Why influencers matter

This post explains why b2b influencers matter --
http://dirkshaw.blogspot.com/2009/02/why-influencers-matter-for-customer.html

Online tracking tools

This is a nice list of tools for tracking what people are saying about you, your company, or your brand online --
http://mashable.com/2008/12/29/brand-reputation-monitoring-tools/

Interesting question from Pat Coyle

Pat Coyle posed an interesting question this morning during his presentation at the University of Louisville -- "What do you do in a market where people are buying only what they need?"

I posed the question to the people following me on Twitter and Facebook and here are the replies so far --

• Thomas Rasinen -- Help them find it - more efficiently and less expensively. Then they have more time and money to think about what they want....
• Sharon McConnell Worster -- Make sure you have what they need!
• Lynn Richard -- Help them define "what they need". Position products and services to match "what they need". Needs or pain points are often addressed with not just necessity items but other items as long as they are positioned, in this economy, as high value.

Top Twitter mistakes

The top Twitter mistakes made by those who are new to Twitter --
http://www.10000words.net/2009/03/top-7-mistakes-new-twitter-users-make.html

Telecommunities

This article discusses the "telecommunity" phenomenon --
http://www.brandweek.com/bw/content_display/news-and-features/direct/e3i719c968044c38f8c044422dfa52dc0ee

Using Twitter for promotion

Great advice on using Twitter. Thanks to Thomas Rasinen for forwarding it!
http://searchengineland.com/how-to-use-twitter-for-local-marketing-16809

Web site design and SEO

Interesting comments on web site design and search engine optimization (SEO)--
http://www.webinknow.com/2009/03/seo-and-your-crap-filled-site-.html

Jason Fall's definition of social media marketing

I like Jason Fall's definition of social media marketing --

"Social media marketing, however, is the practice of engaging audiences in conversations about a given subject to foster greater volume, better sentiment or to gather intelligence from the participants about that subject."

http://www.socialmediaexplorer.com/2009/03/09/why-you-shouldnt-trust-social-media-to-an-seo-consultant/

Neilsen report on global networking trends

Neilsen's latest report on global networking trends. Thanks to Peter Blackshaw and Jeremiah Owyang for Tweeting these:

http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/global/social-networking-new-global-footprint/

http://server-uk.imrworldwide.com/pdcimages/Global_Faces_and_Networked_Places-A_Nielsen_Report_on_Social_Networkings_New_Global_Footprint.pdf

More info from Jeremiah Owyang

More interesting career advice and info from Jeremiah Owyang:

http://www.web-strategist.com/blog/2009/03/06/people-on-the-move-in-the-social-media-industry-feb-23-2009/

Jeremiah Owyang's list of people in social media

Looking for a career in social media? Jeremiah Owyang provides some helpful information in this blog as well as a list of people with whom you may want to network.

http://www.web-strategist.com/blog/2008/06/20/list-of-social-computing-strategists-and-community-managers-for-large-corporations-2008/

Interesting analogy

Interesting analogy from Beth Harte and Steve Cunningham:

http://www.theharteofmarketing.com/2009/03/social-media-is-like-recess.html

K-Mart jumps into social media

K-Mart leveraged influential bloggers in their foray into social media I like the fact that it addresses objectives and outcome metrics.
http://www.wendypiersall.com/influencer-marketing-case-study-kmart-holiday-hoopla-contest/

Dave Knox on social graphs

Social graphs are an important part of the emerging promotional paradigm. Dave Knox gives us an overview --
http://www.hardknoxlife.com/2008/12/07/how-should-brand-managers-approach-the-social-graphs-of-facebook-connect-and-openid/

Dave Knox on perfectionism

I think Dave Knox has identified one of the major impediments to creating a culture of innovation --

"It’s not about getting it right the first time because no one is perfect. Instead it is about having a mentality of failing fast and fixing the mistakes. That is what Big Brands need to learn from start-ups. We operate in a world of ready, aim, aim, aim, aim…maybe fire. A start-up is aim, fire, adjust… aim, fire, adjust."


http://www.hardknoxlife.com/2009/03/01/should-brands-start-thinking-like-start-ups/

Dave Knox discusses Christopher Vollmer's book "Always On"

