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The one I dislike the most is when someone is pitching me a guest blog post where they are getting paid by their client and want me to edit and review for free.
I am ok with sharing things that are of interest to me and those that interact and read my blog. But having someone send generic content and then even ask me not to disclose the relationship they have keeps me away from even answering most emails.
How to Pitch a Blogger
I get several hundred pitches a week from well-meaning PR people. Conversations with other bloggers suggest this is the norm, so now it is as tough to reach a blogger as it is to reach a mainstream journalist. It may be even more difficult since most of us work part-time on our blogs and we devot...
I make a living making websites and sometimes my biggest hurdle is helping the client realize the website is not their personal shrine or better yet the possible customers will be looking at their business from another perspective.
As humans we tend to see the world around ourselves as an extension of the rest of the world. It sometimes takes a few blocks walking from your home to realize everyone is very different even at a close distance. I hope they get a chance to read this and think about fixing the site.
World's worst website
I'd like to nominate the English-language edition of the Tokyo 2020 Candidate City website as the worst English-language site in the world. The site is built in support of bringing the 2020 Summer Olympic Games to Tokyo. Where to start. Well anywhere, really. So let's look at content. How about ...
I am currently working with a personal trainer trying to identify how to incentivize clients and have them spread the word for the transfigurations and changes they have made in their lives.
This challenge has a level of simplicity to understand it but the challenge is something people have to commit too.
Pretty awesome way to amplify your brand…
How Ocean Frontiers uses Facebook to get dive clients returning year after year
One of the most useful aspects of Facebook is the ability for people to Like and Tag the things you do on the site. When you create something interesting, your friends can spread it for you. As a marketer, there's nothing better than people eagerly sharing your stuff and exposing your ideas to pe...
My good friend is a big Tumi fan he has bought many bags and when he wants to give a traveller a gift he will usually spend a few extra bucks because he knows that person will get a gift and always remember him.
I had heard they where awesome from a few friends. I don't travel as much anymore but if I start travelling again I will definetely go for a Tumi.
Tumi shows great customer service is excellent marketing
It is rare that I have a customer service experience where I go "Wow!" Tumi, the travel bag company, just caused me to do so. After many years of going through travel bag after travel bag, I decided to buy a good quality one and after some online research I invested in a Tumi Frequent Traveller...
Wao not only did she bring business in, become a thought leader, but she also saved lives by looking at the complete eco-system of her industry and how it ties in with other stuff.
I see so many individuals doing videos of the same things. But many don't stop and look what people might be searching for and in need of.
It starts with thinking what we need to find out and how to fix some of those issues.
I love reading these stories.
Content marketing and video showcase expertise and drive tons of business
You could hardly ask for a more dramatic example of how near zero-cost videos can expand reach and drive business. And it all started because Mary McNeight identified a problem that no one online was helping people solve. When Mary couldn't find anyone in the Seattle area who would help her trai...
I stopped flying american many years ago. At that moment I did not fly enough with just one airline given the economic constraints that where given to travel and our client locations which where mostly in the south where other Airlines usually had better rates.
I fly Jetblue first and any other Airline before American given the terrible experiences I have had. On another note i have always seen how they really take care of their most loyal customers and flyers which now will be taken to a new level with technology.
As I said in the tweet I am really wondering what else that tablet does and how it will create a deeper relationship with flight attendant and passenger.
American Airlines announces new branding to its best customers first
Several very positive marketing and product related experiences with American Airlines suggest to me that the company is making great progress since the parent company - AMR Corporation - filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on November 29, 2011. Telling your best customers first Late last...
I guess many agencies or so called professionals who divide them are either naive or like to confuse their clients to increase revenue!
One of the main reasons I visit this blog is because You can take something that is difficult to explain and explain it in a few sentences! I have to agree people want content that either educates or entertains and they want quality! They don't care as much where it came from!
What converging mainstream and social media means for marketing and PR
Too many people are still hung up with outdated artificial demarcations between "mainstream media" and "social media", arguing that one is more legitimate. This leads to flawed marketing and PR strategic decisions. This is especially true of many (but not all) public relations agencies whose rep...
I am not a fan of Netflix at one point they where charging my savings account for three years for a Netflix subscription I gave as a gift to a friend. Leaving that terrible feeling I have when Netflix gets mention looking a the other side having worked for a big Public Accounting firm I have to agree with you David.
If the information is accesible real time I also think its fair disclosure. Those who might make it feel any other way are probably those who still want to control something either information or the process!
