Archive for » September, 2009 «

29
Sep 2009

You don’t need a website any more!

Sabrina Gibson
No more websites

No more websites

With this blog post, I would imagine there will be some pretty upset web developers out there.  GOOD!  For the last 9 years I have sold websites to small business owners.  Not just any website, but Smart And Sticky Websites.

For the last year, I have been advising my clients to avoid spending money on a useless “smart and sticky” website and build a wordpress blog.  Why would I say this?  Here are just a few of the reasons:

  1. With a WordPress Blog (assuming you self host which is recommended), anything you post is already search engine friendly.  By adding some extra sites to PING, you can get your blog publicized pretty fast.  In laymen terms, you can get more people to see your blog very quickly.
  2. Once it is setup, you can update it yourself very easily.  There is no reason you need to be dependent on your web developer.
  3. Hosting is only $4.95 a month to self host your blog.  I recommend Host Gator as their customer service is amazing and they specialize in Word Press.  For the $4.95 a month, you get email and can actually host other sites.
  4. A wordpress blog is built in PHP – which is a common language used to build websites.  This means you can do anything you want with a wordpress blog (you might need a developer but it is minimal compared to what it would cost to build your website)
  5. After you build your website, you still need traffic…..how are you going to do that?  With wordpress, you can drive a tremendous amount of traffic in a short amount of time.  It means search engines can easily find your information and rank you higher.
  6. By adding just one post a week to your blog, the search engines will love your fresh content and constantly come back to rank your site.
  7. If you are doing any type of Social Networking (twitter, linkedin, facebook, plaxo, etc.) you can have your blog posts automatically tied to your Social Networking sites.  This gives you even more exposure.
  8. “Sticky” refers to being able to get people to leave their name and email in exchange for something valuable.  You can easily do this with a WordPress Blog by using a form from iContact, Constant Contact, Sales Force, OneShoppingCart or any other email management system.  You can also use Feedburner to capture emails.
  9. “Smart” refers to being able to automate a part of the business.  Typically when you grab those emails you need an autoresponder system to automatically convert those leads into paying clients.  At the very minimum you will want to keep your name in front of these prospects with valuable tips and information. Your email management system or Feedburner can do this as well.
  10. Any time you refer someone to your blog, it feels you are giving them a resource and value.  When you refer someone to a website, it feels like you are trying to sell them.  Become the resource and earn their trust….they will naturally buy something if there is a fit.
  11. You can easily add audio and video to your blog without any 3rd party software.  For audio, you can record audio using Sound Forge Audacity (a free program).  For video, take the video with your digital camera and upload it to YouTube.com.  You then add the embed code (conveniently given to you on YouTube.com) and VIOLA! You have full multimedia capabilities.  In fact, you can use other people’s videos in your blog for quick and easy content.
  12. Building a website can be a time consuming process.  I was able to get this blog up and going within a few hours and I have no experience programming sites.  In fact, I taught my 6.5 year old daughter how to create her own blog…that is how easy it is.

My whole philosophy this year is to simplify.  Having a blog that I can update and manage myself has become a total blessing.  I only wished that I knew about WordPress Blogs 9 years ago.  I would have recommended everyone to leverage their website investment by learning Social Networking to help drive traffic to their blog instead of having a “Smart And Sticky” website where they still need marketing.

What do you choose?  Blog or Website? What makes you choose that?

You are invited to an online class for FREE (a $97 value) on how to build Strategies so you can leverage Social Networking to grow your business. http://www.SocialMaximizing.com/socialnetworking

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Category: Smart and Sticky Websites  Tags: , , , ,  31 Comments
25
Sep 2009

Increase your sales with this simple tip

Sabrina Gibson
Which style are you selling?

Which style are you selling?

Closing more sales and creating great content for a website, landing page, blog or article can be a challenge.  For me, I come from a strong sales and marketing background.  I look at everything online and ask “How does this help the company’s sales and marketing strategy?”  One of the most overlooked pieces of information when it comes to content is understanding how a person gets to a point where they want to buy.

Most of us have heard of the different styles of people.  There is the DISC program; there is Myers Brigg and a whole number of other pieces.  The one I learned was based on 4 styles:  Driver, Expressive, Amiable, and Analytic.  The style has to do with what they need to hear to make a decision to buy.  If you can identify the style and present to them that way, your chances of helping them buy will greatly increase.

