This is a great video posted by Carl Anderson, pointing out the evolution of communication media, and the essential two-way nature of modern social networking/social media. Carl's quote: "Teaching students how to use the internet without letting them publish, blog, tweet, etc. is like teaching them how to read without allowing them to write." It's a bit lengthy, but it is a great presentation - take the time to watch.
Sociable Communications was a strategic planning, communications and media production agency based in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. The business was renamed Kazolu in 2015 - please visit www.Kazolu.com.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Social Media 101
I have had a fair amount of success with explaining the value of "Social Media" in person... here is my Web 2.o 101 online version. Please note that there is an audio file here alongside the video, so turn up your speakers!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Embedding Audio in Your Blog
Just press "play" on the little arrrow above. However, if you are sitting somewhere where you can't listen to the audio.......
As simple as it is to embed video onto a blog, I was having a heck of a time over the past few months finding a reliable way to embed audio – just straight, MP3 audio. I actually wanted audio feeds for my other blog, robmcleanmusic.blogspot.com, but it occurred to me there might be uses for it here too. I was getting ready to just post audio onto youtube with a static image in the background, until I discovered a blog by Jane Nicholls in New Zealand with this helpful tip.
It’s all pretty simple – you just go to edublogs.tv, and set yourself up with a free account. The site seems to be pretty similar to youtube, though it is dedicated to educational uses, and more importantly, you can post audio files. It only takes MP3s, but that’s not a big deal.
Once you have uploaded your file, you post it to your account, and voila – an embed code is provided. You just past that into the “edit HTML” box on your new blog posting, and you are off to the sonic races.
One note important though…. The audio feed is set up to start automatically when a visitor arrives at your website – you can imagine this would get annoying if you have multiple audio files on the same page. There if a solution though…. When you have pasted the embed code into your “edit HTML” box, you will see something in the code itself that says "autostart=yes". You simply need change the "yes" to "no", and autostart is disabled, and the audio will play only when a viewer clicks on the play button.
Enjoy!
Advertiser vs. Consumer Pt. 2
I love these guys.... I have been in that meeting before. Always alarming.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Static Business Websites – The Irrelevant Sales Brochure
As a means of mass communication, the internet was the greatest technological revolution since the rise of television. Websites are now an essential communications medium for all levels of business – as elemental as a business card. Unfortunately, like business cards, they are often viewed only a few times by any one potential customer. At best, they may be bookmarked, but are rarely seen thereafter. If website information remains as static and unchanging as a sales brochure, a newspaper flyer, or a business card, then there is no motivation for repeated site visits. A significant business investment becomes a one-off consumer messaging tool – and an enormous opportunity lost.
Television and radio are effective advertising mediums because they attract repeated use with interesting, compelling, and relevant content, which is framed by brand messages – advertising. Without constantly-refreshed content, there would be little reason for repeated consumer engagement, and no consequent platform for advertising. It is curious that few websites provide routinely updated content to keep people coming back again. The adage “Content is King” doesn’t acknowledge the fact that a great message delivered once does not always stick. Content must deliver the right message, but repetition of the core message is essential too.
Social Media applications such as well-managed blogs and twitter feeds allow individuals and businesses the opportunity to regularly update web content, encouraging ongoing, repeated website viewings in a manner that is relatively simple and cost-effective. This opportunity for core message repetition is particularly efficient when it leveraged as part of an overall united marketing and media strategy.
Social media applications also allow a heightened opportunity for search engine optimization that may drive greater traffic to a business website. When greater traffic and recurring visits to a business website are encouraged, two things are accomplished. First, the static “branded content” of the website will enjoy repeated viewings over time, offering repetition and reaffirmation of the formal brand message. Second, anyone who revisits a site for the sake of gaining relevant, timely brand information will likely be susceptible to emotional engagement with that brand. As an individual spends more time with the brand and its message, it is more likely that the message will gain relevancy and acceptance in that consumer’s mind. They will be more likely to trust it, purchase it, and share the experience with their social networks, online or otherwise.
Many are predicting “the death of advertising”, or even “the death of print” as social media applications earn greater acceptance. Neither will die, but they will necessarily evolve. Television did not kill radio, nor did the internet kill television - each new medium was leveraged alongside the old as one of many expanding communications options. Social media must be similarly leveraged alongside conventional advertising mediums (including static websites) in order to keep your business abreast of evolving media communications trends.
