Subscribe via Email
Subscribe via RSSArchive for the ‘internet marketing’ Category
Social Media Fun, Keynote Presentation with Prezi Software, On the Road in New Zealand
Tuesday, April 5th, 2011
I experienced more excitement getting ready for my current Social Media Marketing speaking tour of New Zealand than any recent business undertaking. For openers, this trip is a fulfillment of my vision of work being fun; and it’s almost impossible not to think of a trip to New Zealand as a “vacation.” But, this really is a business trip.
I’m doing a two-hour social media marketing consulting session with a government agency in Auckland. I’m keynoting at a social media conference in Hawkes Bay. And, I’m leading two lunch talks followed by social media marketing workshops in Wellington and Dunedin. 
It was also fun to get interviewed by a Kiwi business journalist and I thought it came out well. Do you agree?
Aside from the opportunity to discover New Zealand, along the way we are going to see what we can do to support the social media peeps in Christ Church, the scene of the devastating earthquake.
These gigs are also providing the opportunity for me to expand my keynote speaker offerings as well as to enhance my presentation skills. My new keynote called “Social Media Optimization” is taking some of my familiar key concepts from “What Every Business Should Know About Internet Marketing” and spinning them with rich ideas that leverage the “hot buttons du jour” surrounding social media marketing.
A corner of my new Prezi
Simultaneously, I am learning my way into being able to use a very cool visual communications tool called Prezi. I’ve been interesting in learning Prezi for quite some time. It’s a dynamically animated presentation software alternative to PowerPoint or Apple’s Keynote that uses a white board/mind-mapping environment. It has a pretty unique user interface, but with the support of their online resources and an occasional question to their tech support I’m getting up to speed very quickly. (FYI, initially I got support via Twitter until I actually bought it at which time their email support became available to me).
I’m excited to use this new style of presentation because I think it’s closer to the way I think and thus will make the presentation more conceptually clear and organically engaging. I look forward to sharing this new style with you all online. In the meantime, it’s a relief to be outside the frequently mind-numbing powerpoint presentation paradigm and to be using a tool that can work for mind mapping and a more spontaneous presentation style, while also enhancing the visual style of my keynotes and workshops. (Please contact me if you would like to learn more about how I can help to inspire and inform your organization or group.)
More soon, hopefully while I’m still in NZ. Thanks for reading.
Posted in blogging, internet marketing, social media marketing, Tools I Use, twitter | 2 Comments »
Just Published: New E-Newsletter & New NewMarU Webinars Start 3/18/11
Thursday, March 17th, 2011
Just a quick update, in case you missed any of this new stuff…
We’ve just published the March, 2011 edition of the ComBridges “It’s a Wonderful Web” enewsletter which includes Internet marketing insights focused on the importance of authenticity, updates on the new webinars at NewMarU.com, my upcoming keynote adventure to New Zealand, ideas & suggestions for WordPress enhancements & maintenance, the latest on Facebook marketing, and more.
Click here to read “It’s a Wonderful Web” on the Web…
And speaking of NewMarU, we start tomorrow, March 18th at 11am PT with our latest installment of webinars on Internet marketing and online PR. There’s a lot more coming soon too.
Please click here to visit the NewMarU courses page to check out our latest online programs…
Thanks in advance for your interest and I look forward to hearing from you. I hope you can join us at NewMarU and please share this information with your friends and colleagues if you are so moved. Thanks!
Posted in internet marketing, PR, small biz e-biz, WordPress | No Comments »
New Video: On the Paramount Importance of Authenticity in Online Marketing
Monday, February 14th, 2011
As I discussed in the Tuesday, February 15th edition of TheTVNews.tv, authenticity has become not only the theme of our initial webinars on NewMarU.com, but it has captured my focus as a marketer because I believe now more than ever, that authenticity is the heart of the matter when it comes to Internet marketing and social media marketing in particular.
Robert Rabbin on NewMarU.com webinar
While we work on other products (future digital video and audio downloads and a possible ebook), I want to make my conversation with Robert Rabbin, the author of Authenticity Accelerator: How to Live an Authentic Life in Ten Words
Bottom line, authenticity is essential because it helps to build relationships; and real relationships with your customers, audiences or other constituencies is crucial. It’s truly of paramount importance. Nothing matters more than your relationship with your circles of influence. Only with authenticity can your communications cut through the noise and the clutter of today’s media marketing environment.
