We received an unusual (but really cool) holiday gift from one of our clients over the weekend.
It was created by someone on Fiverr, a website where you can find just about anyone doing just about anything for $5.
All posts in Web News
Have You Googled ‘Let it Snow” This Holiday Season?
If you’re looking to kill some time over the holidays, head on over to Google and search with the keywords “let it snow“.
When your monitor gets chilled over, try pressing the defrost button.
Target.com Launches a Clean, Simple Website
The new Target.com launches today.
According to one of their employees, this was the largest e-commerce project in the US last year. Apparently it’s been two years in the making.
Google Gets in the ‘Liking’ Business
New Plus One Button experiment coming to a search result listing near you.
Google added another accessory to their endless arsenal of search goodies by opening up the lab for Plus One testing.
The actual iconic button reads +1.
By delving into the thumbs up game that Facebook has made into an industry, Google hopes to spread this mini-approval format to include websites and online content of all stripes.
It’s a big social idea but it is Google dependent.
To activate +1, you need a Google Account and a Google Profile (nice recruitment ploy) where all those thumbs up records are kept.
Then the +1 button system shows up on the results of your Google searches. To give your digital approval, simply click on the button.
Next, Google looks at your social connections to determine who to show your +1′s to and which +1′s might be useful to you. Your social connections include the following contacts:
* People in your Gmail (or Google Talk) chat list.
* People in your My Contacts group in Google Contacts.
* People you’re following in Google Reader and Google Buzz.
Seems like Google desires to start a web-wide social marketing phenomenon. And, they have the skills to do it.
But what about the user experience?
Does Your Firm Need a Social Media Strategy?
My answer might surprise you, but I don’t think your firm needs a “social media” strategy at all.
It needs a marketing strategy that incorporates social media elements instead.
I’m not the only marketing guy who thinks that way, just for the record. Consider this insightful quote from Chris Kirubi, for example:
You don’t need a social media strategy. You need a brand strategy that leverages social media.
Who is this “Kirubi” guy, you might ask?
Well, he happens to be the Chairman of Coca Cola Nairobi. I suspect he may very well understand quite a lot about what it takes to establish, implement and maintain a successful program aimed at brand awareness.
Kirubi made the comment in an interview with Tim Sanders, the well-known best-selling author of Love is the Killer App. During the interview, Kirubi went on to say that it’s important not to lose sight of a bigger-picture brand strategy just because there’s a new channel to carry it through.
I couldn’t agree more.
Is Groupon Creating a Dangerous Carpet Bombing Effect on Some Small Businesses?
The growth of Chicago-based Groupon has been nothing short of phenomenal. With at least 20 million subscribers in 29 countries receiving the Web company’s free daily e-mail, Twitter and Groupon app offers, this is the fastest growing online business in recent memory.
And no wonder. With their unique format, local businesses sign up to be featured in one of their daily specials that go out to subscribers — all neatly divided into 350 local areas.
These offers are unique and feature very attractive, discounted price points. But there’s a brilliant caveat, a certain number of subscribers must buy the Groupon or the deal is off. And that rarely happens, because Groupon brings social marketing to a bizarre new state of online collectivism that is often too tempting to pass up.
From Lasik surgery to yoga lessons, Groupon has become an expert in the art of the unusual deal. The kind of deals that send hundreds, if not thousands of new prospects to a local business. Oh yes, Groupon gets 50% of the deal for themselves – no wonder they may be worth $1 billion by next year!
But I want to offer a bit of warning and advice to eager Grouponees.
Northern Exposure: Voyageurs Retreat Finds a Place on The Web to Call Home
Mission Accomplished: The new Voyageurs Retreat website showcases Northern living, outdoor adventure and the rich history of the Iron Range.
About Our Client: Situated just three hours north of the Twin Cities, Voyageurs Retreat is a community of single family homes in the heart of Minnesota’s North Woods. Whether you’re raising a family, looking for a place to retire, or simply trying to relax over a long weekend, Voyageurs Retreat eagerly welcomes you home.
A weekend visit to Voyageurs Retreat was an adventure in itself. 2,000 acres of land, miles of shoreline, trees, trails and parks awaited us on site. Located across from Giants Ridge Resort, Voyageurs Retreat provides access to a variety of year-round outdoor activities, including golf, skiing, snowmobiling, fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. Fortune Bay Resort and Casino is within a 20 minute drive.
