I literally just hung up with my coach and wanted to share some insights on how you can gain better results with your Facebook Fan Page.

As I’m sure you’ve noticed Facebook is constantly changing their landscape and how the features work. So, what worked 6 months ago to engage your audience probably isn’t working anymore.

Admittedly, I haven’t done the best job of engaging my audience on my Facebook page, but I’m excited that I’m taking steps to correct this. Thus, I want to pass forward the quick lessons I learned today so that if you have a Facebook Fan Page, you can make some simple tweaks to start creating better connections with your audience:    MORE

Social media is becoming more and more of an essential tool for businesses of all sizes. But unfortunately, due to the newness of the medium and a lot of accompanying misleading hype, many businesses are led astray. Either due to their own misguided social media attempts or using bad advice from inexperienced “social media experts”, businesses are making mistakes left and right. Read more about Social Media Mistakes You Should Avoid

Social media – it’s one of the most overhyped words in online marketing – so much so that many service professionals have thrown the baby out with the bath water and given up. However, when you learn to use social media consistently and correctly it can be a great boon to your business.

Here are five reasons why social media should be an essential part of your marketing toolbox: Read more about the Top 5 Reasons Why Social Media is an Essential Tool

Marketing a service business will inquire an investment of your time and financial resources. What if you don't have a lot of money to spend on marketing? Now what? Does that mean you simply cannot market your service business and your only hope is waiting on the sidelines for someone to hire you? Not at all! Today is the day you learn that marketing a service business with a minimal budget is not only possible, it's easier than you think.

One of the first steps in marketing a service business is to get your branding in place. Make sure your business name, your tag line and your logo are all connected – that they send a consistent, positive and results focused message. Your brand is what prospective clients will remember you by. You've only got a few seconds to make a first impression, especially online, so make sure you have your ducks in a row -- everything about your brand should be clear, concise and consistent. Read more about Marketing a Service Business with No Marketing Budget

I get it.  You need some affordable marketing ideas you can implement without laying out a lot of cash. But how can you consider even affordable marketing ideas when the budget's tight, your client base is small and you're not quite so confident in your marketing skills?

Affordable marketing is easier than you think. In fact, you can start a new campaign today! After all, marketing is simply a matter of presenting solutions to people who are already looking for them! Using just a bit of creativity, you can implement these three affordable marketing ideas right now. Read more about Three Affordable Marketing Ideas You Can Implement Today

It isn't rocket science, but for a lot of service professionals, a simple step-by-step social media plan seems difficult to create. 

Yet, developing one takes all the intimidation and guess work out of using this popular tool for business marketing. If you've been holding off on using social media to market your services, then you'll be especially interested in today's article. Implement the following five steps and get ready to watch your business grow like never before.

Step One: Understand the Game

Social media is different from sales and other types of marketing. This isn't the place to do a hard-sell, “just for you, just today” kind of selling tactic. Successful entrepreneurs have quickly learned how to marry marketing and socializing on these types of sites and if you want to be effective, you need to do the same. Social media begins and ends with ... being social! Let people get to know the real you -- let all the best aspects of your personality shine through. Make sure in each interaction that you are pleasant, informed and helpful. Know that you need to let a little bit of your “real life” shine through, but keep in mind, a little bit goes a long way. MORE

The BIG 3:  Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Everybody who's anybody has a profile in each.  And it seems everybody is preaching the same thing:

• You HAVE  to have a Facebook Fan Page
• You HAVE  to be on Twitter
• You HAVE  to join LinkedIn and participate in groups

But, do you really HAVE to do any of this?  Will your business fall in the water if you don't?

The answer depends on your target audience.

Remember, your target audience determines where you should be and how you spend your time.  If your target audience spends their day on Twitter, then that's where you should be engaging with them.  While it may be a little challenging to have a full-fledged conversation, you can still interact and find out what their challenges are, participate in the conversation when they are looking for solutions and become a trusted adviser.

The same could be true if your target audience hangs out on Facebook.  Maybe they prefer to interact there because there's no character limit (like the 140 characters on Twitter.)  They may like the back and forth conversation of posting comments on each others wall and seeing their updates throughout the day.

