7 Marketing Rules That Will Help You Win “The Bachelor”

Believe it or not, dating has a lot in common with marketing. Though different on the surface, both operate in a competitive environment and seek to attract a target audience using a variety of tactics or “rules”. We see this marketing-dating connection firsthand in The Bachelor, a reality TV show where the contestants are all striving for the affection of a lone suitor. As what often happens, the most successful bachelorettes are also the best marketers. Check out the 7 winning marketing rules used in The Bachelor below! 1. Know your target audience The more you know about your audience, the easier it is to convey a message or sell a product. In The Bachelor season opener, many of the bachelorettes who won roses admitted to knowing a lot about Nick (above pic) by extensively “researching” his performance in previous seasons. 2. Separate yourself from the competition Failing to separate yourself […]

Read more

How To Get More Social Media Followers When You Lack Name Recognition

What’s the secret to getting more social media followers? A large social media following is a surefire way to expand your brand – both personal and organizational – and encourage people to visit your website. But how do you get more followers if you are new to social media or lack name recognition (most of us)? Whether it’s video, photo or text, content is absolutely king! The most important ingredient for social media excellence is content. To attract new followers and be successful on social media, you need content that is either informative, helpful or entertaining. Check out my social media content examples from the advocacy sector for inspiration. But let’s say you already have great social content. Are there any tactics that will help you increase your social media followers? Yes! Through years of practice, observation and research, I have discovered – often by accident – multiple ways to increase followers across the social networks. […]

Read more

3 Events That Changed The World of Business Communications

There was a time when business communications was primarily a one-way street. Organizations didn’t have to worry about responding to customers within two hours. Hacking didn’t exist. In today’s environment, however, the public not only demands that organizations be open, transparent and authentic – they expect it! So what happened? Technological and media disruption at a large scale happened. Below are the 3 events that have changed the face of professional communications: 1. Reality television The emergence of shows like The Bachelor and stars like Kim Kardashian have created a demand for more personal, authentic and “behind-the-scenes” communications. Personalities like Mark Cuban, Richard Branson, and even infamous characters like “Pharma Bro” Martin Shkreli, have become the norm for corporate leaders. 2. Social media Online networks like Facebook and Twitter have dramatically sped up communications and engagement. Social media gives more power to stakeholders, but it also allows organizations to go beyond the media filter. […]

Read more

Q and A with Social Media Expert Hollie Hoadley

Over the past couple of years, I’ve dedicated this site to informing people of the latest in social media communications. Much of this content is based on my own knowledge and real-world experience. But for this post I’d like to try something different. Introduce a perspective other than my own. Meet Hollie Hoadley Hollie Hoadley is the founder of Creative Solutions, a company that provides social media and marketing expertise to a diverse group of clients. Hollie knows a lot about social media marketing strategy. A creative sparkplug, she has helped her clients achieve marketing success in a medium that, though rewarding, can be full of potential pitfalls and challenges. I recently interviewed Hollie to get her take on a variety of issues related to social media and marketing. Read the Q & A below: Q & A with Hollie Hoadley Q: How do you measure success in social media? […]

Read more

How March of Dimes Canada Is Raising Awareness One Bubble at a Time

Nothing says fun like blowing bubbles in the summer! For March of Dimes Canada (MODC), this simple pleasure has taken on another meaning. It’s the foundation of their new social media campaign, #MyBiggestBubble. Who doesn’t love a bubblegum selfie? The #MyBiggestBubble campaign asks participants to take selfies while blowing bubblegum bubbles. Participants then submit their pics on Twitter or Instagram using the #MyBiggestBubble hashtag. The campaign has its own mini site, mybiggestbubble.com, as well as a how-to infographic for selfie newbies. Raising awareness for a good cause The primary purpose of the campaign is to raise awareness of MODC and its cause of helping people with disabilities. “March of Dimes Canada is an established charity with a history that goes back to 1949,” said Dennis Ullman, Associate Director of Special Events and Community Relations for MODC. “The #MyBiggestBubble campaign helps spread awareness of our charity and our cause to a […]

Read more