Everyone knows about net neutrality. Wait, what? We do? Of course not. Up until yesterday, barely anyone had heard of it. The media had no coverage of this vote leading up to it. But with the FCC’s decision less than 24 hours ago to dismantle its regulations on net neutrality, reality has just kicked in. What exactly is net neutrality and why is it so important? Net Neutrality is the ability to communicate openly and freely on the Internet. There are no rules or regulations that hinder a consumer’s usage. We log on, type in a web page, and boom; …
‘Twas The Night Before ZenChange
’Twas the night before Christmas and all through the business, Not a prospect was stirring, no clicks of the mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In the hopes that ZenChange soon would be there. The owners were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of dollar signs danced in their heads; The sales team having no leads took a nap; While the manager wondered how to close the gap. When out on the web there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my desk to see what was the matter; Away to my phone I …
Leonardo DaVinci Would Make A Great Marketer
If Leonardo da Vinci were alive today, he’d make a great marketer. Several years ago I spent a week cycling through the Loire Valley in France. It was a highly memorable trip filled with stress busting rolling hills by day, visits to beautiful chateaus and vineyards, and then getting cleaned up at night to enjoy a 5-course meal in yet another chateau, while sipping local Vouvray. One of my favorite chateaus, Clos Lucé in Amboise, was actually one of the most unassuming. It was the home of Leonardo da Vinci in the last few years before his death. Back in 1516, …
After Irma Small Businesses Struggle To Reopen
After Irma – The Struggle To Rebuild Florida Small Businesses Hurricane Irma plowed thorough the entire state of Florida over the weekend, leaving millions of residents without electricity. Florida prepares itself for days, and maybe weeks, without power. While the focus of the news after Irma has been on residents recovering their homes, and streets being cleared of large downed trees, the impact of the storm on small business is far reaching. In the years when I traveled the world for business, I remember my Brazilian clients would joke that no business was conducted during the month of Carnaval. First …
2 Simple Reasons You Should Add Video to Your Social Media Marketing Strategy
I’m often asked whether video for social media marketing really makes that much of a difference for small businesses. Short answer: if done right, it can make a very big difference. In fact, I’ve seen many small businesses—all with great potential in their respective markets—both lose momentum and gain that extra push needed to go to the next level because of the choice they made about including video in their marketing efforts. Put yourself in your audience’s shoes. Given the choice, would you rather read a blog or watch a video? Personal preference aside, many would choose the video because …
Does Your Online Marketing Feel Like Throwing Darts?
Remember the carnival game where you had three darts to throw at a wall full of balloons to win the giant stuffed panda? Most of the darts would hit the wall, or skim by the balloon, and if you did manage to pop a balloon it would typically be for a rather unexciting small plastic whistle and definitely NOT the giant stuffed panda. The problem with this game is that you don’t know where the panda prize card is pinned, and you may not have the greatest aim. But you know it’s there somewhere so you just keep on paying …
How to: Pinterest Marketing
How to: Pinterest Marketing Pinterest marketing is something often overlooked. Pinterest can be used for more than DIY birthday gifts and nifty holiday desserts. If you’ve been using the site already for pinning ideas you think are interesting, you might be surprised to know that marketing with Pinterest doesn’t take much extra. Like other social networks—Facebook, Twitter, Instagram—Pinterest gives you the ability to share things you like. And for a business, it allows for free exposure. Pinterest is all about networking, sharing things, and linking to content, which makes it ideal for driving new customers to your product or service. …