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Maintaining a business blog is one of my favorite strategies for driving pre-qualified traffic to your website. But a lot of entrepreneurs I know shy away from starting a blog (or let it "die") because they can't imagine writing content every week. I hear your struggle! So today's episodes shares a few of my secrets for how to overcome this dilemma and take advantage of this powerful marketing tool.

SSMS Episode #7 - How to Easily and Consistently Create Hot Content for Your Blog! [ 10:23 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (158)

Social media is everywhere - it cannot be ignored. The most popular networks for small business owners are:  Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.  Chances are that you have a profile in each of these and strive to be pretty active.  But is your activity leading to productivity?

Being active in the social networks is much like networking in person - if you're doing it correctly. You should be making personal connections with people, having real conversations with them and above all, adding value to their lives and businesses.  Those in your network will appreciate your efforts to be truly and genuinely helpful.  Online or offline, this spirit is absolutely client attractive.

At first, it may start out with the little things like responding to a group question, or leaving your feedback on a blog post you saw in your Twitter stream.  But if you're genuinely helping people, being friendly and conversing with others, people notice. Then, you'll be known as the "expert" in the group, the go-to person that everyone waits to hear from.  And sometimes, you'll be exactly the person a potential client is looking for to help them solve a challenge they're facing.

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Marketing your business is not a one-time event that you participate in when you need to attract new clients or increase your revenue. To create long-term success in your business, you need to market consistently - each day, each week and each month to grow your business and attract a steady stream of clients.

The basis of marketing your business is sharing your expertise and solving problems for your ideal clients. They are always looking for solutions, so it's important that they are regularly reminded of what you have to offer.

Here are some different marketing strategies that typically work well for solo service professionals:

• Email marketing
• Vlogging/videos
• Blogging
• Social media
• In-Person networking
• Public speaking
• Hosting lead-generating teleseminars & workshops
• Hosting and participating in radio shows

This list encompasses a few different techniques which may be new or "out of the box" for you. It's best to chose marketing strategies that fit your personality as well what is appealing to your audience. But with so many options available, how do you chose what's right for you and your business?

First and foremost, you need to be in tune with your target market. You need to know exactly what problems they are facing right now. What are they struggling with RIGHT now? What are they searching for? What do they want to learn from you?

By identifying their most pressing problems, you will be able to choose the marketing strategy that best fits the solution you will provide. For example, if you’re a public speaking coach, you might want to blog regularly about the best techniques to eliminate the fear of public speaking. A post can include tips on how to reduce fear and stress while delivering a great presentation. Then, you can also create a video that demonstrates these techniques, in action, so that your target audience can "see" how to do it.

Providing solutions on two different platforms extends your reach to your target audience, as well as allows them to choose which format works best for them. Some people can read instructions and do something, while others need to see it to understand and emulate it. Either way, you've provided exactly the solution your target audience is looking for. Additionally by using a blog and video, you are providing content that will "live" online for months and years to come. So, it will serve not only the people who are looking for a solution now, but also 3 months from now, a year from now and beyond. This content will continue to generate leads for you and support your overall marketing plan.

You also want to get clear on HOW your audience wants your message delivered to them. Are they active participants in social media? Do they prefer live workshops to virtual learning? Would they rather read what you have to say then listen? If you don't know the answer, simply do some market research and ASK your ideal prospects what they prefer. They'll be happy to tell you and will be much more inclined to enroll in your offering because you've tailored it to their needs.

Finally, consider what you want your prospects to do once they've received your message. Do you want them to request a free consultation? To sign up for a teleseminar or workshop? Enroll in of your group programs? Or purchase a product? You'll want to choose a marketing strategy will make it easy for your prospect to take action on what you've shared.

Which marketing strategies have created the best results for your business? Are there any you want to try but have been hesitant to do so? Share your thoughts with me below!

Want to use this article on your website, blog or in your own ezine? You're welcome to do so! But here's what you MUST include:

Sydni Craig-Hart, The Smart Simple Marketing Coach, is founder of SmartSimpleMarketing.com Known for her simple, tech-savvy, integrated approach to marketing, she also has the unique ability to find untapped profit centers in her client’s businesses so they can create money NOW. Visit www.SmartSimpleMarketing.com to listen to Sydni's F.R.E.E. audio class, “10 Proven Steps to Powerful Marketing Results!” and to schedule your F.R.E.E. "Profit Breakthrough" session!