I’ve been doing some research for a client of mine on how to get votes using social media for a contest she is entering in March. We all have seen those contests – it’s a growing trend. Companies will use contests to get contestants to do the company’s word of mouth marketing for them. It’s actually quite brilliant – getting others to get their friends, family and anyone else to visit the company’s website in a short period of time.

It seems the best way to go about getting votes is using a multi-pronged communications strategy – engaging your entire list of friends and such through email, social media and direct contact, but it does take a lot of time and energy to mobilize your community.

Here are some tips I learned through my research that may help you as well:

• Email is the most effective method of communication according to several articles I read

• Always use your own shortened URL site, like bit.ly, so you can monitor and track a bit better

• Keep these two questions in mind: are you making it easy for your community to vote; are you communicating about this opportunity completely, efficiently and concisely

• Be personal – tell them why you want to win this contest and make sure you thank those who let you know they voted for you

• Use your network – ask others to forward and promote you to their networks – have any social media influencers in your corner, they can be an awesome ally in something like this

• Keep an eye on the conversation – even going as far as using Google alerts or Twitter tools to see what’s going on – and this makes it easier for you to see who is helping you out and thanking them for their work on your behalf

Any other thoughts or ideas? I would love to hear them, not only for me but for my client as well!

Serina Kelly
Relevate
www.getrelevate.com
serina@getrelevate.com
317-203-7740

I read an interesting blog post last week by Chris Brogan. Now, honestly, I’m not one of Brogan’s biggest fans, and I’m sure his ego will be okay with me saying this as I know he has plenty of them – fans, not egos, but I do read his blogs now and then, and this one caught my eye – it was called “We’re No Experts.”

It so reminded me of what I see happen so much in this world of entrepreneurship – especially starting out. Too many times, we get in front of a prospect and listen to what they are wanting, and we say “we can do that.” Chris put it perfectly…

“We are quite often given the opportunity to do something we’re not qualified to do. We often take on projects we’re not qualified to take on. I do it all the time. I will sign up for something, learn that I have no idea how to do it the way I imagine it, and then I rush to learn how to accomplish something that will make my client feel I’ve delivered value.”

Now during this time, you might actually find you love what you learned and want to incorporate it into your business, but in many cases, this probably is not true. What Chris continues to say in his blog, and what I have preached for the past three years of owning my business – do what you are passionate about!

Make a vow that 2012 will be the year you focus on what you love, what you are passionate about, and I bet you will be happier, healthier and much more successful!

Serina Kelly
Relevate
www.getrelevate.com
serina@getrelevate.com
317-203-7740

I remember as I was growing up, my mom would say to me “live in the present,” and I would roll my eyes as any typical teen-age daughter would do. How can you live in the present? You can’t help but think of what you are going to do or review what has happened in the past. I kept this way of thinking for several years as that is what motivated, driven people do. I was going to be hugely successful and needed to constantly be moving forward to make that happen.

Let’s fast forward to now – the present! Yes, I do think about the future and the past, but I so appreciate the right now. I appreciate the fact that I am sitting at a coffee shop right now in downtown Indy typing on my iPad, listening to a couple police officers talking about what they are going to get their spouses for Christmas (which has been quite enlightening and funny), and just realizing my life is awesome.

The biggest lesson for me – it’s about trust. Trust that it will work out. This allows you to live in the present and enjoy its gift.

Serina Kelly
Relevate
www.getrelevate.com
serina@getrelevate.com
317-203-7740

As I was heading down Dan Jones in Avon on an afternoon a few weeks ago, just chatting with a friend on the phone while heading to my next appointment, something happened. Some sort of boulder, yes, it sounded like a boulder, hit my windshield and left this unbelievable, but beautiful crack. The sound was so loud that it hurt my ears, and I could feel the pressure in my ears for some time afterwards.

Many thoughts went through my head – but overall, I was laughing because I just could not believe how loud it was and what a huge crack it was. There was a part of me that was so relieved that it happened on the passenger side because had it been three feet to the left, I wouldn’t have been able to see, and I have no idea what my reaction would have been. I thank my lucky stars it was just broken glass.

And that’s when it occurred to me (again) that events are neutral, and it is our reaction to it that puts an emotion to it. Yes, it’s a bummer that it will cost me over $200 to get it fixed, but honestly, that is nothing in the scheme of things. I’m glad it was my windshield that took the brunt of it – not me personally or someone walking down the road or someone else’s windshield who really couldn’t afford to get it replaced.

Too many times, we make a big deal out of things that really don’t deserve that much attention and emotion. In the end, it’s just some broken glass. Just pick it up and move on.

Serina Kelly
Relevate
www.getrelevate.com
serina@getrelevate.com
317-203-7740