Dave Knox discusses Christopher Vollmer's book "Always On" in this blog post:
http://www.hardknoxlife.com/2009/03/03/digital-darwinism-will-change-the-marketing-ecosystem-for-brand-managers/

An overview of web marketing

This is an interesting overview of web marketing in its many forms, provided by Jeremiah Owyang of Forrester Research
http://www.web-strategist.com/blog/2008/01/01/a-complete-list-of-the-many-forms-of-web-marketing-for-2008/

Generating WOM with photo-sharing

This gives us some ideas for using photo-sharing sites (e.g., Flickr) to engage and generate word-of-mouth. The recommendations center on higher education applications.
http://brendanmayer.com/2007/04/10/5-ways-to-use-flickr-as-a-higher-ed-marketing-tool/

Stimulating WOM through outrageousness

Outrageousness can stimulate word-of-mouth, either online or offline! Thanks to Sven Tuzovic for sending this to me.
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4632991n?source=mostpop_video

A new business model for the recording industry?

"Activision CEO Bobby Kotick said at the company’s analyst day today that “Guitar Hero: Aerosmith” has generated more money for the band than any of their albums."-- Blogger Patrick Klepek on 9/15/08. Could this be a new business model for an old industry?

http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2008/09/15/gh-money-for-aerosmith/
http://www.wired.com/culture/culturereviews/magazine/17-03/st_essay

Elements of a YouTube viral video

Thanks to Sven Tuzovic for forwarding this video about the elements of a YouTube viral video:
http://www.insightbuzz.com/2008/09/30/the-elements-of-a-youtube-viral-video/

Jason Falls' social media strategies for a bad economy

Check out what Jason Falls says about social media strategies for a bad economy --
http://www.socialmediaexplorer.com/2009/02/27/5-essential-social-media-strategies-for-a-bad-economy/

Organizational issues surrounding social networking

Thanks to Chris Wooldridge for sharing this blog post on organizational issues that surround corporate social networking --
http://techwag.com/index.php/2008/12/25/roadmap-for-corporate-social-networking/

Using social media for damage control

Thanks to Chris Wooldridge for sharing this case study about how Eastman Kodak used social media to correct an erroneous report in The Wall Street Journal --
http://www.buffalonews.com/145/story/587524.html

Mitch Joel's "who to follow on Twitter"

This is the blog post to which Dave Knox (below) referred --
http://www.twistimage.com/blog/archives/10-twitter-users-that-every-marketing-professional-should-follow/

Social media and customer service

Companies are monitoring social media to enhance customer service and control the damage that can be done when online customers are dissatisfied.
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/AheadoftheCurve/Story?id=5388404&page=2

Dave Knox's "who to follow on Twitter"

Check out Dave Knox's list of who to follow on Twitter --
http://www.hardknoxlife.com/2009/01/30/did-mitch-joel-miss-the-mark-on-his-10-twitter-users-that-marketers-should-follow/

Enhancing social media with APIs

This post discusses how retailers are/can enhance their social media efforts with API (application programming interface) technology.
http://www.storefrontbacktalk.com/e-commerce/best-buys-api-strategy-goes-beyond-social-mobile/

Insights on social media metrics

This contains some good insights about social media metrics --
http://conversationagent.typepad.com/Marketingin2009.pdf

Social media in the marketing curriculum

This is an argument for incorporating social media into the marketing curriculum --
http://www.theharteofmarketing.com/2009/02/the-marketer%E2%80%99s-missing-tools-online-marketing-social-media.html

More insight into what SAP is doing with social media

This gives us a brief glimpse into SAP's use of social media --
http://www.enterpriseweb2.com/?p=253

Social Media at SAP

Check this out to see what SAP is doing with social media --
http://www.cio.com/article/449283/Q_A_with_SAP_s_Social_Networking_and_Marketing_Strategist?page=2

6 ways to use Twitter

Six ways to use Twitter --
http://www.hardknoxlife.com/2009/02/21/6-winning-strategies-for-brands-on-twitter/

DM News article on social media and customer loyalty

This is one of the more strategically intelligent articles I have found on social media.

In the article, Brad Vettese (EVP and managing director, Ipsh) identifies three strategic objectives that are reasonable for many social media campaigns. In this case the campaign was for Victoria's Secret Pink and the objectives were (1) "manage the brand's identity," (2) "communicate with loyal 'friends'", and (3) "strengthen the brand's relevance."