SEC action against Netflix CEO over Facebook post is completely wrong
The US Securities and Exchange Commission is considering taking action against Netflix and its CEO Reed Hastings because of a Facebook post. The agency says that the update to Hastings' 200,000+ subscribers where he said "members had enjoyed over 1 billion hours in June" violated the SEC Regulat...
I have to say I am a big fan of the New Revolution but we can't disconnect completely from the fruits of the previous one.
I am reading a book called "Just My Type" and the accomplishments of Gutenberg are mentioned in a different manner.
I can't wait to see how this revolution keeps on gaining traction!
The second most important communication revolution in history
I’d like to step way back and look at the big picture of where we are today. To use a cliché, this isn't a "30,000-foot view". Rather it's more like the view from the moon. Johannes Gutenberg invention of mechanical movable type printing in about 1439 was the most important communications breakth...
I always ask myself how to write Google Plus (Google+ or just G+) also.
I use Google+ for the great feedback and interactions from people I don't know.
I have also seen how google has sent more traffic my way since I started sharing my personal links on Google +.
The news aspect is something interesting to experiment with! Thanks for the tips!
Google Plus emerging as a back door to top search results
Google News results now prominently show results from Google Plus (Google+ or just G+). This presents an exciting opportunity for real-time marketers for newsjacking using Google+. How Google+ has changed since launch When Google+ first emerged in the summer of 2011, it looked to me like a direc...
I think so many organizations want to be so serious that they fall into nobody wanting to read what they wrote.
This is a good example on how you can cover a serious subject with humor and getting your point across!
Seattle Police blogs Marijwhatnow guide to legal marijuana use in Seattle
Here's proof cops have a sense of humor and that the Seattle Police understand the power of online content to educate and inform. On Election Day, November 6, 2012, the people of Washington State passed Initiative 502 making it legal after December 6 for adults over 21 years old to possess up to...
I have coached and help some of my clients in the Restaurant and hotel Industry to engage more.
Some bloggers had even written about one of the restaurants I worked along with and just by commenting on the blog the person was so grateful and became a regular.
Replying back as a business is one of the most critical aspects of online engagement.
Foursquare and Twitter done right
Frequently when I travel, I check in to hotels and restaurants on Foursquare and send photos of places I find interesting via Instagram and Facebook. I've done this in several hundred places. Normally nothing happens on the other side. There is no engagement from the hotel or restaurant on Twitt...
Definitely the next book I will be reading!
I always find it curious when people are always asking for something in return when you don't even know them. I guess the best way is to give something away like an e-book and earn their trust gradually!
How Content Works
This is David Byrne week. There is an important content marketing lesson to be learned from the Talking Heads front man and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, but first some background. On Sunday, I caught the sensational David Byrne and St. Vincent show at the Orpheum Theater with my friend, ...
I guess I started reading the post and the title made me ask myself why Amanda was not paying other musicians especially after raising so much money. But when I continued reading I have to agree with you when it comes to accepting or not accepting.
The important thing is Amanda is being transparent and she has built a platform in which other musicians can kick off and get better opportunities.
As the economy does not seem to be in the best shape these opportunities for people who have the time and the hunger to do something might be great launching pads for ideas and finding opportunities.
After reading the post I agree with you and Amanda!
Entrenched music business hates free content (again) & blasts Amanda Palmer
In the past few hours, two friends – C.C. Chapman and Justin Cambria - who both know I have written and spoken about rocker Amanda Palmer alerted me to a dustup around how the rock star is putting together bands for her tour. On her blog, Amanda writes WANTED: HORN-Y AND STRING-Y VOLUNTEERS FO...
I have worked with hotels who are part of the major brands and it is pretty shocking to see how these major brands to keep uniformity will shut down anyone posting unique content for a property.
That is where the smaller hotels can grab a competitive edge over the major brands.
How to create awesome web content and achieve top search engine rankings
This blog post highlights a very successful marketer - Larry Waight of The Lodge at Chaa Creek, an eco-resort in Western Belize - who has achieved high search engine rankings for many important keywords. This content marketing effort generates a remarkable 80% of new business for the Lodge. This...
I think the most critical where many organizations can't do effective newsjacking is in the timing. The problem is most organizations are so into following so many protocols by the time the run through them all the value of connecting news to something becomes depreciating.
Newsjacking a naked Prince Harry
Over the past week, I've noticed a bunch of people attempting to newsjack the stories of Prince Harry's Las Vegas romp. As you have likely heard many times by now, naked photos surfaced of the Prince cavorting with equally undressed women in a hotel suite. While most newsjacking attempts went unn...
I never understand when companies treat customers differently depending on what channel that customers or lead found them on.
I have to agree that more companies take Porter Airlines approach when it comes to email marketing and this makes those on the Email list not interested in any communication.
