14Jul 2013 by Bob Cargill

10 Reasons Why People Engage with Brands on Twitter

Branding, Business, Marketing, Social Media, Twitter
Today, many marketers, brands and celebrities are using Twitter to engage with their customers, prospects and fans. Yet while some of them have already experienced tremendous success in this arena, others still haven’t found the sweet spot that lies between self-promotion and making real-time, meaningful connections with their followers in this channel. The fact is that there countless reasons why people follow — and engage with — accounts other than their friends’ and colleagues’ on Twitter. In this survey of more than 1,000 consumers in Australia, more than half were interested in discounts or offers and exactly one third were looking for specific product and service information directly from the brand. Those are two good reasons for brands to have an active presence on Twitter. After all, followers are sometimes customers, prospects…
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16Jun 2013 by Bob Cargill
Why Businesses and Brands Should Try Vine

Why Businesses and Brands Should Try Vine

Advertising, Marketing, Social Media
Now that Twitter has released an Android version of Vine, there’s really no reason why anyone involved in marketing, advertising and social media shouldn’t at least experiment with this cool, new video-sharing app. Having debuted on January 24 of this year as an iOS-only app, Vine’s user base is growing at an incredibly rapid clip, so fast that the mobile service is poised to become mainstream among those who can appreciate the value of telling short, visually arresting stories online. If you’re not familiar with Vine, it’s really quite simple. Once downloaded, it allows you to record six-second, continuous-loop video clips from your mobile device which can be shared on Twitter and Facebook. You may wonder how much value you can provide to your audience in such a short period of…
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02Jun 2013 by Bob Cargill

Workshop: How to Use Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook

Business, Facebook, LinkedIn, Social Media, Twitter
Given how common it is today for businesses and brands to use social media, more people than ever not only want, but need to know the ins and outs of Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and the like. It’s true. No longer is it optional to have knowledge and skills in this area. It’s mandatory. As someone who’s been immersed in social media from the get-go, I can’t tell you how happy I am to see these new digital communication channels and tools being used so much by both individuals and professional organizations today. After all, we’re talking about a revolutionary, new way of interacting with others online, a method of messaging and marketing that is nothing short of transformational. The benefits of using social media are innumerable, including the following… •…
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18May 2013 by Bob Cargill

Presentation: How To Create Lists on Twitter

Marketing, New England Direct Marketing Association, Social Media, Twitter
I was so happy to have the opportunity to speak about social media at the New England Direct Marketing Association conference last week. As I mentioned in my previous blog post, I enjoy being in front of an audience. It’s always a big thrill for me and an extremely rewarding experience. This gig was no different. As the moderator of a panel discussion – featuring Craig Blake (Director of Business Development at SourceLink), Myles Bristowe (Chief Marketing Officer at CommCreative) and Carla Gates (Digital Strategist at 3to5 Marketing) – I was responsible for introducing my fellow speakers and making sure our session stayed on topic and time. And if you ask me, Craig, Myles and Carla simply rocked the house. But I wasn't just the moderator. I was also the…
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06May 2013 by Bob Cargill

My Upcoming Panel Discussion on Social Media at the NEDMA Conference

Blogging, Business, Direct Marketing, Marketing, Social Media, Twitter
I can’t tell you how excited I am to be speaking at the New England Direct Marketing Association conference next week (May 15 at Bentley University in Waltham, Massachusetts). After all, I get a kick out of being in front of an audience, sharing what I know about a particular topic or issue with people who are genuinely interested in what I have to say. It’s a big thrill for me, an extremely rewarding experience that I always enjoy. [caption id="attachment_4690" align="alignright" width="145"] Craig Blake[/caption] This time around, I’ll be moderating a panel discussion on social media. In addition to the short presentation I’ll be giving on how and why to create lists on Twitter, those in the audience will hear from Craig Blake (Director of Business Development at SourceLink), Myles Bristowe…
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07Apr 2013 by Bob Cargill

Four Questions for Ashley Hin about Social Media

Business, Facebook, Marketing, Social Media, Sudbury, Twitter
[caption id="attachment_4626" align="alignright" width="300"] Ashley Hin[/caption] As co-founder and co-host of the Sudbury Social Tweetup, a networking group for those interested in learning more about social media and marketing, I've had the opportunity to meet some very smart people, many of whom have become mentors, sounding boards and really good friends. Ashley Hin is one of them. Blessed with an incredibly upbeat personality, Ashley is someone I've looked up to her for her creative thinking, open mindedness, high energy and free spirit since the first time I met her. She's quite the trooper, too, as she travels all the way from Manchester, New Hampshire to join our group in Sudbury to talk shop and have fun. Thanks, Ashley, for being such a valuable contributor to the Sudbury Social Tweetup and…
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20Mar 2013 by Bob Cargill

How to Use LinkedIn in More Ways Than One

Branding, Business, LinkedIn, Marketing, Public Relations, Social Media
If you could only be active on one social network for the sake of your career, it would have to be LinkedIn. Seriously, LinkedIn is a must for professionals in all walks of business life. You would be conspicuous in your absence if you did not establish a presence there. I love LinkedIn. It includes similar features and functionality of its social media brethren – Facebook, Twitter and the like – but the activity there is far more buttoned up and includes few, if any, displays of frivolity. I have been a member of LinkedIn since July 26, 2004, having amassed a total of 961 connections, 51 recommendations and who knows how many endorsements so far. You can view my LinkedIn profile here. I'm a frequent visitor to LinkedIn, where…
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11Mar 2013 by Bob Cargill

WAAF’s Greg Hill Talks about His New Restaurant in Sudbury, Twitter and More

Business, Marketing, Restaurants, Social Media, Sudbury, Twitter
I was excited to hear recently that a new restaurant was coming to Sudbury, the town where I live. And given that it was going to be located in Sudbury Town Square, a new complex of shops and business offices that everyone around here has been talking about, I was particularly curious. But I honestly didn’t give this news much thought until I noticed this restaurant happened to be following me on Twitter. How cool was that? What really got my attention, though, was when I got a tweet from this restaurant thanking me for following them and making a reference to my plans to run the Boston Marathon, which they only could have known by doing a little research on me. Of course, I was flattered. Everyone likes to…
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25Feb 2013 by Bob Cargill

A Few Words with Jamie Bradley about Printing, Marketing, Social Media and More

Business, Direct Marketing, Marketing, Social Media
[caption id="attachment_4295" align="alignright" width="138"] Jamie Bradley[/caption] Jamie Bradley is a marketing, sales and printing professional with a great deal of experience and expertise. He is also a really nice guy blessed with a gregarious, easygoing personality. I’ve known Jamie for some 20 years or so, mainly through the many New England Direct Marketing Association (NEDMA) and other industry-related functions we both attend, and I've always enjoyed his company. Not only does he know print production inside and out, he’s also a smart, seasoned businessman, someone who’s been there, done that so often that you just know you can count on him for a good answer or the right solution. Jamie and I had lunch recently at Panera Bread on Waltham Street in Lexington, during which time we talked about all…
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