Be Social Be Rich

Guest interview today – enjoy!

Martha Giffen speaks out on social media marketing and her book, “Be Social Be Rich”.

What is your personal definition of “social media marketing”?

My definition of social media marketing is reaching out to others and expanding my sphere of influence.

How do you leverage social media to build your business?

Well, the wonderful thing about social media platforms is they give you so many different ways to get your message out.  The internet is truly a “web” and the more places you interact with people, socially, the more intertwined in the web you become.  Others begin to see your work, like it, and refer their friends and clients to you.

Congratulations on your book!  What prompted you to become a published author?

You know, “Be Social Be Rich” isn’t my first book!  Ok, it’s my first solo book, but I got the bug when I was a contributing author to two other books, the latest being “Money From Anywhere” with Pat O’Bryan and a host of other influential marketers.

What were your greatest challenges in getting your book into the marketplace?

My challenges are always personal.  My personality is such that I usually create my own obstacles and this was no different.  Writing the book was the easy part.  Putting myself “out there” was a little more challenging.  You know, when you do something new for the first time, that self-doubt can sometimes seem like a mountain!

In fact, I have a chapter about it in “Be Social Be Rich”.  I thought it was that important!  It’s entitled “Taking Risks” and I am honest about how it shows up in my own life and what I do about it.  I think many readers will relate.

What are you hoping will be your readers’ biggest takeaways from reading “Be Social Be Rich”?

I’m hoping that they will increase profits to their business, of course, but I also hope they will begin to enjoy their own network and find that it’s fun connecting with others.  There’s a “richness” that comes into your life with your social sphere.  I would hope they would find the truth in that.  Of course, increasing the bottom line is a great perk!

In what ways do you plan to use your book as a marketing tool?

Books always give the author more credibility.  At least, if you write an informational book, which this is.  I will use it to increase my own business (imagine that!) and use the enhanced visibility to expand my social networking, teaching programs, and speaking gigs.

What’s next for Martha Giffen?  What can we look forward to seeing from you in the future?

My passion is helping others. I enjoy encouraging and motivating people to be successful entrepreneurs.  You can look forward to seeing more top-notch programs and books to help and inspire new biz owners on their way to a lucrative business.

Martha Giffen is the author of “Be Social Be Rich”.  She has built a successful online biz using social networking as her focus.  A popular blogger, Martha dishes out plenty of southern charm as she helps entrepreneurs build their own lucrative businesses using her proven formula. You can find her at  MarthaGiffen.com

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  • How can I incorporate social media into my small business marketing effort?
    What are some ways to use Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites to spread the word about my business? Thanks

  • Thanks for your book review.THis is very interesting and useful book that I need now because I can get much information from this

    • Thanks for stopping by, Haley, and I know Martha’s book is right for you if you’re needing some help with social media marketing.

      Give it a read!

  • Hi Mel
    “Be Social Be Rich”
    Good title – like it.

    Interesting change in format to go with the interview, don’t know Martha Giffen, but I’m all for a bit of Southern Charm.

    You know me and SMM so I guess I’m stony broke. LOL

    However, I am beginning to wonder if your SMM brought me all those comments – Mmmm.

    • Wow – I can’t believe this, Keith …

      You haven’t met Martha yet?! She’s a hoot! The two of you conversing on a blog would be a riot. 🙂

      Get over to her blog and introduce yourself. She’d love to meet you.

      Yes, I know you and SMM. What’s it going to take? How can I convince you to cross over? Name your bribe.

      Oh, and before I forget …

      Are we EVER going to see that illustrious “impromptu speech” info you mentioned several weeks ago? When you get around to producing it, I promise I’ll use every SMM trick I know to get people over to your blog to read it. 🙂

      Mel

      • I’m on my way over Mel purely on your recommendation.
        You’ve never let me down.

        Time is my big problem with SMM.
        I know how powerful it is but with follow bloggers like you and Theresa and Tom’s boyish good looks, who needs SMM? LOL

        BTW – Barack Obama is in the UK at the moment, heard one of his speeches – knockout.
        He has Iris relatives and he began his speech in Ireland with…

        ““Hello Dublin, Hello Ireland.
        My name is Barack Obama, of the Moneygall Obama’s, and I’ve come home to find the apostrophe that we lost somewhere along the way.”

        How clever is that.

        He really is very popular in the UK.

        • Hey Keith,

          I don’t generally do political commentary but I will say this …

          Perhaps President Obama should remain in the UK. He seems to be tickling a lot more funny bones there than he is here. 🙂

          I wonder who the genius is who writes his stuff? LOL

          Mel

        • Hi Keith! Melanie is the expert connector. If she says we should connect. . . . we SHOULD! I’ll look for you in the blogosphere 🙂

          • Personally, Martha and Keith …

            I can’t wait till the two of you meet!

            What do you get when you add wit + more wit? I don’t know. But we’re going to find out when you two get together! LOL! 🙂

  • First of all, congratulations Martha! You are so awesome 🙂

    Melanie, thanks for getting Martha to share more about her book. I agree that there is a lot of richness in being social. I love getting to know others in the blogosphere and it has been very rewarding. Not financially yet but that will come!

    Thank you both for enriching my life and blogging experience!

