jones huyett Partners

My Life Without Facebook:
Week 2

In case you missed it – I gave up Facebook for Lent.

This week was even more difficult than last. Last week my Facebook fast was top-of-mind to all my friends and family – this week the newness has worn off. People keep talking to me about things I would normally know about – expecting me to have a clue. But when I stop them and ask them to fill me in, I get the resounding “oh, that’s right, you’re not on Facebook.” And then there’s The Face.

“The Face” is the eye–squinting, wrinkled-forehead, pressed-lips look that you get when people feel sorry for you. I’m fairly certain I’ve used this look many times. Usually to communicate a feeling with others – typically when something has happened and I’m trying to show empathy to someone. Is that what my friends are doing to me? Feeling sorry for me? (NOTE: I’m exaggerating with that last line for effect – just go with it.)

But seriously, this past week proves one point I had hoped to make with this experiment – that you can’t communicate with your audience if you’re not using the communication tools your audience is using. If I could had been on Facebook this week, you’d know that I became of fan of my bank’s new Fan Page – CoreFirst Bank & Trust. Instead I have to wait until April to do so! And I would have known that Jayhawk Café, a new café in downtown Topeka’s Jayhawk Tower, had their grand opening. But I missed it because I didn’t know about it – I heard about it later that evening on the 10:00 news. Regardless, I’m managing. Not as effectively, or efficiently, as normal, but I’m making it through with a little help from my friends, family, co-workers and local media. Thanks everyone!

Here are a few other things you would have known if I could have been on Facebook this week:

•  WHAT!?!? There’s a Twilight “Scene It!” board game. How do I NOT have this?
•  Headed to the Heartland Visioning meeting! Can’t wait to hear all about their wonderful plans to revitalize Downtown Topeka.
•  Why are some stoplights in Lincoln horizontal and some vertical … did they just decide to buck consistency or does this madness have a real purpose?
•  Stupid friends – why aren’t you ALL on Twitter?! Okay you’re not stupid but my life would be easier if you were!

Bookmark It

Filed by Brie at 12:05 pm under Example, General Marketing, Social Media, Topeka, Trends, Twitter, jhP Family, online marketing
Comments

My Life Without Facebook:
Week 1

In case you missed it – I gave up Facebook for Lent.

It’s become painfully obvious to me that I’m going to have to start using the phone more often … even more so now that I’ve officially worn out the letters i, e, t, o and h on my cell phone, making texting a little difficult to say the least. It will be interesting to see how painfully awkward my friends and I are in phone conversations. My generation had just started talking on the phone when Yahoo Messenger became popular … and we quickly stopped talking and started typing. I’ve had the Internet since I was in 4^th or 5^th grade so you can understand why it may be hard for me to communicate outside of email, texting, social media, instant messaging or in person. The sad truth is that I’m not even sure I have some of my best friends’ phone numbers! (P.S. if you’re one of those people please drop me an email at bengelken@jhpadv.com – I miss you, friends!).

I’m still habitually typing facebook.com into the URL and have actually ended up at the sign in page several times. I did finally set up a folder in my gmail account. It’s called “Facebook – Lent” and I’m putting ALL notifications I get in that file to check on April 4. So no – I’m not cheating and reading my notifications to get around being on Facebook.

The hardest night so far was the night of the K-State v. Nebraska Men’s basketball game. I didn’t know what to do with myself. It didn’t feel like enough just to rant to my Dad (who was watching the game with me). And my Twitter followers for the most part don’t care about K-State sports or follow me for my ranting. I thought about Google Buzz, but well, let’s be honest – no one’s on Google Buzz yet and why should they be when they can do everything on Facebook right now? So for now all my perfectly crafted, witty banter will go unacknowledged.

Here’s a little of what you would have seen this week if I could have logged in:
• Copywriting without Facebook breaks or Diet Coke do not make for a happy Brie

• Basketball 101 – Dribbling the ball – Learn how to!!

• Go nominate Topeka to be a test community for Google’s Fiber Network! Just imagine – Internet speeds that are nearly 100 times faster than what we currently have – and faster than anywhere else in the whole WORLD! ThinkBigTopeka.com

• DANG my job for holding me accountable (with no facebook updates) – this is one of the only times I’ve EVER been able to say that!

