10) Offer special deals/discounts to RTers, Followers
09) Create prizes for specific milestones: 100th follower, 10th RT, etc.
08) Follow pros & copy what they do (@BillyDec is great to his tweeps)
07) Post CONTENT - not just pithy statements (PROVIDE VALUE!)
06) Post PITHY STATEMENTS - not just CONTENT (DON'T BE A CRUMMY COMMERCIAL!)
05) Share news about whatever interests you - tweeps will enjoy it too!
04) Don't expect people to follow you if you never tweet. It's give & take out here!
03) Don't worry if you don't have 1000's of followers, quantity AND quality matter!
02) Click on profiles of people you enjoy following for ideas on who to follow next.
01) Get on TWITTER. (DUH)
Find me on Twitter @michelletweet
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
Don't Tie Yourself Down - Put Mobile First
I have long been a proponent of pushing online apps/selling techniques through mobile devices and this article in Net Magazine helps to explain why as well.
You can't actually catch a cloud and pin it down, but you can jump aboard wherever the cloud goes.
It's old-fashioned sales advice, if you aren't where the customer is, when they have a need, you're not fulfilling that need. Just think of how much opportunity lives in the clouds!
mm
You can't actually catch a cloud and pin it down, but you can jump aboard wherever the cloud goes.
It's old-fashioned sales advice, if you aren't where the customer is, when they have a need, you're not fulfilling that need. Just think of how much opportunity lives in the clouds!
mm
Friday, August 20, 2010
10 Reasons Why Twitter is Kicking FaceBook's Ass
1) FaceBook friends are the friends you had in high school. Twitter friends are people you wish were your friends in high school. (Read this on Twitter and it resonated.)
2) Tweeters are more sophisticated and savvy. There are at least 80%* fewer posts about Chuck E. Cheese on Twitter compared to FaceBook. (*This isn't an actual fact - but there's a lot less of that type of posting.)
3) Twitter forces people to be succinct.
4) Tweeting sounds more fun than FaceBooking which now sounds antiquated. Nobody does anything with books anymore. I read "books" using the Kindle app on my iPhone.
5) Twitter does not have the security issues FB has.
6) When everyone including your mother can top 100 FB friends it doesn't matter how many you have. As a matter of fact, I'd bet that it's now cooler to have fewer FB friends than other people. It would say to your personal world: I am organizing my life and prioritizing my relationships and you either make the cut or you do not. Twitter, on the other hand is a reflection of how the "actual world" sees you. Not people who report to you, birthed you, or married you and have to live with you, thus "liking" your pithy comments and goofy vacation pictures. A lot of friends on Twitter = Coolness (actual). A lot of friends on FB = ?
7) Twitter expands your world much faster and wider. I have a follower in Italy. We DM and @reply all the time. He's awesome. @maxguzzo! We "met" through a fellow tweeter @DanieleCarrol that I "met" through an old friend from Second City @DavidAugust (he's an old-fashioned "connector").
8) Twitter has its own language - it feels like a special world when you're tweeting. A connected, cool, hip world. FB feels like a class reunion - awesome at first and then over time, you remember why...you moved away, broke up, quit, etc.
9) Those annoying Big Brother ads on the right side of the page that have you thinking the FaceBook marketing department is actually watching us all via portals in our webcams and we can't stop them.
10) Deals from Twitter are real and awesome and FB deals may be real, but feel creepy and big brothery and I've actually never used any of them.
2) Tweeters are more sophisticated and savvy. There are at least 80%* fewer posts about Chuck E. Cheese on Twitter compared to FaceBook. (*This isn't an actual fact - but there's a lot less of that type of posting.)
3) Twitter forces people to be succinct.
4) Tweeting sounds more fun than FaceBooking which now sounds antiquated. Nobody does anything with books anymore. I read "books" using the Kindle app on my iPhone.
5) Twitter does not have the security issues FB has.
