Anthropology and Social Media...Like Peanut Butter and Jelly

Greetings,

I was recently in a position to meet with many local business owners from around Rhode Island, as I taught an introductory class on Organic Online Marketing, with an emphasis on Social Media.  I had met a few of the owners before at networking events, or had simply spoken to them on the phone in a different context; others were new to me.  For that reason, I spent a few minutes introducing myself, and sharing how I had come to be with them.  Now, I'd like to share it with you.

I first learned about social networks during a family vacation in Aruba about three and a half years ago.  My sister was extolling the virtues of Facebook.  I had just started my own business, so I was interested in cool, innovative ways to market businesses aside from the traditional, and typically expensive means, such as print.

It took me some time to grasp the message she had for me.  I signed up right away when I returned home, so that I could stay in touch with her in Massachusetts, but I still didn't get it.  I was so focused on me and what I wanted to use Facebook for, that I wasn't looking at the big picture.  And then one night, about six months later, I was watching the movie Apocolypto, an awesome adventure flick about the Maya people of Mexico.  While I found serious issues with the ending, I couldn't help but enjoy it, and it took me right back to my college days, where I had focused all of my energies and degree on that very subject:  Anthropology and Meso-American prehistory.

I was so inspired by that movie, that I decided to flip through some old text books that I couldn't bare to get rid of.  And then it hit me, like a ton of bricks.  Social networks were my research and studies of cultural and social connections times...millions!  Observation, evolution, research, the difference between qualitative and quantitative results from the relationships that are formed online.  I just needed to put it into perspective.

So in the end, I was hooked.  I found my niche in a huge industry where it's so very difficult to stand out.  A lot of people call themselves experts in their chosen field...and there are many people who claim to be experts in Social Media Marketing.  But I'll be honest with you...I'm not one of them.  There's no way I can be.  It changes and evolves so quickly, that I'm able to learn something new everyday.  While the hottest sites to place your business information are more or less stable, how to work with them and use them in an advantageous, yet thoughtful, conscious, and sensitive manner can be tricky.

I'm reading and researching every day, so that you don't have to.  I'm here to take what I see and read and use, and present the most helpful and valid information that I can.  I've been handling marketing in every way, shape and form for over twenty years.  You'll find lots of marketing and ad companies out there with similar experiences, but I have what I consider to be a HUGE advantage.  What makes me so special?  My anthropological background, and my ever-present interest in how people act and react with each other in social, online forums.  Those people become clients of yours and mine, and that keeps my work VERY interesting.

It takes a special person to convey what they know to others in a cohesive and exciting fashion.  I wanted participants to know that I cared, indeed was passionate about what I was about to tell them.  I truly wanted them to be as excited about their online adventure as I was, and that I wanted their business to grow from their time spent with me.  I'm positive that I succeeded.   

Until next time,
Stephanie

Tough Economy, Part II: Employee Solutions

Greetings!

So how can a business save money during a tough economy? Speak with the business accountant, and see what other departments may need to feel the heat first. Chances are, there are some expenditures that can be cut. The real answer however, is to look towards increasing revenue. Begin to think in terms of monthly and quarterly frames. Take one to three months at a time, so as not to kill the big picture.

Bring top producers in the company together from departments across the board to brainstorm. The department supervisors and key employees are most knowledgeable about systems that are place, extraneous costs and more importantly, the things that can increase efficiency, productivity and revenue.

Finally, maintain - or even improve, employee moral. The economy is hitting businesses and employees hard; employees don't need to be reminded daily that the business may be suffering or that they are in danger of losing their jobs. Instead, what can employees do to help?

Frustrated, fearful employees will not be productive, but they can offer assistance and ideas about improvements. Hours may need to be cut, production could be revamped, or perhaps a few unpaid vacation days per employee.

Don't cut the areas that make the company money - like marketing and advertising - and please don't cancel the holiday gatherings!

Tough Economy, Part I: Don't Cut Marketing!

Greetings,

Many times, it's the marketing and advertising budgets that suffer when business belts begin to tighten. Unfortunately, many businesses lose that "edge", that constant, competitive advertising gives them in the community. They begin to lose key placement that's been earned over time. Presence begins to dwindle in the eyes of existing and potential clients.

Once marketing and advertising costs have been cut and business begins to go south, the blame continues to rest with the economy in the eyes of the business owner. But is it really the economy, or the fact that the amount of time, effort and money the business once placed into the marketing arena has now been greatly reduced or cut altogether?

A little of both. It's true that businesses must spend money to make money, and that a decent portion of revenues need to remain with the marketing and advertising departments. When the market bounces back, your business will reap the rewards with increasing revenues, and best of all, your business won't be playing "catch-up".

The Birds and the Business

Greetings,

My husband is really into bird watching. He has a National Geographic book on North American birds that can be referenced on the fly. And there are multiple bird feeders hanging off our deck. I wonder sometimes who should be paying the mortgage.

One recent Spring day, I happened to look out our kitchen window and saw two small birds on one of the feeders. One was eating and the other was watching and waiting patiently. At that moment, a much larger Starling landed on the pole holding the feeder. He squawked at the waiting bird and moved in closer, attempting to scare the smaller birds away. The "watching and waiting" bird spun around to face the Starling and chirped "strongly" a couple of times. Instinctively I knew what that small bird was saying..."Hey! Step off! My buddy and I were here first...". The Starling quickly turned and flew off.

That short bird exchange reminded me of the entrepreneur...the small business...you know, the little guy. The one trying to find that niche and voice in larger-than-life web and world. There are no big budgets for traditional media advertising or even a commercial office space that screams "OPEN" with blinking lights..and many times, not even a small sign. But that doesn't mean that we don't have a voice.

When I first began my home-based, advertising and marketing business, I was concerned that I wouldn't stand out from the large web site, big-office firms. I felt that I was being overshadowed by the big guy, even though I offer more than a little creativity, and a valuable, affordable, personalized service that is difficult to find. I advertise regular business hours, but my clients know they can call me any time.

My observance of watching nature "play out" was a turning point for me. I realized that I don't need to be big to be noticed; that if I continued to learn and grow, work hard, network and stay confident, then nature would take its course and clients would flock to me. Three years later, I'm well on my way...

Taking Time to Breathe

Good Morning!

I wanted to share something with you that has been graciously shared with me. I was recently reminded that each and every one of us is here on this beautiful Earth for a special and unique purpose. How we honor ourselves and our time here really matters. Sometimes that reminder can come from an unexpected source. It has raised the importance of keeping my eyes and ears open and taking time to breath, listen and be grateful for the messages that come along each day. Thank You Joan.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

-Marianne Williamson from A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles

Greetings Business Owners!

Greetings,

I started this blog for a few reasons, but mostly it was started for you -- yes, you! My desire is to build community as well as to give back to the people who have shared their advice, support and opened their businesses to me.

I especially want to invite business women to join, learn from and give back to this blog. Feel free to post comments and share your wealth of knowledge; ask and answer questions freely and respectfully.

I invite you to comment about your business! Here are some topics to get you started:

What kind of business do you own?
Share a success story...or a lesson learned.
What motivates you to stay in the business you are in?
How do you balance business and family?
How do you deal with the daily details of business ownership?
What do you do to escape the daily grind?
How do you give back to your community?
What made you decide to start your own business?

Enjoy sharing and I look forward to blogging with you soon!

Peace,
Stephanie