30 Marketing Experts to Watch

These marketing experts really hit the mark. Yes, I realize it may not be practical to follow 30 marketing experts, but from this list you should be able to find at least a few that you really like – and that’s what’s important. I’ve divided them by where I follow them, although most can be found on multiple networks.

Blogs

1.      Directory Journal’s Search and Social Media

2.      Fluent Self – motivational

3.      22Michaels.com – marketing articles written by an entrepreneur (shoe store owner)

4.      Adsoftheworld.com – very visual view of new ads

5.      Dailyblogtips.com

6.      Guerrilla Communication Blog

7.      Brian Solis – technology, culture, business

Twitter

8.      Jennifer Mattern – blogger, business writer

9.      Pete Cashmore - @mashable, enough said

10.  Chris Brogan – social media blogger

11.  Julien Smith – coauthor with Chris Brogan of Trust Agents

12.  Liana Evans – social media marketing expert

13.  SocialMedia Revolver – tips for SMM

14.  Direct Marketing News

Facebook

15.  Wildfire Interactive – for SMM

16.  Duct Tape Marketing – for small business

17.  imFORZA – web design and internet marketing

18.  Mirror Communications

19.  Prime Social Marketing

20.  Marketing Savant

21.  TMA E-Marketing

Google +

22.  Jason Falls - Social Media Explorer

23.  Ann Smarty – My Blog Guest

24.  Google + for Business

25.  Rand Fishkin – SEOmoz

Pinterest

26.  Penny Sansevieri – author marketing expert

27.  Isabelle Duarte – follow her marketing infographics

28.  Sara Wingfield – PS Web Design, boards for infographics, brochures, branding, etc.

29.  Lori Randall Stradtman – social media humor, online reputation management

30.  If you made it all the way through this list, congratulations! Reward yourself by following me on Twitter @TerraLFletcher, Facebook.com/FletcherFreelance, LinkedIn and my blog.

Google+ Tips

If you’ve been following my blogs and articles and more on Google Plus, and have tried out the new social network, perhaps you’re wondering, “Now what?” Truth is, so am I. with all the changes to Facebook (many of which making Facebook more like Google Plus) and a slow start to the Google network how do you make the best use of Plus and Plus Pages for business? (If you haven’t started a business profile yet, read this.)

If you haven’t already done so, use the circles! Put clients in one, prospects in another, people you follow for marketing tips (ahem, Fletcher Freelance) in another. Then you decide how much business you share with family and how much of your personal life you share with business associates.

Think SEO. You’re Google profile should be visible to the public. Use SEO and copywriting principles when writing your profile and sharing in your stream. Include a keyword or two in your subtitle. Take advantage of the Introduction, Bragging Rights, and Occupation, but don’t get too carried away and make them strictly keyword lists. Include simple calls to action. Ask for input. Add headlines to links.

Let’s get visible. Customize your profile by creating information specific to your circles. If your Introduction is a compelling piece of copy that sells your services, have only prospects and clients see it. put your achievements in Bragging Rights and select who get to see them.

Apply text styles to your updates. Tag people. Get creative. Check out this Google+ Style Cheat Sheet. When your updates are more attractive and easier to read, more people will see them.

Consider a vanity URL. Although at this time Google Plus isn’t offering an easy way to change your mile-long address. Some have suggested altering your Google profile before signing up for Plus or using an app. You can also create a redirect from a page on your site to your profile.

Commit. As with any marketing, the biggest fault of those who try social media marketing is to stop too soon. If you expect results you need to be engaging and commit to posting regularly. Stay disciplined and track your results. Soon you’ll be getting business from Google Plus!

Jumpstart Your Google+ Page

In case you haven’t heard, Google Plus Pages are here! If you’re ready for a quick how-to to get your page going, you’re on the right blog! Create your page at plus.google.com/pages/create. Please note: not everyone will be able to create a page yet, but soon everyone will be able to. 

Your Plus Page will look much like a profile and have a lot of the same features. Make sure you add anyone who has added your brand to a circle to your Page’s circles. Remember, this is why we like Google+, you can share the right info with the right audience. You may wish to distinguish between potential clients, past clients, and your network of resources.

Follow the prompts from Google Plus “Get Started.” Fill in as much content as you can; think “keywords” while you type. To toggle between your personal and business pages, find the drop down menu below your name and profile picture. You can go back to “Get Started” to finish where you left off. Notice the useful Admin section where you can get codes, badges, and locate your URL.

Be sure to link your website and your Plus Page. You’ll be ready for the Direct Connect feature when it becomes available to general pages. And make sure you add useful links to your About page. You’ll find this under “Edit Profile” “Recommend Links.” 

Add photos to the Scrapbook at the top; people are very visually inclined. If you are your brand, upload pics of yourself. You can even click and drag from an open folder elsewhere on your computer. (How cool is that?)

This is so new, I don’t have much else for you today, but add my page to your circle and stay tuned! And if you need help in writing your social media marketing plan for 2012 (or your general marketing plan) let me know. Call 715-584-6773.

Can Google+ Compete With Facebook?

There’s a new contestant in the ring, Google +. Who is this new contender and could Google Plus replace Facebook as the top social networking outlet?

Be sure to read my latest article on Directory Journal. Click this posts title or follow the link http://www.dirjournal.com/articles/can-google-compete-with-facebook/.