6) When everyone including your mother can top 100 FB friends it doesn't matter how many you have. As a matter of fact, I'd bet that it's now cooler to have fewer FB friends than other people. It would say to your personal world: I am organizing my life and prioritizing my relationships and you either make the cut or you do not. Twitter, on the other hand is a reflection of how the "actual world" sees you. Not people who report to you, birthed you, or married you and have to live with you, thus "liking" your pithy comments and goofy vacation pictures. A lot of friends on Twitter = Coolness (actual). A lot of friends on FB = ?
7) Twitter expands your world much faster and wider. I have a follower in Italy. We DM and @reply all the time. He's awesome. @maxguzzo! We "met" through a fellow tweeter @DanieleCarrol that I "met" through an old friend from Second City @DavidAugust (he's an old-fashioned "connector").
8) Twitter has its own language - it feels like a special world when you're tweeting. A connected, cool, hip world. FB feels like a class reunion - awesome at first and then over time, you remember why...you moved away, broke up, quit, etc.
9) Those annoying Big Brother ads on the right side of the page that have you thinking the FaceBook marketing department is actually watching us all via portals in our webcams and we can't stop them.
10) Deals from Twitter are real and awesome and FB deals may be real, but feel creepy and big brothery and I've actually never used any of them.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Foursquare and Loyalty: 10 Tips
If you've been living under a rock, or simply too busy tweeting lately, you need to take a minute to consider foursquare, a newish social media tool that is hitting it's stride and trending like crazy. Akin to the old frequent shoppers program, this tool allows your customers to share with entire communities about visiting your store, what they bought, saw, and experienced and also giving them badges and accolades (mayor seats anyway) for having simply "checked in" or checked in the the most.
The following are 10 simple tips for getting started on foursquare.
1) Join up. To participate in foursquare is to understand foursquare. Pay attention to "special deals" for ideas, and in general get a feel for the community associated with specific locations.
2) Make sure your profile is 100% complete (for instance - adding a picture unlocks certain abilities, like being a "mayor".) That goes for your "Place" too. You can add more than just your address and phone number.
3) Add your business to the "Places" and check in everyday, every time you walk through the door. Ask your employees to as well and soon you'll be "trending".
4) Add tips regarding your location. This can be anything - since you're at Starbucks - why not try the X service/product/flavor?
5) Encourage competition. In our world of "my life is busier than your life" people are proud and loud about talking about all of the places and events they visit each day. A fight for mayorship at your place of business is customers in your door.
6) Listen to your customers on Foursquare. (If you check in, you can see who else is there...and read their comments. Reach out to them with gratitude no matter their review. (Old-fashioned 1:1 customer service.)
7) Reach out to complimentary business or partners. Mention where you'll be checking in later in your tips and help your community marry ideas, helping you to expand your reach and grow your partnerships.
8) Share your check ins in every social media outlet available.
9) Use the profile picture area to feature items- makes things more fun for everyone if they are seen. Do you have a particularly beautiful product or entree special? Snap a photo and add feature in your profile real estate.
10) Have a personality. This isn't corporate mumbo jumbo speak. Keep it casual. But even more imporant, make sure your tips and deals are tailored for the community they are reaching. READ: This may not actually be who "MARKETING" things it is. The proof is in the pudding. They are "THERE", see how they write and keep it in mind when serving up deals in their direction.
Have some fun foursquaring and let me know where you are!
Keep Clicking!
Michelle
The following are 10 simple tips for getting started on foursquare.
1) Join up. To participate in foursquare is to understand foursquare. Pay attention to "special deals" for ideas, and in general get a feel for the community associated with specific locations.
2) Make sure your profile is 100% complete (for instance - adding a picture unlocks certain abilities, like being a "mayor".) That goes for your "Place" too. You can add more than just your address and phone number.
3) Add your business to the "Places" and check in everyday, every time you walk through the door. Ask your employees to as well and soon you'll be "trending".
4) Add tips regarding your location. This can be anything - since you're at Starbucks - why not try the X service/product/flavor?
5) Encourage competition. In our world of "my life is busier than your life" people are proud and loud about talking about all of the places and events they visit each day. A fight for mayorship at your place of business is customers in your door.
6) Listen to your customers on Foursquare. (If you check in, you can see who else is there...and read their comments. Reach out to them with gratitude no matter their review. (Old-fashioned 1:1 customer service.)
