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Cats, Oreos, SEO & More Covered At GCAi Community Managers’ Swap Meet

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Topics ranging from SEO to Oreos (and of course Grumpy Cat) were covered at the Community Managers’ Swap Meet last week where GCAi clients and representatives from leading brands gathered to discuss social media, digital marketing and online reputation management.

CM Collage

GCAi alum Kaitlyn Bigica kicked off the event with an insightful presentation covering her work in the realm of social media. Kaitlyn now works as a Senior Social Media Associate at MEC in New York City, where she has managed successful campaigns for several large corporations.  Kaitlyn was able to offer a glimpse into the intricate process of managing social media accounts for multi-national corporations. She illustrated the importance of creating a consistent brand personality, as well as the nature of social media’s insatiable appetite for fresh content. Kaitlyn also identified a couple brands that are “killing it” on social media; Urban Outfitters, Skittles and Oreo.  
Dave Sweeney, creator of video production company Viz-Bang in Springfield, followed with a presentation on the growing importance of video content on the web and in social media. Starting with a history of content production covering everything from the printing press to the viral video “Numa Numa,” Dave highlighted the growing demand for short, entertaining video that is shareable across many online platforms, especially if those videos contain cats or Justin Bieber.

The Community Managers’ Swap Meet concluded with a Q & A aided by survey responses that attendees had completed prior to the event. GCAi found that all the community managers reported having a strategy for their social voice, a daily monitoring system for addressing customer care inquiries, and an active presence on Facebook and Twitter. Many of the community managers contributed to the round table discussion which sparked some interesting questions and helpful answers.

GCAi is already planning another Community Managers’ event which will run more like a potluck than a swap meet. Guests will contribute innovative digital ideas and case studies and share experiences and community management secrets with the each other.

If you are interested in taking part in future CMSM events, feel free to email me. – John

 

Creating Cool Social Media Content With Search Stories

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Ever thought that your Google search could tell a story?  Well, leave it to the creative minds at Google to give you that opportunity through yet another free tool called Search Stories. Way back two Super Bowls ago (Colts v. Saints), Google dropped what must have been some serious cash on a 60 second ad that was created with a few simple searches. Because of the positive response to the ad, including numerous parodies, they launched Search Stories about two months later.  While the tool has flown under the radar screen in the interim, it recently has begun to get renewed attention – we figure because it is fun…and provides the opportunity to release a big burst of creativity.  Basically, a Search Story is a 30 second video. It captures the screenshots of a particular search series that you create.  Add a template music bed, upload – and you’re done.

GCAI and Western New England University recently co-hosted a Google small business seminar and we thought it would be a great place to debut our first Search Story for our client FieldEddy Insurance.  Created by GCAI Social Media Assistant Kaitlyn Bigica, the FieldEddy Search Story takes the viewer through a calamity of sorts and finally arrives at the obvious solution. We did not expect it to set the world on fire, and it didn’t, but it did prove to be a useful case study of sorts on how to use this fun, and important, tool.

The only limits on Search Stories are your creativity, the available music beds, and 30 seconds.  Small businesses can use the tool to promote services, locations, good news…just about anything – again, the biggest limit is your creativity!  Once you have the video, the link becomes your method to share it on the platforms you wish.  Try the tool and play around with it, draw from personal experiences and you can have your very own Google Search Story in minutes.

Care to see our GCAI Search Story?  Click here.

Here is the FieldEddy Insurance Google Search Story we debuted at the Western New England University Google Day.

 

What GCAI is Thankful for This Thanksgiving

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For this week’s edition of GCAI’s social media news we wanted to switch it up and in honor of Thanksgiving we each listed what we are thankful for. Enjoy!

Screenshot of Google Turkey

John:

Two things that immediately come to mind…starting with the most important – I am most thankful for the creativity and determination of my peers here at GCAI. Mary Fallon, Laura Chechette, Kaitlyn Bigica, and Michelle Wolters are what makes our business a success .  Without them, I would be just another guy with a good idea and a dining room table.

From a technology standpoint – I am thankful for all things Apple.  Our iPhones, iPad, and MacBooks have transformed the way we conduct SEO PR and digital marketing.

