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| | Post New Topic | | How Ford Uses Social Media to Improve Its Brand (Video) | Views: 131 | | Nov 08, 2009 8:28 pm | | How Ford Uses Social Media to Improve Its Brand (Video) | # | 
Kurt Schweitzer | | I came across an interesting video - an interview with the guy who is heading Ford's social media efforts:
http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/how-ford-uses-social-media-to-improve-its-brand-video/
I was especially interested in his comment about 2/3 of the way through, when he was asked about big mistakes he's seen and how to avoid them. He said to have a strategy FIRST, then select the tools to implement it. After all, most of the tools are free and could disappear tomorrow.
Any comments? What's your social media strategy? Which tools fit into it?
Kurt Schweitzer
Urban Village Scooters| [Topic Closed to Replies] |
Private Reply to Kurt Schweitzer | | Nov 09, 2009 1:34 am | | re: How Ford Uses Social Media to Improve Its Brand (Video) | # | 
Lamar Morgan 707-709-8605 | | Kurt,
Very interesting video. It should be noted that Scott Monty pointed out that a Social Media Strategy is most important. It's the strategy first, not the tools. And, why is that? Because most of the Social Media tools are free. Scott actually said that in the video. Now, I know some folks on Ryze see using free tools to promote their business as sending potential customers the "wrong message." But, according to Scott Monty of Ford Motor Company, if you have the right strategy in place, the fact that the tools you are using are free is really irrelevant.
So, if you have a good strategy in place, don't lose sleep over the fact your Social Media Tools are free. Ford doesn't.
Lamar Morgan
CDMM - Synergistic Business Marketing
(707)709-8605
Need PR?...Call Lamar! | [Topic Closed to Replies] |
Private Reply to Lamar Morgan 707-709-8605 | | Nov 09, 2009 9:42 am | | re: re: How Ford Uses Social Media to Improve Its Brand (Video) | # | 
John Snyder | | Lamar,
Scott Monty is absolutly correct. You have to Plot out your Advertising Program according to your Advertising Budget. Are there better and stronger programs, of course, there are. That doesn;t mean that if you have a ton of money, you should go overboard with your Advertising, you can afford to be More Picky. But what if you don't have a lot of money to put into Advertising? You now have to be extra careful and make sound dwecisions where you spend your Advertising Dollars. What works best for you? If you want to have the best Advertising, you have to think outside the box and make your Ad stand out from the rest of the pack. I happen to think I have one of the most Effective Programs on the Planet and it is extremely Reasonable in Price. But that is another story, what I am actually trying to say is, there are good Ad Programs out there at a Price you can afford, if you look for them. Then there are the so called FREE Programs, Beware! Check out any Program's distribution methods before you Use it. Many of these FREE Programs simply list You and that's all they do.
"That Is Not Advertising"!
Aposting to a Web Site will do absolutely Nothing For You.
You have to get your Ad before Peoples eyes, to make it effective.
Advertising can be very confusing for most people, but I recommend that everyone Check out each Program Carefully, Ask Questions and find out what they plan to do to get your Ad into the hands of the largest number of people for your money, and ask them to prove what they say.
John
Prof Wordsearch
http://www.wordsearchadz.com | [Topic Closed to Replies] |
Private Reply to John Snyder | | Nov 09, 2009 10:09 am | | re: re: How Ford Uses Social Media to Improve Its Brand (Video) | # | 
Scott Wolpow | | Lamar,
You mis our point about free sevices. Scott Monty points out that your plan has to include the fact the free service may stop at anytime.
And Ford does not plan 100% of their strategy around it. Plus Ford is well known and tehy can use free without looking bad.
An example.
If Steve Jobs was an unknown person and went to a business meeting with Fortune 500 execs or had a press conferance, and he wore jeans, black t-shirt and sneakers, he woudl not be taken seriously. But because he is well known and proven himeself he is viewed as down to earth.
Remember the rich person always sings better.| [Topic Closed to Replies] |
Private Reply to Scott Wolpow | | Nov 09, 2009 5:11 pm | | re: re: re: How Ford Uses Social Media to Improve Its Brand (Video) | # |
Lamar Morgan 707-709-8605 | | Scott,
Steve Jobs was not always well-known. But, before he was well-known, is there evidence he "wore the best suits" and used the most expensive equipment to get well-known? I can remember that Apple computers did not always look as impressive as they do today. Just look at the Apple computer Steve Jobs introduced the world to in 1984. That keynote video is still available online.
