You're up against the clock with your current project. It should have been done yesterday. Clients are waiting, emails are going unanswered, new leads are going unexplored. All because the project just isn't quite perfect yet.

We at SocializeLA have a little slogan and it goes like this, "done is better than perfect." We know how difficult it is to let the project out of our hands when we could still make it "better". This sounds like the road to an imperfect world where absolutely nothing gets done!

The truth is that it doesn't need to be perfect. Or, as we like to believe, it will never be perfect UNTIL is it done.

So, as we round the corner into the second half of the year, we'd like to give you one of our biggest tips yet. Finish The Project. Delegate. Ask for help. Believe in yourself. Work with your team. Get it done!

Are you looking for some direction or simply a little inspiration? Are you looking for an extra set of hands on deck to help you manage your social media...

It's important to keep your profile's looking great.  Here are some sizing you should know to optimize your profiles. 

2016-2017 Changes:

• Pinterest board covers now square shaped.
• LinkedIn personal profiles new design + changed features.
• Pinterest profile picture enlarged.
• LinkedIn company pages redesigned.
• Facebook Cover Photo size updated to 828 pixels wide from 851.

Social Media Photo Sizes Quick Reference & Links
1200 x 1200 pixels square is ideal for Facebook and Instagram posts.
It also works well for Twitter images on desktop, and for Google+ and LinkedIn posts.

Facebook Photo Sizes
Facebook Page Cover photo: Reduced in width from 851 pixels to 828 (in 2016. Facebook Cover photo size: 828 x 315 desktop / 828 x 465 mobile

• Facebook Profile photo size: upload 180 x 180
• Facebook App / Tab thumbnail size: 111 x 74
• Facebook Link preview size: min. 600 x 314
• Facebook Photo post size: min. 504 x 504
• Facebook Event Cover photo size: 1200 x 675

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How to showcase your knowledge,but protect your best asset... your IDEAS!

I speak to business owners every day who have yet to harness the power of digital marketing. One of their biggest hesitations comes from not wanting to give away their ideas.  They feel that if they talk about industry best practices, share projects they're working on, and talk about the ideas they have - that they'll open themselves up to competition to steal their ideas and reuse their ideas. 

Fair enough. These are reasonable hesitations. I mean who wants to have their ideas stolen! Who wants to lose clients because someone stole YOUR ideas.

Here's the reality, let me shed some light on a few things:

• You don't have to share EVERYTHING
• If you don't show up to the party (online space) you'll miss out

Here's the dilemma - you need to be online.  It's 2016 if you aren't doing SOMETHING you are definitely missing new clients and opportunity. As much as you need to be sharing your expertise...

You would have to be living under a rock to not notice the phenomena that is Pokémon Go. Most of us remember the Pokémon characters of the early 90's from the cartoons, video games, and the line of retail toys and cards. Created by video game designer Satoshi Tajiri.

Pokémon Go launched on July 5th, and is reminiscent of the original game. Only this time it's real life. The idea is still the same.  There are in-app purchases (of course) and this game is a huge DATA SUCK. 

Here are some answers to the questions in your mind:

Are you missing out on fun if you don't play?
We are all driven by a little FOMO (Fear of Mission Out) so I totally understand the question. I mean, I'm competitive by nature and I'm a runner so in my mind I'm thinking I could really clean up on this game. However, since I'm an adult with responsibilities and other hobbies I'm ok with missing out on this fun.   So you need to answer that question...

Authenticity leads to impressions, leads to clicks, leads to conversions. (Don't worry I'll explain below!)

If you want social media to "work," you'll need to make sure you're being authentic. Let's back track a minute, let me define "work." I talk in great length with business owners and marketing departments about their social media efforts and hear a lot of the same feedback. Some have given up because they say it doesn't "work." Others have not even tried because they just don't know how to "work" it. I guess what they're trying to say is... they haven't seen the results of their social media efforts. So, what's going wrong? Let me give you a GIANT piece of advice: your social media can only "work" if you first stop pushing your product or service and instead become a valuable participant.

Social media is SOCIAL media. Social media is NOT a business card board.

If you want to see results, you'll need to play the game. The game of being genuine.
1. KNOW WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

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How to harness the power of online marketing for your business.

Understanding the big picture will help you decide where to be, what to publish, and how to measure your online efforts.

TAKE THE #SOCIALBUSINESSPLAN CLASS

Have a great week!
Margaret Brown
Founder, ANROMA - SocializeLA.com

Do you need additional help?
We help businesses like yours, get noticed.

We have 3 ways to get started:
1. 15 Min Consultation
2. Social Media Breakthrough
3. Let's Create Your Social Business Plan

If you have questions please contact the team for assistance.

Contact: 800-279-8922 or connect(@)socializela.com
Twitter/Instagram @margmarieb
Follow Us Instagram/Twitter: @socializela
Facebook.com/socializeLA

The customer is king? We recently read this article from our friends at Upwork.com and wanted to add some thoughts of our own.

How do we let our customers and clients in 2016 know we care? How do we show it and how do we prove it? As a business owner we all know that retaining a customer is key to business growth.  While all businesses are different it is safe to say that social media plays a significant role in proving that you care for your client.  Remember your online presence serves your business in many ways: marketing, sales, customer service, PR, and business development.  

Today we'll focus on assessing your social customer service.  More so now you'll see people turning to Twitter and Facebook accounts for updates and to ask questions.  But wait! Aren't Twitter and Facebook managers more marketers that customer service providers? That's where your planning comes in.  With just a bit of industry research you should be able to...

Online marketing means taking chances.

• Trying campaigns
• Contests
• Catch phrases

When you see something that has gone VIRAL, not always is it a spontaneous event caught on camera. Many times the producer of said viral event had tried and planned several times over.

Sometimes tooting your own horn can be tough. But it's important to humbly tell your good news. Your loyal friends and customers will love it! The haters will always hate.

Take chances! Be bold!

Join us on Facebook for #40to2015.

Like and share any of the posts for a chance to win the New Years Eve prize!

#SocialBusinessPlan

Sincerely,

The ANROMA- SocializeLA.com Team

Year after year we help our community, clients, and friends understand best practices for online marketing. As we exit 2015 we want to look back at what worked, didn't work, and focus on value. 

In this post we'll share 3 of 7 top social media tips for 2016.  

Join us online Nov 18 @ 9am for our 2016 Social Media Strategy webinar!

1. Don't ignore social media for another year. 

Your online reputation is key to your business growth. There is no way around this.  The longer you wait the further behind your competition you'll find yourself.  This isn't a scare tactic to get you to buy into anything. This is your friend telling you to get started. You don't need to go big or go home, quite the opposite - start where you feel comfortable. 

2. Think of a way to integrate video.

If you've been around me for any amount of time I'm constantly reminding you that your online presence shortens the sale cycle because people feel like they LIKE you...