MaryEllen Gibson: 2010

“I have NO TIME for Social Media,” I hear this all the time. However, You NEED to make time for Social Media and here is what you can do in Ten Minutes.

10 seconds: Go to your Facebook Account

10 seconds: Login

1 minute: Check through all of your alerts in the top left hand corner of your page.

3 minutes: Respond to all alerts (This will grow as you become more active, but as it grows you will be making sales and you will want to spend more time.)

1 minute: Your post of the day. It can be a photo or link or a question. Make it as open ended as possible so you will have people respond.

40 seconds: Look through your news feed and respond to one posting of someone else’s post.

5 minutes down – 5 minutes to go

10 seconds: Go to your Twitter Account

10 Seconds: Login

30 seconds: Check through posts that have mentioned your account.

2 minutes: Thank and respond to anyone who mentioned your account

2 minutes: Check through your direct messages and respond to any that need a response.

30 seconds: Create your post for the day.

This is very basic social media, but it will put you on the social media playing field and start the conversation with your possible clients and current clients. As your accounts start resulting in more leads you will want to commit more time. Don’t forget to include your website, Facebook, and Twitter account web addresses on all receipts, business cards, and marketing. It will make it easier for clients to contact you online. Come on you can give ten minutes a day to grow your business!!!!!

I saw three of my friends on Facebook post the free pancake special at IHOP, also known as the International House of Pancakes, which meant someone was doing something right in the Social Media Department at IHOP. When I investigated further I found the Press Release for the event from Wills Communications, Inc.:

MEDIA ALERT: Free Buttermilk Pancakes on February 23 at IHOP National Pancake Day Celebration to Benefit Children's Miracle Network and Other Local Charities Media Invited to Cover -- Satellite Feed Available GLENDALE, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 02/22/2010 --

WHAT:
In celebration of National Pancake Day, IHOP restaurants
nationwide will offer each guest a free short stack of buttermilk
pancakes in an effort to raise awareness and funds for Children's
Miracle Network and other local charities.
This year, IHOP is hoping to stack up more donations than ever
before, with a goal to raise $1.75 million, for a total of
$5 million in five years with its National Pancake Day fundraising
effort. To find a local IHOP or to donate online, visit
www.ihoppancakeday.com

WHY:
For every delicious short stack of buttermilk pancakes served on
National Pancake Day, IHOP guests are invited to make a donation
to Children's Miracle Network, or other local charities.

WHEN: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2010, 7 a.m. - 10 p.m.

WHERE: Participating IHOP restaurants nationwide.
Fun Facts From National Pancake Day 2009:
-- Pancake lovers donated nearly $1.5 million to children's charities, far
exceeding the fundraising goal.

-- IHOP served 2.5 million free pancakes on National Pancake Day 2009.

-- All of the free pancakes served on National Pancake Day 2009 would have
created a stack more than 20 miles high.

-- Since the inception of National Pancake Day in 2006, IHOP has raised
more than $3.25 million and given away more than 6.1 million pancakes
to support charities in the communities in which it operates.

-- National Pancake Day 2009 was IHOP's largest one-day event in the
company's 51-year history.

ABOUT IHOP For 51 years, the IHOP family restaurant chain has served its world famous pancakes and a wide variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner items that are loved by people of all ages. IHOP offers its guests an affordable, everyday dining experience with warm and friendly service. The first IHOP opened in Toluca Lake, Calif. in 1958, and as of September 30, 2009, there were 1,433 IHOPs in 50 states, Canada and Mexico. IHOP restaurants are franchised and operated by Glendale, Calif.-based International House of Pancakes, LLC and its affiliates. International House of Pancakes, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of DineEquity, Inc. (NYSE: DIN).
***NOTE TO EDITORS: For centuries, the English have 'flipped' for pancakes in celebration of Shrove Tuesday, which heralds the beginning of fasting during Lent. Long ago, strict rules prohibited the eating of all dairy products during Lent so pancakes were made to use up the supply of eggs, milk, butter and other dairy products... hence the name Pancake Tuesday. While IHOP's National Pancake Day typically takes place on Shrove Tuesday, this year the company will host its free pancake event on Tuesday, February 23, extending the fundraising window by one week to maximize donations for Children's Miracle Network.

However it was this post from a friend on Facebook that informed me of the special.

I love this example because it proves that Social Media can have a more powerful effect than the typical Public Relations road map. News sources are inundated with Press Releases and getting someone to notice it is nearly impossible, but social media brings it straight to the masses with a niche giveaway, video, or _________ (fill in your creative idea for your business). It was my friends’ enthusiasm to share a day of free pancakes that caught my attention not a fancy TV Commercial, Radio Ad, or Press Release … and that is the power of Social Media for your business regardless of size. What can your business offer to have people so excited that they want to share it with all of their friends on Facebook, Twitter, and even old school email? Plan it today.