When it comes to social media marketing and Facebook in particular, the name of the game is engagement. Conventional wisdom says that the best way to keep your Facebook fans engaged is to reward them, the most obvious way being with free products, discounts and other types of giveaways. For many small businesses or businesses with limited resources, though, doing this on a regular basis is tough. So, instead of thinking of this as a barrier, think of it as a creative challenge.

• Provide Exclusive News – Have a new product or service coming out or an upcoming sale or discount that hasn’t been announced yet? Reward your Facebook fans by sharing the news with them a few days early and let them share it with their friends and fans. Doing this gives more traffic to your Facebook page.
• Let The Games Begin – It’s not a secret that all your time on Facebook isn’t spent on business, there are a few minutes here and there spent on your favorite game. Take advantage of these few stolen minutes playing a game and be social.  Try asking your fans trivia questions or share favorite games with you. Engage socially with them more.
• Rally Around A Cause - If your company already contributes to a charity with any sort of regularity, why not get your fans involved? Cause marketing is an extremely powerful way to engage your fans, make a difference, and give your brand a bit of personality while you’re at it. Don’t know what cause to support? Ask your fans for their input. Try tying in fan activity for the cause.
• Give Credit Where Credit Is Due – Simply recognizing your fans is a great way to bring smiles to their faces. Consider selecting a fan every week to feature on your wall and thank them for their support. A little goodwill goes a long way.
• Be Responsive – Another form of fan recognition that is often overlooked is to respond when they leave a comment on your wall. If a fan leaves a compliment on your wall or responds to one of your status updates, take the time to acknowledge it. There’s no better way to show your customers that you’re listening.
• Take It Offline – Engage with fans by sending them a message and inviting them to visit your store, or if you don’t have a store to one of your events, social circles or just out for coffee and get to know them better. Engaging with them offline will help them fully engage in your business as you with theirs.
• Don’t Give Away The Farm but Give Away A Dozen Eggs Instead – Okay, so technically this costs money, but the point is it doesn’t have to be a lot. Have a fan contest. What little rewards might you have that fans will appreciate nonetheless? Gift cards, USB drives, and a small discount off their next purchase…little rewards have the ability to delight your customers and go a long way. By doing small rewards also give you the opportunity to do more promotions on a recurring basis. Doing this creates buzz and make one winning fan really happy, a lot of small ones make it so the fun doesn’t have to end.

What can you outsource this week?

Facebook represents an enormous business opportunity for millions of small businesses worldwide. With over 500 million users, it is the largest social network in use today.

AGilpin Consultants can help you create and manage a successful Facebook presence, using the power of your business fan page – you know the one that people can ‘ LIKE’.

Our basic Facebook package includes:

• Facebook Fan Page creation
• Custom Landing Page
• Custom Image Profile pic
• 45 minute training and marketing strategy session

Call us today (815) 886-0564 to schedule your complimentary consultation.  Visit our services to learn more about how we can help you today.

Over the next few days you will receive chances to WIN a Gift from me.  That’s right; I am giving you birthday gifts.  How cool is that.

I can’t spoil the surprise’s but believe me it’s a celebration that you don’t want to miss!

Like any good birthday party, I will be giving away a couple of prizes and some virtual goodie bags!

You have to join the party to be entered to win and to receive your virtual goodie bag. There are many ways to join in on the FUN.

You can:

Click and Join the Party! 

Click and LIKE my Facebook page

Retweet or mention @AileenGilpin  my Virtual Birthday Party

Comment on my blog post or on Facebook

Or do ALL OF THE ABOVE!  The more you do the more chances you get to win.

Now let’s PARTY!

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Instead of my typical regiment during this time of year, this year I have decided to do something different, at least for me this is new.

Inspired by my mentors recent blog post So Long 2011…Welcome 2012! my New Year’s theme word is going to evolve around the word Self-discipline.

Self-discipline

Self-discipline can be defined as the ability to motivate oneself in spite of a negative emotional state. Qualities associated with self-discipline include willpower, hard work, and persistence.

