Speaker - June 2008

you can update and refresh your Web site content without paying a Web site developer to add content to your site.

Third-party hosted solutions such as Blogger.com, typepad.com or word- press.com are great places to learn blog basics and can help you get started quickly. I encourage you to make your blog part of your actual site using the free software from www.wordpress.org. (Note: wordpress.com is the hosted op- tion, while wordpress.org has the soft- ware script for adding your blog as part of your site.)

You Oughtta Be in Pictures

First, ensure that your main Web site is benefit driven with specific and mea- surable action steps on every page. There’s no sense in driving traffic to a crummy site.

Start with You Tube.com. (Yes, even if you don’t have a video.) Although You- Tube is primarily known for video, it is a social marketing site because anyone can create an account and a profile. You don’t need a video, but I strongly en- courage you to buy a camera and create a video based on your topic of exper-

tise. It’s easy to make videos—simply turn on a web cam or camera and talk about something like “Three Keys to Calming an upset Customer” or “Five Secrets to Writing Effective Media Releases.”

Just introduce yourself and say what you’re going to offer, and then wrap up your video by telling viewers how they can contact you and thank them for visiting your Web site. Voila! You now have a larger footprint on the Web.

Next, create your profile at Linkedin. unlike other SMM sites, it was created to facilitate networking between busi- ness colleagues. Linkedin offers out- standing opportunities for connecting with people who can help introduce you to new prospects. As an NSA mem- ber, you can join the Linkedin National Speakers Association Members group.

Are you now convinced of the in- credible potential of using social media Web sites as part of your overall mar- keting campaign? You can improve your online presence in as little as a couple of hours a week. Don’t complain about not having enough time. If you were making more money, then you’d be able to take

more time off, right? Investing in your marketing should be a top priority.

If you want more bookings and more sales, you’ve got to ramp up your marketing efforts—and SMM comes with no excuses. You don’t need a programmer, Web develop- er, copywriter, graphic designer or the services of a marketing special- ist. You are the expert. Social media sites are the perfect medium for pro- fessional speakers, authors and con- sultants to share their expertise and grow their business.

As president of Prime Concepts Group, Inc., Ford Saeks is known for his ability to position people and their products and services for profit through proven marketing, innovative publicity campaigns and profit-rich solutions. Thousands of people watch his television show, “Profit-Rich Marketing,” and read his “Success Strategies” marketing column in business and trade publications. For useful marketing tips and to read his blog, visit www. PrimeConcepts.com.