Showing posts with label impact communications. Show all posts
Showing posts with label impact communications. Show all posts

9/09/2011

What Are You Doing to Build Your Online Presence Using Web 2.0 and Multi-Media?

What you do online may improve your bottom line!

Good News! 
Fairfield University and two FPA Chapters are hosting a 
full-day Web 2.0 and Multi-Media Boot Camp on 
Sept. 24, 2011 with marketing experts 
Marie Swift and Andy Gluck.

Register now!
Details at www.fpact.org

Julie Littlechild and Sammie Gatti upload video clips at boot camp
Are you a business owner, financial advisor or service professional who’s wondered if you are “missing the boat” online?

Have you ever wondered what the real ROI is on adding multi‐media and/or social media to your online brand building strategy?

Are you totally happy with what comes up when people “Google you”?

Get the help you need.
Register now!
Details at www.fpact.org
Lew Walker, CFP®, learns new skills at boot camp
“Don’t miss this important workshop! It may be quite some time before we’ll be able to get Marie Swift and Andy Gluck back here in our region to do the Web 2.0 and Social Media Boot Camp again!”
Mark Brownstein, President FPA Greater Hudson Valley Chapter
The truth is: Every business professional needs to be online, building their public persona and promoting their business!
Why? Because that’s where your clients, prospective clients and strategic partners are going to check you out.
The truth is: You can’t afford NOT to be building a strong presence online. If you are not seen in a favorable way when people hit your website or do an online search you will not be seen as a viable resource.content
Learn from the pros

Register now!
Details at www.fpact.org
Ready to blog after uploading podcasts: Chris Hall (left) coaches students Kimberly Curtis, CFP®, and Gary Klaben, ChFC, at FPA Web 2.0 Boot Camp
“I was very pleased with everything I learned at the inaugural Web 2.0 and Social Media Boot Camp led by Marie Swift and sponsored by FPA. Every FPA member should consider attending this workshop!”
Marty Kurtz, President FPA National Board
  • Learn how to Build Your Online Presence, whether or not you can or want to use social networking tools such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, blogging and YouTube.

  • This jam-packed day will give you newfound knowledge of the major Web 2.0 and social media tools “out there”. Whether you choose to use them or not, you MUST be aware of what they are and how your clients – and competitors – are using them to gather information and make informed business decisions.

  • You’ll do a self-assessment using Marie Swift’s Online Diagnostic tool to determine where the gaps are in your online strategy. You’ll be able to quickly see what your peers are doing online that you’re not and what the next steps are for you.

  • Marie Swift, a marketing expert and founder of Impact Communications, will provide a 4-step Success Plan for Building Your Online Presence. She’ll share what other business owners, financial advisors and service professionals are doing to gain visibility online and how they tie-it to real-world results.

  • Andy Gluck, a marketing expert and founder of Advisor Products, will tell you how to harness the power of the Web using multi-media, keywords and cross-linking strategies. He’ll show you how to get the highest page rankings when Google you or search for keywords online.

  • Drew King from Front Center Media will show you how you can produce a custom lifestyle magazine using their turnkey system.

  • Blue Chip PR’s founder Bill Bongiorno will be on hand to answer questions about online visibility tools.

  • Other special guest presenters are being confirmed now.

  • Those who elect to stay on for the afternoon session will actually build a blog, record a video message, record and audio message, and upload their newly created multi-media clips to their new blog site.
 Don't be left behind.

Register now!
Details at www.fpact.org
Watch this informative video!
In an effort to beef up their online presence, many financial advisors, business owners and service professionals are turning to Web 2.0 and social media. But can this help your business? Financial Planning magazine's AdvisorTV film crew reports.
http://socialmedia-bootcamp.blogspot.com/2010/10/advisortv-film-crew-surprises-web-20.html
“Building your online presence can produce big results for your firm. We’ve been seeing results at Inspired Financial. I was pleased to participate in the Web 2.0 and Social Media Boot Camp led by Marie Swift and sponsored by FPA at the 2010 national conference. Good stuff!"
Evelyn Zohlen, Task Force Chair, FPA 2011 National Conference

Hear what Evelyn Zohlen, CFP®, and several others have to say about the boot camp
Now you can experience the Web 2.0 and Social Media Boot Camp for yourself!

Don't miss this fun and helpful boot camp. 
Register now!
Details at www.fpact.org

7/16/2011

Free Presentation - Download Recording: Compliance and Social Media for Financial Advisors

DID YOU MISS THE WEBINAR ON JULY 15, 2011?
MAXIMIZING YOUR ONLINE PRESENCE IN A SMART, COMPLIANT WAY

WEBINAR SPONSORED BY: 
FPA Fairfield CT, FPA Hudson Valley, Fairfield University, NAPFA, Securities America* and Impact Communications  

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD SLIDES 
 










CLICK PLAYER BAR TO LISTEN TO RECORDING 

SESSION DESCRIPTION: 
Having a good website is mandatory in today’s digital, online world. Multimedia such as podcasts, interactive graphics, and flash movie segments that combine music, narration, images and video clips can make your website come alive. Social media sites such as blogs, Twitter, Facebook, Ning and LinkedIn can help you connect in new, exciting ways with current and prospective clients. But creating or expanding an online presence that will grow your practice requires clear objectives and a plan that delivers on those objectives. This session will cover the fundamentals –  “and then some.”  

