Developing a Social Media Plan

Written by Dr. Cheryl Cottle

A social media plan is becoming a part of large corporations and organizations’ strategic planning to economic positioning in the marketplace, to gain competitive advantage. Their strategy goes beyond meeting a local market; it extends to a wider international market. It is very global in its reach.


Larger corporations who are thinking about integrating social media into their design plan to achieve their goals have several questions that they must address in order to find the right solution to the adoption of social media.

Some questions that must be asked are as follows:

1. Should social media be a part of our computer technology plan or a part of our marketing and branding plan?
2. Should our social media plan be organization-focused or employee-focused?
3. Should each department be responsible for its social media needs?
4. Should a decentralized-approach be used or should a centralized-approach governed by a social media unit be utilized to introduce a social media plan within the organization?
5. Should a social media plan be a part of the IT Unit - - an approach used by some companies and organizations as they became technologically prepared in the 90s?
6. How should decisions be made regarding introducing a social media plan?
7. Should a collaborative approach to decision-making be used where employee representatives from across the organization is a part or should be it only involve upper management?
8. Which social media technology should we adopt that would best meet our needs?
9. Who should be prepared to used the new technology?
10. Should training be a part of the design plan to introduce social media?
11. Would all the employees’ be users of social media or only a selected few?
12. Would there be resistance to this new change? How should these issues be addressed?
13. Should new recruits be considered? Should a new recruitment strategy be instituted to find suitable candidates?
14. How much will it cost to introduce social media into our existing technology plans?

These are some questions that large corporation should be thinking about as they think about introducing social media into their marketing and branding strategy. I hope that these were helpful in assisting you to make the right decision around social media integration into the workplace?


Related topic: Social Media: Impact on How we Learn, Relate and Interact

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Dr. Cheryl Cottle is the author of this article. If you need any support Cottle’s Professional Consulting can assist you. Dr. Cottle draws from her implementation model to adopt new technology in the workplace and can provide you with workable solutions in the adoption, diffusion and infusion of social media. For more information you can contact her at:ccottle@drcottle.com

Copyright © 2011 by Dr. Cheryl Cottle ● Cottle’s Professional Consulting.

Social Scope of Social Media

Written by Dr. Cheryl Cottle


When I first heard about social media, I thought that it was a forum that was dedicated to meeting people on a social and personal level where people made connection for the purpose of dating and eventually marriage. It was only after being invited by the third person that I decided to take a look at Facebook. On looking closer to what Facebook was about, I found that it had greater implications than making friend connections - - connecting with long lost friends and making familial connection and bridging the generational family gap.


Some of the wider implications that I discovered was that it has great business potential with great opportunities for meeting with and networking with like-minded business people across the globe and transcending various business industries and sectors: Connections that could also lend themselves to valuable opportunities for partnering and collaborating in joint projects.


I also found it to be a great space where you can learn about others and their culture. Social media enables you to connect with people in places that were once seen as far away. I have had the privilege to connect with and chat with people in India, Africa, Italy, Lebanon, the Caribbean, Latin America, to list a few places. Social media has brought the world closer together.


Social media also affords us with the opportunity to share experiences as they occur. For example when the Haiti’s earthquakes occurred, the catastrophic effect was quickly broadcasted keeping us informed of every aspect of it devastating effect. Similarly, when the miners trapped in Chile were rescued; news of that was broadcast to the world, and we were able to celebrate when they were freed and united with their families. More recently with the earthquake experienced in Japan, followed by the devastation of the tsunami and an imminent radio active explosion that threatened their way of living and possible opportunity for rebuilding; people globally were able to live the experience as it unfolded in Japan.


Social media, while it exposes us to what is happening across the globe; it also heightens our awareness and sensitivity towards each other. These experienced, though they might be far away, with social media there is a shared experience that also occurs. People are able to identify with each others pain, suffering, happiness, disappointments and accomplishments. Our sensitivity towards the pain and suffering of others makes us more human: we become more empathetic.


