Ian Lurie, of ConversationMarketing.com is a hoot!  I absolutely loved his post with a self-quiz about so called “social media” experts.  So many folks are raising their hand in the “me too” attempt at earning some moolah. How does one really know the real deal from all the BS?

If anyone tells you they can GUARANTEE results – they are FULL OF IT! It’s nearly impossible to keep up – much less guarantee anything – with changing trends on the internet. Bah-ha!  As Ian sez, kick’em in the groin! (just for being stupid)

Now, without further ado, here’s a excerpt from Ian’s post:

10 Questions to Evaluate a Social Media ‘Expert’

July 21, 2009 by ian

If you know more than 5 people, chances are you now know someone who declares themselves a social media expert. How can you tell if someone’s claim of expertise is legit? Here’s my quick quiz. Ask each question and take the appropriate action:

1: Do you have a blog?

If the expert answers ‘no’, that may be OK. Follow up with something like ‘Oh, you’re using Posterous instead?’. If they look at you blankly, end the meeting there. No sense wasting your time.

If the expert answers ‘yes’, get the address and go look. If they’ve been blogging for less than 2-3 years, and there’s no explanation like “I had to move my blog”, again, end the meeting.

Any social media expert has been somehow participating in the conversation for a long time.

2: When did you start in social media?

“6 months ago”. Yeah. OK. Bye.

“2 years ago”. Hey, not bad. Worth a chat.

“In 1992″. Er. Um. They’d better be referencing BBSes and Usenet.

3: What is social media?

“Blogging and Twitter and stuff”. Excuse yourself for a bathroom break and don’t come back.

“All of the conversations going on between people and people and businesses and such online”. Not bad.

“A trendy term to describe a new kind of mass media”. Totally acceptable.

4: What’s a social media campaign?

“Voting something to the front page of Digg using my proxy server and 35 computers”. Flee the scene, and get to a minimum safe distance as soon as possible. The Digg brigade may be on its way. Whatever you do, don’t hire them. While this is a valid tactic (I guess), it’s not a campaign. Nor does it generate long term results in most cases.

“Developing a great message and then reaching out to people, while giving them an incentive to ‘pass it on’”. Yeah, OK, keep ‘em around.

“I have this great software that will put a link to your site on 21,000 forums and 10,000 blogs…”. Push them down the garbage chute. Don’t be seen with them in public.

Read more: http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/07/10-questions-for-social-media-experts.htm#trackback#ixzz0MK9DpZE7

Lately, I’ve had many conversations about SEO n’such with people who are looking for the quick fix to get high Google rankings.  These kinds of people HIGHLY annoy me, because I have always preached content and article writing is really the only organic way.

So as I preach from my SEO pulpit, I know now that FriendFeed and twitter are both darlings of Google.  So get out there are start sharing what’s in your noggin people!

Go forth… Twitter, Facebook and Friendfeed! 

And, now Hutch’s post =======================

Three Reasons You Need to Be on FriendFeed *Now*

by Hutch Carpenter

FriendFeed has got to be one of the most innovative companies around these days. It seems every week, it’s hatched something new with its service. That alone makes it worth being there.

Then there’s the interactions. When those are rocking and rolling, it’s a lot of fun. Even a few Likes and comments are worth the experience. Of course, not everyone is engaged enough on the service to fully benefit from that. Which is something I completely understand, by the way.

I’ve got three reasons you should be on FriendFeed now. Not for the conversations. Not for the real-time experience. But three reasons that will be valuable to you personally.

The FriendFeed triple play.

#1: Google Juice

You likely know the background of much of the FriendFeed team – Google. Yeah, these guys know search. Even more importantly, they know something about how Google manages search.

So it comes as no surprise that FriendFeed can rank pretty highly in Google search results. Here’s a favorite example of mine.

Alex Scoble (yes, Robert’s brother) is planning his wedding reception. One candidate location for the reception was the Hillsboro Cultural Arts Center. But the managers of that location were not very flexible in working Alex and his fiance. On FriendFeed, Alex posted about the Hillsboro Cultural Arts Center, with some comments explaining why he was not going to use them. It’s not a flattering portrayal of the Center.

