Workshop: Marketing Strategy

Part IV of the Creating Your Own Marketing Media workshop series

When: May 3rd, 2013
Time: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Where: 6232 La Salle Ave Oakland, CA 94611 (Village Chiropractic)

Fee: $150 per day or $400 pre-paid for all four 2hats media workshops 

 

(For more Info. call: 415-515-1252)

Sign-up for all four workshops to receive a free 1-hour consultation

Leader: John Van Dinther

"What is the best way for me to market my business?"

We will be answering this question at the marketing strategy workshop this Friday. We'll examine the important factors for choosing which marketing channel is right for you:

• Social media marketing
• Website search engine optimization
• Video blogging or
• Click-ads campaigns 

The right choice will depend on your business industry, your skills, and your personal style. After touching on  the specific tools and options of different marketing channels, we will create a marketing strategy that will adapt to your business over time. You will use a tracking dashboard that allows you to capture the results of different marketing campaigns, and you'll learn what resources are required for each marketing channel —and  what results you can expect from your efforts.

You'll learn about:

• Basic social media marketing for Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Yelp, and Pinterest
• How to choose keywords and optimize search engine results
• How to reach potential clients with your written, photo, and video content
• How to manage a tracking dashboard for your marketing efforts

HOW TO PREPARE:
Participants should come to the workshop with access to Google Docs and their laptop with wifi access. Dress for comfort, there are couches, pillows, floor-mats, as well as tables and chairs to work at.

AGENDA:

• Social media channels: Facebook, Google+, Twitter, Pinterest
• Marketing channels for different industries and different personalities
• Tracking results and capturing information
• Building a flexible marketing strategy that grows with your business
• Particular strategies for each channel

Who It's For:

Do it yourself entrepreneurs:

• Wellness Practitioners
• Business Services
• Coaches and Therapists
• Building Trades

For more details or to sign up, call John Van Dinther: (415) 515-1252

Workshop: Managing Your Own Social Media

Managing Your Own Social Media

April 5th, 2013  9:00 a.m. — 4:00 p.m.

Part III of the Creating Your Own Marketing Media workshop series

When: April 5th
Time: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Where: 567 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA 94102 (Sandbox Suites)

Fee: $150 per day or $400 pre-paid for all four 2hats media workshops 

 

(For more Info. call: 415-515-1252)

Sign-up for all four workshops to receive a free 1-hour consultation

Leader: Alex JB

There is a wealth of opportunity to connect with new customers through the web and social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and others. But it’s easy to invest hundreds of person-hours and feel like you’re getting nothing from it. This One-day workshop will show you how to increase the traffic coming to your site, and how to recognize which social media sites are worth your time.

Using their own laptops, participants will set up their own “Ten Minutes a Day Dashboard” in Google Analytics, learn to create a content-creation strategy for Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest.

This workshop will give you the basics of social profile marketing, teaching you how to measure results using Google Analytics and dashboarding. Using these tracking tools, participants will learn to use the best social media applications available for distributing social profile content, and learn what communities are the best for their industry.

You'll learn:

• Basic social media marketing for Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Pinterest
• How to tell if your social media is working
• How to manage your social media without getting overwhelmed

This workshop is for entrepreneurs like: wellness practitioners, business services, coaches and therapists, building trades and more.

HOW TO PREPARE:
Participants should come to the workshop with the survey (http://goo.gl/avI8m) completed. In addition, everyone should sign up for the big four social media channels – a Facebook Fan Page, a Google+ business account, a Pinterest account and a Twitter account, all specifically for their business, as well as an account with analytics.google.com.

• Make sure your laptop can connect to wifi
• Create accounts for yourself at the following sites:

• Google Analytics

• Facebook

• Pinterest

• Twitter

• Google+

Survey link: (http://goo.gl/avI8m)
------------------------------------------------------------
AGENDA:

• Social media channels: Facebook, Google+, Twitter, Pinterest
• How to know what’s getting you traffic that matters? Google Analytics
• Social media in depth – how to manage your channels
• Using a content calendar
• Particular strategies for each channel

Who It's For:

Do it yourself entrepreneurs:

• Wellness Practitioners
• Business Services
• Coaches and Therapists
• Building Trades

For more details or to sign up, call John Van Dinther: (415) 515-1252

2hats MasterMind Group In San Francisco

(415) 515-1252
tommy2hats@gmail.com

Coming To San Francisco on February 27th 
The 2hats Mastermind Business Group

• Write a Marketing Plan
• With a team of 12 entrepreneurs
• And a professional business consultant

...Four Weeks for $175

---

When: February 27th, March 12th, March 19th, and April 2nd

Time: Mondays from 1p.m. - 4p.m.
Where:  502 Andover Street San Francisco, CA 94110

New members also receive a Free 60 Minute Private Consultation with John, covering your specific business needs.

