One of the biggest misunderstandings surrounding social media is that it’s a distant cousin of search engine marketing or that it’s goals are similar to other forms of internet marketing. This isn’t quite true. There are definitely tie-ins; social media can help improve search rankings, it is a valid follow-up component to email marketing, and it can be used as a direct lead generator for certain products and services. Think about it like this: when someone wants to buy a car, they go to the search engines. They might go to AutoTrader or Craigslist. They are not fearful. MORE >>

I’m breaking a rule, because I am a wild and crazy rebel. This month’s “Tool Tuesday” is going out on Friday. WHOOP. Do I know how to party or what? just couldn’t help myself. Last night’s Blogging for Business Class at Pacific New Media was ridiculously awesome. Another action-packed evening with great questions! The people who come to these classes are so amazing and its really an honor to teach and train at Pacific New Media. We just didn’t have enough time to cover some of the best WordPress Plugins for Business. You’ll be glad you did. MORE >>

Originally posted on the Likeable blog. Today in social media, content is key. With the number of brands on social media sites growing every day, it is becoming increasingly important for brands to capture the consumers’ attention and find ways to stand out among the vast amount of other content on the news feed. Here, we’ll take a look at 3 brands that are killing it when it comes to branded content. Get creative with product placement. In honor of Oreo’s 100th Anniversary, Oreo introduced the Daily Twist campaign, a play on the “twist, lick, and dunk” routine performed by many Oreo-eaters. MORE >>

A few weeks ago, I was talking to some college students about PR, advertising, living in Chicago, and the work I'm doing at C-K. They loved hearing about the work that we've done with Corona, Porsche , and Cedar Fair. We talked about branding, TV commercials, media tours, and social media. By the end of our conversation, they were all telling me that I had their dream job and were asking me if we had any openings. However, when I got got back to my office, I realized that I did those students a disservice. You want to get really excited about PR? Excited yet? Manage Upward. Delegate. MORE >>

The SoLoMo revolution within social media interaction has previously been covered here on the blog. What is so important about it, is the opportunity of direct interaction with potential or already dedicated customers in a sphere that mixes virtual and real life, posing great opportunity for sales increasing engagement. Recently, we took a look at Carlsberg’s non-branded mobile app, Crowdit , which is a great example of how brands can provide their customers with a relevant service without stuffing a logo down their throats. Guiding the customers to the product. MORE >>