Sunday, November 16, 2014

Attention Business Owners: Start Blogging!

As a customer, how likely are you to purchase something in a store with someone breathing a sales pitch down your neck?

What if you read a review on it?

What if the review was simple, enjoyable, and engaging, and most of all something to which you could relate?  

This is how business owners are gaining a bigger footprint in the virtual world: Blogging.  Whether it's a Mommy blog or a small business selling t-shirts, I'd be more inclined to purchase based on the latter.   I have to feel some sort of connection that draws me to the blog, and essentially to the product.

Just recently, I was talking with a friend over the difference of the sales associate's perspective versus the blogger's perspective.  Doesn't it make sense that you would listen to a parent who not only writes the review but uses the product? 

Blogging is a great way to connect with your readers and potential customers.  For a small business, it's a way for you to show them a different side of you.  There are many ways, through social media, advertisement, and the traditional brick-and-mortar sales tactics.
 Read this next line carefully: Blogging adds value to a business.

How can this be?

When you think about it, a blog is merely another way to engage with their readers and/or potential customers. 

Isn't that what social media is for as well?

How much can you really say to your followers in 140 characters?  Just enough.  Do you really want to expound on product reviews or DIY tutorials on Facebook?  The answer is no.

You need more meat to your why.  Social media is powerful, but imagine having the bulk of your business landing on a web page.  There is so much more potential! 

This is why blogs are great.  You use your social media to draw in the readers.  Point them to your blog, where you put all of the meat and potatoes.  The concept is really as simple as that.

Blogs give business owners the ability to let readers into their "every day."  To invite them inside, beyond the brick-and-mortar walls of the business, to show something to the readers that not everyone gets to see.  

Business owners need to become bloggers, or become better bloggers.  Rebekah Radice wrote an excellent blog post on why blog-less business owners may be left behind coughing on their competition's dust.  I could not agree with her more.  Check out her post and take her advice.  Don't get left behind. 


Thursday, November 6, 2014

The Merge and Other Notes


If you haven't noticed, I had to delete my second post on here.  For some strange reason, the text from my first post "Dear Self, 5 Years From Now" showed up when I went in to edit the second post.  Sounds pretty confusing, but I hope that Blogger understood that in my trouble ticket.

How frustrating, right? 

I'm having to write another second post to make up for the lost content.  Bummer.  That's okay though.  

What I said in that last post was that I am gently merging my photography business venture with this blog.  
Renegade365 Photography

A photography business venture and a social media marketing business venture is quite a load to manage.  My goal is to merge both photography and social media marketing into the ultimate 2-for-1 business for local business owners.   

That's a lot of venturing!

Time to begin.

   photo DeeMentionsSig_zps701afa42.png

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Dear Self 5 Years From Now...

Dear Self 5 years from this moment...

Here I am, creating the first blog post for "Dee Mentions."  The first blog post is equivalent to ground-breaking news.  It's the first piece that is ever written!  If someone were to sift through old blog posts, the first one that draws most of the curiosity might be the first post. 

One might want to know which topic was chosen for the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the brand new blog.

What is this blog about?

I created this blog in hopes of drawing attention to my business venture.  I want to help put local businesses on the virtual map.  What do I mean by this?  

  • I want to help establish a brand for your business.
  • I want you to reap the rewards of social media marketing.
  • I want to help carve out a piece of virtual real estate for your business on the web.


But why?

Social media is a great resource for your brand.  It's a wealth of sharing capabilities.  Every business owner should be tapping into social media to gain more exposure than traditional methods.

How can I help you?

I understand the trends of social media.  Everyday, there is something new to learn, a new technique or skill to acquire.  I am dedicated, passionate, and love to continue learning new things and keep content fresh.  I truly believe in social media marketing.  I would be an asset to your business if I were given the opportunity to assist in building and promoting your brand.

What qualifies me?

Social media marketing can be extremely powerful, and I understand this.  I have a personal blog and linked it with my social media accounts and it has literally grown before my eyes.  How can I tell?  Well, I began this blog in January 2011.  From then up to August of last year (2013), my blog was dead in the water so-to-speak.  I had one reader/commentor that entire time, and it was so sad.  Nobody was seeing my blogs.  My posts served no purpose, if there weren't any readers.  I began to feel discouraged.

Want to know what I did?  I took to social media and used tips and techniques to get my content out there.  I built up my own audience.
  • Get organized
  • Create unique content relevant to my niche
  • Connect with other bloggers and readers
  • Share, share, share!

If I can turn my blog around in a matter of a few of months, I would absolutely LOVE to see what I can do for your business!

This brings me back to the title of this blog, "Dear Self 5 years from now."   It may seem like so much work to keep up, as I learn through trial-and-error and on the go, but I truly enjoy everything about social media marketing and blogging.  In 5 years, I'm hoping I can say to myself that I have helped business owners both local and on-line.  I want to help you gain a larger footprint in the virtual world.
Let's see what I can do for you!
Dee Mentions, Social media management | Photography | Graphic Design