Posts Tagged ‘Training’

Oh, and you’re doing social media wrong

Thursday, June 9th, 2011

Is social media not fun for you anymore?

Lots of people are frustrated by Facebook and confused by Twitter.  They’re spending lots of time posting and setting up business pages, but not getting much for their efforts.

When things aren’t going right, it can be helpful to look at what you’re doing wrong.  I can help you in at least two ways.

1.)  I’m holding a cool social media event on Tuesday, June 14 in Troy, Michigan.  This event really is social.  There’ll be food, drink, music, and conviviality, whatever that is.

2.)  If you can’t attend, you can get the content on audio CD.  Use the Coupon Code SOCIAL to save a whopping $33, if you order within the next 24 hours.

Either way, you’ll get a ton of great information on how to improve your situation using the most revolutionary communication tool since the invention of the telephone–social media, baby.


Can I be direct with you?

Internet marketer, Michael Angelo Caruso, gives social media training. I think one of the reasons for my success in the speaking and training business is that I’m a direct person.  I tell clients what they’re doing right and I tell them what they’re doing wrong.  I tell them exactly how to improve.

Not everyone likes my style.  Heck, I don’t like being told I’m wrong.  But when I get over my ego issues and really pay attention, I improve.

So, here I go again, being direct.  I hope it helps you improve.  Based on what I’m seeing out there…


Here’s what you’re doing wrong on social media:

Your accounts are stagnant.

You’re busy on Facebook, but not productive.

You’re selling too much and closing too little.

You follow the wrong people on Twitter.

You don’t allow comments on your blog.

You add people online, but don’t follow up in any meaningful way.

You have ads on your blog.

You’re not using RSS feeds.

Your blog posts are too short.

Your videos are too long.

You don’t follow people back.

You curse online.

You don’t “Facebook with purpose.”

You push the same updates to every platform.

You don’t edit your photos before posting.

You’re not producing enough content.


Want to know more?

Want to fix what’s wrong?  Wanna know what you’re doing right?

Then attend my great social media event on Tuesday evening, June 14 at the fabulous Tre Monti restaurant in Troy, Michigan.

If you can’t attend, order my Social Media That Works program on (4 audio CDs).  Use Coupon Code:  SOCIAL to get 1/3 off; save $33, but only for the next 24 hours!)

Let’s get your social media campaigns humming so more people can purchase your great products and services!

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Posted in Blogging, Career development, Communication, Creativity, Customer Service, Entertainment, Entreprenuers, Growing Your Business, Internet marketing, Personal Development, Problem Solving, Sales and Marketing, Seminar, Social Media, Success, Training | No Comments »

Customer feedback is a gift

Tuesday, May 31st, 2011

Good or bad, true or false, it’s always good to know what customers are thinking.  Customer feedback is a gift.  That’s why I love it when clients tell me what they think of my training programs.

Often, the client will prepare an executive summary for his boss and cc me, which is pretty cool.

Here’s what my client Frank, sent his boss and his team, after I did a sales training program for his team in southern California a while back:

August 30, 2010

To: Our Employees

From: Frank S.

Re: Sales Training with Caruso

Greetings,

Thank you to those of you who were able to attended sales training with Michael Angelo Caruso on August 14, 2010 at La Mirada.   Based on the course evaluations, all who attended the training enjoyed it and learned some very helpful ideas.

Below are some key points discussed at the sales training. We need to practice and reinforce these habits with all PTO team members. These small acts of politeness and respect to our customers (and everyone you come into contact with) have already made a difference in helping us grow customer relationships and our sales.

1) Smile, say “hello”, and introduce yourself to every customer you come in contact with.  Smiling releases endorphins, which will make you will feel better throughout the day.

2) Get the customer’s and name and “listen” to your customer very attentively.  Many times, when customer is given the opportunity to explain the whole issue, you learn exactly what you need to close the sale.  Ask more questions and then listen for other sales opportunities.

3) After a customer receives a product quote and says “Let me think about it”, respond “what specifically do you still have questions about?”  Then remind the customer that we have the right product and we are ready to deliver it ASAP.

