Two Disappointing Things about FranCamp

The first annual FranCamp was this weekend and I would have to say it was quite a success!. Then how, you ask, could I title my blog, “Two Disappointing Things”?  I’d say it’s disappointing in the positive sense so let me explain, in a minute.

Networking and fun started the evening before with a tweet-up at Tasti-D-lite hosted by BJ Emerson , VP Technology, Tasti-D-lite. We had a “Tasti Swirl Contest” and I just happened to be the winner. Check it out!

Now let me get to what I found disappointing:

1) Not many franchisees attended this one day event. There was a wealth of information that they missed! I had heard prior to coming that it was more common for a franchisor to do most of the social media for a franchise. Few franchisors allow their franchisees to get involved independently. If the turnout for FranCamp was any indication, than that is the case. This was the perfect opportunity for all to learn why social media is important for your business, how to get started and for those who are involved, what would be the next step for you and your company.

Some of what I learned, the importance of videos in your blogs and the ease of preparing them by Jennifer MacDonald ,Online Community Manager, WIN Home Inspection. How to convert leads and understanding what drives your customers, shared by Paul Litterer , Senior Sales Executive Strategic Accounts, Hubspot, and twitter strategies, remembering content is key,and  it’s not all about followers, presented by Jack Monson, VP Engage 121.

I would have enjoyed networking with more franchisees to learn about their needs, successes and how I could share my experiences to help.  See, good things happened for me, I was just upset for those that didn’t experience all that I had!

2.Time restraints: My suggestion for the next FranCamp is to build in additional time. There were topics likes Google+ and QR codes that I didn’t get to learn about during the lunch roundtable sessions. I had time to sit in on two discussions, I would have liked to sit in on three or four! Not enough time in a day, days in a week, and so on! Again, I had positive experiences with the sessions, I just wanted more!

One common theme throughout the day was the importance of blogging for your business and how video blogging is one of the most successful ways to interact and connect with your customer. It was enough of a challenge to get me to blog, still is, but now I will attempt a video blog. Thanks to Jennifer and her session “Creating and Using Online Videos” I plan on taking that leap. Stay tuned!

Franchisees, please join us next time and feel free to contact me if you’re looking to get involved in social media! I was not able to connect with many of you at this FranCamp but hopefully I can before and at the next one.

Would you like the chance to attend the next FranCamp? Here is your opportunity to vote for the next city that it will be held. Join us next time. You won’t be disappointed!

Tags: BJ Emerson, FranCamp, Jack Monson, Jennifer MacDonald, Paul Litterer, social media, twitter

FranCamp, Here I (We) Come!

The phone call came and it wasn’t like others I had received in the past. Deb Evans, the CEO and President of Computer Explorers asked if I would like to speak at #FranCamp Franchising Goes Social. This was going to a bit different than what I had done in the past for Computer Explorers, it wasn’t for Computer Explorers!

Deb is part of the committee organizing #FranCamp and had brought up my name in a meeting with AK Stout, CEO Saying It Social, Thomas Scott, CEO Brand Journalists, and Jack Monson,VP Engage121 to participate as a member on the franchisee panel. The committee was aware of who I am (yes, due to social media) and Deb reports that they were pleased to include me!

I was honored, nervous, and excited all at the same time. Needless to say, I said yes. This will be my first speaking engagement outside of Computer Explorers since I joined the company over five years ago and definitely the first time speaking on social media. I  have a business Facebook  page, I’m on Twitter, LinkedIn, have an e-newsletter and if you follow my blog you know this is my newest undertaking. Now I’m looking forward to meeting some of the folks above  and others who I have met through social media  IRL (in real life) at #FranCamp. Here’s my bio!

For any franchisees reading this please consider attending. I will be on the Franchisee Panel discussing Strategies for Integrating Social Media. There is so much that you can learn, so many different ways to get involved, and wonderful people to meet both virtually and in real life!

Check out Who Should Attend  October 22, 2011 Nashville, TN.  Hope to see you there!

Tags: AK Stout, Computer Explorers, Deb Evans, FranCamp, Jack Monson, networking, social media, Thomas Scott

Can I get that in writing, please?

Do your customers tell you what a great job you are doing; you have provided a service that has helped them considerably? Do they love your product? What is your response, ” Thank you very much?”

