I posted my new business portrait on this site and other locations on the web. I was so pleased with my portrait, the photo session and my relationship with the photographer, Erin Hayes, Erin Hayes Photography, that I posted a recommendation for her on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. I got lots of positive comments on the portrait, which translates into lots of eyeballs who viewed my recommendation of Erin.

I shared my testimonial with the members of my business group, Sonoma Success Partners. My friends, family, and business contacts, read or heard my testimonial for Erin. In a few minutes, I had shared my positive experience with hundreds of people I know and through them, with thousands more. The people who commented on my portrait and recommendations, multiplied my message exponentially.

The power of social media

• sharing what you know
• sharing what you like
• sharing what makes you mad
• sharing what inspires you

It was easy to do. It took me a few minutes to compose my message and a few more to post it. Then the magic of sharing took over.

Want an easy way to promote your business?

Leverage testimonials from your clients by asking for them on social networking sites.

Ask for written testimonials that specify a service or challenge you helped to resolve.

Ask your clients to record a video or audio testimonial for you. You can upload videos to YouTube, embed them on your web site or blog posts. You can embed or link to audio files.

Give and Receive Testimonials

I got busy giving and and requesting testimonials. LinkedIn lets you review recommendations before they are posted. It also prompts you to give a recommendation when you received one. Reciprocity at its best.

Get them in writing. Then you can pepper your web site with endorsements from happy clients. The credibility of paid advertising has dropped to an all time low of 14% believability versus our faith in word-0f-mouth comments. Real people, real words, real solutions, translate into rapport and trust.

In a previous post, I commented on what is known as “The Oprah Effect” or the “Tim Ferris Effect.” Getting connected to someone who is famous, has a committed and engaged following, can turn your visibility super-nova bright. I worked for a graphic designer who was also an avid golfer. He invented “Loud-Mouth Golf,” fun and funny golf attire and accessories for golfers with a sense of humor and style. His strategy for promotion, give the pants to famous golfers who then endorsed them. He leveraged his way into a larger circle of buyers and fans. I visited his web site today and there is now world-wide distribution of his products. Not bad for a grass roots company with marketing smarts. This strategy works because humans take on the style, habits, attire and behavior of our heros, and people we like. It shows we belong.

What’s your next step?

See where you have a strong presence already and look at how you can increase your visibility through recommendations and testimonials. Here are some sites you might want to add to your list of cyber addresses. Most are free to join. Building your google juice depends on who knows you. Testimonials and recommendations are a proven way to expand your circle of influence and your profits.

 Sites That Make It Easy to Capture Testimonials and Reviews

• LinkedIn
• Manta
• Yelp!
• YouTube
• MerchantCircle
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Google
• Google Maps
• Bing
• Local.com
• JudysBook.com
• AngiesList.com
• TripAdvisor.com
• OpenTable.com
• BBB.org
• Google+
• Google Places
• Yext.com
• Yahoo! Local Listings
• Citysearch
• foursquare
• ziplocal
• likelist

Testimonials are better than ice cream. Especially when they are shared.

 

Sometimes you hear of a particular software but find out it doesn’t work on your computer operating system. Sometimes, you just need something that fits your budget. You want the features you need and want to find out what your choices are instead of the leader of the software pack.

I found a worthy web site that gives a lot of information in a readable and useful way. AlternativeTo.net. It is not just for Macintosh users.

This site has freeware, shareware and commercial software reviews, comments and link to developers. The site is easy to navigate. Content is readable and well organized.

Once you arrive on site, enter your search term and you will get a list of results for alternatives to your search term. Dig in deeper for more information, including details like system requirements, features and full specifications. There are live links to the software developers too.

I was curious about alternatives for Pinnacle Studio (a PC only program).  I got back two pages of suggestions in seconds. See for yourself.

Alternative Mac software – AlternativeTo.net.

If you are looking for an alternative for a specific software application, this site provides you with choices for Mac, Windows,Linux and online options

This is one website of resources that can save you time and money.

 

Follow me on YouTube to learn marketing tips for entrepreneurs.
http://www.youtube.com/completelycreative. You can subscribe to my channel.

 

Just created my first Camtasia Video. Lots to learn and I am determined to become a master of computer video capture. It is part of a presentation to the Bay Area Consultants Network.

 

Dimdim is an easy to use video conferencing and screen sharing open source tool. It works on both Mac and PC platforms.

Its free for up to 20 attendees.

 

I was just invited to join a social networking site by one of my associates. In the process of completing my profile, I came across something I had been curious about.

My web journey led to http://www.addthis.com

It is a free site where you create an account for yourself. Then the site will allow you to generate the code for buttons to place into your blog or web pages. Then your visitors can  click to add your url to their list of bookmarks or rss feeds.

I’ll be adding the rss button to this site.