Besides, providing a platform for businesses both small and large corporation, social media also helps people to connect with friends and family members to maintain a social connection.  I also found that it serves as a great political platform for many governments across the globe. Both developed nations and developing countries a like use social media to keep their people informed, to garnish supporters and to maintain socio-political positioning. It is a conduit for getting information across the globe regardless of the issues and institutions within society.


In addition to the many effects that social media has on our social interaction and social connectedness, the implications for businesses are great. Large organization are using social media as a marketing and branding platform for their products and services. Similarly, many smaller businesses are also introducing it into their business strategic plan to ensure that they get their products or services before their niche market. Women-owned businesses are also a part of that change, in the way business is done; and they too are introducing social media into their marketing plan.


As a small business owner, do you have a social media plan? It’s important that you develop a plan proactively before delving into social media.

• Determine if this is something that will work for you right now?
• Identify which social media sites you will use in the short-term and in the long-term
• Identify a strategy that you would be using and come up with a schedule of activities for at least weekly, monthly or quarterly.
• Identify how much time you can dedicate to social media that will not affect your production and operation time
• Identify whether you have the personnel on board your team to facilitate your social media plan or whether you have to recruit or access outsourcing

As a small business owner do you have a social media plan? Which social media site or sites are you using? What are some of the benefits it has brought to your business since you have integrated it into your strategic plan?

Author:
Dr. Cheryl Cottle is the Consultant of Cottle's Professional Consulting company with a portfolio in education, organizational development, professional and business development. Dr. Cottle is also the creative entrepreneur behind CPC Women in Business.


© Copyright 2011 by Dr. Cheryl Cottle of Cottle’s Professional Consulting. All Rights Reserved!

Cottle's Professional Consulting - - See what others are saying about us!

Cottle's Professional Consulting blog is names the "Top 50 Blogs About Consulting".

The post noted that:

Consultants need to be well versed in a range of topics, from marketing and Web design to leadership techniques. Blogs are a great source of free, expert information to help consultants develop their talents in these areas. We've compiled a list of the 50 best blogs out there that focus on business consulting and topics relevant to that profession. We hope you'll find some helpful consultancy information that's relevant to your particular line of work!

The post also stated that:

Cottle’s Professional Consulting is one of the top 50 Bogs about consulting. The post also noted that: Consultants will find a wide range of information on this blog, hosted by Consultant Dr. Cheryl Cottle. Topics include education, computer training, web design/development, web hosting, and organizational development. Furthermore, the blog contains expert advice on business development and professional development.

If you are interested in visiting a great blog you can check us out! We cover topics on education, organizational development, professional development and business development. It's very informative and beautifully designed with opportunities to share your thoughts, ideas and experiences.

To see source:

CaseManagementCertification.org

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Shared by Dr. Cheryl Cottle
Chief Executive Officer of Cottle's Professional Consulting.
Administrator of CPC Women in Business

© Copyright 2011 by Dr. Cheryl Cottle ● Cottle’s Professional Consulting. All rights reserved!

Article Review: 100 Ways to Use Social Media in the Classroom

Social media is no longer seen as a forum for making connection with friends, planning events, birthday parties, weddings, and anniversaries. Nor is it perceived as a place for organizations and businesses to brand and promote their products or services. It is also seen for its role as a social agent in how teaching and learning is conducted. Social media classroom has also emerged since its introduction and revolutionized how we teach and learn. Social media not only facilitates collaborative learning, but also global and intercultural understanding. Social media has a great impact upon how we communicate and therefore how we learn.


According to the article:

Social media may have started out as a fun way to connect with friends, but it has evolved to become a powerful tool for education and business. Sites such as Facebook and Twitter and tools such as Skype are connecting students to learning opportunities in new and exciting ways. Whether you teach an elementary class, a traditional college class, or at an online university, you will find inspirational ways to incorporate social media in your classroom with this list.