Therefore in 2012 I vow ….

• To work on my business ideas and projects immediately so that my clients can benefit

~Launch and Co-Author a new blog to highlight and help market self-published authors

~Finish my products (seminars, ebooks, and reports)

~Maximize the use of affiliate programs I am a member of

• Workout more and make healthier eating habits for myself and my family

• Wake early to work on myself – thanks to a good friend Pam for referring The Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo

• Only check email a few of times per day at particular times

• Focus on my target market and those that will help drive my business

• Virtually work smarter, not harder

In finding some inspiration I came across this video that seems suiting for this post, I hope you too will find it powerful.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

This short film illustrates the power of words to radically change your message and your effect upon the world. 

Here’s to a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year!

I am looking forward to growth in the coming year

and wish you the same.

I would love to hear your thoughts on 2012…have you thought of your “one word?” Please do share in the comments!

Don’t forget to appreciated your clients, employees, friends and family this Holiday.  If you need a last minute greeting send one on me using SendOutCards, a small token of how I appreciative I am to each of you for being a fan of AGilpin Consultants and for sharing my countdown to the Holidays.

To all the participants in Aileen’s Count Down to the Holidays! Thank You.
Here is a recap of all ten.

 #10– Poetic Reflections on life, love and soul

 #8 & #9– Looking for Glam and Fashion to wear this Holiday Season

 #7 – Across the solar system lies another world….. POND PUNKIES!

 #6 – Eco Friendly Living with Green Home Experts

 #5 – Treats for Santa support a Textbook Scholarship Fund

 #4 – Pamela Peterson, Artist Extraordinaire of Art Pastiche

 #3 – Liz Moore, Realtor by day and MICHE bags by night….

 #2 – JWillin Consulting

 #1 – Tan Travel in Oak Park, IL

Looking forward to seeing you again in the New Year.

Happy Holidays!

I have had the privilege of being part of Lynn’s dance and I am truly honored to share this dance with all of you. Dance of the Leaf is a must read! When you find yourself needing a little inspiration pick up the book and flip to any poem, read it and reflect on it for the day and for the rest of the week. Lynn’s poems are like passages filled with energy and inspiration.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Lynn Torre
Financial Transitions LTD
Dance of the Leaf
22W132 Butterfield Road
Glen Ellyn, IL  60137

www.FinancialTransitionsLtd.com
www.DanceoftheLeaf.com

Follow Dance of the Leaf on Facebook and YouTube.

Order your copy Today!

Looking for something to spruce up your wardrobe? Going to another Holiday party but your one little black dress has been worn time and time again? Want to find something rare and warm that no else has?  Then head on over to Hinsdale Furriers and Formally Hers, here you will find an outfit for your next special event, without breaking the bank. 

A few months back my niece was in need of a gown for a pageant and after countless hours of shopping and trying on gown after gown at bridal stores she wasn’t able to find anything trendy yet eloquent.  I told her about Formally Hers and at first she was hesitant, but she gave it a shot. The first dress she saw and tried on she fell in love with.  It was the perfect color for her, trendy for her age with a taste of eloquence.

On this stop I hope you enjoy your experience with Susie’s stores just as much as my family has.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

What inspired you to start your businesses?
Hinsdale Furriers is truly a family owned and operated business that has been located in Hinsdale, IL since 1952 and is currently owned by third generation owner, Susie Duboe Bryant.

In 1927, Susie’s grandfather began a furrier business in the State & Lake Building in Chicago.  Her father brought the business to Hinsdale in 1952 and Susie took ownership in 1982. The shop is currently managed by the fourth generation of the family, Melissa Waters.

Can you describe your store as if I knew nothing about it or the market?
Hinsdale Furriers is a full service furrier offering onsite cleaning, glazing, storage, repairs, remodeling, alterations and appraisals for furs.  They take great care with each and every garment that is brought into Hinsdale Furriers, making sure it stays in the best condition possible for as long as possible.

