Nancy Beth Guptill & Sweet Spot Marketing

The Problem

Business dominates the World Wide Web and has gained significant importance for both consumers and business operators. Atlantic Canada's business stakeholders must continue to invest in improving their competitive position on the Web, through learning how to automate marketing processes, harnessing the power of the Internet, and building social media systems that optimize their online marketing efforts and
overall web presence.

Research suggests there is a wide gap between consumer expectations and what is currently being delivered online by Atlantic Canadian business operators, who are not meeting the standards expected by consumers today. As consumers continue to rely on the Internet as one of their primary information sources to research various business and consumer services, it is important for Atlantic Canadian operators to build and install strong online businesses, to improve
their individual competitiveness as well as the Atlantic Canadian region as a whole. If individual operators improve their online marketing presence it positively impacts Atlantic Canada allowing the region to improve its competitiveness in local and global markets.

At the point a consumer's search goes from general research, to specific operator research, businesses in Atlantic Canada must be able to capture the attention of the web visitor, engaging them through their online marketing processes, providing  content rich, education based information, and creating positive experiences during the 'Jump-On-Point', when web visitors are narrowing their search to specific business operators and critically evaluating their options.

Atlantic Canadian business operators must learn how to design websites that meet the needs and expectations of site visitors, providing them with the necessary content and information they require in order to make informed decisions. This information needs to be presented in a manner that connects and resonates with consumers, while differentiating themselves from their competition. Business operators need to understand the importance of providing positive online experiences and how take advantage of the various free online marketing and social media tools to further engage visitors, while providing enhanced positive experiences that allow web and social media visitors to experience their brand.

How We Help

Small and medium size business operators need expert advice. After all, successfully running and growing an online business means overcoming many obstacles and challenges. Business operators crave advice and seek reassuring live contact to keep them motivated, confident and on-track.  The sole purpose of Sweet Spot Marketing is to train, coach, mentor and guide, small businesses on how to build and install online and offline marketing systems so they can be successful in business.

We have trained hundreds of entrepreneurs and small business owners in Atlantic Canada, and we make running, building, and growing online businesses easier through our practical, ready to apply 'how-to' marketing training, coaching and advice. We believe experienced marketing experts who have 'been there, and done that' are best suited to provide real-world training, advice, assistance and products to support small business operators in the launch and growth of their online business. 

Positioned between a full-time institution academic business program and topic-only seminars, our marketing programs reach existing and aspiring operators seeking affordable, comprehensive and real-world business marketing training in a short period of time. Participants learn new marketing management skills that are essential in running and growing successful marketing businesses. They discover how to save time and money by avoiding the most common marketing mistakes. Most importantly, they receive expert marketing guidance and support to help them reach their goals.

About Sweet Spot Marketing

We are a new media marketing training and education company that lives by the motto:  "It is better to know than to think you know - there is power in knowledge".


As Marketing and Social Media Training Consultants, our goal is to share information on a variety of business development topics.


We have a host of education training programs in the areas of :

  • Digital Technology
  • New & Social Media
  • Marketing & Sales
  • Tradeshow Marketing & Sales
  • Marketing Automation
  • Business Development  
  • Commercial Innovation
  • Creativity & Entrepreneurial Thinking

Our area of specialties include:
  • Marketing & Social Media Training Consultants
  • New Media Marketing Training and Education
  • Farm Marketing
  • Political Marketing
  • Retail Marketing & Sales
  • Tourism & Hospitality
  • Speaking, Training, Coaching, Facilitating

With a diverse global network of business associates, we have the ability to deliver our programs in multi-languages.

We provide group and individualized training programs, delivered live or remote using the latest communications technologies.

We look forward to discussing your marketing and social media training needs. To book a complimentary training needs assessment please schedule an appointment  online :

http://sweet-spot-marketing-canada.genbook.com




About Nancy Beth Guptill

Founder of Sweet Spot Marketing

Hi! Nancy Beth Guptill here, the founder of Sweet Spot Marketing.

I am passionate about education, training and learning because there is power in knowledge. I am a speaker, trainer and coach by profession, and I love inspiring and motivating audiences to get them excited about using technology and automating their business marketing processes.

Learn More About Me

For Meeting and Event Planners

Speeches and Workshop Topics
To view a descriptions of our Speeches & Workshop Titles Please Click Here

To discuss your meeting and event training and speaking needs, please complete our Meeting & Event Planner Form



SPEECHES & WORKSHOP TOPICS


NEW & SOCIAL MEDIA
  • Social Media for Organizational Leaders
  • COOL TOOLS, Social Media Workshop 
  • Cool Tools for Farmers
  • Cool Tools for Non-Profits
  • Using New & Social Media for Political Campaigns
  • Managing & Protecting Your Online Presence
  • Email & Event Marketing 
  • Facebook Marketing 
  • Facebook for Professionals
  • Facebook PAGES Bootcamp


MARKETING & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
  • Promoting Your Farmers Market
  • Turn Shoppers Into Buyers - Retail Sales Bootcamp
  • Tradeshow Marketing & Promotions
  • Selling on the Tradeshow Floor
  • Ramp Up Your Leads 
  • Sales & Selling Techniques

Schedule an Appointment

To schedule an appointment online, please click the burgandy hyperlink below:

Upcoming Events

Just in Time to Kick Start Your Summer : May & June Events from Sweet Spot Marketing Canada

Click to play this Smilebox collage
Three exciting workshops to kick-start your summer:

1)  LIVE YOUR DREAMS LOVE YOUR LIFE is for women age 34-50 who want to improve their lifestyle by moving their career and personal lives forward.

