A lesson every business could learn

Tonight the Boston Celtics put the team back in the NBA. I had given up on the league as a bunch of selfish, tatooed millionaires. I'll watch the Celtics next year and I'll wear green.

Making money telling people how to make money

When I first started looking at this blog thing, I ran across a blog called Shoemoney. I was pretty impressed initially. Last night, my brother-in-law showed me a site that gives you demographics of visitors to various sites. So, I looked up Shoemoney. What I found out was that according to this site, Shoemoney appeals to highly educated, poor people. Visitors were very likely to have graduate degrees and very likely to make less than $30k a year. Draw your own conclusions.

You may have friends you don't even know

If you are involved in any kind of social website like a blog, a forum, Facebook or Twitter and you've produced interesting content or comments, you may be famous. Or not. My first venture into the social world happened several years ago with a little forum called Drakenation. I'm not sure when Drakenation started but I am sure that we had no more than 20 or 30 people actively involved at the time. It's a forum that discussed what was one of the most boring topics ever...until this last year...Drake University Basketball. Being a Drake fan is kind of like being a Cubs fan. You're a fan of a habitual loser...there's community in that.

So fast forward. Drake has a dream season. Dream stories. National attention. So where does the press go for information? Our little forum...which by the way is not so little. We start seeing our screen names on TV and in the newspaper. Posters on Drakenation are now enjoying a moment of fame as Drake basketbal pundits. Board newbies start asking our opinions. We have friends we don't even know.

So, as you consider your social marketing needs consider your presence on blogs and forums. Don't be like Drakenation...use your own name. You too can become an expert with no real knowledge at all.

Where have the journalists gone?

Journalists have been declared an endangered species by the National Association for Fair reporting. You know, I went to journalism school. I studied under some very smart people. Bob Woodward taught me that you report the truth in as unbiased away as you possibly can. Reporters aren't allowed the luxury of opinion. Yet I watch CNN, FOX and MSNBC...ESPECIALLY MSNBC and I don't see or hear the truth. I see some little guy with a big head and small shoulders spouting his OPINION. His only qualification...he looks good on camera. How are we to know the truth? It ain't easy. You can find it. But you have to sift through more crap than you can stand.

Is Social Marketing for Everyone?

Here's an article I found interesting.
http://http://www.internetnews.com/ec-news/article.php/3750421/Can+Social+Media+Advertising+Work.htm

Your Company is a Community

Companies large and small are basically communities of people who are working together...even though it doesn't feel like it sometimes...to produce a common goal of growth and profitabiltiy. As a community, they have common concerns and questions. It's the reason spouses often feel left out at company functions because business is the most popular topic.

As a communicator, or leader of a company, you can use the element of community to move your business forward by starting a conversation with your community. That's where a blog like this can come into play. You can communicate with your employees everyday if you like, even in far removed places. They can communicate with you. You can converse. You can get a better understanding of hurdles and opportunities. You can use a blog to gauge the morale of your company. Do they buy your direction? Do they believe in your vision? That's powerful stuff.

Marketing during a recession

I have recieved a great PowerPoint presenation....that's kind of an oxymoron....about marketing during a recession. It makes the case pretty strongly. If you'd like it comment and I'll send you a copy.

Old enough to drink

It's official. ZLRIGNITION is now old enough to drink. It turned 21 yesterday. Conceived over scotch, born in a basement and nurtured with commitment we survived, evolved, grew, shrank, improved, improved some more, celebrated and worked our collective butts off. It's been a learning experience to say the least. There is a lot of talent here and there's been a lot of talent through hear. Friends and competitors alike. Great clients who have inspired us to do great work. Thanks for 21 great years. Yes you can buy me a drink.