In this recorded one-hour webinar, you will:
 
• See colorful examples of what other advisors have done in the digital world
 
• Learn about Spider Marketing – and how that can help generate more traffic to your primary website
 
• Understand what the ROI is likely to be  
 
• See why it is more important than ever for you to embrace one or more of the social networking platforms
 
• Hear from a compliance expert on the do’s and don’ts related to social media use
 
• Get advice from a marketing expert on where to start if you’re late to the party
 
• Hear suggestions on what to do next if you’ve already dipped your toe into the water
 
In a nutshell, your instructors will cover:
 
• Best practices for creating a powerful online presence
 
• How to add multimedia to online sites
 
• When and how to add social media to your strategy  
 
• How to work most effectively with compliance
 
• What the FINRA guidelines say and how to protect yourself from regulator scrutiny
 
• The best and easiest ways to get started
 
• How to get help if you’d rather not do it alone

Your instructors: 
Marie Swift is President and CEO of Impact Communications, a full-service marketing communications firm serving a select group of independent financial advisors, industry thought-leaders and allied institutions. 

A regular contributor to industry publications such as MorningstarAdvisor, RIABiz.com, AdvisorOne, Research and Financial Planning magazines, industry expert David Drucker calls her a “PR consultant extraordinaire” and featured her firm in “Raising Perceptions,” an article published by Research magazine about the benefits of public relations and credibility marketing. Bob Veres says, “Marie is perhaps the best PR professional in our industry.”  

A popular speaker, Swift has spoken at numerous conferences within the financial services industry. She has received high ratings from participants at various venues including the NFL Players Association, TD Ameritrade, Pershing, Lockwood University, Charles Schwab, Securities America, Financial Network, the Financial Planning Association, the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors and the Garrett Planning Network. 

Swift uses Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/marieswift) and her Best Practices in the Financial Services Industry blog (http://www.marieswift.com) as well as LinkedIn, Ning, multi-media engagement tools and online newswire services to build relationships in the digital realm. 

Learn more about Marie Swift at http://www.impactcommunications.org.  

Leia Farmer is Deputy Chief Compliance Officer with Securities America, Inc., one of the largest independent broker/dealers in the nation.  Leia’s primary responsibilities are to oversee the RIA Compliance and Policies and Procedures teams within Securities America. 
 
During its National Conference in Orlando, Fla., in June 2011, Securities America announced its new social media program, which will allow all of its 1,800 reps to access and post content on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter in mid-July. Leia was a part of the internal task force that analyzed and selected Securities America's social media compliance solution, and will participate in the social media / compliance training sessions provided by the firm in 2011.  

Under the Securities America program, advisors will need to get static content, such as a profile page or market commentary, pre-approved by the firm’s compliance department. But any communications that are interactive—accepting events, creating groups and posting Tweets and comments that respond to questions—will not require pre-approval before they go live. These types of communications will go through a review process after the content has gone up. 

Leia understands the FINRA guidelines as they pertain to registered representatives and social media use. She will share her insights with the webinar attendees on July 15th.
 
Prior to joining Securities America, Leia worked as the Chief Compliance Officer for Brecek &Young Advisors, Inc., a mid-sized broker/dealer that was acquired by Securities America in 2009. She was also a compliance analyst for E*Trade. In addition to over 11 years of industry experience, Leia has a bachelor’s degree from the University of California Berkeley in Legal Studies and a Master’s Degree in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix. Leia holds the Series 7, 63, 24, 4, and 66 licenses.  

Learn more about Leia at http://www.securitiesamerica.com. Get practice management tips and learn more about building your online presence at http://www.AdvisorPod.com.  

*Securities America, Inc. is a Registered Broker/Dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services are offered through Securities America Advisors, Inc., a SEC Registered Advisory Firm.

Want to take a deeper dive? 
Attend the next Web 2.0 and Social Media Boot Camp!
 AS SEEN ON ADVISORTV
If you are interested in taking a deeper dive and/or building your online presence during a live, instructor- guided, computer-lab experience led by marketing expert Marie Swift, sign up now to attend one of these live boot camps:


SPONSORED BY FPA AND FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY
Fairfield, CT - Saturday, September 24, 2011
Learn more at http://www.fpact.org

SPONSORED BY NAPFA
Brooklyn, NY - Monday, October 24, 2011 
Learn more at http://www.napfa.org  

4/21/2011

Fairfield University’s Dolan School of Business and the Financial Planning Association to host Web 2.0 boot camp

RESCHEDULED TO SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2011! IF YOU HAVE ALREADY REGISTERED FOR THE MAY BOOT CAMP WE WILL BE CONTACTING YOU SHORTLY.

