Community sells. Members discuss shared interests – hobbies, travel, politics, medical conditions, favorite foods, you name it. They create their own buzz and ‘user-generated’ content about their favorite products and services. They recommend things to one another – everything from the cars they drive and the restaurants they frequent to the places they travel for vacation. Think about it: Are you more likely to purchase something based on the recommendation of a salesperson or a family member or friend?

You belong to communities already – your family and friends, your neighborhood, perhaps a school or church or a professional organization. All of these communities can help you research popular products and services and spread the word about what you do and the products and services you sell.

You can tap the full potential of these communities, extend them, access different communities, and even create new communities online via social media sites, including two of the most popular: Facebook and Twitter.

Getting Connected on Facebook

Facebook was created for college students to keep in touch but has expanded to serve a variety of communities – from extended families to alumni groups, fan clubs, advocacy organizations, and everything in between.

After you join Facebook (membership is free) and create a personal profile, you can then invite people to become your “friends.” Other members can invite you to become their friends or request to be your friend, but both members must consent. Only friends have access to one another’s profiles and other content they choose to share. As soon as you have a few friends, you can communicate with them in the following ways:

• Post a message on your “wall” for all your friends to see. Messages can include text, photos, links, video clips, or birthday wish lists.
• Join or create a “group” and share content with members of that group. Groups may include thousands of members.
• Email friends for more private discussions.

Tip: If you must sell, soft-sell. Facebook is a social site, not a sales site. Posting a short message about a product or service you like (and perhaps have for sale) is acceptable, as long as you don’t abuse the privilege. If you wouldn’t do it at a family or class reunion, don’t do it on Facebook.

Facebook is good for:

• Getting a better feel for popular trends
• Identifying potential opportunities
• Promoting items for sale (soft-sell only)
• Letting friends know about your website or blog
• Notifying your friends of a new post on your blog
• Connecting with people who share your interests

Facebook is not good for:

• Hard-sell advertising
• Sales pitches

Keeping in Touch with Twitter

On Twitter, the question of the day, every day, 24 hours a day is this: What are you doing? And on Twitter, millions of members are constantly in the process of updating that question and reading other people’s answers.

Each Twitter update is considered a “tweet” and is limited to 140 characters. Members can post messages using an Internet-enabled computer or via cell phone or a third-party application. Messages tend to be simple and direct, and conversations move along quickly.

You can also send private, “direct” messages when you don’t want to share with the entire Twitter community. For example, if a person has a public question about a business, and you did not want to share your answer with the whole world, you can reply directly so that it would be seen only by that individual.

Spotting Popular Topics and Trends

Tweets are archived, and you can search them at www.search.twitter.com. This is a great way to identify popular topics, market trends, and individuals who are most actively involved in various topics of interest.

Attracting Your Own Following

When people find someone interesting on Twitter, they “follow” the individual. Typically, your “followers” can see all the tweets you create instantly – if they are either at their computer or they have their cell phones or third-party Web applications set to receive your messages. If not, your messages get buried by newer tweets.

By looking at a Twitter user’s profile, you can see all the people they follow and all of their followers.

You can tag your account with up to three terms that describe your interests. To tag your account and find others who share your interests, visit www.wefollow.com.

Tip: One way to grow your list of followers is to put a Twitter badge on your website. Twitter supplies the code, so you can install it yourself. The badge shows visitors your latest messages and lets them see you are involved and current. It also gives them a way to follow you in the future.

Many Twitter users feel it’s polite to follow anyone who follows them. Some automate the process by using a free service such as TweetLater (www.tweetlater.com). If you follow a large number of people, a large percentage of them will auto-follow you, increasing your list of followers.

Recognizing Tweeter’s Marketing Limitations

Marketers have yet to figure out a way to successfully monetize Twitter. Some say if you have a huge list of followers, you can tweet about your business and drive sales. While there are some success stories, they are the exception. Consider using Twitter more for eavesdropping on discussions to find out what’s hot and what’s not.

Twitter is good for:

• Spotting trends
• Connecting with trendsetters and keeping up with their latest activities
• Notifying people of a new item for sale or post on your blog
• Getting quick answers to questions through informal polls
• Maintaining contact with people in your field of interest

Twitter is not good for:

• Driving substantial sales although it can be used to drive traffic which in turn can become huge sales
• Replacing a website or blog
• Developing loyal customers and solid business relationships
• Creating lasting content that people will read in the future

Learn more about twitter here:  http://adamginsbergblog.com/category/twitter/

Supplements, Not Replacements

Both Facebook and Twitter should be considered helpful tools to supplement your current business. Neither of them can replace your website or blog. They can however, increase awareness, drive traffic to your website or blog, and establish you as a credible source of information in a particular subject area (if what you’re sharing is credible).

Facebook and Twitter are free and relatively easy to use. Take some time to sign up, create your profile, and get connected. In time, you too will gather many friends and followers and have a community in place to clue you in on what’s popular and do some of your sales and marketing for you.

