Jason Bradford

Back To The "615", Nashville : Chapter 4

// June 4th, 2009 // 2 Comments » // life, Technology

Yes, I’m moving back to Nashville. What? No, I’m not kidding. Yes, this is the fourth time I’ve lived there. The family is packing up on July 1st and heading back. We are excited and anxious at the same time. In 2007 I decided to venture into the corporate world and get a “real” job. Yes, I had a real job before then but I was hoping for a life change. Well, I got it. A big life change.  After two years I’ve realized that I like being my own boss & I like to wearing  shorts and flip flops all day.

I was self employed for 13 years before taking a sweet gig at Daniel Island. I’m very thankful for Daniel Island and am excited that I was able to be a part of a great (and laid back) team. I know that if I had taken any other “corporate” job I would have been done a long time ago!

What’s next? Well, I have two focuses. I’ve had Tone Box Digital for a few years and it has been steadily growing and building a base of artists. Tone Box will continue and will actually get a bit more focus now. The BIG news is the launching of Inked Digital. Inked Digital has been in the back of my mind for quite some time and now it’s time to bring it to the world… well, let’s just say the Southeast & West coast for now. Inked Digital is an interactive collaboration of many different talents from designers, developers, writers, PR pros, web gurus and in general some of the smartest people you’ll meet.

Inked Digital will have a home-base in Nashville but will also be VERY active in the Charleston, SC area since I will be here for a week or so every month. I will continue to manage and handle the interactive world for Daniel Island and quite a few others in Charleston.

Charleston, you’ve been awesome and I’m glad that I’m going to continue to be around every month… I’m saying that out loud so you people don’t forget me!

Myspace Should Call Me

// April 23rd, 2009 // No Comments » // Technology

Yeah, I said it.  Myspace is dumping it’s current management team, as they should.  Who are they looking to replace DeWolfe and crew?  Well, other social network jumpers and players.  That is dead wrong.  Myspace needs the next/new idea to revive the service, a mind outside of just social networks-  they need a mind who understand teenagers, music and most importantly the 20-40 crowd.

While many of you know my open criticism for Myspace, I believe it’s a viable space and can recover.  They still have a ton of users (teens still think it’s waaaay cooler than Facebook) and it’s still an indie music playground (if you can handle the layout).  So I’m just giving Mr. Murdoch permission to shout at me.

Myspace + Me = BFF

Managing Social Media

// April 14th, 2009 // No Comments » // Technology

While preparing to talk about managing social media at the Charleston Chamber of Commerce Area Business Council tomorrow morning I was thinking how to best present the tools and practices that I use to cover all social media.  My mind shut down.  There are so many different ways to use social media and manage it.  For me, managing social media is all about organization, which I suck at. However, with the tools given to us these days even I can stay focused without A.D.D. medicine.

To start, my basic philosophy for social media; You have to get in the conversation. It’s a must. People are talking about you and/or your company whether you like it or not. You can choose to get in the conversation and say “thanks” or even give your perspective on an issue that customers or clients may disagree with you on.  You have to be listening to know who may be talking about you, your company, your products & your brands.

The point of my talk is to address managing social media and interactive marketing.  Most of you have chosen to engage the social media world and now need to know how to handle and manage all the different types of outlets…  blogs (personal, corporate), social networks (facebook, linkedin), micro-blogs (twitter, friendfeed), social bookmarking (digg, delicious), media sharing (youtube, flickr), social reviews (trip advisory, yelp) , User Generated (Wikipedia).

First you need to decide what’s the purpose?  To engage customers?  To build your brand? To protect your brand? Generate new leads? Have a presence since your competitor does?  All of those?  There’s no way I can write one blog post to hit all the different ways to disseminate your information or campaigns in just a few short minutes so I’m going to touch on managing your presence.

How to listen, how to join the conversation.

Create a dashboard

Google has made this a simple setup with iGoogle.  You can add “widgets” to give you a quick overview of what is happening in your online world.  You can setup up widgets that interact with Twitter, Google Analytics, Google Alerts, Email, Facebook, Digg, LinkedIn & all the major news outlets.  This is a quick and simple glance to your online world.

Flock, the social media browser is a little more comprehensive and by default is a web browser.  However, with some time and understanding Flock can act as a fully functioning, deep and detailed dashboard.   Another post coming soon for how I use Flock as my dashboard.

Twitter

Twitter search has drastically changed the face of the common search engine.  Twitter has pulled off what Google has yet to do, real time/live search.  Twitter search gives you the ability to monitor your product, brand , company & competition all in real time.

