Social Media Diet

2012-01-13T13:21:00.001-05:00

16-year-old CEO on a mission to save the planet - Atlanta Small Business | Examiner.com

2012-01-13T13:19:00.001-05:00

Atlanta teen uses books to heal homeless children - Atlanta Small Business | Examiner.com

2012-01-13T13:16:00.001-05:00

Examiner.com announces 25 finalists for America Inspired contest - Atlanta Small Business | Examiner.com

2012-01-13T13:11:00.003-05:00

Brother launches 25K grant program with StartupNation to help entrepreneurs live - Atlanta Small Business | Examiner.com

2012-01-13T13:07:00.001-05:00

http://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fshar.es%2FW8GfX&t=Six+Georgia+business+brokers+named+to+million+dollar+club+with+%2442M+Sold

HAPPY HAPPY TWENTY TWELVE !!!

2012-01-01T00:35:00.007-05:00

New Beginning.

New Dreams.

New Hopes.

WTF is Social Media?.... The Basics

2011-02-07T00:04:00.018-05:00

Warning!
The information in this presentation is INVALUABLE!
However, it is not for the faint of heart!
You can view this same presentation in the PG edition and/or in a version that is quite delightful.

Whatever your drother, just be sure not miss out on this 'must-see' presentation

Where do I find the time?

2011-01-24T00:05:00.011-05:00

2010 Social Media Trends

2011-01-17T00:02:00.008-05:00

It's Not Just the 'Book' or the 'Bird'

2011-01-10T00:01:00.003-05:00

Get Your Business Into the Game!

2011-01-03T00:02:00.002-05:00

ROI.....Return On Influence

2010-12-15T00:15:00.001-05:00

It Ain't Always Good

2010-08-04T13:51:00.000-04:00

Business owners should not allow the fear of receiving "negative comments/feedback" from sites such as Yelp stop us from adding user-generated content to our sites. Instead, all feedback/conversation - complimentary or not, should serve as an opportunity for owners to hear 'the voice' of our customers. There are some key points that we need to keep in mind when responding to 'the voice' of our customers::

{1} : Feedback builds authenticity

Posting the comments received from our customers- positive or negative- shows that our customer's thoughts are meaningful and important to our businesses/companies.

{2} : Negative Feedback helps our business identify areas that may need improvement,

change and or more attention.

Although difficult to hear, soliciting feedback from our customers affords businesses owners immediate insight into the thoughts of our customers/community and their responses/feelings about our products/services. Immediate response from our market/community saves our businesses valuable time, money and research. Customer/community review can impact management decisions.

{3} : NEGATIVE FEEDBACK ALLOWS FOR IMMEDIATE DAMAGE CONTROL

Negaive feedback from our customers/community allows business owners to address and remedy concerns and issues about our product/service IN REAL TIME.

We are always seeking to meet the needs of our community and target market. Adding user-generated content to our sites helps us embrace 'the voice' of our customers. To benefit most from 'the voice' of our customers, be certain to relate content to company mission and/or vision. Sam Decker, Chief Marketing Officer of Bazaar Voice Blog - "You simply cannot hide. Social networks are making it easy for people to share their opinions – and they’re doing it in real time. Ignore customer opinions at your own peril".

Does your site allow feedback from your community? Have you received 'less than stellar' reviews/feedbacl from your community? If so, how have you handled the 'negative' feedback?

What are your thoughts?

{Facebook} + {Eventbrite} = Publish Your Event on Facebook

2010-05-10T00:40:00.056-04:00

[pic via here::special thanx]

Eventbrite is a wonderful online event site that allows event planners to, among other things, create, schedule and publish their planned events at a cost that leaves a (giant) smile on their faces. There are lots of other valuable tasks that this service offers, one of which is, the ability to publish your events directly from the Eventbrite site onto your Facebook Fan page. No cutting/pasting needed! You have, in the past, been able to publish your Eventbrite events to your Facebook wall...which means that eventually your event information will scroll right off of the page.

Do you have an upcoming event that you want to let your Facebook community know about? Create, schedule and publish it on Facebook, with a few (very few) points and clicks of your mouse. What? You're familiar with this affordable service? Check it out. I love it!

What social media communities do you use to publicize your events? Have your efforts on this/these site(s) been successful? Are you already using Eventbrite to create, schedule and publish your events?

Lets Talk....

Strategy:: Content Marketing

2010-05-08T00:44:00.022-04:00

Make it easy for your audience to transition from learning from you to buying from you.

Information is key.

Thoughts?

If I Tweet in My Blog... Does that make it a Twog?

2010-05-07T00:53:00.048-04:00

Have you been dying to learn how to incorporate your tweets into your blog posts? Well, I certainly have been flapping my wings pondering the process. Email to the rescue! Yesterday, this great tutorial landed in my E-mail - Embedding your favorite tweets into your blog. Can I say that it's arrival was right on time? The process seems a little daunting, so it will be a minute before I take on the task.

So, here is my initial question - "If I tweet in my blog....does that make it a Twog?"

What's your thoughts? Are you presently including tweets on your on blog?

Let's talk....

Cultivate an Active Social Network in Five Steps

2010-05-06T01:53:00.000-04:00

[infographic via here::special thanks]

Pingdom on Facebook

2010-05-03T00:01:00.002-04:00

[like it]

Pingdom's describes itself as "Pingdom is a website monitoring service. In short, we monitor sites and servers on the Internet, alerting the site owners if we detect a problem". The best of all the service is FREE, and we like FREE! The sign up is effortless. Account upgrades can be had for smaller fees.

Link Sharing

2010-05-01T00:03:00.005-04:00

I follow quite an amazingly well-educated, well-rounded, intelligent group of social media gurus. These experts have their finger on the pulse of the latest trends, issues, best practices and resources that make their way down the social media pike. And, although many of them have made the topic of social media their 'way of life', they never hesistate to pass on many of their pearls of wisdom. Such is the case of Colin Welch over at Silicon Beach Training. He has made available a pretty comprehensive link list of "social media tips, guides, plugins, platforms, analytics, tools, apps and other great resources. This list was original meant only for attendees of his Social Network Training and SEO Training course. But by his own admission, "... but it would be mean of us not to make it available to everyone. Enjoy…"

And without further ado... THE LIST .... thanks, Colin

Twetiquette

2010-04-30T01:48:00.002-04:00

Twitter provides the perfect forum for your customers to offer up an opinion about your company. One of the fastest growing microblogging communities, Twitter has proven to be a successful means of communication for, both, consumers and businesses. Whether you want to introduce a new product/service, give a shout out about a special offer or provide customer service, Twitter is the place where your brand can interact on a personal level with consumers.

So what rules of engagement will provide the best possible experience and outcome when on this social medium? Let's count the ways....

Have a proactive presence

Keep your profile updated and active. This way, you don't miss out on all of the important conversations. Inactivity may be interpreted by your followers/clients as a snub. And a snubbed client could result in negative tweets... a social media catastroph!

Social media = Public media

Once it's twittered, you can't take it back! Warning! - proceed cautiously with your tweets. If it's confidential, don't tweet it. There's no need to be that transparent.

