Just in case you missed it, yesterday was Social Media Day! Last year, I wrote a piece dedicated to Social Media Day celebrations. This year though, I feel the social media day phenomenon has been largely overshadowed by Google+ and Facebook’s pending announcement for next week. In the past, I’ve often emphasized on the importance of social media for businesses. Facebook, …

Do advertising agencies and social media represent a culture clash? Are these mutually exclusive entities that are best confined to their own worlds? Is it possible to use the combo in a manner which offers the best of both worlds? What is social marketing to an advertising agency? How can an advertising agency leverage the best of social media while …

Having a marketing strategy is good, but having a marketing strategy that works is great! Last year, I wrote several posts to uncover why businesses must formulate and practice a social media marketing strategy that works. Whether it’s measuring the ROI on your social media efforts or saving a dying business with social media, building a social media marketing strategy …

How do you identify the best social network for you? Does the one size fits all rule apply? Unfortunate as it is, the above rule doesn’t apply to the world of social networks. A social network that may sound perfect for business may indeed be a recipe for disaster for another business. Your competitors are all over the place so …

“To change is difficult, not to change is fatal” – Marketing techniques are no exception to that rule. Companies which have enjoyed success with conventional marketing techniques often ponder if it’s worth the cost and effort to join the social media marketing bandwagon. The most widely prevalent concerns regarding social media marketing are: Is social media marketing suitable for my …

Twitter in the last couple of years or so, has changed the way social media marketing is done or as I personally believe has become the single largest tool in this regard. So, if you are one among those marketers on twitter looking for a comprehensive tool that will assist your campaign, then here are 5 tools that could well …

One of the frustrations with social media platforms is that each focuses on filling one or two particular needs in the marketplace, requiring users to set up accounts or pages on multiple sites. This creates inefficiencies for the busy executive or entrepreneur, so it was only a matter of time before one site set out to incorporate them all into …

War is the last thing a country needs. Whether we choose to accept it or not, it’s a reality though. Thankfully, the humane aspect of wars continues to live in our hearts through noble gestures such as the initiative by Girl Scouts in Troop 612 and Troop 1145, who sell cookies to be sent to American troops in Iraq, Afghanistan …

Why do you exist? Why does your business exist? Have you ever thought about this? You should. Whether you’re a purveyor of food products or a purveyor of words, you present a brand. And through targeted marketing campaigns, you strive for brand awareness. But have you ever thought about what draws customers or clients to you, or essentially your brand? …

Business owners understand the need for a Facebook Fanpage. Creating a page is relatively easy. Engagement with your fans can be quite challenging. Ever thought: ”What does my Facebook fanpage need to attract more fans and keep them coming back for more?” Here are 9 Tips to help you make it a sparkling place.

All businesses and professionals have a stake in how they’re perceived by the public, by their business partners, and by consumers. Overlooking or minimizing the impact of good public relations is tantamount to dying a slow death. Good PR is absolutely essential for your business’s survival. But where can you find cost-effective public relations if you’re a new startup or …

I have no doubt that year 2010 will always be remembered as a “defining moment” in the history of social media. Having said that, I strongly believe that year 2011 will see businesses push the social media pedal harder to gain an advantage over their competitors. My optimism on social media is echoed by the findings of a recent study …

Happy New Year to all smedio readers! With the holiday season coming to an end and the arrival of Year 2011, it’s time to get back to “business as usual”. From a business perspective, it’s the best time to get ready for the New Year – formulate business plans and develop your marketing strategy for 2011. Year 2010 saw a …

Last year, Google tied up Twitter to include tweets in its search results. In October this year, Microsoft announced a partnership with Facebook to allow users to bring their Facebook friends into the search experience. Facebook has already overtaken Google as the most visited site in United States. Twitter is increasingly being perceived as Google’s biggest threat in the search …

Are you allocating budget to Social Media Marketing in 2011? Are you wondering how to boost your social media marketing success? While keeping up with Social Media Marketing Skills demands a lot from your organization, here are excellent tips that will help your business succeed. The other day, I listened to some great tips on LinkedIn, answering the following interesting …