If the message of Apple Computer means anything, it is that people want to GTD (Get Things Done) with simplicity. And, one's corporate image does not have to be coat-and-tie to make that happen.
There are companies who build their image around being expensive. Neiman-Marcus, Saks Fith Avenue, Louie Vuitton, and the former investment banking firm, Bear Stearns (where I worked for nearly 16 years and, yes I did have to wear a shirt and tie to work most days), to name just a few. What matters most is knowledge. What should matter is not whether you use Open Offfice (which is free) to GTD or Windows Office (which is fee-based) to GTD. What matters is that you Get Things Done. It's not the suit that is worn, but who's in the suit that matters most.
Lamar Morgan
CDMM - Synergistic Business Marketing
(707)709-8605
Need PR?...Call Lamar! | [Topic Closed to Replies] |
Private Reply to Lamar Morgan 707-709-8605 | | Nov 09, 2009 5:27 pm | | re: re: re: re: How Ford Uses Social Media to Improve Its Brand (Video) | # |
Scott Wolpow | | Once again you are using arguements that have nothing to do with what we are talking about.
Ford can use free tools because tehy do nto have to prove themselves.
When you [or most people on Ryze] use free tools it says you can not afford anything else. I am talking about not having your own website or email address. I am not talking about using
| [Topic Closed to Replies] |
Private Reply to Scott Wolpow | | Nov 09, 2009 5:55 pm | | re: re: re: re: re: How Ford Uses Social Media to Improve Its Brand (Video) | # |
John Snyder | | In other Words Scott, If it doesn't cost a ton of money, the Advertising must be worthless. Is that what you truly believe? I can Prove you wrong. While it is true that Most FREE Programs are worthless, there are a few Programs that have proven themselves and even the Major Corporations take full Ad-Vantage of them. You just have to look for them. Now, what about my program, I charge a fraction of what Madison Ave. Charges and yet I Match my results stride for stride with them. The distribution is where the Pulling power of the Ad is, after the Ad is created, and this is where most Agencies drop the Ball. I focus on this aspect, and work with the client. I then bring in the total budget well below what anyone else charges.
So you see, it is not a matter of throwing Money at an Advertising Budget, it can simply be that a Business is trying several Advertising Avenues. If ANY service mearly lists a Business on a Web Site, this is NOT Advertising and anyone that says differently is Crazy. A listing is just that, a listing. If there are Many such "Listings", your Ad Listing very possibly could get lost. Now, who will see this listing? Are you Sure? NO!
John
Prof Wordsearch| [Topic Closed to Replies] |
Private Reply to John Snyder | | Nov 09, 2009 6:28 pm | | re: re: re: re: re: re: How Ford Uses Social Media to Improve Its Brand (Video) | # |
Scott Wolpow | | John,
Where did I ever say "If it doesn't cost a ton of money, the Advertising must be worthless" or even refer to it?
As to your ads, I would have to take your word for it, but I doubt you could reach males 18 to 25. If you can please provide audited proof as an agency can do.
What I was talking about is PERCEPTION.
Not having your own website and email address tells the world that your business can not afford it or you are not astute enough to have one. This is especially true if you are claiming to be an expert in Internet related business.
If you rely on free tools you will get what you paid for, and when it fails they will refund your money.
I like to control my own tools, I would never use Yahoo or Gmail for business communications, except as pure back-up.| [Topic Closed to Replies] |
Private Reply to Scott Wolpow | | Nov 09, 2009 6:53 pm | | re: re: re: re: re: re: re: How Ford Uses Social Media to Improve Its Brand (Video) | # |
John Snyder | | Scott,
You are making an undoccumented assumption here in this statement:
"When you [or most people on Ryze] use free tools it says you can not afford anything else"
and this is the statement to which I was making refernce.
As for Stats about my Wordsearch Adz Dell Publications ran a Survey in Year 2000 that stated that "8 out of 10 People will do Word Puzzles and Games." Now put that 18 to 25 year old in a controlled envirnment such as a Doctor's Waiting Room, the Usual Women's Magazines, and a stack of my Wordsearch Puzzles complete with Pencils. Which do you think will pique the 18-25's Curiosity?
John
Prof Wordsearch | [Topic Closed to Replies] |
Private Reply to John Snyder | | Nov 09, 2009 8:32 pm | | re: How Ford Uses Social Media to Improve Its Brand (Video) | # |
Kurt Schweitzer | | You know, guys, I think you've gotten off on a tangent. I believe the point in the video was to have a strategy first, and then select the tools that will best implement it.
