A Simple, Easy-to-Use Tool for Staying Top of Mind with the People Who Matter

Posted on August 24th, 2010 by Keith Ferrazzi

Google Alerts is a free tool that allows you to keep tabs on your most important contacts’ interests as they make news across the Web. When an alert comes through that, say, contact A’s company just announced a new CMO, or contact B’s favorite soccer team just won a match, I send them a ping (a quick email or text) with greetings, salutations, and some thoughtful or funny words. Though the content is helpful – and yes, you will need to do your homework in order to know what to track –  the truth is that these pings are really just an opportunity to check in and see how they’re doing, and how I can help.

Many of you may already be doing this, but for anyone who’s been lazy about getting Alerts  up and running, today’s tip is an excerpt from Mitch Meyerson’s Success Secrets of the Social Media Superstars, a collection of insider tips from today’s brightest social media innovators – including an opening chapter from me.

Dave Evans’ contribution, “Social Media in One Hour a Day,” included this great how-to on setting Google Alerts. I hope it’s the foot in the rear that you need to finally get yourself started – or to expand your use of this great tool!

Social Media in One Hour a Day

by Dave Evans

Featured Power Tool: Google Alerts – excerpted from Success Secrets of the Social Media Superstars

To set up Google Alerts:
1) Go to Google Alerts (http://www.google.com/alerts) and log in. If you need to create an account--if you don’t already have a Google Gmail ID--then create one now.
2) Type in the names of your brand, product, service or organization, or those of a competitor.
3) If you have a feed reader set up, choose “Feed” as the delivery; otherwise choose “email.” Figure 3 shows you how to do this.

Figure 3: Setting up Google Alerts, Step 1

4) If you chose “Feed” you’ll see a screen like that in Figure 4. If you’re using Google reader, click the link presented. If not, click the feed link and paste the URL into your feed reader.

Figure 4: Setting up Google Alerts, Step 2

That’s it. You’ll start receiving alerts automatically. As noted, if you’re using email delivery think about adding inbox filters to automatically route these alerts.

You can get a copy of Mitch’s book as well as audio and video bonuses at http://www.SocialMediaMarketingSuperstars.com.

What are your savviest tips for staying up-to-date on your network?  Also, need help know what your most important contacts' interests are? Read How to Turn Two Minutes Into a Lifetime Connection.

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5 Responses so far | Have Your Say!

  1. This tip is also good for people who are cold contacting. I'm much more likely to respond if our first interaction is you sharing a helpful or informative link with me

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