Author Archives: Zeb Welborn

Turning Your Business into a Social Business

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In a recent survey by Regus, they found the amount of businesses who used Social Media to acquire new business jumped from 35% to 43% in the United States this year.  Every year those figures increase as more and more businesses realize Social Media is becoming a necessity.  But, how can companies maximize the potential of their Social Media campaign?

The companies who incorporate Social Media and become Social Businesses are the companies who will thrive in the new economy.

What is a Social Business?

According to IBM,

A Social Business isn’t just a company that has a Facebook page and a Twitter account. A Social Business is one that embraces and cultivates a spirit of collaboration and community throughout its organization—both internally and externally.

Social Businesses focus on the customer.  Tools like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, blogging and Google+ are all used to develop a relationship with the customer and the customer is given the opportunity to interact with the business.  In turn, the business then modifies or arranges their policies to better suit the needs of their customers.

What Makes a Social Business

If you want to maximize the potential of Social Media your business needs to embrace Social Media as a vehicle to engage and interact with the customer.  These interactions should result in implementing policies and procedures to connect with what your customers truly want and need.

Overall, those companies who are considered Social Businesses experienced greater revenue and profit increases this past year than businesses who did not use Social Media.  This year, in the same Regus survey, 48% of businesses who did not use Social Media saw an increase in revenue and 39% of businesses who did not use Social Media saw an increase in profits.  During the same time frame, 53% of businesses who used Social Media saw an increase in revenue and 44% of businesses who used Social Media saw an increase in profits.

The numbers are clear, if you use Social Media your business is more likely to see an increase in revenue and profits.  For more information on how your company can become a Social Business, contact Zeb Welborn at (909) 973 – 9089 for a free consultation.

Enthusiastically Share Your Business with Others Using Social Media

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Every week I attend a meeting with the department heads at Los Serranos Country Club where we discuss ways to improve the experiences of our customers.  Recently, we have begun taking turns discussing sales strategies based off of the book, Cunningly Clever Selling by Andrew Wood.  One point I really connected with was the role enthusiasm plays in business – enthusiastically share your business with others and love what you do.

Cunningly Clever Selling by Andrew Wood

Do I love what I do?

Through a lot of soul searching and development, I discovered my life’s purpose in 2010.  I traveled across the country in a 2007 Toyota Tacoma with no real destination. My goal was to find a job . . . any job.  After 3 months, I returned home with no job, in a worse financial situation then when I began my journey.  It was at that point . . . when I returned that I decided I wanted to help people, because I felt helping people would make me happy.  This may sound obvious, I think everyone in the world would probably say they want to help people, but it was making that conscious decision that changed my life’s course.

Instead of finding a job I started The Tutoring Solution in 2010 because I felt education was the best way I could help people.  Education develops minds and opens doors to brighter futures and more satisfying lives.  Through this venture I got the opportunity to interact with many business owners. These business owners were caring, passionate and had a real zest for life.  Why did they seem so much happier than most people I met?  The answer is simple – Passion.

My life’s purpose is to inspire others to find their passion and pursue it.

Using Social Media as a tool has given me a tremendous opportunity to spread passion. Every business owner we work with is passionate about their business and what they can offer for people who choose to do business with them.  On a daily basis, I get to see the passion and enthusiasm these people bring to their businesses and their customers.

  • General Manager, David Kramer at Los Serrranos Country Club is extremely passionate about providing an amazing experience for golfers who visit Los Serranos Country Club.  He works hard to entrench the customer into the history of the game of golf and is constantly figuring out ways to improve their golfing experience.  When you speak with him, his love of the game and love of the customer is unquestionable.
  • Richard McKinnon, President of System 1 is extremely passionate about improving the homes of people in his community by removing their acoustic ceilings and painting their homes.  When you speak with Richard, you have absolutely no doubt that his company is the best Acoustic Ceiling Removal company in Southern California, because he puts his heart and soul into the business.
  • Jennifer Davis, the Owner of Scrapbook Expo is extremely passionate about putting together amazing Scrapbook shows for scrapbookers across the United States.  She is constantly thinking of new and creative ways to enhance the experiences of those who attend her shows while figuring out ways to improve the experience for all the vendors who take part in her shows.

It is by sharing the passion of people like David Kramer, Richard McKinnon and Jennifer Davis that I am able to fulfill my life’s mission . . . to spread passion.

Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “Life is what you make it. Always has been, always will be,” and I whole-heartedly agree.  We all have immense potential inside of us and many of us refuse to maximize our potential because we are afraid of failure or afraid what others will think.  To enjoy life you must take risks.

Which takes us back to our original question . . . Do I love what I do?

I wake up every morning excited about what the day will bring.  I work Monday through Sunday at all hours of the day, not because I need to, but because I want to . . . Because it’s fun . . . Do I love what I do?  You betcha!

 

The Value of a Like on Facebook

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The most common question I get from businesses is:  What is the Return on Investment (ROI) of Social Media?  Although ROI is difficult to calculate, there are numerous studies that demonstrate the value Social Media can bring to any company.

The Value of a Facebook “Like”

While perusing my LinkedIn account I came across an article titled, “The Value of a Facebook Fan.”  According to the article, SocialCode, an agency owned by the Washington Post Company “looked at 50 brands and more than 5 million Facebook ads over a five-month period earlier this year.”

What they discovered was:

  • Facebook fans are 547 percent more likely to perform a desirable act than non-fans.
  • Facebook fans are 291 percent more likely to engage with brand than non-fans.
  • Facebook fans make actual purchases at a rate of 7 percent, while non-fans make purchases at a rate of 2 percent.
  • The difference in cost per acquisition* between fans and non-fans is $9.56.
  • For fans making a purchase, the fan cost per acquisition is $14.88 compared to $43.86 for a non-fan.

The overall impact of Social Media undoubtedly benefits your business more substantially and for less cost than other forms of marketing and advertising.  The study by SocialCode is just one example of the thousands that can be found online indicating the benefits Social Media can bring to any business.

Sign up for a free, personalized consultation with Welborn Social Media owner, Zeb Welborn to discuss how we can improve your Social Media presence, meet more customers and enhance the relationship you have with current customers.

(909) 973 -9089

*Cost per Acquisition means how much it costs to convert a sale incorporating all marketing and advertising used to attract clients to a product.

Visit Our Friends at RelaxInAZ.com

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We met Jason Harris at the 2011 Business Growth Expo in Tempe, AZ in November.  Jason is a passionate guy looking to give people an opportunity to escape from the city life for a weekend at four different lodging destinations.  If you’re looking to have a nice, quiet weekend away from the crowds of the city and you live in Arizona, check out the amazing lodges at RelaxInAZ.com

RelaxInAZ.com has four destination lodges located in Arizona.  Our goal is to provide affordable and memorable vacation experiences.  You can see all 4 of our beautiful lodges at www.RelaxInAZ.com.  There you can get information, area activities, see specials, check availability, and book online.

Relax in AZ

The Christopher Creek Lodge, near Payson is the original and only lodge located right on the bank of spring fed Christopher Creek.  The cabins were built in the 1950’s and in the last few years we have put over a million dollars into upgrades throughout the property including new carpet, tile, updated bathrooms and kitchens.  Many guests have called this place their Shangri-La.

The Grey Hackle Lodge, also near Payson is nestled in the majestic pines of the Mogollon Rim.  We are a seasonal lodge open every year from May 15th to October 15h.  We host many family reunions and a few special occasions or weddings each year.  This lodge is next to the Christopher Creek Lodge.

The Hidden Rest Cabins located in Pinetop-Lakeside are in the heart of the beautiful White Mountains.  Some of the cabins have two person redwood-decked Cal Spas inside the cabin and we are around 30 minutes from Sunrise Ski Resort.  We currently have a 50% off grand re-opening special good through the end of this year!

The Territorial Town Inn is a motel in the heart of historic downtown Camp Verde.  There are plenty of area attractions including Out of Africa Wildlife Park, Verde Canyon Railroad and Blazin’ M Ranch just to mention a few.  We have packages available for the area attractions; some of which include discounted tickets up to 50% off.  We are also located about 20 minutes from Sedona and 30 minutes from Jerome.

*If you own a business and would like to be featured on our blog please contact us at WelbornSocialMedia@gmail.com

Use Your Business Cards and Get LinkedIn

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Use your business cards and get LinkedIn . . . A fish bowl, full of business cards, is sitting in my room.  The business cards are wading idly, yet they are working for me every day.

