Erik Qualman's Blog, page 624

Nissan Promotes 2014 Versa Note with New Social Media Programs

Automaker Nissan is using various social networks to drive awareness of the new 2014 Nissan Versa Note, announcing the launch of new projects and winners of social contests.

Passion Genome connects with Facebook users to create personalized images called “Passion Portraits” based on the passions users have shared on their Facebook profiles. Users who share their Passion Genome portraits on Twitter and Facebook using #MyPassionPortrait are also eligible to win a $1,000 gift card from Amazon. Make your own portrait here, and make sure to share with your friends!

Nissan also revealed the three winners of their Your Door to Move contest on a  commercial for the 2014 Versa Note that aired during the Florida State-Clemson College football game on Saturday, October 19th. The Your Door to Move campaign was encouraging Instagram and Vine users to to submit a 6-15 second video showing their passions and starring the Versa Note. Check out the commercial featuring the winners here!

[image error]

Tips for Budgeting Your Online Marketing Resources

Time and money.  These are the two things that always seem to be in short supply when it comes to marketing.  With a little more time – the thinking goes – programs could be fine-tuned for maximum impact, and with a little more funding they could reach more audiences or penetrate existing audiences more deeply.

But the world for most marketers doesn’t allow such luxuries – and that’s actually a benefit.  Time constraints force us to have more resolve in making decisions (“this must get done this week”), and greater agility in execution without having to get unnecessary consensus.  This is particularly helpful when developing an online marketing budget. And here’s why.

1. Content Creation

Department heads can have greater control over content creation and distribution frequency.  Writing and posting your firm’s content is a predictable cost (either due to staff salary or outsourced expense). It also addresses audiences’ particular issues, while leaving them with a significant impression of your firm.

And because audience attention spans online tend to be short, content creation does not require 3,000-word articles that are time consuming to write.  Instead, start with a content marketing strategy and content calendar that outlines themes and easy to skim, search engine-optimized (SEO) content in the pipeline to be created.

2. High Performance Website

In addition to content creation, another consideration regarding an online marketing budget is the environments where content will appear.  Our research shows that 1 in 5 firms have not redesigned their website in more than three years.  As a general rule, high-performing sites need to have a blog and offer downloads of premium content such as white papers or an e-book.

Research the costs and know what you’re getting in a website because low-priced, template-based sites have limited functionality.  These may not be good enough for audiences who have high expectations when it comes to finding and retrieving content.

3. Guest Articles and Blog Posts

Other websites are also great places to feature your content.  Find out who the influential bloggers are in your industry and see if they will accept a guest post on a topic relevant to their audience (and yours).  Many trade publications also will accept contributed articles, or – in a nod to old-fashioned public relations – include you in a story they already are writing. And don’t forget the social networks where content gets shared.

As you can see, an online marketing budget can have a blend of fixed and variable costs.  Some are one-time or infrequent, such as website development or enhancement, so it may be more efficient to outsource these.  Others like salaries are based on how much content you plan to generate and how strong you want your online presence to be.  For many larger firms, these tasks are more efficiently handled in-house.

You are not alone in bringing a methodical approach to online marketing: 66% of firms plan to increase online marketing spending within the next 12 months, according to our research.

Determining a budget will require an understanding of what you want to accomplish within the constraints of time and cost.  After all, time is what keeps everything from occurring at once, and cost is what helps you decide how many online marketing resources you want to employ.

[image error]

Social Media and Prepping Your Home for Winter

With winter fast approaching, it’s time to start getting your home ready for the colder months.

There are several steps you need to take to make sure your home is prepared, and social media can help you complete them faster and easier.

Find Advice

First, by following state and federal agencies and contractors, you can get timely tips and advice on keeping your home prepared for anything, year-round.

You can also find tips to improve your home’s energy efficiency in the winter months, cutting down on expensive heating bills. Agencies such as the EPA, FEMA, and state emergency agencies are all good bets for winterization and general winter safety tips.

If you’ve got trees and other outdoor plants, you may want to follow one or two horticulturalists in your area, as well. These specialists may provide tips for winterizing your plants so your lovely, green yard will come back next year.

