Tag Archives: business

Why You Shouldn’t Have an Intern Run Your Company’s Social Media

August 10, 2016 Nikki Fica Leave a comment

Whether you are a small business or startup, funds may be tight at the beginning. Once business plans are complete, the website is being built, and everything seems to be in order, you may be looking at your next steps.

When it comes to social media marketing, many believe hiring an intern, or millennial who “knows” social media, may be the most cost-effective way for the company to get online. In this digital day and age when everyone’s eyes are glued to their phones and WiFi is a basic necessity, it’s only expected to have a Facebook page.

It’s only posting on Facebook every-so-often, right? Wrong. Between algorithms, audiences, PPC, research, and much more, the job of a social media marketer is not “just posting”. In addition, those posting on social media are essentially “the voice” of your company. While interns may know the basics, how to post on their personal social media, or took a college class, the depth of what should be learned and implemented in an ever-changing field requires knowledge beyond “basic” skills.

For instance, posting on a Facebook business page vs. posting on a Facebook personal page is different in itself. Facebook has created a “pay-to=play” game and organic growth is more hands-on and research-intensive. The focus of building relationships and a community around your company or brand through engagement is what will take you to the next level.

This is just with Facebook mentioned. Keep in mind that there are other social media platforms that require social listening to find your audience, and their own set of rules and guidelines to know. It is not a basic, templated project for every brand – it must be customized to the product, voice, and audience.

The social media marketer must have a variety of attributes and skills, such as a business-sense, personality, research skills, willingness to learn (not only about social media, but the company), dedication, creativity, ability to analyze, brand awareness, relationship and community building, customer service skills, ability to think on the spot, and common sense. This is not saying an intern lacks these qualities, but their knowledge may be limited when it comes down to it.

All in all, social media conveys the brand’s voice, so ultimately is your online representative and customer service. In that aspect, relying on an individual because they are low-cost, (legally, an unpaid intern cannot have the same duties as a paid employee/position) is an option that you will need to weigh out as a company, however, in anything in life, you get what you pay for.

Social Media Facelift, LLC provides social media account setup & management, consulting & strategy, content creation, education & training, and insights & analysis for businesses, large or small. Social Media Facelift, LLC wants to take your business to the next level by integrating social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram, Google +, YouTube, and more to help establish your business and connections.

Contact Social Media Facelift, LLC today for a social media consultation at (480) 231-5582 or socialmediafacelift@gmail.com.

Business

You Are A Millennial, So What?

April 17, 2015 Nikki Fica Leave a comment

Being a millennial has been a growing subject in the Gen X and Gen Y debate. Do you actually have to be a millennial physically or can you have a millennial mindset? What does the mindset consist of? Is the workplace really evolving because of this?

Millennials have often been put down as thinking that they are “entitled”, “need flexibility”, have been babied or spoiled, and the list goes on. Gen X’s place judgment on Gen Y’s in the workplace, however is it just because they are not susceptible to change? In today’s day and age, technology is advancing, and with that, systems, mindsets, and ways to work are evolving. If you are not on board for change, you better hang on tight!

As a millennial, I fall into the “work from home, flexible” work life. That doesn’t mean that I don’t work hard, however that doesn’t mean I don’t have fun. I believe that happiness constitutes for what you are doing in life, and if you are not happy with what you are doing, you cannot do it successfully. I look at elders who are stuck in dead-end careers, miserable. Who would want to be miserable in a life that you on live once?

Millennials may have a new way to work, however who is to say that it is not actually the right way to work? Advances in wearable tech and technology shows the direction we are headed in the future in terms of leadership, business, and the overall workplace. From ways to learn to ways to teach, millennials consider change as part of the agenda. Building an adaptable working environment where employees can be happy, connected, and successful is key.

If you don’t change your ways, you might as well use a quill pen and papyrus scroll and assume nothing will get better than that.

How would you like to have the convenience of staying home with your child because he or she has the flu and not missing a thing in the office because of the accessibility of video conferences and hangouts? It’s a new way of working and a way workplaces could evolve. It takes into account that we are all humans and unexpected things happen. Taking it to a new level and showing that you care will create a positive moral and working structure. Changes like this, as simple as it may be, could lead to bigger changes in the future.

I don’t want to speak for all millennials, but it is not my goal in life to run all Gen X’s out of the workplace to adhere to a Gen Y agenda. However, I would hope over time, all would accept a change and to slowly integrate new ways to work in the work environment. Account for all of the positives, and set aside things that didn’t work. Change is not always a bad thing. Sometimes one small change is all you need to begin on the road to success.

#EmbraceChange: What is one thing that you would like to see evolve in the workplace?

Contact Social Media Facelift, LLC today for a social media consultation at (480) 231-5582 or socialmediafacelift@gmail.com.

Social Media

Why Have Consistency On Social Media?

April 16, 2015 Nikki Fica 3 Comments

When I audit and consult with a client, one of the first things asked is if they have current social media. More often than not, they give me links to profiles that basically have virtual cobwebs on them. They state that their social media isn’t getting them any leads, is a waste of time and money, etc. After reviewing, many have a post every other week or month, on a holiday, or once a quarter. That is when the consistency conversation comes in.