Have You Googled ‘Let it Snow” This Holiday Season?
If you’re looking to kill some time over the holidays, head on over to Google and search with the keywords “let it snow“.
When your monitor gets chilled over, try pressing the defrost button.
Target.com Launches a Clean, Simple Website
The new Target.com launches today.
According to one of their employees, this was the largest e-commerce project in the US last year. Apparently it’s been two years in the making.
Google Gets in the ‘Liking’ Business
New Plus One Button experiment coming to a search result listing near you.
Google added another accessory to their endless arsenal of search goodies by opening up the lab for Plus One testing.
The actual iconic button reads +1.
By delving into the thumbs up game that Facebook has made into an industry, Google hopes to spread this mini-approval format to include websites and online content of all stripes.
It’s a big social idea but it is Google dependent.
To activate +1, you need a Google Account and a Google Profile (nice recruitment ploy) where all those thumbs up records are kept.
Then the +1 button system shows up on the results of your Google searches. To give your digital approval, simply click on the button.
Next, Google looks at your social connections to determine who to show your +1′s to and which +1′s might be useful to you. Your social connections include the following contacts:
* People in your Gmail (or Google Talk) chat list.
* People in your My Contacts group in Google Contacts.
* People you’re following in Google Reader and Google Buzz.
Seems like Google desires to start a web-wide social marketing phenomenon. And, they have the skills to do it.
But what about the user experience?
Does Your Firm Need a Social Media Strategy?
My answer might surprise you, but I don’t think your firm needs a “social media” strategy at all.
It needs a marketing strategy that incorporates social media elements instead.
I’m not the only marketing guy who thinks that way, just for the record. Consider this insightful quote from Chris Kirubi, for example:
You don’t need a social media strategy. You need a brand strategy that leverages social media.
Who is this “Kirubi” guy, you might ask?
Well, he happens to be the Chairman of Coca Cola Nairobi. I suspect he may very well understand quite a lot about what it takes to establish, implement and maintain a successful program aimed at brand awareness.
Kirubi made the comment in an interview with Tim Sanders, the well-known best-selling author of Love is the Killer App. During the interview, Kirubi went on to say that it’s important not to lose sight of a bigger-picture brand strategy just because there’s a new channel to carry it through.
I couldn’t agree more.
Is Groupon Creating a Dangerous Carpet Bombing Effect on Some Small Businesses?
The growth of Chicago-based Groupon has been nothing short of phenomenal. With at least 20 million subscribers in 29 countries receiving the Web company’s free daily e-mail, Twitter and Groupon app offers, this is the fastest growing online business in recent memory.
And no wonder. With their unique format, local businesses sign up to be featured in one of their daily specials that go out to subscribers — all neatly divided into 350 local areas.
These offers are unique and feature very attractive, discounted price points. But there’s a brilliant caveat, a certain number of subscribers must buy the Groupon or the deal is off. And that rarely happens, because Groupon brings social marketing to a bizarre new state of online collectivism that is often too tempting to pass up.
From Lasik surgery to yoga lessons, Groupon has become an expert in the art of the unusual deal. The kind of deals that send hundreds, if not thousands of new prospects to a local business. Oh yes, Groupon gets 50% of the deal for themselves – no wonder they may be worth $1 billion by next year!
But I want to offer a bit of warning and advice to eager Grouponees.
Northern Exposure: Voyageurs Retreat Finds a Place on The Web to Call Home
Mission Accomplished: The new Voyageurs Retreat website showcases Northern living, outdoor adventure and the rich history of the Iron Range.
About Our Client: Situated just three hours north of the Twin Cities, Voyageurs Retreat is a community of single family homes in the heart of Minnesota’s North Woods. Whether you’re raising a family, looking for a place to retire, or simply trying to relax over a long weekend, Voyageurs Retreat eagerly welcomes you home.
A weekend visit to Voyageurs Retreat was an adventure in itself. 2,000 acres of land, miles of shoreline, trees, trails and parks awaited us on site. Located across from Giants Ridge Resort, Voyageurs Retreat provides access to a variety of year-round outdoor activities, including golf, skiing, snowmobiling, fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. Fortune Bay Resort and Casino is within a 20 minute drive.
