How to Not Suck on Instagram

Have you ever rolled your eyes at some of the posts you see on your Instagram feed? Ever want to whack one of your friends on the side of their head with your iPhone for the 400th pic of their dog or the 5000th eCard repost from Pinterest with some quasi-humorous saying on it?

Well, YouTube filmmaker Casey Neistat has created a video that should be required viewing for anyone registering for Instagram. This video is priceless.

Check him out at https://www.facebook.com/cneistat

Uncorking a Story

Today I'd like to shamelessly plug my friend Michael Carlon's podcast, Uncorking a Story. Mike is a market research moderator and head of Vertigo Partners. Mike is also a kindred spirit in that we both have an affinity for pop culture and far too much trivia and useless knowledge in our heads.

They say "In vino veritas." (A Latin phrase that translates, “in wine [there is the] truth".) That certainly rings true here. What's great about this podcast is that Mike and his guest will discuss the topic of the day over a glass or two of wine. When I think back to some of the great conversations I've had, I remember more than a few involving a bottle of wine. Even over your laptop speakers, you'll get a relaxed and honest vibe, as if you have pulled up a chair and poured yourself a glass.

Here is what Uncorking a Story is all about, in Mr. Carlon's own words.

Listen up as professional moderator Michael Carlon talks to guests from the worlds of business, the arts, and entertainment about their paths to success; usually over a bottle of something red or white. There is no script so you never know where each conversation will go. Laugh along with Mike and his guests.

You can check out the podcast here. (http://vertigopartners.com/Podcast.html)

I suggest uncorking your own bottle of wine while you listen. For the full effect.

Cheers.

Talk Like Pirate Day

Every year on this day we celebrate one of the first Internet bred holidays, Talk Like Pirate Day. To that I say, "We are Family."

Ahoy Mateys, let's give it up for the 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates.  Aaarrrgh!!!!!!

Rackspace’s Rob La Gesse on how to inspire word of mouth with customer service

Here's a great video that is right in line with the concepts we talk about in The Purple Goldfish Project. I found it over at WordofMouth.org, which is a treasure trove of information and tips for great customer service, marketing and social media.

The video was from their Word of Mouth Crash Course conference in May. In it Rob covers:

• How to create memorable experiences by personally getting to know customers.
• How to humanize customers and make them your friends.
• How to get employees and executives on board with great customer service.

Not Using Social Media Effectivey?

Great post from Ted Rubin today on Facebook that I wanted to share.

 

Five reasons corporations are not using Social Media effectively…

1 - They don’t talk about anything broader than their own products.

2 - They listen to customers but don’t take any action (which means they aren’t really hearing).

3 - Companies can’t expect to have a strong social media presence when social sites are blocked internally to employees.

4 - There is a fear that exists about jumping in, but while there have certainly been some hiccups and miscues along the way, social media has yet to be the undoing of any company.

5 - When employees are more concerned with what’s in or out of their job description than doing the right thing to help the customer, that’s not a culture that’s likely to build trust and advocacy for a brand and there is no way social media efforts can be effective.

Hunter Shea is a local horror author and good friend. I have been working with him on a number of very successful social media and marketing initiatives and our video podcast, Monster Men, is the most popular of them all.

The podcast is a great way for Hunter to create compelling and relevant content for his blog, enable his fans engage with him and the content marketing aspect helps potential new fans find him. For both Hunter and myself, it is not just a marketing tool, but a labor of love as we get to discuss topics that we really enjoy and we have a lot of fun. We have also met a lot of people and had a lot of amazing things happen over the first year of the show. For instance, we are very excited to be a part of this event this week in NYC.

NY Spotlight On Success and The Paranormal Event 

With a Professional Expert Panel

When: Thursday. August 23rd, 7pm

Where: Chelsea Manor 138 West 25th Street New York, NY 10001

  

Join us NY Spotlight on Success at Chelsea Manor Thursday 08/23/12 beginning at 7pm for our NY Spotlight on Success and the Paranormal Event. We have assembled a diverse panel of professionals from the Paranormal Community. The panel plans to inform, educate and entertain regarding paranormal and metaphysical experiences and to help each others to understand. We are open-minded and do not judge or ridicule experiences. Our goal is to share stories, information and to receive compassionate, empathetic and friendly guidance for others who have had similar experiences.

There will be an opportunity to meet and have conversation with the panel members. 

As always we want you to network, build strong personal and professional relationships. Our aim to connect you with whom you need to meet and we will facilitate that in anyway we can.

Chelsea Manor was the only choice for this event. NY Spotlight On Success' and Chelsea Manor's personal experiences will be revealed on Thursday August 23rd. 

Click here for more info, bios of the panelists and to register.

Purple Goldfish Podcast Episode 4 - Why a Goldfish?

Let continue to revisit the Purple Goldfish Project with episode four of the video podcast. A Purple Goldfish is a company that stands out in the sea of sameness. In this show, we address two of the most frequently asked questions; Why a goldfish and why purple? Plus we take a look at Lexus and how they go above and beyond when it comes to service.

If you want to think outside the bowl and learn how to add a little something extra to your business, check out the book that was born out of the 1001 real life examples submitted by fans of the project. What's Your Purple Goldfish? How to Win Customers and Influence Word of Mouth by Stan Phelps.


 
Click here read more about the five factors that influence your growth.