FAIRFIELD, Conn., April 20, 2011 – An all-day workshop at Fairfield University’s Dolan School of Business on Tuesday, May 24, 2011, will serve as a crash course for professionals seeking to harness the power of blogs, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other social media to grow their businesses.

“Web 2.0 and Social Media Boot Camp,” presented by Marie Swift, president and chief executive officer of Impact Communications (www.impactcommunications.org), is for small business owners and professionals – including financial planners, attorneys, accountants, physicians, dentists and interested others – who want to learn how to take advantage of the power of today’s online business building tools. The event is co-sponsored by the Financial Planning Association (FPA) of Connecticut-Fairfield County, the Financial Planning Association (FPA) of Greater Hudson Valley and Fairfield University.

Norm Solomon, dean of the Dolan School, said the day should be a productive workshop for time-challenged professionals who want to boost their business’s online presence. “This is where the Dolan School can serve as a classroom for the community,” he said. “People will be able to further their business goals while refreshing their technology skills. 

The morning module, “Maximizing Your Online Presence,” from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., will be an interactive workshop for those ready to catch the social media wave. Social media tools such as blogs, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn can help business owners and sales professionals gain referrals, attract prospective clients, and connect in new ways with existing clients. But creating or expanding an online presence that will grow a business requires clear objectives and a plan that delivers on those objectives. This session will help attendees iron out such plans. The session will instruct on using blogs, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and online news release services to build buzz.

From 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., “Social Media Boot Camp” will put attendees through the paces of putting a social media plan into action. Described as “a roll-up-your-sleeves workshop,” the session will be a how-to on setting up your own Social Media Dashboard so that you can program Tweets, LinkedIn status updates and Facebook posts, all in one quick and easy process. Strategies will take into consideration that professionals have limited time and resources to spend on these efforts. 

Attendees will bring their own computers or can borrow one of the loaners that the Dolan School will provide. They will over the course of the afternoon they will actually:
  • Build a blog
  • Set up a Twitter account
  • Record video clips
  • Create audio files
  • Upload the digital files to their blog
  • Set up a social media dashboard
  • Learn the art of cross promoting online
According to Swift, a regular contributor to industry publications such as MorningstarAdvisor, RIABiz.com, AdvisorOne.com, Research magazine and Financial Planning magazine, business professionals who fail to embrace social media strategies will be left behind., A popular speaker in the financial services industry, Swift has spoken at workshops for the NFL Players Association, TD Ameritrade, Charles Schwab, Securities America, the National Association of Personal Financial Planners (NAPFA), the Financial Planning Association (FPA) and Financial Network, among many others.

Registration prior to May 4, 2011, is $130 for FPA members for both sessions, and $170 for non-members for both sessions. After May 4, the fees go up to $160 and $205 respectively. While both the morning and the afternoon sessions are designed to compliment one another, registration is allowed for just one session, so the cost will be less, depending on which session is selected. Attendees may bring their own laptop and tap into the university’s Wi-Fi connection or use one of the PCs in the computer lab at the Dolan School. To register, contact event administrator Lori Somerville at 877-777-0600 or fairfield@fpact.org. More information is available at www.fpact.org. Space is limited. 

Media Contacts: 

Dolan School
Meg McCaffrey, 203-254-4000, ext. 2726

Financial Planning Association
Lori Somerville, 877-777-0600 or
fairfield@fpact.org

Impact Communications
Al Martin, 800-974-7753 or impactmediamanager@impactcommunications.org

10/01/2010

Reminder for all Paid Participants - If you attended either the morning or the afternoon Web 2.0 and Social Media Session ... this bonus session is for you!

Element 5 - Post-Conference Webinar (11/11/10) 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. EDT


To ensure that you have the help you need to leverage your new found knowledge and build your online presence, a follow up webinar will be offered to all attendees of the live training sessions held on Saturday, October 9th in Denver (Elements 3 & 4, as described below) .

Marie Swift and select coaches will answer your remaining questions, take a look at your evolving web presence, comment on things you are doing wrong/right, etc.

Watch for an invitation from FPA with passcode information for the teleconference and a link to the webinar.

NOTE:
This webinar was previously scheduled for 11/3/10 but has been moved to 11/11/10.

Participation in Element 5 is included with your registration for either Element 3 or Element 4.

9/21/2010

FPA Denver 2010 Updates

With only a few short weeks away, it's time to prepare yourself for everything FPA Denver 2010 has to offer so you can make the most out of your trip. Take a look at some of the great activities and resources available to you at FPA Denver 2010:

8:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, October 9

Web 2.0 and Social Media Boot Camp 2010
Head Coach: Marie Swift

During this live hands-on session, Impact Communications' team of experts will help you build out your branded Twitter and blog pages, complete with your first videocast, podcast and several foundational entries. This will be a hands-on, roll-up-your-sleeves working session conducted live in Denver. Special appearance by advisor/blogger extraordinare Andy Millard. Also learn from multi-media expert Chris Hall and professional writer/blogger Tom Nawrocki.

