Emerging Customer

Tools of the Trade: Top 10 Tools for Social Media

BESIDES my laptop and a killer wifi connection, dig if you will, the must haves for social media:

1. Vimeo
This web based video sharing site is awesome.  In my opinion, the videos on Vimeo look SO MUCH BETTER than any other web video I've ever seen.  Clean, fast loading---it's heaven.

2.Firefox
Why are you using anything BUT Firefox?  I really have no idea why you would.  Sorry to be harsh but Firefox RULES.  If you are using Internet Explorer, why not just send out an invite to every virus and spammer that says "Hey-Come infect my computer!".  Get Firefox TODAY.

3.ScribefireNow that you've downloaded Firefox, go directly to SCRIBEFIRE. Post to your blog without having to log-in---Scribefire is the BOMB. 

4.Get a Typepad Blog
I heart Typepad. If you are still on the "oh wordpress is so much better" bandwagon, please WAKE-UP.  Typepad is SO easy to use, there are a zillion features, EasyCSS customization for non-web designers and Typepad is integrated into every tool/online app known to mankind.  You don't have to download "add ons" like you do in Wordpress or download "updates" or jump through all the hoops.  You can build pages, add in calendars, photo galleries----I love Typepad for my blogs.   If you have not tried Typepad for awhile, TRY IT AGAIN.  You won't be sorry.
Also, if you need some assistance, don't have time to do any blog design or blog tech stuff, the people at TYPEPAD HACKS are amazing. John, Dave and crew are dreamy to work with and have given me help if I got stuck or got too busy.  But unless you have a really complex problem, Typepad makes it very easy to do it YOURSELF.  End of sermon.

5.Get on Twitter.
You know who you are.  Just try it, you'll like it.

6.Buy BLOG LIGHTNING from Duct Tape Marketing
John at Duct Tape Marketing is so smart and so down-to-earth in his approach to blogging, marketing and media.  I purchased John's "Blog Lightning" and I recommend it to everyone I know that has ever started a blog or wants to start a blog. Best $100 you will ever spend. 

7.Read Chris Brogan's "50 Steps" Blog Post
Chris is a rockstar in the world of social media and he had an excellent post last week about "50 Steps to Establishing a Consistent Social Media Practice".  Read Chris regularly but this post is a great guide.

8.Peter Shankman's Help a Reporter Out
Not only is Peter Shankman a PR god, he's a really cool person for launching this amazing new (FREE) site, HELP A REPORTER OUT.  Go there NOW.  Do not pass go.  Do not collect $200 dollars.  Word to the wise:  Don't be a jerk or jerk-ette and spam the reporters. ONLY reply to items that are a fit for you.  Be nice, in other words.


9.Read these 5 Blogs DAILY.
Chris Brogan
Guy Kawasaki
Andy Sernovitz
Liz Strauss
Number 5 is one you pick out, read a newbie blogger or something outside your comfort zone.
Branch out a little and you won't be sorry.

10. Finally, I think the most important "tool" of success in social media is realizing that it's not always about YOU. The most successful people in this field are the ones that don't promote themselves all the time and that take time to help others.  The old "Golden Rule" is very important in social media because credibility is king.  Help out other people instead of always wondering how it's going to better you.  Be thoughtful.  Be aware.  I realize this is different from most of the typical "it's a dog eat dog world" view of the business world but I believe the social media world is a little different. 

Besides, as someone once told me, "If you win the rat race, you're still a rat.".  I don't want to be a rat, do you?   

Age of Conversation - Why Don't People Get It?

The Age of Conversation-Why Don't People Get It? will be released in August 2008.  I am one of the contributors to the book, along with the people listed below.    I will keep you posted on dates and details for the book but wanted to recognize the authors and editors. 