Using a desktop app is the most effective way to utilize all the power in Twitter.  Tweet Deck allows you to update, read, search and group all your followers/friends without ever visiting a website.  Powerful tool and easy to use-  an app like Tweet Deck will change the way you view Twitter.

Facebook

Pages for your business allow you to control your brand, build brand awareness, engage fans to promote for you, test new ideas/products with proven customers/clients & keep your client/fans up to date.

Fans of business pages are your evangelists!  Most fans are likely customers/clients and they believe in your brand enough to share with their “friends”.  Find ways to engage your evangelists so they keep on sharing your product or brand.

Anyone who is a member of Facebook can create a fan page-  another reason to jump in the conversation!  Do you want someone else running your page on Facebook?  Sure, sometimes it’s great but there is a difference in a fan of your brand and actually managing your brand.

I have a two part challenge to help you get in the conversation.

First search twitter for your brand, company or product–> Search here in real time.

Secondly setup a Google Alert for your product, brand or company.  You can have this delivered to your email daily or subscribe via RSS.–> Setup alerts here.

What did you find?  Positive results? Negative results?  No matter what you find, you have an opportunity to enter the conversation to say thanks or to address a concern or issue.  It’s up to you now!

How Do You Manage Social Media?

// April 13th, 2009 // No Comments » // Technology

I’m speaking this week for the Charleston Chamber of Commerce’s business breakfast. The topic? Managing Social Media. I have some great tools and ways to manage social media but you know me, I love to learn new and better ways. So this week I’m asking, how do you manage your social media or interactive marketing initiatives? How do you make your social media listen and obey you? Does it listen to you? Are you keeping up with it effectively?

Fill me in below and check back later this week for my wrap up of the talk and learn about the tools that I use to manage my social media and online marketing.

Get In The Conversation… Notes from CRBJ Breakfast

// April 9th, 2009 // 2 Comments » // Technology

I had a great time sharing some basic overview information this morning at the Charleston Regional Business Journal’s Power Breakfast.  Thanks to Andy and the crew for including me.  Just some notes for those of you who may be looking for a recap of my “blah, blah, blah..” time. 

The biggest point I wanted to get across was to get in the conversation.  Getting in the conversation is free.  Tools like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and blogging platforms are free.  You can monitor what people are saying about you and your company!  Below are the four points that were included in the booklet this morning…  my big point of “Get In The Conversation” has connections to all four points.  If you aren’t sure how to start or get rolling PLEASE do not hesitate to contact me, I’d love to help!

Social Media, Interactive Marketing and Flow

Word Of Mouth: “I can sell your product better than you.”  Word of mouth marketing is what I also call trust marketing.  Word Of Mouth marketing is also known as “Viral Marketing”.  We spread the word about products we love, buy and use.  I talk about social media, blogging and WordPress (blogging platform) a lot.  Because I do this, people trust what I have to say about those topics.  We all pay attention to the people we trust or who have an authority in a specific area or service.

The Obligatory Website:  Most businesses have a website because, well, every other business does.  If you have a piece of the World Wide Web real estate, why not use it to it’s maximum potential!  Don’t let your site sit static with no reason for people to visit except to get your phone number.  Your website is your biggest ticket to finding new customers as well as new sales avenues.  You have an opportunity to tell your story and become the leader/authority in your arena.  Websites can and will often be the center-piece to your online initiatives.

Search Engine Optimization and Search Engine Management: SEO & SEM activities ensure that #2 (your obligatory website) gets traffic… more importantly qualified traffic.  There are two ways to go about this: Natural and Paid.

–Natural (or Organic):  The most cost effective method is to acquire high placement naturally.  This involves your website, how it’s laid out, what page titles you use, what content you have, how often the content changes and the number and quality of incoming links to your site.  Natural placement takes some time, but can be supplemented by paid placement as you grow.  Example: the company I maintain all the SEO/SEM for had 10-15 keywords on the front page of Google in April 2008.  Since then, with a site redesign and a focus put on the SEO, we have been able to acquire over 250 terms on the first page of Google with a value of over $7,000/month.  That value is based on how much it would cost us to “pay” for this type of placement or the value of the “click”. Over 25% of new leads on the site are now coming from the internet and most are coming from search engines.