Mary:

I am is thankful for the opportunity to present and discuss GCAI’s SEO/SMO/ORM approach with college students because I love my job and hope to inspire others to pursue a career in marketing and communications.

Laura:

I am thankful for social media tools like HootSuite and TweetDeck because they allow me to schedule Facebook and Twitter posts for GCAI’s clients on Thanksgiving while I am enjoying my turkey and mashed potatoes. I am also thankful for Kaitlyn Bigica who helped me create and schedule all of those Facebook and Twitter posts.

Business and Brand Pages Now Allowed on Google+

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On Monday, Google+ opened the flood gates and allowed businesses to create pages on the social network. Organizations such as Pepsi, Fox News and The New England Patriots have already created Google+ Brand Pages.

This video from Google shows how a business can use Google+ Pages to create a community online.

If you are wondering if your business should create a page on Google+ this e-book, How To Use Google+ For Business, from Hubspot explains how a Google+ Page can benefit your business.

If you are ready to create your own business or brand page on Google+ this article, How to Set Up a Google+ Brand Page, from Mashable explains the process in 6 simple steps.

Have you set up a Google+ Page yet? If so, what are your initial thoughts? If not, what are your reasons for passing on this network?

Key Takeaways from the PR + Social Media Summit

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Last week the GCAI team traveled to Milwaukee, WI to attend the PR + Social Media Summit at Marquette University. I presented during the panel discussion, Online Reputation Management: Tools, Tactics, and Tips from Experts on the Front Lines while John moderated the panel. Mary also moderated the panel, Engaging with Social Media Communities for the Right Reasons and the Right Outcomes.

When not busy presenting, we attended multiple breakout sessions and also listened to keynotes from George G Smith Jr., Sr. Manager, Social Activation Strategy and Execution at PepsiCo, and Jennifer McTighe, Director for External Relations at IBM Research. We learned a lot at the summit and wanted to share some of our takeaways from the event with you!

John Garvey and George G Smith Jr. at the PR + Social Media Summit

George G. Smith Jr. and John Garvey presenting at the PR + Social Media Summit.

John’s Takeaways:

  • How advanced Marquette University is; students’ questions, participation, MU greeted me on Twitter when I arrived.
  • Social media has arrived for major brands – it is not “new”, “an after-thought”, something for kids – or interns…
  • Strategy is all important – know where you are going and what to measure.
  • Concentrating on building fans is so yesterday.

Mary’s Takeaways:

  • Social media isn’t about promoting new products/services; it’s a virtual culture for your brand.
  • The future of social media is moving toward radical transparency.

Laura’s Takeaways:

  • Redefine influence. Always remember that small communities online matter just as much as the larger ones.
  • Don’t complain about changes to social media platforms. The platforms have to change to survive.
  • Focus on engagement with your communities, not the number of fans or followers you have.

Were you at the PR + Social Media Summit? Anything you would like to add? Please feel free to email me. Thanks! – Laura

 

Facebook’s Timeline: When It’s Coming and What You Can Expect

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Timeline is coming soon to a Facebook page near you, but if you just can’t wait and want a sneak peak of how your profile is going to look then this article How to Enable the New Facebook Timeline NOW from Mashable. The article explains with step-by-step instructions and screen shots on how obtain Timeline before everyone else does. Right now the official release date of Timeline is unknown but Facebook sources have revealed that users should be able to opt into Timeline within the next two to four weeks.

Here is a screenshot of what my profile looks like now with Timeline:

Facebook Timeline Screen Shot, Laura Chechette

I like to describe Timeline as my own personal yearbook. It includes all of the information, photos, status updated etc. that you have ever put on Facebook. It also gives you the option to add more details like the birth of a child, bought a house, etc.

The best part is that you can edit your Timeline to only include information that you want to share. So that unflattering or maybe inappropriate photo or status update from your freshman year of college year can be deleted.

The information section of your profile has also received a facelift. It is now much more structured and organized in chronological order.