The article provides examples of projects and activities as well as strategies and techniques to effectively integrate social media into the curriculum.

To read more!


Shared by Dr. Cheryl Cottle
Chief Executive Officer of Cottle's Professional Consulting
Manager of CPC Women in Business

 

Business Tips Corner: Stay Focused and Work Tirelessly

Business Tips Corner!

For our Business Tips Corner, I will also like to share another quote with you this week. 

Between you and every goal that you wish to achieve, there is a series of obstacles and the bigger the goal, the bigger the obstacles. Your decision to be, have and do something out of the ordinary entails facing difficulties and challenges that are out of the ordinary as well. Sometimes your greatest asset is simply your ability to stay with it longer than anyone else. ~Brian Tracy

Remember that in everything you pursue; whether it is an entrepreneurial, academic or personal development goal, you will face obstacles. According to Brian Tracy, every thing that you pursue will "entail facing difficulties and challenges". If you believe in your entrepreneurial vision, you must stay focused and work tirelessly, until you achieve your goals and dreams. 

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Shared by Dr. Cheryl Cottle

Chief Executive Officer of Cottle's Professional Consulting

Administrator of CPC Women in Business

Copyright © 2011 by Dr. Cheryl Cottle ● Cottle’s Professional Consulting. All rights reserved.

Business Tips Corner: Always do your research

For my Business Tips Corner I will like to share with you some words of wisdom from my grand-son Matthew regarding his decision-making process before making a purchase for toys. By the way, he was named the most "Optimistic Boy in his Class." He is a Grade 3 student and an avid fan of Pokemon, Bakugan, BeyBlade, Chaotic, Chess, Scrabbles, and the list goes on . This is his decision-making process.


This is what he had to say:

I just don't buy a game, I do research to see if it is worth the money it cost; and to make sure that I really like it.  

As entrepreneurs when you are making a purchase make sure that you conduct your research to make sure that the product or services is worth its cost and that it is really what you want. 

Shared by Dr. Cheryl Cottle

Chief Executive Officer of Cottle's Professional Consulting

Creative Entrepreneur and Administrator of CPC Women in Business

Copyright © 2011 by Dr. Cheryl Cottle ● Cottle’s Professional Consulting. All rights reserved.

Business Tips Corner: Self Publishing!

Business Tips Corner

This week Business Tips Corner shares information on self publishing. I found this article, written by Manisha Solomon, 10 Secrets to Self-Publishing and it addresses some of the questions that I have clients asked. They are very simple and a direct guide to anyone thinking about writing and self publishing. Have a great read. 

Go to source: 

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Shared by Dr. Cheryl Cottle

Chief Executive Officer of Cottle's Professional Consulting

Administrator of CPC Women in Business

Copyright © 2011 by Dr. Cheryl Cottle ● Cottle’s Professional Consulting. All rights reserved.

Business Tips Corner: Real success in one you cannot spend!

This Weeks’ Business Tips Corner brings you another quote for you to think about and reflect upon.

You can use almost any measure when you're speaking of success. You can measure it in a fancy home, expensive car or dress. But the measure of your real success is one you cannot spend – It's the way your child describes you when talking to a friend." – Martín Baxbaum

Success is important to a businessperson. However, you must remember that success in life is not imbalanced; it is not just how successful you are as a businessperson that counts. Success is a balance between business success and personal success. Personal success includes, how you manage your health, mind, body and spirit, together with the relationships that you form and nurture with your family and friends; and more importantly your spouse and child or children.

How would your child describe you if asked, How would you describe your mother, father?

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Shared by Dr. Cheryl Cottle

Chief Executive Officer of Cottle's Professional Consulting

Administrator of CPC Women in Business

Copyright © 2011 by Dr. Cheryl Cottle ● Cottle’s Professional Consulting. All rights reserved.

Business Tips Corner: To achieve Business Success, find a Balance!

