New Photo App Lets You Travel Through Time
Add comment July 27th, 2010
Food for thought
New book from our local friend
Combining thought-provoking graphic imagery with truly alarming information
culled from some of the most authoritative sources around the world, The Little
Book of Shocking Food Facts is literally jam-packed with essential truths you
need to know about global food politics, fast food culture and healthy
nutrition. This startling yet visually stunning book is guaranteed to alter the
way you think about food production, while also changing your personal eating
habits for the better.
Food for life
How is it that malnutrition is so widespread in the developing world, while
obesity is rife in the developed world? What exactly is the nutritional value
of junk food versus the health benefits of fresh fruit and vegetables? Do you
know what really goes into the production of the food on your plate?
Add comment July 21st, 2010
The Rise and Fall of Bookmarking
Great article on the failures of bookmarking and the its possible future.
Add comment July 21st, 2010
What do business dinners and social media have in common?
Many of us regularly rely on traditional social activities to build business. Whether it’s a business luncheon, a networking event or even dinner with a prospective client, the success of businesses usually relies heavily on building strong relationships.
So why can’t we apply what we know from these activities to social media? Well, we can. And we should. After all social media is, well, social.
Think about this: You meet a prospective client briefly at a business cocktail party. You follow up and invite them to lunch to get to know them better. At lunch, you ask questions, you listen, you converse, and you relate to them and their business. You are genuine, friendly, and may even offer some initial advice. It feels natural, not forced, as if you’re talking with an old friend.
Believe it or not, the same social etiquette techniques can help you improve your online social media tactics as well:
Invite people to have a conversation. When meeting people for the first time at a social event, it’s polite to break the ice by introducing yourself and then gauging their interest in continuing the conversation before proceeding. The same holds true for social media. Invite people to participate, interact or converse. And if they decline, don’t take it personally and move on.
Be friendly and genuine. People do business with people they like. Whether you’re interacting with someone new at a dinner party or through online media, you’ll have a greater potential to build a strong connection if you’re friendly and authentic.
Sell less, give more. Nobody likes the guy at networking events who talks nonstop about his business and tries to sell you on it the moment you meet. Conversely, most of us are naturally drawn to people who take the time to learn about us and relate to our situation, needs or interests. When interacting on social media platforms, be willing to share information, give suggestions and offer introductions to people or valuable resources. If you demonstrate that your agenda is to help your potential clients with their problems—not sell them something—you’ll have a greater chance at connecting.
Listen to your audience. Our nature as human beings is to want to be heard and more importantly, understood. Social media offers not only a platform for disseminating information but also for gathering it. Ask your social followers questions about their interests, needs and concerns. You just might be surprised at what you learn and how you can apply that insight to your business.
Building relationships requires multiple interactions. Just as it usually takes more than a single introduction at a cocktail party to close business with a new client, social media is not a stand-alone strategy for success. It should be viewed as a cog in the online marketing wheel—one piece of an integrated online marketing strategy.
Our traditional social behaviors can teach us a lot about how to create strong connections online. When it comes to social media, the goal is the same—building relationships. It’s simply a different platform. Think of it as getting to know the person who is across the internet rather than across the table.
© copyright 2010 by ripcord, LLC, specialists in branding, planning, design and advertising. Written by Stephanie Fay, Creative Director and Partner in the agency.
Add comment July 1st, 2010
ripcord thinktank
As part of our ongoing process to share thoughts, ideas and wisdom about marketing and other (almost as important) parts of our lives, we’ve created the ripcord thinktank.
You want mind benders and puzzles? They’re in there.
Health and stress tips? In there.
Ideas to help your creative process? Yep.
You get the picture, now go ahead and click here to get the download.
thanks
Add comment June 29th, 2010
Small Space Living
Small space living with beautiful and functional furniture by designer Phillip Marlowe
Add comment June 29th, 2010