Find a Heating/Air Contractor

Either by asking your social network or searching for contractors in your area, you can find a great heating and air specialist to inspect your heat pump or furnace before winter sets in. This inspection ensures that your equipment is clean, in good repair, and that it isn’t leaking carbon monoxide into your home.

You’ll also have the benefit of getting on the client list for your chosen contractor now, which might cut down your wait time if you end up needing repairs on the coldest day of the year.

Source Materials

Need to caulk gaps around window and door frames? Got a few shingles that need replacing? Heated gutters need to be checked? Furnace filters, salt or ice melt, gutter heating cable…all of these items may be handy or necessary, depending on your location.

Looking for local home improvement centers on social media can help you source your essentials — and you may find a great deal through coupons and other offers these companies post for their followers.

You may also find people talking about a new gadget or other piece of equipment that will make your winter preparations easier and/or safer. By keeping an eye out for mentions of winter gear, you may snag a great find.

Get Reviews

One of the most powerful benefits of social media is being able to quickly find or request reviews for everything from contractors and service professionals to equipment rental stores and home improvement centers.

Harness the power of social media this year to find the best professionals and stores to help you winterize your home.

You can either search for conversations about the business, or ask your followers for recommendations. Both methods should net you a few solid leads for reputable, responsible companies in your area.

Winterizing your home now will save you major headaches once winter actually hits.

Social media can make this task easier, by helping you find equipment and professionals, and find great deals on items you need.

Photo credit: thesmarterwallet.com

[image error]

Social Media: Put it to Work When Shopping for the Holidays

There is little question that the holidays are an expensive time of the year.

Christmas in particular is a tough time of year financially. Many families struggle to provide a wonderful Christmas for their children due to bills and other financial obligations. It is important to make sure you are able to find the best deals possible when it comes to savings.

One commonly overlooked aspect of savings has to do with the role of social media. Social media is an integral part of modern society. More people spend time checking their social media accounts than they do on many other seemingly common responsibilities.

Social media has noticed this as well, and as a result you can find ways to get great deals if you know how to use it.

Face the Challenge of Holiday Shopping

Facebook is perhaps the most popular social media outlet available.

The site enables instantaneous communication and sharing in a unique and interesting way. The company has increasingly incorporated advertising into its Facebook pages. As a result businesses are getting more exposure and they are reaching a much larger audience.

Some advertisements on this site should not be ignored. There are promotional codes you can enter during a limited time to buy great gifts at discount prices.

In addition, there are links you can click which will take you to other sites where you can save more money on holiday gifts.

Get Social About Interests

Social media is not just important for advertising. Many people post about their interests.

If you do not want to run the risk of buying an expensive gift only to have it returned, take note of what people are talking about. Your loved ones might not tell you directly what they want for Christmas, but you can gather a lot of information simply by checking in with them and what they have been posting.

You might find that it is not important how expensive a product is, but rather how much the person desires the product. Use this strategy to prevent wasting money on items that someone will simply not use or will discard after a certain period of time.

Check Out Friends

Another way social media can help you save is by checking in with your friends and seeing where they work.

It is a great idea to check in with friends even if you have not spoken to them in a while. Some of your old high school classmates might have careers in fields which allow them to give you an advantage when it comes to sales.

For example, someone who works for Apple might be able to give you inside information regarding the release of a new product. There might be a promotional window for you to buy this product.

Ultimately, you can save a large amount of money as items go on sale or if they become discounted items, especially if you are wondering on how to make a budget for the holidays.

Electronics are hot items during the holidays as well. If you know anyone who works in electronics sales, contact them immediately. They just might have the deal you have been looking for.

Photo credit: onlinebusiness.volusion.com

[image error]

B2B and B2C Video: Tips and Tricks

Video is one of the most engaging mediums on the web, and B2B & B2C sites can benefit by producing multiple videos, each with a specific visitors need addressed. By utilizing different styles of video, your organization can appease various types of website visitors and build a connection with them. Here are some of the best practices you and your brand can adopt when creating said content.

1. Be People-Powered B2B & B2C videos showcasing the people behind websites and businesses are great ways of bringing companies to life. Visitors and customers feel more comfortable and connected to organizations when they have seen exactly who they are talking to and buying from. By presenting and connecting the real people behind the company with the visitor, your site can instill a great amount of trust within potential customers as well as adding credibility to your brand.

