clearly conveyed communications

Twitter’s ‘Retweet With Comment’ Feature Changes The Conversation

Last night, it hit me: Twitter’s retweet with comment feature is a game-changer. I was excited about it before, even though it didn’t make our Q1 social media updates a few weeks ago. (Ed. Note: It has been added!) But I didn’t grasp how much of an effect it would have.

Now that's how to use social, folks. 👍 Thanks for the back up, @ACLU! #MadMen #socialmedia https://t.co/jPPn2vaYd0

— Jaime Shine 💬 Marketer | Writer (@jaimeshine) May 4, 2015

Last night, I was watching my favorite show, Mad Men, while following the #MadMen hashtag. Talking to people all over the world and experiencing a show from other peoples’ points of view while it’s airing takes your experience to another level. (It deepens your emotional connection with the characters and encourages you to watch the show live, but that’s another blog post.) I enjoyed reading others’ tweets and gained a new perspective on some of the characters’ actions and scenes.

I have to do this in my lifetime. Thanks for the inspiration, Peggy. #MadMen https://t.co/QmD4gJx9eb

— Jaime Shine 💬 Marketer | Writer (@jaimeshine) May 4, 2015

And that’s when it hit me. I loved seeing people add their own insight to others’ thoughts and contributing to the conversation. While browsing the hashtag stream, I could instantly view a conversation instead of only seeing a reply or straight retweet (because there usually wasn’t room to comment on a retweet before). Previously, you would have to click to view the conversation, interrupting your stream (and experience). Now it’s all right in front of you waiting to be viewed and shared.

What’s the big deal? Engagement. As brands (and people), we all want other people to engage with us. That’s why this update is so big. Retweeting a tweet with an added comment increases impressions and engagement, including followers. Check out the analytics on two tweets I retweeted and added a comment to during the show. My reach and engagement is much higher than if I had simply retweeted these tweets, because I was able to add information for my audience.

Retweets with comments drive engagement! — Retweets with comments drive impressions and engagement over straight retweets.

I’m not suggesting you only retweet on Twitter, but this phenomenon makes sense. Social media is all about getting social with others no matter how hard we try to prove otherwise. Twitter’s retweet with comment feature allows us to engage with others while adding our own insight. It combines the best of both worlds: engagement and original content.

This update is almost as epic as Peggy’s entrance into her new employer last night — drunk, donning shades indoors and enjoying a smoke. Yet another way to change the conversation….

Join the Conversation on the Retweet with Comment Feature

Have you used the retweet with comment feature?

Will this feature encourage you to retweet more?

Are you on Twitter more, less or the same as you were a year ago?

p.s. We’d love to hear from you on Twitter! Tweet us @jaimeshine with your thoughts on this update, Twitter in general or anything else you have on your mind.

CCC’s Tweeting Queen,
Jaime

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Are You Being Heard? Communication Tips For Your Brand

Local Call by Wes Peck via CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Communication. It’s so simple, right? We learn to do it at a young age, and it’s second nature. So why is it so difficult to communicate effectively with your customers, business partners and employees?

Sure, you blast out emails to your customers and employees, blast out promotional social updates and blast out glossy hyperbole in your monthly newsletter. But what are you actually saying?

Before you send another email, post another update or publish another newsletter, read what you wrote—as a recipient. Who are you trying to reach? What would a person in your target audience think of your communication? Even if it’s only an email to a colleague, employee or business partner… would you understand what you’re trying to say?

“Tell me and I’ll forget. Show me and I might remember. Involve me and I will understand.” -Benjamin Franklin

How do you know what your recipients need and want (two different issues)? Ask them. Observe them (in a non-stalking manner). Put yourself in their shoes. Spend a day in their life handling their challenges and looking for opportunities.

When you take your customers’ needs and wants into consideration, and involve them in your solutions, you stand out in a sea of information overload and tend to be heard. That would make the late, great Gabrielle Bonheur (Coco) Chanel proud. Are you being heard?

