Feb 15 2011

Are you violating Google’s Privacy Policy?

The New York Times recently wrote a story about how J.C. Penney used “black hat” optimization – or search practices Google equates to cheating – to obtain top search ranking results. When Google was made aware of Penney’s tactics, they penalized the company where it hurt, in the search. They went from the number one [...]

Sep 29 2010

GETTING STARTED: Create your publicity plan

If you read this blog regularly you know I talk about social media and public relations on a pretty basic and tactical level. After a recent tweet, I received several questions about how to put together a publicity plan (or at least wondering how our team does it). I’m going to share a few tips, [...]

Aug 8 2010

Survey participants share their online habits

A new study released by ExactTarget and CoTweet shares recent results and insight into consumers’ expectations for interacting with brands online. The study specifically focuses on consumers’ who use Twitter and their online habits (see below).
Upon reading the results I decided to conduct an informal poll of my own. I spend so much [...]

May 5 2010

What do you want from brands online?

We all know brands are jumping into the social media waters. Each day I see more advertisements, websites and print pieces showcasing a presence on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and the like. But, what are they actually doing when they get there? Let’s give them some advice.
Let me know what YOU want [...]

Mar 24 2010

Online fundraising facts, stats and tips: 101

Think of this post as a starter guide for getting to know an online audience. After reading, think about how you can contribute information in the comments section.
The most successful online fundraising campaigns have many of these components/attributes:

They do not overwhelm (not trying to save the world)
Know their audience
Specific, understandable, digestable
Are engaging
Participatory
Recognize donors and other [...]

Jan 19 2010

Online communication tactics for business

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Yesterday I spoke at the National Generation & Transmission Communicators Conference in Texas. They asked for “201 style” presentation to help them discover more/new ways to use online communications. Here’s what I shared:
Ideas and Tactics for CIPCO
View more presentations from Sarah Evans.

Jan 14 2010

Play nice

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Share Play nice. This is probably one of the keys in the book “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten,” but I haven’t read it. It’s a simple statement. In fact, it’s one of the rules I share each week as #journchat begins. It’s meant as a “gentle” reminder that we [...]

Nov 19 2009

HOW TO: Avoid online donor fatigue

I’d consider myself a member of the do-gooder and social good tribes.  It makes me happy to help others and, perhaps, alleviate a bit of that old Catholic guilt.
In the past year I’ve found myself saying no to causes. A day doesn’t go by (literally) where I’m asked to give time, money, join [...]

Sep 23 2009

Crowdsourced: Can you disagree online without damaging a relationship?

Yes, I’m posing this question specifically to you. Are you able to share a differing point of view (POV) without damaging a relationship? Differing POVs are essential and I love the conversation they generate on online forums (like blogs).
When you disagree with someone online is your first response to post something like,
“Here ye, here ye! [...]

Sep 11 2009

Guest Post: Do you have influence…online?

Guest post by: Daniel Prager is an interactive marketing consultant at The Ocean Agency, an interactive marketing firm in Chicago, IL. He also is a contributor to Ploked. You can learn more about the rest of his online presence here and find  him on Twitter.
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Is “influence” is the new “leverage?” The phenomenal success of Trust [...]

Aug 26 2009

WHYD4YCT? = What have you done for your community today?

NOTE: While I refer to community in this post, it is not limited to only your online networks. I intend for it to mean all communities: family, friends (virtual and in real life), peers and business associates, etc.
I ask myself this question daily. It doesn’t mean I always have an answer or know if I’ve [...]