Blog Consulting, LLC.

Blog Consulting, LLC recognized as a TypePad Independent Expert

We were just listed on TypePad's services page as one of their blogging "Independent Experts".   Thank you TypePad!

We are having a blast working in the social media industry, and daily find businesses, and organizations that are greatly interested in better communicating their message, building their authority, gaining new patrons, and deepening the relationship with their existing database.

Video Blogging 101 with Scottsdale Bible Church

As I have mentioned in previous posts, I am working with Scottsdale Bible Church to help them develop the use of social media, and blogging technologies,  within their church's website.

One of the things we determined, very early on, is that we wanted to use a great deal of video to capture the stories, events, and heart-felt glimpses of lives changed.  Video can accomplish these things like no other medium.

We have been doing a fair amount of experimentation to obtain the quality of product we are looking for, yet keeping the expense, and the hassle factor low.

The video below was captured using:

• a Flip Video Ultra HD ($199)
• a tripod ($30)
• two photographic lights (not required)
• a photographic backdrop (not required)

Please understand, the lights and backdrop are not necessary, but given the amount of video that we plan to shoot, it was decided to set up a dedicated, unused office to house our little studio.  I think, when you see the quality of video that we obtained through our little Flip Video, you will agree this was a good decision.

You will also notice that we are using a "phantom voice" type interview, where I am behind the camera asking questions.  This type of interview allows for very easy setup, greatly reduces the need for additional microphone equipment, lighting, seating, and camera equipment.  Although it may seem a little awkward to have this voice booming from the background, it does allow you to focus on your subject.

It is certainly possible to do these films with the subject simply speaking to the camera, and telling her story, but having the interviewer involved in the conversation, reduces a great deal of stress, on the part of the subject.

Marketing take-away:  how could you use these types of video communications to better inform your patrons, and invite them into a deeper relationship with your organization?

 

5 Critical Questions to ask before you hire a Social Media Consultant

If you haven't noticed, there is a tidal wave of interest in blogs, and social media.

Businesses, organizations, nonprofits, and a great many individuals are attracted to the promise, and claims of social media.

If you look at the conference schedule of any large business, or organizational gathering, you are sure to find social media experts present touting the benefits of blogs, and social media.

If you have been a reader of this blog, for any period of time, you will find that I too am in the camp of social media evangelists, because of my real life experience in the business world.

These tools will give you the ability to have your own television station, your own magazine, your own newspaper, your own radio station, your own newsletter, all melted into one very unique tool, and available to your organization with a very reasonable investment.

The problem is, whenever you have this much attention, and this much money chasing something, it invariably brings disreputable types out from under every rock in sight.

Let me share with you 5 critical questions to ask before you hire a social media consultant.

Please read on...

Whole Foods Market - A First Impression Social Media Case Study

As I mentioned before, a regular feature on this blog will be first impression social media case studies.  We can learn a tremendous amount simply studying the social media marketplace.

Our first social media case study was Nordstrom.  My review of their current social media presence was not very flattering, and a little disappointing.  However, I did receive a tweet, from @Nordstrom, and they are diligently working on their social media strategy.

This week's social media case study installment is going to be all gushy!  Let us proudly gaze upon Whole Foods, and look at the relationship they are inviting their patrons to participate in.

Social media is so present, in their on-line presence, I don't even know where to begin.  I will list a few things here, but I beg you, go to their site, and learn from social media masters.

Unlike Nordstrom's on-line catalog site, and the typical coupons being thrown in your face, this is so much more.  Consider:

• not only is the corporate site on Twitter, but they have segmented Twitter accounts, as well as individual stores are Twittering.  I can build a Twitter relationship with my local Whole Foods Market.
• Their individual stores have their own social media sites, underneath the mother ship.  The photograph above is from my local Scottsdale Whole Foods Market.
• Whole foods has a blog, a facebook presence, as well as a flickr site.
• They have thought out and displayed their value proposition,  provide in-store lectures & tastings, publish a weekly sale brochure,  and simply too much more to  add to this post.

Simply put, Whole Foods has made it clear that they are not your typical food market, and they are working very hard to prove that to you in their site.  I am most impressed, and feel a strong desire to go visit my local store.

Marketing take-away - visit the Nordstrom site, and visit the Whole Foods site.  Which site feels more inviting, and why?  Allow yourself to dream of how you might tell your story, as well as Whole Foods Market has.  If you like, we would love to help you.

For the icing on the cake, I leave you with a video from the Whole Foods Blog:

A very exciting week at Blog Consulting, LLC!

This was a great, and wonderful week at Blog Consulting, LLC.  I just started the actual consulting process with a client.  That was a blast!

Furthermore, through our social networks, we received some very exciting contacts, and potential clients. 

The beginning days, of a new business, are filled with meeting people, cementing your story, crafting your value proposition, and watching in wonder as the seed begins to take root, and sprout.

