Social media is making a huge impact across our country, across our world. Now more than ever people are able to reach out, to share, to engage with friends and business beyond what has ever been possible before. Lost friends are found, strangers become new friends. If you are a business the question is not whether or not you participate in social media, but rather how you participate.

One of the biggest challenges a business faces with social media is finding a way to give the suits upstairs a bottom line to justify the time expenditure. We see tools popping up left and right with measurement capabilities, time will tell as these flush out the winners and the losers from the pack. But in the mean time, we need to find a way to measure our social media ROI, don’t we?

Or maybe want we need to do, is to recognize the powerful cross-integration capabilities of social media into almost all aspects of our life. Maybe the question isn’t at all how we measure social media, but instead that we start by getting involved. It is no longer a question of whether as a business you need to be integrated with social media, it is more a question of how you are going to integrate. Before, the brands ran the industries, now the customers run the industries, all of them. So can you really afford to not play a part?

Listen to your customers, for they are your true calling. For the first time in media history, now you can actually hear them.

Those of you that read my blog or my twitter stream are probably well aware of my somewhat addiction, okay, perhaps totally legal obsession, with the Zappos way of doing business. I have always been boggled why more companies do not listen to their customers. Maybe it started for me in kindergarten when my teacher said “treat others like you want to be treated.” I think like most things I might have taken that too literally. So when I have a company that is solely focused on getting new customers and not keeping the ones they have, or even worse, not willing to do what the customer so clearly states they want, to get them in the first place, it becomes clear to me that they do not really want to succeed.

Here is where Zappos comes in. Granted they stole my heart back in 2007, which I will write more about in another post, but it was their can do attitude and their willingness to make the customer experience a positive one that has always set them apart from so many. Fast forward to today, when I was beyond thankful to find the new Delivering Happiness book waiting for me at my doorstep. I can’t wait to dig in and read all it’s goodness, and I promise a post as I make my way through.

In the mean time, I came across this presentation from Zappos CEO, and Delivering Happiness author Tony Heish, and wanted to post here to at least get the creative juices flowing in thinking about what you can do today, right here, right now, to bring your customers and your employees happiness.

Starbucks started with one coffee shop in Seattle and created a coffee revolution. But this brand powerhouse did not get to where it is today without some struggles along the way.

Just a few years back Starbucks was scrambling to make sense of how their coffee lost in taste tests over McDonald’s coffee. Than in 2009 they introduced instant coffee called Via, and once again people found themselves a bit skeptical. Whatever their pitfalls have been, they have had great success along the way and built a brand which has become synonymous with the coffee experience.

Utilizing the same approach they did by starting with one single coffee house, they have now created one of the most succesfful brands online with social media. Starbucks has about 7 million fans on Facebook, and regulary uses networks from Twitter, to Foursquare, to YouTube to promote the business. Here is an interview from the Social Media Examiner with Alex Wheeler, Director of Digital Strategy at Starbucks talking about the path to this social media success. One of the most important things to take this interview is how being “scrappy” and rolling with the punches, while thinking fast on their feet has allowed for this success. Social media is growing at such an exponential rate that it can be tough to keep up, it’s key to remember that thinking outside the box and being flexible can make the difference between success and failure. And also, being willing to test the waters as you go.

Starbucks from Michael A. Stelzner on Vimeo.

Facebook has been taking a lot of heat recently for its new privacy issues. Twitter is consistently blowing up with protests and questions about the impact of these privacy issues and the outcome of the choices Facebook has made.

Today an article came out on Mashable about a group of Students at NYU that have raised more than $100,00 to come up with a Facebook alternative. Whatever the outcome, what’s clear is that experts in the social media industry and beginning to take a second look at the future Facebook’s success, but in the mean time Facebook’s success has skyrocketed beyond a level I think many thought was possible. So whats your vote? Do you think we have no worries on privacy and are still willing to partake both personally and professionally? Or maybe you are willing to utilize Facebook for its brand building capabilities but not personally?

Follow me on Twitter to continue the conversation.

Here is a great Infographic from Mashable showing The Facebook Effect.
[Source: Online PhD Programs for MashableMashable.com]

There is a lot that can be said about social media, it’s the hottest topic for everyone from high school kids to Fortune 500 business’. But what is it’s impact? Here is a great video from Mashable showing the impact of social media. Are you surprised? Where do you think it will go next?

Maybe I should start with the sheer fascination I have always had with office products. Growing up I loved the time of the year when we went shopping for schools supplies, the fresh pads of paper, the modern styled pens, everything new and ready for my mind to create.

When I was a junior in high school I spent a semester abroad in England. And here is the thing about going to school in England, I got to buy school supplies in England, and well, simply put… they ROCK! Maybe its the original A4 paper size, or the way that their pens seem so refined. But every single thing about the school supply shopping experience, totally outweighed my arriving at school each day looking like I had just stepped out of the shower drenched from my walk there. I coveted them and when I returned to the States I made sure to bring a bit of a stockpile with me. Ever since then I have scanned small stationary shops here and there with hopes of finding some of those long lost treasures.

