Leverage Blog: Small Business Marketing Blog: Web Design, Online Marketing & Social Media Strategies and News to Help you Leverage the Web

Brand Champions

You're probably already got some brand champions, and you don't even know it. They're probably not A-list actors or celebrities, or anything like that, because if they were, you'd definitely know it... but that's alright. Personally I think word-of-mouth can even be more effective than some kind of big-name endorsement, because I think people probably realize the celebrity is getting paid and doesn't actually drink that kind of orange juice, or whatever. An endorsement from a friend is more likely to get me to try a new restaurant, though.

So you've got fans, and they've got great things to say about you. How do you leverage them?

This article on openforum.com has some tips - first, you've got to find them. See who's talking about you, positive or negative, and connect with them. Continue those conversations. Create communities and spaces for them. Give them mountaintops to shout from, and they will.

 

 

How to Start Your Own Business

There was an article on openforum recently offering some tips for people who are thinking about escaping the cubicle and starting their own businesses. Read on if you like the idea of being your own boss.

 Some of the tips might seem like common sense, but it's always good to make sure you don't overlook something and kick yourself later. The first, for example - your new business should solve a problem, or satisfy some demand that people have. And it's true, that you yourself are a great example of "people" - so if there's something that you think your town, or the world, needs, then there's probably someone else out there who agrees with you.

Check out the article for some other ideas on putting together a business plan, getting free help from successful businesspeople, and getting your funding figured out.

 

Keep it Positive

When you're interacting with people on Facebook, Twitter, the forum on your website, and other places online, does it feel like you're putting out fires? Constantly trying to turn the unhappy customers into satisfied customers, skipping over the positive feedback to get to the next problem that needs to be fixed?

That's probably not the best strategy - because although fixing problems is a good thing, breezing over the positive posts can effectively hide them from outsiders looking in.

Smartblogs.com has a video about Dell's engagement program, and what they've learned. They're doing well, and we could all learn from them.

Watch the video here.

Why use Twitter to give away things for free..?

Mediapost.com has a great article about Ben and Jerry's, and the ways they're using social media to reach people. 

The most interesting thing, for me, is how they changed their strategy from announcing a giveaway location, to asking people a simple question - "Who wants ice cream?" In my mind, that's where it goes from being a "corporate promotion event" to a conversation. Instead of being made aware that if they want some free ice cream, they should head out towards the giveaway location (and hope that they haven't run out) - now people are invited to talk about their favorite flavors, or how they've been outside in the 90 degree sun all day and ice cream would really hit the spot. And, of course, having Ben & Jerry's deliver ice cream would be a dream come true in a situation like that.

It brings to mind this commercial from a while back:

Read the article about Ben & Jerry's here.

A few of the brands doing well on Pinterest

Recently we posted an article here on Leverage called "Image-based Social Networking" about Pinterest, and how the site could be useful to brands.

OnlineMBA.com recently posted an article, too, about 10 brands that are doing very well on Pinterest - Whole Foods, Mashable, Nordstrom, Benjamin Moore, The Weather Channel, and more.

Check out their article and take a look at their Pinterest pages, if you're looking for inspiration.

TV Advertising: A Primer

This just in: Google recently released a TV ads program specifically designed to enable smaller businesses to purchase advertising on national TV. This article will help Wheel Media clients take a first-pass at the TV advertising opportunity. We know video production is new to many of our clients, but if you're intrigued by the medium, give us a ring and we'll explore it together.

Read more about Google's new program in this article on openforum.com.