“In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different.” -Coco Chanel

Communicate with CCC

What is your most effective type of communication?

What type of communication would you like to improve?

Do you have “miscommunication” issues often?

Do you have a communication question? Leave a comment or ask us on social media.

p.s. We’d love help you communicate with your target audience(s)! Check out our marketing, writing and social media services, and contact us to discuss your needs. Each project receives personal attention at CCC!

Your Captain of Communication,
Jaime

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https://www.pinterest.com/jaimeshine/ — https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimeshine/

Live Streaming Apps: The Future of Broadcasting or Legal Liability?

Since Meerkat stormed SXSW this year, live streaming apps have been all the rage. Once the fun of this new trend dies down, what will be left? Is live streaming the future of broadcasting or a legal liability?

On one hand, live streaming apps are fun and functional. According to Fortune, early adopters are jumping in to use Meerkat and Periscope in creative ways. Pop star Katy Perry used Periscope to broadcast pink carpet arrivals to her film’s premiere and aired a post-show Q&A, all while encouraging fans to promote the event with #PerryScope. Saturday Night Live, SNL founder Lorne Michaels and MSNBC are all examples of well-known brands successfully utilizing Meerkat to promote themselves and further connect with their audiences.

“If Hollywood can find ways to monetize live streaming, by including advertising or product placement, it could be a great and easy way to boost revenue for the changing industry.”

On the other hand, live streaming presents downsides as well. Even in public settings, recording people on video without their permission can violate “right of publicity” laws. Live streaming concerts, games and other events can present challenges for organizers, who have contractual obligations to sponsors. On a more practical level, thousands of people live streaming an event can eat up bandwidth and keep people from promoting it via their social networks. This is why the NFL banned live streaming of the Super Bowl this year by attendees.

Bandwidth issues point to a more practical issue for small business owners and professionals. As Time notes, livestreaming apps will totally crush your data plan. In an era where data limits are shrinking and prices are rising, this isn’t a good thing. So sure, you can live stream portions of your event or even a day at the office. But you’ll be paying for it, too.

Live stream to the CCC blog

Have you live streamed an event?

Which live streaming app do you prefer?

Do you foresee ways that your business could monetize live streaming?

Drop your thoughts in the comments, and chime in on the live streaming debate!

Cheers,
Jaime

Join the conversation (wherever you are):

Droid Turbo: Power & Speed Wrapped in Kevlar (A Review)

I was having so much fun setting up my new phone that I’m just getting around to blogging today.

Verizon sent me an early upgrade offer via its Edge program, so I checked out my options. I’m an Android fan, and after some research, it came down to the Samsung Galaxy S6 and the Motorola Droid Turbo. I love Samsung products, and my last two smartphones have been from the popular manufacturer, but I also enjoyed the original Droid as my first smartphone.

Like most business professionals today, I’m on the go — working client conferences, running errands around town and managing my small business around the clock. Two things about the Droid Turbo stood out: power and speed.

Power

I need power, and this is one area where Motorola dwarfs Samsung. The Droid Turbo offers up to 48 hours of mixed use and 675 hours on standby in one charge. I’m heading to a client’s conference this week, so the term heavy usage applies. I’ll be thrilled to get one full day out of the battery (although I will have my mobile charger on standby). If this impressive power display isn’t enough, you can also pick up a Turbo Charger, which gives you 8 hours of battery life in only 15 minutes.

Speed

Speed kills, or in this case, makes you look like a rockstar. The Droid Turbo’s 2.7 GHz quad-core processor lets you jump back and forth between a multitude of apps with no lag. So now I really can be in 3 places at the same time, app-wise, and that’s huge for me (because cloning isn’t an option). I can engage with fans via Hootsuite and communicate with clients via email while keeping an eye on my banking.

