[Maranara]

I am starting a business and it's time for me to talk briefly about it as well as ask for your advice and help.

I am attempting to start a small at-home business geared towards helping other small businesses set up and maintain social networking: Facebook, Twitter, blogs, etc. I have Facebook and Twitter down and intend to expand into a few others really soon. I know a lot of small mom & pop businesses such as contractors and restaurants don't have the time or the expertise to work on business social media for themselves and that would be my job. Through Facebook or wherever, they could run ads, tell about their daily specials, show off their wares, set up a mail order service, advertise special events, offer coupons, give advice or share pics and links from things their customers would be interested in, receive customer reviews in real time, and many more things. In addition, I will help with writing ads, editing, and claiming businesses on review sites such as Google+ and Yelp.

I've gotten a lot of help and positive vibes from a lot of people and I think it will work out in the long run but I have a very, very long way to go before it becomes a viable business. I only have so much time per day, am still working as many hours as I can get, and I'm having to revamp and modify a lot of my original plans as things evolve.

I am hoping I can get your help with two things. #1, if you think of anything I should offer or am not considering when it comes to social marketing for businesses, let me know, or if you think of any techniques I should employ. I am completely open and bending as I figure things out. A "niche" is going to be a while in the making.

#2. I have entered a contest that will supply $15,000 of marketing money to the top 15 businesses who get the most votes. I'm hoping you'll vote for me. I could also use input and "likes" on my website and facebook page. The contest link has links to the others if you're willing to follow them.

I know I haven't been around here much lately...this has been keeping me very very preoccupied and busy and I am truly hoping it'll work out. I can't find a job making more than I am right now and my at-home job is leading to a lot of my MH issues.

Thanks bunches....here's the link for the contest. https://sblb.intuit.com/id/Socialwrites/2392

[ArthurDent]

I voted

[Espresso]

It sounds like a great idea. Good luck with it! (And I also voted.)

[Maranara]

I'm trying. That's about all I can say right now. I'm going from very hopeful and excited to falling in to desperation ready to give up. I am hoping for your support in this.....you can vote everyday if you're so inclined.

[shezbut]

I voted as well!

I am curious about this one line:

In addition, we'll make certain that questions and comments from customers or clients don't go unanswered, we'll promote your sales and special events and create online coupons to give your page and business that extra boost.

You had mentioned that your client(s) would be in charge, and that you would be making visits to their business..to check and see how their site(s) were doing. Does that mean that they would be responsible for checking their questions and comments online, or you would be in charge of that aspect? If you are to be in charge of answering Q's, you would certainly need extensive knowledge of their business...I expect, anyway. Is this a separate option that businesses have then, or is it included in the set-up?

Sorry about all of the Q's! Your site does look terrific, and it's very encouraging to read. Humble, but confident and devoted to help those businesses in your community meet & exceed expectations. That is great! I like the text type that you used as well. It looks a lot more friendly than this type that you're reading right now, IMO.

((((hugs))))

[Webgoji]

I hit the button with the thumbs up so I think I voted.

[ArthurDent]

I seriously expect to get a nice new towel from you when you become rich and famous. Or a shiny spaceship. Just saying.

[Maranara]

Originally Posted by shezbut

I voted as well!

I am curious about this one line:

You had mentioned that your client(s) would be in charge, and that you would be making visits to their business..to check and see how their site(s) were doing. Does that mean that they would be responsible for checking their questions and comments online, or you would be in charge of that aspect? If you are to be in charge of answering Q's, you would certainly need extensive knowledge of their business...I expect, anyway. Is this a separate option that businesses have then, or is it included in the set-up?

Sorry about all of the Q's! Your site does look terrific, and it's very encouraging to read. Humble, but confident and devoted to help those businesses in your community meet & exceed expectations. That is great! I like the text type that you used as well. It looks a lot more friendly than this type that you're reading right now, IMO.

((((hugs))))

An important aspect of social media that a lot of businesses neglect is to answer questions and comments as they come in. My job, as I picture it, would be to either answer the questions outright, find out the answer by contacting the business, or, if the answer is more complex, to at least let them know about the question so they can answer it.

I'm still trying to figure it out as I go along. I met with someone from the Small Business Administration who suggested a number of changes to some of my material before I send it out, and even though this was expected, I also find it a frustrating because it's almost like I'm starting over, but I'm trying to do what I can to let it roll off my back (not an easy feat) and just go with it. The suggestions weren't meant to be invalidating but to give me a better chance of success, and it's important I remember that.

[Maranara]

Originally Posted by ArthurDent

I seriously expect to get a nice new towel from you when you become rich and famous. Or a shiny spaceship. Just saying.

