Successful Social Media Marketing (SMM) is important. It will continue to be more and more critical for business to successfully reach and engage customers. It’s not a strategy though, it’s a tactic.
Are we "Cocooning?" I don't think so.
Faith Popcorn was right about some things, the cocooning of America wasn’t one of them. Her popular book, The Popcorn Report predicted that we would be hermits in our homes with our food delivered and our media on demand. The social media and social networking capabilities of the internet have come out of the early adoption phase. Guess what? We’re gathering differently. We’re connecting more. Our relationships get real faster.
Social Networks: America's Largest Companies
Jolie O’dell at Mashable published an article with some interesting findings from NetProspex about how employees of larger companies are using social media. LinkedIn is still the professional connection point for employees of larger companies:
Lifestreaming, Dashboards and Efficiency
Providing the business education in social media requires consistent research. We could use your help.
Social Media Skills 101 Class
Registration is available for: Social Media Skills 101
Location: 3665 Bleckley St., Suite 101, Mather, CA 95655.
Description: Based on student demand and a need for better clarity around social media tools, Social Media Path has partnered with Peppers.TV to offer live, classroom Do-it-yourself education.
You get:
• A cursory overview of the how and why of Social Media
• Social online guidelines for business
• What web sites to use the most and how to use them
• How-to get fans and followers
• How-to build online \”expert\” proof that leads to subscribers and sales
• Time-saving browser tips
• How-to make your writing Google friendly
We’ll cover:
• Blogging
• Linkedin
• Facebook
• Youtube
• Twitter
Our class is fun, engaging, insightful and jargon-free. Best of all, you’ll leave with a renewed sense of how to build interactive online marketing into your business day without feeling overwhelmed. Social Media Skills 101 will alleviate any fear or apprehension of embracing social technology.
Start Time: 14:00
Date: 2009-06-25
End Time: 16:00
Never Eat Alone Author Keith Ferrazzi doing social media right by listening
With excitement, pride and a dose of fear I’ve begun our campaign to help Keith Ferrazzi move into the realm of social media. Keith is a respected thought leader in relationship development. He writes and speaks passionately about relationships that are formed out of being vulnerable and generous. At the moment, though, we are just beginning to breath a listening, transparent presence into what and who Keith Ferrazzi is online.

When I spoke with Keith and Tahl Raz about it they were concerned, saying, “We want to do it right, our ideology is in absolute alignment, sociologically, and, we’re about to launch this book – as life changing a book as Never Eat Alone was…, ” And, it’s not a self-help book. It’s a learn-how-to-let-others-help book.”
Keith and the Ferrazzi brand are online in all forms of media. He’s well published, written about and often featured by major media like CNN and CNBC. It’s just that his audience is not, largely being listened and responded to online. Keith and the Ferrazzi team are not listening they way they feel they should. And, together, we’re determined to change – fast. We welcome advice and participation.
The University of Phoenix has agreed to sponsor a “Who’s Got Your Back,” Road Show. I’ had never heard of something like this – but as a “giveback” to his followers and fans, Keith is delivering his 9-step program for building the ultimate team-based success strategy, complimentary to the public. Take a look at this video of Keith’s explanation of what he and book are offering:
Social Media Club: Government 2.0
Yesterday the Sacramento Chapter of Social Media Club held an exception panel discussion on Government 2.0. There were many insights around what government at the Federal and State levels are doing to embrace and manage initiatives. The move from use of the web as an archive and distribution medium to one of communication and listening is enormously impactful.
Who we are as a governed people, and what kind of government we have has the potential to be back in our hands. Caution: Beware those that will attempt to manipulate law and policy to get in the way of this happening.
The Social Media Club’s panel discussion was recorded live.
Panelist Bios are on the Press Release at SacStarts.
View/listen to the meeting on Ustream.tv here.
Disclosure: I (Jeff Marmins) am the intro speaker on the subject of transparency.
5 Good Reasons to Learn How to Use Twitter for Business and Personal Use
Twitter is one of the few must-have, must-do technologies to understand for business, communities, families, journalists and more. Yet, it is much more powerful with Twitter add-ons or apps. Take five minutes to learn it now.