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Social Media Manager for a Las Vegas Mortgage Company.

Full Bio: Mark Madsen ....
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• FHA Mortgage Blog
• Local City Blogs
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• Mortgage Revolution
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• Bloodhoundblog.com
• Mortgage Marketing
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26 Facebook Fan Page tips for business users. Or the Fan Page cheat sheet. | Jimmy Gilmore

26 Facebook Fan Page tips for business users. Or the Fan Page cheat sheet.

Google Buzz

This is the second post in a series of tips on using social media for business users. Note: This post assumes you already have your strategy set and by no means should you be engaging your customers without one in place.

  1. Remember main goal of the page and ask yourself before posting if the post is on topic.
  2. Leave a little room for fun. Your fans will enjoy it if it doesn%u2019t overwhelm the reason they fanned you in the first place.
  3. Delegate a project ownership, if you don%u2019t have time to post continuously.
  4. Give the page a username for unique and memorable Facebook URL (facebook.com/%u201Dbrandname%u201D). Go to facebook.com/username %u2013 select your page from %u201CMy Pages%u201D and then apply for username. MAKE SURE YOU%u2019RE NOT SELECTING FOR YOUR PERSONAL PAGE. Then double check, because you can%u2019t change it. Maybe even have someone watch you do it, really.
  5. Don%u2019t forget there may be a larger community discussing your category, you can join and post there, too. Feel free to post respectfully.
  6. Monitor daily at best. Weekly at worst. Set alerts so you know when someone has written on your wall.
  7. Facebook should only part of your online presence. Use it to capture fans and then drive them to deeper content on a blog, connect on Twitter, and promote video on YouTube. But, most importantly, they need to be moving toward business goals.
  8. Use other online vehicles to recruit Facebook fans including links on your homepage, ads, promotions and other social media sites.
  9. You are only a small reason your fans are on Facebook. Be respectful and don%u2019t over-promote or you risk losing them.
  10. Put fans first. Consider what is valuable to them and link to it or post about it.
  11. Consider promoting others on your page who have done something significant in your area.
  12. Listen, converse, energize, help, support, or embrace are six things you should ask if your post do.
  13. Keep things as positive as possible.
  14. Promote offline and integrate with other marketing materials. (Example: Put that unique URL on your ads.)
  15. Respond to comments.
  16. Thank people for becoming fans.
  17. Ask people to use the %u201Cshare%u201D button if it%u2019s a particularly important post.
  18. Ask fans what they think about a subject or post, when appropriate.
  19. Consider using apps to give your fans something interesting to do.
  20. Promote real-world events. This connects online and offline.
  21. Facebook isn%u2019t just for kids anymore %u2013 consider that FB is getting more mature, less edgy. Don%u2019t treat fans like kids.
  22. Put a fan box on blog and site.
  23. Take notes. Make an Excel spreadsheet with stats. (Don%u2019t rely on Facebook to store your data.)
  24. Occasionally use Fan Page as focus group and consider giving a prize for participation.
  25. Track fans. See if you have people leaving or coming. Try to figure out why.
  26. Frequency is key. You can%u2019t ignore fans and expect them to stay interested.
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| February 25th, 2010 | Posted in social media |

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  		•  mark17 4 days ago
    For me less is more. You lost me at the sheer number of tips Jimmy. Couldn't it be the top 5 or 10 things about Facebook fan pages?
    Like Reply Reply

  • Just trying to be inclusive, Mark. Thanks for reading and commenting.
    Like Reply Reply

  		• Nikki 1 day ago
    Hi Jimmy, Good tips and refresher info. One thing, can you explain further how to "Put a fan box on blog and site".
    Cheers!
    Like Reply Reply

  • Thanks for the comment Nikki.

    I'm not a developer so I can't offer detailed instructions but I can point you to the info on how it's done.

    http://wiki.developers.facebook.com/index.php/F...

    If your site were Wordpress, like this one, all you'd need to do is install a plugin and set that plugin up. I don't have one on my site since Facebook is more play for me whereas Twitter and blogging are work.

    Like Reply Reply

  • Thank you for the tips. How do you set up wall alerts?
    Like Reply Reply

  • Unfortunately Facebook doesn't make it easy. They really don't see to want to be the place for brands. Right now, they don't even allow simple notifications for pages so you have to go here and set it up: http://apps.facebook.com/pagemonitor/
    Like Reply Reply

  • Thanks, Jimmy! I signed up and we'll see what happens.
    Like Reply Reply

  • Let me know how it works for you.
    Like Reply Reply

  • Hi, I love the fan page cheat sheet. I also found another blog that provided 10 ways to maximize the facebook fan page. Sharing with all of you: http://meylah.com/blog/203/10-Ways-to-Maximize-...
    Hope you find it useful.
    Like Reply Reply

  • Not everyone can create a Fan Page URL right off hand. There are requirements a page must meet first. Since its Facebook this always seems to be changing. I know at one point you simply had to have 20 fans before you could set your url, then it was up to 1000. Now I believe some pages can be grandfathered in. I've had luck with some and not with others.

