August 2009

Is social media a fad? Not according to this video…and I totally agree!

Are you ready?

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TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design), an invitation-only event where the world’s leading thinkers and doers gather to find inspiration has produced a spin off, TEDx, that is coming to Vancouver.

A former TEDx speaker, local blogger, photographer and all around interesting guy, Kris Krug explained the idea behind TEDx in a recent blog post:

“They just recently announced TED x which is a franchised community version of the bigger TED conferences. They’re encouraging folks to take the spirit and format of TED and have local events focused on the coolest in technology, entertainment, and design. It’s a great concept that initiates community support, discovery and definitely promotes ideas that are worth spreading.”

Although registration is not yet open, you can stay in the know about TEDx Vancouver here:

• http://www.facebook.com/tedxvancouver
• http://twitter.com/TEDxVan
• http://tedxvancouver.com/

Check out the official TED site here.

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The Canada Line (a new speedy rail system) opened today in Vancouver and based on the activity on Twitter people around the lower mainland are pretty excited.

When deciding whether or not I would take advantage of the free ride out to the airport I decided to check Twitter first and came across a ton of people talking about it (mostly people waiting in line…). Thanks to @thebuzzer for pointing out there was a 2 hour wait on average which convinced me to stay home and try it during the week as I’m usually not one for long line ups.

Here are a few of the more entertaining Tweets I came across:

• @sanazj Avg human walking speed 6km/hr,#canadaline 19km long, walking from Waterfront to #YVR 3 hrs shorter than waiting in line!
• lyteforce To those who have gotten on the #CanadaLine – is it more comfortable & pleasant than the 98 Sauna Bus to RMD Centre?
• stryderjzw Hmm… I’m sure #canadaline will still be here tmrw. *cross fingers* I’m hoping I don’t miss it by not going today.
• dannydang @sanazj Lil’ wayne is stuck in the line waiting to ride the new #canadaline http://tinyurl.com/5o4r2y
• abusse I get reception even in the tunnels. Cool. #canadaline
• g_campbell Wow. The only word for response to #CanadaLine. What a difference it’ll make. Lines around the block for today’s free rides.

And no doubt the list goes on…follow this link to see more from #canadaline on Twitter.

This is a great example of what happens when you provide something that people want, I mean really want and have been waiting for, you market and promote it well and then give something away for free to generate some buzz: people talk.

The moment I finished that last sentance 47 more of them added comments to Twitter and no doubt when I login to facebook later on there will be pictures etc from people who took one of the 1st free rides today.

So in a nutshell, here’s what’s right about the Canada Line’s opening day:

• Pre-launch marketing and promotion to build desire
• Tapped into the power of free by giving away free rides on day one
• The product is slightly better (we hope) than previous versions and competitors (cabs, busses, old sky train)
• It services an area that people wanted (service to the airport) and does it cheaper

All great things to include in your next product or service launch in order to get people talking…and buying.

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First off, by killer content I mean content that will help your site attract more traffic, more leads, and more sales.

Every piece of content you add to your site should in some way achieve one of those results. Otherwise, what’s the point? (Simply being creative is great but save it for your personal blogger account we’re here to get results aren’t we?)

So here are my tips on content, in no particular order:

1. Turn every experience into an article, video, or presentation.

Ask this question after any event you participate in: How can I relate this to something my clients need to learn, want to know, or would find valuable, entertaining or interesting? The day to day happenings of your life can often be converted into great, original and powerful content with a little creativity.

This is a tactic many of the best bloggers use: they create analogies and stories from every day things we can all relate to and understand to explain technical or complex ideas. People like to read and listen to stories so give them something to chew on mentally that will convey valuable ideas while keeping them interested, entertained and informed.

2. Pay attention to what’s going on in your industry and more importantly your customer’s industries.

Become an expert in your customer’s industries. Even if you can’t become a true expert, find out what sources they pay attention to in order to stay up to date on the goings on in their industries and then start to pay attention. Once you have a feel for the pulse of an industry, all sorts of content ideas, new product and service ideas and more will come to you as a result. You may even find some great places to promote your business that will put you smack dab in front of your target market i.e people just like your current clients who you could be doing business with.

3. Read often, from a variety of sources.

Just make sure they’re good sources. Just as what we put into our minds on a daily basis (the articles we read, the people we listen to etc) affects our moods and general level of energy and well being, so too, does what you pay attention to daily have an affect on your writing. If you follow crappy writers, you’ll end up being a crappy writer.

Make a list of the top blogs in your industry and follow them. Find well written, thoughtful bloggers and news sources to follow in any and every area that interests you. Take a look at best sellers on Amazon.com from time to time and read the 1st chapter so you get a feel for how the best of the best put ideas down on paper (or bytes..). Doing so will help your own writing.

4. Get into your customers and prospects heads (think like they do!)

This tip is a must not only for writing but for business and Internet marketing in general: you need to understand your prospective clients and current customers intimately. Their questions, their fears, their thinking processes, what they value, what turns them on or off – the list goes on but the idea is clear: know your customers and write with them in mind first and foremost and let this knowledge influence everything you do.

Tip: every question you get via email is a potential content piece waiting to happen. You’re already going to spend the time answering the email so why not copy the question and your answer and post it up on your blog? Then you can just send the link out next time you get a similar question. The added bonus here is that someone just might type that question into Google and find you as a result. Talk about 2 birds with one stone!

5. Read about Writing

Kind of ironic to include this as a tip as right now you’re doing exactly that: reading about becoming a better writer. I blog I follow that has great tips on how to create killer content is CopyBlogger. Brian Clark does a great job of teaching people how to write successful blog posts. He should know, in just over 2 years he’s built one of the most successful and well read blogs on the planet.

Bonus Tip: make your content interactive is possible and post it in a variety of formats. Videos, embeddable slideshare.com presentations or posting your content on Scribd.com are all good ways of spreading your content and making it more engaging to potential readers.

Bonus Bonus Tip: email your article out in the form of a newsletter to your list – use your content in as many ways as possible!

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