Outsmarting Social Media 
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Avoid The Top 10 Social Media Mistakes Companies Make
A lot has changed the five or so years that Out-Smarts has been focused on social media marketing. For a start, most people now know what Facebook is, many are even using it for more than “being social.” Studies show that 60% of all Canadians are using social media and 44% of small to medium sized business decision makers use social media, but are businesses using it the right way to build their online presence strategically? In many cases, they’re not. Here are the top 10 mistakes that companies make when using social media.1. Not taking social media seriously
There’s over 800 million people using Facebook, and over 200 million Twitter users – not to mention, a similar number of folks on LinkedIn, and yet many businesses still dismiss social media as a flash in the pan. Your business has the potential to take advantage of this massive online hub; ignoring it is a huge folly. …
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How Google Analytics helps Entrepreneurs
Corrie Scott of Out-Smarts Marketing weighs in on how Entrepreneurs (like you!) can use Google Analytics to track how your website is doing. You can use it to keep track of how many people are visiting your website, what they’re looking at and how long they’re staying. You can even see what they’re clicking on.
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QR Codes Are Every Where But Do They Work?
QR codes burst onto the scene about a year ago and now they’re everywhere, from business cards to restaurant menus. But do they work? Are people (ie, customers) actually using them and, if so, are they having a positive branding experience? Mhairi Petrovic of Out-Smarts investigates.
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Social Media: What is Formspring?
What is “Formspring.me” and why are people flocking to it? Prianka, an intern with OutSmarts, explains what it is and why you, as a small business owner, should know about it.
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Crowdsourcing – Tapping into the Business Collective
One of the biggest challenges small businesses face is finding the time and resources to do it all. As entrepreneurs we all wear different hats, juggle ever expanding responsibilities and this can be a huge challenge. Mhairi Petrovic explains how you can use Crowdsourcing to give some of those tasks to other people.
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Advertising Your Business on Social Networks
Do you want to advertise your business online but don’t know where to start? Should you just dive in and splatter your “buy my stuff” message all over the internet? Mhairi Petrovic speaks on the what and how of using social media networks like LinkedIn, twitter and Facebook to promote your business and how to figure out if it’s working.
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7 Useful and Fun Websites You Haven’t Heard Of
Mhairi Petrovic gives a list of seven websites you may find useful, including one that helps you figure out who (or what) is tracking your website, and another that lets you swap ideas. From the useful to the fun, it’s all here.
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Why You Should Use LinkedIn For Business
These days, if you are a professional and you’re not on LinkedIn you risk being perceived as old fashioned, out of touch, or worse, lazy. If you have been procrastinating about using LinkedIn for business and are not sure where to start, this post by Social Media expert Mhairi Petrovic is for you.
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10 Tips for Hiring the Right Social Media Partner
If you’re thinking of hiring someone to help you with social media marketing, read this article first! Mhairi Petrovic, a social media expert, shares 10 insider tips for telling the difference between an experienced social media professional who can help propel your business forward, and one who is a little wet behind the ears.
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Quora: The Next Big Social Media Phenomenon or Fizzle?
Mhairi Petrovic explores whether Quora is the next Big Thing, or just another questions and answers site. Find out what it is, how it works, and what all the fuss is about. Plus, read Mhairi’s hands-on review of the site. If you want to learn more about Quora, Mhairi provides plenty of links to get you started.
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Social Media Widgets and How They Impact Your Following
One of the fastest growing trends online is the use of widgets. Mhairi Petrovic explains what they are and how they can help you grow your company’s online presence.
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Social Media – “Reasons To Be Cheerful” Links
Mhairi Petrovic, social media expert, provides a list of links ranging from business-useful to just plain fun. Need to find a cool quote? Want help managing your online newsletters? Want to be more social with your social media? Check out this list!
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An Introduction to Internet Advertising
Mhairi Petrovic gives a wonderful overview of the different kinds of marketing you can do online as a DIY entrepreneur to promote your small business. She tells you what’s available, and gives the pros and cons of each type, from email and Google Adwords to Social Network Advertising.
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How-To: Protect Yourself On Facebook
Facebook is fun and useful, but it also opens a window into your life for scrutiny. Do you really want a potential employer or business contact viewing photos of your bachelorette party?! Or identity thieves stealing your data? Mhairi Petrovic gives eight key ways to secure your Facebook information from prying eyes, hackers and scammers.
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Be a Social Media Sleuth in Love and Business
Is that prince charming really everything he seems? When it comes to business, it pays to research your potential Mr. or Ms. Right, whether they are vendors, strategic alliances, or customers. Before committing to a business relationship, find out who they are and what kind of reputation they have.
