Yearly Archives: 2011

Social Media

Using Your Website and Social Media to Drive Membership

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

April M. Williams
CyberLife Tutors
(414) 502-7745
http://www.cyberlifetutors.com
USING YOUR WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA TO DRIVE MEMBERSHIP

District 30 Toastmasters Leadership Institute presents “Charting Your Course” for all members, officers and guests on June 18, 2011.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ALGONQUIN, ILLINOIS – June 7, 2011
District 30 Toastmasters Leadership Institute “Charting Your Course” education sessions will feature author and executive coach April M. Williams. Her presentation “Using Your Website and Social Media To Drive Membership” in your club is back by popular request.

Attendees will learn ways to make the most out of their web presence including a website, Facebook, Linkedin, YouTube and Twitter to build awareness for your club and boost membership numbers.

April will also be part of a panel of experts for the session “How to Be a World Class Club Coach.”

Education sessions will be held from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm on June 18h at the Hilton Rosemont 5550 N. River Road Rosemont, IL. 60018.

“Collaboration is one of the most powerful tools available to us. It begins when we share what we know, ” said Toastmasters Area Govenor Linda Eenigenburg. “Attending TLI educational sessions benefits the speaker by providing the opportunity to employ speaking and leadership skills. More importantly, it benefits the audience with the open exchange of thoughts, experience and ideas. Collaboration – it’s a powerful tool!”

With over 5,000 first level connection, April knows how to leverage LinkedIn and maximize the power of her network. Visit April’s LinkedIn profile to see her client, coworker and partner recommendations.

These sessions are offered to Toastmasters members and their guests at no charge. Register by online. For more information, contact Summer TLI Dean Brent Anderson at D30tli@yahoo.com.

April M. Williams, a nationally recognized speaker, author, coach and blogger actively leverages the power of social networking tools. April is President of CyberLife Tutors and shows clients how to leverage their strengths to enhance their business. April published a book “Social Networking Throughout Your Career” and has been featured in major publications including the Wall Street Journal, Project Management Institute, Savvy, Business Journal and Nations Restaurant News.

April 08

ABOUT CyberLife Tutors – Serving McHenry County, Northern Illinois and surrounding areas to promote business through low cost, high impact marketing, building relationships and driving results.

Visit our CyberLife Tutors events calendar for information on upcoming events.

Social Media

Use WeReward Location Based Service to Earn Cash

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Do you have a smart phone? Iphone, Android or Blackberry? If so, check out WeReward.

WeReward is a location based service where you can check-in when you visit stores, restaurants, gas stations, museums and other businesses anywhere in the United States. This free application is similar to location based services like Gowalla or Four Square.

WeReward uses global positioning systems (GPS) to locate you and businesses around you. You search for and select the businesses you visit.

Are you wondering what is different about WeReward? You earn points which can be converted to cash when you check in at locations. Yep. Cash. The amount of cash each check-in is worth varies.

There are also tasks you can complete and products you can try for cash. For example, you can earn cash for taking a picture of your taco dinner you make at home. Your favorite restaurants are all here too.

If you are visiting these store and retail shops and checking in with location based services, why not check in with WeReward and get paid? Click on my affiliate link below to learn more.

Sign up with my affiliate link, then leave a comment here if you want my free tips on how you can make the most of your WeReward account. Just ask for WeReward Secrets and I’ll send you an email.

Dorothy Tucker, CBS Chicago News, interviewed me about WeReward, a location based checkin app. Check out the interview on CBS Chicago.

Sign up for WeReward using my link http://we.rw/p1yFb/ then email me or leave a comment and I send you my secrets to getting the most from WeReward.

WeReward Location based App
Earn cash with WeReward

 

Want to learn my favorite secrets to getting the most from WeReward? Download my tips here:
April’s Secrets to Getting the Most from WeReward

brand management

Does Your Small Business Need a Website?

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Does your business have a website? If not, you are not alone. The question is, does your small business need a website?