    But you are certainly right about the need to be precise once you do set it!! You could be stuck with a typo forever!

    Like Reply Reply

  • Good point. It's been my experience as well that getting a URL can feel like you're battling a moving target. I've also found that you can try on Friday and it won't work and then on Monday it will with no stated change in policy.

    A good rule of thumb though is if you have a brand new user creating a brand new page it probably won't work. Try adding an older account as admin and wait a couple days. Sometimes that works.

    Facebook has also rejected usernames for what feel like no reason at all.

    And don't bother contacting Facebook, unless you're connected they won't respond.

    Like Reply Reply

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    Our Blogger Templates: Free SEO Guide to Improve Your Search Engine Ranking

    Traffic volume is the most important parameter when it comes to monetizing your blog (more visitors = more money). A large portion of traffic volume comes from search engines. To monetize efficiently, it's crucial to get your blog contents in the top list of any search engine result pages (SERP). Search Engine Optimization (SEO) helps you to achieve this goal.

    Photo by cambodia4kidsorg.

    There are two types of search results:

    • Natural (a.k.a organic).
    • Paid (e.g. sponsored links in Google SERP).
    We'll focus on improving your ranking for the natural search results. Getting in the first few pages of the SERP will ensure that most people will find your content.

    Search engines basically need one thing to know where to put your blog on their list - your rank on the keyword(s) used to search. For example, if your blog title is Tiki Tiki Guide to Making Money, you might be ranked high if people search for the keywords 'tiki tiki guide'. But you might be far beneath the thousands of other pages on the keywords 'making money online'. The question is, which of these two keyword phrases people will most likely search for. The answer is obvious.

    The key to performing SEO lies in knowing what keywords to use and how to optimize their use. Be warned that heavily searched keywords are usually targeted by millions of sites and blogs, whom you have to compete against to move up the SERP. Finding a balance between highly competitive and highly searched keywords is a challenge.

    Keyword and SEO research takes time. Even professional bloggers take a few months to move up the SERP right into the first few pages. Above all, content is the heart of a blog. If the content isn't good, no SEO research will do you any good.

    Target the Right Keywords
    Deciding what to blog is the most critical part. You must do research on keywords prior to deciding your niche. Here are some list of what to check on:

    • Search volumes on those keywords.
    • Number of competitors writing in the same niche.
    • Ads served based on those keywords, so that you don't blog on the ones serving very low cost-per-click(CPC).
    • Variations of these keywords: their synonyms and related words or phrases (see which get searched more with less competitor).
    The best tool to help you with this is Wordtracker, available at a price. The site offers free trial and limited functions available for free. There are other keyword tools available with different functionalities.

    Choose Suitable Domain Name
    SEO keywords begin from the URL. The best domain name is the one with keyword(s) in it. It's great to have a URL like www.yourownname.com, but you'll loose out on getting better SERP rank if it doesn't contain any keywords. Isn't it obvious that www.iwanttomakemoneyonline.com helps SEO better than www.johnjohnnyjonathan.com. Unless of course, you've built some high reputation and your name gets searched a lot.

    The other perspective on domain naming is that building a brand name is better in the long run, with something easy and catchy to remember. So there's two side of the coin: you might want to flip on it. But once you've built your blog to a certain level, it's not good to change the domain name. Having a URL that's both catchy and keyword-friendly is ultimately the best. Problogger.net is both catchy and keyword-friendly. Use whois lookup to check if a domain is available.

    Use Keywords in Other Sections
    The idea is to maximize the use of keywords wherever you can (don't overdo it though). These are the places that you must put keywords in them:

    • Blog Title - Search engines weigh your blog title heavily. Again, it's best to find a name that is both catchy and keyword-rich.
    • Blog Description - This is where you want to write phrases that catches attention, but rich with keywords too. If you're ranked even at No.1, but your description is as dull as a bull, nobody is going to click to your blog.
    • File Names - Use keywords to name files, pictures, photos, graphs, videos, etc that you're using in your blog.
    • Internal Links - Some sites use image maps with hotspot hyperlinks, images, or buttons to navigate within the sites. This works against SEO. It's better to use text links instead of images as text links carry more weight when getting ranked in search engines.
    • Tags or Labels - Each posts should be tagged or labelled with keywords to help strengthen SEO. Some prominent blog directories, like Technorati, uses these tags to identify your blog for others to search.
    Blog titles, descriptions, and keywords can be enhanced by using META tags. Here's an article on how to use META tags efficiently.

