Let's get social, or NOT!

Look, I get it; we are all trying to role with the next big thing in marketing. That’s why we are in the biz, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I am just not sure that Twitter, facebook and the company blog is for everyone. DEAL with it…

Sure there are industries that require a heavy dose of social media but not all of them are fertile enough to get social seeds to grow properly. This stuff takes time everyone. You can't just tweet, poke and blog once a week.

You have to invest in individuals and budgets. Most of this is free, but don’t forget most of you don’t have the time to do it right. Now that’s not your fault, but you have other things to spend your time on. It’s not a bad idea to hire an online media specialist.

These people have the know-how, the willingness and the TIME to dedicate to a properly formatted social strategy. These individuals don’t need to sit in on every marketing meeting reviewing ROI. Now, don’t get me wrong, social media is sprinting towards ROI reporting (as that is the only way it will be justifiable once the fads wear off), but don’t bog them down in the day to day. Keep their focus where it needs to be.

But relax and let them get your name out. As I said earlier, not all companies will benefit from a strong social strategy, however strong it is. NEWSFLASH, if you target demo isn’t on the web more than have their waking hours, don’t bother. These people are still reading the newspaper. And that’s okay if this is the case. Strong PR is still easy to find.

However, if you demo is facebooking, tweeting, blogging, reviewing, myspacing or any other noun that shouldn’t be a verb, you better get on this. Though you may not be able to track it like you would prefer, building of a relationship always benefits profit.

This is your chance to find out what is great and what is terrible about your product, offering you the ability to advertise the good and CORRECT the bad. Yes, correct it no matter what it is. Better products lead to better sales. Good luck!

Apple hits the Tables...

We can all agree that technology can benefit us in many ways, but I also think that we can all acknowledge that it can kill moral obligations. Well the time has come for us to question what the F is going on with Apple. A company I adore, own and follow (almost too much) apparently approved an iPhone App that counts cards and Vegas in on to it.

Now I know that Apple is not tying to pull one over on Ocean’s 11, but surely they know what each app is capable of when they throw it in the app store. See the story here.

We could all get into that big morally right discussion, but I don’t really have the time or energy to put a bunch of nonsense on the

 Internet or my blog. So here you go: Apple needs to monitor and people need find another way to break the bank in Vegas.

Now the other side, isn't it amazing that a phone can help you cheat? I mean, think about it. This phone could be one of the greatest inventions since the CAR? Okay, maybe a little early for that, but what the hell? I love it and I haven't talked with a single iPhone owner that says different.

The only “haters” are those that don’t own the damn thing. Sorry for the aggressive tones today but I just want to get through this as I thought it needed addressing and I am pissed Apple’s stock is down.

The Killers - Greatness

Just thought I would let you know that after seeing The Killers live, I am thoroughly impressed with the music they have produced. This is a band that looks to others for inspiration, but beats to its own drum. I don’t want to put the “transcendent” tag on them quite yet, but with their new album, unlike many out there now, they are growing as a band with each production.

Their live act is fantastic along with the music they play. That is all for today. Going to try and get this thing going a bit more in the coming weeks. Expect greatness, or something like that…

Super Bowl Super Ads...

Okay so I know that it’s late but give me a break. I have a job and it’s not to write on this blog. Especially when no one sees it. But here is to you Super Bowl ads! You went out on a limb, risked it all, spent a hell of a lot and for what. The ads may win awards but did it drive any business?

Companies like Bud Light and Toyata are expected to make the big commercials and spend the big bucks. But what does it do for eTrader? Did you see an increase in new customers on Feb 2? Maybe, maybe not. I want to point this post to High Life. Miller made a mockery of the 30 second spot, saved 3.5 million and still got the exposure it needed.

The Miller One-Second ads were greatness. Only mentioning Miller High Life in two, Miller managed to sell its product with buzz, better then most of the other spots. Seriously, I am so late with this post.

Also, here’s to PETA, though you made probably the naughtiest commercial in history, you got what you wanted. Exposure and buzz. Way to sell your soul to the Devil… Trading ethics for buzz is not always supported, but always talked about.