In the ten minute video below, Robert and I talk about why this is true, including how authenticity builds:
- Engagement
- Trust
- And, is an extension of your essential “I want”
In the one hour version, we also discuss how authenticity can lead to a real kind of magic and “miracles.” It’s exciting stuff. I hope this video gives you a taste and inspires you. I look forward to your comments and feedback. If you like this video, please share it and “Like” it etc. Thanks!
Another Authentic Link
Also of interest on the subject of authenticity and mentioned in the TheTVNews.tv video clip linked in the first paragraph is TheNextWeb’s article, Humanizing Brands with Social Media: An Interview with Benjamin Palmer. Palmer is “head of one of the hippest digital creative agencies in New York City” and very insightful on ways that marketing has dramatically changed as well as how businesses of all sizes can be successful by humanizing and making their marketing more authentic.
Posted in blogging, branding, internet marketing, social media marketing, youtube | 1 Comment »
The Fast-Track Intro to Internet Marketing | Free Webinar Tues 1/18/11
Thursday, January 13th, 2011
For those of us who more or less “live” online, it’s kind of amazing how many businesses and entrepreneurs are still struggling to understand and benefit from the amazing power of Internet marketing. If this is you, now there is a great way for you get up to speed, for free!
Jon has given his one-hour workshop, “What Every Business Should Know About Internet Marketing” in locations from Kona, Hawaii to Silicon Valley (as you can see in the video clip on Jon’s keynote speaker web page). Now, as just one of the benefits of registering for the free level of New Marketing University, NewMarU.com, this information-packed hour is being offered FREE via the Internet and phone conference lines on Tuesday, January 18th at 10:00AM PT / 1:00PM ET. Click here to register now >>
This useful and informative webinar includes a complete overview of the three main areas of Internet marketing, including:
- The “Super Market-Trends” that have radically leveled the marketing playing field
- The two essential strategies upon which all successful internet marketing campaigns are based
- The three main types of internet marketing: search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click search engine advertising (PPC) and social media marketing (SMM)
- A comparative analysis of the time requirements for implementation, the kinds and quality of results, and the cost-per-lead that is derived from each main category
- Valuable tips, tricks and resources that are based on real world experience
Why are we producing this event for free?
- Jon LOVES to share information and people love learning this material. It’s important!
- It helps to expose the expertise that makes ComBridges such a valuable marketing partner.
- This is a “free sample” of things to come. We are working on a new educational website to be called “New Marketing University” that will have many more programs. We hope you’ll like this program enough to become interested in more. To learn more, please register now.
Mark your calendars for Tuesday, January 18th at 10:00AM PT / 1:00PM ET. We hope to see you there.
>> Please Click Here to Register Now <<
It takes just 30 seconds, really! And, even if you can’t make it live, by registering you will make sure that you get the link to the free recorded version.
Or view our 1-page PDF with the generic course description below . . .
What Every Business-Onesheet 03.25.10
Posted in blogging, e-business, e-marketing, education, facebook, internet marketing, PR, search engine optimization, search marketing, small business, social media marketing | No Comments »
Why Video is the Web’s New Mission Critical Next Level: Do Not Miss
Monday, October 25th, 2010
As many of you know, I’ve been writing and producing videos about “The Video Web” and the digital video revolution for many years. But, it’s another day; and, I’ve taken another step.
The video embedded below, “Why Online Video is a ‘Must Have’ for Internet Marketing” describes what I believe is the next mission critical level of Internet communications as the importance of video has emerged in broad new ways.
And while you’re while you’re visiting this blog post, please don’t miss the second video embedded below from TED’s curator, Chris Anderson about the global implications of this trend (scroll down).
By way of text summary, the five reasons why video is a “must have” that are illuminated in the short four-minute video above are:
- The Medium of the Web is Morphing Dramatically and Rapidly
- Video is Now the Web’s Leading Media Type
(even though in some ways “The Web is Dead”)
- Video Has Become a Viable & Powerful SEO Strategy
- Business is Basically About Relationship Building and
What Better Way to Build Relationships Online Than Via Video?
- Video is the Web’s Future. (“Be in it to win it.”)
In addition, if I had my way, I would love to make this second video, from TED conference curator Chris Anderson, “How Web Video Powers Global Innovation” required viewing for anyone who wants to make a difference in the world.
That’s how important I think video is becoming as a communication medium. Anderson explains dramatic increases in the power, reach and accessibility of online video from a higher level perspective, even comparing online video to the paradigm shift in communications that happened when Gutenberg invented the printing press!
Yes, Chris and I agree, The Coming of The Video Web is THAT important. 
Bottom line, there has never been a more powerful or mobile way to communicate either your ideas or the benefits of your products or services. This is combined, of course, with the convergence of broadband internet connection speeds and the proliferation of digital cameras and mobile phones with video capabilities. The cost of doing video has become radically more affordable and accessible.
Call it “The Age of YouTube” if you like. But, more importantly in my opinion, it is time for everybody to recognize that video is now a ‘must have.’ It is no longer an option.
Mission Critical Data Points
If you’re not convinced, you may also want to consider the following:
- One-Third of US Adults Skip Live TV: Report
56 million Americans have begun skipping live TV in favor of time-shifted viewing and online content. Traditional TV advertising is rapidly losing any remaining effectiveness, thus undermining whatever financial stability still exists in everything but the biggest ticket broadcasts. Much more to come! - Netflix CEO: We’re a Streaming Company
66% of Netflix subscribers are using their streaming services vs only 41% a year ago. Even premium entertainment is finding massive acceptance via non-cable, non-broadcast, non-satellite distribution. This ‘toothpaste’ is out of the tube. There’s no putting it back. This trend will only accelerate. Broadcasters beware. Online video producers rev your engines… Stay tuned.
Tags: internet marketing, internet video, marketing, netflix, online video, video, web video, youtube
Posted in internet marketing, online video, search engine optimization, television, video, Video Web, youtube | 2 Comments »
New Twitter Website Press Conference, Live via UStream & Scobleizer
Tuesday, September 14th, 2010
Twitter called a press conference today. I caught wind of it on Twitter just minutes before it began.
I noted (yes, also via Twitter) that Robert Scoble a.k.a. @scobleizer was webcasting live video of the press conference via his UStream feed.
The announcement was delivered in a surprisingly incoherent, rambling style that included a presentation computer crash.
The big news was the “New Twitter” website (video demo is here). It should be live by the time you read this.
I was equally entertained (and informed) by the chat stream that accompanied the UStream webcast, and it was interesting to see Mr. Scoble’s webcast go from just a few hundred viewers prior to the event to about 4,500 simultaneous viewers about 40 minutes in.
The new Twitter web interface looks more interactive and feels inspired to me by the excellent Twitter iPad app.
Twitter founder, Evan Williams, @ev emphasized the volume of Twitter users who access Twitter.com vs the variety of third-party applications and he noted something that I think a lot of the general public does not realize: “You don’t have to tweet to use Twitter.” You can just use it to access information, links and whatever from just the folks that you find to be of interest. (If you don’t know, Twitter Lists is a good way to do this.)
The new Twitter website will include a more interactive second-column (or pane) that will allow you to learn more about the tweeter or view pictures or videos without having your click “open” a new web browser window. This will provide more convenient browsing via Twitter, for sure. Also, messages via Twitter @mentions will be threaded (I like this feature in HootSuite) which should help the overall user experience as well.
Bottom line, Evan said, in an uncharacteristically grandiose style, that the online Twitter.com experience has been “completely transformed” into “one of the slickest web sites anywhere.” Or something like that. We’ll see.
Bottom line, I think this is an intelligent upgrade that will make the Twitter.com website much more useful for those browsing as well as those tweeting. Twitter is continuing to grow rapidly and I believe this growth will continue for the foreseeable future.
Even though Twitter lags behind Facebook in terms of total users as well as time spent, it offers a faster-paced and much more search-able platform where you can “follow” people of interest without having to have them follow you back (i.e. become “friends”). That alone, to me, makes Twitter a worthy investment of time. And, the opportunities to monitor the social, public conversation via highly-visual web applications like http://paper.li and iPad applications like FlipBoard ensure that, at least as far as I’m concerned, Twitter will continue to be a “foreground” information and networking resource for quite some time to come. Stay tuned.