Make new friends and keep the old

Watching your list of followers grow is very exciting. There's something ego boosting (not to mention revenue producing) in having believers who you have not personally met. But then, that's the beauty of social media! However - remember to be a follower of those businesses that you believe in and support.

Be Yourself.... Everyone Else is Taken

Other than breaking every rule in every book of etiquette, it's illegal. Can you say identity theft? Enough said.

Be Interesting

Make your tweets relevant to your business...or someone elses. You'd be hard pressed to find many followers who really care about the meal that you had last night. But the restaurant owner would be overwhelmed with joy with a positive tweet about the amazing menu selection and the unbelievable custom service. Twitter is a great place to toot your horn, announce a special promotion or break industry news.

These types of tweets will more often get retweeted by your in your community.

These days it seems that everyone is "tweeting" on this microblogging platform that allows your business to stay connected - in real time. These are just of few rules of engagement to help while you are there.

What rules dictate how you interact with your audience when you are "tweeting"?

Let's Talk....

Search Engine Optimization:: Three Do's

2010-04-28T02:04:00.004-04:00

[photo via here::special thanks]

Web marketing - Oh what a tangled web we weave! The road to mastering the strategies that drive traffic (read-clients) to your site can be a seemingly endless trek. Each strategy, has its own unique elements that create its own set of challenges. This can definitely be said about Search Engine Optimization (SEO). SEO requires that you think about the signals that the content and the structure of your site sends to your audience. For most of us, this a different way of thinking. In order to get human searchers to your site, your site must speak the language that search engines value and understand.

In an attempt to have your site found by 'the humans', here are three SEO Do's::

DO Speak Your Audience's Language
Make certain that the 'tags' that you use, are in the language of the human searching for your site. Your site has a brand that you are marketing. Your brand represents the style, or way of talking about your product/service. The language of your audience should be mimicked in the tags that you use on your site(s). The closer that you match the language of your site(s) with your audience, the easier you will be found by them.

Do Remember that Google can 'See' You
Because search engines have access to a infinite amount of information. From URL's, registration and hosting information. Search engines can see every domain, especially when they are linked to one another. That being said, steer clear of attempts to use CSS code to hide keyword-rich SEO content.

Do Design 'Crawable' Navigation

Search engines can not 'see' site content that appear on your site as images, video and/or flash. What they do 'see' is plain text and HTML. Javascript, cookies, filtering drop-downs, forms or CSS are unrecognizable. If the search engine can not understand the information on your site's page(s) and/or how to navigate through the site the pages do not 'crawl'. Inability to 'crawl' ultimately results in no traffic to your site.

The tags that you choose to use to brand your site(s) send strong signals to the search engines. The closer that your tags mimick the language of your audience, the easier it will be for them to find you. Give your site/page the best chance of being found by remember that language is key.

What SEO strategies are you using? What has worked? What has not?
Share your successes and challenges.
Let's talk...

Social Media Success Summit 2010

2010-04-23T14:15:00.000-04:00

[More Info & Registration Here]

If you're like me, you're looking to choose your social media activities wisely, without getting consumed by all the options. You simply want to know what works best.

Announcing an online event designed to help marketers and business owners quickly achieve social media success—Social Media Success Summit 2010. Twenty-four of the world's most respected social media experts have come together to share their strategies (see the great line-up on the right). They'll reveal all the latest techniques and proven business-building tactics you need to know to immediately benefit from social media.

WHERE:

At your home or office! You attend this live event using your computer

WHEN:

Starting May 4, 2010 (spread over a month)

Smart Quotes...

2010-04-22T00:01:00.003-04:00

"Before you can pick a social-media strategy, you have to think of your customer and what the value proposition is for them. Social media is a way to engage customers, not to give your business a 'shout out.'"

--Carol Roth, author of the Unsolicited Business Advice blog,

writing at SmartBlogs

Baseball Goes Viral

2010-04-21T16:14:00.003-04:00

[link here][original video here::special thanx]

What's Your Thoughts about Spam?

2010-04-20T00:01:00.004-04:00

[click to enlarge][infographic via here::special thanx]

Where's My Audience?

2010-04-19T00:02:00.009-04:00

After finishing this recent post, one of my colleagues in the Event industry, sent me an E-mail that consisted of two things: a great compliment on the article and a very thought provoking question that resulted from this same post. It seems that her efforts in actively participated in social media communities had been quite successful in netting her an audience of other like-minded business owners. Although understanding the importance of the B2B relationship, her question was: "Where do I find my consumer audience"?

My first response to this was an introspective - "... hummm. What a great question! And, what a even greater blog post this will make!" The reality of it is that the answer to this question maked for great fodder for many blog posts. I will attempt to give a shortened version - touching on just a few tactics...

The process and strategy for finding your audience on social media sites is much like the research that goes into target marketing. To effectively locate (and market) to your audience, you must put in the time/research required to be able to succinctly discribe 'who your customer is'. The ability to successfully locate your audience in the world of social media, goes far beyond understanding the usual demographic and geographic description. It is imperative that you understand what psychographic and generographic characteristics motivate your audience. That is to say, what is their communication style ?, what devices do they utilize to access their platforms of choice? and what sites warrant the attention? In general, what are their interests?

You can start your search in a number of ways. You may want to start your search by asking trusted industry colleagues, who share your target audience, the above questions. By soliciting the assistance of a colleague who does not share your same geographical territory should decrease the competitive factor.

A second source of locating your audience can be found in your industry publications. Industry publications are invaluable resources for ascertaining, not only general information about your audience, but also, providing statistical profiles of factors that influence their buying motivation, convey their concerns and interests, how they spend their time, what issues they are facing, with whom do they associate and what their aspirations are.

Once you have created a general outline of your audience, you can more easily select the social media channels to target.

What tools and/or strategies have you successfully used to locate your audience? Let's talk about what has worked for you?

Got Weddings?

2010-04-16T12:16:00.002-04:00

Are you an Event Specialist that specializes in Weddings?

Tunheim Partners, a strategic communications company, has put together this informative slideshow, illustrating the importance of your business brand being present and act ive in social media communities.

Why & How To Use Social Media To Market Your Wedding Business

What social media communities have you been successful in finding your Bridal audience?

How important is it for your company's business brand to be present on social media communities?

Let's talk

If You Want to Understand the Future...

2010-04-15T00:01:00.017-04:00

....don’t pay attention to how technology is changing, pay attention to how childhood is changing.

video via here::special thanx via here

Is Your Social Media Campaign Segmented?

2010-04-14T00:01:00.002-04:00

photo via here::special thanx

Most companies would not implement the same marketing campaign to a 25-year old as they would to a 70 year old. So why aren't companies exercising the same diligence when implementing a social media marketing campaign?

It can be said that one reason most company's marketing campaigns fail is because they segment customers by the age demographic instead of generation. Have you ever purchased media by the demo age 25-54 or 50 plus? Both of these demographics consist of three distinct generations ( Boomer, Generation X and the Echo Boomer) all of whom like different products and services and who are motivated to purchase for very different reasons.

