When Did Social Media Lose Its Way (via HubSpot)

What’s the most important aspect of content marketing?

The same thing that is most important in making your business successful–your customers, and specifically what your customers want.

Marketing isn’t about what you want; it’s about what your customers want, need and expect.

Available Now! January 2013 issue

Adding Social Media Icons

Instagram released official icons for users to put on their blogs, websites and printed materials this week. They join Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and YouTube in having authorized icons. [The rules and guidelines for each vary, so be sure to look them over and make sure you are playing by the rules. ]

Using these social media icons on your blog, website and in your shop’s newsletter, gives you the added benefit of brand recognition. Facebook users (and there are more than a billion!) are more likely to click, like and follow along with your shop if they see the icon, rather than expecting them to track you down. Facebook’s search engine is notoriously difficult to track down the exact person or business you are looking for, so make it as easy as possible for customers, and potential customers, to “like” you on Facebook. 

The same principle goes for each social medium, wherever your fans are, you need to be as well. And you need to make it as simple as possible for them to stay in touch. Using the icons and, most importantly, linking them to your profile on each medium will give them the quickest and easiest way to connect with you. 

Download the logos from each site or by following the link on each icon below: 

Are You Ready for the Holidays?

The folks at Monetate have compiled facts and figures into this information-packed graphic. Did you realize that 81% of shoppers will look for deals on Cyber Monday rather than shopping for those same items in-store?  With more than $35 billion in holiday sales last year, the stats are worth looking at in order to brainstorm your own ways to get a piece of the holiday (spending) pie.

Click on infographic to see it larger.

Infographic courtesy of Monetate.