"...what was really valuable to me was the chance to co-work and talk with other entrepreneurs who had struggles of their own, which made me feel better about my own weaknesses. Above all, having access to John for questions and guidance made the wholeprocess really empowering. I finished the course feeling like I had the tools to achieve my goals.”  — Damian Sol, Composer

Course Details:
The 2hats Marketing Group is led by John Van Dinther of 2hats Consulting. We are bringing together a dynamic group of up to 12 entrepreneurs. We will be exploring Social Media Marketing, Branding, Marketing Plans, Business Relationship Development, and Networking.

Our first meeting will begin at 1:00 p.m. on February 27th (Monday). This three hour workshop will include presentations by John, hands on group branding exercises, and networking opportunities.

We will then meet on four Mondays (2/27, 3/12, 3/19, 4/2) to support each other, brainstorm, and develop strong business relationships. Each participant will get a chance to present their marketing plan and get feedback from the marketing group members.

About an hour of each weekly session will include co-working, small groups of two or three people getting work done on our individual plans. John will visit the different groups, offering marketing plan suggestions and making sure everyone is feeling productive.

Offering:
Free 1-hour new-members coaching  session with John Van Dinther (Scheduled Individually)

Four marketing group workshops (three-hours each):

• February 27th (Monday at 1:00 p.m.) - 502 Andover Street San Francisco, CA 94110
• March 12th (Monday at  1:00 p.m. .) - 502 Andover Street San Francisco, CA 94110
• March 19th (Monday at  1:00 p.m. ) - 502 Andover Street San Francisco, CA 94110
• April 2nd (Monday at  1:00 p.m.) - 502 Andover Street San Francisco, CA 94110

Fee: 
$175

“I recently participated in one of John's month-long mastermind groups, and I am so grateful. Previous to joining the group, my business was at a real impasse. I knew I had something of great value, I just didn't know how to share it with more people.

• John's expertise helped me break down my marketing process into actionable steps.

• The group setting helped me see points I had been missing on my own.

• In my private one-hour session, John masterfully guided me into, and helped unlock, personal obstacles that had been holding me back.

This group is a great deal.  If you have a product or service you believe in, this group can really help. John is both an expert and a man worthy of trust — such a valuable asset for anyone working on their business. 

Less than a week after our group ended I signed a new client, and I was asked to give a public talk about my work. I am grateful to know John, and to have had a spot in the 2hats MasterMind Group.

I stand behind my recommendation for this group.” - James Riedy, January 2012

For more Information please contact:

John Van Dinther

2hats Consulting

(415) 515-1252

tommy2hats@gmail.com

www.johnvandinther.com

www.2hats.blogspt.com

The 2hats Marketing Guild Begins February 17th

Beginning Friday, February 17th at Noon... 
The 2hats Marketing Guild

• Ready to develop your marketing plan?
• Want to work on your plan with a support team of 12 entrepreneurs?
• Would it help if the team was led by a professional business consultant?

...how about if it only cost $175?

---

When: February 17th, February 24th, March 2nd, and March 9th

Time: Noon - 3pm
Where: 1808 Addison Street Berkeley, CA 94703

New members also receive a free 60 minute private consultation with John, covering your specific marketing needs.

Course Details:
The Marketing Guild is led by John Van Dinther of 2hats Consulting. We are bringing together a dynamic group of up to 12 entrepreneurs who are looking to develop their marketing savvy.

Our first meeting will begin at 12:00 p.m. on February 17th (Friday). This three hour workshop will include presentations by John, hands on group exercises, networking breaks, and a chance to receive peer feedback and support.

We will then meet over the next three Fridays to support each other, brainstorm, and develop strong business relationships. Each participant will get a chance to present their marketing plan and get feedback from group members.

About an hour of each weekly session will include co-working, small groups of two or three people getting work done on our individual plans. John will visit the different groups, offering suggestions and making sure everyone is feeling productive.

Offering:
One hour personal coaching  session with John Van Dinther (Scheduled Individually)

Four group workshops (three-hours each):

• February 17th (Friday at Noon) - 1808 Addison St., Berkeley, CA 94703
• February 24th (Friday at Noon) - 1808 Addison St., Berkeley, CA 94703
• March 2nd (Friday at Noon) - 1808 Addison St., Berkeley, CA 94703
• March 9th (Friday at Noon) - 1808 Addison St., Berkeley, CA 94703

Fee: 
$175

“I recently participated in one of John's month-long mastermind groups, and I am so grateful. Previous to joining the group, my business was at a real impasse. I knew I had something of great value, I just didn't know how to share it with more people.

• John's expertise helped me break down my marketing process into actionable steps. 

