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People are social, businesses are social, the whole world is social. These are the facts. Society today is all about sharing experiences and knowledge that can add value. Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites exist and thrive today based off these fundamentals. The type of information shared and with whom they are shared across these platforms differ, and the amount of social media channels are growing. As digital marketers, we understand the powerful capabilities that can come with strong social media outlets. Which is why this issue of “Lists you shouldn’t miss”, we dedicated entirely to Google+, the newest of the giant social media platforms provided by the online giant, Google.

The common reaction to this news of another “must-have” social media channel is, another one!?   Though we don’t condone peer pressure, we have to encourage you to at least consider the wonderful opportunities that lie with Google+.  The remainder of this post will highlight key features of Google+ briefly.  Check out Part 2 for outstanding resources to check out (as is tradition), and a few examples of great Google+ Brand pages.

What is Google+?

Google Plus is a social network designed to perform “real-life sharing, rethought for the web”.  For businesses, this means a way to connect and engage with customers and fans on a more intimate level (if desired).  This is accomplished through the following features:

1. Circles: A way to easily split up your connections into different “communication groups”. Put your friends from Saturday night in one circle, your parents in another, and your boss in a circle by himself, just like real life.
2. Hangouts: Up to 10 people can have a live video chat here, all together.   Bumping into friends while you’re out is one of the best parts of going out and about. With Hangouts, spontaneity hits the web.
3. +1 and comment sharing: Similar to Facebook “Likes” and posting comments, this is the Google+ version of interacting with content.
4. Easy picture and video sharing: Integration with Android powered phones, YouTube, and Picasa makes uploading photos and videos easier to Google+.
5. “Sparks”:  Industry conversations and knowledge sharing forum-like dashboard. Similar to Twitter “trending topics”, this brings news and hot conversations into the Google+ realm.
6. Search: Now, Google+ is integrated with Google Search so that any connections with your Google+ will pop up in your search queries.  Search brings you updates from your circles, news from around the web and public Google+ posts, giving you instant access to the topics you care about and the people who care about them along with you.

So why use Google+?

1. Improve your Google Search ranking and SEO; as Google is implementing +1’s and Google+ sharing into its search algorithm
2. Social is the new norm, even Google is adding a social component to all its products/services
3. Google+ now has 60+ million users
4. Early adopters gain a bigger following
5. Social CRM is improved with circles by allowing direct messaging based off how you form your different communication groups
6. You can have a nifty widget such as the one below on your website! Just be careful if you hide the amount of people in your circles on Google+, it will show as “In 0 people’s circles” in the widget (we have more friends than that!)

As you probably know, social media isn’t going anywhere, and neither is Google+.  As the search giant strives more and more to control the web and provide products that improve people’s lives, they are pushing more towards social.  Google+ is the baby child in their list of products, and they will surely spoil and pour all their energy into helping it grow up and mature.  Again, make sure to check out “Lists you shouldn’t miss: Google+ Part 2” for a full list of resources, blogs and examples of great Google+ pages.

Whether you are completely new to WordPress or a seasoned pro, you will always need to stay ahead by learning the latest and greatest WordPress features. There are so many WordPress resources out there that it can be intimidating to rummage through the internet to find truly useful tips! We thought it would be helpful to identify a list of the best WordPress beginner blogs and learning resources that consistently post quality material.

1. WP101

WP101 includes easy to follow video WordPress resources including:

• What is WordPress?
• WordPress.com or WordPress.org?
• How to Install WordPress
• The Dashboard

Not all videos are free, but the ones that are free give a great introduction to WordPress. Visit WP101.com or subscribe.

2. WPBeginner

WPBeginner has a great 6 step guide for creating your first self-hosted WordPress blog as well as other topics including:

• How to Install and Setup WordPress SEO Plugin
• How to Install and Setup W3 Total Cache for Beginners
• 13 Vital Tips and Hacks to Protect Your WordPress Admin Area

3. WPCandy

General WordPress news including updates for popular themes and plugins. Some topics:

• WordPress.org and .com Join the SOPA Protests with Blackouts
• Gravity Charge with Integrate with WooCommerce
• How to Manage a Proper Multi-author WordPress Blog

4. SpeckyBoy

Speckyboy includes basic theme tutorials, theme collections, plugin collections, and other useful goodies.

• 10 WordPress Plugins to Help Optimize Performance
• 30 Fresh Minimal WordPress Themes (2011 Edition)
• Top 10 Social Bookmarking Plugins for WordPress

5. HongKiat

In addition to design and blogging tips, Hongkiat has a section dedicated for WordPress which includes everything from development to free plugins. Among some of their topics are:

• WordPress Search: Useful Plugins and Snippets
• Beginner’s Guide to WordPress Plugin Development
• Free Slideshow Plugins For WordPress – Best Of

Visit Honkiat.com or subscribe.

6. WPMods

WP Mods focuses on WordPress modification, maintenance and customization. Some topics include:

• Many WordPress Theme Stores Are Violating The General Public License
• Create a Sales Page Easily With The Convertible Landing Page WordPress Theme
• Essential WordPress Plugins

7. WordPress Codex

The Codex is one of the most important resources when it comes to learning WordPress. It is WordPress’s own documentation that contains information from beginner to advanced developer. Some beginner topics include:

• Getting Started with WordPress
• New To WordPress- Where to Start
• WordPress in Your Language
• Creating and Using Posts
• Using Permalinks

Did we miss any?

What were your favorite resources when learning WordPress? Did we miss some important ones? We hope these websites can help you further your WordPress knowledge! If you would like to learn more, check out our training offerings.

