Does your business need a social media checkup? We've had this conversation before: You don't want surprises and "gotcha!" moments. Instead, you want that first (in person and online) impression to be the right one. Whether you call it brand management, reputation, or...
Independent Thinking Blog
Social Media for Business
Why LinkedIn Is No Longer Optional
The other day I was looking for insights into a few people I was scheduled to meet. Do you know where I turned first? Not a company Web site. Not Facebook. Not Google Search. I started with LinkedIn. LinkedIn is no longer optional. It's a must for any business...
Don’t Be Distracted By Shiny Objects
You have my permission to play with shiny objects. The hottest “it” platform (e.g., Pinterest). The newest options (e.g., Google+ Communities). And, yes, the toys (e.g., social badges). Each might have its place in your social strategy–but they shouldn't be the...
Social Is No Longer a Destination
Facebook might have started out as a destination platform. But it and all social media are becoming increasingly integrated into our lives. Consider this example (from my election night experience). It's a little after 11:00 p.m., and the television talking heads are...
A Big Announcement
I have a big announcement, and I wanted you, my blog readers, to be the first to know. I'm launching a new business! (Don't worry, Steigman Communications--and Independent Thinking--aren't going anywhere.) Social Biz Smarts is all about leveraging "social" more...
Customers Don’t Care About Your Org. Chart
Minnesota Public Radio has a fascinating article on Best Buy at a crossroads. At one point, a Best Buy worker tells the interviewer: "Executives ... focus on issues that are not crucial to Best Buy's competitiveness or survival. For instance, he argues Best Buy has...
Why Find-ability Is No Longer Enough
What do CEOs need to know about social media and the digital space? I joined Walter Lukens and Robb Lee on a panel about social and the C-suite at the Direct Marketing Association of Washington's 2012 Social Media Summit. Lukens talked about how his firm advises its...
Lip Service Is Not Customer Service
I wrote recently about the gap between empowered customers and many sales and customer service teams. That post dealt specifically with the disconnect between what a company is offering online and what they're telling you when you call them. And that doesn't even...
Are You Disrespecting Your Fan Base?
@dariasteigman Re: @Nationals Would following back 26K people really a sign of anything? That never impresses me if a brand follows me back. — Jonathan Steigman (@MagicPeaceLove) February 22, 2012 So I went on a mini rant yesterday about my hometown team's...
7 Digital Trends to Watch in 2012
Integration, mobile, and consolidation were all topics under discussion at the January 12 IABC/Washington panel on trends in digital communications. Here are my top seven takeaways: 1. Silos will start to fall. According to Steve Radick of Booz Allen Hamilton’s...