Local businesses have NEVER had it so good with the potential to promote their business to the world for sales beyond the front door. This guide to social media outlines the way small business owners using social media as well as their website and telling their stories via blogging. Getting the right help with your online strategy means that you know why you do what you do and the implications of anything you do or don't do online.

1. Social Media For Local Business
DESIGN BUSINESS ENGINEERING
2013
Authored by: Lindy Asimus

2. Social Media Consulting
For Local Business Getting Online
Professionals | Retail | Hospitality | Cultural | Specialty
While much has been written on social media and how businesses are moving into the social media environment,
some traditional managers can find it all a bit of a mystery. For those without experience in using social media it
can seem a very strange place, where there are no rules and no clear way to gauge effectiveness or to control what
happens. For those who are using the tools of social media well, they have trouble understanding the reluctance of
others to get involved. Some are experiencing good results using social media, while some go into social media and
make a lot of mistakes and missteps and never get to see the benefits.
Pros and Cons
It could be tempting to think of social media as either a waste of time, or the single best thing that has ever
happened for small operators to compete with big companies in the marketplace. The reality is somewhere in
between and will depend on the approach that is taken in creating a sound strategy for using social media as a part
of business relationship management.
For Professional Services
There are some issues which some managers within professional services may find challenging.
Why Risk It?
The cat is really out of the bag now. Experience suggests that it is not realistic to ban adults from engaging in social
media, in one form or other, and the likelihood of employees using it without any clear objective, or management
oversight gets higher each week.
Just as we need to learn about the products we sell, to become expert in our field, so too, we need to know the
‘fine-print’ on social media marketing. Implementing a reasonable policy lets the company take advantage of the
opportunities, while limiting any unfortunate misuse.
How Do We Control It?
Social Media Consulting |
There really is no controlling social media. But you can control the context in which it is used, and monitor
adherence to the rules you set. When users are well-grounded in a sensible policy around what they can and
cannot do, with clear guidelines then they become quite ‘safe’ to be using new media to promote their business. It
becomes less of a risk for the business (and user), while opening up potential for promoting the good work that the
employees who are active on social media, can do.
And of course, the business can be supporting their users, through example and developing their own slice of the
social media world, with lots of content that the users can easily pass on to their networks.
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How Do We Measure It?
When businesses are proactive and have a strategy for nurturing clients and prospecting for new business, the
activity will always generate more new business than is the case for the business with no prospecting, a client base
that never gets serviced and where no effort made to engage with existing clients for years on end. Measurement
is really something for business to be tracking, and your overall business should increase in line with increase in the
activity of the business online in social networks following a scheduled program promoting their business on the
ground. But remember. Before you milk that cow, you better buy a calf and fatten it up!
What Do We Get Out Of Using Social Media?
It seems clear that the business with the best trained, most savvy people using social media well will be the big
winners.
Enhanced reputation
Known as keeping pace with change and relevant in today’s world
Better positioning in the marketplace
Respect from clients, and people of influence in the community
New business leverage as networks grown.
Remember
To d o it r i gh t , th en it ’ s im p o r t an t t o u n d er sta n d :
It will require some time each week.
It will require some budget for training, setting it up and managing
It will require some new skills to be learned and
It will require some engagement and ownership by the advisor.
It will require building good social skills and consistency
Rewards
It will allow business to develop a good strong local community
Engage with customers and prospects in ways that they prefer
Give insight into life events and interests of the target market
Build credibility
Build relationship and sense of connection
Become known to extended networks of clients
Open opportunities to meet more centres of influence
Lindy Asimus 0403 365855 www.DesignBusinessEngineering.com
Business & Social Media Coaching

