Tag: Social Media

Google Places Out, Google+Local In

Google announced the launch of Google+local this week — a move which effectively converted more than 80 million Google Places pages into Google+local pages. So, if you didn’t get around to creating a Google+ page yet, you can thank Google for getting you started.

Local information integrated across Google

Of course, there’s a reason for all this, not the least of which is to gain more traction for Google+.  Users can now click on the new “Local” tab on the bottom left-hand side of Google+ to search for specific places or browse for locations. If you click on a restaurant, or a place, you’ll be taken to a local Google+ page that includes photos, Zagat scores and summaries, reviews from people you know and trust, and other useful information like address and opening hours.

As part of the move, Google replaced its five-star review system with the Zagat 30-point rating scale. Google has also added depth to the reviews by adding ratings on service, atmosphere and the like. Individual scores will be rated on a zero to 3 point scale, averaged and then multiplied by 10 to create an average score where 26-30 is near perfection and 0-9 is poor to fair.

26-30Extraordinary to perfection
21-25Very good to excellent
16-20Good to very good
10-15Fair to good
0-9Poor to fair

What’s a business to do?

For now, according to the Google and Your Business Blog, businesses should continue to update their company  info via their Google Places page, but eventually this will be phased out. If you already had a Google+ business page, you might check to be sure you don’t have two.

“If you are a business owner, you should continue to manage your information in Google Places for Business,”said Jen Fitzpatrick, VP Engineering, in the Google and Your Business Blog. “You’ll still be able to verify your basic listing data, make updates, and respond to reviews. For those who use AdWords Express, your ads will operate as normal as they’ll automatically redirect people to the destination you selected, or your current listing,”

Implications for local search

There is good news for savvy marketers who have already mastered Google+ because now these pages will be indexed and available across across all Google properties including search, maps and mobile. If you haven’t yet started on Google+, now is a great time to start. But like it or not, your low maintenance Google Places page is now a full blown social media site that needs your attention. Its time to expand your social circles, encourage reviews and engage your followers with great content. Google+ is flexing its local muscle.

 

 

 

 

Social Media Lessons from Mom

Mom with grandaughterMy Mom’s not on social media yet, but she’s made a lot of friends in real life.  She hated growing up as an only child, so she had eight kids and hundreds of friends. Her social graces are second to none. These are the social media lessons I have learned from watching my Mom be SOCIAL.

1. Always carry a smile

My Mom loves to be around people and she always makes people feel welcome with a warm smile. The world is filled with bad news, but she fails to let it ruin her day. My friends always ask, “Has your Mom ever had a bad day?” I am sure has, but she’ll never let the world know. Keep your outlook positive in all your social interactions. Do your social media interactions show a  smile?

2. Give to others

When God blesses you with good health, a comfortable life and a wonderful family–or even just one of these things–you have a lot to be thankful for. Giving your time, talents and abundance is the best way to say thank you for what you have. People remember your kindness and they remember you. My Mom’s  in her eighties now and still driving people to the doctor, singing in the choir, and bringing communion to home bound parishioners. Now walking with a cane, she still never goes empty-handed anywhere.

3. Write a thank you note

Acknowledging the kindness of others is important. A handwritten note still stands out. Don’t forget to say thank you for comments (both positive and negative) and social media mentions.

4. Get out of the house

Nothing drove my mother crazier than kids moping around the house watching TV. Grab a friend and do something, or head out to a networking event. There’s nothing like meeting people face-to-face to  enhance your online networking and your life.

5. Share what you love

My Mom loves dessert and she always shares. That makes me happy. What do you love that you can share? There is value in sharing your work, and the work of others you admire.

6. Take time for friendship

My Mom always makes time for her friends. She has a high school club and a college club and a line dancing group and choir and they all plan regular get-togethers. Somehow she always finds the time. I wish I was better at this. Staying connected takes a little bit of work, but it’s worth it.

I hope you enjoyed these social media lessons I learned from my Mom. Happy Mother’s Day!

Lessons to be Learned from Pinterest’s Success

Lessons Learned from PinterestPinterest is taking the social media world by storm.  The site that allows members to “pin” images, videos and other objects that they love to their pinboard, skyrocketed to No. 3 behind Facebook and Twitter, according to a recent released Experian Marketing report.  With predominantly female members, the site has a different audience profile than other social networks.  The most popular categories on the site include home, arts & crafts, style/fashion, and food.  According to RJ Metrics,  food is the fastest growing category on the site and the most likely topic to be repined. (Take note food service marketers).

The simplicity of sharing Information is key to Pinterest’s success. Pictures communicate quickly and easily.  Organized by topic, rather than social connections, Pinterest makes it easier to share with more people.  There are some lessons B2B marketers can take away from Pinterest’s success.

Add Visual Interest to Your Brand

Work to improve your brand’s visual interest. Photos and graphics draw attention. Look for interesting ways to showcase your products. Photograph products being used in different environments, create a video, or ask customers to share their images. Develop a visual content strategy.  Never miss a photo opportunity. Use professional graphic design to enhance copy and data. If sharing information or a report, create an attractive cover image to promote the contents.

Some shining B2B examples include Constant Contact , which adds visual interest with graphic design and GE, which uses stunning photography.

Make Sharing Easier

Consider adding sharing features to more areas of your website, so visitors can share  all types of content. Place sharing buttons close to content. Ask followers to share your content.

Will you be adding Pinterest to your social media buttons?

Can B2B Marketers Capitalize on March Madness?

basketballAn estimated  62 million people will fill out a March Madness bracket this year.  Last year 20 million watched the NCAA Basketball Championship game. Clearly, the audience for March Madness has grown way beyond the college basketball fan.  When new words are created around an event [bracketology], you know you have reached the big dance.

March Madness draws people together around a common interest, and for a few short weeks in March, there is always something to talk about at the water cooler. With the popularity of mobile devices, March Madness has continued to grow, with people accessing games and scores from anywhere. And March Madness fans have also taken to social media channels. The NCAA Facebook page has more than 259,000 “Likes” and the official @marchmadness Twitter feed boasts more than 47,000 followers.

The opportunity to reach an audience through the NCAA Basketball Championship event hasn’t been lost on marketers. According to Kantar Media Intelligence, ad revenue in 2011 reached an all-time high of $738.0 million, up 20.2 percent from the prior year. But what about March Madness as an opportunity to build community among your B2B customers and prospects? Consider these examples:

  • Northwestern Mutual used an email and publicity campaign to invite their customers and prospects an opportunity to participate in an  NCAA® March Madness® Bracket Challenge.
  • Law firm HRMA of Southwest Florida used the March Madness theme to launch an event about social media issues.
  • Garden and Gun magazine used the opportunity to create “The Ultimate Southern Food Bracket.” In a first round match up, country fried steak beat out pecan pie.

I believe March Madness offers an opportunity for conversations and engagement with B2B customers and prospects online. Center a campaign around a local team, and ask customers to engage.

Nothing gets folks more engaged than competition. Host a bracket contest or find out which local team has more support. The water cooler is now virtual, on Facebook, LinkedIn and  Twitter. Are you ready to get in the game? Maybe you’re already there. Share how you take advantage of interest in March Madness.