MackCollier says Jun 13, 2008 02:12PM my new post on Marketing Profs is up, if anyone wants to check it out: www.mpdailyfix.com/2008/06/your_social_media_strategy_sta.html
MackCollier says Jun 13, 2008 02:20PM I think I am. My number is going up, but it is MUCH slower now than it was. Used to be 15-20 a day, now its 5 or less.
DebInAustin asks Jun 13, 2008 02:25PM Mack for small businesses that don't have a lot of comments/blogs about them online, would you recommend looking at a similar business?
DebInAustin asks Jun 13, 2008 02:26PM to see patterns of how that type of business is depicted online?
MackCollier says Jun 13, 2008 02:29PM I think that's a great idea to know what the competition is doing. But many small businesses will not have many comments about them online
MackCollier says Jun 13, 2008 02:30PM this is why blogging can really help many small businesses because it's a tool to boost awareness online, prob is,many dont have time 2 blog
DebInAustin says Jun 13, 2008 02:33PM yeah. That is what I am seeing with some clients. I want to help people set up their strategy, but don't want to be their blogger.
DebInAustin says Jun 13, 2008 02:33PM I have found some local college kids who are good writers and gotten a couple businesses to hire them. That has worked well.
MackCollier says Jun 13, 2008 02:34PM I dont like that either Deb, best to let the business write for themselves, IMO. Deb there's a good blog post in that, have you blogged it?
MackCollier says Jun 13, 2008 02:35PM I mean having college kids write for SMB. I'd rather have the biz do it themselves, but as you know, not always time
DebInAustin says Jun 13, 2008 02:37PM the resources were the problem for the companies. I haven't blogged on it yet, want to see how it goes. We had the kids spend a lot of time
DebInAustin says Jun 13, 2008 02:39PM one that is just getting started is for a group of highend restaurants. We got a student from a local culinary school to interview chefs.
MackCollier says Jun 13, 2008 02:39PM smart move, and college kids are eager to learn and impress. Good fit for mom n pop businesses that dont have resources
MackCollier says Jun 13, 2008 02:40PM very interesting, want to do an email interview about this for my blog?
DebInAustin says Jun 13, 2008 02:40PM I will let you know how it turns out. I agree with having someone on site write, but some folks are not the best writers.
DebInAustin says Jun 13, 2008 02:41PM as you know, one of the challenges to working with small businesses is they don't have a lot of money. I have had to limit the number I take
MackCollier says Jun 13, 2008 02:42PM see to me I dont care about how well they write, as long as they can convey their passion for the business. That's most important, IMO
MackCollier says Jun 13, 2008 02:43PM well I care how well they can write, but would rather have passion come through
DebInAustin says Jun 13, 2008 02:45PM good point. i will look to bring that out. I think the kids may capture that. I hope that the chefs will want to take a crack at it
MackCollier says Jun 13, 2008 02:46PM its tuff to find people that are good writers AND passionate for the biz. They are gold when you find them
DebInAustin says Jun 13, 2008 02:47PM yeah. Something I consider when taking a client is their enthusiasm for their business and commitment to marketing/PR
MackCollier says Jun 13, 2008 02:50PM but email me at mack.collier@gmail.com if you want to do an interview about using college kids, we wouldnt have to mention what bizes
DebInAustin says Jun 13, 2008 02:51PM yeah. I want to wait and see how it works out. We're in month one for one biz and about to launch restaurants in a week or so.
MackCollier says Jun 13, 2008 02:52PM oh so they started blogging before the restaurants opened? that's smart!
Tim Jackson says Jun 13, 2008 02:52PM I have been doing my best to get other bike industry companies and bike retailers blogging.
DebInAustin says Jun 13, 2008 02:53PM the restaurants are already open, we will launch their blogs soon.
MackCollier says Jun 13, 2008 02:53PM Tim we've talked about this, but I think in many industries, no one wants to be the first to start blogging
Tim Jackson says Jun 13, 2008 02:54PM Most just say "I/ we don't have the time" or "I/ we don't have writers here". BUT it is ALL about conveying the passion & knowledge.
MackCollier says Jun 13, 2008 02:54PM Tim I agree, but if cos aren't familiar with blogging, they don't understand the benefits, so it seems like they don't have time
Tim Jackson says Jun 13, 2008 02:54PM Nobody is expecting Tolstoy or Shakespeare. Just good information.
Tim Jackson says Jun 13, 2008 02:55PM I'm no Pulitzer winner, but my blog has been "wildly" successful.
DebInAustin says Jun 13, 2008 02:55PM the challenge: Denver is just starting to learn about social media. CEOs, biz owners, etc. know its cool, but don't understand it.
