Sprize! Gap Turns Upside-Down
By · CommentsSometimes marketing and PR ideas come from the most basic ideas. Like the statements “we’re turning our customer loyalty program on its head,” or “you’ll flip for our new customer loyalty program.”
GAP turned those concepts into a sweet PR stunt that had me flipped. It was for the launch if Sprize, a new loyalty program that gives you the difference back if an item you purchased goes on sale within 45 days. Check out the video.
Google Goggles, The New Search
By · CommentsAndroid phone users got a cool new way to search thanks to Google’s release of Google Goggles on Monday. The application uses image recognition, through photos you take with the phone or items you point the camera at, to search for that item and pull Google search results.
Want to read the Amazon.com reviews of a book you’re purchasing? Take a snapshot and put on your “Goggles.” Debating what year the Sears Tower was built? Snap it, “goggle” it and get your answer.
While Google is still fine-tuning the program to increase its recognition of less concrete images, such as food and everyday objects like strollers, the vastness of what can already be searched is incredible. One thing to consider, however, is how an app like this will impact SEO. Will sites need to begin indexing keywords and images to maximize search results?
And if you have an iPhone, well you are out of luck.
This is a question I’ve been asked more than a few times and for those looking to enter the social networking world it’s an important one. After all, we’re all busy enough that adding on additional layers might take away from other priorities…that’s not the goal.
For me personally, becoming a student of social networking means providing value to clients and the community while growing professionally and personally.
So for anyone who has asked that question, here are 20 tips.
1. It’s okay to start with baby steps but the key is getting started.
2. Look at ways to become involved in the conversation.
3. Worrying about making a mistake can paralyze you so don’t over think it.
4. Start with something you know and share that expertise, even if you don’t have any followers.
5. Once you start keep it up.
6. Followers will come as you become consistent.
7. Proficiency will happen the more you do it more.
8. Learn by watching others.
9. Take what you learn and build on it by finding resources designed to perfect your style.
10. Open your mind to the possibilities of each social platform.
11. Audiences are built over time as you open yourself up and offer something of value.
12. Realize it won’t happen overnight.
13. Don’t try to learn everything about all the social channels all at once.
14. Become a student of the social media area you believe provides the most value to your followers.
15. Then take on the next social media area and learn more and so on.
16. When you discover a new platform spend about a ½ signing up and learning about the application.
17. Seek out ways to simplify you post time. For example Tweets can be set up to post directly to Facebook and LinkedIn.
18. Simplifying your monitoring and response time with free services such as TweetDeck and HootSuite.
19. Take online conversations offline. Attend a TweetUp or ask to meet someone in person if you share common interests.
20. Most importantly have fun.
There is No Place Like Home for the Holidays
By · CommentsAfter spending eleven months hitting the slopes, relaxing on the shores of Tahoe and seeing the leaves transition from green to a golden yellow, winter is finally here. And let me tell you, there is no place like Reno to spend the winter. There is something so peaceful about being the only one on Virginia Street as the snow falls on a quiet winter night, especially during the first heavy storm of the year. There is nothing more refreshing than seeing the entire community gather together to celebrate the season and see the 30 year old Christmas tree light up downtown or to hear all the chit chat about the upcoming Santa Pub Crawl that gathers people from all over the nation.
Nothing clears my mind more than putting on some ice skates and gliding around the River Rink or strolling through the festive lanes of Legends in Sparks to Christmas shop. The holiday feeling the area gives provides me with a warm fuzzy feeling on those cold winter days. Well, that and a nice warm cup of hot coco. Reno is alive with it adventure whether it is winter, spring, summer or fall and makes me feel so blessed to be a part of this community. Man I love this place!
Student Lead Motivation
By · CommentsNovember 2 marked the first night of the University of Nevada, Reno Extended Studies 4-week class, “Google is Your New Business Card: Building a Valuable Personal Brand,” that I was invited to co-teach. The goal was to equip the participants with the knowledge, tools and resources to begin to develop their personal brand online and the motivation to continue to do so. By November 30 the class wrapped. And while I can’t speak on behalf of the participants and if they found the course valuable, here’s what I walked away with.
