Tag Archives: Facebook

March 25, 2013 · 6:44 pm

What’s Your Digital IQ?

????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????Just taking a moment to put a thought out there to mull — so you don’t spend all your time wishing the snow would go away…  :)

With millions blogs out there, sometimes it feels like all Social Media blogs are  just talking to each other or preaching to the choir, as they say.  But we’re not.  We’re advising businesses/brands about how to reach and create relationships with their target audiences.  And some of that is very easy, especially if you have a younger target demographic that eats, sleeps and basically can’t eat because they’re busy using all things digital.

What happens when they’re not that digitally savvy?  Yes, there’s a rapidly expanding audience of women – in particular – who are quite active emailing, surfing the internet, texting their children and using Facebook and more.  We’re also doing more and more digital check-ups to see the IQ of our brand sites.   but do we know our target’s digital IQ?

I ask that, as earlier this month I started another blog to play to my foodie passions:  Wisconsin Bites.  And, I’m finding that many people who want to follow it — or do follow — aren’t quite sure of what they’re doing.  Or are very adept digitally, but are not educated in digital terminology; therefore are worried they haven’t something right.

Maybe it’s time to either test the digital acumen of brand followers or help them out and drop a few educational breadcrumbs along the way.

Just a thought…

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September 7, 2012 · 6:42 pm

What I Learned on My Facebook Vacation

It’s back to school time and I’m not sure if kids are writing about what they did on summer vacation any more.  Largely because they already told those stories on Facebook, Twitter and other platforms.  But I’d like to share what I learned on my Facebook vacation.  

Er…make that vacation from Facebook.   Since I spend so much of my time advising clients about Social Media — some who still won’t buy into it — I decided to step back.

A big step back.  I decided to de-activate my account, so there would be no temptation  (yes, de-activate is the official Facebook word for shutting down  your account.  It allows you to re-activate without loss of everything you’ve been posting for years.  If you don’t want to go back to Facebook, you delete your account – so there’s no fear of what happens to your information.)  My experience reinforced much of what I knew, but here’s my top 5 insights, after being MIA — which may apply to brands and consumers alike:

1.  All your “friends” fit Facebook user profiles.  To me, there are roughly 6 user profiles:

a.  Addict:  on constantly via phone, computer, etc.

b.  Night Trains:  Have to check their Facebook pages each evening and often post into the wee hours

c.  Sneak Peeks:  Try to catch a minute to see what’s new at work, at home – but never really follow anything in-depth

d.  Weekend Warriors:  Catch up on everything over the weekend

e.  Small Circle of Friends:  Don’t have a lot of Facebook friends, so are committed to them.  May not be on often, but know what’s going on

f.  Don’t Leave Me Out:  People who don’t want to be on Facebook, but have an account that they barely check, just to say they’re on

Addicts, Night Trains, Weekend Warriors and Small Circles are the folks who notice you’re not on Facebook.  The rest have no clue you de-activated.

2.  Influencers truly are important.  Yes, the people you really follow on Facebook are your influencers.  You care what they think about and are doing.  They’re the people who are important to brands, for good reason.   I missed who influences me.  Those I influence missed me.

3.  Facebook etiquette should be revisited.  This occurred to me when I returned.  Some posts were jarring after time away.  Some people have lost perspective of how their posts affect their reputations.   I’m going to remind myself to screen my content.  I’m afraid the Presidential election is going to bring some of people to new lows.

4.  We should all be reminded to take security measures.  So many people sign up for Facebook and never think twice about how safe it is.   I tout security, but trust my “friends” to post wisely.  Some haven’t.  In fact, that’s one of the reasons I decided to step back.  I wasn’t sure I wanted the added layer of some of the security steps, but decided it’s worth it.

5.  It’s still all about relationships.  Whether it’s your cousin, friend, work colleague, favorite brand — Facebook is all about maintaining relationships.  It’s my easiest way to track friends all over the world.   Whatever your Facebook style – stay in touch with your network!

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May 17, 2012 · 5:39 pm

5 Good Reads

ImageThink there’s too much to read out there in the social media universe?  You’re right.  But here’s five worth taking a look:

1.  Learn from McDonald’s:  http://www.ragan.com/Main/Articles/44902.aspx

2.  Don’t cut off your nose…:  http://searchengineland.com/the-social-funnel-what-you-lose-when-you-ignore-it-121120

3.  How to use Facebook ads:  http://www.bizreport.com/2012/05/wildfire-study-reveals-best-type-of-social-campaign.html

4.  How to use Twitter:  http://www.ragan.com/Main/Articles/44888.aspx

5.  A daily cartoon to make you smile:  http://gapingvoid.com/

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February 17, 2012 · 3:29 pm

1 Way Small Business Can Easily Harness Social Media Power

The NFL and United Way have nailed it.  The theory is simple:  college students + smart phones + computers = brand connectivity to its target audience.