• The group setting helped me see points I had been missing on my own. 

• In my private one-hour session, John masterfully guided me into, and helped unlock, personal obstacles that had been holding me back.

This group is a great deal.  If you have a product or service you believe in, this group can really help. John is both an expert and a man worthy of trust — such a valuable asset for anyone working on their business. Less than a week after our group ended I signed a new client, and I was asked to give a public talk about my work. I am grateful to know John, and to have had a spot in the 2hats MasterMind Group.I stand behind my recommendation for this group.” - James Riedy, January 2012

“I came to John's mastermind group with no clear idea of how to effectively plan for business success. That problem was solved in one session where John worked backwards from success and broke it into its constituent parts. Beyond that learning, what was really valuable to me was the chance to co-work and talk with other entrepreneurs who had struggles of their own, which made me feel better about my own weaknesses. Above all, having access to John for questions and guidance made the whole process really empowering. I finished the course feeling like I had the tools to achieve my goals.”  — Damian Sol, Composer

2hats November Mastermind Business Group

• Ready to build a marketing plan for your business? 
• Would working with a group help make that actually happen? 
• What if the team was led by a professional consultant? 

...how about if it only costs $125?

November Business Planning Guild, a MasterMind group led by John Van Dinther. This month we are focusing on marketing. 12 participants will learn the tools required to build an effective marketing plan.

Our first meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m. on November 4th (This Friday). This three hour workshop will include presentations by John, hands on group exercises, and opportunities to receive peer feedback and support.

Each participant will also receive a one-on-one consulting session with John in which we will go over trouble spots and explore resource opportunities for you specifically.

“I came to John's mastermind group with no clear idea of how to effectively plan for business success. That problem was solved in one session where John worked backwards from success and broke it into its constituent parts. Beyond that learning, what was really valuable to me was the chance to co-work and talk with other entrepreneurs who had struggles of their own, which made me feel better about my own weaknesses. Above all, having access to John for questions and guidance made the whole process really empowering. I finished the course feeling like I had the tools to achieve my goals.”  

— Damian Sol, Composer

Offering:

• A one hour individual coaching session with John Van Dinther
• Regular accountability check-ins with the Guild participants
• Four training and productivity group workshops

Meeting Times and Dates:



    November 4th   (Friday) 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m
    November 11th (Friday) 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m
    November 18th (Friday) 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m
    December 2nd   (Friday) 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m



Location:
 
1808 Addison St., Berkeley, CA 94703

Fee: $125


Monthly Project Focus:


     November: Marketing
     December: Financial Management
     January: Tools for Success

G+ Hit 10Million Users in 16 Days! Why?

A LOT of people are using Google+ and I've got a few guesses as to why.

I mean, G+ should have crashed hard. Google Buzz crashed, as did Google Wave. MySpace is dead dead dead. The Social Marketing Gurus were saying, a year ago! That releasing a new social platform would be a disaster. How is G+ SO different then those other guys?

I've got some clues, and it might be useful for us Solopreneurs to see how we can follow Google's strategy ourselves.

Being in a person's email inbox, but without being annoying, is clever ;) I suspect a high percentage of G+ users are using Gmail daily, which means that their G+ updates button is always in their navbar. That makes it sticky. This "too simple of a reason" is maybe how G+ overcame the smart money objection? It keeps me coming back.

Google's spare design style is the antithesis of MySpace, which matters to Tweeters, but not Yahoos! . (Digression: Has anyone got any analytics on where the G+ users are coming from?) It reminds me of great web designers like Golden Interactive and Wake Interactive. And you can make a spare, but decent, website yourself at Weebly.

Then there's the very simple media integration. I see big names like Brian Clark, Pete Cashmore, and Ze Frank etc. taking advantage of the media tools, the G+ circles, and the long comment format as their (almost) blog... and bringing their followers.

I've been posting a LOT more homemade video, and I've seen more presentation media tools made by my friends being posted through G+ instead of Facebook. I think that G+ lends itself to fast media posting, and G+ Hangouts haven't even been fully utilized or de-bugged yet. The tools are there, we just have to use them. How are you using media to attract clients?

4 Fast How Tos: Connecting Live Networks to Online Networks

For a small business, connecting your live community to your online community is critical, and there are a wide number of ways to make it happen. Over the next few articles, I'll dig deeper into this concept of integrating Live and Online network communities.

Here's 4 ideas to start with:

1. Use Foursquare.
2. Collect business cards and add those contacts to your newsletter.
3. Offer discounts to people through online profiles, encouraging people to attend your live events.
4. Create workshops and events that you invite people to, using a mix of phone calls and social profiles like Facebook.