"Let's go Droid Turbo!" — See what the Droid Turbo can do. // photo via Verizon Wireless

After my two main needs were met, I was thrilled with a few additional features. The Ballistic Nylon models are wrapped in Metallized Glass Fiber reinforced with DuPont™ Kevlar® fiber, making the phone easy to grip while adding strength and durability. It’s like having bodyguards for your smartphone. The added protection won’t weigh you down; the Droid Turbo only comes in one ounce heavier than the S6. I like the weight in my hand.

The 21 MP rear-facing camera and Ultra HD video is perfect for capturing the action at events and snapping professional pictures that are ready for any social platform. Scratch-resistant Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3 guards the 5.2-inch display while a nanocoating helps to keep your phone dry when you’re caught in a downpour (or accidentally knock over your coffee). Motorola is so confident in its chemically-protected screen that the manufacturer will replace it once in the first two years if it’s damaged.

“Let’s go Droid Turbo, text Richard Branson and remind me to save the world tomorrow.”

Finally, I’m looking forward to this phone becoming the assistant I need. I’ve never really gotten into voice commands before, but this setup seems intuitive. I love how the screen comes to life when the phone senses you, and notifications peek through on the Active Display without interrupting your concentration.

There are cons of course, which there are with any phone (or gadget). The battery’s not removable, and the 32 GB memory isn’t expandable. I use cloud storage when I can, so I’m hoping it won’t be an issue. I did hear from a Twitter user who was concerned that Verizon has forgotten Motorola in the wake of Samsung’s popularity and hasn’t upgraded the operating system yet. While that does concern me, I’m happy with Android 4.4 Kitkat® for now.

I just got the phone today, so I’m sure I’ll come across other pros and cons when I head to a client’s conference this week. After 4 action-packed days of covering events, capturing memorable moments and creating a conversation, a follow-up review with more real world experience will be forthcoming.

Let’s Talk Tech, Mobile Style

What phone do you have?

What are your favorite features of the phone?

Are you an Apple or Android fan?

Do you primarily access social media platforms via mobile or desktop/laptop?

Your lovable gadget geek,
Jaime

Join the conversation (wherever you are):

Get Your Ducks In A Row: Your 1st Quarter Social Media Updates

Social media is an ever-evolving world. One of our most popular posts last year was Social Media 2014: Traveling At The Speed of Light (And A Look Ahead!), so we thought that a quick first quarter review of social media updates would help you stay up-to-date. Here goes!

Your Q1 social media updates brought to you by CCC (and Webster)! — Social media’s like a day at the ballpark. You never know what you’re going to find! A duck wearing shades?!

Facebook

Facebook Messenger is now a platform — and open for business
Facebook Messenger adds peer-to-peer payments feature
Embedded Video Player — easily share FB videos to your website
New Resources for Facebook Marketers

Twitter

Twitter adds retweet with comment feature [UPDATED 5/4/15}
Twitter.com gets a refresh
Updating trends on mobile
Introducing Periscope — a new app that lets you share and experience live video from your mobile phone
Group Direct Messages and mobile video camera

Instagram

Introducing Layout from Instagram — make picture collages for Instagram
Color and Fade — new creative tools
Instagram Adds Post Notifications — have you signed up for notifications from anyone yet?

Pinterest

Pinning with fewer clicks
Get more downloads with new App Pins – iOS only
A big year ahead for Promoted Pins

LinkedIn

LinkedIn Elevate Helps Companies Empower Their Employees to Share Content
Opens Publishing to All Members
Re-engineered LinkedIn Search — find people and jobs faster for networking, hiring and prospecting opportunities

Get Social

What important updates did we miss?

What’s your favorite social media update thus far in 2015?

What’s your favorite social network right now?

Remember, we’re ready to help you navigate the always evolving, real-time social media world to achieve your specific objectives. Want to talk?

Let’s get social,
Jaime

Join the conversation:

Mad Men: Master Storytelling In Any Era

“Everyone has a story to tell. It only goes in one direction: forward.” -Don Draper

And Mad Men, the popular drama about the advertising world (and life) in the 1960s from AMC, has told its story well. In its own way, with some detours of course. But isn’t that life?

