When Michael Stelzner started using social media to market his business, he focused exclusively on Twitter.

“My first attempt at using Facebook for business was a big flop. I was pretty convinced I could just use Twitter for business.”

Stelzner is a well-known white paper writer, author of the book Writing White Papers: How to Capture Readers and Keep Them Engaged and founder of Social Media Examiner. But he literally had to be dragged kicking and screaming onto Facebook.

“I thought it was just for college kids,” Stelzner says. Then a friend he respected invited him to join, so he did. But within a short period of time, he stopped updating his Facebook page. “I spent a lot of time on Facebook and frankly accomplished little. At least on Twitter I knew I could strictly talk business.” So he just fed his Twitter updates into his Facebook profile and fan page. “All along I was treating my Facebook page like Twitter. I thought that by simply posting updates I would build a loyal following.” Things changed when Mari Smith showed him the right way to use Facebook.

Watch the video to see Mike’s Facebook story…

SMSS10 Drive 2 from Michael A. Stelzner on Vimeo.

You’ve Got To Create a Facebook Page

Armed with that knowledge, he created the Social Media Examiner Facebook page in March 2010. By July of the same year, the page broke the 12,000-fan mark. “And these folks are active,” he says. “They post questions, support each other, reply to our questions and promote our articles. A vibrant community was building right before my eyes. Almost overnight, Facebook quickly became the number-one source of traffic on Social Media Examiner.” You may have heard that Facebook is one of the most cost-effective ways of advertising on social media. “Nowhere else can you target users as surgically as you can on Facebook [and] you can do it for a fraction of the cost of the same targeting on other Internet properties and offline outlets,” write Mari Smith and Chris Treadaway in their book, Facebook Marketing an Hour a Day.

Build a Community on Facebook

But according to Stelzner, Facebook marketing isn’t just about placing ads on people’s pages. He compares Facebook to the Social Media Examiner site. People can comment on the articles, others can respond to those comments and everyone who goes to the site can see all these comments. “FaceBook is like the comment section of our blog taken to an extreme.” “Facebook has 500 million users,” he says. “That means that your customers are already on Facebook – a huge percentage of them. And they’re on there almost every day. I’ve heard that 250 million people are on Facebook every single day.” And a recent Nielsen study found that those 500 million people are spending an average of 7 hours a month on Facebook. But they only spend 2 hours a month on Google, Yahoo, AOL, and MSN. “If people are already on Facebook and they’re already spending an enormous amount of time there,” Stelzner says, “then how can you get them to notice you? That’s where the marketing comes in.” And that’s why Stelzner created Facebook Success Summit 2010.

16 Facebook Lessons From 22 Top Experts

Scheduled throughout the entire month of October 2010, the summit was designed to give you all the tips and techniques you need to master Facebook for business use. You will receive 16 hours of training from 22 Facebook experts. They’ll cover everything from setting up Facebook pages to growing an active fan base. And because this conference is online, you can attend the sessions in the privacy of your home or office. For a fraction of the cost of a traditional conference. No airports, rental cars, hotel rooms or expensive restaurants. All you need is a computer, computer speakers, and a high-speed Internet connection. When you register, you’ll receive an email with a link to a website and your login information. At the appropriate times, just go to the website and login. That’s it!

Just look at some of the speakers you will hear:

• Mari Smith and Chris Treadaway, authors of Facebook Marketing: An Hour a Day
• Brian Solis, author of Engage!
• Paul Dunay and Richard Krueger, authors of Facebook Marketing for Dummies
• Jesse Stay, author of I’m on Facebook, Now What? and FBML Essentials
• Justin Smith, founder of Inside Facebook and author of Facebook Marketing Bible

You will also hear how companies are implementing their Facebook marketing campaigns, including Microsoft Xbox, Intel, SAP, Cisco and the Washington Redskins. These social media pros—the world’s leading Facebook experts—will be your personal trainers during October 2010. They will teach you everything you need to know to successfully market your business on Facebook. You’ll learn how to:

• Develop a Facebook marketing strategy
• Customize your Facebook page
• Start a Facebook advertising campaign
• Create a community around your product or service
• Optimize your News Feed to take advantage of viral marketing
• Use Facebook analytics and apps

“The marketer’s job has changed from creating and pushing messages to one that requires listening, engaging, and reacting to potential and current customer needs,” says Erik Qualman in his book Socialnomics. “Consumers are looking to peers for recommendations on products, services, health issues, and more via social media. Today, 76% rely on what others say, while 15% rely on advertising.” And Facebook is the biggest social network in the world. So are you ready to dump traditional, interruptive, “in-your-face” advertising in favor of social media marketing? And can we please stop calling it an “advertising campaign” and start calling it “customer engagement”? Your customers and competitors are on Facebook – isn’t it time you joined them? Click here for summit details. If you don’t agree, read these articles on Social Media Examiner:

• 3 Reasons Facebook Trumps Twitter for Business
• 5 New Studies Show Facebook a Marketing Powerhouse

If you DO agree, grab your place in line for this first-ever online Facebook marketing conference. Their online venue holds 2,500 attendees (and their last event sold out)!

Grow Your Business Network will certainly be there!

P.S. – Right now Mike is offering 50% off, so get it while you still can under the discount.

How do you start or FIX a business of your own?

A Biz Plan can help! Biz Planning does two great things for you.

1. A Biz Plan helps you get clear, focused on what YOU really, really, really, really want. The more clarity you have about your business, the easier and faster it is for it to manifest.

2. A Biz Plan can help you hold yourself – and your team – accountable for taking steps in the direction of your intention.

How cool is that? I’ve found that I work a lot less and gain a lot more when I operate from a simple plan. Biz Planning is EASY…and my book, The Bare Bones Biz -Plan, lays out a clear, day by day way of putting one together. Take an hour a day, for six weeks…and see if you don’t transform your life.

BONUS…the section about Getting it Sold dovetails nicely with Nancy’s Marketing programs. Nice!! (She’s so smart!)

Customers who used The Bare Bones Biz Plan

“My ‘aha’ moment…let’s make money,
not just have a ‘job.’”

“The most memorable part of The Bare Bones Biz Plan was the ‘aha’ moment when Bill & I realized that if we want to make money with this business, instead of just having a job, we would have to redesign our business to reflect our goals. The Bare Bones Biz Plan gives more information and support than any other program or training I have had.”

Cathy Smithmyer

You can watch more on how to fix your business

Why I Love New York

Last week, I was in NYC on business with my Monaica Ledell and had the pleasure of meeting so many amazing people – some who are new to my life including Peter Castellotti, owner of John’s Pizzeria in the heart of Times Square who donated (that’s right donated) more than 8 pizzas that I had delivered to various media outlets throughout the city, a taxi driver who found my debit card I left behind in his cab and made the call to my bank to cancel the card (no kidding), one member of a writing duet I hired to help me bang out my memoir who traveled two hours to see me and two hour back out of the city to get home.

Meeting with my Love Mentor

I wrapped up my New York city adventure by seeing my love mentor, Dr. Diana Kirschner – author of How to Find Love in 90 Days, who offered to put me in touch with her literary agent!  I clearly understand the state’s sentiment of “I love New York.”  No where in the world can you find a more diverse, open and welcoming group of people than in New York, New York.

Hey Matt Lauer – it’s me, Nancy!

Monaica Ledell, my General Manager joined me in the city where we traveled to the Today Show where we had a Matt Lauer siting and had high hopes of saying a quick hello.  Sadly, we couldn’t get past his ACE gatekeeper, Jackie Agnolet – even with a book I produced that had a photo of Matt himself, circa 1989.  We even tried delivering a pizza later that day to no avail.  Jackie, if you’re out there, we need to know — what can we do to entice you to give a girl a break here?  Jackie baby – I’m not a stalker – I actually know Matt and was his previous publicist. I believe in six degrees of separation, so if you know Jackie — tell her we send our best and want to connect with her!

