By now, most businesses understand the value of social media, but see the time commitment as too overwhelming.  While interacting and updating social networks is certainly time consuming, there are also some Web-based tools that efficiently streamline the work and cut time spent on social media.  There are dozens – if not hundreds – of options that will schedule updates and provide support, but I wanted to share our top two favorite social media tools that provide management and monitoring functions:

1.  HootSuite

This application simplifies managing multiple accounts across several social networks.  It syncs with Twitter, Facebook (profiles and pages), LinkedIn, Ping.fm, Foursquare, MySpace, and WordPress.  Hootsuite includes a box for posting updates and easily allows for URL shortening, and file and photo uploads. One of the most useful functions is analytics to track and report link statistics. Today, it rolled out a whole new look and features (as seen in the screenshots below).

Standout features: link statistics, tabbed layout, viewing user info within the dashboard, and it’s totally free

2.  SocialOomph

We began using this program before Hootsuite when it was called TweetLater.  Social Oomph has a basic (free) service and a professional ($29.97/month) upgrade. The basic level only works with Twitter, while the professional option syncs with Facebook (profiles and pages), a variety of blogging platforms, and Ping.fm.

Standout features: scheduling blog updates, view all scheduled updates for all accounts at once, friend/follower management, tweetcockpit

While scheduling and pushing out postings of information is one key element of social media, don’t forget that social networking is two-way dialogue. These tools cannot alleviate the necessary time investment in interacting and engaging with other users.

Do you agree with our top social media management choices? Let us know which ones you find most useful.

Over the past couple months, the Bolt team has enjoyed speaking at several seminars, classes and events, but we’ve noticed that there is rarely enough time to answer all of the questions and provide individualized advice.  As an alternative, we’ve decided to host our own “Publicity Basics for Small Businesses” workshops this summer.

The first workshop, “Perfecting the Press Release”, is this Wednesday, June 9, from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. at our offices in Carlsbad. You’ll learn the anatomy of a press release, topics that are considered newsworthy, and how to create search engine optimized press releases for the Web. Please BYOL (bring your own laptop), as you’ll begin drafting your own press release during the workshop with hands-on coaching from agency experts. The workshop is limited to six attendees and spots will fill quickly, so register now at http://pressreleaseworkshop.eventbrite.com/ or click on button below.

About the Workshops:

Bolt PR is hosting a series of six, hands-on workshops to help you grow your business through PR and social media. Ideal for solo entrepreneurs, business owners, or marketing directors looking to expand their understanding of publicity in the digital age, each workshop is limited to six professionals in order to create a personalized learning environment.  Attendees are encouraged to bring their own laptops.  The cost to attend Publicity Basics for Small Businesses is $89 per workshop, or $450 for a summer pass to attend all six in the series.

June 23

• Publicizing the Press Release: http://pressreleaseworkshop2.eventbrite.com/

July 7

• LinkedIn - Connecting Beyond the Basic Profile: http://linkedinconnectingworkshop.eventbrite.com/

July 21

• Facebook: Get “Liked” and Create Loyal Customers

August 4

• Twitter: Tips, Tricks & Serious Strategy

August 18

• Integration: Save Time & Streamline Publicity Strategies

More information about the workshops to come.  Please contact me (Anne Carr) with any questions at (760) 918-0834 or anne (at) boltpr (dot) com.

What workshops should we add for this Fall? Let us know by leaving a comment.

Caroline and I (Anne) had the pleasure of speaking about some basic online PR strategies for this month’s “Third Thursdays at Kravet San Diego” event this morning to a wonderful group of interior designers.  We discussed branding, how to use LinkedIn as a visibility tool, and creating online press releases to provide easy-to-implement strategies for increased exposure. We have posted our powerpoint presentation below as a resource for event attendees and anyone else looking to create awareness for their business.

Please feel free to leave a comment or email us with any questions.