Dialing 8 | ConverStations

Archive - Dialing 8 RSS Feed

Dialing 8 Softly Launches This Weekend

By Mike Sansone on October 21, 2011 in Blog Coach, Dialing 8 with 0 Comments

While we continue to build the membership site for The Dialing 8 Project, a soft launch will happen this weekend.

By using Google+ for a platform and as an example of how G+ might be used for businesses and organizations, we’ll use the Google Plus until mid-November. What that means is the content, conversation, and both the individual and small group coaching sessions will be available for those that have signed up for Dialing 8 and have access to the private D8 circle.

Thus far, we’ve scaled up the entry fee and it’s ~~almost~~ at its ceiling. Even if you missed those days that the yearly access was 5 or 8 dollars, it’s still a great value at $271 for the year (That’s about 74 cents a day).

We’ll also have a monthly rate available for $34 per month. The yearly rate has a great savings, but its more of a reward for making the commitment to yourself and your business. Here’s a portion of what Dialing 8 members will get:

Live one-on-one coaching using Google+ Hangouts with Extras (doc sharing and screen sharing available)
Small group coaching session (Google+ Hangouts w/ Extras) multiple members
Dialing 8 Forums: member-to-member coaching and commiserating
HOW-TO articles: In-depth articles with screen shots (and sometimes screen videocasts) of tips, techniques, and tools
Video Views: short tidbits of thought and motivation
Free Downloads of ConverStations e-books. In December, I’ll be publishing a Kindle e-book every 60 days. Members get a complimentary copy
Affiliate program: Still working out the kinks, but members will receive a higher percentage
Discounts on more complete coaching packages

This project is great for the small business owner, especially rural small businesses. It can also be a fantastic boost to the solopreneur and independent contractor. We’ve already built a good foundation of membership – I hope to see you there too. The Dialing 8 Projectis about Staying Strong and Lasting Long in Social Media. All Aboard.

4 Steps to Getting Started with Google Plus

By Mike Sansone on October 21, 2011 in Dialing 8, Social Media with 2 Comments

This is meant to be a nudge to getting started on Google Plus. The Dialing 8 Project will use Google Plus quite a bit.

Google Plus (or Google+ as you will often see) is building up to be just that. Google (as we’ve always known it) Plus (a whole lot more).

While many are calling it a “social network” – that may be falling short of what G+ really is and can be, especially for business use. But all that might be for a different post. Let’s get started.

If you haven’t yet signed up for Google+, you can easily start by getting your account on the Google Plus page. If you have a Google account, “Sign In” and if not, create a Google account

And there is always the “+” link on the top left of any Google product page you are on. If you’re signed in, it will say “+Mike” (or your name in your case) and if not, simply “+You”

I’m going to share a few “HOW-TO” guides and starter kits with you in a moment, but there are some suggestions I want to make:

About your Profile: Be personable, but leave the Facebook-ish stuff on Facebook. (Or a Circle, but be presentable on your Profile – it may be the first impression of you people see on the web).
Realize that Google+ can be so much more than a “social network” – so think things out before putting things together
We’re all rookies here – Google+ launched a short few months ago, and just recently to the public. The closest thing to “wrong” is probably doing nothing at all.

Step 1: Fill Out Your Profile – Here’s a sectional guide in filling out your profile.

Step 2: Write a short “Public” post – Might consider your introduction. Something short to get started is all you need.

Step 3: Create a Few Circles - Here’s a good way to think about the taxonomy of your Circles set-up.

Step 4: Populate your “Circles” with people you know – You can search their name in the search bar, choose people, and “Add to Your Circles”

One thing to keep in mind (here on Google+ and everywhere else too), Don’t Let it Become a Numbers Game. There’s no reason to go importing all your friends and contacts (yet).

Here are some great links to help continue your initials journey (more to come):

Live Web Conferencing for Dialing 8 – (Almost) Anytime

By Mike Sansone on October 17, 2011 in Dialing 8 with 0 Comments

One of the tools that will be used in the Dialing 8 Project area will be the Google Hangouts conferencing. Rather than having to set up a time (or try to find me at a local Panera), when I’m not in a meeting or on the road I’ll have a Google Hangout available.

I’ve already done this a couple of times and it works great.

This is only for Dialing 8 members

Here’s a brief look at Google Hangouts (w/ extras):

We’ll start this up later this week. Look forward to seeing you soon.

What is The Dialing 8 Project?

By Mike Sansone on October 15, 2011 in Blog Coach, Dialing 8, Education, Marketing, Social Media with 0 Comments

For seven years I’ve coached companies and individuals on how to use Social Media to extend their voice (and their listening eyes) so they can make better connections, amplify their relationships, and create new business.