Bookmark It

Filed by Brie at 12:23 pm under Social Media, Topeka, Trends, Twitter, jhP Family
Comments

When I was in college, a night out with friends always included a craze of phone calls. “Where are we going? When will you be there?” A few years later, this same communication continues, but the methods are more sophisticated. Instead of phone calls, we use mass-texts to figure out the details. Now, gathering your group has a new method with the emerging network, Foursquare.

What it is:
Foursquare is a location-based social network that allows users to “check in” from anywhere. Using an application on my cell phone, all my Foursquare friends can see where I am. “I’m at jhP (3200 SW Huntoon, Huntoon & Lakeside, Topeka) – writing a blog post about Foursquare.”

While Foursquare may seem invasive or even creepy to some, you should understand that like Facebook, this is a trusted network. You only add people you actually know. That allows this tool to be a powerful way to generate business and good buzz through word-of-mouth, as well as bring all your networks to a central location. So if it makes you nervous for the world to know where you are, here’s a word to the wise: Don’t add anyone you don’t know.

How it works:
Foursquare’s main purpose is to promote personal location. If I’m out on Saturday night and want friends to join me I simply “check in” from my mobile web browser: “I’m at Bosco’s (435 S Kansas Avenue, 4th & Kansas, Topeka).” I’m also encouraged to share tips about places I visit, so others can benefit from my experiences. So I might add, “Check out their amazing Apple-tini and Burger Sliders.”

Aside from promoting personal location, Foursquare encourages “competition.” I earn points for checking in. These check-ins can be used to unlock fun badges like “Crunked” for 4+ stops in one night or “School Night” for checking in after 3 a.m. Also, visiting one location more than anyone else will award you a key to the city! Okay, you don’t get a key to the city, but you will become “Mayor” of that location until someone dethrones you.

For Businesses:
Using Foursquare as a promotional tool offers businesses great marketing potential. Businesses across the country are offering loyalty specials for people who check in via Foursquare. Your Foursquare brand advocates could earn points they can redeem for free ice cream or get a special discount as “Mayor” of your location.

Foursquare is also developing reporting tools that will help businesses know who is visiting, how often, where they came from and where they go after they leave. This is shaping up to be a great new form of word-of-mouth marketing. Better yet, it’s completely customer driven – which helps build a loyal customer base plus dedicated brand advocates.

For Individuals:
As a user of this new social network you’re not only telling your friends where you are, you’re challenging them to be there too, and sometimes to join in an activity. “I’m at Big Dog Motorcycles (1520 East Douglas, Wichita) – I bet you won’t look as hot on a 2010 Wolf as I do! Check it out!”

But consider:
Checking in at the same location frequently could make you seem to endorse a business. If you become Mayor of a restaurant, your friends would naturally assume you recommend it. Since that might not be true, think about where you’re visiting before you check in to Foursquare. Do you want to be seen as a brand advocate for the place?

Now that you know a little more about Foursquare what are your initial thoughts? How can this affect your network of friends or your business? As I write, I’m at jhP  (3200 SW Huntoon, Huntoon & Lakeside, Topeka). I challenge you to learn more about Foursquare and see if it’s for you!

Bookmark It

Filed by the Partners at 11:41 am under Social Media, Trends, online marketing
Comments

My Life Without Facebook

I’m Brie Engelken. I’m 23 years old and I’m a Facebook addict. Facebook began in February 2004 and by October I was an avid user. By May 2005 I was addicted – checking every hour I had access to a computer (this was before mobile web browsers took off!) just to see who was doing what, who broke up with who, and more importantly, who had scandalous pictures from last night’s big party.

Today, Facebook is a primary means of communication in my life, as well as the lives of my peers. I start my day at 5:00 a.m. every weekday morning and by 5:15 a.m. it’s fair to say I’ve checked the statuses I missed while sleeping. I log in when I get to work at 8:00 a.m. and keep a tab open all day, checking in regularly just to see what’s going on. I get home around 6:00 p.m. most nights and I’m logged back in by 6:30 p.m. with a window open until at least 11:00 p.m. that evening. It’s fair to say that I don’t miss much.

Starting at midnight on Wednesday, February 17th (tonight) I will be giving up Facebook as part of my sacrifice for Lent (I’m Roman Catholic). For 46 days I will journal my life without Facebook, and the challenges I encounter along the way. The only leniency I will have is the ability to go in and un-tag pictures, but I can’t waver from that page onto any other part of Facebook. Check back for weekly posts about my journey (aka Blast from the Past) leading up to a MAJOR gossip catch up at Midnight, April 3rd/4th.

