Social Media Is Easy!

What is URL shortening? A URL is a Unique resource locator. On the internet, that is the web URL that goes in the internet bar. A URL could be quite long, such as the URL for this blog which is 40 characters... www.socialmediaiseasy.blogger.com When shortened on www.tinyurl.com , it looks like this... http://tinyurl.com/962rvbv Why shorten a URL? There are several reasons for shortening a URL. It could be easy to share if it is shorter. Also, changing the URL to something shorter could help it not to be identifiable, for example in affiliate marketing. One of the most important reasons for shortening a URL is to be able to track the statistics. How do I shorten a URL? The easiest way to shorten a URL is to use www.tinyurl.com . However, if you want to track the statistics of your click through rate, I recommend www.bitly.com.  The Bitly Pufferfish! If you use Hootsuite for social media, Hootsuite automatically shortens web addresses or URLs when posting on Twi

What are Google+ Communities? Early this month, Google+ rolled out Google communities, to allow people to join discussion groups about their personal interests. Google + communities can be created as private or public, depending on who you want to join, and they work in a similar way to Facebook groups. Google +, however, offers the facility to virtually 'hang out' with people in your community. This means that you can have a video conference with them on your screen.  For example, if you love Greenday and join the Greenday Community , you can Google 'hangout' with other members of the community to discuss their new releases! Three key ways to use Google+ Communities 1. Gather people together -  It could be for for your family, your local club or people around the world who share your interests.  Google+ communities allows you together people together in an online group.   2. Have rich and focussed conversations - You can post photos and videos to

Getting started with twitter!! Tweeting - As well as tweeting comments you can also tweet a picture, you can use photo sites like Instagram to upload or can upload straight form your mobile phone. You can also put links to a website you like or an article, allowing you to share things with your followers.   You can also retweet somebody elses tweet or they can retweet something you have said. This allows a tweet to reach further networks and therefore more people see it. Hashtag – When you tweet something you can hashtag a keyword to categorise your tweet and make it accessible to those who are interested in your tweet topic. Tagging – You can also tag someone in your tweet by using the @ symbol and then writing their tweeter name. Allowing the person you have tweeted to directly receive your tweet. Trending – When you here some one refer to something trending, this means a popular topic of twitter, often because of an event, for example #christmas will b

How to get a Twitter account To get a Twitter all you need to do it go to Twitter.com you will be asked to enter your name, an email address a password and user name and then simply click create an account. You will receive an email from Twitter and then you are away. Profile - Like other social media accounts you can edit your profile, there is a cog icon it that top right hand corner of the page, which is your settings. If you click that and then click Profile you can add a picture, your location, links to websites you have and write a bio about yourself. Design – You can also change the design of your profile by again clicking the cog icon in the top right hand corner of the page but them clicking design. This will allow you to pick a theme which it the background of your twitter page, you can upload your own picture or customize an existing theme template. Then you are ready to get tweeting !! If you need help using twitter check out our blog on how

What is Twitter? Twitter is a social networking site that allows you to connect with friends, colleges and businesses by micro blogging.  Unlike a blog twitter allows you to write comments known as a tweet. This can be a general tweet that anyone who is following you can see or you can tweet another twitter user personally. A tweet can be about anything, you can comment about what you are doing today or maybe voice a political opinion or connect with friends to make plans for a social event. What is Twitter used for in business? Twitter can be the perfect tool for business as it allows you to connect to your clients on a regular basis. It allows all parties to stay up to date with one another and promotes a closer working relationship. It can be used to contact your clients to get answers quickly for a query rather than using phone or email.   Twitter can also be used as a promotional or marketing tool as it allows you to get your busine

What is an e-Book? An e-book is simply an electronic or digital book. It is a full-length publication, just like the book version, but in a digital format, allowing the reader to view the content on a computer, tablet or E-reader. What are the benefits of e-Books? In the past view years there has been a huge growth in e-Books, with Amazon and others creating popular e-Readers like the Kindle and apple. Windows and Samsung bringing out tablet computers has made e-Books much more useable and accessible. E-Book devices can store numerous books at a time, so readers don’t have to carry around many books. The devices also have Internet access so you can download a book when you want to read it. Additionally as e-Books are available online anyone can publish their own book. How to e-book So you may be at a stage where you have written your own book and short novel, you might want to know how to e-book to pursue a career as an author or you may just like to write as a h

A Business Facebook Case Study: Kigali Crafts How do you achieve success as a business through social media sites such as Facebook ? This article will investigate how Kigali Crafts , an online fair trade business, has used their Facebook account to increase exposure and improve sales. 1. Facebook Status Updates relating to current issues and posts that are interactive Kigali Crafts status updates are not pushy, but offer useful information and engaging posts relevant to their prospective customerss interests. For example, their ethical customers are interested in Africa, ethical consumerism and international development. Kigali Crafts shares relevant news and asks questions about these issues. Product promotion is usually around 10%, and a maximum of 20%. That means that 'sales' posts are only around 1 in 5. 2. Images and Videos Kigali Crafts frequently shares images and You Tube videos . This includes photos of producers and the office, as well as product p

What is the difference between a personal Facebook profile and a page? A personal profile is great for interacting on a personal social level. However, if you want to promote a business, community or public figure, it is better to set up a Facebook page.  A Facebook page offers many more advantages, including... 1. Facebook insights can give you statistics about your fans such as demographics and which posts are getting the most interactions. 2. You can use tabs such as website links, shop tab or you Tube link tab. 3. You can have an unlimited fan base (profiles limit to 5000). 4. Having a page helps you to promote your Facebook page on your website by adding a ‘like’ box. 5. A Facebook page like is instant (no waiting for the friend to be ‘approved’ like on a personal profile) To find out more about the advantages of a Facebook page, follow this link .  Here is an example of a great Business Facebook page - the Kigali Crafts Facebook page . This shows what you can do with a