Tag: internet

Is Facebook Fading Away? Why Continually Monitoring All Communication Options is Important

Once upon a time, many, many years ago, advertising on network television was all the rage. That’s where the big brands connected with consumers and drove sales. And then the landscape became fractured. Cable networking emerged, offering a wide range of new opportunities for advertisers to reach more narrowly segmented markets. The same thing was happening in the print environment. And then, of course, the Internet emerged and the rest is history.

But what’s happening today in the communication world will also, ultimately, be history. And recent reports Continue reading “Is Facebook Fading Away? Why Continually Monitoring All Communication Options is Important”

Everything New Is Old Again: In Communication, Basic Rules Still Apply

There’s much talk these days about how social media has changed the communication landscape and, indeed, it has. But, despite the fact that social media has created new opportunities and challenges for communicators, there are really (IMO) only two ways in which it really represents anything “different”: Continue reading “Everything New Is Old Again: In Communication, Basic Rules Still Apply”

Boosting The Power of Social Media: Taking Risks Without Getting Burned

What have you posted on your social media sites lately? Anything substantial? Anything risky? Anything controversial or challenging that you thought might provoke a response–even a contrary response–from your audience?

A key to engaging with audiences online and encouraging interaction with them is provoking an emotion: making them care.  In the process you reveal something about who you are and what you believe in.  Regardless of the business you’re in, the first thing that your potential customers do when seeking information on products or services they may be interested in is Continue reading “Boosting The Power of Social Media: Taking Risks Without Getting Burned”

Getting #Personal: How Engaging Social Media Visitors in Conversation Can Boost Engagement

A good place to keep your clients, customers, and employees engaged is online. Interaction is key, and a critical element of keeping people engaged and interested. You can do this on social networks, blogs, emails, and websites.

Here’s an example that comes from an intern of mine, who reached out and tweeted to a company that makes an interesting Mac app. Continue reading “Getting #Personal: How Engaging Social Media Visitors in Conversation Can Boost Engagement”

Connecting Locally Through the Web

While the Internet offers the ability to reach out to audiences that are literally around the world, not all businesses on the Internet are really interested in audiences around the world–or even around the country. In fact, there are many businesses that are interested in connecting with local markets. An online discussion recently focused on whether there is a place for local marketers on the World Wide Web. I would say that  Continue reading “Connecting Locally Through the Web”

Are Travel Agents Making a Comeback (and why you should care)?

The Internet has had a dramatic impact on many industries and businesses–creating opportunities for some and destroying them for others. Consider the changing nature of the publishing industry and the impact of being able to buy online for companies like Best Buy and many others. But business tends to be cyclical and it is often true that “what goes around comes around.” A recent article in the New York Times suggests that this may be the case for at least one industry — Continue reading “Are Travel Agents Making a Comeback (and why you should care)?”

SOPA, PIPA and Health Care Reform

If there’s one thing that can be said with certainty about SOPA (the Stop Online Piracy Act) and PIPA (the Protect IP Act), it’s “the issues are confusing!” What does it all mean? From media reports that both are bad for business, particularly small business – to backers of the proposals, the reports are confusing to say the least.

At the most basic level Continue reading “SOPA, PIPA and Health Care Reform”

Today Borders – tomorrow Macy’s, BestBuy, Target? You?

Have you started conversations in your organization about what Borders’ downfall might mean to you? If you haven’t, you should. While it may seem like the bookseller’s situation is far removed from your own, I’m here to tell you that you are vulnerable. If your strategic planning activities (which, I’m hoping, are ongoing and not just once a year, or less…) are not considering these types of activities occurring in your external environment, you could be at risk. Continue reading “Today Borders – tomorrow Macy’s, BestBuy, Target? You?”

If You Can’t Be Found Online, Are You “For Real”?

I recently had an editor I work with ask about a source’s credentials because she couldn’t find her online. And I’ll admit that my first thought was also “Oh oh – weird!” But then I recalled a “back of the brain” feeling I’ve had for a while now about all of the valuable information and sources that I–and others–may be missing because we rely so exclusively on online content.

If you can’t be found online, are you important? Are you *credible*? Do you even exist? I think maybe  not… Continue reading “If You Can’t Be Found Online, Are You “For Real”?”

Don’t Believe Everything You Read…Especially Online!

When I was a kid my dad frequently told me: “don’t believe everything you read.” This was most often in response to some nugget of information I chose to share which he didn’t believe. However frustrating this was to me as a child (and it was very frustrating!), I’m sure it played a large part in shaping what I consider my “healthy skepticism” about most things (and what others, I’m sure, generally find simply annoying). At any rate, this advice came to mind recently when I read a story about a San Francisco-based plastic surgeon who had made some egregious medical errors and yet Continue reading “Don’t Believe Everything You Read…Especially Online!”