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On Is the Twitter RT irrelevant?

Taking all you said into consideration, I do know this. When someone RT's my stuff, it's an indication I'm on the right track. It's a barometer that indicates that the content I'm sharing is resonating with the community I'm attempting to influence. Plus, I consider it good PR to retweet content from customers and prospects. It tells them I'm paying attention and serves as a virtual pat on the back.

Is a RT as important as it used to be? Perhaps not, but it's still part of Twitter's fabric and a tactical element I plan to continue to use.

March 31, 2011 View Comment

On Social Media Marketing is Failing

The use of social media should be viewed strategically, but to create it as a separate strategy divorced from other forms of marketing is foolish. Social media offers certain features and benefits. There are some things it can do very well and other things it doesn't. Yet, it can't be avoided. Take the best of what social media has to offer and implement it as part of an overall, integrated marketing plan.

March 31, 2011 View Comment

On Social Media Marketing: The Tail That Wags the Dog

I coming to the belief that it's not as hard to quantify as we may think, not any longer, thanks to the advent of software that makes the process less painless. Whether everything should be quantified is still open to question in my mind.

I will say this for sure, people are more important than numbers and I hope we don't ever lose sight of that fact.

June 4, 2010 View Comment

On Social Media Marketing: The Tail That Wags the Dog

I will say this for sure, people are more important than numbers and I hope we don't ever lose sight of that fact.

June 4, 2010 View Comment

On 12 Applications to Make Your Facebook Page More Engaging

This is a great list. Thank you for taking time to compile it. Agreed, staticFBML is a gift from heaven for those of us who are not hard-core developers. While I was familiar with several items on the list, there are a few new ones that I am itching to try out! Too cool. Thanks again.

May 20, 2010 View Comment

On Business Blogging: Is There a Right or Wrong Way?

Thanks, everyone, for amplifying this discussion. You make very good points and add great value. Based on that, I guess I should add more one point -- Make it conversational.

A good blog post is often nothing more than a conversation starter. I recall years ago Dave Winer saying that the comments left in response to a post are often of greater value than the post itself. That's certainly the case here and I appreciate your taking time to comment.

February 19, 2010 View Comment

On The Social Impact of Friendships and Lies

So-called "friends" (or followers; not the same thing) who hit us up with marketing pitches almost the moment we connect have only helped to erode trust, and I think that factors into Edelman's report, if not explicitly, at least in an implied way.

That's why I'm such an ardent advocate for using social media channels like Facebook and Twitter to treat people like people, and not just another notch on our marketing gun. If we can get back to that, we'll see the 2011 barometer read quite differently.

February 11, 2010 View Comment

On On Twitter and Social Networks, Brands Benefit from Conversations

These are great metrics that provide proof this social media stuff has business value. Thanks for bringing it to our attention Brian.

November 20, 2009 View Comment

On A Blog is a Better Social Media Hub Than Twitter

Joel, I've said the same thing many times. In fact, the title of the blogging chapter in my new book calls blogging your social media headquarters. I especially appreciate your insight about Twitter being useful for distribution. But, it's far too lightweight to serve as a hub. Great insights.

November 12, 2009 View Comment

On Social Media Works for Small Business. I Have Proof.

Thank you all for your comments. Allow me to respond to them one-by-one.

@TrendyExaminer - Let me introduce you to Ramon Deleon, the owner of six Dominos pizza franchises in Chicago. I don't think you can get more retail than a pizza place. He leverages Twitter, Facebook and other forms of social media in phenomenal ways. He will also soon be the subject of a case study.

@Ken - I'm with you. Education is key. People have to adopt the social media mindset before they can effectively utilize the toolset.

@Jay - Good questions all and very worthy of consideration. I tend to defer to case studies because I think best practices can be gleaned from them that have applicability on a grander scale. It's my hope that people can see themselves or their own situation through the lens of the case study. As to whether social media is the "best" channel...I'd like to think so given the shift in consumer behavior and attitudes. I think social media certainly deserves a place at the table alongside more tried-and-true marketing techniques like email and search. (Oh, yea, advertising too.)

@Ray - Good point. I say I have proof then provide none. That's coming however. As to selling my book, yes indeed I am. I spent every night and weekend for four solid months working on that thing. I hope somebody buys it. :-)

@Maria - True, it's a comment, but I try to make my blog posts conversation starters and, very often, the value of what was said in the comment far exceeds the value that I provided as the blogger. I'm grateful that, in this case, at least I was less "blogger/pundit/expert" and more an initiator of conversation. So, well done.

@Alan - My friend Andy Sernovitz helps keep me focused because he reminds me to use the term "word of mouth" as much as the term "social media marketing." Word of mouth has existed since the dawn of mankind I suppose, but, yes, the Internet has increased the reach and, thereby, the potency of its effect.

Again, thank you all for your comments. Anyone else? Join in.

UPDATE: Just saw this from Mashable: Five Small Businesses Successfully Using Social Media (http://mashable.com/2009/10/21/social-media-small-businesses/)

October 23, 2009 View Comment