Social networks have undoubtedly changed the way we communicate in our personal and professional lives. Many businesses are seeing this shift in communication as a way to connect on a new level with customers and clients, and are beginning to add social media to their marketing plans.
If you haven’t already, check out David Segal’s New York Times article titled: “The Dirty Little Secrets of Search.”
It’s a great piece of investigative journalism (with help from technology company Blue Fountain Media) that questioned J.C. Penney’s impressive organic search ranking on keywords that may be appropriate but aren’t necessary intuitive for the retailer–dresses, bedding, area rugs.
What makes a website great?
Let me show you an excellent example. You are probably thinking that I will use Apple or some other hip Fast Company style website to set the standards. Some astonishing amalgam of cool, cutting edge design and Web 2.0 technology. That is not what makes a website great.
Let’s talk instead of the HiHo Home Market and Antique Center, in the tiny hamlet of Gardiner, in New York’s beautiful Hudson Valley. HiHo Home’s proprietor, Heidi Hill-Haddard is a natural at marketing.
To be tracked, or not to be tracked?
That’s a question consumers will soon face. And it’s a challenge marketers also have to face, whether they like it or not. The growing concern over online privacy is going to result in “do not track” functionality one way or the other. The FTC says we need it, and Congress is holding hearings about it. Whether it‘s implemented at the browser level or through a do not call registry—it’s coming.
All of us prefer it when things go well, and when they do, we pay attention to why so we can recreate that success later. In the world of paid search marketing, that often boils down to attribution. Here’s an example of how this works.
Let’s say you are at a bar and you see an attractive person—for illustrative purposes only, let’s assume it’s a woman. You go out on a limb and ask the bartender to send over a $10 house brand cocktail (like a generic search term). She accepts the drink, you wave, she nods briefly, and that’s as far as it goes.
This year, your business can stand out by keeping up-to-date with the latest trends in marketing.
Social marketing matures in 2011 as businesses continue to value and respond to consumers feedback. People are online talking about the brands they like and dislike — and their friends are listening. Your business needs to take notice and be aware of what your customers are saying. Here are a few of the ways you can stay ahead of the conversation, and competition, this upcoming year.
Blogging can be a great way for a company, organization or individual to demonstrate knowledge, build trust and gather a following. Here then are some best practices around blogging that will help advance your cause in Social Media.
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