Mashable shared that the United Way is looking for social media interns to promote the philanthropic efforts of the 32 teams.  Actually, the interns will be called player promoters, not interns, as a perk.  They will be assigned a player — each who has his own social media following.  The interns are going to be responsible for creating social media strategies to reach the NFL player’s audiences.  These are unpaid positions, by the way.

The NFL knows what it’s doing.  It has more than 4.6 million people are NFL Facebook fans.  And they have 2.8 million followers on Twitter.  [Check out the complete story:  http://mashable.com/2012/02/16/nfl-social-media-player-promoter/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Mashable+%28Mashable%29].

There’s a big lesson to be learned here for small businesses just wading into social media.  Many smaller to mid-size corporations feel they don’t have the manpower or budget to delve into the social media world.  Some even feel they don’t know how to manage the technical side of social media.  Well, there is a gold mine of knowledge — and hunger for a job in this economy — at your neighborhood college.  

Develop your goals and social media path, then tap a few college students to be interns to carry it out for you.  You’ll find that they are quick, have great ideas and can create other opportunities for your brand.

And no, you don’t have an NFL team or player to attract a student to work for you.  But you have plenty to offer — whether it’s experience or a paycheck or just a chance to work with your brand.

 


 

 

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January 6, 2012 · 6:45 pm

Virtually There For Jabby

Every day I hear businesses question the power of Social Media and worry about what it can really do for ROI.

Well, I’m putting business aside today to talk about what Social Media can do for morale.  For hope.  For love of a friend.  For compassion from a stranger.

If you have not read or seen the story of Jack Jablonski, a 16-year-0ld sophomore at Benilde-St. Margaret’s High School in the Twin Cities — he was tragically hurt in a HS hockey game last Friday.  After surgery this week, the doctors have said he has some movement in his right shoulder and bicep, but due to a spinal cord injury the rest of his body remains paralyzed.  There is some hope that he will be able to feed himself and drive a wheel chair.   See the full story:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/05/jack-jablonski-paralyzed-hockey-high-school-injury_n_1187684.html?ref=sports

While Jack (aka Jabby)  and his family — Mom Leslie, Dad Mike, brother Max — rally by his side, it seems his teammates,  classmates, the Twin Cities, Minnesota, the Midwest and the U.S. are trying to rally their spirits.   

Via Social Media friends, family, strangers have been able to send their best wishes, hopes, prayers to the Jablonskis.  Jack went from a few hundred friends on Facebook to 5002 (as of this writing).  There’s been 240,304 visits to CaringBridge.com to wish him well.  #jabs has trended on Twitter.  The Minnesota Wild even have a ticker item on their site – just click on  Jablonski.

His friends started a groundswell of hope that has been passed on.  High Schools around the Midwest have worn white for Jack.  Hockey families everywhere — who I’m sure know it could just have easily happened to them — have rallied and sent prayers, best wishes and contributions.  At a time in the U.S. where folks have been out of jobs or unsure of their future — complete strangers have shown that compassion and humanity still abound.  

The Wells Fargo Bank has even started a Jack Jablonski Fund (8200 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley, MN  55427 – if you’re interested).

For those who want to reach out and offer support at a time when it’s clear there’s not a lot you can do, at least Social Media (driven by Jack’s friends), shows the Jablonski family they are not alone.

Since the Jablonski’s are my friends, it’s nice to know that there’s a ray of light in this tragedy from the compassion and support of friends and complete strangers.  And, while they face everything that will come with  Jack’s new life and theirs — may this outpouring buoy their spirits and hopes.  We’re with you, Jack!

PS:  A website is now up and running for donations:  www.jabby13.com.  Thanks.

PSS:  Some great news this weekend!  http://kaaltv.com/article/stories/s2443321.shtml

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November 22, 2011 · 6:36 pm

3 Ways Small Business Can Put Their Toes in Social Media Water

I just read the Ragan Report’s article about small business and Social Media.  There’s nothing new in it.  It’s just confirming the fact that small businesses are choosing not to partake in Social Media.  In fact, the article (http://www.ragan.com/Main/Articles/43986.aspx) says 67 percent say they won’t partake in Social Media in 2012 either!

