I had a personal experience this past week that I thought wonderfully demonstrates the power of social media. I hope that businesses will read this post and think twice about how they can easily repair circumstances just like the one I am about to SHARE. Read the rest of this entry »

I read the most wonderful post written by Seth Godin this morning. He called his article Quid Pro Quo (Santa Math) The idea that most people are selling something in the exchange for something. SO you buy a sandwich you pay $3.00 for the sandwich and you get it with no onions. “This for that he says“. He goes on to say “that when you engage online – like I am doing with this blog – he says “I don’t write this blog to get gigs or business, although it may happen” it is not the highest intention. It is more to build a relationship with the people that read it – in the hopes that on this long, fun and interesting journey – I can SHARE with others the knowledge, success and challenges that come – with the integration of social media – as an important marketing channel for your business. Read the rest of this entry »

I just walked in from a networking event called Concrete. Its founder Romana Mirza has put together several of these events. Her list has built via a link to her and the attendees. Most that attend the event know her in some fashion. Her philosophy is the idea of networking and being yourself – representing unity both inside and out. Face to face sharing your ideas, opinions and thoughts and collaborating with others. Read the rest of this entry »

I did a speaking engagement last week to a group of Sr. Executive women. When asked my advice on what is most important when looking to engage your business with social media -” I said you need to understand who your target market is and then aptly find ways to understand what their social computing behavior is and go from there.” Using the right data and traffic analysis tools – to find out who your most influential followers are and how they utilize social media tools – is the key to connecting with them and all the people that follow them and so on. So many people as I wrote in an early post a few weeks ago – get focused on building thousands of fans and or followers -rather than focusing on who that early adopter and or influencer is – for their community and the best way to communicate with them and their many followers who are part of your target market. Read the rest of this entry »

Today in honor of Earth Day - Starbucks is giving free cups of coffee for those who bring in a reusable container and to those that save their paper container and want a refill! I love it. Happily this morning – I took my reusable container in support of our planet earth. Interestingly my regular Starbucks was busy As usual – but most visitors were using the standard paper cup. Upon my arrival there were at least 6 people in line before me and I noticed one person other than myself who had brought a cup. Read the rest of this entry »

Most of my posts of late have focused on social media and consumer engagement. Our agency focuses on 2 areas – social media and knock the wind out of you creative design. Today I am going to focus on the importance of design and the immediate connection and engagement that can be realized by great design.

For most bricks and mortar businesses – the way visitors  discover new products – comes from great design and packaging. Consumers are smart have so much messaging speeding by in so many formats – that anything that pops out at them as new – is certainly vital way to create awareness. Too add to that important factor is the footprint that products now take up – in the store and in your home. Read the rest of this entry »

All businesses are using their online marketing efforts to build their brand, market their products and services and for many businesses – they want their visitors to take action in the real world. It is that integration of offline, in-store, events and the online initiatives you make – that can entice your audience – for a response to your call to action – like getting them into your store, participating in events or purchasing products that you may not offer via an e-commerce store. Read the rest of this entry »

One of my colleagues and friend – put forth a wonderful opportunity to me today – to pitch a new client. Nothing is more rewarding than receiving a referral. It came forth via the client – that the idea that I – as the leader of our firm – with a long career in the fashion business prior to building our agency – might only understand social media in the context of related products such as consumer packaged goods for instance. Read the rest of this entry »

One of the most important things for all advertising and marketing strategies is to keep in mind – your circle of influence. That is the “circle of people” that you and your customers go to for advice, opinions, support, criticism, research and so much more. The goal of all marketers should be to reach out first to your circle of influence and that of your target customers. Read the rest of this entry »