The Vantage View

For all of those who have downloaded our free report on how to generate free buzz in a down economy we’d love to know what you thought and experienced after testing out the 5 tried and true techniques I mentioned in the report.

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Oh, and as promised, you can also download our ebook titled “Online Marketing 101 – The Basics to Creating a Valuable, Easy and Action Oriented Campaign That Keeps ‘Em Coming Back.” This ebook presents even more valuable information that will provide you with a few pointers when developing your online marketing campaigns.

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So, everyone at your company thinks it’s time to jump on the social media bandwagon. Cool, now what?

Harry in accounting mentions that he has a nephew at State who Facebooks and is free a few hours a week to work for college credit. Sounds like the perfect opportunity right?

If you answered “Yes” then you’re an idiot.

Think about it, Harry wasn’t hired to manage the accounting department because he wears glasses and owns a financial calculator, and Sue in PR wasn’t hired because she’s dating the local anchorman (at least we hope she wasn’t). So why would a business hire an undergrad who has a few thousand friends on Facebook to act as their businesses’ online spokesperson?

Just like Harry, Sue and any other employee who may come in direct contact with your customer base, it is imperative that everyone understand the company’s mission, vision and goals. Hiring a newbie to represent your company on social networks is putting your business at risk for social media backlash.

Your social media representative should understand the social media landscape, understand your business and business goals and be able to interact and manage any positive and negative feedback in a timely manner.

Can your intern do that?

Consider hiring an interactive agency or a consulting with a social media marketing expert to ensure the individuals creating and managing your company’s social networks are trained well.

About the Author: Jennifer Villalobos
Online Marketing Manager/Ringmaster
I enjoy long walks on the beach, the full imitation cheddar flavor that are Cheez-Its, Gonzaga basketball, Budweiser commercials and managing web campaigns for both consumer and business to business clients.

Drop me a line at jennifer@vantageinternet.com, or follow me on Twitter @vantagejennifer.

“We are in great haste to construct a magnetic telegraph from Maine to Texas, but Maine and Texas, it may be, have nothing important to communicate…” - Henry David Thoreau

While at the office battling a nasty cold that seems to be going around this time of year I heard this Thoreau quote referenced on the  KPBS radio program These Days. Guest Noah Arceneax, a SDSU Media Studies professor, who mentioned the quote not only got me to giggle, which (I know) isn’t saying much when I’m under the influence of Zicam and NyQuil, but he also got me thinking.  As technology continues to develop at a tremendous pace we’re inundated with chatter, causing our conversations to become more and more diluted.

Though we’ve come a long way since the telegraph Thoreau’s message remains quite clear and compliments the current social media craze.

Cell phone applications, Twitter, Facebook and yes, even MySpace (for those few who still use it) has facilitated convenient communication. With the latest cell phone technology, it is incredible how quick and easy it is to track someone down while driving, texting, updating your Facebook status and applying lip gloss. This constant connectedness not only provides a multitude of daily distractions, but it also facilitates open, more transparent relationships.

As we all know, and probably have witnessed, transparent interactions enable constant chatter and over-sharing. I know I’m not the only one who has a tendency to over-share when hiding behind the computer screen and often times bite my tongue when offered the opportunity to share the same information face to face with another individual. It is easy to contribute to this chatter and share your daily going-ons through a Facebook post, or rant about your day on Twitter, but what many forget to acknowledge is that just like an old fashioned  face to face conversation, your “TMI” post or comment may come back to haunt you. You may think all that talk via phone, text and on the social networks may just be that - talk; but what happens when you’re asked to back what you say?

Thoreau was right, maybe Maine has nothing of importance to say to Texas, but that won’t stop Maine from sharing.

My 2010 communication resolution – think before I speak, text and post.

What is yours?

About the Author: Jennifer Villalobos
Online Marketing Manager/Ringmaster
I enjoy long walks on the beach, the full imitation cheddar flavor that are Cheez-Its, Gonzaga basketball, Budweiser commercials and managing web campaigns for both consumer and business to business clients.

Drop me a line at jennifer@vantageinternet.com, or follow me on Twitter @vantagejennifer.

Wishing everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday.