Facebook Timeline may have thrown some people off . . . but people always seem to be slow to accept things that are new and unfamiliar.  The truth is that Facebook’s new Timeline format has some awesome features that can really broaden our horizons when it comes to how we communicate with others in our social media network.  One great Timeline feature that is a clear improvement over the previous Facebook format is the cover photo.  The cover is a huge, banner-style space over the top of your Facebook Timeline where you can put any art, photo, or other image you want.  This can have especially exciting implications when it comes to business marketing.  Your Timeline cover is the first thing people will notice when they visit your page, and you are only limited in what you do with it by your imagination.  Need some ideas?  Here are easy ways to create a Facebook Timeline image:

Photos.  Perhaps the easiest way to create your Timeline cover image is to choose a favorite photo.  Panoramic photos work the best, but you can crop any photo to make it the right shape and size.  Just make sure the end product is 851 X 315 pixels and the highest quality possible.  You may even opt to create a photo collage using photo editing software, which you can then easily upload to your cover using Facebook’s easy to use platform.  Remember that you also have a smaller inset where you can insert a photo, so you can get really creative here and choose two complimentary images, or even two photos that seem to interact with each other.

Premade designs.  There are numerous resources where you can find a multitude of creative, eye catching cover art designs.  Try www.myprofilecover.com and www.coverphotofinder.com, for starters.  Or, handy apps like thesitecanvas.com allow you to choose from a variety of pre-made templates, plug your personal pictures in, and create a one-of-a kind cover.

Your logo.  Use your Timeline cover like a billboard and keep it simple by using your logo and nothing else.  Or, you may opt to adorn your logo with related photos, using your photo editing software.  Get creative here, and put your logo and your Timeline to their best use.

As you can see, creating a dynamic Timeline image does not have to be a difficult task.  Use these suggestions to create a Timeline cover that works best for you.  If you need help getting the most out of your Timeline, contact us, LS Virtual Assistant Services.  We can be reached by phone, at 757-204-5782, or via our contact form.

It seems that the new Facebook format, Timeline, really has people in arms.  But don’t people always complain any time Facebook makes format changes?  The truth is, Facebook Timeline has some great new features that truly broaden the Facebook user experience . . . and Timeline is not going anywhere.  As of today, Facebook users will have no choice but to learn and adapt to Timeline since most all profiles have been converted.  One great thing you can do with your Timeline is to make your most important posts (of your choosing, of course) stand out amongst the rest of your posts.  How do you accomplish this?  Read on for step by step instructions:

Timeline Highlight.  The new feature that allows you showcase any and every post you want to call special attention to is called “Highlight.”  Highlight is super easy to access and use, as you will see in this breakdown.  (Side note: the Highlight feature applies to Facebook fan pages only.  The same feature is actually called “Feature” on standard profile pages.  However, both Highlight and Feature work the same way.)

How does Timeline “highlight” your posts?  Basically, when you choose a post to highlight, that post is expanded to the full width of your screen (or the full width of the Timeline, that is).

Where is the Highlight feature?  This is easy.  Simply hover your mouse around the upper right hand corner of your post and two buttons will appear: a star and a pencil.  The star is your Highlight button.

The highlighting process.  Click on the star.  Yes, that’s it.  If you make a mistake and highlight the wrong post, or if you have a change of heart and decide that a post you highlighted is unworthy, simply click the Highlight star again to remove the highlighting.

What can you highlight?  Anything you post on Facebook may be highlighted.  This means status updates, photos, videos, Timeline events, and much more.  As a matter of fact, you may use Highlight to customize the look of your page in any way you like; for example, you may opt to highlight every one of your posts if you prefer that your page fans have a large, simplified view of everything you post.

Facebook’s new Highlight feature can be a powerful marketing tool, if you know how to use it.  To make the most of your social media marketing, contact the professionals.  We at LS Virtual Assistant Services can help take your Internet presence to the next level.  Contact us by phone, at 757-204-5782, or use our contact form here.

Staying on top of Social Media can be a bit difficult and time consuming. It seems like every day a new social media site appears! It can make any small business owner shake their head in disbelief and wonder how they will ever learn this one!

