Whether you have a business fan page or are on the fence about using Facebook for your business or non-profit, this session is for you. Lead by Beth Gasser, Social Media Consultant, this Social Media Breakfast will focus on some of the biggest mistakes she sees people make on Facebook. Since she’s on Facebook all the time and follows close to a thousand fan pages, she’s seen it all. She’ll show you some examples of things that have really caught her eye and ideas you can replicate to get a better fan engagement. In addition, she’s compiled a list of some features (old and new) many people aren’t yet aware. If you want to accomplish goals using Facebook, Beth will make sure you understand how it all works and you know all the secrets and tricks of the trade.

All Social Media Breakfasts in Central Minnesota are free, but pre-registration is required. Sign up now, and we’ll see you on Thursday, April 25th at 7:30 am at the Crow River Winery on Hwy 7 East of Hutchinson!

Beth Gasser is Vice-President of Vivid Image, Inc. and a Social Media Consultant for small businesses and organizations in Minnesota. She works in Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and WordPress helping clients connect and engage with current and potential customers. She frequently teaches and public speaks on topics related to social media, search engines, and online marketing.

The fast paced, yet practical Twitter “How-To” session planned for Thursday, March 28th is perfect for anyone who has recently joined Twitter, is considering using Twitter, or has joined but not done much with their Twitter presence.

Steve Gasser will lead this session on setting up an account, using lists, finding people to follow, and other questions you may have. This will be a very practical session, that will welcome questions. He’s interested in hearing from you prior to this event on what YOU would like to learn. If there’s varied interest, he’s willing to create a second session. Contact Steve today at steve@vimm.com

Remember to pre-register for this FREE Social Media Breakfast, and show up by 7:30 to grab food/coffee and network. Invite colleagues, co-workers, and friends to the next SMB at the Crow River Winery. See you there!

If you are on Twitter and want to find some of the SMB attendees, follow:

@TodaysRealtors

@JM_Grants

@ruraltechnology

@welcomehomemgmt

@slaterstev

@conversationhub

@tidytightwad

@kurtbthompson

@jkaufenberg

@MichelleFalling

@stevegasser

@heartMKjessi

@esswansonlaw

@MN_CORE

@bethsosa10

@confessionsmom

@HutchChamberMN

Add yourself to this Twitter list by leaving your handle in the comments or posting to Facebook.

Use Your Network to Ask for Referrals

If you want more of your best clients and want your connections to introduce you to them, join us and learn how to remove the barriers that prevent you from asking for more referrals and get introduced to more of your best clients!

Scott Plum, of the MN Sales Institute in the Twin Cities, is a seasoned Sales Trainer and coach, and moderator of several MN LinkedIn Groups. You won’t want to miss his down-to- earth expertise!

Included in his presentation:

• Identifying the five outcomes of every sales call and appointment
• Defining your ideal prospect
• Searching and duplicating similar attributes
•  Learning effective methods for new introduction
• Building credibility with existing client base
• Learning when to ask for a referral and recommendation

There is no fee, but Pre-registration is required which you can do now.

7:30AM register/networking | 8:00—9:00AM presentation

The topic for the January 24, 2013 Social Media Breakfast Central Minnesota will be Engagement Marketing. Jeff Ferrazzo, from Constant Contact is going to get us talking so we can answer two questions:

1. How do I generate more repeat business from existing customers?
2. How do I get my customers to refer my business to others?

Building lasting relationships with your existing customers and members drives business success. Making that happen is called “Engagement Marketing.” Having an Engagement Marketing strategy is the key to inspiring your most passionate customers and advocates to: have conversations with you and fellow customers, share stories and opinions, and share your content with their own social circle.

Arrive at 7:30 to grab a cup of coffee, get your name tag, eat breakfast and network with others. The SMB will end at 9:00 am, with a special optional session to follow. It is always free to attend and open to anyone interested in marketing and social media, but you do need to pre-register.

BONUS: There is a Special Session on Thursday, January 24th at 9:15-10:00 called: SaveLocal. This session is open to anyone attending the SMB previously that morning, as well as others who were not able to attend the breakfast. Attend either one or both! The second session on SaveLocal will be very good for small businesses looking for more new customers without offering deals that break the bank or aren’t in your budget.

Small businesses can finally get great new customers from local deals, and make money doing it. The days of paying 50% of your revenues to a deal provider that brings you only deal-seekers unlikely to return are over! It’s now your deal, your way. With SaveLocal, you choose the discount amount, the terms, when the deal runs and ultimately how many to sell. The right deal means a great experience for your customers and more new business for you.

Covered in the session:

• Why doing a deal with SaveLocal means greater success for your business
• How to avoid common mistakes that lead to bad deals, and tips to create the perfect deal
• What to consider before you run your deal: What are the best deals to run, how to set realistic goals and how to prepare your business and staff for all the new traffic!
• The ideal customers to promote to and the key messages to entice purchases
• How to properly track redemption, measure your deal’s success, and how to follow up (with email and social campaigns) to encourage repeat business

Please pre-register for this session as well using “Special Session”.

About Jeff Ferrazzo: Jeff is Constant Contact’s educational marketing expert in the Upper Midwest (MN, IA, ND and SD). Jeff has more than 20 years experience supporting small business, with a background in sales and sales training, engagement marketing, branding and brand development strategies. As a member of the National Speakers Association, Jeff continually develops his use of candor and effective communication to enhance his seminars and keynotes by keeping them fresh and fun. He consistently receives rave reviews from the attendees and event hosts alike.

Business plans, social media plans, marketing plans, 2013 goals, online marketing, and traditional marketing; so many things to do and consider as the new year approaches. How do you bring all your efforts together? How do you prioritize and focus? What should you include in your social media plan in 2013 to get the best results? Together we’ll talk about planning at our next “small group” Social Media Breakfast on Thursday, December 27, 2012. For those who can make it to this event, please know that it is limited to 20 participants who will meet in a smaller room in the upper level of the Crow River Winery. This will be a smaller group discussion format, but just as engaging and insightful as all other breakfasts. There are only a couple seats left, so hurry and register. There are no longer any seats available. If you have reserved a seat but are no longer able to attend, please let us know. We anticipate a small waiting list and want to make sure seats are filled.

Our first 2013 SMB will be Thursday, January 24, 2013. More details coming.