Social media is about being social. One call to action post on Twitter every other day is, quite frankly, a waste of time. In order for social media to “work”, you must be consistent and engaging. Building relationships is one of the most important factors to creating a community and humanizing the brand or person.

If I shouted from my rooftop “buy my product” every day to passerbys, people are just going to walk by. If I sit down and have milk and cookies with my neighbors and talk to them about their life, what is happening, and build that connection, our relationship will grow and I won’t have to yell “buy my product”, it will just be natural. The same goes for social media. Find that connection and build upon it. It may not be an overnight success, but it will be a work in progress.

That brings us back to consistency. Setting the expectation allows people to connect with you easier. It also keeps you on the top of their mind. When you are not engaging on social media, it probably isn’t working the way you hoped it would. People want to connect with a human and put a face to a voice.

In addition, there is a lot more than “just a status” that goes into social media. Listen and know your audience. Share in a way that you will make an impact and connect. Understand your analytics, proper usage of hashtags, and listening tools. Social media is that consistent brand voice that represents yourself or your company. It’s time to brush off those social media cobwebs and have consistency!

What do you think are the key traits to have on social media?

Contact Social Media Facelift, LLC today for a social media consultation at (480) 231-5582 or socialmediafacelift@gmail.com.

Business

How Do You Hire A Social Media Manager?

February 20, 2015 Nikki Fica Leave a comment

Social media is not just simply posting a status on Facebook or Twitter now and then – it’s about consistency, engagement, authenticity, and listening to your audience. Unlike traditional marketing, social media marketing can change overnight. There is a desire to be “in the know”, and is not always doable when you are trying to run your own business. Social media is not going anywhere, so you need to ask yourself, can I afford to not have a social media presence? If not, you may have to hire a social media manager.

To hire in a social media manager, look for a few different traits and ask yourself, are they knowledgeable? Are they focused? Do they have the willpower to continue to learn? Are they consistent? Are they authentic? Are they committed? Are they loyal? These are traits that you want your brand to show off. You should ponder these questions while interviewing and getting to know the potential candidate to reflect the person that would be the voice behind your brand.

There are skills that can be learned and skills that are natural. Determine what can be taught and what cannot be. The skill-set and knowledge of social media is important. They must have the initiative to lead a company with a knowledgeable social media marketing plan and execute it confidently.

How do you know how to hire if you don’t know anything about social media marketing? Learn! Do some research, read blog articles, and know the position you are hiring for. No one expects you to become an influencer within a week, however with the base knowledge you will be able to relate more to the potential social media manager.

Do your homework upon hiring to prepare yourself and to distinguish your top candidates. Research candidates’ prior work and get to know their personality. Check their current social media, blogs, references, and Internet presence to get to know how they represent the one person that means a lot to them – themselves. Focus on if they will be a good fit for your company, as well as if you will be a good fit for them. These factors should determine their ethics, communication style, and authenticity.

Hiring smart leads to smart decisions within your company. You know your business the best – hire the best and great results will follow. All in all, hire your voice and the voice of the brand.

What personality traits do you commonly look for during the hiring process?

Contact Social Media Facelift, LLC today for a social media consultation at (480) 231-5582 or socialmediafacelift@gmail.com.

Social Media

Why Is Listening Important on Social Media?

January 29, 2015 Nikki Fica Leave a comment

Listening is incredibly important in social media, no matter the platform. You want to find out what your consumers are talking about, what they want to hear, and who you should direct your marketing to. Listening leads to relationship building and whether you are building your personal brand or company brand, relationships are key.

So, how can I actively listen? You can use tools, such as Sprout Social or Hootsuite to monitor who is talking about what, in terms to your brand. You can track hashtags through TweetDeck or a multitude of social listening tools, and join in the conversation. Ask questions, participate, and bring recognition to the brand! The more that you build that relationship, the more they will remember you.

How do I turn brand haters into evangelists? I recently discussed this topic in a Twitter chat. What do they hate about the brand? What are their complaints? Acknowledge them. Use LAST – Listen, acknowledge, solve, and thank. Do not ignore the comments, instead use psychology to determine what it is that they want out of it and what would get them to turn around their thinking. Sometimes actively responding and solving will allow them to respect the brand and change their mind.

Getting the consumers involved helps with relationship building, as well as building their trust. This, in term, helps with word of mouth. Using contests on social media is a great way to get user-generated content. Whether it’s for a free t-shirt or sticker, or just a pat on the back, people love to be involved. In the restaurant industry, I worked as a marketing manager for a large chain. We encouraged guests to take photos inside the restaurant and post them to the Facebook page. We then randomly selected one to receive a dinner and a movie pass for two, plus a signed hockey jersey. All who participated received a free dessert with purchase of an entree. The outcome? Over the course of the contest, our traffic increased, on social media as well as in store. Social media also increased in likes and followers, as well as engagement.

Overall, listening in social media is very important. Not only does it help build the brand, but it helps build the individual, relationship, and trust. It allows others to know that you are real and not a robot. Lastly, it will allow you to help distinguish yourself and stand out among your competitors.

What social media tools do you use to listen to your audience?

Contact Social Media Facelift, LLC today for a social media consultation at (480) 231-5582 or socialmediafacelift@gmail.com.

Social Media Management & Consulting for Businesses