The decrease in commenting can be accredited to none other then social media. More and more people are opting to share posts they find interesting rather then comment. And guess what? It’s good for business! Think of it this way… having a client tell you they are happy with the work you provided them is great, but what’s even better is having that client tell 5 friends they are happy with the work YOU provided them.

Adding a sharing tool (a widget that allows your blog visitors to easily send your link out to their social networks) is a great way to get visibility and drive your brand values.  It’s also a great way to get a group of people talking about your brand who otherwise wouldn’t.  Be sure to look for sharing plugins that make it easy for you to track who is sharing your link. (AddThis is the industry standard, it’s easy to install and best of all free).

As nice as it is to hear all the positive feedback you also want to be able to track down any negative issues as well (remember social networking is a great opportunity for customer service . Add sharing tools to your blog today to open the conversation… to everyone.

Sealed with a K.I.S.S. – The look and feel of this site is very simple and clean.  The Keep It Stupid Simple principle is most certainly applied.  With social networking the content is driven by users whose content cannot be anticipated.  Keeping the site design simple allows the website to avoid looking cluttered.

Easy Catch – The usability of the site is also pretty intuitive. The different sections on the site all have catchy names that make it easy for you to associate them with their purpose.  All your updates and friends updates can be found on the Stream, Your friends can be found and grouped together in the Circles section, conversations happen over in the Huddle, and Spark is the section dedicated to showcasing and discovering things that interest you – a strategic repurposing of Google’s all powerful search.  Finally if you need some face time with a friend or two head on over to the Hangout section for video chatting.

Seamlessly Annoying – Since this is a Google product naturally the site seamlessly integrates all your Google accounts into your profile.  No need to upload pictures.  Your Picasa (soon to be Google photos) automatically feeds into your Google+ account.  As much as I enjoy having one less thing to do this ended up being even more of a hassle as I had to go into my Picasa account and change the visibility settings to a ton of my albums.

Out of Business – If you are wondering how and if your company should set up a Google+ account the only answer is no.  Google has yet to open up the new site to businesses and brands and in this early stage most users are just familiarizing themselves with the network and are more focused with building their personal circles.

Even though Google+ isn’t a place for brands just yet I think Google definitely has the clout to make this a top contender in the social networking scene which in the future could lead to a new venue for online advertising. I encourage you to bookmark the site and keep your eye on it for future marketing opportunities.. In the interim take note on Google’s simple, clean, and catchy approach to social networking which is a + in my book.

Right under your nose – The first place to look for social media followers is your client list.  Current or past clients are the ideal audience to build a foundation for your fan base because they (hopefully) have a good relationship with your company and will have no problems letting people in their network know how much they enjoy working with you.

If WE build it – We’ve all heard the saying ‘If you build it, they will come.”  Unfortunately it isn’t that easy with social media.  Including your audience in decisions and encouraging them to voice their opinions will make them root for you much harder. When WE build it instead of YOU not only will people come they will tell their friends about it.

Make it worth their while – The more brands realize the importance of social media, the more saturated social networking sites are becoming.  People have the option to follow hundreds upon hundreds of their favorite brands. In order to stand out you’ll need something exclusive to offer your followers. Whether it is exclusive information or special offers/discounts, show your online community you appreciate them.

Follow the leader – A great way to build a following is to tap into a community that already exists by building a relationship with its leaders. Look for popular bloggers in your field, follow them and engage in online conversations.  Their networks will soon notice your back and forth and their curiosity will most likely get you a few new followers.

Make friends, not enemies – Definitely  try different tactics for gaining new followers to see what works and what doesn’t however, there is one method that has proven to be a social networking no-no.  Do not bombard your followers’ networks with unsolicited messages/request to follow you.  Most social networking sites have strict rules on this practice; mainly it’s spam. Spamming is counterproductive to building your network since your account will most likely be suspended.

Taking these tips into consideration, your follower count should go up in no time.  Remember to provide valuable information and engage with your new found friends. Staying an active member of your own online community is just as important as seeing the numbers rise.

1. Fonts for Websites: Probably the #1 complaint of web designers is being forced to use web-safe fonts in an HTML environment, selection of which is extremely limited (14 to be exact). Much to my joy Typekit and Fontdeck were introduced as solutions to this limited number of web-safe fonts problem. These handy websites make it possible to use non-web safe fonts with a simple line of code. They way they work is that sign up and basically subscribe to their font library which are pretty expansive.  I have had the opportunity to use Typekit and was extremely satisfied with the results. It is a great way to enhance websites and a fantastic step forward for the future of web design.

