Showing Up Can Change Your Life

It’s changing mine! I attended the 10th Anniversary eWomenNetwork International conference July 15th – 18th in Dallas and now I’m taking my life, my passion and my heart to the next level.  And, I have accountability partners and mentors to keep me on track and give me a hand if I stumble.  This was the 3rd year I have attended the eWomenNetwork conference and the speakers and break out sessions just keep getting better and better.  Zig Ziglar and Lisa Nichols all at one conference!! Amazing!

I don’t believe there are any words I could use or any way I could describe the eWomenNetwork conferences.  The positive energy and good vibes that fill the air and permeate every little nook and cranny is exhilarating!  I believe there were about 30 of us that attended from the Reno eWomenNetwork chapter.  We met for a pre conference mastermind lunch to discuss and set forth each of our intentions for attending the conference.  This was an amazing experience; reinforced at the conference as many of our intentions were realized.  We’re talking goose bumpy stuff here y’all!

The thing is, how on earth do you expect to take yourself and your business to the next level if you don’t show up? How do you expect to build your business, increase your sales, grow your brand and establish yourself as an expert if you don’t show up? How do you expect for the right people to know you if you don’t show up? How do you expect to build relationships, engage with others, collaborate with others and connect with others if you don’t show up? That’s what this is all about! The way in which we communicate and conduct business has fundamentally changed forever.  We must show up on a consistent basis at events, meet people face to face, engage and build trust.  We then take that relationship into the online world and continue to nurture and grow it.  Then, you flip that upside down.  Show up online and meet people, engage and build trust.  Then, when and, if, you ever meet in person the relationship is taken to another level.  This is the core of Social Networking sites and using Social Media Marketing.  We’re not talking fake relationships here.  Those of you out there that are just connecting with people so you can increase the number of eyes to which you can broadcast your wares.  You know who you are ~ we can spot ya!

So what goose bumpy life changing moments happened for me? My intention was to make connections that will further the mission and goal of my 501(c)3, Turning Views Foundation. This actually began before even getting to the eWomenNetwork conference.  I attended The Chromosome 18 Registry and Research Society Conference in Tulsa the beginning of that same week.  I wrote about what happened here.

On Saturday, we took a minute to share our dream with someone at our table.  The lady in front of me turned around and we decided I’d go first.  I began talking of my dreams for Turning Views Foundation and her eyes were absolutely lighting up.  She had something exciting to tell me!  When it was her turn, she said, “I said a quick prayer before beginning this exercise and asked to be paired with the right person.”  She then went on to tell me about her business, Dawn’s Angel Wish Network, and the database she is building of 501(c)3 orginazations so that they can be paired with corporations who are seeking nonprofits to support.  This was her first time attending an eWomenNetwork conference and she was touched by this experience as well as many others she had been experiencing!

On Sunday, we were blessed with a presentation by Zig Ziglar and his daughter, Julie Norman Ziglar.  Their presentation is a blog post in and of itself.  It was beyond extremely moving.  When they were done, the Ziglar family stayed for a while to chat and take pictures.  I had the most unbelievably touching conversation with Zig Ziglar’s granddaughter, DeDe Galindo, (Julie Norman’s daughter).  As a result of our conversation I set a deadline for making the transition to the Turning Views Foundation.  Stay tuned for a post announcing and unveiling what it’s all about!  I think y’all will absolutely love it!

I know several of my fellow Reno eWomenNetwork members had similar experiences.  Any eWomenNetwork members or conference attendees want to share your experience?  We would love to hear your experience!!

Show up y’all on a consistent basis and it CAN change your life!

I Showed Up and Fell in Love

I’m in love y’all!  In love with my daughter, Lillian, in love with Janine Cody, founder of the 20 year old Chromosome 18 Registry, in love with Rick Guidotti of Positive Exposure and in love with absolutely every one of my fellow Chromosome 18 Registry members.  I love the sense of family we share and the feeling of understanding and closeness that our common thread holds.

I attended the Chromosome 18 Conference last week in Tulsa; at which we also celebrated the Registry’s 20th birthday.  This was my 2nd conference to attend.  Attending the conference solidified for me that I am committed and will attend this conference EVERY year. More than that, I absolutely must bring Lillian and Thomas with me, too.  I want Lillian to experience the joy, love and fun that the other affected kids, teens, young adults and adults experience while at the conference.  I want Thomas to be around and experience the pure love and sheer dedication of the siblings to the affected individuals.  The absolute number one aspect that moved me the most was the Sibling Panel.  These beautiful kids, teens and young adults are the cream of the crop.  I must have Thomas begin to experience and be around these fabulous people.

