Jeff Belonger - Social Media - Marketing - Branding

Jeff Belonger - Social Media - Marketing - Branding Social Media Strategist - Game Changer - Creative Thinker - Common Sense Thinking - www.JeffBelonger.com Twitter :

Teaching the basics of Social Media & managing social media for businesses. Reviewing your marketing/business plan, making sure that your brand matches your company's product and message, managing your online reputation, and aligning all of your social media platforms so that they tell your story properly & not just broadcast like an online ad. The bottom line is that my associates and I will under promise and over deliver. We aren't going to mislead you or tell you what you want to hear.

What is your biggest pet peeve in those using social media for their business?Mine? Those who post about events who leav...
09/14/2021

What is your biggest pet peeve in those using social media for their business?

Mine? Those who post about events who leave out the MOST important pieces of info! Dates & Times!

I consider this Facebook post to be a major fail. They talk about a special event. They don't mention the date and times in the post or on the graphic. Someone does ask and they respond, yet they NEVER went back to update the actual post. In my eyes, that is a major fail.

A small failure is also not getting back to people when asking questions. Someone also asked what the date was and if they could set up a table, and if so, what would it cost. That was 2 weeks ago and nobody responded. I do get that questions can be missed when your post is getting slammed with comments and or the comment was 1 to 2 weeks older.

Lastly, look at the far left bottom. 2022? I guess we skipped the fall of 2021.

Example: About 5 years ago, an event posted about bringing some food trucks to an Arts Festival. The post mentioned the food trucks, but never a date and time. I politely asked and they said, "Jeff, you should know. Just click on the link in the page profile." LMAO - News Flash! I have done many polls and most prefer those kinds of details to be at their fingertips, and not spending time looking for the info. Ps... for me, it's also common sense. And the PR company handling this event's social media knew me and I knew who was managing the social media at the time. I ended up getting that event's business the following year.

Looking for someone to manage your social media? I have been doing this since 2007!

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E-Mail: [email protected]
Cell: 609-440-5133

Businesses need to understand that the word social in social media means more than just liking someone's Tweet or post w...
07/24/2018

Businesses need to understand that the word social in social media means more than just liking someone's Tweet or post when they mention you.

Be social, engage with them. Thank them for stopping by and Retweet the Tweet, not just like it.

Someone checks into your business on Facebook, thank them for stopping in. If you are a restaurant, ask them what they had to eat. Someone Retweets you, thank them for the retweet.

Sure, some of this takes more time, but it could be the difference of that person actually coming back. It's not always about having the best product. Think of it as being at your store or restaurant, and the person at the door or the hostess says, thanks for stopping in and please come back. Or, how was everything? Engagement.

Lastly, if someone makes a comment on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, reply to them. Again, it's called engagement and I see enough brands even missing this opportunity. FB hint - The faster the reply to the comment, the better it helps you in the algorithm.

(FYI - sure, you might miss a few if you get a tone of engagement or retweets, but trying is a big part of it)

If business owners who hire people to manage their brands social media understood this and saw that who is managing their social media was just posting or tweeting only, maybe they would get someone better who understood this all. Please don't hesitate to pass this along to business owners!

What are your thoughts on this topic? What do you see and or do on your end?

Customer service is a big part of social media!Example: Many businesses on Facebook have their biz pages set up to recei...
10/17/2017

Customer service is a big part of social media!

Example: Many businesses on Facebook have their biz pages set up to receive messages. Over time, I have found more than 50% of messages sent either don't get a reply or they are replied to days later.

This is a major fail on several levels. Think about it. If I called your office and nobody answered, that looks bad. What would be worse is if I left you a message and you never returned my call.

The same should go for messages left on Facebook. This can be looked as a negative against you and you might lose out on potential business. It could also say that you just don't care enough.

The worst thing possible? Reading a message and then never replying or getting back to that person days later. If you don't have an answer right away, reply and say, "I don't have an answer right now, but I will find out and get back to you soon." Keep in mind, your messages are time stamped and even when reading a message, it will show a time and a date when read.

What are your thoughts on this topic?

Basic definition of Social Media: websites and applications that enable users to create and share content or to particip...
10/05/2017

Basic definition of Social Media: websites and applications that enable users to create and share content or to participate in social networking.

One main ingredient often forgotten is that you should be social!

Do you thank those who retweet you?

One major complaint I tend to hear is that I have too many retweets to thank people. Okay, part of that is a good problem.

But how about taking at least 3 to 5 minutes to create two tweets in thanking some of those who have retweeted you. And in my opinion, it's okay to list multiple people and or businesses in that one thank you tweet. It could go a long way & possibly get them to come back to retweet you more.

Think about it... Social Media is about being social, and not just broadcasting about you or your clients.

