Social media is not only great for boosting your client list; it helps you to interact with your existing clientele. One mistake that many people make is not taking the time out to perfect their user experience. If you want to engage existing clients and find new clients along the way, there are three important things you need to accomplish in order to improve your social media efforts.

Respond. Respond. Respond. This can’t be stressed enough. Those who achieve success with social media marketing accomplish their bottom-line because they focus on establishing strong client relationships. This not only includes responding to questions regarding your products or services. You also have to respond to client complaints. You will want to respond as professionally and quickly as possible. One of the worst things you can do is avoid responding to an unhappy client.

Center your content around client issues. One way to perfect your clients’ experience with your company is to write content about your most common complaints. When certain issues arise, clients can link to this information. For example, let’s say that during the holiday season your shipments are normally 2 days delayed. You can create content explaining why product shipments are delayed during holidays. You can even offer suggestions on how to avoid the problem by suggesting that people their orders a few weeks before the holiday. Notice how Google posts common troubleshooting issues in blog format? This is a great way of informing your clients about certain issues that are going on within your company.

Time to face the music! After responding to client issues and complaints, make sure you resolve them as quickly as possible. Its great responding to your customers’ needs on Twitter, however, you have to resolve their problems once you’re offline. Otherwise, this will ruin your online reputation.

When you respond to your clients’ needs through social media and take action, this adds value to your company. You’re showing the world that you actually care about your clients’ needs.

In the history of Google products, the more boring the product = wider adaption rates and the better the product will be. Google is number one in the market for boring products. Look at the heart of Google, search advertising! It’s algorithms and character counts do not provide great material for a Cannes award submission movie. The only social activity Google has encountered success with is YouTube; most of what is good about YouTube (video democratization through video production and sharing) was already there when Google acquired it. Google has done well with the “boring” aspects of the site making it scale and increasing revenue streams.

Here are a few ways Google has tried introducing social media with “Exciting” and “Boring” entries:

Exciting

Orkut: Google launched it’s own social networking site in 2004, about 14 days before Facebook launched. We obviously know the winner of this initial fight.

Dodgeball: Developed by former Google employee who recently left the company to create similar but much improved site, Foursquare. Dodgeball shut down in 2009.

Jaiku: An early rival to Twitter when there were still many players in the micro-blogging space, but now ranks about 428,000th in U.S. sites.

Lively: Opened this virtual world by saying, “Well this sucks for Second Life.” Guess which one is still around? HINT: Not Lively.

Wave: The developer preview video for this site received over 9 million views, but I do no know anyone that knows how to use it or mainly why they should. The open-ended nature of Wave leaves users wondering what to do with this technology.

Buzz: I am not so sure this worked at all considering it is during work hours that I would use this and mainly to family and co-workers.

Boring

Docs: I talk about Google Docs in almost every blog, because it is such a great feature of Google. Although it started with a pretty dull premise of storing documents online “in the cloud,” and then allowing users to collaborate, this power of collaboration for such a straightforward purpose is what made Docs gain users easily.

Moderator: Anyone can create their own version of Digg where others can contribute and vote on submissions. In May, it became a feature on YouTube which will most likely increase its user base.

Android Photo Sharing: The Iphone still does not have a feature allowing you to share a photo to social sites from anywhere containing a picture.

Google can understand and apply the mechanics of social media, but still the odds aren’t great for Google in the social networking domain. But look at what Google already has and how their magic has been in the more “boring” collaboration and communication tools such as Docs, Talk, Voice, and Gmail. Also they run a successful web browser, a mobile operating system, and is increasingly incorporating more social media content into it’s search engines.

If you hear of Google doing something incredibly “boring,” perk up because it could change the way you communicate, share content, and consumer media.

Whether you own an Internet based business, small mom & pop or a Fortune 500 with several employees, Google Apps can help keep you organized throughout the course of the day. Google Apps is low cost and perfect if you’re on a budget. Below are a few secure online applications to use by Google.

Google Calendar Agenda

You can easily schedule appointments, manage and share online calendars. Integrate your calendar into Gmail and also stay up-to-date with mobile access. Calendars can be published externally from Google, shared with permission controls, and can send meeting invites and manage the RSVPs.

Google Docs Documents

Web-based documents, spreadsheets, drawings and presentations that allow users to simultaneously edit the same file for real-time collaboration. If you forget your computer as I often do, no worries for docs is securely powered by the web with anytime, anywhere access to your work. Easily upload and share files that are backed-up online and offer permission controls that can be changed at any time.

Google Groups

With this app you can share content easily, search archives and manage groups without burdening the IT department. Share docs, calendars, sites, shared folders and videos with a group and control the access of the group and individuals. Reply on behalf of the group even as it can be used as a central point for receiving and responding to communications.

