A co-worker asked me today about a strange link on my LinkedIn profile.  I had listed as a former position “Free Lance Web Development (at Self Employed)” to show the years I was home with my children, and the work I did during that time.

LinkedIn requires you put a Company Name with each position you have listed on your profile – so as other folks have done, I set the company name to “Self Employed”.

What seems to have happened is someone, somehow created a company on LinkedIn called “Self Employed” and links it to a web site that I have no affiliation with, nor do I desire to have any affiliation with.  I checked a few other connections of mine, and those who have “Self Employed” listed as a company on their profiles are also showing the same strange link.

As a result, I had to delete that listing from my profile altogether to remove my connection that that fake company.  Someone figured out how to spam the system.   This particular link could hinder you from getting further free-lance work.

If you are a free-lancer, I encourage you to check your LinkedIn profile for any strange linking with Companies that you have no affiliation with.

I continue to be a big fan of LinkedIn.  I hope they come up with a better way to authenticate companies that are being created, and prevent this type of linking from occurring in the future.  This could have been potentially very damaging.

And thank you D.S. for catching it!

A1-Webmarks…. if you are like me, you’ve never heard of it before and just think – jeesh!  another site to have to worry about. So let’s check it out.

At first glance I see that it was very recently added to Add-This (mid-late October of 2009).   They define as “Webmark” as follows:

A webmark marks a location on the web, just like a bookmark marks a location in a book. It’s a web page, whose address you want to remember for some reason. Webmarks are often called bookmarks or favorites, especially when the webmark itself is stored offline on your PC.

Furthermore… A1 stands for:  Anywhere, 1 Click Away. If that’s true, then in theory I already like this service because I feel I’ve got bookmarks on sites all over the darn place.  Here’s what they tell me they claim they offer:

• Hierarchical tagging of webmarks to assign them to a topic
• Instant access to your most often used webmarks (your favorites)
• Alphabetic indexing of your webmarks
• Personal evaluation of webmarks
• Private webmarks and private comments, visible only to you
• Webmarks to password-protected areas or to your local intranet or files
• Webmark search
• Periodic checks of your webmarks to let you know, which pages are no longer accessible
• Import and export of webmarks

And the social aspect of what they say they offer:

• Sophisticated evaluation of the community’s webmark evaluations to show you “more webmarks like that” for all of your topics
• Most popular webmarks amongst all A1-Webmarks users, separated by language
• Most popular tags and their corresponding most popular webmarks
• Access to the public webmarks and public comments of other A1-Webmarks users
• Publishing lists of interesting webmarks on some specific topic
• Rating of lists and list entries
• Making proposals for new list entries

At first glance it appears to be much like the other Social Bookmarking sites out there, but not as “pretty” or dolled-up.  The interface loads quickly, but it also includes banner ads.

I see the advantages of this site with the ratings and evaluations of links, rather than just ranking based on number of bookmarks.  I see the advantage of some of the organization and tagging methods behind the ‘webmarks’ and such.  It looks like it’s a good service that may be up-and-coming.

I have to say personally for me.  I probably, at most, will be a very basic user of A1-Webmarks for the time being – only because of the time factor, and the number of sites I already need to manage.  I may down the road decide to import and organize my bookmarks fully into this service, but for today I will pass.

As it rates/ranks and allows you to vote on webmarks and lists, it gives no point of reference on how those approval rating are calculated, the number of “members” or people voting.  So until I learn more – I have added a few basic ‘webmarks’ that will create incoming links to my favorite sites, and we’ll leave it that.

Know more about A-1 Webmarks than I do?  Please leave a comment and tell me why you like/dislike it.

This past weekend I watched the movie Rudy, a true story set in the 1960′s about the life of Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger and how hardwork and perseverance has it rewards.  This story has been on my mind these past several days.  

Rudy sets off to accomplish the goal of getting into Notre Dame and getting on the football team.  Semester after semester he applies and reapplies only to keep being turned down.  He works his grades, reapplies until one day he’s accepted.  He of course then goes on to make it on the practice team for the Fighting Irish.  

This heartwarming story reminds me that this attitude of hardwork and perseverance should be applied to all we do. I’ve been asking myself if I truly work that hard and push forward to be the best that I can be.

Often times when orienting a new customer on the ins-and-outs of internet marketing and social media there is much education that takes place.  The biggest misconception:  I have a website there for I should instantly be selling my product!   Well not exactly…

Much like “Rudy”, marketing your website takes hard work and perseverance.  As Rudy did, we must work and rework certain techniques to get your website optimized, indexed, and full of relevant content!    True marketing of a website is not a ‘once and done’ thing that you pay someone $500 for and you’re all set.  It’s an ongoing process of proven techniques that are quite effective if you work them properly.