4) When appropriate, ask the customer about their weekend or family.  Try to learn a little bit about the customer. Building customer relationships, builds loyalty.

5) After a sale is complete, shake the customer’s hand, give him your business card, and genuinely say “thanks for the business.” Then, close with “we look forward to seeing you next time!”

6) Call at least the top 5 largest invoices from the prior day and thank the customer for their business and make sure the sale was problem free.  If they are not available, leave a “thank you” message on their voicemail.

7) Michael made a good point about teaching customers how to treat us.  Our store employees are much more than just clerks.  We will now refer to our counter personnel are now “Parts consultants.”

With everyone focused on these little things, we will continue to grow our company together.   Thanks for your help!


Summary

Frank’s company has been a client of mine for over five years and I’m grateful.  I find the above feedback immensely gratifying for two main reasons:

a)  They like me, they really like me!  (Apologies to the actress, Sally Field.)

b) These great people are now in a better place when it comes to improving sales and providing better customer service.

The moral of the story is to pay attention to what customers say after you’ve served them.

I know I do.  Customer feedback is a gift.  What’s your favorite way to receive feedback?  Written?  Verbal?  On a blog or via Linkedin?

-Michael, MichaelAngeloCaruso.com in Royal Oak, Michigan

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Posted in Blogging, Communication, Creativity, Customer Service, Entreprenuers, Growing Your Business, Problem Solving, Sales and Marketing, Self improvement, Selling, Success, Training | No Comments »

Best practices for using Twitter

Saturday, May 28th, 2011

Want to get more from Twitter?  Here’s a list of best practices that’ll help you maximize the awesome power of this great social media tool.

Twitter is not as difficult or as mysterious as it first seems.  As Bob Dylan sings, “The times, they are a changin.’”  Thanks to Twitter, now you are the newspaper.  You are your own advertising company and public relations firm.  Let’s get the word out!

Here are 5 cool ideas for using Twitter:

1.  Talk about things central to your brand or personality. It helps if your tweets are relevant to what’s going on in the media.  “Trending” topics almost always get more attention online.

2.  Be funny. If you’re not funny, tweet messages from people who are funny.  People like to share witticisms.

3.  Post an original tweet about every two hours. Do not share information that’s been shared to death.  Avoid clichés like the plague.  ;-)    You may also want to stay away from negative news.

4.  Leave trails to your Web site. Use the first 70 characters of your Tweet to ask a question or pose a problem.  Use the second 70 characters to answer the question or offer a solution.  Often, but not always, the solution should contain a link to your Web site.  Use tiny URLs that don’t use a lot of characters.

5.  Get with the program. Follow those who follow you.  Retweet messages from the cool kids.   Recommend people on Follow Friday, by posting “#FF” and their Twitter names, e.g., @MichaelACaruso.

These are just a few ideas for sweet tweets.  See how you can use these techniques and more by following me on Twitter at @MichaelACaruso.

-Michael, Royal Oak, Michigan, www.MichaelAngeloCaruso.com

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Posted in Communication, Creativity, Customer Service, Entreprenuers, Growing Your Business, Internet marketing, Personal Development, Problem Solving, Sales and Marketing, Self improvement, Selling, Social Media, Success | No Comments »

Facebook is not Internet marketing

Sunday, February 20th, 2011

Michael Angelo Caruso Internet marketing facebook, linked, twitter, social mediaSo you’re spending hours on Facebook (FB) building a “brand” so you can earn “extra revenue” that will allow you to “retire.”

Let’s be serious.

If you’re marketing on Facebook but not on Twitter (TW), you’re wasting your time.  Why?  Because the Internet works in the aggregate, that’s why.

A healthy Facebook following means little compared to a healthy following on the Big Three social media platforms–FB, TW, and Linkedin (LI), with a YouTube presence added to the mix.

Each of these platforms offers something special to the branding process, more colors, if you will.  You wouldn’t fill your wardrobe with only navy blue shirts and pants, would you?

Twitter, for example, is more important than Facebook and Linkedin combined, for example, because search engines such as Google crawl individual tweets.  This is extremely important to driving traffic to your Web site!

