Recommendations for social media marketing help

Recommendations for social media marketing help

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So far I have buried my head in the sand when it comes to social media. Plus there are too many other things I am doing. Social media is low on my priority list. I think it is time for a change.

I would be grateful for recommendations for a person who would help and advise me on social media. It needs to be someone who does not do marketing speak ( I would not understand) . I am looking for somone who says how it is. Tells me very clearly what is required in terms of my time, costs and what I expect to achieve. I am also looking for someone who has worked with accountants and acheived results. I will follow this up.

The person also needs to be aware I am far from being a big fish - at this stage.

I would be grateful for recommendations for a person/firm on this area.

Thanks

Replies (30)

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By Sarah Offord
30th May 2011 16:17

Karen Skidmore Can Do Can Be Marketing
You will find lots of really good advice on her Facebook fan page and I think she runs a techie club with lots of extra resources for a monthly fee. My Facebook page is a long way from where it needs to be but I've gained some really good insights from her.

Hope that helps

Sir digby

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Teignmouth
By Paul Scholes
30th May 2011 16:25

Why?

Reading your first paragraph I'm wondering why you've changed your mind, did someone you know convince you or did you just read it somewhere?

Like any innovation, if you are not on it in the early days (ie years ago) it seems just more wasted time, all I ever got on Twitter & Linkedin was people trying to sell me something. 

You already have clients, so rather than waste time learning and trying this unchartered territory, why not just spend the same amount of time chatting to them about how you are on the lookout for more work?  That's "Social" without the need for Media.

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FT
By FirstTab
30th May 2011 23:18

Thanks for the response Sir Digby and Paul.

Paul - You make a good point about talking to my clients. On social media, as you say it would be time consuming to learn.  Accountants have not taken to this so I do not think it is too late.

I have been thinking about this area for some time. I would like to try it out and see how it goes.

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By cymraeg_draig
31st May 2011 10:20

Just a thought -

Do you think facebook and twitter etc give the right impression ? 

Whilst very useful for outing errant footballers and discussing hobbies and interests, I have reservations about the professional image they portray.

 

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PAH Accounting Devizes Wiltshire
By Phil Hendy
31st May 2011 10:49

Social Media is easy.

Being on this forum is just one element of social media. The next step is to get to use Twitter and Facebook. 

It is all about following the right people and using it in the right way. I have managed to get clients from social media. It also keeps me up to date with what is going on in the industry.

For simplicity, imagine making and insighful contribution on here, linking to it via Facebook and Twitter, showing off how clever you are. Better still, someone else comes along and shows you off on your behalf. You can easily get good messages to thousands of people at the click of a few buttons.

The main 'cost' to you is time!

My key tip to social media though is to do it yourself, interaction and engagement is crucial and you don't get that by blasting out adverst.

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Teignmouth
By Paul Scholes
31st May 2011 16:20

Phil - you've just put me off even more

Follow the right people? No thanks and I certainly don't want people I don't know "following" (bugging) me.

As you can tell I'm quite an unsociable kinda-guy but even I am swamped by information (or rather pap) overload.  I get all the information I want from websites & newsfeeds I chose and contact the people I want to contact and who want to be contacted by me.

The need for non-stop communication, for its own sake, has become an addiction and a waste of Data Centre resources and I just don't seee how it fits, in any significant way, with doing our sort of one to one business.

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By Steve Holloway
31st May 2011 17:28

Time to knock off ....

 when I agree with everything you say Paul it is generally time to go walk the dogs!

Phil ... I can see your lips moving (well I can imagine) but I have no idea what you just said. I have never been on face book but I thought it was just people posting pictures from the party at the weekend. Are there businesses on their too? Why would people want to look at an accountant's face book site ... we aren't known for great party pictures after all!

If someone wants to tell me in a paragraph how businesses and facebook work then I would be quite interested. I'm not about to join but I would be interested to know what everyone is up to on their Ipods!

 

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PAH Accounting Devizes Wiltshire
By Phil Hendy
31st May 2011 17:44

Each to their own!

 I guess that is your choice. If we all used exactly the same communication/ interaction methods life would be boring!

