DIY Social Media vs. When to Hire It Out with Laurie Hurley

Social Media Business Tip – On FOCUS & CONNECTION

Want more? Last week on my radio show, I shared the Social Media Business Blueprint.  If you’re ready to uplevel your social media marketing, download the audio.

Marketing Mastery – The Five Keys To Promoting Your Business, Brand Or Product

Marketing doesn’t need to be a mystery.

That’s why I created Marketing Mastery – The Five Keys To Promoting Your Business, Brand or Product.

This program has been created for busy entrepreneurs and professionals who are ready to master their marketing, and be strategic in their efforts to make bigger paychecks and a stronger bottom line. Whether you have a product based business or a service based business, the ideas in this audio can be applied to your unique circumstances.

In it, I share:

- How to define your target market and identify niche markets

- What types of marketing messages are important for your business or industry & how and where to share those messages

- How to select the advertising mediums that will bring you the best success for your marketing dollar

- How to utilize social media and determine your Return On Investment (and how NOT to use social media)

- How to ensure your marketing efforts are really making you money

- How to create a simple marketing map that’s easy to execute

BONUS: I share a 30 minute marketing brainstorm, where I download over 25 marketing ideas you could use today, depending on your industry, product or service. It’ll help get your juices flowing.

My private marketing consultation packages range from $250 to $5,000, but in order to get this training into more hands, I’ve priced this training at $97 (and that INCLUDES shipping in the Continental U.S.)!

This includes Four Audio CDs so you can listen anywhere (I’m in LOVE with listening to things in my car or while I exercise!) and a PDF downloadable workbook emailed to you. The workbook can be used as a stand alone resource or as a follow along study guide.

AND, as a bonus to my Startup Princess friends, you will receive my webinar “How To Be A Rockstar On Twitter” FREE! (Regularly $19.95.  This 38 minute training shares how we grew our twitter following to over 180,000!)

Are you ready to become a marketing master?

“Michelle is more than a speaker who brings excitement and hype to the stage- She brings lasting results. After her workshop my team sales volume skyrocketed over 350% and is still growing rapidly months later. Michelle helped our sales and marketing teams create clear action plans for their projects that dramatically increased personal and team production. We now see possibility and move toward results in a way we never had imagined. Thank you Michelle for igniting our fire.” – Camylle Katherman

Disclaimer - Here it is: Though I have been able to provide a lot of my clients with dramatic results, I can’t guarantee the same thing for you (but boy I wish I could). There are no guarantees here. Your unique circumstances, products, services and your drive to succeed will determine your success. I only offer information, and it’s yours to learn, use and apply. Good luck!

Let’s connect! Follow me on twitter. Follow me on Facebook. Check out my FREE video e-course on Working Smarter Not Harder here.

Michelle McCullough is the Managing Director for Startup Princess. Michelle became a partner in Startup Princess in 2008. She is responsible for event planning, marketing, affiliates, sponsorships and partnerships. Over the past 3 years she has coached women entrepreneurs and helped them grow their businesses from “dream in development” to established thriving businesses. Michelle is a speaker, strategist, success expert and a serial entrepreneur. She started Doodads Promotional Products when she was 19. And has also spent the last 12 years working in marketing and advertising. She’s worked in all aspects of the industry from production to creative and sales to management. On top of her full-time jobs, Michelle has cultivated her love for entrepreneurship by running Doodads as a successful side business. Today it continues to thrive. This year Michelle launched a coaching program called “The Life Balance Myth” to help busy entrepreneurs build thriving businesses AND meaningful personal lives. She believes that life balance is a myth, but she provides practical tools to achieve personal and professional success. You can learn more about Michelle at SpeakMichelle.com. Michelle has two children ages 4 and 2 and lives in Utah.

It’s My Birthday & I’m Launching A New Marketing Product & I’m Giving Away Presents

Hello Startup Princess Friends,

It’s my birthday today.  I turn 33.  I’m not emotionally attached or detached from my age, so I’m not crying over here or anything.  It’s just 33. (And because it’s my birthday, I’m announcing something FABULOUS and giving away sweet prizes!)