    • I agree with your comment, Diana — “There is a lot of richness in being social.”

      And Martha is someone who can show others just how rich they can be!

      I might be a little partial, but …

      I find bloggers to be some of the best people to network with when it comes to understanding, navigating, and implementing social media. Bloggers are great at building community. 🙂

      Thanks for joining in the conversation,
      Melanie

      • Ya’ll are so right! And I am richly blessed by knowing you both!

        • Diana,

          Don’t stray too far from Martha’s side …

          Eventually, some of her sparkle is going to land on us! 🙂

  • I really enjoyed this interview, Melanie. I read Martha’s book earlier this week and was very impressed with it.
    I am sure Martha has a very bright future in the world of social media marketing and I look forward to her upcoming products.

    • You’re a real action-taker, Janette!

      And I have a feeling you’re a “speed reader”, too. 🙂

      Of all my online book-review friends, I’m happy YOU got a preview copy of Martha’s book. And it’s great to hear you were impressed with it.

      Thanks for sharing!

      Melanie

      • I am so humbled by all the support here. Everyone has been a big part of “why” I am successful. And, remember one of the biggest tips in my book is: if you want to be successful, you have to surround yourself with other successful people. That’s who ya’ll are. The success stories that surround me! Thanks and love to all 🙂

  • Congrats! Martha…. putting yourself out there and taking the risks are something we all deal with when getting our businesses off the ground. By you taking a step further and publishing your book is awesome! It means you won the battle.

    Melanie thank you so much for your very interesting interview. Your questions are insightful and Martha’s response provided lots of great tips for everyone to learn from. You are always pro enterpreneur and I love that about you and your personality.

    • So glad you stopped by, Lynn!

      Thanks for the wonderful compliment and for being here to celebrate Martha’s book launch. Exciting!

      And I’ll be here when your book is about to hit the bookshelves so I can interview you, too (that is, if you decide to write one). 🙂

      Thanks again for your kindness and support,
      Melanie

    • Thanks Lynn! Each step I take leads to the next one. It’s a fun adventure!

      • Lynn, don’t let Martha fool you …

        She’s not taking steps … she’s SPRINTING!! 🙂

  • Melanie and Martha,

    I am waiting with baited breath! I has been so exciting to see Martha come out with her new book. It is sooooo much fun to see those we have come online with become bigger and succeed.

    Best Wishes my dear!

    • It is tons of fun, isn’t it, Sheila?

      And now that Martha has her very first solo publication, I guess you and I had better get off our fannies and turn ourselves into published authors! We’re lagging behind. 🙂

      Congratulations are in order for you and Kathy, too — your new site looks awesome! Please send her my love.

      Cheers,
      Melanie

      • Yes, ya’ll need to get up off your duffs! LOL Actually, you are two of the hardest working women I know. My hat is always off to ya’ll!

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  • Congratulations, Martha! Melanie, I like your question about the takeaways for readers . . . and Martha, your answer makes your book sound completely intriguing :).

    • Hi Leanne!

      You’re an astute observer with an eagle eye. 🙂

      I thought long and hard before I came up with Martha’s interview questions. You picked up on the ONE question I thought everyone would want the answer to.

      As online marketers, we always want to focus on “benefits”, right? I wanted Martha to let potential buyers know what to expect and what they would gain from reading her book.

      Is there a book in your future, Leanne? Because you’re someone I think should write one!

      Thanks for coming by today,
      Melanie

    • awww, Leanne, thanks! I hope my book will be intriguing and inspiring 🙂

  • Congrats Martha,
    You and Melanie are the queens of connections and my networking inspiration. I love that social media is such a wonderful way for us to reach out so easily, find our community and spread our message. You’ve both taught me so much about how to do that successfully and I thank you.
    Heather x

    • Did you catch that, Martha?

      Heather has officially crowned us the “queens” of connection and networking inspiration. 🙂

      Thank you, Heather, for your kind words and I could say the same about YOU. So nice of you to take some time to stop by and share in the joy of Martha’s book launch. I’m sure she’ll be by later to comment. Right now I think she’s a little stressed out about the launch. I believe she’s got about a hundred activities going on at once! 🙂

      Hugs,
      Melanie

      • well, I have to say I like being the “queen” of anything! Heather, you are right up there in the social networking all star group! I can always count on you to introduce me to your tribe 🙂

        Yep, this launch totally different from other product launches because today I’m selling the bonuses, tomorrow the book! Learning, learning, and more learning . . . .

  • Rob

    Hey Martha,
    (and Co-Pres, ahem)
    I haven’t read the book yet, but anything that expounds on taking risks for a whole chapter is a winner (in my book:). It is something that can imprison us in the worst kind of way. In the end I think we need to ask ourselves which will hurt more. Doing something or nothing?
    Congratulations on your first of many solo books.

    • Thanks Rob! Such a great way to look at it. . . . which will hurt more? Sometimes we have to fight through the perceived pain to get to the reward. Good insight you share 🙂

    • Hey Co-Pres (Rob),

      Thanks for being here and sharing in the excitement. Sounds like there’s a chapter in Martha’s book that’s right up your alley. 🙂

      I love your poignant question! Which is really worse? Which really hurts you more — Doing something or doing nothing?

      Not THAT’S something to think about!
      Melanie