Why not take it a step further. Would you mind putting that in writing for me? Could you email me a quick note? Could I please publish  your comment on my website or facebook page? The best advertising is word of mouth.

Using direct quotes from your current customer is a great way to tell others how great a product or service you have. During the 2^nd Annual Social Media Benchmarking Study, conducted by The Center For Client Retention (TCFCR) , when a study of 28,000 consumers  were asked how social media has influenced their purchasing decisions, 24% said they will consider purchasing a product after seeing a positive post.

My teachers and I get many wonderful comments from our parents. Honestly, I have been a little uncomfortable asking for that comment in writing but whenever I have, everyone has been more than happy to oblige. I’ve even asked my staff to do the same. This is the result of one of those requests: We wanted our son to be exposed to computer technology as soon as he was academically ready for the challenge.  We enrolled him in CT at his full-time daycare facility. I was amazed at the progress he made in the program.  The teachers were very patient with him and he loved it.  He learned a life-long skill while having fun in the process.  He continued with CT until he started Kindergarten.  As parents, we feel this program well-prepared our son for school.  We would highly recommend this program to any parent who wants to give their child a head start on his or her educational path. Christy and Brian Wenger, Primrose at New Irving Park in Greensboro

Give those comments some legs. Ask for those passing comments in writing and spread the word! Social media now provides us the means to share our story and our customers “stories” at no cost to our business. Take advantage and let others know what a trusted product or service you provide to the community!

Tags: comments, customer service, social media

Google +, huh?

So by now you have seen enough posts, blogs, and articles about Google + to make you dizzy. Over 10 million users already, wow! I was finally able to give invites and I told my sister, “I’m sending you an invite to Google +”. Her response, “What’s that”? My friends response, “What’s that?” My mom’s response, “What’s that?” My 15 year old daughter, “What’s that?”

In an article, Can Google+ Sustain Growth Beyond Early Adapters by Ben Parr Mashable Editor- at- Large,  Ben states, “Engagement on Google+ is extremely high, with many reporting they get more responses on Google+ than they do on Twitter or Facebook. It’s clear that Google+ has momentum. That’s nice, but the momentum is starting to blind Google+ users and the press to reality. Here’s the truth: Google+ is dominated almost entirely by early adopters.

Guess, I’m an early adapter. In my field, I need to be. (&  like to be!) I was involved with Twitter near it’s onset. It took some time but that did take off although many social media outlets do not.

So far I am really excited about Google+, it’s features and potential but I am not ready to give up my other platforms as others are.  Most of the people on board are my “early adapter circle”. I need to get my 80 year old parents involved, other family, business associates and friends as does the rest of the world for this to be the true great social platform it is meant to be!

By the way, if you want an invite, let me know! +Robin Scott

Tags: Ben Parr, Google+, social media

Getting Connected

I  just added a new contact to my e-newsletter list. It is the email address of the gentleman sitting next to me at a  Constant Contact seminar I attended. We had a couple of minutes to chat before the session started. He worked for a car dealership, wife is home schooling their kids. I “touched” one person that day and made a connection.

Networking, in turn building relationships is so critical in business today and there are so many avenues to accomplish it. Starting with social media to endless networking events. As a Computer Explorers franchisee  we have had discussions with the corporate team and amongst other franchisees about the different networking opportunities we have  available  to us . I am ashamed to say I have put off joining the local Chambers of Commerce, BNI  Connection (Business Networking International) and some business woman groups that I have been inquiring about although I have been doing some  networking on the golf course!

Most of my connections and relationship building have been online via twitter, facebook, and LinkedIn but after seeing the impact of  one conversation at a business meeting in addition to the enjoyment of getting out (of my home office) I realized it’s time to pursue IRL (in real life) opportunities.

The main reason that I have not joined various groups has been due to cost. Let’s be  realistic, there are so many options including those that are free, I probably can’t go there (nor can you). One excuse may be you don’t have enough time, if you look at time management you can make  time.  Maybe you don’t attend because  you feel nervous when you attend a networking event? I read a blog 10 Golden Tips for Successful Networking by Ebru Ulufer and she said “If you’re  feeling nervous when going to an event, then probably you are thinking too much about yourself. Remember: Networking is about making the other person feel important. Every time you speak to someone, think “how can I help this person?”. The more you focus on other people, the less you will worry about yourself.” 