Dear business, nonprofit, trade association, and rugged, individual entrepreneur, is your social network built?  Can we help you with that?

Here is a short video that will help further explain social networks:

Presidential Video Updates from your Blog and/or Social Media Site

I am a user of Seesmic Desktop to manage my various Twitter, and Facebook accounts.  Besides being a great product, I get regular videos from Loic Le Meur, CEO of Seesmic, describing the various updates to the product.

This is information that I need to know, and want to know.  I am grateful to receive these short, 5 minute videos, each time a new release is published.

Marketing take-away:  How could your organization use an occasional video, like the one below, to bring value to your patrons?

Click here to learn how Blog Consulting, LLC can help your organization build, and manage your own social media site.

 

What went wrong with MyCommunityArts.Org?

MyArtsCoummunity.org, and its sister blog, were started as a six-week web-based pilot fund-raising campaign based on the concept that many small donations add up to big dollars. It launched on  May 1 to raise money for the Valley’s 16 largest arts and cultural organizations.

According to an article in Sunday's Arizona Republic, the venture started with a capitol investment of $100,000, but has only returned a "scant" $22,000 in community donations.

So, what went wrong?

The article speaks of timing, the economy, and presents a good deal of head scratching, and bewilderment.  The article also mentions that "the social-networking component failed to live up to its billing."

Before I put forth my thoughts in the matter,  please allow me to make one thing perfectly clear.  I am not here to throw stones, point fingers, or hold myself out to be "all that", as it pertains to this situation.

I do, however, have 20 successful years under my belt as small business owner, and a few things immediately jumped out at me. I simply desire to share them with our community, and the founders of this organization, in case they determine to make another run at this.

Also, please note that my style of communication is fairly direct, but again, with a heart toward being helpful, and not condescending. 

Fair enough?  Then let get started...

5 Ways your Business, or Nonprofit Organization might benefit from Podcasting

Podcasting can be a very effective part of your social media strategy. 

Through our blog consulting company, we  just launched a blog for one of our clients in Scottsdale, Arizona.  The blog is less than one month old, and just look at the podcast daily downloads already!  Over 100 downloads each day, in less than 30 days!

Here are 5 questions to consider when you contemplate podcasting for your business, trade group,church, or nonprofit:

• does your organization have a regular communication, perhaps weekly, or monthly, that might have more impact if it were presented in audio, or video format?  A podcast just might be the ticket to deliver your message.
• are there people in your industry that you might interview, and bring to your patrons through your own podcasting channel?
• are you planning to attend a conference?  What if you came home with valuable audio, or video podcasts to share with your patrons?
• are you planning on hosting a conference?  What if you captured the conference in audio, or video, and made them available to your patrons to review?  Furthermore, might you use them as sales tools, to solicit new patrons to your organization?
• are there interesting stories, and testimonials, lying buried in your patron-base?  What if you began to think like a news reporter, and found those stories, and produced them on your own media site?  Couldn't you better tell your story?

The beauty of owning your own blog/social media site is that you now have the ability to inexpensively bring your story to your patrons in ways that were heretofore kept in the hands of the main stream media.

Here are a few links that might better help you understand podcasting:

• Wikipedia's definition of a podcast.
• Video - Podcasting in Plain English, by CommonCraft.

Click here to learn how Blog Consulting, LLC can help your organization build, and manage your own social media site, complete with your own podcast, if you like.

Visiting a Client's Tradeshow - Arizona Association of Mortgage Brokers

Today, I will be spending the day with clients, at their Mortgage Marketplace Education & Expo.

This is the Arizona Association of Mortgage Brokers large biannual gathering.

Furthermore, as we just launched their blog yesterday, this will be a wonderful opportunity for them to capture video, audio, and photographs of the event.

I am looking forward to spending the day with AAMB, and helping them gather valuable stories to share with their membership, main stream media, and the consumers of Arizona, on their new blog.

Should larger organizations employ a Social Media Community Manager?

The following is an iChat Video Interview I recorded yesterday. 

As a business, or organization, ask yourselves, "could we bring more value to our patrons if we were to present them with interesting interviews, on our own social media site?

Justin Thorp is the Developer Community Manager at Clearspring Technologies, and also Twitter's @thorpus.  Justin is also the son of my friend, Wes Thorp.

Justin's role, as Community Manager, is to build, manage, and protect the relationships for Clearspring Technologies.

Being a technology company, one of the ways they accomplish this is using social media tools.  As Justin points out, social media is simply a tool, and only one in the arsenal required to build social capitol.  If you follow Justin, for any period of time, you will also see that he is very active in face to face relationship building,  and he uses his social media tools to build, manage, and protect.

Listen to Justin,  as I inquire about his role as a Community Manager:

Thank you Justin for your keen insights, and taking valuable time away from your busy schedule!

Click here to learn how Blog Consulting, LLC can help your organization build, and manage your own social media site.