4. To understand the spoken and unspoken needs of clients
To be ‘visible’ and easily reachable when clients need help
Maintain ‘top-of-mind’ position with clients
Be easily accessible for clients and business associates to refer friends for help
To research into your target market
Stake your claim and position yourself as the ‘go-to’ person in your field.
Where To Start?
Getting started means applying some practical steps.
Start with a strategy.
It’s pointless to rush in and set up profiles without knowing what end you want to achieve. Know what you want to
achieve, work out what resources you need to get started, and what commitments you will need to make on an
ongoing basis. You’ll also have to be clear on sticking to the guidelines set for your industry, and learn how to post
good content and engaging with your developing network, but without posting information that could in any way
be construed as giving advice.
Starting and then doing nothing, isn’t going to work. Once you start, you need to keep going and slowly build your
presence online.
Incorporate:
Online contacts in your defined demographic
o
Offline contacts in your personal sphere of influence
o
Clients and family
Online and Offline methods
Remember Your Website!
Social Media Consulting |
Social media is a natural partner to your website and yet many people treat it as though it has no connection to
the business. Start with a complete review of your website. There are usually lots of tweaks and modifications that
will make it work much better in search. Build your strategy to integrate your business + your website + social
media to leverage your time and social capital and to be most effective in maximizing the opportunities to engage
and drive traffic to your business.
Don’t Forget – Free Resources You Can Link To
While Yellow Pages account manager is calling you to buy some new listing or other, ask yourself… When was the
last time you used the Yellow Pages to find a number? The chances are that you don’t use them (unless you have
an ad you might!), and more than that, most people don’t use that for finding numbers any more. People Google
it, or ask friends on social media for recommendations. So save your money. There are lots of free directories
available that will get you additional ‘juice’ on Search when you complete your profiles. We’ll help you do that too.
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What platforms will you use?
Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook |Linkedin |YouTube
These are just a few of the online platforms available. Some may be more appropriate for you, and each has its
own culture and protocol for what’s appropriate and what’s necessary to get the best outcome. In order to use
social media effectively to build your online presence and gain trust, it is important that you understand how to
engage effectively, and diplomatically to share information and build interest in your brand online.
Get Started
Managed Social Media means that sharing relevant and interesting information on a regular basis will gain local
businesses a following online. The social nature of networking sites allows people to freely share information
provided on Twitter or Facebook with their friends - resulting in more eyeballs on the business! When done
correctly social media marketing will increase traffic to the firm’s website or blog to help with site rankings and
organic SEO.
Don’t miss out on the benefits of a Managed Social Media campaign. Get help to manage social media sites like
Twitter, Facebook and YouTube for your financial services firm so you can start out on the right foot to encourage
engagement and focus on closing business and winning cases. As part of our Local Business SEO Marketing Package
you’ll have a dedicated contact to work with you to develop a plan that fits your firm’s needs. Once you have a
clearly defined game plan in place you can start building your network and watch website traffic increase, generate
leads and get your message in front of more people to grow your case load.
Social Media Starter Package
Lets you get set-up and started in social media with all the handholding you need! Delivered over 8 scheduled
sessions Package $2200 payable in advance.
Includes:
Background to social media
Understanding your role in your social media program
Program tailored to your objectives
Social media program schedule for posts and updates
Setup training for staff, of your Facebook Brand Page, Twitter or other social media platforms
Insider tips on using Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin
Develop your social media plan
Incorporate program Offline to drive traffic
Topics for developing content in line with compliance requirements
“Communicating Online” training.
Help available online or by phone all hours.
Learn how to use email marketing safely with your social media
Lindy Asimus 0403 365855 www.DesignBusinessEngineering.com
Business & Social Media Coaching