In today’s society with social media information available to you at every turn there is no “good” reason we are not out there connecting to others and building relationships. There are a multitude of seminars, conference and networking groups in every area. There are endless opportunities to share your story and watch your business prosper.

How have you connected to others?

Tags: Computer Explorers, Constant Contact, networking, social media

7 Rules for Tweens on Facebook

It started well over a year ago. “Mom, can I get a facebook page?  Why not? ALL my friends have one”. A couple of months later,” Mom please can I have a facebook page”? “I’m the only one in my class who doesn’t have one. How about on my 11th birthday”? I don’t think so!

Needless to say all of my daughters friends were not on facebook but I was surprised how many were. By the time she got into sixth grade I can honestly say more kids were on the social networking site than not. According to a Consumer Reports survey, age restrictions hold little bearing on whether or not kids will use Facebook anyway. Currently 7.5 million Facebook users are under the age of 13 when the terms of service clearly state that all users must be over 13. The majority of that number is composed of kids who aren’t even old enough to enter the 5th grade. 5 million users are under 10 years old.

My daughter’s birthday was last month and the big day had come. She told me it was better than Christmas, getting on to facebook. We agreed that this was the right time but there were definitely going to be rules in place. Monitoring your child’s activity and setting up ground rules is key in addition to teaching them about internet safety.

7 Important Facebook  Rules for your Tween/Teen :

1) Set up initial page and privacy settings together

2) Parents will be your friends

3) Parents will know your password

4) No fighting with your sibling online (was neccessary in our house!)

5) Only friend people you know, don’t friend strangers.It’s not a race to see who has the most friends.

6) Keep personal information private (address, phone number, your locations)

7) Tell parents if  you see anything or talk to anyone that makes you feel uncomfortable 

So far things have been going well. We have hit a couple of small bumps, those infamous questionnaires that tags everyone in your address book when you respond. This initiated another lesson on what to post , what to respond to, and how to delete comments and report spam. Arguing in a post with her sister, next lesson, “posting etiquette”.

As long as your child remains receptive to your input while following the rules and you continue to monitor how the social networking is going the transition should be pretty smooth. This is the way of the future and we can’t be afraid to let our kids venture forth with 21st century skills!

Do you have any additional rules to add? How is facebook working out with your child?

Tags: facebook, social media, tweens

What’s My Blog Topic?

Let’s see, some of the twitter folks I follow: @4thgear for info on leadership development, @akstout18 for social media & geek tools, @DebCE Computer Explorers president & CEO, ’nuff said, @NMHS_Principal for technology in education ,@KathyM_ICED for sales tips, @NAYEC  information on the education of young children, @Mashable for all things technology, @LorriW to keep me smiling. Do you see a trend here? Not really? That’s my point. I found it transcending to my blogs which had me concerned and I will explain in a moment.

Twitter happens to be a great resource for me and I would highly recommend it! The valuable information, the diverse subject matter & conversation, and the people I have met both virtually and IRL are indispensible.

Before I began my blog I read so many posts on the how tos and spoke to those in the know. Write about what you are the expert in, what you enjoy. As a small business owner I wear many hats and need to be “in the know” of many things. Owning and operating a franchise, sales, human resources, technology education, leadership, PR, marketing & social media. This is the short list.

So, what do I blog about? All of the above? Do I concentrate in one area? Technology education? Sales? Franchise business ownership? Social Media? These things touch my everyday life. I was feeling bad (because that’s what I do), that my blog topics were jumping around but my business takes me there. Everyday’s a new day for me. I never know what’s going to come up but that’s the way I like it. That’s why I chose to do what I do. So I’ve selected to write about all of the above.

I guess the purpose of this blog is to let you know that  from one week to the next, I don’t know what I’ll be sharing with you.  If you follow me, which I hope you will, you can hop on my train and take it with me where it may go. My topics will vary as my business and personal life does but that should keep everything interesting.

Till next time…my “13″ year old daughter now has a facebook page of her own, a life changing experience  for both of us. Another blog topic in my ever expanding list!

Tags: blogging, social media, technology education, twitter