During that time, I’ve also been writing ConverStations. With close to 1700 blog posts, but none going to in-depth in order to save time, attention, and frankly – giving away the farm, I feel it’s time to go deeper. A combination of the coaching and ConverStations.

While I plan to continue doing both coaching and ConverStations, I’m very excited about a new beginning: The Dialing 8 Project. As we gear up for its initial “soft” launch on October 22, and a fully launched membership site on November 13, we’ve set up a Google Plus Circle just for Dialing 8 members.

This private area allows a few things to happen: The “charter” members – those who enter prior to 10/22 – receive access to:

premium content
private Dialing 8 Sessions using Google+ Hangouts
content creation workshop
measuring success discussions (no, not so much numbers of likes and followers)
genesis of a community that helps and profits from each others presence
other unique and special opportunities for the charter members (for those who gain access prior to 10/22)
access to discounted one-on-one coaching

On October 10th, I began slowly putting word out about the Dialing 8 Project. We started that first day with an entry free of FREE. Those who explored their way in on that first day receive lifetime memberships and all the perks we ever come up with (They didn’t know that at the time).

The investment is tiny in terms of money, only $271.00 (or about 74 cents a day). But the work isn’t a skate. For to find success you will work – smart, not long or hard.

We’ll be building out the site Dialing8.com (right now it points right back here) and adding features and widgets and et al. By the end of the year, we’ll also have a fully functioning mobile app. Lots more info on the way.

But what about them? Who’s them? The 30% of small businesses and solopreneurs who aren’t yet on the web – those that don’t even have a web page yet, let alone a Facebook. Yep -what about them? That’s who I’m really hoping jumps all over this project.

I’ve been to Main Street USA. While some places are thriving, others are barely surviving. They can use our help in two ways:

Let them know about Dialing 8. The sooner the better. Today it’s $233.00 a year. Regular Price is $271.00.
Help them. Coach them within Dialing 8. There will be opportunities to co-create content and co-coach in this co-laboratory. There will be archives available – and maybe you’ll help build that library. It will be accessible to all members.
(I know I said two, but let’s go an extra step). New Beginnings. Nobody is an expert. Things are changing so fast, the only constant is “people”. We all learn from each other. By our differing perspectives we can grow. In business and in life.

I’m excited about the possibilities. Looking far down the road, I envision a network of people who, as new members enter, we can match them up with experienced, caring coaches. Any coaching sessions held outside of the online community are independent of the online community. And therefore, should be invoiced or transacted as such by the coach who conducts any such session.

Wow, this may be the longest post I’ve ever written (thus far). I hope you’ll join me in building this project, and tell others about the project.

The form for entry is a click away.

Stay strong and last long. Here’s to New Beginnings.

Google Plus Search: A Small Business Customer Finder (converstations.com)
Dialing 8 in Social Media: Strong and Long (converstations.com)
Horse & Buggy Social Media? (converstations.com)

Dialing 8: $271 for a Year of Premium Coaching and Content!

By Mike Sansone on October 10, 2011 in Blog Coach, Dialing 8, Social Media with 0 Comments

Let’s take things to another level. An opportunity to get deeper, better, stronger – smarter – together.

For years, ConverStations has offered tips and suggestions, mostly about how to use Social Media to grow business, professionals, and organizations. I’ve tried to help extend your reach and make new or deeper connections with your audience.

Many times, I’ve kept the posts and instructions short. In part for the sake of readability or planned repetition. In other ways, we had to rely on ambiguity as a teacher. Almost all the time, I tried to model how you might post for your business.

While all that continues, it’s no longer enough. Most of what ConverStations has been able to offer is – at best – a “Taste on a Toothpick”.

With the launch of “Dialing 8 – Premium” we will now get deeper into the coaching, the collaborating, and working together to make sense of the rapid and constant changes in how to purposefully and profitably use social media tools. The strongest conversations will probably be the community conversations, but there will be opportunities for

live webinar-style coaching sessions
detailed, step-by-step guidelines in text and videos
recordings of “think out loud” sessions as I test new tools
Lots of “What If . . ., I Dunno, Let’s Find Out” type of brainstorming

The investment started slowly, but then it escalated Fibonacci-ly, Dialing 8 – Premium is $271.00. That’s just 271 dollars and you get 12 months of access to all the Dialing 8 premium stuff. Just 74 cents a day.

Feel free to share this with friends who own small business or solopreneurs.

All Aboard . . .