SubscribeMarketing Melodie Presents: Shit Social Media Experts Say!
I told you guys I had a Secret Social Media Video Project I was working on. Well… the secret it out! I couldn’t help myself with this video. While watching the popular video “Shit Girls Say” and all the spin offs (By the way my favorite spin off is “Shit Yogis Say” since yoga is my other passion), I got a great idea to create a video related to my love for marketing, tech and social media!
I didn’t want to play a race or gender card but I did want to keep it personal to my community. Alright I’ll stop writing and let you watch the video. Please, please, pretty please share this if you find it funny, compelling or can relate to it in any way. Leave comments and spread the word! I’m aiming for at least 1 million views and since most people reading this are extremely tech savvy and influential in the space, we should have no problem achieving this goal!
And now for the feature presentation: SHIT SOCIAL MEDIA EXPERTS SAY! (You know, the people who can run your Facebook and Twitter account)
Big thank you to @jennyjenjen for filming and editing the video, @robotfaith @iPodschun @ChrisKirkman for being a part of creating the video and @LoMagna for her ideas on writing the script.
Here’s to a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous Year on my Birthday!
Today is my official birthday!!! I know I’ve been celebrating all month and I also know that I April Fooled many of you earlier this year about my birthday, but today is the real day! I love birthdays because they truly represent the very date that marks the arrival of someone into this world, and each individual comes into this world for a reason. Each person makes a difference and is significant in his/her own way so what better way to recognize this than on their birthday?! Every single year on my birthday I reflect back on everything that happened in the past year and I’m always so grateful for new experiences and lessons that make me a stronger person.
Celebrating my birthday in 2010
This past year has been filled with challenges, change and obstacles in both my personal and professional life but it’s also been filled with joy, fun, success and gratitude. I’m very grateful to everyone who’s been here to support me through difficult times, inspire me to be a better person and motivate me to continued success. Since it’s my birthday I’d like to share some fun facts related to my birthday!
13 is my Lucky Number- Since I’m born on the 13th, 13 has always been and always will be my lucky number. 13 has proven time and time again to be a lucky number for me! I only play Scratchers once and year when I attend the Del Mar Fair in the summer. Check out my only winning Scratcher for the year, notice the Winning Number? Also notice how I won with that number, not once but twice on a single scratcher! Winning with the number 13 happens to me quite often and this is just one example.
Friends who share my lucky birthday, December 13!
- My College Buddy Gary from UCSB is my birthday twin and every year since college we wish each other a happy birthday. Since graduating, we don’t get to see each other but we still give each other a Facebook birthday wish which has become a ritual! He pointed out that we only talk on this day!
- I also have a Birthday Twin on Twitter. A big happy birthday shout out goes to the lovely @mayaBY. We met at a @sdbloggers event last year where I selected her as my Secret Santa to discover she was also my Birthday Twin!
Famous people who share my lucky birthday, December 13!
- Mary Todd Lincoln, First Lady of the United States
- Dick Van Dyke, American actor and comedian
- Tom DeLonge, American guitarist (blink-182, Angels & Airwaves)
- Amy Lee, American singer/songwriter (Evanescence)
- Taylor Swift, American singer
Social Media Fun on my Birthday- Thanks to Social Media, I feel even more birthday love on this day! The birthday wishes are already flooding my Facebook wall and tweet stream. I’m so grateful for everyone who takes the time to wish me a Happy Birthday. I even got a few birthday wishes from some local celebrities!
Birthday Wish from Weather Girl @NBCJodie
Birthday Wish from Sports Illustrated @SI_JimTrotter!
Here’s to celebrating the day you came into the world and here’s to a happy, healthy and prosperous year! Oh and since it’s my birthday, what better day than today to have you join my social media community!
I leave you with a quote from the very wise Abraham Lincoln
“And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.”
Learning the Benefits of Social Media with @AllisonSchummer!
