David S. Finch

Restaurants Using Social Media

A few weeks ago I wrote a post on Social Media Explorer titled, "Social Media for Restaurants ." This last week Chris Brogan from chrisbrogan.com shared a video about how a local taco truck in Los Angeles is using social media to promote their business. The owners of the Kogi taco truck are doing some pretty cool stuff.

Make sure you check out their web-site and in the meantime, enjoy the video.

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Embracing the Potential of Mobile Technology

OK, I have a confession to make. I don't have a iPhone or a Blackberry. However, I have spent more time then I want to admit browsing the stores where these fine phones are sold checking out every detail (and I'm sure aggravating a few sales representatives). While I know that the arrive of my smart-phone is just around the corner, I'm intrigued by the potential and the market that companies can tap in to when they include mobile apps, mobile optimized Web-sites, mobile advertising and marketing via social media strategy.

The potential to engage and capitalize in this market are incredible.

Are you aware that there are 1.25 billion computers in the world and 3 billion mobile handsets? With the arrival of the smart-phone and the expansion of mobile technology, your mobile phone allows you to do way more then make a phone call or send an SMS message. We are very close (the technology is already here, its just connecting all the pieces) to seeing our mobile phone full functional portable computer, with the ability to do everything your laptop can do.

One of the areas that is growing substantially is being able to search the Web with your mobile device. According to cellphones.org,

"Mobile Search is an ever growing part of the larger search market. Last year, according to ComScore, more then 20 million people searched from a mobile device in the USA alone. That’s an increase of 68% from the year previous. This is a fraction of all cell phones in the United States, and as wireless internet speeds and smart handset penetration increase, so will the number of users using search from a Mobile device."

They suggest that if you want your site to show up first during a local search you need to make sure your site is optimized. Their suggestions are.

• Make sure your site is verified and included in sites like Google’s Local Business Center. Make the extra effort and verify your listings with a PIN received by email or by phone - the more verification and trust you give to the engines, the higher your local ranking will be.
• Instead of links, you’ll need to look for citations that mention your business, its website and its address. What are citations? Citations are anything that tend to reference your business, so a yellow pages directory, a web site that lists your contact information, and even the Better Business Bureau all server as citations. Citations can be gotten by submitting your business info to local directories, getting mentioned in local news with your address, and even being reviewed on sites like Yelp.com can count as a citation!
• For each location, try and create a separate page with your business information, include local address and telephone number.
• Try and get local links from sources such as a Local Chamber of Commerce, Government Agencies and even local towns. Local links help the engines put you in the right neighborhood.
• Make sure your address and phone number are at the bottom of all your pages.
• Have a list of all your locations, if you have more then one, and consider adding a map indicating how to best get to your place of business.

Here is the link to Image via CrunchBasecellphone.org's article on The Mobile Search Guide.

There are also some things that can you do to make your website more readable on a mobile device while your optimizing your site.
You may to want to check out 5 Fast Ways to Make Your Web-site mobile (& 1 Reason Not to Do It).

I may not know everything about the inner workings of mobile technology, but I'm extremely aware of its potential and the possibilities that are there for engagement.

Does your company have mobile on it's advertising and marketing agenda? What are additional ways that social media can make a great impact in the mobile arena?

The comments are yours!

image by: headclouds

Idea Festival 2008

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Beginning tomorrow I'll be attending and liveblogging the Idea Festival. OK, I know you maybe asking, "What is the Idea Festival?"

The Idea Festival:

"is a world-class event that attracts leading and highly diverse thinkers from across the nation and around the globe to explore and celebrate innovation, imagination and cutting-edge ideas.

The IdeaFestival is a unique non-linear program designed to stretch people's horizon's and promote breakthrough thinking... utilizing multiple venues to showcase, discuss and "connect" important ideas in science, the arts, design, business, film, technology, education, etc.

The Festival is designed to appeal to a broad cross-section of people - with presenters selected for their ideas, achievements, and their ability to communicate to a wide-ranging audience.

An important value of the IF is its accessibility. Strong support from sponsors allows the event to be priced at a level (with many events free) that provides for participation by a large diverse audience including students and young people."