2. Letterpress: Letterpress is like the little engine that could. As much as people tout that print is dead, letterpress manages to keep paper looking elegant and worthy of simple and beautiful design. Letterpress is a type of printing that involves pressing an inked letter or pattern block into a piece of paper leaving behind an impression in the paper. The effect is subtle but this unique aesthetic continues to be showcased on business cards, packaging and invitations as the go-to method for making the “best impression.”

3. Apple continues to pave the way: The iPad is the biggest selling gadget of last year, selling over 8 million of them. These touch screen tablets have been an overwhelming success for Apple. The minimal and sleek design seems to really resonate with consumers and has raised the bar as far as product design goes (it doesn’t hurt that the technology encased inside is incredible too). Along with this surge of tablets, designers and developers are continually coming together to create smart and intuitive interfaces and apps. The increased use of mobile devices (cell phones and tablets) is a growing trend and products will only continue to get smaller and faster.

4. Great design in product packaging: Packaging continues to be in my opinion, some of the most innovative and best design out there. As competition on the shelf heats up and consumers gravitate more towards the picking products based on design and packaging. Studies have shown that if two items are similarly priced, the consumer will purchase the one that has a better design. Brands such as Mrs. Meyers, Bausch + Lomb, Archer Farms continue to breakaway from conventional types of packaging and design. Check out the Dieline for a fantastic showcase and resource for packaging design.

5. Typography for Lawyers: This is a great website that does an excellent job of explaining typography in a thoughtful and practical way. It also gives a great overview on how to make documentation look better. It’s refreshing to see recognition of typography by the professional set and not just designers.

6. 30 Conversations on Design: This website is a great resource that is both inspiring and intriguing to watch. It centers around what 30 of the top designers answer is to a themed question.

Once you check in… With cell phones becoming more advanced and the debut of gadgets like the IPad and Galaxy tab, the average computer user has been unchained from their desk and is now able to surf the web on the go. As mobile technology becomes more advanced, location-based social networking sites like Foursquare and Gowalla are gaining popularity. Even the social media heavy hitters started noticing. Twitter added the option to send location information with your tweets and Facebook has a places check-in feature now as well. I suspect in 2011 a lot of brands will start offering more location-based incentives to consumers. Next time you’re at your favorite store be prepared to ‘check-in’ in order to receive a discount or gift with purchase.

All for one… It is no secret that online group purchasing is a hit. People all over the country are logging in to sites such as Groupon and Living Social to purchase discounts for local restaurants and services. For those not familiar (and living under a rock) the way these group purchasing websites work is that a business will list a discounted deal (usually up for 24-27 hours) for purchase. A certain amount of people must buy the deal in order for it to be valid. In August, Groupon launched their first national offer with the clothing retailer Gap. The sale was a huge success and it was reported that 10 Gap deals were being sold per second. Nordstrom Rack and American Apparel are two retailers that have recently jumped on board and had success as well. In 2011 I anticipate this to catch on even more and predict not only clothing retailers but big brands like Starbucks and Target will hop on board.

App shopping… Whether you prefer Android or Apple there is no doubt that people love their apps. There is virtually an app for everything you can think of. With mobile networks getting faster and stronger a lot of brands have already began popping up in the apps market. Beauty retailer Sephora has an Apple app that allows you to scan barcodes for product information and availability. Since these apps run on the mobile networks as well as wifi I think a lot of retailers will begin including shopping through apps as an option. Most mobile devices have social media integration so once you finish purchasing an item you should be able to let your social networks know about your great new purchase.

The return of the fallen… Expect to hear the word MySpace a lot in the new year (and possibly reactivate your account!) With a new logo and layout it seems MySpace is trying to creep back onto the social networking space. I don’t know if I am quite predicting a complete comeback per se, but I do expect to see a lot of efforts from the company in 2011 to bring the masses back on the site. Although Facebook is at the top of the game right now, some could argue that they have nowhere to go but downhill. A lot of Facebook users are already complaining about the constant changes the site seems to roll out.