What does all of this mean?  Okay….let’s look at styles.  By the way, if you were to take all the CEOs of the top companies in the world, they would fall into each one of the categories.  (Drivers have a tendency to think they are the most dominant style and, of course, the smartest so they tend to think top CEOs are in the Driver category – if you are laughing….you are a probably a driver or married to one.)

Drivers – Like to control the situation at all times.  They like choices.  They don’t want to be told what to do.  The biggest question they want answered is “What is it?”  Good rules to follow:  Come with an agenda that you got approved by them before the meeting.  Stick to the agenda.  Get straight to the point.  Talk about business first and personal matters later.  Ask them questions.  Give them choices.  Do NOT give them your opinion…ask them what they think.

A driver’s desk will have a ton of files on it – it may seem a little messy. There will be very little family or personal pictures or items in the office.

Expressive – Appearance is everything to an expressive.  Style matters.  Status is very important to an expressive.  The biggest question they want answered is “Who has it?”  Good rules to follow:  Come with an impressive portfolio that is beautifully presented.  Show lots of testimonials and talk about who works with you.  The more recognized the name, the better.  Yes, name dropping works with this style.  Talk about social events first and then ease into business.

You can tell an expressive from a mile away.  They are all about bling.  They will be incredibly dressed, drive flashy cars, and wear expensive jewelry.  Their desk will be messy and organized at the same time.  You will see pictures of people, probably famous, articles about them in the paper, awards they received, their diplomas in beautiful frames.

Amiable – People are everything to this style.  They are very in touch with their emotions.  The biggest question they want answered is “How it feels?”  Good rules to follow:  Be soft and gentle.  Take your time.  Speak slower.  Bring pictures of your family.  Bring stories of your clients and talk about how what you are doing is affecting their lives on a personal level.  Tell them what you think.  They want your opinion.

An amiable’s office will be filled with family pictures, drawings from their kids and grandkids.  They will have eco friendly items (careful…sometimes an expressive will go there too….as this is a cool status thing right now).  They will be very quiet.  Don’t ask them what they think, tell them what you think.  Be careful not to be to abrasive with them.  They won’t tell you.  They will be very quiet and then just go away.  Be sure to relate how what you are doing to how it will affect their family and make a positive impact on the world.

Analytical – They really aren’t interested in being social.  The biggest question they want answered is “How does it work?”  They want details and lots of them.  They want step by step information on how something works.  They like the technical details.  Good rules:  Take your time.  Don’t rush through your appointment.  Talk business, leave out the personal stuff.  Share diagrams and flowcharts.  You may want to bring a technical specialist with you depending on the topic and level of knowledge.  Use the words, “here is how it works…..”

An analytical’s office will be very sterile.  It may have some technical drawings.  There will be no real design or design flare.  Everything will be organized….maybe a little too organized.  There will be tons of files stuffed with every detail.

The more you can talk the talk of each style the easier it will be for them to get to a buying decision.  This is not about manipulation or head games.  This is about presenting in a way that a person can truly hear what you have to offer.  TRY THIS:  As you write your content for websites, blogs, landing pages and status updates for your social networking sites, think of each style and see if you can write to each style.  As you meet new people try and figure out what their style is.  You can look for clues and listen for language.

What have you found to be an effective way to learn people’s styles and relate to them in a more powerful way?

You are invited to an online class for FREE (a $97 value) on how to build Strategies so you can leverage Social Networking to grow your business. http://www.SocialMaximizing.com/socialnetworking

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Category: Business Tips  Tags: , , , , , , ,  4 Comments
17
Sep 2009

There is no such thing as competition.

Sabrina Gibson

If you have ever done any planning with your business, you will have certainly addressed this question:  Do I have competition?  What is interesting when you really think about it….is you don’t.  I can remember doing a SWOT Analysis with my business.  We identified our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.  When we got to the threats, my concern wasn’t other companies doing what we do.  My concern was having key players leave the company or being able to handle extreme growth.