Hinsdale Furriers offers a large selection of new furs and shearlings at competitive prices.  Often times if they do not have exactly what you are looking for, they can order or make it for you.

They also have a section of the store called “This Old Fur” where they take gently used furs on consignment and sell them at unbelievably affordable prices.

What’s one big thing you want people to take away from when they visit your stores?
The atmosphere at Hinsdale Furriers is friendly and honest.  We hope that people leave us with a sense of trust and warmth.  We try to educate our customers so that they can make the best decisions possible for themselves.  We provide an honest opinion along with quality products.  It’s our excellent customer service that sets us apart from the rest.

Just like the adventure that Lisa takes you on in her books Lisa and I have our own adventure to share. I met Lisa a few months back at a local Author’s group, Author! Author!, where she announced Book #2 – The Unearthing, and asked if anyone would be interested in a pre-view of the book before it hits the stands and I just about jumped out of my seat to grab one for my 10 year old daughter.

The next day over breakfast I shared the book with my daughter and with the strangest look on her face she said, “Mom I know these characters.” I of course did not believe her because how could she, we don’t have Book #1 – The Arrival, in our family library. After bantering back and forth my daughter turned to me and said, “Mom I KNOW these characters….   Remember back in Kindergarten my friend had her Aunt come read to us a story… (puzzled and in shock that she remembers kindergarten but cannot remember to put her clothes away)  again I didn’t believe her.  So, I contacted Lisa and asked her if I could share this strange story with her, and wouldn’t you know it……… It was Lisa that came to my daughters’ class to read an insert of Book #1 – The Arrival.  From that moment my daughter and I were hooked on the Pond Punkies and enjoying the adventure of Blaze, Ace and the rest of the Pond Punkies together.

This is truly a book for all ages that has imagination and likes to get away from reality for a bit and enjoy an adventure.

This is a GREAT STOCKING STUFFER this Christmas for the kids, grab one TODAY!    CLICK HERE! 

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Let’s all get to know Lisa and her passion for being a Children’s Sci-Fi Author

What inspired you to write your book?
I really wanted to be an inventor. I was always trying to invent something. Once my son was old enough, he caught the inventing bug too. We would sit around trying to think of things to invent. One day while sitting around our pond in the backyard, my friend Sue, my son, and I came up with the idea for a toy. Not just any toy. It had to be a toy related to ponds. It would be a pond punkie action figure. I decided no one would want to play with the action figure if they didn’t know anything about pond punkies. I wanted to write a book showing where the pond punkies came from, but also try to pull in the younger reluctant boy readers. The Arrival was born!

What sparks your creativity?
I’m not sure if any one thing sparks my creativity. I have always been a creative person. I do get some ideas from my dreams. Things just pop in my head and I try to write them down before they get replaced by new things.

What’s one big thing you want people to take away from your book?
I only hope that when the kids are done reading the book that they were able to leave reality for a bit and enjoy an adventure. I would like for them to understand the special bonds of friendship and that sometimes hardships are part of that bond.

Who is the perfect reader for your book?
Second grade through fourth grade.  (Aileen’s opinion: this is a great book for all ages! I truly enjoyed reading it together with my 10 year old.) 

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Contact Information:

Lisa Riebe, Children’s Sci-Fi Author

2011 Global eBook Award Winner
2010 Indie Book Award Finalist

www.PondPunkies.com

Read Pond Punkies blog at http://www.pondpunkies.com/wordpress/  or follow on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Order your copy today - CLICK HERE!

We all know that we should be more eco-friendlier, but how?

My advice, start with your home. Our homes are our sanctuary and the more sustainable your safe haven, the more sustained you will feel in it. Deciding to make green choices in your home can be overwhelming for some, not with Green Home Experts in your neighborhood.

Maria can help educate you with making small changes that can help make a difference. Making the littlest changes to your home to be more environmentally friendly is a great start. Then focus on your increased green awareness for larger future projects. Whatever your eco-friendly needs are Green Home Experts is here to help.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Green Home Experts is an independent retailer of eco-friendly building and home supplies. We specialize in all things green to create a healthier home for you and your family.