    Use Keywords Often in Content
    How do search engine algorithms decide what each post is about? They'll scan for the the most-used keywords in the post, with different weights given to different elements. To make your posts 'acknowledged' as being related to any particular keywords, use and repeat them often in the posts. But don't do this too excessively to the point of being straight-out blunt and annoying. Having the right keyword-density in your posts have two benefits:

    • Draws in more related ads to the post pages. Related ads have better click-through-rates (CTR).
    • Contributes more towards getting higher rank on those keywords.
    Build Links from External Sites
    One way to get linked to is by exchanging links, commonly done in Blogrolls. Higher-ranking external sites helps your blog more in terms of SEO. Another way to do this is to submit your blog to directories (here's a tool for an automatic submission for multiple directories). Another highly trusted free directory is DMOZ. Posts can also be submitted to social media directories (e.g. Digg, StumbleUpon) that get voted up/down. Two benefits of submitting to directories:
    • You're building links on external sites to your blog/posts.
    • Others may stumble on your blog/posts in these directories and visit your blog from there.
    Use Keywords to Anchor Hyperlinks
    Don't use the term 'click here' to anchor hyperlinks - use keywords instead. Hyperlinks are valued more by ranking algorithms than the normal content text. Keyword anchors contribute better to SEO compared to the clickhere anchors.

    Create Efficient Site Navigation Map
    How to influence your readers to stay longer in your blog? Make it easy for them to see what's in your blog. To do this is to build efficient site map, something like an Archives or Categories lists. Even better is to list Related Posts items at the end of each post. Use keywords to anchor all links. This practice helps SEO as it build links to your own blog using keywords, albeit internally, and helps spiders to crawl up your pages easily.

    ------------------------------
    This article has been adapted from an article by Randy DuerMyer at About.com (Alexa rank: 144). The main key points was summarized to shorten the text and expanded to include new and valuable information not available in the original article. The new article (1134 words) is much shorter by 40% compared to the original article (1880 words).

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    Monday Q&A: What's The Difference Between WordPress.com and WordPress.org Sites? | Online Real Estate 101

    Every Monday we host a Q&A session where you can get your most pressing real estate tech/marketing questions answered. Questions for our next Monday Q&A can be sent to us  via Twitter or by submitting a question in the comment box at the bottom of this post.

    Question:

    What’s the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org sites?

    Answer:

    Most first time bloggers and new users to WordPress find the two pretty confusing. WordPress.com and WordPress.org are actually nearly identical with the primary difference being that you can get your blog hosted for free at WordPress.com.

    WordPress.org offers the same easy-to-use blogging software that you get on WordPress.com but as a download so you can install it on your self-hosted website. So, to answer simply, WordPress.com is like WordPress.org Lite.

    I’ve charted out the key differences between the two below:

    What’s Good About WordPress.com

    • Free blog hosting, next to nothing start up costs. (Register and create your blog, it’s that easy!)
    • A huge collection of pre-approved website designs to choose from.
    • Low maintenance — Your blog software is automatically updated to the latest version for you.
    • Community features – Visit WordPress.com and you can see the hottest new post from other blogs hosted on the service.

    What’s Not So Good About WordPress.com

    • Very limited in flexibility; not for power users.
    • Lots of little upgrade expenses to customize your blog (i.e. custom domain name, video hosting, customize website design.)
    • You can’t upload your own website design (important if you want to buy a premium WordPress theme to customize your site’s look.)
    • Zero plug-in options so if you want to add site features like the Next-Gen Photo Gallery you wouldn’t be able to.

    What’s Good About WordPress.org (Self-Hosted WordPress Install)

    • Fully customizable and flexible. Once you install WordPress on your website you can use any design you want (custom, premium or free) and add extra plug-ins to expand site functionality (like Next-Gen Gallery).
    • No extra costs other than website hosting and domain registration.
    • Still low maintenance. – WordPress 2.8+ offers two-click automatic software upgrades and plug-in upgrades from within the WordPress dashboard.
    • Never pay for extra storage space. – Most web hosting companies these days offer terabytes (1,000 gigabytes) of storage (often seen in “Unlimited” hosting plans) which means you’ll never have to worry about having too much stuff stored on your website.

    What’s Not So Good About WordPress.org (Self-Hosted WordPress Install)

    • If you break it, you fix it. – You are fully responsible for maintaining your site. If your site gets hacked, you install a rogue plug-in that kills the site or botch an upgrade it’s on you to fix it. Thankfully the WordPress.org support forums are an excellent resource for newbies.
    • Takes a little bit longer to get your website set up. – With WordPress.com sites there are pre-installed plug-ins that cover features like polls, video hosting and post/page ratings. When you do a self-install (WordPress.org) you have to set that up yourself. Not hard but it does take more time.

    In the end, it’s up to you and your skill level to decide whether you want to host your blog on a private server or jump in and play right away within the walled garden of WordPress.com.

    If you plan to build an entire business website using WordPress software as a CMS (Content Management System) then doing a self-hosted install is the best way to go. For casual bloggers or people who aren’t looking to run a full time business with their blogs, WordPress.com will suit you just fine.

    Did you find this article helpful? Have more questions you would like to see answered in our Monday Q&A? Submit your questions and feedback on this article using the comment box below!

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    Don’t pay for cheap Backlinks!! They will only hurt you | WebitMD Blog

    A great way to improve your search engine optimization with Google and other major search engines is to build quality back links to your site. One strategy in obtaining more back links is to submit press releases to the World Wide Web through online PR distribution companies like PRWeb.

