social media conference tampa

Social Fresh brought a sunny lineup of social media players to Tampa today. The conference, geared specifically towards marketers, was the first of its kind in recent years. I enjoyed immersing myself in the company of “friends” — over 200 attendees who geek out, study and ride this speeding bullet called social media every day. Participants came from as far as Ottawa, Canada. Sadly, we didn’t have warmer weather for them. They assured me they were quite pleased with the 50 degree temps!

As with every worthwhile seminar or social media event, I like to share the quick summaries and takeaways that hit me the hardest. There was far more to take in today that I can possibly blog about, so I’m choosing one session with specific highlights.

“Word of Mouth Advertising,” presented by Spike Jones of Brains on Fire, answered the question that is on every traditional marketer’s mind: Why social media? [read full article…]

{ 0 comments }

Post image for Why Blog? – Reason #1: Content is King

Any business that has tried to optimize its website or beef up its visibility online has heard the phrase over and over… “Content is King.”

If Content is King, a Blog is the King’s Most Loyal Servant.

A well-built blog:

  • Publishes your content at a moment’s notice. In fact, a blog makes it so easy to publish content online that the only thing stopping you…is you! Gone are the days of blaming technology or your web developer for your stagnant content. A blog moves at the pace of your brilliance, your ideas and your ingenuity. Blogs literally scoff at the old days—where site updates were burdensome and not worth the pain.
  • Alerts the world of your latest news. Each time you add new content, your blog syndicates your news through a powerful automated tool called RSS: Really Simple Syndication. RSS allows others to “watch” your content in a reading tool of their choice, such as Google Reader. Rather than check over and over for new content, readers can use RSS to be notified when you post something new. More about RSS in Plain English
  • Shines up your keywords for Google. With every post, every subhead and every paragraph, a blog builds a little red carpet for your keywords to strut their stuff. A technical word to the wise: blogs built on the Wordpress.org platform are best for keyword optimization. When you’re ready to “go pro” with your business blog, be sure your developer knows his stuff.
  • Showcases whatever format you bring. The more diverse your content, the better. Whether you’ve got videos, audio, images, photographs or podcasts, a blog makes it easy to showcase all your content in a snap. Uploading is a cinch. Descriptions are a breeze. Usability is a piece o’ cake.

This is the first post in our regular series about the benefits of blogging.

Up next: Why Blog? – Reason #2: Google Karma.

{ 8 comments }

Post image for Free Web Consulting from Local Web Experts – Deadline for Submissions is Wednesday!

If Your Website Could Use a Checkup, Now’s Your Chance!

AMA Tampa Bay is sponsoring another killer Digital Media event—where local companies can submit their websites for review by some of the Bay Area’s top online experts. Consultation will include specific recommendations on creative, content, social media, conversion techniques and SEO.

If your site is chosen for review, you’ll get free consulting at the event to be held March 2 at 5:30pm. If you choose not to submit your site, come learn some tips and advice you can apply to your own online presence!

Among the Panelists:

Submit your site for review today!

{ 2 comments }

Last Call for Social Fresh – Social Media Conference, Tampa

February 2, 2010
Thumbnail image for Last Call for Social Fresh – Social Media Conference, Tampa

I finally gave in and purchased my tickets to Social Fresh coming up next week (Monday, Feb. 8). Don’t have a ticket yet!? You’re in luck. I have a coupon code!
Save $120 with coupon code: tampa120
It looks like a jam-packed day. Expect some blog updates!
Social Fresh – Tampa

Read the full article →

Blogging Basics: How to Add Video to Your Blog

January 29, 2010
adding-video-to-blog

Many new bloggers or prospective bloggers think that embedding video into a blog post is hard. Nonsense! If you’re producing your own video, certainly the production and editing may be involved. But, if you’ve got a clip already on YouTube that you’re eager to share, it’s a piece o’ cake. Find that clip, cut and [...]

Read the full article →

I Dare You To Become a Real-Time Expert

January 27, 2010
Thumbnail image for I Dare You To Become a Real-Time Expert

What the heck is a “real time” expert? It’s an expert who continuously communicates advice, questions, challenges and thoughts with their audience or customer. A real-time expert doesn’t publish a book and walk away. They feed their audience with their views on current events, industry news, shake-ups, best practices and epiphanies. They produce a stream [...]

Read the full article →

Google Caffeine Buzz: Is Your Site Ready?

January 15, 2010
Thumbnail image for Google Caffeine Buzz: Is Your Site Ready?

If you haven’t heard, Google is poised to launch major enhancements to its search algorithm any day now. Code name: Google Caffeine.
Google announced in November that they chose to release the enhancements after the 1st of the year to avoid disrupting customers and retailers during the Christmas shopping rush.
So…it’s finally the new year. Anyone who [...]

Read the full article →

Small Business Blog: Barbara Krai Interior Design

January 10, 2010
Thumbnail image for Small Business Blog: Barbara Krai Interior Design

I often use the analogy of house-building and blue prints when explaining the web-planning process. Little did I know I’d eventually get to put that analogy to the test with an interior designer!
When I first met Barbara Krai, she already had a blog as part of her business website. She had a few posts but [...]

Read the full article →

A Night With Gary Vaynerchuk: 17 Takeaways On Crushing It With Content & Social Media

January 6, 2010
Thumbnail image for A Night With Gary Vaynerchuk: 17 Takeaways On Crushing It With Content & Social Media

If you don’t know Gary. Here’s the short story: Gary Vaynerchuk is an insanely successful, charismatic, unconventional entrepreneur that has attracted a cult-like following (self-described “Vayniacs“) of more than 60,000 viewers per day to WineLibraryTV.com. He’s written a new book called “Crush It.”
He was in Tampa tonight and made so much sense it hurt. [...]

Read the full article →

What’s your #1 business blogging goal for 2010?

January 5, 2010
Thumbnail image for What’s your #1 business blogging goal for 2010?

It’s no secret that business blogging is becoming an integral part of any social media plan. However, as with any marketing and communication, it’s important to set and prioritize your goals.

What is your #1 business blogging goal for 2010?(opinion)

Read the full article →

Happy New Year, Bloggers! Check Your Copyright.

January 4, 2010
Thumbnail image for Happy New Year, Bloggers! Check Your Copyright.

It’s that time of year, business bloggers! Be sure to check your site and blog footer copyright to reflect the most current year. As with every piece of blogging maintenance, a plugin is available to make the  task even easier! Blog Traffic Exchange makes swapping out the date simple and makes the chore obsolete in [...]

Read the full article →