How to Not Post on Facebook

Miss Lisa and I were talking about Facebook updates that bugged her,
stuff she just wishes her Facebook friends would never do. Being
negative or whiny topped Lisa's list of lameness. I added that
speaking poorly of others never worked out either, and she agreed.

Don't be boring was an obvious one, but how? What's interesting
depends on tastes and interests. Lisa isn't interested in politics,
but I am. Then I thought about it though, I just don't read the
political stuff my Facebook friends post. I might agree with them, but
it still feels bossy. It's a tricky edge to hold, because people like
reading useful information, but they tend to ignore blatant advice on
Facebook —Lisa does, anyway.

Miss Lisa frowns on artificial conversation starters too. Those call
outs like, " What did YOU have for lunch today?" don't seem to
actually get many responses unless it's about something people want to
talk about anyway. I've noticed that, " Where would you go for an all
expenses paid vacation?" or " How would you spend a million bucks?"
often DO get a lot of responses, and I think that's because people
like to share their dreams :)

Business promotion is a tricky thing too. I know many of us have lots
of entrepreneur friends who connect to clients through Facebook. While
we totally expect them to use their facebook pages for self-promotion,
if it's everyday and hits the same note all the time, it's tedious—
not at all the impression they want to leave, I'm sure.

It gets me thinking that maybe self-promotion is the wrong way to look
at it. Nobody wants to be sold to all the time We want to be
entertained, we want to learn new things, and we to connect with our
community. Now how do we do THAT?

Workshop: Why Is Facebook Important?

A Beginner's Workshop Lead by John Van Dinther

A hands on beginners introduction exploring the why and the how of Facebook. How can it help your business? What will you get out of it personally? Facebook is simple and hugely popular, making it one of the best ways to reach your community either for personal use or to help grow your business. We will explore the pages, groups, events, profiles and posting tools. Learn how to post Youtube videos and promote your blog or website. We'll go step by step through the process. Bring your laptop or share with a friend.

Details:
$10 Donation / Nobody Turned Away
Monday, April 6th
7pm - 9pm
Hosted by: Avra Organic Spa
505 beach street
San Francisco

5 Steps to Making Facebook Useful

Ok, you are wasting time on Facebook already, mostly complaining about the new format change, or grumbling about how you've "...got to get away from the keyboard!". Amen to that Sister! But how about taking making your Facebook time productive?

Here's the first 5 steps to spreading the word about your business on Facebook.

1) Create a Facebook Page. A Page is like a profile for a business. It's free and everything you post on it goes to the wall of your page's fans. If you've ever "become a fan" of something on Facebook, it's just like you've become that page's friend.

2) Put some stuff up on your page. Pictures, videos, notes, anything useful that people like to see and share. The trick is putting up stuff that people will share with their friends. Add business contact information to your Info. tab and add applications that are useful to your fans. It's like you have a free website! How cool is THAT?!?

3) Invite your friends to become fans of your page. Post your Facebook Page on your status updates, invite people to check out the new place you made. Yoga Nexus posts great yoga poses and health tips. (Shameless Plug ahead) 2hats Consulting posts business advice.

4) Create a live event for all your friends and fans to come see your work and meet each other. One of my clients, Avra Organic Spa, has had fabulous success throwing parties, clothing swaps and workshops. It gets Avra's fans away from their computer and out meeting the Avra folks in person.

5) Track the page traffic. On the left menu, underneath the [more] button is an item called [View Insights] that shows you how many visitors you've had, and where they came from. Very handy.

Facebook or Twitter for Marketing?

My buddy Jon sent me this tidbit from TechCrunch, discussing an interesting survey of Social Media Marketers by Abrams Research:

If you were to ask “over 200 social media leaders” which social media site they would pay for if they had to, as Abrams Research recently did, Facebook would come out on top, with 32.2 percent saying they would pay for it. (Yeah, right). LinkedIn was second, Twitter was third, and MySpace and Digg tied for last place (with only 1.5 percent of respondents saying they’d pay for those services). But if you ask, which one would they recommend for businesses to pay for (if they had to), Twitter beats Facebook by more than two to one (39.6 percent vs. 15.3 percent). LinkedIn again comes in second. Why did Twitter come out on top... [more]

I'm skeptical. I think that Twitter can't match Facebook for marketing, though I get why the social marketers think it should. Twitter delivers concise messages, via mobile applications, to hungry audiences. But it's a should thing. Twitter just doesn't mix their media with video and images. There's also more contexts like groups, events and Facebook Pages, to spread the word. The marketers like Twitter's focus, but I like Facebook's mix of options.

Once Fbook goes mobile, the way Twitter has, that's the game for Twitter. Heck, Facebook could integrate Twitter traits (threaded status updates) within the year, then what happens to Twitter's position?

What sort of fool am I to cut against the masters of Social Marketing? Join the commentary below.