I just thought that for this week’s Business Tips Corner, I will share another quote with you. This time it is a quote by B.C Forbes. He says:

I have known not a few men who, after reaching the summits of business success, found themselves miserable on attaining retirement age. They were so exclusively engrossed in their day-to-day affairs that they had no time for friend making.

Through this quote the author is suggesting that as a businessperson, one should not just work and find success in business development and growth only, but advices that you must also have a personal life; a life that is spiritually and emotionally balanced. Family, friends, and simply appreciating nature and life around you, gives you balance and put you in a contented and happy place even after you retire.

I hope that you too take a pause from your business from time to time to enjoy the things that money, fame or fortune cannot buy. You don't want to be successful when young and lonely when old. Loneliness when old, is one disease that is not reversible.

Shared by Dr. Cheryl Cottle

Chief Executive Officer of Cottle's Professional Consulting

Administrator of CPC Women in Business

Copyright © 2011 by Dr. Cheryl Cottle ● Cottle’s Professional Consulting. All rights reserved.

Business Tips Corner: Customers are the most important visitors on our premises

It has been two weeks since I posted a tip on my Business Tips Corner; and I apologize for that. However, today I bring you a quote by Mahatma Gandhi, on how you treat people whom you rely upon for your business growth. Business owners must be mindful that:

A customer is the most important visitor on our premises. He (she) is not dependent on us. We are dependent on him (her). He (she) is not an interruption in our work. He (she) is the purpose of it. He (she) is not an outsider in our business. He  (she) is part of it. We are not doing him (her) a favor by serving him (her). He (she) is doing us a favor by giving us an opportunity to do so. 


Treat your customers with dignity. Do not discriminate or use stereotype to determine who your customers are. Don’t let the way you perceive “others” determine your behavior towards them.  It can terribly affect your business, if not in the short-term but in the long-term.

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Shared by Cheryl Cottle

Chief Consultant of Cottle's Professional Consulting

Copyright © 2011 by Dr. Cheryl Cottle ● Cottle’s Professional Consulting

Business Tips Corner: Crystalize your goals . . .

My Business Tips Corner for this week provides a simple quote for you to think about and reflect. We are already in the second quarter of the year and some of us are asking ourselves this question: Where has three months in the year gone already? How has it gone so fast and I haven’t yet accomplished any of my New Year resolutions? Well! Don’t panic and become disillusioned take advice from this quote.

Crystallize your goals. Make a plan for achieving them and set yourself a deadline. Then, with supreme confidence, determination and disregard for obstacles and other people's criticisms carry out your plan. ~ Paul J. Meyer 

What are your thoughts after reading this quote? It would be great to share. Don't panic, simply identify the goals that you want to achieve and work steadfastly to achieve them.


Continued success in your entrepreneurial endeavour. 


Shared by Dr. Cheryl Cottle
Chief Consultant of Cottle's Professional Consulting

Business Tips Corner: Write a hand-written note to say thank you!

For this week’s Business Tips Corner I will like to drop you a tip that can change how you do business and makes all the difference in the world.

There's a place in the world for any business that takes care of its customers after the sale.
~ Harvey MacKay

Remember that as a business owner, for continued business you must show gratitude to your clients and or customers. Many of you made new year business resolutions, but if thanking your customers were not one of them, then I suggest that you thank them right now. To get repeated customers, it is a great marketing to thank them for their business and support.  You can use old-fashioned marketing to say "thank you, I appreciate your business and I am looking forward to doing business with you again."  Write a hand-written note, personalize it with your signature and use old-fashioned mail to send it to them. They will know that you care; and you can live in the assurance that they will be repeated customers or at the very least refer you to someone else.

Great customer service ensures great business!

Created by Dr. Cheryl Cottle

Chief Executive Officer of Cottle's Professional Consulting

Creative Entrepreneur and Administrator of CPC Women in Business

Copyright © 2011 by Dr. Cheryl Cottle ● Cottle’s Professional Consulting. All rights reserved.

