We’re Plugg’n in and Getting Connected! Where to start for a small business?

Could you be found all over the web?

It’s Ana here!  Derek and I have really been kicking it into high gear this March!

Until we had been able to make Tandem Media a full-time operating business, we have spent the majority of our time focusing on client projects in the evenings, but now that I’ve been afforded nine or more hours in the day, I want to see if social media marketing and networking online will really mean an increase of traffic for Tandem Media.  I’ve started branching us out all over the web.  Eh, we had been on the web.  We, of course, have our own website, we have our own FaceBook Page, we had a Twitter account, we’re on Elance, and a variety of local somewhat faintly noticeable online directories.  These are all great starting places, no doubt.  There are just so many more places out there that it boggles the mind.

Since this topic concerns other small businesses, I thought I would share a checklist with you of just some of the things we’re now doing.

Do you squidoo?

Squidoo is like a blog, but unlike this WordPress blog, Squidoo is more concise, allows one picture instead of a dozen, and its intent is to provide information to others about a person, business, or any subject that interests a person.  Instead of a “blog” a person creates a “lens”–it’s really very simple, an you should check it out!  We haven’t made too much headway on our Squidoo lens, but now we know a lot more about it, and see that it is yet another effective and free way to market yourself!  Here is our Squidoo lens.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is, to me, the business networking version of Facebook.  You search for people and groups to be connected with, but it’s a far more professional and business-oriented social media site.  I would say that it would definitely be a good idea for all businesses, big and small alike to create a Linked In account.  The goal is to build connections with individuals and groups who are in the same industry.  Share ideas, news, quotes, and other thoughts.  LinkedIn even opens doors for employment by allowing employers to post job openings, and since your profile details the professional side of your life, once you submit an application, other businesses and organizations can target you out for a possible job based on your easily accessible profile information.

Did you get the big three? Google, FaceBook, Twitter?

These three are probably the biggest players in the field just because there are so many possible resources to draw in income.  All three offer ways for you to advertise…some free, some within your set budget.  By creating profiles on these sites for free, you can advertise by encouraging others to check you out (Google), befriend (Facebook), or follow (Twitter) your profile.  That’s just your basic connection to these resources.  For businesses, it’s about getting noticed.  We’ve gotten into the pay-per-click advertising game, and we have already seen a huge increase in traffic through our site.  Right now, we’re using Google Adwords the most, but others swear by paying for Facebook’s advertising program.  I think a lot of it depends on your industry.  More people would look for writing and advertising services via Google where other industries would benefit by blogs or Facebook more depending on who their target market is.

Promote Holiday Events

Beginning November 1st, stores put away the Halloween decor, and bring out the big guns. It’s holiday time, or what we used to acknowledge as Christmas/Hanukkah/Thanksgiving time. It reminds me of a holiday turducken. Some businesses slow down, and some make their best sales this time of year. Either way, everyone clamors for the customers, because the customers are on the move. November and December is arguably the prime hunting season for marketing departments.

Many companies set big plans and events into motion to reign in the business, but these potential profit events will not announce themselves.

Newspapers, eager for fresh news, thrive off incoming press releases. Radio and commercial advertisements riddle the airwaves with boisterous company announcements. Target markets respond with open ears. The holiday crowds are looking for places to go and places to shop; hook them with a good slogan or campaign. Aide them in their wanderings, and bring them to your doors.

On a different note, a company recently released two press releases–neither of which had to do with holiday shopping. Actually, one release announced one event that has taken place, and another announced one to come. Though nothing was advertised, the company drew positive attention towards their business. Perhaps that notable news drew more attention, because they didn’t try to sell something or their business directly. There are a number of potential attention grabbers that don’t require difficult sale campaigns.

Another great idea that I’ve already seen this season were customer-to-customer relations. An office I work for receives anywhere from one to five gift baskets a week between Thanksgiving and New Years. The event is difficult. There is so much to consume, and only one person gets the smoked salmon. I also have to mention that these beautifully ordained gift baskets are well over the necessary budgets to retain business with this company. In the tight economy, business-to-business and business-to-customer relations are being made in more economical terms, but also more personal. The holiday trend this year is to utilize half the Harry and Davids budget to hire a freelance writer to write a professional and personal business letter expressing the goals and accomplishments that the customer or other business has played an integral part in. November and December mean the conclusion of a year, and some thoughts are really appropriate to share with customers and business partners.

