Blog
A blog is the start of a conversation. We invite our friends and colleagues to add their thoughts to our insights into social media, social media engagement, social reputation management and social media maintenance.
Book Review of Six Pixels of Separation
A Marketing Book Review of Six Pixels of Separation: Everyone is Connected Marketing Magazine called Mitch Joel “Canada’s Rock Star of Digital Marketing” – no doubt for his internationally-acclaimed social media leadership. Joel’s inspiring book Six Pixels of Separation is used often in social media classes as required reading. The title of the book comes from an adaptation of the concept of “Six Degrees of Separation” whereby we are all connected through fewer than six degrees – in other words, humans are...
read moreTravel, Tourism & Social Networking
http://www.vancouverisland.travel/ Reaching travelers in the digital age isn’t as simple as mailing out beautiful brochures and colourful calendars. Along with a company website, user generated content such as travel reviews can benefit a travel experience. Online communities create a community of travelers who can help to promote a destination or travel service. Should a negative review be posted, social media can provide instantaneous response to constructive criticism, an opportunity to rebuild relationships and inspire new...
read moreDesign Inspiration in the Digital World
http://www.behance.net/BackyardCreative Online communication provides the very visual world of design with unlimited opportunities for exposure of company portfolios. Social media offers designers and web developers work opportunities, an ability to get their name out there and collaborations on projects. Backyard Creative is a thriving graphic design company with an impressive client list including Saltspring Coffee, UBC Sustainability Office, Annick Press and Innovive. Lisa Hemingway, Designer and Creative Consultant with Backyard Creative,...
read more3 Business Social Media Success Stories
Green Marketing http://www.greenzebraguide.ca/ As social media expands, businesses are feeling the benefits. In this BeeLinkt Social Business series learn more about the networking experiences of BC businesses including a green organization, a graphic design company and a tourism association – who have all enthusiastically embraced social media marketing. Green Zebra is Vancouver Lower Mainland’s “premier coupon book and guide to healthy, sustainable living.” offering hundreds of pages of coupons filled with ‘Local Savings for...
read moreWhen and Where to Use Social Media
Once a company has signed onto social media as part of its marketing plan, when is the best time to use it? How often should your sites be updated? The answers may vary according to each company, but a few guidelines can help. In spite of its exciting potential, overuse is to be avoided. Online etiquette fits in here. With the interactive aspects of social media, customers are likely to let you know if you are being annoying. Misuse, such as failing to follow a site’s written or unwritten rules, is not advised. Some marketing experts say...
read moreWhy Social Media?
Many small businesses may not have access to large marketing budgets for expensive promotional campaigns. Social media can be a cost-effective way to leverage marketing budgets. It can reach people quickly and is usually simple to maintain once certain basic technical set-up has been accomplished. Automated features and mobility qualities can help to get more traffic to your company website. Depending on the type of business, more traffic to your website or door can enhance sales. Companies can get valuable customer feedback, build a...
read moreWho is Social Media?
Online communication offers businesses many media platforms from which to send and receive messages. Some of the most commonly used forms of social media are Twitter, Linkedin, YouTube, Facebook and Flickr. Other sites have also emerged for specific targeted specialties. Depending on the social media platform, users can post text, pictures, video, and audio. Each platform will have its own unique personality, tone, demographics, language, and user agreements. Most are free to join initially, although there may be costs to upgrade to a higher...
read moreSocial Media: 5W’s
What, Who, Why, When and Where “People are still having trouble understanding social media,” says Radha Subramanyan, of NM Incite business media agency, in an April 2011 YouTube video interview. “ People know the ‘buzz’ words, but still aren’t sure what it means for their business. There is still a lot of ‘mystery and intimidation’ for business people exploring this communication medium, because it involves reorientation for a 21st century universe.” This 4-part series will explore some basics of social media business use –...
read moreCommunication in a Global World
The way that people communicate online has significantly changed in the last few years. This offers businesses, such as hotels, charitable groups and independent businesses, more new online channels and ways to interact with customers and clients. John Espley, Business Development Manager of Accent Inns, when discussing a recent social media education event, Charity in Changing Times, Social Media & Online Communications, held by his hotel chain, emphasizes that the program covered topics such as online marketing, SEO (Search Engine...
read moreEngaging, Enticing, Interactive Business Marketing
More and more businesses are realizing that stepping into the world of electronic communication is becoming compulsory – or else you’ll get left behind! How does a business break through some of the Internet’s contemporary clutter and congestion? As one successful business example: after reviewing the Accent Inn’s website, it becomes clear that the business practices what they preach. Their company blog is consistently up-to-date with engaging, current and interesting facts: an opportunity to announce that a staff member was winner...
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