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Which is the best blog comment system? [https://ontracktips.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/blogCommentSystemBlog-1.jpg?x54376] [https://ontracktips.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/blogCommentSystemBlog-1.jpg?x54376] We did something completely different on this episode of Get on Track, Stay on Track. Instead of a single expert, I invited THREE esteemed and experienced digital marketing professionals, each with their unique area of expertise. > Mark Traphagen is the Senior Director of Online Marketing for Stone Temple Consulting, and THE go-to guy on all-things concerning SEO. > David Amerland is the best-selling author of seven books, most notably Google Semantic Search. > Donart Nummer – one of my closest friends – specializes in advertising and re-targeting. Q.1 What is the value of comments at all? Do bloggers even need a comment system? David Amerland kicked off the conversation by stating that several bloggers asked the same questions. Since social media offers many ways to interact with an audience, they wondered whether it was even worth it to ‘split a conversation’ using commenting systems. But he noted the following advantages of enabling comments: * Comments can convince visitors that the page is active and interesting * Comments can help increase the scope and breadth of the blog * Comments add additional space for keywords and can help with search (SEO) * Comments can help people find you However, David made it clear that the final decision rests with the blogger. Paraphrasing him, if you have the energy, willingness, time and quality of writing to create a conversational environment, a comment system will definitely help. But if you have a lot more traction on social media platforms than on your blog, perhaps it is okay NOT to have a comment system. Add-in comment systems include more functionality and utility that than a default system. Click To Tweet [https://twitter.com/share?text=Add-in+comment+systems+include+more+functionality+and+utility+that+than+a+default+system.+&url=https://ontracktips.com/best-comment-system-blog-mark-traphagen/]According to Mark Traphagen, while some blogs have their own ‘native’ comment system, others can be ‘added in’. Add-in comment systems include more functionality and utility that than a default system. Like David, Mark mentioned that having a comment system depends on the needs and requirements of the blogger. A comment system enables comments to become social and widespread, while also keeping track of discussions. In addition, an add-in system might give the moderator more levels of control Finally, Donart Nummer noted that a comment system that offers the best value in terms of semantic search, authorship and credibility as a blogger is imperative today. A native system might not be enough to provide that wonderful ‘SERP JUICE’ to rank high in searches. Moving on, I identified three ways of looking at comment systems: using it for SEO value, social signal value and semantic value. David agreed that ‘semantic search’ is almost like a bridge between SEO and social signals A comment system enables comments to become social and widespread.Click To Tweet [https://twitter.com/share?text=A+comment+system+enables+comments+to+become+social+and+widespread.&url=https://ontracktips.com/best-comment-system-blog-mark-traphagen/]Q.2 What are the advantages and disadvantages of the most popular commenting systems? COMMENT SYSTEM 1: GOOGLE PLUS This is a Java Script based comment system that is embedded into your blog, although the comments live IN Google Plus. David clarified that comments do get served from the blog, thereby “seamlessly fusing the website and Google Plus into one conversation”.I cited the Confluent Forms blog by David Kutcher as an example of the superior level of engagement possible due to this integration. Donart added that utilizing a Google Plus commenting system may help by sending social signals back to Google. This might have a positive impact on your SERP rankings since Google is now focused on redefining search based on semantic and/or social signaling. Mark, however, issued a warning that Google has only released this comment system as a native integration for its own Blogger platform.  If you see a Google+ system on any other platform it is kind of a ‘hack,’ designed to pull comments from Google Plus into someone’s blog. > To stay current on Google+ Comments, always refer to Google’s official page: G+ Comments FAQs [https://support.google.com/blogger/answer/3007761?hl=en] One of the major drawbacks of Google Plus’s commenting system is that, until Google releases a native version, you do not have much control. Following are some downsides of this system: * You will not receive any notification of new comments, which forces bloggers to manually go through the comments and respond. * Your blog might be riddled with comment spam. * Not everyone would WANT a G+ system because of a negative perception towards Google, in general. Bloggers might not want to be forced to incorporate something against their will. But David asserted that no comment system is perfect, and bloggers have to choose an appropriate one based on what is important to them and the purpose of their blog. Mark expects Google to release an all-encompassing system soon since this would give the biggest search engine company access to everyone’s data by tying into thousands of people’s blogs COMMENT SYSTEM 2: FACEBOOK The primary advantage of a Facebook comment system is its low barrier to entry. Almost every commenting system requires some kind of login or entry system. Since most people already have a FB login, this familiarity is a huge asset. The primary advantage of a Facebook comment system is its low barrier to entry.Click To Tweet [https://twitter.com/share?text=The+primary+advantage+of+a+Facebook+comment+system+is+its+low+barrier+to+entry.