Find Adam Ginsberg on Facebook Here: http://facebook.com/adamginsberg.com

Follow Adam Ginsberg on Twitter Here: http://twitter.com/adamginsberg

Yes, it’s true. I travel a lot. I meet incredible people from all walks of life - many of whom are looking to make a change.  And, in today’s economic climate, change is good.

I travel more than anyone I know.  And, since most of my travel is internationally based these days I spend more time on an airplane than anyone I know.  So much so that I have decided to write the official Adam Ginsberg Travel Survial Guide.

About 18 months ago I received a new passport.  Today there are less than 2 pages left for Customs stamps.  And, part of the fun of travel is definitely getting your passport stamps.

To see a my partial schedule for 2009, go to AdamWorldTour.com - I say partial because I haven’t updated my travel schedule on that site lately.

Let me give you an example…

A few weeks ago I was in New Zealand speaking at a live seminar for 120o people.  I needed to be home for my daughter’s elementary school graduation so I left Auckland at 8PM (local time) and flew to Los Angeles…a 14 hour flight.  I arrive at 1:00 PM the same day (due to time change), attended the graduation and then went back to the airport for a flight to Melbourne Australia.  That’s another 17 hour flight.  So I was on the plane for almost 32 hours and on the ground for less than 7.  THAT was a fun trip - but family always comes first!

So, I can tell you the best time to get to the airport, the best lines to stand in, how to get the best prices on airline tickets and how to get seat upgrades. I’m going to share stories about airport lounges, famous people I’ve met in airport lounges (and sat next to on planes) and how to make friends and do business with the people you sit next to for 14 hours on an international flight.

You’ll discover how to pack, what you can bring on the plane and what you need to check in - and no I’m not talking about the 3 oz liquid limitation.

Where should you sit on the plane and how do you get the most comfortable seats? Did you want an extra meal on the flght or perhaps just more ice cream for desert?  Should you order a special meal? What do you need to bring to make sure you have enough power for your laptop for 12 hours. Does your PSP truly need to be turned off for take off?

In The Official Aam Ginsberg Travel Survival Guide I’ll talk about hotel stays, how to get upgraded hotel rooms and what to do when you forget to make a room reservation. You’ll discover how to travel and NEVER get jet lag.  Yes, 14 hour flights with 17 hour time changes and no jet lag. 40 hours of flying in a 60 hour time frame…From Los Angeles to Singapore and back to Los Angeles in a weekend!

This is not your run of the mill “how to” guide - The Official Adam Ginsberg Travel Survial Guide will have amazing insights into the incredible world of global travel and how you to can become a savy traveler.  It will also be easy to read, funny and heck, you might even learn something too.

Stay tuned for details…

Why is does negative new media sell so well?

Does anyone really care about Kate and Jon - and is anyone surprised they are getting divorced?  Or are they?

How did Oprah become the most powerful woman in America?

I really enjoy watching the UFC - it makes the WWE seem so “fake”.

Speaking of the UFC, does anyone really think that Frank Mir has any chance of defeating Brock Lesnar in UFC 100?

UFC 100 - holy shit…I remember watching the first UFC in my living room in Vancouver, BC.

I’m commuting to London, UK for the next three weekends.

When will President Obama take a real stand on the situation in Iran?

It’s not new news that politicians have affairs - but it does seem that more and more are getting caught regardless of whether they are Democrat or Republican…sex has no political boundaries.

At dinner last night I had to wait 45 minutes for my steak to cook. But, when it was cooked wrong they brought me a replacement steak in less than 6 minutes.

Does anyone really think Sarah Palin has a chance to become the next US President?

I love my new iPhone 3GS.

Wishing Steve Jobs a speedy recover from his liver transplant surgery.

Speaking of speed recoveries it would be great to see Farrah Fawcett gets well soon!

I get the privilege of traveling around the world teaching people how to make money on eBay and the Internet. I have met some amazing people from all walks of life that have achieved incredible success - many of whom had never sold anything online before we had met.

In the economic climate we live in, it’s more important than ever to take control of your own financial future - and there’s no better way to do this than by having an online business.

Does everyone make millions? No.  Is it easy? No. Do people blame others for their failures? Yes. One of my favorite quotes is:

“It’s never the bus, it’s the bus driver”.

Whether someone learns from me or some other “guru” online - and there’s plenty of them these days - all we can do is provide you with the insights, strategies, techniques, tools and systems for success.  But if you want to make money on eBay - or you want to make online…or you simply want to make money, you must put in the effort.

And, effort is only one part of the equation. You must have the right attitude, you can’t give up and you have to take responsibility for your own actions.

Listen up and pay attention - NOT everyone is going to be successful because not everyone is willing to do what it takes. Period. There isn’t anyone that can’t make a change in their life if they are provided with the right direction AND they have the desire and will power to move forward even when it’s not going their way.

Heck, I get my share of emails that say “I tried your program and it hasn’t worked for me yet”. And, I can understand the frustration that occurs when starting a new venture - particularly for someone who is learning something for the very first time. Even though the process might be simple - the effort it requires to sometimes make it happen isn’t always easy.

