A new study just released by digital agency i360 regarding Twitter use for branding, marketing and the consumer, indicates that consumers and brands use this medium in vastly different ways. By the way, this is also the case for Facebook.

Even though many businesses are jumping on the Twitter and Facebook bandwagon…they are finding they are on the outside of the bulk of conversations and not having the so-called instant success many of the Social Media gurus are promising. That is partly due to the fact businesses still think Social Media is just another form of…

Saw a post today on one of the blogs I read where the reader had this idea he was going to offer to manage social media for small to medium size businesses by outsourcing it in India or Malaysia.

He indicated a busy businessman would pay $20 month to have their Facebook, Twitter, Plaxo or Bebo account updated, messages replied and so on and this would be way cheaper than hiring a new employee in-house or contracting independent U.S workers.

Sounds reasonable right? Well I guess it is if you want a…

In December 2004 new kid on the block Facebook reached 1 million active users. Fast forward six short years later and we are talking about over 400 million users who are active!!

Now you tell me how anyone in business who is fairly intelligent can ignore this or not see the significance of what is going on here? Honestly, it does not take a PhD to see this in not just a trend! No this is the END of business as usual forever. This is a new age, a new business era, and huge shift in our culture.

This is…

With so many things available through technology to market and reach your customer directly today…why don’t more business owners take on more of their own marketing efforts?

You would have to have been on another planet this past decade not to know we have entered into a new business era. This is so a direct-to-consumer market now. People want customization and personalization and a one-to-one experience.  The middle man and gatekeepers are dying off by the droves in every industry segment!

One thing I’ve discovered and relate to as a consumer over the past few years is people…

What an Amazing  job Brian Solis and Jesse Thomas did in creating a visual road map for today’s online conversation sphere.

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Yep…I did it! It’s out in the open. I just picked up that intruder bundle thrown up on my porch without my permission and shoved it into my car to drop off at the local recycle  bin.

That’s that I thought!

But to my dismay, a week later another one of those pesky dinosaur phone books showed up delivered to my doorstep once again without me having any say so in the ordeal. Well, I don’t have to tell you what became of this annoyance once again.

Here’s the thing though that bugs me more than having to throw away…

Well that day that all mothers long for, Mother’s Day…a day of recognition especially made for those of us who have contributed to one of life’s mysteries and wonders…Motherhood is close to showing up on the scene.

If your anything like me, it represents a “check out” moment from the hustle and bustle of life to reflect on the joys of beings mom (and the sorrows), how far you have come and how far your family has come.

Most of us our adorned with flowers, a gift, or dinner out and those are all such wonderful tokens of love from…

Good post by Seth Godin which is simple but true regarding promoting and spreading the word about your business in today’s economy.

Most of today’s marketing and advertising models fail to engage with consumers, who, as a result, are becoming less brand-loyal and more trusting of each other. A shift in thinking and approach is critical in order for any size business to compete in this new business economy. An emphasis on “connectivity” and “relationship building” is more important than ever for business growth and survival.

The marketing mindset must move to one that shifts from:

• Pushing messages to nurturing consumer connection

• Talking to listening

• Shifting innovation from the top-down to the bottom-up

…