I love when a company actually takes the time to know its customers well enough that they would think of a promotion like this. Jones Soda is a quirky micro-brew soft drink company that makes bizarre soda flavors like Turkey & Gravy for Thanksgiving and Jelly Doughnut for Hannukah. To be fair, they also make more mainstream flavors like Rootbeer and Cola, but I think their limited editions are far more interesting.
But…I digress.
Recently Jones Soda launched a promotion with ICanHasCheezburger to create a new label for their sodas. Beyond this they’ve created the ultimate in Web mashup experience. You can order a 12-pack of Jones Soda with your own customized “LOLcat” label for your soda. Now if you’ve never heard of ICanHasCheezburber or LOL cats, you’ve missed out on one the Web latest and greatest time wasters. Heck, there’s even an LOL Cat translation of the bible now. By the way, LOL cat is a generic term. You can really use any animal for this, hence the Hippo shot above.
Jones Soda cements their “hipster” status by joining forces with the ican crew and clearly knows that this site and the LOLcat experience appeals to their customers. I’ll be really curious to see how they don on sales. Even I’m considering it buying my own custom 12-pack.
When I try to explain Twitter to people I usually get blank stares. I’m really loving it and will be sharing some specific ways that different companies are using this tool soon, but for now — an explanation in plain English.
Photo Credit: Andy Piper Used via Creative Commons Attribution Copyright
Depending on your point of view blogging is either the greatest thing to happen to marketing in the history of modern marketing, or the most over-hyped channel in history. Like most everything, it’s really somewhere in between. Blogging is honestly a great tool, if you use it well. Fame and fortune are hard to come by via blogging, but building a reputation — that’s a bit easier.
There are two main avenues to go about building your reputation via blogging:
Writing a blog
Commenting on other blogs
Since most people are familiar with the power of writing a blog — let’s talk about option number two. When I’m working with clients, they are often surprised that I don’t start out recommending that they write a blog. To me this is like trying to run a marathon when you’ve never even laced up your running shoes. It doesn’t matter if you are trying to build up your individual professional reputation or build awareness of your company in B2B or B2C markets. This works for all of them, but there are slightly different approaches. It often doesn’t occur to someone that leaving a comment on a blog can work not only at an individual level, but also have positive (or negative) effects at a B2B and B2C level.
Best Practices for Blog Commenting
Regardless of the reason you are commenting on a blog, if you are doing it for professional reasons there are a few best practices to keep in mind.
Add value to the conversation. Forget about marketing and be a human being and respond to what you just read. If you are in a regulated industry like Pharma, you need to use some common sense here. Be aware and be very clear if you are speaking for yourself or your company.
Utilize the URL or “Website” field. This is where you mention your website. Almost all blogs have a place for commenters to leave their website. If you say something interesting, people will click to learn more about you. If you don’t have your own blog then link to your LinkedIn.com profile, or other appropriate location
Use a consistent and appropriate name. Blog comments can appear in search results. Make sure you use your full professional name.
It’s really that simple. Picking the right blogs to comment on to achieve business and marketing goals is a bit more challenging. There’s more science to that to ensure that the blogs have the right type of content, reach and engagement levels, and will allow you to truly build relationships over time. But, a little common sense can also go a long way.
Measuring Success
The last element of this technique I want to quickly cover in this post is measurement. The basics are really quite simple.
Website Analytics: If you are linking to your website or blog from your comments, simply check your analytics program to see if people are clicking through.
Responses: Are people responding to your comments and continuing the conversation based on what you said? That’s a great outcome.
References: Are the bloggers you are engaging with seeking you out in different arenas or referencing things you’ve said in comments in later blog posts? It’s a softer outcome than click-through rates, but it’s a highly desirable outcome.
Here’s one final tip. If you want an easy way to keep track of all those comments you’ve been leaving, you can use a service like coComment. It will track all the conversations you participate in and aggregate them for you.
I want to be able to actually pay attention t most of what’s been going on at the conference, so I can’t really “live blog.” But — I am using twitter to capture quick thoughts about what’s going on. If you want to see my “in the moment” thoughts about WeMedia 2008, check out http://twitter.com/carlenlea.
Back to paying attention.
Oh and my horoscope today is dead on:
You are pulled in two directions today as the Sagittarius Moon encourages you to think big. But your natural instinct is to maintain a logical approach, so you are hesitant to get caught up in the excitement of the day. Keep in mind that by limiting your overall expenditure of time and money, you can actually accomplish more than you realize. - Tarot Horscopes
The December comScore data for the United States was released recently and has set bloggers all a buzz. Most seem to crying outabouthowonlinesocialnetworks are slowing down, because growth on several of the largest networking sites has slowed and MySpace’s numbers have dropped a bit. I’d like to offer a different perspective.
