Great guns!!! I’m writing this post as a huge amount of feedback i’m gaining right now from my speaking gigs is : What the heck is the RT button on twitter for!

For all the newbees out there an RT is a retweet on twitter. Now what does this mean I hear you say??

We all like a good old RT (retweet) at times on twitter hey! It’s a way of showing your followers you rate the link or comment plus it adds credibility to the person being RTed too!

So why RT?

• You like the content/link and want to share it with your followers
• To show a twitter follower you think they add value
• To gain attention of the person that put out the tweet – (I sometimes RT to create awareness of who I am to the person/business I want attention from! I then personally @ or DM the person afterwards to heat the relationship up a little!)
• If the post is about you or your business
• To assist a client/friend in sharing their content
• RT someone’s question to help them out and share the question with a wider range of people.
• When someone RT’s your tweet

There are many reasons people RT on twitter. I pumped out the question earlier and here’s what my top twitterers and Facebook fans had to say:

So there it is team! Straight from  top tweeples mouths!

If you for some reason are not following this top crew above then hit their buttons now:

@kirsty_wilson @alblack @AKAVirtualPA @_MikeKennedy @nsmale @DanielOyston @dwinter @graemebowman @BusinessDIY @jadecraven @karenmorris @neilcreek @naomieve @alaksir @RWBEagle @andrewlituak @vanillasuicide @iggypintado @AndrewBlanda @JTActiveMgmt

If there are any other RT functions that we’ve not mentioned here then please share share in the comments section!

I trust this gets your twitter engines revving, now go put the RT button into action!

New to twitter, let us help you get started! Click here

FACEBOOK…a mere distant tool in the past for young people to connect with their mates on! This super sized platform is bursting at the seams with quality tools to assist small business to get their message out there.

The three power platforms on offer to all small businesses are:

1)  a profile page

2)  a fan page,

3)  a group page 

There are  more business power applications up and coming yet let’s keep this post simple!

Now, I’m guessing that some of you may be sitting on the fence here, others are biting at the bit to dive in and the rest…..well, you are already there!

This post aims to touch the surface of the many benefits in having a Facebook Fan page for your business.

1)      EXPOSURE EXPOSURE  EXPOSURE…..and it’s all free! Yipeeee! When you have a Facebook fan page (these pages have been specifically designed for business use by Facebook) more people get to find out about your business. How? Well, your page gets indexed (eg. on Google) and is searchable both inside and out of Facebook. Most savvy business owners are now adding their Facebook fan page link on the landing page of their website too! What a great way to build up your list, growing a stronger relationship with visitors to your site, plus the old trusties too!  There are many other ways you can promote your fanpage, to name just a few…. Twitter, Youtube, Myspace and Linkedin.

2)      Do you remember when you were at primary school,  and at some point of the day (usually the end) there was a slot allocated for reading time! Our reading time consisted of the teacher grouping us all together, getting us comfy then reading an exciting and mind fizzing book to us (usually Roald Dahl!)  I used to go away in dream land and couldn’t wait for the next session. Well, a Facebook fan page is like this! You give some fantastic content or information that would be of great value to your target market then keep them stimulated, hanging out for the next reading session! Remember brand loyalty is one thing yet you really need to add value to your fans to keep them coming back for more.

You could possibility offer something when consumers join (eg. a free e-book). This can help boost your fan base.

3)      CONNECT!  You can send messages and updates to your fans! What a rippa way to build up a strong database of valuable followers.  Keep them engaged by holding competitions here, send them messages about your products, ask what they would like to see in the next months edition newsletter, or what new products they believe you could offer.

Remember people are always looking for “what’s in it for me” and they love to feel like they are giving back!

4)      Power to the people! You get to control the page, from the applications and content to the pictures and videos you upload. No need to pay out $$$$ for a web developer, this page is all yours! So go ahead and add your personal touches.

5)      Viral marketing!!! Each time a person joins your Fan page, it’s published in their News feed for all their followers to read. This is another simple way to attract attention to your page.

6)      It’s FREE and EASY! You can whip up a fan page in a matter of minutes! Also check out this hot chickie babes video for a quick  ”how to set up your very own facebook fan page”.

Remember, setting up a Facebook fan page is simple, yet getting it to be super productive takes time, dedication, enthusiasm and some planning. Don’t expect to create a page and then have a huge following straight away. Build good content, make it easy to share, and let people know about it, and over-time your fan base will grow.

One last note! When using social media tools like this always remember that the relationship comes first, then the business opportunity second! 

Was this post informative, I wanna know? Are you inspired to make your own? Or do you already have your own? Simply post a comment below as I’m always looking for feedback!

High fives !

Ps. Just added a new web2.0 feature! You can now record a video comment by hitting the seesmic button below this post! Who’s gonna be my first!

   I’m posing the question here because of late, my face book personal page has slowly grown into a powerful space for business networking and lead gen. I believe that facebook is certainly a site to watch and utilise!My prediction for 2010 - Facebook will be the premier social networking site for small business owners. Linkedin, plaxo, xing will start to fade into the back ground.

Why???…because those busy little beavers at facebook are innovative, extremely savvy and driven. Just take a look into the past at the tricks they have been pulling!

Facebook has a history of attacking their competitors at their strongest points says Josh Catone . 