Want to hold me accountable? Feel free to visit my Facebook profile and see my inactivity.

Bookmark It

Filed by Brie at 6:12 pm under Social Media, jhP Family
Comments

This weekend, audiences across the U.S. will witness the clash of industry giants during Super Bowl XLIV. They will see things that evoke all sorts of emotion: empathy, joy, sadness and laughter. Opponents will be pitted against one another in a race for your loyalty – brand loyalty. And for those who aren’t interested in advertising, the Colts will be facing off against the Saints in between commercial breaks.

jhP will be covering the Super Bowl commercial action via real-time tweets. Follow our reactions to the latest and, hopefully, greatest ads at Twitter handle @jhpadv, @alissasheley, @brieengelken,  @mcstubbs, or follow the hashtag #jhpXLIV.

Be sure to visit our blog on Monday morning to participate in the jhP Poll for the best Super Bowl spot of 2010!

Bookmark It

Filed by the Partners at 12:16 pm under Commercials, Social Media
Comments

We’re all being told we should market our brands through social networking. But before you rush to put together a Facebook Fan Page or become engaged in Twitter there’s one very important first step you should consider – a blog.

Social networking without a blog is like watching a football game on mute. It would all be very exciting, if only you knew what was going on. A blog is the voiceover to a company’s social media efforts. It provides details and insight that can’t be achieved by relying solely on services like Facebook and Twitter. And here are several more reasons why should you have a blog:

1.) Blogs humanize your brand.
Unlike a television or radio spot, you’re not interrupting someone’s programming – they are coming to you for information. This gives you the power to influence the tone of the conversations about your brand. It also allows you to post about your team and work environment, showing your audience a new, friendlier side of you. This builds trust and relationships (aka Brand Loyalty!). It also opens a line of communication for you to learn even more about your customers, clients, and prospects.

2.) Blogs improve your brand’s search engine rank.
When you Google your industry and city, where does your company show up in the search results? Are you in the top five … or on PAGE five? Having a blog can help your search engine optimization (SEO), which will push you closer to number one. It’s another place to link to your company website, and the more links going to your website the higher you’ll show up in search results. It’s also a great place to provide content about your industry – which gives you LOTS of keywords that will make you more easily searchable.

3.) Blogs give your customers a more complete – and individualized – picture of what you offer.
Having a blog lets you give details about what you do. For example, if you’re a travel agency who also sells luggage, you might do a blog about packing tips. Then you casually mention that with luggage that can be purchased from your company, it’s easy to pack everything you need for your trip. Link that back to the luggage section of your website and your audience will feel your advertising was provided for THEIR needs. After all, it was their choice to click and learn more.

4.) When you do Social Media, your blog unifies all your efforts.
What you post on your blog can then provide relevant content to post on your Facebook Fan Page. Your Facebook Fan Page is also a way to promote your blog which ultimately promotes your website, which promotes your brand! Same with Twitter. Your YouTube account allows you to pull content for your other social networks – and the list goes on. Regardless of which social media venues are best for your brand strategy, they can all help promote your blog, which promotes you.

5.) Blogs are easier to frequently update than your main website.
(BEWARE: Geek Speak ahead) It’s not always quick or easy to update your main website. There’s so much information, where do you start? With a blog, it’s expected that you will only post a little bit of information at a time, which makes it easier to post more frequently. That said, the more frequently you’re posting information the more spiders are crawling you. A spider is software that crawls the web in order to provide up–to–date data. How does this affect you? The more frequently you update your site the more your site attracts these spiders, resulting in higher search results.

So before you score a touchdown you need to pull plays from your playbook. In social media, your playbook is your blog. So get started creating those plays so you’ll be sure you’re prepared to bring the heat in the game of Social Networking.

Bookmark It

Filed by the Partners at 11:07 am under Search Engine Optimization, Social Media
Comments

Facebook just rolled out an update to their privacy settings, hoping to make them easier for people to use and understand. However, with this update, your profile settings default to a level of sharing that you may not want. Unless you manually override the change, you’ll automatically be sharing status updates, about me, work/education and family/relationship information with “Everyone.” All of this data will be publicly available for search engines to crawl and index. And, with Google adding real-time search results very prominently into their traditional results within the next couple of days (preview real-time here), your status updates could potentially become much more public than you ever imagined.