Adrian Ho, Aki Spicer, Alex Henault, Amy Jussel, Andrew Odom, Andy Nulman, Andy Sernovitz, Andy Whitlock, Angela Maiers, Ann Handley, Anna Farmery, Armando Alves, Arun Rajagopal, Asi Sharabi, Becky Carroll, Becky McCray, Bernie Scheffler, Bill Gammell, Bob LeDrew, Brad Shorr, Brandon Murphy, Branislav Peric, Brent Dixon, Brett Macfarlane, Brian Reich, C.C. Chapman, Cam Beck, Casper Willer, Cathleen Rittereiser, Cathryn Hrudicka, Cedric Giorgi, Charles Sipe, Chris Kieff, Chris Cree, Chris Wilson, Christina Kerley (CK), C.B. Whittemore, Chris Brown, Connie Bensen, Connie Reece, Corentin Monot, Craig Wilson, Daniel Honigman, Dan Schawbel, Dan Sitter, Daria Radota Rasmussen, Darren Herman, Dave Davison, David Armano, David Berkowitz, David Koopmans, David Meerman Scott, David Petherick, David Reich, David Weinfeld, David Zinger, Deanna Gernert, Deborah Brown, Dennis Price, Derrick Kwa, Dino Demopoulos, Doug Haslam, Doug Meacham, Doug Mitchell, Douglas Hanna, Douglas Karr, Drew McLellan, Duane Brown, Dustin Jacobsen, Dylan Viner, Ed Brenegar, Ed Cotton, Efrain Mendicuti, Ellen Weber, Eric Peterson, Eric Nehrlich, Ernie Mosteller, Faris Yakob, Fernanda Romano, Francis Anderson, Gareth Kay, Gary Cohen, Gaurav Mishra, Gavin Heaton, Geert Desager, George Jenkins, G.L. Hoffman, Gianandrea Facchini, Gordon Whitehead, Greg Verdino, Gretel Going & Kathryn Fleming, Hillel Cooperman, Hugh Weber, J. Erik Potter, James Gordon-Macintosh, Jamey Shiels, Jasmin Tragas, Jason Oke, Jay Ehret, Jeanne Dininni, Jeff De Cagna, Jeff Gwynne & Todd Cabral, Jeff Noble, Jeff Wallace, Jennifer Warwick, Jenny Meade, Jeremy Fuksa, Jeremy Heilpern, Jeroen Verkroost, Jessica Hagy, Joanna Young, Joe Pulizzi, John Herrington, John Moore, John Rosen, John Todor, Jon Burg, Jon Swanson, Jonathan Trenn, Jordan Behan, Julie Fleischer, Justin Foster, Karl Turley, Kate Trgovac, Katie Chatfield, Katie Konrath, Kenny Lauer, Keri Willenborg, Kevin Jessop, Kristin Gorski, Lewis Green, Lois Kelly, Lori Magno, Louise Manning, Luc Debaisieux, Mario Vellandi, Mark Blair, Mark Earls, Mark Goren, Mark Hancock, Mark Lewis, Mark McGuinness, Matt Dickman, Matt J. McDonald, Matt Moore, Michael Karnjanaprakorn, Michelle Lamar, Mike Arauz, Mike McAllen, Mike Sansone, Mitch Joel, Neil Perkin, Nettie Hartsock, Nick Rice, Oleksandr Skorokhod, Ozgur Alaz, Paul Chaney, Paul Hebert, Paul Isakson, Paul McEnany, Paul Tedesco, Paul Williams, Pet Campbell, Pete Deutschman, Peter Corbett, Phil Gerbyshak, Phil Lewis, Phil Soden, Piet Wulleman, Rachel Steiner, Sreeraj Menon, Reginald Adkins, Richard Huntington, Rishi Desai, Robert Hruzek, Roberta Rosenberg, Robyn McMaster, Roger von Oech, Rohit Bhargava, Ron Shevlin, Ryan Barrett, Ryan Karpeles, Ryan Rasmussen, Sam Huleatt, Sandy Renshaw, Scott Goodson, Scott Monty, Scott Townsend, Scott White, Sean Howard, Sean Scott, Seni Thomas, Seth Gaffney, Shama Hyder, Sheila Scarborough, Sheryl Steadman, Simon Payn, Sonia Simone, Spike Jones, Stanley Johnson, Stephen Collins, Stephen Landau, Stephen Smith, Steve Bannister, Steve Hardy, Steve Portigal, Steve Roesler, Steven Verbruggen, Steve Woodruff, Sue Edworthy, Susan Bird, Susan Gunelius, Susan Heywood, Tammy Lenski, Terrell Meek, Thomas Clifford, Thomas Knoll, Tim Brunelle, Tim Connor, Tim Jackson, Tim Mannveille, Tim Tyler, Timothy Johnson, Tinu Abayomi-Paul, Toby Bloomberg, Todd Andrlik, Troy Rutter, Troy Worman, Uwe Hook, Valeria Maltoni, Vandana Ahuja, Vanessa DiMauro, Veronique Rabuteau, Wayne Buckhanan, William Azaroff, Yves Van Landeghem

CNN's "Black in America" Reply from Monica Mingo

I met Monica Mingo last week at Blogher.  She is amazing, bright and pretty damn funny.  Here is her take, a "review" of sorts of CNN's "Black in America" program. 

She's also pretty brave to slam it back on CNN.  Love this woman, you will too. Go here IMMEDIATELY.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fsYWI0tLTc

This Made My SPEW my Morning Coffee

Thanks to FARK.com, I have spewed my coffee all over my laptop.  Dig if you will, a REAL HEADLINE from a REAL news story.

"David Allen Chapin, who ate the brain of his roommate after he
shot him 30 years ago in an argument over whose religion was best, is
up for parole in June."

Go here to read this so-scary-because-its-true story.

