I write about strategies to turn fans into customers and customers into fans. I also share ways to use real-time strategies to spread ideas, influence minds, and build business.
Last week I posted about the value of free content vs putting a gate that requires an email address and other personal information to get the content. Many people commented about my strategy of totally free content on my post Really, Truly, Actually Free Content and on socia...
The original version of this post on July 19, 2018, has been edited to highlight the power of fandom. Delivering excellent service is essential for businesses these days. Companies that form meaningful personal relationships with customers will stay ahead of the competition ...
This summer I’ve seen some great live music including Eminem, St. Vincent, Beck, Aerosmith, and Ryan Adams (covering the entire Rolling Stones Exile on Main Street album). Two bands I saw stuck me as a fascinating contrast of performance styles: U2 and Dead and Company. It g...
This original version of this post on June 12, 2018 has been edited to reflect the importance of trust in building fandom. Social media exploded with the news, released June 4, 2018, that IHOP (International House of Pancakes) was to change their name to “IHOb.” A week later...
Since the Facebook issues involving Cambridge Analytica and Russian Operatives have come to light, Facebook has been hard at work trying to earn back trust. The past few weeks have been busy for the company. Mark Zuckerberg testified in front of Congress, notices were sent t...
Newsjacking – the art and science of injecting your ideas into a breaking news story to generate tons of media coverage, get sales leads, and grow business – is all about providing value. The content you create via a blog post, video, or tweet with a hashtag must have a dire...
Several years ago, I delivered a presentation in Tallinn, Estonia and I distinctly remember how plugged in the society was at the time. I enjoyed lighting fast free WiFi that was way better than what I had in Boston and the business leaders I met with were focused on digital...
Facebook has been in the news a lot in 2018, and it hasn’t been good. First, the company was under fire for allowing Russian operatives to purchase Facebook ads to influence the 2016 U.S Presidential election. Then it emerged that Cambridge Analytica, a political data firm, ...