MySpace had a strong widget system, so Facebook dived in and launched their application platform which forced MySpace to hurry up and do the same. MySpace focuses predominantly on music and film, so Facebook has recently got on the case too. LinkedIn has a strong stake in business networking. Facebook has now been laying the groundwork to go after LinkedIn’s audience the way they’ve gone after MySpace’s!!!!!There’s nothing stopping this driven and savvy team!

Simply check out their latest new business3.0 application. Now if that’s not business forward thinking then I don’t know what is?

I also believe fan pages and profile pages are just as powerful if used in the correct Facebook etiquette manner – check the next post for this!

You ask any small business owner (who is successfully growing their presence via the web), which sites they use to connect, build relationships, create lead gen and drive traffic to their website/blog…you’ve guessed it! Facebook and Twitter!

 So,  what are other business owners saying about Facebook? Is all this hype really true?

Small business owner Stan Dubin says “I’m not on Facebook to rush into people’s faces with my products and services.

I’m making new connections, both of a personal nature and a business nature. I enjoy meeting new people in both arenas and I’m fine if I make a connection and the person isn’t compelled to buy something today or ever. It’s nice to make connections”.

Nigel Legg adds “I have accounts with LinkedIN, Plaxo, Xing, Hi5, and Facebook, as well as a couple of specialist forums and bulletin boards, but the only one I use regularly is Facebook. I have recently done business with someone I am in contact with on three platforms, which came out of a Facebook personal message conversation. At some stage, almost all business will go to email, telephone, and face to face, wherever it is initiated, so the move to facebook is not a hard one” 

Mari Smith is a huge digger of facebook! Mari comments “ Absolutely, serious business can be done – and IS being done – on Facebook by solo-professionals, entrepreneurs, authors, speakers, internet marketers, info-product creators etc. etc.

No way is Facebook  just for kids anymore! Businesses who ban Facebook in the office have their head in the sand. 

I can attest that significant business profits are being generated as a direct result of being active on Facebook. The trick is not to be a ‘marketer’ – but to connect, to care, to be a thought leader, to add value… to come from win:win, and to think relationships first, business second”

So you can read and hear what all the buzz is about! Yet is it true? My advice….if you are serious about building up your online business then start  a facebook fan page and profile page then get back to me! What do you think?

I’m in England right now – God save the Queen…and all that Jazz!  (If you are curious to know why – then click here – Sam’s youtube video  ).

Any how, I have many friends in the UK that own their own businesses, from small business start ups to companies increasingly expanding. Now, I must say, if I’m passionate about something and know it works then you can’t shut me up….I’ve been told I can be a little full on at times! FULL ON…come on…..if you’re passionate about something and know it works then why not share, especially if you know it’s going to boost their business and gain them more exposure!

Right now,  one of the strategies I am utilising with my clients (to gain exposure and push them up the Google rankings) involves blogging. I luuurve da blog –   INNIT!  (said in a cockney London accent!).

Why???? Well, I’ll go into that on my next post, yet firstly I’m guessing some of you may not know what a blog is, so I will break it down.

What is a business blog?

A business blog is also known as a web blog. It’s basically a journal with software that is installed into your computer.  It has a content management system (a system where you can control the content) and uses a data base and a scripting language….blah blah. Yet, the main feature of a blog is that YOU can contribute messages (posts) into this and have full control over it. POWER TO THE PEOPLE – AKA – WEB 2.0!

A blog is like a website yet far more powerful (in my eyes) as it’s interactive and engaging (Web2.0), that’s if your website hasn’t been all web2.0ed up yet!

Your business blog is like a diary. It can contain tips about your products, success stories about your clients, quality information about what your target market would like to read, who is in your team (a personal version from the heart..with pictures or video) etc.  It’s you – you are your brand! Remember, you are helping people and engaging them in the conversation, you are giving them previews of what’s new and what’s coming up – there are so many exciting things a business blog can write about. I’m going to burst!

So why blog?

As mentioned above, a lot of my friends run businesses, and the usual questions they ask  me are :  “what shall I do to increase traffic to my business web site” and  “what shall I do to let people know my business exists” “how can I sell more  and position myself as an expert, whilst banding  myself”, to name just a few! My first answer..honestly…  START A BLOG!!!!

So, why am I so aweeeeeeeeeeeeeeee  about  blogging?

Ok, think about a normal website for a sec, (static website) that has not been web2.0ed up…by us  :-) ! It’s pretty much like a brochure, wouldn’t you agree? So many websites we upgrade are like printed brochures in an online form (web 1.0). BORING! There are usually a few pages that describe what the business does, how they do it and their vision/mission along with the services they provide. The language is usually in marketing speak; you know the ones, right? Can I be honest and straight to the point?  People get bored and distracted by this; they’re more interested in how you can help them (what’s in it for them), how can you relieve their pain! Or fulfil their pleasure!

Think about this..then read our “Why blog?” and “How to blog for business success” in the next coming blog posts – be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out!

If you have any questions or comments feel free to leave comments below (you can leave comments by clicking the comments link under the tweet this link) – I can assure you I will get back to you in the shake of a lambs tail …or something like that!  (Also share this on facebook and/or tweet it)  if you believe it’s a great post using the buttons below!) I will be tracking these!  :-) Whoop whoop!