Blog: Liz Cawood

Everyone knows that social media is picking up steam. Many worry about whether or not it produces results. At this stage is that the most relevant question? Some baby boomers will remember that in the early days TV programming was limited; it wasn't on 24/7. In fact, there were hours during the day when there was no programming. It took a while for the medium to grow and develop.

We've just started to experiment and innovate to make authentic connections using social media. Results will come and, like most marketing, they'll come sooner for the early adopters, for the businesses that make a commitment and are willing to make some mistakes to get better and get it right for their customers. Certainly, any marketer who ignores social media will soon learn how the dinosaurs felt.

The article on page 86 of the July/August edition of Fast Company has a subtitle that is telling: "Do "likes" and retweets add up to sales? Who knows? And who really cares? We're in the I Love Lucy era of social-media marketing, A Golden Age of Accountability." Wow!

Farhad Manjoo, author of the Fast Company article, interviewed several early adopters who are developing a variety of social media marketing tools. They realize that the number of Facebook fans and Twitter followers are meaningless unless the fans and followers are engaged and derive value from the relationship.

So there are millions of people active in the social media world. In a decade, we'll look back and agree that we were crawling. We'll be surprised that we had no idea how social media would evolve and transform how we interact and communicate. And, we'll marvel at how much progress was made by those willing to experiment and take risks.

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Check out Willamette River Bridge's current newsletter. You might even want to bookmark the blog, so you can keep up on what is happening with the state's largest Oregon Department of Transportation project.

Fair Lawn Dental Associates: This group of dentists is in New Jersey. When they found us on an awards site recognizing EugenePeds.com, they called and asked for our help. Check out the result: http://www.fairlawndentalassoc.com.

Community 101 involves students with nonprofits. It's a unique program offered by Oregon Community Foundation. Check out what Angela, a Thurston student, had to say about it.

Watch for Kid Tips on KMTR. Dr. Bradshaw from Eugene Pediatrics just recorded new Kid Health Tips on updates on car seat & crib safety, plus fever, energy drinks, sun protection and allergies. Watch for them or check out the website

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Enthusiastic about helping others reach optimum health, Nurse Practitioner Diana Lamboy works at PeaceHealth Check-up, located in Market of Choice at 29th & Willamette Market, where she treats patients with minor, common conditions and provides health screenings and vaccines.

As a Whole Health blogger, Diana's professional advice and recommendations make navigating MOC's Whole Health aisles easy. This is a good example of cross marketing, showing how two entities can work together to promote each other.

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Meant to inspire and encourage, the Believe Institute is an emotional, physical, and virtual extension of everything Willamette Valley Cancer Institute and Research Center believes in.

Follow Stacie's inspiring story, already in its fourth chapter. There's a new chapter every Tuesday that follows Stacie Sisk and her husband Hank's fight against cancer.

At the Believe Institute site, you'll learn about the latest cancer news, treatments, support services and clinical trials. Plus, you can contribute to the foundation's programs, Share your story or share what inspires you.

We count the Willamette Valley Cancer Institute as a valued client. In addition, to the website, we also work with them on print and radio advertising, in-center signage, staff engagement, events, PR and more.

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Rev up your marketing by using three basic approaches: Focus, shout, celebrate.

FOCUS: Focus on what you do best. Focus on getting even better. Focus on telling people about it. By focusing, you underscore what makes your business successful, and business will increase.

SHOUT. Make sure people know what you offer. Spread the word about your product/service. Now’s the time to increase your marketing efforts. If can do it, even if you don’t have money to spend. Make your employees and customers your ambassadors. And, toot your own horn.

CELEBRATE SUCCESS: Who doesn’t like a good celebration? And, it’s really motivating. Your employees will feel your excitement – and they’ll spread it to your customers. Don’t wait for the BIG sale, celebrate small achievements too. Inspire sales with success.

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