Tag: Tools

With all of the hard work it takes to get your business up, running, and profitable, it’s no wonder why so many entrepreneurs struggle to find the time to maintain their social media presence.

That’s why I’ve invested in figuring out little social media “hacks” – tools and methods I can use to maintain my presence, grow my followers, and make money with social media WITHOUT actually adding to my workload each day.

In this article you are going to discover 7 of those time-saving social media tools:

1) Tweet Adder – With this piece of software, you can automate sending Direct Messages to new Twitter followers (a great way to offer your followers free gifts for following you on Twitter, thereby building your list in a completely automated way). You can also quickly and easily generate lists of relevant people to follow without ever having to log in to the Twitter platform. Easy peasy!

2) Pay With a Tweet – With this piece of software, you can offer followers an alternative to opting in with their name/email address. Instead, they can “pay with a tweet”(they tweet a message out on their Twitter profile, and in exchange, you give them access to your offer). I like to use this to kill 2 birds with one stone: adding value to my list, and building my list. The way this is done is by only allowing existing newsletter subscribers the option to pay with a tweet. When your subscribers send their tweets out, the tweets will contain a link leading back to a landing page which DOES require an opt in. So anyone who clicks from their tweet is then required to opt in to the mailing list, thereby growing your list (again, without any added work)!

3) Meet Edgar – The typical social media scheduling softwares that entrepreneurs use (ie. Hoot Suite and Sprout Social) still require quite a bit of manual work because you have to enter the days and times that the posts go out for each profile. You also can’t re-use content automatically (you have to actually re-enter it in the system). With Meet Edgar, you can load in a bunch of content in bulk and let Edgar choose when to schedule them. And, the more content you post, the smarter Edgar gets (so if a certain post is getting a lot of traction, Edgar will re-use it automatically to help increase engagement on your pages). Love it!

4) Fan of the Week – This app is a great way to show some love for you most active fans on your Facebook fan pages. Each week, the software evaluates which of your fans was the most engaging on your profile, and will reward the fan by announcing them as the “Fan of the Week”. This is an easy and automated way to keep your followers happy!

5) Hub Spot Blog Topic Generator – One of the most challenging parts about social media is coming up with stuff to post about. This includes coming up with blogs to syndicate on your social media. With this tool, you can enter in a couple words related to what you want to write about, and it will generate a list of blog topic ideas for you.

6) Canva – Unless you’re a graphic designer, creating branded graphics for your social media posts can be a pain in the neck (and if you hire people to do it for you, it can cost a pretty penny). I’m techy, but I’m not a designer, so what I do instead is use Canva to create my social media graphics. I customize their Free Layouts with my brand colors, images of myself, and quotes or messages that would resonate with my followers.

7) WooBox – This one’s pretty neato, because you can do quite a lot with it: Contests, Coupons, Quizzes, Polls, Social Media Landing Pages, and more. But the social media “hack” and time saver feature they one that allows you to set it up so that whatever you post on your Fan Page automatically posts to your Twitter. Now, the downside of this is that your content on these platforms is the same (so why should someone bother to follow you on Twitter?) and if you post a longer post, it’ll show up weird on Twitter. But, if you’re super strapped for time, keep the length of your posts in mind, and set up another means for why people should follow you on Twitter (ie. giving followers a unique freebie for Twitter followers only, using Tweet Adders Direct Messaging feature mentioned in #1), then it’s totally worth it.

Armed with these 7 social media tools, you will be able to build a following of fans who love you without having to sacrifice hours each day to coming up with content, creating posts, and thinking of ways to create engagement. (woohoo!)

Now go out there and get sh*t done!

<3 Amanda

Looking to give your SEO process a boost?

Even if you’re confident that you’re on the right track with your SEO efforts, Google is always making changes, and launching algorithm updates, all of which can have a significant impact on your page rankings if you’re not up to speed.

In order to stay on track, it’s worth utilizing SEO tools to check the latest info, and update your process as necessary.  

To help with this, the team from Grazitti Interactive have put together this infographic, which looks at a range of SEO tools which are worthy of consideration, covering a range of elements within the optimization process.

Check out the full infographic below for more detail.

Free Speech Social Media Platform

Social media and modern day commerce

The social media epoch has formed a whole new way of networking, connecting dots between commerce and lifestyle, speeding up globalization and taming space for businesses to penetrate the market.