I cannot thank Katie Bailey Schilly enough for inviting me to present at the conference this year.  Had she not invited me and stayed on me I would not have attended this year and would have missed this eye opening and good for the heart and soul experience.  My presentations were “Safe Social Networking and Online Communities” and “Enhancing Communication with Technology and Social Networking“.  I so thoroughly enjoyed sharing my knowledge and passion with my Chromosome 18 family.  It meant the world to me!

Show up y’all! One never knows what will happen when you show up at events and engage with those whom you share a common thread.  Actually, you can help steer what happens if you set your intentions BEFORE attending these events.  I’ll expand on this a bit more in an upcoming post about the 2010 eWomenNetwork Conference!  Rick  Guidotti, if this makes it’s way to you, thanks from the bottom of my heart and soul for your enthusiastic offers of help, support and Positive Exposure’s images in furthering the upcoming Turning Views Foundation and the Different iz Good movement! You are an AWESOME and BEAUTIFUL man and I look forward to collaborating with you!!

If you are a part of the Chromosome 18 family or, heck, a part of any organization that supports those with genetic differences, I would love to hear your thoughts!

Y’all are stuck with me, Lillian and Thomas now! See ya in Indianapolis next year ~ July 2011!

10 Keys to Nonprofit Social Media Marketing Success (Part 2)

This is the second of a two-part series of “10 Keys to Nonprofit Social Media Marketing Success”.

Let’s review the first 5 Keys to Nonprofit Social Media Marketing Success from last week:

1. Mission ~ Successes ~ Logo
2. Social Media Marketing Goals ~ Strategy ~ Content Guide/Editorial Calendar
3. Google: Places ~ Alerts ~ Trends/Insights ~ Google for Nonprofits
4. Facebook: Page ~ Cause ~ Engagement
5. Twitter:  Search ~ Texting ~ Hashtags

So, what’s the next key? Creating some buzz for those GREAT events all you nonprofits put together!

#6:  Buzz-worthy Events:  Event Pages ~ Twitter ~ Live Video Stream ~ Photo Gallery

There are several Event Management sites that are feature rich.  Eventbrite even has a nonprofit program.  These sites can take payment for you AND they integrate with social networking sites so that supporters can “share” with their community that they will be attending your event.

Twitter can be used to create scavenger hunts and/or contests leading up to the event.  As well as during the event.  Live video stream will create buzz during an event and setting up a photo gallery on a site like Flickr after the event can create buzz for the next event.

#7:  YouTube:  Nonprofit Program ~ Call to Action ~ Video Volunteers

YouTube has a nonprofit program available that gives access to a feature rich YouTube channel for your nonprofit.  You have the ability to overlay a call to action to your organization’s video.  Also, available to nonprofits are video volunteers.  If you qualify and participate in this program you will be paired with an experienced individual to assist with video creation.

#8:  Blogging:  WordPress ~ Engage ~ Expert ~ Ease of Use

WordPress is my choice and favorite for blogging (and for a website for that matter).  Your blog gives you another layer and venue to connect and engage with your supporters.

Since you are in complete control over the length of your blog posts you use your blog when you have more to share than will fit or work on social networking sties.  Your blog is THE place to establish your organization’s expertise in regards to your cause.   WordPress is user friendly and after a slight learning curve is very easy to use.

#9:  Focus: Engaging ~ Connecting ~ Creating ~ Building

Don’t lose your focus by getting caught up in the Followers, Likers, Connections count.  There are also a GREAT deal of distractions when online and on social networking sites.  If it helps create a poster to hang on the wall with your Mission and Social Media Goals as a reminder that you are there to engage, connect, create content and grow your supporters.

#10:  Analyze:  Analytics ~ Comments ~Likes ~ Shares

How will you know your Social Media Marketing efforts are working if you don’t take the time to analyze.  Install Google Analytics to your website so you track the amount and origination of traffic to your website.  Review how many comments and “likes” you are getting and on which types of posts and how many times and what type of information are your connections sharing or retweeting?

Whew! Now you’re thinking that I’m absolutely bonkers as there’s no way in heck you have the time to do all of this.  Remember that none of this is set in stone.  Use this as a generic blueprint to guide your organization to Social Media Marketing Success.  And, don’t forget this, “I choose to make the time to build our organizations brand, gain support for our cause and market our organization online.”

What are your thoughts? I would love to hear some success stories.  Please share if you have the “time” . . . .