Some of the ingredients of your marketing plan may include things like: search optimization, content development and optimization, social media marketing, online press releases, opt-in email campaigns, sponsored link (or Pay-Per-Click) campaigns.

The few things listed above only scratch the surface of what goes into an effective marketing plan for a website, but those things are worked and reworked some more, eventually those results will pay off – and much like Rudy’s success – your site will begin to convert.

Remember that it won’t happen overnight, and that you need to put the work in.  You get out what you put in.  Get yourself partnered with a seasoned internet marketer who can look at your site from all angles and put together a plan and work WITH you.    

So I leave you with this.  When marketing your online presence – do it with patience & perseverance!  (The Rudy Factor!)

Some recent posts on the ins-and-outs of internet marketing:

• Internet Marketing.  Piece of Cake?
• Define Your Website With Content.
• Does Your Website Have Static Cling?
• And my personal favorite:  Flash Bulb Moments

 How do you apply the Rudy Factor to your professional life?

I recently wrote a blog post that got a lot of attention titled Pay it Forward. The post, inspired by a tv commercial, was very meaningful to me because I truly believe that the simplest of gestures can change someone’s life. The movie that came out years ago was truly an inspiration to so many, and movements were started around the globe.

My original post talks about the random smile to the apparently sad person, or waiting that few extra seconds to hold the door for someone a few steps behind. Those little gestures can make such a difference in a persons attitude or outlook. Now I’ll apply that same concept to Twitter.

I have become a Twunkie (my new word for Twitter Junkie)! What I love so much about Twitter is watching relationships evolve and seeing what other people are doing FOR each other. You see so many Tweeps – strangers really – helping each other out, with potentially nothing to gain.

Help can come in the form of a ReTweet, a #followfriday shout out, a recommendation, or just providing helpful and meaningful content. I don’t consider myself to be an expert in social media, merely a student just like everyone else, with so much to learn. I love it when someone asks a question in need of advice and I can contribute. That makes me feel great!

The vast majority, I would presume, are on Twitter for the purposes of self-promotion and marketing. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that – but what I’m finding is that the more effective Twitter Marketeers are the ones who truly provide value to others and aide in fostering relationships between other Tweeps.

How can you Pay It Forward on Twitter? Take the time to click through links that people are posting. They are posting them for a reason – and I believe it to be my responsiblity to look at them (can’t read them all, but you get the point). When you do review them and they are meaningful – take the time to leave a comment to let them know you were there (and leave your Twitter ID) – and then ReTweet it! That is paying it forward Twitter style – help others promote themselves, and they will more than likely help to promote someone else (maybe even you)!

I was truly humbled by the number of Tweeps that ReTweeted that post! Thank you to all!

How else do you Pay It Forward on Twitter? Leave me a comment and let me know!

I will continue to #payitforward and I hope you will too!

Very Sincerely,
@SocialPMChick

In recent weeks I’ve gotten more serious about my relationships on Twitter – who I follow and why. For whatever reason (and I’m truly humbled), I’ve gained a few hundred new followers in the past few weeks, and that number continues to grow.

What’s daunting to me about that is that I take my followers very seriously because, they chose to follow me for a reason and I sincerely hope I can capture their interest and keep it – chances are they have something to share with me as well.

When I get notification of new followers I don’t automatically follow every one – even if it takes a little bit of time, I do check out each and every profile of my followers (now it’s taking longer than it used to… but I make the time to do it)

Here’s what I look for when I decide whether
to follow back or not: (I’m using @jasontryfon as my example)

Step 1 – Review Twitter Bio - If you can sell me in the short Bio I will follow – generally those who say they are passionate about anything I’ll follow. If the Bio is unique and funny, I’ll follow. If your Bio gives me enough sense of your business goals and they relate to me or my clients, I’ll follow.

If your Bio is generally a product pitch – I probably wont follow, unless you pass step 2…

Step 2 – Review Recent Tweets – Your Bio may be blank or just not grab me, but you haven’t lost me yet. I will check out recent tweets to see what you are sharing with the world. I look for personality, humor, sincerity, industry related info (social media, internet marketing), or information that my clients may find useful. I also look for ReTweets, and real conversations – not one sided tweets. (Being a Christian is a plus too.)

Seeing followers in conversation with mutual Twitter friends is always a plus too!

