YouTube + Podcast + Nutrition Expert + Author = SEO Traffic

Embedded in this post is a video capture of a podcast by author, nutrition expert and wellness coach Erin Chamerlik and her discussion on diabetes (and much more) with author of “Sugar Nation” Jeff O’Connell. This is an example of how to use YouTube to gain traffic, but not only that. It’s the use of YouTube in combination with pre-existing content to maximize effectiveness.
This podcast, formerly in audio-only format, is on YouTube, yes, but it’s also on Facebook, all over Twitter, Stumble Upon, Digg, WordPress and more.
And it’s searchable like never before.
Why?
Because now instead of a podcast title and short description, it’s got tags, multiple titles, annotations, categories and captions. Yes, the YouTube auto-generated captions aren’t perfect (sometimes it says things like “George Clooney” instead of “lots of money”) but they’re still searchable text.
Since posting the video less than 24 hours ago it’s gotten over 30 hits and that’s just for starters.
Now, it would be enough on its own but the real kicker is that the podcaster, Erin, is a real expert with a wealth of knowledge to share. And her guest, Jeff O’Connell, is famous in his own right.
You could say that re-formatting this audio-only gem is like cutting and polishing a rough diamond.
I’ll agree that it’s not perfect because I only had 15 minutes, Macromedia Fireworks and video editing software to put it together and post it. But it represents a valuable concept – multiple format cross-linking to maximize return.

So, check it out and be sure to ask Erin about the topic.
She truly is an expert!

Facebook “Like” button… hidden secret to contact your “likers”

I’m letting the cat out of the bag… I mean, the baby Harp seal… in the first sentence: you can contact people who “like” your pages/posts via your “Like” button admin settings on Facebook.

It’s that simple.

Here are your action steps:

• add the like button to the top and bottom of each page/post
• create object admin pages for button
• treat “likers” like fans
• use fb API to group similiar “like” / object categories

Want to know more? Post a comment, like this post (of course), and I’ll let you in on the coolest mojo around that lets you post to the wall of anyone who’s “liked” your stuff.

All the best,

Chris

Watch a flooring company with no social media presence grow before your eyes

I’ve been contracted to work with Stradwick’s Carpet One Floor & Home in Mississauga, Ontario GTA, to build and monitor their Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Yelp, web and blog presences… and it’s working quite well

It’s not a mystery that it’s working out so well because I’ve been doing this for nearly 15 years and most of that time in the flooring industry.

Check their website and other links here:

http://www.carpetonegta.ca
http://mississaugacarpettoronto.wordpress.com/2011/03/01/mohawk-carpet-sales-in-mississauga-gta/
http://twitter.com/carpetonegta
…

More on the way, but I had to squeeze this post into the two free minutes I had this morning.
All the best,

Chris

RockMelt… Ok, I’m Excited About A Browser For A Change!

I’m a tad speechless… ok, maybe not – RockMelt is actually pretty cool.

Why am I ready to hit the RockMelt pipe? It says it integrates social media and, honestly, that’s all I want lately. Let’s see how it rolls.

Social Media book release: The Social Media Equation – Get Your Team Involved & Use The “Big 4″ To Bring Your Brick-And-Mortar Business To The Next Level

Know what people are saying about you online… even if you’re not saying anything?
Would you like to?
Or, have you heard so much about “social media” but are afraid to jump in because you may give a competitor valuable information?
This is where solid business meets Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and blogs.
It’s also full of advice and each chapter comes with an Action Plan for each platform.
The Action Plans are packed with immediate-action tips to keep you from looking like a beginner, even if you are.
They’re also written from the perspective of an executive who has been successful in off-line businesses, but used the internet to augment lead generation.

One tip could save you or make you thousands… or help you combat cyber-squatting and other brand-damaging internet iniquities.
But the key to this book is that it gives you helpful advice to get your team involved and buying in to the concept.
Because if they don’t come along for the ride, you won’t enjoy it nearly as much as you could.

Click the image to order and you will be able to download it immediately. As updates hit, you will receive them automatically. You will also have access to my exclusive newsletter… and this is the only way to get access to it.

All the best,

Chris

The Enchanted Floorist – no mistake on the name, just a pre-speaking test for a Green Bay, Wisconsin flooring company

When I first heard the name The Enchanted Floorist, I laughed out loud at the fun nature of the name itself.
Then, I tried to find them online.
Like so many others in the flooring business, it was rough going.
First shot was Twitter… no good.
Then, Facebook… nope.
Then Google… ok, we’re getting somewhere, but it’s still tough sifting through actual florists. Take the name out and look for a flooring company in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and I can’t find them.
I did come up with a Service Magic number, but I don’t want to incur a charge to them by trying to contact ‘em.
Well, I’m going to give them a hand.
Tomorrow, I’ll add their brick-and-mortar information to this post, as well as a link to their web presence.
So far, I’ve put them in a status update on Facebook, Tweeted their name and now comes this blog post.
Then, I’ll use this post as my url and leave a few comments on some high-traffic blogs.
Let’s go to town with this one and see where we wind up.
Nowhere to go go but up!

All the best,

Chris

Picture this!

Pragmatic Social Media: An example of how to integrate social media into your off-line, brick-and-mortar business

Put your social media presence everywhere.
It’s so simple, it never occurs to many.
Look how long it took many businesses to get their website addresses on vehicles, business cards and ads.
And some still have yet to get with the program (very few).
In fact, I haven’t seen a sign like this yet… except at this business outside DC (a business very close to my heart!)