That said, I’m tickled pink, because I’m unveiling my first product today, too! (I literally JUST picked up this product today and haven’t been able to get classy product shots yet, but I still wanted to share it with you on my special day!)

As many of you know, I’m a marketing consultant for entrepreneurs and though I enjoy the one-on-one work I do with my clients, I realized that I can’t reach everyone, but I’d love to help people step up their marketing efforts and them get confident in their messages so that they can have greater success reaching the masses.

That’s why I created Marketing Mastery – The Five Keys To Promoting Your Business, Brand or Product.

 

 

In it, I share:

- How to define your target market and identify niche markets

- What types of marketing messages are important for your business or industry & how and where to share those messages

- How to select the advertising mediums that will bring you the best success for your marketing dollar

- How to utilize social media and determine your Return On Investment (and how NOT to use social media)

- How to ensure your marketing efforts are really making you money

- How to create a simple marketing map that’s easy to execute

BONUS: I share a 30 minute marketing brainstorm, where I download over 25 marketing ideas you could use today, depending on your industry, product or service.  It’ll help get your juices flowing.

This program has been created for busy entrepreneurs and professionals who are ready to master their marketing, and be strategic in their efforts to make bigger paychecks and a stronger bottom line.  Whether you have a product based business or a service based business, the ideas in this audio can be applied to your unique circumstances.

My private marketing consultation packages range from $500 to $5,000, but in order to get this training into the hands of as many people as I can get, I’ve priced this training at $97 (and that INCLUDES shipping in the Continental U.S.)!

This includes Four Audio CDs  so you can listen anywhere (I’m in LOVE with listening to things in my car or while I exercise!) and a PDF downloadable workbook emailed to you.  The workbook can be used as a stand alone resource or as a follow along study guide.

But wait, it gets better!  Because it’s my birthday and my father always taught me to celebrate Bilbo Baggins style (by GIVING gifts on your birthday instead of waiting around to receive them) and because I think Danielle LaPorte is all kinds of white hot, I’m launching this product on a “Pay What You Can” promotion.

Here’s how it works:

- You email me directly at michelle <at> startupprincess <dot> com and tell me what you can afford to pay.  If you’re a struggling solo entrepreneur trying to get your dream off the ground and all you’ve got is $50, tell me.  If you’re doing well in business and you can afford to pay more, let me know! (All reasonable and un-insulting offers will be accepted, and note that $97 includes shipping in the Continental U.S.!) Please put “Marketing Mastery Pay What You Can Birthday Offer” in the subject line.

- Once your offer has been accepted, I will email you an invoice/link to pay from.

- Once your payment is received, I’ll ship off the product and email you the workbook.

- Then you listen, strategize and become a marketing master!

AND, in the spirit of birthday’s and presents, the first 33 (the number of candles on my cake this year) people who send me “Pay What You Can” Offers will receive my webinar “How To Be A Rockstar On Twitter” FREE!  Happy birthday to me (or you)!

This birthday offer expires tomorrow, June 20th, 2012 at MIDNIGHT.  (No exceptions)

If you want to make sure you get “How To Be A Rockstar on Twitter” for free, and you’re ready to pay $97 (Includes shipping!), click here!

“Michelle is more than a speaker who brings excitement and hype to the stage- She brings lasting results. After her workshop my team sales volume skyrocketed over 350% and is still growing rapidly months later. Michelle helped our sales and marketing teams create clear action plans for their projects that dramatically increased personal and team production. We now see possibility and move toward results in a way we never had imagined. Thank you Michelle for igniting our fire.” – Camylle Katherman

Disclaimer, Here it is:  Though I have been able to provide a lot of my clients with dramatic results, I can’t guarantee the same thing for you (but boy I wish I could).  There are no guarantees here.  Your unique circumstances, products, services and your drive to succeed will determine your success.  I only offer information, and it’s yours to learn, use and apply.  Good luck!

Let’s connect!  Follow me on twitter.  Follow me on Facebook.  Check out my FREE video e-course on Working Smarter Not Harder here.

