Web 2.0: Why Should You Care?

This is almost old school now, but the whole Web 2.0 thing is still hanging around. Do you even know what I'm talking about? Otherwise known as Social Networking, it's a "new" way of doing business and building relationships through internet outlets such as MySpace, Facebook, and LinkedIn to name a few.

Of course, this way of communicating isn't exactly new. MySpace and Facebook have been around for nearly 5 years now. And way before they arrived, there were forums, chat rooms, and online community groups which allowed users to converse with one another, in a less organized fashion.

So have you embraced the power of Web 2.0 for your business or is this something you'll hope will be just a passing fad?

Let me tell you a quick story...I used to run the group exercise department at UC Berkeley. Back in the 90s, a fellow named Billy Blanks did an infomercial, selling VHS tapes of his exercise program called TaeBo. Remember it? The man made millions.

After a few years, the notion of group boxing and kickboxing classes began to trickle into aerobics studios and gyms. I didn't care much for those classes but I went ahead and got certified to teach it. Why? I knew it was going to be big and I couldn't let the fact that I personally disliked the format get in the way of doing business.

Sure enough, the trend hit in a BIG way and before I knew it, I was teaching classes of 100+ sorority sisters, faculty, and community members 3 times a week because there weren't a whole lot of other instructors trained to do the job.

Was it worth it? Heck, yeah. We had lines out the door every night and turned people away when the class was full at 120 people. Did the "fad" last? To my knowledge, those classes are still going strong, thankfully, without me.

So should you find out a little bit more about what "silly" things like Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook are all about?

What do you think?

If you're curious, look out for my new, free video, "How a Silly Thing Called Twitter Can Help You Get More Clients, Faster, For Less Money."

Hi-ya!

Free Traffic for Your Blog?

This site bills itself as the "fastest and easiest way to instantly drive a flood of targeted readers to your blog…absolutely free." I dig the concept, but haven't yet taken it for a test drive.

Visit their site. Watch the video. Decide for yourself. Then come back and let us know if it deserves cheers or jeers.

Does Your Marketing Match Your Message?

"A meatball sundae is the unfortunate result of mixing two good ideas."

That's a quote from Meatball Sundae: Is Your Marketing Out of Sync? Chalk it up to Seth Godin to come up with another instantly usable business metaphor. This is the man who brought us the world of Purple Cows (turn something commonplace into the extraordinary) and the Big, Red Fez (not sure what that's about but I know it has something to do with web site design).

Just a head's up that, his latest book will arrive online and in stores on December 20, 2007. Just in time for a quick read while waiting at the airport during holiday travel season.

To get a sneak preview, visit Godin's Squidoo lens (don't worry if you don't know what that means!) devoted exclusively to this new project.

Staying Abreast of the Latest Color Trends

Did you know that it's officially Autumn? For some of us, the season crept in unannounced and for others, well, I think the word "blustery" was invented for Fall. If your business deals with color in any way, shape, or form, you can draw a lot of inspiration from nature's changing palette.

To help you decipher precisely which shade of orange, red, or yellow to use on your next project or the corresponding HEX# to use on a client's web site, visit ColourLovers.com. It's bursting with diverse color palettes, like the one shown above.

I particularly like the Colour Trends section, which lays out the current color schemes from major magazines. This can help, not only the interior decorator who wants to stay abreast of the latest trends, but also the solo business owner who considers a new look for a business card, invoice, or advertising campaign. Check it out.

Purchase by Default

Time Magazine ran an article in their August 27, 2007 issue (see cover at left) titled, Why We Buy. In it, the author, Barbara Kiviat, referenced a study in which people tasted peanut butter from three jars. "Each jar contained the same peanut butter, but 75% of participants thought the contents tasted better in the jar that had a name-brand label on it." Read the full article here.

Witness the power of branding. In this world, name recognition often trumps quality because going with what is perceived as more popular ultimately seems less risky.

Does your business need a brand? What do you do to promote name recognition? Think about brands that you know and love. Why do you continue to buy those products? Do you make a conscious decision to continue with that product or do you simply reach for what's familiar?

All quite thought provoking for a Monday.

Scratch 'n' Sniff Marketing

Back in December, 2006 Advertising Age magazine published their picks for the Top 10 Trends to Watch in 2007. So how do you think they did? Here are 3 of their picks in no particular order:

1. Cultural luxe marketing
2. Social networking
3. Sniffing around

To learn more about these "trends" do a search on Google. I am particularly intrigued in the rise of that third trend which is basically infusing scents into marketing. Think about real estate agents who waft the scent of freshly baked cookies through an open house or Verizon and their new Chocolate phone (no, you can't eat the phone but they did propel the scent of chocolate in their stores to boost sales.) I also know of a baker who created an edible business card, wrapped in plastic to successfully catch attention and appeal to prospect's taste buds.

In other words, how many senses do your marketing efforts target? Are you leaving a sensory experience and therefore money on the table with more conservative campaigns? It's definitely something that needs to be tested.

To read today's article from the LA Times, "Sniff....and Spend" click the title. But hurry because they will probably yank this link by next Monday the 27th.