How about a nice dinner at Milliways, provided we can find our way back there. Surely a cute little heifer will have her eye on you and want to be the main course!

[tealBumblebee]

I voted ; good luck!

I voted!!!

[Maranara]

The contest goes until the middle of March just so you know. Thanks for your help!

Congrats first of all!

What can you add...

Something in addition to Facebook. Their ads are considered too pricey now. Advertisers have been moving to mobile apps. That's probably unrealistic for you but it is something to pay attention to. And Facebook might change. It's not a right now thing either. Just a heads up.

Wordpress. For a couple of reasons:
-very popular with businesses of all sizes for good reason
-you don't need to specialize in dev or graphic design. There is plent of room for content management and seo.
-the community is the best to learn in and cheap, cheap, cheap to learn. It is nonprofit. The people are the most supportive I have seen in tech software.

Google SEO - If you aren't already used to the "old" algorithms then you are in a perfect place because it has been completely revamped in the last couple years. You may have even noticed changes in your results since sept. There are tons for free tools and learning resources for this too.

Any one of these thing are value added. I met someone pretty successful who is doing all three in addition to Facebook.

Good luck!

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Maranara]

Originally Posted by Michanne

Congrats first of all!

What can you add...

Something in addition to Facebook. Their ads are considered too pricey now. Advertisers have been moving to mobile apps. That's probably unrealistic for you but it is something to pay attention to. And Facebook might change. It's not a right now thing either. Just a heads up.

Wordpress. For a couple of reasons:
-very popular with businesses of all sizes for good reason
-you don't need to specialize in dev or graphic design. There is plent of room for content management and seo.
-the community is the best to learn in and cheap, cheap, cheap to learn. It is nonprofit. The people are the most supportive I have seen in tech software.

Google SEO - If you aren't already used to the "old" algorithms then you are in a perfect place because it has been completely revamped in the last couple years. You may have even noticed changes in your results since sept. There are tons for free tools and learning resources for this too.

Any one of these thing are value added. I met someone pretty successful who is doing all three in addition to Facebook.

Good luck!

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Even though Facebook is not "up and coming", it is still the most popular for businesses. I intend to offer more social networking sites soon. Most experts believe that Pinterest is the "up and coming" social media site and will overtake Facebook by the end of the year.

Oh no, Facebook isn't going anywhere soon. They either need to change or grow obsolete. I don't see anything as a replacement for keeping up with my international circle yet. Pinterest might become the biggest but it won't replace that because my network is too broad. It's a shame tumblr continues to have outages from time to time because I really like that format. Personal preference I just meant to keep your eyes open which it sounds like you are.

Do you read quora? Right now it is the best place I have seen to get insider info and analysis directly from the industry. I have been using it more and more for all sorts of topics. You can write your own questions and potentially get answers from experts you've heard of. Like the founder of pandora who answers a lot. You will need an account.

http://www.quora.com/Facebook-1/Why-...ebook-platform

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[ArthurDent]

Michanne is giving some great feedback File for reference until you need it.

I voted again today. I didn't really have anything new to add, but I thought your post could use a bump back to the front page

[tealBumblebee]

Voted for you again

[shezbut]

I keep voting for you, maranara!

Good Luck Maranara.

[Fuzzybear]

[Maranara]

Thanks everyone. Haven't meant to ignore my own thread but things have been crazy. Just a little update: I took my first paid client today. I'm on my way albeit I have a long way to go. Thank you for your support and your votes and I'll let you know how things progress.

[ArthurDent]

That's wonderful, and very quick, too! I'm proud of you!

[shezbut]

How awesome! Yaaayyyy for Maranara!

I keep voting for you daily in hopes of you getting some financial aid to help your business get going. You're in my thoughts ~ very best wishes sent your way.

[Maranara]

Just an update. My first client is happy enough with me work to let me serve her a bit longer, and I have two meetings this week that will hopefully result in more work. I am also creating documents for another client and may help them get on LinkedIn soon. Very, very busy. Still working close to full time at my "real job". Oh....and I also discovered that I severely underpriced myself. I increased my prices close to 100% and I'm still charging about 1/3 of my competition, but I don't want to go up anymore because my entire goal was to help people on limited budgets, and I don't want to change my goal for the sake of making money. I'll be more than comfortable on what I'm charging once things take off a little. This coming week will be a very decisive week and will determine how soon I can work on my business full-time.

[Maranara]

It was recommended I start a blog and attract customers through it....my first entry goes live tomorrow.

I have to make my business work....my job puts me in to crisis after a few days. One way or another, I have to make it work.