Business Cards from the 2011 Business Growth Expo in Tempe, AZ

My sister and I attended the 2011 Business Growth Expo in Tempe, Arizona at the beginning of the month. We met a lot of amazing people.  The expo was our first attempt at renting a booth to interact with local business owners and we had a fantastic time.

At the show, everyone handed everyone else their business cards.  Business cards are essential when establishing business relationships and have been used effectively to garner business for millions of people around the world.  Just as business cards are essential in interacting with new people to promote and grow your business in person, LinkedIn has become the online equivalent of a business card . . . only more effective.

Upon returning from the Expo, my sister and I went through our business cards and uploaded all of our contacts to our Gmail accounts and then sent LinkedIn requests to all the people we received business cards from at the show.  Now, when I go to my LinkedIn profile, it is full of the friendly faces I remember meeting at the beginning of the month.  Not only that, but I now get to interact with those individuals on a regular basis. It’s also easy to find more information about their business and their job experience, which is very helpful when you have questions about a product or service or even business advice.

I remember receiving business cards in the past.  I had every intention of using them when my need for their service arose, but when the time came to make a purchase, I simply forgot my friend who had given me their business card months ago. I missed out on a beneficial relationship with someone I had the opportunity to meet.

If you want your business cards to work for you, be sure to add every business card contact you get on LinkedIn, stay connected and develop meaningful relationships.

Use your business cards and get LinkedIn.

How Will Blogging Help My Business? | 5 Key Benefits Blogging Brings to Any Company

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Last week, I had a phone conversation with Mary McPadden, owner of Balanced Billing in Phoenix, Arizona.  I met Mary at the 2011 Business Growth Expo (Tempe, AZ). At the event, she said she knew she needed to start blogging, but did not understand how devel0ping a blog could help her company.  Many business owners I have encountered feel the same way.  Everyone tells them they need to start blogging, but many do not understand the benefits a blog can bring to their business.

When I started The Tutoring Solution in 2010, I needed to find new ways to make people aware of my business.  I made the commitment to build a website, once it was online I found that people were not visiting my site like I had hoped.  I began looking for new ways to promote my business, but didn’t have a lot of money to do so.  This is when I discovered blogging.

Blogging has had an immense impact on my business . . . not only in attracting more customers, but also by helping me develop a better understanding of the needs of my customers.

  • Google (Search Engine) Results

A blog is the most efficient way to drive new traffic to your website using Search Engine (Google) results.  When a person uses Google, they are looking for something specific that they want.  If you are offering the product or service they want, it’s extremely important to be ranked highly on the Google Search Engine.

Google Search Results are separated into two different categories, paid results and organic results.  Organic results are more effective than paid results in attracting visitors to your website.  When a person looks up something on Google, the organic search results that Google comes up with are the websites Google feels are the closest match for what the person is looking for.  Being ranked #1 on Google is a sure-fire way to bring new business to your website.

Blogging also allow users to find your website through a variety of different keyword searches.  I started The Tutoring Solution website in June, 2010.  Since that time, people have found my website using 2,111 different keyword searches on Google.  Every blog article written generates new keywords people can type in to find your business and increases the chances your business will reach the first page of Google Search Results.

  • Content for Social Media Websites

Another question we are frequently asked is, “What should I post on my Facebook/Twitter/LinkedIn/Google+ Pages?”  A blog should be the backbone of any Social Media campaign because it is an excellent way to generate content for your Social Media pages.  The more engaging your blog posts, the more likely people will interact with your Social Media pages. It makes it easier to increase followers on each one of your Social Media websites.

  •   Strengthens Your Website

When we began working for System 1 in Chino Hills, they had a fairly nice website setup which provided the basics for its customers including the types of services they provide and relevant contact information.  Though they are an amazing company with a rich tradition here in Southern California, the lack of information on their website has hindered their success.  The implementation of a blog has enhanced their online presence. Customers visiting their website have more information at their fingertips when making a purchasing decision.

Countless customers have decided to get their tutoring with The Tutoring Solution as a result of our blog.  I can’t tell you how many times a parent has chosen us because they related to the information we were putting out on our blog.  Providing useful tips and information to your current and potential customers is a great way to establish a relationship and increase sales.

In today’s world, customers want to know the company they are doing business with.  The more information you have available on your website, the more likely your messages will resonate with your potential customers.