Because of this approach Ford doesn't have a "Twitter Strategy" or a "Facebook Strategy". They have a "Social Media Strategy" and they happen to implement it using Facebook and Twitter.
The comment about free services has to do with the fact that their financial basis is tenuous, so the service could disappear without warning. (Ryze seems to be in a somewhat similar situation.)
Now I happen to agree with Scott's comment about perceptions. It is SO CHEAP to get your own domain that I'm always amazed whenever I encounter a "business professional" who doesn't have one. I mean, geez! If you can't afford $100 for a domain (with all the trimmings!) for a year can you afford to even be in business?
Perceptions are important in business. Appropriate dress (not necessarily suit and tie!), courtesy, good spelling, phone skills, email domain and a good website all contribute to the impression that you are a true professional.
Kurt Schweitzer
Urban Village Scooters| [Topic Closed to Replies] |
Private Reply to Kurt Schweitzer | | Nov 09, 2009 8:49 pm | | re: re: re: re: re: re: re: How Ford Uses Social Media to Improve Its Brand (Video) | # |
Lamar Morgan 707-709-8605 | | Scott,
Do you think Ebay's PayPal is bad deal? It does not cost you anything to set up an account.
I know you detest Squidoo. Like it or not, here's a Web 2.0 innovator that has garnered more than one million one-page websites in just a few short years. Every page is constructed by a volunteer. And, you know what happens on most of those one-page websites? Merchandise is promoted. These sites are designed to sell merchandise via modules created by some of the most famous Internet companies in the world - like Ebay, Amazon.com and Cafe Express. How much does it cost to use those modules? Nothing.
Why do you think the general public would volunteer to do that? Is the general public stupid? Why do you think famous companies would willingly design modules to help the general public? Are these famous companies stupid, too? I seriously doubt it. I believe what is happening here is that both parties see how a mutual collaborative effort can work to their benefit. Question - Why can't you see what so many other see?
For the record, I never said having your own domain name and website was not a good idea. However, the fact remains a great many people rely on a free MerchantCircle account, because they do not want the responsibility of maintaining a website. Also, they prefer not to pay someone else to do the website work for them.
Now, MerchantCirlce wants an audience of content providers. So, they provide an incentive - a free place to upload your content and many ways to display it. This is a common trait of most Web 2.0 innovators. And yes, the Google ads are there to help MerchantCircle profit from that occupied space. But, MerchantCircle also has many fee-based services and I am sure they are thrilled when people subscribe to them.
But, why continue to harp on this idea that taking advantage of free services is somehow the mark of an unprofessional when you yourself are doing it right here on Ryze by maintaining a FREE account?
Lamar Morgan
CDMM - Synergistic Business Marketing
(707)709-8605
Need PR?...Call Lamar! | [Topic Closed to Replies] |
Private Reply to Lamar Morgan 707-709-8605 | | Nov 09, 2009 9:06 pm | | re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: How Ford Uses Social Media to Improve Its Brand (Video) | # |
Scott Wolpow | | John, Those are not your stats, but Dells. It is also almost 10 years old.The amount of 18 to 25 year old males in Doctors offices where they have only Womens magazines is almost zero.
Not a good sample set to determine validity.
If I was to recommend a product to one of my larger clients I would want provible demographics. For teeh smaller ones, it would not be relevant as they do not have the bandwidth to worry about it.
I do believe it is great for schools, scout troops and fundraisers.
And yes when one of us [myself included] uses a free service, it reflects poorly on our business.
Is that fair? No, but life and business is not fair.
The other day I met a rep from a jewelry company, that wants to do business with me. He printed his own cards on his inkjet.
I have a couple of thoughts:
1) He is just a free lancer, not an employee.
2) The company is so cheap they do not want to spend on cards, therefore what does that say about their product.
Now I liked him and I as a person generally do not care about such things, but the thought will be there.
My corporate cards for teh jewelry business were printed on high quality stock, with foil and engravement.
When I went to JCK, the biggest trade show, peopel did see us because of the card.
Do you think taht would have happened if it said vista print on the back. {The answer is no, and when talking to one company in their show office, while being served wine and cheese, another cards was presented with Vista Print on the back. That company got the junior level sales person.
On the 31st I went to Boston Market, they dropped my food on the floor and told me it would be a forty minute wait for that dish.
