Courtesy of Vicky Anscomb and the Eastern Daily Press:

"Social media’s a bit of a tricky one when engaging with a client for the first time. They’ll probably be familiar with (and keen to hear about) PPC, SEO and site design, but when it comes to social media, they may well lean forward with narrowed eyes and ask the dreaded question, ‘But why do I need social media?’

This is the time to stop wittering about ‘brand awareness’, ‘community cohesion’ and ‘moving forward with technology’, and time to bring out some solid reasons that companies should be on board when it comes to social media. It’s not enough to claim that everyone else is doing it, and it ‘makes a difference’. If you’re looking to impress in any upcoming meetings, the following points are sure to win over clients:

Firstly, there are mind-boggling numbers of people using social media. At the time of writing this, Twitter has over 100 million ‘active’ users (users who log in once a month) and Facebook has approximately 794 million users. These are people that you ignore at your peril - they’re out there, and it’s up to you to try to find them, and then harness their buying power. Refusing to engage with social media users is like knowing there’s a packed shopping centre in town full of browsing buyers, but point-blank refusing to set up a shop there just because it’s new and a bit daunting.

Secondly, you’ll be able to get a better idea of who’s interested in your brand - and you’ll know who to target in the future. Facebook Insights, Sprout Social, Brandwatch and other applications that measure social networking analytics can not only show you the gender of the people engaging with you, but their age, where they’re located, the main languages they speak, and the medium they’re using to surf the web. This is especially handy if you’re wondering why the app you’ve launched hasn’t taken off (users using desktop computers) or nobody’s writing lengthy chunks of text on your Facebook wall (smartphone users).

You can also get inside peoples’ heads. Not many customers will take the time to fill in a review or a long survey, but they may well respond to a tweet or update that asks them what they think of a new design. You’ll also find that you receive both good and bad feedback, and how you respond to this will shape how your customers see you. If you’re able to placate a furious customer with some excellent, speedy customer service, you’ll not only win them round, but anyone else who sees that you’re bending over backwards to assist them. Social media allows a level of transparency not often seen in communications between customer and vendor, so use this to your advantage.

Tools such as Twilert and Tweetbeep can let you know when people are talking about you - and you can set up alerts for people talking about the products you sell. So, if you see a tweet from a local person wondering where they can find [insert your product], you can neatly introduce yourself and politely ask if you can help. These tools enable you to be the butler at the party - you can overhear everyone’s conversations and step in when you feel it’s appropriate. Just be careful not to overdo this side of things, or your Twitter timeline will become a sad pool of desperation.

If you want to be seen as a leader within your field, you have to remember that your opinions are worthwhile - and you should respond to industry developments at the earliest opportunity. It’s far easier to send out a quick update on Google+ or Facebook than it is to draft a blog for your website, and your customers will see your passion for your business. If you’re making a particularly strong point, or one that generates discussion, all the better - your views will get shared, driving more people towards your social media - and your website.

If you’re looking for fresh talent, especially in the social media and online networking sphere, you should be using social media to try to find your next big star. More and more businesses are using their social media accounts to search for employees, as it’s free, the word is easily spread, and it’s a great way to drive people wanting new information to your website. Plus, it’s a very promising sign if you manage to find someone through social media as it shows they have a good understanding of the medium - and its potential.

Finally, don’t forget that the speed of social media can make it behave a bit like Lassie - it can let you know that something’s wrong long before you even have an inkling of disaster. If you receive many messages informing you that the same thing has gone awry with your product, it’s time to stop the production line and start your examination. It’s true that badly-run social media accounts have the capacity to damage your brand irreversibly, but they also have the potential to save it from a sticky end, so value your followers - they may end up saving your bacon."

http://www.edp24.co.uk/business/advice/vicky_anscomb_how_to_convince_your_clients_that_they_need_social_media_1_1351171

2011 was a highly eventful year at The Lively Crew, so put your feet up and get a cup of tea as we look back over the year that was 2011:

January
 January saw two new staff members joining the team. Andrew Lawn joined as Marketing Manager, following working on the campaign to keep Tesco out of his hometown of Sheringham. Andrew was joined by Robert Ediker who started a year's Apprentice scheme while he completed an NVQ in Customer Service from Broadland Council Training Services. During the coming 12 months, Robert would prove a very driven, talented and ambitious member of the team and will be joining the team permantly in 2012.

