An introduction to using social media to promote your small business. The tools discussed include blogging and LinkedIn. This presentation was originally delivered at the Israel Translators Association Conference in Jerusalem on Feb. 10, 2010.

1. Getting Started with Social Media Marketing Israel Translators Association Conference Kelli Brown | February 2010

2. About your presenter Decade of experience: Web development and design Print and digital graphic design Web marketing Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Send questions to kelli@pixelpointpress.com

3. Promoting your business How the social web complements your CV Why you need a web presence What to do to position yourself Action items: What to do now Questions and answers

5. Brochure

6. Resume/CV

7. Portfolio (if applicable)

8. References

9. Networking in real life

11. Blog

12. Searchable resume (LinkedIn)

13. Gallery (if applicable)

14. Social networks

15. Networking online

16. Industry groupsMost traditional elements have a corollary element online

17. Goals of your web presence* Leverage your strengths, overcome weaknesses Demonstrate industry expertise Promote a hidden skill set Help you stand out from other applicants Know your competition In short, to answer the question: “Why should I hire you instead of someone else forthis position?” * And to make it all searchable on Google so potential clients find you

18. What you need Website with a blog Simple and easy to navigate Content to share Which means you need industry knowledge Completed profile on LinkedIn Networks to leverage, groups to connect

19. Targeting a market Select a specific niche for web marketing “Hebrew-English medical technical writing” instead of “Hebrew-English-Hebrew” translation Cater to the needs of users in that niche Provide content that helps them Answer questions when possible

20. What to do Before writing, explore your target market Use blog posts to expand beyond your CV Broadcast your content wide and far Consider using other social networks Combine your web and real-life networks Target customers in their native language

21. Your website Up-to-date resume: clear and concise Make links and email addresses clickable Link to your university, employers, etc. Link to work samples posted online About page: anticipate client questions Contact info: phone, email, network URLs Updated blog: post at least once a week Site should be your own domain name

22. Your blog Update regularly: shows consistency Communication skills Comment on news within your target market Expand on your skills Projects you’ve managed – other hidden talents Awards and achievements (and why they matter) Market yourself – your elevator speech

23. What is a blog? Web page displaying chronological posts Supports photos, video, audio, presentations Can be part of a larger website or standalone Organized into categories Indexed by tags Followers subscribe via email or RSS

24. Blog posts should be 250 to 600 words in length (for English) Related to news when possible Written in a conversational (yet professional) tone Organized neatly into categories, tagged

25. Your first five blog posts Who you are What you do – get specific Your successes and strengths Your work history Why you’re the best fit for your clients

26. What to post about New clients or projects Ongoing education Articles that justify your services Q&A with potential/current clients Your opinion on relevant topics

27. LinkedIn (linkedin.com) Create an account and complete profile Profile picture: simple, clear headshot Not a comic avatar, kids, pets, pint of beer Use the same image across networks Add your blog/website feed (maybe Twitter too?) Join industry groups, connect with other members Comment and answer questions in “LinkedIn Answers”

28. Myths about social networks They’re just for kids They’re only for networking between friends People don’t use them for business My connections can’t help me get clients

29. Finding a Hebrew translator

30. Common responses “But I have pictures of my kids on there…” In social media, you’re allowed to be a real human “But I don’t want them to see my FB page…” You can’t prevent them from searching Google “But a lot of my profile is personal – favorite books, music, hobbies, etc.” And it might complement what you do

31. International industry-related groups: latest news Israeli industry-specific groups: find potential colleagues, job openings, networking events, conferences Company-specific groups: learn more about what your clients do and need Networking groups: where jobs are often posted first Industry Groups (Yahoo!) Don’t forget to find out if they have blogs, sites, Facebook groups, etc.

32. Stand out from the crowd Have video? Post a short video to YouTube introducing yourself Have a portfolio? Post it to Flickr and embed it as a slideshow into your site Given presentations? Upload your PowerPoint files to SlideShare.net and embed in your site Remember the goal is to stand out in a good way

33. Homework: Your action items Create a website or blog for your work Create a section with content updated regularly Join LinkedIn and begin building connections Join industry groups and connect/learn Consider going the extra step – rich media

34. Questions and answers Think of a question later? Email me at kelli@pixelpointpress.com Want to learn more? http://pixelpointpress.com/classes/