How Jeff Convinced His Clients To Get Involved with Social Media

Interviewer’s Note: Just before I interviewed Jeff SanGeorge of Connect Marketing Design, I was thinking about the goals we have when using social media.  I realized I needed to better define my goals for the Twitter account for my book, and got to outlining what those were.   A few days later, it was satisfying  to hear Jeff talk about using Twitter to build a brand and increase your visibility, and hone in on what you want to get out of your social media experience.

 

Hello Jeff, welcome to the Pluggio Blog!  In a nutshell, how do you describe your business?

Connect Marketing & Design is a marketing agency focused on helping small businesses use digital marketing effectively. From website design and development to search engine marketing and social media, to on-site conversion optimization, we build strong, strategic web presences.

How did you get started?

I always wanted to work for myself, but didn’t have the guts to do it. In 2008, as the economy was beginning to crumble,  I was laid-off from the marketing department of a real estate company. After becoming disillusioned with the realities of a “real job”, I decided it was my time to make it on my own!

What role does Twitter play in your business?

I use it to keep informed about current web industry news and trends, but I also use it to make and maintain human connections with people locally,  nationally, and internationally.  Twitter keeps me involved in larger communities of all types, and inevitability I get new business from it as well.

What impact or change have you seen due to Twitter/social marketing?

The main impact I’ve had from social marketing is that I went from using it to teaching it and selling it to my clients.

Are there any of your accomplishments with social marketing that you are particularly proud of?

Some of my biggest accomplishments in social media came early on. As an early adopter I often found myself in the role of a “social media evangelist”, spreading the word and convincing people of its value for business. Doing this was often rewarding. Some of the most successful work I’ve done to date involves running social contests and other creative social media campaigns.

How do Twitter/social media help you achieve your goals?

In terms of my goals, the biggest thing that Twitter and social media have done is help me build my online brand and overall visibility. Because of that, I’ve spoken at conferences, traveled and met great people, and help me achieve a level of success I may have not reached without it.

How did you build your following?  What kinds of people/businesses are they?

My focus on building a following started out on small business owners. In time it changed to people interested in talking about marketing, design and technology. Now, I try and connect with people in leadership roles, as well as local and regional people.

How will you choose who you will follow?  What do you look for in a follower?

I look to follow people that are dimensional and “real”, and that have a interesting perspective. I’m also more likely to follow someone who will likely follow back.  From followers I look for people who are likely to engage on conversation and be interested in what I’m tweeting.

If you could go back to when you first began using social media, what is one thing you would have done differently?

In retrospect I wish I would have included a blog as a part of my website right from the start. 

What does Twitter do for you that nothing else can do?

Twitter is unlike any other network in it’s ability to allow me to communicate to a large number of people in real time. It’s also great for “listening” and monitoring.

What lessons have you learned about Twitter and online marketing?

I’ve learned lots from being involved with Twitter, but one standout thing is the value of being “engaged” with your network.

 

Follow Jeff on Twitter here.
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