Point of entry: Everyone in the course started from different places. Some were quite proficient and for others it was brand new. The ability to communicate the importance of say Twitter versus a Facebook Fan page in a concise and effective manner really pushed me to think of experience beyond my boundaries. It drove me to see it from their position and how these tools could have a direct impact to personal brand and business interests.
Information gathering: The flood of information available online can be overwhelming. However, anyone who is a student of social networking understands the importance of RSS feeds and social bookmarking to be efficient with their time. Without these two resources there’s no way I would be able to recite a fact, remember a case study or provide examples during the class.
Validation: We all want validation that we’re doing something right but social networking is a different ball game. There is no right or wrong way. It’s about maximizing the socials sites to provide the value you need based on your vision statement and goals.
Learn from anyone: The neatest thing about social networking is that everyone is learning at different speeds and anyone can find new feature or an easier way to do something. This is especially true for newbies who have an incredible knack for finding new tricks.
Interaction feeds knowledge: My personal quest for learning more was enhanced greatly throughout the course. Questions and the personal desire of the individual participants drove me to not only find answers but be active in the process.
My thanks go to Dr. Bret Simmons for inviting me to co-present and the students for their active participation that motivated me to learn and do more.
Mastering RSS Feeds the Easy Way
By · CommentsAsk a Web designer to explain RSS feeds and you just might leave more confused…at least that’s what happened to me when asked. What seemed like a simple question became quickly convoluted left me thinking, “Really? It didn’t seem like it’s that complicated.”
Enter RSS in Plain English.
I can’t thank enough the Plain English videos for simplifying RSS feeds and really bringing home why everyone should have a reader and subscribe. After viewing this video I was motivated (and excited) to see the power of RSS and how I could really focus the information I receive.
If you’re still wondering what an RSS feed is, then watch the video. It will change the way you receive information and you’ll find your capacity to learn more enhanced greatly.
If Google is your new business card, then managing your personal brand online is critical. The University of Nevada, Reno Extended Studies Program offers a new course this November designed to assist students with hands-on techniques to build the online presence needed to remain competitive in today’s economy. “Google is Your New Business Card: Building a Valuable Personal Brand” is led by social networking, branding and entrepreneurship experts Bret L. Simmons, Ph.D., assistant professor at the University of Nevada, Reno, and Ronele Klingensmith, president of RKPR Inc. The 10-hour, four-session class assists students in discovering their personal brand and how to develop valuable content around that brand.
“With Google being a 21st-century electronic business card, it communicates one’s personal brand to the world–with a click of a mouse anyone can learn about you,” said Simmons. “Combine that with today’s intensely competitive business environment, and it’s even more essential to actively control what is being said about the value of someone’s unique skill set. You can control your brand and that’s what this course is about.”
Through hands-on coaching from social-media experts, students will learn how social-media tools correlate, as well as the most effective ways to use the tools discovered to create a personal brand. It will also go beyond traditional social networking sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook and static websites to demonstrate how to create and operate a dynamic blog and develop a presence on Twitter the right way.
Klingensmith founded RKPR Inc. in 2002 to provide clients with innovative communications strategies. With her 17 years of communications experience, Klingensmith offers a broad range of expertise with a variety of clients in various industries with strong emphasis on travel and tourism, focusing on the integration of social networking, new media and integrated communications. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from the University of Nevada, Reno and received her Accredited in Public Relations (APR) certification in 2003 from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).
Simmons teaches classes in organizational behavior, entrepreneurial psychology and research methods at the University of Nevada, Reno. His research currently focuses on positive organizational behavior and employee performance. In addition to academic publications, his research has been featured in articles by US News & World Report and USA Today.
Class dates for “Google Is Your New Business Card” are November 2 and 9 from 6 to 9 p.m. and November 16 and 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. Registration is required for the course, for information visit online or call the Extended Studies office at 775-784-4046.
