Spotlight

Dear America Online…I mean AOL,

This is one of those letters that I never thought I would write. I don’t mean this in a bad way. I actually shock myself when I say, “It is a good thing that I am writing this letter.” Let me back up and explain what this letter is all about.

As a young man growing up in the 1980s and becoming a young adult in the 1990s you, AOL, have touched and effected my life on many levels. If it was not for the hundreds of discs you mailed me, my college apartment in Chico would not have had any coasters for beers. If it was not for you, AOL, I would never had played the beer drinking game “AOL Card House.” When we couldn’t find playing cards, we built a house of AOL discs. If it was not for you, AOL, I never would have entered that chat room and met that 22-year-old Swedish fashion model, with whom I had adult conversations (I wonder if she ever received that cashier’s check I sent her for that investment?) And, I should go on record that if it were not for you, I would not be where I am today.

Truly, I mean it. It was with you that I first got online, found content, and became networked.

Then you and I, AOL, went our separate ways. You wanting me to just spend time with you and your own content, making me dial in. You tried to keep me trapped. I was not ready for a serious, committed relationship. I had to learn that another whole online world was out there… DSL, websites, content from other places. I had to end our relationship and go on without you. I had to find myself.

At this juncture of my life, though, something has happened. I didn’t really realize it until this past month. It seems we have started to reconnect. But I didn’t know it was you, AOL! Maybe it was the work you had done, the new style, the midlife changes you’ve made. The bottom line is this: you have changed. Maybe you’ve even grown up. Today, we have a new relationship!. Because people like lists, here’s my take on our new life together:

• You are going places and putting yourself out there. It seems you have an iPad application called Editions. I really like it, and I’m using it daily.
• You listen to me now. I emailed your Editions peeps and Sol L. responded to me directly. On a Saturday!
• You seem to communicate better. Sol L. actually emailed me to let me know Editions was back up.
• You care about my family and friends. It’s just not all about you anymore. I find myself reading my local San Carlos and Redwood City Patch. It seems Patch is owned by AOL.
• You take interest in what I like. You even own the Huffington Post now.

So, let me continue to be honest. I still make jokes at your expense when you’re not around. This said, I have a new respect for you. I just hope your attempt at trying to save our relationship is not just a little too late.

I want you to know that I’m willing to work on it…if you are.

Hugs,
Dave

It has been a while since I have done one of these, so with so much going on, it seems like a good time to do one.

Let me start with a few “house cleaning” items, in no particular order. I will do them in list form, as… well.. people like lists.

-I want to thank everyone who voted for me, tweeted and shared my video  To Be Ashton’s VP of Pop Culture“. I do mean that. As  so many of people took part like, my family, friends, kids school, the Twitter community, my Facebook Community, my Blog community, folks at SXSW and so on.

- Being one of the top 3 allowed me to meet some amazing people like Jessie Csincsak from the Bachelor.  Jessie and I ave actually become “buddies for life” as he put it. I have also gotten to talk to  Diane Mizota an actress from such things as well.. here  you’ll recognize her:

-Then there is of course the  Twitter king himself Ashton Kutcher. I got to spend sometime with him on the phone. He was a pleasure to talk to and seemed really easy going.  This is the week that popchips team and Ashton will decide the winner of the contest, so send me good luck. I would be thrilled if you left a comment telling them to pick me here.

-While at SXSW Meshin demoed our soon to be in closed beta: MeshinMobile.  It got nothing but positive feedback. Wanna be part of the beta? Sign up here.

-One of the panels I took part in was  My Kindergartner Markets better than You, you can read a review here.

- I thought I would share the Crowdtap SXSW Launch Party video I go to be part of, it was really well done:

Last week myself and 3 others got to meet with producer Mark Burnett. Mark is behind such shows as Survivor, The Apprentice, and one of my all time favorites Eco-Challenge.

We meet with Mark to discuss his upcoming show Sarah Palin’s Alaska on TLC. Yes, I know, your thinking Sarah Palin. I was thinking the same thing. That was until I got to watch the first 15 minutes. I was pleasantly surprised to find out the show was more focused on Alaska then Sarah. Then I thought, well why Sarah Palin? Well, Mark answered that as well.. she is Alaska’s best known resident. Can you name another famous person from that state?

Below is video and audio from my interview with Mark Burnett in which we discuss Sarah Palin, Alaska, Eco-Challenge and many other things.

Part 1

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Part 2

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Recently, the folks at Research In Motion (RIM) were kind enough to supply me with a Blackberry Torch.  Now as an iPhone user, I was a bit skeptical about the phone. I really, really like my iPhone.

