If you haven’t heard by now Facebook has rolled out a series of new updates and there are more to come. With each update comes a ridiculous amount of uproar and hate. I came across a graphic from a friend’s post and couldn’t help myself from creating a response. Below are my visual thoughts.
Click here or on the photo to enlarge
Interested in the original? Check it out here.
Klout has quickly become the defining metric of online influence. In the last year, Klout has been adopted by thousands of Twitter, Facebook, and now LinkedIn users to identify their online reach and influence. Today, businesses and organizations are recording scores to offer special incentives to those influencers of their brand or product category. Beyond using the score on a consumer lever, I also see future employers including your score as another credential for evaluating you on a job, especially in social media. Acknowledging that your Klout score is becoming more useful than just a fun number to brag about to your Facebook friends and Twitter followers, I wanted to take a step in the right direction by seriously evaluating myself online today and where I hope to be in the future.
I set out on a 30 day journey to ultimately grow my online network, enhance my digital personal brand and increase my online influence (Klout score). Like with any success, it comes with the expense of an investment. Being as busy as I am, I knew this wouldn’t come easy, so I laid out a few ground rules that I’d hope to keep in mind each week to help me reach my goal.
After the first week I think I’m on the right track! Here is a look at my progress from June 21st – June 28th
It is exciting to watch Klout unfold into this new standard of online influence. Unfortunately, there is no practice test or golden set of steps to follow to attain a high desired score. I will continue to evaluate my performance and share any best practices that I come across. In the meantime, if there is anything I’ve missed, please let me know, it is still early in the game!
To figure out your Klout score visit http://klout.com and sign in with Facebook or Twitter. Next connect your accounts and your off and running. Log in each day to re-evaluate your score and help others by giving them +K on topics they influence. As you gain topics, encourage users to do the same.
By July 30th, I have hope to achieve:
What a fantastic evening! Thanks to everyone who made it out to join Alison Buckley and I at the Social Media Club Great Lakes Bay event. You reaffirmed my love for new media and marketing and why I do what I do, so thank you. It was a pleasure to meet all the new faces and look forward to seeing you all more. Apologies for the tight space tonight. We will be sure to have some more room next time and perhaps a screen to help display some of the steps.
Below you will find the linked document we mentioned in our roundtable tonight. It features some more details as well as a few steps to walk you through some of the processes. We didn’t get a chance to cover the location based services on the document, so maybe we can roll that into a discussion next time. I also added a video below from Traffic 3.0 that sums up the steps and process of setting up a page nicely.
Click here to download PDF
Great tutorial on making a Facebook Page:
If you have any additional comments, please leave us a note below or send me an email at rtbattishill@thinkmarketing.org.
It seems like just yesterday that I registered for my exclusive Facebook account for my school. In actuality, that was over 6 years ago! In that 6 years time, Facebook went from a dorm room idea to a multi-billion dollar company that has fundamentally changed the way we communicate today. The social network continues to impact the lives of others and now more than ever, help businesses foster relationships with consumers in ways that were unheard of before. The growth of Facebook has been truly astonishing, but where do they stand today?
Heres a little something extra by Alex Trimpe, a student at Columbus College of Art & Design. His piece, The World is Obsessed with Facebook, shows some interesting stats about Facebook use in 2011 and goes great with the infographic below.
The World Is Obsessed With Facebook from Alex Trimpe on Vimeo.
Lets take a look at a beautiful infographic thanks to Online Schools. Heres a breakdown the data. With over 500 million users, Facebook is now used by 1 in every 13 people on earth, with over 250 million of them (over 50%) who log in every day. The average user still has about 130 friends, but that should expand in 2011. 48% of 18-34 year olds check Facebook when they wake up, with 28% doing so before even getting out of bed. The 35+ demographic is growing rapidly, now with over 30% of the entire Facebook user base. The core 18-24 year old segment is now growing the fastest at 74% year on year. Almost 72% of all US internet users are on now Facebook, while 70% of the entire user base is located outside of the US.
Check out a timeline of Facebook’s facts and figures for 2010 here
Where will the social network be 5 years from now? Or for that matter, simply a year?
Recently we were contacted by an organization looking to spread acts of kindness in other’s lives. It has always been a goal of ours to help businesses succeed and establish a strong foundation, especially those starting with nothing. In lue of the holiday season and being truly inspired by this movement, what not a better opportunity to start pro bono work for deserving non-profits. We understand that non-profits need clients just like big businesses do. An excellent website is a great way to get the word out to the public about your organization and your cause. However, we know that faced with a choice between putting money into much needed supplies and services or finally being able to start or overhaul a website, the choice is clear and the website definitely loses out. By donating our time and expertise to give you a great website, we hope to help you get the most out of yours.
The RAOK Project has one mission, “To make a difference in people’s lives. Through random acts of kindness we want to bring smiles and happiness to as many people as possible.” There will be a number of different acts committed by The RAOK Project. The main focus will be one-for-one, coined by “TOM’S Shoes.” For every shirt bought from The RAOK Project, one will be one given to an underprivileged child or person in need. From the sales of the shirts and other merchandise the company hopes to raise money to donate to other causes during the time that a series of shirts are being sold.
Check them out at the raokproject.com or check them out on Facebook at facebook.com/raokproject
It was an honor to work with them and we hope their success inspires others to perform random acts of kindness in their lives. From opening the door for someone on the street to helping a stranger stranded with a flat tire. Acts of random kindness can come in many shapes and sizes, how will you make a difference in someones life?
For those who would like to recommend an organization or business for a pro bono consultation, please send us a note at thinkmarketing.org/contact stating why they should be next.
Provided services: Branding, web design and development, e-commerce solution, merchandise design, social media
With the growth of web-based social networks and a desire for transparency, trust and peace-of-mind messages, it shouldn’t be surprising that relationships rule these days in marketing. Like in life, relationships are everything. When you build relationships with consumers, you also build a band of brand loyalists that can become your most powerful source of word-of-mouth marketing, brand advocacy and brand guardianship. Building these lasting relationships with consumers is far more powerful than making a quick sale and turning your head to the next individual. Marketers and communicators are understanding the importance more and more and are starting to leverage the social web to interact with people around the world and build relationships that wouldn’t have been possible a decade ago.
It wasn’t long ago that business relationships were generated from networking events and face-to-face interaction such as trade shows. However, in today’s technology driven world, relationships are commonly built by using the tools of the social web. The Web has created a whole new way of building relationships, and we (as marketers) are no longer forced to focus on traditional (or monologue) marketing, where the marketer only talks to the customer. Which usually results in the customer to react and say something along the lines of “I am or am not interested.”
This new way of connecting to customers is exactly the same way we do with our personal relationships nowadays. That is, we utilize different communication channels such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Come on, is it not easier to drop Aunt Betty a wall post rather than picking up the phone to be ear strained for an hour. This same technique applies to business, where by using these connection points you get to build a conversation. Would you want to talk about the simple and strategic messages that are created? You have short quick messages in real time that are focused on a single idea, not run-on like the phone call with Aunt B. Get to know your customers likes, interests and address them personally and strategically (via your message or medium of choice) about any issues they may be experiencing. Utilize this information to strengthen the relationship which in turn will help create better (and quite possible more) influencers among their social networks and potentially even create/design products and services they might want.
Step outside your comfort zone and get personal with your existing and potential customer base. It will not only change the way your business is viewed, but will bring you much success from the ambassadors you create.
This year SunChips will celebrate Earth Day with the launch of the world’s first 100% compostable chip bag.
The new bags are made with plant-based polylactic acid (PLA), a renewable material that also allows the bags to fully compost in approximately 14 weeks when placed in a hot, active compost bin. Today, the bags are in full distribution in North America, a great way to mark the 40th anniversary of Earth Day.
As a part of the launch, SunChips is launching a national composting education initiative via strategic alliances with the U.S. Composting Council and Earth 911 to promote composting through educational materials, consumer outreach and other awareness-building activities. The goal is to reach more than one million American households directly through this effort.
While the green revolution has exploded over the past few years, and garnered much attention, the implementation of businesses or individuals adopting green practices has been a bit slow. To get inspired, below are some links to Earth Day initiatives that features ideas you can incorporate today in your business and in your life. The practices ultimately help to protect the environment we live in, but also can help save organizations some green. Even though Earth Day only comes once a year, we – as business owners and humans – should focus on supporting the environment every day.
Today, make an effort to take a step in the green direction like SunChips. I’m going to work on driving less and invest in a new bike. This might be hard to accomplish in a tie, but I’m sure I’ll figure out a way to make it work. What steps are you or your organization taking to stay green?
10 Ways to Go Green and Save Green
A great actionable list of simple things you can do today to help reduce your environmental impact, save money, and live a happier, healthier life.
Create The Good – Go Green
Create The Good is a movement started by the AARP to connect people with positive opportunities, in whatever way works for them. Their “Go Green” campaign provides a list of ideas for you to support the environment at work, in your community, and with friends, including ideas for those of us who are over-scheduled and pressed for time.
Earth Day on Business.gov
This is a collection of green resources and guides just for businesses. The site includes a Small Business Guide to Energy Efficiency with tips, advice, and resources to help businesses save on energy costs: from energy saving tips to information on grants, loans and incentives available for making energy efficient upgrades to your facilities.
Earth911.com Business Solutions
Earth911 is an environmental services company that provides tools to engage consumers, track recycling and proper disposal programs and demonstrate compliance. The web site provides information about reducing your impact, reusing what you’ve got and recycling your trash.
Pick 5 is an international environmental effort by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of State. From the website, you choose 5 actions you will take to support the environment, then sign up and make a pledge. You can print out your list so everyone in your household or office can follow along.
It’s not surprising to see yet another specialty sandwich or bucket of chicken out for a limited time only from KFC. However, this time its different. This one comes with no bun and a little buzz! On April 12, KFC is introducing its first-ever bunless chicken sandwich: the KFC Double Down. This one-of-a-kind sandwich features two thick and juicy boneless white meat chicken filets, two pieces of bacon, two melted slices of Monterey Jack and pepper jack cheese and Colonel’s Sauce.
During the product’s test market phase last year, high consumer interest and demand drove people to travel for miles to sample the Colonel’s tasty new creation. From online chatter speculation to late night talk show mentions, the Double Down generated more buzz than any test market item in KFC history.
So, what about the buns!
In addition to the already heightened buzz around the product, KFC is mixing in a little PR for what seems a feeble attempt to avoid the negative focus on the sandwich’s nutrition. To celebrate the launch of the new product, the brand will donate both buns and funds to food banks across the country, starting with the Dare to Care Food Bank in KFC’s hometown of Louisville, Ky.
It is truly astonishing the amount of attention centered around this new sandwich. I’ve come across prank videos to KFC’s customer service to cold hearted protest for the sandwich’s release. All in all, the new innovation has garnered new conversation and growth opportunities for the organization that could pay huge dividends in the future.
Businesses, while you may not be able to create buzz, you can influence it. Search for that special ingredient, observe your consumers reactions, respond and watch the magic happen!
No longer are organizations making such a valiant attempt at crafting the perfect sugar coated marketing message to their audience. Consumers have lived through a variety of negative events throughout the past decade, and they’re no longer willing to accept anything businesses tell them. This means that organizations have looked to evolve their communications practices and enter into the glass walled world of transparency.
Photo by: Nick Maslen
Being transparent in marketing means being honest, sincere and open without giving away your game to your competition. It means potentially revealing information which would affect the health of your consumers without having to suffer the Michael Moore effect (eg Supersize Me). It means paying attention to the values which your customers hold dear, and correcting your business practices if they run counter to those values. It also means being able to say sorry the moment something explodes in your organization’s face, and being truly remorseful about it through sincere corrective measures.
Brands that make a concentrated effort to be honest and open in their marketing communications will actually work to their advantage. Ultimately, generating positive consumer responses, which can lead to brand loyalty and brand advocacy. Additionally, the people who use an organization’s products or services may be curious about what goes on behind the scenes. Tell them how much you invest in training your staff, or how intensive your product is tested for safety before going to market. Share with them your CEO’s dream and vision, as well as the pains that you take to ensure that every ingredient for your yogurt is organically sourced.
Like in any relationship, building trust is the most important thing, and once you’ve earned it, you need to make sure you keep it. Transparency and trust are no one night stands, they’re an ongoing effort that should be built into the the practices of your organization.
Does social media play a role in your purchase decision among brands? In many, it does.
A new study shows that those who are fans or followers of a brand on Facebook or Twitter, respectively, are significantly more likely to buy products and services or recommend the brand to a friend.
The recent study by Chadwick Martin Bailey and iModerate Research Technologies found 51% of Facebook fans and 67% of Twitter followers said they are more likely to make a purchase from at least a few brands since they became engaged with those brands on social media. Additionally, 60% of study respondents reported that their status as a Facebook fan would increase the likelihood of recommending a brand to a friend. 80% of respondents said the same thing about following a brand on Twitter.
So, what does this mean for businesses ?
Customers and brand enthusiasts are saturating the various networks, and it is crucial for businesses to join them in a space that is not only impactful, but engaging. Some of the top reasons users decided to follow or fan brands in the first place were because they are current customers (49%) and wanted to show support (42%).
In addition, this information-savvy group is looking towards an incentive for participating. For 40% of users, receiving deals, discounts, and promotions from their favorite brands ranked on the top of their wish list.
These users are active, and if businesses want to make a difference in 2010, they need to utilize social media as a direct, open, transparent channel where communication and organic conversation can take place.
Via eMarketer
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