The sessions I'll be liveblogging are:
1. The Rise and Fall of Hyperpowers - Amy Chua
2. The Black Swan - Nassim Nicholas Taleb
3. The Science and Wonder of Magic - Teller
4. Ninjutsu: The Art of Success - Peter King
5. The World in Your Pocket - John Gauntt

You can follow the liveblog on Twitter and then check back here for a synopsis of the events I'll be attending. Feel free to leave your comments, thoughts and ideas.

Technorati Tags: Idea Festival

How Are You Using Twitter?

One application, 140 characters, yet so many ways to use it. How are you using Twitter?

[found via Brian Oberkirch FF]

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Social Media in Plain English

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Social media is a term that integrates conversations and technology around text, videos and audio. The conversations that social media is built around includes forums, wikis, blogs, message boards, podcasts. photo sharing and videos. Website such as Myspace, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are all sites that are built and thrive off of social media and social networking.

If your new to social media, watch this simple video and then join the conversation.

video created by the creative minds at CommonCraft.

Technorati Tags: social media

What is Twitter?

Probably one of the most successful social media tools to catch fire in 2007 was Twitter. Twitter has been used as a micro-blogging tool that many use instead of a blog post or email. Twitter in a nutshell is to answer the question, "What am I doing?" in 140 characters or less.

If you haven't added Twitter to your social media toolbox you need to try it. In the meantime, thanks to the awesome team at CommonCraft check out this video Twitter in Plain English.

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Technorati Tags: social media, twitter

The 4 Step Social Media Diet

photo by:leftcoastbound

Social media is everywhere! Literally, there are new services being unveiled on a daily basis. Not only are they being unveiled, but all of them are wanting our attention. If you don't believe me, check your email inbox right now, I bet you'll have an invitation to join the latest tool to connect and explore. I'm sure you've at times asked yourself, "How many more friend requests can I agree to."

However, with all of this innovation, there also is developing a issue of social media obesity. I have become so fat on "the latest" that there are some sites and applications that I can't even remember my log in name. I even have social media apps. bookmarked that I've forgotten why I saved them. It's ugly, and I think it's time to go on a diet.

Here is what I'm doing to stay current, stay lean and productive in this social media craze.

Try Everything!
The only way to stay current is that you have to try everything. Experiment with the new toys. Ask around and get opinions from others who are currently using the latest and greatest. It never hurts to try it. You may be surprised that it's not what you thought and that you have a use for it. Learn to try everything without letting others know your on a diet. Can any one person really be using it all... I don't think so.

Focus
Staying focused can also pay great dividends when your trying to decide what to stay with. There are some things I'll never use not because their not cool, but often times they're either a duplicate or don't serve the community that I'm a part of.

Prioritize
There are many applications and sites that I know I'll never be the beta tester. Prioritizing what I need and what best serves the industry that I'm in can be very helpful. Prioritizing what apps and sites best work for me and that give me the most opportunity to connect with others must be at the top of the list.

Trim
It's OK to unsubscribed, end a service, leave a community. Eliminate those things that are out of your focus and line of priorities. Another way to stay lean is be willing to upgrade, let go and move on. Staying trim is never easy, especially when you feel your missing something. However, you'll be surprised how much more productive you'll be when your not trying to consume it all.

How are you staying fit? How do you decide on the "must have's" and the "maybe later?" Leave a comment and be part of the conversation.

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Technorati Tags: productivity, social media

How to Build a Killer Network

photo by:damork

Building a killer network takes hard work. However, if you stay at it you'll begin to see the success of all your hard work. You'll discover that your life has been enriched by people you've invited into your world as well as new worlds you'll be invited in to.

To build this network the key thing to remember is the word build. Networking isn't just an event, it's a process that takes time and effort. After learning the hard way, I now make sure there isn't a day that goes by that I'm not involved in some type of networking endeavor. I've realized that the more I become comfortable with the process it doesn't seem like work, but truly a part of who I am.

There are many different approaches that people use to network, but here are some simple tips that I use that anyone can implement immediately.