1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 9
Managing and Leveraging Your Social Media Strategy
Led by: Marie Swift and Friends

This advanced class will focus on online cross-linking and leveraging strategies that will really boost your online presence. Led by Impact Communications' president and CEO Marie Swift and multimedia expert Chris Hall from Securities America, you will go more in-depth into how to use social media to your advantage. Special appearance by advisor/advanced LinkedIn user Chip Workman. Also learn from professional writer/blogger Tom Nawrocki, founder of Triton Financial Newsletter service. Peter Baird and John Birrenkott from WealthBook will tell you how to set up a private social media site for your clients and/or your business.

Keep reading to learn more! Scroll down now...

8/08/2010

Don't Miss the Fall 2010 Web 2.0 and Social Media Boot Camp Series!

Back by popular demand!
A new and improved Web 2.0 and Social Media series powered by FPA and Impact Communications!


Save $50 off full meeting registration by using code: ICFPA10

Are you interested in using the latest Web 2.0 technology to drive traffic to your website? This five-part program uses both webinars and on-site training to help you understand the many things you can be doing now to build relationships with your clients and market your business.

The Web 2.0 and Social Media Boot Camp (offered in two parts in Denver on October 9, 2010), and supplemented by three related webinars, will help you harness the power of the World Wide Web through blogs, podcasts, videocasts, community forums, multimedia presentations, webinars, etc., that serve as a comprehensive expression of your brand and offering. A professional coaching team, lead by industry communications consultant Marie Swift, will show you exactly what to do to use social media and Web 2.0 to your advantage.

 

Element 1: Introductory Webinar (9/01/10) 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. EDT


During this optional introductory webinar, marketing expert Marie Swift and multi-media expert Chris Hall will provide an overview of the various social media tools, such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Blogs, Groupsite and Ning. In addition, Michelle Jacko, Esq., a securities attorney and industry compliance expert, will provide insights about what you can and can't do as an RIA and/or Registered Representative. This webinar is appropriate for those who are just getting their feet wet in the world of social media.

Cost for Element 1: $25 (FPA Members) or $35 (Non-members)
Advance Registration and payment for Element 1 is required. Please click here to register.

 

Element 2 - Pre-Boot Camp Webinar (9/29/10) 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. EDT


Registrants for the Web 2.0 and Social Media Boot Camp pre-conference (see Element 3, below) are strongly encouraged to attend this session that will build on the optional introductory webinar (see Element 1, above). Marketing pro Marie Swift and award-winning graphic designer Christy Barron will tell you everything you need to do to get ready for your live Boot Camp experience in Denver. They will give you a virtual tutorial, showing you how to set up your own branded blog and Twitter pages. They will give you important homework assignments and encourage you to be ready for the live Denver Boot Camp session on Sunday, October 9 from 8:30 a.m. to noon MDT.

Participation in Element 2 is included with your registration for Element 3. You can register for Element 3 with your Denver 2010 conference registration, please click here to access.

 

Element 3 - Web 2.0 and Social Media Boot Camp (10/09/10) 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. MDT


During this live hands-on session, Impact Communications' team of experts will help you build out your branded Twitter and a branded blog pages, complete with your first videocast, podcast and several foundational entries. This will be a hands-on, roll-up-your-sleeves working session conducted live in Denver from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, October 9, 2010. You will be provided with a cable internet connection; attendees are asked to bring their own laptop, batteries, cords and mouse. Impact's professional team of graphic designers, copywriters, film producers and web wizards will be on hand to assist you every step of the way. Walk away with a firm foundation for your professional online presence and business-related social media strategy.

<<< ... Special Guest Appearance and insights from "the Star Pupil" from the 2010 Spring class, advisor Andy Millard.

Cost for Element 3 (includes registration to attend Elements 2, 3 & 5): FPA Members: $300 / Non-members: $350

Advance Registration and payment for Element 3 is required. Register with your Denver 2010 conference registration! Click for access.




 

 

 

Element 4 - Managing and Leveraging Your Social Media Strategy (10/09/10) 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. MDT


This advanced class will focus on online cross-linking and leveraging strategies that will really boost your online presence. Led by Impact Communications' president and CEO Marie Swift, you will: gain an understanding of the advanced features of LinkedIn; dissect a news release so that it not only has power but search-engine-friendly keywords in place; see how embedding deep links and graphics into news releases can boost search engine results; watch as the instructor loads the news release along with a podcast and other digital assets onto a newswire service; discuss the differences between professional newswire services and low-end (or free) newswire services; learn cross-linking strategies (e.g., between Twitter, blogs, website and newswire pages); discuss how to gather and use intelligence from the web; learn how to use RSS feeds and Reader systems plus monitor your online reputation in real time; get a list of resources for building websites, blogs, group sites and super profile pages. Got a problem with your blog/website or a question about how to do something online? Bring your laptop (and all related cords, mouse, etc.) and the coaches who will be on hand will try to help you fix the problem or enhance your pages while you're there together.

<<< --- Special Guest Appearance and insights from advanced LinkedIn user/blogger, advisor Chip Workman.