Just like all of your company's marketing strategies, your social media marketing strategies should provide a generational breakdown of your customer database as well as an analysis of your overall target markets. This process yields a solid plan of action by defining who your market is, how best to reach them, and how to craft a message specifically designed to increase conversions for each specific generation. Understanding how generations, not just demographics, respond will assist you in successfully market the same product or service simultaneously to different generations (without alienating any one generation), by appealing to their mindset.

How to make it happen? Get involved with your community. Be transparent about your business/brand. Learn all that you can about their business/brand. Learn what makes their generations unique, study their mindsets, and the influence they have on each other.

Rock solid target market research has always proven to yield the information needed to effectively target generational mindsets and get you on the road to a successful social media campaign.

How much does generational research play into your company's marketing/advertising campaign?
Let's talk.

McDonald's Names First Social-Media Chief

2010-04-12T06:15:00.002-04:00

photo via here::special thanx

McDonald's names Rick Wion as its first director of social media. A founding member of the McDonald's Digital Task Force, Wion is no stranger to social media. He has been handling projects for McDonalds since 2006.

Reporting to director-external communications/public relations, Heather Oldani- Mr Wion's immediate social media goals are threefold:: manage customer issues, build the business and to extend outreach to target groups. After a year of devising a dedicated social -media strategy, establishing a method of determining ROI in social media communities and assessing opportunities, the decision was made to have someone one hundred percent dedicated to their social media marketing plan.

Does your company have a dedicated social media department?
What are your social media goals?
Let's talk.

Information as a Commodity

2010-04-10T00:59:00.000-04:00

The power of the internet is turning information into a commodity. Because of this, it’s becoming more about your ability to use information to solve your target audience's challenges. Providing relevent and insightful information helps to increases your business' value and brand equity.

As the infographic demonstrates, the ability to useyour insight and information to solve the issues of your target audience is key to setting your business apart from your competitors. Engaging your audience through transparency and accessibility is key to building a strong brand.

What are your thoughts?

Let's talk....

Twitter Ads?

2010-04-08T12:57:00.004-04:00

It's been four years since the launch of Twitter and the inevitable has finally happened. Due to roll out Tuesday - Advertising on Twitter. Tagged as "Promo Tweets", ads will appear first in search results, soon to be followed by appearances in use feeds. Leaving no Twitter corner unturned, the ads will eventually be seen, not only on Twitter (dot) com, but also on TweetDeck, Twhirl, TwitterBerry and Tweetie.

According to Michael Learnmonth over at Advertising Age - "initially, Twitter's version of keyword ads will appear only on searches conducted on its website; users will start seeing those Tuesday afternoon. A single ad will appear at the top of a search. That ad is itself a tweet, and users can "re-tweet" the ad to pass it around, make the ad a favorite or reply to it".

"Twitter has been testing promoted tweets internally for months, and once they're released to the public, Twitter will closely watch how they perform. Initially, advertisers will bid on keywords on a cost-per-thousand basis, but Twitter is developing a performance model that could be the basis for pricing based on a metric called "resonance" -- impact judged on how much a tweet is passed around, marked as a favorite or how often a user clicks through a posted link. Ads that perform well will stay in the system; ads that don't rise above the resonance score of a typical tweet from a marketer will fall out. Ultimately, Mr. Costolo wants marketers to pay for ads based on the lift in resonance over a standard tweet".

Twitter is rolling out promoted tweets slowly over the course of the year; initially on Twitter.com, and then to Twitter clients, which can include the ads and get a cut of the revenue. Ultimately, Twitter could syndicate results to Google or Bing, though no deal is close to making that happen. The promoted tweet is one of three streams of revenue Twitter will have available, including a data fee from search engines indexing Twitter in real time, such as Google, Yahoo and Bing, and the coming "professional accounts." Professional accounts will include the ability to have multiple users on one account -- much like some of the clients such as CoTweet do today -- plus a dashboard that shows what's happening with a brand on Twitter and integration with promoted tweets".

What's your thoughts? Do you think that you will be 'Promo Tweeting'?

Let's talk

Google Acquires Problogger

2010-04-02T00:04:00.031-04:00

photo via here::special thanx

The web’s #1 Blog Tips site, ProBlogger, announced yesterday that, as a part of Googles extension of the 'Blogger' brand and as a prelude to their new professional blogging suite of applications, ProBlogger has been acquired by Google.

Read founder, Darren Rowse's explanation in this original press release...

BAM! ... Your on the Internet...Now What?

2010-03-31T06:15:00.004-04:00

[original video here::special thanx]

Measure It...

2010-03-30T16:01:00.000-04:00

You've LinkedIn, mastered Twitter, have your fair share of Blog followers and finally set up your Facebook Business Page - now how do you know if it's working for you?

Download this free video to learn how to measure your effectiveness.

How have you been measuring your effectiveness?

Still Think that Social Media is a Trend?

2010-03-28T06:35:00.011-04:00

[click to enlarge][infographic via here::special thanx]

Nobody's Ever Heard of You...

2010-03-18T00:23:00.007-04:00

[original video via here::special thanx]

How Google Works

2010-03-14T00:32:00.008-05:00

Social Media Landscape

2010-03-12T09:20:00.003-05:00

[enlarge]

[via here::special thanks]

If the social media landscape could be segmented into four main usages (expressing, sharing, networking, playing) and is structured around social platforms, this is what it would look like. Decide how you want to use your marketing efforts then plug into the communities that will best benefit your needs.

Facebook Can Get You Fired...

2010-03-11T02:05:00.001-05:00

A 2009 survey conducted by The American Management Association and The ePolicy Institute, twenty-seven percent (27%) of companies have policies that directly address what their employees can post on their personal social networking page. like to think that what they do on their own time is their own business, but that's not always the case. According to the survey, two percent of companies have discharged employees based on the content of their social networking pages. Businesses that boast having a social media/networking policy should be certain to apprise employees of the policy, its content and consequences. That way they can't cry 'foul play!'

What are thoughts?
Does your company have a social networking policy?
I this too much 'Big Brother' for you?

Let's Talk...

Facebook Couple

2010-03-09T06:31:00.001-05:00

[via here::special thanks]

Four Square :: Unlock Your World

2010-03-08T00:05:00.107-05:00

Foursquare is the latest craze among the social media savvy. Members actively use the site to check in with friends from other social networks - including Twitter and Facebook. The Foursquare app that is downloaded onto any smartphone, lets members update each other of their whereabouts. The same app can be downloaded and used by logging onto the Foursquare website.

So how can business owners help members "unlock the world of Foursquare? After creating an account, members can immediately start to reach out to your friends from anywhere you are. Business owners establish a business account and can, also immediately start to use Foursquare as leverage to your marketing campaign. Engage your Foursquare mobile clients with " 'Specials' which are discounts and prizes that you offer to your loyal customers when they check in on Foursquare at your venue". Promote your business' involvement on Foursquare by posting the information on your Website, Blog site, Facebook and Twitter pages.

Need more info?

