There is a rise in niche-level outsourced social media that is refreshing on one hand and discouraging on the other. It's encouraging because when agencies take the stance of focusing on a single niche such as automotive or entertainment, they are able to build up several resources to make their jobs easier…

Photo sharing has been around a long time now and though the modes of capturing and sharing a photograph may have changed, the idea behind photo sharing still holds true. Photos spark an emotional connection in a way that text cannot. How many of you remember your family’s old photo album? It either lived on your living room table or resided on a shelf next to some other…

People often times ask if they should schedule their social content posting when marketing with Twitter and Facebook. The short answer is yes, you should certainly schedule. For every industry, including automotive, there are times of day that see more activity…

Twitter is planning to get rid of their favorite button in favor of something a little more Facebook-y. They want to actually add a tool similar to Facebook’s ‘Like’ tool, which may be use the terms ‘like’ or ‘star’. The company is saying they want to change the wording just to make it seem “lighter weight” but it could still have an impact on…

Did you catch the presidential debate this week? It was of the more intense events from any recent election. The candidates appeared as though they might drop the mics and go for blood any second. Luckily, it didn’t come to that, but there was another group waiting in the wings, poised to pounce at the first opportunity. Of course we’re talking about the cyber-snipers, the…

There have been debates in the past about whether or not it's good for businesses to follow everyone who follows them. The old way of thinking (for some, including me) was that if they take the time to follow you, that you should be courteous and return the favor.

I switched my way of thinking in 2009 but for many it…

Twitter has a new profile format. Unfortunately, most of the manufacturers haven't taken full advantage of it yet. Don't make their mistake.

Ford is one of the only ones that has already changed their's. It's not great - they picked an image that made reading the text a challenge - but at least they have something up. The same is not true for Toyota or many…

On the TODAY show earlier this week Twitter SEO, Dick Costolo made a live appearance to announce updates to the Twitter experience. The changes will affect the look and feel of profiles both on Twitter.com and on their mobile apps for iPad, iPhone, and Android. Twitter users will now have the option of a header-photo not unlike what you have on your Facebook profile. You…

Fellow Tweeps! Are you using tired of using Twitter and not seeing the engagement you would like? I’ve found some statistics to help you! Between December 11, 2011 and February 23, 2012, Buddy Media analyzed user engagement on more than 320 Twitter handles of the world's largest brands to determine what works and what…

Just saw this article on Business Exchange about Nissan's "Most Innovative Year Ever." The company is really delving into social media to help promote five new vehicle launches. The article makes a good point: it's not so much the social platform that's important (Twitter & Facebook are in their heyday now but may be replaced or become less popular as time goes on), but rather the use of social media in general that's important. Now that fans and clients are accustomed to interacting…

Twitter, an online micro-blogging social networking site, can be a difficult thing to manage for a business profile. However, if you think of it as a cocktail party it might make things easier for you. Don’t be the drunk guy spilling over his words, constantly saying things that…

By now, you have already set up a business website. You are tweeting about anything and everything that comes to mind. You talk about the new inventory you have on your lot, the service specials your dealership is offering, the weather and even about your cat. After all this is said and done, you still have a handful of followers and hardly any interaction with them.



Based on research information hosted on the MIT website …

As you get your 2012 marketing campaign underway, don't forget about LinkedIn, a powerful marketing and communications tool with over 35 million registered users.

Savvy business professionals use LinkedIn to connect with other industry leaders, exchange ideas, and participate in relevant groups. The following is a notice to all of you LinkedIn members who connect your…

What is Google+?

Google+ is the latest social networking service that lets users create a personalized online profile to interact with the people in their lives. The idea is to build upon what’s already available from social networking services like Facebook and…

Marketers are experimenting with using the Social Networking sites for proactive marketing through building targeted niche networks and business development communities.  As a result, Social Networking has become as much a part of your corporate brand as your website.  Not sure Social Networking is right for your organization? …

Remember that girlfriend or boyfriend that was just too clingy for you? Insecure, always seeking approval, or going overboard in trying to make you happy? Or worse yet, one date, and the person treats the relationship as if you're married.

Apparently, Toyota has the same problem -- only it's the one in the relationship being overly clingy, according to Stanley Bing, columnist for Fortune magazine.

He recounts in his latest column,…

Five years ago Jack Dorsey, co-founder of Twitter, sent out the first tweet launching a new form of communication that became a revolution in 140 characters or less. This year, Twitter posted a blog reporting that it only takes about one week for users to send 1 billion tweets and last February an average of 460,000 accounts were opened per day. In the automotive industry, we should all ask ourselves, are we utilizing the fundamentals of Twitter to best engage current and potential buyers on…