All posts by April M. Williams

April M. William of Cyberlife Tutors, a social media coach, speaker and author of Algonquin. She creates, implements and teaches business social media strategies in McHenry County. Connect with me on Google. Email April.
Social Media

Update Your Facebook Privacy Settings for Your Comfort Level

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Facebook with over 8,ooo,oooo users is a place to connect with friends. Facebook privacy setting can be confusing. If you do use Facebook, here are ways you can utilize Facebook privacy settings to restrict who sees the comments, pictures and videos you post.

On the upper right corner of Facebook, select “Privacy Settings” using the drop down arrow next to “Home.” One this page, you can set your Privacy Seeings to your comfort level. To strictly resist your content, choose “Friends” for most of these settings.

Facebook Privacy Settings choices:

  1. “Control Your Default Privacy” which apply to status updates and photos you post to your timeline from a Facebook app that doesn’t have the inline audience selector, like Facebook for Blackberry. Choose: “Public”, “Friends” or “Custom.”
  2. Adjust “How You Connect” to control how you connect with people you know.
  3. Adjust “How Tags Work” to control what happens when friends tag you or your content. “Timeline Review of posts friends tag you in before they go on your Timeline” (note: tags may still appear elsewhere on Facebook)
    *** When disabled, people can tag you in photos or status updates, and those items will automatically go to your Timeline.
    *** When enabled, you will be allowed to review it first. These posts will still exist in the timeline of the friend who created the content just not your Timeline until you approve it.
  4. Adjust Apps and Websites to control what gets shared with apps, games and websites.
  5. Adjust “Limit the Audience for Past Posts” to limit the audience for posts you shared with friends of friends or Public.
  6. Adjust “Blocked People and Apps” to manage the people and apps you’ve blocked.

After adjusting each of these settings, click on “Done” to save your choices.

By customizing your Facebook privacy settings, you control access to who sees the content you choose to share with others.

Social Media

Facebook Privacy Starts With General Internet Best Practices

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Fear of losing privacy on Facebook is one of the most common social networking fears I hear. People are concerned their personal information will become private, that everyone will know what they are doing or their financial data will be at risk.

While internet hacking does occur, your best defense begins with use of good general internet best practices. This is the best protection for your internet privacy.

  1. Never share personal information or anything you are uncomfortable with others seeing. Even with privacy settings, things can get out and become public on any site.This goes for for comments, pictures, video or any other medium. My benchmark is this: Would I feel comfortable with my Mom or Grandmother seeing this remark or picture I posted? If the answer is “no”, I know it is a comment which should not be made public.
  2. Use strong passwords and change them often. Create mnemonics to help remember your passwords. For example: “every good boy deserves fudge”  -> egbdf.
  3. Use a different passwords for each site so if someone gets access, they cannot get into all of your accounts.

This is some risk with any internet site. By using internet best practices, you are more likely to retain your privacy and keep your data secure.

Social Media

Pinterest Invites are the Hottest Commodity on the Internet Today

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Pinterest is the hottest new social networking site and it is taking the country by storm. The site let’s members create a virtual college of internet pictures. Create a board, give it a title and pin virtual internet picture to your collection.

For now, membership is invitation only. Google used this method for rolling out Google Plus.

Here is a picture from Rice Fusion Sushi I pinned to my Pinterest Food board.

 

Visit our McHenry County Pinterest board and please suggest additional pictures to include.

Social Media

Mari Smith Webinar Facebook 2012: What You Need to Know

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Here is great news on a Facebook event I’m excited to share with you because it comes from a true leader in the social media space!

Many of you are trying to get social media to work for your business and are looking for guidance. Mari Smith provides some of the best guidance there is for making sense of it all.

And as entrepreneurs and small businesses owners, we are all interested in getting better at Facebook marketing and relationship marketing in a big way.