Chris Brogan said, “60% of U.S. businesses are not online in any fashion — a huge mistake in an age in which most people rely heavily on search engines to find information about businesses.”

Consumer shopping often starts online where we begin our research. If your company is not online, you miss the opportunity to be considered in the first round. Without an online presence, your company is eliminated before you have a chance to compete for the sale.

Brogan compares using a Facebook page instead of your own website to living in a hotel rather than a home. The content is yours through the site owner can kick you out or change the rules at any time.

The same holds true for other free hosting sites like wordpress.com, Blogger and Typepad. The sites are attractive to those just starting out. If you are just getting started with your first site, you may consider free hosting as a place to experiment with layout and content. These sites have tools and templates to get your site up and running within minutes. Advanced technical skills are not required.

Business Website
Does your small business need a website?

Once you determine the type of site and content that works for your company, consider moving to your own domain. The benefits of hosting on your own domain include:

  • More credibility for your business
  • Full control over your site and content
  • Greater flexibility of platforms and software
  • Improved optimization for higher search engine ranking
  • Ability to monetize your site

Costs to register a domain are about $10 a year. Hosting fees vary. If you are serious about your business, it is worth investing in your online presence with your own business website.

Social Media

LinkedIn Celebrates 8 Years and 100 Million Members

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LinkedIn celebrates it’s 8th birthday May 2011. The company has grown since LinkedIn started out in co-founder Reid Hoffman’s living room in 2002. LinkedIn says their official launch date was May 5, 2003.

LinkedIn is now an important business networking tool and sales prospecting tool. When I teach my two hour “LinkedIn for Business” seminars, students are surprised by the features and functions within LinkedIn which they we not aware of. Almost all students recommend a longer or follow up session.

LinkedIn becomes more powerful as a networking and sales tool as your network grows. When I first joined LinkedIn, I found it was not useful to me. Once I began to connect with others, I was able to unleash the full potential.

LinkedIn social_linkedin_button_blue_128
LinkedIn

It is not uncommon for me to get calls from prospects who find me in LinkedIn then call to inquiry about working with me. They read my posts and watch my contributions and become interested. Then they view my accomplishments and recommendations on my LinkedIn profile. This is “attraction marketing” working for me.

Keith Warrick, fellow BDPA LinkedIn group member told us how to find out what member number you are when you joined LinkedIn. Keith was a fairly early adopter of LinkedIn, and member #1,551,555.

I am member #2,303,036, joining on April 1, 2005. Thanks for this tip, Keith.

To find out your member number, click on PROFILE and View My Profile. In the URL address, you will find a number after id – that is your member number.

What member number are you out of 100 million current LinkedIn members?

Social Media

How to gain influence on Twitter? Focus

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Do you wonder how to gain influence on Twitter? Amy Gahran gives advice in her article “How to gain influence on Twitter? Focus”. As she notes, influence is more than the number of followers you have. Tweeting on a single topic is more likely to gain influence among followers.

Influence follows followers. If you do not have followers, no one will hear your message. Start by building a solid base of followers and you will grow you influence as you tweet  messages.

Grow your Twitter Influence
Grow your Twitter Influence

We wrote our tips on how to Magnify your Message With Twitter and enjoy our readers success stories. Check out the ways we show you how you can build your twitter following quickly with our six step approach.

Take our challenge, build your Twitter following to over 500 followers.

Twitaholic is one site where you can measure your influence on Twitter. Here is my ranking for my location. Today, I rank #2 in the Chicago area.

Other tools I use include Twitter Grader from Hubspot where my rank today is #3 and Klout where I rank “Specialist”.

Note, rankings change day to day. How do you rank? What do you think of these tools?

Click on the word COMMENTS above to log in and tell us your Twitter name so we can follow you back.

news

Networking Like A Pro Spring Fever Sale

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On the employment front, competition is getting fierce. Are you ready to compete in the job market?

According to a recent survey by job-placement firm Manpower, 84% of employees plan to look for a new position in 2011. That’s up from just 60% last year.

  • How will you rate against the competition?
  • Are you willing to invest in yourself?

Learn how you can gain the competitive edge and land your dream job.

Book and DVD set
Social Networking Book and DVD set

Catch our Spring Fever Sale

  • “Social Networking Throughout Your Career: What’s All the Buzz About?” – Over 100 pages of practical advice on using the social networking tools to build credibility and influence with hiring managers and recruiters.  $9.99
  • “Networking for Results“: This 51 minute live presentation give you the best networking advice for making a positive first impression and building the right connections. $19.99
  • “Use LinkedIn 2 Get Noticed“: Access to our online, multimedia course for 30 days. Go at your own pace as these lessons take you step by step through updating your LinkedIn profile through using LinkedIn groups effectively. $19.99.

 

Get all three: “Social Networking Throughout Your Career” book, “Networking for Results” DVD and “Use LinkedIn 2 Get Noticed” a $49.97 value. Catch the Spring Fever price and you pay only $24.95

 

Save with our Spring Fever Sale

You get the best advice for using LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, You Tube and blogs for your career. See how these tools get you noticed by the right people. See how you can differentiate yourself from others in your industry.

Get all 3 for one low price.

You get the hands on book, the live presentation on DVD and the step by step ecourse all for one low cost of $24.95. Click here to order and pay securely using PayPal.

press release

Social Media Classes at Shah Center McHenry County

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Press Release: Illinois Small Business Development Center Classes for McHenry County

March 15, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Contact April M. Williams
CyberLife Tutors
(414) 502-7745

http://www.cyberlifetutors.com

SOCIAL MEDIA FOR BUSINESS CLASSES

Illinois Small Business Development Center and Cyberlife Tutors host Social Media classes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ALGONQUIN, ILLINOIS – March 15, 2011

Please join the Illinois Small Business Development Center and Cyberlife Tutors for an interactive, two part series on Social Media and how it applies to YOUR McHenry County business today.

This series is designed for those new to or curious about social media as a business building tool. Hosted by Illinois Small Business Development Center and April M. Williams of CyberLife Tutors, attendees will see how business can harness the power of free tools to target specific customers. Sessions cover LinkedIn and Facebook for your business. Mark your calendar for April 21 and 28, 2011 6:00 – 8:00 PM at the Shah Center, 4100 W. Shamrock Lane, McHenry, Illinois 60050. Cost is $30 per session. For registration or more information please contact Illinois Small Business Development Center at (815) 455-6098 or email sdbc@mchenry.edu .

“Understanding the keystrokes of how to harness and use social media is a key capability to operating effectively,” states ISBDC Director Mary Margaret Maule. ”These classes shorten your learning curve and reduce wasted time trying to learn yourself, self taught. Social media is the fastest growing form of marketing, most cost effective and flexible. Social media is a MUST have for all small businesses.”

See how other McHenry County businesses have grown their business using social media.

Scholl Construction Client Case Studies

C You At The Movies Client Case Studies

April M. Williams, a nationally recognized speaker, author, coach and blogger actively leverages the power of social networking tools. April is President of CyberLife Tutors and shows clients how to leverage their strengths to enhance their business. April published a book “Social Networking Throughout Your Career” and has been featured in major publications including the Wall Street Journal, Project Management Institute, Savvy, Business Journal and Nations Restaurant News.

April M. Williams teaches a Facebook for Business class at Shah Center
April M. Williams teaches a Facebook for Business class at Shah Center McHenry County

ABOUT CyberLife Tutors – Serving McHenry County, Northern Illinois and surrounding areas to promote business through low cost, high impact marketing, building relationships and driving results.

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networking

Facebook McHenry County Daily News

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Are you interested in McHenry County? Get the latest news in one place. The McHenry County Daily Paper published daily, brings you news from McHenry County businesses through their Facebook feeds.

Visit the McHenry County Business Daily Paper for your free subscription and keep up with the latest in McHenry County news. SEE SAMPLE BELOW.