6. Need help with content or a video to showcase what you do?
Social media is just another part of your business now. Ask about our extended social media options and business
coaching products.
Lindy Asimus
Design Business Engineering - Business Coaching | Telephone 61 + 403 365 855 |Email: lindyasimus@gmail.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/lindyasimus
Websites:
www.designbusinessengineering.com
www.lindyasimus.com
Facebook:
Personal Coaching Tips - http://www.facebook.com/LAcoaching
Business and Technical Tips - http://www.facebook.com/designbusinessengineering
Business Coaching
Business owners can get help with Business Review, Business & Personal Goals, Operational Policies and Procedures, Business
management, Staff and Sales training; Social Media Coaching. Not sure what a coach is? You might think of them as a business
advisor with special skills to help you see your business with fresh eyes, and techniques for finding solutions to long-standing
issues that have been holding you or the business back. And a great set of tools and resources to enable you to do those things
you want to do but don’t know how. When we work together, I ‘rent you a room in my brain’ and those things that bother you
– become my worry too, so we can find a solution that works.
Social media marketing is a new field and we can help you find your way through the maze to make the most of your business
and personal experience using Twitter, Facebook and other social media platforms and integrate it into your overall business
strategy.
What They Said:
Social Media Consulting |
“What can I say about Lindy? She has turned my life upside down (in a good way) so that I am beginning to see
the world in a different way. Her knowledge of social media and marketing keeps astounding me but she is
patient enough for me to keep up with her. Lindy is genuinely interested in helping us to succeed, she is very
personable and I am sure that she will be a long time colleague and friend.” Top qualities: Personable,
Expert, High Integrity March 10, 2010 ~ Wayne Lennan
“Lindy has a deep understanding of what it takes, to take a business from a dream to a complete &
successful business, All the aspects that go to make up a fully functioning business, I'm sure that the
more I go over the details, there are dozens of little details that I will have to implement, the way
that she coaxes you along at your speed. It’s well worth the effort to have someone put the hard
questions to you for you to answer Thanks Lindy :-))” Top qualities: Great Results, Expert, High
Integrity October 5, 2009 ~ James Owens
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7. COACHING PACKAGES
Coaching is available in a range of packages to suit all budgets.
BUSINESS & EXECUTIVE COACHING
Life & Executive Coaching Get on track, plan your goals and develop your leadership
potential and communication and people skills.
Business Coaching
Review your business, get control using better processes
and strategy to deliver the changes you want to make
your business more professional, more profitable and
have more fun while you increase its value and your
profits!.
Single & Casual Session
Just buy one for an occasional use or as you need. No
lock‐in, $295
10 Session Program
Get started with a block of sessions, and add more
sessions as you need them. $1980 (Best Value)
NEW BUSINESS & START‐UPS
New Business Kickstarter Just starting out? 3 Sessions to get you started and at a
price you can afford. $550
SOCIAL MEDIA
Starter Social Media
Using social media but have not strategy? Or just starting
out and not sure where to begin? This is for you. Get set
up, understand how your business can use social media
and online tools to promote your business the right way.
Learn what you need to develop a working strategy
tailored to your business. 8 Sessions $2200
Also available: From $300
Blogging For Business | Linkedin For Business | Twitter For Business | Pinterest For Business |
Copywriting | Social Media Marketing & Management | Workshops Also
Available For In‐House Trainings
Lindy Asimus 0403 365 855 www.DesignBusinessEngineering.com

8. Business Checklist
I Have This Or Do This Now
Yes I Do
No I Don’t
Don’t
Know
Policies and Procedures documented
Managing Client Relationships system
Employee manual and New Employee induction procedure
Client Profiling & Management Strategy
Marketing Strategy and Plan
Customer Service Training &/or System
Business Plan I work to
Focus &/or Vision written down
Business Review
Strategic Direction
Performance Management & Appraisal System
Organization Hierarchy & Report-To Chart
Business or Personal Coaching
Executive Coaching For Myself Or Staff
Systems for my business to Get Paid, Safety Procedure, OH&S
Goal Setting - Designing Well-Formed Outcomes
A Corporate or Business Profile
Written My Business Story
Written Marketing Letters
Write Content For Brochures etc
Website Content
Working Out My Unique Selling Position
Social Networking Strategy; Referral Strategy
Customer Capture Program – Active Marketing Database
Email Marketing Implementation
Need help? Please have these details handy and contact Lindy by email or phone to discuss your business needs.
Name:_______________________________________ Company Name:____________________________
Type of Business: ____________________________Mobile:____________________________ Date: ___________
Address:____________________________________________________________________________
Email:_____________________________@_______________________
Website: http:// www.___________________________________________________________________
Best time to call:___________________________________________________________________
Lindy Asimus ‐ 0403 365 855 ‐ Design Business Engineering
lindyasimus@gmail.com