That’s just sad to me, since many small companies have made it big by using nothing but Social Media.

Here’s three ways you can take the leap:

1.  Dedicate 2 hours per day to Social Media for a month.  Those can be your hours or an employee’s or those of everyone you have on your team.  Use that time to analyze and set up what your business needs to get into Social Media.  You could have a Facebook page done.  You could conduct a tweeting campaign.  Or an email campaign or many other options.  All doable.  All measurable.  When you see the success, you may find it’s worth it to dedicate someone’s time to this.

2.  Hire a Social Media expert for three months as a test.  You say you don’t know enough about Social Media to handle no.# 1  and don’t want to become an expert?  That’s fine.  Focus where you should.  But hire someone who can help you set up a plan for your business.  And provide that expert with the content s/he needs to truly get your company noticed.  That may mean you merely have to provide photos, email addresses of your patrons, friends, family, and other information.  Set goals with the expert and see what happens.

3.  Learn more about Social/Media to understand what opportunities you’re missing.  Attend the Small Business Success Summit in February 2012 that will focus on online opportunities (http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/smallbiz12/).  It’s all online and spread out over a month – so your time won’t be monopolized.

C’mon, put your toe in the water.  You may find amazing results.    Better you, than your competition!  

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October 10, 2011 · 7:35 pm

Remember: Engagement Means More Than ‘Like” On Your Facebook Page

Facebook’s new measurement metric, “People Talking About,” is just what the doctored ordered for Brands to understand that “Like” is one thing and engaging with consumers, another.  People Talking About measures user activity on the Brand’s Facebook page, including posts, comments, Likes, mentions, shares, etc.   Take a look at Mashable’s update on the top 10 brands by Likes and the top 10 by People Talking About:  http://on.mash.to/qBSIit.

The lists are similar, but the key to remember is that Like is not enough.  I may Like a brand, but not really want to hear another word from them or bother to check their Facebook page.  But, create some content to engage me and you may have me hooked.

Clearly, consumers are loyalists if they Like your brand.  But they love your brand if they interact with you.  How do you do achieve that?  Starbucks — No. 1 on the Talking About top 10 — is clearly focused on a number of ways to engage and learn from consumers.  They offer videos to watch (and comment on); discussions on Starbucks offerings — encouraging consumers to give them ideas; friend activity so loyalists can brag about their Starbucks experiences; and currently feature pumpkin pictures to promote their pumpkin spice latte (incorporating sharing photos via Instagram).

Victoria’s Secret may be lower on the Likes totem poll, but is No. 3 on the Talking About scale.  VS offers the usual wall banter, plus polls, contests, gift cards and wallpaper.  The wallpaper is a simple, sexy incentive to drive a lot of activity.

Skittles is another brand pushing for daily interaction.  They feature a “Rainbro of the Week” contest where consumers can feature photos.  Skittles conducts polls and posts entertaining videos.  And what they do extremely well is simply post statements to see if consumers like or offer comments to capture the Skittles personality.  For example, a recent Skittle post was:  ”I’m making a horror movie about a world without Skittles.  What should I call it?”  Those two sentences garnered 9,225 Likes and, more importantly, caused 10,919 Facebook users to comment.

Doesn’t that motivate you to crank up the activities on your brand’s Facebook page?

 

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August 25, 2011 · 5:14 pm

3 Don’ts to Use as a Checklist at Your Next Social Media Meeting

What’s the old speech maxim?  Tell them what you’re going to tell them; tell them; tell them what you just told them.

I guess the same should be said about Social Media counsel, because there seems to be a need for a lot of reinforcement.

I’ve come to that conclusion because some Social Media  meetings seem to be like deja vu when it comes to plans for action.  Here are three mistakes that happen so often, you should come up with a list of don’ts and make sure you follow them:

1.  Don’t  say” Let’s Tweet It”!  Or “Let’s Put It on Facebook!” without a plan

The common answer to working with Social Media seems to be to tweet or post about the opportunity or problem without an objective or strategy.  Just willy-nilly comments without thought to how it fits into your brand’s image or goals.  The next time you get the urge to say that, stop.  Instead stand back and ask:  do we have a proper Social Media strategy?  Does this idea fit into it?  Then go from there.

2.  Don’t kick off a Social Media plan without measurement goal(s)

Today I read at least 3 articles about how brands don’t have any idea how to analyze or measure what they’re doing with Social Media.  But they promise to start figuring it out.  So, start right now.  Some first attempts at measurement can be simple.  Or there are analysis companies to tap.  Look into it.

