Doing the hard work of content creation

Content creation is tough. It’s hard to consistently come up with valuable things to write about for your audience. But it’s important that you have a clear idea of how to generate content on a regular basis.

Consistent content helps your blog get found, gives your regular readers something to consume and helps you build a library of useful information.

Here’s a great tip to think about content topics right now.

• Take the top 15 problems your customers are having. List these out and describe them in detail with specific actionable solutions for each one.
• Write down the top 15 benefits a customer gets from doing business with you. Be specific.
• List the top 15 frequently asked questions.
• Write down the top 15 mistakes you see your customers making.

If you do this you’ll have 60 topics ready to go for your blog, videos, podcasts or email newsletters.

Today’s Action Step

Using the list above spend the next ten minutes writing out these lists and come up with your next 60 topics for content on your blog.

Now go take action.

.

Joel Mark Witt is the Publisher of Folk Media. He is a producer, author, speaker and social media marketing coach who consults with businesses on how to use social media in marketing and communications. Get more from Joel on Twitter.

*Photo by JohnEdgarPark

This post was written by guest author Anne Cauley. You can find out more about Anne below.

You know YouTube is the second most used search engine.

You know adding a video clip to your content will help your Google (search) rankings soar.

You know your content will be more appealing to more people if you include video.

YET you avoid YouTube.

Here are some hints and tips that will take you from stage fright into the star light: all you need is a web camera enabled computer.

First of all, you need to consider that you are going to be the writer, the actor, the director, the producer and the editor BEFORE you engage YouTube, like a film studio, to publish and distribute your work. So here are some steps that take you through the basics to ‘get it right the first time’.

Screenplay Considerations:

A good screenplay writer will consider his/her audience, because it will impact:

• What is said and how it is said. Just like a screenplay writer will watch the language depending on the audience: so must you. Don’t use techno-language and abbreviations unless your audience is familiar with (and understands fully) that language.  (Otherwise, it will be similar to shooting a foreign film: in which case you better use sub-titles.)
• The location. Be sensitive to the location of where you shoot your video. Your office may not be appropriate for a cooking tutorial; however, your kitchen may be.
• The wardrobe. What you wear should depend on your intent and your audience. Don’t wear your workout attire if you are targeting a corporate audience and asking them to hire you; however, if you are talking about the secrets of pilates…. then go ahead and wear those yoga pants.

Think of your video as a short story and script it accordingly: keep it short & to the point. (Enough said about that!)

Location, Location, Location!

Carefully, consider the set and all the lighting: your location setup is very important.

• Set the mood (and increase the video quality) with proper lighting. Watch the overhead lights they can wash you out and make your red hair look blond. Instead, use softer incandescent light. Then set up your camera properties and select the appropriate lighting conditions.  (You may want to play around a bit with this. I found that the indoor/outdoor settings were pretty accurate if you had a cloudy day or whether you were in the kitchen or office.)
• De-clutter. As a general rule of thumb, de-clutter your set. (Unless you are trying to brand yourself as a professor-like genius.) Tons of material has been written about the negative impacts of clutter: Stephanie Roberts from the FastFungShui.com cautions, “The more clutter you have, the more sluggish the energy becomes.” And we don’t want a sluggish video!
• Stage your space. If you are shooting a cooking show: get in the kitchen, get your mise en place ready and ensure cookbooks are in the background. You need to look the part!

Think Before You Shoot!

Most PCs these days include a web camera. (My Toshiba laptop includes Camera Assist.) So there is no excuse, you too can get into the film industry!  But before you shoot, just watch your camera settings:

• Adjust your frame rate appropriately as it impacts the quality and size of a video file. (The frame rate is the number of frames or images that are projected or displayed per second. Typically, in the US, 30 frames per second is used for TV.) The higher the frame rate, the better the quality, the larger the file. In my camera settings, I have found the maximum rate of 30 frames per second is adequate, (just be patient when uploading your file).
• Compress your video files into a smaller file size. Luckily, in my camera settings I didn’t have any fancy options: only ‘no compress’ or ‘DV (digital video) video encoder’. Selecting the encoder compresses my video which speeds the upload process.  You may have other encoder options which may require some research: the net has lots of techno-babble on AVI files and type 1 and type 2. The important thing to remember is to compress your video file.
• Setup your lense to flatter whatever you are shooting. Think like a photographer: Don’t be afraid to move around. Ok, I know you are using your PC, so don’t be afraid to move it around from it’s usual spot:  you may have to angle or elevate it.