The slow down in growth on the largest social networking sites is not the death knoll of the whole concept of social networking sites. It is, however, a wake up call to reality. The issue isn’t really that these sites are slowing down, it’s that more targeted niche sites are heating up. MySpace’s numbers boomed when the press discovered it and everyone, including your mother, decided to check it out. The level of growth that site saw could never be supported. As the media is fickle and always looking for the next big thing to write about, it quickly moved on to Facebook. Once again many people, including your mother, moved on to Facebook.
But what the press doesn’t really talk about, and the comScore numbers don’t reflect, is all of the other niche social networking sites that are out there. These affinity-based social networking sites provide users with a group that has common ground. MySpace and Facebook don’t really do that, unless you are actually friends in the real-world definition of the word. People who may have spent time on MySpace may now be found instead on BakeSpace, Ravelry, Mashable, LinkedIn, Gather, or any of thousands of other options. Why spend time turning down “friend” requests from spammers when you can talk about what you are really interested in on these other sites? And you can’t leave out the fact that many retail sites that at first glance don’t seem like social networking sites, like Amazon and Etsy, actually have very strong community features to keep users engaged longer and more often.
The situation is simply akin to the development of cable networks and the proliferation of niche broadcast channels. Marketers have had to deal with a constantly fragmented television viewership over the years — why would they think it would be any different online? As the hype wears down, MySpace and Facebook’s numbers will level off and probably see ups and downs. Some new huge player we can’t even imagine will come onto the scene and we’ll all be talking about it. And at the same time, all of these smaller little sites with strong niche affinity groups will continue to flourish.
This is a little off topic for this site, but the new Amazon Kindle is just about my dream product. I started reading ebooks with my first handheld, a lovely little Handspring Visor. The lousy screen was one of the major reasons I invested in what was then an expensive Palm Tungsten T. I still buy plenty of print books, but my Tungsten T with Mobipocket has been a great solution for RSS, Word Documents, eBooks, and offline reading.
The new Amazon Kindle makes use of digital ink technology, which if you haven’t seen it, is extraordinary. It really is as crisp and clear as print and uses far less power than a regular backlit screen. I’ve figured the killer app in this area would be one that downloaded your morning newspaper for you and let you take it on the road — yes, I still read the newspaper.
The Kindle does this and more. Plus, I’m impressed with Amazon embedding EVDO instead of Wi-Fi. My first thought when I heard about the wireless component was, “great — I’ll have to be in a hotspot.” The EVDO solution is really clever. I also like the dedicated email address so you can email yourself or have others email you documents.
I know it works on Mobipocket, so one of my first questions that isn’t answered is can I sync it to my desktop if I want to? I know part of the sales pitch is that you don’t need a computer for this — but what if I have one and want to sync it up? I’d also love to see if there is any kind of PIM utilities on there. I’m already thinking about ways to get around that if there isn’t. I don’t want to haul 3 gadgets around and I don’t think I want to upgrade both the phone and ebook reader at once. The other element I’ve been hoping for is more of a notebook feature with handwriting capture. The Kindle has a built in keyboard, which most people seem to prefer. I know Mobipocket has note taking abilities, but I’m curious about using this more like a notebook. Did I mention it also plays audio files?
[update: about 1 hr after original post] I just skimmed through the user guide and found out that Kindle doesn’t support DRM mobipocket books. Ummm….didn’t Amazon buy Mobipocket? So I can’t use any of the books I’ve purchased previously? Seriously? DRM sucks, but it’s been the only way to get a lot of the more recent books. The Mobipocket reader has been the best so I dedicated to that one, so I wouldn’t have to juggle 3 different readers. I was psyched when I saw that Amazon bought Mobipocket, because I figured that meant wider support for the locked format. That sucks.[/update]
Eco is all the rage these days. From Al Gore to hipster products — it’s hip to be eco-conscious. But, as I walk around with my super fabulous new Sigg bottle it does make me wonder what aren’t we paying attention to? Eco as a trend is doomed to fail. And what really needs to happen is for people to actually change the way they live — and that requires a monumental priority shift for much of the world.
I’m all for companies making eco-friendly products fun and hip. I’m all for gestures like carbon off-sets. Each one is a step in the right direction. But my fear is we’re just creating new stuff — not a new way of life. Groups like the Center for the New American Dream are trying to re-educate Americans — but it’s an uphill battle.