10 Keys to Nonprofit Social Media Marketing Success (Part 1)

Are you suffering from Social Media overload? Tired of the same old line, “Your nonprofit should be doing this!”?  If so, let’s move past all that right NOW! This article will give you a blueprint from which to build your organization’s Social Media Marketing Success.

But first, let’s clear some dust before we begin piecing together our blueprint.

The Dust ~ Are Our Supporters Looking For Our Organization on Social Networking Sites?  And, I Don’t Have Time For This!

The majority of people on social networking sites are NOT there to find places to spend or donate their money.  They are there to socialize.  It just so happens that we users of social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and blogging DO end up finding causes, products and services to which and to whom we want to give our money.

It’s not simply one or two people engaging with one or two other people.  It’s family members, experts and influential people talking together from all over the world out on the wide open world wide web!  These people trust one another and “see” when one of the others is supporting a cause, service or product.

That’s not to say that there are times when people specifically go online looking for your organization.  Most likely, they will use a search engine, like Google.  So, when supporters DO go online looking for you, you want to “SHOW” up!! Participating in the conversation on social networking sites has the added benefit of helping your organization to show up more in search engine results.

I am absolutely empathetic to the “I don’t have the time to maintain all these sites” statement.  Let’s change that statement a bit and say, “I make the time to build our organizations brand, gain support for our cause and market our organization online.” In the nonprofit setting, having a presence, engaging and sharing on social networking sites IS a marketing tool.

Let’s look at this for what it is.  As fundraising professionals and nonprofits our INTENT for being on these sites is “To Increase Donations and Support”.  There, we’ve said it.  Now, my suggestion is to reprogram our thinking on this and NOT think of our intent.  Think, plan and strategize with the GOAL of Building Relationships, Giving and Trust.

So how do we even begin to know where to start?  It all starts BEFORE creating and setting up even ONE social networking profile!

This is the first of a two-part series of “10 Keys to Nonprofit Social Media Marketing Success”.

#1:  Mission ~ Successes ~ Logo

Does your organization have a clearly defined mission?  What are the main goals of your nonprofit?  This must be determined, be solid and sound, and be embraced by your organization as it is THE first and main key before drafting the rest of your Social Media blueprint.

Do you have success stories to share and do you have permission to share them?  Your supporters and potential supporters want to see real life examples of the good that your nonprofit has accomplished.

Do you have your logo and the look and feel of your organization prepared?  This will be carried into all aspects of your online presence and your social networking sites.

#2: Social Media Marketing Goals ~ Strategy ~ Content Guide/Editorial Calendar

The social media marketing goals for XYZ Foundation are _________.  Each organization will have different goals for participating on social networking sites.  You will have a much easier time and see better results if you take the time to determine your goals before jumping into this.

Having the strategy well thought out and planned is a must.  Otherwise, it’s like throwing a handful of darts at a target and hoping some of them hits the mark!  Who in your organization will be responsible for maintaining, responding and interacting with your connections?  What’s their level of understanding regarding technology?  Have they been briefed on etiquette in regards to engaging, having conversations and customer service out in the OPEN?

The difference between approaching social media marketing with or without a  content and editorial guide is like the difference between night and day.  Have a plan for where your organization will get content and a system for how often and how much gets posted to your social networking sites.

#3:  Google: Places ~ Alerts ~Trends/Insights ~ Google for Nonprofits

Google has an entire section devoted to nonprofits ~ Google Nonprofits. Make sure to check this out and determine if any of their offerings is a right fit for your organization.  If your nonprofit has a physical location, create a Google Places account (or claim it if it’s already listed).

Create Google Alerts for your name, your organization’s name and any other relevant keywords.  Google Trends and Google Insights are used for keyword research. You need to know what people are searching for in regards to your cause so that you can build some of your updates and blog posts around those keywords.

#4:  Facebook:  Page ~ Cause ~ Engagement

Create a Facebook Page for your organization. Put a great deal of thought into who creates the account for you as the Page is tied to the original creator (original administrator) and CANNOT be changed.  You do not want an intern, temporary volunteer or an employee whose time is limited to create the Page.

Facebook created the Causes Application specifically for nonprofits.  This is a perfect way for your supporters to help spread the word about your cause as they can share it with their friends and post the Cause Badge to their personal profile.

Your Facebook Page is a venue to connect, engage, converse and share with your supporters.  Make sure to do that.  If someone takes the time to comment on the Page Wall or share a photo or video on the Wall, respond to their comment or shared information.

#5:  Twitter:  Search ~ Texting ~ Hashtags

Twitter is highly overlooked as a phenomenal research tool.  When using Twitter in conjunction with a website such as Hootsuite you can create columns for specific search terms and keywords.  You also want to use this feature for brand monitoring.  Create columns monitoring the mention of your name and organization.