On the flip side, it’s incredibly rewarding when I hear from students that are truly getting what they want in their life - and what they deserve - as a result of an experience we’ve had together.  Recently I was in Sydney Australia where I was approached by Richard - a student who attended one of my 3 day workshops about three years ago.

At that time, Richard had 15 eBay feedback and was struggling financially. Today, Richard has more than 1500 feedback and is selling $100,000+ a month on eBay.

Aha, I’m sure the skeptics are saying!$100,000+ a month is sales - I wonder how much profit he’s making? Let’s say this - Richard is doing very, very, very well financially.

Note to self - why is it that it’s those skeptics that are not successful and always blame others for their failures…

Here’s a comment I just received on my facebook profile - you can read it yourself here: http://facebook.com/adamginsberg

Thanks Adam!

Adam… I read your book. Started ebay two months ago and I have 66 positive feedbacks and 100%. I am working on getting a steady supply of inventory which is tough. Selling and buying on ebay is easy (hard work - YES) but you have all the tools you need… THANKS again for a great book… it’s helped me. I have attained my first goal … Next is to become a Power Seller!

Matt Threlfall

And here’s a great email I recently received:

Hi Adam, Just wanted to let you know that We have over 3,500 POSITIVE FEED BACK, in 26 months from first attending your EBAY CLASS!

Thanks,

Gary Swaney

Sometimes students will ask me why I do what I do.  Well, there are many reasons, but one reason is that it’s incredibly rewarding to see people change their lives in such positive ways.

If you have your own success story, I’d love to hear it - just post it on this page!

I have had a chance to use Bing.com to search the web and I’m very impressed.  In reality, it beats Google in important areas. It will help Microsoft gain share in the search business. It’s surprisingly competitive with Google. It’s simple, easy, intuitive and fun to use.

Bing has only been available to the public for a short time and is already gaining market share.  Beginning June 3rd Bing became Microsoft’s new default search. Here’s a couple of facts, insights and thoughts about Bling search.

In search presentation, Bing wins. It uses technology to display refined versions of your query down the left side of the page. For example, I searched for the game “iPhone 3Gs” on Google and Bing. While Google gave me good results, Bing gave me a menu of “related searches,” that included Walkthrough, News, and so on.

Bing also shows a useful “Related Searches” box.

Bing has pop ups that show an excerpt of the text on a search result if you hover over it. This saves a lot of time if you’re not quite sure if you want to follow a result.

In the content of search results, Bing is not consistently superior to Google. In many searches I did (not the sample searches Microsoft sent me), the Google results were more relevant and useful. Not by miles, mind you, but in many cases Google delivered the goods just enough better than Bing to make me question the wisdom of adopting Bing as a replacement search engine. Just one example: Searching for “Best house paint for humid climates” gave me better advice links at the top of the search results with Google than with Bing.

When searching for product reviews, Google’s search result pages were just slightly better than Bing’s — although, again, not by a lot. However, Bing also collates user and expert reviews on many products, and this gives you a great overview. This feature doesn’t always show up, though; and I wouldn’t even have known about it had it not been for the Wired review of Bing.

When you want to shop for an item, both services have very strong “shopping” tabs that organize results well. Google gives you seller ratings, which Bing doesn’t. But Bing offers a cashback program, which is hard to beat.

And in some searches, Bing won on results outright. When searching for “Facebook sandberg” on Google, the top link was a story from 2008. On Bing, the top item was “News about facebook sandberg” with three sublinks to very recent articles. When searching for “Obama Supreme Court,” Google did show news results, but the top link was a day-old story. Bing’s was from 32 minutes ago.

To be fair to Google, you can also click through to Google News on any result and sort results by date. But that’s extra clicks. Bing is more aggressive about including news.

All search engines have their strengths, and many of Bing’s lie in areas where Microsoft has its own content companies. For example, Microsoft owns the airfare prediction service Farecast, and it includes Farecast buying advice whenever you search for airplane travel. Bing also displays some medical data inside the search engine itself.

Bing also does very well in at least one area where Google should do better. The video search result page for “Thomas Jefferson” in Google gives you a vertical list of videos. On Bing, you get a big grid that’s easier to scan, and a list of related videos on the left for “George Washington,” “James Madison,” and so on. The search results are about equivalent, but Bing’s presentation is far superior.

You should use Bing

As I said, it’s fun, intuitive AND different.  After using Google for so many years it’s nice to have a different search experience.  The new game in search is parsing information and displaying it in the engine itself (see Wolfram Alpha for the extreme example of this). Both Google and Bing, and other search products, have areas where they will collate and format information for you, instead of just linking you to external pages where the data reside. Bing does an extremely good job at this in several popular areas — like product reviews, movie listings, weather, travel, and stock prices.

While the service doesn’t reveal all its riches at once, it rewards exploration and yields pleasant surprises to users who poke around.

Google keeps improving in the area of in-search collation and display as well, but Bing makes Google look complacent, and that’s not good for Google. For the moment, Bing’s on top in this game. Try this search engine. I do not think you will regret it.

Check it out at http://bing.com