Cost for Element 4 (includes registration to attend Elements 4 & 5): Full Rates (August 28 - October 9, 2010): FPA Members: $145 / Non-members: $180

Advance Registration and payment for Element 4 is required. You can register with your Denver 2010 conference registration, please click here to access.

Element 5 - Post-Conference Webinar (11/11/10) 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. EDT


A follow up webinar will be offered to all attendees of the live training sessions (Elements 3 & 4, as described above) to ensure that you have the help you need to leverage these new tools and build your online presence. Marie Swift and select coaches will answer your remaining questions, take a look at your evolving web presence, comment on things you are doing wrong/right, etc.

Participation in Element 5 is included with your registration for either Element 3 or Element 4. You can register for Element 5 with your Denver 2010 conference registration, please click here to access.

Save $50 off full meeting registration by using code: ICFPA10
 


Read Great an article about the 2010 Spring Boot Camp by Davis Janowski of Investment News:

http://www.investmentnews.com/article/20100307/REG/303079970






Would you like to be able to add blog posts, audios and videos quickly and easily to your online presence? Attend the 2010 Fall Web 2.0 and Social Media Boot Camp and walk away with professionally branded blog and Twitter pages, complete with your first podcast, video and text comments!

Save $50 off full meeting registration by using code: ICFPA10

You can register with your Denver 2010 conference registration, please click here to access.







Read read this account of the 2010 Spring Boot Camp written by Christina Nelson, Associate Editor, Financial Planning Association Practice Management Center: Social Media Boot Camp to the Rescue!

6/24/2010

Building a Strong Online Presence - Share Your Tips and Advice Here!

Over the many years that I've been coaching financial advisors on Marketing Communications strategies, we've continually discussed how building a strong online presence is essential.

10-12 years ago, websites were just "coming of age" and advisors were asking "Do I really need to have a website? None of my clients are online." Today we know that not only do you need to have a website but it must be A GOOD website. People will look you up online and if they see a poor website (or no website), chances are they will move on to another option. Bottom line: you have to have a good website today to be considered a serious business.

Today, with the advent of LinkedIn, Naymz, Ning, Groupsite, Facebook, My Space, Intranets, Wikis, blogs, Twitter (which is essentially "micro-blogging), You Tube, EONs, and thousands of other social media sites ... coupled with the ability to cross-link to "traditional media mentions" such as WSJ, Kiplingers, local newspaper and magazine mentions, TV clips, etc. and audios, videos and/or multi-media presentations you produce on your own ... it's a wild, wide world of possibilities. I hear this common objection from advisors all the time: "Do I really need to do all this stuff? None of my clients are on XYZ (fill in the blank with Twitter, for instance). I predict that in 2-3 years, we will look back and see that participating on several social media sites - in addition to maintaining and populating a good website and blog - and in addition to having numerous "traditional media hits" - will be required to be seen as a viable resource.

Moral of the story: You owe it to yourself to understand your options today and to get ahead of the curve by embracing several online tactics now.

What happens when people "google" (or "bing") you? What do they see? Online reputation management and presence is important. You want scads of cool stuff to show up on the first google / bing page - articles you've had published, quotes in publications, a blog, your Twitter feeds, your LinkedIn page, your profile on FPA's site (or NAPFA, Garrett Network, Paladin Registry, WiserAdvisor, NAIFA, etc.), a You Tube video channel, a book you contributed to or wrote, online news releases, etc.

Here's one other "must": REGISTER YOUR BUSINESS WITH GOOGLE LOCAL AT http://www.google.com/local/add. You want to make sure that if anyone searches for you online, your name comes up!

Using the right keywords and meta tags (and copy in your web content) is also important.

I could go on and on ... but let's see what you all have to say. Everyone please chime in with your best tips and advice by posting your comments on this blog site.

Not only will be learn new ways to improve our online presences, but I'll be sharing some of our collective wisdom at Web 2.0 and Social Media Boot Camp that I'm doing for FPA as a pre-conference offering (right before FPA's national conference in Denver) on Saturday, October 9, 2010.

If any of you want to attend that boot camp session, it will run from 8:30 am - noon (the 3.5 hour long session will include setting up professionally branded blog and twitter pages and populating your blog with both a podcast and a video clip / interview that we'll record there on site, as well as core content). We'll have a lunch break from noon - 1:00. Then I'll be leading an advanced cross-linking and online reputation management class from 1:00-3:00. The main conference kicks off that evening.

Just watch the FPA Bulletins if you want to consider joining me for the Social Media Boot Camp.

Meanwhile, please share your tips and advice on building a strong online presence here.

Thanks,
Marie Swift
Marketing Communications and PR Coach

3/08/2010

At Boot Camp, Advisers Learn Social-Media Tools

Dear Boot Camp Graduates,

You may have noticed that Davis Janowski, a reporter from Investment News, sat in on our Web 2.0 and Social Media Boot Camp last week.

Here's his report:

At boot camp, advisers learn social-media tools

Sammie Gatti, Steve Johnson and "Midwest Marty" (Marty Kurtz) are quoted - and our premier got some good, positive ink!

