2014 - Page 2 of 2 - Bob Cargill

20Jul 2014 by Bob Cargill

10 Ways Your Brand Can Stand Out on Twitter

Advertising, Branding, Marketing, Social Media, Twitter

With over 241 million active users on Twitter, more and more brands are realizing that establishing a presence there is no longer an option. It’s a must. The good news is that it’s relatively easy to get up and running on this social media channel. Building a substantial audience that hangs on everything you’re saying in 140 characters or less? Not so much. Success on Twitter takes time as well as a deep knowledge of the best practices that only comes with experience through trial and error. Keeping an eye on what others are doing on the channel is an excellent way to learn the latest strategies and tactics as well. To monitor how brands are using Twitter to capture the attention of their constituents, I’ve compiled a list of…

29Jun 2014 by Bob Cargill

Twitter Guide to Newspapers, Magazines, TV and Radio Stations in the Boston Area

Boston, Media, Social Media, Twitter

Okay, native Bostonians -- and those of you, like me, who are truly, madly, deeply in love with this wicked cool city -- step right up. This guide's for you. Of course, you don't need me to tell you that there are countless ways to stay enlightened, educated and entertained via traditional media around this town. You know the drill. You know which newspapers and magazines to read. You know which TV and radio stations to tune into when you want to catch up or chill out. But do you know where those very same publishers and disseminators of content live on Twitter? Do you know their handles? Do you know what they're saying and sharing in 140 characters or less? That's why I put together this guide. It's designed…

26Apr 2014 by Bob Cargill

The Buzz on Twitter about the 2014 Boston Marathon

Boston, Boston Marathon, Social Media, Twitter

It's not only the oldest annual marathon in the world, held on the third Monday of April, it's one of the most popular road races of any distance among runners and spectators alike. It's the legendary Boston Marathon, a 26.2-mile trek from Hopkinton to Boston that began in 1897. This year, of course, there is likely more attention being given to the Boston Marathon than any other year in its storied history. Understandably so. The 2013 Boston Marathon was tragically marred by two bomb explosions near the finish line that killed three spectators and injured over 200 others. This year, there will be 36,000 official entrants in the marathon and more emotions wrapped up in the event than ever. What's being said about the 2014 Boston Marathon on Twitter? Plenty.…

28Mar 2014 by Bob Cargill

Three Good Reasons to Tag Others in Tweets

Social Media, Twitter

Years ago, before I was to deliver a farewell address at my last meeting as president of an industry trade group, a friend gave me some advice I remember to this day. Mention lots of people in your speech, he told me. Name names. The more people, the better. I couldn’t have agreed more. I took his advice to heart and rattled off as many names as possible. I thanked people for their help. I acknowledged them for their contributions. It felt good to be singing their praises. Dale Carnegie certainly would have approved. After all, one of his "Six Ways to Make People Like You" in his classic book, “How to Win Friends and Influence People,” is to “Remember that a person’s name is to that person the sweetest…

16Feb 2014 by Bob Cargill

I’m Proud to Be Running the Boston Marathon for Christopher’s Haven

Boston, Boston Marathon, Fundraising

The 2014 Boston Marathon will be extra special for me. The victims of last year’s bombings will be on my mind every step of the way, but so will the kids who stay at Christopher’s Haven, "a home for kids when cancer hits home." To support my participation in the Boston Marathon this year and give to Christopher's Haven, please visit my fundraising page here, where you can make a secure online donation. Or you can donate by check — just make it payable to Christopher’s Haven and mail it to me at 33 Oakwood Avenue, Sudbury, MA 01776. Thank you for your kindness, generosity and support.

08Feb 2014 by Bob Cargill

How Over 100 Boston-Area Restaurants Use Twitter

Boston, Restaurants, Social Media, Twitter

You've probably heard of them. You may even have been to them. But do you follow them on Twitter? They are the over 100 different restaurants in the Boston area that you will find tweeting about eating that are included in a list I created recently on Twitter. From a great gastropub like Deep Ellum to a classic steakhouse like Abe & Louie's, a legendary sports bar like the Cask 'n Flagon to a highly acclaimed Italian bistro like Figs, they’re some of the most popular restaurants around, places you can count on for good food and good times. In this Twitter list, you can read what these restaurants are up to in 140 characters or less. You can learn more about their menus, their specials, their personalities and their…

24Jan 2014 by Bob Cargill

I’m Running the 2014 Boston Marathon for Christopher’s Haven

Boston, Boston Marathon, Fundraising

For me, the day started out like any other Patriots’ Day on which I’ve run the Boston Marathon, but it ended not with the anticipated feelings of joy and accomplishment. Instead, I went to sleep that night restless, worried and overwhelmed by a sense of sadness and shock over the two devastating bombs that had exploded near the finish line on Boylston Street. That’s how a blog post of mine began on April 21 of last year, just six days after the 2013 Boston Marathon, an otherwise glorious event that was tragically marred by two destructive explosions along Boylston Street. I wanted to put down in words while it was still fresh in my mind everything I felt about my experience that day. The disappointment I felt in having my…

22Jan 2014 by Bob Cargill

Using Signage to Drive Social Media Traffic

Advertising, Branding, Business, Marketing, Social Media

In this day and age, most businesses and brands realize the importance of having a presence on social media. However, far too many still don’t know how to attract an audience to these channels. They either mistakenly subscribe to the notion that if they build it, they will come, or they simply have no idea how to drive such traffic. The good news is there are countless ways to generate more likes, followers, fans and friends. You can cross-promote your Twitter account on Facebook and vice versa. You can put your social media credentials on your customers’ receipts. You can promote your social channels on your own website, on your business cards, in your email signature, in a company newsletter and even in paid advertising campaigns. But perhaps the easiest…

17Jan 2014 by Bob Cargill

How I Use Twitter to Keep Up with the Weather

Social Media, Twitter

Over the years, I’ve created nearly 20 lists on Twitter, each of which you can see – and subscribe to – on my Twitter account here. I’ve put together a list of marketing, advertising and PR agencies, a list of nonprofit organizations and a list of those who have attended the Sudbury Social Tweetup, a monthly networking event in Sudbury (MA) that I co-host with FeedBlitz's Phil Hollows. The biggest list I’ve created consists of 563 (and counting) media people, companies, outlets and organizations in and around Boston. And the smallest one is comprised of more than 20 Boston-area meteorologists, a list I turn to quite frequently to keep up with the latest weather forecasts, especially lately, given the fact that we’re in the throes of yet another cold, snowy…