Essentially, we’re talking about doing things that drive traffic to your Web site and money to your bank account.  This is done by systematically developing your brand using important, albeit inexpensive web online platforms, so beware of “social media experts”  who only want to help you with Facebook because “that’s all you need.”

Here are two training options that I offer clients–

Package #1:  Substantial Social Media Platform within 90 days

Facebook is the New White Pages

Facebook tutuorialSocial media can help your biz when you use it as a system; how FB, LI and TW are alike and different; growing your lists; how to protect your name online; valuable photo tips; the best ways to draw people in; add 100 qualified friends in a flash; arrange for your FB posts to go to Twitter at the same time; use the “Notes” tab to provide more content; use Michael’s proven strategies for micro-blogging; improve dialog with your FB connections; answers to your questions, unlimited e-mail access to Michael for 90 days

Linkedin is the New Yellow Pages

How to maximize cyber-introductions; LI’s best (hidden) feature; beef up your presence on Linkedin by adding 75 qualified connections within 30 days; arrange five more key Recommendations on Linkedin; clever ways to re-purpose those testimonials; the power of LI groups; how to use LI polls to test-market ideas; answers to your questions, unlimited e-mail access to Michael for 90 days

Twitter, Video Marketing and How They Work Together

Using Twitter as “defensive marketing;” connect your social media platforms; employ the awesome power of video marketing; why Twitter is more important than FB and LI combined; establish a Twitter presence right away by adding 100 additional connections; improve your Twitter page background and readability; integrate your social media marketing with your regular distribution list; answers to your questions, unlimited e-mail access to Michael for 90 days

You’ll receive an occasional easy “homework” assignment from me to ensure gradual progress and success.

Bonuses

Package #1 includes all the above content, plus . . .

-  Four of my audio CDs on this subject ($99 value)

-  I’ll spend time with you to explain things

-  Unlimited e-mails with Michael for 90 days

Investment for Package #1

$ 975.00 if I teach you do it;   $ 1,750.00 if I help you do it;    $2,500 if I do it all; (designed to pay for itself in 90 days)

As with all of my products and services, you will get much more than you pay for.

Package #2:  Comprehensive Internet Marketing Campaign

Including, Social Media Platform within 90 days, video marketing, establish an e-newsletter and a blog

-  All of the content in consulting Package #1, plus . . .

Social Media strategies redux

-  Create one or two videos for YouTube

-  Set up Twitter to automatically post to Facebook

-  Set up your blog to automatically post to Facebook

-  Show how to re-purpose content on Facebook

-  Arrange five more key Recommendations on Linkedin

-  Integrate your social media marketing with your regular distribution list

E-mail marketing tutorial

- Strengthen your distribution list

- Get best practices for sending bulk e-mail

- Create the perfect e-mail

- Publish an e-newsletter, quickly and easily

- Improve deliverability, open rate, read rate of your bulk e-mails

- Improve your Click-Thru-Rate (CTR)

- Avoid spam filters

Web site tips and efficiency tricks

- Site evaluation and suggestions for easy changes that yield big results

- Re-identify your most important keywords

- Recommend a new vendor, if necessary

- Use your Web site to collect e-mail addresses

Video marketing thrust

- Explain the concept and Michael’s easy, non-technical methodology

- Create one or two videos for YouTube

- Upload videos to Vimeo, Facebook

- Send video links in e-mails and e-newsletters

Blogging power

- Blogs are better than Web sites; post twice a week

- How to never run out of content

- Set up your blog to automatically post to Facebook

- Show how to re-purpose content through article marketing

- Use blog to establish external links (Google LOVES external links)

Bonuses

Package #2 includes all of the above, plus . . .

-  Four of my audio CDs on this subject ($99 value)

-  I’ll spend time with you to explain things

-  Unlimited e-mails with Michael for 180 days

-  Triple Your Income, 6 CDs on how to get paid for speaking, writing, and consulting ($250 value)

-  I will comp you to as many of my speaking events as I can (priceless)

Investment for Package #2

$2,900 if I teach you do it;  $3,500 if I help you do it;  $4,900 if I do it all; (designed to pay for itself in 180 days)

As with all of my products and services, you will get much more than you pay for.