    Companies like PRWeb, submit your press releases to industry leading editors, journalists, bloggers, and web publishers for syndication. If any of these writers repost your information they can end up being fed into some of today’s most popular social media networking sites that contain many members of your target audience. So, using timely press releases is an important aspect in your online marketing campaigns which can lead traffic to your site as well as creating those back links to your site that you need.

    However, you can’t bribe or pay PRWeb to give you quality links to your site because that would not only diminish their reputation with many of its loyal readers but will also have many stiff penalties in the Google index. PRWeb offers these tips when submitting your press releases in order for you to gain quality back links with out having to pay for them.

    Tips for Successful Press Releases:

    1. Pay attention to the Details. Today’s great press releases are a synthesis between content, multimedia, and search engine optimized text. Make your press releases informative, interactive, and aesthetically pleasing to the readers eye.

    2. Write for people, not for Search Engines. The most important thing about your press release is the person who is reading it. If you do not have a compelling headline, people won’t click through to read it. If your content is using words that people don’t understand they will stop reading it.

    3. Don’t just write, Create! Add features to your press release that take advantage of what the internet can offer you. Add in text that blends with imagery, add audio fi appropriate, or even add a video to make things more interesting.

    4. Optimize your release for the Web. Keep your press releases up to standard for SEO. Utilize text links, alt tags, title tags, and everything else search engines can read to help people find your content.

    So when it comes down to it, don’t rely on paying for back links for your site because chances are you won’t find links for sale. You need to rely on quality links that come to your site through your content!

    Blog Post Written by: Kent Seiders

    Tags: , , , , , , , ,

    This entry was posted on Monday, December 7th, 2009 at 12:07 pm and is filed under Internet Marketing News, Link Building. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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    101 Tools For The Ultimate Twitter Expert

    via onlineaccrediteddegrees.org

    101 Tools For The Ultimate Twitter Expert

    Think you know Twitter? Then check out these 101 tools for the ultimate Twitter expert to gain even more insight. They can help with research, organization, managing, and even in making a few extra bucks.

    Must See Ultimate Tools for the Twitter Expert
    The newest and best in Twitter tools are a must see or utilize to believe.

    1. Cinchcast : One of the newest social networking tools, this one has tons of options on just one site. Sign up for a free account and you can post “cinches,” create albums, track your favorites, and share them on a host of social network sites, including Twitter.
    2. TweetCube : Use your Twitter account as online storage with this free tool. Simply sign in to utilize the 10mb of space in video, image, and more. Files are deleted after 30 days, but the use is impressive.
    3. Filetwt : Another file sharing site, you can upload all sorts of files here. They can also be shared publicly or privately.
    4. NutshellMail : Twitter from your email account with this free tool. It comes with many features and is even compatible with other social network sites.
    5. twAitter :  A favorite of “PC Magazine” and others, this free tool is where Twitter and business meet. Use it to organize tweets, FollowFriday, calendars, reminders, and much more.

    Tools for the Ultimate Twitter Expert to Make Money
    Use these Twitter tools to make, or even save, some money.

    1. Adcause : Whether looking to buy or sell an ad, this is a good place to start. There are special sections of each, ads are displayed in between Tweets, and campaigns start at just $1.00.
    2. twtQpon : This Twitter tool lets you create custom coupons on post them on your page. Facebook and other social media sites are supported.
    3. Twtaway : Use this Twitter tool to locate tons of free contest and win great stuff just by twittering. You can even use it to create your own specialized contest.
    4. TwtBizCard : Save money on printing charges by using your Twitter account to pass on a virtual one. Just type in your information to get a free and custom card.
    5. Super Chirp! : Are your tweets popular enough to charge a subscription rate? Then check out this tool to see how they can help you.

    Tools for the Ultimate Twitter Expert to Stay Organized
    Use your Twitter time wisely by using these tools to organize your life, bank book, and more.

    1. Xpenser : Keep track of all your financial comings and goings using this free tool. Compatible with Twitter, iPhone, emails, and much more.
    2. Ugomo : This tool can turn Twitter into your very own workout log. Simply send a message and Ugomo can create charts, summaries, reports, and more.
    3. TwtTRIP : Use this Twitter themed organizer to keep track of your trips. Simply stop by to add your travel plans and share with other sites like Facebook or FriendFeed.
    4. Gift Registry: Stay on top of that wedding, birthday, or holiday by utilizing this free Twitter tool. No sign up required, the list is simply embedded in your Tweet feed.
    5. 21 Tweets : Need to quit smoking or stick to a diet? Then join the over 1,300 people who have used Twitter and this tool to do so in just 21 days..

    Tools for the Ultimate Twitter and Mac Expert
    Utilize Twitter and a variety of Mac OS platforms with these tools.

