Social Media Mistakes

June 30th, 2009

With so much talk about social media these days, everyone is jumping on board and trying it out. We are seeing some common mistakes out there and I thought it was important to address these mistakes to help eradicate them in the future.

Don't get me wrong, there will be a learning curve – we all went through it (and I met some great people that helped me, and that I helped along the way) but the key is to learn up front to minimize errors!

So, here we go…

Mistake One: Completely Ignoring Social Media

Believe it or not there are still some people out there that are ignoring social media. They may be unsure of how to participate or maybe they just don't have time to get involved. No matter what the reason, this is a big mistake. Social media continues to grow in popularity and in importance to internet users – the exact users you are trying to reach.

Mistake Two: Bare Profiles

If you don't bother completing your profile people won't be able to get to know you. It is also a sign to other users that you aren't serious about participating on that site. Many spammers don't bother to complete their profile and a blank profile has become a red flag.

Your profile should include a custom background when possible, a photo, contact information, and a list of interests to help people get to know you better.

Don't be afraid to show some personality and let people really get to know you and your company and what you stand for.

Mistake Three: Faking It

We've all seen companies being ripped apart for trying to fake it in the social media world. They either hire someone to pretend to be them (it's OK if staff, colleagues or team members participate, but to hire an unknown to play you, not cool!), or they make up personas or even fake customers posting positive feedback.

The truth is if you can't invest the time to create an authentic social media profile, you shouldn't bother creating one at all.

Mistake Four: Trying to Sell Users Instead of Listening

Social media isn't about you selling, selling, selling. You are here to network, build trust, listen to what customers and prospects have to say. You want to hear customer concerns, to learn about them, to find out what gets them excited, what they like about your product, what they still want, etc.

Remember to be a good social media participant, which means listen before you speak. If you don't, you risk being written off as yet another company that doesn't know how to use social media and who is only interested in promoting themselves. Remember, you always have to add value to the communities you're participating in – just remember its value for your customers, not yourself.

Mistake Five: Recycling

Don't recycle old content and marketing materials on social media sites. Start new conversations, create new information to share. Granted, you'll have some content that falls in the “oldie but goodie” category and that's OK to share. Just try to keep things fresh.

Mistake Six: Launching, then Ignoring

Social media is similar to search engine optimization in that you can't just set it and forget it. You need to participate and remain active, otherwise you have wasted your time initially setting things up.

If you want your customers to stay engaged, you have to keep producing great content yourself. Keep writing Blog posts, creating widgets and being active in the community. Social media is real work but when done properly it's worth the effort.

So review your social media practices and make sure you aren't making any of these mistakes. If you are, change course quickly and get yourself back on track.

About the Author:
Jennifer Horowitz

Jennifer Horowitz is the Director of Marketing for EcomBuffet.com . Since 1998 Jennifer's expertise in marketing and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) has helped clients increase revenue. Jennifer has written a downloadable book on SEO and has been published in many SEO and marketing publications. Jennifer is the editor of the popular Spotlight on Success: SEO and Marketing newsletter. Follow Jennifer and stay current on SEO, marketing, social media and more. http://twitter.com/EcomBuffet

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Social Media Marketing Can Bring in a Whole Lot of Traffic

June 30th, 2009

By Matthew Henderson

Social media marketing is a method of promoting a website through places like MySpace, Stumbled Upon, Twitter, YouTube, Yahoo Answers, and Facebook. It's a proven method of generating interest in a website and delivering traffic.

Social media marketing is low cost and can bring in a high volume of traffic in an instant. Not only that, but it's also good for getting important backlinks, which of course will help increase a site's ranking. Social media sites have very high page ranks, so they're great places for getting backlinks.

If you want to try social media marketing, you need to know how to do it right. There are thousands of visitors to these sites at any given time, and a good number of them will probably be interested in what you have to offer.

When you promote your site, all it takes is a few people to become interested in it. Those few people will share your site with others, and those will share your site with even more people. Before it's all said and done, you can get thousands of hits to your site in no time at all.

Do you have a personal MySpace or Facebook profile? Why not make a special profile about your website as well? Why not use social media marketing methods with these sites? Encourage your friends to add your business profile to their friends list as well. Keep them all updated about your site by posting bulletins. Hopefully, their friends will take notice of your business profile, and their friends' friends, and so forth.

