Social Solutions

This is our first live show of the New Year and we really do have lots to celebrate. Social Media is on the front burner of marketing for every business – large and small – and tools available today far exceed the tools of the past. How did we go from 140 to 10,000? Well the mystery is brewing on social media and the fury gets louder by the minute. Today we’ll bring you up to date on conversational ads on Twitter and Adobe Post (we are excited to be joined by Ben Forta Adobe Systems’ Senior Director of Education Initiatives).

Social Solutions Show is a year-end wrap up of lessons learned and some sage advice from your hosts @kenherron and @linkedinlady. Find out how to write better ad tweets (paid or not), tips on gearing your posts to the generation you want to serve, and much more.

If you think social media is moving too fast you better tighten your seat belt. Twitter is making changes by the minute and some are lighting up the twittersphere with howls and screams. Misplaced buttons to catch your attention (bad); taking away auto-cropping in the preview image (good); changing timeline feed so tweets won’t be in chronological order (really bad).

Is there a guaranteed secret for making your content go viral? No, but there is a prescription that can increase your odds. This week’s news includes the progression of Twitter Polls; LinkedIn’s new App; why small businesses may be ready for SnapChat; and paid advertising to boost your social media impact – where to spend and why.

As people, we are still coming to terms with the losses of the November 13 attacks in Paris. As small business owners and solopreneurs, we are often at a loss for how to respond on social media, whether or not we are personally impacted. On today's Social Solutions Show, joining me from the U.K., special guest co-host Jules Serkin and I will share the best practices with you that will not only contribute to relief efforts but keep you and your business from inadvertently causing further grief.

As the United States celebrates our Veterans, we would like to join the chorus by honoring them through the channels that we know best. The Social Solutions Show is dedicated today to the men and women who have served to keep our country safe. A portion of this show will provide insights on the ways that Veterans themselves and those wanting to connect with them can use social media.

It’s hard to believe but the biggest news today in social media in the replacement of Favorite as a choice on Twitter for a Heart. If you’re wondering why, you are not alone – will it shift the tide of engagement (or lack thereof) on Twitter? Twitter is on the move with other changes including a link between your Vine account and Twitter profile – easier, more obvious, and a must use tool.

If you listen to the news or watch the stock value, you may recognize that there are some who have lost faith in Twitter. But if you are seriously looking to take advantage of this amazing platform, then listen up, because they are introducing features that will make you look like a rock star in your industry!

It’s hard to believe it’s been 30 years since Marty McFly became a household name. The predictions seemed ‘far out’ and not likely to happen but look at where we are today. Yes, we don’t have hoverboards but we do have drones. Yes, the newspaper said the Cubs won the World Series on Oct 21 2015, but that’s not likely to happen, but they are in the playoffs! But when it comes to marketing, smart businesses are taking advantage of the Back to the Future fever and so should you.

As LinkedIn roles out the new rules for Groups, users worldwide are weighing in and the response is mixed. While the intention seems to make sense, the impact on group managers and members remains a topic of debate. On today’s Social Solutions Show #SoSoShow, Ken Herron and Carol McManus will bring you up to date and make recommendations for your groups strategy.

Just when you thought things couldn’t happen faster in the world of social media, Twitter and Facebook up their game. On today’s Social Solutions Show with Ken Herron and Carol McManus, we’ll share the latest on Twitter Moments what it means to small business. Is this the next big thing or a ho-hum bright shiny object that will end up at the bottom of the toy box?

Just when you thought you had mastered video, Facebook turns up the dial and invites you to share your 360 degree videos. Yes, it does require a new camera, but the costs are affordable and the benefits are immeasurable. That is one of the hot topics being discussed on today’s Social Solutions Show with @kenherron and @linkedinlady.

Carol and I get questions, LOTS of questions from our listeners around the world. So on this week’s Social Solutions Show, we’ll be tackling the social media marketing questions Carol and I have received from all of you in the past few weeks. Joining me on today’s Social Solutions Show are Linda and Elle Cloke, the mother and daughter team who run U.K.-based We Do Social Media.

Well it has been a long time coming, but finally Facebook is introducing a “Dislike” button. Why you ask? Because users have been requesting it over and over – but why now and what will it mean? For personal posts, it will be more appropriate to Dislike rather than Like when someone posts a death in the family, a terminal disease, or something begging for sympathy. But with business pages, this could be a game changer. Ken Herron and Carol McManus will weigh in on today’s Social Solutions Show.

On deck for this show will be new on the latest Apple goodies, new Pages for Small Business on Facebook, tips on hashjacking to join the hottest conversations, as well as taking advantage of Pinterest’s business trends. And we’ll try to answer why 7 our of 8 customers’ questions still go unanswered through online channels.