If your recent tweets consist only of “buy this”, “great deal on this”, “make a million dollars an hour working out of your home” and so on… chances are I will not be following you (sorry)

Still not satisfied after reviewing recent tweets? The game is not over yet – onto step 3…

Step 3 – Review your Site or Blog – I may have already followed you after steps 1 or 2, process doesn’t always hit this point, but I will take the time to check out your blog or website for interesting content.

** If you are new to Twitter, doesn’t mean I wont follow – we all start somewhere. If you have a Bio and a site link that’s relevant I will follow you and will enjoy watching your personality evolve! **

How I introduce myself? I will most definatley send you a DM referencing either one of your tweets, your Bio, or your website/blog. I want you to know that I took the time to learn something about you. I used @jaysontrfyon as my example here and chose an interesting tidbit to ReTweet.

@jasontryfon has it all going on. His Bio is full of information that is relevant to my industry, his profile background rocks, his tweets are genuine, AND what caught me was on this quote on his background “Jason has gamered his acclaim as a noted customer satisfaction evangelist…” YES! Now you are speaking my language! I let him know that too by Tweeting that little qoute

I am big on ReTweeting the good info of others and paying it foward whenever I can. (#payitforward).

So if you are following me and have not heard back from me yet – never fear – I need some time to do the real work!

Why do you follow and how do you introduce yourself? I’d love to hear!

Like this post? Please RT! See yah on Twitter my friends!

@SocialPMChick

I am getting old… As confirmed by a friend of mine today. I had the perfect idea for a blog post, and from the time I went to bed last night – I cannot remember what it was about. So I’m left with random thoughts which I will share. Random thoughts on Social Media, Careers and more…

Random Thought #1: 24×7 Connectivity is Cool.

Social Media totally cool because I can connect with people all over the world any time of day or night and be mentally stimulated about all things. I can get feedback about a work project or personal thought in a matter of seconds in real time. That’s pretty powerful. I’m not talking teenagers in a chat room, I’m talking professionals with expertise in all areas all looking to share information and insights. Ten years ago it was finding a “30 something” chat room on AOL and weeding through to find someone of value to talk to…. Not so much like that anymore – much easier to find real and valuable connections.

Random Thought #2: People really do connect!

I have made 100+ new friends because I love artichokes. Now that to me is excellent! I have yet to really get to know many of these folks, and fully intend to do so because through something as simple as a food interest, I have made these connections. I don’t know yet what these people can offer me, or I them, but my guess is there is something for each one. I will spend much time reviewing profiles for all new connections and getting to know everyone.

Random Thought #3: New Month’s Resolutions

I decided yesterday: February 1, 2009 that I would be making new resolutions for the month, though actually, they could be “new week’s resolutions” or even “new day’s resolutions”. January was a challenging month for me and I’ve really managed to learn how to live my life ONE DAY AT A TIME. This applies to my career, my personal life and my relationship with God. Today I am resolved to live only for today and make it the best day possible for me and for every person I come into contact with. Remember – smiles are contageous and actions speak louder than words.

Random Thought #4: What is your Dream Job?

Someone asked me on Friday night if I could do any job in the world, what would it be? My answer was simple – I love what I do, and I cannot imagine having a different career than internet marketing. So in conjunction with Random Thought #3 – I am resolved to make each day the most I can at work and provide the best level of service to my clients. I am resolved to find creative solutions to making their online presence the best it can be. I am also resolved to spread the passion for what I do…

Facebook Connections

So I recently created a page on Facebook dedicated to Artichokes and in just a week, I have over 100 followers of this page. At first I felt it was just an experiment to see how many people would find it if I worked it through various channels on Facebook, Twitter and yes – even LinkedIn.

What I’m finding now is that I’m actually connecting with some great people! Every person that has “become a fan” of my page I have requested their friendship on Facebook, and am slowing getting to know some really great people!

What’s more, I’m asking them all how they found the page – some through silly game applications, some through an actual search on FB for “artichokes” – yes people do search on it (I did), and some by seeing posts on others profiles, and a few from Twitter… It has been a good lesson on what tools are in place to gain some awareness in Facebook.

The thought I take away from this – as with Twitter and LinkedIn – the same rule would apply. Making these connections does absolutely no good if you don’t make the effort to exchange information with and get to know your networked connections!

What’s the point of connecting with people if you have nothing share? As on Twitter, share your experiences and expertise, but also share some of yourself on a personal level. Allow people in cyberspace to see that you are real and honest.

Just short post in the wee hours of the morning – but some thoughts I wanted to share.