Michelle McCullough is the Managing Director for Startup Princess.  Michelle became a partner in Startup Princess  in 2008.  She is responsible for event planning, marketing, affiliates, sponsorships and partnerships. Over the past 3 years she has coached women entrepreneurs and helped them grow their businesses from “dream in development” to established thriving businesses.  Michelle is a speaker, strategist, success expert and a serial entrepreneur. She started Doodads Promotional Products when she was 19. And has also spent the last 12 years working in marketing and advertising. She’s worked in all aspects of the industry from production to creative and sales to management. On top of her full-time jobs, Michelle has cultivated her love for entrepreneurship by running Doodads as a successful side business.  Today it continues to thrive.  This year Michelle launched a coaching program called “The Life Balance Myth” to help busy entrepreneurs build thriving businesses AND meaningful personal lives.  She believes that life balance is a myth, but she provides practical tools to achieve personal and professional success.  You can learn more about Michelle at SpeakMichelle.com.  Michelle has two children ages 4 and 2 and lives in Utah.

Friday Forum – Do you handle your own social media efforts?

For today’s Friday Forum, I’d love to get your input on how you manage your social media efforts.
What percentage of your social media do you personally handle?
Do you use assistants or outsource your social media strategy?
Do you utilize programs like HootSuite to schedule tweets and Facebook posts or do you think that should happen in real time?
Share your tips in the comments below!

“Friday Forum” is a new column on StartupPrincess.com. It’s designed for entrepreneurs to share ideas and strategy on a specific subject. We hope you’ll join in!

Meet Louise Edington – Founder of Fabulous and Fearless

Name:

Louise Edington

Location:

Originally from the UK, now Park City, Utah

Education:

BA American Studies with Religious Studies

Professional Background:

Very varied but entrepreneurial since having children. I ran an EBay store, did direct selling and ran a childcare business in my home. I finally ‘grew up’ and found what I LOVE to do at the age of 49 when I took an online Social Media Marketing course after moving to Utah from the UK (via Australia). I coached that course as a licensed and certified coach for almost two years prior to launching my own Start Up.

What you wanted to be when you grew up:

A writer and I do plan on writing my book later this year.

What you are:

I am a Social Media Marketing Coach primarily but I also coach my longer term clients to connect the dots through auto responders, growing their list, creating their opt in give aways etc. You could say that I am a Technical Business Coach.

Brief Summary of your Start Up:

In January of this year I launched my own business, Fabulous and Fearless Connections, and created my own coaching programs. I coach entrepreneurs to be Fabulous and Fearless online to increase their confidence and their profits.

I have also launched ‘co create’ programs where I and my team take our clients content from newsletters, articles and books (or transcribed phone interviews if none of these are available) to create and post content on Social Media for those who are too busy to do them selves. I, therefore, serve those that wish to do their own and those who wish to outsource. Both options use the clients’ own voice in Social Media which is crucial for authenticity.

Where you are located:

In my home in Park City, Utah though I hope to have an office outside the home later this year.

Company Website?

 http://FabulousandFearless.com

What inspired you?

Being described as a ‘trailing spouse’ in US Immigration terms after my husbands company transferred us to Utah from Adelaide, Australia and being told that my work ‘didn’t matter’ by someone I care about inspired me matter and to be an equal partner in my marriage.

How long have you been in business?

In this capacity, 2 ½ years. In one form or another, 10 years.

How did you fund it?

Out of pocket.

Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor)?

I hire coaches but my main mentor is my good friend Jude Anker who has inspired me to develop my signature system, BE Vitamins to boost your confidence and profits online.

Do you belong to any Business Organization or Networking Groups?

I run my own chapter of Angela Johnson’s Biz Divas and I am also a VIP member of The Hub in SLC. I attend other groups as time permits.

Current Business Challenge?

Learning to outsource what I am not good at.

What are you doing about it?

I am taking it one step at a time. I first hired a bookkeeper; a VA is next and then a housekeeper.

Favorite motivational quote:

‘If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change’ ~ Wayne Dyer.

Family?

Husband, Charles, and two amazing daughters Molly (14) and Alice (12). Also two rescue dogs, Roxy and Ozzie.