Google Sites

Create dynamic web pages to centralize documents, spreadsheets, videos and slideshows to help keep teams organized. This is an easy way to keep team members up-to-date with a project workspace and a secure intranet.

Google Video

This application provides secure hosted video sharing to make internal training videos and announcements more engaging, effective, secure and private.

Google Wave

Real-time collaboration is at it’s ultimate in Wave with everyone’s typing showing up instantly, and letting new participants in a wave get up to speed instantly with organized discussions and a playback feature to see how the wave evolved. Anyone in the wave can edit or reply to any section, comment, or start new comments to keep the content relevant and in the right order. Wave supports gadgets and users can build their own gadgets for custom functionality.

Why are more and more entrepreneurs and companies using Google Apps? For one, it is convenient and affordable. You can test drive Google apps for free with a free trial offer.

So, you had a total of 1000 Facebook friends last month and now you're down to 950. What could have possibly happened to all those ‘potential clients’? The following are a few reasons why people will dump you as a friend on Facebook or any social media site.

You over- do it with self-promotion. It is a major turn-off when all a person does is promote their business on a social media site. It’s like attending your high school class reunion and all a person talks about is his or her new product line. Enough is enough! Although it makes good marketing since to promote your products and services through social media, you have to also support and review what other people are doing -- even if it isn't business related. This shows that you value other people's friendship and it's not all about you.

You argue and offend people. It's okay to voice your opinion about the recent oil spill. However, when you become so angry that you begin to offend people, this will tick them off and prompt them to end their relationship with you.

You present yourself unprofessionally. Even though it is suggested to post a little personal info about your life experiences once and awhile, don't overdo it. Posting messages about how much you hate your ex-boyfriend or girlfriend is very unprofessional and a major turn-off to potential clients.

Your status is always in-active. If you want people to get to know you, you have to be an active participant of social media. Even if you change your status and post a few comments once a week, you’re showing people that you are an interesting person. The more interesting messages you post, the more people will respond to you on Facebook.

It seems as though everyone is engaging in social networking whether it’s for personal or for business use. Can social media really help give your business a boost, increase your online presence or is it just a fad? Social media is here for the long-hall. Here are a few important things to remember about social media for business.

1. Develop a solid plan and stick with it. Better yet, find someone who is well versed in social networking to help you. Some business owners hire social media virtual assistants to help manage their social media campaigns.

2. Find your market. You have to know where to find your clients whether its newlyweds, singles, professionals or even students. You can search for potential clients based on their location, age and other preferences.

3. Just do it today! Many Fortune 500 companies are using social media to communicate with customers and their individual markets. You will notice that all the huge corporations use excellent content when marketing their businesses. Make sure you use great content with social networking with your clients.

4. Blog it! Consider establishing a blog and blog about your company. You can blog about your company's special events, your products and services or anything that will interest your readers.

One of the major reasons why so many companies are using social networking is because it is extremely cost effective way to connect to your market. Let TracSoft know if this is a service you want help or consultation.

Google Voice is finally available to all of us here in the U.S.A. Google’s cool web-based application allows small and mid-sized business owners to have full control of their phone communications. With Google Voice, you receive a single phone number that rings multiple lines (cell, office or home phone). The service provides voice message transcription and best of all; you can make free calls within the U.S. and Canada. International calling rates are low and you can make 4-person conference calls hassle-free.

How Google Voice works…

Once you sign up for an account with Google Voice, you choose your phone number. Then you can use your office, home and cell numbers. Google allows you to choose any U.S. area code you desire. You can forward your phone calls to six other phones. It even allows you to make free text messages. This makes life a whole lot easier. Now you don’t have to worry about being interrupted by phone calls while you’re in the middle of an important project.

Here are a few pros and cons of Google Voice:

Pros:

For business owners, Google Voice can be combined with Gmail, Google Docs, Google Buzz, Google Wave and Gdrive for an optimum online communication experience.

Personally, it lets me have a Georgia area code, without changing the number I have had for years, enabling me to get into the security gate at my apartment.

Cons:

Last year, Google Voice experienced a glitch in the system that raised a few eyebrows. Prospective users who were given the opportunity to test-drive the service (by invitation only) discovered that their voicemail transcripts posted in the search results. Google quickly rectified the problem. Today, all transcripts are kept away from the search engine crawlers.

Many people that call me are disgruntled by the unnecessary amount of time Google Voice takes when transferring a caller to voicemail that they hang up and I never know what it is they wanted or if it is an unknown number who it was that called.

Google had a live weblog on June 22 where they revealed the new features of Google Docs that would make connectivity, security, migration, and the user interface friendlier for both business and personal usage.

