Category Archives: Social Media

Social Media Is About More Than “Friends”

11 November 2009 Written By: Jim KukralComments: Comments

I once wrote that “Nobody’s a blogger anymore, we’re all publishers“. The point is that at some point in the last few years of blogging growing up, and social media grabbing hold of us, that the reasons we started blogging became different. It wasn’t only about expressing our thoughts… it became more.

jfk_sbIt became a business. Ok, you know what I mean. You start a blog today because you’re looking for something. Either to build your brand, or generate revenue, or to get publicity, or get a new job, etc… Therefore, since your intentions have changed, you no longer are a blogger… you’re a publisher.

A publisher is someone who’s looking to get something by producing content. A blog is just a tool you can use to do that. Same with Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, etc…

Now, what’s interesting to me is that we’re seeing the same shift happening in social media now that just happened with blogs. Albeit, we’re several years early for mass adoption of this meme, but I feel the trend happening. More and more people are getting into social media with a goal in mind.

The goal could be figuring out how to make money, or build their brand, or find a new job… whatever. But it’s more than just “socializing” as the intent is my point.

Why is this happening? Well, it could be that people have finally realized that it’s possible to “do something more” than chat with friends. People are now beginning to see that these tools can be used to help them accomplish something, and frankly, I don’t think that’s such a bad thing.

Why shouldn’t we have goals?

How long will it be before more and more people begin to become aware that social media is more than a glorified chat room and friend finder? Time will tell. But in my opinion, that trend is moving faster than you think.

Sales, Leads & Publicity… Oh My!

08 September 2009 Written By: Jim KukralComments: Comments

Today I spoke to a chamber of commerce group in Westlake, Ohio about how small business owners can generate more sales, leads and publicity. If you are at all interested in learning how I and many others spend absolutely nothing on advertising and how we generate success online… you need to watch.

Below is the video. I start speaking a few minutes in.

Listening Is The Key To Social Media ROI

20 May 2009 Written By: Jim KukralComments: Comments

Listening… It’s the first step really. Even if you’re only dipping your pinky toe into the social media waters, at the very least, you need to listen first. If you don’t listen… how do you know what people are saying about you? You can’t. And guess what? They are talking about you…

I had the chance to interview Dan Neely, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Networkedinsights.com. Dan’s company makes a product called Social Sense, which is a listening platform…

SocialSense improves your aim by giving you customer-driven insights. We help you answer questions about the who, what, where, when, and how so you can make better decisions. SocialSense mines the social web, uncovering and discovering insights that can be used and acted upon by marketers and advertisers.

Dan and I talked about the business of social media “listening” and about how businesses are afraid to jump into the social media scene. We also talked about how small businesses should be monitoring the social media landscape, and how to generate a return on investment from the data gathered.

If you’d like to test out Dan’s software. Contact them and drop my name.

My Customers Will NEVER Use Social Media!

22 April 2009 Written By: Jim KukralComments: Comments

jfk_lookIn my presentation called “Beyond the Website” (watch here) I have a slide that says this.

“The Internet is for kids and geeks, and MY customers will never be online.” – Unnamed 1990’s executive.

I don’t remember where I found that quote online, and I have no idea if it’s real or not (I bet it is). But I love it because it illustrates the short-sighted approach that many people take when emerging trends and technologies grab the hearts and minds of the world.

The thing is, people are still saying that quote, but today they’re inserting social media in place of “the Internet”. You know, things like Twitter, and Facebook and Myspace and all the rest. All of those things are just for kids and geeks… right.

Let’s redo the quote for effect. You know you know somebody like this.

“Social media is for kids and geeks, and MY customers will never use social media.” – Unnamed executive.

At this point I could go on and on about how that’s a big fail waiting to happen, and most surely a pink slip for the person who said it down the road as their business lags behind competitors who didn’t think that way.

However… let’s not do that. Let’s prove them wrong. On another slide in my presentation I point to a BusinessWeek piece that defines the 6 types of social media users.

bizweek
BIG Image of above graphic

If you could really dig into this slide you would see that it’s not just kids that are using social media. The scale skews to younger, sure, but in fact, this data (which is two years old btw) does indeed show a major trend toward “older” people using social media in all kinds of facets.

Ignore social media at your own peril. This is your last warning!

Dominos Pizza Gets The Poop End Of The Social Media Stick

14 April 2009 Written By: Jim KukralComments: Comments

Write this one up as the downside of social media. It’s painful to even post about this because I feel so bad for the Dominos Pizza brand. I mean, this is just brutal to watch and read about, but it has to be pointed out that this is the world we live in now. So, sorry Dominos.

s-dominos-workers-disgusting-youtube-video-large

If you go read this story (found from Huffpost), you’ll find out about a few completely horrible humans, err, scumbags who were working for Dominos who took some videos of themselves picking their noses and putting it on people’s food, and then wiping their butts with a wash cloth and washing the pizza pans with it.