If so, how do you balance family and business?

That is difficult at times as I have no extended family close by but I try to finish the bulk of my work by the time the girls come home from school to spend time with them. Weekends are also generally family time. We also like to take a lot of short trips away to unwind.

Favorite book?

I love to read so this is always a difficult choice but I will say ‘The Four Agreements’ by Don Miguel Ruiz.

What do you do to relax?

Read, walk with my mentor Jude and our dogs, have a glass or two of wine in the evening with my husband, watch movies with my family and I plan on taking up Bikram yoga. I loved yoga when I was younger and my body and soul needs it, as I get busier in my business.

What do you want to change most about your world?

I am a huge supporter of equal rights for all and would love to see a world where color, gender and sexuality were no longer issues. I am also passionate about children and sponsor two children currently, one in Ethiopia and one in Guatemala.

What are you most proud of?

My girls, unquestionably. I am also proud that I have overcome so many fears, limiting beliefs and almost crippling shyness in the last few years.

What advice would you like to offer other Start Up Princesses?

Success in business usually doesn’t happen overnight and persistence pays off. Also take coaching in any area you are not confident in whether that is sales, marketing online or anything else.

Favorite Magic Wand (tool/resource)?

My iPhone – I can stay connected everywhere!

If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use?

Amethyst, Sapphire, Turquoise, Jade (and yes, I know some of these are semi-precious but I love these colors)

Did I leave something out you would like me to know about yourself or your business?

I LOVE what I do, and I love to connect (hence the name of my business). So please friend me and follow me at these links.

http://www.facebook.com/louise.edington

http://www.facebook.com/FabulousandFearless

https://twitter.com/LouiseEdington

http://pinterest.com/louiseedington/

http://www.linkedin.com/in/louiseedington

I also offer FREE 30 minute consultations for anyone who would like to discuss their Social Media marketing needs https://my.timedriver.com/LNSTG

Making the Most of Your Blog Posts

Were you on pins and needles waiting for the 3rd installment of the “blogging for business” series?

Well, here is some late night wisdom:

Share your posts.

Yup, sounds like rocket science, doesn’t it?  But it’s surprising how many of my clients write posts and expect people to wake up one day and think, “Gee, I wonder what Michelle blogged about today.”

In my opinion, this is one of the greatest uses for social media.  There are a lot of misnomers about what social media is for and how it should be used, and we’ll save that topic for another day, but you should appropriately share your posts through Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and other places where you have a community.

There are a couple of tricks to it that I want to share.

Tip #1 Instead of saying, “I just wrote a blog post about….” (they’ll find that out when they click on your link.  Let’s let them be pleasantly surprised you have this in you.)  Share your title (It’s catchy, grabbing and on topic, right?) and a link and that’s it.  Hopefully your post and your title should have the goal to add value so people want to click on over and read what you have to share.

(Insider tip, there are sites that will automatically send  your posts to twitter even without you having to do anything else.  We have used twitterfeed.com before.  Now, here’s a note: if you set this up to feed to your facebook account, it will pull random pictures when it posts on facebook.  Sometimes you end up getting a 3rd party ad [if you have ads on your site like we do].  We stopped doing the facebook feed and now only do the twitter.)

I feel like I’m off on lots of tangents here, but it’s okay to post, “I wrote an article about…” on your personal facebook page.  However, I think a catchy title and a link is best for twitter and on business facebook pages.

Tip #2 Go the extra mile by asking an engaging question in your tweet or post.  For example:

Will Blog for Traffic – 7 Tips to Increase Your Posts For More Site Traffic http://bit.ly/HWSZYc How many times do you blog/month?

(Insider tip, bit.ly is a great site that will shorten your hugely long URLs to make them more user friendly for twitter so you can stay in your character count.  It’s also great for analytics to see how many people you were able to get to click over from your social media efforts.)

The goal is to get people to engage with you.  Some may not ever read the post, that’s okay, it’s still good for building a sense of community, and it also gets people personally invested in your article before they click over.  Having them personally invested is good.