It seems everyday, I hear people ask me, “What should I do about my competition in Social Network sites?” or “Won’t my competitors be able to see exactly who my clients are?” and “I don’t want to expose what I am doing in Social Networking because my competitors might figure it out and take it”.   So brace yourself…..I am still learning what this word they call “tact” means.  I hope that is how you spell it.

Get over it!! If this is your biggest concern than you have built your entire business based on fear and on the idea that there is not enough to go around.  When I hear this….it tells me this person needs to pull off their blinders and see how much business is out there.  If you feel this is true….then guess what?  It is.  What you believe is conceived.  Don’t you wonder how businesses right now are growing…..and yet the media has us to believe we are in a recession.

There is no such thing as competition.  It is something humans created.  I firmly believe really brilliant marketing people created it.  Let’s face it, would Pepsi and Coke be as big as they are without the constant debate.  All the other cola companies really got the shaft on that.  Maybe Pepsi and Coke own each other’s stock?  Oh and let me really press some buttons…..how about the whole PC versus Mac issue.  Less than 10% of computer users have a MAC.  Is that really a threat to Microsoft?  No! But does it every make great marketing.

For the last 9 years, I have been in the noisy industry there is.  Web Development.  Try this….go to google and search for Financial Planners and notice the number of results it generates.  Then try realtors.  Then try web developer.  UH! NOISY!  Somehow with ALL this competition, I was able to make a really decent business and do some pretty awesome things.

The truth is this, your supposed competition has their own worries…..they are thinking about how to increase their business, improve their customer service, manage their existing clients, get more exposure, drive more traffic, cut costs, etc.  I DO hope that my supposed competition is looking at what I am doing.  While they are doing that, I am already creating the next strategy and focusing on how to leverage what I am already doing.  Good luck if they can figure that out.

One of my mentors, Joel Bauer, said something really profound.  “The only competition you have is YOU!”  That is the only person to compete against.  Imagine if you focused on how YOU were going to improve your communication with clients, shorten your sales cycle, save time, find out what new service/product your clients were really wanting, etc.   The possibilities would be endless.

While I am on it….stop trying to be like everyone else…..it only makes you an imposter.  When I think about how everyone is trying to be different like everyone else…..when in reality they are just being someone else….it cracks me up.  Ever see the movie Matrix? Remember the guys in the brown suits?  That is what most business owners are….they are just a copy of another business.  How do you stand out when everyone looks and sounds like everyone else.

Here are 3 simple tips to help you:

1.  Start looking for what is “missing” in your industry.  Ask your prospects, clients and referral sources what they feel is missing.  The answers will be amazing.  Then figure out how to serve that need.  The fact that you are asking will make you stand out.

2.  Stop speaking like all the other copycat experts like you.  People’s brains go into autopilot the minute you explain what you do.  I am a doctor, lawyer, representative of a network marketing company, coach, consultant, blah, blah, blah.  Explain what you do in terms of solving a problem.  “I maximize the time people spend in their business and with their family”.  All you want people to do is ask “Wow! How do you do that?”  or better “Imagine if you were the only company would think of when they thought about your services….what would that do for you?”

3.  Make a point of distinguishing yourself as an expert.  A unique expert.  Start looking for what is “NOT” being said.  Imagine if I gave you a 2 inch block of wood.  How would you describe it?  Think about it for a few seconds and hold that answer in your head right now.  Here is how I would describe “An incredible tool you can carry in your pocket that will effortlessly lift an elephant 2 inches off the ground”.  Stop being the boring wooden block.  Who wants that?  I want to be able to effortlessly life an elephant off the ground. The way most people describe what they do would put my 1 year old to sleep right after a nap.  Get out of your own rut.

Go back to being a kid again and let your imagination run wild.  In fact, start doing things differently and you will be surprised just how much you will discover.  A great exercise is to get some construction paper, pens, stickers, crayons, etc and start making things that you feel describe what you do.  Pretend you had to do a presentation for pre-schoolers on what you do and how you help people.  What would keep their attention?   In reality, we are all just a bunch of 4, 5 and 6 year olds running around in adult bodies.  We are begging for people to educate us in a way that is fun and entertaining.

Please share with me what you do so I can share it with my 6 year old.  She will be the test as to whether or not you pass the test.  SMILE  Seriously, I would love to hear how you are breaking out of the competition mentality.  How are you standing out as an edutainer (thank you Disney for that great word!)