Now it is Show Time!

Your set is ready and your camera is all set… You are ready for the actor in you to shine on the screen. Just a few reminders:

• Smile.
• Don’t rush. Plan enough time upfront. You may need multiple takes.
• Don’t think about talking to 1000 people: talk to 1 person and your personality will shine through.

Personally, I find it is easier to be videotaped in the traditional manner, using a video camera, rather than using the built-in video camera from a PC. I don’t like to see myself as I am being taped.  What helps me is covering up my computer screen with a hardcopy print out of my script (or my general outline of my script). You may want to try that so you don`t feel uncomfortable or obsess with a hair that is out of place.

“That’s a Wrap!”- Next Steps

Take your time on your first video.

• Test out the video and audio settings, especially the lighting and the volume settings.
• Reshoot as necessary. Just remember you may only get one chance to impress a potential follower.

Open up a YouTube account if you don’t have one. Then start to upload your video: this could take some time depending on fps (frames per second) and compression.

Don’t forget to set up and customize your YouTube Channel to reflect your personal or company Brand. If you need help with that, see Customers While you SLEEP

Then all you have to do is to promote your YouTube video… but that is a whole subject onto itself.

The Quick Review

You may not get nominated for an Academy Award®, but your secret to fast success will be to:

• Think like a screenplay writer,
• Consider your set,
• Set-up your camera settings and location,
• Be yourself and talk to ONE person just like a documentary,
• Initially (and continually) try out new settings and techniques.

Now  you can create videos and leverage YouTube.

Your content will be more appealing to more people.

Your Google (search) ranking will soar.

Your content will be found in the second most used search engine.

.

Anne Cauley is an accomplished trainer known for ‘training that sticks’. She combines her sales, training, process re-engineering background with a passion to be an agent of change. Experienced as a technology advocate, it is no surprise that she is embracing social media. Her blog is filled with pragmatic advice on how to develop, deliver, analyze and improve training efforts. Find out more about Anne on her blog, Facebook or Twitter.

*Photo by Alejandro Peters

It’s no secret that content is the currency of the web. It’s almost cliche to say this since so many people write and talk about it. After reading this blog for a while you should know how critical it is to create compelling content for your business and website.

Why consistent content is important

By posting consistent content you are helping people know that you are present and active. You are also staying on the top of mind for potential prospects and customers. The worst thing that can happen is to fade out of a prospect’s mind.

Plus, Google loves consistent content. In fact all the search engines like to see that you are posting regularly. They will begin showing your content in search results more if they see a consistent posting schedule.

What makes online content valuable?

Good content obviously provides value (something I harp on constantly). But good content also needs to be consistent. The value is in the actual content but it is ALSO valuable because of the consistency of that content.

If you have a genius idea once each year you will lose out to the person who has a good idea each day. Consistency and frequency matter and they are valuable in their own right.

So how often should you create content?

That depends on your business and audience. I used to say it doesn’t matter as long as you’re consistent. And that’s still a good rule of thumb. But I’ve become more aggressive in my stance.

So here’s my (newer) answer.

People are now always online – always working – always connected. The Internet is a 24 hour global environment. To play in this space I firmly believe that you need to create and post ONE piece of valuable content each day.

Obviously this is the ideal. You’ll need to adjust according to your ability and business. For example, some create and post content each weekday. Others post every Monday – Wednesday – Friday.

If daily seems like too much for you, keep reading. We can come up with some creative solutions for you.

Practical steps to creating consistent online content

First, commit to a schedule. Don’t just post blog articles and Twitter messages willie-nilly. It’s important to plan so you can be consistent. In week 12 of our Customers While You Sleep training we talk about how to construct a schedule for content.

A schedule forces you to do your thinking in advance. Then when it’s time to create content, simply refer to your schedule and BAM – you’ll know what to do.

Second, be creative with what you consider content.

There are only four things you can share online:

• Text
• Photos
• Audio
• Video

Your “content” doesn’t HAVE to be a 700 word article on your blog. It can be a couple Tweets that point people to news articles or other people’s content. It can be a photo or video. Content can be a simple question asked on your Facebook fan page.

Other things that work as great content.

• Interviews with industry experts
• Summary articles and book reviews
• Short video updates from industry conferences

Today’s Action Step

Make a commitment to create consistent content.