Donating through text messages in conjunction with Twitter has proven highly effective.  Twitter’s hashtag feature (and go here for more hashtag information) can be used with a fundraising campaign and with events to track the “conversation”.

Next 5 keys coming your way in a few days.  Until then, remember this, “I make the time to build our organizations brand, gain support for our cause and market our organization online.”

(Go HERE for Part 2 ~ Thanks y’all!)

You Can’t Sell That on Facebook

I was recently teaching a Facebook Workshop for a group of fabulous realtors.  One of the participants asked me the same question 3 times (just worded a bit differently).  Her question . . . “How do you know people are going on Facebook looking to buy real estate” and then “You mean people are using Facebook to search for real estate”?

My answer to her each time was this . . . “No, absolutely not!  People are not on Facebook or any Social Media or Social Networking sites (Twitter, YouTube) to buy ANYTHING; much less real estate!!”

Are there business owners and entrepreneurs out there that think this about their product or whatever it is they sell??  Oh my goodness!  I hope not! You will be much much disappointed in Social Media if you jump into these Networks with that frame of mind.  We must absolutely turn this thinking upside down, throw it in the garbage, jump up and down, stand on your head, whatever it takes to get those thoughts outta there!!

People (and potential clients & consumers ARE people) are NOT using these online networks and hanging out in these online sites to buy stuff.  They are there connecting, engaging, researching, having fun, being influencers and collaborating like you wouldn’t believe!!

Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, YouTube are networking sites that assist you in establishing yourself as an expert in your industry.  These are NOT a broadcasting tool.  They are not a one way street! These are two way streets!!  If you want to broadcast about what you sell or your service, you most likely want to look at traditional advertising methods ~ radio, television, print ads, billboards ~ these are all ONE way venues!

I would suggest that as business owners our goal on these sites is not to sell anything (that may be our ultimate intent; but can’t be our goal).  We are there to connect, engage & converse with potential clients (or referrals) and to build our community!  How do you do this . . . .

Think what you know how to think, Say what you know how to say and Do what you know how to do!  Earn the attention of those you are attempting to “hang out” with.  But, don’t stop there, you must then earn their Trust.  You wouldn’t want to abuse the privilege of earning someone’s attention by then broadcasting over and over and over and over what you sell or the service you provide.  Give people Awesome-Not-To-Be-Missed Content and Interaction and you will be well on your way . . .

I’m just sayin . . . Do you have any thoughts to share?

Facebook Fan Page and Non Profits

I was recently asked for my two cents worth on developing a Facebook fan base and getting the word out about an upcoming event for a non profit.

This cannot be viewed any differently then growing one’s fan base for a for profit business.  The same rules apply.  You have very different content and material to work with; but you still must give people a reason to become a fan and allow the Page’s status updates into their News Feed.

Depending on the non profit, it may be easier growing the fan base.  People feel good about and love supporting others who are doing good!!  I would say you definitely want to include in the content of the page real stories of real people being helped (or whatever applies to the non profit) so that fans can see the good the group can and does make happen.  The non profit would want to steer clear of having the Facebook Page only be a place to continually ask for donations.  That should be a part of the page, but, should not overwhelm the page.  Ask fans to share their stories on the Wall or using the Discussions tab.  Get creative in thinking of how to boost fan engagement just as a for profit has to be creative.  The more fans are interacting with the page the more it will grow organically through viral methods.

The non profit should make use of the “Causes Application” on Facebook also.  Fans can post this on their personal Facebook  Profile.  Another great one for growing through the viral method.  Donations can be accepted through the application, too.

As for the upcoming event, I would make use of all local online calendars, Facebook event, Eventbrite.com and online local forums.  Make sure the Facebook Page is mentioned in EVERY marketing & PR venue.  Make sure the Facebook Page address is included in all print materials about the non profit.  Don’t forget to let potential fans know WHY they would want to become a fan.

Once the Facebook Page is created (and this goes for ANY Facebook Page), the administrator of the page might do well to exercise good etiquette when it comes to “Suggesting” or “Sharing” the page with their Facebook friends.  I will leave this up to your judgment ~ just think about the times you have gotten a Page suggestion from someone for the same Page about every 2 days.  Let’s not be in such a hurry and risk losing some Fans. I’m just sayin’ ~

What do y’all think?  Have any additional thoughts or questions?  Would love for you to comment or post them on my Facebook Fan Page Wall & I will answer them.  I also share tons of tips, articles and how to videos.  Come on over and Become a Fan (click here)!!