&url=https://ontracktips.com/best-comment-system-blog-mark-traphagen/]BUT, our guests unanimously agreed that a Facebook system doesn’t offer any search benefits YET. According to David, tests, which were carried to study the search signals out of the world’s biggest social media platform, indicate that Google – either intentionally or because of FB’s opaque system – largely disregards them. That being said, you cannot discard FB completely because, again, a commenting system should satisfy YOUR needs. If you have a large FB audience or crowd, this commenting system makes sense. > In David’s words, “There is NO prescription here. Each case is largely unique depending on your approach, style and audience” Another disadvantage of this commenting system is that your comments on a blog will be displayed on your Facebook stream. Although you can disable these settings, most people forget to take this step, and hence are hesitant to send out ‘signals (to a crowd) that they might not want to send’ Overall, if your real goal is to send social interaction and engagement back to your social network, then Google Plus and Facebook are good choices. Internet marketers, people who are already entrenched in either of these two networks and/or know how to leverage Google Ads generally use these networks. Each case is largely unique depending on your approach, style and audienceClick To Tweet [https://twitter.com/share?text=Each+case+is+largely+unique+depending+on+your+approach%2C+style+and+audience&url=https://ontracktips.com/best-comment-system-blog-mark-traphagen/]Q3. Is there any specific SEO value by having comments on your stream and – in particular – do you get any SEO value from FB and Google+ commenting systems? Mark explained that a brand new patent from Google talks about social signals in various ways, in which, the word ‘Like’ has been mentioned for the first time. Past studies from one of Mark’s colleagues and another Digital Marketing expert, Eric Enge, confirm that LIKES from FB have almost NO EFFECT on Google’s search rankings. While studies show very high correlations between LIKES and SERP rankings, correlations are NOT causations. This, however, does not imply that Facebook Likes will never affect Google rankings. According to Mark, Google has made it clear that they look at the long-term effects of social signals. In other words, post-by-post signals don’t matter as much as consistently high quality content and positive social signals. So a site that receives a lot of Likes over a long period of time signals to Google that ‘you are trusted and engaging.’ This way, LIKES might have an indirect effect on rankings, but no direct correlations exist, as of now. Studies show very high correlations (but no causation) between LIKES and SERP rankings.Click To Tweet [https://twitter.com/share?text=Studies+show+very+high+correlations+%28but+no+causation%29+between+LIKES+and+SERP+rankings.&url=https://ontracktips.com/best-comment-system-blog-mark-traphagen/]COMMENTING SYSTEM 3: DISQUS SYSTEM The Disqus comment system allows links to other blogs, which can be controlled. You could either link back to your own blog or even help fellow ‘disqus’ers by sharing their links. Mark cautioned that since Google is devaluing ‘blogrolls’ or sites with listed links, this isn’t necessarily an advantage! Donart agreed and restated that Google is moving in a ‘semantic’ search oriented direction, meaning that, today, social signals are far more important than random link listings.  David rounded off this discussion by emphasizing that removing any temptation to game the system is ALWAYS good. Q.4: What is the favorite comment system of each of our three experts? Mark chose Disqus because he was familiar with it, and the notifications functionality helped him keep track of his conversations. Donart seemed very confident that it would be advisable to go in the G+ direction. David concurred with Donart, stating that while he used to have Disqus, he has now implemented the G+ system because it saves him time. Most importantly, he has seen interaction and engagement go up after making this transition. All of them made it clear that these were just personal preferences, not recommendations. Removing any temptation to game the system is ALWAYS good.Click To Tweet [https://twitter.com/share?text=Removing+any+temptation+to+game+the+system+is+ALWAYS+good.&url=https://ontracktips.com/best-comment-system-blog-mark-traphagen/]Q.5 Are accordion-style comment systems that support multiple platforms, such as the popular Comments Evolve WP Plugin,a good idea? None of the experts seemed enthusiastic about such a multiple-platform commenting system. David stated that mixed environments can act as psychological barriers by easily confusing those who are ‘familiar with a single environment.’ While multiple commenting systems sound good in principle, it might take some ‘getting used to.’ Donart and Mark echoed David by adding it is not a good idea to have ‘virality’ broken into multiple commenting systems, for this will cause confusion. David Amerland’s Three Criteria for Choosing a Commenting System (Pulled from the Comments) In order of importance: * Is it good for generating engagement? * Is it easy to implement? * Is it a big obstacle for your target audience? Boy, wouldn’t it be fun to talk to these guys forever?! Unfortunately, our 30-minutes were ending and we moved on to the Lightning Round. New engagement can help the original blog post resurface in search.Click To Tweet [https://twitter.com/share?text=New+engagement+can+help+the+original+blog+post+resurface+in+search.&url=https://ontracktips.com/best-comment-system-blog-mark-traphagen/]LIGHTNING ROUND: 1. Does having more comments necessarily equal better SEO value? DA: YES 1. Do they have to be quality comments? DA: YES 1. Follow or NO Follow all comments in your blog when using native WP? MT: Depends on how you want to manage your blog. Lots of blog owners are defaulting to No Follow, meaning Google doesn’t pass on authority or page rank. 1. What if I engage in keyword-stuffing strategy in comments? DA: * Your comments will most likely get deleted * People are very SEO-savvy and will reverse engineer your strategy to negate your engagement levels. If the owner engages in such ‘spam traffic’ and devalues the engagement of comments on your blog, people will be unlikely to come back 1. Will adding new comments do anything for refreshing your SERP ranking? MT: Not very sure, but if Google can treat the comments like part of the content on that page, they could refresh your indexing. DA: Yes, blog posts are coming back into vogue because people are starting new conversations in the comments. Such ‘new’ engagement can help the original blog post resurface in search, which is a valid strategy in terms of engagement and SEO. This is another reason to re-share evergreen content! Utilizing a G+ commenting system may help by sending social signals back to Google.Click To Tweet [https://twitter.com/share?text=Utilizing+a+G%2B+commenting+system+may+help+by+sending+social+signals+back+to+Google.&url=https://ontracktips.com/best-comment-system-blog-mark-traphagen/]The post Which is the Best Comment System for your Blog – Mark Traphagen [https://ontracktips.com/best-comment-system-blog-mark-traphagen/] appeared first on On Track Tips - Get on Track, Stay on Track | one expert at a time [https://ontracktips.com].