Connectivity with MySQL databases

Trigger a Script from any website

Build and Display custom interfaces or venues for users

Admins can manage more permissions across users

Monitor files being stored and shared outside domain

Partner apps to migrate and sync files to Google Docs

Memeo and Syncplicity connect

Google Wave as a lab

A way to have real-time discussions and make quick decisions within context

Discuss and debate while creating content in small group settings

Preserves time line of how a wave evolves

Google Apps Marketplace

Easily discover, purchase and deploy web apps that integrate with Google

Move fast with single-sign on for easier navigation shared data

Examples: Accounting, Finance, Customer Relationship Management Software, e-mail marketing, scheduling

Security

Updated Google Apps directory sync; advanced features or password synchronization (default, force to change at first login, etc.)

Ability to reset sign-in cookies

Mobile Device Management

Lock device after certain time of un-use

Re-require password to change certain things or enter certain areas

Must change password after certain amount of time

Just Launched

Google drawings: build organizational charts, flow charts, design diagrams

The new communication friendly version: chat, real-time co-editing, easier import/exporting

Faster spreadsheets: drag and drop columns, editable formula bar, auto complete to speed up data entry, send or add links directly to spreadsheets

Upload any file: upload, store, and share any file in Google Docs for safe storage and accessibility at all times. Files will be stored in the original formats and can be downloaded from anywhere

TracSoft would like to announce its newest website www.WestTexasFootandAnkle.com. West Texas Foot & Ankle Associates offers comprehensive podiatry services and specializes in providing expert treatment in a warm and caring environment. West Texas Foot & Ankle Associates' warm, friendly staff members introduce you to a specialized approach of minimally invasive foot and ankle care techniques.

The services provided by Tracsoft were a custom website design, Flash technology, website hosting, and SEO services.

It’s no secret that Google is still considered one of the most used resources on the web, and businesses of all sizes have been using the site for years to market their products and services. For the small business owner, marketing can be a daunting and expensive affair. Using Google to market your small business is an excellent way to reach a broad audience without spending a fortune.

AdWords is still Google’s flagship and most popular advertising product, as well as the company’s main source of revenue. AdWords can be summed up as being a PPC (Pay Per Click) advertising service, which can be used to reach both a local and national audience. You know exactly what you going to get with what you pay. You can get pay to be on page one of Google the day your site launches and drive targeted traffic to your site.

Companies are still using Google AdWords to great effect, as it differentiates your site from the competition by placing your link in a bolded-out, highly visible section of the search page. Since companies literally pay per click, your business only pays for results, which is a lot better than dumping money into a targetless direct mail campaign.

Google’s AdWords service is also very easy to use, even for those who do not consider themselves to be computer savvy. Like other Google products, AdWords is user-friendly and will even drum up reports of how well your advertising is working, offering suggestions as to what you may do in the future to improve your advertising techniques. With AdWords, you can control your company’s advertising without having to employ a marketing agency, saving you valuable time and money.

It is important in the long run to also appear in the organic listings as well. Point your ads towards a specific landing page and not always necessarily the home page. Google as well as other ads should provide you with details on how often your ad shows, how often it’s clicked on, how much traffic is being sent from this ad, and what you are paying per click.

TracSoft would like to announce its newest website www.KimFreemanRealtor.com. Kim Freeman is a real estate agent licensed in both Georgia and Alabama. Explore her website to browse listings and gather any needed market information to help with the buying and selling of your home.

The services provided by Tracsoft were a custom website design, Flash technology, website hosting, eCommerce, and SEO services.

The AP has officially released its 2010 stylebook that includes for the first time new social media guidelines. The stylebook will offer some basic guidelines on how journalists should use social media, including confirming sources and information found on social networks before (re-)tweeting or sharing, as well as 42 new correct ways to use terms and internet lingo.

Click Here to read the AP Press Release on the new stylebook and adding social media guidelines to the 2010 edition.

TracSoft would like to announce its newest website www.donaldbowlesbuilder.com. Bowles Builders of Columbus, Georgia offers a wide variety of floorplans and styles to fit every homeowner's needs. Combining a commitment to value and customer service before, during and after the sale ensures a a lasting quality whether buying a recently built home or buying new.

The services provided by Tracsoft were a custom website design, Flash technology, and website hosting.

Slides and policy examples from Reggie's presentation at SHRM luncheon today. If you have any questions or problems downloading, give Reggie a call at 706-568-4133.