Who’s got that kind of time?

And the newest social media site to hit the market is Pinterest. This is an awesome site and for a few extra minutes a day, you can expand your reach to new potential customers and build your online brand even further. One of the best resources I have found to get over this learning curve is NonStoPinterest. It’s a comprehensive guide on how you can get into Pinterest, how to pin, what to pin and a lot of secrets of successful pinning!

http://www.jvzoo.com/c/17237/4226

If you’re just checking out the site for the first time you’ll see it is full of wonderful, interesting pictures; literally, all over the place. Like a virtual dream board! Essentially this is what the site is. An entire site of great pictures and images linking back to the sources and companies that pinned that picture!

What does this mean for you?

More exposure for you and your business! More exposure is always a good thing!! And… it means that with some creative skills you can easily captivate an entirely untapped market. All you need to do is figure out what pictures best represent your company and go from there. We’re not talking run of the mill boring pictures. In order to best benefit from the site you really need to have the pictures that make people stop and go “awww” or “I have got to have that!”.

Once you’ve gotten a batch of pictures that match that criteria, all you have to do is start pinning them to your own boards and then those who follow you (much like friends on Facebook) can take your pictures and repin them to their own boards and the viral effect of Pinterest can take place.

Each and every time your picture is pinned and repinned you gain yet another link back to your website, your business and another link to new potential customers. But don’t go hog wild pinning without knowing the secrets! Get informed first and foremost and grab a copy of NonStoPinterest BEFORE you start pinning and maximize your pinning presence on Pinterest!

http://www.jvzoo.com/c/17237/4226

Many of those who are new to Timeline are quick to question the need for yet another new Facebook makeover.  After all, didn’t we just recover from the last one?  The thing is, Facebook’s Timeline is really cool, and it has some great new features that can really improve your business’s online credentials, as long as you know how to use it to its full potential.  Need convincing?  Here are five ways the new Facebook Timeline will help your business:

Your cover art.  Perhaps the first thing people notice about Timeline is the huge, banner-style cover photo that frames the top of the page.  This eye-catching space is a great way to really showcase your business’s logo, your team, and other business-related images in a creative way, and is a marked improvement over the previous Facebook format.

Staying current.  In today’s techno-centric market, staying current is as important to your business’ reputation as is your knack for great customer service.  As people are often slow to accept what they aren’t familiar with, and businesses are no different, you can really gain a competitive edge and prove that your business is current, by learning the ins and outs of Timeline right away and using that knowledge to your advantage.

Easy to Navigate format.  Timeline really is easier to navigate than the old format, plain and simple.  By putting things in chronological order and providing useful navigation tools for your page’s visitors, Facebook is enabling you to provide for your customers your complete company history, and in a visually pleasing format.

New Ads.  Along with Facebook’s new Timeline format, the social networking giant has also revamped the look of their ads to fit into Timeline in a streamlined fashion.  The new ads sit on the right side of the page and actually look like content.  Therefore, these ads can be a great new tool for marketing your business.

The Highlight Option.  Highlight important events, specials, and business announcements on your Timeline to give it a full-page horizontal spread.  This is a great way to put a spotlight on things you really want your customers to know about your business.

Facebook Timeline is not exactly a complete overhaul of how you choose to market your business through social media; After all, the idea is still to attract people, engage them, and inspire them to send others your way.  For help making the most out of your business’ new Facebook Timeline profile, contact us, LS Virtual Assistant Services.  We can be reached by phone, at 757-204-5782 or on our contact form.

It is a fact… Video marketing is one the most creative and proactive strategies you can embrace to blow your competition out of the water.

Your business can increase profits and reduce advertising costs by leveraging 3+ billion daily online video viewers; simply by creating and distributing online videos that relate to your product or service.

Also add these videos to your website. Let’s face it… Gone are the days of one photo shot to capture the essence of who you are as a business.

Videos allow you to give a “real” introduction of who you are as a business. Not only that, but there are many different types of videos you can create to relay different types of marketing messages.

