5 Step Process for Social Media Success
Social media makes big companies feel small again, and gives small companies a natural advantage because they are closer to their customers. It doesn’t matter what industry you’re in, you have interesting stories to tell. Finding and sharing them is the first step toward social media success. What is your process for harvesting stories within […]
3 Ways Infomercials Can Inspire Your Social Media
I know, I know. You’re thinking that I’m crazy. But, I’m not. I’ve been in marketing or advertising (online or otherwise) for 20 years. I’ve been thinking lately about why I got involved in social media. What was the attraction? I’ve realized it’s THE TRUTH. That’s something sorely missing from a lot of traditional advertising, […]
Information as Theater – The Power of Humanized Description
I am typing this on a US Airways flight from St. Louis to Phoenix, coming back from SocialFresh. I’ll probably fly 150 segments this year, which is a lot, but nowhere near Chris Brogan territory. Today, I’ve fortunately been upgraded to first class, which happens infrequently because I travel enough to make it exhausting, but […]
Trey Pennington – The Twitter 20 Interview About Social Media and Humanity
Dr. Trey Pennington has a full plate. He has an active consulting practice, a forthcoming book called “Spitball Marketing”, a blog, an online radio show (the must-listen “Social Media Professor“), and a Facebook page. He’s also founded several Social Media Clubs world-wide, and is active in a bunch of local and South Carolina organizations. (He’s […]
When the Face of Your Brand Goes Splitsville
Are you putting all your eggs in the basket of a single person? I talk a lot about social media being about people, not logos. And as more and more communities find success by emphasizing their humanity, the sensibility of that approach is taking root. But without fail, every time I speak about humanization and […]
Social Media is About People, Not Logos
How will you be human? The people of your company are far more compelling than the company itself. Why they work for the company. Their dedication. Their interests outside of work. All of these provide “personality hooks” for your brand, and combined with a regular focus on your customers’ humanity, they are foundational elements of […]
Can Social Connectivity be Taught? My Thoughts on Trust Agents
Trust Agents, the new book by Chris Brogan and Julien Smith is storming the bastille of business wisdom, shooting up the NY Times bestseller list. (A rarity these days for a book not about vampires). The book has been reviewed by a ton of smart people, including Christopher S. Penn, Amber Naslund, Jason Falls, Eric […]
Disrobing Your Brand One Peanut at a Time
Consumers want to know that there are real people behind your logo. And while the speed and convenience of digital tools make them a natural choice for that type of communication, online isn’t the only available conduit for achieving humanization. I’m sitting on a Southwest Airlines flight, returning from Austin and the exhilarating and exhausting […]
A Trickle of Transparency
Can the principles of social media work offline? Many brands are unsure of how (or whether) to dive in to the social media pool. That’s not surprising. To fundamentally reconsider the relationship between brand and its customers isn’t a course correction that can be accomplished over a plate of chicken nachos and a margarita. After […]