Back for New York’s Best Pizza…

Our Meeting with Verizon…

The following day, Monaica Ledell and I met with executives from Verizon to discuss ways we could help this tele-communications giant with reaching out and targeting other companies who could use their webcast services, in addition to being given an introduction to the person who heads up their small business initiatives.

What I have to say is a little embarrassing….

My husband and I have been big time Apple advocates since the makeover of  the iMac in 2002. The two of us were like street team enthusiasts for Apple – spreading the cheer and converting everyone who would listen (and had any sense about them).  But I have to confess something – owning 3 Mac’s, a Time Capsule, countless ipods, itouches, ridiculous software (Final Cut Pro, Creative Suite 4) and other Apple gadgets – I didn’t actually get my first iPhone until last month.

Ouch.  Okay, that’s done.

I don’t want to make any excuses.  Let’s just say I was perfectly happy with my Blackberry…until I got my iPhone.

For a busy, breadwinning, serial entrepreneur, wife, mother and activist, discovering all of the cool iPhone tricks and tools was like being rocketed in to a fourth dimension.

As I began to obsessively research and download new apps, I discovered the perfect formula for running an ENTIRE BUSINESS off of your iPhone.  So if you’re not sold now, you will be momentarily.  While some of these apps are strictly a preference by company, there are many variations to almost every app out there.

Run Your Entire Business using 14 iPhone Apps:

Dragon Dictation – FREE

If you’re anything like me, it’s an every day occurrence that you’re driving down the road or in a store and you think of an email that needs to be sent, something that needs to be done, or a future blog.  Life becomes so much easier when you can dictate straight in to your iPhone and send yourself or someone else an email with your dictated message.

And, if it’s easier, you can simply use the Voice Memo and email or text a Quick Time voice message.

Mileage Bug – $2.99

Details.  Details.  Details.  Those words are sometimes cruel to a visionary entrepreneur.  But, not everything can be left up to an assistant.  Every successful business owner knows she MUST become a master of detail.  And the IRS won’t forgive you easily if you don’t!  Mileage Bug takes the guess work out of your mileage and helps you save money in the long run.  This year the IRS is paying $0.50 for every one of your miles tracked!

Skype – FREE

Need to talk with your team?  I skype with international team members (and those located in America) on a daily basis, so this makes my life easier.  I make abroad calls easily, get more done -  and all on the go!

Entrepreneur – FREE

Although I’m a monthly subscriber to the magazine, I feel green and more efficient as I browse through Entrepreneur magazine using my app.  I get to stay in the know on a daily basis rather than whenever I finally pick up my magazine and thumb through it.

WordPress – FREE

If you’re not a blogger – you really should be.  Websites are so dinosaur-esque, I’m not even going to waste my time going in to it because I’d be beating a dead horse.  Gotta love blogging from the park, a restaurant, the pool, my mother’s house, the vet – anywhere your feet take you!  This makes my life sooo much easier and blogging even more enjoyable.

Eat That Frog! – $1.99

Brian Tracy saves my sanity every day.  No really – I truly am a more productive human being because of Brian Tracy.  I religiously use my Eat That Frog! app and take on the most daunting tasks FIRST in the day.  I always reward myself with what I call “Treat Work” – the fun stuff I’d rather start with.  If you haven’t checked out this app please do.  It’s already helped save and earn more money through being more productive.

Basecamp – $9.99

Who’s not using Basecamp these days to manage some aspect of your business?  Thank goodness I can now view our team calendars and manage projects with my app.  It sure beats lugging around my Macbook everywhere I go!

LinkedIn – FREE

If you’re headed to a meeting and you haven’t done the proper research on this individual, never fear – LinkedIn is here!  TIP – ALWAYS do a web search for your potential clients before meeting with them.  Your research could help seal the deal.