Videos are powerful because they compel people to buy, to cry and to laugh depending on your angle. You have so much flexibility in how you create them that the possibilities are endless.

One of the most significant motivators of video marketing is that you can tap right your customer’s brains and emotions. As they stare into their computer screens, they establish a certain connection with you that cannot be achieved by reading text.

No other form of marketing currently out-rates video marketing for bringing the customer or prospect into the experience.

Now you understand why most businesses are jumping on the video tidal wave. They literally don’t have any other options that can produce the type of conversions that videos can produce.

It’s your turn to become a part of the movement and the 13 million hours of downloaded videos. From retail shops, to cosmetic surgeons, to conducting SEO campaigns… everyone is using online videos today.

And so you should… Your business too can capitalize on the 172 million Americans who have participated in over 5.1 billion online viewing sessions. These numbers are mind-boggling.

Any way you look at it, the increased popularity of online video-viewing amongst consumers is your ticket to take part in this lucrative, dynamic form of marketing.

Can you believe that some Internet users ONLY access the web from their mobile phones?  Considering the explosive popularity the mobile market has experienced in recent years, it really isn’t that hard to believe.

While still in the minority, a significant percentage of internet users (approximately 25%) exclusively access the web through mobile devices. Whether due to preference or circumstance, these consumers do their browsing through their cell phones rather than more traditional desktops and laptops.

What does this mean for your business? With traditional marketing becoming less effective as targeted internet advertising gains popularity, companies that do not offer a web-based option will continue to struggle when it comes to attracting new business and retaining existing customers.

Extending conventional internet presence to include a site optimized for mobile users simply just makes sense.  Most people are shocked to learn that consumers who are over the age of 65 make up a huge share of the mobile market.

As a matter of fact, many “mobile-only users” tend to be older – often folks who did not embrace new technology early on. This group found that the dual purpose phone/browser permits them to participate in the online community with a minimal investment of time and money.

With growing numbers, this population owns more than 75% of U.S. wealth, offering more buying power than the all of the younger, more tech-savvy generations combined.

Then, there is the younger generation who seem to be literally glued to their mobile phones at all times. They’re usually too busy to be tied to a desktop computer so they do most of their web surfing right from their mobile devices.

As you can see, catering to the mobile-only preference is a very smart way to hone your company’s competitive edge. Making sure your business website is “mobile-friendly” is the first step.  Without it, you’re missing out on a lot of new and repeat business – bottom line.

The advancement of the Internet along with increasing satellite and cable costs has created a new phenomenon: Internet video streaming.

Let’s face it… the rising costs of EVERYTHING in today’s economy has made people take a serious look at the “luxuries” they pay for.

However, with the rise of companies such as Hulu, Netflix, and Youtube, people have been turning more and more to the internet for their entertainment viewing pleasures.

Music, videos, movies, T.V. shows and other forms of entertainment can all be easily found for low costs or even free on the World Wide Web.

So think about this… With people turning their attention away from their radios and television sets, shouldn’t businesses be actively changing their marketing focus?

One of the best and most powerful new marketing tools available is video marketing. It is an instant, quick way to grab the attention of your target audience.

According to Reuters, people are watching more than one million Youtube videos a day. These are the numbers for just ONE of the many video sharing websites online. Imagine how many people your advertising can reach over the internet! Are you starting to see why your business should be using online videos to your advantage?

Video marketing is not only useful on popular social media and entertainment sites, but it is also effective for company websites.

Videos are the ideal way to provide information to the visitors of a company’s website in a quick and entertaining manner. Not only that, but you can provide tutorials, product demonstrations, video commercials, and many other forms of video presentation.

Videos are proven to keep viewers on your website for a longer amount of time and make their product research experience a lot more enjoyable.

Potential customers can save time by simply watching a minute or two of video instead of reading pages and pages of information.

In a rising digital age, your company’s potential can expand tremendously by adapting and taking advantage of this new marketing phenomenon.

As a local business owner, you’re probably struggling to figure out the best ways to reach your local market effectively and more affordable.