Porter Airlines email marketing trains customers to wait for a sale fare
Last month I travelled to Toronto to speak at the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference and flew via Porter Airlines from Boston. The Porter Airlines flight and service was excellent. I particularly loved flying into Toronto City Airport, which is located on an island right downtown. The travel...
David,
Reading this post without watching the 45 minute video which I plan to do soon enough makes me think I might need to learn and read a bit more about this.
I am not a fan of using media manipulation much less lying but reality is that understanding it might be critical to even those that feel like me.
Confessions of a Media Manipulator
Last week, John Jantsch hosted an awesome video debate called Media Manipulation – fact or fiction – a frank conversation. The discussion featured Ryan Holiday, author of Trust Me I'm Lying – Confessions of a Media Manipulator debating Peter Shankman, VP, Small Business Evangelist at Vocus (and ...
That is an awesome picture every small element fell in place just as all the elements to Finnair customer's service!
I also try to focus on supporting companies that treat me well!
Your employees as a terrific marketing asset
I really enjoy doing business with companies whose employees are friendly and who treat me with respect. Isn't it different than those companies whose people who go through the motions, treating you like you're intruding on their life, counting the hours till quitting time? Late last year I trav...
So many get stuck with they are comfortable and miss out on innovative ideas of using what once served another purpose.
We see so many cases where people are told to recycle but only in a few we look to upcycle.
The pay phone business and looking to your future
This morning I noticed this headline New York starts turning payphones into free Wi-fi hotspots. I thought it was cool so I tweeted it at 2:51 am EDT. Very quickly more than twenty people retweeted and added their comments. It seems the idea of turning the old pay phone infrastructure into a mode...
Good point on the email. There is also a way to obfuscate the email address if you are using wordpress very easily and it is easily read by humans.
I need to upload a video I created for my about page months ago. I am debating if I should get one of my professional friends to edit it! :)
So, what about you?
Nearly every day, I read a great blog post or find some other content that I like and I want to learn more about the artist who created it. Remarkably, many people don't bother to tell me who they are! Why? Because these folks haven’t developed an effective "about" or bio page. Often when people...
I saw some interviews of the Cast quickly on TV but since I don't watch much of it. I remember I went to do other things.
Now that you recommend taking a look at it.
I am going to have to set it up in my DVR!
Why PR pros need to watch The Newsroom
I've quickly become a fan of Aaron Sorkin's new HBO drama The Newsroom. It's a fast paced look into broadcast news much like Sorkin's other projects including The Social Network and West Wing. In fact, I thought the series premiere was so good that I watched it again the next night. If you haven'...
In 2010 I went to buy a car. Given how frustrated I got from the behavior of salespeople two years later I still have put off buying a car. Living on an Island where Dealers control the price better than anywhere else buying a car can be a nightmare.
On the other side I was never able to understand what bothered me the most with those salespeople at car dealerships and other places. You helped me understand that the fact that they try to control information when they clearly can't do that anymore is what bothers me the most.
Salespeople's brains vs the public web
Prior to starting my own business speaking and writing about marketing strategy, I ran several global B2B marketing teams. This was in a world prior to the ability we have today to create content on the web and have it be indexed by the search engines and shared via social networks. Prior to the...
David,
On many occasions you have mentioned how lawyers and waiting for them can be more of a risk than actually being transparent and communicating with your audience. I hope Kelly finds a job soon. That experience clearly makes her a more valuable asset for any company.
Penn State University Football: Social media and crisis management lessons learned
The jury reached a verdict in the high-profile Jerry Sandusky child sexual abuse trial. Sandusky, a former Pennsylvania State University assistant football coach was found guilty on 45 of 48 charges. Sandusky faces potentially hundreds of years in prison for molesting 10 boys over 15 years. The ...
I think that copying competitors has hurt me when doing business locally in the sense most of my clients want to compare me to what they think are my competitors.
We all have our way of doing business but if I followed what my competitors did I would be in my opinion behind on many things. In a small island in the caribbean everything is laid back and everyone gets into their comfort zone to easily.
I will use this to help some of my clients understand why just comparing to competitors is something that might put you in a disadvantage and even worst have you titled as a "Me Too".
Thanks for always sharing these bit of knowledge. Very interesting I love music but I am no Musician. I enjoy watching and enjoying when a musician performs. Let me see if I can get this year to the Gathering of the vibes!
Who do you compare yourself to?
As you create products and services as well as the strategies to generate attention for your business, who or what do you compare yourself to? Most executives have a relentless focus on the direct competition and use that as a benchmark for comparison. They look at the competition's products, pr...
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