I recently welcomed the lovely Allison Schummer to my team. As an aspiring marketer and SDSU student about to graduate and enter the work force, Allison’s ambition has positively fueled her to not only help my company grow, but also continue learning and educating herself about digital marketing and social media. Today Allison shares with everyone things she’s learned about networking, social media and marketing since we’ve been working together. These tips are great for both beginners getting into the space and anyone who could use a little refresher!
HIT IT ALLISON!
After working with Melodie for several weeks now, I have learned a lot about Social Media and all the benefits it has to offer. Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin are great Social Media websites that have allowed me to brand myself, network, and learn effective communication skills. Here are a few things I have found valuable from these three Social Media sites:
Twitter has taught me how important networking is. If it weren’t for Twitter, I would have never known about Melodie’s request for an intern. Through networking on Twitter, I was introduced to Marketing Melodie and the rest is history. Twitter has also made me a better communicator; it encourages me to become more concise, expand my vocabulary, and improve my writing skills to write a tweet within 140 characters or less.
Although I’ve been a Facebook member for about 5 years now, I’m still learning about what the site has to offer. Until recently, I was unaware that you could personalize your Facebook URL. This important because it’s another way to brand yourself on Social Media. Through Facebook, I’ve learned the importance of branding yourself by being consistent within your Social Media sites.
LinkedIn is a great site to appeal to future employers or potential people in your professional network. Through Linkedin, I find it valuable to be able to post my work and educational experience for people to seek out. Again it is important to present yourself as a professional on Linkedin while staying consistent with your brand.
Through Social Media sites, I am provided with up to date knowledge on the latest trends and have been able to build strong relationships, only expanding my social and professional network. I can’t wait to learn and blog more about Social Media!
Thanks for sharing Allison! If you’re reading this and you also want to learn the ins and outs of Social Media, I’m still seeking Marketing Interns, apply today! If you’re reading this and you know someone who can benefit from working with me, please spread the word. Stay tuned for more posts from Allison on things she’s learned and experienced from working in marketing. You can follow Allison on Twitter to learn more about her marketing adventures!
Why should I follow you on #FollowFriday?
Follow Friday, more commonly seen as #FollowFriday on Twitter began with one simple tweet in January 2009.
Over 2 years later, Twitter users are still carrying on the tradition of giving kudos to their Twitter network by recommending people on Friday. Due to the over saturation of #FollowFriday tweets, these recommendations have become useless and often times even viewed as spam. The intention of #FollowFriday has been lost. While I’m grateful for everyone who lists me in their Follow Friday tweets they typically look something like this:
A Follow Friday tweet that just lists a bunch of names won’t help your friends generate more followers. If you really want to help someone gain more followers, list 1 or 2 people with a reason for WHY someone should follow them. Be insightful by letting people know what benefits someone will gain by following someone new. A tweet recommending 1 person with a valid reason is significantly more valuable than a list of 10 names with no reason.
To celebrate today’s #FollowFriday, I’m listing 5 #FollowFriday’s I personally recommend with a reason on WHY you should follow them. This is also how I recommend you post a Follow Friday tweet if you were to recommend someone.
- @RealAge- Great example of someone in the medical field using twitter to provide health tips, recipes and promote being active.
- @ChuaoChocoholic- Sweet tweets that personalize one of the most delicious chocolate brands! I want chocolate every time I see a tweet!
- @Katfulton- Most musical Tweep I know. Inspirational tweet on music therapy and fun music tips general!
- @sweatandthecity- Motivational tweets and resources to get you in shape! Yoga, Zumba, healthy eats, she’s got you covered!
- @TwestivalSD- Tweetup Charity event on March 24th! Proceeds benefiting @SDALLSTARS would love to see you there!
How To Encourage Authentic Yelp Reviews for Your Business
In honor of my newly awarded Yelp *ELITE* status I’m inspired to share insight on how your business can use Yelp as an effective marketing tool and increase the chances that you’ll receive reviews from your customers.
Many businesses make the mistake of getting all of their friends and family to write positive reviews in order to boost their ratings. It’s important to keep in mind that this strategy is inauthentic and won’t work because of Yelp’s Review Filter. Yelp strives to provide a forum with real reviews and experiences that’s a true resource for consumers. Here’s how to encourage authentic Yelp reviews from customers who are already avid Yelpers.