You are invited to an online class for FREE (a $97 value) on how to build Strategies so you can leverage Social Networking to grow your business. http://www.SocialMaximizing.com/socialnetworking

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Category: Social Networking Tips  Tags: , , , , , , ,  3 Comments
16
Sep 2009

Give your very best

Sabrina Gibson

The only obstacles standing in your life is YOU.  You can do anything you put your mind to.  My grandma taught me this.

Our expectations of what we are capable of doing holds us back.   I can remember bringing home all A’s and a B from high school and my father said, “Sounds like you have more work to do”.  At the time, I really took that hard.  I made it mean that he didn’t appreciate my grades.  Later, I realized he knew that I could do better.  He didn’t allow my mediocrity to become a reality.  The next semester I brought home all A’s and one A-.  My dad, said, “I knew you could do it….just a little more and you will be there”.

This powerful video is a great reminder about how we need to “Negotiate with our body to give more and to never ever quit!”  Sometimes we just need someone else to remind us that we have more to give.  “If you walk around defeated then everyone else around you will too!”  You have to “Give your very best”.  My mentor Joel Bauer often reminds me that “The only person I am competing with is myself”.

How are you going to push yourself today? Please share where you get your inspiration.

You are invited to an online class for FREE (a $97 value) on how to build Strategies so you can leverage Social Networking to grow your business. http://www.SocialMaximizing.com/socialnetworking

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Category: Inspirational  Tags: , , , , ,  Leave a Comment
10
Sep 2009

Why Most Professionals Fail at Social Networking

Sabrina Gibson
Stand Out in Your Networks

Stand Out in Your Networks

Ever wonder why some people get a ton of referrals, business and results with Social Networking and others don’t?  If you think about it, it is quite simple.  People stink at building relationships.  Let’s face it….the majority of professionals today are chasing money.  They are so focused on “conquering” and are all about “what is in it for me” instead of thinking “What can I do for you?”.

The concept of giving to get seems to have been lost for many.  Let’s take a look at traditional networking.  They say the difference between regular folks and regular folks who are millionaires is one thing….networking.  If you aren’t networking, then you aren’t serious about your business.

Is it enough to just network?  NO!  For just a moment think about the last networking opportunity you attended.  Here is what a typical situation looks like…..people show up (for the most part), they have their business cards ready, they start chatting with whomever they come across, they immediately find ways to talk about their business, they might ask the other person a few questions (just to be polite), they force their business card on them and then go onto the next person.  Most professionals are more concerned about what is being served for lunch versus the people they are meeting.

So let’s try this again…..imagine this….

  1. You call the organizer of the networking group ahead of time to find out who are the top professionals they recommend you connect with.
  2. You show up with the intention of meeting 2-3 of these highly recommend professionals.
  3. When you find these 2-3 people, you let them know you specifically came to meet them and ask if you can learn more about their business.
  4. You then ask them 5-6 on point and targeted questions all geared around understanding how you might be able to assist them.
  5. You then let them know (only if you can) that you would like to refer business to them.  Could you schedule a one on one so you have more time to learn about them.
  6. You schedule that appointment on the spot.
  7. You thank them for their time, ask them for their card and let them know you will be confirming the appointment with them.
  8. You move to find the next person.
  9. After the meeting, you send a handwritten thank you card telling them why you are grateful you met them and what you are most looking forward to in your meeting.
  10. You send them an email thanking them, confirm your meeting and send them a simple agenda for the meeting.
  11. A day before you send them a reminder email along with you cell phone number.
  12. You call them the day before to let them know how excited you are about the meeting and how wonderful it will be to refer them business.
  13. You meet with the person and use the agenda you created to learn about their ideal client, what a good referral looks like and to generate a list of 2-3 possible connections you can make for them.
  14. After the meeting you send them another handwritten thank you card telling them why you admire them and 3 things you learned in your meeting.
  15. You send a follow up email thanking them for the meeting and provide a list of the 2-3 people you plan on connecting them to.
  16. You then send an email to the person and the person you want to connect them to. In the email you give a brief introduction for each person and the reason why you are connecting them.  You then designate one person to make it their responsibility to set up a meeting.  You state what you feel the purpose of their meeting.
  17. You then follow up with the person you originally met with and schedule another meeting to talk about what happened for them.