Pin all the Things with Cynthia Sanchez [https://ontracktips.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/pin-all-the-things-blog.jpg?x54376] This week’s On Track Tips HOA (Hangouts On Air) guest is Cynthia Sanchez, from Oh So Pinteresting. Here’s our discussion about how a small business can profit from Pinterest. SHOULD I USE PINTEREST MARKETING? On Track Tips: I want to start by addressing the critics because there are some who are rather critical of Pinterest as a marketing channel. They say Pinterest has a very limited appeal. Moreover, some Pinterest users resent the influence from marketers. One user said, Pinterest is for visual imagery – crafts, clothing, and design ideas. The marketing community is ruining this network with pins about “The top 10 things [about this and that].” I wish they would leave and go back to Twitter and Facebook. So Cynthia, tell us, what do you advise a business owner who is launching an internet product or whose business is built around social and content marketing? Cynthia Sanchez: I would definitely say there’s a place for them on Pinterest. The idea that Pinterest is just for topics like crafts and fashion is a big, big mistake. Pinterest is about people using it for their interests – if you have a business, hopefully it is a business somebody is interested in … something somebody wants to buy. We need to think about Pinterest in a different way, to get out of the fog, and think about how to position content in a way that will be appealing visually to Pinterest users. For some business types (accountants, for instance) that can be difficult, so you need to get creative. HOW CAN I BE MORE SOCIAL ON PINTEREST? On Track Tips:The general consensus is that Pinterest has the least social layer of all the social networks, in terms of discussions and engagement. Well at least until recently with the inclusion of messaging. Even still, it’s not really a place to have discussions. It’s more of a post-and-run network. Beyond pinning other’s Pins and following Boards, how can we hope to get more social with Pinterest? Or should this even be the goal? Cynthia Sanchez:Getting social should not be your main objective. That is not the way Pinterest was established. You can try to force it into something else, if you want … but don’t be disappointed when you don’t get the results you seek. And yes, they have added messaging, and that can be one way to make it more social or you can also use Pin comments. But the network was designed to be a bookmarking platform first and foremost. Pinterest is about people using it for their interests – if you have a business, hopefully it is a business somebody is interested inClick To Tweet [https://twitter.com/share?text=Pinterest+is+about+people+using+it+for+their+interests+...&url=https://ontracktips.com/pin-all-the-things-pinterest-marketing-cynthia-sanchez/]WHY IS PINTEREST CONSISTENTLY THE TOP REFERRER OF THE SOCIAL NETWORKS? On Track Tips:Dustin Stout recently wrote, “I’m shocked, Pinterest is now my leading referrer!” This really surprised me because Dustin built his name on Google+, and that’s where his audience is. I have a theory about why this happened and I want to know if you agree with me, Cynthia. When you create a G+ post to share a blog article for example, you format the post, add a little commentary about the article you’re sharing, maybe ask a question, then throw in the link and some hashtags. Then the conversation starts to happen … but many times people say they never read the linked-to post. The are commenting on your post rather than the original article. On Pinterest, because the social layer doesn’t exist, you really have to click the button and go to the article, and have your discussion there in the blog comments. What do you think, is Pinterest – by nature – a stronger referrer [https://ontracktips.com/manage-multiple-networks-peg-fitzpatrick/]? I like something you wrote: “Unlike networks such as Facebook and Twitter that are intended to connect people with other people, Pinterest is designed to connect people with the things that they are interested in online.” Cynthia Sanchez:I think that’s a great theory. With Pinterest you have to click through. And, as people share and re-share, the impact grows exponentially. Many business owners don’t even realize people are out there sharing about their companies on Pinterest. Don't just Pin it, Do it! [https://ontracktips.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/dontPinItDoIt.jpg?x54376] HOW DO I BREAK OUT OF THE SOME ECHO CHAMBER? On Track Tips:Pinterest helps you break out of the echo chamber. Many users on Google+ spend most of their time in specifically curated circles. Only those people who have you in a tight circle are likely to see your post and respond. But the way Pinterest is designed, specifically with “Related Pins”, it is really easy to be found by people outside your usual group, community, or bubble. What are some things a small business owner should consider? Cynthia Sanchez:The Related Pin feature (you can turn it off, if you want) keeps track of where you go and what you Pin. It then presents related content suggestions, based on your actions. You tweak what is presented by voting thumbs up or down on those suggestions. As a business owner your hope is to get your posts to appear as related pins. So consider this when you are creating your boards. Pinterest search is another excellent tool, probably one of the best. It allows users to access your content over and over again. Pinterest has greater longevity than any other network. Related Pins and Pinterest Search help you break out of the echo chamber like no where else in Social MediaClick To Tweet [https://twitter.com/share?text=Related+Pins+and+Pinterest+Search+help+you+break+out+of+the+echo+chamber+like+no+where+else+in+Social+Media&url=https://ontracktips.com/pin-all-the-things-pinterest-marketing-cynthia-sanchez/]WHAT ABOUT HIRING