Business Tips Corner: You can learn from Emulation, Coaching and Mentoring

For my business tip for the week, I will like to share a quote by Brian Tracy:

No one lives long enough to learn everything they need to learn starting from scratch. To be successful, we absolutely, positively have to find people who have already paid the price to learn the things that we need to learn to achieve our goals.

One way to build your skills and knowledge in entrepreneurship that will help you to grow your business is to learn from others. Emulation is a great way of learning. However, you should acknowledge that person’s role in your learning. Another way is having a coach or a mentor to guide your understanding in any facet of entrepreneurship. 

By Cheryl Cottle

Chief Consultant of Cottle's Professional Consulting

Copyright © 2011 by Dr. Cheryl Cottle ● Cottle’s Professional Consulting

Business Tips Corner: E-mail and Social Media

I recently wrote about using e-mail as a marketing strategy and I noted that it is a great and cost effective way to target your customers. We are seeing a move by businesses to integrate both the traditional and cost effective marketing tools with the use of social media. While social media is not difficult to use, companies are still in the process of learning the new technology and the implementation strategies to integrate it into their marketing plan.

Here are a few suggestions on how to utilize both approaches: E-mailing and social media. 

• Integrate your email marketing with your social media campaigns - - Your social media campaign should include the use of FaceBook, Twitter, You Tube and Blogging
• Design your e-mail messages so that it can be captured on mobile devices that so many customers are now using to access their emails
• Make sure that the text are brief and avoid using large images as well as to many - - Be economical in your marketing language
• Engage your readers - - you can either ask them to participate in an activity. You can engage them in a contest or offer them something FREE
• Plan you marketing campaign around holidays or special days
• Your Design Marketing Plan should be a yearly plan. Your DMP should identify the messages to be sent out and the activities you want to promote
• Every design plan must be evaluated. Identify what worked and what didn’t. Determine whether you received a return in your investment in terms of Time and Cost?

Created by Dr. Cheryl Cottle

Chief Executive Officer of Cottle's Professional Consulting

Administrator of CPC Women in Business

Copyright © 2011 by Dr. Cheryl Cottle ● Cottle’s Professional Consulting. All rights reserved.

Business Tips Corner: Sharing a Quote about Attitude!

For this month my Business Tips Corner primarily focused on "attitude" and how our "attitude" impact our feelings and actions. I also provided you with tips on how you can change your attitude by sharing recommendations made by John C. Maxwell. Today, I will share a quote with you about "attitude".

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company, a church, a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you, we are in charge of our Attitudes.” ~ Charles R. Swindoll

I hope that you will ponder on these fine words and perhaps integrate its meaning into your life. According to John Maxwell, if you have a bad attitude, you can change it. The quote also suggests how you react to situations in your life, particularly negative circumstances it can have a positive or negative impact on you. The quote suggests that the onus is upon you: you can "choose" to make it affect you negatively or you can "choose" to have it affect you in a positive way. You can learn from it and see it as a learning experience. In business and life in general, attitude is very important for navigating our world and maintaining a positive well-being. 

By Cheryl Cottle

Chief Consultant of Cottle's Professional Consulting

Copyright © 2011 by Dr. Cheryl Cottle ● Cottle’s Professional Consulting.

Business Tips Corner: E-mailing!

E-mail marketing is one of the oldest marketing online strategies used by companies for reaching and educating their clients about their products and or services. Both large corporations and small business owners have been using it since the emergence of online communication, with great success. In spite of its popularity, e-mail marketing is often met with opposition from the online population. Some people perceive it as unwanted solicitation or spamming and definitely do not want to be a part of what you are selling. One concern for recipients is, how did I get on their list? Another is, how do I get off their list? It is prudent and ethical to ensure that the people on your list want to receive your information and are indeed a part of your target audience.