    1. TweetDeck : This tool is a must see for anyone using Twitter or other social utility site. It works with many popular ones, multiple accounts, platforms, and is completely free.
    2. TwitterPost : Use this standalone interface to post and read Twitter directly from your Mac. It is a lightweight and simple solution for Mac users who love Twitter.
    3. Twidget : This free dashboard widget for OS X allows you to update your Twitter status. Features include a 20 display timeline, one click refresh, reply recognition, and more.
    4. Tweetie : Choose the free ad supported version or shell out the $19.95 for the premium. It works with conversations, composition, searches, details, and more.
    5. Twitterrific : Need more features and have $14.95 to back it up? Then try this Twitter client for the Mac that supports multiple accounts, has keyboard shortcuts, and many other options.
    6. Lounge : Also available for the iPhone, Lounge contains many of the usual tools for Twitter from desktop. It also has many other features such as impressive displays and synchronization.
    7. Twitterlex : This tiny dashboard widget notifies you of Twitter updates. You can modify how often it updates and even use it with Growl.
    8. twhirl : Based on the Adobe Air platform, this tool works with Twitter and other accounts, such as FriendFeed and Seesmic. It allows you to shorten URLs, cross-post, and more.
    9. Safari140 : Use Twitter in tangent with Safari with this tool. You can post directly from Safari and it even auto-shortens long URLs.
    10. Incoming! : Unlike other apps, Incoming! is dedicated to searching Twitter and is available as a demo. Follow the latest trending topics, create advanced searches, or stalk your favorite users.

    Tools for the Ultimate Twitter and Firefox Expert
    One of the preferred Internet browsers, Firefox can work nicely with either a Mac or PC. Get it to work with Twitter by checking out these tools.

    1. Twitterfox : This tool stands out for its ability to run without utilizing the sidebar or any other component of Firefox. A tiny icon notifies you of new tweets, allows you to read them, and even lets you post your own, without ever having to open your Twitter page.
    2. Power Twitter : Get some amazing Twitter themed features added to Firefox with the help of this tool. They include the ability to inline embedded media from popular sites, get search results, a “peek” option, and more.
    3. Twitbin : If not using your sidebar in Firefox, try getting this tool to utilize it for all your Twitter needs. Get a better display of Twitter than the above, along with a few more options.
    4. Tweetbar : Users of Firefox and Flock will enjoy this Twitter tool for them. Highlights include recognizing URLs and turning them into links, remembering username and password, and more.
    5. Tweetfox : This Mozilla made add-on works with both Firefox and Thunderbird applications. It also runs Twitter in the sidebar.
    6. TwittyTunes : Have FoxyTunes or just like the idea of sharing the music your currently listening to on Twitter? Then check out this tool to integrate music into your Twitter account.
    7. Friendbar : If you use Firefox, Twitter, and Facebook, this tool is a must have. It displays a running stream of text and photo updates right on the toolbar, and allows you to post updates, comment, update, retweet, and reply from the toolbar itself.
    8. TwitterBar : This simple tool allows you to post to your Twitter account from Firefox from your address bar. Simply type text into the bar and click the TwitterBar icon to post.
    9. Shareaholic : Go beyond Twitter and Firefox to hit just about every social media site with this tool. This lightweight and easy to use tool is supported by gmail and LinkedIn, along with Amazon, Delicious, Wordpress, and many others.

    Tools for the Ultimate Twitter Expert That Dazzle
    Get these Twitter tools to give you a visually impressive social network experience.

    1. Hoot Suite : A professional looking Twitter client, it is ideal for business minded users. It can manage workflow, track stats, brand monitoring, and more.
    2. IRL Connect : Turn your Twitter account into a visually stunning map with this tool. Currently only supported with Firefox 3, Safari, and Chrome.
    3. Destroy Twitter : When a new tweet arrives, Destroy Twitter uses a minimal amount of memory compared to its AIR-based alternatives without sacrificing functionality and performance. For users with PC, Mac, or Linux.
    4. ffwd : View and share your favorite videos with all your Twitter friends here. Supported sites include YouTube, Hulu, and more.
    5. TwittLink : Use this tool to bring the power of Twitter to your website. It helps use headlines to bring the Twitter community to you.
    6. SumtnSumtn : Similar to the above, this tool allows you to send tweets through your website. Drag the bookmarklet and click it to begin tweeting.
    7. PeraperaPrv : This Java written client is supported by multiple platforms. Features include tabbed viewing, automatic receiving, and many others.
    8. Refollow : This impressive looking tool helps you discover, manage, and even protect your Twitter social circle. You can use it to manage friends, group, explore graphs, and more.
    9. Twitter Backgrounds : Stop here to make your own free, customizable background for your Twitter page. They can also create a professional one for $99.

    Tools for the Ultimate Twitter Research
    Use these tools to make sense of your Twitter based research.

    1. MicroPlaza : Stop here first for a list of popular topics and news from the Twitter public timeline. Read the latest headlines, trends, and even get your own filtered news here.
    2. Twittley : Sign in with your own Twitter account to begin getting popular links. Choose from business, gaming, and a host of other topics.
    3. TipTop Search Engine : Search Twitter for anything to utilize this one of a kind search engine. Results contain advice and opinion, along with answers.
    4. WeFollow : Looking for the most popular user in news, entertainment, sports, or other? Then stop here for constantly updated rankings of Twitter users by followers.
    5. TwitExplorer : Use this free tool to quickly find new friends and increase your visibility. Search by username or any keyword.
    6. Twitter Friends Network Browser : Looking for that friend of a friend? Then use this tool to view your follower’s networks as trees for easy searching.
    7. Twittonary : Use this dictionary to research some of the most common and uncommon phrases in the Twitter verse. Simply type in the word to begin.
    8. postica : Use these virtual stickies to send yourself research notes through and from Twitter. Also compatible with your computer and iGoogle.
    9. Trendistic : Research the hottest trends in Twitter with this tool. It can show trends by chart or even by recent hot topics.
    10. WhosTalkin? : Is someone else talking about the subject your researching? Use this tool to see what conversations have been discussed on Twitter.

