So I immediately launch into my “mothering” mode, comforting them and telling them it’s alright, we all feel that way – but YOU CAN DO IT! Then once I have their spirits lifted and their attention… I give them a rundown on my Communication Cycle Strategy. And once they understand that – hey – this can be automated – they are on board with the idea of creating a communication strategy for their business.

So what is my Communication Cycle Strategy?

Basically it all starts with a single blog entry.
So what can you do with a SINGLE blog entry?

1. A blog entry can automatically feed your Facebook Fan Page status which feeds your Twitter status.
2. A blog entry can be used for a newsletter article.
3. A blog entry creates content for search engines to index and bring traffic.
4. A blog entry can be submitted in Article Directories.

Ok – that makes sense, but how do make time for a blog entry?

Set a plan to write one blog entry a week. It’s OK to start small – you just need to start! All week, keep your eyes open for content that is coming to you – industry newsletters, news reports related to your industry, customer problems you’ve solved, new products, company achievements.

Once a week, pick one of these items and just write about it. It doesn’t have to be long, just tell your audience what you tell your clients. I bet you’re sharing this information all week long! Just write it down!

Of course, now you have to actually promote what you’ve written. This may seem a little time-consuming at first, but that’s because it’s new to you. Once you make this a part of your weekly routine ( or better yet, delegate it), it will be easy and you’ll start seeing results!

To get your Communication Cycle Strategy up and running you’ll need to put the following in place:

1. Set up a blog (of course). Use Wordpress.org code to implement a blog on your current web site – do not use a the free version because it does not bring you search engine rankings for your web site.
2. Setup a Facebook Fan Page (for business) and a Twitter account.
3. Use the Facebook Notes feature to Import a Blog to pull in your blog article and post it to your status.
4. Link your Facebook account to your Twitter account so that when your blog article posts to your Facebook status, it will also post to Twitter!
5. If you’re article is well-written and contains useful content, submit it to article directories. Other’s will pick the article up, put it on their web site and bring you incoming links and traffic. The better the article and more timely the information, the more it will get shared.
6. Use the article as the content for your next newsletter to your mailing list. Add in info about upcoming specials, coupons, resource links, etc, and ta da! You have a newsletter!

Obviously you’ll need to feel comfortable with your technical skills to set all this up yourself. If that is beyond your comfort zone – not to worry – we can help for very affordable prices. The important thing is that you get this setup so you can get started promoting your wonderful services and establishing yourself as an expert in your field. It’s critical. There really isn’t a choice in this new world we live in. The longer you wait, the further behind your business will be from your competitors.

If you need technical help – check out our internet marketing services.

The reason is this little critter - right here! While technically I will be “working” and visiting with my team and clients - I will be babysitting Cheyenne while Robin and Greg go to a big Nascar event. I’ll be there from April 1 - 14. I can’t wait to hug her!

I’ll also get to see my husband who will be working in San Antonio the second week I’m there. He’s been in Florida, Utah, and then San Antonio and I think Maine after that. I’m hoping to meet him in Maine later this month.

So if you want to connect in Texas - let me know!

The highlight for me was keynote speaker Guy Kawasaki . His blog “How to Change the World” is a place I like to visit often to see how Guy is changing the world and who he thinks I should know about. Guy shared how he uses Twitter to drive traffic to his website and gave us a tour of his favorite Twitter Tools. I’ll be posting those later this week.

Another highlight was a panel discussion on the future of search with top reps from Microsoft, Google, Digitas, iCrossing, and iProspect. It was really fun to see Jon Dorio of Google and James Colburn of Microsoft Live poke at each other. It was clear who the the panel considered top dog - Colburn was ribbed repeatedly about living under Google’s shadow. The big message that I took from the panel is that search is growing exponentially and businesses have to be found! Traditional media drives over 1/3 of searches - so if you’re running TV or print ads you have to coordinate your web site strategy with your traditional marketing to make sure you are capturing the audience that is coming to your website.

Using traditional media to drive traffic to a web site isn’t new to me - I’ve been telling my clients that for years! But it was great to hear leaders in the search industry confirm it and convey the importance.

Another benefit of this conference was getting some training on how to use Facebook advertising. I’ve not tried it but I am very aware of the benefits of being able to target your ads by gender, age, education and interests. There is no other place on the web with more information about your potential customers than Facebook. And the amazing thing is - they don’t pay to get that information, we give it to them with every post we make.

Facebook is an exciting advertising tool that I’m excited to try out AND I snagged EIGHT $50 coupons for advertising on Facebook. I’ve got a short list of clients that I want to use them for, so I’ll be contacting you soon. If you are eager to jump into this cost-effective, highly targeted advertising - contact me so we can start a campaign.