![\"October](\"https:\/\/www.rocksdigital.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/october-must-knows-fb.jpg\")
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October was a busy month for Rocks Digital. Our contributors had a lot to say! We welcomed new contributors aboard and welcomed back many dedicated ones. Keep reading for a glimpse into each of the 19 posts we published. You\u2019ll definitely want to click each link and get more on the topics represented.<\/p>\n
How Not to Stink at Social Selling<\/span><\/p>\n Using Social Media to sell (and do it well) isn\u2019t easy. Harley David Rubin shares some pointers<\/a> on the right way to sell on the \u201cbig three\u201d platforms (Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn).<\/p>\n Wrangle Your Reputation<\/span><\/p>\n Moosa Hemani offers practical tips on practicing good reputation management<\/a> hygiene. Remember, a thousand compliments can be destroyed by one wicked complaint. Reputation Management skills are a must-have tool in a business owner\u2019s toolbox.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Your Feed Shouldn\u2019t Feed a Tragedy<\/span><\/p>\n You should be keeping an eye on what you post every day, but on a day when tragedy strikes, do you have a plan<\/a> to suspend your scheduled posts? You should. Roxanne Roark reminds us why keeping an eye on the news and your timelines is a must for protecting your brand.<\/p>\n Click To Tweet<\/a><\/p>\n The Keys to Locking in Your LinkedIn Marketing<\/span><\/p>\n Are you leveraging LinkedIn well, or are you experiencing a failure to communicate? Moss Clement explains how a little tweaking<\/a> and some killer content can jump-start your lead generation. Optimize, Create, Join <\/em>is your new LinkedIn mantra!<\/p>\n Trendy Email Marketing Tactics<\/span><\/p>\n Remember when email was just a way to avoid having to make cold calls? Helga Zabalkanskaya<\/a> shared some top trends to help you get the most<\/a> from your email marketing. Add some bells and whistles, a stylish signature and a quick video, and make your list the place to be!<\/p>\n Luring Influencers as a Brand Growing Strategy<\/span><\/p>\n If your brand needs a boost, Veleisa Burrell tells you how to let an influencer take your brand \u201chostage\u201d and share your story with their followers. A social superstar influencer (or their super-savvy wrangler) can amplify your brand<\/a> and boost your social credibility. Plus, you get to hang out with the cool kids! Win-win!<\/p>\n Click To Tweet<\/a><\/p>\n Is There Fun in Your Funnel?<\/span><\/p>\n No, you don\u2019t need to visit your kitchen when we\u2019re talking about funnels. Kim Starry demystifies sales funnels<\/a> and even color-codes it for you! (Infographics make business jargon more palatable, right?) Who knew cooking up new business could be so much fun?<\/p>\n Branding Guides Keep Your Brand Personality Safe<\/span><\/p>\n Do you have a branding strategy? Is it documented somewhere, or is it just in your head? Victoria Roseberry helps us understand what a branding guide is<\/a>, why we need it, and how it will keep Myrtle in Marketing from making a mess of your slick new brochures while you\u2019re at the \u201cconvention\u201d in Fiji.<\/p>\n Social Media Productivity Solutions & Procrastination Slayers<\/span><\/p>\n Before you fall down the social media rabbit hole again, check out Tanya Smith\u2019s techniques for blasting social media blues<\/a>! Don\u2019t do it if you don\u2019t love it \u2013\u00a0there\u2019s a lot of people out there to whom you can outsource. Document your way to FREEDOM!<\/p>\n Click To Tweet<\/a><\/p>\n Back in My Day (A Look at Integrated Marketing History)<\/span><\/p>\n Ahh, the good old days of direct mail, print ads and celebrity PR appearances! Now we have banner ads, blogs, and the elusive art of Search Engine Optimization. Harley David Rubin walks you down Integrated Marketing memory lane<\/a>, while reminding us that it\u2019s always been about making sure consumers get the message.<\/p>\n Create Customer Allies to Boost Your Brand<\/span><\/p>\n Responding well to negative reviews is just one (hopefully tiny) part of your company\u2019s social strategy. You should be concentrating, though, on identifying and creating customer advocates<\/a> who will be the champions of your brand. Matthew Hellinger sheds light on the proper cultivation and care of your brand\u2019s best friends.