A VA OR SOMEONE TO MANAGE YOUR BOARDS? On Track Tips:Many small business owners don’t have time to manage their own social media, how easy is it to have a VA (virtual assistant) manage your Pin Board, yet still maintain the voice of your brand? Cynthia Sanchez:Of course your VA will need some training on identifying the business voice and how to use Pinterest, but mishaps don’t happen as often on Pinterest as on other social networks. The reason is that there are not long-threaded discussions where the VA needs to be able to represent the brand in conversations like on Google+ or Facebook. They can more easily post according to your brand guidelines, and leave the communication part to the business owner. Moreover, the response time expectation is longer and more forgiving on Pinterest than elsewhere, so if you don’t get back to your comments right away, it is not the end of the world. Pin All The Things - Cynthia Sanchez [https://ontracktips.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/pin-all-the-things-pinterest-cynthia-200x300.jpg?x54376] PROFILE YOUR AUDIENCE WITH PINTEREST. WHO DOES YOUR BRAND RESONATE WITH? On Track Tips:What are some ways that I can use Pinterest to profile my audience? How can I find out who is following and engaging with me there? Cynthia Sanchez:There are a number of ways. Look at your Follower number and click on it. That will show you everyone who is following you. Go look at their Boards to see what they are pinning. That will show you what your followers are interested in. You may find related topics of interest to them, or you may notice that certain types of Pins get numerous shares by them. You can get ideas for your next post – or maybe even your next product – by observing what piques the interest of your followers. You should definitely use Pinterest for research. What's the difference between a Pinterest personal and a business page?Click To Tweet [https://twitter.com/share?text=What%27s+the+difference+between+a+Pinterest+personal+and+a+business+page%3F&url=https://ontracktips.com/pin-all-the-things-pinterest-marketing-cynthia-sanchez/]WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PERSONAL AND BUSINESS PAGES? On Track Tips:What do I need to know about the difference between a personal account and a business account? Cynthia Sanchez:Pinterest policy mandates you must declare your account as “Business,” if you are using Pinterest for business purposes. You can even get your account suspended for not doing so. To convert a personal account to business, just go to business.pinterest.com and use the “Convert now” link. Once you complete the process, you will have access to analytics. You will also be able to participate in Promoted Pins (advertising on Pinterest). Otherwise, everything stays the same. You keep all your followers. To tell which account you have, just look at your profile name. RICH PINS, AND WHY YOU NEED THEM! On Track Tips:What are some things I need to know about Rich Pins? Cynthia Sanchez:There are several kinds of Rich Pins. Article Pins, for instance, are a huge help for SEO value. Product Pins give you the advantage of having a sort of indirect email connection to people. If someone Pins your product and it goes on sale, they get an email notification. This is an extremely powerful tool for marketing especially for the Etsy types. Rich Pins allow you to share additional information, but you must go through an approval process to use them. There are plugins that can help if you are using WordPress and Shopify sites already have them built in. It takes a little extra work to set them up, but once it’s done, you never have to edit them. And the payoff never expires. > Why would I Pin all the things? w/ Cynthia Sanchez @OSPInteresting [https://twitter.com/OSPInteresting] & @OnTrackTips [https://twitter.com/OnTrackTips] http://t.co/0rQdnVTkib [http://t.co/0rQdnVTkib] pic.twitter.com/kgxSn5UmXG [http://t.co/kgxSn5UmXG] — Jason T. Wiser (@OnTrackTips) September 30, 2014 [https://twitter.com/OnTrackTips/status/516942263453499392] FIREHOSE SESSION On Track Tips:Are there third-party apps that can help with Pinterest? (personally we recommend Social Warfare Plugin [http://warfareplugins.com/]). Cynthia Sanchez:Pinterest has been very guarded with their API (Application Programming Interface). There are a few select apps, but primarily for analytics and enterprise-level pursuits. On Track Tips:How can I arrange my Pin Boards? People generally click on the top list item first, so is there a way to sort my pins to bring an article back up to the top? Cynthia Sanchez:Yes. Just click and drag to move Boards, but you cannot arrange Pins inside the Board. Audience question: I’m not a visual person, I don’t have very good looking blog banners, and I can’t afford a graphic designer at this time. Should I even bother with Pinterest? Cynthia Sanchez:Use Canva.com. It makes it easy and inexpensive. Audience question:What is the perfect image size for Pins? Cynthia Sanchez:There is no perfect size. They just need to be big enough to show the detail of what you are promoting – and remember, things look differently on mobile. > About Cynthia Sanchez: She began using Pinterest in 2011, and a year later she left her full-time profession as a radiation oncology nurse to focus on building Oh So Pinteresting [http://www.ohsopinteresting.com/] and her business. Today, Cynthia [https://plus.google.com/u/0/111798765849955344981/posts] is a leading authority on how to use Pinterest for business. She is a popular presenter at all the most popular social media conferences and summits, including Social Media Marketing World, Podcast Movement, and New Media Expo. The post Pin all the Things – Pinterest Marketing with Cynthia Sanchez [https://ontracktips.com/pin-all-the-things-pinterest-marketing-cynthia-sanchez/] appeared first on On Track Tips - Get on Track, Stay on Track | one expert at a time [https://ontracktips.com].

