RT @Mashable

February 27th, 2010

Twitter Helps Find Missing Family Member After Chile Earthquake

Great quote from Walt Disney…

February 24th, 2010

“You may not realize it when it happens, but at kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.”–Walt Disney

Being a “Resource” not a “Salesman” on Social Media Networking Sites…

February 23rd, 2010

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…Ok, so, I’ve said this many, many times yet still see businesses making the annoying errors of “selling” on SMN sites rather than simply being a resource. People like to buy from those they’re familiar with…not people that are constantly throwing prices and “selling” to them. I mean, come on! People get on Facebook and Twitter to communicate and it’s the one place they want to escape constantly being sold.

Earn the trust of your consumers by showing them you’re knowledgeable in your area of business and that you know your stuff. Become a resource by posting useful tidbits of information. Interact with your fans or followers by asking for their input…no one likes a know it all and believe me, WE ALL don’t know it ALL! You may even get some interesting input and ideas to help your business by getting feedback from friends, fans and followers. In some cases and every once in a while it’s good to throw prices…if you own a restaurant, for example, it’s okay to mention “a” special now and then, i.e. happy hours, etc. But if you’re launching a new place and you’re already throwing cheap prices, you’re devaluing your product before you’ve established your forte or specialty. Don’t devalue your product…especially if you have an amazing product to begin with. Have tastings and events to bring awareness and show your product worth.

Once you’ve hit it big and are established, then say “thank you” to your consumers for making your business a success by having specials. But just as fast as you can promote your business on social media networking sites, you can hurt it if you are NOT promoting it positively and with confidence. Remember, to bring in the kind of consumer into your establishment that will take care of your employees and not mind paying regular prices on your products, you must believe in your products and services first. For these are the type of consumers that will “grow” your business, not trash it. We’ve posted several blogs on “Selling on SMN Sites in a Socializing Kind of Way”…check out our blogs on our website, Facebook Page, Twitter, Bebo, Blogger, FriendFeed, Friendster, LinkedIn and MySpace, Plurk…all WordSpreadMedia.

What’s a good time to post status updates on social media networking sites?

February 22nd, 2010

…Not past 11pm and not all bunched up. Really! The way social media networking is designed to work:
A. to help brand intrusively without “selling”
B. don’t post a bunch of posts all at once…spread it out!
C. you’ll reach a much larger audience during “peek” SMN times…usually, that’s not after 11pm-12am.ami-blog-pic-4-10-093

2010 Addy Awards

February 20th, 2010

Congrats to the guys at Retro Spec Films! They won the 2010 Addy for the creative on our summer a/c spot for one of our clients, Same Day Auto Repair! Cheers!

“If you can dream it, you can do it.”– Walt Disney

February 20th, 2010

Race fan loyalty…Nascar and Sprint Car!

February 19th, 2010

MARKETING CHALK TALK
Ami Williams-Consultant
February 19th, 2010

ami-blog-pic-4-10-092Ok, so, back in the day, a simple ad on TV or radio was sufficient to bring customer awareness on your business. But then again, so was simple word of mouth advertising. Today, there is so much competition in EVERY industry, that thinking outside the box to reach and brand new customers is a MUST! Ten years ago there were articles, within the advertising industry, coming out supporting facts on advertising and reaching GenX & GenY demographics. They educated us on the importance of reaching these now so coveted generations though Entertainment, Sports, Music, etc.

For this I say keep on keeping on! There is another “genre” of attracting and retaining brand loyalty. We know Nascar fans are DIE HARD and they support those advertisers and sponsors that support their addictive sport. Well, Sprint Car racing fans are just as loyal and die hard as Nascar Fans.

While small business owners can’t all afford to do this type of sponsorship on a national level, they can on a regional level. Google “sprint car race series” in your local town and see who the regional owners are, then contact them and tell them you want to look at sponsorship opportunities. In a down economy, it’s a sport that still brings thousands to the race tracks for that one night a week of bliss and excitement. Yes, even wives who once fought for the time their husbands spent at the track now join their hubbies. Thanks to Danica Patrick, the face of race fans has forever been changed be it Nascar, Sprint, or Indie. Get your business to grow…get the attention of those future consumers! Grab, brand, and retain.

Tiger Woods, you only owe your wife an apology…

February 19th, 2010

… to the rest of media, fans, etc…he owes you a great golfing, period.

Local Regional Band from Tulsa playing SXSW, listen live this morning …

February 19th, 2010

…Paul Benjaman Band from Tulsa, Oklahoma was placed on the music roster for SXSW taking place this March. If you’ve never heard their music, tune in this morning around 8:30 and 9:30 and get ready for some soulful, Southern Rock! If you’re not in Tulsa, Oklahoma, then listen live on the web at http://kmod.com/main.html, click on “listen now”. Today also happens to be the lead singer’s birthday. Happy Birthday Paul Benjaman!!

Social Media Networking…keyword “social”!

February 17th, 2010

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Marketing Chalk Talk
Word Spread Media
Ami Williams- Consultant February 17th, 2010

I’ve been posting little tidbits of info, here and there. Unfortunately, people aren’t getting it. I see businesses “advertising” their products on social media networking sites. Two words, “turn-off” in a MAJOR way! Look, if you’re gonna take advantage of the people who welcome your business into their web socializing time, then don’t turn them off by “selling” them. First rule in sales is NOBODY likes to be sold. It’s okay to pimp your product, we all do it, only consider selling it in a socializing way. If you have a restaurant, take actual photos of your delicious food. Not taken by a photog, but fresh, out of the kitchen, the way your consumers see it. I know, it’s not rocket science, yet the way some people aren’t getting it, you would think it was <sigh>.