Tweet Image courtesy of Shoot. There was a time (not too long ago) when brands were learning the value of considering how customers are behaving online – learning from them, listening to what they are saying and engaging with them. Now we have reached a stage where this kind of benefit and learning is commonplace. In different ways and for different reasons, brands are listening to, learning from and engaging with people online. And they are getting huge benefits from this. In fact the real benefit comes from when these two work together. And to some extent the automate this process. MORE >>

A few organizations are heading in the wrong direction.    They believe game mechanics will encourage contributions within a community. They use a free incentive to get people to join. They have short-term competitions/challenges in which members can win a prize to stimulate activity. These might achieve a short blip of success, but they hurt the community over the long term. All three are sure-fire ways to attract a lot of lurkers (information-seekers).  If you're used to managing employees, it makes sense. But it's rather sad. This is the strongest motivator. MORE >>

Pushing Social Search Engine Optimization (SEO) usually sends cold chills up and down my spine.  I used to avoid it like hanging out a mother-in-law convention until I realized that SEO was the key to attracting lots of awesome readers.  That’s why we’re going to focus on it as a tool for getting your first 1,000 blog readers. Here’s the deal – you shouldn’t spend hours stressing about keywords, canonical link structure, and other migraine-inducing search topics. . Instead, I’m giving you permission to be a little lazy with this one.  Step 1: Install the WordPress for SEO Plugin. MORE >>

"This will be my last day shining your shoes." " I like getting my shoes shined. don't do it often enough, but I do my best to keep my shoes (and yes, even my leather sneakers) as clean and scuff-free as possible. Lump that value system into my own, personal "measure of a man," but to me, dirty shoes is a leading negative indicator (while I'm no snob, I realize this may make me a little vain). My favorite place to get my shoes shined is at the airport. typically do this prior to departure, and it's always the same person at the shoe shine stand. He's never happy. MORE >>

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) usually sends cold chills up and down my spine.  I used to avoid it like hanging out a mother-in-law convention until I realized that SEO was the key to attracting lots of awesome readers.  That’s why we’re going to focus on it as a tool for getting your first 1,000 blog readers. Here’s the deal – you shouldn’t spend hours stressing about keywords, canonical link structure, and other migraine-inducing search topics. . Instead, I’m giving you permission to be a little lazy with this one.  Step 1: Install the WordPress for SEO Plugin. Blog Marketing MORE >>