Joe Fullman (Senior analyst, Greater Than One) identifies a important characteristic of good social media campaigns -- "engages the right demographic with the right directly actionable message, and therefore represents best-in-class social marketing." He also points out that social media programs designed to engage customers are "most effective when consumers have something to gain from the engaging, whether it be free music, the latest deal or informaiton on the products they want."

Daina Middletown (SVP of Sunao, Moxie Interactive) identifies why people enter social networks -- "to foster relationships and find items of interest. They expect to have a voice and participate."

http://www.dmnews.com/Social-media-can-boost-customer-loyalty/article/126250/

Making Web 2.0 work

The McKinsey Quarterly identifies 6 ways to make web 2.0 work. Important conceptualizations are also provided.
http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/Business_Technology/Application_Management/Six_ways_to_make_Web_20_work_2294

Using Facebook for business

Advice on how to use Facebook for business --
http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=65069150664&h=Ldjq_&u=LVGhL

Using LinkedIn for business networking

Guidelines for using LinkedIn for business networking --
http://campaign.constantcontact.com/

Social media Moms

Check out this link about attracting and engaging social media moms.
http://mashable.com/2009/02/13/social-media-moms/

CEOs and social media

This in an interesting link about social media and the typical CEO's perspective -- http://www.beelinelabs.com/files/10%20Ways%20to%20Make%20Social%20Media%20Matter%20to%20Skeptical%20CEOs.pdf

Social media in the workplace

This is an interesting blog post about social media in the workplace -- http://www.creativeclass.com/creative_class/2009/02/16/social-media-in-the-workplace/

This explains Twitter

This explains Twitter pretty well for those who don't yet understand it -- http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/12/technology/personaltech/12pogue.html?_r=2&ref=business

Managing geeks

This is a bit off the usual subject of this link blog, but it seems useful.
http://www.wikihow.com/Manage-Geeks

10 Smart Social Media Strategies from Mashable

Check out these 10 companies and their social media strategies:
http://mashable.com/2009/02/06/social-media-smartest-brands/

Interesting social media ideas from alumni of Univ of Calif at San Diego

Here are some interesting social media ideas from University of California at San Diego alumni. Thanks to Jason Falls for identifying this source in his Social Media Explorer blog.
http://ucsd.alumnidea.com/

David Finch provides excellent advice on social media

This is excellent advice on social media and promotion from David Finch --
http://www.socialmediaexplorer.com/2009/02/06/creating-social-media-rituals/

Jason Falls tells you how to look for a job!

Great advice from Jason Falls on how to look for a job!
http://www.socialmediaexplorer.com/2009/02/09/why-social-media-will-not-get-you-a-job-in-a-recession/

Twitter can bite!

This is a great story about what NOT to do on social media:
http://www.davidhenderson.com/2009/01/21/key-online-influencer/

Social-media initiative sponsored by Humana Corporation

This link describes a social-media initiative sponsored by Humana Corporation.
http://www.socialmediaexplorer.com/2009/01/12/social-media-case-study-humanas-freewheelin/

Career Opportunities in Marketing

Check out this list of career opportunities for Marketing majors --
http://www.aftercollege.com/groups/listings.asp?id=244114394

Entry Level Social Networking/PR Consultant

Check out this post for an "Entry Level Social Networking/PR Consultant" --
http://www.aftercollege.com/groups/job.asp?job=12782064&pid=1&group=Management+%26+Marketing&groupid=244114394&GroupURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mursuky.edu%2Fqacd%2Fcbpa%2Fmgt%2Fmgtmkt.htm&schoolurl=www.mursuky.edu&logo=&tablewidth=&align=&background=&color=&link=&headercolor=&font=&viewres=1&schoolID=608&ParamID=&ResumeFee=77&major=Marketing&schoolname=Murray+State+University&schoolabbrev=Murray+State+University&aff=0&cgjb=1&cgrs=2&cproj=&ccurl=+&cmtt=1&rrtrct=0&fsize=2&mns=1&mne=1&mna=1&mnf=0&ertrct=0&darkColor=&lightColor=&lcid=18&mnpl=1&mnctl=0