Tip #3 Share your post AGAIN later in the day on Twitter, using all new verbiage.  I don’t suggest you share them again on Facebook, but since the landscape of twitter changes so frequently and since not everyone is on at the same time AND since some people will be drawn to different info try another point of view.  For example:

Did you know sites that blog 20 times per month have on average 5 times more traffic? http://bit.ly/HWSZYc Yes, really.

(Insider tip: I read that updates that have links in the middle are more likely to get clicked, that’s why I put something after the link.)

Tip #4 If your post is about a popular topic add a hashtag to your tweet (but not necessarily to your facebook post).  For example:

Did you know sites that blog 20 times per month have on average 5 times more traffic? http://bit.ly/HWSZYc Yes, really.  #blog (What are you writing about? #cooking #fashion #sales, #marketing, #statistics, etc)

Again, it needs to be relevant, but this will open you up to new networks and increase your chances it will be seen by people searching for posts in that hashtag.

Tip #5 Include pictures in your posts and have the “pin it” button on your site. (oopsy, no picture in this post…) You can pin your own posts, in my opinion, but some people say you shouldn’t pin your own stuff, so at least make the option available for others to do so for you.

Tip #6 Share blurbs to recent posts in your newsletters.  Just because they’re on your list, doesn’t mean they have seen your posts online.  Give your network your knowledge via email, but only a blurb with a link back to your site.  This will help you boost your traffic.

Tip #7 Finally, hopefully you have a way to capture emails when they DO get onto your home court.  Help them become part of your network with ease so that you can send them additional information via email.

Well, there you go.  Do you have any additional success tips for sharing your posts to grow your traffic?  Let’s share!

Let’s connect!  Follow me on twitter.  Follow me on Facebook.  Check out my free video e-course on Working Smarter Not Harder here.

Michelle McCullough is the Managing Director for Startup Princess.  Michelle became a partner in Startup Princess  in 2008.  She is responsible for event planning, marketing, affiliates, sponsorships and partnerships. Over the past 3 years she has coached women entrepreneurs and helped them grow their businesses from “dream in development” to established thriving businesses.  Michelle is a speaker, strategist, success expert and a serial entrepreneur. She started Doodads Promotional Products when she was 19. And has also spent the last 12 years working in marketing and advertising. She’s worked in all aspects of the industry from production to creative and sales to management. On top of her full-time jobs, Michelle has cultivated her love for entrepreneurship by running Doodads as a successful side business.  Today it continues to thrive.  This year Michelle launched a coaching program called “The Life Balance Myth” to help busy entrepreneurs build thriving businesses AND meaningful personal lives.  She believes that life balance is a myth, but she provides practical tools to achieve personal and professional success.  You can learn more about Michelle at SpeakMichelle.com.  Michelle has two children ages 4 and 2 and lives in Utah.

American Mothers National Convention – Be Our Guest At the Social Media Panel for Free!

You’re Invited!

We realize that many moms are looking for ways to find support for their busy family life as well as engage in other worthwhile pursuits. American Mothers Inc. believes, “Strong Moms Strengthen Families.” Which is why we are excited to announce an upcoming event for moms who wish to connect with this inspiring non-profit organization, April 28-30, 2011 in Salt Lake City at AMI’s national convention, “Motherhood Elevated.”

American Mothers is inviting you, free-of-charge, to one of their convention’s premier events: “Look Who’s Talking!”—AMI’s Social Media and Technology panel, featuring inspiring and engaging women who use technology in their daily lives and their businesses. The panel will include our own founder, Kelly King Anderson, as well as the 2010 National Young Mother of the Year and popular blogger, Sheri Carlstrom of Indiana, along with blogging sensation, Courtney Kendrick and technology and social media entrepreneur, Sandy Sponaugle of West Virginia.

Once at the panel event, you are invited to stick around, ask questions, meet other moms with interests like your own and engage women who are developing their own enterprising ideas using technology and social media.  Additionally, a ticket to attend all breakout sessions of the convention for the same day, Saturday, April 30, can be purchased at the special invitation price of $35 dollars and includes a one-year nation membership in American Mothers membership!  Register @ www.americanmothers.org All events held at Little America, Salt Lake City.