This may sound like a lot of steps for networking.  For me, if I am going to do something then I am going to maximize my time and money.  If you don’t plan on generating results and don’t care about referrals then don’t follow the 17 steps.

I am continually amazed at just how “careless” and ineffective business professionals are at networking.  Time is money.  It takes about 3-5 hours to attend a networking event.  (You have to include drive time, preparation and the actual meeting – this does NOT include follow up – most professionals skip the follow up)  For me, every professional I meet is another person for a great relationship.  It is about the quality of your meeting not the quantity.  Most will tell you, they never forget me if they met me at a networking event.

Social Networking is NO different than traditional networking…..it is just done online.  You can do the exact same 17 steps with Social Networking.  Imagine what would happen if you did.

So what are you planning on doing right now to make a difference in ALL of your networking efforts?  Online and Offline.  I would love to hear your thoughts.

You are invited to an online class for FREE (a $97 value) on how to build Strategies so you can leverage Social Networking to grow your business. http://www.SocialMaximizing.com/socialnetworking

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Category: Networking Tips  Tags: , , , , , , ,  12 Comments
10
Sep 2009

How to be successful in Social Networking

Sabrina Gibson
What is your plan?

What is your plan?

Many business professionals get into Social Networking….not by design but because they finally gave in to all the crazy requests they were getting from other professionals.  What typically happens is that most professionals lose a ton of time trying to “figure out” how to get results from what they are doing.  I recall losing about 4 hours in Facebook one night involved in a “virtual food fight”.  I still have no idea where that got me or what I achieved.

The biggest question I get in Social Networking is this “Where do I start?” OR “How do I make money with it?”  Really….everyone wants to know (or they should want to know) is “How can I be successful in Social Networking”?   The answer is simple.  You treat it like any other marketing tool.  Uh wait….let me rephrase that since most professionals don’t know how to effectively market their business.  Oh come on….Let’s be honest.  Unless you are a very proficient marketing person AND sales person, you have no clue as to what is working or what isn’t working when it comes to marketing your business. Sorry…I tend to be a little blunt at times.  Deal with it.
I feel safe in saying this because I have consulted with over 1000 business professionals on sales and marketing….and the majority of them really had no clue as to what was working and what wasn’t.

So let’s get to the tip already……..TIP #1 in Social Networking:  You have to have a very specific plan to SUCCEED.   Here is what your plan should include:

The Plan

1.  How I am going to attract prospects to me is by offering them.  You can create a freebie.  You can get some ideas from this post.

2.  What I am going to offer to these people who take the freebie is ______.  This is an upsell….an offer.  Think about what the next logical step would be for them.  HINT:  Make this $100 or less.

3.  What I am going to offer to people who buy a $100 or less item from me is___________.  This is your next step in your sales process.  If you don’t have a sales process…..you need to get one.

4.  I am going to become the Rock Star of my expertise in this area __________.   This is where you will list what you are an expert at or what you want to be know as an expert.

5.  This is who my target market is _________.  Please do not list “Anyone”.  It is really hard to refer “Anyone” to you.  The more specific you are…the more you will receive.  This is one of the BIGGEST mistakes I see companies make…they don’t really know WHO their target market is.

6.  To be exact, my target market is ____________.  Describe specific individuals, companies, examples….of your target market.  As Mark Victor Hansen said, “You have to have a niche to get rich”.

7. In _____________ months, I will ________________.  List your top 10 outcomes you would like to achieve.  Yes…your top 10 goals.

8.  When I am in my social networks I am going to find the following people:

  • List other companies, industries and professions that compliment yours.  In other words, who would be good referral sources.
  • List your specific target market.
  • List people you would love to interview and that would appeal to your target market.

I will feel Social Networking is worthwhile if I am able to___________. List 3 things so you will know you have arrived.

Having a plan in Social Networking will save you time and more importantly generate results.  If you allow your inbox, your invitations and your lack of knowledge to determine your to do list….then yes, you will probably miss out on what is possible with Social Networking.  Create your plan today….even if you have already joined Social Networking sites.  It is never too late to implement a great plan.