–Paid:  Google and Yahoo! offer the opportunity to “pay for placement”.  You can have your ad appear based on specific keyword or phrases that a user may type in. It’s important to remember, this can be very costly depending on your desired terms or keywords (more popular search terms cost more money).  You must research which terms and keywords work for you.  You are paying each time a user “clicks” on your term or keyword.  This gives you the ability to place value on a “click”.

Blogging/Transparency/Social Media: Whether you like it or not, people are talking about you or your company.  It can be positive or negative but if you aren’t “listening” in the social media arena then you can’t defend yourself or, better yet, say “thanks” to those who are praising you.  There are many mediums online that people are using to talk. Here are some that are important to monitor and get involved in.:

Twitter (Examples include Comcast, Guitar Center)

Social Media (Facebook, LinkedIn)

Blogs (Thomas Nelson’s Michael Hyatt, Chris Brogan)

Forums/Discussion groups (citydata.com)

Listen To Me Talk… Fun, eh?

// April 7th, 2009 // 4 Comments » // life, Technology

So, it started a few weeks back when I got to spend the morning with some elementary kids telling them about interactive media and marketing. Of course, the kind of computer I had and if it played cool games was way more important to a fifth grader. It seems I’ve graduated and will be on a panel this week for the CRBJ’s Power Breakfast series and then presenting to the Charleston Chamber’s Area Business Council the following week. I’m looking forward to both of these and sharing thoughts from interactive marketing and social media. If you know me, then you know, that I want you to know all about social media and how it can enhance your life and business.

I’ll be the first to admit I’m a little bit nervous. I’m not from the typical business/corporate world that most of these attendees will be used to. I’ve only worked in an office and for someone else (directly) for a year and a half. However, I’ve been doing “it” my way for many years which has paid off and has lead to some great opportunities including being featured on Wired.com in their small business program.

Outside of the box thinking has always been a part of who I am. How can we do things better? How can we manage interactive/social media better? How can we do it more affordable? These question came up many times because I had ideas and projects that I didn’t have funding to pursue. I had to figure it out on my own and have since been able to refine my thoughts and processes that have led to consulting, teaching and leading others in a new way of thinking.

Here’s my question to you… if you were/are wanting to learn more about social media what are you most wanting to understand? What outlets or practices are you unsure about? Are there any specific question you’d want addressed if you came to sit in on a social media “talk”?

Who's The Oldest Twit?

// March 18th, 2009 // No Comments » // Funny, life, Technology

I’m curious who the oldest person on Twitter is. I mean, the oldest one actually using twitter daily. I know we got 60 covered, but do you know someone who is 70 or 80 using Twitter?

I’m using the hashtag #oldesttwit – Can we find the oldest twit??

We Took A Bath

// February 19th, 2009 // No Comments » // life, Technology

It’s been a while since the blog was “bathed”.  I was on the other day and was thinking that the layout was just looking a bit dingy… so I gave it a bath.

I’m hoping to launch the Free Music Friday as a sidebar widget so that the artists who are featured get exposure more than just a day or so.  Also added some social media buttons so you guys can find me all over the place!

What do you think?  Like? Dislike?  Add?  Take away?

What The Social Media "Elite" Won't Tell You

// February 10th, 2009 // No Comments » // Technology

So I’ve ranted and raved about social media a lot lately so I figured I’d keep going. I’m not a negative person, I promise. I just think that the mass and instant communication tools that we have all been given (for free) are quickly saturated by those who are only concerned with making a buck. I’m not talking about all of them, but a good many are only concerned with telling you how to “grow your network” and “make money”.

I’m all for making $$$ to make a living, but I’m also all for community. Real community that isn’t concerned with just making money off their friends/followers! Here are some things you won’t hear most of the social media “elite” tell you.

1. Be Real.  Meet the people you are connecting with, don’t send DM or Instant Messages that direct them to a product or your “How to make bank with Twitter” post.
2. Don’t Try To Make Money.  You’d be surprised at how many people meet others and create connections that lead to work.  I know.  I’ve worked with musicians and web projects with people that I met on Twitter, Facebook and Myspace.  I wasn’t trying to get work!  I was just being myself and people were able to learn who I really was.
3. Delete Friends and Followers If Needed.  If someone you follow or a “friend” sends an automatic DM or Message that is selling you something- delete it.  Drop them.  It’s ok.  They are selling you something not trying to be your friend.  Think telemarketing.. we all hang up on most of them!
4. Turn Down The Noise.  Do what you want when it comes to followers and friends.. accept them all or accept only a few.  It’s your network!!!
5. Ignore The Rules.  Wait, there are no rules.  I promise.  There is no definitive rule book for social media.  Sure, a lot of stuff has been written on growing your network and community, but none of those came from the Constitution.
6. Don’t Be “That” Guy/Girl.  Guru, Rockstar, Evangelists, Expert, Maven- all the self-proclaimed titles…  This is one the weirdest trends I’ve seen in social media.  Like I said above, there are no rules so if you are a self-proclaimed expert then you must think you know the rules and want to teach everyone.  Wrong. You don’t know me.
7. It’s Your Social Network.  Do you let others tell you how to run your social life?  Why would you do that online?  Use your social networks how ever you like, it’s your network.  If you want to piss people off and be the high-pressure/annoying sales “friend” go for it, just know it’s not much different online than when you call my house at 9pm to sell me something!

