Last night I was using twitter search to see what was going on in the digg world. After going through some interesting links and satisfying my “info snacking” habits, I came across this profile which showed how desperate someone can be. Now that digg has eliminated the shout feature and integrated twitter and facebook, Twitter has become a must for most digg users. Anyone who submits articles to digg certainly want to see it on the frontpage and twitter gives quite a bit of boost, only if you do it the right way. Pushing a few links here and there is fine but this might be asking for trouble. I am sorry Jim (diggcontent) but this is pretty bad. Even a 8 year old would know better than to ask for candy so often. Hopefully this flies around so you get a little spanking out of it. [Click here to read more →]

Tags: Social Media // Add Comment »

I was this close to making hundreds of thousands and was almost closing in on a million last night, the night before and the night before. Everyday a new idea, a new beginning and cash pouring down while I day dream has been a part of my daily routine, especially at night after I wrap up client work and think about myself. It’s fun. I get an adrenaline rush and for about an hour or so I feel like I am the smartest guy on earth. It feels good. I jot it all down on a piece of notebook, look at it, get up and go for a quick smoke which I can barely finish cause I am in a hurry to shape this plan by tomorrow.Ohh yeah, I want it now. I get it all documented on a piece of paper with ideas, sketches and of course the six digits numbers and sometimes more. [Click here to read more →]

Tags: Rant // 2 Comments »

Every time I go to a grocery store I see a kid crying out “Mom, I want that candy. Mom, please!” As you can imagine, mom is trying to keep the kid calm without giving into his demands “No, you can’t.” I look into the cart and I see toys, candies and a bunch of other stuff. He certainly doesn’t need any more. So why is he throwing a tantrum? Well, he is just being a kid but let’s relate this to the social web. [Click here to read more →]

Tags: Networking, Social Media // 5 Comments »

The ultimate outcome of marketing is to influence action, and there is no better way to influence action than being part of the community.

According to dictionary.com, marketing is

1.the act of buying or selling in a market.

2.the total of activities involved in the transfer of goods from the producer or seller to the consumer or buyer, including advertising, shipping, storing, and selling.

That definition needs a little editing now that marketing has moved from the act of buying or selling in a market to engaging in a market. No where in that definition words “engagement” or “community” is to be found. Today, if I want to buy a product, I don’t just head out to the store. I usually turn to the online community to learn about the product. Facebook, twitter, forums, blogs, any form of social media that is out there I will make use of it before I decide on spending my money. This is exactly why businesses have started utilizing the social web by engaging with their target market. There are still a few that don’t see the value of it all, but for some it’s hard to break the monotony that the traditional marketing has set. [Click here to read more →]

Tags: Marketing, Social Media // 11 Comments »

Imagine being a marriage counselor and you are going through a divorce yourself. That’s how I feel at the moment. I have been working as a web strategist or to put it in a most hated common term – “social media consultant” for couple years and I have violated the very first rule myself. I don’t have a home on the social web! As I mentioned above, I help others build a strong relationship but I have myself failed to keep my house intact. Don’t get me wrong though, this doesn’t mean I am a failure in what I do. One of the reason I stopped using my own site was because there was never a need. A need to use it as a client driving site. But is that all I should be worried about? Clients? Is that it? The answer is no, and that’s why I have violated the very first rule.

The first rule of social media is to have a community. A community that you can always come back to, a community that you can always give back to. I am an active user on many social platforms but they are not mine. I have a room there but I don’t have a home. This is my home which I abandoned for years. I am determined to make it a home where I can be a good host and give back to the community that at some point may make this a regular place to visit. I have violated the rule but I will pay the price.

Welcome to my home. Enjoy your stay and I promise you, you won’t be disappointed.

Tags: Ramblings, Social Media // 6 Comments »