Well, check out what a search on the Center’s name returns: Alex’s FriendFeed entry is the #6 result.

Not something that Center wants in their search results, but a great way for Alex to let others know about his experience with the Center.

Read the rest of Hutch’s post here

Dear Donna,

Q: I saw your post about the Mary Kay lady bringing you some goodies. Do you think there is any way I can convince my wife, who is a Mary Kay Senior Sales Director, that she could expand her business using Facebook?

A: Tell her that not many “home party” ladies are socially savvy… and she should get her hiney on now!

Social media can help her gain exposure and lead her “herd”. She’s obviously a great leader and needs to lead her herd of consultants into 2009!

Since she’s a senior director – I would suggest she use FB and twitter for:

1. staying in regular contact with her consultants. Write on their wall, upload pics, share info and connect on a deeper level.
2. staying connected to her customers and gaining exposure to THEIR network of friends. <–very important! HUGE opportunities: a wedding post, prom posts, other special events that would allow her to step up and offer her services.  Posting events, sharing resources, recruiting new consultants… I could go on!

She could easily tweet about specials (and post to FB). Move discontinued inventory, new product launches, etc.

Customers will NOT fall out of the sky for her, but she will definitely be right smack in front of them.

On a personal note, I created a social network for my neighborhood on Ning.com, and that’s how I MET my Mary Kay lady.  Our neighborhood has over 90 homes and she is the”default” MK gal.  Exposure doesn’t get much easier or cost effective than that!

If you know someone in the direct selling business, be EMPOWERED, and share this post with them!  dp

Social Secret Squirrel Stuff!

I’m ALMOST DONE with the revised -and as always free- “QuickStart Web Workbook” version 9.0 Social Media edition. Come and sink your teeth into page 18, the section on “HOW to find the right people to friend and follow in social media.”

Download and take a bite here.

Jenni is taking a trip to Washington DC this weekend, so I got her a pink Flip Video to play with.

Ok, the TRUTH.

I got it for me, for HER to video DC since I used to live there, and haven’t been back for quite awhile. I suppose, if I were single and childless, DC would be my preferred city to live. And since I’m really a country farm girl, I’d have to keep a little place in the country too so I could wander the creek and catch crayfish like my youngest daughter does.

Quality isn’t too shabby – considering it’s a very simple camera to operate. Simply turn it on, aim, and press the red button on the back to begin recording. Press the red button again, to stop.

And, it’s compatible w/my MAC. Yea! No issues there. @$129 US I consider that a pretty good buy.

Anyway, here’s my absolutely horrid bed-head self giving you a “welcome to work” test vid.

((((WOW))))

I’ve reached “nerd-vanna!” Absolutely fascinating.  Take 5 minutes to watch this video.

Perry’s such a neat guy.  I love his explanation of social media – check it out!

Good Day!

I found this great post by @chrisbrogan’s blog.  He always has awesome resources, here’s a snipet:

40 Ways to Deliver Killer Blog Content

The Basics

1. Brevity rules. Can you say it briefly?
2. Start at the main point, then work the story up. (Make the main point in the first paragraph.)
3. Use small words. You don’t have to impress people. You have to be clear.
4. Analogies help people understand things better.
5. So do stories.
6. You don’t have to write complete sentences, even though your teacher taught you to do that. But treat it sparingly. Like this. Like a condiment.
7. Keep paragraphs small, if possible. We balk at large blocks of text.
8. Make your point from the reader’s side of the fence. Who is your audience?
9. Depending on how you write, go back and see if you can cut out more. Reduce. Reduce. Reduce.
10. Use the word you’re thinking about, not a fancier, or more polite word.

Read the full blog post by Chris Brogan

Friday night, my daughters and I were shopping at target when Jenni asked,

“Why do you have 1800+ friends? You can’t possibly know that many people”

And, then yesterday, a friend asked this question:

Holy Moly! You have 1,834 Facebook “Friends”? How many of those *haven’t* you exchanged at least one message/comment with in the last year? Maybe it’s time to “Clean House”. I know. I know. It’s not nice to “de-friend”

To answer both questions, my hope is that stating, “it’s not about me, it’s about them” opens the door to a different perspective.

Let me try to explain.

