Social Media Tips & Trends

Social media is all the buzz in small business circles these days. But what exactly do we expect from the medium as small business owners and how do we make it work for us? What follows are a series of articles on tips and trends (what works as well as what doesn’t) that we’re hoping will help small business owners find their way in this perplexing new world.

Tips

Are you a highly effective blogger? Yes, blogging is an important part of your social media campaign, so let’s think way beyond just Facebook and Twitter. Here’s a post on the top habits you’ll need to succeed in the highly competitive blogging world out there. Annemarie Cross

What’s your strategy for reaching out and making connections? Make no mistake, the social part of online marketing is not easy. Whether using Facebook, Twitter or blogging, the best laid plans don’t always work. As a result, it’s a good idea to have a backup plan. Basic Blog Tips

Why social media is about more than just connections. If you think you can connect your way to social media success, think again. It’s very important that what you are building is a community, and one with real people you want to connect with and who want to connect with you. Chris Brogan

Trends

Social media: A security threat? You may hear lots of positives about what social media can do for your business. But how about some of the negatives? Well, it just so happens some IT professionals are convinced the dangers might outweigh the benefits. smallbiz technology

Social media best practices. Social media has become hugely popular as a PR tool, but how small businesses use it can also be important. What is your business’s philosophy when approaching social media? Have you carefully considered the message you’re sending? gaebler.com

Social media gives small business reach. In the old days you might have had to buy plenty of TV and newspaper advertising to get similar results and even then, you couldn’t target your audience that well. Today, a Facebook presence can do the same or better as those old school alternatives, helping small businesses capture interest and generate fans. Los Angeles Times

Tools

Social media for the ecommerce entrepreneur. Social media can be a boon for ecommerce businesses for obvious reasons. With both marketing and sales online, audiences can be moved quickly and easily from marketing message to the opportunity to buy. Here are some tools that make this kind of marketing easier. ecommerce-guide.com

Tools to improve small business social media. You won’t likely be able to ignore the importance of social media to your small business in the coming years, but the key to success in this as in every other aspect of your small business is to work smarter not harder. Here are some tools to give you a hand. The Globe and Mail

Labor Day 2009 - Top Destinations For Kids and the Parents That Love Them

Planning a weekend with the kids can be a daunting task or, at the very least, mildly overwhelming. Whether you are looking to barbeque in your backyard or jet-set across the country, there are a ton of options to choose from for Labor Day this year. So, break out the lawn chairs and pack up the cooler. Here are some of the top family-friendly destinations to celebrate Labor Day.

New York City:

You can't have a list of top destinations without mentioning the great city of New York. There is always something going on in the Big Apple, and Labor Day weekend is no exception. At Fifth Avenue and 44th Street, you can see an impressive lineup of high school band players, politicians, trade union members, and police and fire departments marching their way down the city streets. As with all other special events, expect New York to do it up big; no disappointment is anticipated!

Washington, DC:

Kick off the performing arts season at the US Capitol on the Sunday directly preceding Labor Day. Hang out on the West Lawn and enjoy free performances by the National Symphony Orchestra, led by Emil de Cou. This year commemorates the 200th anniversary of President Lincoln's birth, so look forward to a full program, including Aaron Copland's "Lincoln Portrait."

Copper Country Festival, CO:

This western-themed party is great for the little ones, and it includes a petting zoo, pony rides, face painting, rodeo activities and a lineup of musicians ranging from country to zydeco, rock, pop and blues and everything in between.

Los Angeles:

There is a host of activities going on in the LA metropolitan area for Labor Day weekend, so there is sure to be something for everyone. This year's activities include the Long Beach Greek Festival, Fiesta Hermosa, Art Deco Festival on the Queen Mary, and Orange International Street Fair.