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Teignmouth
By Paul Scholes
31st May 2011 18:14

Can't resist

Steve I'll be walking mine (or rather she'll be walking me, in 10 mins)

Phil there are wider issues here around the constant need to be anywhere other than where you are, ie peering at a screen rather than smelling the coffee & hearing the birds and we can either perpetuate it or question whether it's actually necessary.  My daughter is 28 and has finally had enough, withdrawing from Facebook and giving up  with Twitter because it was taking over her life.  And no she has not inherited her Dad's preference for solitude, peace & quiet.

Each to their own, yes, but so is self harming.

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FT
By FirstTab
31st May 2011 18:30

Paul thank you for making me stop and think. You make a great point about appreciating nature rather than starring at the screen whole day. I have so many other things to do and I really do need to take some time off.

I will stop looking at facebook, twitter etc. Get other far more important priorties sorted (including taking breaks) and then if I have the time (unlikely) look at social media. I am letting life pass by in my tunnel vision of more, more and more.

When I am lying on my death bed I do not think I will be saying to myself I should have made time for facebook/twitter!

 

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PAH Accounting Devizes Wiltshire
By Phil Hendy
31st May 2011 18:47

missed my point
I think you misunderstood my point.

Whilst you and certain other may not see social media as beneficial there are plenty that do.

I don't particularly enjoy walking and nature; however, I wouldn't criticise you for doing it.

If you market/ interact in one way and I another, we are not treadign on each others toes.

I agree totally that Twitter etc. Is not for everybody.

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FT
By FirstTab
31st May 2011 18:53

Phil

Fair points Phil. Thanks.

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By cymraeg_draig
31st May 2011 19:12

.

I will stop looking at facebook, twitter etc. Get other far more important priorties sorted (including taking breaks) and then if I have the time (unlikely) look at social media. I am letting life pass by in my tunnel vision of more, more and more.

 

 

Posted by FirstTab on Tue, 31/05/2011 - 18:30

 

 

Get a camera with a close-up lens - it helps you focus on the amazing things around us. You'll be amazed at the details in a flower or an insect, even in your back garden.

Get a boat and try sailing - once you've experienced a dolphin swimming alongside as the wind speeds you over the sea (very "green" transport) you will realise how unimportant mankind is. 

Feel the adrenelin of riding a horse at full gallop - it's every bit as much of a ruish as racing a motor bike at high speed - I know I've done both.

And just occasionally take time out for YOU.  as I've mentioned before, wherever i am going I always gve myself an extra 10-15 minutes for the journey.  Whenever possible I always take "the scenic route". And I always find somewhere to pull up - get oy (usually with my camera) and just look at the scenery, the ever changing face of the countryside, and breath fresh air. 

It wont earn you any money or get you any clients, but it will improve your life. 

 

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Teignmouth
By Paul Scholes
31st May 2011 20:07

Sorry

Phil, I didn't miss your point but I apologise for my tone, shouldn't post as I'm rushing to get back to wife, garden & dog.

It's likely to be an age thing I suppose but, whilst I don't see it as a competition thing or an either/or, CD's point about valuable "me" time and keeping in touch with reality is spot on.  Social networking via websites & 140 character soundbites for me is a poor substitute for the real thing and can, in some cases become addictive swallowing up hours at a time.

This is not to say that's how you enjoy it but I see too many who see it as the holy grail and it's ruining society.

Enough from me and again sorry for tone.

 

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By ShirleyM
31st May 2011 21:43

CD said the magic words for me

I have had motorbikes most of my life, and had two wonderful English thoroughbreds. One was for dressage and the other was a Grade A jumper. Thoroughbreds (the best horses in the whole world! but I'm decidedly biased) give you a much bigger thrill than any bike. There is a little danger to make it exciting, but galloping a thoroughbred is like riding the wind, but with the magic of a big powerful animal in complete harmony with you. There is absolutely nothing like it!

... but they are just memories now as both died of old age and are sadly missed. Would I have swapped time with them for twitter or facebook? No chance!

Edit: CD - I have also ridden bikes round Mallory Park racetrack, and Billing Aquadrome when it had a banked racetrack in the 60's, but it was just for the experience, I wasn't in a race!