Social media is no technical revolution, but it does demand strategic evolution when applied to your marketing mix. It has a place in the communications strategy of every business that chooses to engage any level of internet marketing, and can bridge opportunities in marketing, public relations, and even market research. A static internet business presence is just advertising, and advertising alone is rarely interesting or relevant - but when paired with appropriate, conversational and informative content, its relevancy and effectiveness compound exponentially.
Television and radio are effective advertising mediums because they attract repeated use with interesting, compelling, and relevant content, which is framed by brand messages – advertising. Without constantly-refreshed content, there would be little reason for repeated consumer engagement, and no consequent platform for advertising. It is curious that few websites provide routinely updated content to keep people coming back again. The adage “Content is King” doesn’t acknowledge the fact that a great message delivered once does not always stick. Content must deliver the right message, but repetition of the core message is essential too.
Social Media applications such as well-managed blogs and twitter feeds allow individuals and businesses the opportunity to regularly update web content, encouraging ongoing, repeated website viewings in a manner that is relatively simple and cost-effective. This opportunity for core message repetition is particularly efficient when it leveraged as part of an overall united marketing and media strategy.
Social media applications also allow a heightened opportunity for search engine optimization that may drive greater traffic to a business website. When greater traffic and recurring visits to a business website are encouraged, two things are accomplished. First, the static “branded content” of the website will enjoy repeated viewings over time, offering repetition and reaffirmation of the formal brand message. Second, anyone who revisits a site for the sake of gaining relevant, timely brand information will likely be susceptible to emotional engagement with that brand. As an individual spends more time with the brand and its message, it is more likely that the message will gain relevancy and acceptance in that consumer’s mind. They will be more likely to trust it, purchase it, and share the experience with their social networks, online or otherwise.
Many are predicting “the death of advertising”, or even “the death of print” as social media applications earn greater acceptance. Neither will die, but they will necessarily evolve. Television did not kill radio, nor did the internet kill television - each new medium was leveraged alongside the old as one of many expanding communications options. Social media must be similarly leveraged alongside conventional advertising mediums (including static websites) in order to keep your business abreast of evolving media communications trends.
Social media is no technical revolution, but it does demand strategic evolution when applied to your marketing mix. It has a place in the communications strategy of every business that chooses to engage any level of internet marketing, and can bridge opportunities in marketing, public relations, and even market research. A static internet business presence is just advertising, and advertising alone is rarely interesting or relevant - but when paired with appropriate, conversational and informative content, its relevancy and effectiveness compound exponentially.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Shake it Like a Sociable Polaroid
I am fascinated by the fact that a Canadian group of investors paid US$87.6 Million for Polaroid - even though the company was bankrupt, and holds few (if any) tangible assets, other than the Polaroid brand name.
Kenny Finkelstein, CEO of Kinght's Bridge, the purchaser, says "the Polaroid name is one of the most iconic brand names and has almost 100% global awareness." I agree, and if they plan to spin the Polaroid name off into a variety of consumer products (as they apparently plan to do), I would take notice of the new product lines. A desktop printer with the Polaroid name, for example, would offer a significant level of consumer relevance, and promises a fun spin standing against the staid printer brands that currently exist. A home 4x6 photo printer, of course, would also be great, to say nothing of digital cameras - particularly when matched with the aforementioned photo printer. I could even see office products (everything from printer paper to mouse pads to laptops) as branded options.
My one concern is this: who among us under the age of 35 sees any relevance whatsoever in the Polaroid name? As I am pushing 40, I feel that I am still on the edge of the Polaroid brand-awareness bubble. I had a Polaroid camera in the late-90s, but it was retro-chic even then, and the photos were certainly nothing more than curiosities. It was great for candid shots at parties, but you weren't going to take any panoramic vista photos.
I am pulling for these guys - I agree that the Polaroid Brand is hugely iconic, if only to an older demographic - but hey, that demo alone could make these guys rich, if they get a good-quality product line, and if they approach this opportunity in a way that resonates with the "retro-chic" vibe of the Polaroid brand. They can't lose a sense of fun though - that will be critical. Polaroid cameras were simply fun in a box - a means to capture your sociable moments, and shaking out the candid shots was an essential part of the process. If the brand stops being fun, then the brand will die.
That would be a hell of a waste of US$87.6 Million bucks - but at the same time, it could be a bargain price for a very cool Brand name. I think they should launch a Polaroid digital camera and call it the "Polaroid Sociable". Any takers?