I’m in total agreement that we all use social media for separate reasons.  We also have social lives outside of the internet that aren’t much different.  We don’t like to be sold to every other minute and not all of us are out looking for “get rich quick” schemes!

Please also know there are some great Social Media peeps who are very popular and get it.  Who do you follow or are friends with that get social media, I want to know!?

Is Twitter Heading Down The Myspace Road?

// February 3rd, 2009 // 17 Comments » // Technology

You guys know I love Twitter…  as a matter of fact, most of you think I live on Facebook because my Twitter account is connected to my Facebook status updates.  BUT, I’ve recently started feeling a bit the same about Twitter as I did when I was ready to abandon Myspace.  Why? What has happened?  Here’s my thoughts on the future of Twitter, I may be way off but hear me out!

Twitter is about connecting and building community.  Myspace was about finding friends and building community as well (before it became a booty call station).  However, Myspace became a game about who had the most friends.  I’m guilty… I had 1800+ friends and really only talked/connected with a hundred or so…  I was overwhelmed with trying to keep up with them all and usually missed the “real” friends because of the noise of unknown “friends”.  It wasn’t long after reaching that 1800+ mark that I “cleaned” house and narrowed my connections back down to people that I knew or people that I had common interests with.  Even so, I eventually looked at Myspace as a chore- and have since moved on to Facebook.  The whole Facebook vs. Myspace saga is another post, I just choose Facebook over Myspace.

So how do I see Twitter as another Myspace?  The “followers” war.  Once again, I’ve played this game too.  I started following anyone who followed me even if I had nothing in common with them.  As the numbers started to grow I slowly disconnected with the people that I had truly connected with.  Then I started seeing people post stuff like “If you don’t follow me back, you will be dropped…  Fair is Fair!”.  That’s not a joke.

First off people, get a clue.  A follower doesn’t mean a friend-  friendships are built by talking and getting to know one another.  There are many folks that I respond too and converse with but don’t follow and the same with other folks who respond to me.  Why do I follow people who’s sole goal is to gain followers then 90% of their tweets are the song they are listening to.  Really? Really?  Ego trips are quickly taking over Twitter… one guy is following 12,000+ people and he has 11,000+ followers, yet he doesn’t talk with his followers rather he spouts out information and 9 times out of 10 it’s a retweet of someone else that everyone is already following.   I’m seeing this more and more daily which is why I’ve realized that soon we are all going to get tired of the game and look for the next manageable communication/media breakthrough.

This is how I relate Twitter to Myspace… Myspace and Facebook are basically the same idea, Facebook was executed better by giving the user more control over their connections and privacy… the interface was also very user friendly. Twitter is basically an open & easy interface place to connect. However with mass followers it gets hard to manage (I say hard to manage, I’m talking about the average user- see below to see how I manage Twitter sanely!!!)

I know I’m stepping on some of the toes of the “Twitter Elite”.  If it feels like I’m stepping on your toes, I’m sorry but I just don’t think you get the idea of building community- whether online or off.  Give me some info, give me a reason to be your “follower”!

This applies to me as well.  I try to be myself on Twitter, I post through out the day with stuff I’m working on, music I like, food I love, interesting links I find, and respond to those I may be able to help.  If I’m not offering you anything then unfollow me… it’s ok… I’m not going to be offended!!!

I still love Twitter but mainly because I’ve found a way to manage it.  If you are overwhelmed with Twitter or feel like you are missing conversations then I encourage you to check out Tweetdeck.  Tweetdeck let’s you create groups…  I have the following groups setup:  local/real friends, music related friends, marketing/interactive friends, then the big group of “All”. 

I have hope for Twitter but we’ve got to get a grip on the egos and the serial followers to create a great and useful community.  Who’s on board?