Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Get your business online


I love this campaign from Google, and this ad video in particular.  In fact I took up their offer, and two of my many projects now have dedicated websites and e-mail addresses.


It's staggering to know that 15 million businesses don't have a website.  That's 58% of all US businesses.  But if the owners on this video are any measure of how it feels to come online, then it's a cheerful process!

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Tips on creating a video


This is a short-and-sweet video from KunoCreative with tips on creating online videos.  Even if you don't have a blog, you can first write down and sketch out what you want to say in your video.  The value is better marketing for your business, brand or personal project.

"Online video is quickly becoming one of the best ways for a company to market itself, using the internet."



Here are Dan's points, once again:
  1. Formulate what you're going to say
  2. Use compelling visuals
  3. Be yourself

Monday, February 4, 2013

Big-stage, low-budget marketing on social media


In anticipation of the Super Bowl XLVII yesterday, Mike Greenberg of ESPN said that it was a superb show for everyone in his family:  He, of course, looked forward to the football.  His wife was keen on the commercials, and his daughter looked forward to Beyonce at halftime.

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In recent years, I've become intrigued by these commercials (e.g., a heartwarming one by Budweiser) and the impressive outlay of dollars to air them on one of the biggest stages in the world.  In Super Bowl Ads Are Expensive But Your Marketing Doesn’t Need To Be, Jason Bahamundi speaks to this point:
There are business owners out there that were thinking to themselves: I want to have a commercial air in the Super Bowl day.
There is nothing wrong with that thinking as that shows a determination to grow their business, but you no longer have to wait to make an impact as big as a Super Bowl ad. In today’s constantly moving world of social media companies have the opportunity to make a name for themselves RIGHT NOW and the cost barrier to entry is very low [emphasis added].
I imagine, in particular, that some companies are worried about getting negative comments on their page or community. But Bahamundi's points are well-taken:  By responding promptly and addressing the issue, companies can show how much they truly care about their customers. 

Friday, February 1, 2013

Filmmaking as a critical leadership skill


The likes of Richard Branson, Guy Kawasaki and Arianna Huffington - all leaders in their own right - are not only active on social media, but also show a savvy for engaging others while promoting their business.  Branson and Huffington, for example, keep their posts short and sweet, also topical and sometimes personal.  I follow them on Google+, and I've linked their profiles above, so you can follow them as well, if you like.

In this regard, a recent article from McKinsey is a must-read:  Six social-media skills that every leader needs.  What I want to highlight, in particular, is the first skill:  The leader as producer, creating compelling content.
More than a few executives have started to incorporate video streams into their blogs. As video communication rises in importance, effective leadership will increasingly require the kind of creative skills we know from the world of “auteur” filmmaking—an authentic voice, imagination, and the ability to craft compelling stories and to turn them into media products that make people take note and “lean forward” [emphasis added].  
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As a management consultant, I haven't seen anything in the vast literature and media on leadership, which mentions auteur filmmaking as a critical skill.  It's comforting to know that I'm on the right track with my own business projects, that is, in gaining the skills to create a wide range of content, including videos!