Then, in the comments, write out your biggest obstacle with creating consistent online content. What do you struggle with? How are you going to use some of the advice above to tackle your core challenge?

Any other thoughts or advice you can provide?

.

Joel Mark Witt is the Publisher of Folk Media. He is a producer, author, speaker and social media marketing coach who consults with businesses and nonprofits on how to use social media in marketing and communications. Get more from Joel on Twitter or Google Buzz.

*Photo by Andrew Morrell

Grasping the basics of marketing is very simple. In fact, you probably don’t even need a degree to be successful at marketing your business or yourself. The secret to successful marketing is to have a customer oriented mindset. If you think about he customer’s needs before the your needs, chances are that you will be able to market well.

Just like marketing your business, when you market your online content, you need to focus on the people who matter: your visitors.

Staying in Tune with Your Audience

Lessons in Content Creation 101 tell us that your website and its information need to revolve around what your visitors are looking to find. Truthfully, this sounds very easy but it’s a tough concept to grasp. In a perfect world, an online copy writer would know exactly what his customers need and would deliver but we don’t live in a perfect world. Instead, we succumb to ideas, advice, and urges that stray from our overall mission: meet the customer where they are.

This website, for example, exists to help businesses and entrepreneurs get a jumpstart on all things social media, including marketing, email lists, current events, and hard-to-understand concepts. It’s not easy to create content, though…especially content that is written to solve your problems and answer your questions.

In order to create as much targeted content as possible, we take a “tell it to your mom” approach. This helps us walk through tutorials, break down concepts, and fully explain what is happening in the realm of social media.

Develop a method or line of thought that will help you create content that is useful to your audience and that answers their questions before they need to ask.

Understanding the Behaviors of Your Visitors

Let me tell you a little secret…

The best ways to stay in tune with your audience is to talk to them and to retrace their steps.

A simple question or survey can go a long way. If you’re feeling up to it, send out an email survey to your list and gauge their need for content. How many people want to know about the eating habits of sloths compared to koala bears? How many readers are interested in high school education compared to middle school and elementary school? There is A LOT you can learn from your visitors if you simply ask.

Beware: asking questions makes you vulnerable to skeptics. Some people will spin your questions as revelations that you don’t know you topic. Before you dive into a survey or panel interview with clients, be prepared for those who aren’t on your same wavelength.

Retracing your visitors steps is probably the best way you can get to know them. Finding out where they have been can have a huge impact on your future publication calendar.

If you haven’t signed up, you should begin using an analytics tool, such as Google Analytics. These types of tools will allow for you to see what content is most popular amongst your visitors and what content they aren’t touching. This will allow for you to create material suited for your visitor’s needs. Want to gather more interesting data? Analytical tools can tell you:

- How much time the average visitor spends on your site; thus, you can figure out how to keep readers for longer
- How many pages a person visits each time they come to your site, allowing you to integrate more pages to your site to keep your visitors reading your useful content
- What keywords your visitors are using to find your site, which can help you with search engine optimization (SEO) and content creation

There is a ton of information you can learn from an analytical tool. If you’d like to learn how to set up Google Analytics for your site, stay tuned for a multi-part series that will begin next week on using Google Analytics.

Today’s Action Steps

With a ton of new knowledge in your brain, I’d like to challenge you to do a few things today:

First, think of a way to keep your mind centered on useful and beneficial content creation. Is it a note on your computer? Is it an accountability partner? Is it locking yourself in a room with a laptop and desk lamp for 12 hours a day? (Not recommended by the management team.) Find your focus agent and use it.

Next, ask five visitors to your site or members on your email list why they come to your site and what content they find useful. Pick their brains and see if they will open up to you. If it’s a success and you get good feedback, implement it. If not, see if you can engage with others. Know thy visitors.

Finally, research Google Analytics. As I said, I’ll begin diving into Google Analytics a bit more starting next week. Trust me – Google Analytics has become one of my best friends as I strive toward online marketing excellence.

As always, please use the resources below to share this article on your favorite social media site. Also, did you know that Folk Media is on Facebook? Become a fan and you could win a free website consultation! If you became a fan because you read this article, email me and let me know.

.

Eric Alpin is the Associate Editor of Folk Media and works for a telecommunications company in Baltimore, Md. He is a social media enthusiast, blogger, writer, and student with a passion for leadership and self-development strategies and techniques. Find out more about Eric on Twitter.

