Social media is no longer viewed as “kids stuff” and the social media pioneer days of My Space are long gone. Today Boomers, Gen X & Y ,corporations, brands, organizations, and associations are all embracing social media.  We are realizing that social media is a fantastic way to engage with family, friends, customers and future customers.

Everyone may be on social media but not all the generations are using “The Big 4”- Linkedin, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube- in the same manner. If you are trying to target a certain market with your social media efforts this may help you understating who is doing what on social media. If you watch  to the video you will  get a better understanding  how the each of generations are engaging in social media.

A few months ago I did a webinar with digital marketing strategist and social media junkie Chris Rash  where Chris shared  this chart showing the 7 user levels of social media.

Are you a Social Media Spectator, Joiner, Collector, Critic ,Conversationalist, a Creator …or are you all of the above!

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When I first started Jazzercise, I never imagined that I would be doing It for over 10 years! I was an exercise dabbler… I tried everything…Hot Yoga, Tai Bo, Salsa Step, even the thigh master…all for a few months and then I would quit!

Then I heard about an interesting exercise class right up the street from where I lived and I thought, “Why not?” I started going to Jane Luco’s Jazzercise in the Heights around the same time that I transitioned out of my retail career and into the speaking business.  The 5:15 class was the perfect time for me to exercise. I joyfully stopped whatever I was working on, pushed away from the computer, and got my body into action.  10 years later…Jazzercise with Jane has become a habit- it’s what I do at the end of my work day.

So what’s the draw? What has kept me on  the Jazzercise floor for over 10 years?

It’s Jane! She is unique-quirky, passionate, inspiring… and she cares about us! She wants us to enjoy the class and she wants us to all of the sets RIGHT! She’s a true teacher.

Here’s the thing- Jane gets that there is POWER in consistency!- especially when it comes to exercise. So, Jane is always there! And I along with her 200+ Jazzer-goers count on that! That’s why we show up!

Jane has built her successful business around her personal brand.  She is the draw and her direct, off-beat, humorous,and yet informative, teaching style is what differentiates her from  the pack.  Jane makes exercise personal. She knows all of our names and tries to mention everyone throughout the hour. Her commitment to her students is unmistakable and she rarely misses a class… We all just assume that she will be there each night, delivering a consistently up-beat, fun, and challenging workout. I can count on one hand the number of times in 10 years Jane has missed a class!

Then it happened

…a few weeks ago she did something to her sciatic nerve. It was just a twist that triggered something else! She had to take it easy…(like no Jane for 2 weeks!!!)  but classes went on as usual. She made sure that her 200+ followers weren’t disappointed and that they would  keep coming back.

Jane had a plan B! Simply put a Plan B is a secondary plan, in case a first plan doesn’t work.

For several years Jane has been mentoring and grooming several students who became Jazzercise instructors…with an added feature that  I like to call “The Jane Way.” Both Sarah Mitchell  and Lara Hulin have taken their cues from Jane. They are great  Jazzercise instructors and  they also share their expertise and their personalities in every routine. They both chat-it-up during the class keeping us engaged and in  full posture as our rivers of energy flow!

So Even though she wasn’t the one on the stage (she showed up and was there saying, “Hi” to all of us)   she kept the rhythm and the routines alive~Lara and Sara rocked it and the beat went on and on and on!  It wasn’t Jane upon the stage but it was  still familiar, like family- and still fun.

We all  kept coming back… and soon Jane was back on that stage…the beat goes on!

Might be time to

Get a Plan B!

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I hate to admit this but Murphy’s Law is my mantra… “What could go wrong – will go wrong” and I am often thinking in a Plan B mode.  More and more I am discovering that things are slipping through the cracks and I am on double check alert.

Am I alone here?

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A few weeks ago I was in Tampa, Florida speaking to an association on The Generations- Here’s the lesson I learned; Younger generations are changing the rules- Take a second and watch this video blog and share your thoughts on Gen Y challenging YOUR rules!

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Can you share your brand personality in just one word?

A few weeks ago I presented 4 sessions to the American Bus Association Marketplace Conference in Grapevine, Texas.  There were over 3000 attendees at the conference! After being with these fantastic people for 3 days here’s what we discovered about their brand personality!  We got it down to just 1 word!

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Kris Mitzner   www.thinkbeforeyoulink.com

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December is historically a “slow” month for many Speakers, Consultants, Coaches and Authors and it’s a great opportunity invest TIME in Growing your Business. Crystal and Karen have created this program customized for Speakers, Consultants and Authors and will share secrets and time-saving tips that will help you book more business, sell more books, and create a social media marketing plan positioning you for success in 2012!   93% of marketers use Social Media for Business…do you?

In this 3 hour session designed for  Houston area Speakers, Authors, Coaches and  Consultants. Karen and Crystal will share:

• Their LISTS: Who to follow;  Bloggers, Bureaus, Influencers
• Getting more web traffic
  
• How to get an immediate overflow of followers. (Advanced Social Media)
• How to “set it and forget it” – A posting strategy that will save you hours while driving content
• How to measure your Social Media progress
• How to get “the right” followers  and a list of who to follow to grow your business
• How to sell more books using a powerful tool that few authors know how to leverage. LinkedIn is one of the best-kept book marketing secrets in the publishing world –
• How to get noticed by the “right people”
  

The Best Part- EVERYONE will leave with a physical social media strategy- a simple to follow action plan to guide you to success!

and lastly we will share

• The #1 social media tip you must do when you are in front of an audience that will grow your following and visibility faster than you can imagine.

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Thanksgiving is that special time of year when families are suppose to gather and give thanks for their blessing. And, while we love the idea of being with our relatives and in-laws, being around family members for any length of time can create tension.  Then, when you add to the mix travel, weather, the actual cooking the meal, figuring out who can eat what, who sits where…stress mounts and sometimes our words can add tension.

When we are with family, buttons get pushed; our filters come down and we revert to old patterns and we say things that we wouldn’t ordinary say…

Don’t be that guy, gal or mother-in-law  who makes things AWKWARD this Thanksgiving!

Here are a few suggestions of  “What not-to-say “this  Thanksgiving…and be sure and add some that come to mind

1.    When are you moving out?

2.   Who’s the father?

3.   What’s different about you?

4.    When are you going to make me a grandma?

5.   When are you going to get a real job?

6.    You’re wearing that!

7.    Honey, What’s in this stuffing? It’s not like my mothers.

8.    Glenn Beck said…

9.     While watching football do NOT mention Penn State.

10.   You didn’t thaw the turkey!

11.   Where’s the Cool Whip?

12.    I’m allergic to cats.

13.  You’re having seconds?

12.  How many calories are in this?

13.  Can I unbutton my pants?

14. We ran out of coffee

14. Forget that poison hype – birds were meant to be stuffed!

15.  Are you dating anyone yet?

16.  When’s the baby due?

17.  Have you been sick?

18. Hey how ‘bout that “Super Committee”

19.  I’m a Vegan

20.  You deep fried what?

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