From Facebook and Twitter to Instagram and Snapchat, people are spoiled for choices when it comes to getting in touch with the world. A single WhatsApp group could contain the real estate contacts and data of an entire area code. A YouTube channel can be a knowledgeable source of information related to fixing up your car. One Facebook post could go viral and demand support for controversial matters that require change. Thus, social media serves as the perfect pitch for commercial enterprises, whether starting out or already in the game, to exponentially expand their reach and simultaneously understand the market better.

Social media has grown to strengthen client relations with businesses and amplify brand loyalty. With numerous modes of social media, a brand can take several formulas to reach a wide range of audiences, thereby dominating markets with its presence. Social media relies on the ability to relate. The market works on the same principle for any business to take off. Arguably one of the best qualities of social media is that its persuasive publicity urges industries to bring quality products and services to a competitive market. As the forefront of many innovative steps in the entrepreneurial world today, social media is the digital compass that any business must crack to manoeuvre through changing trends and growing markets. This is where social media management (SMM) plays a key role and sets itself apart as a governing force in the field of brand promotion, advertising and gaining market approval. Excellent social media management techniques dictate the success of a business in the digital world. This is confidently translated to durable results in the market.

Social Media Management (SMM)

With the rise of technological prominence in every industry, social media management (SMM) is backed by a set of digital tools that lay off the burdens that come with the hefty task of reaching out to millions in an instant. Managing content and delivering the right material takes time, effort and loads of creativity. The goal is to appeal to prospects in the most innovative manner possible. As the web is already saturated with creativity, getting your point across becomes that much tougher. This is why certain tools and techniques are required in efficient social media marketing for businesses across the world. These carefully structured, user-friendly SMM tools help manage content on multiple social media platforms in a timely manner while bringing the best out of communication with viewers.

Social media marketing tools available online have redefined the way we can use social media to develop a brand. Immediate results and constant monitoring can be done while the right measures can be taken to approach varying types of markets worldwide. SMM tools make it easier for business to see their progress in real-time and captivate a potential marketplace. Although there are several tools used in order of preference, some tools stand out for their exceptional design and functions. The techniques and managing style differs from person to person and the internet is home to various kinds of SMM tools that suit diverse managerial standards. Based on use reviews and popularity, there are few SMM tools that appeal to a wider range of users across industries.

Popular Social Media Marketing (SMM) tools

As of 2018, here is a list of the top trending Social Media Management (SMM) tools that have revolutionized marketing online:

• HootSuite

HootSuite allows you to manage all your social accounts on one platform at affordable rates, engage viewers on multiple networks and share insights across teams. Facebook business features can be optimized with the help of tools like HootSuite. This tool allows you to quickly resolve customer inquiries, collaborate with a team and expand reach with employee activism. By keeping tabs on the social return on investment, the SMM tool allows users to make informed marketing decisions at crucial times.

• Buffer

Buffer is SMM software that eanbles users to schedule and send posts at various intervals called as timeslots. The tool also provides real time post statistics to keep updated with interactions on social media. Buffer is equipped with many productive marketing techniques and gives you the provision to unlock additional paid features. To make the most out of Twitter, Facebook and other social media platforms, Buffer is a pervasive SMM tool available today.

• Sprout Social

When it comes to viewer association Sprout Social is a good choice for marketers. Primarily focusing on social care creates strong relations between businesses and audience. With many updated features, the most recent Sprout Social features also include enhancements in social care efforts. Although some social media websites such as Instagram don’t allow third parties to post visual media, Sprout Social’s ‘Smart Box’ records activity on Instagram posts as well. Facebook and Twitter feeds can be managed easily with this SMM tool.

• Hubspot

Also a paid SMM tool, Hubspot has proven to be a favourite among marketers online as a social publishing. With countless features, HubSpot specializes in SEO techniques, advertisements and audience involvement to bring the best out of marketing stratagems. With several integrated techniques like email listings and automated marketing, users can attract, convert, close and amuse audiences with HubSpot.

• MeetEdgar

MeetEdgar is probably most known for its unique re-sharing option that allows automated content circulation. By recording social statistics the sky is the limit to growing your business online with MeetEdgar. Affordable, easy to use and effective SMM techniques make it one among the many stand out software used for social marketing purposes.

• Agora Pulse

Agora Pulse has grown on SMM enthusiasts over the past few years as a dynamic social media marketer’s tool. With many useful features, Agora Pulse records viewer data and aids in crisp marketing policies, a prodigious social media publishing tool as well. Agora Pulse also utilizes a spam filter technique that resolves data traffic issues and regulates content on your social media posts.

