We live in a world where consumers actively resist marketing. So it’s imperative to stop marketing at people. The idea is to create an environment where consumers will market to each other. (from Seth Godin’s Super Ideavirus Vook)

The word catalyst is a great definition for social media these days. The dictionary defines catalyst as “something that causes activity between two or more persons or forces without itself being affected.” For the majority of us, there is enough evidence to support the value of social media as a key marketing channel. Most businesses understand and know about the tools most used. But for many, the one aspect of social media that still lacks clarity is the implementation aspect. Many still need guidance on how to go about incorporating social media so that they can reap the benefits and build a community of brand evangelists that understand who and what their brand stands for. With the right implementation, this can ensure that you are speaking to and building your “tribe members” to spread the word.
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When is the last time that you left your house or office without your cell phone? Or went throughout the entire day leaving your cell phone behind on purpose? For me, my cell is my personal and business lifeline all wrapped up into one. It houses my contact list—the days of remembering a phone number are long gone. My calendar, my email, texts and the internet are all at my finger tips should I need to search something. My social media feeds are there too so I can Tweet and update Facebook as I move throughout my day. My alarm for the morning resides on the phone as well, and yes—it stays by my bed at night when I am asleep!
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For those that follow us on Twitter and Facebook - you know that yesterday I attended The Art of Marketing. It was a great event - but what I really enjoyed was the ability to SHARE with others – some of the many take-aways that I received from each speaker by Tweeting – better yet were the retweets I received from those that loved what I was SHARING. It adds a new dimension to be able to use your mobile device and be connected not just by email but in real-time to the social networks that are part of your day – to – day or I should re phrase that to say my day- to- day life.
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I got this link from Twitter via @thepowerofsmall author Lynda Thaler and CEO of  The Kaplan Thaler Group.

We are working on all sorts of digital projects these days—many of them are contests—with the plan to build a fan base, so they can begin to engage and connect with their clients one-on-one. As we continue to guide and educate our current clients with social media strategies and execution – we are always trying to sell new clients who have yet to really get engaged. As a women owned and run business – I always use the analogy that social media is a natural for women. It is focused on how we communicate. We like to tell stories and share our ideas. If we have a great experience we want the world to know and when we don’t we want the world to to know that too.
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In light of the Olympics taking place in Canada, I thought today’s post was definitely apropos! Virtual meet-ups and friendships are one of the great benefits of social media. Communities are being created in the online world and relationships are being extended into the real world. I know for myself—and many of my friends—that new friendships have begun on Facebook that have extended into the real world. Same goes for Twitter. Tweet-ups are popping up all over—where those on Twitter are getting together with their followers and fellow tweeters in real life. ING Direct Canada’s online bank has had a few “tweet-up” meet ups!
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The best way to show our readers that a serious, planned approach to social media as a key marketing channel can lead to success (when integrated with offline channels), is to provide case studies or corporate examples of triumph and prosperity.

Today’s post is going to do just that. In 2008, Starbucks (YES, I am one of their devotees ) found themselves in some serious hot water. Sales were down, there were major corporate management changes (which included Starbucks former CEO Howard Shultz returning and some management being let go), store closings, and some of the rapid rate expansion was slowed so that the company could go back to basics. The challenge? “How do they get back their relationship with their customer — the one they had when they first began?” Shultz claimed that, “Starbucks had lost its soul.”
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I think for many now jumping on the social media bandwagon, one area of measurement is based on the number of fans that one has. In some cases, it’s great to have hundreds of thousands of fans—IF you can lead them to click throughs on your site or directly track them to retweets of products and services or sharing via Facebook (from all of your friends to their friends and so on…). But many are, as in life, “fair-weather friends”: they come, look around, sign up…but don’t really engage or connect. Especially when you don’t have a strategy that is going to ensure that you connect with them for a direct call to action. Yes. You want a call to action. One that includes a mutual passion for the give and take that is going to be SHARED by your business and the friends/customers you are going to friend and follow.
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When we created SHARE, it was founded on a basic idea: that as successful, bright, creative women who are key influencers and decision makers for point of purchase (across so many categories and channels), we could really make a difference with our knowledge, based on who we are and the clients we work with. One of the reasons we focus on social media, is because of the ease in which we understand the parallel between social media and the way women naturally connect and engage with one another. Of course, we’re always clear that what is good for women is GREAT for men.
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Here is the release of  “We Are The World“—25 years later. An amazing update from the last one and just as inspiring. I hope everyone will continue to remember Haiti, and also not forget New Orleans and the people who are still suffering from the effects of Katrina years later. There are others—that are living in our own neighbourhoods and communities—that need our support. A good friend said to me today, “feed one fish and find ways to help support that fish to feed a whole school of fish!” If each of us starts with one act of kindness a day, we will be able to make a step forward towards “we are the world”!

Happy Valentines Day,

Best Nicole