I left the location and bought food elsewhere. I then sent corporate an email. I told them how can I have confidence in their prep of food, if the manager did not have enough common sense to avoid telling me I had to wait in fast food establishment for almost an hour?The result? Two free meals and the district manger and manager are going to meet with me on improving training. They never thought in that manner.
Would you invest with a company that has common spelling mistakes in their documents?| [Topic Closed to Replies] |
Private Reply to Scott Wolpow | | Nov 09, 2009 9:25 pm | | How Ford Uses Social Media to Improve Its Brand (Video) | # |
Scott Wolpow | | PayPal does cost money. If you want to get money as a business owner. Of course paying does not come with a fe, no one would use it then. Again you are picking non-related examples to try and fit your argument.
I do not detest Squidoo, I just do not see it as the answer to everything. It is great that they get traffic, but how do oyu own your traffic? You don't. Every page is done by people who think others care about their opinion. Fact is I bet 90% of the traffic get almost zero vistors. How many vistors does your page get? Myfilm.com gets about 1,000 per day and I own all of it.
Why are upset that I do not see a use for it in my current mix? I do not have the to devote to everything I wouldl want to or need to do. Currently I am rebuilding prebilt.com [visit newprebilt.prebilt.com] I am also redoing discountjewelry.com followed by scottwolpow.com. When that is done I will start with twitter and facebook, all pointing back to scottwolpow.com which is going to be self-branding.
What responsabilty is there in owning a website?
I do not use my Ryze account for business. Main reason is the clients I want are not here. I am targeting decsion makers at companies with sales above 5 million.
I also have told you that you should take your efforts and become an expert on zero cost marketing. You would charge a fee and provide for them all the content and place it on all the free sites. If you did that then Ford pay pay you big bucks for your knowledge. Or perhaps help CA businesses thrive. Iknow taht in a few months I will add that to the products I sell to my clients.| [Topic Closed to Replies] |
Private Reply to Scott Wolpow | | Nov 09, 2009 9:48 pm | | re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: How Ford Uses Social Media to Improve Its Brand (Video) | # |
John Snyder | | Scott,
Of course those are Dell's stats, but they apply aptly to what I do, and they are hard to argue with. And if someone else can set the stats, well, that speaks Volumes.
As for the Dr.'s Office, I was using a for instance. For your info, 8 out of 10 is an 80% audience, most Advertisers would kill to have that readership. Add to that, the fact that everyone is glued to the Wordsearch Ad for 30 minutes.
Why would a FREE Ad Service reflect Negatively on your Biz, unless that is the only thing you are doing. I didn't say use them all, I said be Careful, not in so many words perhaps, but the warning was there. Now, what about a Service that undercuts every other Advertising Service, yet delivers on it's promises. Would you stay away from that service also, Would you continue to pay the bug Bucks to Madison Avenue and get 1/2 the results?
As for Business Cards, I use Vista Print and I do not have Vista's Name anywhere on them. I have a very distinctive Card, Yes I designed it myself. I also have very distinctive Car Door Magnets which I include FREE in my Ad Packages http://www.wordsearchadz.com (Steps 1-4). Anyone that would like my Business Card send me your mailing address in a P.M.
Speaking of errors, you seem to make your fair share also.
John
Prof Wordsearch| [Topic Closed to Replies] |
Private Reply to John Snyder | | Nov 09, 2009 10:23 pm | | re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: How Ford Uses Social Media to Improve Its Brand (Video) | # |
Scott Wolpow | | John please read my words.
Nothing wrong with free advertising. But having your main website on a free service or getting free Vista Print cards says you can not afford anything.
You paid for your cards, therefore you must make some money correct? You also have your own website.
80% audience only matters if they retain the message,and it is your target audience. With your puzzles they would have to have copies for each person, otherwise it would be viewed as used.
According to you if I created a word puzzle then I could claim the same Dell Data. Correct?| [Topic Closed to Replies] |
Private Reply to Scott Wolpow | | Nov 09, 2009 11:15 pm | | re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: How Ford Uses Social Media to Improve Its Brand (Video) | # |
John Snyder | | For your information, if you had a product that fell within the scope of what was said you could definately use it. What was said is "8 out of 10 People do Word Puzzles." Nowhere does it say My Wordsearch Adz, however they fall under this catagory. A Word Puzzle in this Regard is a Word Puzzle. Mine just happen to be Unique.
What about FREE? As Lamar pointed out, you, and I are on RYZE with Free Memberships. According to your logic, we shold be looked on as lesser Members. I can explain why I don't have a Gold Membership anymore. I used to have one of the Premier Networks on RYZE. Then, RYZE was a very different Business Network. People started leaving RYZE in Droves due to some Vicious Individuals who were cutting up every Network.