While I can say that I haven’t personally shaken hands with all my FB friends, that doesn’t mean we aren’t connected in some way.  (I really wish I could!)

Connected by our path, our hearts, values, ideas and opinions, Facebook is a tool to bring us together.

I’ve friended people from my past and present like:

• Jagran Boise Thomas, a commercial actor and stand up comedian who recently tattooed “be love” on the inside of his fore arm.
• Bruce Ammons, a minister from Houston, Texas who liberates families from their debts.

People I’ve never met:

• Rae Dawn Chong, daughter of Tommy Chong of “Cheech and Chong.”  She posts notes to her FB profile that are extraordinary.  Although I don’t always agree, she challenges me to reach.  To expand my perspectives.  To grow.
• Denise Ashbaugh, a woman whose teenage son was experiencing a medical mystery.  I have walked that same path and was able to share openly and give her comfort.  She is so thankful for her Facebook friends as we are a reliable source of strength and courage for her.

As a work from home web development coach, isolation, -clearly- is not my/our friend.  Yes, I have local partners (Kym and Joe) who both live within 2 miles, but connecting with others just like me all around the world – well, that’s just cool.  Yes, happiness loves company.  My hope is that my happiness is contagious.

Unfortunately, there are those who see Facebook as a contest. To see who can get the most friends.  Kind of like “whoever dies with the most friends, wins!”  Or, as others might call them “Facebook whores” who don’t know a thing about the people they friend.

Then there are the contributors. Individuals who give freely in service to others.  That’s me.  I’m on Facebook not to promote what I do or my services – but to genuinely lend support to others.  Occasionally, I may post a promotion because there’s real value.

Which leaves us with, the “fly-on-the-wall.” Folks who have friended people who they think might be interesting.  They don’t say much, if anything at all… they are happy to observe, watch, and learn and nothing more.

Here’s a fine example:

A woman called my office friday… she had been on my ezine list for two years and finally decided it was time to move her practice forward (she’s a therapist).  During this two year period, she poured over my advice and coaching materials.  I couldn’t have asked for a better new client.  She knows how I operate, what I expect, and what steps she needs to take – all because she’s been a fly-on-the-wall.

Because “it’s not about me, it’s about them” we allow ourselves to connect, interact and dance. To freely give information, knowledge and expertise allows us to help, assist, and empower.  I want YOU to be empowered!

Here’s another example:

Last Tuesday the Executive Pastor of my church lost his job.  Shock waves are still rumbling thru the community.  But did Mark feel isolated,  hurt and alone? Not for long! Mark’s social family stepped up immediately.  He was flooded with support from all over the world.  And, a bit of irony, check this out; the Associated Press picked up Mark’s story from his blog, and he was requested to apply for a Senior Pastor position in another state.   Mark rocks!

You see, our world is changing quickly.  Gen X has grown up in a “technology driven” economy… right before our eyes we are evolving into a “relational economy” which is what our previous generation aka. Baby-boomers grew up in.

Baby-boomers were taught ‘old school’ marketing and communication.  Knocking on doors, cold calls and old fashioned service calls to prospects were essential to their business.  Gen X sits behind a computer screen, a call center, or just sends an email.  We need to get back to basics and combine the best of both generations.

Tools like Facebook and Twitter can help.  We need to build relationships.  We need each other.  The SOUL of Facebook is only the beginning.

Follow me on Twitter, and lets connect on Facebook!

Today, I am overwhelmingly grateful.

Grateful for all of the relationships in my life.  My clients (who rock!) and allow me to buy groceries. My fellow web geeks, neighbors, family, classmates, colleagues, mentors and Facebook/Twitter friends.

Relationships allow us to THRIVE! (I just love that word – THRIVE!)

Today’s world is different that it was even one year ago.  We MUST connect, mesh, be open and give.  Help our neighbors, watch out for one another because, we were never meant to walk this road thru life alone.

I believe… we all have a unique gift to offer in this lifetime, which will bring us MORE joy, if we share it with others.

I believe… we can solve any problem we encounter, TOGETHER.

I believe… we are capable of far more success than we ever thought, by working TOGETHER.

I believe… don’t you?

Abundant blessings,

Donna XOXO