7) Reach out to complimentary business or partners. Mention where you'll be checking in later in your tips and help your community marry ideas, helping you to expand your reach and grow your partnerships.
8) Share your check ins in every social media outlet available.
9) Use the profile picture area to feature items- makes things more fun for everyone if they are seen. Do you have a particularly beautiful product or entree special? Snap a photo and add feature in your profile real estate.
10) Have a personality. This isn't corporate mumbo jumbo speak. Keep it casual. But even more imporant, make sure your tips and deals are tailored for the community they are reaching. READ: This may not actually be who "MARKETING" things it is. The proof is in the pudding. They are "THERE", see how they write and keep it in mind when serving up deals in their direction.
Have some fun foursquaring and let me know where you are!
Keep Clicking!
Michelle
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Online Community with Marketplace Feel
So I am a huge fan of New York City and receive both New York Magazine and The New Yorker which I read cover to cover the day they arrive.
In a recent issue of one of those, there was an article about the economy and one woman's obsession with this website, www.polyvore.com. In the article she described an online experience I could get excited about - basically paper dolls for grown women, and without the limitations of kit. The entire world becomes your "mall" and the combinations and ideas are endless!
I began creating "sets" and found that many pieces which I loved alone, had come from stores I haven't set foot in since college (Wet Seal anyone?)
Over the past two weeks since I've been a member I have made three purchases based on outfits I put together online (people can comment and "Like" your sets too - adding a competitive and realistic edge to the site.)
Additionally, each time you "publish" a set, you can also Tweet or Facebook it too. Genius.
What Polyvore is achieving in terms of combining all online media together in one site is really something interesting. Usually, only one area of focus is successful - but in this case Polyvore has created a hit with the site itself - very user-friendly and fun to use; the community is huge; sharing options at every turn; endless e-commerce opportunities; and movie and retailer contest tie-ins (hope to win those tickets to the Eclipse Premiere!) all of this, without the users really feeling "marketing to." Instead, we feel like we're expressing our style and fashion sense.
For fun, here's a link to my personal profile at Polyvore.
Would love to know what kind of "commission" contracts they set up.
So when you're thinking about the online community - think BIG. It's smart to start small, but look at what this site has been able to do!
Keep Clicking!
Michelle Marquardt
In a recent issue of one of those, there was an article about the economy and one woman's obsession with this website, www.polyvore.com. In the article she described an online experience I could get excited about - basically paper dolls for grown women, and without the limitations of kit. The entire world becomes your "mall" and the combinations and ideas are endless!
I began creating "sets" and found that many pieces which I loved alone, had come from stores I haven't set foot in since college (Wet Seal anyone?)
Over the past two weeks since I've been a member I have made three purchases based on outfits I put together online (people can comment and "Like" your sets too - adding a competitive and realistic edge to the site.)
Additionally, each time you "publish" a set, you can also Tweet or Facebook it too. Genius.
What Polyvore is achieving in terms of combining all online media together in one site is really something interesting. Usually, only one area of focus is successful - but in this case Polyvore has created a hit with the site itself - very user-friendly and fun to use; the community is huge; sharing options at every turn; endless e-commerce opportunities; and movie and retailer contest tie-ins (hope to win those tickets to the Eclipse Premiere!) all of this, without the users really feeling "marketing to." Instead, we feel like we're expressing our style and fashion sense.
For fun, here's a link to my personal profile at Polyvore.
Would love to know what kind of "commission" contracts they set up.
So when you're thinking about the online community - think BIG. It's smart to start small, but look at what this site has been able to do!
Keep Clicking!
Michelle Marquardt
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Who to Follow For Ideas
Trying to create some fun buzz using Twitter? Great! But here's the deal - you need to make it personal. I cannot stress this enough! You need to back up your tweets with actual humans/emails in order to follow through.
I have been following Roger Smith Hotel (@RSHotel) in NYC for a couple of months now and can attest that they are getting this. It's not just deals (which they tweet fairly often too) it's also the way they think outside the box when it comes to what extras they offer. They've become a hub of social media meet ups and collaboration. [GENIUS: They have meeting space. You are seeking space. They host. You pay discounted "social media" rate.] Everyone is happy and feels like a team.