    Tools for the Ultimate Twitter Expert’s Other Tools
    Replace that day planner, calendar, and more with the below Twitter tools.

    1. Twittercal : Integrate your Google calendar to your Twitter account with this tool. Add and share events with a simple registration.
    2. Cal Tweet : Put the fliers away and use this tool to promote your events on both Twitter and Facebook. It also works with Google Maps and can send reminder messages.
    3. Twistory : Put away your journal and use this tool to turn Twitter into an online account of all your important tweets. It automatically stores them on many popular calendar apps.
    4. Twittermail : When you give them your Twitter credentials, they supply you with a TwitterMail email address, such as abcd1234@twittermail.com. If you send an email to that address it will be posted to Twitter.com
    5. Twitpay : Put away your checkbook/Paypal account and use this tool to make online transactions. It works with your existing Paypal account and can even help you sale items over Twitter.
    6. Twuffer : No need to remind yourself to send tweets when you can automatically schedule them here. You can even schedule hourly, daily, or monthly tweets.
    7. Social Oomph: Formerly Tweet Later, they are also a tweet scheduler. They can also track keywords, save drafts, automatically tweet new followers, and more.
    8. Twitpic : Use this tool as a way to show off those pics using your camera, phone, or computer. Just log in with your Twitter info to begin.
    9. Mr. Tweet : This tool provides an impressive substitute for an online personal assistant. It helps you manage and choose which Twitter relationships you would like to pursue.
    10. Tweet Beep : Have a friend who constantly tells you who was tweeting about you? Get one step ahead of them with this free tool that alerts you by email every time someone tweets about your or your products.

    Tools for the Ultimate Twitter Expert with iPhones
    Carry your Twitter account with you on your iPhone by utilizing these free and paid tools.

    1. Tweetie for iPhone : Winner of many awards and praise, this Twitter tool is worth the $2.99 price tag. It can handle multiple accounts, has an offline mode, doesn’t crash if you get a call, and much more.
    2. Tweetstack : Also selling for $2.99, this app also boasts an impressive number of features. There are also multiple account options, a special feature called “stacks,” and more.
    3. Twiltr : Love Twitter but hate all of the users who constantly clog up your timeline? Then get this paid program to filter them.
    4. Twittelator : If your favorite thing about Twitter is the price tag, then this free iPhone tool is for you. It can post images, maps, has a help button, no ads, and there is also a Pro version available for purchase.
    5. Twitterfon : Get a simple, clean Twitter client for your iPhone at no charge here. It can do most daily tasks such as manage friends, replies, timeline, and more.
    6. Twinkle : A standout feature of this tool is that it automatically updates your current location using your iPhone. You can even automatically attach pictures from your phone to your feed.

    Tools for the Ultimate Twitter Expert to Meet Others
    Get to know other Twitter people by utilizing these tools.

    1. Twibes : Find a join one of the hundreds of Twitter groups on this site. Join by area of interest, location, and more.
    2. Campus Tweet : Join the Twitter group of your current, and even former, college or university. You can meet other students, teachers, and people with similar interests.
    3. FitClick : Stop here to meet others in the diet and/or workout arena. In addition to the network, you also get a ton of free tools including, diet plans, calorie counters, and more.
    4. Bubble : Meet someone special based on your tweets with this tool. Simply enter your email to begin.
    5. Tweets Lounge : Want to know what’s going on in your area? Then use this tool to tweet those around you and see what’s going on.
    6. TwitWho : A human edited directory, find Twitter users by category. They include arts, business, society, and more.
    7. Tweeple411 : Similar to the above, it is another directory of Twitter users. Specialty categories of users include animal and poetry lovers.
    8. Twitter 2000 : Getting too many results with the above? Then try this search to find Twitter users with less than 2,000 followers who have posted in the last 30 days.
    9. OpenChatVille : This virtual playground is where Twitter, Facebook, and Myspace users meet friends and chat each other. Just sign in with any one of these three sites to begin chatting.
    10. Flock Poker : Use this Twitter tool to create a poker game and have other Twitter users join you. A game of Texas Hold ‘Em can also be shared on other sites.

    Tools for the Ultimate Twitter Expert for Fun
    Ditch the “all work” philosophy and have some fun with these Twitter tools.