Check out this short informational video

What's your thoughts on Foursquare?
How will you use this platform to promote your business?

Let's Talk...

Diet:: Day 33

2010-03-05T02:50:00.014-05:00

[click for enlargement] [infographic via here::special thanx]

Diet:: Day 32

2010-03-03T00:42:00.019-05:00

Twitter Does PR

[click to enlarge] [infographic via here::special thanx]

How to Leverage the Internet for Your Events

2010-03-01T02:41:00.000-05:00

[slide via here::special thanx]

Diet:: Day 31

2010-02-27T03:32:00.012-05:00

[click to enlarge] [infographic via here::special thanx]

Diet:: Day 30

2010-02-24T01:23:00.013-05:00

[click to enlarge] [infographic via here::special thanx]

Diet:: Day 29

2010-02-22T00:12:00.015-05:00

[click to enlarge] [infographic via here::special thanx]

Diet:: Day 28

2010-02-21T10:45:00.015-05:00

How Business Spend Their Social Media Dollars

[click to enlarge] [infographic via here::special thanx]

Diet:: Day 27

2010-02-20T00:22:00.018-05:00

[click to enlarge][infographic via here::special thanx]

Diet:: Day 26

2010-02-19T10:04:00.014-05:00

[click to enlarge] [infographic via here::special thanx]

Diet:: Day 25

2010-02-18T00:54:00.018-05:00

[click to enlarge] [infographic via here::special thanx]

Diet:: Day 24

2010-02-17T10:28:00.010-05:00

[click to enlarge][infographic via here::special thanx]

Diet:: Day 23

2010-02-16T22:21:00.011-05:00

[click to enlarge][infographic via here::special thanx]

Diet:: Day 22

2010-02-15T10:16:00.000-05:00

[click to enlarge][infographic via here]

Diet:: Day 21

2010-02-14T01:56:00.017-05:00

[click to enlarge] [infographic via here::special thanx]

Diet:: Day 20

2010-02-13T00:07:00.015-05:00

Generations...again

[infographic via here::special thanx]

Diet:: Day 19

2010-02-12T00:35:00.015-05:00

[ckick to enlarge] [infographic via here::special thanx]

Diet:: Day 18

2010-02-11T03:23:00.011-05:00

Site Loyalty

[infographic via here::special thanx]

Diet:: Day 17

2010-02-10T03:50:00.002-05:00

Metrics:: Social Media Conversations

Diet:: Day 16

2010-02-09T01:18:00.012-05:00

Across Generations...

[infographic via here::special thanx]

Diet:: Day 15

2010-02-08T02:02:00.010-05:00

[click to enlarge] [infographic via here::special thanx]

Diet:: Day 14

2010-02-06T08:08:00.008-05:00

[infographic via here::special thanx]

Diet:: Day 13

2010-02-05T00:05:00.012-05:00

[infographic via here::special thanx]

Diet:: Day 12

2010-02-04T07:44:00.001-05:00

[infographic via here::special thanx]

Diet:: Day 11

2010-02-02T07:39:00.012-05:00

How We're Communicating Today...

[infographic via here::special thanx]

Diet:: Day 10

2010-01-31T00:22:00.013-05:00

Sharing Content on the Web

[infographic via here::special thanx]

Diet:: Day 9

2010-01-29T11:14:00.015-05:00

[infographic via here::special thanx]

Diet:: Day 8

2010-01-27T03:11:00.009-05:00

The Journey of Your Tweet...

[infographic via here::special thanx]

Diet:: Day 7

2010-01-25T18:52:00.011-05:00

[infographic via here::special thanx]

Guest Work

2010-01-23T11:52:00.070-05:00

The ultimate compliment that one blogger can give to another blogger is, an invitation to guest blog on one'sblog. In addition to giving the ultimate compliment, there are several advantages to this act of courtesy.

For the Blog Owner:: the owner has the opportunity to get a fresh perspective on their blog topics. Consider this a 'mini' vacation - an chance to take a blog stroll to your guests blogger's site; as well as, the sites of your followers. What a fantastic way to continue activity on your blog while offerring your readers an opportunity to be heard in a community that they are comfortable and that they respect.

For the Guest Blogger:: an opportunity to add relevant information on a blog that you respect. An opportunity to provide that 'fresh' perspective to a new audience. An opportunity to draw traffic to your blog. A great opportunity to build your community.

For the Reader:: a fresh view on a familiar topic. An opportunity to 'meet' and interact (via comments) with someone new, that shares their interests. An opportunity to get involved in a new community. An opportunity to be invited to guest blog.

What is your experience with being a guest blogger? Would you accept an invitation to guest blog on another blog site? This is thed way that I see it - How do you see it?

Let's talk

Diet:: Day 6

2010-01-22T02:35:00.012-05:00

The Engagement Pyramid...

[infographic via here::special thanx]

Diet:: Day 5

2010-01-19T02:18:00.011-05:00

Word of Mouth is not Dead!

[click to enlarge][infographic via here::special thanx]

Diet:: Day 4

2010-01-18T12:59:00.013-05:00

133,000,000 Blogs in the 'Sphere'... and growing

[click to enlarge]
[infographic via here::special thanx]

Diet:: Day 3

2010-01-17T03:32:00.028-05:00

Yes Dorothy...a Social Media Program can work for your company...

[click to enlarge]

[infographic via here:: special thanx]

Diet :: Day 2

2010-01-16T13:06:00.002-05:00

Generation to Generation ::
Are you where your audience is?

[click to enlarge
via Google Ad Planner::special thanx]

Does Your Landing Page Have Curb Appeal?

2010-01-15T00:48:00.002-05:00

(pic via here::special thanx)

Visitors are great, but leads are better. An effective landing page is essential to changing your 'Followers' to leads/clients. It is the first point of contact for your potential clients. Is your page's content a logical extension of the advertisement or link that initially brought potential clients to you site? Is the page optimized to feature specific keywords or phrases (for indexing by search engines) ? Does your page allow for interactions that a useful and pleasant experience for potential/actual clients? Is it structured to appeal to your target audiences?

Information on your landing page should be relevant to the visitor. If your landing page functions as reference type of page, then your marketing goals is to focus on lead generation and interaction with the visitor. Effective landing pages meet the objective of the publisher with its success being measured by the revenue value of the advertising that is displayed on them.

Trying to persuade your visitor to respond and/or complete a transaction? The goal of this type of landing page, referred to as transactional, is being the immediate or eventual sale of your product and/or service.
If information is to be captured, the page will usually withhold information until some minimal amount of visitor information is provided, typically an email address and perhaps a name and telephone number as well – enough to "capture the lead" and add the prospect to a mailing list..

The overall goal of your landing page is to improve the percentage of visitors to your website that become sales leads and customers . Frankly, to convert more visitors into sales leads or better still - clients.

33 Days of the Social Media Diet :: Infographic style

2010-01-14T00:51:00.022-05:00

Day 1

As defined by wikipedia, infographics are visual representations of information, data or knowledge. These graphics are used where complex information needs to be explained quickly and clearly, such as in signs, maps, journalism, technical writing, and education. They are also used extensively as tools by computer scientists,mathematicians, and statisticians to ease the process of developing and communicating conceptual information.