As far as my Wordsearc Adz go, there are many ways to distribute them including the handout Flyers, a Book form (Which is sold as a Fund-Raiser),and an Online Version which is downloaded by each individual who sees it.(I use this from my Web Sites thriugh Twitter, and RYZE) http://profwordsearch.com/puzzles/nobrainer.pdf
John
Prof Wordsearch
http://www.wordsearchadz.com
http://www.profwordsearch.com
| [Topic Closed to Replies] |
Private Reply to John Snyder | | Nov 09, 2009 11:34 pm | | re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: How Ford Uses Social Media to Improve Its Brand (Video) | # |
Kurt Schweitzer | | "These sites are designed to sell merchandise via modules created by some of the most famous Internet companies in the world - like Ebay, Amazon.com and Cafe Express. How much does it cost to use those modules? Nothing."
Of course the modules cost nothing. Why should those companies charge you when you are helping THEM sell THEIR products? They make money when the sale is made!
"Why do you think the general public would volunteer to do that? Is the general public stupid?"
The "general public" has been sold on the idea that if they put the magic module in their webpage they will make money. And the truth is they might, but most people won't see enough income to be noticeable.
For example, the smallest check CafePress will send is $25. I suspect many shopkeepers are like me, and instead of receiving a check they apply their earnings against purchases (which means they are sending even MORE money to CafePress).
Is this an example of "mutual collaboration"? Sure, the same way that being a commissioned salesperson is - the company gets someone to sell their products, and the salesperson gets a paycheck when the sale goes through. (I think Lamar has a very loose definition of collaboration.)
Personally I use CafePress because it is a very easy way for me to get MY designs printed on small quantities of promotional objects. They will print single quantities, which most printers won't do. The cost, however, is too high for me to justify stocking any of those items in my store.
Kurt| [Topic Closed to Replies] |
Private Reply to Kurt Schweitzer | | Nov 09, 2009 11:41 pm | | How Ford Uses Social Media to Improve Its Brand (Video) | # |
Scott Wolpow | | I am not on Ryze for business reasons, but yes a newcommer to Ryze will think paid members must be leaders, after all they have networks.
If you went to your Doctor and he set-up in teeh local park and did not have an office, and when you called him, you had to listen to comsumer ads, would you have feel he was a good doctor?
Or if you went to print your puzzles and a printer will print for free, but ads that you have had no control over nor share in the revenue, will appear on the pages. Would you do it?
I also stopped being gold because of teh drop in business people, plus Adrian Scott's deciding to suspend me based on false information. As to Vicious Individuals, teehy do not bother me, but I guess other people get imtimidated. Those people can not survive in business sadly.| [Topic Closed to Replies] |
Private Reply to Scott Wolpow | | Nov 10, 2009 12:09 am | | re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: How Ford Uses Social Media to Improve Its Brand (Video) | # |
Lamar Morgan 707-709-8605 | | Kurt,
With just about anything you do, the key is in the design. For example, just because you have a Squidoo site with modules designed by famous companies does not mean your Squidoo lens is going to make you a lot of money. In fact, you could have a great many Squidoo lens and still not make any money. Just going through the process does not guarantee success. But, if you are clever in your approach, you might be surprised by the results.
I know a fellow who goes by the name "Captain Squid" on Squidoo.com. When I interviewed him on my Talkshoe talk show a few years back, he had created more than 300 Squidoo lenses. An impressive amount. But, what was even more impressive was the amount of money he generates on a month bases without having to do any real work. His lenses do it for him.
If you were to do a Google search on the name, "Captain Squid," you would come up with a lot of pages and lot of links. Guess what? I would say that 90% if not more of those links are all the same guy. Coincidence? Not hardly.
This fellow, Captain Squid, probably creates a least one new Squidoo lens every day. That Squidoo lens goes to work for him in some fashion. He plants. He sows. And, he reaps a harvest. The reason that happens is NOT because he owns a domain name for a website. The reason that happens is because he understands how to design a message that entices the public. The public does not simply look at what Captain Squid is doing. They get involved with it.
Enticing your target market is what this is all about. This can be done whether you own your domain name or not. The magic is not in the iMac, PC or Linux OS. The magic is in the knowledge you have for creatively using those resources. If you don't have the knowledge and the creativity to enticingly use it, you might be better off outsourcing to someone who does. And, what happens if outsourcing is too costly? Well, that's why I favor mutual collaboration. Mutual collaboration is the cost-effective way to form win/win business relationships.
