Need help? go to the Google+ Kit

Google+ Has been the buzz lately.  It is a newcomer to the social media scene, with people wanting to know what it is, how it works, why should I add it, how do I get on it, is it right for me?
The last question - is it right for me? - can only be answered by YOU.  Try it and see if you like it.  BUT I personally recommend if for no other reason than Google is the top search engine - and it is narcissus, and so a Good Google profile can go a long way in search.

But for all the other questions, there are hundreds of articles written about Google+.  www.Mashable.com  has serveral, ( and I recommend Mashable for great tips on anything in the social media/web world), But I highly recommend taking a look at the Google+ Kit .  Written in straightforward plain English, this site explains it all.  Also has links for some cool tools and extensions for Google+ along with a list of some social and friendly folks you might want to add to your circles.  I am proud to be listed among the first  100. :)

Kudos to Paul J Whom I met on Google+ ... now , who was wondering if it was worth looking into Google+?

Custom URLs for Facebook and Google+ the easy way

Having custom URLs for your spots on social media is very easy to do and makes it easy for you to share and of course, easy to remember.
The best thing, of course, is if you use the same user name, then all your places on the web show up across the board when someone searches for you.
How to set a custom url for some places is not as obvious as others.  Twitter for example, uses your user name so it is done for you.  Here I will cover a couple of the more elusive ones, namely FaceBook and Google plus.

Google+
There is one spot I found that makes getting your own custom URL a breeze.  Check out  gplus.to  Carefully pick your name.  I recommend using YOUR name.  Google+ is planning on business accounts as well in the near future, so you will want to reserve your business name for it.
I can be found at http://gplus.to/SusanLeak

FaceBook
For your personal account, first log into Facebook.  Then go to: 
http://www.facebook.com/username/ or to http://apps.facebook.com/personalurl/ Both will help you set your user names.
CAUTION!!! Choose carefully - for you can not change once it is set.
Find my personal one at : www.facebook.com/renagades

For your business page, you will be given the chance to chose one when you set it up.  Once you receive 25 fans, it should allow you to use your chosen name.  If not, go to http://www.facebook.com/username/  
and set it.
AGAIN! CAUTION! You can not change the name, so choose wisely.
Mine are found at:
www.facebook.com/renagadesmusic and www.facebook.com/2wolvesdj

One other point I would like to stress - Profiles are important! (Read : Your Google Profile - what does yours say )  Fill out your profile as much as you feel comfortable with.  Add your background, achievements, yes.... brag a little!  Your profiles are meant to help others in their decision of whether or not to deal with you.  So, as a seller, use this to sell them your most priceless item .... you and your reputation!

Google Plus Profiles - what does yours say about you?

 Google profiles have been around for awhile, and has always carried some importance in online presence and branding. But with the addition of Google Plus to the crazy world of social media, the importance of a strong Google profile has taken a new meaning.

Google is the number one search. The term 'Google me' has become mainstream. When someone searches for you, they will find all the places you have been online, any comments you may have left on blogs etc, any pictures, videos you may have posted, and anywhere you have a spot on the web, from Facebook to twitter to, of course, Google. And Google, preserving their power of the web, will be showing the Google profiles prominently.
So, what constitutes a good profile?

Some tips:
Fill out as much as possible
Not saying you need to add your street address or phone number, but adding where you live, and have lived, your name, etc is a no brainer.

Fill out a little Intro
Tell people some of what makes you, you. Use the editor and add links.

Occupation and Employment 
If you work for a company, and prefer not to let world know where, leave blank. But if you are in business for yourself, this is vital . Do not leave blank, or get all cutesy here. Unless you are a psychic medium by trade, "I see dead people" is not an occupation. Nor should you put employed by "Yo Momma" if you're not a babysitter. I recommend coming across as professional as possible.

Links
Anyone who uses the internet for business in any way needs to add as many links as you can. All the marketplaces are supported, along with the other social media hot spots, so again, a no brainer.

Add a profile picture
A Good one. again, if your business uses the web to reach the masses, you need a good picture or logo even. It should be reflective of your style. But, unless you sell costumes, I don't recommend the one of you dressed as a poodle.

And if you think you can keep your profile private, like on Facebook, think again. As reported by Mashable.com, Google already has announced that private profiles will be deleted soon, so make to effort now and get looking good .

Feel free to visit mine :

Renagade is now a wolf - Re- branding

With Renagades Music I offer branding for musicians.  Well now it is time for some Re-Branding of the Renagade.

 For years I have flown the eagle and loved it.  He has gained me recognition and helped me establish myself in the eCommerce world.  But in the last couple of years, I have started a DJ Service called 2Wolves DJ Service, Branded in with 2 howling wolves.  Wanting to somehow join the two brands, something had to go, so the eagle is set free. The new Logo is still one that shows the "Renagade" in me.  And being a wolf, brings the two companies more together as a brand.