Square –FREE

Possibly one of the coolest apps ever.  If you  head off to meet with a client and want to get paid, you can take a credit card right then and there.  People are even using it now for taking payments (credit card and paypal) at their garage sales!  I think I have distant relatives turning over in their graves.

Quick Office Connect – FREE

Everything office – Word, Excel, etc. right at your fingertips.  No need to even turn on your computer when you’ve got it all here.

Wordnet Dictionary and Thesaurus – FREE

I’m always searching for the right word.  The search is over.

Shoeboxed – FREE

Shoeboxed as a company may be one of the best kept secrets around in the business sphere.  Tired of trying to organize your receipts?  Just email your receipt to Shoeboxed and they will upload it for you.  Seriously – where have you been all my life?

IM+Lite – Free

Why download AIM, Google Talk, Yahoo Messenger or any other chat box when you can get them all in one here?  This makes chatting with clients, collegagues and team members organized and simplified.  It just take a WIFI connection to have a lunch meeting.

MiniBooks for Freshbooks – $14.99

Need to time track or invoice on the go?  It’s so easy to do using Freshbooks.  I’ve been a Freshbooks user for the last year and I’m so grateful this innovative company has thought of everything.  Simple is good.

Please send your business app suggestions by posting your comments here!  Again, there are so many we could add that may be more specific to you, but these are the baseline must-haves for me and my company!

I’ve been a long-term NSA (National Speaker’s Association) member for many many moons.  And, every year I attend the infamous NSA convention.  If you haven’t gone, I would highly recommend you go to at least five.  It’s a complete riot.  Why do I keep going?  It’s certainly not to perfect my speaking profession.  I have have speaking successfully for over 20 years and to over 100,000 people live.  The reason I keep going is to connect with a few key people.  Yes, it actually can be a smart business move to spend a couple thousand dollars on having a drink or dinner with one or two ideal connections.

Now, for this year’s conference, here are my top takeaways for surviving a big conference:

1. Don’t reconnect with past loves.  There’s nothing to gain by doing this — believe me, I know.

2. Spending time at the pool is never a waste.  Have a new bathing suit? Wear it!

Greetings! Is it a lack of information that’s holding you back? OR…are you just using that missing “something” as a excuse to be less than what you really want to be? Let’s fix your business. Let’s make your dreams come true. In my life, I am uncovering the self-sabotage that I have been using to keep me from being as BIG as I intend to be. And, as I get clear about that, my business – and life – is getting easier and more prosperous. Yeah!

So, upload a video. Let us know what your biggest, most overwhelming, craziest business challenge is. And, we’ll give you the information you need. Then, it’s up to YOU to get go go going. Sound good? Post it here…

80% Off My Virtual Sponsorship Class!

As I’m working to roll out my new program this fall on working with CEO’s of big companies, I’ve decided to do a head count and sell all of my old famous Virtual Sponsorship Course Manuals.

The program is for small business owners, associations, consultants and speakers who struggle or are looking to land sponsorships or big contracts with Fortune 1000 and 500 companies in the next 12 months.

This is the SAME system I used to generate hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years!!!!

Announcing My Very Big Summer Garage Sale

The Ultimate Sponsoring Obtaining Program – 80% off!

Generating Corporate Sponsorship Programs, Endorsement Marketing Campaigns, Strategic Alliances and Affiliate Programs that Generate Six-Figure Annual Revenues

Once you learn this fail-proof system, you will NEVER be concerned about getting clients and cash flow again.  Seriously, this formula has never not worked for me.  Oh – and this has absolutely NOTHING to do with online marketing.

I’ve used this system to work with these big companies over the last 20 years:

Me with VP of Office Depot at Count Me In Event

Office Depot

Avis

AT&T

Verizon

Blue Cross Blue Shield

Staples

3M

Alcatel-Lucent

Cendant

Constant Contact

The Home Depot

Microsoft

Middlesex Banks

Principal Financial

HP’s LogoWorks

Smead

UPS

Wal-Mart/Sam’s Club

Wells Fargo/Wachovia

Xerox

And many others!