1. Reward Yelpers- Show Yelpers that you acknowledge and appreciate their reviews but rewarding them after they write a review. This isn’t something you need to promote. In fact promoting that your customer will get something for a reviews is, bribery therefore does not earn you authentic reviews. I have two examples of how I’ve seen this done.
Burger Lounge- In October 2009, Burger Lounge announced that if you previously reviewed their business on Yelp, they wanted to thank you with a free burger on a specific day. This promotion was for those who already reviewed Burger Lounge, so even if you hadn’t reviewed them yet you still heard the positive buzz which may have encouraged you to try them out and write a review to possibly benefit from future promotions. I was one of the lucky reviewers, happily claimed my Yelp Burger (Veggie) and definitely shared this news with my entire network optimizing Burger Lounge’s exposure even more.
Dr. Grant McGann Oral & Reconstructive Surgery- After going to Dr. Grant McGann for my wisdom teeth, I wanted to share my positive experience with others. I submitted my Yelp review and to my pleasant surprise received a Thank You letter from Dr. McGann a couple weeks later. He enclosed two movie passes to show his appreciation. Of course after I received the letter, I took a photo and shared it with my entire network which resulted people not only being aware of what a great surgeon he is, but also praising him for being Social Media savvy.
2. Include Yelp Links Everywhere- I’m seeing many people include links to their Facebook and Twitter in various outlets but noticed many are forgetting Yelp. Include a link to your Yelp page on your email signature, website, email newsletters, Facebook page, etc. so your customers will start associating your business with Yelp.
3. Post Events on Yelp- Many businesses create Facebook invites to promote their events but most don’t know you can list your event on Yelp. Adding your event to Yelp provides you exposure to new customers who are Yelpers. If someone finds out about your event on Yelp they’re most likely an avid Yelper who is more likely to review your business.
4. Highlight Positive Yelp Reviews- Positive Yelp reviews can be used as testimonials for your business. Include a Yelper’s quote in your newsletter, website or Facebook update. You can also tweet portions of reviews with a link back to your Yelp page. This will remind people that you’re on Yelp and provide more credibility to your business as customers see other validating your company.
5. Address Yelper’s concerns- While we would all love to have 5 Star reviews 100% of the time, this won’t happen. Accept this and receive negative Yelp reviews as constructive criticism that will help you improve your business. If you read a review from a customer who has a real concern, take the initiative to reach out to them so they know you care about their experience. Depending on the concern you may want to offer them something to encourage them to try your business again. Perhaps a gift certificate or a refund. How you handle the situation can really make a difference in how that person talks about your business in the future. Many people will even go on and write an updated review after trying your business again.
What is your experience with Yelp? Are you an avid Yelper? Do you use it to find services or products? Has your business benefited from being on Yelp? Please feel free to share your insight in the comments below. Feel free to also follow Marketing Melodie’s Yelp Reviews.
Giveaway: Win a Complimentary Entry for Digital Media Dinners
I’m looking forward to hosting the first of my Digital Media Dinners series at Jasmine Restaurant this coming Tuesday November 9th starting at 5:30pm. We’re excited to announce an amazing lineup of panelists that will share their experience on how they’re succeeding through the use of social media and give you tips on how you can do the same.
The panelists are:
Kevin La Rue, Marketing Director of Nik Software
Daniel Matthews, Marketing Director of the San Diego Asian Film Foundation
Steve Stoloff, CEO of VAVi Sport and Social Club
I’m providing an opportunity for two lucky people to win complimentary entry into the Digital Media Dinners event. Please post a comment on this blog post answering either question:
- (If you’re already using Social Media) How has Social Media helped with the growth of your business?
- (If you’re new to Social Media) How do you envision Social Media helping your business?
Anyone who retweets this blog post on Twitter will also receive an additional entry.
Two lucky winners will be randomly chosen on Monday Nov. 8th, 2010. If you don’t win you can still receive $5 off by joining Marketing Melodie on Facebook. Good luck and see you next Tuesday!