I don’t want to put the videos here, but you can watch them here. Prepare to be disgusted and angry.

Again, this is completely disgusting and those people who did this should not have only been fired, but brought up on criminal charges of some kind.

Now back to the bad news for Dominos. Social media is going to allow this to spread, and fast. There’s really nothing they can do. It’s not libelous or untrue so they can’t have lawyers take down the videos and “news”. All they can really do is respond and hope it buries itself.

The VP of Communications had this to say on the site we found the story on.

Hi, Jeremy.

We just got off the phone with the franchise owner, who was absolutely dumbfounded by this. He has told us that he will be terminating their employment effective immediately. We suggested that he call them and get a written statement from them, asking them to “explain” (to the extent anyone can, really) their actions. We are also seeking legal counsel to see what kind of action we can take against them for damage to the brand.

You are welcome to use anything I’ve sent to you in the past 24 hours. I do want to thank you for bringing this to our attention…I just wish it hadn’t been posted so prominently on your web site…while it was certainly fair game, it does hurt the company and the thousands of people we employ in this country whether it’s intended or not.

Regards,

Tim

Tim McIntyre
Vice President, Communications
Domino’s Pizza, LLC

On one hand I’m glad that this type of thing can be exposed in such a way. I mean, if I was eating from that store I’d be VERY glad to know that those people are gone. But on the other hand, I feel bad for the brand, and it brings up a powerful discussion of social media and branding in today’s world.

What would you have done if you were Dominos? What could they have done beyond what they’ve done already? How would you handle this?

If I was Dominos, I’d just hope it disappeared. But unlikely.

Challenging times ahead for this new world we live in.

Can I Use Social Media Marketing To Generate A Return On Investment?

09 March 2009 Written By: Jim KukralComments: Comments

Over at my coaching site, TheBizWebCoach.com ($1.00 Trial), I’m constantly interviewing the movers and shakers and experts in the online marketing world. Here’s another interview you will enjoy. Please leave a comment.

Justin Levy knows social media marketing. He’s been using it to create leads and sales for his businesses for years now, and he’s willing to share his secrets with you, if you’re ready to listen.

Please enjoy this podcast where Justin and I talk about specific examples of how businesses are using social media to market themselves and to generate a return on investment.

Listen to the podcast with Justin here.

The Biz Web Coach wanted to find out more about how businesses use social media to market themselves. Justin Levy runs a restaurant near Boston and promotes it primarily through social media marketing. Find out how by listening to the podcast.

About Justin R. Levy

Justin began his career in the restaurant industry at the age of 15 when he began cleaning tables at Paisano’s Restaurant in Southampton, MA. He quickly moved through the ranks and learned every aspect of the restaurant under the mentorship of owner and successful restaurateur Constantine Sierros.

After moving away to college, Justin left the restaurant business while focusing on his studies and involvement with various philanthropic ventures. Following college, he became back involved with the restaurant industry working with Chili’s in Simsbury, CT. Justin also took on website development for Joe and began helping his friend learn how to market the restaurant to help it become as successful as both had envisioned.

Justin now focuses on rapidly exposing Caminito through organizations, affiliates, networking opportunities and events. Levy has taken the quality that Gionfriddo has created and now is introducing the Northeast to it.

Rackspace Hears My Twitter Whining

11 February 2009 Written By: Jim KukralComments: Comments

Well, I’m not sure how much they “get it”, but I know they use it and monitor it. Case in point…

Last week I was informed via phone that I had just passed my fifth year of hosting with Rackspace. It’s obvious I love the company and their services because why else would I pay so much for it if I didn’t? FYI, if you want to find out about getting a server at Rackspace either go here and fill out my form or contact me and I’ll give you my personal rep’s information.

So back to the point. After I got notified and personally thanked from my account manager. I went on Twitter and started whining about how I should have gotten more from them than a phone call and thank you.

About an hour later I get a call from someone at Rackspace who saw my Twitter and was apologetic and wanted to thank me even more. After that call, someone else called me and thanked me again.

Then a few days later, I received a package in the mail from the team at Rackspace. It was some boxes of microwave popcorn and some Jones Soda and a t-shirt. But a few days later I got a really nice surprise when a package arrived that was a really nice Rackspace backpack.

All from whining about how I didn’t get anything on Twitter…. :)

So, I have to give it to the social media team at Rackspace, they are listening. And then they’re taking action too. Nice work, and thanks for the stuff.

Although, it appears someone has their Twitter username and is squatting on it?

Presentation: Beyond The Website – Using Social Media & More

31 December 2008 Written By: Jim KukralComments: Comments

I just finished putting my latest presentation online entitled “Beyond The Website – How your business should be using “the whole web” for more sales, leads & publicity”. You can view it below from Google video or click here to watch it on my site at a bigger size.

