Cool Content + Social Media = BUZZZZ!!!

Savannah College Of Art And Design is doing something really cool with social media right now. The school is hosting the Game Developers eXchange (game developers, educators and students sharing their behind-the-scenes knowledge of the game industry.) The cool part is that they have built an online videocast channel called SCADTV into their website. They are using this great tool to provide live coverage of the event. They are also live microblogging about the event (and their SCADTV coverage of it) on Twitter (twittername: @scaddotedu). Users can interact by tweeting questions and thoughts live by using "#gdx" in their message.

I love this stuff! Combining multi-media assets and social media tools is a super-strong play. Are you using your website to engage your audience in this way?

SMILE AND MOVE: Sometimes It Really Is That Simple.

I've blogged about Sam Parker (twittername: @justParker) in the past ("The Power Of Words" 05/20/2008). He is a professional motivator (great job if you can get it) who is effective because his messages are simple and actionable. He also gives us great examples of the importance of using slick, quick, fast-paced, educational, informational, entertaining and interactive content to help get a message across.

Here's his latest work...I'm sure you'll enjoy his message. More importantly, learn from his technique. Ask yourself the question, "how can I package and present my brand with a similar impactful spirit?"

The Power Of Content

In the last post, I talked about the power of words. To help make my point, I embedded a video of some inspirational words produced by Sam Parker and his team at "212: The Extra Degree". My message of carefully picking good words to tell your product's marketing story...that's a strong message on its own. But look how much more powerful it became by using media to reinforce the words.

We are in an age in which audio and video can often have a more lasting effect on consumers than do words. We are also in an age in which we have much more access to audio and video than ever before. Part of what we do at WHY? Media is produce targeted media for our clients to use on their websites to reinforce their brand. But in true D.I.Y. fashion, we recommend that you think creatively and use what's already available.

Let me demonstrate...

Let's create a new feature for this blog called "the D.I.Y. SING-A-LONG". I'm going to pick a music video from youtube.com that has a good D.I.Y. message. Let's embed the video on the right hand column of this blog. This will give visitors something relevant to listen to while checking out new posts. Now imagine that I announce that I'm going to update that feature every Wednesday. What I've done is created an appointment with my audience. Those that like the feature will return every Wednesday to see what I put up next (and hopefully they'll tell their friends). SETTING AND APPOINTMENT is a tried-and-true radio tactic and a very effective D.I.Y. Web Marketing tool that you can use on your website.

Now to the video. This weeks D.I.Y. SING-A-LONG is a perfect do it yourself anthem...

Ben Harper-"With My Own Two Hands"
(Ben Harper Website / Ben Harper CD Store)

The Power Of Words

Once upon a time, I worked for a company...let's call it Brand X. I loved working for Brand X. Brand X had a wonderfully creative culture and was based on an inspiring vision. The problem was, Brand X was fronted by a leader who...of all his many strong qualities...was not very good at motivating his troops. He would constantly say things like, "I need you to work harder". He was absolutely right...he did need his team to work harder if Brand X was to have any chance of survival. But instead of inspiring, his words came off as insulting and they had the exact opposite effect.

Imagine if that leader would have used words like these...

(Learn more about Sam Parker and "212: The Extra Degree")

My point is this...any good message is best told by using good words. Telling people to "work harder" is not nearly as effective as telling people that working one degree harder could be the difference between winning or losing.

Look closely at the words you use to describe your product in your marketing campaigns. Have you used good words? If not, re-write them or hire someone who is skilled at copy writing. If you have written good words, good for you. You are well on your way to D.I.Y.!