So you can imagine my THRILL when I was reading through The Week; we must pause for a moment, as it must be said, this magazine is HANDS DOWN the best weekly out there, all the info you need from the news around the world, from wait for it… the week. I digress, so I am reading through the week and I see toward the back where they suggest up and coming services a company called Moo.com.

full size business cards displayed in their awesome case

Moo is the BRILLIANT printing house that started in where else, England and recently brought their proper printing style to the States.

But its not only their BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE printing quality (they print on 16 point paper and all images are beautifully coated and every person that gets one raves about them), its also their amazing customer service that keeps me coming back for more and referring them any chance I get. Moo is the Zappos brand of printing. From a brand perspective they know how to keep their customers happy and referring. Check out an example of their consistent follow-up emails from Little Moo, the tireless print robot:

“Hello
I’m Little MOO – the bit of software that will be managing your order
with us. It will shortly be sent to Big MOO, our print machine who will
print it for you in the next few days. I’ll let you know when it’s done
and on its way to you.”

And what if there is an issue with your order? Have no fear because Little Moo is here! After ordering a batch of mini cards and receiving confirmation that they were about to be shipped, I got this email:

“Hello Little MOO here again – the bit of software that manages your order with us. We spotted a problem with your order, and because we want to it to be perfect, we’re sending it back to Big MOO to get printed again. We’ll put it at the front of the line, but there will be slight delay before you receive it. Sorry about that.”

But they still send along the box they felt was incorrect so you still get all the ones that may be even a bit imperfect, as seen here:

mini cards for photography business

Moo has the option for uploading up to 100 different images on to the back of either their mini business cards or their full size business cards. I ordered these for my photography business and people love collecting them! AND they come in these awesome boxes that you can totally keep them in for display with “mine” and “yours” tabs to make sure you can keep your favs.

mini cards for client that wanted cloud variety, uploaded via flickr

During a time when companies are cutting back on their marketing and customer service efforts, Moo consistently goes above and beyond. With more and more brands disappointing rather than inspiring, Moo is a brand I am happy to support for everything from their quality of printing, to their customer service, to their effective tireless print robot.

Go Little Moo!

all images jordan benshea photography

If you are local business looking to increase your business, local search is a key part of your marketing strategy.

Part of brand marketing is making sure that your brand is reaching your target audience. In general when people are looking for a service they tend to start with what they know, and what they know is their surrounding area. So whether you are a locksmith looking for new business, a restaurant that serves new cuisine to the area, or a doctor’s office looking to take more patients, local search can give you that extra boost you need.

It may come as no surprise that Google has a great free tool to get your business started with local search. Google Local offers a business center where  you can input your location, description, and contact information. If you are a restaurant and you want to highlight you weekly specials, there is an options for easy updates as well as coupons.

Have fun and enjoy the increased business!

I am very happy to announce the new SkyView Projects website. Offering exceptional brand development and social media specialization, SkyView Projects is focused on giving fresh ideas with direct results.

Marketing your brand efficiently is key to the success of any business, whether you are making widgets, introducing a new product line, promoting a travel website, or looking to make an impact in your community. I have worked with clients near and far and love the process of marketing a good brand by utilizing great content. No more than ever content allows brands to get places they only dreamed of before, between blogs, Facebook pages, and Twitter accounts, getting the word out is the easiest its been, especially if it is done right.

Check out the new site and let me know what you think, and please pass along to your friends and colleagues.

Cheers!

It was the summer of 1992, and my family needed paddle jackets for our upcoming annual white water rafting trip. Growing up in Santa Barbara, California, outdoor gear is second nature, and the Ventura-based Patagonia is a staple for good quality. Through a friend of a friend we got a hit on a Patagonia sale and we were able to score paddle jackets for all four of us, one small catch, they were all purple. This meant not only did my mom and me get purple, but my brother and dad also were outfitted in the lively color. That river trip was the best of them all, with a trademark photo of us standing on the river bed looking like a group of grapes. Those paddle jackets, they rocked that trip, and they still to this day do their job. That’s the thing about Patagonia, whether you are climbing Mount Everest, or grocery shopping at the Farmers market, their products stand up to the test.

Often teased by some as “Pata-Gucci” for its high price tag, the product costs include a guarantee for life. Whether your dog bites out the zipper of your El Cap Jacket, or your Capilene leggings get a hole in the knee, they will fix them all, for free or replace them, for the life of the product, guaranteed. This didn’t use to be a rarity. Back in the day when Levis started making their famous jeans for the goldminer, they guaranteed their quality. Now you can buy them for $29 bucks at Sears, and you are lucky if you are able to take them back when button that falls out. And don’t get me wrong, Levis are some of the best jeans out there and a great brand in their own right.

But times have changed, and rarely do companies stand behind their products, but Patagonia stands out for their commitment to quality. They also test each and every one of their products. From their belts to snowboarding jackets, you can be assured that they have taken that product through the ringer to ensure it meets their high standards. In a world where there is less and less guarantee, Patagonia is one of my favorite brands not only for its lifetime guarantee, but also for it’s innovative and effective products. Patagonia creates product that rock.

All images Patagonia