Lamar Morgan
CDMM - Synergistic Business Marketing
(707)709-8605
Need PR?...Call Lamar! | [Topic Closed to Replies] |
Private Reply to Lamar Morgan 707-709-8605 | | Nov 10, 2009 8:34 am | | How Ford Uses Social Media to Improve Its Brand (Video) | # |
Scott Wolpow | | But if Squidoo closes today he is out of business. Now imagine if he built up that trade name. Eait he has. Don't believe me http://www.captainsquid.com/.
Now he has a loyal following that he can translate to more business. The lens are just leadins for his domain and brand.
He also works hard. writing a new lens everyday takes time and you have towrite about something popular.
Why are you not making this money Lamar? Are you in this for fun or as a business?| [Topic Closed to Replies] |
Private Reply to Scott Wolpow | | Nov 10, 2009 8:42 pm | | re: How Ford Uses Social Media to Improve Its Brand (Video) | # |
Lamar Morgan 707-709-8605 | | Scott,
If Squidoo did go out of business, it would definitely hurt Captain Squid. When I spoke with him more than a year ago, he had already amassed more than 300 lenses. He has invested a significant amount of time in Squidoo. And, he has reaped a reward...and continues to do so. And, he has many Squidoo sites, but only one domain name. How do you suppose most people find Captain Squid - by his domain name or by one of his many Squidoo lenses?
Bottom line, you need both - and a strategy that links them together. "Better together." That's the ticket.
Lamar Morgan
CDMM - Synergistic Business Marketing
(707)709-8605
Need PR?...Call Lamar! | [Topic Closed to Replies] |
Private Reply to Lamar Morgan 707-709-8605 | | Nov 10, 2009 8:51 pm | | re: re: How Ford Uses Social Media to Improve Its Brand (Video) | # |
Scott Wolpow | | Domain name. It is what I would trust and it builds his brand regardless where I find him.
In looking for an expert on Sinatra I found one good site, but it lacked contact info, not even an email.
A second site was part of a lrger site, I again discounted it.
| [Topic Closed to Replies] |
Private Reply to Scott Wolpow | | Nov 10, 2009 9:44 pm | | re: re: re: How Ford Uses Social Media to Improve Its Brand (Video) | # |
Lamar Morgan 707-709-8605 | | Scott,
Do you mean to tell me a site named Sinatra.com has more credibility with you than a site that reads - Squidoo.com/Sinatra? It does not matter what each looks like once you arrive on the actual site. No, it's all in the domain name. Well, look at this - mtkonocti.com vs. squidoo.com/MKF. The first has the domain name and nothing else but a phone number. In fact, it links to itself. You click a link and simply move farther down the page. Impressed are you?
The second site was created on Squidoo.com. It comes with videos and nice pictures. It's actually more visually appealing. In fact, its links actually take you somewhere off the site.
Which do you prefer - a website designed to be nothing more than a printed brochure? Or, a website that features meaningful pictures and multimedia?
Lamar Morgan
CDMM - Synergistic Business Marketing
(707)709-8605
Need PR?...Call Lamar! | [Topic Closed to Replies] |
Private Reply to Lamar Morgan 707-709-8605 | | Nov 10, 2009 9:59 pm | | re: re: re: re: How Ford Uses Social Media to Improve Its Brand (Video) | # |
Scott Wolpow | | Stop being silly. You created the lens and mtkonocti.com is a real site. It has more than just a phone number, it has information and content. It has higher creditabilty than your lens.
When I search on Sirolli Institute I get many results, but not yours. So google must agree with my concepts.
Not sure why you think Lens are superior to your own site, but I guess you lack the skill to make your own site, and do not have the budget to hire a person to do it.
Shame beacuse you could use all those sites to build teh Lamar Brand, and that would make you money.
Take a poll of the experts.
| [Topic Closed to Replies] |
Private Reply to Scott Wolpow | | Nov 10, 2009 11:28 pm | | re: re: re: re: How Ford Uses Social Media to Improve Its Brand (Video) | # |
Kurt Schweitzer | | Lamar,
I'd be very afraid about your Squidoo lens. It's possible that the Sirolli Institute may take legal action due to you representing yourself as being affiliated with them and making money from that affiliation.
I've seen it happen, to a page I created.
I suspect the video embed would be the part that pushes it over the edge.