Try social media marketing at places like Digg, Twitter, Squidoo, Sumbled Upon, Fark, etc. Create a profile at these sites and submit articles, editorials, newsfeeds, blog posts, and more. Make sure you include a link back to your site. If your article or post can make the front page on any of these sites, you can pretty much expect thousands of hits in one day! It's not called social media marketing for nothing.

YouTube is extremely popular for social media marketing. Create informative, interesting, and unique videos about your niche. If you don't know how to make videos, have someone to help you. Add your website url in the video. It should also be the very first thing listed under the video description.

Yahoo Answers is a great site for social media marketing. Sadly it's often times underestimated. While it's unfortunate that you can't get dofollow links from Yahoo Answers, you can still get good TARGETED traffic.

Thousands of people are on the site at any given time, and many will ask questions about any topic imaginable. You go through and answer questions about the same topic that your site is about. You can add your link in the resource box. The more popular the question is, the more people will click on your link to find out more about your answer.

Social media marketing is a sure way to bring instant traffic to a website. Keep in mind that you shouldn't simply post or leave comments and then take off. You need to stick around and continue participating. If someone replies to your post, respond back to them. If someone asks you a question, answer them. Make sure you remain friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable at all times, and you will succeed at social media marketing.

Matt Henderson, owner of MyOnlineSuccess.com, is an affiliate internet marketing coach. As an affiliate marketing guide and coach for beginners, let Matt show you the same system he uses to make money with affiliate programs when you visit http://www.myonlinesuccess.com
Source: www.isnare.com

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Weight Lifting As a Step Towards Weight Loss

June 30th, 2009

By Jonathon Kensingtons

Weight lifting is a wonderful exercising option even for women. Contrary to common belief, there are a lot of women who are interested in weight lifting as an exercise routine. Health benefits of weight lifting includes blood pressure control, more energy, toning of muscles, improvement in muscle co ordination, reduction in body fat, etc.

Weight loss and a healthy lifestyle is what people achieve with weight lifting. Exercises usually are repetitions of sets. Equipments like dumb bells and bar bells are used for exercising. Requirements of weight lifting also include machines which operate on pulleys and cables.

For a person who is into weight lifting as a profession, the exercise routine will be intensive. These people have to necessarily take sufficient rest and breaks to rejuvenate themselves. They also need to supplement their bodies with nutrients available in the market. Proteins and other important supplements will make sure the body does not suffer due to burning up of too much fat.

Be sure to get enough rest:

A person who is just into weight lifting for fitness purposes and does not go into intensive exercise, it is enough if they take a good rest between workouts. This will ensure they are mentally relaxed and physically fit.

Requirements of weight lifting actually dictate that you start off on your routine in a phased manner. If you are a beginner it is important to start off with free weights before gradually moving on to machines. This will give time for your body and muscles to get used to the stress placed on them.

Reducing on intake of fats and supplementing with a nutritious diet with more of proteins will make sure muscles are well nourished and strain on them is less. Requirements of weight lifting exercise routine include focus on both strength and power. This will ensure your development is uniform and you do not reach a fitness plateau.

Strength involves the energy you can mobilize to lift a certain weight. Power requires speed as well as accuracy along with strength in weight lifting. Another important thing to be kept in mind is that your power training should encompass your whole body. Sometimes power training is focussed only on the lower half of the body. A whole body focus is very important to gain good power and endurance.

Follow the advice of trained professionals:

Whether you are into professional weight lifting or just fitness conscious, it is important to take the advice and guidance of a professional trainer while setting your fitness schedule and routine. It is important also to time and again review your schedule based on your physical and mental improvements and adjust the exercises.

During your fitness regime for weight lifting, it is a good idea to work out in a gym which is well equipped and also has soothing soft music. Working out with music in the background is soothing on your nerves and helps you go through with your exercises with lesser effort.

A good motivational music can in fact help you stretch your exercise limits. Doing extra squats will no longer be impossible with a good music in the background. Cardio sessions can actually be fun with music. If there is no music in the gym, you could take your own iPod and listen to music on head phones even as you train.

