This week’s top 5 faves are insightful articles that we hope will help improve your marketing efforts – or at least give you a different view on it. From SEO, to SMS, to social networking, I can pretty much guarantee that there’s something on this list that will raise an eyebrow or trigger a divine insight. And just for something bizzare….are we ready for virtual tattoos?
Here’s our picks:
1. Most Encouraging: Does Social Sell?
What I liked about this article was that it provided some updated statistics about digital marketing in general, and shared three successful case studies. One was new (for me) – Pepsi’s Refresh Everything and their decision not to advertise during the Superbowl. There was an oldie and a goodie – Dell – the story covers it’s history from it’s first customer service problem to where they are now. They are making social work for them, that’s for darn sure. And three…H&R Block and how they use social networking to improve to customer service. Good PPT fodder…
2. Most Interesting: Texting Trumps Talking in U.S., Just Not as Ad Platform
This was an eye opener for me, in the sense that it’s not the hugest surprise but it is taking over quickly. Much like earlier this week when Facebook Surpassed Yahoo in site visits. We cannot deny opportunities looking us in the face, and that’s how I feel about texting. At the same time, I don’t want to receive ads in text messages unless I sign up for them. Borders had a good text program that I liked, they have since abandoned it. It’s too bad because it was convenient to have information on my phone when I needed it. There’s got to be a way to offer texting so that it will engage our customers. Same with Facebook.
3. Most Practical: Success factors for a B2B blog: Emerson Process Experts
I know last week I highlighted Emerson’s blog, but I came across a new article last week that offered more insight to their success in the blogging world. The So.Me. guys took a deep dive with Jim, and share some intereststing statistics such as the blog…”gets 40,000 monthly visitors, more than 1000 RSS subscribers and most importantly 10-15 prospective sales and information inquiries a week…” It’s worth a read.
4. Most Surprising: Fortune 500 Companies Fail At SEO
It’s unfortunate the companies are missing this boat. This is just too important to mess up, and I was surprised that “…many still don’t link paid-search keywords to SEO campaigns, although they collectively spend about $3.4 million daily on 97,559 keywords…” Heavy sigh. So much money, so little results… If you are unsatisfied with your SEO and paid search campaigns, we gotta talk. Buyer beware when a “SEO specialist” promises you the world. It’s always too good to be true.
5. Most Refreshing: Social Media ROI: How 3 B2B Technology Companies are Achieving Revenue Results
Another good overview of how B2B tech companies are making social media work for them. I had not heard these stories before and it was refreshing to read new B2B examples. Thanks to Kim Cornwell Malseed for sharing this info from an event she attended last week.
BONUS:
6. Most Bizarre: Augmented Reality Tattoo Makes Your Skin Come Alive [VIDEO]
Are we ready for virtual tattoos? While this example is an early concept, it has potential. Imagine if we didn’t have to permanently scar our skin and we could change images when we wanted? Do you think something like this will become popular? Or am I underestimating the degree of pleasure/pain that many tattoo customers enjoy…enough to go back again…and again….?
Thanks for stopping by….