3.  Don’t let the 24/7 nature of  Social Media commandeer your day OR limit your ideas.

It’s a huge temptation to check in and stay tuned to everything happening on the Web.   Thus many Social Media ideas stop when someone at the decision table decides this effort will become overwhelming.  It doesn’t have to be.  You can set aside a couple times of day for monitoring, or you can assign monitoring to someone else (who can be equally as efficient in checking only a certain number of times per day).   You can be effective with your efforts and your time.

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August 15, 2011 · 10:08 pm

Three Reasons PR Folk Should Embrace Change, Not Ignore It

I was lucky enough to have vacation last week — 7 days devoted to relaxation, good weather and a lake.  Ah…

While enjoying the area, a shopkeeper had Robert C. Gallagher’s quote on a blackboard:  ”Change is inevitable — except from a vending machine.”  Which made me chuckle and shake my head at the same time.  People keep fighting change.  And those who refuse to roll with change — especially those in PR or Social Media — are sadly left behind.  Or worse yet, are pummeled by media or the stock market.

If you are quaking in the face of change, here are three reasons to keep up:

1.  Changing How or Where You Communicate can Quiet (or Empower) the Masses.  

Since Wisconsin appeared to be Libya this year with daily protests at the state capitol, many PR folk and lobbyists had opinions of how to quiet the madness.  However, many resorted to old methods, similar to old-boy-networking.  Instead, they should have been talking to the folks who were talking — the masses on Facebook starting recalls.  Had these PR folk and politicians been proactive by talking to the communities already in existence, there might have been peace in the land and votes in pockets.

2.  If You Don’t Jump on the Social Media Wagon, You Could Be Left Behind.

I still hear small business owners lamenting that they are too afraid to spend some money and use Social Media in their marketing mix.  At this point, it’s a little too late to be worried about using Social Media.  Instead they should be worried about not using Social Media.  Sooner or later, all your competitors will be using it — forcing your hand.  Don’t spend time worrying about it.  Instead spend that time being creative with your use of it.

3.  Consumers and Media Expect Transparency — Talk with Them.  Silence Can Hurt a Brand.

The best example of this is unfolding now — with the July 31 New York Magazine article about Martha Stewart and her empire.  She and/or her PR reps chose not to participate in this story about her.  That decision cost Stewart all control over the story’s content.  And, quite possibly, cost her control of her current stock price.    Silence is not golden.  A healthy dialogue is.  Check out the story and analysis of the handling of it:  http://www.linkedin.com/news?actionBar=&articleID=688583884&ids=0NcjcVdPwTe3oId3wUcPwRe3wSb3ANd38UdzwUdyMRdPkVcPsTe3oIcjcRd38Nc3AS&aag=true&freq=weekly&trk=eml-tod-b-ttle-98

 

 

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July 20, 2011 · 6:15 pm

Facebook v. Google+ — Watch & Learn Now, Act Later

Facebook v Google+.  If you’re worried about further social network fragmentation and what it’ll do to your business — keep monitoring what’s happening and have patience.

Easy for me to say?  Maybe.  But it is simple to say that Google+ is only in private beta stage, so you would be wise to just keep a close eye on it — so you understand the network differences and similarities and who’s using it.   And make your decisions later.

Facebook

Google+

Here’s a few things to think about as Google+ emerges:

Numbers

Facebook has close to 750 million users — almost 153 million from the U.S.

Mashable (www.mashable.com) reported today that Google+ is approaching 18 million users, but that it’s “beginning to show signs that it’s losing steam.”  Don’t take that last comment out of context if someone mentions it.  Google+ has been by invitation only and is currently in private beta stage.  Many are impatiently waiting to be invited.

 

What Google did in a week is hugely impressive, given that it has taken other companies years to achieve these types of numbers.  But the biggest feat to imagine is Google+ winning over the majority of Facebook users.

Users

Right now Facebook leans a little female.

Online commentary is estimating Google+ may skew male.

Differences

The Atlantic Wire (www.theatlanticwire.com) reports Google+’s four key points of difference from Facebook:

  • No boring set up.  ”Circles are fun.”
  • Webcams are more like a group hangout.
  • Instant Upload of pictures streamlines waiting to share.
  • Google+ values privacy.

The last bullet point is of interest (or humor) as Google+’s most-followed user, Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg, has been reported missing since he increased his privacy settings.

 

 

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