  • Helping Instead of Selling

Before I started the blog for The Tutoring Solution, I received quite a few calls from customers who were interested in the product, who wanted more information and were trying to feel me and my company out.  My website suffered from not providing enough information to my customers.  As a result, I had to try to “Sell” my tutoring services to potential customers over the phone.  Almost every one of these conversations ended the same way . . . “Let me talk it over with so and so . . .”  I never heard from these people again.

The implementation of a blog had a drastic impact on the type of phone calls I received.  Instead of feeling the need to “Sell” my products, the callers were already sold and the only real question I received was how soon they could start and how I could help them.

When I first started The Tutoring Solution I charged $15 to $20 per hour, highly undervaluing my services and still parents asked for lower rates.  I decided to create my blog to establish myself as the tutoring expert. I now charge between $35 to $50 per hour and no longer receive any questions regarding my pricing.  My blog helped solidify me as the tutoring expert to customers who chose The Tutoring Solution over other companies in my area.

Every business sets out with the goal to help others, but many times we feel like we have to “Sell” our products to unwilling participants.  Developing a blog allowed me to stop ‘selling’ my services, and instead, let me enjoy providing a helpful service to my community.  Many parents have told me that because of my blog, they were are already sold before they picked up the phone.

  • Increases Your Understanding of the Needs of Your Customers

Mary McFadden from Balanced Billing is a potential customer for Welborn Social Media who expressed a legitimate concern . . .  How will blogging help my business?  For me, it’s obvious, but when she asked me that question I found it hard to articulate my answer.  By blogging, I am able to solidify, in my mind, the value and benefits I am providing to my customers.  By answering real questions from customers and potential customers and using blogs to answer those questions I develop a stronger understanding of the needs of my customer.  And my customers realize Welborn Social Media cares about their concerns and knows we will put forth the work to make sure their needs are met.

Every customer has needs. They have their own concerns regarding any service or product they purchase.  Blogging gives a company the opportunity to relate to their customers, to address any issues that arise, and alter their products and services to better meet the needs of their customers.  When a company puts the needs of the customer first, they will see financial benefits as a result.

*If you have questions regarding implementing a blog for your website, please contact Zeb Welborn at (909) 973 – 9089 or Zeb@WelbornSocialMedia.com.

Allie Nosek Wins our $50 Gift Card at the 2011 Business Growth Expo

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“At TOCA our mission is Serving our Patients through innovative and comprehensive Orthopedic care. This mission is the foundation for ensuring the highest quality of care for our patients. By employing the most innovative procedures and true state-of-the-art technology, our staff of general orthopedists and subspecialities have earned a reputation for providing consistent specialized orthopedic care. TOCA’s reputation is built on treating each person’s specific need and one of many reasons we are the team physicians and surgeons for The Phoenix Suns, The Phoenix Mercury and ASU.”

Congratulations Allie Nosek on winning our contest and receiving a $50 Gift Card to The Thirsty Lion, located in Tempe, Arizona.  Allie entered the contest by dropping in one of her business cards at our booth at the 2011 Business Growth Expo.

Allie does Marketing and Graphic Design for The Orthopedic Clinic Association(TOCA).

At the Expo, Allie mentioned she understood the importance of social media, but also expressed her concerns about effectively demonstrating the return on investment (ROI) social media can bring to her company.  We are in the process of scheduling a phone interview with her to discuss how we can evaluate the impact social media can make for The Orthopedic Clinic Association.

Many companies express the same concern with ROI. It becomes difficult to justify the use of social media when thought of in those terms.  However, there are many tools companies can use to evaluate how people are connecting with their business using social media.  If you or your company would like to understand how to better manage or understand how to use the data that is available through social media outlets – ask us.

The 2011 Business Growth Expo was an eye-opening experience for us.  It was our first business expo and we had no idea what to expect.  We were thrilled to meet so many helpful and friendly people.  And we look forward to keeping in touch with them for years to come.

We chose a $50 Gift Card to The Thirsty Lion Pub & Grill  for our contest. It is a new establishment located in the Tempe Marketplace at 2000 East Rio Salado Suite 1041, Tempe, AZ.  They have a large selection of food and more than 50 beers on tap.

After the Expo, my sister and I made our way to The Thirsty Lion. We were hungry and ready to relax, we were not disappointed.  The food, service and atmosphere was phenomenal . . . exactly what we needed on a long, productive day.