Don't shut your virtual door, be social online

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There's something my boss said recently during an interview that has been on my brain lately. He said that a recurring theme for small business owners is that they are too busy working in their business, they miss out on the opportunity to work on their business.

I think we all know this to be true, but we rarely take a moment to think about it. And I believe this is a problem when it comes to being social online. I hear from many business owners that they are concerned about how much time they will spend online, but what many folks don't realize is that it is important to nurture your client relationships both in person and virtually.

People are spending more time online, and this is just increasing. Case in point: I am always on the hunt for fun, retro office supplies and even though there are great places in Austin I could shop, there is one website that pops up on my favorite blogs and on my Facebook feed quite often. They are always on my mind, so next time I plan to shop for office supplies, I will probably turn to their website before I check out any stores.

We all listen to our friends (word of mouth is king!), and this is a great opportunity for your customers, friends, and family members to be your ambassadors. Just a quick "wow this is great!" or a snapshot of a product or service can help drive traffic to your business - both in person and online.

Don't shut your virtual door. And when you make the decision to be online, make sure you engage your audience. It is not just about what you have to say, but what your audience has to say.

The Hispanic market, and what it means to Austin

The GAHCC Social Media Ambassadors

The Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GAHCC) Annual Members’ Meeting was held January 23^rd, 2013, to showcase the current climate of the Chamber and Central Texas, and where we are headed. Currently, Hispanics make up 35% of the population in Austin, and represent a $13.5B impact. The GAHCC plays a pivotal role in growing the economy through offering programs and initiatives that stimulate Hispanic businesses to prosper in Central Texas.

We began our evening with the Chamber’s 2012 highlights as reported by our Immediate Past Chair, George A. Gutiérrez. Two of my initiatives that were mentioned include:

• The Chamber hosted more than 86 businesses development programs, including a numerous amount of social media and online marketing workshops.
• Launched the 40 Reasons Why Campaign. Join the conversation here, or on Twitter using #40Reasons.

The agenda seamlessly proceeded with City Demographer, Ryan Robinson, who provided attendees a look at the Central Texas evolving demographics. Robinson led the conversation with: “This is a fantastic time to be in Austin, Texas,” and the Chamber is proud to be a driving force in Central Texas. Following are a few key takeaways:

• One Workforce, Two Marketplaces: We have a growing Latino marketplace between Austin and San Antonio, a challenge now is connecting the two areas.
• Austin, which refers to the Austin Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), is the fastest growing city in the United States in 2010 – 2011.
• Austin MSA has a growing inflow of economic migrants, primarily from CA, FL, and the Upper Midwest.
• As reported in November 2011 the annual rate in job growth was 12,800. In November 2012 the rate jumped to a whopping 35,300.
• There are more than 12,000 condo and apartment units currently under construction within City of Austin.
• From the years 2000 – 2010, the Latino population growth was attributed to 41% Domestic Migration, 36% Natural (born), and 23% International Migration.
• Predicted growth: between 2035 & 2037, Texas will become a majority Latino state.
• Austin is getting bigger & bigger, and there are opportunities everywhere!

This impactful information was followed by a presentation on the new 2013 strategic priorities for the GAHCC. Gutiérrez began the conversation by reiterating the Chamber’s Pillars: Economic Development, Workforce Development, Business Networking, Community Advocacy, and Policy Advocacy. These pillars reinforce the Chamber’s vision to be the leading force for Hispanic business’ economic growth in Central Texas. The Chamber will focus on implementing our new priorities to help build Hispanic business:

• To ensure Hispanic business growth and close annual revenue sales gap.
• To improve the climate for Hispanic business growth through advocacy programs.
• To recognize, communicate, and connect Hispanic owned businesses.
• To become the largest member based Chamber by the year 2020.
• To ensure optimal GAHCC infrastructure to enhance strategic success.