American Mothers is an inter-faith, non-political, non-profit organization that continues to recognize the invaluable contribution mothers make to the future success and happiness of children and society. Its purpose is exclusively charitable. It is also the organization responsible for annually selecting the National Mother of the Year® and Young Mother from candidates across the United States, District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.  Many outstanding individuals throughout America have served as officers, leaders, members and supporters of this organization such as Sarah Delano Roosevelt, J.C. Penny, Mamie Eisenhower, Phyllis Marriott and Hillary Rodham Clinton.

We’re supportive of what American Mothers Inc. is doing for women across the nation and in its local chapters. We encourage you to take a look at the organization (http://www.americanmothers.org)  and claim a seat at this panel event, Saturday, April 30, at 2:00pm at the Little America Hotel in Salt Lake City. There you will connect with other fabulous, inspiring and engaging moms and supporters.  Bring this letter to the panel presentation to be entered into a give-away at the end of the panel event.  You may copy or forward this offer to your personal friends who might also wish to attend.

Event location:  Little America Hotel, 500 South Main Street, Salt Lake City.

5 Ways to Use Photos and Facebook to Build Your “Celebrity With Integrity” Status

As a coach, consultant, author or speaker or other small business owner, you are always in the mode of creating your “expert status.” That means that you know enough about your clients, their needs and desires and solutions to help them, that you can claim expertise in this area. Many marketing gurus talk about being a “rock star” or “celebrity,” and many heart-centered entrepreneurs have trouble with these terms.

I like to position it that you are creating your “Celebrity with Integrity” status. It has a ring to it, not only when you say it, but also for being authentic and in the limelight, and at the same time aware of your responsibility and values.

Let’s face it… your clients want to work with successful people, just like you do. You like to know that when you hire a coach or a consultant they have a certain amount of experience, they have resources, they invest in themselves, and are constantly keeping up with the fast changing world.

With social media, it’s easy to create and share real examples of your expertise. Here are 5 easy examples of how to post pictures on Facebook to build your “Celebrity with Integrity” platform.

(Remember your friends want to know you are successful and you want to portray your success in real, authentic ways.)

1. Post Pictures of you speaking. Whether you are speaking to a small group or large, post pictures of you in action. Nothing speaks louder than photos (well, except video) of you sharing your expertise with people who want to be with you.

2. Post a photo of you attending a workshop. Your potential clients and colleagues (think potential joint ventures and referrals) like to know that you invest in yourself, are learning new strategies and tools, and are connected with movers and shakers in your industry. The fact that you spend money on your personal growth speaks volumes.

3. Post a photo of you with a well-known leader or celebrity. Success breeds success! Who you hang out with sets a tone for your own credibility (just like momma said!).

4. Post a photo of your vacation and travels. I know this goes down the path into sharing personal information, but in this day and age where many potential clients will hear about you first on the Internet – they want to know that you walk your talk of enjoying your success.

5. Share photos of your passions, hobbies and loves. Your peeps are getting to know you first through your words and photos. I know you worry about being “professional” – I think that word alone can kill a marketing brand. Professional can also mean boring, vanilla, blending in to the sea of other “professionals” just like you. You have to stand out and be interesting and remarkable. Share photos of your kids, cats, cars, your hobbies – be tasteful, of course, unless being un-tasteful is your style.

You’ll stand out as having confidence – that’s success!

So, bring your camera with you wherever you go or learn how to download your cell phone photos. You never know when a “Celebrity with Integrity” opportunity will come along. As my boy scout sons say, “Be Prepared!”

Laura West is a certified professional coach, writer, speaker and the President and Chief Creative Officer of The Center for Joyful Business. She is the creator of the Joyful Business Guide, a business attraction system blending law of attraction principles with smart business designed for solo-entrepreneurs and business owners.

Overcome Social Media Overwhelm

As I’ve gone through the Schedule Makeover™ process and guided others on the journey to work-life brilliance™, I’ve found that social media overwhelm is rampant. Every day some must-have application pops up or some get-rich method comes out. To combat this time assault, I’ve developed this three-part method:

Ask Yourself, Why?