MackCollier says Jun 13, 2008 02:55PM right Tim, if businesses care about customers and getting to know them, all else is gravy
MackCollier says Jun 13, 2008 02:56PM Deb just keep doing what you are doing. Keep using these tools. Think of how many people are using Plurk, almost no one. You are WAY ahead
DebInAustin says Jun 13, 2008 02:56PM I get hired by mid-level PR people (who sort of get it) who use me to help get the boss to understand. Ec Development orgs are interesting
Connie asks Jun 13, 2008 02:56PM DebinDenver - Have you heard of Social Media Club? I think there's a group meeting in Denver. Good place for peer-to-peer sharing.
Tim Jackson says Jun 13, 2008 02:57PM That's the deal- if you allow the conversation to happen, you WILL benefit from it.
MackCollier says Jun 13, 2008 02:57PM connie that's a great idea, and it is SO much fun to meet these people offline and share, I'd def check into it Deb
MackCollier says Jun 13, 2008 02:57PM I talked to guy at SXSW this year that was worried that he was out of the loop. Told him he wouldn't have come to SXSW if he was
Connie Jun 13, 2008 02:57PM SMC Austin has turned out to be wildly successful in marketing my own business - & that was never my intent in starting it. Powerful network
MackCollier says Jun 13, 2008 02:58PM connie there's a good post there in leveraging online connections and moving them offline, I think
MackCollier says Jun 13, 2008 02:59PM people simply do not understand the networking possibilities of tools like Twitter and Plurk
Tim Jackson wishes Jun 13, 2008 02:59PM he was cooler. We have nothing cool like that around here- to my knowledge. And I've never been to any conferences or nuffin... I'm lame.
MackCollier says Jun 13, 2008 02:59PM timjackson are you SURE that Social Media Club doesnt have a San Diego branch? Surely it must
Connie Jun 13, 2008 02:59PM agrees w/ Mack. I never realized the power of turning online connections into f2f meetings until we started having tweetups.
Connie says Jun 13, 2008 03:00PM I don't think there is a San Diego chapter, actually. SMC has been rather dormant for the most part in recent months.
MackCollier says Jun 13, 2008 03:00PM if they don't , you definitely need to talk to Chris Heuer about starting it up! You would be perfect for it!
Connie Jun 13, 2008 03:01PM But there are very active groups in Boston, Austin, and NYC. I think Jim Turner (genuine) is contact for Denver.
MackCollier says Jun 13, 2008 03:01PM the BHam chapter is actually meeting I think next Weds, Chris is supposed to speak, wish I could make it
Connie Jun 13, 2008 03:03PM And great chapter in Louisville w/ jasonfalls & others. And waynesutton has good stuff going on in Triangle area of NC.
DebInAustin says Jun 13, 2008 03:24PM connie yes I have heard of Social Media Club and am on their list, I need to do that. I need to find web designers so may help
DebInAustin says Jun 13, 2008 03:25PM you know, I had to do a refresh, so missed this entire part of string. I thought it was odd that I didn't get anything for a while.
DebInAustin says Jun 13, 2008 03:26PM I definitely plan to do SXSW next go round. also, want to try to get Mashable MashMeet here. It is like Denver is just some flyover!
DebInAustin says Jun 13, 2008 03:27PM Denver is just getting on board with new media, so its a good time to start something like that
Connie asks Jun 13, 2008 03:28PM DebinDenver Are you on Twitter? If you're following ppl there who are in Denver, have a tweetup to talk shop.
MackCollier asks Jun 13, 2008 03:29PM Right Deb, you can still be ahead of the pack, even if its your local pack, which is great place to start anyway
MackCollier asks Jun 13, 2008 03:29PM Right Deb, you can still be ahead of the pack, even if its your local pack, which is great place to start anyway
DebInAustin says Jun 13, 2008 03:30PM yeah, well, being ahead is nice, but I just love technology and social media, so can turn a passion into work.
DebInAustin says Jun 13, 2008 03:30PM I am lucky in that I started off doing traditional PR- love pitching to journalists, but happen to have the ability to do the new stuff
DebInAustin says Jun 13, 2008 03:31PM I am working on a project to help get infrastructure/trans info out during DNC, but wanted to use twitter, don't think I can rely on it.
DebInAustin says Jun 13, 2008 03:32PM the volume would be too great. Thinking about Plurk, but Twitter is easier to teach digital immigrants
Connie asks Jun 13, 2008 03:33PM DebinDenver - is it information you are wanting to get out in real-time? Agree w/ Mack, Twitter is easier but unreliability is issue.
DebInAustin says Jun 13, 2008 03:34PM it is real time. There is a lot of anxiety about downtown being slammed during dnc, so want to calm fears by providing info vai microblog
Connie says Jun 13, 2008 03:34PM Another option is to use a service like CoverItLive.com in conjunction w/ event blog. Allows real-time participation via chat.
MackCollier says Jun 13, 2008 03:35PM I would go with Twitter. I think Twitter is scary enough to many, but Plurk could produce mass hysteria
DebInAustin says Jun 13, 2008 03:35PM well, because the micro is so brief we would send out a link to a site with more detailed info. SOme info could be brief "parade @ 10" etc.