2. Avoid the Sales Pitch Content marketing is not about selling. If all you do is talk about how great your product/service is, customers will quickly switch off. Instead, offer insights and information that your customers will find useful.Know your audience and build your content around them.

3. Use Testimonial Videos Video, unlike text and images is often seen as a very honest medium. It’s very easy to tell when someone on camera isn’t being truthful, which makes testimonial video extremely difficult to fake. After all it is the genuine nature of testimonial videos that make them so powerful. Client, partner and colleague testimonials can build trust with old and new visitors.

4. Product Demo Videos Another area where video is great is for product demonstration as they can introduce casual visitors and prospecting customers to your products and services. Showing products in action reinforces the notion that what you are offering is exactly what your visitors are looking for. These videos clearly show your products and services as solutions to visitors needs while strengthening the connection between brand and client.

5. Promote Content via Social Media It may seem obvious one yet so many brands continue to overlook the power of social media. These channels offer one of the best ways to distribute content quickly and easily, and can be used in a variety of ways. If you’ve invested time in developing a strong fan base, then you may already have sufficient reach to get the ball rolling with your content. It’s also a great way of staying connected to your customers.

Madeleine Hammond is a Marketing Executive at Skeleton Productions, one of the UK’s leading video production companies.

[image error]

Safety Features for Children on YouTube

There was a time when even adult didn’t know how to use a computer or how to access the internet and for some, this was not very long ago.  In just twenty short years, everyone seems to be on the internet and even very young children are internet and computer literate and some even know more than their parents when it comes to web surfing.  This brings up the oft asked question, is it safe to let your children watch videos on YouTube without any supervision?  While there are some very brilliant videos that are geared to the youngsters in your house, they can come across some that are not appropriate for their age.  The following are some ways that you can protect your child while they are watching videos on YouTube.

Make an Account for the Children Only

The first thing that you need to know about YouTube is that it is not only a website for sharing videos but it is also a place where companies advertise their products and services.  The main goal for them is to get people to subscribe to their channels.  They even pay other websites for subscribers in order to boost their numbers.  So you don’t want your children on your account because you’ll have more advertisement type videos based on your searches.  So get your kids their own set account so they don’t have to deal with the advertising that you deal with when surfing the site.  This also allows them to create their own lists of favorite videos without clogging up your account.

Make Sure You Set Their Parental Controls

Once you have created your kid’s YouTube account you need to set up the parameters for the videos they can watch.  Fortunately, there are parental controls built into the site just like the ones that you have on your television and computer search engine.  This keeps your children from accidentally watching any video that is inappropriate.  It also keeps the older children from purposely watching videos that they know you would not approve.  The default settings are for the safe searches to be off so you need to into the setting section and set it up manually.  It is not hard to do, does not take up much time and you can be assured that they are only watching the content that you want them to watch.

Do Not Let Them Have a Computer in Their Room

It may be more convenient for the children to have computers in their own rooms, set up an area for all of their computers where you can keep an eye on the children whenever they are online.  Even with parental controls turned on they can get savvy and learn how to change those settings and the best way to monitor your kids’ online activities is to check on them periodically.  Plus, if they are in the same place, one or more will tell on the others who are not using YouTube in an appropriate manner.

The best way to protect your children while they are on YouTube is to set them up with their own account, turn on parental controls and watch them while they are online.

[image error]

You CAN Make Money on YouTube

You’ve read the title and you’re thinking, yeah right, I can make money on YouTube.  Well, the title isn’t a lie; you can actually make money by just posting videos on YouTube.  One easy way is to just sell your products through your videos which can drive traffic to your website.  Views on your videos also help you to achieve a higher SEO ranking and help your website get a page one return.  To do any of the above, you have to have plenty of subscribers on your channel who regularly view your videos and who are loyal to your company and to your brand.  If you want to learn about more ways to make money on YouTube, you need to read the following tips.

Paid Advertising

 

One of the top ways to make money on YouTube is a form of the pay per click campaigns that are on websites, you may even have on your website at the moment.  In this instance, you are placing an advertisement on your videos and you get paid for how many times people view your videos.  You have to sign up through YouTube and they will set you up with the companies that want to pay you for allowing them to advertise on your videos.  Keep in mind; you may lose some subscribers who don’t want to watch an advertisement before watching your videos.  Of course this is not an issue for those views that you took the time to purchase from another website.

