If you’re anything like me, exercise should be considered a four-letter word.  Time, which is a four letter word, is what we seem to have the least of.  We need time to handle the administration of our businesses, complete client tasks, market our businesses, attend networking events to grow our practices, volunteer to make sure we’re helping where we can, and let’s not forget the time we need to be sure our families and households are running at peak performance  We cheerfully spend lots of time on everyone’s physical well-being, making sure we eat right, get plenty of sleep, and at least consider that exercise thing, but most people spend very little time on their moral well-being, the time needed to exercise our ethics.

When I am working with a client to create an ethics seminar, I always ask to speak with a few of their key employees, not in management.  This exercise allows me to listen to employees concerns, and get a true picture of the employer’s appreciation of their employees, and what ethical systems have already been addressed and implemented.

I’m never surprised to find that the client seems puzzled by some of the responses I receive.  Some of it stems from the client’s misunderstanding of what ethics encompasses, some of it stems from the client’s inability to communicate properly to the employee what their standards are, and how they affect the way they do business.

Hands down, the biggest complaint I get from employers and employees is lack of follow-through.  We need to do what we said we would, in the time we said it would take, or we need to communicate any shortfalls well before that committed completion time has expired.

I think that’s true in our businesses, too.  We have to be excellent communicators, and have the ability to ask the questions that our clients haven’t even considered.  On those occasions when a situation arises that may tip the scales unfairly in one direction, we have to take the time to consider all sides of the situation and make the most informed decision that is fair and equitable to everyone, even though it might be easier and more profitable not to.

To be an ethical business, you must earn the respect and trust of employees, clients, suppliers, etc., by weighing all the aspects and making sure we treat all parties fairly.  If we always practice good business ethics, we not only help ourselves and our businesses, but we help bring more confidence and trust to our industry – something we absolutely must maintain in order for us all to be successful.

So let me ask you to exercise your moral well-being and increase your credibility without the sweat and expensive work-out equipment!

Wishing you continued success and the wisdom to consider ethical options.

Jeannine Clontz, IVAA CVA, MVA, EthicsChecked™, provides marketing and social media support, training and consulting to busy entrepreneurs. For information about finding a VA, download her FREE 10-Step Guide to Finding the Right VA, or to learn why Social Media should be an important part of your marketing plan with her FREE Report, Social Media Marketing Benefits, visit: http://www.accbizsvcs.com, or contact her at info@accbizsvsc.com

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Social networks have taken the internet by storm, and they aren’t going away any time soon. A CNET report from nearly three years ago suggests that younger people are using private messaging over social media like MySpace and Facebook more than they use email – and this was before anyone even knew what a tweet was!

Many businesses have recognized this technological and social phenomena as an excellent opportunity to promote their businesses and stay in constant contact with their target audience. If you are among those businesses, you should know that combining your social network marketing efforts with your video marketing campaigns can have a potent effect on just how intimate you are with your audience.

With such a powerful tool as the internet at your fingertips, it would be wasteful to limit your business to traditional advertising. Promoting your company on the many social networks that exist is not only the smart thing to do, it’s also often free or very cheap. The more social networks you add your business to, the more you expose yourself to potential customers. Furthermore, you will usually have full control over your “friends, which can lead to some very focused demographic targeting. Try doing that with a commercial on television!

Another thing to keep in mind is that MySpace and Facebook aren’t the only kids on the block. Niche social networks are growing rapidly. Consider Ning, a company that allows its users to create their own social networks. Types of networks range from science to politics to everything in between. Find the network that suits your demographic best and make your presence known.

If you’ve ever started a video marketing campaign only to be disappointed that, after all of your effort, very few people are actually watching your videos, a great solution is to integrate your videos into your social networks. Don’t just repost your videos on your social networking assets. Update your audience about new videos with blog posts, twitter tweets, and bulletin announcements. Not only will the views start to add up quickly, but the viewers are all from an audience that you know is already predisposed to be interested in your business.

Don’t forget that most video sites now act as social networks on their own. When you just upload a video and leave it, your viewers will sense a lack of connectivity. Customize your profile and fill it out with pertinent information about your business. Add friends and accept friend invitations. Take a few minutes every day and comment on a few videos related to your niche. If someone posts a positive comment (or constructive criticism) on one of your videos, take the time to send them a personal message and thank them for their input. These personal touches can go a very long way to show your audience that you’re connected to them and that you care.

Social networks are all about relationship building and keeping in touch. Often, you’ll find that your video marketing campaigns have the same purpose, so it’s only natural that when you combine the two, you’re creating an atmosphere of trust and availability to your target group.

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