I’m VERY excited to share Mari’s Facebook Marketing for 2012 webinar replay with you. You will find it very informative. You’re invited to attend for free!

https://marismith.infusionsoft.com/go/fb2012/aprilmwilliams/

Many of us are overwhelmed with all the recent changes over at Facebook. Sometimes it’s tough to stay ahead and use the world’s largest social network to guarantee consistent visibility, engagement and growth for your business.

That’s why Mari’s offering this free webinar, to get you up to speed on Facebook Marketing right at the start of the year. It’s all about the best ways to develop a raving fan base so that they REALLY connect with you and love to buy from you.

https://marismith.infusionsoft.com/go/fb2012/aprilmwilliams/

I recommend you register right away for Mari’s first big Facebook event of 2012.  I have already watched this webinar and can tell you it is a great way to start this year off with a big boost to our Facebook marketing for 2012!

https://marismith.infusionsoft.com/go/fb2012/aprilmwilliams/

After the webinar, let me know what you found most beneficial.

Mari Smith webinar

Social Media

What Does Bob Newhart Know about Social Media and Websites?

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What does Bob Newhart know about social media and websites? And what can we learn from his example? Do you really need a website?

When I visited Bob Newhart’s website I was greeted with a huge photo of Bob Newhart smiling back at me from my computer screen. I admit being taken aback. The only other items on the page are a small Facebook and Twitter icons. Now, Bob is 82 years young and many of his fans are his generation. Bob uses social media to reach out and touch is fans because it is an effective form of communication.

He’s still got his famous brand of humor. Here is one of Bob’s recent tweets:

“Look at this @PerezHilton, I’m 82 & being hounded by the paparazzi! http://perezhilton.com/2012-01-05-bob-newhart-beverly-hills#.Tweal0r5Zg8“

Do you need a website or is a social media page enough? Let me know how you weigh in on the topic.

Bob Newhart in Chicago
Bob Newhart in Chicago. Photo credit Bob Newhart
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Social Media Social Media Roundtable at Shah Small Business Development Center

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Monthly business social media roundtable begins January 28, 2012 at the Shah Small Business Development Center in McHenry, Illinois.

  • Are you just getting started with social media?
  • Interested in learning which social media practices are most effective?
  • Do you want to learn about the latest updates?

The Shah Small Business Development Center launches a monthly social media roundtable facilitated by social media coach and author April M. Williams. The first session is Thursday January 26, 6-8PM. Bring your questions and share your experiences.

This interactive roundtable is the opportunity to discuss with peers your ideas. What works? What doesn’t? Exchange experiences and toss around ideas of how to drive awareness and increase profits. This is a tremendous opportunity to brainstorm with other small business owners and broaden your network.

There is no charge to attend these sessions, however; registration is required. Call the Shah Center at (815) 455–8593 or email shahcenter@mchenry.edu. The Shah Center is located at 4100 W. Shamrock Lane McHenry, IL 60050.

Social Media

Google Search Plus Your World Joins with Google Plus Search

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Google begins rolling out “Google Search Plus Your World” on 1/10/12 which incorporates posts, comments and pictures from those you are connect with through Google Plus.

Google introduces these big changes which impact search capabilities and results. Previously, Google search took into account your personal information and location to customize your search results to make them meaningful to you. With Google Search Plus Your World, results include your Google Plus contacts information, tips, comments, news, pictures and video.

Here the official notice from Google.According to Google, “you can see how your results look for a particular search with or without personal results by clicking the person icon personal results button or the globe icon globe button on the top right side of the search results page. You can also turn off personal results in your search settings”

ABC and Associate Press expressed concerns about the impact these changes have on search competition, Twitter, Facebook and anti-trust issues.

Google is connecting authors to their individual internet content through their Google Plus account. This allows authors to rank in search results based on their portfolio of writing as an author or publisher. Learn how to connect your Google Plus account to your content.

Google Plus personal accounts have been around for a months while Google Plus business pages are more recent. These two profiles will not only impact organic search results, third party endorsements from your connections will sway consumer’s opinion and impact click through rates.