Happy Birthday Facebook!

[click to enlarge::
image via mashable::special thanx]]

Social Media Trip Ups

2010-01-13T12:36:00.202-05:00

photo via here::special thanx

We've talked about some things that you have learned about your business presence on social media platforms. With lots of great "to do's", it begs to ask, is there anything off limits? Well, yea! Here are some common mistakes to avoid when building your social media presence. Oh. Yes. These mistakes have been made by others, so they are - tried and true.

Using the same strategy on every site:: Every social networking site is different in its purpose and ultimately in how you should use it to promote your business brand. Because of these differences, you should create a different strategy for each site you decide to engage in. Your strategy should be customized to that each site’s specific rules and code of conduct. Running a one-size-fits-all approach will limit your ability to be successful anywhere.
Fake Friending/Following/Linking:: aka Social Media Dilution. You are selective and discreet in who you allow into your professional network. In the best case scenerio of an effective networking event, there are a select number of contacts that do (and should) leave the event with your contact information. This same practice should be exercised on the social media sites. Rock solid, quality relationships take precedent over meaningless accumulation of sheer quantity. Seek out the people who will be most vocal about you- those are your ambassadors. Then, reciprocity becomes the order for the day. Help them. Connect with them. Build real relationships. Put them in front of individuals/businesses/situations that will be advantageous to their business brand. This is how social media becomes powerful. The reality of fake Friending/Following/Linking aren’t going to click your links, visit your site, purchase your products, or sing your business/brand praises. They actually won’t do anything for you. Be choosy with your online relationships. It's your business.
Creating profiles everywhere:: claiming your username for the purpose of instantly securing your brand across social media sites is a definite 'do'. Setting up a profile account on every social media community is a marketing strategy faux pas, not to mention, a total waste of your time. Your business/brand presence should be front and center in the arenas where your users spend their time and energy, where they’re interacting most, and where your business brand will be most embraced. Your visibility on these target sites will help to focus your efforts.
Not completing your profile:: a completed profile says that you are an active member of the community who is committed and genuinely become part of that network. A completed profile helps you attract like-minded businesses/members and gain some easy trust points- by letting those in the network that you are here to stay. Tell and show people who you are. Yes, social media is where your customers are, but you have to give them a reason to want to engage with you. Put yourself out there in order to benefit from real conversations down the road.
Selling to everyone, immediately:: people are more likely to purchase from those that they know and trust. If you immediately arrive into a social media community and start selling, no one is going to listen. You’re going to be ruled a spammer and you’ll not only receive a negative response, but you run the risk of permanently damaging your brand. Although direct marketing in social media communities is not impossible, to do so means that you have taken the time to learn about the community, to 'meet' the people and only offer your products/services when it makes sense.Most people do not want to be sold to. Take the time to build trusting, reciprocal relationships.
Not measuring it:: before you get into social media, know why you’re there and what you plan to get out of it. What are you looking for? Increased buzz over a product? Better brand awareness? Blog subscribers? Traffic? How are you going to measure these goals? Whatever your metrics are, make sure you’ve identified them before you throw money into programs you’re not tracking.

These are just a few that I've seen. What faux pas have you seen? Let's talk about it....

Is it Working?

2010-01-11T07:45:00.042-05:00

You've been finding 'friends' on Facebook, 'connecting' on LinkedIn and amassing 'followers' on your Blog. Your 'tweets' have reached the four digit amount, taking backseat only to the five digit 'follower' list.

You've optimized up the ying-yang!: your profile, your labels, your backlinks, your comments.... And somewhere in the back of the forefront of your brain, you keep thinking, "When am I going to know that all of this is working"?

When you're questioning if all of this 'engaging' is paying off, this is your 'success' barometer.

{Sundae}

2010-01-10T00:01:00.001-05:00

(pic via here::special thanx)

Field of Dreams?

2010-01-08T06:14:00.200-05:00

...so I built it? When will they come?

(pic via here::special thanx)

So you've monetized your blog? So you think, "If I build it, they will come". NOT! It should be that easy. How about trying this mantra on for size? 'First I build it, then I help them find me'. This is the second step in successfully monetizing your blog. You've made certain that your blog is focused, targetting a specific demographic. A specific niche. Good. First half of the game - won. Now to the second half of the game.

If one word is to describe the theme of the second half, that word is 'diligence'. From this point forward, it will take diligence, on your behalf, to put your blog in front of the audience that will make it possible to earn revenue. Be it book/magazine publishers, sponsors, affiliate marketers, advertisers or/and businessess willing to pay for posts, every concerted effort at this point is to 'optimize your blog'. Make it shine. Shine like a beacon guiding its charge into shore after a long journey.

Getting in front of the businesses that pay for the audience that you have carefully groomed through the content of your blog, can be accomplished in several ways. If your blog successfully reaches your intended audience, it is safe to say that you have a grasp of the techniques used to optimize your blog. Let's go through a few.

Appropriate use of 'tag' words. Without boring you to tears, the wizards behind Google Analytics have devised a method of ranking web/blog sites on their search engine. The ranking is driven by an intricate number of factors, one of which is the use of 'tag' words. The word(s) that the average individual, doing a web search, would use to find web-based information - tag words (aka, labels, keywords). All blogging platforms have templates that allow the blog author to put tag or labels. Make your tags/labels/keywords descriptive of the blog post that it is highlighting, minus the industry jargon.

Link Building. The inclusion of rich anchor text that references or/and gives credit/kudos (or just plain ole' shout outs) to another source - reciprocity. Quality links, placed appropriately in your posts, allow interested readers (read:: potential monetizing agents) to add your blog to their site's blogroll, allow them to 'follow' your posts, becoming evangelists for your blog and ultimately monetizing agents. Links help to optimize your blog by allowing search engines to follow the links to your site. Some sites will always give you 'link love', while others will not.

Increase the amount of traffic to your blog. Increase in traffic flow to your site is a direct function of truly knowing your audience and then providing them with relevant, pertinent, useful and valuable information. The greatest challenge in doing this is refraining from 'selling' to your followers. Increased traffic, naturally, draws the attention of those who share a common audience with you.

Remember that the use of strategically used tag/keywords/labels, appropriately placed links and relevant posts is about making quality connections. Thinking in terms of offering content that is of value to your audience will, eventually come to the attentions of those monetizing agents who, also, have the best interest of their audience at heart.

Show Me the Money...

2010-01-07T10:36:00.196-05:00

...aka How do those companies make money from their blogs?

(pic via here::special thanx)

You've seen them. The fantastic blogs that you 'follow' regularly for their unique, up to date content, cutting edge information. More and more you've noticed the amount of advertising and sponsorship that appear neatly incorporated into the site's wallpaper (almost as though they are just subliminal suggestions and not actual ads). If you're like me, you have- on more than one occasion- scratched you head while wondering, "how do they do that'? The 'that' in this instance is, attracting and retaining well-known, innovative, familiar advertisers and/or sponsors. After all, the sponsorships and ads must add a bit more credibility to your blog. Monetizing your blog can be done either, directly or indirectly.  And it appears that one might have greater successful monetizing a business blog versus a 'personal' blog.