You can "follow" Davis Janowski on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ddjanowski

Enjoy,

Marie Swift
Lead Instructor

Twitter Digest - A Baker's Dozen

Hey Boot Camp Graduates!

Here's a quick look at what I've been reading and tweeting about:
  1. Getting the Most Out of Twitter - good NY Times article - http://nyti.ms/dqg9cU
  2. Advisers aim to ramp up marketing spending - Investment News: http://bit.ly/cListy
  3. David Drucker profiles @brettellen #1 w/ Securities America multiple yrs - FA mag: http://www.fa-mag.com/fa-news/5252-strong-alliances.html
  4. Financial Planning mag: Special Report - Your Practice Management Questions Answered: How do I stand out? http://bit.ly/cmNxeH
  5. Happy to be home after a flurry of trips. Spoke at TD Ameritrade conf, #T3Show and #FPABizSol. Next up Tiburon CEO Summit to run press conf.
  6. Dare we try this? At least we can read this journalist's blog entries about her travails. No Spend Challenge Week 1 http://bit.ly/bPv7Td
  7. FinaMetrica offers risk-tolerance test online FREE thru April if use link www.riskprofiling.com/money (offer in conjunction with MONEY mag)
  8. Gauge your appetite for risk FinaMetrica’s 25-question risk-tolerance test www.myrisktolerance.com accurate measure psychological tolerance
  9. Good article on balancing appetite for investment risk and capacity for investment risk. http://tinyurl.com/riskprofile
  10. From @RIABiz: The FPA's practice management event #FPABizSol boasts two hot speakers in its first day http://www.riabiz.com/a/139166
  11. Wow! This is a GREAT site. Full of free worksheets and articles focused on creating Financial Happiness. http://www.financial-happiness.com
  12. Securities America Advisors Collaborate and Achieve Success - podcast with Paul Lofties, plus related news release: http://shar.es/m3JOb
  13. Estate Planning in 2010 - Good article by Kate McBride, editor, Wealth Manager: http://shar.es/m3iN
Not on Twitter yet? You should be! Sign up for free at http://www.twitter.com and search "people" to find "marieswift". Then follow @marieswift and join in as the spirit moves you.

I learn a lot from following my favorite journalists and industry peers on Twitter.

Why not give it a whirl - if only just to listen?

3/02/2010

Social Media Boot Camp to the Rescue!

Great recap of our 3.5 hour workshop together in Dallas on 2/28/10 compliments of the FPA national staff. Good photos, too - Julie Littlechild, Sammie Gatti and
Lewis Walker.

Excerpt:
"
Marie Swift hosted a Social Media Boot Camp on Feb. 28 as a pre-conference event to FPA Business Solutions 2010 in Dallas. During the live session on Sunday afternoon, participants worked with on-site media experts to learn more about avenues on the Web for building interactions with colleagues, clients and prospects. They also got the chance to record short video and audio clips for uploading to their newly created blogs."


Read FPA's complete boot camp recap by clicking here.

We hope to repeat the Web 2.0 and Social Media Boot Camp in cities across the country in the coming months. "Follow" @marieswift on Twitter to ensure you get the latest and greatest news. You can also "follow" this blog and get updates via email every time something new is posted - just click "follow" on the left hand side of the screen.

Also - don't miss this example of new blog one of our "students" created - complete with video interview, podcast and compelling article - during the 3.5 hour workshop: http://www.andymillard.blogspot.com.

Blog on new students!

Marie Swift
Lead Instructor, Dallas Boot Camp 2/28/10

2/27/2010

Check List for Your Dallas Trip

Your coaching team and I look forward to seeing you in Dallas this Sunday, February 28, 2010.

Please arrive 15-30 minutes early to check in and get settled. We will begin promptly at 2:00. We have a lot to accomplish in our 3 1/2 hours together.

Please be sure to bring the following items with you:

1. Laptop, batteries, cords, mouse. We need everyone to be self-reliant with their own computer equipment; however, a few "loaner" laptops will be available for emergency use.

2. Your customized scripts / talking points for both your audio recording and your video recording. You should have received two base scripts - one for the audio and one for the video - to edit and "make your own" (earlier this week, from Mary Ellen Banta at Impact Communications). If you didn't get them or haven't customized them, don't worry, we will have hard copies at the boot camp and you can do quick edits there.

3. Ideas for your first "foundational entries" for your newly established blog and Twitter page. You can also just "get into the spirit" and create them in the moment while in the Content Creation Room in Dallas.

4. URLs, passwords and usernames for (a) your blog account (b) your Twitter account. You will need to get into both your blog and your Twitter accounts to post content.

5. Wear camera-ready attire on Sunday. We will be filming you.

6. Smiling face, alert mind, energy!

Don't worry if you don't have everything "perfect" before arriving in Dallas. Just be sure you have your basic blog and Twitter accounts established. A coach will be on hand in the Foundation Room to help you finish up that process if you have not had time to get through that entire set up process.

The goal of the boot camp is to show you how easy it is to create and upload content to your blog. We will also help you do your first couple of Tweets to draw traffic to your blog and/or website (or to other important articles).

