The Next Wave

Micro-Target with Twitter

Twitter is an excellent micro-targeting tool if you know how to use it!

By searching local trend on the Twitter desktop site you can see what the trending conversation is in your area. In addition, you can also search tweets in a local geographical area.

Why does this matter?

It matters a great deal! You can easily see what is going on in your area, or any area you choose to view. It also allows you to see who the twitter "influencers" are in your area. Finding them and connecting with them is a great first start to building a solid twitter base for your campaign or business.

Another nice thing about these tools is that they allow you to view the conversation about YOU! Not always does a Tweep use you or your company's @username. You could be missing valuable feedback and comments about. Your product / campaign and not even know it. You can also catch this by doing a simple search for your candidates name or business name. Often times you'll get back results you have never seen before because that @username wasn't included in the tweet.

Later Tweeps!

Social Media in Disaster Relief

I’ve been amazed at the way in which social media has played a significant role in the dissemination of information during, and in the wake of the recent tornado outbreak in the south.

Here in East Tennessee, what was a fairly non-cohesive Twitter community, has turned into a thriving and successful disaster relief effort. By simply using the hashtag #CLEhelp or #CHAhelp (for the Cleveland and Chattanooga Tennessee area) Twitter has been responsible for seeing countless relief needs met. Everything from replacement chainsaw blades, batteries, food, volunteers and gas cards have shown up at a moments notice because of simple tweet request.

In the days following these deadly storms new twitter accounts and Facebook pages popped up all over the social media sphere. Many have made all the difference for grassroots volunteer groups struggling to do the work of cleanup and support. Even regional and national relief organizations have taken notice, and jumped into these ongoing conversations.

During the storms, local news and weather reports were shared instantly via social media. In most cases where power was lost, cell phone coverage was still available and mobile versions of sites, as well as text messages and tweets were still able to be received. Lives were no doubt saved by this fact.

Social Media’s role during these storms and the response to them are just another example of the power social media continues to gain in our society.

Social Media and Your Business

Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube…the BIG THREE in my opinion.

Your small (or large) business can more easily engage the masses than you think, and it all starts by staking your claim in the Social Media world!

Gone are the days of the website mentions on TV commercials and billboards. More and more, companies are choosing to connect and communicate via social media. instead of the company website, you see “www.facebook.com/companyname” and the like. Large companies have begun to play the game, and all businesses should. Not sure you can compete with the big boys on the SM battlefield? Think again! One of the great things about marketing your businesses using SM is that the playing field is level. All that matters is what you put into it, and at the moment that involved ZERO financial investment. With just the investment of your time, you can reap generous rewards in the way of sales, referrals, and new business.

The world of marketing has changed! No longer is it a dog eat dog world, it has become who has the cutest puppy. How many followers do you have on Twitter? How many people like your business or non-profit page on Facebook? How many views do your YouTube videos have? These are what matter most in the Marketing World now.

It doesn’t matter what the answer to those questions above is for your situation. You may be sitting there, having never begun. There is no time like the present! Whenever you engage in SM Marketing, it’s important to remember what makes SM work! It’s SOCIAL stupid! Engage, interact, provide value. Don’t become noise on your SM accounts. People learn to tune noise out! For many of us, we have our own personal accounts, and had them long before we had a business account. Stop and remember why you started to engage in the first place. If you do, and if you invest your time wisely in SM, there is no doubt you’ll see results.

If it helps, just remember YOU-TWIT-FACE. No, not calling names….just an easy reminder of the big three your business should be utilizing to boost brand recognition.

Now go be social…