Why use Twitter?

Okay, so maybe I'm alone here, but I don't quite understand the point of Twitter. Actually, I understand it from a business point of view. Of course you're going to want to more about the day to day activities of your customers to analyze it from a business point of view. If you're lucky enough to have some one actually mention your company name, even in complaint, you've hit the jackpot! You've been invited into their secret world of living and consuming. You've got an opportunity to engage with them and offer a fantastic experience.

But I guess there's a fundamental part of Twitter I don't understand. I feel like an old fuddy duddy even talking about this. But why, as a user, do I care to share 140 characters about how I'm mad at some company? Why shouldn't I use my blog to write a more scathing concise version of my complaint? Why wouldn't I share it on Facebook? Why do I feel compelled to SQUEEZE my day, feeling, habits, or otherwise into 140 characters?

Don't get me wrong, I use Twitter. In fact, it's a great networking tool. I was just asking my Twitter network if anyone knew someone from Redfin.com because I had submitted a resume there on Friday and literally an hour later, a person from Redfin pinged me to see what I needed. I was impressed. My mom was impressed. My husband was impressed. Heck, even the pug was impressed. But is this what Twitter was built for? Companies reaching out to consumers? Networking?

So, I guess if you use this service, WHY? Help me out here.

4 Job Hunting Tips that will Reduce Rejection

When I got laid off in January I was bummed out. That's easy enough to understand. And I started my job search in the way I've started all of my job searches. But no one was biting. I was floundering. The interviews I was getting, I was competing with 100 other people with as good, if not better credentials than myself. So, thanks a collection of rejections (I mean that in a good way) I learned a couple of important things that might be helpful to other job seekers.

1. Apply for jobs you're really qualified for. I know this sounds like a "duh," but let me explain. When I change jobs, I like to apply for positions that will stretch my skills and challenge my existing knowledge. Because the market is flooded with qualified and over-qualified candidates, you'll lose every time. Companies do not need to take a risk on you when they can take the cream off the top of the proverbial milk.
   
   
2. Customize, Customize, Customize. This is classic job-searching advice, but it's more important than ever. Customize your cover letter to hit on the major points in the advertisement. Customize your resume. Make sure the things they deem are most important are listed first in your job duties section. Most of us do more than we could ever quantify on our resume. This is a way to really showcase your skills!
   
   
3. Show up in-person. No, I don't mean show up at a company that you're applying to. I mean show up at job fairs and meet and greets and networking groups to make a connection with people. With hundreds and sometimes thousands of people competing for the same job as you, that chance to connect may be what sets you apart from the faceless masses.
   
   
4. Practice good internet citizenship. I know I've said it before, but watch your keyboard strokes. Keep a positive attitude online. Don't list "binge drinking" as a hobby. Forward craigslist ads to your unemployed friends. Write blog articles you think people might be able to use. Volunteer your time. You never know what sorts of karmic goodness might come back to you.

Seattle Area Job Events:
April 16th, Seattle Central Community College Job Fair
April 22nd, Jobbernaut Career Fair
May 6th, Choice Career Fairs

3 Reasons to Love the "Imperfect" Job Candidate

I've said it before, but I obviously feel the need to harp on it. Employers who are actually hiring are like bait in a shark tank. With unemployment rates in the high tens and even in the double digits in parts of the country, there's enough talent to go around. Companies are putting out one job listing and receiving hundreds of responses. No need to take a risk, they've got the talent coming out of their ears. And they're just skimming the proverbial cream off the top.

I say it's time to stop. Stop playing it safe. Let's pretend that your company is one of the large investors that the government is wooing to trust real estate again. Here are three great reasons why hiring an employee with great future potential is better than buying gold.

1. "Imperfect" candidates have a place to grow. It's human nature to want to be challenged. Hire the "perfect" candidate and you're hiring someone who already know, and understands your job, and is already bored. Hire someone who is capable of doing the job but might have 3 out of 4 skills and you have them for double the time of someone who has no where to grow.
   
   
2. You can mold "imperfect" candidates. People who are slightly under skilled are perfectly suited to be trained to your systems. You have someone willing to learn, so teach them to be a super user in your pre-existing processes. Chances are they'll have something to add down the road.
   