As an advertising major (and disciple), I love this show because of its attention to detail. Everything — the ads they create, the most minor set props (Tab, anyone?) and the lifestyles depicted are true to the time period the show is set in. (Just ask real-life Mad Woman Jane Maas.)

Even AMC’s social media marketing is on point. Take the above out of office that you can create on the Mad Men Facebook page. Pick your favorite character, decide what you’ll be doing (brainstorming a new ad, meeting with the creative team or going on a date) and fill in your name to let your connections know that you’ll be tied up on Sunday evenings. Genius.

Tell your secretary to hold your calls – #TheFinalEpisodes premiere in one hour. #MadMen

— Mad Men (@MadMen_AMC) April 6, 2015

Furthermore, the Mad Men voice is consistent wherever you hear it. Watch the show, scroll through its tweets or check out pictures on its Facebook page. AMC remembers that the brand is set in the 60s and acts accordingly, even down to the words it chooses. Want to rub elbows with Don and Peggy? Don’t sign up for the show’s newsletter; join the Mad Men Social Club. Looking to enjoy the next episode with friends? Check out the Cocktail Guide. Still not enough? Get the Mad Men Birchbox, male or female version.

AMC has stayed true to the brand it created while taking advantage of more modern marketing options, like social media, brand partnerships and email marketing. That’s why it’s so important to understand your brand’s voice, so you can present a consistent presence across platforms, marketing vehicles and generations.

Now make yourself a martini, put your feet up and enjoy storytelling at its finest.

Tell Your Story

What brand is your favorite storyteller?

Would you work at Sterling, Cooper & Pryce?

Who’s your favorite Mad Men character?

Editor’s Note: Different bat time, same bat channel. The CCC blog will now publish on Mondays and Thursdays. Don’t want to miss a post? Click on the subscribe button to the right of this post’s title. Thanks for reading!

A Mad Woman at heart,
Jaime

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Brands: Is Looking Stupid Ever A Good Thing?

“There’s no such thing as bad publicity except your own obituary.” -Brendan Behan, Irish writer

Even in the constant onslaught of social media, some things stop you mid-scroll.

It's here and we couldn't be filled with more sweet joy. #OpeningDay pic.twitter.com/YndEyEgQQa

— Hostess Snacks (@Hostess_Snacks) April 6, 2015

Here’s the kicker (no wrong sport pun intended): Hostess did this on purpose.

“The ‘Touchdown’ line was intentional; it’s fun and aimed at young audiences who are in on the running joke – which, of course, is the goalllll.” -Ellen Copaken, senior director of marketing at Hostess Brands

Huh?

As a company who helps brands with social media, we love to secure increased exposure for clients, along with achieving their other objectives. Positive exposure, we should point out. We can’t ever imagine making a brand look stupid in order to gain engagement and attention. How does that help with the big picture?

“For a few hours, Hostess achieved the all-consuming goal of social media managers everywhere: cut through the noise. Even though it had to act like an idiot to do it.” -Mashable

Along the same lines, there was a mixed reaction to JCPenney’s #TweetingWithMittens Super Bowl stunt last year. If you missed it, the retailer sent out a series of tweets filled with mistakes and typos. Most Twitter users thought that the people manning the account were intoxicated, or the account had been hacked. It turned out the company was “tweeting with mittens” to promote its status as the official supplier of Team USA’s mittens.

Who kkmew theis was ghiong tob e a baweball ghamle. #lowsscorinh 5_0

— JCPenney (@jcpenney) February 2, 2014

The company planned this strategy because Super Bowl XLVIII was held outdoors in New Jersey, and freezing temperatures were expected. Unfortunately for JCP, temps were much higher for the game, so wearing mittens didn’t make sense. However, JCPenney’s engagement went through the roof (both positive and negative), and its week-over-week mitten sales doubled.

