This will be a busy and fun week for me as I travel to California for the #OCSMS. Honestly, I can't wait! Taking part in the Summit, learning from peers and meeting friends face-to-face for the first time is going to be a great experience! This type of an event, combined with meeting these friends is what fuels me; I love meeting and networking with people that share similar passions that I do.
I finally have the opportunity to meet @RochelleVeturis, @HaleyVeturis and @ChelseyVeturis in person, along with several other Twitter and Facebook friends! Saying I am excited is a huge understatement!
Over the next week, I plan to publish posts about my trip and this experience, along with an ongoing video series about my California adventure. I hope you will join me and enjoy the #OCSMS as much a I will! We can all learn from the best in the social media and marketing industry!
Want to connect with me? That is easy, I am always on! You can Friend me on Facebook, Follow me on Twitter, add me to your Circles on Google+ watch my videos on YouTube and connect with me on LinkedIn.
I must admit, I have been a fan of Ford motor company for years. Over the years I have owned two Ford's and my family has been loyal to the Ford brand for many years. It didn't hurt that my uncle, Bob Ripley worked for a local Ford Dealership for several decades. Anyone familar with southern West Virginia will recognize the name Dodson-Hager Ford.
Thinking of the cars Ford has produced over the years brings back great memories. Come on, the Ford Mustang? How great was and is that car? Well, with the exception of the Mustang II during the 1970's, but we can overlook that period in time.
The current line up of Ford products seem to further the quality of the brand. I do not own a Ford currently, but their trucks, SUV's and some of their cars are worth the look in my opinion.
The current line up Ford commercials, at leeast the interveiew style commercials, stink in my opinion!
If you haven't seen them; here is one:
Recently these commercials have underwent a makevover of sorts, shifting the interview to outside, on the steps of a building in impromptu press conference styel format. Complete with someone, portraying a photographer, running up to snap pictures of the interviewee. So, what is my problem with the commercials? They are old school and expect the viewers to believe that these Ford owners are surprised to be interviewed. They show "reporters" writing down answers and sticking microphones in the faces of the owners. And, they have NO reference to social media whatsover! Even at the end of the commercial, no website link, Twitter image, Facebook logo or YouTube brand page link. I guess what makes me shake my head is that Ford has a strong online and social presence, so why hide it? Click over to Facebook; they have MULTIPLE pages; one for each model! It's like these commercials are produced by a complete different marketing department; and they seem so fake! They are not attempting to connect or build a community at all with these commercials.
Those are my thoughts, and a bit of a rant I suppose. But what do you think? Do you like the commercials? Are they effective?
Want to connect with me? That is easy, I am always on! You can Friend me on Facebook, Follow me on Twitter, add me to your Circles on Google+ and connect with me on LinkedIn.
Two of my friends from Twitter, Marty McPadden @MartyMcPadden and Misty Belardo @MistyGirlph published a post recently that I believe is solid gold! Most individuals sign up for Twitter accounts and figure it out on their own or with the help of a friend. Businesses however, struggle to know how or why to set a Twitter account; not anymore! This video and post will help you approach your business Twitter account in the right way!
Here is their video:
Here is the link to the complete post and all of the tips. Thank you Marty and Misty for publishing this and for letting me re-post it!
Marty McPaddenfounder and host of PodJamTv is a professional photographer, videographer, blogger, apple geek and a Production Supervisor at ESPN one of the largest sports network in the world. His vast knowledge in the above mentioned field will allow you our readers to tap into tools, apps, reviews and tips that he has learned and mastered over the years. How to’s and hacks that will allow you to have a richer online experience.
Misty Belardoco host and co writer of PodJamTv is an experienced blogger, designer and a self proclaimed Twitter-holic and an avid Facebook user is a Senior Production Manager at Barefoot Proximity, one of the most awarded advertising agencies across the globe. Her experience with writing, designing, SEO and brand and advertising strategy will give readers a point of view of what happens behind the scenes in the digital sphere.
Want to connect with me? That is easy, I am always on! You can Friend me on Facebook, Follow me on Twitter, add me to your Circles on Google+ and connect with me on LinkedIn.
The latest edition of the Socialnomics 3 video, an even longer 4:00+ version, has been making the rounds on Twitter, Facebook and Google+. If you are not familiar with the video, it is the world's most watched social media series by Erik Qualman. Based on #1 Best Seller Socialnomics.
Here is the video
Any time this video is updated, it is played, re-played or posted on anyone and everyone's page/profile that likes to call themselves a social media consultant. Is there anything wrong with this? No, not at all. I believe the problem is that too many people see others talking about social media and they convey onto that person the level of expert or they think that person has expertise in social media. Many times this happens because the social media consultant refers to themselves as an expert.
If you are looking for a social media consultant or partner; run like Forest Gump away from anyone, and I do mean anyone that uses the term expert, guru, or cheerleader to describe themselves! No one is a social media expert, plain and simple. Social media is still in it's infancy and we are all students. From the biggest names in the medium to someone that just signed up for Facebook, we are all now and will always be students.
If you are looking to hire a consultant or a firm to work with on social media, consider these tips:
*Check out their Facebook Business Page and Facebook personal account. How often do they post and what kind of engagement do they have with friends or fans?
*Check out their Twitter account. Do they post good information? Do they just RT information? How consistently do they engage with others on Twitter?
*Numbers are not the only thing; but how large of a network have they built? That can be a good barometer of how they can help your business engage and build a network.
*Are they early adopters and do they work to learn new technologies and platforms such as Google+?
*Ask for references of current clients; if they are at liberty to disclose those.
*Ask for references of past clients.
*Ask for information on campaigns they have successfully developed in the past.
*Do they have a blog and/or website that is updated regularly?
This is not a complete or exhaustive list, but it's a start. What are your thoughts?
For the record, I am a social media student, consultant and practitioner.
Want to connect with me? That is easy, I am always on! You can Friend me on Facebook, Follow me on Twitter, add me to your Circles on Google+ and connect with me on LinkedIn.
Facebook announced exciting changes during their live video conference today. Do you believe these are improvements?
Announced today:
Video Calling with Skype
New Chat Design, complete with Buddy Lists
Group Chatting
The partnership with Skype was something necessary and a natural next step for the two companies. It solidifies Skype's place in the social environment and it helps Facebook to continue to grow in the wake of Google + 1.
Do you see these changes as improvements? For businesses that use Facebook to connect and stay in communication with their client and potential clients; this is HUGE! Imagine interfacing with fans and clients directly off of your Facebook Business Page! Holding a Group Chat Session with employees in other locations! It's all about being connected, being responsive and humanizing business.
How will these compete with Google + 1 ? Too soon to tell; and in reality, it is two different situations; but it does raise the bar for both Facebook and Skype in our social environment.
Owner at John Lusher Consulting | Co-President at Meetup 2.0 | Board Member Trust House | Want to know more? Check out my About page. Contact me John@JohnLusher.com