@RSHotel has a "personality" and rotating pic of hotel employees, event pics, etc. They also aren't shy about tweeting the person you need to contact if you have a question. That's just good customer service. Don't you sometimes feel like management and the people who could really help you are guarded as well as the president? This hotel is like - here's her twitter name and email. (And it's pretty much broadcast to everyone.) Refreshing transparency.
If you are in the hospitality biz, start following @RSHotel for ideas. Or go ahead and start following your competitors for ideas.
Keep Clicking,
Michelle
I have been following Roger Smith Hotel (@RSHotel) in NYC for a couple of months now and can attest that they are getting this. It's not just deals (which they tweet fairly often too) it's also the way they think outside the box when it comes to what extras they offer. They've become a hub of social media meet ups and collaboration. [GENIUS: They have meeting space. You are seeking space. They host. You pay discounted "social media" rate.] Everyone is happy and feels like a team.
@RSHotel has a "personality" and rotating pic of hotel employees, event pics, etc. They also aren't shy about tweeting the person you need to contact if you have a question. That's just good customer service. Don't you sometimes feel like management and the people who could really help you are guarded as well as the president? This hotel is like - here's her twitter name and email. (And it's pretty much broadcast to everyone.) Refreshing transparency.
If you are in the hospitality biz, start following @RSHotel for ideas. Or go ahead and start following your competitors for ideas.
Keep Clicking,
Michelle
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
The Importance of a Vendor Report Card
Your kids get report cards. Maybe you're in business school, earning your MBA, or other program and you're graded. You get reviewed annually at your job. Why then, should you let your vendors cash checks without a healthy evaluation of their deliverables?
Agency, vendor, consultant, and contractor competition is stiff right now, take the time to check on your resources to make sure all of your expectations are being met.
Quick Checklist:
Invoices:
First, ask yourself, do you review these in detail every month? Is your vendor providing enough detail? Do you make sure to request itemized breakdowns of their time and deliverables? If you're not, start now. Do the charges reflect the rates and charges agreed upon during the RFP process or yearly contract negotiations? And finally, does anything look sketchy, or exorbitant? Bring it up with your vendor - they should have honest, documented proof and reasons for charges.
Review Communication:
Has your vendor been responsive? On average, how long does it take them to get back to you? Do they still listen to your concerns like they use to? Is their communication professional, complete, polite? Do they communicate with your other partners and vendors with respect? If a technical firm, are they meeting all the requirements of your Service Level Agreement (SLA)? If not, you need to be documenting each instance and requesting refunds (or whatever concessions you negotiated) promptly after receiving invoices.
Analyze their Issue Resolution Process:
Is it working for you? Is it efficient? When issue resolution creates additional line items on your budget is it the best use of your dollars? Are you ever penalized for issues that your vendor is responsible? Do you receive thorough documentation regarding issues?
Does the vendor continue to bring you new ideas?
Have they gotten lazy? Do they stay on top of technology? How good are they at predicting business trends? Do they provide proactive strategies for your business cycles? How often do they request meetings or bring you ideas - or do you have to call on them? How often do they evaluate the work they have prepared for you and it's success (especially marketing campaigns and digital components)?
Are they still curious about your business?
Curiosity can be the catalyst to the best ideas - do they still ask questions? Do they still participate in discussions?
Do you genuinely like working with them?
This is a tough one...sometimes it's the most important question of all...sometimes people really are not a good fit - it happens all of the time. If you're really unhappy with a vendor, they probably feel the same way. You need to look at the impact of cutting ties (financially, contract outs, etc.)
And, because successful vendor relationships are partnerships, here are a few items for YOU:
- Do you have reasonable expectations?
- Do you ever push deadlines? Is everything a fire?
- Do you respect the vendors experience and time?
- Do you provide detailed requests or information?
- Are you polite to them?
- Does your communication reflect the face of your organization?
- Do you know what you want? Can you concretely describe your goals and expectations?
What are some ways you review your vendors?
Keep Clicking!
Michelle
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