Being the risk taker I am, went to my local AT&T store to get the phone activated. While waiting in line (has anyone been to an AT&T store without a line?), the person behind me started commenting on the Torch.  “I have heard wonderful things about it, I wish I was able to get one.” Now, keep in mind, prior to getting this, I knew nothing about the Torch, so I was surprised he knew about it. Once getting home, my 12 year old son, could smell the phone enter the house.

“Sniff, sniff…. Dad, did you get something new? What is that in the box? Did you get a Torch?”

“Time out, how do you know this is a Torch?’ I asked

“I have seen ads, for them. Let me try it.”

He quickly rips it out of my hand and starts showing me the features. Are you kidding me? The kids was all over this thing.  Slides it up to display the keyboard, starting taking these amazing crisp photos and making videos!.

“Son, do you think I might be able to use it?” I humbly ask.

“Sure, but if you need any help just let me know.” he says.

I think to myself, no doubt I will be asking him for a lot of help. I quickly sit down and attempt to load some apps, take a photo, create a video & zoom in. Yep, that is correct. I needed no help for son #1!!  This thing has such simple  navigation it is crazy. Oh did I mention the flash? Love it. (hey I only had an iPhone 3).

I took the phone with me around town and tested the GPS. Now, this might sound strange, but I found it to be a lot more accurate then my iPhone. Am I the only one with issues with GPS on the iPhone? Same goes with the mp3 player..much better on the Torch.

So, overall this phone rocks.I am not saying that for the benefit of the RIM folks, it really does.  If I did not like it, I would say so.  Heck, I could go on about the cool features and scare you off, but you can just read about them here.

Also, I reached out to them via Twitter at there BlackBerry account and the response time was really good. That is something that really impressed me, as other companies seem to not be on top of it.

Let’s think about why people are so into social networking sites, or to ask a better question why are people into social activities at all? They’re doing two things. They are expanding the group of people they know, and they are…drumroll please… having fun! No one wants to go to an event to be bored. They can do that at home. They go somewhere to have fun. Social networking sites are no different.

Even Linkedin, the so-called Professional networking site, is recognizing the need for more entertainment value with its features. They’re now allowing blog and Twitter feeds to connect your other social media profiles and they’re expanding their group discussion platforms for more interaction. Will Linkedin ever have games like Farmville? Doubtful. Maybe we’ll see a cubicle puzzle or a flash paper toss game (doubtful), but for the most part they keep it pretty professional, and rightfully so.

My point is most people, the target audience of marketers, aren’t on these websites to be marketed to. Most people use social networking as a means of escape. They frequent these sites to sit back and let their brain rest for a few minutes. But in the process they are still that same person they are at work and they still have the same interests.  Maybe they’ll stumble across some cleverly designed marketing and might take a produce or service for a ride.

So here’s how to get past that “I don’t want to buy your stuff” wall that most people on social media sites put up.

Think of your social media activity like a party, and then compare that to how you handle your social media marketing right now. Most marketers just throw out their links every time they post a tweet, status update, group discussion topic, video, etc. How would this come across at a party?

Imagine someone just running around screaming at people about themselves and the products they sell. How would that come across? Would anyone want to talk to that person? Probably not. They’d get snubbed.

Now think of how an event networking veteran does their thing at parties and networking events. What does this person do to “work the room?” They strike up conversations. They talk to several different people. They share their stories. They offer assistance. They hand out freebies. THEN, after a relationship has been established, they do their elevator speech about what it is they do and how they can help. Or they ask their prospect to take the next step in their sales funnel. Sign up for my blog, newsletter, free trial, whatever.

Make sense? Are you starting to get the picture?

The same thing goes for social media marketing. The psychology of people is no different online than it is offline. On social media platforms make connections through DMs, wall posts, @mentions, group discussions, fan page messaging, etc. Hand out gifts that you know people want through these same distribution channels. Grow relationships this way before you start selling and you’ll be much more effective.

On top of getting more leads, you’ll also probably make some friends along the way who you can then leverage to help you get the word out about future deals, and vice versa. You’ll grow a partner network online, which can be a very powerful thing.

So take a step back and start viewing your social media marketing like a party. Even though some people use social media for marketing and marketing only, be smart about it. No one wants to talk to the person who is obviously just there to peddle their wares.

by Cody B Wheeler of cbwheeler.com
@CodyBWheeler

It is time for this weeks Cheers & Jeers in Social Media. I know you all are always looking forward to this each week…..okay fine, its my first Cheer & Jeer post. You got me. Though I am thinking instead of Cheers & Jeers, I do Like and Fail Whale! Get it? Like button from Facebook is Cheer and Fail Whale from Twitter is Jeer! I am creative that way. (insert crickets here)

Okay, okay.. moving on.. I present my Like and & FW!