Instagram for business with Sue Zimmerman [https://ontracktips.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/instagramStategiesBlog.jpg?x54376] [https://ontracktips.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/instagramStategiesBlog.jpg?x54376] Take a photo. Upload it to Instagram. Then share your prize shot via Facebook, Twitter, or Tumblr. It’s that simple. And – according to On Track Tips guest, Sue B. Zimmerman – it can also be a whole lot of (rewarding) fun! If you are in business and you have a pulse, you need to be on Instagram.Click To Tweet [https://twitter.com/share?text=If+you+are+in+business+and+you+have+a+pulse%2C+you+need+to+be+on+Instagram.&url=https://ontracktips.com/instagram-strategies-for-small-business-marketing-sue-b-zimmerman/]Sue B. Zimmerman (aka the #InstagramGal and the #InstagramExpert) is an authority on Instagram for business. Sue joined us in the On Track Tips studio to help get us up to speed on her favorite topic. Says Sue, “If you are in business and you have a pulse, you need to be on Instagram.” WHAT INSTAGRAM IS NOT It’s not a replacement for Facebook (but it can be an excellent companion). It’s not a place for spammers, and it’s not difficult to get the hang of. Instagram people tend to be fun-loving and creative. They are visually inspired and can be extremely loyal. It takes a little more effort (because of the mobile-centered aspect) to respond to someone on Instagram – so those who do find and follow you are more likely to be there because your page persona resonates with them. Instagram is not a replacement for Facebook (but it can be an excellent companion) ...Click To Tweet [https://twitter.com/share?text=Instagram+is+not+a+replacement+for+Facebook+%28but+it+can+be+an+excellent+companion%29+...&url=https://ontracktips.com/instagram-strategies-for-small-business-marketing-sue-b-zimmerman/]By sharing to multiple platforms, you can bring people together from numerous sources. (Sue has six different Instagram accounts.) Instagram offers 20 filters and hundreds of different apps to make your posts stand out. GETTING STARTED WITH INSTAGRAM The first step is to define your market niche. What are you an expert at, and how are you different from everyone else who is doing that? Share your story in a compelling way, and provide value on every single post. TIPS FOR INSTAGRAM SUCCESS * Optimize your bio … it is the first thing people see. Make sure it attracts your ideal follower. * Use a photo of yourself on your bio (unless you are a brand). * You have 150 characters to use in your description. Use them well. * Use emojis to creatively and strategically help get your message across. * Change up the URL in your bio to drive traffic wherever you choose. What are you an expert at, and how are you different from everyone else who is doing that?Click To Tweet [https://twitter.com/share?text=What+are+you+an+expert+at%2C+and+how+are+you+different+from+everyone+else+who+is+doing+that%3F&url=https://ontracktips.com/instagram-strategies-for-small-business-marketing-sue-b-zimmerman/]USING HASHTAGS WITH INSTAGRAM Hashtags are big on Instagram. You can use up to 30 on each post, but 8 to 11 is ideal. Make a list of your top 30 keywords (some uniquely you) and use them often. You can curate content with your hashtags. Sue says it is thrilling to see people are creating content within your branded content. Once you’ve chosen your niche and built your community, you can draw other with similar interests by the judicious use of hashtags. Moreover, you can always change your hashtags on a post whenever you would like. You can curate content with your hashtags on Instagram ...Click To Tweet [https://twitter.com/share?text=You+can+curate+content+with+your+hashtags+on+Instagram+...&url=https://ontracktips.com/instagram-strategies-for-small-business-marketing-sue-b-zimmerman/]WRAPPING IT UP Everyone, no matter the topic can have fun and attract followers on Instagram. By communicating with those you meet and providing value to them, you can quickly build your own community. One thing to remember, though: You can’t be everywhere at once. Choose the social media platforms that best suit your business goals and dig in. > Sue B. Zimmerman [https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/115537187331416492180/+SueBZimmermanEnterprise/posts] is living proof that social media can absolutely be worth the investment. Not only has Sue been the keynote speaker at some of the top social media conferences, she also teaches entrepreneurs, business execs, and marketing professionals how powerful Instagram for business can be. Sue is author of  both the online Instagram course,Insta-Results [http://jtw.bz/Insta-results], and the the #1 selling eBook: Instagram Basics for your Business. Sue has found Instagram to be the PERFECT tool to promote, not just her product line, but also for marketing her online services. That’s what really sets Sue apart. She’s not just selling concepts and ideas; she’s using Instagram strategies to prove results in her own small business. Sue B. Zimmerman KNOWS what she’s talking about. The post Instagram Strategies for Small Business Marketing – Sue B. Zimmerman [https://ontracktips.com/instagram-strategies-for-small-business-marketing-sue-b-zimmerman/] appeared first on On Track Tips - Get on Track, Stay on Track | one expert at a time [https://ontracktips.com].

