a Global Bridge

When I first noticed Karen Bell out of the sea of people I'm connected to online, it was because she had posted a status on Facebook indicating that she had received a direct message from Deepak Chopra (who I love, who doesn't).  And I was intrigued.  Who was this person?  I wanted to know more.  I sent her a message congratulating her and asking about her interests and background.  Her story was interesting and unique, so I followed up with a request to interview her - virtually.

By the way, Karen explained to me how she knew Deepak as follows:

When Deepak came to London last Spring I bought tickets for his lecture right away - I never dreamed I'd be opening for him with my band.  Out of the blue I received a call from the event co-ordinator asking if we'd like to be the musical guests. She had found out about us from some members of the Unity Church here in London, and when she heard our music she thought we were a perfect fit.  Our band is called "The Lotus Theory" and the lyrics I write are all based on personal and spiritual development (www.thelotustheory.com)

That is extremely cool in my book, so here I'd like to introduce you to Karen Bell (@ktotheb)!  She gives some excellent insight and tips on using social networking.

Virtual Interview – Karen Bell

What is your background in media, both online and off?

I’ve always been intrigued with media and pop culture.  I’m a graduate of the School of Contemporary Media at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario, Canada.  I completed my post secondary education in April 2000 with a specialized diploma in Music Industry Arts.

In 2004 I started my own home based internet business, making and selling unique collars for dogs (www.dogmalondon.com).  I handle all aspects of the business myself; from web development, marketing, and even manufacturing.

The internet has always fascinated me which naturally keeps me on top of emerging trends.  Initially I became involved with social media for the same reason most people do - to stay connected with friends.  However it wasn’t long before I realized the potential it contained in reaching new customers for my business and a new audience for my blog (KtotheB Blog). 

How did you become a blogger?

I started blogging about 6 months ago when I realized I was doing my creative writing an injustice by not sharing it with an audience.  I think that when it comes to artistic endeavors, the initial creation is just one half of the equation; it then must be shared with others.

The idea of creating a blog excited me because I knew it would put to use not only my passion for creative writing but also my technical skills in web development.

Which Social Media site motivates you to connect to others the most?

My favorite social media site is Facebook because of the personal connection.  It allows me to put a face and a personality to the new found customers and friends I meet online.   Yes, social media marketing is all about widening your audience or customer base, but it’s important to remember that your audience is made up of individual people with individual lives, and that they are individual souls.  Facebook reminds me of that because I can look at a new friend’s profile and photos and get a glimpse into their life.    I don’t want to look at my customers or my audience as a demographic, I want to look at them as the unique and talented who have as much to offer me as I do them.

What are your three can’t-live-without online marketing tools?

1. Twitter Hashtags – for starting conversations, aquiring new followers, and discovering trends
2. Facebook status – to announce a new blog or get to know my audience (ie by asking a question / opinion or starting a conversation)
3. Google Analytics – For tracking traffic to my site; useful in determining what percentage of my web traffic actually comes from social media and how long they stayed on my site afterwards

Tips for Newcomers to Social Media

Be Willing to Learn:

Newbies should realize that effective social media marketing is an art and skill that requires careful study and an openness to learn.  I’m constantly learning new social media skills every single day, and I know that my education will continue for as long as I’m involved in earning a living online. 

Be Humble:

From a marketing perspective, social media can be more complex than it seems at first glance.  For example the first time I saw a book on Twitter I remember thinking, “how can there be a whole book on twitter??”    After I read it I realized my naiveté.

Be Polite:

The majority of people involved in social media are online to connect with friends; not to learn about your product or service.  Keep this in mind and be polite; you don’t want to come across as a great big “interruption” in their leisure time.

Where do you see the future of social media heading?

Social media can only grow in popularity and will inevitably dictate the success or failure of business.  By this I mean that “word of mouth” is so much more powerful because of social media that companies will no longer be able to hide behind a product or service that’s not all it’s cracked up to be.  Only companies offering products or services of true and genuine value will survive the onslaught of social media.

Therefore your first priority as a business should be providing something extremely unique or extremely valuable to the marketplace.   If your heart is in the right place, “word of mouth” across social media networks will take care of the rest and your success is guaranteed.

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Karen also noted that another one of her must-have social media tools includes Socialoomph.com (formerly known as TweetLater)!

Many thanks to Karen for sharing a bit about herself!  I hope you will reach out and connect with her in your social networking journeys online.