I think, it is safe to say that a lot of people agree that social media is an amazing way to communicate!  But, let’s face it, social media can also be very overwhelming.  What do we post on Facebook? Should we get a Twitter account? When should I Tweet? We already have a Facebook page so do we need a Google + page? Should I have a YouTube Channel? Does Foursquare make sense for our business?  Do we need a business profile for LinkedIn? How do we get people to read our blog? How do we monitor what everyone is saying? I think you get the picture.

According to MarketLand, Enterprise-level corporations — those with 1,000 or more employees — are managing an average of 178 company-owned social media accounts each.   When you think about it, it really can be overwhelming.   Most companies do not have a planned solution for “overload” and yet it continues to grow year after year. As social media platforms continue to expand,  the need to have a clear social media marketing plan is just as necessary as a traditional marketing plan.   So, the big question becomes how do you conquer social media overload? Just like everything else, it starts with goals and objectives.

1. Social Media Goal Setting and Objectives

Whether or not you are already overloaded or just dipping your toes into social media and are overwhelmed by your options, the first step is to define your goals and objectives.  The below chart from a 2011 Marketing Sherpa report on Top Social Media Objectives gives you a good overview of key social media objectives to help you refine your objectives or set new ones.

Once you have determined your key objectives it will help you narrow down what social media platform works best for your business.

2. Education and Resources

Regardless of the number of social media platforms your business participates in, it still gets back to the basics - Education.  If you or your team do not know the basic features and applications of the platform or tool that you are using, you may find yourself “overwhelmed”.  Well-known sites like www.socialmediaexaminer.com and www.socialmediatoday.com  provide a wealth of information to help you learn how to use a wide range of social media platforms.  However, if you have a large staff or multiple departments using social media you may want to consider hiring a social media trainer to help you allocate your resources effectively.

If you would like help trying to assess your training needs and business goals, InfoTrust has an additional Training Needs Assessment Questionnaire available to help you outline your requirements and goals.

3. It’s Just Social Media

At a previous job, I had a particular stressful moment with our company’s music-on-hold project and the customer service representative on the other end said “Relax Tracy, its Just Music-On-Hold.”  I have to say, that is some of the best advice I have ever received.  So, when you are overwhelmed and bogged down by social media overload just remember to say to yourself “It’s Just Social Media.”    And, then remember to go back to the basics and determine your Goals and Objectives and investigate Educational Opportunities and Resources.

If you want to talk more about Social Media Overload and how Training can help, shoot me an e-mail at tracy@infotrustllc.com.

The future is here, you no longer need a newspaper (or even monster.com) to get a job.   According to this infographic from Career Enlightenment, your dream job is trying to find you on social media.  Recruiters, take note . . . your best employee is out there trying to find you.

Companies

Almost 90% of companies plan to use social media for hiring.  Companies are getting their own story out via Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.  They are making job seekers want to work there as they “sell” their culture and benefits.

Recruiters

They are sourcing candidates from social media over 50% more than 2 years ago.  Over half of companies out there plan on investing more money into social media recruitment.    Recruiters can easily search LinkedIn for key words and experiences.  Once candidates are sourced, you can bet your last dollar that most recruiters are going to check out your digital footprint and Google your name.  This is probably why employers are encouraging candidates to make their profiles more employer friendly.  Every 1 in 3 candidates are rejected for something an employer found online.

Hiring Managers

Hiring managers are connected through user groups and LinkedIn interest groups to colleagues.  That’s an easy way to source a candidate.  Everyone is looking at online content.

Job Seekers

The odds are not in your favor with 6 people for every job opening in America.  When managers look at your social media personality, you need to make sure it is your best image.

Employers:

• Get your job information out there on social media.  Your competition is.
• Use social media to a competitive advantage.
• Connect with passive candidates on social media.
• Make sure you are writing your own online story for people to read.

Candidates:

• Research your company before the interview.
• Make sure your online profile is a good representation of your skills and experiences.

These numbers are a call to action—use social media to your advantage!  If your company needs help putting social media to work for them in the recruiting process, please contact us.  We would love to help you gain a competitive edge.

Heather Alessandro

It’s 2012!  You may have already made the decision to have your staff attend some training sessions or maybe you have decided to hire a company to provide some in-house training for your employees?  Now, what? Whatever type of skills or information you want to learn and how much you benefit from the training will greatly depend upon the individual or company you choose. Before you commit to an organization we have put together a “list” (remember, we love lists at InfoTrust) of the “Top 10 Things to Consider when Hiring a Trainer for Digital Marketing.”

Establishing Your Goals

1. Determine your exact needs. What specifically do you want to achieve through training?
2. Establish exactly what you want to learn, how you want to learn it, and what you’re willing to pay for it.
3. Formulate your ideal outcome. What are your goals? What constitutes success?

Experience

4. Ask the company for background on their past presentations. How many have they done? Do they have a speaker bio(s)?
5. Ask for a list of specialties the company speaks about?  Make sure the company has experience in the subject(s) you are interested in.
6. Research the company or individual for certifications/credentials.  For example, if you would like a presentation on E-mail marketing does the company have any Marketing Sherpa certifications?
7. Ask for any case studies or testimonials from previous attendees or companies. Can you speak to former clients?
8. Google the company or presenter. Are they the in the top 5 results for their specialty?

Learning Style

9. Analyze your group learning style.  How does your staff learn best? Hands-on training? Problem solving? Work-sheet based training?
10. Make sure the company has the same learning style. Does the company offer custom presentations? Do they only do group sessions or one-on-one trainings?

Be Successful

Learning new skills and acquiring new knowledge is what allows us to continually improve ourselves and our companies. But, just like everything else you have to have the know-how to get the most out of the learning experience. Optimize the end results by taking the time to find the right trainer for your current needs.  If you would like more help trying to assess your business needs, InfoTrust has an additional Training Needs Assessment Questionnaire available to help you outline your requirements and goals.