We are your local source of sustainable products. We offer green products for cleaning, gardening and everyday living. We also supply a variety of eco-friendly paints, flooring, cabinets and construction materials. 

But there is more….. You just have to see for yourself and stop by the store, I know you won’t leave empty handed.Looking for gift ideas, check out Maria’s Green Gift Guide, something for your neighbors, co-workers, teachers and friends.

I have so much to say about Maria, but I will let her tell you herself. Here is what Maria shared with me during our interview for the countdown; I hope you are inspired and ready to Go Green!

What inspired you to start your businesses?
I worked for an organization now known as Mercy Housing Lakefront. They provided permanent, supportive housing for people who were formerly homeless. While I was on staff, we built 2 LEED-certified buildings in 2003 and 2005. As the vegetarian hybrid driver on staff, this really fed my passion. When my husband and I bought our West Loop condo, I was looking for some of the non-toxic finishes we’d put in the buildings at work. But they were impossible to find anywhere other than online. I wasn’t willing to buy a new toilet or paint online. Knowing there were a lot of frustrated homeowners like me, I wrote a business plan and from that came Green Home Experts!

Can you describe your business as if I knew nothing about it or the market?
Green Home Experts is an independently owned business, with two basic components. We are part eco-showroom and part eco-general store. So you might come in here looking for cleaning supplies, garden materials or kitchen ware. Or you might come here looking for eco-friendly flooring, paint, cabinetry, insulation, etc. We are open to all members of the public and work with homeowners, contractors, designers and architects. You don’t even have to be human to shop here—we have canine customers all the time!

What’s one big thing you want people to take away from when they visit your store?
We want people to have fun when they’re here. We want to be a joymaker in people’s lives. If you shop here, you are making better decisions for the health of your family and the planet. So you should feel good about yourself when you’re here. We’ve always got something fun going on—free workshops and demonstrations, sales, and our annual holiday party in December and anniversary party in February. There’s a coloring station here for kids, treats for dogs, and lots of laughter for everyone.

Contact Information:

  LOCATION UNTIL               NEW LOCATION
           12/31                                       as of Jan. 2012

Green Home Experts                 Green Home Experts
823 S. Oak Park Ave.                 811 S. Boulevard
Oak Park, IL 60304                   Oak Park, IL 60304

(708) 660-1GHE (1443)
GoGreen@GHExperts.com
www.GHExperts.com

Sunday:                      10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Monday:                      Closed
Tuesday – Friday:   10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday:                   10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Read Green Home Experts Ghexperts.wordpress.com blog and also follow on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Yelp Find us on SeeYouDowntown.com 

On this stop I would like to share with you this perfect holiday stocking stuffer that keeps on giving all year round.

For a $5.00 donation you will receive this 4×5 Treats for Santa recipe book that is jammed packed with homemade holiday recipes that the whole family can enjoy.  

Did I mention that all the proceeds from the purchase of this recipe book help a college student?

It does!  Mary has formed a textbook scholarship fund.

COLLEGE of DuPAGE FOUNDATION

MARY MACK TEXTBOOK SCHOLARSHIP FUND (G446)

In honor of Mary Mack’s belief in the power of education, this scholarship is offered for textbook support to students taking classes in the fall and/or spring semesters who have financial need.

Eligibility:

• May be full or part-time student at C.O.D.
• Must demonstrate financial need
• Must be a resident of District 502
• Must file FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid

Award Amount:
2 awards @ $300.00 each ($150.00 per semester Fall and Spring)

Click here for more information on C.O.D. Foundation Scholarships.

Happy Holidays!

Happy baking!

Contact Information:
To purchase a Treats for Santa recipe book contact Mary Mack at (630) 795-1910 or by mailing a 3×5 note card with your name and address with a $5.00 check to:

Mary Mack
c/o Mary Mack Textbook Scholarship Fund (G446)
915 Burlington Ave., Suite B
Downers Grove, IL 60515