By Listening, I learn;
For from all others I can glean.
By Listening, I serve;
There are many yearning for ears to hear.
By Listening, others practice what they know
And together we both might grow.
By Listening, I exercise patience;
Ears are muscles so underdeveloped.
By Listening, I increase my vision;
So I can see more clearly.
By Listening
The Super Bowl has become a national holiday of sorts.
Grocers prepare early with seasonal marketing plans akin to Halloween candy sales and Fourth of July picnics. Any establishment with a big screen TV prepares a party-like atmosphere in hopes to draw big crowds.
And of course, it is Black Friday/Black Monday-like franzy for Online betting experts.
But what of the small business and social media?
It's one thing to talk about or write about the Super Bowl, whether it's the game or the ads (before and after the show) — or how social media will be incorporated in each facet.
You may have a strategy for the Super Bowl and your small business social media play around the event.
My suggestion, is you should also have a Plan B. And a Plan C in case Plan B doesn't work out (think Todd Collins and Caleb Hanie of the Bears).
There are plenty of things you can write about, a multitude of metaphors about the game, around the game, even things to do outside of the game.
It'll be interesting to watch how small business blogs tap into the power of the event to tell their story, whether it be a customer service story of yesteryear or a lesson learned on preparing for the day.
I wonder if a furniture store will have (can have?) a live-deomnstration of both their big screen TV's and their couches and recliners? Give coupons away for situational plays ("40% all lamps if there's a safety – but only if you buy before the ensuing kickoff")?
What are your Social Media plans for this "holiday?" What other "big events" are on your social media editorial calendar?
I'm opening it up. The only time I've ever had a guest post on this site is during my stay in the hospital in June of 2007 (kidney success!).
This season has me deep into some fantastic project work on other sites. Of course, I think about ConverStations every day — though that's about the limit right now.
So, do you want to write or repurpose a Guest Post? If you're interested in writing a post or two to get in front of a different audience, I'll be happy to post it and spread it.
A few things I'll ask if you do submit:
If you want to send something you've already written, or give it a different bend? DO you have a how-to (save time, use a tool, idea you'd like to pitch)? Do you have a small business and want to tell your blogging/Twittering story? Would you like to ask this audience a question about your Social Media practices to see if it's a sound plan?
Send me the work, I'll post it. Or DM me @mikesansone with questions.
You'll hear me say it a lot:
You've gotta give away some of your ideas, your passion, your thoughts. And you've got to do it in such a way that it will improve the lives of your audience (those listening or reading your content).
We call this "taste on a toothpick."
If your RSS subscriptions, traffic generation, or incoming links look like the image below, your not giving enough away (especially not enough value):
I've heard the argument that giving away seats devalues the product, service, or content. Yeah, well, my baloney has a first name too. If you have empty seats, what kind of value do you think you have?
Butts in the seats before dollars at the concession stand. Dig?
Photos on Flickr by Mr Exploding (top) and lopolis (bottom)
Several years ago (Nov '06), my friend Terry Starbucker rolled into Des Moines. Business blogging was really just getting started. About 10 of us gathered to meet with Terry for coffee and an "institution" was born.
Central Iowa Bloggers (#CIB). My has this group grown! Now, on any given 1st Friday, 80-100 people might flow through at various times and lengths, talking about how Social Media is (or isn't) helping their business.
In Akron, OH – Chris Brown and others started up an ABC group to do likewise. Though I've not yet been able to visit their group, I'm sure some great conversations have been had around the coffee tables.
These "coffees" are always energizing and educational, and I'm hoping we can do the same in Southern Oregon.
So this Friday – the first Friday or the month – several business bloggers/Twitterers/Facebookers are gathering at Downtown Grounds (map) at or around 7:30 AM to ignite similar conversations.
Folks I know will be there:
Folks who should come:
Related
- CIB: Bring a Friend and Listen
- Epiphanies of Online Community: Central Iowa Bloggers
- CIB: Three Great Reasons to Meet
- Social Media for Business Workshop – Jan. 29th in Medford, Oregon
If you've hung around this site or me for a length of time, you know a repeat phrase is "Preach to the back (of the church) to reach the front."
in other words, extend your voice, your thinking, and your linking out globally. By doing so, you'll be more findable and heard more locally.
Let's look at it another way. Go to the edge of a lake or river. Drop a stone into the water close to your feet. The ripples extend only outward. Yet, give the stone a throw (complete with extension and follow through) and the ripples continue extending outwarrd, but also come back to you.
Inbound marketing via your blog has much the same type of ripple effect. So, as you amp up your blogging in 2011 – rear back and throw your voice, your attention, your links out farther — you'll be pleasantly surprised at the results that return.
Photo on Flickr by Invisodude
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