He'll probably get a reality show.

Affluent Hobnob on Social Networks - eMarketer

eMarketer is one of my favorite websites.  It seems like the news on eMarketer is fresh and I always find good nuggets of information.  In my inbox today, eMarketer had a great post on affluent consumers spending time on social networks.  Dig, if you will, a preview of the eMarketer article below:

Affluent Hobnob on Social Networks
"While some in the luxury industry are still debating e-commerce, search and banner ads, the majority of their customers have leaped into the online dialogue," said Milton Pedraza, CEO of the Luxury Institute. "Luxury needs to catch up quickly."

Go to eMarketer's story "Affluent Hobnob on Social Networks" here.

Weiner is Stuck in Snow

The Oscar Meyer Weiner Vehicle got stuck in the snow.  One of my friends (years ago) was a driver for the "giant weiner" vehicle.  We gave our friend HELL for years about this job.

I'm daydreaming about the call to AAA for a tow truck. Go here to read this story.

Diva Marketing Blog: 7 Facts Tag

Toby Bloomberg, a marketing rockstar I admire, tagged me last week.  Toby is the Diva behind Diva Marketing blog as well as being one of the coolest women on the net.   This tag is for you Toby!

7 Facts About Me
1. Wine or beer - Tequila and Beer
2. Dog or cat - Dog  (Pug is my dog of choice)
3. Mountains or ocean - Ocean
4. Coffee or tea - Coffee, Make it a Double
5. NYC or LA - LA
6. Summer or Winter: Summer
7. PJs or nothing - PJs

Toby instructed me to tag  7 women to get their answers on the "7 Facts".  Here are my victims.
Posh Mama at PoshMama.com, Kristen at Affirmagy, Kristen at Think Positive Blog, Connie at EveryDotConnects,  Molly at Disney's Family.com, Wendy at Emoms at Home, and Lauren, the Fashion Kitty at This Next.

Alltop Brings You the Web in Snack Sized Portions

Alltop is a "dashboard"  that collects stories from all the top sites on the web and displays them on ONE PAGE.  Alltop covers all kinds of different topics, from Celebrity Gossip to Sports to Mac news.

As an "A.D.D." adult with the attention span of a flea, Alltop lets me view the web in snack sized portions.  I found Alltop a few days ago when my pal Chris Brogan wrote about it.  I loved the site immediately.

Go here to check out Alltop

Go here to read more about Alltop via webware.com

Today I found one more reason to dig Alltop.  I saw my parenting blog,  White Trash Mom, on the "Moms" Alltop site.

This mama has to pay the bills and so I was psyched to see my blog on the site.

 

You Want People to Spread the Word? Give Them Talking Points.

Firefox spreads the word about their product via passionate users (like me).  Besides being brilliant at developing cool tools, the people at Mozilla are brilliant at social media and WOM marketing.  There are dozens of examples but here's a simple idea that many  "brand evangelists" forget to do.

Provide "Talking Points"
Firefox has a micro-site that is completely devoted to spreading the word.  Not every brand or concept warrants a micro-site but on the "Spread Firefox" site, they have written some very clear, simple TALKING POINTS.  This page gives the community a list of reasons why Firefox is better.

They make it  EASY for users to spread the word about Firefox.  Giving people the reasons why your brand/product is good makes it more likely that customers will spread the word. 

Here is the Spread Firefox website "FAQ" page

Here are some recent articles on Firefox   

ComputerWorld 

Wired

Firefox is Example of How Web SHOULD Work

I don't know what I did before Firefox.  I love Firefox and if you aren't using it, here are some reasons you should:

SAFETY
They actively work to keep Firefox safe – Security doesn’t stop once the product has shipped. The are constantly monitoring threats and releasing new Firefox updates to stay ahead of the bad guys.

They are constantly refining Firefox with security updates every 6-8 weeks (and more often if a fix is needed to address a critical issue) to stay one step ahead.

CUSTOMIZATION
This is my favorite feature.  There are so many ways you can customize Firefox, I believe right now there are over 3,000 different customization "add-ons".  It's amazing.  You can pretty much "design" Firefox to fit what you need.

INNOVATION
Firefox is a case study in innovation.  Mozilla, the company that develops Firefox, is a public, not-for-profit organization.  It's grassroots and it's global.  It's open source which means they open up their process to anyone and everyone to encourage the innovation and development of exciting new technologies.  Innovation is one of the best things about the world wide web.  Mozilla puts in the practice the theory that innovation will move the web forward.

MOZILLA vs BIGGEST COMPANIES on EARTH
As a second generation small business owner, I naturally root for the little companies.  A great example of the power of open source is the fact that Mozilla only has roughly 100 employees, yet is able to compete with some of the biggest companies in the world because of our amazing international community.

If you want to read more about Firefox and Mozilla, click here.