with an established business, they can also consult and freelance. Various networks enable them to find opportunities, post online resumes and view and apply for job listings.
11. Take advantage of sales and online opportunities
By following their favorite businesses and brands, seniors can save money by taking advantage of promotional opportunities. Many times freebies and discounts are only available via a Facebook page or for Twitter followers.
So like many of my fans, followers and even attendees of my blogging workshops who have either started a blog or are writing and teaching memoir writing classes these are other great benefits to consider when restarting or jump starting your next phase in life.
Have you seen the commercial for Ford that comes equipped with WiFi and the grandmother in the passenger seat says to her grandson, “do you mean I can update my blog from here” and he looks at her in amazement and responds, “grandma you have a blog!”
And not only are some senior centers starting their memberships at the age of 50, there are very active seniors out there becoming Encore Entrepreneurs as I am one myself – at the age of 55, I am the owner of A.Blake Enterprises, Social Media Management and Consulting. Head over to www.ablakeenterprises.com for more information.
Do you have any tips for seniors and social media?
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No, I didn’t wear my birthday suit on my 55th birthday which was September 20th, but I did want to show you what I did wear during my birthday week.
This black and white stripped dress with a bit of blue is very flattering one of which I think was purchased at Ross Dress for Less. I chose to wear with my sandals from Sears, remember when I posted these on Instagram?
On Wednesday I attended a Networking Event at the Chase Center on the Riverfront and wore this black and beige dress from Avon. I had a great time posing with the cutouts of the various candidates. Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders and of course our current Vice President Joe Biden.
The beige pumps are Chinese Laundry purchased from DSW and check out the beige purse on the ground – it was thrifted new from Goodwill!
On Thursday, I wore this black and white maxi skirt – do you see a pattern here – yes, I love the classic black and white combo. Thursday was also the night that we put together the Swag Bags for KalediscopeDE and I wasn’t the only one who wore a black and white skirt.
It was definitely a great birthday week and I am looking for a wonderful year. Now I can let you in on my secret which I posted about on a Facebook Livestream on Friday. I have been invited to collaborate with Chadwick’s of Boston and Metrostyle so stay tuned for the next few outfits which will feature clothing and accessories from both of these fantastic companies.
In case you missed Social Media Sunday with the Delaware Blogger broadcast on Sunday, here is the link as it was a great segment with my guest, Nikki Valentine who is a fashion designer and stylist.
Obviously sleeveless was the call of the week but now it’s sweater weather. Have you transitioned your wardrobe yet?
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Hello my friends, I hope you are enjoying the first week of Autumn 2016. Today’s outfit is actually one that I wore before the end of the summer and I think it will also be a good transition into winter if worn with a pair of boots or tights – what do you think?
As you know, black and white is one of my favorite classic color combinations and this was one of my favorite looks. I think hubby liked it as well which is always a good thing especially since he’s on the other side of the lens.
The red leather tote was thrifted a few years ago from Goodwill which I carried to California when I flew to Hollywood to shoot the Depend advertisement. Do you remember all the excitement and fun of that trip, if not, click here to read the post.
These peep toe booties were purchased from Payless and trust me, not only are they super cute, but they are also very comfortable.
The pencil skirt was purchased from Ross Dress for Less and the tank is a closet staple that is too old to even remember where I got it.
The necklace was also thrifted new from Goodwill and the bracelet was on clearance at Old Navy. I can’t remember where I purchased the large faux diamond ring, but it’s a fun costume piece.
Have you started transitioning your wardrobe from summer to fall yet? I did get rid of a lot of summer items that I didn’t wear this year and probably won’t next so now I have a lot more room in my closet!
Have you voted DeDivahDeals as BEST BLOG in the 2016 Delaware Black Awards yet, if not, please click this link to head over to do so now, as I would love to be recognized by my readers! You can only vote once per device, so if you have multiple devices, please use each one to vote – thank you!
Have a wonderful Wednesday and I’ll see ya on Friday.
If you missed last week’s episode of Social Media Sunday with the Delaware Blogger on AAU Teen Talk Radio – click the pic to listen to the replay.
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Hello friends, I trust you had a wonderful weekend, the first full one of Autumn 2016. Mine was very busy with the KaleidoscopeDE Cocktails and Comedy show on Friday night and then the Cancer Conference on Saturday. I can’t wait to tell you all about it, which I hope to have written and posted on Friday. Use the hashtag #KaleidoscopeDE on Google to learn more and see some of the highlights.
It’s also time for my annual Fall Fragrance Giveaway and this year it will be a 1.7 fl oz bottle of So Very Sofía Eau de Parfum Spray and 6.7 fl oz So Very Sofía Body Lotion and Shower Gel.
Avon’s passionate new scent is as vivacious as Sofía Vergara herself whom I love on Modern Family, it is an essence of the unexpected.
So Very Sofia is a playful blend of tropical passion fruit, exotic Flor de Mayo Orchid and bright golden patchouli.
You can enter for a chance to win via Rafflecopter by leaving a comment with your favorite Fall fragrance or scent. You will also need to head over to Delaware Black Awards to vote my blog as the BEST BLOG which will increase your chance to win this So Very Sofía 3 piece set.
This Giveaway contest ends on Sunday, October 2nd, so hurry and enter, then tell and friend and share this post. Oh and don’t forget to listen to my Podcasts on AAU Teen Talk Radio Sunday at 6:00.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Autumn is time for renewal and rejuvenation and thanks to my “lil sis” and fellow blogger, Whitney Nic James, I am ready to shed my summer skin and rejuvenate my face.
I was the lucky winner of her “11 Ways to Pamper Yourself At Home + A Giveaway” and received a 19.40 oz jar of Coconut Oil Exfoliating Salt Scrub. It smells wonderful and after using it in the shower it left my skin feeling soft and refreshed. It also helped with the dryness on my legs and arms after a recent bout with poison oak.
Not only did I win the the Coconut Oil Exfoliating Salt Scrub but she also included a few other goodies! The box I received contained several other pampering products all wrapped in silver tissue paper along with a lovely embellished Thank You card.
Avocado Face Mask by Sephora
Sephora Gift Card
Package of que bella Purifying Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Mud Mask
Dead Sea Essentials Soothing Chamomile Spa Facial Mud Mask
ToGoSpa Coconut Eye Treatments
Thank you Whitney, these are all products that I will try because as you know I recently celebrated my 55th Birthday and pampering is definitely on the schedule for the entire month of September.
After I use these products, I may come back with a follow-up post if I had any adverse reactions or was overly impressed with any of them, so stay tuned.
So tell me, what is your favorite home spa pampering products?
Don’t forget to vote DeDivahDeals as BEST BLOG over at www.DelawareBlackAwards.com
Thank you and have a wonderful weekend where ever you are and don’t forget to tune in to Social Media Sunday with the Delaware Blogger AAU Teen Talk Radio.
This is the link to last Sunday’s show with special guest Nicolle Surratte.
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