With direct monetizing, your blog is making money. The blog generates revenue through advertisements, sponsorships, paid posts and/or affiliate marketing. Although, this method is generally seen with business blogs, there are several blogs - whose focus is the event industry (ie, Kelly De Luca, Abby Larson and Maria Cooke) - that have been successful with implementing this method of monetizing.

Indirect monetizing, the more popular method, serves double duty. Not only can it be lucrative means of generating revenues,it is a valuable means of branding. yourself.  This method involves you, (the blogger) leveraging the success of your blog to generate revenue. Revenue sources, often times flow from speaking engagements, workshop, book proposal, article writing and the like. Rebecca Grinnals, Liene Stevens, and Katasha Sherrie Butler, are a few of the event industry gurus who have parlayed indirect monetization of their blogs into a handsome business 'up' sale.

Your business has a focus. A target audience. Your blog represents your business focus- your niche. And selling to advertisers is much easier when you have a niche. Suffice it to say, advertisers fully understand niche marketing.  Advertisers know who their audience is, and, if your blog caters to that audience, then it has value.

Whichever path that you chose to travel toward monetazing your blog, directly or indirectly, be sure to keep your blog 'valuable' by posting content that is focused and true to your audience. First you build it. Then you help them find their way to you.

I'm a Nonprofit...How can Social Media help Me?

2010-01-06T00:07:00.001-05:00

{pic via here::special thanx}

For organizations that depend on the generosity of interested supporters, social media marketing is a natural fit. Organizations that are deeply connected to their audience and memberships, (ie, theatres, musuems, 'relief and aide services', family focused organizations) have a tendency to have strong contact information on which to establish content and experiences. This solid connection makes it far easier to generate social media 'conversation'. The central points of nonprofits often times are the volunteer efforts and/or donor support of these strong contact. People taking an active interest in what they do is the lifeline of nonprofit organizations. So what are the challenges in marketing for nonprofits?

The for-profit sector is filled with products that we either need and/or want. For example, people know that they need footwear. Most people turn to manufacturers that they have had a desireable past experience. Support for and the use of these products/services that are familiar to us is assured (at some level).

In the world of the nonprofit, it's not quite that easy! Services such as The Red Cross aren't appreciated until and unless one finds themselve in some disaster situation. Theatre & musuems are not necessarily high on most lists of "Things that I can't do without". The challenge to these organizations to maintain high level of community participation & visibility is grounded in their ability to consistently drive awareness and keep people passionately involved.

Because of all of its challenges, the use of social media platforms are an invaluable marketing tool for nonprofit organizations. Because the success of, both, nonprofits and social media marketing is rooted in an active community, and is consumer driven- production is very low. The basic principle of social media is that, 'if you have a product and/or service that is being used/consumed by customers-some is talking about your business. Whether your business is a for-profit or nonprofit organization/business is not the issue as much as maintaining an awareness of what people are saying. This is the common challenge for any business/organization servicing a market. Social media platforms are the equalizer.

Do you have an experience in using social media marketing practices as a nonprofit organization? What's your take?

Facebook can Help My NonProfit

2010-01-06T00:05:00.002-05:00

As established in this post, the success of, both, nonprofits and social media marketing is rooted in an active community, and is consumer driven-production is very low. Too often businesses equate effective use of social media marketing as setting up a Facebook page and other social media platforms and using them to 'talk' to each other. Just as your other marketing plans utilize the basic marketing methodology-- business objective, audience, strategy, metric for measurement and the use of tactical methods.
Let's look at the use of some of these basic elements as they relate to the social media platform Facebook.

One of the beauties that Nonprofits have for using Facebook as a marketing tool is their unwavering support of willing, interested and actively involved community.  Nonprofits have solid contact information on which to build and have the capability to create, both, content and experiences that your audience finds talk worthy. Being able to rely upon this audience to take an active interest and participation is the secret for Facebook success.

Establish your objective for your presence on Facebook. Are you using it as an outreach to members (via use of Facebook Group feature)? Trying to reach the audience who are not yet Facebook users (use Facebook Business Pages - these pages can be viewed by those without a Facebook account)? Facebook Groups are also useful in organizing community members; as well as, facilitating internal conversations.

Be certain to implement a measurement of goal success. Are you looking to grow your group, increase conversations among community members and/or increase traffic to another site? Be certain to have clearcut, measureable goals.

Refrain from the tempting practice of using Facebook as a direct response mechanism. Facebook, like other social media platforms, should not be used as forums for direct advertising. General rule of thumb with marketing to those who 'FAN' you on Facebook is that any marketing message sent to them should be sent through the Facebook inbox. Contact with Facebook 'Fans' via email or other such avenues should be used when your organization has established a trust with that Fan. At that point the Fan will usually request to be contacted by some other means (ie, phone, email, direct mail).

With society's shrinking attention span, be sure that your Facebook content is relevant, timely and 'digestible'.

One of the many reasons that Facebook is so useful is, it 'alerts' your community when you have made 'status' changes. Take advantage of this feature.  Publicize new members (aka Fans) and relationships (ie, groups that your organization is actively following). Post photos relevant to any campaigns that you may be airing. Create a 'RSVP' page for your organizations events.  Useful information will be shared, not only with those in your 'community' but also with any/every one that you have authorized to view your Facebook page.

As you become increasingly familiar and comfortable with using Facebook for your Nonprofit, be certain that all of the group pages, fan pages and applications are interlinked. Prominent navigation back to your main Facebook page reassures that your organization's brand message remains front and center of your audience.

How do you use Facebook for your business/organization?  What Facebook strategies have been successful for your business?  Let's talk about it...

WTF is Social Media: The Basics...PG Edition

2010-01-04T00:23:00.002-05:00

{Sundae}::

2010-01-03T04:20:00.003-05:00

Who Invited the FTC into My Bed?

2010-01-02T00:24:00.013-05:00

{photo via here::special thanx}

You've heard about them. You know...Them...The rumours floating around on how the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has become bedfellows with those of us in the blogosphere (like it or not). What rumor, and when they get in bed with me? Here's the scoop. After twenty-nine years, last October 2009, the FTC has effected several new guidelines that will forever guide all of us 'professional' and/or serious bloggers. The guidelines concerns "...the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising, which address endorsements by consumers, experts, organizations, and celebrities, as well as the disclosure of important connections between advertisers and endorsers.who receive advertising testimonials, endorsements and/or sponsorships". And...rumor has it that there is some astronomical fine attached for those who are noncompliant...
Whoa! What was that!

Here is the simple 'keeping it real' version:

Those *lovely* client testimonials that are posted on our blog/web sites, must be a reflection of what a client will 'typically' experience with your product or service. No more use of the infamous fine printed disclaimer of, "results not typical"

"Material connections" (ie, payment for or receipt of free products/services) between, you - the blogger any product/person/service that is endorsed (on your blog), but, not expected by the 'listening' consumer - must be disclosed. The guideline reads, "...the post of a blogger who receives cash or in-kind payment to review a product is considered an endorsement. Thus, bloggers who make an endorsement must disclose the material connections they share with the seller of the product or service".