What are your thoughts on this topic? Thx

Reviews of any business are extremely important to ones business, no matter if the review is good or bad.What's worse is...
09/13/2017

Reviews of any business are extremely important to ones business, no matter if the review is good or bad.

What's worse is when those reviews go unnoticed!

I have seen enough pages to where reviews are ignored, even the good ones. In my opinion, all negative reviews should be handled, where you reply to the person. This shows that you care.

Keeping up with your Facebook Reviews is simple and should be a must for anyone handling your social media.

What are your thoughts on this subject? Thx 😎

Topic of discussion is about Twitter "likes" & "retweeting" Tweets.Likes: Formerly known as favorites, Twitter likes are...
08/16/2017

Topic of discussion is about Twitter "likes" & "retweeting" Tweets.

Likes: Formerly known as favorites, Twitter likes are the simplest and yet previously most mysterious form of engagement on Twitter. They don’t do all that much on their own.

Do you like the Tweet to save it & go back to read it later? Are you just letting the person or business know that you liked what they had to say, that you are giving a "thumbs up?"

Retweets: When you retweet a Tweet on Twitter, are you endorsing that Tweet? Are you Retweeting it aka sharing it with others because you thought it was good information or because you want to help get the word out about that business?

Here is Jeff Belonger's take:

I think "likes" are over-used by many. Especially those who manage social media for a business.

Especially businesses that are part of a community. If you like that tweet enough to click like, why don't you retweet it. It helps that business in your community. Especially if the tweet is informational. And if retweeting the Tweet, why not give a quick reason why.

Sometimes you see some businesses which are run by people hired to manage their social media have like hundred's and thousands of likes. Do most ever even go back and look at these likes? Probably not. Does it seem like a waste? Maybe. Especially if you truly like that Tweet for various reasons, why do so many fall short in retweeting it? Especially if you or that business is mentioned in the tweet. Do you even thank that Tweet for the mention?

People need to remember that twitter likes are much different than Facebook and or Instagram likes and so much easier to share the info than on other platforms.

What are your thoughts regarding "likes" vs "retweets?"

Fake News! Well, I am talking about Fake Followers, Fake Fans and get this, even about real friends when it comes to Fac...
08/08/2017

Fake News! Well, I am talking about Fake Followers, Fake Fans and get this, even about real friends when it comes to Facebook and social media!

I see some pages who will buy Fake Followers aka likes. All this does is build up your total numbers. Here why this is bad!

Facebook has an algorithm & part of that algorithm says that the more fans/likes you have, the less traveled your post will become from the get go. Not unless you have engaging fans or post something phenomenal.

Overall, you want people who will engage, not just numbers of followers. This doesn't do anything for you but look good. Yet it won't help get your brand noticed or seen!

*** On another note, you don't even want to invite all of your friends to like your page. Not unless they will engage daily. Why is this? Again, as your numbers grow, your posts will be seen by fewer until they are shared a lot, commented or or liked, which helps get your posts seen. Normally your friends will help out & like your page, but that's usually it then. So in this case, this method doesn't help.

Now, when just starting a new page, you might want to invite some to get it started, but once you get over 300 or so, just allow it to grow organically. Sometimes posting an ad to get seen and some new followers. But good content will bring them!

Also, paying a little to boost your posts help from time to time.

The graphic says it all! Quality over quantity! This is so true when it comes to social media.

What are your thoughts on this? What have you seen? Thx

As a social media manager, you should truly keep up on Facebook's algorithm changes!One big fail is that I see more and ...
04/20/2017

As a social media manager, you should truly keep up on Facebook's algorithm changes!

One big fail is that I see more and more pages follow what others do & not know that it could be hurting their page and Facebook posts.

Facebook came out at the end of 2016 and said asking for likes & shares for a post will hurt your post reach, yet I keep seeing this happen more and more. And in all honesty, doesn't it look desperate as well? You aren't a magician while trying to trick others. If your post and information is that interesting, people will like and share.

Thoughts?

FYI - If you have hired a company or person to manage your business's social media and see this taking place, why not reach out to me so we can talk about a real social media strategy that will help your business. [email protected]

Unfortunately there is no bible, a true set of guidelines, when it comes to Social Media. (click the graphic to enlarge)...
04/13/2017

Unfortunately there is no bible, a true set of guidelines, when it comes to Social Media. (click the graphic to enlarge)

What happens is people or businesses don't use their common sense or they follow others that might be doing it wrong.

What I have been seeing much more lately are business just tagging other businesses randomly on Twitter & Facebook. And in some cases, using hashtags that don't correspond with that Tweet or Facebook post.

Some are told to have conversations with others on Twitter. You don't have a conversation on Twitter by tagging businesses just to get them to your Tweet. Not unless they are a part of that story or an article that you are linking, or even when giving them a shout out about a product they carry.