*Photo by nkzs

Writing is important. We all know that content is one of the most important aspects of a business and without writing, you can’t produce content. Needless to say, it’s pretty critical that you have a good handle on writing, or a good editor, before you disseminate valuable content to your customers.

Wait–don’t leave yet. If you’re the guy or gal that thinks writing isn’t your strongest quality, you’re not alone. You don’t need to be good at writing to succeed; you only need to know the critical elements that create writing success.

There is no better role model or influence to turn to than Seth Godin. Seth Godin is a business/media strategist who takes pride in helping people. However, his books don’t always top the charts and his blog is rather short and simple. He understands the important aspects of writing and he goes from there. You can do that, too.

Connection

One of your foremost goals when writing should be to connect to your audience. Frankly, without a connection, you have no audience. Who wants to read something that isn’t appealing or interesting? I know that I don’t.

Creating a connection with your audience will get you far in your career as a writer. Seth Godin creates connections using stories, one-liners, and memorable but short quotes to get you thinking. It’s like he is right next to you holding a conversation.

Also, connections enable readers to keep coming back to your content. If they can relate to you one time, they will long for that connection the next time.

Memories

Our memories map out our lives. Memories of happiness will encourage us to continue on a certain course and painful memories will guard our hearts forever. When writing, make sure that you create good memories for your audience. You don’t need to be a super sophisticated writer to create memories. You don’t need to pen brilliant words. In fact, all you need to do is be authentic and down to earth.

When you’re authentic with your audience, they trust you and they begin to open up to your words. Make sure that you captivate them with your realness and use that to create positive memories for your readers.

Remember, positive memories come in handy when you release new content because those people you’ve touched will recall their experience with you and will return the favor time and time again.

Value

You’ve heard us talk about it before and this isn’t the last time we’ll touch on it: creating value for your customers is much better than anything else. If your customers know they are getting a product with a high value, they a more willing to be repeat customers and spread the word.

Value does not mean a low priced product. Sure, lower prices might be more appealing at first but if you can provide free content that has a large value, you’ll immediately attract potential customers and win market share.

We all want to be valued. When you’re writing, make sure that you give away as much information as possible. Don’t hold all of the cards because the more hidden you are, the less people will trust you.

Creating connections, memories, and value will help your writing stick.

Seth Godin is a master at writing and you can be, too. Take some time this week to practice connecting, making memories, and creating value through your writing. You might actually surprise yourself…

.

Eric Alpin is the Associate Editor of Folk Media and works for a telecommunications company in Baltimore, Md. He is a social media enthusiast, blogger, writer, and student with a passion for leadership and self-development strategies and techniques. Find out more about Eric on Twitter.

*Photo by Right Brain Resource

Picture this: You’re in a business meeting with the CEO of your company and you are part of a content creation committee. Your business is losing money and it’s going out the door fast. Your boss asks you to come up with a few ideas on how to keep business from going to your competitors. What do you do? How do you save your business?

Do you lower prices? No, it’s not necessary.

Do you create more products to expand your customer base? No.

When you need to turn your business around or when you are trying to dominate your market, the secret lies in the customer experience. It’s not all about prices or products; it’s about the experience the customer has with you and your business.

Case Study: Starbucks

We all know that Starbucks is in the coffee business and they are a pretty dominating force. They serve millions of lattes, mochas, and fraps each year to citizens looking for their coffee fix. But, have you ever considered why a coffee chain with extravagant prices and small serving sizes is so popular?

It’s the experience.

With Starbucks coffee, you don’t just brew up your typical Foldgers blend and add whipped cream. Instead, you get to see your coffee created from the bean. And, once the barista has handed over your beverage, you can sit and enjoy a cozy atmosphere with good music and comfy furniture.

When you buy a Starbucks coffee, you aren’t paying for the drink; you’re paying for the experience of the drink.

If you can learn how to create a great customer experience, you can set your prices a little higher and grab a large portion of the market share. Customers don’t want to be another number or another dollar. Customers want to have an experience that is memorable and that leaves a good impression. If you can create that, you’re golden.

Creating the Experience

Now that you know what your customers want, it’s time to give it to them.

Before we dive in any further, I need to remind you that:

Price and products don’t necessarily create positive customer experiences.

You need to realize that changing the price on your product isn’t going to instantly make the customer experience better. Very few customers mind paying a higher price for a product they know offers them a better experience than similar options.