Branding is important in the world of online sales.  Your logo, your color schemes, your name should reflect you and your product line. All three show blend together, creating an image before the customer sees the product.  For example, calling yourself Mama, using a pic of  baby booties on a baby blue color scheme creates the image of baby items.  Imagine your surprise to discover that the seller deals in car parts.  Since I deal mostly in music, a howling wolf is fitting, their song to me is one of the most musical nature offers.

Re-branding is tough, you have to work to get it back to where people recognize you, and you also have to run all over to change the logo at spots where you promote.  Not to mention changing business cards, etc.

Re-Branding is a good way to shake things up a bit, but I recommend you do it rarely and stick with it, change it everywhere you go.  And make sure the picture and scheme fit you .

Be my Friend? - Why to friend or follow within Social Media

This week once again, the do's and don'ts of social media has come to the forefront of my life. I addressed the issue for bands and musicians in 7 tips for Bands on my other blog - Renagades Music. Actually the tips there can be used by all, even those in eCommerce. This here is to address a big issue within social media that still need addressing or clarifying.

To Follow or Not to Follow
      call it what you want - Follow (Twitter), Friend (MySpace and Facebook) , Like (Facebook), connect (linkedin), the question is WHY are you following them?

1. I know Them through other websites
2. I know them personally
3. I want/need more friends ( Followers etc) and need them to follow back
4. I need for them to buy - promote - or otherwise help me succeed
5. They are Famous
6. I like what they say and what to hear more

Really the only correct answer is number 6. I know, you are saying WTH?? (What The Heck??). But it is true. Whomever you persue - you better like what the say. At least, respect what they say or do. Now, not saying not to accept a friend request, or not to follow back etc anyone that approaches you, what I am saying is when you initiate the friendship, etc, you are saying, "I like what you offer - tell me more"

For Example - I am all about music - I sell music - I promote musicians - I have a DJ and Karaoke Service. If you follow me, expect alot of music related stuff and fully expect me to tell you what is up with the musicians I promote. Know that , among other things, I am going to chat about music. Now, I will chat about tons of other things, and offer up anything I think my friends and followers will like, and I will help them promote up their things too, but my main focus is music. So the choice is yours, like music, love music - follow. I will friend you back.

Now, I am not saying don't friend your family, real world friends etc - By all means do. They should know you well enough to know what you are like, and still like you anyway. But for expanding your reach in promoting yourself, or your business, reach out to those that you are actually interested in.

In Social Media, often it is not what you carry to the table, but what it is you walk away with.

Social Media, a dog, and a dumb mistake - Bonanza Social Media Lesson

It was something I was just going to let go by the wayside.  People can and do make mistakes.  But once it goes almost viral on facebook and becomes a hot issue with people I consider strong sellers and social media experts, I felt it was time to address the issue.

First of all, Social media is a term referring to spaces like facebook, twitter, MySpace, etc where people can interact with others in a social setting online.  A Social Media representative is someone whom handles theses accounts for a company or a celebrity, or anyone else that wants to hire someone to handle one or more of those online accounts.  Social Media is one of the fastest growing ways for a company, etc to spread the word about something, whether it be a a product, music, or in this case, a marketplace.  There are Social Media Reps and there are the wannabes.

My take of the issue at hand is the fact that a company has hired someone to represent them as there social media representative that gave what many would consider a rude response to a friend request on his personal facebook account.  Now the person making the request knew this was the reps personal account, because the rep put his personal facebook account out on the companies website, in doing so, basically gave permission for friend requests. It being his personal account, he does have the right to accept or deny the request in however he chooses rude or not.  But, as a representative of a company, does he always represent the company?  In a way, yes, especially in any social setting when all or part of your job is interaction with the public. Online or off.

Two people I hold in the highest regard in the world of online sales and social media,  John 'colderICE' Lawson and Phaedra (Perkins) Stockstill (@ the Boutique and The Bonanza Boardroom ) have an in-depth discussion on this.  You can listen to it from colderICE Blog.  I agree with many of their points, and is well worth a listen. One main point is the line between of WHO you are, and WHO your work for is often intertwined.  This is true in many aspects of business and in many businesses.  On a personal note from one of my businesses, Renagades Music, I have had the same discussion with musicians and bands that everyone from the frontman to the soundman is often representing the band at almost every minute of the day.  They need to walk a finer line than the every day Joe.  And when you hold yourself out as a Social media specialist, as the Rep in question has, now you need to be 'on' in your social media persona 24/7.

Now the one point I disagree with the points made in the above recording is the fact that the person making the friend request has a picture of their dog as their facebook picture, and the question was raised about whether or not its appropriate.  I personally have my personal picture, but I have friends that use everything from their kids, to their dogs, to their logo.  Personally I don't care.   And personally I fully understand that many, especially online sellers and businesses use logos or one picture across every spots on the web, doing so, establishing the brand they want and the image they chose to be associated with.

In conclusion it is very important companies, no matter whether they handle their own company, band, etc social media or you hire someone to handle social media to tread carefully.  Once you send something, post something online, it can ether  work for you , or it can tarnish the image you try to establish.  Words hard been known to go running across the web.

You have been warned ..... Renagade 
Visit Russ Kawecki Facebook thread for background information about this issue