    1. Twtpoll : Want to know what color to dye your hair or what car to buy? Then use this tool to create a free poll and ask your friends their opinion.
    2. DrawTweet : Use this free tool to show off your hand/mousemade drawings on Twitter. Powered by Adobe AIR.
    3. twtpets : Upload a photo of your pet and 140 characters to enter the battle. You can also enter the Battlefield to decide on a winner.
    4. Twrivia : Play this online Twitter version of trivia straight from your account. Prizes can also be won.
    5. Twetris : Love Twitter and Tetris? Then use this tool to play a game on your account with your keyboard.
    6. PrintYourTwitter : Before the next big thing comes along, use this tool to print a diary of all of your tweets. You can also archive them as a pdf, create a journal, and even add tweets to photos.
    7. Twitter Parody Videos : Get a few laughs from these Twitter themed videos. This top ten list includes entries from Conan O’Brien, The Onion, and more.
    8. Twittergrader : See where you rank on the massive site by typing in your tweet name. It looks at number of followers, their involvement, and the level at which you are engaging the community.
    9. idrankthis : Keep a log of all the drinks you’ve loved, and hated, using this free Twitter tool. Pictures are also supported.

    Tools for the Ultimate Twitter Expert to Get Together
    Meet up with your fellow Twitter users by utilizing these tools.

    1. Twtvite : Create or find an event, or Tweetup, in your town. Simply enter basic information on your event and share with everyone or just your Tweeps.
    2. Twitmesh : This tool allows you to send out invitations via Twitter to groups of your choice. You can even send 150 per day.
    3. GoTwitr : Another invitation site, this one is ideal for sending invites to the community in general. There are also other features such as “mimic follow,” promotions, and more.
    4. Tweetcloud : Search for anything, anywhere to get a list of Twitter exclusive results. A list of current and hot topics are already linked to for convenience.
    5. Tweetsum : This tool is ideal for getting rid of those you follow whom are designated “douche bags.” You can also see the most recent tweets of each new follower for easy indexing.
    6. Friend or Follow : Use this free tool to see who is following you and who isn’t on Twitter. Useful for seeing who isn’t following you back.
    7. Twitterless : Want to know when someone stops following you? Then try this free tool that even throws in free graphs and stats on your following.
    8. Twitoria : Use this tool to get rid of all the followers on Twitter who have not been active. You can filter by week, month, or even year.

    Tools for the Ultimate Twitter Expert to Stay Out of Stores
    Put away the pocketbook and stay in your chair with the help of these Twitter tools.

    1. twtcard : Save a trip to the store by sending a custom greeting card through Twitter. Choose from various backgrounds and add your own message to make it special.
    2. Hashlove : Another greeting card site, this one specializes in eCards. Simply pick a background, including Star Trek and funny ones, to begin.
    3. Zazzle : Shop online here for a host of humorous t-shirts and other Twitter themed products. Be sure to check out the Twitter mug for a customizable gift.
    4. Twitdrink :  Buy a drink for any or all of your Twitter buddies with this tool. As guessed, drinks are virtual and only useful for fun.
    5. Just Bought It : Stay out or get into a store with the help of this tool. It shows which Twitter users have bought what and where to give you a good idea of when to go.
    6. iAte : Learn which restaurants to love or lose with this tool. Simply select your location and go. Also compatible with mobile devices.

    With new tools being added daily, Twitter experts can find themselves behind the loop on a regular basis. Keep on top of trends by utilizing the 101 tools for the ultimate Twitter expert to stay that way in the present and future.

     

    Filed under  //  Twitter  
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    8 Steps to Write a Killer About Page | Zemalf

    How To Write a Killer About Page for Your Blog

    Fundamentals of Blogging: Crystallize What Is Your Blog Really About

    You have your blog. You have chosen a topic that interests you and you feel like writing about.

    You have written your first killer articles. Perhaps your blog has been running for quite some time already..

    • Do you have a clear understanding what your blog is really about?
    • Does your blog have a killer description?
    • If someone asks what your blog is about, what do you answer?
    • Would you rush into your own blog if you saw the description you have right now?
    • Do you have an About page on your blog that captures anyone who checks it?
    • …You do have an About page, don’t you?

    Take some time and consider laying better foundation for your blog by crystallizing and describing what your blog is about..

    How To Write a Killer About Page?

    First things first, this post isn’t really just about About -page..

    It’s about knowing what your blog is about, and how you deliver that message to your readers..

    So for a perfect About page, you need to know what your blog is about right?

    Do you have a short description that captures the core of your blog?

    That’s your first step, and writing a short description, sales pitch, elevator pitch – what ever you want to call it – for your blog, will serve you in many ways, in addition to being the basis for your killer about page..

    1 Write a List of Words Related To Your Niche and Blog

    • Start by writing down words that describe your blog and what your blog is about
      • Think about your blog: What is the first word that comes in your mind?
    • Continue writing words, write down phrases as well
    • Ask your family and friends to check your blog and describe it with just a few words
    • If you have an established blog or mailing list:
      • you could ask your readers by making a quick survey asking them to describe your blog with as few words as possible.
    • Brainstorm more words
    • Take the words and phrases you think describe your blog as well as possible

    2 Write a Short Description For Your Blog

    This is the shortest description for your blog – crystal-clear, but short, description on what your blog is about..

