24Nov 2020 by Bob Cargill
Come Down from Your Ivory Towers

Come Down from Your Ivory Towers

Business, Marketing, Social Media
Come down from your ivory towers. That was a big takeaway for me after reading the book, The Cluetrain Manifesto, back in the day. That point was made loud and clear to me. Business executives needed to stop distancing themselves from their constituents and instead start talking to them and even more importantly, listening to them on the internet. It’s been some 20 years since this book was published, but its main message holds true now more than ever. Thanks to social media, there is no excuse anymore not to be engaging with your customers, prospects, connections, followers, subscribers, fans and even critics. The savviest and smartest marketers and advertisers get it. They’re conspicuous in their presence online day in and day out. They’re joining the conversations on LinkedIn, Twitter,…
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15Nov 2020 by Bob Cargill
Employee Advocacy on Social Media

Employee Advocacy on Social Media

Branding, Business, Marketing, Social Media
If I had employees, I would make sure they knew how to use social media. I would teach them how to use LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and the like on behalf of my business. I would encourage them to share content online that helped promote my brand. I would provide them with incentives and rewards for doing so. This would be a win-win situation. They would be learning new skills, expanding their own respective networks, keeping on top of industry news, positioning themselves as thought leaders and building better careers. My business would have a stronger workforce, one that would help me amplify the reach of my marketing communications and tee me up for greater success. What about you? Do you have employees? Are you training them to advocate on…
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04Nov 2020 by Bob Cargill
A Few Words about Marketing with Amanda Baier

A Few Words about Marketing with Amanda Baier

Marketing, Social Media
In this episode of my podcast, Bob Cargill's Marketing Show, I talk to Amanda Baier, the Director of Marketing Communications for Vecna Robotics in Waltham, Massachusetts. About Amanda Baier Amanda Baier is the Director of Marketing Communications for Vecna Robotics. She is responsible for corporate communications, including the internal communications, sales support, and the planning and execution of strategic industry-facing initiatives. She has previously held roles within small IT and automation startups and nonprofit organizations and thrives at the intersection of business impact and humanistic outcomes. Amanda holds a dual degree in English and Comparative Literature with a Specialization in Technical Communications and Business Writing from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
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26Oct 2020 by Bob Cargill
Social Media Usage During the Pandemic

Social Media Usage During the Pandemic

Branding, Communications, Marketing, Social Media
A lot of things have changed during this pandemic, including what people expect from social media. Not only are they turning to social media more often lately, they’re looking for a shared experience with others there, a stronger sense of community. That’s something that was emphasized in an article I read recently written by Victor Snyder for business.com... https://www.business.com/.../social-media-patterns.../ I’m not surprised about the increase in social media usage. Almost everybody’s in quarantine in some way, shape or form. If not necessary for doing business, jumping onto LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and the like is the next best thing to being there with our friends, family, colleagues and clients. The coronavirus crisis has accelerated the advancement and adoption of online communications technology. In both our professional and personal lives, we’re…
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17Sep 2020 by Bob Cargill
Marketing During the Pandemic and Beyond

Marketing During the Pandemic and Beyond

Branding, Marketing, Social Media
In this webinar (which I presented for the New England Direct Marketing Association on August 19, 2020), I talk about the importance of authenticity and immediacy in marketing, especially as witnessed during this pandemic. I share a handful of examples of brands that have pivoted during these tough times, changing up their messaging to align with how consumers are feeling about the world these days. You will learn how the social in social media can help you put a face on your brand and build trust among your audience which can lead to long-term, mutually-beneficial relationships. Webinar production provided by Robert Lee of ShaLaLaLa Productions and John Kovaleski of OMBM Enterprises.
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11Aug 2020 by Bob Cargill
A Few Words with Kathy McConnell

A Few Words with Kathy McConnell

Business, Marketing, Podcast, Social Media
In this episode of my podcast, I talk to transformational marketing professional, Kathy McConnell, about marketing, social media and golf - yes, golf. During our conversation, Kathy talks about how when she was about 10 years old, she "really started to fall in love with marketing because I opened up a lemonade stand." Don't miss the rest of the story!
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30Jul 2020 by Bob Cargill
Go Engage Your Audience

Go Engage Your Audience

Branding, Marketing, Social Media
On your mark. Get set. Go. Go engage your audience like the organizers behind the TD Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race are engaging theirs. This popular road race, founded by the legendary runner, Joan Benoit Samuelson, in 1998, had to cancel its August 1 edition this year due to the pandemic. They decided not to go forward with a virtual version of the race, either. But they are doing something very smart and strategic to celebrate the race and engage everybody who’s a fan of it. They’re asking people to design their own version of the race’s start line on their driveway, take a picture of their artwork and share it on social media with the hashtag, #TDB2B10K. After the three most creative designs are selected, a winner –…
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14Jul 2020 by Bob Cargill

Don’t Set It and Forget It on Social Media

Branding, Marketing, Social Media
Automating the publishing of some of your content on social media is a smart strategy. Automating all of it, not so much. Using an automation tool helps you maintain a continuous, uninterrupted presence online, but you don’t want to rely on it too heavily. You want to include plenty of authentic, real-time content in your social media stream, posts that show you have a personality, not just a pulse. You want to be conversational and opinionated, not simply factual, which is almost impossible to pull off if you’re simply setting it and forgetting it. Personalizing your messaging is where you’re going to see the biggest gains on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and the like. The more engaging, the better. Don’t forget the social on social media. P.S. Don't have time…
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