Social Media and Blogging In 20 Minutes a Day

One of the hardest things to make time for, especially when you are working full time or have small ones at home (or both) is finding time for blog posts and creating content for social media sites.

And, this can be a stumbling block for some who wonder - What can I write about? What do I say?

I have felt your pain, many years ago when I started online marketing and realized that I needed to be able to add value and content online to get my name out there and develop relationships with like minded people. After all that is what the internet is all about.

Here is how I create content and make my time count and "get it done."

If we are connected on facebook or twitter, you may notice that I have a "Note" or blog post added every day. But, here's a secret. I don't create this content everyday. I do content in blocks of time for one or two weeks in advance, and then use the "Posting options" feature that most blogs have to allow your content to "post" at designated times.

I may create 10-14 short business blurbs in one, two hour sitting, add them to my blog and set them up to post everyday or two. I have my blogs hooked in through Friendfeed.com, Twitter and Facebook applications so that my postings automatically show up.

I learned how to do this just by playing around, so if you have a blog, look at the posting options and see if you don't have a function allowing you to set the date and time.

Go to Settings and then Application Settings at the top right of your facebook page. Or, do like I did and get the book "Facebook for Dummies!"

If you can set your Single Daily Actions and weekly actions up to make the most of chunks of time, you'll get extremely efficient and effective and will find that managing a business both online and offline is not that tricky.

Where to find content? Last week I pulled out two 1999 Upline Magazines and took ideas from that. No, I didn't just copy what I read but I took one person's 10 tips for something and found 5 ideas from that and put those into my own words. I found someone else's article on relationship building and re-wrote it.

If you don't have Jan Ruhe's M.L.M. Nuts and Bolts, GET IT! There is limitless content that you can take from that and put into your own words. Same with Zig Ziglar's Network Marketing for Dummies.

Priceless nuggets that you can pull from and create great content.

Finally, search out other blogs and post comments (of value) and begin generating name recognition from those who also visit that blog. What do I mean by value? Don't just say "Good job." That doesn't provide value to those who read comments (and there are many!) Writing something more about what you actually GOT from the content is best.

I made a blog post comment last week on someone's blog and got a personal email thank you from the blog owner, picked up 10 names for my own newsletter and 14 Twitter followers. Never know where those things will lead!

Squeeze in time for your internet marketing efforts as you continue to build in other ways. I spend only about 20 minutes a day actually ON social media sites, unless I am done with other things and it's into the evening and too late to be calling leads, etc. Sometimes while the kids are doing homework, I can hang with my laptop and "Tweet" on twitter or jump around on facebook. I always work to make that time count.

And, remember to be SOCIAL as much as business on SOCIAL media sites. Instead of blasting your opportunity, mention what's great about your business that fits into your lifestyle. People will become attracted and click on your profile to learn more. You don't even need to post a link if you are providing value!

EXPECT Success!

Jackie Ulmer

Effective Use of Facebook for Your Business #2

More on the series of how to be effective with Facebook and social media marketing.

Number 2 – Please don't SPAM me.

When I started marketing my business online, 10 years ago, I adopted one business principle for certain –

If I wouldn't do it at a party; event or in a crowd offline, I shouldn't do it online.

That just seems like common sense, doesn't it? Evidently, some people didn't get the memo!

Would you walk into a party wearing a sign that reads – Join me and make a six figure income next month? I hope not. So why would anyone do this online.

When you get involved in conversation online, whether updating your status; sending a message to a contact; or posting on someone's wall, think about how you will be perceived.

Blasting someone with your opportunity is rude and unwelcome. It's like interrupting a conversation. Would you do this offline?

Always think before you write online. Think about who you will attract with your message. Anyone who has TRULY built a successful business knows that these type of messages do not attract the type of person with the commitment to build a business.

Creating content and value; developing relationship authentically; being INTERESTED in others is what builds a successful business, online and offline.

So, save your SPAM for the dinner table!

EXPECT Success!

Jackie Ulmer

Effective Use of Facebook for Your Business #1

Facebook is an amazing tool for many things. I have enjoyed it most for reconnecting with friends and people from my past – school, previous jobs, previous places I have lived, etc. And, I certainly enjoy and use it as a business building tool.

It can be a very effective tool for your business, when done correctly. Here are a few ways to make your time spent on Facebook, and other social media marketing sites worthwhile, and beneficial for those you connect with.

This series is going to share some tips for success with Social Media Marketing.

First, if you are going to request a friend from someone you don't know, take the time to look at their INFO page and know a little about them. To me, it's very irritating to have someone request my friendship, and then send me a message asking "tell me a little about you. What do you do?" Well, duh, why did you want to make friends with me if you weren't really interested in knowing about me BEFORE the request.

It's much more effective to take a moment and read a little on the INFO page (I realize you can't see it all) and then send a message commenting on something specific. That lets the person know that you are sincere and not just racking up a huge number of friends with no regard for the quality.

Building relationships is the first step in building a business and it starts with sincere interest.

EXPECT Success!

Jackie Ulmer

Building Relationships/Partnerships Online With Message Forums and Social Networking Sites

Is it truly possible to meet people, share a business concept and sponsor others into your business without that face to face, "belly to belly" experience that we have been taught about our Network Marketing business? Can a person really build strong relationships using the internet?


The answer is absolutely yes, and my goal is to offer you some thoughts and ideas about using one of the most popular online methods – Message Boards, Forums and Social Networking Sites. A discussion or message forum is like a bulletin board online. It’s the “water cooler” of the Internet. It’s where people go to research, express and share ideas, share needs, etc. There are online message boards and forums for virtually anything you can think of. No need to limit yourself to just "Network Marketing" or "Home Business" forums.


To be effective online, there are a few areas you'll want to define for yourself. These include:

What is your goal?
Who is your target market?
How will you add value?
How will you develop an action plan within each group and be consistent?


When I set about defining goals around my participation in online forums it always starts with creating relationships. Meeting people online follows the same basic principles as meeting people offline. Say hello; ask questions and get your new acquaintance talking about him or herself; find common interests.


I like to picture myself as walking into a party when I enter an online forum. I may know one or two people, but that is about it. So, I walk in with the intention of meeting lots of new people and expanding my horizons.

Just as you would not walk into a party flashing a neon sign that says "Ask me about my business," you don't want to do this online either. Leave your business in the background in the beginning.

So, here is what you do.....

Get the rest of the article here >>>>

EXPECT Success!

Jackie Ulmer