When you’re brainstorming about increasing the customer experience, think about these things:

• Bonus offers (ex. free gifts or products)
• Customer service or support (ex. 24-hour support or on-call resolution)
• Atmosphere enhancers (ex. music or other add-ons that relate to the senses)
• Complimentary items (ex. free coffee and donuts when you come in)
• Conversation or interactions (ex. free once-a-week teleconference)
• Discounts (ex. $100 off your next purchase or one month free)
• Partnerships (ex. $25 off your next purchase at Ray’s Remodeling)

This is not an exhaustive list but it should get you started. My hope is that you begin to focus on the customer’s experience rather than the price they are paying.

If you focus on the customer, you won’t be going out of business any time soon. Some businesses tend to focus on semantics and a pretty look rather than the customer and they end up falling out in the end. The secret to earning more money with your products has nothing to do with price manipulation or customer content. It has everything to do with the customer experience and how they perceive your business. If you leave a good impression, they’ll keep coming back for more.

.

Eric Alpin is the Associate Editor of Folk Media and works for a telecommunications company in Baltimore, Md. He is a social media enthusiast, blogger, writer, and student with a passion for leadership and self-development strategies and techniques. Find out more about Eric on Twitter.

*Photo by roland

If you ask some bloggers, they’ll tell you that when they write a blog post, they’ve created a work of art.  Without a doubt, their blog post is the best on the Internet and it should be making the front pages of Digg and Delicious, not these other hacks and their stupid content. They’d say, “Seriously, who would ever choose to read these stuff over my awesome blog posts?”

If you’re one of those bloggers, I have news for you…

Your blog post doesn’t cut it. A work of art? No, it’s a work in progress at best.

Do you think that when Michelangelo was sculpting his ultra-famous David statue that he was satisfied the first time? Or the second? Maybe on the third but probably not.

What about Da Vinci? Was the Mona Lisa right the first time or did he have to do some extra work? He’s not here to tell us but I’m probably thinking it wasn’t an instant hit.

I could list hundreds of artists, movie producers, writers, and business folks who didn’t get it right the first time but I think you get the point.

Believe it or not, your blog posts are in the same boat as the David statue and the Mona Lisa; they aren’t perfect the first time around.

Humble Pie is Good for the Soul

I’m right there with you; it’s tough to humble yourself and realize that your work, life, and passion isn’t the best on the first time around. We naturally want to be good at everything we do but we’re not.

It’s extremely important to humble yourself and become a person who revises work instead of creating soul-satisfying material the first time around. If you do, you will be able to develop your writing style more than you can imagine.

Since I’ve started blogging two to three times a week for Folk Media, I’ve become a better writer. For example, I never used semicolons but now I try to implement them often in my writing; they just make things flow better (and look cooler). Also, my writing used to be fluffy and off topic. Not so much anymore.

Revising my blog posts for Folk Media has given me a better sense of my style and has allowed me to grow.

Humbling myself to a position of a writer AND editor can work wonders for your content and progression as a blogger or writer.

The Challenge

I normally would challenge you with something like, “Try to go back and revise at least five of your most recent blog posts.” Well, that’s well and good but it’s not what I think would be the most beneficial to you.

Instead, I’d like for you to commit to becoming a writer and editor for the next 60 days. It’s two months that you might have to work a bit harder but it will be worth the work.

We’re going to call this the 60 Day Editing Challenge. In this timeframe, there are no specific requirements to meet; whatever works for you is what I want you to undertake. Instead of just writing, posting, and repeating, throw in some editing here and there. Go back and revisit some older posts and see what you can improve. It could be call of your content or only a select few articles.

On Sunday, August 29, the challenge will end. Starting now, I’d like to hear your experiences with incorporating editing into your blogging mix. It could be a success story or a challenge you’re facing. I want you to email me and let me know your thoughts and comments about what you’re undertaking.

I hope that you can become a better writer and editor in the future and not just the next 60 days. Its a process that takes time to develop but it will help you for the rest of your life.

Don’t let your blog posts suck any longer; take some initiative and edit your copy after you’ve posted it. Remember – masterpieces aren’t created the first time around. Practice and hard work really do make perfect.

.

Eric Alpin is the Associate Editor of Folk Media and works for a telecommunications company in Baltimore, Md. He is a social media enthusiast, blogger, writer, and student with a passion for leadership and self-development strategies and techniques. Find out more about Eric on Twitter.

*Photo by JJR

Content is king. You’ve heard me say it before and I’ll say it again and again.