When it comes to Facebook, hashtags in most cases are useless and make the post look j***y. Some will disagree. But think about it. Nobody really searches hashtags on Facebook anymore. When Facebook rolled this out, allowing hashtags to be clickable, they wanted to be like Twitter. And tagging a business on Facebook that is not part of that post is like spamming. This goes for Twitter as well. Overall, it also looks desperate as well. You are basically say, "Hey, look at us! Come over... Retweet us & share."... without saying it! Why else would you tag a business in a Tweet or Facebook post

What are your thoughts on tagging and hashtags. Thx

I am a rule breaker! Ha... well, sometimes. You need to know when to pick your poison in life.When it comes to Facebook...
03/30/2017

I am a rule breaker! Ha... well, sometimes. You need to know when to pick your poison in life.

When it comes to Facebook contests & or promotions, we see many breaking Facebook's TOS.

You once had to use 3rd party apps or you couldn't create contests on your page. That all changed about a year ago. You don't have to use a 3rd party app, but you still have some rules & guidelines that you must follow.

Promotions on Facebook must include the following:

1. If you use Facebook to communicate or administer a promotion (ex: a contest or sweepstakes), you are responsible for the lawful operation of that promotion...... and more with A, B & C.

2. Promotions on Facebook must include the following:
a. A complete release of Facebook by each entrant or participant.
b. Acknowledgement that the promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.

3. Promotions may be administered on Pages or within apps on Facebook. Personal Timelines and friend connections must not be used to administer promotions (ex: “share on your Timeline to enter” or “share on your friend's Timeline to get additional entries”, and "tag your friends in this post to enter" are not permitted).

The biggest issue is that not only do pages ask their participants to share the post to be entered, but that as a page, you can't see every single person that has shared that post. A matter of fact, you will only be able to see a small percentage of those who have shared that post! No matter if you tell them to keep their settings to open to public or not. This is a fact! So in reality, you are misleading the majority of your fans and those who are participating.

And just because other pages do it, doesn't mean it's okay. Sure, the likely hood of FB taking down your page if caught is like 1 and in a billion chances. They mostly go after large brands and it doesn't even feel like they monitor them that well. But again, aren't you misleading your fans and participants just to get eyes and legs on your post and brand?!?! Why not at least do the contest correct.

Also, I find 99% of these contests don't even have the right verbiage in the post. Such as, releasing Facebook and that it's not sponsored by Facebook. And the fact that you don't see most of the shares as a page. To me, at least this part shows lack of character & true lack of knowledge in my opinion when it comes to social media. Just because you have Facebook and can post, doesn't make you qualified. Just because you have a potential client who you say to them, "I have experience in social media," does not me you are qualified.

What are your thoughts on this topic? Please tell us. Thx

Here are the details about promotions & contests.

http://bit.ly/FacebookContestRulesMarch2017

Social Media is sometimes over thought and not used with common sense. I see so many brands & businesses ONLY like a Twe...
03/22/2017

Social Media is sometimes over thought and not used with common sense. I see so many brands & businesses ONLY like a Tweet when they or their event gets mentioned. They never seem to Retweet the Tweet.

I have tested this with a few clients to where I might Tweet out that we are serving a certain beer & every time I mention a specific brand, all they do is keep liking the Tweet and never once Retweeted it.

In my opinion, this is a FAIL. Especially since all you do is keep liking the same Tweet. I also sense that many businesses get the meaning of Twitter likes and Facebook likes confused, thinking it's the same thing and the same type of action.

Remember this! Each social media platform is different and its functions are meant for different uses.

What are your thoughts on this topic? Please read the graphic to get a better understanding as well. (click graphic to enlarge)

Basic Social Media tip: Just because another brand or so called social media person does it, doesn't always mean that it...
03/07/2017

Basic Social Media tip: Just because another brand or so called social media person does it, doesn't always mean that it's correct or the best method.

One big pet peeve of mine is Cross Posting! Cross posting is when you post on Instagram & send that same post to Facebook. Or send that Facebook post to Twitter.

Some basics to why it's a bad idea. (click on graphic to see better)

● When posting on Instagram & sending it to Twitter, the photo doesn't appear unless you use a trick to make that photo appear. Google IFTTT - If This Then That

● When posting to Facebook & sending it to Twitter, if you have more than 140 characters, the Tweet will be chopped off with a link back to the post. First off, the Tweet looks like crap. Secondly, most people don't click on that link. Lastly, not everyone on Twitter is on Facebook.

● When posting to Instagram & sending it to Facebook, you need to go back to the Facebook post and clean it up. Yes, Facebook allows hashtags, but they are used improperly on FB & the post itself doesn't look clean. And because of FB's algorithm, the hashtags and or the number of characters can hurt your reach. One key thing: When you tag someone on IG & send it to FB, it will not work & in some cases, the name might be altered as well.

Remember, each platform is different when it comes to the number of characters, creating hashtags, and photos.

What are your thoughts on this?

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