Here’s what you will learn:

  • Why we use the Internet, past, present and the future
  • How to go “beyond the website” and how a complete strategy is the best practice
  • Defining and reaching goals of more sales, more leads and more publicity
  • The tools of the trade in use today. How they work and more importantly, “why” they work
  • Demographics of today’s online customer & social media user
  • How marketing & sales function together online
  • The expectations of today’s online customer/browser

You’re Going To Spend A Lot Of Money On Social Media Strategy In 2009

29 December 2008 Written By: Jim KukralComments: Comments

Well, that’s what they are all saying at least. See below for some stats and trends on social media in 2009.

But let’s do our own study. So I ask you, the small business owner. Are you going to spend a lot of money to learn how to do social media in 2009? If not, why?

I know I get calls daily from businesses that need to figure it out. Which is why I offer coaching and training on how to do it.

Mediapost.com

Marketers are directing their 2009 budgets toward content, custom media and social media initiatives, according to a new study from online marketing resource and vendor-matching tool Junta42. More than half–56%–of marketing and publishing decision-makers plan to increase their content marketing spending next year, Junta42 found after surveying its community of corporate marketers and publishing/agency professionals. What’s more, a full 31% expressed their intention to increase spending on content significantly, while 25% said they planned to increase it slightly.

Here are some trends from some top “gurus”.

Social Media Influencers Predictions 2009 By Trendsspotting
View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: social media)

2009 Social Media Predictions

21 December 2008 Written By: Jim KukralComments: Comments

Last week I sent out a note to some friends asking them this question:

“Will 2009 be a down year for blogging and social media? Or a good year? And why?”

Ok, so you may say to me, “Jim, who would answer that it would be a down year?” And you’re right, nobody did. But I did get some good responses worth reading; a lot of them going with the predictions about what 2009 will be. So if you’re at all interested in some expert opinions on 2009 and social media, read below.

Also, feel free to add your thoughts in the comments.

I think 2009 will be an up year for blogging and social media, especially due to the current economic circumstances. As people lose their jobs and begin the search for new opportunities, they will inevitably turn to their network. Today, that network almost always includes some type of social media; Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, LinkedIn, and so on. If you’re not using social media to mine your network and find that next opportunity, you will be behind the curve big time in the current economy. Additionally, I believe people will take this opportunity to begin to blog and build sites that they’ve put off, because they’ve been too busy at work. For some, this may be an effort to develop a part-time or full-time income to replace the job they lost. You will see an expansion of bloggers throughout 2009 and like any business cycle, the growth will be followed by a “thinning of the herd,” whereby the weaker contenders will fall away, while the stronger blogs remain. Tim Jones

2009 will be a big year for Social Media, {The biggest} as more and more businesses find a way to not interrupt busy consumers with their marketing messages. It will become easier for these companies to figure the new media out. It will, however, become more of a challenge for the marketers, as new Social Media related websites, blogs, and tools, continue to crowd and confuse the market. Tools that can help marketers collect and distribute their marketing materials online will win out in 2009. Joel Libava http://www.TurnItUpMarketing.com

Hi Jim, I think 2009 will be a good year. More businesses are going online in the hopes of lowering expenses and broadening their audience. A blog is definitely cheaper than sending out a paper newsletter or even paying an email service like Aweber or Vertical Response to send out an email newsletter. Blogs, with the right work put into traffic and building an audience and community, have greater ROI potential, and in an economy where everyone is looking to get the biggest possible bang for the smallest possible buck, we’ll see a great influx to the “magic” of the web. Trish

In 2009, blogging and social media will experience what many would call a good year – although it will be different than what many of us might expect. There will be more businesses that begin, or continue, to develop a strategy that effectively utilizes the social media space. In addition, more individuals will begin to transition from a single personal blog toward building their own brand. Coupled with all of this, I believe we will continue to see emerging trends – 2008 seemed to include a big push on video posts, what will we have in 2009? My first thought is that we will see more initiatives focused on interaction within the community. Derek Semmler.

2009 will be great for bloggers that can find sponsors and commercialize their efforts. The rest will probably redirect their efforts away from blogging to the SM platforms. But new bloggers will continue to filter onto the web thru 09. As for social media I think it will grow in usage (many out of work people and pooped out bloggers) but many of the me too sites will fold up. It will be interesting to to if SM can leverage sponsors more effectively to capitalize on their reach. @dennysugar

2009 will be a challenging year. We will see lots of people jump on the “blogwagon” (pun intended), but few will really understand it’s true potential and power. Those who do will be richly rewarded. So says the fortune cookie. Shama, Click To Client (http://www.ClickToClient.com)

2009 will be HUGE for blogging and especially for social media. In this down economy with no end in sight for next year, 2009 will be the year of networking. Social media communities will continue to niche and grow. More and more people will leverage their social media networks to make connections both online and in person. Now more than ever is the time for authenticity online and to engage your online community. When the market picks up, those who made the effort and reached out, will be in a position to advance their careers or business. Michael Buechele