In 2007, there were 21,000 Hispanic owned businesses in Central Texas, with $2.5B in annual revenue. Currently, in Central Texas there are 33,000 Hispanic owned businesses with $4B in annual revenue. According to these statistics, in 2020 there will be 42,000 Hispanic owned businesses at $7.5B in annual revenue.

With the GAHCC’s 2020 Multiplier Effect, there will be 47,000 Hispanic owned businesses in Central Texas, with $15B in annual revenue, and $30B contribution to Central Texas’ economy, and it is the GAHCC’s goal to achieve this through our 2013 strategic priorities. Whether you are a Hispanic business owner, a corporate executive, or sell/provide services to the Hispanic market, the GAHCC is an organization you definitely want to be a part of.

Thank you to the sources that made this information possible:
City of Austin, City Demographer
2010 Census
Cultural Strategies, Inc.
Q Communications Group

Full article available on Noticias Digital.

6 Steps to Building a Successful Media List

1. Keep up with local and industry specific news

In this new digital age, we are continuously bombarded with news, both from traditional outlets and from our friends’ updates. Sometimes I’ll see “breaking news” on Facebook faster than I do anywhere else. You want to stay up-to-date with your news outlets and industry specific publications. Subscribing to your favorite outlets using a reader allows you to reach up on your own time, with targeted interests. Google Reader is a free, easy to use option.

2. Stay updated with Google Alerts

Speaking of Google, you should also take advantage of Google Alerts. This free service will search for keywords you choose and deliver them right to your inbox or reader. Utilize search-friendly punctuation to really target your results. For example, if you use quotations for your keywords, Google will search for the phrase specifically. “Austin Hispanic Chamber” will yield results that use all three words together, so you don’t end up with articles about a guy named Austin, who dressed up like the X-Men character, Chamber, for Halloween. I suggest not only using alerts for your company name, but use them for keywords, initiatives, or even regional searches.

3. Keep an Excel spreadsheet, and maintain detailed notes on publications & journalists

Keeping a detailed Excel spreadsheet will keep you sane. I make notes about everything. If a reporter covers a story, there’s a note. If a publication writes about a competitor, there’s a note. If a blogger told me when her dog’s birthday is, I add it to my calendar. You never know when these tidbits of information will help you. If I’m pitching a reporter that I know loves a certain sports team, and they just won a game, I’ll mention it. You may want to avoid using this example for UT – almost everyone’s a fan and it won’t help you stand out! I also keep detailed notes on what reporters DON’T want to be pitched, or if they never respond to me. Some don’t like phone calls, where others are happy to get last minute news. Write it all down, it won’t hurt.

4. Add different types of media, make use of tabs and structures

Don’t just focus on print or TV. You want to capture a big audience, so spread your net. Using the tabs in your excel document, you can categorize by media type (print, radio, TV), or categorize by region or by industry. I have an Austin tab, as well as a Hispanic-focus tab, Williamson County tab, CEO tab, etc. Use your judgment. Categorizing can really help once your list starts to flourish.

5. Social media is where everyone’s hanging out now, and you should too

Stay up to date with media outlets and journalists on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, etc. I love using Twitter for staying updated because of their list feature. I have a list of just media folks that I track most often, so they stand out from all the other “noise.” This can be especially helpful if you are being much more targeted in your media list building.

6. Don’t just create it and walk away. Nurture it, update as you go

Once you have your list, I guarantee it will change. Journalists leave, industries change, and new media outlets are added. Make sure you continue keeping your eyes open, and always stay up to date of what’s going on in your city and industry.

photo: source

The Fruit of my Creativity

I wish I had known when I was in college that I would dig graphic design so much, but with lack of guidance I decided to minor in Criminal Justice. I thought if anything, I'd really enjoy the classes.

But I've always fancied dabbling in graphics. I haven't used Photoshop since college, so the fruit of my creativity comes strait from Microsoft Publisher. I know, graphics folks are cringing when they read this, but I wanted to share my latest "ghetto-design" that I'm pretty darn proud of.

http://thebrunchingbloke.blogspot.com

Not too shabby, eh? I also came up with the name for the blog!