How to launch on the internet - an interview with James Wedmore [https://ontracktips.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/internetProductBlog.jpg?x54376] “James Wedmore is a video marketing rockstar, superstar, guru, expert extraordinaire, YouTube genius.” That’s my homespun bio for the creator of Video Traffic Academy and a bevy of other products online. Wedmore’s official bio comes across as a bit more humble, but it shores up my claims. A graduate of one of the best film schools anywhere — Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts – Wedmore’s simple, but powerful, mission is to show business owners how to create and execute effective video marketing campaigns without spending a lot of time or money. He is often featured on big name websites, speaks at popular venues, and is a sought-after guest instructor. His YouTube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/user/jameswedmore] currently boasts over two million views. FROM BARTENDER TO ONLINE MARKETER: THE JAMES WEDMORE STORY James Wedmore is the real deal. He knows his stuff and didn’t hold back on sharing his experience during this On Track Tips [https://ontracktips.com/] interview. The episode was sponsored by Repurpose.pro [http://repurpose.pro/] – your solution for efficient and effective content creation. Near the end of November 2007, James Wedmore was working as a bartender for wages and tips, when he made a bet with his father: “I can make more money teaching people to tend bar than I can by actually tending bar.” After that boast, his girlfriend split, he had to move back in with his parents, and he became very familiar with Subway’s sandwich offerings. It took six months of prep work, but he launched his first product and made his first sale on April 18, 2008. James Wedmore hasn’t stopped to look back since. SECRETS TO OUTSOURCING AND ONLINE MARKETING SUCCESS Others wanted to know how he did it, so he launched another product to show them his techniques. That one generated over $400,000 in sales and kicked off a string of successful ventures. He won’t settle for mediocre work. For James Wedmore, good enough just isn’t good enough. Everything you do is going to have some sort of problem attached to it. Click To Tweet [https://twitter.com/share?text=Everything+you+do+is+going+to+have+some+sort+of+problem+attached+to+it.+&url=https://ontracktips.com/launch-first-internet-product-using-video-james-wedmore/]HERE’S HOW THE INTERVIEW WENT: Q: Is “Sell it before you make it” a good strategy? A: As long as you have a good outline in place, then it is fine to conduct a live workshop that grows as you go. It’s like working with a personal trainer instead of reading a book. Your strategy can be to record the training, and then sell that on autopilot as a separate product. Q: Talk about some of the lessons you have learned along the way. A: A million little moments: I learned Dreamweaver in order to build my own websites – then I found out about WordPress. I learned Photoshop to create a simple digital product image (a bit of an overkill). Finally, I heard about outsourcing, hired a virtual assistant (VA) for peanuts, and grew from there. Everything you do is going to have some sort of problem attached to it. Remove yourself from the conveyor belt (process) to become the CEO and the visionary. The biggest catapulting difference for me was outsourcing. I even created a course about how to do it. Outsourcing saves time. It allows me to gain instant know-how and speed up the process. (See the On Track Tips interview of Rebecca Radice [https://plus.google.com/115537187331416492180/posts/8CExffM9UeA] for more tips on outsourcing) The biggest catapulting difference for me was outsourcing.Click To Tweet [https://twitter.com/share?text=The+biggest+catapulting+difference+for+me+was+outsourcing.&url=https://ontracktips.com/launch-first-internet-product-using-video-james-wedmore/]Q: What can you outsource? A: Take time to draw process maps. Document the steps your work requires. That will allow anyone to follow your tracks. You can outsource anything you can draw out. It takes time to make process maps, but you will save time in the long run.  Your goal is to make it easy for others to do the pieces of what you do. That allows you to step back, look at the big picture, and provide oversight. Q: How can one outsource more effectively? A: Write down everything you are doing, especially those tasks you don’t enjoy doing.  