Tutorials Can Bring in Money

Another option is to start conducting video tutorials on YouTube that teach others how to do tasks that they may not know how to do properly.  Perhaps you can show them new techniques that they don’t already know about.  If you have a YouTube channel just for tutorials you’ll find that you have plenty of subscribers and a loyal following that will stick by you and watch all of your videos faithfully.  With this type of loyalty comes the notice of the big companies.  You may find that these companies want you to use their products in your videos and they’ll pay you to do this.  You’d be surprised at what large companies are willing to pay a popular YouTube channel owner to promote their products on tutorials.

Charities Need a YouTube Channel

Finally, if you have a charitable organization or a not for profit company then you have to have your own YouTube channel where you can highlight what your company does.  You can also seek donations legally through the videos you post.  Some of the best types of videos are showing how the money you have already received has been used to help those your charity is intended for.  This is a great way to get more people to donate when they see the good that your charity is doing.

So, as you can see, there are plenty of ways to make money on YouTube but only if you have the popularity of a great channel.  Your first line of business is to build up your views and your subscriptions so you can generate buzz that businesses want for their advertising.

[image error]

Five Things to Consider when Producing Vine Videos

Vine videos are not just any video content; they require specific expertise and care when producing them in order to cater to the vine audience as well as the mainstream audience. Some brands like Burberry have taken specific note to the “stop motion” feature and succeeded in doing it well. Others could probably use a little more “finesse” as you would put it. But enough about the brands who do it well and those who may not…here are a few things to consider when making your brand’s Vine videos (aside from ensuring you hold your camera horizontal and not vertical, of course):

1. Create storyboards: Like any other brand content, for example blog content, your team should plan ahead on the what the message will be, whether it’s part of a series,  how it folds into the larger marketing effort, etc. Once you have the strategy behind the Vine videos you want to create, storyboards help the producers create the content in a consistent and efficient manner. It also helps to keep the story aligned across several vine videos that may be in a series including the look, feel, tone, and voice.

2. Consider a freelancer: The majority of brands may not have “professional viners” in-house or those who deem themselves to be proficient at making these short form videos. That’s ok! If your budget allows it, consider finding these professionals and having them help your brand out with their expertise. It may be worthwhile not only to get started, but also to learn from them on stop motion. camera moves, and even simple things like the correct lighting.

3. Make your Vine Searchable: Like on Twitter, hashtags help your content be found easier within Vine and outside it. Using branded and common hashtags are important so that your content doesn’t get lose in the void of hashtags that no one uses. And in turn linking them with your own hashtags helps to build momentum around your brand.

4. Categorize it: The new feature (if you’ve updated your app recently) allows individuals and brands to categorize their Vine content in categories like Comedy, Art & Entertainment, Cats, Dogs, Beauty & Fashion, Food, Health & Fitness, Music, Nature, News & Politics, Sports, Urban and even the occasional “weird.” When publishing your Vine videos within the app it’s important to keep these categories under consideration, because like hashtags it’ll help your audiences see your Vine, share them, and get even more eyeballs upon your awesome content.

5. Cross-promote your content: Aside from your audience sharing your content directly from the app, it’s important your brand does too. But before you throw it across every social platform you have, consider which of your audiences would like this content in this format and this succinct of a message. It might be great for Twitter and your blog, but perhaps not Facebook and LinkedIn. Test and learn and see what works best for your brand.

Last but not least, don’t make it a one and done adventure into Vine. If your brand is really interested in this short video content, plan ahead and be sure i’s the right place for your brand because once you’re there, you should make an investment into creating and sharing more than just one video. And most of all, have some fun with it!

[image error]

How to Get Everything Out of Your YouTube Account

Even though you may not know it you may already have a YouTube account that is just sitting there doing nothing.  If you have a Gmail, Google or Android account then you are already set up on the site and can use your login for one of these three accounts to access it.  There are literally millions of people who post videos on this video sharing social media site and it is also used by businesses around the world to promote their products and brands.  Another benefit of using YouTube is having the ability to increase SEO ranking simply by uploading videos that are viewed by others.  All Google algorithms are now search for social media input so it’s important to start your video campaign today.