I lapse regularly myself. As soon as see that hot new cell phone — I want one. I have a perfectly good cellphone that takes decent pictures — but it’s not shiny and new. I spend more on food and would rather have a fabulous meal (with fresh, local, organic ingredients — of course) than most new things that companies want me to want. But still — it has an awesome camera and it’s hooked into Flickr – I want it.
Be the change you want to see in the world.
– Ghandi
How do we radically shift our culture so we don’t measure value in stuff? How do we create a new paradigm that values quality over quantity? Think about all the giant “mcmansions” out there? They are huge and immensely wasteful. Imagine if people were more concerned about the quality of their homes than the square footage! Some people are — but not enough. And — too many of those who would gladly trade square footage for low-energy radiant heating can’t afford to.
So for now — do what you can. Examine your priorities and in the most American-way — vote with your pocket book. Buy that Sigg or Nalgene bottle not bottle water. Buy what you can from Farmers’ Markets and not food that has been shipped thousands of miles to your big-box grocery store. Learn that eating seasonally is a good thing and that you just don’t need fresh tomatoes 365 days per year. Or just change out the light bulbs in your house and learn how to properly dispose of compact fluorescent bulbs (pdf).
By all means do these things, but also learn. Educate yourself and don’t just wait for the next eco-trend. If a healthy planet is important to you, then it is your responsibility to get educated about what you can do. Each of us can do something. I can write this blog post. What can you do?
“If not me then who?
If not here, then where?
If not now, then when?”
— Rabbi Hillel
Just because we may not see the change — does not absolve us from trying.
I’m working on two new buzz campaigns for Buzz Agent. I honestly get a kick out this, because I get to learn about all kinds of new stuff that I might otherwise not hear about. Plus — I love getting to be the first one to tell my friends about it. My current campaigns are for Hornitos Tequila and Benjamin Moore Aura Paint.
Since my whirlwind business trip to Cabo San Lucas a few months back, I’ve developed a taste for high-end tequila. So when the campaign for Hornitos opened up, I definitely was interested. I just received my “buzz kit” so I haven’t had a chance to pick up a bottle and try it out for myself, just yet. I’ll report back on that once I’ve sampled. What was funny, though, was one of the items in the kit: a tequila bottle shaped USB drive. Great — just what my computer needs — a shot of tequila!
I also just received my kit for Aura Paint, and I’m really looking forward to testing it out. The big selling point seems to be that it’s low odor and quick drying, but what I’m excited about is the low VOC (volatile organic compounds). That means it’s better for the environment. It’s funny that they are leading with “low-odor” and not eco-friendly — but maybe they think it will appeal to a wider audience that way. It’s more of a “why is it good for me” than “how does it help me save the world.” Either way — it seems like a good thing. I also dig the colors — now I just have to choose one!
Unabomber Theodore Kaczynski is sentenced to life in prison
Paula Jones accuses U.S. President Bill Clinton of sexual harassment
Lewinsky scandal: On American television, President Bill Clinton denies he had “sexual relations” with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky.
Hustler publisher Larry Flynt is acquitted on charges of defaming Jerry Falwell.
Titanic wins 11 Oscars
The Food and Drug Administration approves Viagra for use as a treatment for male impotence, the first pill to be approved for this condition in the United States.
Belfast Agreement is signed between the Irish and British governments
Apple Computer unveils the iMac
Eric Robert Rudolph is charged with 6 bombings (including the 1996 Olympic bombing) in Atlanta, Georgia.
In South Africa, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission presents its report, which condemns both sides for committing atrocities.
Iraq disarmament crisis begins: Iraq announces it will no longer cooperate with United Nations weapons inspectors.
John Glenn returns to space on the shuttle Discovery
President Bill Clinton is impeached by the United States House of Representatives.
It was a lot harder to pick out events from that list than I thought it would be! What a busy year!
Learn how to create connections that work. I’ll guide you through the world of sites, techniques and technologies and walk through what they are, who uses them, how you can engage on them effectively and honestly.
Through the Years
This site has been through many iterations since I first launched it in the Summer of 2000. Every iteration since 2001 is actually captured in the Internet Archive.
This is a little off topic for this site, but the new Amazon Kindle is just about my dream product. I started reading ebooks with my first handheld, a lovely little Handspring Visor. The lousy screen was one of the major reasons I invested in what was then an expensive Palm Tungsten T. I still buy plenty of print books, but my Tungsten T with Mobipocket has been a great solution for RSS, Word Documents, eBooks, and offline reading.