Here’s what you’ll get:

Over 12 hours of classes on CD to teach the exact steps to getting sponsorships!

Disc 1: Generating A Winning Idea for a Potential Sponsorship Package

Disc 2: Identifying Your Ideal Potential Sponsor and the Approach to Make Contact

Disc 3: The Three Phases of a Sponsorship “Pitch” Process

Disc 4: Leveraging Sponsorships Through Endorsement Marketing Campaigns

Disc 5: Retaining Sponsors for Repeat Business

Disc 6: How to Run a Virtual Company

Disc 7: Establishing Yourself as an Expert

Disc 8: Creative Marketing That Distinguishes You

Disc 9: Implementing an Endorsement Marketing Campaign

Disc 10: Technology with Jennifer Goodwin

Disc 11: Accountability for Generating Corporate Sponsors from A to Z

Disc 12: Implementing a Marketing Communication Plan

Plus 5 workbooks and audio transcripts!

I have 19 manuals in stock and I’m not going to print any more. When they’re gone – they’re gone.  To get yours at 80% off today (with free shipping!) and start landing big contracts for big companies, send me a private email at nancy@growyourbusinessnetwork.com

These are 80% off the regular price of $1500 and only $297 – an insanely low price!

Don’t wait – these puppies are going to fly fast!

If you want one, click here and get with FREE SHIPPING!

Fortunately Yours,

Nancy Michaels

It’s become an obsession.  It’s become a way of life.  It’s on billboards and commercials, business cards, websites, magazines and bathroom stall advertisements.  There have been books written, experts that have emerged and special formulas.  Has Facebook become a monster?

Business owners across the world have been scurrying for months to learn as many magic tricks as possible to earn that next dollar, get that next client, be something or someone.  Like Facebook alone is going to make them a million bucks.  Hahahahaha.  No, I think it’s time for a little reality check – a Facebook Vacation.  It’s okay to take a break from Facebook and any other tool you’re using.  Facebook is not the end all – be all to your business.  At the end of the business day, it’s not about how many friends you have, it’s about how many sales were made, right?  Let’s get honest here.  It’s one tool and it’s okay to relax and take a vacation from time to time.  Here’s some clues to knowing if you’re in need of a Facebook Vacation:

1.  You actually STRESS OUT because you haven’t spent enough time on Facebook, research or learned enough tools.

2.  You have anxiety (i.e. butterflies) when you’re away from Facebook.

3.  You find yourself saying, “Why didn’t I think of that?” after looking at someone’s post.

4.  You think about status updates you only WISH you had done and regret a missed chances.

5.  You play FarmVille, Mafia or any other annoying and time-wasting Facebook games.

6.  A case of the Joneses: You find yourself scrolling through other people’s pictures and comparing yourself.

7.  Facebook has become a chore.

Facebook is not the end-all-be-all marketing strategy.  It’s one of many.  Take a vacation – I dare you.

It is always better to give than it is to receive. However, receiving is a gift that you allows someone to provide for you as well.

After helping a friend in a marital crisis this past week, a significant other asked, “Do you let others help you the way you help them?” I understand it’s good to receive as well as it is to give. I guess it’s something I get from my mother – it seems easier to help or give something to someone else than receive sometimes. I blame her of course – not me. Take heart, in the end – we all blame our mothers for most things, don’t we?

In business, it’s always wise to offer your clients acknowledgement for special holidays and occasions in their lives. When times are tough, offer more value for a slightly lesser fee, and remind them, in this helpful way, of the value you provide. More often than not, when you ask for a referral or introduction to the associates and colleagues of your clients – they will be ready, willing and able to say yes. Be specific in your request. Attempt to make it easy for them to say yes by providing specific information about how you want to grow your business and what they might do to help. If it’s too open-ended, it might be overwhelming for a client thinks they need to provide you with the gift of referral to multiple organizations. Asking to be introduced to three or four ideal prospects will be perceived as being more doable in their minds.