With the growing demand for efficient SMM tools equipped with easy to use interfaces and exceptional functions, trending software such as these have revolutionized businesses with social marketing.

Role of SMM tools in marketing?

The applications of SMM software cannot be stressed in one go due to their manifold functions.

Time being the major concern; most users opt for SMM tools because they make use of time in the best way possible. With easy to use interface and time-effective management techniques, these tools help marketing professionals understand the market quicker and better as they delve deeper. From discovering new trends to conversation with prospects, these tools help control all your brand’s social media accounts on a single platform without having to individually log into multiple accounts. You can air information online within a set time frame and dictate the flow of customer interactions. Businesses witness drastic growth as the market presence is elaborated across diverse populaces. With SMM tools you can analyse and articulate continuous growth by building the unparalleled company profile.By segmenting a marketplace, businesses have authority over what information should reach which region and how much resource should be allocated for specific advertising endeavours. As a game changer, the commercial returns in terms of advertising and public relations is enhanced by maintaining a watchful eye over every step a business takes since inception and leap towards brand promotion.

The perks of SMM tools are infinite. You can manage conversations and set up polls or improve ratings at the click of a button. With a Birdseye view over every event you can prepare, reconstruct and refurbish new marketing strategies. By recycling posts at intervals, a technique available in many SMM tools, you can create a repetitive sense of urgency among people who come in contact with your brand. The customer should see that your brand value is above opposition. Among the many features that make SMM tools worthy, whether open source or paid, is the fact that the results are guaranteed provided that the content is appealing. Even if you have to pay extra bucks to reach out to the right people, SMM guarantees this output. The brand appeal will definitely attract more customers when the creative aspect meets with the perfect management strategy. The right social media management tool can be a substitute for an employee in regulating information and keeping tabs on business statistics

Lyfeloop

After working on the format over the last year and a bit, Pinterest has now announced a full beta launch of Story Pins, which looks to tap into the social Stories trend with a platform-unique approach.

As explained by Pinterest:

“Story Pins is an all new type of Pin and publishing option that gives creators a way to tell dynamic and visual stories with videos, voiceover and image and text overlay. We’re making it easier for creators who are eager to share their talent, passions and creativity to flow back directly into Pinterest without the need for a website. For Pinners, this means the ideas within a Pin will be more engaging and actionable.”

As you can see in the above screenshots, the format of Story Pins is similar to other Stories options, with a full-screen, swipeable feed of Stories frames. 

The difference here is that these are contained within a Pin, as opposed to a separate Pinterest Stories feed, while Story Pins also don’t disappear after 24 hours. 

“Story Pins can be saved to boards for later, and will be discoverable over time. They’ll also be distributed across home feed, search results and places like the Today tab, and benefit from the visual discovery engine that matches new ideas to people with relevant interests and tastes.”

So it’s like Stories in spirit, but for practical purposes, it’s not quite the same. Still, it’ll provide a way to re-create the Stories experience within Pinterest – which, given the popularity of the Stories format, could be a good way to connect with your on-platform audience.

Story Pins will initially only be available to selected creators in the US, with more regions to follow in the coming months. Creators interested in learning more about Story Pins can sign up here. 

In addition to this, Pinterest is also updating its creator profiles, with a new display format and updated contact options.

“Pinners can also react to the ideas they discover from their favorite creators with a range of positive reactions like “Great idea,” “Love,” “Wow,” and “Thanks” to provide feedback to creators.” 

The reactions are not entirely new – Pinterest has been testing them for some time, and they’ve been available for most users in some surfaces. But now, they’ll be more widely available on posts, adding another way to interact with Pin content.

Pinterest’s also adding a new Engagement tab for creators, where they can manage their Pin activity on a single tab.

While it’s also launching a redesigned Analytics dashboard, which will display a detailed view of how content is performing.

These are some helpful options, and with Pinterest seeing significant growth amid the COVID-19 lockdowns, these tools will provide more ways to both connect and maximize engagement, based on more in-depth, specific stats.

And while it may feel a bit strange having Stories on every platform, the data shows that Stories has become a key content format, like the news feed before it. As such, it makes sense for all platforms to align with audience trends, and provide more options to help people connect in the ways they’re becoming habitually accustomed.

You can read more about Story Pins here.

Free Speech Social Media Platform