Once upon a time, all you needed was a professional-looking business card and maybe a brochure. In more recent years, it became expected that even a small business like yours would have a website. These days, prospective clients want to get to know you personally, through Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, or other social networking websites.

Last year, I was invited to be a contestant in Blog-Off II, a blogging competition to find the best social media and marketing experts. Although I wasn’t selected as a winner, it was a great experience which gave me an opportunity to connect with and learn from some really outstanding bloggers. Today I’d like to share one of the posts I wrote for the competition.

Today I continue my series for Improve Management Skills Month with a look at social networking, both online and offline. Mastering the art of networking will help you to build your brand, expand your reach, grow your business, and be a more confident individual. To determine whether you are networking effectively, ask yourself the following questions.

The other day, someone asked me how he could get others to follow him on Twitter. That’s a question many of us have pondered, whether we’re just getting started on Twitter, are trying to grow our following, or are trying to figure out whether it would be worthwhile to use Twitter at all. Here are a few strategies that work, as well as a few that don’t.

Here it is – the 7th Professional Organizers Blog Carnival, and the last one for 2009. We have a record number of professional organizers participating this month, and I’d like to thank those who are joining us for the first time, as well as our regulars and everyone in between! Grab your favorite beverage and get ready to read and enjoy!

Tags: balance, blog carnival, Christmas, clutter-free gifts, conference, family, goal setting, hoarders, holidays, NAPO, organizing products, paper, social media, success, Twitter
You’ve finally got your website updated and started blogging, and now everyone’s saying you need to be on Twitter! Monitoring your new followers, looking for people to follow, reading and responding to their tweets, and posting your own could easily take several hours per week! How on earth are you supposed to fit that into your already busy schedule?

If you use Twitter or Facebook, you’re probably aware that there are several different attacks circulating right now. You can often tell that someone’s been hit when you receive an unusual message from them. These messages are usually about making money online, but may also relate to losing weight, gaining followers, or something else that is out of character for that person.

Internet Marketing is one of the most important tools in your business arsenal. Not only does it cost less than advertising in print and broadcast media, its interactive nature allows you to build relationships with clients and prospects without the need for time-consuming telephone or face-to-face meetings. Internet marketing is much more than just putting up a website! Your Internet marketing plan may include search engine optimization, email marketing, blogging, social networking, and other strategies.

Tags: article marketing, blogging, email marketing, Facebook, LinkedIn, POC, search engine optimization, SEO, social media, Twitter, website
It seems that all the buzz these days is about Twitter, but there’s another important social network that’s been around even longer. Established in 2003, LinkedIn currently reports 45 million users, approximately three times as many as Twitter.

Welcome to the August issue of the Professional Organizers Blog Carnival! This monthly feature is provided to allow you to grow your network and learn something new from some of the other organizing consultants who enjoy reading Your Organizing Business. There’s lots of great information here, some to help you grow your business, and some to help you help your clients.