It's all about the relationships
This has to become the #1 thought process if your truly going to network effectively. When the dust settles it always will boil down to relationships. While everyone wants to be a superstar and make a name for themselves, true success is always entwined within the understanding that true success is found in relationships.

Coming to grip that it takes a team or circle of relationships to accomplish anything has to be where you start. Success may start with a me, but it will always end with a we.

Learn to give value
Networking isn't about business card distribution. It's about building relationships around a common theme giving value to all those that invite you in to their circle. I find myself shying away from people that are always wanting something from me, but never give anything back. However, it's always rewarding when you come in contact with someone that has no ulterior motive. And yes, you can spot the "takers" a mile away.

Coming to grip with learning to give value, you'll realize that networking is really investing in people. Small sums at a time, but eventually it becomes a network of solid relationships.

Out of sight, out of mind
This has been my Achilles heal in networking. I've had no problem understanding about the power of relationships. I accepted the realization of the potential of what happens when you add value to another person. But, I didn't know how to really make it work. I didn't invest in the time to working my net.

Sad to say, there has been times that because I was out of sight, I was out of mind. This usually results in missed opportunities and relationships, just because I didn't invest the time in staying in touch. This is such an elementary problem in building relationships, but one that we've all been guilty of.

Make sure you stay in sight! Without being a stalker, create a schedule where you call, email, send a note so that your name and face isn't forgotten.

Here are a few tools you can use to building your killer network.

1. Twitter: I'm a big fan of twitter! It's simplicity and coverage has allowed me to come in contact with scores of individuals that I would have never know before.
2. Facebook, Myspace, Linkedin: Social networking sites are the craze right now and you should be a part. Great opportunity to create as well as be invited into other networks.
3. Email: It may seem old school, but sending an email still is my most successful way of staying in touch.
4. Events: If you want to connect you'll never be short of networking events. Local newspapers, Meetup.com are just a few places to find events that are going on in your area.
5. Phone: With mobile phones, Skype, Gizmo and VOIP, staying connected is very inexpensive.
6. Face-to-Face: There is nothing more rewarding than being able to sit down face to face and reconnect. Technology is fantastic, but nothing beats the ancient success practice of meeting people one on one for engaging conversation.

How are you connecting? If it's been a while since we've connected, shoot an email, call me, let's meet for lunch of coffee.

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Technorati Tags: marketing, networking, social media, social networking

Facebook for the Wine Enthusiast

How about Facebook for the wine enthusiast? It's here and it's known as the OpenBottles. Sagi Solomon who started OpenBottles has made social networking a part of his marketing plan.

BusinessWeek.com: Building a Facebook for Wine:

Sagi Solomon founded OpenBottles in 2005. An attorney in San Jose, Calif., Solomon hopes to make the wine review and social-networking site his only full-time job next year. He deliberately avoided outside investment, however, because he does not want his vision for the company diluted. "It's costly to get venture financing, and you do give up not only equity in the company but overall control of strategy and where you want to take the business," Solomon says.His model for growth is Craigslist: "He started it on his own with no financing, and it's grown into this really vibrant community," Solomon says.

Solomon believes that community comes even before there ever is a profit.

"You can't just wait for profits. They don't just magically show up. You have to plan for them," he says. "If taking on debt does not contribute to plan, then don't do it."

Even with a solid plan and good product, building a self-funded startup takes patience. It's not the approach for entrepreneurs looking for big returns right away. "It took four years, to 2003, to get to a sort of tipping point where I had enough customers and cash flow, my first initial employee, enough hype, and a good enough product that now, things finally started to happen," says Stajer.

Self-funded entrepreneurs also face the risk that the significant time and money they put into their businesses may never yield profits. "It takes a lot of work," says Solomon, who invested $10,000 of his own savings in OpenBottles. "You're working nights. You're working weekends. You've got to make that investment."
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photo credit: yashima

Technorati Tags: business, entrepreneur, social networking

How to Sell Your Brand

The success of any business boils down to the demand for your product. Today, books will be published, articles written and blogs consumed looking for the secret tip to get others to buy what you have to offer. What would happen if used social media as your secret tip to selling.

Here is a simple video to make the point.

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Technorati Tags: business, sales, social media