So, here’s our question –> Does the end always justify the means?

If your brand’s engagement soars (even negative mentions), is it worth it?

Would you use a stunt that may reflect poorly on your brand in order to gain publicity?

This is a hot topic; Mashable even wrote about it. We’d love to hear your take!

Cheers,
Jaime

Tag, tweet, mention or pin us –> Join the conversation:

Your Invite: It’s Spring Training At The CCC Blog

Welcome to the CCC blog, rookies and veterans alike!

Root, Root, Root for the home team! — Nothing beats a night at the ballpark!

With spring training coming to a close, we thought it would be a great time to show you around the place. This blog (and website) is set up to help you, so here’s how to navigate it with ease.

Popular Content

Today, everyone wants to know, “What’s hot? What’s everyone else doing?” Well, here’s our answer. The Popular Content area on the right hand side toolbar shows you what people are reading every day that you visit. It varies wildly from recent posts to ones penned a few years ago. Rest assured, you’ll find an intriguing topic in Popular Content.

Categories & Tags

While we do have a search box (upper right hand corner), the Categories and Tags clouds on the right hand side toolbar can point you in the right direction quickly. In general, our posts fall into one of four categories: marketing, writing, social media and personal reflection. However, we take a variety of routes to get there, as evidenced by some of our tags. What’s the difference between a category and tag? A category classifies the main topic of a post while there may be 10-12 tags or other topics mentioned. Does that make sense?

Archives

Our Archives (on the right hand side toolbar) are like those scrapbooks you never get around to making. With one click, you can see what we were writing about in October 2012 or the beginning of this year. Easy peasy!

Contributors to the CCC Blog

This is where it gets interesting (and fun). We’re fortunate enough to have some fantastic contributors to this blog, who are noted in this special section on the right hand side toolbar. CCC values different opinions and viewpoints, so we’re always open to guest bloggers. For more on a guest blogging opportunity, click here. If you’d like to check out our guest posts, just click on the Guest Bloggers Category link.

CCC Wants to Give You A Voice

Clearly Conveyed Communications offers marketing, writing and social media services, which you may have figured out by our main blog categories. Check out more information on our services, and let us know if you have a specific project to discuss or a question in general. We’re here to help!

If you stumbled across our blog and like what you see, subscribe. At the very top of the right hand side toolbar, you can choose to receive email or RSS Feed updates. Want to read our posts in your pj’s? Go ahead. We won’t judge!

“Baseball, it is said, is only a game. True. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole in Arizona.” -George Will

Pitch In!

We’d love to hear from you! Join the discussion by adding your unique voice to a topic raised on a post, or contact us if you’d like a little more privacy. As a communications company, we welcome your opinion and recognize that more voices add to the discussion and create amazing solutions. All we ask is that you be respectful of others while you’re here, so everyone can enjoy themselves.

What topics would you like to see covered in future posts?

What’s an incredible blog post you read (or wrote) recently?

What’s your favorite tag on the CCC blog?

We love trading ideas and supporting fellow blog owners. Feel free to leave your blog URL in the comments, and remember to let us know what you write about. Happy blogging and baseball season!

CCC’s Manager,
Jaime

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Facebook Messenger Is Now a Platform — And Open For Business

Facebook Messenger is open for business — to businesses!

“David Marcus on stage at Facebook’s F8 Developers Conference 2015” by Maurizio Pesce via CC BY 2.0

One of the biggest announcements made at Facebook’s F8 Developers Conference last week is that Messenger is becoming a platform and is open for business. As business owners and consumers, we’re excited. Why?

Peer-to-Peer Payments Feature

Facebook is adding a feature to Messenger that will allow you to send payments to other users, including businesses. At this time, the social media giant has no interest in moving into the payments business, so it’s not looking to make money from the feature. No fees! This could be a game-changer for small businesses. While credit card payments are convenient, the fees can and do add up, especially on frequent, small projects. Would you ask customers to pay via the new Messenger Platform instead of PayPal or credit card? Learn more.