As for that other page, it is typical of what a non-profit will do when it wants to nail down the domain name but doesn't have any immediate plans or budget for the website. That brochure is actually more informative than your lens, and doesn't have all the visual distractions (10 ads, 1 "lensmaster" promotion, 6 related page teasers, 6 related topic links, 1 "Create a lens" button, and all the Squidoo crap at the top and bottom of the page).
Is it better to stand out from the clutter or to be part of the clutter?
Kurt
| [Topic Closed to Replies] |
Private Reply to Kurt Schweitzer | | Nov 11, 2009 3:14 am | | re: re: re: re: re: How Ford Uses Social Media to Improve Its Brand (Video) | # |
Lamar Morgan 707-709-8605 | | Kurt,
The reason the Squidoo lens for Mt. Konocti Facilitation was created was because I was asked to find a webmaster to create a website for the group for free. I could not find one. (Reg Charie can actually confirm this because I did ask him if he was interested and he said "No." And, I cannot say I blame him.) So, I created the lens, instead.
Now, at the meeting where I planned to show the group the lens, the chairman of the group who asked me to find a web designer suddenly announces that she has decided to hire a web designer. I feel the web designer could have made a much better website than www.mtkonocti.com. But, he was probably instructed by MKF to simply transfer the brochure content, period. And, being a good little Indian, I suppose he simply went and did as he was told.
Why would anyone think a website with no pictures, no video and only links that send you farther down the one page is a good website? The least they should do is link to their parent company. After all, this brochure website does say it is "A Sirolli Institute Enterprise Facilitation Project." But, they don't have a link to the parent site.
On the other hand, the Squidoo lens I created does have a link to Sirolli.com. It features a video of the founder, Ernesto Sirolli, speaking. It includes books on enterprise faciliation - one of which was written by Ernesto Sirolli.
Question - Why doesn't the MKF website connect up with the Sirolli.com site - and vice-versa? Answer - because they are not really affiliated with each other anymore. And, that brings up another question. If they are not affiliated with each other any longer, why does it state do on the MKF site that they are? Because the MKF folks never got around in updating the site.
So Kurt, you were partially right. There is a problem with one of those sites. It just happens not to be the Squidoo lens. And, the problem has a name. It's called fraud. And, you will find it at www.mtkonocti.com.
Just yesterday, I spoke with Yvonne Fizer of the Sirolli Institute. She was not even aware that MKF had a website. So, I showed it to her online during our Skype call. I do not believe she was any too happy with what she saw. My Squidoo lens lifts up Ernesto Sirolli and the Sirolli Institute. The MKF site does not even mention his name.
My Squidoo lens for MKF and Sirolli.com have something in common. Both lift up the Sirolli Institute with video, pictures and words. I think it would be nice if the MKF site did that as well...for itself.
Lamar Morgan
CDMM - Synergistic Business Marketing
(707)709-8605
Need PR?...Call Lamar! | [Topic Closed to Replies] |
Private Reply to Lamar Morgan 707-709-8605 | | Nov 11, 2009 8:05 am | | re: re: re: re: re: re: How Ford Uses Social Media to Improve Its Brand (Video) | # |
Scott Wolpow | | Lamar,
what does this mean?
"And, being a good little Indian I suppose he simply went and did as he was told."| [Topic Closed to Replies] |
Private Reply to Scott Wolpow | | Nov 11, 2009 9:58 am | | re: re: re: re: re: re: re: How Ford Uses Social Media to Improve Its Brand (Video) | # |
Lamar Morgan 707-709-8605 | | Scott,
What does, "And, being a good little Indian I suppose he simply went and did as he was told" mean? It means the web designer did not give the task before him his best effort. He did not attempt to put pictures, video or even a link to anything outside the main page. He simply recreated the content of a tri-fold brochure word-for-word. Not impressive. Want to see a good website? Look at Sirolli.com and compare that to Mt. Konocti Facilitation. Which site is more impressive to you and why? Both are domain-name sites. But, there is a big difference in content and the display of that content. What makes a good website, I believe, is not simply what you own, but how you choose to display it.
I know the web designer for Mt. Konocti Facilation knows how to display a web page better than what he did for MKF. Just take a look at his business home page - Bit Sculpture. So, why didn't he do that for MKF? More than likely, they did not listen to his advice. In other words, what you see on the MKF site is an example of "the tail wagging the dog."