—–
Addendum:
I’m still not seeing the new design as of the time of this addition to this post. Apparently the roll out will take weeks. Meanwhile, here are a couple of other interesting perspectives (presuming you consider mine to also be “interesting”):
- New York Times report, “Twitter Revamps Its Website“
- Search Engine Land’s very detailed overview, “The New Twitter & Search, An Illustrated Guide“
Tags: twitter
Posted in internet marketing, PR, social media marketing, technology, twitter, video | No Comments »
ComBridges’ Connections: Linky Goodness, Insights & Free Stuff 8.18.10
Wednesday, August 18th, 2010
A recap of recent resources and references posted recently via my Twitter feed and our ComBridges Facebook page are below; but first, a small bit of shameless self-promotion albeit something FREE that I think you may well find to be valuable:
Watch, Listen & Learn: Free Webinar on Internet Marketing
Read It’s a Wonderful Web; ComBridges July e-newsletter
Marketing Lesson From the Grateful Dead: Loosen Up Your Brand
As they say, this is “what I’m talkin’ ’bout!” If you don’t know David Meerman Scott, you should. He’s a true thought leader & best selling author re viral marketing and creating “world wide raves.” This is an excerpt from his new book which comes out August 1st. Cool, eh? And valuable, right?
More On The Power of “Empowering” Your Viewers via Social Marketing
My VIDEO commentary from last week on TheTVNews.tv. Subject: those who are authentic with their internet marketing vs the fakers.
Social Media’s Critical Path: Relevance to Resonance to Significance – The Conversation – Harvard Business Review
Neat Harvard BizReview piece on social media’s ‘critical path’ by @briansolis http://ht.ly/2e5N1 I like. Thx 2 @johnbattelle 4 link
Viral Video Marketing with Dilbert
“only the truth is funny”
Video is Becoming a Must Have for Online Retailers
I’m getting ready to make a video about the critical importance of online video. Meanwhile… Yes, it’s pretty much a MUST HAVE now for any website looking to do real business online. Really. No kidding. Check out the stats in this article if you don’t believe me. And, did I mention that ComBridges has amazingly affordable video packages.
Have a Big Idea, Break it in Half | Jason Fried
Best business advise I’ve heard in a while from Jason Fried of 37signals
Beet.TV: Giant Convenience Store Chain Gone Viral: 7-Eleven Web Series Has 2 Million Views
Illuminating VIDEO story by @DaisyWhitney Big Brand Viral Video Marketing: 7-Eleven Web Series Has 2 Million Views
Posted in blogging, e-business, e-marketing, facebook, internet marketing, social media marketing, video, Video Web, web design, youtube | No Comments »
Hits of the Week: Early July 2010
Tuesday, July 13th, 2010
Welcome to a new feature of this blog. “Hits of the Week” (which we hope to offer weekly) will provide “linky goodness” i.e. valuable links posted to our ComBridges company Facebook page and Twitter feed. Here, we gather, in one place for your convenience, bunches of links to free PDF’s, articles and other resources. Please let us know if you find this service to be valuable. Thanks!
A Professional Research Perspective of Brand Engagement via Social Media
Highly recommended, Engagementdb is a very interesting resource, even for smaller companies who are interested in social media brand engagement. I especially recommend their excellent FREE PDF Report. 
It’s nice to see “engagement” made measureable at the highest level. Clearly, relationship/engagement is at least as important (and probably more important) than simply the gross number of “eyeballs”/visitors. The focus on these kinds of results is shifting appropriately from volume or quantity of “hits” to quality of engagement (at minimum, some kind of “conversion”). Are you tuned in to your organization’s quality of engagement? Click here to check it out.
Fast-paced Video Illuminating ROI for Social Media
Despite the annoying music, this video offers useful content if you still doubt the business-savvy economic value–in the vernacular, ROI (return on investment)–available from investing your time INTELLIGENTLY in social media.
A Peak Behind the Curtain of a Major Brand’s Social Media Command Center (VIDEO)
More mainstream social media… pretty cool music VIDEO too promoting Gatorade’s social media team, er, I mean “COMMAND CENTER”! Can your sports drink do this? Visit Gatorade’s Command Center to see more.
“It’s about the PEOPLE, silly.”
Via Seth Godin. As a business owner, I know that there is nothing more important than the highly capable, talented members of my team. Read valuable insights & perspective.
“Every company is now a media company.”
A great reminder, via Adam Ostrow & John Battelle
Great Graphics, Visual View of Social Media Today
You gotta love good Infographics. Especially when they tell a story. In this case, big companies are adopting social media. More are using Facebook and Twitter than blogs, but it’s a big majority who are involved. See what these charts tell you.