If you follow a few requirements of weight lifting diligently regarding your diet, exercise and fitness regime and take enough rest between workouts, you have all the qualifications to become a good weight lifter. Or you can just take weight training to keep fit and lose weight. Either way, weight lifting is a wonderful activity which is sure to keep you mentally and physically fit always.

Jonathon is a passionate researcher and webmaster. Discover how you can achieve rapid weight loss by visiting his site. Also learn about the benefits of strength training and how it can help you to get healthier and stronger fast.
Source: www.isnare.com

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A Totally Healthy Chicken Recipe

June 30th, 2009

Sometimes the best chicken recipe is not only totally healthy, but it is also fast, easy to make and will have your family coming back for a second helping !

The following chicken recipe is for those people who are health conscientious and watching how much fat they take into their routine diet.

If using frozen chicken breasts: this chicken recipe is best when a frozen skinned chicken breast has been thawed slowly in cold water or even in the refrigerator. The meat seems to stay more firm and keeps in its moisture much better than if you defrost the chicken in a microwave or even at room temperature. Fresh chicken breasts can also be used.

Now onto the rest of the chicken recipe.

Choose as many chicken breasts as you wish to serve.
Slice a fresh lemon in half. Rub the lemon all over the breasts. (note: one lemon will be sufficient for about 4 medium-sized breasts)
Wrap the breasts in tin foil and place them on a baking sheet.
Bake in a moderate oven until done – depending upon the size of your breasts – it should not be more than 35 to 40 minutes.

Remove from oven, and put the chicken breasts into a baking dish or platter that you would like to serve them on.

Making the sauce for this chicken recipe is fast, easy and flavorful. All you will need is a couple of medium-sized onions, four or five tomatoes, some cilantro and/or oregano, three our four garlic cloves, olive oil, mushrooms if you like, and black olives – also optional.

Just dice it all up, add the oregano or cilantro and garlic to your specific tastes and you are done.

Cover the chicken breasts with your freshly made sauce and serve with a freshly steamed vegetable of your choice.
That is all there is to this chicken recipe if you want completely healthy and no fat or carbs to speak of.

If you would like to add a few carbs, then prepare some angel hair pasta and place the baked chicken breasts and sauce over the angel hair and sprinkle with a bit of parmesan cheese.

As a note, you can alter this chicken recipe in a multitude of ways. The main thing to keep in mind when you do alter it is to focus on keeping the chicken recipe fat free and completely healthy.

Try to avoid making sauces out of dairy products. If you should choose to make a sauce that has dairy products as a part of its ingredients, then to minimize your fat intake, try to avoid butter and sour cream, or minimally go with a light sour cream.

The idea behind this chicken recipe is to help you eat a delicious dinner while still eating healthy.

As a note, there are some excellent chicken soup and fried chicken recipes on the web as well, so if this one doesn't hit your taste buds tonight, then consider a good chicken soup or fried chicken meal for your family.

About The Author:
Chicken On A Bun provides useful information on chicken recipe and fried chicken .

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Boudoir Photography

June 30th, 2009

By Tony Mandarich

Just the mere mention of “boudoir” photography and you immediately get the vision of sensual, elegant photos that leave much to the viewer's imagination, and accomplishing the task of making him want more.

In the 1700's, the term “boudoir” referred to the dressing and bathing room of a woman, complete with romantic furniture, floral arrangements and beautiful fragrances; the boudoir was a place for women to pamper themselves and indulge in feminine luxuries. Today, boudoir, a term derived from a French verb, meaning, “to pout,” has become one of the most popular forms of personal glamour photography.

Wardrobe:

Boudoir photography describes a style of romantic photography that implies nudity, without the subject actually being nude. The boudoir client is most typically wearing lingerie or sexy under garments, or could even be fully dressed, somewhat scantily. Some boudoir subjects are draped in a robe or soft, sometimes sheer wrap, just enough to silhouette her shapely figure. The most important thing to remember is that boudoir photography is not about nudity; it is more about sensuality and romance.

