Archive for the ‘Social Media’ Category

Is Social Media Advertising or PR? – Duh!

Monday, May 6th, 2013

A recent article in Inc. asked the question: “Is Social Media Advertising or PR?”

Seriously? Now, Inc. is a well-known magazine and Scott Elser, the author of this piece, is co-founder of an advertising agency and presumably a bright guy, but the question seems enormously naive. Perhaps, of course, it is intended to be so simply to stir some discussion. But, who knows? (more…)

What the %&*$ is a #Hashtag and What Is It Good For?

Monday, April 15th, 2013

I admit to being somewhat flummoxed (I like that word!), by the use of the hashtag (#) on Twitter. Sure, I get the general idea and I use hashtags myself. I understand that using this symbol in front of a word or phrase will help those who are interested in certain issues readily find relevant posts. But, doesn’t that happen through organic search anyway? Recently, I came across an article that I thought might shed some insight into the issue and, while  it included some relevant tips and suggestions, I’m still left wondering:

“Can’t I achieve the same thing through just regular search results?”

Where hashtags seem to have the most relevance, and where I think they’re most effectively used, IMO, (more…)

Creating Online Communities

Tuesday, April 9th, 2013

I assist some clients with their social media activities, including the managing of online groups–some are more successful than others. As I’ve managed and monitored their groups, dabbled with my own, and evaluated other groups I’ve noted a number of factors that seem to impact their success. (more…)

What Social Media Tool Should You Use? No Easy Answers.

Thursday, April 4th, 2013

With so many different social media outlets to choose from, how do businesses decide which one or two they should focus their efforts on? It’s a question that many are pondering these days. The good news?

Social media decisions are no different than any other communication decisions you may have dealt with in the past. There are multiple ways that you can communicate and connect with any audience. To make the best choices you need to (more…)

How to Generate Leads With a Limited Marketing Budget

Thursday, February 21st, 2013

 

In our technology-driven world, the good news for marketers is that lead generation does not have to take a huge investment. Traditional media still have a place, but the Internet and social media make it more cost-effective than ever to raise awareness, generate leads and ultimately create sales.
The process of lead generation is the same as it ever was, but (more…)

Crisis: It Can Happen to Anyone. Take Burger King, For Example!

Monday, February 18th, 2013

Contributed by Rachel Vick

We saw a prime example today of the need for big brand crisis communication. That’s right; Burger King was hacked on Twitter earlier this morning. Nothing like an Internet hacking to threaten a company’s reputation and put them directly in the spotlight!

Burger King’s hackers tweeted around 11:00 am that Burger King had been sold to McDonald’s. Burger King’s Twitter profile was also changed, including the profile photo (which was changed to the McDonald’s logo) and company information, which stated: ”Just got sold to McDonald’s because the whopper flopped.”

The hackers continued to tweet for about an hour with obscene statements and false accusations, such as (more…)

If You’re Trying to Connect With CEOs on Social Media, You May Be Wasting Your Time

Monday, February 18th, 2013

I wrote an article recently for Econtent on CEOs and social media, considering the extent to which they are–or may not be–engaged with social media. What I learned surprised me, and may surprise you as well.

Since LinkedIn is the most business-oriented of the social media tools I’m familiar with (Google+ is quickly gaining ground), I decided to check LinkedIn to see how many Fortune 500 CEOs had LinkedIn profiles. I decided to start with the top 25 companies and their CEOs, using the Fortune list. Of the Top 25 on the list, only one– (more…)

Marketing Strategies: Facebook Campaigns

Tuesday, January 29th, 2013

I came across two photos the other day with some ordinary people doing some extraordinary marketing campaigns, and generating phenomenal results via Facebook. (more…)

Introduction to FourSquare

Tuesday, January 22nd, 2013

In the generation of the iPhone, Apple users are always looking for new, interesting, and most importantly, free apps to explore. Joining the popular Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram is Foursquare, a check-in app and website that makes the most of where you go. FourSquare, like many social media options is “fun,” but it’s also a practical option for businesses hoping to connect with various audiences. (more…)

Boosting The Power of Social Media: Taking Risks Without Getting Burned

Thursday, January 17th, 2013

What have you posted on your social media sites lately? Anything substantial? Anything risky? Anything controversial or challenging that you thought might provoke a response–even a contrary response–from your audience?

A key to engaging with audiences online and encouraging interaction with them is provoking an emotion: making them care.  In t he process you reveal something about who you are and what you believe in.  Regardless of the business you’re in, the first thing that your potential customers do when seeking information on products or services they may be interested in is (more…)