What would you include or modify in this plan?  Please share what outcomes you have achieved in Social Networking.

You are invited to an online class for FREE (a $97 value) on how to build Strategies so you can leverage Social Networking to grow your business. http://www.SocialMaximizing.com/socialnetworking

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Category: Uncategorized  3 Comments
08
Sep 2009

Win A $3000 Ticket To A Live Private Training with Joel Bauer

Sabrina Gibson
Wealth Training with Joel Bauer

Wealth Training with Joel Bauer

You have a once in a lifetime opportunity to win a VIP ticket to a private training with one of the world’s top mentors.  Joel is the mentor’s mentor. Joel Bauer has mentored Mark Victor Hansen (Chicken Soup for the Soul author) and Robert Allen (Multiple Streams of Income) and thousands of professionals, just like us–many of  whom have become millionaires as a result of his training.

Here are a just a few of the things you will learn:

  • Creating an unforgettable 30 second elevator pitch.
  • Presenting yourself in a way that automatically opens doors.
  • Creating a brand that people trust and want to give you their business.
  • Putting together a complete system to capture your target market.
  • Creating a business card that never gets thrown away.
  • Generating exposure through media and other sources.
  • Having a plan to boost your business in any economy
  • Access to tools that make promoting your business easy.
  • Creating an online system that gets massive traffic and results.

When you when the ticket it will allow you and a spouse or business partner to attend. The event takes place on September 19th & 20th, 2009 in Woodland Hills, CA. If you have a desire to move your business forward at a rapid pace and would like to work smarter vs. harder, this is a must attend event.  There are no speakers or salesmen, just Joel mentoring you with a process that has taken over 25 years to evolve.

To win the ticket:

1. Simply recommend others to follow me and Joel Bauer on Twitter.  (@SabrinaGibson and @TheJoelBauer) Tell them to send me a tweet including your name to let me know they are following me because of you.

2.  Retweet my post about the contest at least once.

3. Sign up for my “Free Social Networking Tips” here (My team will be checking your twitter address so use that as your first name).

3. For each person that sends me a tweet, I will enter you into the drawing.  On September 15th, I will draw the winner) If you can’t attend the event I’d still appreciate you greatly for asking people to follow me and retweet a few of my interesting tweets (if they are). Please note: If you win and cannot attend, there is no cash value for the tickets.  You may transfer them to another person.

4. You will receive additional bonuses for any video posted on YouTube.com about this event.  You can promote this link in your promotions http://www.SmartAndSticky.com/Joel

Ok, that is it, get busy and win! Oh, details of the event are below.

See video of people who have attended a similar event CLICK HERE TO Watch.

Schedule:
September 19, 2009 – Day 1
8:00 AM         Registration.  Allow plenty of time for registration and badge pickup)
9:00 AM         Event begins ON TIME*
5:00 PM         Day One Ends (Bonus session is very likely)

* PLEASE NOTE:  Anyone who is late, will miss 90 minutes of important revenue generating techniques.

September 20, 2009 – Day 2
8:30 AM         Pre-Event Wealth Conditioning Begins
9:00 AM         Day 2 Begins ON TIME*
5:00  PM        Event is Complete.

Breaks:
Twenty minute bathroom breaks are scheduled every 90 minutes with a 75 minute lunch break each day.

Please bring:
Healthy snacks (eat for energy – high protein, low carbs)
Bottled Water
Jacket/Sweater (the training room is cool)
Super Positive Attitude
Desire to massively increase your financial and personal success
Digital Camera – with (2) 4GB Memory Cards, Charger, Backup Battery
Dress for Success (you only get one chance at a first impression)

Do NOT Bring:
Laptop computers or any type of recording devices.
Cellphones – unless they are turned off.  (You will be asked to leave)
Minors under the age of 14 – this is a serious training.  These 2-days have saved
lives emotionally & financially

Maximize Your Experience:
Be rest.  Get a full night’s rest before the event.  This may require flying in the day before and staying at the Woodland Hills Marriott (where the event will be held)

Joel takes this event seriously.

Start sharing this incredible opportunity!

You are invited to an online class for FREE (a $97 value) on how to build Strategies so you can leverage Social Networking to grow your business. http://www.SocialMaximizing.com/socialnetworking

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