Then take these steps: 1. Go to onlinejobs.ph [http://www.onlinejobs.ph/] to find Filipino VA’s for cheap 2. Start with a trial week and not many hours 3. Beware of those who say they can do anything 4. Look for hard work and the ability to hit deadlines 5. Skills can be taught; seek character You can outsource anything you can draw out.Click To Tweet [https://twitter.com/share?text=You+can+outsource+anything+you+can+draw+out.&url=https://ontracktips.com/launch-first-internet-product-using-video-james-wedmore/]THE VALUE OF LISTBUILDING TO SUCCESSFUL PRODUCT LAUNCHES Q: How can one take a small business further? What are the basics? Listbuilding is a primary essential. You must have a solid strategy to gather basic data on potential customers. You need people to sell to. Everything comes down to the sales funnel and a process or experience you take people through. Having a free guide or report is not a listbuilding strategy. The components of listbuilding are: 1. A traffic source to direct visitors where you want them to go 2. A squeeze page or landing page to collect their information 3. A means of delivering whatever you have promised them. All I use YouTube for is building my list. Much of what I do begins and ends with listbuilding. The 2011 launch was accomplished via a very small list. To get traffic, I leveraged joint venture [https://ontracktips.com/launch-world-class-podcast-kris-gilbertson/]partners (JV’s) heavily – but leads were collected before responders went to the sales funnel. In that way, I was able to start growing a sizable mailing list. Having a free guide or report is not a listbuilding strategy.Click To Tweet [https://twitter.com/share?text=Having+a+free+guide+or+report+is+not+a+listbuilding+strategy.&url=https://ontracktips.com/launch-first-internet-product-using-video-james-wedmore/]Q: What is the best social media for internet marketing? Why aren’t you using HOA’s? A: Facebook advertising is my favorite. I suck at social media. Facebook advertising is a pay-to-play situation; I have given up on a fan page. My direction is towards quality productions. Google Hangouts are limited. I would rather do creative work than live work. I am not really a fan of talking heads  WOMM AND YOUTUBE NINJA TRICKS Q: What about word of mouth marketing … the referral engine? A: Real word-of-mouth marketing (WOMM) is the most powerful means of getting referrals – but only when it has no agenda behind it. The way THAT happens is to be extraordinary. That is your strategy. That is why I am called a perfectionist. You get WOMM according to your level of execution, experience, and value. It is all about providing quality. WOMM is no accident. It is the result of hard, diligent work. Real word-of-mouth marketing is the most powerful means of getting referrals.Click To Tweet [https://twitter.com/share?text=Real+word-of-mouth+marketing+is+the+most+powerful+means+of+getting+referrals.&url=https://ontracktips.com/launch-first-internet-product-using-video-james-wedmore/]Q) Is there a central place to buy your products? How can one find them? A) I am intentionally not in-your-face. I don’t put “Buy NOW” buttons all over my blog. It is more important for me to build a relationship first. I discover what you want before I offer you something. Then, I hone in on helping you succeed. Q) What are three quick YouTube ninja tricks? A) You bet … here they are: 1. Every single video you put on YouTube needs to be associated with just 1-2 keywords (the search terms people are looking for). Use these keywords in the title, description, and tags. 60% of searches are keyword-related. Use “How to” in front of your keywords to quadruple your traffic. 2. Develop a channel with authority to outrank others. Get more subscribers, backlink to your YouTube channel from your blog and other sites. You want to get visitors, comments, and views … as many as you can. 3. YouTube is a tortoise-wins-the-race sort of platform. Work patiently. It ain’t going anywhere anytime soon. YouTube makes Google money. Keep making videos. > Find James Wedmore online at JamesWedmore.com [http://www.jameswedmore.com/] or Circle James [https://plus.google.com/+JamesWedmoredotcom/posts] and strike up a conversation on Google+ The post Launch Your First Internet Product Using Video – James Wedmore [https://ontracktips.com/launch-first-internet-product-using-video-james-wedmore/] appeared first on On Track Tips - Get on Track, Stay on Track | one expert at a time [https://ontracktips.com].