Before you engage in any business activity, always ask yourself questions such as:

• Why am I doing this activity?

• Why am I spending this much (or this little) time on it?

• Why would someone care about what I’m doing?

• Who reads this information?

• Will this win me new clients or preserve my current ones?

• How does this activity reflect on my brand?

• Does this activity energize me and focus me on my important goals?

These kind of questions work with anything from networking events to Twitter updates—basically if you can’t see a clear ROI on an activity, you might want to stop or reduce your time doing it. If you simply enjoy doing something, you can still do it on your personal time. But don’t waste time on “business development” that produces no results.

For instance, when I worked exclusively as a freelance writer before becoming a time coach and trainer, I did not write a blog. I made this decision based on the fact that my business-to-business clients were not interested in hiring me based on blogging. Instead, my clients cared more about seeing me face-to-face on a somewhat regular basis. At that time, it made more sense to spend a couple of hours a week visiting their offices rather than writing posts.

Stick with a Theme

Just like the most successful novelists develop a reputation for a certain style and subject matter, you need to establish an online reputation that’s aligned with your brand. If your main “Why” for engaging in social media is to build your business, you must pick a theme and stick with it.

When I decided to do time coaching and training for work/life brilliance™, I began a blog to establish my expertise and develop my well of online content. To make it a go-to resource, I chose to focus on time management for women in business.

Around the same time, I started using Twitter. At first, I would just put up tweets about random articles or thoughts. But after a little bit, I realized it would be much more effective to have a consistent tweet each day. That’s when I began a daily “E time management tip” which evolved into an “E Schedule Makeover Tip.” Now my hundreds of Twitter followers can expect a daily tip to assist them with their schedule. This builds my reputation and expert status, and by using Google Analytics, I found out that Twitter is one of the top drivers of traffic to my Web site.

Time Block Everything

The mental state required to effectively process e-mail or scan tweets is not the same as the one you need to write a cohesive article. One of the biggest ways to make writing or any project that requires a high level of mental concentration take FOOOREEEVER is to flit between the project and e-mail or social media.

I’ve found it most effective to answer all of my e-mail and do all my processing at the beginning of the day. Then I can take a little break to get a cup of coffee or stretch my legs and focus completely for a couple of hours on a major assignment such as an article. Once that’s done, I take a little break, maybe check e-mail for 10 minutes, and then focus on the next important task.

To stick to your schedule and overcome distraction, try these techniques:

• If you’re a twitterer, decide when you will go on Twitter and for how long, then stop once you reach your limit.

• If you’re a blogger, designate a certain day and a certain time slot or at least number of hours you will spend blogging, then stick with it.

• If you like to read lots of content, collect it all in a single electronic or paper folder and then designate a certain amount of time each week to review it. Stop when you reach the limit.

Read Less, Do More

With the onslaught of social media, the lie is that you will always benefit from more information, but that’s simply not true. By picking the best information, learning from it, and applying it, you will be far ahead of the people who fritter away their lives reading yet another article about Facebook, yet doing nothing.

It will take time to develop the habit of focus when you’re used to falling for the lure of mindless social media. But as you decide on what’s most important, focus on a theme, and set time limits, you’ll start to develop new habits and the ability to maximize the value of your time on and off social media.

Other Good Social Media Time Management Resources:

Time Management in the Age of Social Media by David Allen: http://www.businessweek.com/managing/content/mar2009/ca20090310_589525.htm

A Company that Sets Up Your Facebook and LinkedIn Profiles: http://springwise.com/life_hacks/jumpstart/

If you want to end your feelings of overwhelm and guilt and step into the future with confidence, check out www.ScheduleMakeover.com or contact me at esaunders@RealLifeE.com. I can develop an ideal schedule for you that includes specific time blocks for strategic social media activities.

Elizabeth Grace Saunders is a time coach and trainer who empowers women in business to achieve work/life brilliance™ through her exclusive Schedule Makeover™ process. Inc magazine, NBC, and The Chicago Tribune are just a few of the places where Elizabeth has appeared.

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