SMO-AutoPilot

Social media marketing is one the most popular buzz phrases in the world of marketing right now. Companies of all sizes and from all industries are using it to connect with their target audience in a new, exciting way. They use tools like Twitter, Facebook, blogs, Digg, ReddIt, and more to engage their audience.

Of course, to get the most out of your social media marketing campaign, you need to have a focused campaign. The mistake most companies make is not monitoring how much time they spend on it. They surf around Twitter or Facebook engaging in meaningless conversation, and before they know it, several hours have passed.

That’s why I recommend using a project management software system to monitor your SMM. With project time tracking, you can set aside a specific amount of time for engaging in social marketing. This will keep you from wasting time, making sure you only work toward your ultimate marketing goals.

This leads to my next point. You should have goals for your social media campaign. Common goals include link building, improved brand awareness, increased sales, active brand reputation management, and improved search engine placement. Working toward a goal will help ensure your social media marketing stays on track.

Technorati Tags: project management software system, project time tracking

I’m a drama teacher, and I wish there was a way to have a free listing of our plays the way you can get one for your business.  We’re doing a big musical right now, and to get an ad just in the newspapers cost four hundred dollars!!!  I teach at Rock Canyon High School, and we’re doing the musical, Aida.  It’s big, but it’s also lesser-known.

Producing a high school play (especially a musical) in this day and age is big business.  This one is costing us between nine and ten thousand dollars.  I mean, we practically need inside sales consultants just to make sure that we sell enough tickets to pay for it!  Publicity has become a huge concern:  we come up with all sorts of gimmicks to try and get people to come in, lots of community outreach, and we take full advantage of whatever free advertising we can get. 

When you run a $10,000 budget, is it time to have an accountant or some sort of external oversight?  I mean, I was joking when I said that we needed to outsource telesales or something, but I was only half joking.  Even if we sell nine-thousand dollars worth of tickets, we still lose almost $1000, and that’s something that no school can really afford.

Technorati Tags: get one for your business, inside sales consultants, outsource telesales, Rock Canyon High School

Sales are easy to find. Especially close to the holidays and even more so when the economy is down. Almost all kinds of products, from toys, clothing, and electronics to things like kitchenware and bedroom furniture, are on sale. Both at the store or online, sales are prevalent. Often, you can get a deal for 5% off, but it is also possible to find sales of 30%, 40%, to even as much as 60% off on even top name brands. Even if you need just a new headboard, you can buy that on its own as well. While sales figures are down across the board, many companies are looking to get somebody to buy.

Even if you are comfortable in that old rickety bed, the supports warping with time, you may still enjoy being under those comforters. Beds can last a while. If there’s a sale, and you can afford it, try looking out for something nice and if you can purchase that, great. It could help the economy too. That’s what they say. Getting new furniture can be a hassle, but in the end is worth it. Either way, if you’ve got a place to sleep, that’s just as well too.

Technorati Tags: bedroom furniture, comforters, headboard

I’ve known a lot of people who have worked in the nursing industry, and from what I’ve heard, it is a job that is both demanding and rewarding.  It’s not for everything, though — some people are better adapted to be a nurse than others.

For instance, until recently my sister in law was a nurse for about half a dozen years, and she hated it.  She worked in a nursing home, and she had to do a lot of lifting and other difficult physical tasks.  She was always complaining of being tired and having back problems as a result.

But a high school friend of mine also worked in a nursing home for many years during and after college, and I got a completely different story from her.  She loved her job, and talked about the elderly residents she befriended all the time.

I also have some old friends who work as nurses now.  One has been through direct care worker training, and has worked as a home care provider.  She likes that the best, and enjoyed the home care training program her employer put her through.  My other two friends don’t have any home health care training, though, and they also like their jobs just fine.

I guess it just goes to show that not everyone is cut out to be a nurse!

Technorati Tags: direct care worker training, home care training, home health care training, nursing, nursing home

Scented jar candles are fun to buy and nice to burn at home or at the office.  With a variety of scents, you can match your candle to the season by lighting a new scent every month depending on what holiday is approaching or just based on your mood.

A nice hot coca scent will conjure up warm thoughts for cold January days. Ring in Valentine’s Day with a red cinnamon candle for you and your honey to enjoy during a candle lit dinner to celebrate your romance.  March tends to be windy and raining and burning a rain scent inside could brighten a dull mood. Spring into flower season with a water lily or rose scented candle or summer breeze or summer slices candle for the July or August. Celebrations smell better by lighting a spiced pumpkin candle around Halloween or a warm apple pie scented candle during Thanksgiving dinner. Christmastime offers several fun options of candles including candy cane, Christmas wreath or sugar cookies scents. 

A favorite all year long are the crisp scents of cinnamon or vanilla. Candles for all seasons and for all reasons can be fun and all you need to do is light your soy candles and enjoy them and the time of year.  

Technorati Tags: candle, Scented jar candles, seasons, soy candles