Social Media (Better Practices...Better Marketing)

New to social media? Looking for some information that gives you tips to better navigate these new waters...and, most especially take good care of customers?

Then you've come to the right place.

This section is frequently updated--so if you like what you see, you might want to check back for more insights into better practices...so you can better your marketing.

The Value of Blogging

Find out the myriad value that marketing professionals receive through blogging in this unique collage (PDF version), or go here for the rich media version (the graphic on the right is a snapshot of the piece).

Having polled a variety of marketing professionals on the value they receive from blogging, the responses are quite enlightening and wide-ranging from "connection" and "community" to "idea exchange," innovation" and many, many more.

Leading by Listening

Social media's true value proposition for companies is that it gives them the ability to identify new markets, new opportunities, potential risks and needed improvements.

But social media can't do any of these things if marketers aren't listening.

So, having penned about the practice of leading by listening, I've created a downloadable PDF on why listening processes are needed, what to listen for, and why.

The "Share Economy" (and BtoB opportunities)

Racing to define this new era, pundits have been coining catchphrases ranging from the "knowledge economy" and the "innovation era" to the "conversation age". But from where does knowledge, innovation and conversation stem?

The answer rests in sharing: individuals actively and openly sharing information, insights and ideas with others. Thus, the exchanging of ideas--how freely they're traded, how dynamically they spread, and the new ideas they inspire is most aptly labeled "The Share Economy."

What does this mean for marketers? Web 2.0 is changing the way they do business, because they have new voices in the business process. And while most age-old marketing principles still apply, many of the practices do not. Lots of opportunities and lots of best practices to learn: Download the PDF right here.

10 (Essential!) Rules to Pass the "2.0 Go"
Web 2.0 (aka "Social Media") provides marketers with groundbreaking opportunities amid a groundswell of consumer-empowered trends.

There is much opportunity and many rewards to reap...but many (essential!) rules to follow so as to avoid marketing misfires and unnecessary risk.

In this piece--which, due to the breadth of lessons and many questions they beget, is currently only presented in-person--I cover 10 (essential!) rules, and their key action points so that marketers learn "how to market smart by putting your market first."

Please inquire with me about giving this free presentation at a conference, event, or directly to your company's marketing department. It's a fun way to learn, to boot.

Social Media Best Practices (Various Posts)

The following posts provide a veritable treasure trove of best practices:

• Don't pass the "Web 2.0 Go" without a guide. Learn why a guide for social media is essential right here.
• What's that you say? Learn the value of listening to social media conversations--and what you should be listening for--right here (psst: not every company needs to blog, but every company needs to be listening).
• The basics of WOM: Learn how it works (and how it's always worked) right here.
• It's about share. Learn why, through a riddle, this environment is most aptly called "The Share Economy" right here.
• Bad can be good. Learn why engaging your critics and leveraging their feedback is the best move, right here.
• No, really...why blog? An interview with me by Folio Magazine focusing on "Why Blog?" is right here.
• With social media comes CHOICE: Many tools to use and many ways to use social media. Assess your choices here.
• One must modernize (or face irrelevance). In using the British monarchy as a metaphor for social media...find out why it's important to modernize, and why it's critical to reach out to your constituents (if you want them to like you) right here.
• Please follow the rules. Looking to pitch products, services and stories to bloggers? Go forth with caution and care--as consumer and business bloggers are very savvy!--best to first read my rules right here.
  
• Hard because it's simple. Learn why social media is "hard because it's simple" right here.