Business Smart Tools » Social Media Updates

Cone Finds That Americans Expect Companies to Have a Presence in Social Media

Valorie — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 19:36:51 +0000

A recent study by Cone finds that 93% of Americans believe companies should have a presence in social media. 85% believe that companies should not only have a presence but they should interact as well, and 56% of American consumers feel stronger about a company — and better served — when they can interact with that company in a social media environment. See all of the results here, and thanks to C.C. Chapman for the heads up here.

Join us to ask the who, what, where, and when of social media for business!

Alternatives to YouTube

Justin — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 02:18:08 +0000

If you’ve visited our blog before, you may notice a slight change in our video style: we’re now posting our videos using Viddler instead of YouTube.

Why? To help showcase your options in the world of web video.

Too often, social media novices (and even some businesses) believe the entire online video experience begins and ends with YouTube. Although it’s currently the web’s largest (and most highly-trafficked) web video site, YouTube isn’t the only option available — and, depending on what you’re using web video for, it may not be your best option, either.

There are dozens of similar video sites available online, offering everything from serialized web shows to interactive videoblogs (or vlogs). While none of them can boast a user base comparable to the size of YouTube’s (at least, not yet), each of them has a few notable perks that might be perfect for your business, promotional or communication needs.

Some of these web video distribution sites include:

Blip TV — Home to some of the best serialized content on the web, Blip TV may be the closest thing the internet has to an emerging TV network.

Brightcove — Their self-contained video player is designed for companies who’d like to create their own topic-centered (or brand-centered) channel.

Viddler — Catering to a socially inclined audience, Viddler allows its users to leave notes, links and responses right inside their fellow users’ videos.

Vimeo — One of the easiest and most family-friendly sites, Vimeo also offers viewers the option to download each poster’s original video files, instead of limiting them to Vimeo’s compressed version.

And, for the best in “how to” videos, check out 5min and Sclipo, which are havens for the do-it-yourself (or DIY) set.

(Bonus tip: If you’d like to save time, TubeMogul is a service that allows you to cross-post one video to multiple distribution sites at the click of a mouse — for free!)

NOTE: This doesn’t mean we think you should stop using YouTube. By all means, keep YouTube in your toolbox — their audience size alone is reason enough to include them in any promotional campaign — but take the time to explore some of these other tools as well. That way, you’ll be even better-prepared to share, communicate and promote yourself and your clients!

Social Networks for the Career Move

Valorie — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:00:22 +0000

Social networks are fast becoming the new cocktail party, where everyone’s rubbing elbows and handing out business cards. In these days of layoffs and uncertain futures, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by getting personal. Read more on your new career safety net at The New York Times.

Is Corporate Getting Social Media?

Valorie — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 10:39:36 +0000

Here is a very interesting study on corporate….are they getting social media? Are they understanding it? See more here.

We think at this point, everyone knows they need to at least test the waters. Learn more about social media for business at the Business Smart Tools conference next May!

Mike Dunn, VP Interactive, Hearst

Valorie — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 10:49:55 +0000

Mike Dunn, VP Interactive, Hearst, shares information on how anyone in business can get started with social media. To contact Mike, go to his web portal, http://glemak.com

To learn more about social media and to understand the terms, please download the Creative Concepts white paper, Social Media 101: A Beginner’s Guide or contact Creative Concepts directly so we can personally walk you through your social media options, info@creative-conceptsllc.com.

Social Media Advantages for Business

Valorie — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 11:25:16 +0000

Social media advantages for business are simple:

Social Media is stickier than traditional media
Social Media is Viral (people like to pass the content to their friends)
Social Media is Interactive
Social Media has high visibility on the internet

Why wouldn’t you create a blog, a video or a new community on any of the social networks for your business?

Learn more at the Business Smart Tools Conference in May 2009!

BusinessWeek Does It Again

Valorie — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 01:02:45 +0000

In 2005 I sat on a train and read an incredibly interesting article in BusinessWeek called, “Blogs Will Change Your Business.” It changed Creative Concepts, that’s for sure…we grew from a traditional PR and Marketing firm to a PR, Marketing and Social Media consultancy and it all began with blogs. Our list of services now includes video production and distribution in addition to working with the social networks like MySpace and Facebook.

The writers, Stephen Baker and Heather Green, have concluded that the social media opportunities for business are only widening. We agree!

Read the whole article here.