There are a lot of opportunities to look forward in the new year and your business could easily follow suit and join in on the social media revolution. Be sure to stay informed on the trends that are popular throughout the year and see where your organization fits in the mix. Happy New Year!

In the past Maker’s Mark advertising has been consistent with the look and feel of the product — a very classic, refined and exquisite spirit. They usually pair their classic image with tongue-in-cheek copy to keep it current, modern, and with the times. While out and about our president Melissa noticed this new billboard and snapped this photo with her cell phone.

This ad is a prime example of a company trying to keep up with changing trends but losing their brand consistency in doing so. Simply slapping what appears to be a cut-and-paste friend request button onto an existing company stock photo not only lacks creativity but weakens the company’s brand. If I could give this ad a makeover I would love to see a picture of someone serving a Maker’s Mark cocktail and copy along the lines of “Watch the friends start pouring in.” with a URL to their social networking site.

It is important to be conscience of the delicate balance between current trends and your brand’s integrity. I commend this company for including social media into their marketing approach but what looks like a lack of strategy and creativity has left them with an ad that has missed the mark.

Traditional networking sites are a great venue for social media marketing but there are also other sites that are a bit more dynamic and can enhance your organization’s social media strategy. For example using Youtube can really enhance your social media plan. Youtube allows you to upload short videos and share them with your network and the web. Making a little video update and incorporating it into your company’s e-newsletter will make it stand out from the text-only newsletters in everyone’s inbox. Another social media tool that businesses often overlook is Flickr. Flickr is a photo hosting and social networking website. This approach seems the trickiest for businesses but it is very simple. Think of your organization’s products and/or services. Than go out take and upload pictures that showcase or directly apply to those products and/or services. The trick here is to take advantage of the tag options. Tagging your pictures with relevant keywords will make them pop up in search engines. Be sure to make your Flickr name your company’s URL so when these pictures do come up in web searches people’s curiosity will lead them to your website.

The beauty of these alternative social media options is both of them are easily integrated into your current social networking sites or official website. These creative approaches to social media will set you apart from other organizations and give your target audience yet another opportunity to get to know you.

The doubt lies in the fact that people do not know the difference between social media and social networking. Social media, as defined by Anvil Media Inc. a SEM company, is an umbrella term that defines the various activities that integrate technology, social interaction, and the construction of words and pictures. Social networking however is simply a form of social media.  Still confused well think of it this way.   Here at Blue Daring’s Eat Mo’ ‘Fo, we like to think of your organization as a person and as such lets liken social media to a wardrobe. Things such as your website, a blog, or message boards/forums are mostly staple pieces. Social networking initiatives are the trendy items you purchase to spice up your staples from time to time.

Just like a real wardrobe you can’t rely only on fads and what is trendy. We all know that social networking sites are subject to waves of popularity. (Remember how big MySpace was a few years ago?) Your ability to capitalize on these waves, however, can be a real opportunity for visibility. The key is using strategy to integrate your staples (i.e. social media outlets) with your trendy accessories (i.e. social networking). Further, like accessories, social networking is meant to draw attention to your main pieces, that said never reveal too much and always draw people back to your site.  So to answer the skeptics out there, no I don’t think Facebook will be around forever however, while sites may indeed come and go; a dynamic web marketing strategy never goes out of style.

You read that right I said Facebook. It started with a mass text message in the morning letting everyone know my cousin was on her way to the hospital. Within a matter of hours my Facebook news feed turned into baby watch ’09 with friends and family all adding their warm wishes and updates on the status of the babies’ arrival. 10 minutes after the baby was delivered there was already a photo album dedicated to him. I admit as I type this it all seems a bit much but I have to say during the commotion it sure beat the traditional not knowing anything and waiting around the whole day for a late night phone call..

Studies show more people check their Facebook before their email when they first sit down on the computer. The fact is that the way we get news and information is changing and more and more; people are looking at social media for updates. Having your company post quick updates on new and exciting things going on is a great way to get people excited about your organization.

Most all types of social media have a way for users to update on the go. Having staff members tweet during a big event can help create buzz for the next one planned, or promoting the final product of a current project helps your client feel appreciated and gives potential clients the chance to check out what you have to offer.   Delivering your companies news & events to your target audience is one of the easiest and best uses for your companies’ social networking site.  Soon enough you will see the great results born from a  little effort towards your social media strategy.