Utilize Twitter, Facebook, and other appropriate networking sights. No one can argue that these networking sites have become a staple in mainstream media and social networking. More and more businesses have added these fun social sites as essential business and commercial tools. Starbucks has recently hit Facebook with a bang, and in a short time announced that they have accrued 5 million fans. These 5 million now display that they’re Starbuck’s Facebook fans to their group of friends, and the effect is contagious. Now Facebook has access to their comments, feedback, and immediate access to news and specials. Here is the biggest kicker–no cent was spared in this endeavor except for the salary of the person posting to their Facebook page.

Derek and I will be doing a lot of work during these two months, and we couldn’t enjoy it more. We can design and print cards for either business or personal use. This is the time of year I can write a host of press releases, newsletters, radio commercials, and other advertising pieces.

Have a great week!

The Website Has Been Launched!

Check us out on the web at www.tandemmedia.net!   We have laid out our services, and within each service area, Derek and I show off our previous projects.  Web design is a new area for us, and we probably overwhelemd the system with file after file.  We have also finalized our logo design as well as other little details.  We are excited about the progress!

Developing the Portfolio

Derek and I are still focusing on launching our business website this weekend, but as I’m working on our portfolio portion of the website, I thought I could share some of my past documents that I may include. These will be my samples, not Derek’s.

Cartecay Water Shed Article
This was written in less than an hour for an Atlanta, family-focused magazine whose target audience are married women with families.

This Time We’re Never Coming Back

This was written for the American Girl Magazine or for publications who focus on young girls. This is a fiction/non-fiction hybrid–inspired by something that happened in my life. This feature article is focused on girls between 2nd-4th grade levels.

Therapy Dogs Inc Training Manual

This post was done for Therapy Dogs Inc. as a training manual for volunteer applicants.

God Spelled Backwards

This is a feature article for a Christian publication. Non-fiction.

Two For London

This is a feature article for a couple’s travel publication.

Web Writing- I have started this website, but it has not been updated since 2008. http://www.kidsbookchoice.com

There are more being uploaded, but here is a start of sample documents! Thanks for reading!

Website Launching This Weekend!

We will be announcing the launch of Tandem Media’s website at the end of this week!

Tandem Media- Hello World!

My name is Anastasia, and in May of this year, I said “goodbye for now” to Kennesaw State University’s English Department to join hands with my classmates, my close friends, in facing off against a business world with its back turned to new graduates; the Atlanta area has been hit hard by the recession.

In January prior to graduation, I spoke to a professor and an editor in Chicago about freelance writing. Being familiar with my writing, they thought I would be perfect for that career. My ego was boosted hearing those words (especially from “real life writers”). I was ready to start right away. I even bought vinyl lettering to go on a wall in my newly decorated home office: “Make each day your masterpiece”…what an inspiring thing to see each day before writing brilliant materials for several clients. I would start early that year, add credentials through a completed degree, and be highly successful by graduation. My chickens had been counted.

As the weeks continued, the recession worsened and the negativity rained down–the words impossibly competitive, overqualified writers recently laid off are flooding the freelance market, no experience-no work killed my self-esteem and the home office became the throw-the dirty-clothes-in-here-before-the-parents-come-over room. I still had weeks before graduation, and my excitement of writer dreams still beamed. I planned to find a position with a media or publishing group as an entry-level coffee seeker. Being an employee meant having some kind of job security that freelancing couldn’t provide. Four months after graduation, daily job board searching, I realized that I had clicked the apply button for an apple picker position. Please show proof of visa or citizenship upon applying. How desperate was I to break away from customer service in the corporate world? What exactly did I want to do, and what was keeping me from doing it? Initiative.

Then came the words of a loving editor. She said that she tried for a while to no avail to be published, and finally had a big bite in the freelancing world. A writer who caters to many markets and many clients can utilize more of their talents than working on the routine projects of one particular office . I have looked at my potential competitors. They are amazing! I’m not going to surrender my bravery now though. Derek is an amazing graphic designer, and compliments the writing world brilliantly. Together we are an amazing team. That is where we got the name Tandem media–two things that go hand in hand with one another. Derek provides spectacular graphic design, and I provide creative writing and copywriting services. He is more seasoned in the freelance department, and has created and designed materials for a number of companies. He has been staffed at four businesses as a graphic designer, and is working towards owning a printing company. Our dream is to one day own our own publishing company. We start small. We do things together.

Our first design project will be for a magazine, and my first writing piece is for a local event in Cartersville. We look forward to working with any and everyone. Unlike other professional communication teams, no job will be too small. Derek and I have written and designed things as small as print and web materials for families and churches to advertising for companies and organizations across the country. The website should be launched by the end of this week where we will feature some of our past projects. Derek and I want to make this blog as a place for ideas, special offers, or other fun things we may come across and want to share with you!