12 Comments Posted in social networking, twitter, Viral Marketing February 7, 2009

Twitter Has a Problem Going Mainstream

I have been wanting to write a post like this for awhile. Over the past couple of months I have been giving seminars in and out of Indianapolis over the topic of Social Media. Guess which question comes up when talking about the tools you can use online?

What is Twitter? Why and how do you use it?

It never fails. No matter where I am at or what I am talking about… there is always a question about Twitter. Do you know what I say? It is different every time. I always try to give the universal definition of Twitter:

Twitter is a social networking and micro-blogging service that allows its users to send and read other users’ updates (otherwise known as tweets), which are text-based posts

… Read more

2 Comments Posted in social media, Social Strategy February 5, 2009

4 of 10 Social Media Commandments: Quality to Preference

We are still working through the 10 Commandments to Social Media and social media marketing. The 10 Commandments are taken from Marc Gobe’s book, Emotional Branding. He has a great list of the 10 Commandments of Emotional Branding and the points were pretty much identical to my views on social media.

What is the 4th Commandment? From Quality to Preference.

From Marc:

“Quality for the right price is a given today. Preference creates the sale. Quality is a necessary offering if you want to stay in business; it is expected and had better be delievered. Preference toward a brand is the real connection to success. (pg. xxx)”

When I relate this concept to social media I think back to the building of a brand and the development of a customer … Read more

2 Comments Posted in social media, Social Media Community, Social Strategy February 4, 2009

3 of 10 Social Media Commandment: From Honesty to Trust

Good morning everyone! Here is the third installment of the 10 Commandments to Social Media Marketing. We have been talking about listening to consumers and about transforming your product into an experience but now it is time for the main enchilada: Honesty and Trust.

In his book, Emotional Branding, Marc Gobe talks about taking a brand from honesty to trust. We have been relating his 10 Commandments of Emotional Branding to social media and the third commandment hits it home for me.

From Marc:

“Honesty is expected. Trust is engaging and intimate. It needs to be earned…Trust is something else altogether. It is one of the most important values of a brand and it requires real effort from corporations. It is what you would expect from a friend.”

Honesty … Read more

3 Comments Posted in Uncategorized February 3, 2009

I Am Speaking at International Networking Week

I am excited to announce I will be speaking in a couple of days at the International Networking Week. I will be joined with the likes of Lorraine Ball and Hazel Walker. You all should come out and join this shin-dig.

Press Release:

International Networking Week

The central Indiana Region of Business Networking International and Rainmakers, two of the largest and most active networking associations in Indiana, announced they will collaborate on a joint celebration for International Networking Week. This half day event featuring presentations, break out discussions, a local business showcase and time for casual networking will be held on February 5th from 1:00 – 6:00 p.m. at Junior Achievement Center of Central Indiana on 7435 N Keystone Ave.

This exciting event features keynote speaker, Mike Fry, … Read more

1 Comment Posted in Uncategorized February 2, 2009

From Product to Experience: 10 Commandments of Social Media

I don’t know about you but I am ready for the second installment of the 10 Commandements of Social Media series. Commandment number two of social media marketing is From Product to Experience. Disclaimer: The following title was taken from the book Emotional Brandin by Marc Gobe. His 10 Commandments of Emotional Branding are brilliant models for the use of social media.

From Product to Experience

From Marc Gobe:

“Products fufill needs, experiences fufill desires. A product or shopping experience, such as REI stores’ rock climbing walls or the Discovery Channel stores’ myriad of “sound zones” has added value and will remain in the consumer’s emotional memory as a connection made on a level far beyond need.”

I could not have said it any better myself (pertaining to social … Read more