<\/p>\n Look! You Can Use Social to Boost Your Biz!<\/span><\/p>\n While it\u2019s certainly OK to stick with the \u201cbig three\u201d social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn), if you are creative you can also find clever uses for Instagram and Pinterest. Yes, even if your business isn\u2019t selling pretty products! In this post, I look at outside-the-box ways to share snapshots of your business<\/a>, even if you think it isn\u2019t picture-perfect.<\/p>\n Click To Tweet<\/a><\/p>\n Platform Paralysis \u2013 How to Pick Your Social Media Home<\/span><\/p>\n There are a lot of social media platforms out there, and it seems everyone has an opinion on which one you MUST be on. Stevan McGrath helps us slog through the murky social media swamp<\/a> and get to where your target audience can find you. No vine-swinging necessary!<\/p>\n The Journey to Conversion<\/span><\/p>\n How do you get your client from discovery to purchase? Helen Cartwright has drawn us a map to make sure we can easily get our potential clients from point A to point B<\/a>. From relationship building to crafting your CTA we\u2019ll stay on the right path, while making sure that getting there is AT LEAST half the fun!\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Great Goals Start SMART!<\/span><\/p>\n Goals are a spark that, without some motivation, will fizzle out and be lost in the sea of if-only<\/em>. John Carroll helps fan the flame of momentum<\/a> that will ignite your passion for obtaining your goals! Put on your game FACE and grab the brass ring.<\/p>\n Click To Tweet<\/a><\/p>\n Engage! (Not Just For Starship Captains\u2026)<\/span><\/p>\n Creating connections and building relationships on social media is the goal. But you need to make sure it\u2019s a dialogue, and not just you shouting into the void. Mark Toney shares the pillars of power<\/a> for getting the most from social media with eight simple strategies.<\/p>\n Robotics, AI and Automation \u2013 Oh My!<\/span><\/p>\n The robot invasion is nigh! Well OK, maybe not. But more and more businesses are implementing the use of Artificial Intelligence (chat bots, for instance) and automating functions to make things more efficient and cost-effective. Catherine Park shares how innovation and automation<\/a> are helping businesses do more with their resources. (I hope it\u2019s awhile before the bots start blogging.<\/em>)<\/p>\n Click To Tweet<\/a><\/p>\n Don\u2019t Let the Sick Bug Get You Down!<\/span><\/p>\n Are you germ-a-phobic? Maybe you should be! With all the sneezing, sniffling and coughing heading our way, we need to AMP up our immunities<\/a>. Clint Fuqua shares witty and helpful verses on how to rise above sickness and recover if the bug catches you this season.<\/p>\n Verified Business Listings Have Winning Benefits<\/span><\/p>\n Are you a business owner? Do you have a brick-and-mortar location? Are your listings claimed \u2013\u00a0and is your data correct? The #QueenofLocalSEO, Bernadette Coleman, shares all the winning benefits for business<\/a>, consumers and the community that result when that data is claimed, corrected, and optimized!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n#SocialMedia and Reputation Done Right! @HDRubin, @MMHemani and @R3SocialMedia shares!<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n#LinkedIn, #Email and #Influencer Insights for You by @MosClement, @NewOldStamp and @veleisap<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n#Sales, #Branding and #SocialMedia according to @KStarry, @v_roseber and @TanyaSmithOnline<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n#Marketing, #Reviews and #Social w\/ @HDRubin, @BuzzTools and @LauraDarkstar to build #business<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n#SocialMedia, ROI and #Goals to get more biz! Tks @McgrathStevan, @helenc2382 and @TresCoach<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n#SocialMedia Engagement, #Robotics and #AI! Thoughts from @LuceMedia and @CatherineJPark<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n