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By cymraeg_draig
31st May 2011 22:41

.

Thoroughbreds (the best horses in the whole world!

 

Posted by ShirleyM on Tue, 31/05/2011 - 21:43

 

I'm not so sure. I had an ex hunter - 17 hands, and thought every fence and hedge was there specially for him to jump - whether I wanted him to or not.

Riding him was exciting and definitely unpredictable. Actually you didnt ride him, it was more a case of holding on while he went wherever he wanted.  He's now long retired and spends his days with his equally elderly lady friends in the meadow and sticking his head over the fence when the kids come out of school in the hopes that he might get his nose scratched.  

  

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Mark Lee headshot 2023
By Mark Lee
01st Jun 2011 00:26

Non-marketing speak

 I tell it how it is. 

I've written various articles and blog posts on social media for accountants. You can see the twitter posts here: www.BookMarkLee.co.uk/twitter

Note that the first article I wrote on the subject dates back to Dec 2008 and was titled: Why accountants don't need to bother with twitter. I stand by that now - despite my own very active and enthusiastic use of this microblogging platform.

You'll also find more recent pieces that seek to help clarify misconceptions and demystify the medium. There is so much tripe written about it and many people have a comepletely mistaken idea as to what it's all about - due largely to poor reporting in the mainstream media.

In my view you should only start to learn about social media if either:

You know you have a number of clients who are active there and you want to keep in touch with them this way (and vice versa);You are prepared to invest time over the long term to build up a presence in order to gain recommendations and new clients - most likely of the new start-up variety; orYou are more inclined to devote time to this media rather than other forms of more diect marketing and you appreciate that it is NOT a quick route to securing new clients.

Elsewhere on the blog there are many posts under the category of online networking - again directed at accountants.

I would suggest that there is little point in spending money with any so-called social media experts. Few will have much experience that is directly relevant to accountants in practice and will simply speculate as to what 'could' be achieved. You will almost certainly end up out of pocket and disappointed.

Mark

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PAH Accounting Devizes Wiltshire
By Phil Hendy
01st Jun 2011 07:54

Well put Mark

 That is a much more succint answer than I could give and nails the points I was trying to make right on the head!

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By Steve Holloway
01st Jun 2011 08:34

OK ...

 Thanks Mark ... that was the most sense I have heard on the subject. I do not use social media, the majority of my clients do little more than dabble with it (many don't use it at all) and therefore it would be a stupid thing for me to invest time and money in. I will get on doing it my way.

 

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By Kryton
02nd Jun 2011 22:34

Facebook

I too have just walked the dog along with the kids and missus. Lovely walk. Dog had a great time.

However the dog is on his facebook site now, sniffing out his pals. Mind you, he does not use it for his business...

Kryton

www.selestial.com

 

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By Andrew Ross BTCSoftware
03rd Jun 2011 11:01

Social Media - definitely worth exploring

Plenty of accountants I speak to are reaping considerable benefit from informed use of social media, but you won't know if it's for you until you try and you must not only have a strategy but be prepared to commit some time and effort. Nor should you expect instant results.

I would also seek out the advice of someone in the know. One such is Stephen Paul who has had so much success using it for his own practice that he now also runs a specialist social media consultancy aimed specifically at accountants, Social Media-NE Ltd  

Andrew Ross BTCSoftware

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By Richard Messik
03rd Jun 2011 11:12

Recommendations for social media marketing help

 I would recommend that you contact Tracey Dunn at BlueSky PR  - www.bluesky-pr.net They would fit your requirements perfectly.

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By RogerNeale
03rd Jun 2011 12:29

Do you attract clients via your website?

If you try to attract lcients via your website, then "social media" (facebook, linkedin, twitter) is a great way of increasing the  "visibility of your website to Google and other search engines.

The most important thing to remember when posting on these social media sites is that , within the post, you MUST ALWAYS include a link to your website. Essentially, the more publicly accessible links there are to your website, the more likely your site is to be near/at the top of the search results and every time you post an item with a link to your website, you get another chance for people who see it to click and visit your site. The more visitors to your website that you get, the more likely you are to get bueinss from it.