Kenny Finkelstein, CEO of Kinght's Bridge, the purchaser, says "the Polaroid name is one of the most iconic brand names and has almost 100% global awareness." I agree, and if they plan to spin the Polaroid name off into a variety of consumer products (as they apparently plan to do), I would take notice of the new product lines. A desktop printer with the Polaroid name, for example, would offer a significant level of consumer relevance, and promises a fun spin standing against the staid printer brands that currently exist. A home 4x6 photo printer, of course, would also be great, to say nothing of digital cameras - particularly when matched with the aforementioned photo printer. I could even see office products (everything from printer paper to mouse pads to laptops) as branded options.
My one concern is this: who among us under the age of 35 sees any relevance whatsoever in the Polaroid name? As I am pushing 40, I feel that I am still on the edge of the Polaroid brand-awareness bubble. I had a Polaroid camera in the late-90s, but it was retro-chic even then, and the photos were certainly nothing more than curiosities. It was great for candid shots at parties, but you weren't going to take any panoramic vista photos.
I am pulling for these guys - I agree that the Polaroid Brand is hugely iconic, if only to an older demographic - but hey, that demo alone could make these guys rich, if they get a good-quality product line, and if they approach this opportunity in a way that resonates with the "retro-chic" vibe of the Polaroid brand. They can't lose a sense of fun though - that will be critical. Polaroid cameras were simply fun in a box - a means to capture your sociable moments, and shaking out the candid shots was an essential part of the process. If the brand stops being fun, then the brand will die.
That would be a hell of a waste of US$87.6 Million bucks - but at the same time, it could be a bargain price for a very cool Brand name. I think they should launch a Polaroid digital camera and call it the "Polaroid Sociable". Any takers?
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Being Sociable Loses Meaning Online
Interesting thoughts... I like where Hawkins goes here. I also believe that the value of social media connections is in what you do with them - how you choose to reach out to engage the connection. Otherwise, it's just clutter in an already-busy day. I'm also liking the idea of Facebook as the Past, and Twitter as the Future - that's how I feel too, and I think that maintaining that viewpoint is the best way to get the most out of both. At the end of the day, Social Media may be best engaged as just a step towards true "Sociability" - human interaction is still the endgame.
The following article was originally posted by Will Hawkins at: http://arryawke.wordpress.com/2009/03/10/being-sociable-loses-meaning-online/
Relationships are made face to face
Is it just me? Social networking is all the rage but it is so shallow. Don’t get me wrong. It’s terrific for finding information and making connections with interesting people. But most relationships are transitory within these tools. I expect I have made more connections and had more chats people through Twitter since 1st January this year than my ancestors had in their lives.
I just get to the point when my head is frying with the amount of information (or tweets) that I have to sift through that I want to reach for the brilliantly titled book ‘Taming the Information Tsunami‘ by Bill Bruck to cool it down. And I have learnt that I am not being rude when I ‘unfollow’ people so that I can get my life back under control and keep the guilt in check for not reading all those damn tweets.
I have noticed that whenever I join up to a social networking tool or site such as the business networking site, ecademy.com, I get a small wave of people sending a message saying something like “Hi, I’m Greg. Let me know how I can help you“. What? Are you mad or just socially inept? I have seen this today on Twitter too. “Let me know what I can do to make your day!” You can get real for a start!
I’m afraid that’s a big turn off for me when someone gushes how they want to make my life extra-super-special. It feels like the unwanted attentions of someone who fancied you at school but from whom you could not run away fast enough.
But, I am hooked by the usefulness of all the tools such as FaceBook and Twitter. FaceBook helps me keep up with my past and Twitter helps me keep up with my future. I have been in touch with some terrific old friends and workmates through FaceBook. And with Twitter, I have managed to learn vital lessons in connecting with people with shared interests, and even experience contributing to a radio programme.
For instance, the highly skilled radio presenter (William Wright at BBC Radio Lincolnshire) reminded me, unwittingly, of something very important last night on his show. Technology is poor at helping to make meaningful bonds with other people.
At the end of the section to which I had contributed, William took his headphones off, looked me in the eye and said thank you. He then asked me if I had done any radio work like this before , to which I said that I hadn’t. He then suggested that if it was easier for me, we could speak over the phone or through the internet next time rather than come into the studio.
But, the reality is that I got to know about William through Twitter. And I got to know William by sitting in his studio with him. And that is human. Connections can be made now through the internet and relationships are made face to face.
- Will Hawkins
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