February
In February we were delighted to win a contract with South Norfolk Council to supply the area with a dedicated Online Business Directory, similar to those we were already managing from Breckland and Broadland District Council's. The new Directory was officially launched in June with a free business networking event, which also kicked off a year of quarterly Business Breakfast Forums for the area.

March
During March we undertook the official reckie ahead of the Disabled Motoring Alps Challenge in June. The reckie highlighted just what a mammoth undertaking the Alps Challenge would later prove to be, but was invaluable as a result.

April
During April we oversaw the official rebrand of national disabled motorist charity Mobilise, to Disabled Motoring UK. We were delighted to have managed the re-brand from start to finish, including developing a long-term business plan to re-model the charity, appeal to a younger generation and reverse declining membership numbers. We were also responsible for designing the new logo and accompanying stationary and managing the process of re-branding. Since the name change we are delighted that member numbers have increased and we have been able to attract new celebrity supporters and ambassadors to the charity, including motor-racing star Nicolas Hamilton.

May
May saw another permanant arrival to The Lively Crew staff, with Jodie McGill joining as Business Development Executive. Jodie has taken on all aspects of the BOLD Group and our Online Business Directories and has become an integral part of the business communities in Breckland, Broadland and South Norfolk.

June
The month that saw the Alps Challenge. Joined by celebrities including Ade Adepitan, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson and Nicolas Hamilton, we managed the challenge from long before the official start line at the Queen's House in Greenwich, down through England, across France and over the Swiss Alps, before returning North, through France once more and up to the finish line opposite the House's of Parliament in London. The event was a huge success and generated huge awareness of the charity both at home and abroad.

June also saw us launch the third of our Online Business Directories in South Norfolk.

July
In July we were delighted to launch our new logo and website, to better reflect our sustainable, environmental and socially responsible company ethos. To celebrate the new website we are continuing to offer a free marketing diagnostic to all businesses looking to ensure their marketing is measurable and working for them.

August
To help spread the message of sustainability and cutting waste, our Director Valerie and Business Development Executive Jodie McGill headed to the Peterborough Green Festival to talk to businesses and consumers about our environmental products in Fresh Pod and Enviro Pod.

September
In September we oversaw the official Disabled Motoring Awards Ceremony at the Goodwood Revival Festival. The Awards were to celebrate and recognise the achievements of disabled people and organisations, who have contributed to a better day-to-day life for disabled individuals across the United Kingdom. Winners, which we helped judge, came from right around the UK, including Scotland and Northern Ireland and included motor-racing star Nicolas Hamilton, Cambridge City Council, Peatlands Park and mobility scooter display team the Red Wheelies.

October
Two Business Breakfast Forums kept us busy in October with both Thetford and Broadland business leaders meeting to discuss the latest business news and developments in their respective regions.

November
During Movember our Marketing Manager undertook Movember and raised over £100 for Prostate Cancer whilstmaking himself look seedier than a flower in Spring. The whole team got involved, partly through their generous sponsorship efforts but primarily by making sure Andrew felt as ridiculous as he looked and pointing this out to all they could

December
Throughout December we ran Light for Life events for our Charity of the Year; Star Throwers. By attending numerous Christmas light switch-on events across Norfolk, we helped raise a massive £1,115.43p for the cancer charity based in Wymondham.

 The last thing any organisation should be doing in tough economic times is reducing their marketing activity.

Utilising the skills of a professional outside company on an ‘as and when basis’ can fill the gaps left by reductions in budgets or staff which could be out of your control; if you choose carefully, enlisting the help of an outside specialist, will be very cost effective solution – so much so, that in many cases it can actually make money for you. 

At The Lively Crew we have been delivering measurable marketing and sales activity for organisations of all sizes and across the public, private and third sectors for 10 years. Working locally and nationally we provide a results driven marketing service, always with cost considerations and without ever skimping on quality.

We only deliver marketing activity that is right for you which means we have seventeen different marketing tools in our toolbox. We firmly believe that what is right for one company is not necessarily right for another.
 
We create opportunities and drive them to exceed. Recently we delivered £120k of media publicity for a client including coverage on BBC TV, ITV and Sky News using an allocated budget of less than 2% of the coverage gained.

We organise events on small and grand scales and we also deliver branding and design work of national and international class. We have a sales team for those who need to attract numbers whether through making one-to-one appointments or through getting large numbers through doors and we are not afraid of risk taking, selling tickets and stand space if its needed.

As consultants we have sourced funding and worked on projects to deliver outcomes.

One of our strengths is our database management systems which mean we have access to thousands of businesses for communication purposes.

We have a very strong track record working with public, private and third sector organisations across East Anglia and beyond.

Why are we letting you know this? You may have dropped some of the marketing and event work you have done in the past through business pressures or you may have a new idea which you need help with.  It costs nothing to talk and who knows we could resurrect some of your past successes or be able to assist you in moving ideas forward.

Please let us know if you would like to meet up for an informal chat about what The Lively Crew can offer you. Telephone 01603 702374 or email andrew@thelivelycrew.co.uk

 We are delighted to be able to announce the latest exclusive Fresh Pod offer for fans of the little green ethylene control wonder, across the social media sphere.

All you need to do to receive the unique code, earning you a massive 33% off is to follow Fresh Pod on Facebook and Twitter. We have even provided the links to do so to save you all that pesky searching. You're welcome.

The offer expires on 26th November 2011 - giving you just enough time to stock up on gifts for friends and family this Christmas.

In yet more good news, we are delighted to welcome our latest Work Experience recruit to the team. Daniel White has joined on an 8-week work experience placement from Norwich Jobcentre. Daniel is using his voice of an angel (find out why) to help us manage our Online Business Directory's.

We are delighted to have Daniel, who has proved willing to get his hands dirty (metaphorically) with a range of tasks and hope we can give him the experience needed to go on to a fulfilling career in his chosen field.

We have one more marketing, sales and events work experience vacancy available at the moment - for more information on how to apply please contact our Marketing Manager Andrew Lawn on 08456 345 185 or email him and he will be happy to help.

 Google is a fascinating proposition.

If you discount for a moment the beautiful simplification of the idea in the first place. Discount, the fact that at the last estimate, it dealt with over 400,000,000 different queries EVERY day (that's over 4,600 a second). Even discount just how much knowledge (and skating boarding animals) Google gives us - Google remains fascinating.

As a result of the above; the science behind how Google determines who should sit top of their listing for any request is big business. Numerous companies, in numerous guises, pledge to send you to the top of Google in the blinking of any eye. Some of them may even do it. But the beauty is, no-one can ever guarantee it, because what puts you there, evolves as fast as the internet itself and remains firmly under lock and key at Google HQ.

Long ago, keywords were essentially (but not entirely) the be-all and end-all. The more your website said the words "marketing agency" the higher Google placed you. As such, clever SEO specialists would fill your site with invisible keywords (i.e. in white text on a white background) which Google would swallow up. Unsurprisingly, it did not take Google long to see through this cunning rouse and adapted their ranking criteria accordingly.

Today, the mix is much more subtle and designed to ensure that the user gets the most relevant information out of any search. As such Google looks far wider than keywords and in a far-more intelligent way than merely reading and counting. Now Google looks for everything. All the content on your site is judged by it's accuracy and relevancy to any given search. Therefore, unlike before, if your site says "we outsource to a marketing agency" and a user searches "marketing agency" Google will recognise the context of the keywords in that sentence. As such the quality of your sites content is more important than ever. No longer will it do to just say (or be a) "marketing agency".

Google will do the same thing with links. Both internally and externally Google will look at who is linking to your site and why. Not only that, bu the more illustrious Google deems those who link to you, the more your site will bask in that reflective glory. (Incidently this is why membership of our Online Business Directories is so valuable...).

Google manages the same trick with it's adverts, both on searches and in services such as Google+ and Gmail. Try it out for yourself - send an email to a friend and say you fancy a trip to the cinema and Google will populate the side panel with cinema listing websites. Say that you can't afford the cinema and Google will give you adverts for DVD rentals. The software is so advanced that in a recent research project I discovered Google can pick up on the emotion of an email and stops putting adverts in emails which talk about sombre subjects such as terminal illness or death.

In our opinion, all of the above makes Google the closest thing to artificial intelligence that we have produced - use it in your business and if you aren't sure how, speak to us as we could talk about it all day.