YouTube A Partner For The Swimming Pool & Spa Industry

In 2011, Google reported 3 million video views per day on YouTube - a 50% increase over the year before. “That's the equivalent of nearly half the world's population watching a YouTube video each day, or every U.S. resident watching at least nine videos a day," Google shared on their blog.  Another interesting statistic is that every minute of 2011 YouTube received 48 hours of video uploads.  Not surprisingly, YouTube is ranked as the top video destination on the web.

Video is the perfect partner to our industry.  There is nothing as engaging as moving images.  Viewers may glance at a photo, but a moving image holds their attention longer.  Long enough for them to begin to imagine the lifestyle image on the screen becoming their reality.  This year commit to video as a medium for sharing your message.  If you are new to YouTube or need instruction on setting up a YouTube channel for your company, click the YouTube icon below...

 

Here you will find everything you need!

And if you are looking for a bit of inspiration, visit my YouTube channel by clicking the link below.  Enjoy & your comments are always welcome! 

LinkedIn, Now Is The Time!

LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network with over 120 million users and growing strong.  Unlike other social media platforms LinkedIn’s focus is purely business. Can you afford not to be visible there? A profile on LinkedIn accomplishes three goals immediately:

1-      Increases Your Visibility

2-      Improves Your Accessibility

3-      Boosts Your Google Page Ranking

Now is the time!  Polish up that resume & follow this link to LinkedIn’s guide for new users.   Once your profile is up & running send me an invitation to connect on LinkedIn.  I would be honored to be among your first connections!

Social Media 2012 Creating & Using A Twitter Account

This week we are going to tackle Twitter! 

In just a few simple steps you will be using Twitter like a pro! 

 Get ready to connect on a new social media platform...

Click Here For Twitter Instructions!

Social Media for 2012 Creating A Facebook Page

Today…the Wealthy, your customers base is dramatically influenced by "Social Media" on their Swimming Pool and Spa purchases.  The importance of understanding the value of social media marketing tools such as, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Blogs, YouTube, and Foursquare cannot be overstated. Now…turn this revolutionary "Marketing Change" into your competitive advantage. To ring in 2012 I have created a series of "Social Media How-To's" & I will be posting a new resource here each week.   It seemed only fitting that we begin this process discussing how to create a company Facebook Page....

Click Here For The Facebook Page How To

Dive In And Enjoy!

On Jun 6th I posted to the blog about Bluewater Pools & Frank Vazquez's dive into the world of social media.  It has been exciting to watch their Facebook page activity over the past 2 months.  What I have seen are dozens of pictures of families & friends enjoying their pools.   There has been no lack of posts of beautifully constructed designs by Bluewater Pools but, the customer photo posts frame the company posts in a way that leads the Facebook Page visitor to begin to think "Bluewater Pools is important to these families"  &/or  This is a "community."  There are also the occasional posts about holiday's or events that are important to Bluewater Pools.  Not just a "sale", looking back there has not been one "sale" or "today's special" post on their page, but posts like a holiday "I'm proud to be an American" or to the soliders a "Thank you for what you do."  Posts of Fireworks on the 4th of July or even posts of what's cooking for dinner that night at Frank's.  Not a single post with a negative tone exists there.  Bluewater Pools Facebook page is a happy, inviting celebration of life in and around the pool.  Who could possibly pass up the opportunity to join in this fun?  No one!  Certainly not me.  To those of you who are planning social media/Facebook strategies for next season, take a look at Bluewater Pools Facebook page.  Jump in & enjoy with the rest of us!

I can't end this blog entry without sharing with you, the post from Bluewater Pool's Making Memories Grand Prize Winner:

Blue Water Pools:

“Party at our house this weekend, bring a swimsuit and towel!” As of August 2010, this has been our mantra. We have now become the home that hosts all the gatherings that knits our friends into family. Our once deserted backyard, has blossomed into an oasis for hearted connections, an exhale from the constant go, and simple child-like fun.
Our desire to build our pool was with hopes to have early morning swims, moonlight swims, to simply be able to stay home and open our house to the joy. Yet, as a homeschooling mother, I had no idea the true beauty our pool would bring to our lives, and studies. Our “mental math” has taken on a new life. We have now evolved to “water math”. We dive out the multiplication tables, we estimate the height of cannonballs, we swim three-fourths the length, the possibilities and motivation, is now endless.
In so many aspects of our lives, our pool brings such beauty. We are blessed with the gaiety of romping, diving, swimming children, poolside BBQs, as well as the serenity of a relaxing swim in the evening. Our home, and our memories couldn’t be more full.

"Thank you blue water pools"

Sincerely,
Dana, Dana, Chase, Sage, Shai and Cruz Gordon

Poolside Memories...

Take a minute & join me for a quick video on how swimming pools are used today.  It just might make you think about where & how your family spends their time.  Enjoy!

Memories with Vance Gillette

Being Who and What You Are In Today's Transparent World of Social Media

I have been talking about the value of social media for a while now.  Many in the pool & spa industry agree with my message and realize that this new form of communication is way past the fad stage...social media is here to stay.  It is the new norm.  Let me share with you another example of social media at work...I recently received this email:

"Hey Vance, Frank the pool guy in Miami. Taking your advice on the social media exposure. When you have a moment check out the company Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/bluewaterpools.sfland please give us a "like this". Also, created a new webpage, check us out at http//:www.custombluewaterpools.com."

So, I went to check out Frank's Facebook page & his website & one thing quickly became apparent to me..."Frank gets it."  I encourage you to take a minute & visit Frank's website.  Clicking on "About Us" takes you to a page that discusses his "core values" - integrity, dependability, and excellence.  Throughout his website he uses phrases like "environmentally friendly, highly efficient, easily maintained, lowest cost of operation".  Those are "values" important to Frank and values shared by today's consumer.  His message moves seamlessly over to his Facebook page where you find a client post that reads: "I hired Frank/Bluewater Pools to resurface a pool and build an infinity edge on a $5 million home for my most important client. I worked with several other contractors  in Miami and none kept their promises and none were accountable.  Frank was the opposite.  Frank delivered on time, kept his word, and created a gorgeous glass tile pool surface with Infinity Edge.  He made me look good.  In addition, I was a bit of a pain and Frank dealt with me with the patience of an old pro (no offense Frank!)  Call me for a reference - John Gee - Realtor - Miami Beach Sotheby's."

WOW!  It doesn't get any better than that.  A few minutes on his website and a couple of minutes on his Facebook page, you start to feel like you know who Frank is and what his company, Bluewater Pools, is all about.  The dots are connected!  Then, Frank takes it a step further and adds a contest he calls "Creating Unforgettable Memories" with prizes like an IPad, digital camera & underwater camcorder.  Frank's website asks the question "Who Is Building Your Backyard Paradise?"  By the end of this season it is a safe bet to think many people will be answering "Frank Vazquez."