Of course, it’s bigger than this and there is other information on the door, but I know many clients both current and potential who’ve expressed delight at being able to contact this business in so many ways… especially since it’s closed on Sundays unlike many traditional retailers.

But, hey, who wants to be traditional?!

In fact, this business encourages people to friend them, fan them, tweet them, check in on foursquare, and anything else they can think of.
And they offer rewards like Starbucks gift cards, drawings and merchandise.

Give me your thoughts on this one because I humbly think it’s genius
If you’d like to learn more about social media and real business, even if it’s just to check on your brand, check out the book The Social Media Equation. One tip from it could save you embarrassment or make you thousands!
Click the image to order and you will be able to download it immediately.

All the best,

Chris

Followers, subscribers, fans and friends… to buy, or not to buy on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube

This is a tough one, not because it doesn’t work, but because it works so dang well.
That said, if you’ve got time, don’t buy.
Build a solid base and rock the house.
But there are benefits to multiple people being interested in what you have to say.
It comes from the psychological phenomenon known as “social proof“, and no one is immune from its effect.
If you want explosive growth and are willing to weed through the good, the bad and the downright fugly, by all means, buy away.
But how?
The only source I’d recommend as of today is SocialKik, and that’s because it gives you the option to upgrade to “targeted” fans/followers/friends.
You’ll get real people, but you’ll have to do some work.

After watching one business page explode after I set it up for a physician friend, I have to say my initial reluctance was unfounded. And he has continued to gain followers after a simple initial buy that cost less than a good meal for two. Not too shabby.
Here’s how the social proof phenomenon works:

Wikipedia: “Social value of unfamiliar people is ambiguous and requires a lot of effort to assess accurately. Given limited time and motivation, other people will often evaluate others based on how surrounding people behave towards them. For example, if a man is perceived to be in a company of attractive women, or is associated with them, then his perceived social value and attractiveness will be perceived to be greater. The implied cognition in this case would be “All those girls seem to really like him, there must be something about him that’s high value”.

You can capitalize on this because of one simple, unavoidable condition - the exploding field of social media is so new, it’s a mystery to many and they’re grasping for social proof.
Key points to remember about large numbers of followers/friends/fans:
- Identification of the surrounding group with self
- Possession of special knowledge
- Identification with authority
- Smart money
I’ve built thousands of followers on different social media presences without buying, but for my newer clients who want to hit the ground running, I couldn’t recommend anything better.

All the best,

Chris

Picture this!

Target and Facebook

Is it any coincidence that Target is the first big-wig to offer Facebook giftcards… and then change the url they show on TV commercials to Facebook.com/…?
Facebook.com/Target in this case.
Well, call me silly, but I’d say no.
Or nope.
Or hell no, it’s so friggin’ obvious that Target actually GETS IT!
You may be thinking “Hey, Chris, what’s this “it” you’re so jazzed about?”
Well, friends, the “it” is that the way business has been spoon-fed to us by ad agencies for hundreds of years SUCKS… to put it succinctly.
Social media represents the missing link for businesses not afraid of transparency, or at least savvy enough to curate their online real estate.
And don’t worry, I won’t say “make no mistake” anywhere in this post… except… ah forget that one.
Seriously, Target may be ahead of the curve in understanding that business is done with people, and we “people” value relationships.
Although I think the movie “The Social Network” is a piece of Hollywood overly-dramatized, soap opera-esque crap, Facebook is phenomenal and I truly enjoy the new connections made, and old ones re-kindled.

So, what are your thoughts on this?
What other businesses have you seen that have implemented the use of their Facebook.com/ url in advertising, if any?
Friends, I think we’re on the cusp of some really big changes and those of you who already get “it” are well-positioned to not be taken by surprise.

All the best,

Chris

“The Social Network” movie… and what it means to a die-hard geek

Here is my first true “rant” and it’s about a movie I thought I was going to thoroughly enjoy.
It’s also about what it meant to a die-hard geek… and former Marine with a sense of honor.
I’ll mince no words by saying I feel that not one ounce of value was added to my life by watching that movie, and I’m embarassed that I brought my wife to see it. And I’m glad Mark Zuckerberg spoke out in the video below.
But this movie… it has nothing to offer of value other than another glimpse into a back-stabbing, dishonorable way of doing business I want no part of.
Guys, it’s not the bong hits and cocaine that got me… it’s a friend hurting a friend, badly, and that’s never the kind of movie I’ll want to support.
I’ve attained a measure of success and used to think being a millionaire was cool… but now what means more to me, as one, is HOW one gets to be a millionaire.

Add to that the fact that I’m a father of an autistic/Asperger’s child with perhaps a hint of Asperger’s myself, and I can tell you I will do whatever it takes to be as unlike how Zuck is represented in that movie as possible.
I’m going to keep my rose-colored glasses on and believe Zuck is not that bad, and that hurting a friend stung more than some lowlife director let the actor portray.
It should be renamed “The Anti-Social Network” because that’s all it represents.
Again, I’m not saying Facebook or Mark Zuckerberg are bad.

No, what I am saying is that Hollywood still sucks and I should have known better than to even consider watching a movie where Justin Timberlake plays any sort of substantial role.

I’m physically sick.

Chris

Ok, I feel better now that that’s off my chest
I’m going to watch Brave Heart, Patton, Saving Private Ryan and read some Calvin and Hobbes to wash out my brain!

If you’d like to learn more about social media and real business, even if it’s just to check on your brand, check out the book The Social Media Equation. One tip from it could save you embarrassment or make you thousands!
Click the image to order and you will be able to download it immediately.