Testimonials

Dr. steven ringler“Michael Angelo Caruso helped improve my business’s Internet presence in a very short time.   I highly recommend him for your online marketing needs.  This guy really delivers!”       -Dr. Steven Ringler, Plastic Surgeon, Grand Rapids, Michigan, www.stevenringlermd.com

“Michael Angelo Caruso is a wonderful teacher!  He is currently working with me to build my business through Internet marketing.  He’s also a patient man; I’ve needed my hand held on more than one occasion.  Along with his integrity comes humor.”   –Joni Johnson, Co-owner, www.instafirmbodywrap.com, Troy, Michigan


Summary

Michael Angelo Caruso internet marketing So, however you decide to handle social media marketing, be sure to be involved with
The Big Three and not just Facebook.

If you’d like my help, choose from one of the above two training options and let me know what you decide. Call me right away and I will personally congratulate you before we set up our first official call.

Take your company or organization to new heights using my proven techniques for systematic, online branding by using inexpensive social media instead of expensive advertising campaigns!

What do you think?

-Michael Angelo Caruso, Royal Oak, Michigan  248-224-9667

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Posted in Blogging, Career development, Communication, Creativity, Entreprenuers, Growing Your Business, Information products, Internet marketing, Marketing, Problem Solving, Sales and Marketing, Selling, Social Media, Success, Training | No Comments »

Internet marketing training at my home Jan. 27

Sunday, December 12th, 2010
Internet marketing at Michael's home!

Internet marketing at Michael's home!

Want to receive Internet marketing training in a great setting?

You’ll learn some fantastic techniques for marketing online so you can sharpen your current campaigns, make more money, contribute more to your favorite charity, or even start a biz.

You can attend this Internet Marketing Summit on January 27 at my home in Royal Oak, Michigan.  I live at on the 11th floor of a high-rise condo called, The Fifth and the view is inspiring!

You’ll learn to:

- Do effective e-mail marketing

- Get the most from your Web site

- Benefit from video marketing–the hottest trend in the land

- Make the Web work better for you

- Use free social media platforms to market your great products/services

- Grow your data base

You’ll get $250 in bonus products!  And I’ll feed you twice!

Read testimonials and register today!

This program is fun and affordable.  This is not a technical class–you will not get lost.  As with all my products and services, you will get much more than you pay for.

Call 248-224-9667 for more info and some free consulting.

www.MichaelAngeloCaruso.com   432 S. Washington, #1105  Royal Oak, MI  48073

P.S.  Here’s a fun video that shows how fun my class is.

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Posted in Career development, Communication, Entreprenuers, Growing Your Business, Internet marketing, Marketing, Problem Solving, Sales and Marketing, Selling, Social Media, Training, Writing and Publishing | No Comments »

Holidays — great practice for dealing with difficult people

Monday, November 8th, 2010

fla1 diff people CD ebook cover WEBAs a communication consultant, I constantly remind clients that personal development is a double dip.

My various keynotes, seminars, and training sessions, for example, are designed to help clients co-exist with with  different kinds of people.

And when we become better at coping with difficult people, we can easily transfer that skill set back and forth between home and work life.

That’s why the holidays are such a great time  to practice dealing with difficult people.  After all, siblings, in-laws, and even spouses usually give us many opportunities to cope during year-end family gatherings.

Here are two tips for getting along with people during the stressful holiday season:

1)  Remember that you can’t change others. It’s far easier to adjust your response to others.  I’ll give you many ways to do this during my upcoming teleseminar.

2)  Emotion cripples rational discussion. Some difficult people love to get a reaction from you.  Minimize the drama by using my communication strategies.

3)  Find something you like about people you don’t like. It’s easy to “villianize” someone you don’t care for.  Instead, try complimenting him or her.  Make it sincere and over time the relationship will eventually improve.  I’ll show you how to do this.

telesem desk smile 0809 WEBLearn more about how to cope by attending my Dealing With Difficult People teleseminar on Tuesday, November 23 at 3:30 PM ET.  Register now for this great program.

I’ll teach you:

-  Power language that stops difficult people in their tracks

-  How to avoid negative people, even if you’re related to them!