   
3. "Imperfect" candidates have a fresh perspective. So they have all of the skills but not the industry knowledge. This is a perfect opportunity for you to get a fresh perspective on how things being done in other industries might be able to help you. Pick their brain for applicable solutions to tough problems your company faces.

3 Questions for Fast Food Companies

There are a few commercials airing recently from fast food companies who are lowering their prices to "help customers". I find them interesting and they get my brain gears going while I'm crocheting and drinking my chamomile tea.

The first to do it was Subway, some official looking dude comes on our TV set touting the credo of a fictitious sandwich cabinet. Insult added to injury when we get that "Five Dollar Footlong" song stuck in our heads. McDonald's offers a reduced cost menu now that you can get an entire meal for $3.00 or less. Most recently, Domino's is offering a $5 pizza and the commercial shows the CEO shedding his suit and hopping in a delivery car.

It's brilliant marketing, no doubt. But I have a few questions for these "pro-customer" companies.

1. With the connection of bad food being cheap, how much are you really helping anyone? Diabetes and obesity on the rise and they're making it even easier for people to get their junk food. You could argue that Subway has "fresh vegetables" but let's be honest, anyone who's ever eaten there knows that those tomatoes have as much flavor as a carboard box.
   
   
2. Are you just attempting to divert attention from your overpaid CEOs? In an attempt to jump on the socialist-esque bandwagon brought on by this intensely popular presidential administration as well as their crackdown on the rich, do feel like if you drop a buck off of your product's price, they're turn a blind eye to your swollen salaries (Domino's CEO made 2.6 mil, Mickey D's made 12.7 mil-Source)?
   
   
3. If you really wanted to help your customers wouldn't you just find a way to give back to the communities you service? I'm sure families would like to stay in their homes, have the opportunity to support their families, or enjoy a full pantry. Maybe you can help them. Maybe our private corporations can work to being better citizens for their communities, as Obama has suggested.
   

Job Hunting: It's a FIRE SALE!

I'm giving away the farm! I'm looking for people I can do things for. Need a job? A website? A recommendation? A babysitter. I'm your gal!

This sounds crazy. I know. When I first became unemployed, I was wearing a scarlet letter of desperation. I knew that no one wanted to help someone so insecure. I needed to find a mental Judo tactic that would help turn my attitude around. So I starting using the Fire Sale tactic.

Got a co-worker you need to get more from? Take them out to lunch! Need to get your aunt to stop sending you chain letter emails? Offer to help set up her Facebook account! Need a recruiter to call you back with potential job offers? See if they have other positions you can match to your friends!

It took an adjustment being that I come from a generation of "me" types. But at the end of the day I feel pretty great and I know I've helped someone and it shows. And even crazier is that it's really working. I've had more potential opportunities from this approach than any Craigslist cruising I've been doing. Give it a shot!

An Ode to Seth

As Seth Godin says in Sliced Bread and other Marketing Delights, Be remarkable.

Take time out of your day to ask yourself what will excite your customers about your product.

Those that do will have a product worth sharing. Bonus points if you're doing something nice for someone else in the mix.

An entrepreneur on their way out probably won't be saying "I wish I was more dogmatic in my marketing approach."

Search Engine Optimization: Play the Game

Learning about optimization over the past three years, I've drawn the conclusion (a slightly Polyanna outlook, by some measurements) that Google wants to provide the best experience for the user. And by doing so, they're epitomizing the concept of value-add marketing, or as I like to call it marketing without marketing. By ensuring that the search engine results are as accurate as possible with their intricate algorithm systems, they're ensuring that Joe Blow (he's your customer) will get the bubble gum (this is your product) he was searching for within a few clicks. And then Joe will be compelled to come back again and again and again....

That's why it's so important to make sure that you're playing the search engine's game when it comes to site optimization. In the case of Google, I've compiled a few simple tenants to follow if you're starting out in the SEO industry, or just trying to optimize your web site:

1. Relevency: Be sure that you're providing relevant, up-to-date information that features your keyword. Give away as much as you can without compromising your business. Not only will you rank better in Google, but you establish trust and branding with your customers. For example: You're a shoe retailer. Can you offer an article on how to recognize how a shoe should fit? People will trust that your descriptions are more accurate if they believe you understand their problems with finding a shoe that really fits.
2. Consistency: As I learned from a guru over at Lytleworks, be sure that your file name highlights your key word and your page title matches, as well as your image name. For example: If you sell cars, and you're highlighting Toyotas, name your page toyotas.html, the title of the page should be Toyotas, your image name should look something like toyota_1.jpg.
   