What can you do if you don’t want to share this information with everyone on the world wide web? Simply go to the Settings drop down, select Privacy Settings and then click on Profile Information. From there, adjust using the drop down menus to meet your own personal comfort level for sharing: everyone, friends of friends, only friends or customize. Then go back to Privacy Settings and click on Search. This will allow you to adjust who’s able to view your information through Facebook and search engine searches.

Bookmark It

Filed by the Partners at 11:43 am under Social Media
Comments

Post engaging content, and your fans will see it – that’s the theme of the latest round of Facebook updates. Post content your Fans want to see, and your brand will find it easier than ever to maintain active relationships with them.

The once overcrowded and noisy newsfeed has been replaced by two different content feeds: News and Live. The Live Feed provides real-time updates of what your friends and/or Fan Pages are doing. The content still includes the status updates, photos and links you’re accustomed to but now it also includes notifications of new Friend/Page connections, tagged photos/videos and events others are attending. This allows the Live Feed to be more viral than the previous newsfeed. Now you can see when your friends join a group or Fan Page, and easily join too.

The News Feed is similar to the old newsfeed, but now with a popularity contest element. This Feed only shows updates, photos or videos that Facebook thinks you would like. These posts are typically determined by the interaction others have had with the content – for example having many views, comments or “likes.” Unlike the Live Feed, the News Feed is not in chronological order, so it’s possible for a post from two days ago to show up at the top of the page. It all depends on how Facebook’s algorithms perceive the relevance.

So far, there aren’t statistics showing which feed users are choosing to view. Either way, remember that interaction is key. The more your brand communicates, the more often you will show up in your follower’s Live Feed. Post quality content and your Fans will choose to interact. And the more interaction, the higher your chances of the post being included in your Fans’ News Feeds.

Bookmark It

Filed by the Partners at 11:36 am under Social Media
Comments

Your company is forced to terminate someone’s employment, with good reason, and now the ex-employee is blasting your company on Twitter, Facebook and other popular social networks. Everything you’ve read about Social Media says you should be transparent and engage your audience – so how should you respond?

When dealing with social media, your responses should always be on a case-by-case basis. But in this case, let’s assume the rant is simply that – a rant – and it doesn’t raise legitimate, business-damaging issues. In that event, you DON’T respond.

Here are three reasons why, in THIS case, you should ignore disgruntled ex-employees on Social Networks.

1)     People know a rant when they read one

When an upset employee rants on a social media website they are usually just blowing off steam – and their audience sees that. The individual is just trying to generate sympathy or brew anger and, in most cases, readers know better than to take them too seriously.

2)     It’s a Human Resources issue

Companies are often legally restricted regarding what they can say in situations that involve HR issues. For this reason alone it’s usually best just to leave it be. Don’t put your company and yourself at risk of crossing a legal line.

3)     It’s a lose/lose situation

Nothing you say or do will make up for the loss of that person’s job so it’s best just to let it run its course. By engaging in a conversation you are just prolonging that individual’s fury and drawing more attention to that person and your situation.

When dealing with personalized attacks with no merit and no business-damaging substance, please consider that saying nothing is better than saying the wrong something.

Bookmark It

Filed by Brie at 2:55 pm under Public Relations, Social Media, Trends, Twitter
Comments

Last week an Australian company, USocial, launched a new offering to the social media world. For $177.30 you can purchase a 1,000-member group of “targeted” Fans for your company’s Facebook Fan Page, up to 10,000 fans. However, by “targeted” USocial merely means that these fans reside in the country you do business in and/or are affiliated with your industry or interest group.

Suffice it to say, USocial missed the mark. The entire purpose of social media is to create and strengthen relationships. How can a bond exist between an organization and 1,000 Fans who have simply been “purchased”? It’s even questionable whether the Fans are actual people or automated accounts that would be worthless to your business. You can’t buy relationships – at least not the useful kind.

From there, the facts behind USocial get even fuzzier. Although USocial argues that your bulk purchase of Fans will be targeted, their ability to target is extremely limited. If your brand’s audience is a specific demographic in Northeast Kansas, obtaining 1,000 Fans from across the United States is nearly useless. Futhermore, USocial claims it’s common knowledge that each Fan will generate at least $1 in monthly profits. However, they offer no evidence to support this unlikely statement.

And for anyone who might still be considering USocial, consider the stance of Twitter and Digg. When USocial set up similar business offerings on these networks, both sites moved to ban USocial. Despite those demands to cease and desist, USocial continues to run its business.

Bookmark It

Filed by the Partners at 1:42 pm under Social Media, Trends
Comments