Fortunate to have some celebrity ties? Well, listen up. Because this is what the guidelines have to say about the use of celebrity testimonials/endorsements. The "...celebrities have a duty to disclose their relationships with advertisers when making endorsements outside the context of traditional ads, such as on talk shows or in social media".

Richard Cleland - Assistant Director of Advertising Practices at the FTC, clarified FTC’s expectations for disclosure, as it relates to bloggers as - “the FTC’s main criteria is the degree of relationship between the advertiser and the blogger. . .If there’s an expectation that you’re going to write a positive review, then there should be a disclosure.” Further, he had this to say about receiving sample products versus being paid for a review:

“That’s going to depend on the circumstances. If we’re talking about getting one free product or something sent to you and you happen to write about it on your blog, that’s not the type of relationship that has to be disclosed. But if you’re part of a network and you’re consistently receiving products to test and blog about, then that raises the implication that these gifts are quid pro quo and that’s why you’re writing the positive reviews.”

You might be asking yourself, does this new guideline effect my Facebook and Twitter presence?

What About Twitter and Facebook?

2010-01-02T00:23:00.115-05:00

The guidelines hold true for bloggers who receive paid endorsements (read: tweets) and/or Facebook 'Fans' of products/services and then share those fan pages or/and tweets with friends. Safe rule of thumb - whenever their is some type of payment or/and compensation (actual and/or in-kind), the 'guideline' flag should go up. Here is how the guideline may be applied to use on Facebook:

“[A] celebrity or other prominent figure with loads of friends on Facebook receives free hotel stays from Hotel Chain X in exchange for running Hotel Chain X ads on his or her blog. If that person then signs up as a Facebook fan of Hotel Chain X–which, remember, could mean that the person’s name can show up for his or her Facebook friends alongside Hotel Chain X display ads on the social network–he or she could be held liable by the FTC.” (info via here:: special thanx)

As for Twitter, the expectation is that, somewhere in that 140 character limit, you must include your disclosure statement. In other words, "if you can't make the disclosure, you can't make the ad"

How is the FTC going to keep track of ALL of the Blogs in the blogosphere?
Great question! When the guidelines were first made public, through a series of interviews, Cleland offerred clarification of the guidelines; as well as, an explanation of how the guidelines are to be applied and monitored. In one such interview, Cleland stated that the education, of the individuals/companies that is effected by these guidelines, of what is expected of them as it relates to the new guidelines is primary and key. He indicated that "the FTC would be 'looking primarily at the advertisers to determine how the relationship exist'". In an interview with CNN, “Richard Cleland . . . admits there will be no new team to monitor all the blogs, and that enforcing these guidelines would be a ‘game of whack-a-mole’ given the numbers involved... The new guidelines are viewed as more of an educational tool than any kind of requirement, and geared at advertisers more than bloggers. If numerous complaints are filed regarding a blog, the FTC is likely to investigate that the advertiser has properly advised the blogger of these guidelines.”
Further, Cleland goes on to say, “…in the bigger picture, we think that we have a reason to believe that if bloggers understand the circumstances under which a disclosure should be made, that they’ll be able to make the disclosure. Right now we’re trying to focus on education.”

Do you have to go back to previous posts and add a disclosure for gifts/payments received prior to this new guideline? One suggestion offerred by Lisa Stone, founder of Blogher.com, is that "...you update your “About" page with your blog policy about payments and review your blog for the current year and disclose any gifts or payments. For previous years, I think you can disclose on your “About” page the date on which you began your disclosure practices. We are not your lawyer, but as a a general practice we recommend that bloggers disclose any kind of payment at the top of every post written because of a payment of cash, goods, or services.”

So what does this new 'partnership' offer as a penalty for noncompliance?

Can You Spare $11,000 Dollars?

2010-01-02T00:20:00.055-05:00

What's to the (rumor?) of the $11,000 per violation for noncompliance? Trusted news sources were reported that bloggers who don’t disclose payment will be fined $11,000 per violation. The updated FTC regulations don’t mention an $11,000 fine at all. None of the original articles with erroneous information had been updated to reflect the lack of this exhorbitant fee.
To the credit of the majority of bloggers - we are doing the right thing already. That being said, the level of vigilance lies in the hands of each blogger to remain within the bounds of the regulation guidelines. The rest is relatively simple. Write your own disclosure policy/statement and post it clearly on your blog. Need help in writing that disclosure. This site will assist you in generating one.

Has the new FTC regulation effected the way that you maintain your blog? How so? Have you included a disclosure statement in your blog? Let talk about it...

HAPPY

2010-01-01T00:01:00.001-05:00

...2010!!!

{pic via here::special thanx}

Carnival Cruise...OOPS! ... Did I Say That?

2009-12-16T17:55:00.000-05:00

Not even twenty four hours after releasing its new social media policy for Travel Agents (due to take effect in 2010, Carnival Cruise Lines is recanting its position, stating that the restrictive policy will be amended.

“It wasn’t our intent for the social media guidelines to be as far-reaching as the current wording would indicate,” says CCL spokeswoman Jennifer de la Cruz.

“We are re-examining the wording and will be making some adjustments so it is more clearly explained what requires written approval and what doesn’t.”

In the policy, as it is presently written, Carnival Cruise Lines intends to introduce a new travel agency policy that bars partners from using any Carnival trademark or intellectual property on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, MySpace, LinkedIn or a blog – any social media website, really – without prior written approval.

Although de la Cruz is not certain how Carnival Corp's other North American brands will respond to the amendment, she states that the amendments will apply for CCL's policy only.
“Clearly, the wording was over-reaching and that wasn’t our intent,” de la Cruz says, adding that the travel news site, Tnooz's, story spurred the about-face.

As per an article on this same subject by Dennis Schaal, a writer for Tnooz, "CCL has long restricted travel agents’ use of trademarks in marketing and promotional materials, in part to clamp down on unauthorized discounting. Transitioning that policy to social media is where the cruise line apparently ran into some problems".

While it’s understandable that Carnival would want their partners to be transparent about the relationship they have with the Carnival online, does this policy go too far?

What's your thoughts? I like to hear them?

Let Video Brand Your Business...

2009-12-13T10:31:00.001-05:00

When it comes to using video as a platform for marketing and branding your business- and, if you're 'lucky' - producing a viral hit {imagine if, the over 33.5million...yes, that's MILLION- hits that this video generated, were your potential/actual clients/sponsors/advertisers? You do the ROI}- you can certainly take your lead from today's brides. These ingenius social media mavens, have, through the magic of You Tube, unabashedly share with the world {literally} pieces of their wedding dream. From surprise 'first dances' to the imaginative wedding party processionals, these couples have transformed an American institution into a personal brand! Their video viral successes have scored them their 'fifteen minutes' of fame...otherwise known to those of us in business as - FREE PR- on several morning news talk shows and evening magazine show.

