All too often I hear people say that they are afraid to get involved with Social Media both personally and professionally because they feel that they will be opening their lives up. They think that people will find out everything about them and this scares them. Heck, this might even be you. I used to be afraid to use my real name on social sites. Remember AOL chat rooms? Yeah, I think my first screen name was ThatGirlSTL80 or something like that. I didn’t want people to know who I was. Obviously as soon as they knew my name they would find out everything about me, right?

Let me tell you, you are better off having a presence Online because YOU get to control your content. If someone is looking to track you down they are going to find you no matter what you do, but wouldn’t you like to control what they see? I control my content by posting on Twitter, Facebook, this blog and of course my ridiculous DailyBooth addiction.

Yeah, I posted this. It was a super early morning!

If someone is searching for pictures of me, I have them. I took them. Go ahead and use them. I approve them. I may look absolutely insane in most, but I control it! When people post images of me Online, the pictures that I have pushed out overpower the others. It’s quite genius if you ask me.

I'm not all business!!!

At least I approved this LOL

What’s my point?

You can control what people find Online about you by using the wonderful platforms available.

Google me (Kim Randall). I guarantee that you wont find anything that I didn’t want you to find in the first 5 pages

Look any deeper and you must be stalking me, but maybe these pictures can stop that.

If you are a business owner and you live above a rock you probably have a Twitter and Facebook account. You may or may not actually use these. You may even have someone managing them for you (which is completely fine). There are many mistakes that business owners have made in the past year when it comes down to their Social Media presence which is why I believe that these few resolutions should be on every business owners resolution list for 2011.

1. Stop automating your Social Media!

Yes, I know you were told at conferences, in webinars and by close friends of your uncle Bobs aunt Ruth’s cousin Gina’s grandma Esther’s first husband Larry’s new wife Betty’s best friend Martha’s kid Luke’s baby sitter Helen (did you follow that? haha). My point is that you may have been told that you could take a short cut with your Social Media by taking out the SOCIAL aspect and that is something I believe you need to put back into your everyday marketing strategy.

2. Realize that numbers mean nothing in your overall strategy.

You see it in Tweets, blog posts and Social Media work forums “I can get you 100, 000 new fans in 10 days for only $99.00″ and you think, SWEET! This is exactly what I need because I was told that in order to get anywhere Online I needed a lot of followers. If you were told this I hope that you realize and resolve that it is only about the quality of the connections that truly matter. Sure, having 10k followers on Twitter looks great, but isn’t it more rewarding to have 4k followers that pay attention to what you have to say?

3. Realize that Creativity is King and Content must support it.

Yes I said it, I am going against all of the so called Social Media “guru’s”. Creativity is truly King in Social Media. You can have all the Tweets, Blog Posts, Videos ad updates in the world, but no one is going to care unless you creatively get that content in front of their eyeballs. Start thinking outside of the box in 2011 and stop mimicking what your competition is doing. Actually stop caring at all about your competition because they are only competition if you allow them to be.

These are 3 simple resolutions to get you started in 2011, do you have any you would add or will be adding?

365 Days of Blogging Challenge | Day 44

We are so lucky to have the Internet. I say this because 5-10 years ago it was impossible to be heard by so many people without the use of radio or television. We could write for a local newspaper, but that job wasn’t available to just anyone that wanted to have their thoughts, opinions and knowledge heard. It was given to a select few that wrote daily or weekly. It was tough to be heard.

Today with the Internet we have so many platforms to be heard on. You can vlog, blog, microblog, network, photoblog or answer questions. There are SO many ways to connect with people. So many ways to influence people and to help others out. If you know something, I mean REALLY know about something like let’s say…. Cars. Let’s say you know all about cars. You know how to change the oil, flat tires take apart an engine and more. You know your car stuff. Other people aren’t quite as fortunate as you are with your vast knowledge when it comes to automobiles, but you can share some of this with others.

Strategy:

If I was an auto mechanic and I was pretty darn good at what I do, I would leverage Social Media to stand out in the crowd. First things first though.

1. Create a blog/website platform of your own.

2. Get a Twitter account and start connecting.

3. Set up a Facebook Fanpage. Invite friends and family to start because let’s face it, you’re just getting the hang of all this Social Media stuff.

4. Create a YouTube account. Trust me, you can use this and not just to comment on other videos.

5. Don’t forget the FlickR or other photo sharing site (DailyBooth?).

OK now that you have the first steps in place you need to start making a list of everything that you could help or teach others when it comes to automobiles.

Some ideas could be:

* How to change a tire

* Oil Changing tutorial

* Replacing a water pump

* Checking your oil

Remember that even though it probably sounds easy to you, other people have no idea at all when it comes to vehicles. Another thing to think about since we are talking about cars, let’s say that my tire went flat on the highway and I am too far for anyone I know to come and help out. I have an iphone or some other form of smartphone where I can access YouTube and where people like you, the auto mechanic, would be putting those tutorials on how to change my flat tire. I typed in “How to change a flat tire” and came across your tutorial video. I was able to change my tire with your help and when I am done I send a Tweet saying “Thanks Mr. Mechanic for your flat tire tutorial on YouTube, you totally saved me $$$ *****Link****”

That video could also be placed onto your website where you would need to type out step by step instructions on what you did in your video so that all of us that have a “semi-smart” phone that can access the mobile web can still get the content even though our phone wasn’t able to play the video.

This is just one scenario on how your knowledge can help others, but I’m guessing by now you are wondering why you would do this.

Am I right???