And YES, Aweb is a form of social media.

In the words of the Meercats "SIMPLES"

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PAH Accounting Devizes Wiltshire
By Phil Hendy
03rd Jun 2011 13:30

Don't put links in all the time

 I disagree entirely about putting links on to all of your posts. Yes, if you are linking to an article or something of interest, yes fine; however, the key to getting good followers and visibility is to be interactive. A mix of links and engaging with others is important.

Just blasting out ads and links does not and will not work.

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By RogerNeale
03rd Jun 2011 14:48

Relevant links

Ooops sorry Phil, I did mean links to relevant articles.

Links to irrelevant things are a waste of time and will get people annoyed and stop following you.

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By Simon Newsam
13th Jun 2011 15:07

Social media for business (and the waste line)

I'm going to North Wales to help ACCA members get to grips with social media on Wednesday June 15th in St Asaph. This thread has given me a taste of what's to come (... and I'm still going!).

The question that's really being debated here is whether or not it is worth accountants marketing themselves or their businesses through social media platforms and the answer is it can be.

Networking through websites, such as Twitter and Facebook, is just like other networking accountants may indulge in, such as attanding business events. The main advantage of  networking online is that you can communicate with far more people at once without leaving your desk. And it's also kinder on your wasteline than business breakfasts, lunches and dinners. 

Of course, it isn't usually as powerful as meeting face-to-face but if accountants wish to build up their business, social media certainly can help. And as Roger Neale says, if you're trying to attract clients through your website, social media marketing makes perfect sense.

One last point for those who say "it's not for me". Okay, but put "you" aside for one moment; it's whether or not it's going to benefit your business that you should be considering.

If anyone wants more specific advice or a clear idea of time and cost (one size doesn't fit all I'm afraid), I'll be happy to help. Find me at www.effective-communication.co.uk or see you in St Asaph.

-- Simon Newsam, New Media Account Director, Effective Communication

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By User deleted
17th Jun 2011 15:16

At an ACCA seminar recently ...

... the advice was, all in or all out.

I.e. if you do it you must jump in feet first at the deep end and keep doing it, it is a lifestyle choice that once made is hard to unmake.

You cannot side on the side and slash your feet in the shallow end. If you do not interact and keep your information and postings up to date you could do more harm than good.

Personally, it is not for me. Has anyone considered the downside, if you say something stupid, give bad advice or even someone with a grudge starts a smear campaign  it spreads very quickly with dire consequence.

Also, what goes on the web stays on the web! Even if you delete things from your website, facebook page whatever, there will be copies of it available - forever!

 

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By User deleted
17th Jun 2011 22:07

I think it is the fact that there is so much bad spelling on soc

and to old school like me that matters

It is waist/waistline, unless it was freudian!

 

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PAH Accounting Devizes Wiltshire
By Phil Hendy
17th Jun 2011 23:04

@oldgrey
Think about it as what could happen if someone slates you on the web and you are not taking an interest. Monitoring social media is a good thing.

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By User deleted
17th Jun 2011 23:36

Sorry Phil

Social media is neither good nor bad, nor is monitoring it, it just is, it can be used or abused, you can use it or not use it, that that is the beauty of free choice.

Notice the name though, social media, not business media - not commenting either way, just observing. I do have a facebook account, but for personal use, I have 4 friends, I choose them with care, I don't collect them like scalps.

I joined twitter once and it was like aliens taking over my computer so I scrapped it within minutes, personal choice,  I do not judge those who use or don't use it, but I do prefer OGA to being called @anything! Notice too you see, people can slag me off on here if they choose, but as I have a pseudonym, no one knows who I am so it doesn't matter - if I were using my practice details there is as much potential for harm as for good, and it wouldn't be as much fun having to watch what i say - this way I can play devil's advocate.

As far as I am concerned its horses for courses as I think you said yourself higher up, it is not for me but if it suits others then all well and good.

I am not sure I agree with Paul, the people who overuse have that trait in built, if it wasn't that it would be something else, better spending all night tweeting than drinking and/or eating chocolate in front of the TV.

 

 

 

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