Check out some of my other designs here.

Dogs, Frocks and Foot in Mouth

Do y'all like to dress up your pets? I find it interesting to see all these dogs in pretty decked out frocks. The other day I saw this wiener dog and he was dressed just like his hipster owner. I remarked, "wow - that's a pretty cool hipster pup." I do have to admit that he looked pretty snazzy in his lumberjack button down and straw hat.

Then, all hell broke loose. The human hipster distorted his face, looked completely appalled and then (in all caps, of course) loudly said "HE'S NOT A HIPSTER, HE'S THE SCARECROW."

Whoops.

The moral of the story is assuming something about a pet is like assuming a woman is pregnant.  Don't go there.

Wow - These Guys Get It! A Look at Social Media Success.

These companies & brands

fully understand social media,

and use it to their full advantage.

How are you leveraging your social media?

Take a look at these bright ideas…

«Extremely Diverse – The hotel focuses on art, cuisine, travel, local history, pop culture and other topics that may be of interest to their target audience. Both visitors and residents of  Dallas would find it most advantageous to follow The Adolphus.

«Highly Interactive Content – The hotel does not simply self-promote, however gives its readers the ability to be “in the know” about the hotel’s happenings and current events in Dallas.

«Shared Discussion – Their audience connects through shared discussion of their common interests, which is ultimately a goal for any brand or company participating in social media.

«Trend Setters – With all the options for Brides, The Adolphus wants to keep an interest in that market. Each month, on Facebook, the hotel features a different wedding to really showcase their beauty and services as a wedding venue.

«Highly Interactive Content – Their audience is highly interactive, both with Embroidery Online (EO) and with each other.

«Builds Community – EO asks lots of questions and encourages people to interact with their page. They show a genuine interest in what their fans have to say, and many of their fans frequently interact on their wall. Fans even post questions for other users. EO has created this central hub for anyone that loves, or wants to learn, embroidery.

«Trend Setters – They always post the latest trends and are quick with industry news. Fans know, and truly utilize, EO’s fan page for the latest news or to find out more information.

«Quick Turnaround – EO is quick to respond to their audience on both Twitter & Facebook, and creates goodwill among their fans.

«Genius Creative Content – Skittles gets people talking.  It offers fun, creative content that will leave their audience with positive thoughts and a general yearning for their candy. 

«Bold & Innovative – They have created an energetic community. Their momentum drives people to want skittles, and to potentially post how much they love skittles. They push the envelope, and everyone is buzzing about them.

«Amazing Online Presence – Not only does Skittles have an amazing number of fans and followers, they have fantastic interaction. Social Media should not only be measured by how many people follow, but how they interact. That is the ultimate goal of any brand.

«Photo Sharing – Skittles has gone beyond the encouraging “Hey – post on our wall!” and has a weekly contest for their Facebook fans. Anyone who posts a photo on their wall is eligible to win the “Rainbro of the Week.” Fans love putting their photos on Skittle’s wall, and it creates great return when fans are featured.

 Social Media needs this connection between you, the brand, and your consumers. Remember these five simple rules:

Personalize, Engage, Promote and Entertain

«Personalize: Maintain a human voice. Establish & nurture relationships. Share relevant content.

«Engage Your Audience: Encourage your audience to contribute content. Provide instant customer service, keep up with your brand and what people are saying about you. Be quick to respond to both positive and negative feedback.

«Promote: Be a trend setter. Cultivate brand awareness. Manage your reputation.

«Entertain:  Add value to your content. Build a  community for your fans. Show  them why your “friendship” is important to them, and important to you.

Kids, Kiwis & Canines!

I'm very excited about this placement Party Animals received in the July issue of Kiwi Magazine.

If you're ever needing some pet party planners, or even some ideas, check out Party Animals!