-  Ways to cope with hostile people who want to do you harm

-  Tricks for confidence that keep difficult people at bay

-  Much more!

If you can’t attend the call, listen to the recorded playback or purchase the one-hour audio CD version of the program.  In any case, I’ll send you the 30-page e-book, Dealing With Difficult People, so your holiday season can be less stressful and more fun–both at home and at work.

Talk to you on November 23!

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Posted in Career development, Communication, Customer Service, Personal Development, Problem Solving, Self improvement | No Comments »

The Hall of Fame ballplayer who was consistently inconsistent

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010
Harry Heilmann, inconsistent baseball star

Harry Heilmann, inconsistent baseball star

Harry “Slug” Heilmann is a Hall of Fame baseball player who spent most of his  playing years with the Detroit Tigers.  He and Ted Williams are the last two American League players to hit over .400.  Heilmann’s career batting average of .342 is the twelfth-highest in major league history.

Heilmann also won an amazing four batting titles.  But here’s the twist.  He won them only in odd-numbered years (1921, 1923, 1925 and 1927).

Harry Heilmann was consistently inconsistent!

This story reminds us how important it is to establish a winning formula and then deliver it as consistently as possible.

Your company provides training to its employees, right?  Here are some great ways to maintain consistency and deliver exceptional training results:

1.  Hit the ground running. I do this by making sure attendees have positive expectations regarding the event.

2.  Get everyone involved. Get as many people as possible to verbally participate in the first five minutes of the training session.

3.  Make training fun/interesting. Hint: Fun is not necessarily what the trainer thinks is fun.  Been to some sessions where the fun felt artificial?

4.  Ensure success. Follow through is the key.  I ask attendees to use what I teach them and send me a “success story” within 48 hours of the program.  You’d love to read my e-mail!

Right now, my most popular programs are on effective leadership, including the best ways to motivate and online marketing, including social media.  Learn more about these great seminars and keynotes at

http://www.michaelangelocaruso.com/events/seminars/ and
http://www.michaelangelocaruso.com/events/keynotes/

Share this message with your boss and HR department head so we can hit a home run for your team!

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Posted in Communication, Keynote, Leadership, Problem Solving, Training, Uncategorized | No Comments »

How much would you pay for more self-esteem?

Wednesday, October 7th, 2009

Feeling good is important enough to spend money on it.  In fact, we do.

Self esteem shop WEB New clothes, a clean car, hair color and vocational training are just a few of the ways we try to buy a strong self-concept. 

And there's a store in Royal Oak, Michigan that actually sells self-esteem.  The Self Esteem Shop (248-549-9900), located at 32839 Woodward Avenue, sells books, audio programs and various signage that promote feelings of self-worth.

Many people think nothing of spending money on liquor, tattoos and gambling–purchases that give little long-term return-on-investment. 

But what if you could go to a store, browse through some shelves and pay for more self-esteem?  What exactly would you purchase?  How much would you be willing to pay in order to feel better about yourself?  Would you make one such trip a year, or make weekly visits?

 

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Speakers Get a Lot of Feedback

Wednesday, January 7th, 2009

Professional speakers get tons of feedback.

MAC green purple speak 300 dpi crpd We may get formally evaluated more than almost any profession.  Conference chairpersons, meeting planners and Human Resource executives love to collect exit evaluations after every program.  This data is then analyzed and computed before it is shared with all concerned.

I recently spoke to 100 student leaders at Schoolcraft College in Livonia, Michigan.  The event was the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA).  Organizers took a tip from me and included this question in the evaluation form:  What one word best describes this event?

The words included “amazing, educational, empowering, entertaining, exceptional, inspirational, life-changing, motivational, outstanding and  . . .

Phenominal.”

The event planners took “phenominal” to mean “phenomenal,” a complimentary evaluation, to be sure.

At a follow up meeting, where the speaker was evaluated, yet again, the event’s organizers had a good laugh as they jokingly referred to my paycheck as ”fee nominal.”

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Posted in Communication, Customer Service, Entreprenuers, Seminar, Speaking, Success | No Comments »