You would do this because people are going to remember that mechanic that helped them with his video or blog post. They are going to remember and hopefully talk about how you saved them a towing fee and you are going to see this on Twitter, Facebook, your sites comments, YouTube and wherever else you are. This helps you because people from all over are able to see just how knowledgeable you are and people in your own geographical location will also connect with you allowing for  some of your Online connections could turn into Offline sales. All of this could happen if you chose to speak up, be the leader and share some knowledge.

Be that guy that we can see as the leader and the go to guy when it comes to auto repairs!

Connect With Me!

365 Days of Blogging Challenge | Day 42

There are hundreds of thousands of Social Media platforms on the web today. These platforms serve different purposes as well as audiences. Some people are drawn to a more visual experience and prefer videos and images, but others enjoy reading, connecting and engaging. Remember that it doesn’t matter what YOU prefer, it only matters what your audience likes, where they are at and how to get them excited and engaging with your brand.

This is why in every strategy I create I focus on the four main elements of Social Media.

* Images

* Videos

* Social Networking

* Microblogging

There is the fifth element that does not always pertain to every brand and business and that would be location based Social Media.

OK so you now know the four main elements so we need to evaluate the playing field and see which of the thousands upon thousands of platforms is the most populated with REAL people that will engage with your campaign.

Currently the best platforms would be:

* FlickR & DailyBooth – Both are image sharing, but they offer a different purpose.

* YouTube – This is the most popular and populated site for videos. News channels search it for great stories, people browse it like they used to flip through TV channels and this makes YouTube the top choice for video.

* Facebook is the #2 website Online today and is the largest/most powerful Social Network. Facebook provides a platform to share images, videos, links, create fan pages for your brand, events and so much more. What are you waiting for

* Twitter is by far the largest Microblogging site out there. Sure, it may be filled with some spammers, scammers and heartless idiots, but it’s where a huge majority of people are at. People that could be talking about and engaging with your brand.

By implementing these 4 elements of the Social Web you are increasing your brand visibility, which is indeed what you want, right?

I just gave you four HUGE secrets to Social Media Strategies and all I ask is that you follow through, create a strategy and give these tips a chance.

Social Media Campaigns take time and patience, the worst thing you can ever do is give up too soon!

Connect With Me!

365 Days of Blogging Challenge | Day 38

Social Media is huge! Facebook is THE most popular network by far with YouTube and FlickR being close runners up. This is where your neighbors are. This is also where a large portion of your community hangs out. Are you taking advantage of these sites to let them know of your upcoming events? If you aren’t, WHY?!?

Here are some basic Social Media ideas that can work for ANY event

• Create an event on Facebook – invite your friends and encourage them to invite theirs.
• Use Twitter to promote that event you posted onto Facebook.
• Create a YouTube video. Use your imagination on this, but don’t forget to link to your event listing.
• Use your blog on your website to promote your event.
• Don’t forget about geographical niche based Social Media sites. This is where many members of your community are.

These are just a few ideas and tips. Make sure when you are going through your planning phase that you include Social Media promotions and if you need help coming up with a strategy to contact people that are heavily involved with Social Media.

Connect With Me!

365 Day Blogging Challenge | Day 4

No matter what the content is or how it is displayed Online, you need to make sure you add relevant keywords to each and every video, image and/or blog post you create.

Why?

Well adding relevant keywords allows for the ability to be found via search for the particular subject that your content is about.

This is also very true for adding content to YouTube, FlickR and many more social sites. If they have an option to add keywords, make sure you are adding them. Make sure you are using only the proper keywords and try to keep them at around 10 per post.

Connect With Me!

365 Day Blog Challenge | Day 3

By now you have heard of Twitter and Facebook, right? I am also guessing that you have set up a presence on these accounts and you may even be actively using one or the other or even both. Am I right?

Having a presence is great and it’s also even better to be consistent, but to really succeed with Social Media you need to cover the basics and then add your own unique spin to it. Think back on how Old Spice used YouTube, Twitter and Facebook for their genius Social Media Campaign. Not only were they smart in what they did, but they were unique on how the executed it and that’s what made them stand out.

You can be unique as well. All you need is a little “out-of-the-box” thinking and strategizing and commitment to follow through. Your first, second and heck even tenth attempt might not generate the responses you are looking for, but if you are consistently being “different”  (in a positive way) you are bound to be noticed.

Connect With Me!

Guest Post by Jendi of http://simplevloggingtips.com and http://jendisjournal.com.

You can can connect with Jendi on Twitter (@JendisJournal)

1. Set the camera down. No one wants a headache after watching your video. There are cheap tripods if you want to go that route. There are lots of things you can set a camera on. At least prop your arm/hand against something steady.

2. Know what point you want to make. People are busy. There is a lot to see and read online. Don’t just ramble! You want them to remember your point and come back for more.

3. Look into the lens. You don’t want someone talking down to you in real life so don’t talk down to people in videos. This happens most often with webcams – look into the camera! Having the camera slightly above you will make your nose – even your whole body – look smaller; and we all want to look smaller, right?

4. Think about you who are talking to. Don’t just talk to the camera. Picture in your mind – or actually use a real picture – of who you want to talk to. This will help you be more comfortable and put your message at the right skill level.

5. Send it out before you change your mind. There are people that make videos and leave them sit in their computer. One of my favorite parts of video is the feedback and connection that comes after it’s online. That’s what keeps me making more. You won’t get that if you don’t upload it. There also seems to be a huge obstacle to originally start, but once they start many bloggers are hooked.