4 Comments Posted in small business, social media, social networking, Social Strategy May 12, 2009

Twitter Enhances Interpersonal Relationships

We have talked at length about the value of combining your offline and online networking. I have always been a believer in the absolute value of social networking sites being the pinnacle of true networking.

I was reading a post at the Winnepeg Sun called The Re-Wired Generation. Although this article was written about the Internet driven Generation Y it had an excerpt from University of Toronto sociology professor, Berry Wellman:

“Far from replacing face to face time and breeding a generation of reclusives, Facebook and Twitter are actually enhancing interpersonal relationships offline…

The Internet is complementing, continuing and maintains relationships,” he said. “It’s letting weaker relationships stay in contact.”

There was a time in the business world where you would meet individuals at networking events and forget them … Read more

2 Comments Posted in corporate blogging, social media, Social Media Community, social media marketing, social media mission May 11, 2009

Multnomah County is Kicking Your Butt in Social Media

We are finally getting to the point where government entities are starting to enact social media initiatives. This from Frank Mungeam, staff writer of Kgw in Portland:

“Multnomah County Chair Ted Wheeler is taking criticism for a new county job that’s just been posted.

The official title is Social Media Coordinator.

The qualified candidate will be paid between $60,000-$70,000 to use social media sites to reach out to the residents of Multnomah County.”

In my opinion this is a brilliant move on behalf of the county. They want to start communicating on a different level with people throughout the county and social media is one way to do this.

There are people in the area that are doubting the validity of the position which is not a complete surprise to … Read more

4 Comments Posted in Advertising, social media, Social Media Community, social networking May 11, 2009

The One Way to Be Successful at Social Media

There is an important rule of thumb that many of us “social media consultants” fail to tell our clients. Malcolm Gladwell talked about it in his book Outliers:

“Practice isn’t the thing you do once you’re good. It’s the thing you do that makes you good.”
— Malcolm Gladwell (Outliers)

One thing we have found with working on social media campaigns for clients is that the CLIENT has to believe in the process in order for it to work. Social media is that one medium that cannot be outsourced fully to any one company. You have to work hard as a company, small business owner or mid-sized CEO, to enact a sucessful social media campaign.

Nothing was ever accomplished without some hard work. If you are wanting to … Read more

Leave a Comment Posted in My Life May 9, 2009

Something to Brighten Your Saturday

There are certain times in life when you just need a pick me up. Today I needed a pick me up and I found one… in the form of a small child… missing teeth.. and holding a harmonica. Ben is the son of @mssinglemama and is an AWESOME harmonica player. Watch and have a good Saturday.By the way, you should check our her blog at MsSingleMama.com.

Reblog this post [with Zemanta]… Read more

7 Comments Posted in blogging, Corporate Strategy May 8, 2009

What Business Blogging is Missing

I was reading a post by Megan Glover over at the wonderful company Compendium (check them out) called 5 Blogging Goals Every Marketer Should Consider. Her post is excellent but there was one thing missing: the human touch.

Here are the top 5 Blogging Goals Every Marketer Should Consider:

1. Increase organic search traffic.

2. Boost referral traffic to my website.

3. Generate more inbound leads.

4. Increase email and catalog subscriptions.

5. Sell more product.

Now before you go all haywire on me and send hate mail… I do think this list is excellent but there is a part of me that still holds onto the communication goals of every marketer and PR firm:

1. Communication: You should email all commenters and give them a “Thank You” for

… Read more