Suffice it to say, that, as business owners, you have already begun to make the correlation of the 'curious' viewers being your target audience and the thousands of hits being equivalent to the sponsorship opportunities for advertisers {think:: ROI}. And we won't begin to talk about the almost limitless branding possibilities of what the FREE PR would do for our businessess....

Not real sure how to use video to market your business? Here are some ideas from my friend, John Jantsch, over at Duct Tape Marketing ::

■ Interview customers and capture testimonials and success stories

■ Interview employees as they discuss what they do and how they help customers

■ Record a greeting from the CEO – don’t sell, just let them know your story

■ Use video as a call to action in your email campaigns

■ Add video to your Google Maps profile, Facebook Fan Page, and LinkedIn profile

■ Create product and service training videos showing customers how to succeed

■ Record FAQs with real prospects or customer posing the questions

■ Interview your key strategic referral partners

■ Create all manner of “how to” video and screencast to help demonstrate your expertise

I'm sprinting to put these suggestions into action. How about you? Besides, what do we have to gain?
I want your thoughts...leave them.

Nouveaux TeuxDeux App...

2009-12-10T06:00:00.059-05:00

Got this delightful tidbit in my inbox this morning from Swiss Miss. It seems that one of their staff, Tina, has been scouring the 'place that apps are grown' in search of the ideal 'To Do' List!...without successful.
So what does a girl do when she can't find what she needs?...... she collaborates with one of her 'geek' genious' and creates her own {FREE} App!

'Apt'ly named TeuxDeux "the idea was to build a bare-bones, but visually compelling and highly usable to-do app based on Tina’s personal ideal work-flow.

Features include::

week overview

check off done tasks

delete tasks

move tasks

someday bucket

They want to share it with all you. So try it and let them know what you think via email:: feedback@teuxdeux.com

View the tutorial below and then subscribe here !

TeuxDeux Demo from TeuxDeux on Vimeo.

...Twelp !!!

2009-12-04T12:36:00.000-05:00

{via here::special thanx}

I did it!
'It' equals stopped procrastinating and completed a Twitter account. Although the account is more for my business - I am following a few social media mavens. So this is my dilemna - now that I have this account, what am I suppose to do with it? What are all of those symbols? How can I post those links within my 'tweet'? What is a 'list' and why should I have it?

This is just a short list of the many questions that I have about this twittering thing!

Me, {being me} did the thing that I always do... when I have questions...{No. Not Google.} Being the blog-lover that I am, I turned to my blogging community. After digging for two days, I stumbled upon this original post. Although the author, Debbie Ellis, wrote the post with the intent on sharing with her readers how to 'use Twitter to attract prospects and engage customer', I found that this step by step 'how to' is the perfect beginner's manual for getting me on my to understanding how this Twitter thing works.

The post first addresses the 'how, what, why' of Twittering--this was helpful in reassuring me about this new journey that I have started. But, then the post got into the meat and potatoes of what I need...

The necessary steps to use {there are 13 steps outlined}::
Here are a few...

1. Create 50-100 tweets that fit your brand and objective {this helps me on tweet content}

2. Open your user account with your business name as your user ID {my business name was already taken, so I had to go with my 'signature' email name...I'm finding that it is a brand within itself}

3. Create a unique background that represents your company [I've got to work on this one. My logo makes for a 'busy' wall}

4. Make sure that some of your tweets have links back to your website {ahhhh...link love. How to you include an active link in the tweet - and do it within 180 characters}

There are nine more information packed steps... read the post in its entirety

Social Media + Engagement = Increased Financial Performance

2009-12-02T19:00:00.000-05:00

{pic via here::special thanx}

The Altimeter Group, released a study earlier this year, in July- titled “ENGAGEMENTdb: Deep Brand Engagement Correlates with Financial Performance.”
The study looked at how 100 of the most valuable brands engaged in 11 different online social media channels {i.e., blogs, Facebook, Twitter, wikis, and discussion forums }.
Engagement was measured by, both, the breadth and depth of involvement. Content and interaction, i.e., response to blog comments. Each brand was give a numerical score.

The top 10 ENGAGEMENTdb brands with their scores are:

1.Starbucks (127)
2.Dell (123)
3.eBay (115)
4.Google (105)
5.Microsoft (103)
6.Thomson Reuters (101)
7.Nike (100)
8.Amazon (88)
9.SAP (86)
10.Tie - Yahoo!/Intel (85)
** Scores for overall brand engagement ranged from a high of 127 to a low of 1.

What researchers concluded was that ,clearly, engagement directly correlates to financial performance.
The companies with the greatest breadth and depth- the top preformers "on average grew 18% in revenues over the last 12 months, compared to the least engaged companies who on average saw a decline of 6% in revenue during the same period. The same holds true for two other financial metrics, gross margin and net profit".

The study also examined the best practices of four companies:: Starbucks, Dell, SAP, and Toyota. These four key traits were discovered: {1} Emphasize quality, not just quantity, {2} scale engagement, make social media part of everyone’s job, {3} doing it all may not be for you — but you must do something, and {4} find your sweet spot.

Read the nineteen page report or visit the main site. Take the survey to find out where your company ranks in the area of engagement across the social media channels. Get real interactive with the site feature that affords you the the ability to see the rankings in different ways, from highest to lowest scores, alphabetical, etc.

Altar 'Tweeting' {aka:: 'Excuse Me While I Update My Status...}

2009-12-01T01:12:00.024-05:00

We've seen plenty of Twittered marriage proposals, but a recent video posted to YouTube takes the cake for the most unconventional Twitter and Facebook updates. During their wedding ceremony these two lovelies update their Twitter and Facebook status.

These two understand the importance of keeping the important ones in their lives updated on the status of their lives - at the time of the 'happenings'. Take your lead from them, and be sure to stop and Twitter/Facebook about your businesses current 'hot' topic!

It's Thanksgiving!!! ... make it {Happy}

2009-11-26T03:03:00.005-05:00

Spread the Love...

2009-11-22T17:40:00.057-05:00

{click here to enlarge image::special thanx}

Because of RSS feeds, the news you want to read about comes right into your inbox.

Your fav 5 {or 6, or 7, etc...} can be delivered directedly into our inbox! I found this social media chart, constructed by Chris Watson and wanted to share it with you. "What's so great about this mass entanglement of a {?}confusing algorithm"? Chris points out 30 FREE websites that allow you to share your content and, in turn, have your community reciprocating the love...You said that you wanted to know how to reach your target audience!

He writes,"This visualization was made to inform {you} on how easily and effectively you can use the web to build an online presence through free sites. feeds amd monitor progress". Yes!! While the use of social media as a marketing tool, may be new for some of you, this diagram will assist you in taking the steps to learn about social media in general. And, how your own community can help tell your storie{s} and help extend your brand.

Everything That I Know About Social Media Networking...

2009-11-18T15:14:00.023-05:00

...I learned from Scoopville...

Scoopville is a tasty prototype of how social media networks afford small- and mid-sized businesses opportunities to attract, retain and build a firm client base... while successfully establishing a strong brand presence.