    • Write a short description of your blog
    • Give everything you got to make the description as good as possible
    • Keep it short
      • Less than 8 words
      • Less than 50 characters
    • This short description should capture the very essence of your blog
      • Can you make the description better or more descriptive?
      • Does the description stand out? Is it clear enough?
      • Would you click on a link with this short description as an anchor text?
    • Do this, and you have just created your blogs tag-line!

    3 Describe Your Blog With One Sentence

    • Expand the short description into a sentence
      • 140-160 characters
    • Review and inspect this description at least once a month
      • Ask yourself it the description is still valid and should you change it

    4 Write a Paragraph Capturing What Your Blog is About

    • Keep writing until you have a short paragraph that describes what your blog is about
      • 25-30 words, 150-250 characters
    • Like the one sentence description, go back to this crystallized message, and
    • Refine the message to make it more descriptive and intriguing

    5 Expand the Description Into a Killer About Page

    • Take the descriptions you have written and expand them..
    • Write one paragraph about every sentence in your descriptions.
    • Concentrate on the problem your blog solves or the goal your blog helps the reader to reach.
    • Add introduction about yourself and your expertise, related to the problem to be solved or goal to be reached
    • Take a look at About pages of the best blogs of your niche and see how you feel reading them
    • Incorporate the best ideas into your blog, writing about your blog of course
    • And take notice of the things you don’t like and don’t put those in yours.

    6 Is Your Blog’s About Page About YOU or your BLOG?

    Here’s a quote from Brian Clark’s classic article from the year 2006 on Copyblogger.com – titled “What’s Your Blog Really About?“:

    Most blog “About” pages tend to be about the author, not about the blog. And most of the time, that’s where visitors will click away, never to be seen again, because they were provided with no compelling reason to ever come back.

    On the other hand, also back in 2006, on How to Write Your “About Me” Page post, Darren Rowse from Problogger.net captured the essence of a About Me-page like this:

    There are four main questions that readers want answered on your About Me page:

    1. who you are…
    2. your expertise and how it addresses…
    3. their problem or goal, and how they can…
    4. contact you.

    Did you notice the difference in there?

    You have to decide whether you’re writing an About Me page or a page About your BLOG…

    Maybe you’re a superstar, or social media cyberstar and people are truly interested about YOU, but most of the time, people are in your blog because of your blog and content, looking for an answer to the problem at hand.

    There’s plenty of room for you in your blog, but make the description, tag-line and About-page what your BLOG is about.

    BUT it’s quite important to tell how you can help with your expertise, right? So you should write something about yourself on the about page, but keep it moderation and concentrate on describing how YOU can HELP the reader with YOUR EXPERTISE. Remember, that you’ll have your chances to tell who you are and show what you are about in your blog posts and social media (In which you could similar process, but about you, but that’s another topic).

    7 Crystallizing Your Message

    You don’t have to all the above right away, but do this over time and improve your message every time

    • Be ready to expand your descriptions
      • Write more paragraphs, breaking down the clarified message
      • Now you have great base for your About page
      • And great start for your killer articles as well!
    • Improving it and the descriptions is endless process
    • Review and expand the descriptions regularly and crystallize the message

    The About page writing process, one more time

    1. Start with the short description, less than 8 words
    2. Write one sentence that captures what your blog is about
    3. Write one paragraph
    4. Write a long description
    5. Write your About -page
    6. Go back to step 1, see if there’s room for improvement
    7. Repeat

    8 Use Questions to Refine Your Description and About page

    Tips on Describing Your Blog Better

    Take this last step and go back to your descriptions and About page and re-write as necessary.

    • Think about the situations where you will use the description and what kind of message you want to deliver to your
      • Potential business partners
      • Your friends
      • Your customers
    • What problem(s) your blog and content solves?
    • Who your blog is for?
      • Who is your target audience?
      • Imagine your average reader
        • make up a name for that reader
        • is it a man or woman?
        • how old is she?
        • what does she do for a living?
        • why does she come to your blog?
        • etc.
      • Think what would you say to that reader if you’ve met her in real life and wanted her to read your blog
      • Write your description for this imaginary reader
    • Who your blog is NOT for?
    • What goal your reader will reach if they read your blog?
    • What will the reader gain if they follow your advice and trust your expertise?
    • Would you subscribe or read a blog with your descriptions and/or About page?
    • Does the descriptions, without a doubt, summarize what your blog is about?
    • Does your About page build upon the descriptions clarifying  what your blog is about?

    How To Write a Killer About Page?

    After you’ve figured what your blog ultimately is about and writing the different length of descriptions for it, you will have a great foundation to build your blog on, as you can always go back to the description and see if you’re staying “on topic”. This way, you will have easier time writing your posts and making sure they fit nicely in your blog.

    Now, whether you are an established blogger or brand new one just thinking about starting one, take a look at your About page, and read it like you would see it for the first time and re-write it as necessary. Start by writing or re-write your blogs description. And then create your killer about page!

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    Related posts:

    1. 10 Words That Make or Break Your Blog
    2. How To Find Good Keywords For Your Blog
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