Influence vs Fame
I’d call it “Influence vs Eyeballs” but being clear about what it means to develop influence in today’s social media world makes this short ProBlogger piece well worth reading, IMHO. And in a related short blog post, Seth Godin reminds us that “If all you are doing is increasing number of digital spectators, you are unlikely to earn the conversion that you deserve.” Read more about “Fans, Participants and Spectators.”
Stay tuned and please comment and send feedback. Thanks!
Tags: social media, social media marketing
Posted in blogging, branding, e-marketing, facebook, internet marketing, online video, small biz e-biz, social media marketing, youtube | 2 Comments »
Free Internet Marketing Webinar for Businesses, May 27 at 11AM PT
Friday, May 14th, 2010
If you are new to Internet marketing, we want to help you get up to speed, for free.
Jon has given his one-hour workshop, “What Every Business Should Know About Internet Marketing” in locations from Kona, Hawaii to Silicon Valley (as you can see in the video clip on our web page). Now, for the first time, it’s being offered free via the Internet, Thursday, May 27th at 11:00AM PT / 2:00PM ET. Click here to register now >>
This useful and informative webinar includes a complete overview of the three main areas of Internet marketing, including:
- The “Super Market-Trends” that have radically leveled the marketing playing field
- The two essential strategies upon which all successful internet marketing campaigns are based
- The three main types of internet marketing: search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click search engine advertising (PPC) and social media marketing (SMM)
- A comparative analysis of the time requirements for implementation, the kinds and quality of results, and the cost-per-lead that is derived from each main category
- Valuable tips, tricks and resources that are based on real world experience
Why are we producing this event for free?
- Jon LOVES to share information and people love learning this material. It’s important!
- It helps to expose the expertise that makes ComBridges such a valuable marketing partner.
- This is a “free sample” of things to come. We are working on a new educational website to be called “New Marketing University” that will have many more programs. We hope you’ll like this program enough to become interested in more. To learn more, please register now.
Mark your calendars for Thursday, May 27th at 11:00AM PT / 2:00PM ET. We hope to see you there.
>> Please Click Here to Register Now <<
It takes just 30 seconds, really! And, even if you can’t make it live, by registering you will make sure that you get the link to the free recorded version.
Or view our 1-page PDF with the generic course description below . . .
What Every Business-Onesheet 03.25.10
Posted in blogging, e-business, e-marketing, internet marketing, motivational, search engine optimization, search marketing, social media marketing, technology, twitter, Video Web | 1 Comment »
Conan O’Brien Gets “The World Has Completely Changed.” Do You?
Tuesday, May 11th, 2010
(Note: Read & scroll down please. Two [2] cool video clips below…)
I gotta love the fact that social media has become so powerful that a TV comedian like Conan O’Brien is having very tangible personal experiences that not only wake him up to the fact that “the world” as he says, “has completely changed.” But, as he illuminates in the video clip below from an interview at Google, his social media realization is in stark contrast to how far the execs at NBC apparently are from understanding how social media works (i.e. the audience has new powers). Duh.
Of course, this is just one example of the fact that dramatic changes that are upon us due to the explosion of social media. More video “evidence” is detailed in the 2nd video clip below.
Also, please note that when you click “play” on the Conan YouTube clip below, it is set up to play starting at the segment at 15:27 where he describes what happened to him because of Twitter (about 3+ minutes total) in the aftermath of his fall out with NBC when they gave “The Tonight Show” back to Jay Leno (“the other gentleman”). At some point, you may want to watch the whole 48-minute clip. It’s quite funny.
Now… especially if you are still wondering about the importance of social media—but probably, in any case— I highly recommend the following visually dynamic and informative YouTube video, “Social Media Revolution 2 (Refresh)” from the authors of the book, “Socialnomics: How Social Media Transforms the Way We Live and Do Business
“Social Media is not a fad, but a fundamental shift in how we communicate.”
— Erik Qualman
Yes, the changes are that big.
Do you “get it” or are you still sitting on the edge of the social media “pool” thinking about jumping in?
Tags: conan, conan obrien, NBC, social media, social media marketing, twitter
Posted in facebook, Google, internet marketing, social media marketing, TV Industry, twitter, video, youtube | 1 Comment »