Pose:

To capture the interest and imagination of the viewer, the subject's pose is just as important as her wardrobe. This is where the experience and expertise of the photographer is demonstrated. In composing a boudoir photo shoot, the creativity and imagination of the photographer plays an important role in the success of the shoot. An experienced boudoir photographer knows lighting affects the shot, and can visualize the many different angles to shoot their subject, for the utmost sensual, and sexy shot. Another important fact to keep in mind is that in most instances, the boudoir client is not a professional model, so the photographer should have the uncanny ability to make the subject comfortable and at ease, while at the same time, making her feel sexy and sensual.

The Set:

Most boudoir sets are staged with natural and soft lights and resemble a romantic, sometimes Victorian-styled bedroom. A beautiful set, with soft colors and lighting helps the subject to relax. Creating a “dreamy” atmosphere helps the subject feel more sensual and beautiful, which ensures the success of the photo shoot. Music is also a powerful tool in making a subject more comfortable in their surroundings. If you chose to have music playing in the background, pick something that is soothing and romantic, possibly classical music. This will subconsciously help the subject relax and be more at ease with the photo shoot.

The premises of boudoir photography are love, affection, romance, and giving. Female Boudoir Photography is almost always done tastefully and using classy props to enhance the feeling of romance and richness; it is a collaboration between the subject and the photographer, and the more prepared both are, the more your subject will be able to enjoy her day of romance.

Boudoir studio shoots makes a great sexy gift for someone you are romantically involved with. Many women, perhaps trying to rekindle the romance, get boudoir photos as a gift for their lovers. Others just want to give a fun and sexy present, either for birthday or anniversary.

Tony Mandarich, along with his wife Char, own and operate Mandarich Models , the edgy, dynamic glamour division of Mandarich Photography, specializing in boudoir photography .
Source: www.isnare.com

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Music As a Science? It’s True!

June 30th, 2009

Music is a healing modality – and just because more people don't know it, doesn't mean it isn't true! Can you imagine healing areas of your life and creating vast improvements in problem areas by simply listening to music?

Let's explore what it all means and how it works.

According to scientists our bodies are made of energy. Energy is within us and all around us in the universe. We talk about environmental pollution all the time but one source of pollution that isn't getting much attention is the energy pollution we are creating with all our new technologies. We have filled the energy space in the universe with radio waves, microwaves, cell phones, computers and artificial light. All of these electronics produce electro magnetic fields known as EMFs.

Studies have shown that EMFs are linked to cancer and various other diseases. They weaken us – mentally and physically.

In depth muscle testing has been run on people exposed to these EMFs and it shows that their energy weakens with continued exposure. However, if music is played while they are being exposed to EMFs their energy strengthens.

The music is able to not only balance out the negative energies but actually strengthen people. Let me explain… The EMFs actually interrupt the energy in our body resulting in this weakened stated, but the music creates a vibration that actually shields the body, in other words makes the energy interrupters null and void.

Through muscle testing scientists are able to demonstrate the impact of the music.

Muscle testing may sound foreign to you, but it is really a simple concept. It is used to test the muscle response to stimulus. Scientists have demonstrated that muscles respond to both physical and metal stimuli. Your mind/body connection has such a powerful survival mechanism that your muscles react instantly to what is good for and what is not good for you. So what is good for you strengthens you and what is bad for you causes the weakened state.

It's really easy to test this yourself, just follow these instructions:

Stand on one foot with both arms out to the side, and someone else tries to push down on your arm and knock you off balance. In order to create your baseline you need to do this without music. Then you turn the music on and do the same thing. Tests have shown that people are stronger and it is much harder to knock people off balance while they are being exposed to the music.

Now imagine all the different possibilities for music that does all this? When you are dealing with stressful situations you could listen to the music to build strength. This musical healing and strengthening can literally be used anywhere from your home to hospitals, the workplace, schools, wellness centers. Imagine the benefits in places like shopping malls or airports – where people are often running around stressed and agitated. Imagine what balancing our energies could do.

Music has long been a part of every day life and now it can be part of a healing and transformational process!

Mark Romero, Musician and Speaker helps people transform their lives and unlock their potential through the power of music. Mark offers a CD series as well as personal coaching complete with music prescriptions and consultation which engages you in your own journey of life transformation. The process of Harmonic Alignment bridges the gap between the life you lead and the life you want. Visit http://www.MarkRomeroMusic.com for more details and some exciting free information and music.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_G._Romero

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Hello world!

June 30th, 2009

Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!

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