I receive countless e-mail marketing materials in my inbox on a daily basis on products that I don't have any interest in. I certainly did not give permission to be a part of their lists. Yet, everyday I am bombarded with unwanted e-mails and it seems as if there isn't any way out, since many of them do not give you the option to opt-out from receiving them. There isn't an exit clause. It feels as if I am a part of an e-mail hijack. In order to manage the unwelcome e-mails, I make good use of the delete option in my e-mail system.


Here are some things to think about when using e-mail to reach your clients:

1. Make sure that everyone on your e-mail list agrees to be on it - - and are a part of your target audience
2. Give recipients on your e-mail list the opportunity to opt-out of your list
3. Make sure that you accurately identify your target population or niche
4. Make sure that the information that you provide is in keeping with their needs
5. Avoid spamming. While you may have the time and resources to e-mail on a regular basis, don't annoy your target population 
6. Don't give them the option to press delete. The objective is for them to open and read your offer and to respond favourably.  Remember your goals are to keep you clients and to get new ones

Created by Dr. Cheryl Cottle

Chief Executive Officer of Cottle's Professional Consulting

Administrator of CPC Women in Business

Copyright © 2011 by Dr. Cheryl Cottle ● Cottle’s Professional Consulting. All rights reserve.

Business Tips Corner: Benefits of Embracing Adversity!

I will like to share another piece of John Maxwell's lessons on attitude.


Can obstacles actually enhance an attitude? Quoting Dr. Joyce Brother, Maxwell says "The person interested in success has to learn to view failure as a healthy inevitable part of the process of getting to the top." He goes on to add that: "adversity and the failure that often results from it should not only be expected in the process of succeeding; they need to be viewed as an absolutely critical part of it."


The benefits of adversity are many, he adds. He suggests that we should embrace adversity and persevere through it. Here are some key reasons why we should:

1. Adversity creates resilience
2. Adversity develops maturity
3. It pushes the envelope of accepted performance
4. It provides greater opportunities
5. Adversity prompts innovation
6. Adversity brings unexpected benefits
7. Adversity motivates

To read more on how to resolve the benefits that embracing your adversity can help, I recommend that you get a copy of John C. Maxwell, Attitude 101: What every leader needs to know.

By Cheryl Cottle

Chief Consultant of Cottle's Professional Consulting

Copyright © 2011 by Dr. Cheryl Cottle ● Cottle’s Professional Consulting.

Business Tips Corner: A bad attitude can be changed!

You can always change your attitude if you have a bad one. According to John Maxwell "it is a matter of personal choice." He also points out that "who we are today is the result of choices we made yesterday." He further goes on to say "tomorrow we will become what we choose today. To change means to choose to change."

He therefore proposes eight ways that one can choose if he or she "genuinely desires to." They are as follows:

1. Evaluate your present attitude
2. Realize that faith is stronger than fear
3. Write a statement of purpose
4. Have the desire to change
5. Live one day at a time
6. Change your thought patterns
7. Develop good habits
8. Continually choose to have a right attitude

Changing one's attitude is a difficult and an ungoing process. You must be committed to change.

For more read John C. Maxwell. Attitude 101: What every leaders needs to know

By Cheryl Cottle
Chief Consultant of Cottle's Professional Consulting

(c) Copyright 2011 by Dr. Cheryl Cottle and Cottle's Professional Consulting

Business Tips Corner: Your attitude and you!

By Dr. Cheryl Cottle

Today, I will share with you some truths about your attititude. John C. Maxwell defines attitude as an inward feeling expressed by behaviour. Here are some ways that your attitude can affect you.

1. Your attitude determines your approach to life
2. It is often the difference between success and failure
3. Your attitude at the beginning of a task will affect it outcome more than anything else
4. Your attitude can turn your problems into blessings
5. It can give you an uncommonly positive perspective
6. Your attitude is not automatically good because you are a christian

Your attitude have a direct effect upon how you do business. A great attitude; one of respect for others, appreciation, and valuing of others will surely help you to build strong and long lasting relationships. On the other hand, poor attitude is easily discoved and it pushes people away.