I'm excited about @Facebook Messenger adding payment capabilities. No transaction fees at this time. Could be big for #smallbusiness.

— Jaime Shine 💬 Marketer | Writer (@jaimeshine) March 25, 2015

Businesses on Messenger: Communicating Clearly

As a company that helps brands communicate with their audiences, we’re excited that the new Messenger Platform will help streamline communications between these parties. You’ll be able to have individual, private communications with your customers and prospects without the hassle of email or trying to reach someone on the phone. After making a purchase, you can ask to receive follow-up communications via Messenger. Your receipt, order acknowledgement, shipping notice and follow-up messages will all be in one safe place, where it’s convenient for you to access them. Have a question? Ask and receive a personalized response without waiting on hold. Learn more.

“The second thing we want to talk about is making Messenger a place where you can easily communicate with the businesses you care about.” -Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook CEO

Comment on Facebook’s New Features

What part of the new Messenger Platform are you looking forward to?

Will you use Messenger for business reasons?

What announcement from the F8 Developers Conference has you the most excited?

p.s. If you need help making Facebook work for you business, we’d love to talk!

Cheers,
Jaime

Join the conversation (on Facebook & elsewhere):

4 Ways to Control Your Social Media Destiny, But Not Your Fate

Social media is a two-way street, a conversation between brands and consumers that’s never been possible before. Every brand dreams of having an active, engaged online community that shares opinions, discusses its products and invites others to join. Until it happens, that is. Then the brand starts to get nervous. Why?

"I can control my destiny, but not my fate." — You can control what you say on social media, but not what others say about you.

To truly get social, you have to give up a little control over where the conversation goes. You can give direction, suggest topics and even try to steer your community down a certain path with incentives. But you can’t stop members of your community from taking a conversation down an unexpected path, making negative comments about you or associating your brand with undesired topics or people. And that scares brands, understandably.

What can you do to keep the conversation civil?

Stay Positive — Discuss what you (and others) do well, and stay away from negative mentions of competitors. Respond to community members who take the time to comment, even disgruntled ones. Oftentimes, a simple acknowledgement of someone’s distress and apology (if your brand caused said distress) will calm down upset members. If additional action is needed (i.e. replace a faulty product), take it. Always communicate what you are doing, so others can see you being responsive.
Be Honest — Don’t try to mislead your audience about your brand in any way. In the digital age, that won’t fly. Transparency and honesty lead to trust, which is the new business currency. If a community member asks a question, tell the truth. While all brands should strive to be good corporate citizens, no one is perfect. Lying to your audience or overstating your efforts won’t build trust in your brand. Editor’s Note: This doesn’t mean that you have to allow incorrect information to be shared about your brand. Feel free to step in and correct anyone (with a smile) who is misleading others about your brand.
Acknowledge Differing Opinions — Community members can disagree with your brand (or other community members) without being hostile or uncivil. Perhaps some members don’t like your new website layout or a new product. Listen to these members, as they may have valid points that can be useful in future discussions. At least acknowledge them and let them know that you value their voice.
Do Your Research — Some brands have had issues with their hashtags for new campaigns or chats being hijacked. A little research into current consumer sentiment about your brand can prevent this awkward situation. Is your brand the subject of negative PR at the moment? That may not be the best time to throw your CEO on Twitter for a chat. Test the temperature of the market’s feelings about your brand before holding a special event or launching a new campaign online.

With a little foresight, patience, honesty and positivity, your brand can build and enjoy a thriving online community. Just remember that you can’t control fate, or the conversation. If you’ve built trust with your audience, the conversation about your brand will be one you’ll want to share.

p.s. We’d love to see you in the CCC community! Click the Subscribe button at the top of the page, and visit our social networks below.

CCC’s Head Superhero,
Jaime

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