Lamar Morgan
CDMM - Synergistic Business Marketing
(707)709-8605
Need PR?...Call Lamar! | [Topic Closed to Replies] |
Private Reply to Lamar Morgan 707-709-8605 | | Nov 11, 2009 4:05 pm | | re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: How Ford Uses Social Media to Improve Its Brand (Video) | # |
Scott Wolpow | | What does his being from India or a Native American have to do with the quality of the work?
Perhaps you think people from these backgrounds ar not professional?
| [Topic Closed to Replies] |
Private Reply to Scott Wolpow | | Nov 11, 2009 5:46 pm | | re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: How Ford Uses Social Media to Improve Its Brand (Video) | # |
Lamar Morgan 707-709-8605 | | Scott,
With all due respect, where do you get the idea Eric Schlange is from India or a Native American? Eric is the president of BitSculpture. He's currently in Indiana speaking at a church seminar about the problems churches face regarding web design. I just checked out his website. I invite you to do likewise at BitSculpture.com. And, even if Eric was from India or a Native American, what does that have to do with this discussion?
Look, sometimes folks who request a website be built for their business do not know what to request in the package. None of the web designers I know are mind-readers. Some folks, despite their lack of knowledge, are very dogmatic in what they want - even if it is not appropriate. That is what I see in the MKF website. That site should showcase a great deal more than it does. And, the reason why it does not showcase more, I submit, is not Eric's fault. No, it's the fault of the MKF leadership. They have tied his hands. Was that wise? Of course not. All you have to do to prove it is to look at Sirolli.com as evidence.
Let's get back on track. Kurt wants to improve his brand. Let's give him some ideas on how he might proceed.
Lamar Morgan
CDMM - Synergistic Business Marketing
(707)709-8605
Need PR?...Call Lamar! | [Topic Closed to Replies] |
Private Reply to Lamar Morgan 707-709-8605 | | Nov 11, 2009 9:24 pm | | How Ford Uses Social Media to Improve Its Brand (Video) | # |
Scott Wolpow | | You said he was "a good little Indian".
Or were you making a racial comment?
Lamar, such words are hateful and disrepectful of Native Americans and all civilized people.
What you were implying that Native Americans just follow orders and do minimal work.
The fact is that you do not even see what is wrong with the statement says a lot about you.
| [Topic Closed to Replies] |
Private Reply to Scott Wolpow | | Nov 11, 2009 10:16 pm | | re: How Ford Uses Social Media to Improve Its Brand (Video) | # |
Kurt Schweitzer | | Scott,
I believe Lamar's "Indian" reference has to do with the expression "too many Chiefs and not enough Indians", meaning a top-heavy organization. In such an environment the worker at the bottom of the totem pole (another cultural reference) takes so many orders that they become submissive and just do whatever they're told, with minimal effort.
Lamar,
This post was never about my branding. I simply was interested in the guy's comments about social media marketing and how Ford does it.
Kurt| [Topic Closed to Replies] |
Private Reply to Kurt Schweitzer | | Nov 11, 2009 10:20 pm | | re: How Ford Uses Social Media to Improve Its Brand (Video) | # |
Lamar Morgan 707-709-8605 | | Scott,
When I said Eric was "a good little Indian," I did not mean that literally. Ha! Sorry, I was speaking figuratively. I could have said he was being a good soldier and simply following the orders he was given by high command. I could have said he was simply a good employee following the orders of his boss. Same thing.
But, here's the point. The web designer is no mind-reader. To a certain extent, he is going to rely upon what the client gives him as content. If the client does not know what he has to give for his own benefit, can you blame the web designer for bad content? The content of the MKF website pales in comparison to the Sirolli.com website. It should be very similar in content because it was initially promoting the SAME ORGANIZATION.
My Squidoo lens has more content and links to Sirolli.com. It has pictures, video and features useful books. Does the MKF site do any of that? No.
Please understand. The fault here does not belong to the web designer. The problem is not with the Squidoo lens. The problem is with the MKF leadership. They think there is nothing wrong with a website that looks like a tri-fold brochure. I think there is. Why? Because there is so much more a website can offer. Why not offer it?
Lamar Morgan
CDMM - Synergistic Business Marketing
(707)709-8605
Need PR?...Call Lamar! | [Topic Closed to Replies] |
Private Reply to Lamar Morgan 707-709-8605 | | Nov 11, 2009 10:25 pm | | re: re: How Ford Uses Social Media to Improve Its Brand (Video) | # |
Scott Wolpow | | Then why would you say it? Of course I knew you did not mean literally, that is why it is RACIST.
I knew what you meant, I was objecting to your statement.| [Topic Closed to Replies] |
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