Find April M. Williams and CyberLife Tutors on Google Plus.

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LinkedIn Advanced for Professionals Hands On Training Course

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Are you on LinkedIn, have dozens of connections  and thinking “Now what?” Wondering how to really used LinkedIn in your job search? Then this hands on class is for you. See how you can leverage your network to discover the hidden job market.
Learn how joining groups can benefit your career. Find out how to increase your chances of being found by recruiters. April M Williams demonstrates how to make the most of your LinkedIn profile. Students must already have a LinkedIn profile and know how to add connections.

“LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network and an important tool for careers. Patrons are interested in learning more about using LinkedIn while they are employed and during job transitions”, said Lisa Guidarini, MLS, Adult Program Coordinator Algonquin Area Public Library District. “Author April M. Williams is an active LinkedIn user and has seen the benefits for her career.”

These sessions held January 29 and February 5, 2012. A LinkedIn Basics class will be held January 15, 2012. The LinkedIn Advanced for Professionals class is one of the many career related services and programs offered by the Algonquin Library.

Check April M. Williams and CyberLife Tutors calendar for the most current schedule of events.

Connect with April M. Williams on LinkedIn.

April Williams
Speaker, Author, Executive Coach, Blogger
Mobile: 414.502.7745 Email: april@cyberlifetutors.com
 http://www.linkedin.com/in/aprilmwilliams
Where Are You Today Travel Blog		 CyberLife Tutors

We shorten your learning curve
Social Media

FourSquare Location Based Social Networking Website

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FourSquare is a geo-location-based social networking application accessed millions of times each day as members check in at locations using smartphones. With this mobile marketing tool, users earn FourSquare badges, become mayor of a venue and claim discounts. Mayor status is earned by checking in the most times and this is your most loyal customer.

Businesses use FourSquare to attract and retain customers. With FourSquare tools for business, your first step is to claim your business venue. Edit details, add a link to your website and Twitter handle. You can set up free marketing campaigns and specials like the “Newbie Special”, “Swarm Special” or “Mayor Special”.

Monitor your campaigns with the Merchant Dashboard with venue stats to get a statistical breakdown on your visitors.

FourSquare apps are available the Iphone, BlackBerry, Android, Palm and many other smartph0ne devices.

Contact us and to get your business started with FourSquare.

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Getting Started With LinkedIn for Professionals at Algonquin Library

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Learn the basics of using LinkedIn professionally and launch your career forward in 2012. LinkedIn is a recruiters first tool for finding job candidates. Whether you are currently looking for employment or not, it is important to have a LinkedIn profile.
Come out the Algonquin Main Library for this session with speaker, author and coach April M. Williams.
See the benefits of using Linkedin for professional networking. Determine if you are an active or passive candidate. Topics covered include basic account types, creating your profile, getting connected, and joining groups. We will cover researching companies and applying for jobs using LinkedIn tools.
“Our patrons are interested in learning more about social networking tools to help them connect with other professionals.” said Lisa Guidarini, MLS, Adult Program Coordinator Algonquin Area Public Library District. “This programs highlights the benefits of using LinkedIn to build an online network and stay connected. Author April M. Williams is a long time LinkedIn member who actively uses her LinkedIn connections and groups to benefit her career.”

This session is January 15, 2012 from 2-4PM. Contact the Algonquin Library to register for this session. Reach the Algonquin Library online or call 847.458.6060. The Algonquin Main Library is located at 2600 Harnish Dr. Algonquin, IL 60102.

Visit April M. Williams’ LinkedIn profile by clicking on the links below.

April M. Williams
Speaker, Author, Executive Coach, Blogger
Mobile: 414.502.7745 Email: april@cyberlifetutors.com
 http://www.linkedin.com/in/aprilmwilliams
Where Are You Today Travel Blog		 CyberLife Tutors

We shorten your learning curve
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