beyondYourself2 [https://ontracktips.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/beyondYourself2.jpg?x54376] With many On Track Tip subscribers tackling marketing, product development, and sales — while trying to build a natural social media presence on the side — a virtual assistant (VA) can be the answer to “How the heck can I possibly get everything done and still have a life?” But, wait! It also takes extra time and effort to train and supervise a VA, and you will need clear systems in place to put the extra help to good use. The key? Knowing how to scale your business in a way that’s simple, systematic, and manageable on a long-term basis. But how? Watch this On Track Tips interview. Hear Rebekah Radice describe how to scale your business beyond yourself. Things to consider when getting ready to scale your business … ARE YOU WILLING TO CHANGE? Rebekah once owned a brick-and-mortar mortgage company and managed over 100 employees. She realized, though, that her heart was turned towards marketing, not management. She made a tough decision and decided to get out of the mortgage industry and pursue an online business that could hold her interest. Seeing the type of help she needed had changed, she began to consider the idea of hiring virtual assistants to plug the gaps and augment her own talents. Lesson 1: No one person can do it all. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.Click To Tweet [https://twitter.com/share?text=No+one+person+can+do+it+all.+Asking+for+help+is+a+sign+of+strength%2C+not+weakness.&url=https://ontracktips.com/scale-business-beyond-rebekah-radice/]HOW TO GET STARTED WITH DELEGATION Rebekah’s first experience with a VA didn’t work well. She wanted one person to handle a wide variety of tasks, but quickly determined it would be best to chunk out the jobs [https://ontracktips.com/7-strategies-for-effective-time-management-phyllis-khare/] and hire specific people for specific tasks. HOW TO BEGIN: 1. List the various tasks your business requires 2. Decide which you want to delegate 3. Create a list of duties and outcomes for each 4. Determine the skill set the right person (VA) would require 5. Identify potential areas of conflict and determine how to avoid them To determine which tasks to delegate, take an honest look at your own abilities. Where do you not perform at “your highest and best”? Those are the things you should pass on to a VA. Then identify the two or three things that, when done, would “explode your business results” … if you could attend to them every day. Those are the things YOU should focus on. How much should you give away? Everything BUT those two or three things.Click To Tweet [https://twitter.com/share?text=How+much+should+you+give+away%3F+Everything+BUT+those+two+or+three+things.&url=https://ontracktips.com/scale-business-beyond-rebekah-radice/]The myriad little tasks tend to serve as distractions and excuses. Let’s say you are in sales. The best use of your time is to call on your top five prospects. That can be a scary proposition, though. You are risking rejection. So you busy yourself with answering email, posting on social media — all those things that could easily be delegated — while the most valuable work goes undone. Lesson 2: Do what you do best. Delegate the rest.Click To Tweet [https://twitter.com/share?text=Do+what+you+do+best.+Delegate+the+rest.&url=https://ontracktips.com/scale-business-beyond-rebekah-radice/]HOW TO DEVELOP A SYSTEM THAT WORKS FOR YOUR BUSINESS More than likely, your system is already in place. To identify it, monitor everything you do for 3-5 days. Note every task and the steps involved. That will not only reveal your system, but it will help you identify areas where you can increase efficiency. Training is key – don’t just throw a document or idea at your virtual assistants and expect them to run with it. Take time to walk through each step in the process and be clear on expectations. You should also develop a plan for communications, set the accountability process, and make sure each team member knows what is expected, when it is expected, and how it should be delivered. It all boils down to this: Hire right and train right. From there, you need to have faith that you chose the right people and they can do the job well. Lesson 3: Identify tasks you can delegate. Find a suitable person for each job. Have faith in your ability to make the correct decision.Click To Tweet [https://twitter.com/share?text=Identify+tasks+you+can+delegate.+Find+a+suitable+person+for+each+job.+Have+faith+in+your+ability.&url=https://ontracktips.com/scale-business-beyond-rebekah-radice/]HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN IT IS TIME TO SCALE BEYOND YOURSELF When you get to the point where you are totally overwhelmed, you are juggling WAY too many things, and there are too many people tugging at you — you know it is time to scale your business beyond yourself. You are going to have to make an investment in your business, but you can start small. You can take baby steps. If fear is holding you back, you need to take a look at it. You need to be able to devote yourself entirely to the process; you need to be “all in.” Build your business tips [https://ontracktips.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/beyondYourselfPinterest.jpg?x54376] [https://ontracktips.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/beyondYourselfPinterest.jpg?x54376] There will be some tasks you can outsource at a low cost, but there will be other tasks where quality is an issue [https://ontracktips.com/launch-first-internet-product-using-video-james-wedmore/] (copywriting and design, for instance), and you need to go with the best you can afford. To find the best VA’s, ask your friends for referrals. It is a lot easier to hire and trust someone if they are recommended by someone you trust. Lesson 4: Building your business will take a financial investment -- but it doesn't have to be a huge investment. Baby steps are absolutely fine.Click To Tweet [https://twitter.com/share?text=Building+your+business+will+take+a+financial+investment+--+but+it+doesn%27t+have+to+be+a+huge+investment.+&url=https://ontracktips.com/scale-business-beyond-rebekah-radice/]It was great visiting with the magnificent Rebekah Radice. Want more? Check out the video and learn how to successfully scale your business beyond yourself. > About Rebekah: She’s regarded as one of the top social media mavens anywhere, and she has worked with a wide range of clients — from Fortune 500 companies to small business owners. Rebekah Radice [http://rebekahradice.com/] was listed as one of the Top 100 Social Media and Technology Leaders in 2014, by Inman News, and as one of the top 40 Social Media Professionals [https://plus.google.com/+RebekahRadice/posts] of 2013. Radice is a classic example of someone who’s turned her mistakes into lessons and now shares what she learned. Her in-depth knowledge and transparency left our audience demanding more, and her experience shows that yes, passion and persistence pay off … big time. The post Scale Your Business Beyond Yourself – Rebekah Radice [https://ontracktips.com/scale-business-beyond-rebekah-radice/] appeared first on On Track Tips - Get on Track, Stay on Track | one expert at a time [https://ontracktips.com].