Blog : strategy

Facebook Graph Search: What It Means For B2B

Facebook Graph Search: What It Means For B2B

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Why Likes Have Just Become More Important.

The hype is under way as an enticing new feature called Graph Search continues to be rolled out by Facebook, and the question on everyone’s mind is, “how can we utilize this new feature to optimize our business’ social media presence?” Besides being an ingenious incentive developed by the social network giant to encourage businesses to spend more time on its site, Graph Search has some interesting features which may shake up the way people make decisions. Although Graph Search is not a search engine which combs the entire internet, it does search the content that people on Facebook put on their pages (likes, check-ins, etc). Graph Search enables users to search for business pages, photos and people and, in the results, see how they are connected to those items through their friends or even through their friends of friends.

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Avoiding Marketing’s Shiny Object Syndrome

Avoiding Marketing’s Shiny Object Syndrome

We’ve all experienced it at one time or another – that uncontrollable urge to spend time or money on the latest gizmo, app, online tool, trick or offer. Remember Dug, the adorable talking golden retriever from Pixar Disney’s movie, Up, who in the midst of conversation would become distracted and exclaim, “Squirrel!?” You may chuckle, but Shiny Object Syndrome (SOS) occurs all the time, including in our marketing.

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It's not all about you.

It's not all about you.

We’ve all been there. You’re part of a great presentation or meeting among your peers or clients; great discussion ensues; wonderful, meaningful questions that apply to the whole group are being presented and answered and commented on; and then it happens. One person asks a question that pulls the focus away from the tremendous momentum that has been occurring and focuses on his or her specific issue. It sucks the energy from the room. Do you know what I’m talking about? It’s frustrating, discourteous and ultimately disheartening. Even masterful facilitators can find it difficult to get back on track. And that is a great reminder for those charged with developing website strategy and content. It’s not always all about you.

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How To Reach Success in Marketing

How To Reach Success in Marketing

I glanced down… the ground was 300 feet below me and I had to jump. I had to trust that I would make it down safely. My heart was pumping fast and I was more frightened than I’d like to admit, but I leaned back, as instructed, and took the leap. I was rappelling into a cave. Initially I was scared, but once I jumped I was able to sit back and enjoy the beautiful views around me.

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Brand Strategy: What’s your ONE big thing?

Brand Strategy: What’s your ONE big thing?

I was reminded this past week, on a few different occasions, that the art of positioning is based on the ability to narrow focus and to let go. In a meeting with a new client who was struggling to clearly define the services his company provided and to whom, it became clear that his biggest challenge was in positioning. In his attempt to be more service-oriented and have greater reach, the company tried to become too many things to too many types of customers, and the brand lost relevance.

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Running a Business and Fahrenheit 451

Running a Business and Fahrenheit 451

do nothing
. . . and why you need to take some time off.

It’s the end of August, often thought of as a slow time for advisors and consultants –– and, well, business in general, as people take vacations and prepare for school. Interestingly, this year, we haven’t really noticed a let up. Networking events have been packed to the gills, clients have been calling with new projects, and we all seem to be busy. Even some of the lucky few who have been able to get away manage to answer emails or take calls. One colleague joked that he wasn’t in a hurry for a proposal because he had one more day to collect sand between his toes (yet he responded to my email in record time). So we’re on vacation, but are we really on vacation?

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When the brand waters get muddy

When the brand waters get muddy

Company ABC is a tech consulting firm in the secure government contracting space that promotes a fundraising event for a highly respected, well run charity for rehabilitating soldiers injured abroad. The veteran owners and many of their clients care passionately about the cause, and the thousands of dollars they contribute directly impact those in need of immediate assistance. Their contribution fills a vast funding deficit and gives the charity a much needed financial boost. And, it serves as an expression of Company ABC’s brand. They pride themselves on their integrity, reputation and transparency, and their commitment to their clients, country and community is evident in their brand from the way they provide services to the way they demonstrate giving back.

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The business shift.

The business shift.

I’ve been reading some great books on entrepreneurship, business consulting, and the new rules of PR, marketing and social media in this incredibly connected world we’re in. Business is different. The climate has shifted. One really can start a business on a shoe string, or invest hundreds of thousands of dollars to help it grow. Both are viable. Some of the smaller companies are even doing it better than their larger, more established counterparts within the same space.

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Best Practices for LinkedIn

Best Practices for LinkedIn

Be professional
Always Look Professional:  the little things that make a big difference in LinkedIn

No, I am not talking about wearing a freshly pressed suit and a tie, although sometimes that is entirely appropriate. I am referring to looking professional across your social media channels.

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A brand strategy is just a plan.

A brand strategy is just a plan.

As communicators, we like to think we don’t use jargon to describe what we do. We often counsel clients to avoid using industry jargon, referring to these terms unaffectionately as “weasel words” — words designed to make something sound like more than it really is. But the truth is, although we try not to, we, too, use jargon terms for some things. And I think the term “brand strategy” is one of those. So, let’s simplify things and define what a brand strategy is in practical terms.

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The challenges advisory firms face.

The challenges advisory firms face.

I recently conducted a workshop on how important your brand is within the social media arena, particularly when your business focuses on selling a concept, service or other intangible. This particular workshop happened to be for churches, but they are not unlike many of the businesses we advise, who sell consulting, advice, conceptual services or ideas. Let’s face it, churches are probably among the most conceptual of all, promoting not only events and services, but an ideology.

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What should your content say?

What should your content say?

In a previous blog post, Finding your voice: Content marketing dos, we mentioned the importance of content marketing, and how it is necessary to constantly publish content so that you are providing value to your clients, and so that search engines display your web content in organic search results. But, you may be wondering, “what should my content say?”

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