If you need to hold back a little bit due to needing compliance approval first before going "live" with any audios, videos, text, etc., no worries. You can use this as a practice session - and, who knows, compliance may approve your content "as is" once they see it.

Here's contact info for my team:
  • (913) 649-5009 - Impact Communications Main Office (will route calls to me)
  • info@impactcommunications.org - (staff will respond and/or forward notes to me)
My team and I will be flying in to Dallas on Saturday 2/27/10 (today). We will be staying at the conference hotel so if you need to reach one of us, just call the front desk and ask to be connected with either Marie Swift or Quinn Law. We'll be on the premises as of 7 pm cst 2/27/10.

See you there! We are going to have a lot of fun creating and adding content to your newly established blog and Twitter pages.

Warm regards,

Marie Swift
President and CEO
Impact Communications, Inc.

2/26/2010

What to expect at the February 28, 2010 Boot Camp

Click player bars below to listen to audio comments

Introduction - from Head Coach Marie Swift



What to Expect at February 28, 2010 Boot Camp - from Head Coach Marie Swift


1.
Arrive in the Boot Camp room at 1:45 p.m. local time. Get your name tag. Hook up your equipment. You should bring your own laptop, mouse and all corresponding batteries, cords, etc. We will provide a cable internet connection for each participant.

2. You should dress in a professional manner - business casual, at a minimum. We will be filming your first video-cast. You may write your own script and deliver it on your own, in a one-person face-front fashion. Or Marie Swift will briefly interview and interact with you in a two-way dialog. We will provide the video equipment needed. You will need to bring your talking points / script. We will discuss this on our pre-Boot Camp Webinar, providing tips and advice so that you are ready when you arrive.

3. You should arrive with your initial blog and Twitter pages established and ready to load with the podcast and video clip that we will be creating live at the Boot Camp. Remember: we'll be giving you a step-by-step demonstration of how exactly to set up your initial blog and Twitter pages during our pre-bootcamp webinar on 2/12/10. For the live boot camp: Bring your username, password and urls to both your blog and your Twitter accounts. Again: We will discuss this initial set up requirement on our pre-Boot Camp Webinar, providing a virtual tutorial to get you started.

4. You will be shown how to record your first podcast using a telephone (land line that we will provide). You will need to bring your talking points / script. We will discuss this on our pre-Boot Camp Webinar, providing tips and advice so that you are ready when you arrive.

5. At 2:00 p.m., local time, Marie Swift will welcome the group and introduce the coaches who will be assisting her that day. She will break the room up into 3 groups - Red Team, Yellow Team and Blue Team. Each team will have a team captain (team captains will be determined on site).

For the next 2.5 hours, the 3 teams will rotate to 3 planned workstations:

  • Podcast recording room
  • Videocast recording room
  • Content creation and file upload center
  • Brainstorming and coaching room
Assistant coaches and team captains will facilitate the process, coaching and rehearsing people as needed.

We will come back together as a big group approximately 5:00 pm to share what we learned, insights gleaned, etc. You may wish to show your newly branded blog and Twitter pages to the group (we will have an LCD projector and screen, as well as an internet connection established, at the front of the room so all you will need to do is key in your blog and Twitter URLs.

6. The session ends at 5:30 pm. You will be encouraged to form dinner groups to continue the dialog and idea sharing. Get a good night's sleep as FPA Business Solutions Conference begins bright and early the next day.

2/25/2010

Program Overview

Click player bar to listen to audio comments from Marie Swift


Are you interested in using the latest Web 2.0 technology to drive traffic to your website? This four-part program uses both Webinars and onsite training to help you understand the many things you can be doing now to build relationships with your clients and market your business.

The Web 2.0 and Social Media Boot Camp and three related Webinars will help you harness the power of the worldwide web through blogs, podcasts, video-casts, community forums, multi-media presentations, webinars, etc. that serve as a comprehensive expression of your brand and offering. Impact Communications will show you exactly what to do to use social media and Web 2.0 to your advantage.


Here’s an overview of the four-part plan:

Element #1 – Introductory Webinar (1/20/10)
In an Introductory Webinar, marketing expert Marie Swift (www.impactcommunications.org) and multi-media expert Chris Hall (producer of www.Advisorpod.com) will provide an overview of the various social media tools, such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Blogs, Groupsite and Ning. In addition, Nancy Johnson Jones (www.compliancemaze.com), an industry compliance expert, will provide insights about what you can and can't do as an RIA and/or Registered Representative.

Attend this Webinar FREE if you have already enrolled for the rest of the program, as shown below. Or pay just for this Webinar: $25 if an FPA Member ($35 if non-member) and skip the rest of the program below – but you’ll be missing out on several highly valuable deliverables if you don’t continue on with the rest of the program. If you decide to register for the full program, below, the Webinar fee you paid for element #1 will be deducted from your total fee.