Due to today’s tough economic condition, most business owners are in the exact same boat.  No one has extra money to waste on advertising methods that don’t even return the amount of money you spent to implement them.

But have you ever thought about implementing mobile strategies in your business?  Strategies that will help you reach your target market more quickly, more often, and more cost-effectively?

Text messaging has steadily grown in popularity within the last few years. There are more cell phones on the planet than there are television sets.

In fact, according to the Mobile Marketing Association of Asia over 5.1 billion people in the world own a cell phone. There is no doubt that to text messaging is one of the easiest and fastest ways to reach your massive target audience.

Many popular companies have used SMS marketing campaigns to boost their sales while decreasing their overall advertising costs. Companies such as Hilton, Pepsi Co., Guinness, and Dunkin Donuts have all used SMS text messaging as a successful marketing tool.

Hilton Hotels even reported a rise of 10 to 25% in offer redemptions after a text campaign they began in order to increase customer loyalty. What other form of marketing do you know of that can increase redemption rates that easily?

If this type of advertising has worked for these companies, why not make it work for yours? The world is changing and old forms of advertisement will not reach as many people as they once did.

Cell phones abound and there are more working cell phones than television sets on the planet. Great advancements in communication and technology have brought about great opportunities. It is time your business takes advantage of these opportunities as well.

Make more prospects aware of your business and what it has to offer by putting the word out there.  Some business owners seem to think that consumers will just “find” their website or their location.

With the level of competition out there today, that is not going to happen. Sure, SOME of them will just find you.  But in order to really knock your competitors out of the park, you need to write and distribute online press releases for your business on a consistent basis!

Press releases allow you to keep the world up to date with what’s going on with your business; which is HUGE when it comes to managing your business’s reputation.

More importantly, it reminds the world that your business exists in a sea of businesses crowding up the web.

In fact, the more press releases you put out there, the better.

There are multiple online sites that you can use just this purpose.  Two of these sites to help you reel in the customers are Marketwire.com and PRWeb.com.

Sites such as Marketwire promise to save you up to three hundred percent in cost, compared to other press release services.  Here you not only save money on advertising, but you can reach local customers in your community quickly.

Marketwire has many different options that will help you knockout the competition and is definitely a reliable source for distributing press releases.

Another Press Release site to check out is PRWeb.  According to their site, local business owners can attract customers fast.  This site allows you to send a news release to your local community.

You can let all the locals know when you have opened a new store, are running a new special, or when you have a new product in stock.

Just think of all the extra business you could bring in by using this method…

Press releases will allow you to build an online reputation for your business by telling everyone what you’re up to.  So not only do they make your business more visible on the web, but they eventually help you convert prospects into paying customers.

Knowing what customers think of your business is crucial information that every business owner wants and needs to know.

Great online reviews will boost your image and your reputation too. This will potentially lead to more business and more money.  However, negative reviews could really put a dent in your plans.

Negative reviews are usually left by unhappy customers, disgruntle employees, or sabotaging competitors.  Yes, that’s right… some competitors stoop really low when it comes to knocking you out of their way.

People definitely rely on online reviews when searching for a local product, service, or business.  So any negative reviews out there about your business can definitely put a damper on things.

Although you can’t control the reviews your business receives, you can improve the way you handle the negative ones.

In fact, you can even turn them into “positive” reviews.

So how do you do that? It’s simple…

Reply!  Reply!  Reply!

It’s a good idea to reply back to any and all of your customers reviews. Being more personable will show other prospects and customers that you at least care and value the opinions of your customers.

Local business listing sites such as Google Places and Yelp are wonderful sites that allow business owners to easily see and respond to their online reviews.

Promptness Pays Off!

The sooner you reply back to your customers reviews the better.  This will show that you care about the quality of your business and will definitely earn you some “brownie points” from your valued prospects and customers.

Replying back promptly will give you a better reputation and will even encourage more customers to write more reviews (hopefully, good ones).

All you need to do is stay online, see what they’re saying, and get engaged! You’ll be happy you did when you see how powerful a nice, strong, solid online reputation can be for your business.