Facebook Timeline, Information Section Laura Chechette

Currently the Timeline feature is only going to affect the personal profiles on Facebook, but Mashable had a few ad agency’s imagine what fan pages might look like if Facebook decided to change them as well. The article, How Facebook Timeline Might Radically Change the Look of Brand Pages [PICS] includes 12 different screen shots of what brand pages could look like if they change to the Timeline layout as well.

Do you have Timeline? Do you like the changes? Let us know in the comments section.

If you have suggestions for future Social Media News posts, want to be a guest blogger, ask questions or share thoughts, please feel free to email me. Thanks! – Laura

 

Facebook’s Timeline: When It’s Coming and What You Can Expect

Timeline is coming soon to a Facebook page near you, but if you just can’t wait and want a sneak peak of how your profile is going to look then this article How to Enable the New Facebook Timeline NOW from Mashable. The article explains with step-by-step instructions and screen shots on how obtain Timeline before everyone else does. Right now the official release date of Timeline is unknown but Facebook sources have revealed that users should be able to opt into Timeline within the next two to four weeks.

Here is a screenshot of what my profile looks like now with Timeline:

I like to describe Timeline as my own personal yearbook. It includes all of the information, photos, status updated etc. that you have ever put on Facebook. It also gives you the option to add more details like the birth of a child, bought a house, etc.

The best part is that you can edit your Timeline to only include information that you want to share. So that unflattering or maybe inappropriate photo or status update from your freshman year of college year can be deleted.

The information section of your profile has also received a facelift. It is now much more structured and organized in chronological order.

Currently the Timeline feature is only going to affect the personal profiles on Facebook, but Mashable had a few ad agency’s imagine what fan pages might look like if Facebook decided to change them as well. The article, How Facebook Timeline Might Radically Change the Look of Brand Pages [PICS] includes 12 different screen shots of what brand pages could look like if they change to the Timeline layout as well.

Timeline is coming soon to a Facebook page near you, but if you just can’t wait and want a sneak peak of how your profile is going to look then this article How to Enable the New Facebook Timeline NOW from Mashable. The article explains with step-by-step instructions and screen shots on how obtain Timeline before everyone else does. Right now the official release date of Timeline is unknown but Facebook sources have revealed that users should be able to opt into Timeline within the next two to four weeks.

Here is a screenshot of what my profile looks like now with Timeline:

Do you have Timeline? Do you like the changes? Let us know in the comments section.

If you have suggestions for future Social Media News posts, want to be a guest blogger, ask questions or share thoughts, please feel free to email me. Thanks! – Laura

 

Facebook Changes: Subscribe, Lists, Ticker and More!

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If you logged on to Facebook this morning then you know the whole layout of the site has been redesigned. We all know that Facebook changes on a regular basis, but this recent update is only the first of many to come according to this article from Mashable, Facebook to Launch “Major” Profile Redesign at f8. f8 is a conference taking place today in San Francisco for developers and innovators who are meeting to discuss Facebook. Parts of the event will be streaming live.

This video explains in simple terms a few of the most recent modifications to the site.

If you are interested in learning more about the subscribe feature, this article Facebook Subscribe Button: What it Means for Each Type of User from Mashable, breaks down the changes and how it may affect users. So whether you’re a Facebook “super user” or a grandmother trying to log on to see photos of your grandkids, the ability to “subscribe,” instead of “friend” may change the way you use Facebook.

Last but not least, earlier this month Facebook made life a lot easier for people creating a Facebook Page. According to AllFacebook.com You No Longer Need 25 Fans to Get a Custom URL. So instead of having a URL like this www.facebook.com/pages/Make-It_Happen-City/207334002619825 which no one can remember, it can become www.facebook.com/MakeItHappenCity even though the page has less than 25 fans.

What do you think of the new Facebook redesign and subscribe feature? Let us know in the comments section.

If you have suggestions for future Social Media News posts, want to be a guest blogger, ask questions or share thoughts, please feel free to email me. Thanks! – Laura

How Twitter is Becoming Part of TV on #TheVoice

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Although I’m not normally a fan of reality TV or singing competitions, The Voice on NBC has gotten my attention because of its use of social media, and Twitter in particular. When I watch the show, instead of a bowl of popcorn in my lap, I have my Macbook open to Twitter so I can interact with the show’s contestants, coaches, and viewer’s all over the country. By following the hashtag #TheVoice I can see what other people are saying about a singer’s performance or the ridiculous outfit that a coach is wearing and add in my two cents.  The show goes a step further by incorporating viewer’s tweets into the show live with the “V correspondent” Alison Haislip. Alison reads tweets on air as well as asks coaches and contestants questions posed on Twitter. If a tweet isn’t read it still has the opportunity to appear on the bottom of the screen.