To read more read John C. Maxwell. Attitude 101: What every leaders needs to know

Shared by Dr. Cheryl Cottle
Chief Consultant of Cottle's Professional Consulting
Administrator of CPC Women in Business

Business Tips Corner: Creating a workspace!

My business tip for this week is about creating a workspace for your home-based business.

While most entrepreneurs will agree that creating a space dedicated to your home-based business is critical, some still continue to function in an informal way rather than create a formal environment with office equipment, furniture, and the overall feel and layout of a professional space. Separating your home life from your work life provides you with the mental separateness required to run and manage a home-based business.

Regardless of the type of business you are in, if you work from home you will need a space for your business operation. You can use a small nook or a room that you dedicate to your work. Some common spaces used by my clients include working from their kitchen table, converting a closet into an office, working from their attic, garage, basement, or converting a bedroom. One of my clients created a sewing studio that doubles as her DIY video production set. Another client is a yoga instructor and uses her living room area as a studio, while yet another client has converted his basement into a top-of-the-line recording studio.

Here are a few reminders why creating a dedicated space for your business is beneficial:

• A home office puts you in the right mindset for working and creating, by making you feel grounded and provides the right climate for you to focus
• It is easier to block out distractions, therefore increasing your productivity
• It is a place where you can organize and easily access your work material and resources
• It enables you to threat your entrepreneurial venture as a business instead of a hobby
• Enables your children and family members to see what you are doing as a serious undertaking, therefore creating greater respect and acknowledgement for your job

These reminders have worked for me and my clients, perhaps they can work for you. They just might make working from home a more rewarding and profitable experience.

Created by Dr. Cheryl Cottle of Cottle's Professional Consulting.

Copyright © 2011 by Dr. Cheryl Cottle ● Cottle’s Professional Consulting.

Business Tips Corner - - Blogging a strategy for small businesses!

One way to brand your company is through blogging. While many companies both large and small are using blogging as a way of marketing their products or services; a great many are still yet to do so. Many companies are still considering whether they need to make a change to recruit an employee specifically responsible for blogging or whether they should put out the cost necessary. In today’s economy where viral marketing is leading traditional marketing strategies, blogging has become a must. Businesses should decide to integrate blogging into their business strategy. The benefit to your business can be invaluable and have a great impact on your brand, client-base and profitability.

While there are many benefits, here are just some reasons that I hope will motivate you to introduce blogging to your business:

1. Brand your company and reach your target audience: A business blog helps you to brand your company and your expertise. You can get an opportunity to reach your target audience. It enables you to widen your client reach and allows you to reach your target audience at an affordable price.
2. Increase traffic to your website: The best way to introduce a blog into your business marketing strategy, is by integrating it into your website. The underlying objective of having a blog is to drive traffic to your website and encourage potential clients to see what you do and to learn about your services.
3. Establish yourself as an expert: Use your blog to establish yourself as an expert. Make sure that the information you provide is current. By posting relevant and useful information, people will come to know you as the person who they can rely upon for useful information.
4. Develop a great following: A blog is designed so you can have a very large following. Some blogs have thousands of followers — thus the potential of a blog is great. It can put your business and you in front of a large audience of similar interest. You can also learn a great deal from the feedback you receive via “COMMENTS.”  This feedback helps you to form valuable relationships.

I hope that this advice will help you to make your decision regarding starting a blog. Cottle’s Professional Consulting can help you to design a blog that will reflect your business and put your services and products before a larger audience. Contact us at: ccottle@drcottle.com

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Author: Dr. Cheryl Cottle is an educator, instructional technologist, system analyst and business consultant. She is the founder and Chief Consultant of Cottle's Professional Consulting; a firm that specializes in the areas of education, organizational development, professional development and small business development. Dr. Cottle also manages CPC Women in Business; an online forum for women entrepreneurs globally.

Copyright © 2011 by Dr. Cheryl Cottle ● Cottle’s Professional Consulting.