3. Frequency: Add your main keyword and variations on that keyword through out the text in your site. This not only supports point #2, but it really tells Google that your site is really about the keywords at hand. A word to the wise, don't go crazy, Google's algorithms know how to pick out shifty tactics (called Black Hat tactics). A few examples:
   
   Bad: "Board games are great for board game nights. You might like word board games or property board games. We have a lot of board games to choose from. Stop by today."
   
   Good: "Feel free to peruse our selection of board games. We carry a wide variety gaming options that range from property based tabletop games to speciality rotating word games. Our broad selection will make it easy to find something everyone will like for your next family game night. Stop by today."

Maureen Jann's a web and marketing project manager with 4 years experience who specializes in web site design & development and management online marketing (particularly search engine optimization, search engine marketing). Feel free to contact her for contract or permanent opportunities at maureen@iheartiheart.com.

Social Media: Why not just socialize?

When I was commuting, I took a boat to work. Although this may sound glamorous, it's still a commute like any other. Okay, I'm a liar. It beats the bus by a mile. We can drink beer, play games, use wi-fi, and enjoy the stunning panorama of the Puget Sound.

There are the miniature cultures that I've seen that spring up from all of that forced fun. I've divided everyone up into the following categories:

Work Buddies
Previous affiliations take first spot in the way people connect. For instance, if a group works together, or are neighbors that group will form a clique.

Stuff In Common
Next are people searched out for similar qualities. In my case, I sat by the plug so I could keep my laptop battery charged. Other people with laptops started to sit with me and we formed a clique.

Visitors
Next are the visitors, people who are coming to visit people on the other side of the water, or tourists seeing what the peninsula has to offer. They are people you can have an exchange with, but may never see again.

Lurkers & Work-a-holics
The singles who you'll seen around the boat are generally lurkers who float from group to group and alter the dynamic of the group with their presence. They never form any deep connections, but they do have acquaintances with a huge breadth of people. And you'll find the workers. Those people who are here just to get home and back to work again. These folks work the whole way there and the whole way back without talking to anyone unless it serves a purpose.

Online or offline, we socialize in the same ways. Take these examples and identify in your Facebook account who fits into which of these categories. And why are we creating these virtual "communities" that so perfectly mimics the real deal?

Maureen Jann's a web and marketing project manager with 4 years experience who specializes in web site design & development and management online marketing (particularly search engine optimization, search engine marketing). Feel free to contact her for contract or permanent opportunities at maureen@iheartiheart.com.

Mama, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Loudmouths.

I've finally done it. I've experienced the urban legend. I said something on Facebook that cost me a valuable opportunity. I've always considered myself a conscientious internet citizen. I monitor my online PR. Yet, this one, as it does sometimes in life, just bit me right in the tush.

I thought I'd share what I've gotten out of this experience aside from a few cocktails to dull the pain.

Live it.
Every day, and with every comment you put out there, you're making a statement about how you see the world. Over time, you develop a persona that tells a story about you. The internet is the new employer's reference. Long gone are the days of typing out separate sheets of who will offer glowing recommendations. They get the real deal, right from your collective history book.

Learn it.
Don't make assumptions about who can see what. You're often wrong. Want to vent? Want to talk trash, call a friend. Talking disappears into the ether, your frustrated twitter comments, even if they're private, can be retweeted. Your friend of a friend on Facebook might be looking over a shoulder. If you're on social media sites, you've now got the privacy of a D-List celebrity.

Love it.
Good and bad, you can use this to your advantage. Take time to cultivate good citizenship on the web. Use every challenging opportunity to change your outlook on life and make every interaction a positive one. Someone's saying you're butt's too big? Tell them that you've been cultivating that hiney for years and you appreciate them noticing.

Maureen Jann's a web and marketing project manager with 4 years experience who specializes in web site design & development and management online marketing (particularly search engine optimization, search engine marketing). Feel free to contact her for contract or permanent opportunities.