Connie Jun 13, 2008 03:36PM I don't know. The dancing nanners might go over well at the DNC. I'm a Republican, though, so what do I know?
DebInAustin says Jun 13, 2008 03:38PM fantastic! No matter your politics the DNC is huge business for Denver, so everyone is on board.
Connie Jun 13, 2008 03:39PM It absolutely is big business for Denver, and it's your time to shine DebinDenver.
DebInAustin says Jun 13, 2008 03:39PM Well, it was reported today that a lot of Coloradoans are on Hil's "enemies" list, so we may not see a lot of her.
DebInAustin says Jun 13, 2008 03:40PM I think it is a great opportunity. The politics of working with all the stakeholders is a pain. Everyone wants to take credit for everything
emsgeiss says Jun 13, 2008 04:51PM Great post Mack...Just finished reading it, and this thread's been excellent...but back to earlier commentary about letting businesses write
emsgeiss says Jun 13, 2008 04:52PM ...for themselves. While as Tim said, noone's expecting Tolstoy, content still had to be well-written (even if passionate)...if the rules
emsgeiss says Jun 13, 2008 04:53PM of writing aren't there, the message that they *want* to convey, won't be presented well, & sometimes editorial issue are a big turnoff
MackCollier says Jun 13, 2008 04:54PM emsgeiss I just dont want to read well-written 'corporate speak'. I want passion. You read Masi Guy and you can tell that Tim LOVES bikes
emsgeiss says Jun 13, 2008 04:55PM I talk to a lot of local sm. biz owners and they don't get the power of social media/networking.
emsgeiss says Jun 13, 2008 04:55PM Oh...of course...that's boring, but passion still has to be written well.
MackCollier says Jun 13, 2008 04:55PM emsgeiss I attended/spoke at SMB conf a couple of months ago, attendees were skeptical of Twitter, then saw how it was used during event
MackCollier says Jun 13, 2008 04:56PM it amazed them to see a 'live demonstration' of how people could connect and share ideas, 'live-Twittering' the sessions
MackCollier says Jun 13, 2008 05:02PM I think that after the conf was over, roughly half the attendees were on Twitter, and I follow about 20 of them I think
christianburns thinks Jun 13, 2008 05:06PM rdr.qlnk.net/HereComesEverybody the Clay's new book has something to say about this
emsgeiss says Jun 13, 2008 05:13PM looks like it's out...must add it to my list too. To your ans. to my prev. Q--that's great about 20 joining the revolution (lol)
emsgeiss says Jun 13, 2008 05:14PM I think one prob is for some sm. biz owners, is that they think "oh my customers aren't on the Web" not realizing that word-of-mouth...
emsgeiss says Jun 13, 2008 05:15PM and soc. networking can possibly bring them new customers. One biz that I frequent here in mich, lost traffic b/c a store next to her moved.
emsgeiss says Jun 13, 2008 05:15PM She finally updated her Web site & started offering online options...I blogged about it
MackCollier says Jun 13, 2008 05:19PM even if they don't sell online, customers still research them via review sites and/or products they sell. Their customers ARE online.
DebInAustin says Jun 13, 2008 05:19PM Just to add to the live-twitter session, I did a SM 101 session with and Ec Dev. After going through types of SM, live blog was a hit
emsgeiss says Jun 13, 2008 05:20PM right, Mack...it's just convincing some of the mom&pop biz's of that.
DebInAustin says Jun 13, 2008 05:22PM I agree with Mack. Passion sells. Since the cyberworld started as UGC folks won't buy unauthenticity. That should be true offline too tho.
emsgeiss says Jun 13, 2008 05:26PM annhandley (and anyone else) here's the link: tinyurl.com/6fulgs sorry that took so long..had to tinyurl it.
DebInAustin says Jun 13, 2008 05:28PM had to jump on to post. Oscar the grouch meets Sm mashable.com/2008/06/12/social-media-delusions-of-grandeur/
sschablow says Jun 14, 2008 06:58AM MackCollier thanks for the shoutout for the Social Media Club in Birmingham. I wish you could make it. Perhaps you can speak at nxt meeting?
sschablow says Jun 14, 2008 07:00AM I founded the chapter because there is a lot of interest but no good venue to share. From that thought Ike Piggot came up with SxDS. w00t.
sschablow thinks Jun 14, 2008 07:01AM this is the most responses I've seen on a Plurk post so far. I've not been too active so far. Work is sooo getting in the way.
MackCollier says Jun 14, 2008 03:14PM sschablow I'd be honored, let me know when the next one is after next week's and I'll try my best to make it.
MackCollier says Jun 14, 2008 03:15PM BTW we had a good run yesterday here, I saw about 3 or so plurks that got over 100 replies, Ann had one last night that got almost 200
