Large corporate chains have extremely strict rules, 
regulations and guideli
nes outlining the presentation of their brand. These well-established brand names are designed to engender specific feelings and reactions in their targeted customers. As a small business, social media provides you with the same opportunity to establish a solid and recognizable brand name for your company, with added benefit. As a small company without the stringent requirements handed down by the corporate office, you have the freedom to establish any kind of personality you’d like for your small business. [Read more...]
02
Aug 2009
01
Aug 2009
Social Media – Not Just for Big Brands
August 1, 2009 By 2 Comments
Even if you are running a small business in a rural area, that does not mean social media marketing is impractical or unprofitable. Social media marketing techniques can be tailored to work with any size business, in any location. Do not assume that social media is limited to big cities or certain demographics or businesses. You do not need to be running a web-based business to benefit from social media marketing. Check out these social media marketing tips for small business and see how many you can put into play. [Read more...]
14
Jul 2009
Are you concerned about revitalizing your local economy? Are you part of an initiative to get more people to “buy local?” Why do these initiatives have to be so complex? [Read more...]
12
Jul 2009
To Spam or Not to Spam – It Really Isn’t a Question
July 12, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Be Careful…
I made a comment on a blog recently that started a big discussion. The comment was that “spam is in the eye of the receiver.” Why did this solicit so many comments? [Read more...]
30
Jun 2009
Rural Small Businesses Can Use Social Media to Compete
June 30, 2009 By 2 Comments
Small businesses, especially in rural areas, can struggle with keeping customers loyal when big box and chain stores are opening in the nearest major city. Competing can be tough, but social media for small business can give you the edge that you are looking for. [Read more...]
19
Jun 2009
Rural Small Businesses Look at Ways to Use Twitter
June 19, 2009 By Leave a Comment
I have met some amazing people in small towns across Minnesota. Recently I had the opportunity to give two presentation on social media in Arlington and Redwood Falls, MN.
At the end of the presentation, we do a group exercise and ask the participants to gather in groups of 5 to answer the question, “How could you use Twitter in your business?“ Below are some of the responses to the question. [Read more...]
15
May 2009
How has Twitter Changed You
May 15, 2009 By Leave a Comment
I started to ‘tweet’ tonight in kind of a bad mood. My first tweet was about how some people can ‘suck the fun out of the room.’ But then my friends on twitter changed that. First, I was added to several #followfriday tags. FollowFriday is a tag used in Twitter to recommend people that you enjoy on Twitter. That is always a great honor on Friday. [Read more...]
13
May 2009
1o Minute Social Media Review of Walmart.com
May 13, 2009 By 1 Comment
In just 10 minutes, you can get a really good idea of what a company is doing with Social Media tools – if anything – and the value they put on thier customers. Most businesses that have a strategy should be looking at using social tools to build relationships, extend their reach, broaden their knowledge, or increase their influence. So let’s take a look at a few things that Walmart is doing. [Read more...]
07
May 2009
Pure Joy
My 5 year old daughter came to my office last night to keep me company while I was setting up a computer training lab. At the age of 5, everything at the office is a new experience. To keep her out of trouble, I gave her a hammer. (Yeah, I know, but it seemed like a good idea at the time.) [Read more...]
04
May 2009
If you were to stop every marketing initiative you have going on right now – would it make a difference in your business? If you canceled your newspaper ads, radio ads, brochures, website, social media sites, etc. – would your sales suffer? For most businesses, the answer is yes. We spend a lot of money to market and advertise our businesses. Many of us have had the same marketing plan for years. We do what we are comfortable doing. Sadly, what we are comfortable with is spending money in the same places our competitors spend their money. [Read more...]
27
Apr 2009
A Free Directory That Anyone Can Edit – BrownBook.net
April 27, 2009 By 3 Comments
BrownBook.net is a fledgling social networking site for businesses that is popping up everywhere lately. While this social media tool isn’t as high profile as some other tools, BrownBook.net is spending a lot of time marketing itself. Since it is free and includes some neat features, it’s worth a brief discussion. [Read more...]
22
Apr 2009
Traits of Leaders Who Create Winning Organizations
April 22, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Traits for Today’s Leaders
I was inspired to write this post after I watched the video below. I must have watched this video about 5 times before it sank in. To lead an organization, committee, non-profit or even a country, it takes a VERY special person. For too long, it has been easy to lead. I could write a book on that statement based on personal experience. Today, if you want to survive and thrive, leaders need to have strong skills to create a vision, generate passion, and flawlessly execute that vision. Below are just a few of the traits that we need in our leaders: [Read more...]
20
Apr 2009
How many passwords do you have? If you are like most of us, you probably have one to log onto your computer network, one for your website, and one for your social network. You probably have a pin number for your bank account and a password that you like to use on your ecommerce websites. Do you use a different password for each? Probably not. Chances are that your passwords are similar and easy for you to remember. That creates a problem….
25 Random Things About Me
Remember the “25 Random Things About Me” that spread like a virus across Facebook? Millions of people saw it and participated in it. I actually learned a lot about my sister-in-law and several of my friends. There are some things that you should never share in a social network. Here are a few of those: [Read more...]
16
Apr 2009
How Much Time Should You Spend on Social Media Each Week
April 16, 2009 By 3 Comments
I am often asked how many hours I spend on my social media sites every day. On average, I spend about 3 hours a day creating educational content for my clients and building stronger relationships with current and potential clients.
Something happens when you get involved with social media. You change. You realize that the more you give – the better you feel – and the more you get back. I am motivated to be even more active!
By the end of the week, I have created some terrific marketing materials that are customer focused. I have also created a bunch of ineffective materials that will not work, but here’s the thing – my social community helps me determine what is good or bad based on the comments I receive, the number of times an article is retweeted, or the emails that I receive with questions on the articles or tweets.
So – 15 hours per week [Read more...]
15
Apr 2009
Relationships. Relationships are the single most important asset to a business. Relationships with your customers and prospects don’t just happen overnight. They don’t happen because you have a good idea and a passion or because you have a great-looking website. Connecting with people happens through communication.
It is like marriage
I have been married for 14 years now. (sweet, glorious years!) When I first met my wife, I didn’t say, “Hey let’s get married.” We talked. We got to know each other. We spent hours learning about each other. One date at a time. When I knew she was the one – and we completed the transaction with marriage 
I am President and Chief Evangelist for Vivid Image - a web design and social marketing firm located outside of Minneapolis, MN. 