-This week Google announced you can now use a rich text signature within Gmail. Very nice feature and very cool. Though I have to say I am not looking forward to getting more emails with pictures of peoples dogs and kids at the bottom.. yes Mom I am talking to  you.  Hit The LIKE button on this.

-Twitter rolled out @earlybird. In short it is a Twitter account that offers discounts  and deals to people who follow the account.   I am thinking they are a lot late to that game. It is called Groupon, they might want to check it out. Huge FAIL WHALE to the Earlybird.

-With nothing better to over 2.3 million people watched TMZ’s live broadcast of  Lilo getting sentenced to 90 days.  Yes, over 2.3 million had nothing better to do at work.  Glad we have streaming video for that! How about a FAIL WHALE to me, cause well.. I watched the whole thing…., no I really did… boy I need a hobby.

-Facebook continues its steps to take becoming a part of everything in our life and is rolling out Like buttons for email. Does it scare me? Yep. Do I kind of like the idea? Yep.  Do I like the like button? Yep I LIKE it

- A study found that the first thing women do in the morning, is check in on Facebook, before using the bathroom.  Yep, 39% say they are addicts. You can see more of the stats here, its amazing and scary. So for women with strong bladders, I give it a LIKE

Oh and do you give this sort of format a LIKE or FAIL WHALE? Do I do it again?

Thought I would quickly post this great video from the TiPb Blog. It answered all my questions

I am back from SXSW. I had a blast. It was one of the best events I have ever been to. So many familiar faces, so many new faces. Im already looking forward to next year. So, let me tell you about my flight back  from Austin last night.

I arrived at the airport 90 minutes early to bard my Jet Blue flight to San Francisco.  I checked my bag, made it through security without setting off the buzzer. Which is always a good thing.  I waited patiently  for my flight to board, had some food from Salt Lick..waited…got a coke.. waited… waited… The flight was suppose to board at 6:30, leave at 6:56 and nothing.  At around 7:00ish I posted this to twitter:

I quickly got this tweet back from @JetBlue:

Oh and then @JetBlue got this:

Oh and this too:

Okay so you get the idea. I posted a frustrated tweet and got a quick response from Jet Blue via twitter.  Pretty cool, huh?

Well here is where the problem begins and I want to make something clear. My post  is not with the flight being late. Nor the “fix engine light” they were getting. I want them to take alllllllllll the time they need to make sure the plane is working. Check it five times for all I care. I just want to get home in one piece. My post is the lack of communication, service  and the fact that I am disappointed by @JetBlue.  If your going to place your brand on a site like Twitter, you need to be ready to react in a timely manner.  So back to the story with pretty twitter pictures.

So then I went to add @JetBlue. I couldn’t… I was blocked by them for some reason. I was a blocked user. So I posted these tweets:

Seems for some reason I couldn’t follow them to send a DM as they asked. Now this might be where the story ends, then I posted this:

Anyone want to bet what happened next? Right! I got this:

That is right! @southwestair who was at SXSW, at around 9:00ish at night, with very little mobile internet service,  was trying to help me! So after some Direct Messaging chatting and such it came to this:

So how awesome was Southwest Airlines? Offering to help, giving me flight options, even offering help the next day if I was stuck!  I was not even flying their airline! Oh and what about @JetBlue?

They did get back to me 5 minutes before we boarded with this Direct Message:

So my point here? Twitter is about real time customer service if your a brand. It is not about posting links all the time, cool videos or such. It is about dealing with your customer and creating positive brand awareness at that moment.   If you are a company, you see an unhappy customer out there,  you need to move quick  and communicate! @JetBlue could of said “got your tweet, will follow up soon” something to let me know they were working on it. Something..just let me know you have not forgot about me. Cause if you do not  your competition will do this:

Or worst..  people will talk about your brand on Twitter like this:

You Get the idea. Oh, here is a video I made while this was all going on..I did not even get into the TV issue, how the Jet Blue folks do not know about their Customer Service on Twitter,(it would of been cool  if they knew a little something about it) oh and check out the end where a passenger mentions  the headset issue. Oh and yes.. this was my first trip on Jet Blue.

So I did make it home about 3 hours later then planned..in one piece.  Oh and get this, two ladies say to me in the airport “Are you Dave Peck? We have been following you on Twitter.” Pretty cool huh? Things like that still blow my mind!