SEO tools and resources

Hi, thanks to my friends at Aston Services, just moved out of Northampton, MA to Westfield, MA for this info. Very helpful in marketing/PR SEO tools.

http://www.webconfs.com/search-engine-spider-simulator.php

Communicate social media value to your boss!

After going through this information this morning, I actually now have a folder on my computer called ‘Social Media’. Guess it is about time. I guess this info was worthy of being saved. I often hear the question, how do I convince others about the value.

Check out the free #hubspot webinar ‘How to Demonstrate the Value of Social Media’ w @chrisbrogan – http://bit.ly/smvalue

Bucking and hiring!

Facebook bucks:  http://tiny.cc/L29WD

Portland hires:  http://tiny.cc/Cxh4b

WSJ Credit Union Marketing Tool

The Wall Street Journal handed a long awaited no cost marketing/pr tool to credit unions this weekend.

How lucky are they? …http://tiny.cc/LVV24

The Bacon Explosion

Today we can find many fantastic ways of keeping up with our changing marketing landscape. Here is a very intriguing one I was recently invited to:

A free webinar: Bacon Explosion 101: How to Create a Social Marketing Phenomenon.  According to MarketBright, “The term “Bacon Explosion” is quickly becoming short hand for “Viral Marketing Campaign”, and let’s all hope it replaces that term permanently. The Bacon Explosion was the brainchild of two of the top internet marketing minds around; Aaron Chronister and Jason Day. It was a simple idea: put a recipe for an explosively delicious BBQ dish on their site and then promote it through social media. What was not typical was the clever strategies Aaron and team deployed and which resulted in coverage in the New York Times, Good Morning America, Fox News and Air America Radio. Since launching the recipe, the BBQ Addicts website has received close to 1.5 million visitors and continues to spread all over the internet. “ 

Maybe you want to attend too!  http://www.marketbright.com/

A Call to Action

The New York Times Book Review stated that Ralph Nader’s book, The Good Fight, is fundamentally a call to action.  Last week when I attended Ralph Nader’s talk  at Westfield State College I understood why.  His first point is that we do not expect/demand enough of our government; we should ask for more.  Why sit back and not ask?  One concept was to teach civic citizen  classes as he sees a decline in understanding or caring.  He went on to discuss ‘community economic self-reliance’ – “let’s put some meaning into community,” he stated. 

His community economic self-reliance words produced a large shoutout to credit unions and discussed their importance as cooperatives of the people.  And, then he gave the example of the Schumacher Society and BerkShares, another very interesting concept. 

I can’t write here the passion in his talk but from the few sentences above, I think you get his message.  He believes we have been brought to “ouch”, yes, I think we are all feeling that pain; and believes that more of us need “fire in our bellies” so we can deter “ouch” in the future!

Prediction on the Press Release

In the free webinar by Vocus on Tuesday, Peter Shankman predicted that the press release will be gone in three years; public relations professionals will provide content to writers that they are looking for; writers will know who to contact for content; and social media will provide the rest and help this prediction along!

The comback started last night

As the nation was celebrating a glorious day in history, we in Western MA started a comeback thanks to a rally started by Darby O’Brien.  As many US citizens scanned the television channels for the nation’s popular balls and parties, over 200 Western MA citizens joined in the rally which is the start of something incredible.   Talk about enthused people, the  energy that permeated the rally says we are ready.   Of course it was helped along with the Holyoke High School marching band, many were jumping out of their seats; the Holyoke High School Cheering Squad getting everyone pumped; Marx entertainment; and the  champagne toast to a new way of thinking. 

What was amazing obviously, is that people are ready to start thinking this way.  And it wasn’t defined by type of business, age of attendee or what you thought of the election this past fall.  It was a great group, ready.

Today I have hung up my “The Comback Starts Tonight” poster, and my green drinks sticker, and I am wearing  my “I Refuse to Participate in the Recession” button proudly.

Keep it going Darby!

They say it is bad!

On Friday I sat with most of legislators from the western part of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  Their message was all ‘doom and gloom’.  It is bad and going to get worse, no doubts in their minds at all.  Get ready, we haven’t seen anything like it.  Ouch!  That hurts!  Yes, there are some worries, I am worried, but what is worrying going to do for me right now.  Maybe I should just sit back and worry!  Or…

I could think positive, think of things that are going good.  We actually just had a brand new bank, yes, a new bank, open in Springfield.  Houses are still selling in my neighborhood and they are not being given away.  Waiting times are still happening in restaurants.  There are at least  two local credit unions hiring; two local ad executives told me how busy they are at the WNEC Conference two weeks ago…I guess I could keep going.   And I think we could all tell positive tales right now.   But needless to say, Darby O’Brien’s Comback Rally party Tuesday is well needed, thanks Darby, can’t wait! 

Think positive!

The unannounced theme of last week’s Western New England College’s Communications Confernce was very bluntly put – think positive.  This theme wasn’t expected but it is what a number of experts discussed.  If we all sit around thinking things are economically terrible in the communities we live in, we will just make matters worse.  There is an old saying ‘misery loves company’ and that is what we should be avoiding.  Where I live yes, things could be better, but as it was pointed out last week by a number of communications professionals, we could be living in a section of this country that is in worse shape than here.

So the theme turned to let’s support each other in positive thinking.  And wouldn’t you know it, the very next day I had an email from Darby O’Brien of Darby O’Brien Advertising (he promotes rebel thinking), www.darbyobrien.com inviting me to a rally next week to put some movement in this positive thinking in Western MA effort!!!  Wow, a rally.  It has been awhile since I have been to a rally.  But leave it to Darby to be right on key with this.  What timing.  The rally includes a lot of encouragement for our local economy, a alot of food, drink, music, a bonfire (?), and he said a few surprises.

I have worked with Darby many times over the years, and he is always right on with what he does, so now, you know, this unannounced theme, and Darby’s rally might be on to something!