Social Media for HR
Social Media Policy
Email-Voice Mail-Internet Usage Policy

The Internet masses have been troubled lately about Facebook, following a wave of dissent that began forming when Facebook launched a massive privacy overhaul about five months back, and continued to grow as messages found their way to the wrong people’s inboxes (among other privacy gaffes) and the Open Graph was introduced. Read this article to see how this has affected some Facebook users

The core issue of how the social networking platform manages access to its users’ information has built a crisis of confidence with Facebook users. Since the changes to privacy controls, it can take hours to click through all the settings and options to achieve maximum privacy – and even then you will still need to set real-time controls with each wall post and status update. On Monday in The Washington Post, Mark Zuckerberg said upcoming tweaks will make it simpler to use privacy controls and provide an easy way to turn off all third-party services.

A few of the changes rumored that Zuckerberg is to announce that Facebook will be implementing in the upcoming weeks are:
1. A one-click control that changes content viewing permissions to friends-only, friends-of-friends, or everyone (This will apply to anything published in the past or anything published in the future).
2. A one-click control for determining how people can find you on Facebook, and what non-friend users can see on profile (including opting-out of sharing your friends list and the Pages that you like).
3. A simple way to opt-out of Facebook’s instant personalization features and providing information to third-party sites (New Open Graph Technology).

Interested in learning more about social media? Hear Reggie Luther, President of TracSoft speak at the Society for Human Resource Management's May luncheon meeting.

The SHRM meeting will be held at the Green Island Country Club on Thursday, May 27th from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Click Here to Register

Revenue earned by US business owners who use social networking is expected to be in the billions over the next couple of years. If you haven’t taken full advantage of the benefits of social networking, you’re missing out. Now is the time to jump on the social networking bandwagon …But before you start tweeting and sending out countless messages about your new product or service, here are 3 things you will need to avoid:

Avoid being too ‘salesy’. One of the biggest mistakes a business owner can make is using aggressive marketing tactics. For example, if you send out spammy tweets about your new product or service on Twitter, your followers will eventually get fed up and leave your network. It’s okay to send out a business relevant message once in a while, but don’t over do it. Remember, when people join your network, they want to be inspired and learn something new about you and the industry your business involves. Most of your followers will care less about your up coming 20% off sale. Earning revenue with social networking takes time. You must focus on establishing credibility first.

Be choosy about your “friends”. It is better to have only 20 Facebook friends who value your friendship and who are more likely to become potential customers than 2000 friends that you have nothing in common with. If you’re promoting your business on Facebook and you have hundreds of friends who are not interested in your business, your marketing efforts will fall by the weigh-side.

Make sure you are in the right location. In other words, spend time up front doing analysis, research and goal setting. This will make your social media plan easier to execute and will avoid the ‘spammed’ messages from the get-go. Find out where your customers are located (LinkedIn could be the way to go for many small businesses), and check out what other companies are doing that you like/dislike. It may take some time to gain the audience you are hoping for, but if you chose the right location people will eventually come for the insider information you provide.

Lastly, make sure you proofread your content before you post it online. Everyone makes mistakes once in a while; however, it is unprofessional to have too many obvious spelling errors in your text. There is nothing more embarrassing than a marketing message that reads: (Hello to my FB Frends: Get 20% off you nex purchase!)

TracSoft would like to announce its newest website www.strikeoutleukemia.com. A Foundation in Brent Schoening's honor to help support others fighting this deadly disease and to raise funds for cutting edge leukemia research to "Strike-Out Leukemia" one pitch at a time.

The services provided by Tracsoft were a custom website design, Flash technology, and website hosting.

The focus for your website's interaction with Facebook has recently moved to the "Like button." Clicking it will place content from the web page into your Facebook stream rather than just "sharing" it once. Facebook has made it easier for developers to incorporate new features on websites with just a few short lines of code and helps to avoid the complexities of Facebook Connect. Websites will now be able to provide a constant flow of content to the people who "like" what they publish online, as well as generating Facebook as one of the primary aggregators of news and information around the web. Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook said, the web is defaulting to social. It is time for business to act accordingly.

Click here to "Like" Tracsoft on Facebook

TracSoft would like to announce its newest website www.gelssa.com. GELSSA connects safety and security professionals in order to promote, strengthen, and build better, safer communities.

The services provided by Tracsoft were a custom website design, Flash technology, and website hosting.

Evernote is a notetaking tool that supports audio, image and text notes that sync across desktop, web and mobile platforms. It is also known for its search capabilities, which include text searching within photos. Everything captured is automatically processed, indexed and made searchable by Evernote. To make it more searchable you can rearrange captures in tags or notebooks.

The best thing about Evernote is it can be used for business and personal and will be synced constantly with every device you want the free service on. Using it to make lists, keep meeting notes in order, remember names/faces, collect research, track where you parked your car, and many more ways to combine and keep track of the many things going through your head.