Without content, what is your website or Twitter profile or Facebook fan page? Nothing. Content drives and inspires your readers and visitors. Solid content leads to solid partnerships and reader dedication, which then converts into paid membership and consumer loyalty. So, if you had lackluster content, how would that model function to your advantage?

It wouldn’t.

The key to any successful blog or social media campaign is to create life-changing content that keeps your viewers coming back for more. Great content, not publicity or promotion campaigns, should be a main focus when publishing online.

Some would say life-changing content is nearly impossible to produce but I’d say it can be done in a matter of minutes. It isn’t hard to develop. In fact, it only consists of two elements – the why and the how. Once your deliver the why and the how to your readers, you’ve inspired them with a passion to do something, and oftentimes, there is no stopping a person with a mission.

The “Why?” Factor

It’s natural for humans to ask why something is the way that it appears. We start early, at around two years of age. We’re naturally curious and want answers. This basic fact of life doesn’t change when we graduate college, get married, start a family, or work our way up the food chain of corporate America.

People want – and need – a why.

If you’re going to create life-changing content, you need to first focus on they why. People, whether its bird enthusiasts or business people, won’t implement your words unless you tell them why they should. It’s the law of the land and you need to give this information in order to create change and to drive productivity.

Without explaining the “Why?” factor, your efforts will be wasted.

Explaining “The How”

There is another truth about human nature – we want to do something immediately. If we can’t do it right away, we don’t want to have any part of it. Some people can hold off and wait for results to happen but in a world where information is accessible instantaneously, waiting is not part of our personality profile.

Explaining the how is ridiculously important and doing it in a succinct manner is just as crucial.

You’ll notice that the content you read on this site isn’t excruciatingly long or wordy. Sure, some articles and content require a bit more time but for the most part, you can come and read a blog post in five minutes or less. How long is five minutes? A portion of your lunch break? The moments before driving your child to school? The time you have while your mate uses the restroom before you go on a date? Five minutes and it’s over. That’s what we like.

Also, sharing how to do something, whether its create a birdhouse or implement an SEO strategy, is what really gets the job done. You can dissect the “Why?” all day long but without explaining the process, your content is useless.

Down-to-earth, life-changing content is only a few minutes away once you understand the process. It’s simple:

Your words will carry greater meaning once you can meet the needs, both why and how, of your readers. Whatever you do, don’t think that you can’t make a difference because simple and powerful content is within your grasp.

.

Eric Alpin is the Associate Editor of Folk Media and works for a telecommunications company in Baltimore, Md. He is a social media enthusiast, blogger, writer, and student with a passion for leadership and self-development strategies and techniques. Find out more about Eric on Twitter.

*Photo by Markus Rodder

Everyone has heard the old adage, “Money makes the world go ’round.”  Well, that’s only partially true.  Money does play a large part in making the world function but there would be no need for money if there were no products.  The development of a reliable product is critical to the success of any business and it’s essential to the success of your social media campaign.

What Is Your Product?

It might be tough for you to identify your social media product.  It’s not something that you sit around and ponder when you have nothing else to do.  In fact, you probably don’t even know what it is.  But, it’s important to identify your social media product because if you don’t, your social media strategies and campaigns will be unsuccessful.  You’ll be wondering aimlessly through Facebook Forest and Twitter Town without knowing what you’re doing.  We don’t want that, do we?

In order to understand your social media product, think about the content you are creating in your various social media outlets.  Do you retweet quotes or great blog links?  Do you post information about animals?  Do you dish the latest Hollywood gossip?  Your content is your product.  Let me repeat that – your content is your product.

Why Is Your Product Important?

Your product shapes your online reputation and how other people embrace your efforts.  It is human nature, whether we like it or not, to immediately judge or stereotype someone when we come into contact with them, even online.  Why do you think people follow you on Twitter or comment on your blog post?  They’ve judged you to be someone who knows what they’re talking about and they want more.  They want you and your product.

Your product determines the success or failure of your online presence.  Bottom line.  No questions asked.

How Do You Develop Your Product?

If you’re completely new to online media and social networking, congratulations.  You don’t have a product yet and there is a wide world of opportunities waiting for you.  If you’re a seasoned social media vet and don’t like the product you’ve created, you can change.  It might not be easy, though.

If you’re looking to develop or change your product, begin by thinking of things you dislike.  No, that wasn’t a typo.  Think of some things you dislike.  Now, write them down or put them in a text file under the category of “Non-Products.”  When brainstorming, it’s much easier to think of things you don’t like than things you do.  The world of possibilities broadens and more potential products can be recognized simply because you’ve thought about things you don’t like.

