Here at www.wholesaleinsurance.net, we are creating our very first INFOGRAPHIC!

Exciting times ahead!

What is an infographic you ask?

Infographic: Information graphics or infographics are graphic visual representations of information, data or knowledge. ~ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infographic

Enough of that. Why read when you can look at pictures?

10 Best Infographics of 2010: nowsourcing.com

Keep a lookout for Wholesale Insurance’s new infographics! They will focus on life insurance, providing information with a fun and entertaining twist! We are excited.

I wonder if I can get away with making an insurance infographic like this…

Here are some handy-dandy etiquette tips to ensure that you are properly presenting yourself on Social Networking sites.

This post focuses on Facebook, however much of it can be applied to other networking sites.

Basic Facebook Etiquette:

1. If you don’t know someone, don’t friend them.
2. Behave online as you would offline.
3. Respect the privacy of other’s online information.
4. Share, but don’t overshare.

Communicating on Facebook:

1. Prior to posting content that may be inflammatory or controversial, consider how your communication would be viewed if it was read out of context.
2. Do not respond to, or initiate, inflammatory language.
3. Don’t vent on Facebook. While you have Freedom of Speach, don’t forget that Facebook is an electronic “paper-trail.”
4. Treat social networking as a business-like form of communication.

Remember:

The Facebook Wall is a public forum. People, too often, post things publicly which should be private communication. Facebook has a solution for this, it is called an inbox.

What you say/post on Facebook (or any other Social Networking site for that matter) can be there FOREVER! Even after an account is deleted. Therefore, it is important that you use common sense and think about what you post, before you post it.

I was told once that if you wouldn’t post a picture, status update, or comment on a billboard for your parents, children, and employer to see… it shouldn’t be shared on Social Networking sites.

The Dreaded Un-Friend:

Un-Friending can be an uncomfortable event, but sometimes it is necessary. However, there are other steps you can take if un-friending is something you’d like to avoid.

On Facebook you can block user’s status updates, and they will no longer show up in your newsfeed. This is a great option if you’re tired of reading the annoying, mundane, or offensive posts of others.

You can also block your information. Facebook allows users to create Friend lists. With these lists you can group friends into categories (such as professional, family, friends etc.) and, using privacy setting controls, adjust which groups have access to what on your profile and which status updates they see.

Excerpt from Facebook’s Official Policy:

“Facebook profiles are meant to represent a single individual. Organizations of any type are not permitted to maintain an account under the name of their organization. We have created Facebook Pages to allow organizations to have a presence on Facebook. These Pages are distinct presences, separate from user profiles, and optimized for an organization’s needs to communicate, distribute information/content, engage their fans, and capture new audiences virally through their fan’s recommendations to their friends. Facebook Pages are designed to be a media rich, valuable presence for any artist, business or brand.

If you create a profile for your business, your account may be disabled for violating our Terms of Use. If you have questions about how to best leverage your Facebook Page, please check out our Insider’s Guide or FAQ.”

Why your business should use Facebook Pages:

• Facebook says so. Don’t believe me, read above. Check out their: Terms of Use.
• Pages offer unique tools, such as widgets and visitor analytics. If you’re going to market on Facebook, you might as well market right and take advantage of these great tools!
• Unlimited Fans! Personal Profiles have a limit of 5,000 friends. Business Pages can have UNLIMITED Fans.
• Lastly, do it for your fans. It irks me when businesses request to be my friend. Allowing someone to be my friend is personal. A friend has access to my wall posts, friends, pictures, and information. I don’t know who is running your business page, or if multi people have access to it. Having a business as a friend is way too close for comfort. Do your fans a favor and use a Facebook Page… don’t irk them.

Learn more about Facebook Pages: https://www.facebook.com/pages/learn.php

Facebook has released a 14-page document, titled “Best Practice Guide: Marketing on Facebook” which is an official resource on how businesses can take advantage of Facebook’s advertising tools.

Best Practice Guide: Marketing on Facebook (PDF)

Just a brief job update:

Since I started working here at Pinney Insurance, my main focus has been on marketing for Wholesaleinsurance.net. But now, I’ve been asked to turn my focus to ISU Francis-Pinney… and I couldn’t be more thrilled!

Yes, I’m still managing all of Wholesale Insurance’s blogs, press releases, and social media accounts. But I am really excited to start from scratch and build a new social media campaign around ISU Francis Pinney. When it comes to social media, both of these department have very different needs and capabilities, which is why I am so excited! The approach is going to be different from what I’ve been doing with Wholesale.

The differences: first off it is local, second ISU provides many types of insurance products such as home, auto, business, and more! All of these are new territory for me. So we’ll be holding each-other’s hands during this whole process.

Last week I presented to ISU outlining social media and business, with a little Twitter 101 mixed in, and it went swell! I love a challenge and I love freedom… and I’m getting both!

Wish me luck

Wholesale Whereabouts:

Facebook- facebook.com/wholesaleinsurance

Twitter- twitter.com/WholesaleINS

Blogs- wholesaleinsurance.net/blog, news.wholesaleinsurance.net

ISU Francis-Pinney Whereabouts:

Facebook: facebook.com/ISU-Francis-Pinney

Twitter: twitter.com/ISU1Source

Blog- isu1source.com/blog

Proof I LOVES the Deutch: Adventures on the Twitter-sphere: Hello Roni Deutch

State AG says ‘Tax Lady’ Roni Deutch should be jailed for contempt

By Darrell Smith and Mark Glover
dvsmith@sacbee.com

Published: Wednesday, Apr. 20, 2011 – 4:34 pm

Last Modified: Wednesday, Apr. 20, 2011 – 6:41 pm

- Roni Deutch, the self-styled “Tax Lady,” could face jail time on contempt of court allegations after allegedly shredding millions of pages of documents and failing to pay clients refunds in violation of a court order.

Calling Deutch a “predator for profit,” State Attorney General Kamala Harris on Thursday asked a Sacramento County Superior Court judge to send Deutch to jail and levy thousands of dollars in fines connected to the allegations.

Harris, in a statement, alleged that Deutch destroyed as many as 2.7 million pages of documents, shredding evidence on which state’s attorneys hoped to prosecute their case.
Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2011/04/20/3568022/state-ag-says-tax-lady-roni-deutch.html

I should probably tweet her… @RoniDeutchTax

The “Women in Brewing” fundraising event was held on April 16th at the Rubicon Brewing Company… and it was great.

“Women in Brewing” is an annual celebration of women in the brew industry. Beers were featured from Sierra Nevada, Lost Coast, Auburn Alehouse, Stone, Santa Cruz Mountain, Blue Frog, Moylan’s, and more. Proceeds from the brew event benefited WEAVE Inc. You can see why this is one of my favorite events. Beer (made by female brewers) and WEAVE Inc. Two of my favorite things! I even got to chat it up with some of the brew masters… I have so much admiration for these people!

*Normally I work this event, but this year I had too many things up in the air to commit myself… one being car woes (which have drastically improved!).

Below are some pictures from my adventures on Saturday.

Interpol: Pictures from the Crest Theatre in Sacramento, April 14, 2011

The Videos: