SOCIALMEDIA Archives - Marketing & Social Media Consultant

Power to the Online People

August 9, 2022

Where were you when news of the tsunami hit Japan in 2011? How about when Michael Jackson died? Probably online, according to many experts who claim that social media has become the main media source for hundreds of millions of people. Not just in the U.S., either; Facebook alone has more than 900 million users spread across the globe as of 2012. Other social media giants like Twitter have facilitated revolution against unjust leaders and warned people of impending natural disaster. In fact, so many people regularly interact online that if the Internet were a nation, it would exceed the Americas, Europe and the Middle East combined in population. No wonder more than 13 million members of the online community used Reddit and other media platforms to protest SOPA, a proposed Internet censorship bill. Keep this graphic in mind next time you log on, because knowledge is power — and a little knowledge goes a long way in the Internet Age.

Power To The Online People …

10 Overrated Things in America

April 13, 2022

I was recently contacted by an organization that publishes articles from Phil Barnes, a freelance photo editor and contributing write for TravelInsurance.org. Some of these made me laugh and some made me think; we do have some overrated things in our country! Do you agree? Disagree? Let us know!

10 Overrated Things in America

It’s 5 p.m.–QUICK! Rush out to buy the new Doritos Locos taco! Stand in line all night to get the latest iPhone! Maybe you don’t want to do these things, but plenty of Americans do. What are some of the other overrated things in America today?

10 Overrated Things in America
Image courtesy of Flickr and used via Creative Common License.

Taco Bell’s Doritos Locos Taco

Have you ever had Doritos or a taco? Well, Taco Bell combined the two…and it tastes like a regular taco. Sorry to disappoint, but the Locos Taco just doesn’t live up to its hype.

The Latest Phone

New phones seem to be coming out every day, but does a half-second faster Internet connection really warrant standing on a line all night? We prefer our beauty sleep.

Yoga

Sure, it’s peaceful and eases your mind, but you’re also likely to find yoga snobs and a bit too much quiet for your liking. Don’t even get us started on hot yoga; it sounds rather similar to pure torture.

Organic Food

How do you know that the labels are really accurate? Perhaps items that are really not organic are being passed off as organic. Remember, an “inorganic” carrot is a lot healthier than an organic ice cream sundae. Organic does not always mean healthy.

Hand Sanitizer

People are constantly running in and out of offices and workrooms to sanitize their hands. Whatever happened to just washing your hands? Kill off those germs the good old fashioned way with a bar of soap and some running water. Of course, if you’re sick, the sanitizer will help you from infecting the entire office.

Toms Shoes

A sneaker and a slipper came together, and Toms were born. Would you ever have thought that this unusual marriage would work? With it’s oddly rounded toe, these types of shoes look as though they are suitable for a day spent at home only. Or, you know, a mythical spa.

“Breaking Amish”

People are going crazy over this television show that claims to show young Amish and Mennonite people leaving their religious groups for the first time. However, all of these young people have supposedly been out of the communities for years. One was allegedly married with three children and left the Amish 18 years ago!

E-readers

Whatever happened to heading to the library and thumbing through books to see which one you liked best? …

It’s About Time

January 5, 2022

Several years ago, a business owner and sales manager uttered these words that have resonated with me throughout my life: ” I can give you all of the training and tools you need to succeed, but I cannot give you more time.”

It’s About Time

Image used under Creative Common License

When you stop and think about it, that may be one of the truest statements ever spoken because we can never give ourselves more time. I chuckle when I read or hear advertisements that claim, “we can save you time.” Really? How do you actually save time? Do you have a special box that you put time in so that I can use it later? Of course not, we can’t save time; we can only make better use of the time we are given.

No matter what your religious beliefs or affiliations, most people will agree on this; there are no guarantees on time; what we have, all that we are promised is the moment we are in right now; not tomorrow, not next year, but now.

As you approach your life and business goals for 2013, think about time. Think about the fact that our time on this planet is limited and we have no guarantee’s. Make the most of your time each day. How do we do this? Here are five tips for making the most of your time:

Stop meeting for the sake of meeting. If you are in sales or an entrepreneur, you know what an hour of your time is worth; so stop giving it away. If your meeting has a purpose and is essential, great; if not then why are you meeting?
Value your own time as you plan your day, or your week. Be honest how much time you need to devote to each task or each project.
Scale back on social media platforms. Do you truly need to be on every single social platform for yourself or your business? Evaluate and determine which platform makes the most sense for your goals or your busienss.
Delegate and outsource. Use a community manager for your social marketing and/or a virtual assistant for tasks that are stealing your time.
Say No! Just say no to coffee with friends, to things that waste your time, and to people that”just want to pick your brain!” It’s okay to say no!

Need further proof? Read this post by Suzie Poirier, owner of Ace Concierge: Your Income is Limited by Your Time.

It’s About Time. Your Time; use it wisely!…

Own and Protect Your Content!

November 7, 2021

Other than the devastating news out of Oklahoma, the digital world is buzzing this week over the news that Yahoo has purchased blogging site Tumblr for $1.1 billion. Or as some are now referring to it: Yumblr. It is too early in this process to know what plans Yahoo has for Tumblr, but one thing is for sure: Tumblr will change. Tumblr subscribers will either embrace the changes or they will leave. In droves.

Protect Your Content
Image Courtesy of Slate

In March 2012, the headline was Twitter Buys Posterous. Many people speculated that Posterous would stay around; that Twitter only wanted the owners/management team but would leave the product alone. Alas, that was not the case. Posterous shut down May 31, 2013.

Tumblr and Posterous offered users a simple to use and user friendly blogging format. Something that the novice or casual blogger could use, customize the look and feel and create what they wanted without all of the “heavy-lifting” involved with a self-hosted website or blog. Sounds easy, right? Well, as with all things in life that sound too good to be true, sometimes free and easy is not the best solution.

What is one thing that the former Posterous and the “future unknown” Tumblr have in common? The users DO NOT own their content!! If you didn’t download a backup of your data from Posterous, it is gone. Forever. Will that happen with Tumblr? Who knows. Yahoo may keep it up and running and not change the platform at all. They may start charging for it or they could fill it up with ad space to offset the Billion Dollar purchase price.

The bottom line is this; you must own your content and protect it. Work with professionals to develop and host your website and blog. These are your thoughts, ideas and professional work. Own it. Protect it. Value it just like you do financials for your company. If you need suggestions on who to work with to build your site, contact me.

Now, if you are saying in your mind; “but John, what if I publish something and someone steals it?” Well, my first suggestion is you go after them! But before you even think about that, I STRONGLY encourage you, suggest, will drive to your house and twist your arm to read Erika Napoletano’s suggestions. I consume most everything Erika writes and last week was no exception. It came to Erika’s attention that someone was, in her words, “ripping her off!” She published two phenomenal blogs on her experience: If You’re Going to Rip Me Off, At Least Be Creative About It and On Stealing Shit. Check her blogs out, determine a plan to deal with it if …

Lunch N Learn with ZAAR Design Center

November 7, 2021

One of the great aspects of social media is the opportunity for strangers to connect through a shared interest, platform, hobby or need. My plans to speak at ZAAR Design Center, as part of the Spring High Point Furniture Market is an example of a need, someone reaching out and plans set in motion thanks to social media.

Ruth Olbrych, the owner of ZAAR Design Center contacted me on February 12th after her friend, Alicia Connolly forward to Ruth a conversation I had on Twitter with Dana Helms, Social Media Manager at Social North. Dana is also involved with an amazing organization, WithIt. Due to our open conversation on Twitter about WithIt, Alicia mentioned to Ruth that I may be interested in speaking to a group at the Spring Furniture Market in High Point.

ZAAR Design Center

The subsequent emails and phone conversations with Ruth, has led to the ZAAR Design Center hosting a Lunch and Learn on Sunday, April 6th at their showroom in High Point. I will talk with their guests about How Best Maximize Your Social Media Presence as a Designer. You can pre-register for the event here: Lunch N Learn + Jewelry/Accessory Sale

How Do I, as an Interior Designer, Maximize My Social Media Presence?

The Social Media map changes at such a rapid pace it can be daunting to know where you should be focusing your energies for maximum impact for your Interior Design business. Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Houzz, Google Plus, Linked In. Which portal serves you best? Hint: Might not be what you think. What are the keystones for a Social Media plan? Yes, it can be manageable.

For me, this Lunch and Learn is an opportunity to talk about my passion, social media, as well as network with professionals within the furniture and design industries. For Ruth, it is an opportunity to showcase her Design Center and to provide the Designers in attendance with valuable information that can help their business and industry. Truly a win-win; something I see every day within social media.

If you are attending the High Point Furniture Marketing this April, we hope you can join us for our Lunch N Learn at the ZAAR Design Center!…

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It’s About Time

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