Element #2 – Pre-Boot Camp Webinar (2/12/10)
Building on the Introductory Webinar, above, marketing pro Marie Swift and award-winning graphic designer Christy Barron will tell you everything you need to do to get ready for your live Boot Camp experience in Dallas. They will give you a virtual tutorial, showing you how to set up your own branded blog and Twitter pages. They will give you important homework assignments and encourage you to be ready for the live Dallas Boot Camp session on 2/28/10.

Element #3 – Live Boot Camp Experience (2/28/10)
Then, in the live onsite Boot Camp, Impact Communications' team of experts will help you build out your branded Twitter and a branded blog pages, complete with your first videocast, podcast, and several foundational entries. This will be a hands-on, roll-up-your-sleeves working session. You will be provided with a cable internet connection; attendees are asked to bring their own laptop, batteries, cords and mouse (some “loaner” laptops may be available if you really can’t bring your own laptop – inquire). Impact's professional team of graphic designers, copywriters, film producers and web wizards will be on hand to assist you ever step of the way.

See “What to Expect at the Boot Camp” above.

Element #4 – Post-Boot Camp Webinar (3/30/10)
A follow up Webinar will be offered to ensure you have all the help you need to leverage your new tools and build your online presence. Marie Swift and select coaches will answer your remaining questions, take a look at your evolving Web presence, comment on things you are doing wrong/right, etc.

2/24/2010

Welcome from Head Coach Marie Swift

Hello! We are excited that you have enrolled for (or are considering enrolling for) the Web 2.0 and Social Media Boot Camp powered by FPA and Impact Communications. I'm Marie Swift, President and CEO of Impact Communications. I am pleased to be working with FPA to mastermind and bring this new and exciting pre-conference event to financial professionals nationwide.

This Event Blog will give you important information and help you leverage your participation. Please read it carefully.

To ensure you get updates and the most current information:

Please sign up to “follow” this blog. Click the “follow” button to the right. If you do not already have a Google Account, set one up now so that (a) you can get automatic updates via email whenever we update this blog (b) you will be able to set up your blogspot account during the pre-Boot Camp preparatory Webinar described below.

If you have questions:

1. Please post them on this blog and one of the faculty members will reply. It is important that you include your phone number and email address in any questions/comments you post.

2. If you need more immediate help, please contact Teresa Law at (913) 649-5009 or via email info@impactcommunications.org.

We look forward to interacting with you on the various webinars, teleconference and live boot camp in Dallas!

1/11/2010

Save 15% on FPA Business Solutions Conference 2010!

Sponsored by
To save 15% on registration: Use code BSC10MS

Visit www.fpasolutions.org to register for both the

FPA Business Solutions Conference 2010

an advanced practice management conference
being held in Dallas March 1-3, 2010

and

Web 2.0 and Social Media Boot Camp

a special pre-conference session powered by FPA
Impact Communications in Dallas on February 28, 2010



1/03/2010

Important Dates – Mark Your Calendar Now!

Recorded on: January 20, 2010

Introductory Webinar: Using Web 2.0 and Social Media to Build Relationships and Market Your Business

with Marie Swift, Nancy Johnson Jones and Chris Hall

Note: Anyone registered for the live Boot Camp being held in Dallas, TX February 28, 2010, will have access to the above webinar at no additional charge as part of the Boot Camp package.
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Register now for best price for both the Web 2.0 and Social Media Boot Camp and the FPA B
usiness Solutions Conference

FPA Business Solutions Conference: The Advanced Business Management Conference (March 1-3, 2010, Dallas, TX)

Members: $675
 Nonmembers: $775

Pre-conference Workshop: Web 2.0 and Social Media Boot Camp, Powered by Impact Communications (Sunday, February 28, 2010, 2:00-5:30 p.m.) (Limited to first 60 participants)
Members: $350
 Nonmembers $450


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February 12, 2010 from 1:00 - 2:00 pm CST

Pre-Boot Camp Webinar: Preparing for the Boot Camp / Homework Assignments

with Marie Swift and Christy Barron
Free with paid Boot Camp tuition

Details: A webinar invitation will be sent to all paid Boot Camp participants. Log in and call in
information will be included in that automated webinar invitation.

Note: Do not miss this webinar! We will be telling you how to set up your blog and Twitter accounts, doing a virtual tutorial - including how to brand and customize your pages - plus providing details on what you need to do between 2/12/10 and the live Boot Camp in Dallas on 2/28/10.

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February 28, 2010 from 2:00 - 5:30 pm CST
Live Web 2.0 and Social Media Boot Camp in Dallas

See “What to Expect at the Boot Camp” – below.

March 1-3, 2010 (2.5 days of educational content)

FPA Business Solutions Conference: The Advanced Business Management Conference, Dallas, Texas

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March 30, 2010 from 1:00 - 2:00 pm CST

Post-Boot Camp Webinar: Completion and Self-Empowerment Session


with Marie Swift and Select Coaches
Free with paid Boot Camp tuition

Details: A webinar invitation will be sent to all paid Boot Camp participants. Log in and call in information will be included in that automated webinar invitation.

Note: Bring your final questions and success stories to this completion and self-empowerment session having used your new online presence for the past 30 days since completing the live Boot Camp in Dallas on 2/28/10.