Thumbnails Make a Difference

Once you have created a video for YouTube, you have upload it to the site in order for others to be able to view it.  You will be asked to choose a thumbnail or small picture that describes your video.  When people do a search for videos, they will be given a list and that thumbnail will be the only thing other than the title that they have to show them what your video is all about.  You really want to use a thumbnail that draws the viewer in and makes them want to watch your video.  While you do have default thumbnails that YouTube offers, you can use one of your own that you can create in a photo editing software package.  So, you can choose from the thumbnails from YouTube or use your own, just make sure it is a good representation of the video.

Subtitles Rock

It can be difficult for new business owners to get started on YouTube but you can make the most of your account by marketing to more than one demographic.  There are those who are hearing impaired and they miss out on some of the great videos because they do not include subtitles.  If you include subtitles in your videos then you can be assured of more views for your videos and that is important.  YouTube offers an auto caption feature that allows you caption your videos and for the hearing impaired to use the feature from their device.   While you can purchase YouTube views, remember that buying youtube views and likes won’t help much when it comes to helping those who need to use the captions if you don’t subtitle your videos.

Promoting Your Videos

No matter how great your video is you are not getting any views on it unless you promote.  Think of all the Hollywood blockbusters, even they spend tons of money to promote these movies that they know are awesome already.  They do this because they can make more money if they spend a little now to promote these movies.  While you don’t have to spend any money to promote your YouTube videos, you do have spend some time on promotion.  You need to post these videos on your social media sites, embed them on your website and embed them in emails to send out to your customers.  This is the only way you can boost your SEO ranking by getting as many views as possible.

If you do the above tips then you are sure to have a great YouTube account and the viewers will come to watch your videos!

 

[image error]

Social Media and Retiring in the Black

Social media isn’t just for looking at pictures of the grandchildren.

Instead, it can be a useful tool that can help you plan and execute a successful retirement.

Obtain Updates on Retirement Plans

The most obvious way to use social media to plan for retirement is to follow your retirement plans on social media platforms. Following a financial firm or the company that manages your retirement funds can help you learn about your plan.

Obtain Twitter updates about plan changes or the latest benefits. Or follow the company on Facebook to join in conversations about retirement plan options.

You can also use social media to interact with government agencies, such as the social security administration. You can learn information about your taxes and what to expect during your golden years.

Peer Comparisons

Another way that social media can help you plan for retirement is by viewing statistics.

Many retirement companies and financial websites offer charts and graphs that give you an opportunity to compare how you’re doing compared to your peers.

Many companies use infographics that get shared on blogs or on Facebook that clearly outline how much you need for retirement. This information can help ensure you’re saving enough and can help you see how your funds might be able to grow over time.

Real-Time Information and Updates

One of the best aspects of social media is that it offers real-time updates. People who see something on the news that concerns them can instantly view others reactions to it.

Today’s global world means that things happening in foreign countries are likely to impact your retirement funds.

Therefore, being able to discuss current events immediately can help people make decisions about their investments in a timely manner.

Participate in Conversations

Social media allows people to take part in conversations with professionals and other soon-to-be retirees. Instead of having to schedule an annual meeting with a retirement planner, investors can get answers to their questions immediately.

Some professionals answer questions directly over social media networks such as Twitter or Facebook.

Other places, such as LinkedIn, offer groups for people to join based on their interests. You can join groups related to investing, retirement, or specific stocks to discuss various aspects of retirement.

Learn from Experts

One of the best aspects of social media when it comes to retirement is that it offers a lot of free information. You can follow a variety of experts to gain their financial advice free of charge.

Look for blogs that aim to educate followers. Many financial experts post regular tips to help people ensure that they are prepared for retirement.

Many retirement experts produce videos on social media platforms such as YouTube to provide information about financial planning. Videos help many people gain a better understanding of the stock market, mutual funds, and retirement investing opportunities.

Social media also gives you an opportunity to join groups led by experts.

Social media sites, such as LinkedIn allow people to join either public or private groups based on common interests or goals.

Look for experts who can address your specific retirement needs.

For example, there are many financial advisors for women who offer specialized retirement advice for the female population.

These financial advisors can help address specific needs and questions women may have about their retirement plans and options.

[image error]