Next, list a few items or issues that generate a feeling of indifference.  You don’t care either way.  It could be socialism, sports, or Shakespeare.  After you’ve listed your indifferent items, jot down some things you favor or are interested in.  Make sure that you list the opposite of the things you don’t like.

You’ve just created a huge product catalog in a matter of minutes.  At this point, determine the ideas that you want to run with and do it.  It’s your product and your creation.  Make the most of it.

Remember that content is king and your content is your product.  Don’t be a salesperson for something you don’t enjoy.  Create and use content to develop the social media persona you want.  It’s your world; go for it.

Quick Tips for Products

Keep your list of products and non-products in case you want to enhance your product catalog at a later date.

Don’t be afraid to try new things or to become involved in unfamiliar areas.  This is what causes growth.

If you’re changing your product, make your followers and friends aware.  They’ll probably support you.

Whatever you do, keep it passionate and authentic.  Don’t create a product that doesn’t reflect the real you.

.

Eric Alpin is the Associate Editor of Folk Media and works for a telecommunications company in Baltimore, Md. He is a social media enthusiast, blogger, writer, and student with a passion for leadership and self-development strategies and techniques. Find out more about Eric on Twitter.

*Photo by madstamper

I’ll be honest – there is a lot to know about social media. I consider myself to be a social media connoisseur but it is hard for me to keep up with the world of Facebook, Twitter, and blogs from time to time. However, when I do come across an interesting or valuable article, I’ll bookmark it to refer to at a later date. I might use it for inspiration, reference, or sharing. Throughout the past few months, I’ve created quite a collection. Now it’s time I share my collection with you.

I have included five articles on social media below. They are in no particular order; each article has just as much valuable information as the next. It is my hope that you will find these articles helpful and relevant to your social media campaign.

HOW TO: Manage Successful Social Media Promotions (Mashable)

Tags: Twitter, Facebook, Social Media Marketing, Promotions
Description: Many companies are using social media outlets to promote sales offers and discounts for their brand or product. However, it’s tough to get social media promotions work properly. If you’re interested in improving the success of your brand on Twitter, Facebook, and other social media outlets, this is a great article to read.

How To Blog With Passion and Purpose (Jeffbullas’s Blog)

Tags: Blogging, Passion, Purpose, Content Creation, Stats
Description: In a world where everyone has a blog, what separates the ideas of one person from the ideas of another? Passion. When you blog with passion and purpose, you create instant credibility for yourself and your words. Communities and formed and lives are impacted when you begin to blog with passion. If you want to have a greater impact with your blog or social media campaign, this article will offer you some guidance.

How to Develop a Niche Blog Content Plan (ProBlogger)

Tags: Blogging, Content Creation, Purpose
Description: People are often disappointed in the success of their blog. Most individuals and companies think that their blog will be an instant hit but that is far from the truth. A “hit blog” takes time, effort, and a community of dedicated readers who are willing to share your content with others. This article posted on ProBlogger will help you transform your blog from a regular website to a site that has meaning.

Twitter Tips: 5 Proven Ways to Get Retweeted (ComputerWorld)

Tags: Twitter, Retweets, Marketing Strategy
Description: Twitter is a tough community at times. If you have used Twitter for any length of time, you know that it is an honor to have a post retweeted. Whether it is a fact, question, or blog post, having your content retweeted gives you a great feeling. However, retweeting doesn’t simply happen. In fact, there is a bit of a science behind retweeting. If you’re looking to step up your Twitter campaign and want to have your content shared, this is an article that will be helpful.

What’s Working for Social Media Marketers? (eMarketer)

Tags: Social Media, Marketing Strategy, Facts, Facebook, Twitter
Description: There are numerous ways to market to customers through social media. However, do you know how effective your marketing strategies really are? According to this article, buying targeted ads and tweeting regularly will only get you so far. This article is a great source of relevant and helpful data that could have a huge impact on your social media campaign.

What are some articles that have proved useful in your quest to make the most out of social media?

.

Eric Alpin is the Associate Editor of Folk Media and works for a telecommunications company in Baltimore, Md. He is a social media enthusiast, blogger, writer, and student with a passion for leadership and self-development strategies and techniques. Find out more about Eric on Twitter.

*Photo by dhammza