In this video interview, Alison Haislip, talks about her strategy and how she tries to get fans to interact with the show.

The article, The Voice: How a TV Show Became a 24/7 Social Media Conversation, from Mashable explains why this show is different than anything else on television right now. Here are a few highlights from the article as to why this kind of integration with social media could be the future of TV.

  • “70% of the tweets about the The Voice include the hashtag #TheVoice, a “phenomenal” rate that a Twitter spokesperson says is an “industry high,” said Nicolle Yaron, the show’s supervising producer.
  • “During the show’s first live performances, every contestant, coach and team trended,” said Andrew Adashek, the show’s social media consultant.
  • “When Team Christina performed ‘Lady Marmalade,’ the Facebook Page gained nearly 10,000 likes within a few minutes.
  • The Coaches tweet live throughout the show as well as the contestants. The coaches twitter handles are below if you would like to follow them and get in on the action next week!

If you have suggestions for future Social Media News posts, want to be a guest blogger, ask questions or share thoughts, please feel free to email me. Thanks! – Laura

P.S. In case you were wondering I’m voting for Javier Calon, @Javstwtr, to win it all! Who will you be voting for?

Key Points From The PRSA 2011 Digital Impact Conference

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Recently John and Mary attended the PRSA 2011 Digital Impact Conference, “Building Knowledge, Skills and Value for the New Decade”. A couple presentations in particular resonated with us and we wanted to share a few key points from each.

“Read it! Grab it! Share it!: Optimize Content for Curators”

Presenter: Rachelle Spero, director, Brunswick Group

1.       AddThis.com – allows users to add social media sharing features to content. Also, allows for tracking/measurement.
2.       Google your industry plus 100 – to get the top influencers in your industry.
3.       Alltop.com – provides the top blogs which can be searched by industry.
4.       EmpireAvenue.com – a virtual stock market for social media.

SNCR Award-Winning Case Study: Measurements 201: How to Move Beyond Awareness

Presenter: Joe Chernov, director of content, Eloqua

Great video created by Joe that we recommend watching. Also, check out the Eloqua Social Media Playbook.

1.       Be relevant and helpful
2.       Create “share-worthy content”.
3.       Form real relationships
4.       People trust people more than brands
5.       Influence influencers by becoming one

If you have suggestions for future Social Media News posts, want to ask questions or share thoughts, please feel free to email me. Thanks! – Laura

Make Your Resume Stand Out With A QR Code

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Kaitlyn Bigica

Kaitlyn Bigica, Social Media Assistant at GCAI

This week’s Social Media News comes to us from our newest employee, Kaitlyn Bigica. Kaitlyn is a junior journalism major/IT minor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.  She is a staff writer for her college daily newspaper and a member of the University Programming Council.  Kaitlyn received her job as Social Media Assistant at Garvey Communication Associates Inc. after including a QR code on her resume. Below is her blog post on how using QR codes on a resume can make it stand out in the crowd from other applicants.

I have recently learned about QR codes and the growing impact they have on social media and communication with consumers. I thought it would be a great idea to put one on my resume to impress prospective employers.

What are QR codes?

QR codes or quick response codes are specific matrix bar codes that can be read by smart phones.  They are similar to bar codes used in retail but hold more data. The code links to a URL, text or other data.

Qr codes are mainly being used by business’s to advertise their products in an interactive way.  They can be found in magazines, newspapers and on the back of business cards. Take a look at Macy’s use of QR codes on the tags of their merchandise.  The code scans to videos of the brand allowing consumers to get fashion tips and advice from the designer.  Read the rest on Kaitlyn’s blog…

If you have suggestions for future Social Media News posts, want to ask questions or share thoughts, please feel free to email me. Thanks! – Laura