Are you a McHenry County business or resident who wants to be included in the McHenry County news? Just use the words McHenry or McHenry County in your Facebook posts. We will add you to the list and your messages will appear on the McHenry County daily news.

press release

LinkedIn Strategies for Your Career

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:

April M. Williams
CyberLife Tutors
(414) 502-7745
http://www.cyberlifetutors.com
STRATEGIES TO BE NOTICED ON LINKEDIN AND LAND YOUR DREAM JOB

Career Transitions Center of Chicago hosts a special presentation with speaker, author, blogger and coach April M. Williams on March 29, 2011.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ALGONQIUN, ILLINOIS – February 18, 2011
The Career Transitions Center of Chicago will feature author and executive coach April M. Williams and her presentation “Strategies to Be Found on LinkedIn” to land your dream job. Attendees will learn ways to make the most out of Linkedin to be more effective in their job search.

The session will be held from 11:30 am – 12:30 pm on Tuesday, March 29th in the Career Transitions Center Great Room at 703 West Monroe, Chicago, Illinois, 60661.

CNN says 84% of Americans plan to look for a new position this year. How will you differentiate yourself from the competition? Hiring managers and recruiters are looking for someone with your skills on LinkedIn. Will they find you? Master strategies to be noticed on LinkedIn and land your dream job. Learn in how you can benefit from the using LinkedIn in session with April M. Williams.

“No longer is a good web presence optional. Smart career management requires leveraging LinkedIn and other online capabilities. April is a valuable and informed resource and guide.”
–  Laura Sterkel, Director, Programs & Coaching, Career Transitions Center of Chicago.

With over 5,000 first level connection, April knows how to leverage LinkedIn and maximize the power of her network. Visit April’s LinkedIn profile to see her client, coworker and partner recommendations.

Offered to CTC clients and the public at no charge. Register by email to host@ctcchicago.org. For more information, contact Career Transitions Center of Chicago at (312) 906-9908.

April M. Williams, a nationally recognized speaker, author, coach and blogger actively leverages the power of social networking tools. April is President of CyberLife Tutors and shows clients how to leverage their strengths to enhance their business. April published a book “Social Networking Throughout Your Career” and has been featured in major publications including the Wall Street Journal, Project Management Institute, Savvy, Business Journal and Nations Restaurant News.

April 08

ABOUT CyberLife Tutors – Serving McHenry County, Northern Illinois and surrounding areas to promote business through low cost, high impact marketing, building relationships and driving results.

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press release

Facebook Your Toastmasters Club PR Friend

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:

April M. Williams
CyberLife Tutors
(414) 502-7745
http://www.cyberlifetutors.com
FACEBOOK YOUR TOASTMASTERS CLUB PR FRIEND

David Reed and Oak Brook, Illinois Toastmasters club hosts a presentation with speaker, author, blogger and coach April M. Williams on February 22, 2011.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ALGONQIUN, ILLINOIS – February 16, 2011
The Oak Brook, Illinois Serious Speakers Toastmasters club will feature April M. Williams and her presentation on “Facebook Your Toastmasters Club PR Friend” to build membership and your career. Attendees will see how their club can harness the power of these tools to recruit new members and retain current members.

David Reed, MIM(MBA) is Toastmaster of the Day for this event from 5:30 to 6:00 pm at the Republic Bank in Oak Brook (2221 Camden Court).

“All are invited to hear this wonderful and educational speaker,” David said.

April M. Williams, a nationally recognized speaker, author, coach and blogger actively leverages the power of social networking tools. April is President of CyberLife Tutors and shows clients how to leverage their strengths to enhance their business. April published a book “Social Networking Throughout Your Career” and has been featured in major publications including the Wall Street Journal, Project Management Institute, Savvy, Business Journal and Nations Restaurant News.

April 08

ABOUT the CyberLife Tutors – Serving McHenry County, Northern Illinois and surrounding areas to promote business through low cost, high impact marketing, building relationships and driving results.

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