Facebook fans and ROI

From The BE Daily- a free news brief service from the Business Examiner

Jun. 14, 2010 at 12:48pm

How much is a Facebook friend worth to your business?

According to research conducted by Syncapse, the average annualized value of an individual fan is $136.38.

However, fan value can vary widely by company and product. Factors influencing this variability include product purchase price, purchase frequency, product purchase cycle, product category and brand equity. And keep in mind that the fan base of a brand is unique and comprised of different levels of influencers and customers.

see full story

NY Times article urges small business to engage in social media

Small Businesses Are Taking Tentative Steps Toward Online Networking

By MICKEY MEECE

Published: June 3, 2009

"BY choice or necessity, successful small-business owners are earnest networkers, gladly shaking hands, handing out cards and attending local meetings to find and keep customers, solve problems, seek feedback or support and bolster their bottom lines....."

NY Times article link

Thurston Forum a packed house

Clay and Blaine spoke to a packed Thurston Chamber Forum yesterday.

There were several hundred Olympia business people in attendance and from my informal poll, most were not using social media for their businesses.

I hope they came away with a greater understanding of the tools available, and certainly the new BE Online Community!

New Format! Social Media and Your Business- Social Media for Executives Workshop

The Social Media for Executives Workshop is part of the Business Examiner's series on leveraging social media tools to benefit business.

This seminar and workshop, presented by BE Online Community and Konnects, are perfect for those who are aware of social media tools, but are still determining how to best use them.

From blogging to Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace, Konnects and Twitter - business people are bombarded with invitations and pressures to "get in the game." If you are questioning how best to do that, join us for this informative and valuable conversation.

Spend the morning sorting out the best uses for each tool and how they apply to you and your business. We will also share strategies for saving time and energy while making the most of new opportunities to connect and grow your professional network online.

Bring your laptop and put your knowledge to work! Whether you are a novice or pro - this workshop is for you.

Light breakfast and refreshments will be served.

LACEY

Date: Friday, May 29th, 2009

Time: 8:30-9:30 a.m. Seminar

9:30-11:30 a.m. Hands on Workshop
Bring your laptop- or watch and take notes- as we help set up or
optimize various social media accounts!

Where: Washington State Farm Bureau Building- Harvest Room
975 Carpenter Rd NE, Suite 301, Lacey WA 98516

Cost: $45
Register on-line

Thurston County Chamber Forum on Customer Focused Social Media – Is it for You?

The Business Examiner is pleased to have helped coordinate Clay and Blaine, who have presented our last three Social Media for Executives seminars, to speak at next week's Thurston County Chamber forum.

Customer Focused Social Media – Is it for You?

Is embracing social media a choice or a necessity for your company? Are the barriers to getting involved real or imagined? And just what are the demographics of people currently using social media?

Answers to these questions and more can be found at the Thurston County Chamber Forum on Wednesday, May 13. It will be a great introduction to this emerging form of communications and it will help you become "conversationally competent" about the basics of social media, the terminology and its applications.

Our two presenters for this program – Clay Loges and Blaine Millet – are seasoned business executives interested in helping organizations gain a stronger, competitive advantage and increase their revenue.

The Forum begins at 11:30 a.m. and is $18 for members with reservations, $20 for members without reservations, and $30 for all others. Reservations are requested by Friday, May 8, at 360.357.3362 or online at www.ThurstonChamber.com.

Internet Privacy? Ethical Implications of Social Networking

I sat on a panel discussion today that the Center for Ethical Development at Tacoma Community College produced. On the panel were myself, Jim Crabbe, founder, Konnects and Valerie Zeeck, partner, Gordon Thomas Honeywell.

The intended audience was students attending Tacoma Community College. The Center for Ethical Development's intent was to encourage conversation regarding internet privacy and the ethical implications of social networking.

It was an interesting discussion with great input from the students in attendance. The discussion was also broadcast live over TCC's website. Here is the recording of the session:

Internet Privacy? Ethical Implications
of Social Networking, May 5, 2009

Another great seminar

We held another successful Social Media for Executives seminar this morning in Lacey. Clay Loges of Yodio lead a great session and discussion, followed by hands on experience in a workshop session with Karyn Whitacre of Konnects.
The BE community has been growing steadily since it's Monday launch. Some tips for creating a successful online profile-

1. Fill in the blanks- make your profile as complete as possible and add some personality to make it feel authentically you.
2. Upload a professional looking photo. If you do not want a photo online, at a minimum pick an image to replace the anonymous head outline.
3. Invite your friends. All social media platforms make it very easy to upload your address book or list of contacts from other sites.
4. Give recommendations and introduce business contacts- give and you will receive.
5. Stay current, update your profile with relevant information and keep it "fresh."

Social Media for Executives Seminar this Friday!

If you are an executive who values your time, yet senses that you need to understand the basics of Social Media you owe it to yourself to attend this 90-Minute Briefing for Executives.

This fast-paced, information-packed presentation introduces you to the "low cost, high impact" Social Media tools popularized on the internet. It identifies specific, practical ways to use Social Media strategies to drive revenues and lead your competition.

This seminar was first held in Tacoma on February 24th, a second event was held April 3rd and has received rave reviews. Click here to read the Social Media and Your Business blog conversation and see reviews and comments here from the first seminar's attendees.

LACEY
Date: Friday, April 24th, 2009
Time: 7:00 a.m. Breakfast
7:30-9:00 Social Media Briefing
9:00-10:00 Questions and Conversation
10:00-12:00 Hands on Workshop (New!)
Bring your laptop- or watch and take notes- as we walk through
setting up or optimizing various social media accounts!

Where: Washington State Farm Bureau Building- Harvest Room
975 Carpenter Rd NE, Suite 301, Lacey WA 98516
Cost: $90
Register on-line

The BE online community launched today!

The Business Examiner Newspaper Group launched an online community today to foster connections between small business owners, managers and supporters in the Sound Sound. Those who complete a brief registration process immediately access the BE network to find business leads, exchange ideas through interest groups, comment on stories, share their thoughts about the business news of the day, post events and share updates.

This social networking feature is a partnership between the BE and Tacoma-based Konnects.com. The BE is the second newspaper in the state to launch an integrated online community, joining the Wentachee World in the Konnect's pilot program. The online community functions similarly to LinkedIn or Facebook, but will be populated primarily with local business people who share connections to the BE.

The service is a free of charge and is the newest addition to the host of no-cost business resources and tools available through the Business Examiner.

http://community.businessexaminer.com

Domino's learns the power of social media the hard way

This makes my marketer's blood run cold, but further reinforces the need to monitor and prepare to respond quickly using social media platforms.

“We got blindsided by two idiots with a video camera and an awful idea,” said a Domino’s spokesman, Tim McIntyre, who added that the company was preparing a civil lawsuit. “Even people who’ve been with us as loyal customers for 10, 15, 20 years, people are second-guessing their relationship with Domino’s, and that’s not fair.”

Video Prank at Domino’s Taints Brand
By STEPHANIE CLIFFORD
Published: April 15, 2009
The New York Times
Link to Story