We’re throwing a party, and you’re invited — to win.
Clearly Conveyed Communications is turning 3 this week, and we’re celebrating with our clients, customers, supporters and fans. All week, we’ll be partying (while we work) at the office, so we’re inviting you along for the fun.
Follow and engage with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and the blog for your chance to win CCC swag and other cool prizes. The winners will be announced right here on Friday, so stay tuned!
While you’re here, kick off your shoes and stay awhile. We’d love to help you with your next marketing, writing or social media project. Let us know your challenges, so we can help you with solutions. Have a question? Ask!
To kick your Tuesday up a notch, here’s what we’re dancing to in the office right now. Join us!
Now that you’re done dancing, here’s a chance to win.
What’s your favorite post (or series) on the CCC blog? Let us know below to be entered to win!
(New to the blog? Check out the right-hand sidebar for recent posts, popular content, categories, subject tags, archives and contributors to the CCC blog. You may be surprised at what you find!)
p.s. THANK YOU to all of our loyal readers and followers. We love to hear your thoughts and appreciate everyone who likes, comments on and shares our posts to further the conversation.
Last night, I attended a launch party for a unique concept called Inside/Out Akron. The Akron Art Museum has embarked on an ambitious community outreach program to take art to the people. High-quality art reproductions from the museum’s collection will be installed throughout the city for Akronites and visitors to enjoy as they go about their days.
Taking your message to the people. It’s a concept that seems everywhere today, or maybe I’m just noticing it more. From museums and churches to malls and grocery stores, everyone is reaching out to its audiences instead of only trying to market their products and services to them.
How can your business or brand take its message to the people?
Hit the Road — Exhibit at trade shows, conferences or community events. Take advantage of the tremendous foot traffic that these events generate, and the opportunity to get your message to new audiences. Early registration timelines and product/service trades can reduce your expenditures and help you receive even more exposure. Maximize your return on investment (ROI) by putting together a show strategy and executing a pre, during and post-show plan. Don’t forget about sponsorship opportunities, either at these events or elsewhere. They can be a boon to your business if chosen carefully.
Make New Friends — Look for opportunities to partner with other businesses or organizations to expand your reach. Make sure it’s a win-win situation, so you can develop a long-term, positive relationship. For example, the Akron Art Museum partnered with numerous organizations, including the Summit Metro Parks, Downtown Akron Partnership and Akron-Summit County Public Library, to reach new audiences and increase promotion of the Inside/Out initiative. A local homeless shelter partners with organizations to expand its reach, including Chick-fil-A to host a canned food drive. When you drop off at least two canned goods, you receive a coupon for a free sandwich. The right partnerships can open up a whole, new world.
Be the Host with the Most — Step outside of selling your products and services for a minute, and invite people into your building with no strings attached. What can you offer? Host a monthly book club or allow community members to reserve little or unused space for meetings. For example, the Summit Mall has flourished in an era when malls nationwide are struggling by opening itself up to the community. The mall encourages walkers, even opening the building well before the stores to accommodate work schedules, and posting wellness tips from a local hospital system. It also hosts a variety of events, from career fairs to pet expos, and seemingly everything in between. Once people are in the mall, it’s amazing what happens. They spend money! Another win-win.
Flip It Inside/Out: Your Turn!
How can you take your message to the people?
What are other examples of businesses who have taken their messages to their communities and beyond?
Would you be interested in a similar type of art outreach program in your community?
p.s. If you have event-related questions, let us know (or check out these event-related posts). While it’s not a core service that we promote, CCC has plenty of event experience of all kinds and would love to help with your next event.
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.
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.
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 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.
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!
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.
I was having so much fun setting up my new phone that I’m just getting around to blogging today.
Droid Turbo by Motorola // Photo via Verizon Wireless
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.
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?
“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 WomanJane Maas.)
Even AMC’s social media marketing is on point. Take the above out of officethat 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.
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!
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
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:
Welcome to the CCC blog, rookies and veterans alike!
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
Tag, tweet, mention or pin us –> Join the conversation:
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