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…
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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.…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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22Dec 2013 by Bob Cargill

Instagram’s New Feature, Instagram Direct

Marketing, Social Media
Introducing Instagram Direct from Instagram on Vimeo. If you use Instagram to establish meaningful connections with your customers, prospects, fans and followers, your job just got a little easier. Instagram, the popular visual communications network that was founded in 2010, introduced Instagram Direct last Thursday, making it possible for users to send photos and videos directly to up to 15 of their followers. How cool is this new feature? Cool enough for none other than Kourtney, Kim and Khloe Kardashian to have used it already to promote the Kardashian Kollection, their line of fashion, jewelry and more. For reposting one of their promotional messages with the hashtag, #KKDIRECT, 15 of their followers were awarded an exclusive, “behind the scenes” pic from the 2014 Kardashian Kollection campaign shoot. While it’s too…
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07Dec 2013 by Bob Cargill

How I Was Surprised and Delighted by Pretzel Crisps on Twitter

Advertising, Branding, Business, Marketing, Social Media, Sudbury
Anyone in marketing knows what it means to surprise and delight your customers and prospects. It means to reach out to members of your target audience in an unexpected manner, providing them with a positive brand experience out of the blue that leaves them with a favorable impression of your products and services. It’s a proven, age-old strategy that every brand and business should leverage once in a while, one that I was on the receiving end of recently, compliments of Pretzel Crisps. That's right, several weeks ago – November 11, to be exact – I received an unsolicited tweet from Pretzel Crisps complimenting me on my Twitter bio and offering to send me a free gift pack. I didn’t know what I had done to deserve such a treat,…
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25Oct 2013 by Bob Cargill

The Red Sox Rock (Not Just on the Field, But on Twitter, Too)

Boston, Boston Red Sox, Branding, Marketing, Social Media, Twitter
To say I’ve been a big Boston Red Sox fan for a long time would be an understatement. Yup, I’m old enough to remember The Impossible Dream season of 1967, when the Sox went to the World Series for the first time since 1946. In those days, I looked up to players like Carl “Yaz” Yastrzemski, Jim Lonborg and Rico Petrocelli. Those guys were revered baseball idols and real-life heroes to a small Little League ballplayer like me with a young, impressionable mind. Over the years, I’ve stuck with this team through thick and thin, cheering them on year after year, rooting for Wade Boggs, Roger Clemens, Dwight Evans, Mo Vaughn, Pedro Martinez, Nomar Garciaparra, Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz and a whole cast of larger than life superstars to go…
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