Don’t forget the strategic side of social media: 3 ways to incorporate tactics successfully with your strategy

Social media isn’t just about tactics – there is a strategic side as well. And it’s not complicted. Here are 3 straightforward ways you can elevate your social media to make it more effective and ensure it has greater impact.

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One more reason I question if Google+ will make it

Google+ is getting a lot of attention these days – and not always the good kind. The social media channel is at the point where it really needs to start to take off if it ever is going to (maybe the intro of business page will help). But I got a very surprising email the other day that really makes me wonder if they ever will “get it together.” See if you agree or if you have different thoughts.

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5 great branding tricks the W Hotel chain uses well – and the 1 key element they are missing

The W Hotel chain has a great brand, and provided a great experience during a recent stay in Chicago. But there was one key element – an element having to do with social media – that was a “miss” in the eyes of this marketer. See if you agree.

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The Most Annoying Uses of Social Media – 3 ways to misuse Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn

There are CORRECT ways to use social media, and many INCORRECT ways to use it. I’ve learned by observing and experimenting: auto-feeds may be convenient, but they likely don’t reach your target audience in the way you intend.
Here are 3 important considerations in figuring out the best way to execute your social media strategy.

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How are college students using Social Media? A 2011 update

College students are huge users of social media – but who better to hear this from than a college student herself. Find out a bit of the inside scoop of college student usage of this emerging communications tool!!

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Social Media, Customer Engagement, and Disney

What does the Disney activity of “Pin Trading” have to do with social media? Well, now a lot directly….but indirectly, there are many similarities between the two.

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Marketing, advertising, and the emotion behind it – a great example

There are some key pharses I hear myself using quite a bit these days as I talk about effective communciations with clients – these include messaging, audience, emotion, story, call to action. I found a great example from Gatorade to help make my point.

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Social Media and its role in the political happenings in Madison, Wisconsin – plus 6 important social medial lessons

Lots has been going on politically in Madison, WI in the last couple of weeks. But from a social media standpoint, what are the observations and lessons learned? Putting politics aside, here is one marketer’s take!

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Social media in 2011 – how to get to the next level (Part 1: some mistakes you can – and should – avoid)

There are ways to use social media correctly – and things you should avoid doing. Part 1 explores some all-too-common-mistakes people make today when using social media tools like LinkedIn and Twitter.

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And a happy Thanksgiving to all …. + some holiday marketing inspiration from New York City.

This is the time of year when everyone is busy – and it is hard to reach consumers with marketing. Here a restaurant in NYC succeeds in grabbing my attention while they use a great cause-marketing campaign to also do good for those who need it. Inspiring!

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