2)  FACEBOOK PAGES BOOTCAMP is for companies and individuals who are setting up a presence for the first time, or need to revamp and overhaul an existing Page. Keep in mind, Facebook is your online storefront and you need a page that will attract your ideal customers.

3)  RETAIL SALES BOOTCAMP is designed for any retail setting, whether it's a retail store within a shopping mall, a vendor at a farmers market, or a boutique within a hotel & conference centre.


For full details, please visit our online Events Calendar at: http://tinyurl.com/SweetMarketingEvent-Spring2011



Stay Current

Sign Up for our E-News Letter
The best way to stay current with Sweet Spot Marketing Canada, is to sign up for our E-News.  We send out a monthly tips and advice newsletter, a weekly Upcoming Events Notice and sporadic PSAs and News Announcements.

Sign Up Now!

Profile

Experienced Speaker, Trainer, Coach
Professional Training & Coaching | Prince Edward Island, Canada, CA

Experience

  • Jun 2009 - Present
    Founder & President | Marketing & Social Media Training Consultant / Sweet Spot Marketing Canada
    Marketing & Social Media Training Consultant


    We are a new media marketing training and education business that lives by the motto "It is better to know than to think you know - there is power in knowledge".

    As Marketing and Social Media Training Consultants, our goal is to share information on a variety of business development topics.

    We have a host of education training programs in the areas of digital technology, new and social media, marketing automation, creativity, commercial innovation and entrepreneurial thinking. We have a diverse, global network of business associates,with the ability to deliver our programs in multi-languages.

    We provide group and individualized training programs, delivered live or remote using the latest communications technologies.

    We look forward to discussing your marketing and social media training needs. To book a complimentary training needs assessment: http://sweet-spot-marketing-canada.genbook.com


    Skype: sweet.spot.marketing Twitter: SweetMarketing
  • Nov 2007 - Present
    Motivational Speaker for Women & Girl Thought Leadership / Live Your Dreams ~ Love Your LIfe
  • Jan 2003 - Jan 2010
    Founder / Vantage BizServices / @Vantage Consulting
  • Jun 2000 - May 2007
    Economic Development / City of Summerside

Education

  • 1990 - 1993
    Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology
    Business Marketing
  • 1989 - 1990
    Humber College
    Media Advertising Sales

Additional Information

Websites:
Honors:
MAY 2009 - Certificate of Achievement in recognition of Business Excellence, Central Business Development Corporation OCTOBER 2008 - Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Greater Summerside Chamber of Commerce JUNE 2008 - Workshop Presenter, ICSB 2008 International Council for Small Business "What Women Want - How to Train, Coach, Advise and Inspire Women Entrepreneurs to be Successful in Their Own Business" JUNE 2008 - Trainer of the Month, BizLaunch Canada

Contact Us

Call Me:  902-724-3330

Email Me: nancybeth@sweetspotmarketing.ca

Skype Me:  sweet.spot.marketing

Write Me:
Nancy Beth Guptill
Sweet Spot Marketing
155 Central Street
Summerside, Prince Edward Island (PEI)
C1N 3L7
Canada


Book Me Online in 'Real-Time':
http://sweet-spot-marketing-canada.genbook.com

Follow Sweet Spot Marketing Facebook Business Page:

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Follow My Blog:
http://sweetspotmktg.blogspot.com

Follow My Amplog:
http://nancybethguptill.amplify.com

Learn More About Me:
http://about.me/NancyBethGuptill

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February 13, 08:09 AM

Limited Space 
Register by Friday, February 17th

Hands on computer based Facebook training. Discover how to create, maintain and grow a Facebook Page for your Fruit or Horticulture business. You will actually build a custom Facebook Page, plus we'll show you how to turn your page into a social media marketing machine.

Workshop Date: Tuesday, February 21
Register By:  Friday, February 17
Seating limited to 20 participants  


In the Facebook PAGES Bootcamp you will create or enhance a custom Facebook Page for your fruite or horticultural operation or organization.  Build a Welcome page and custom tabs, as well as integrate your Twitter and You-Tube accounts with your Facebook Page. Come prepared by bringing your company logo, product/service images and marketing content to populate your Facebook Page. 
Date, Time, Location:
  • Tuesday, February 21st, Wolfville Nova Scotia, Acadia University Beveridge Arts Centre, 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM

    What You Will Need:
  • Company logo's and images loaded on to a USB memory stick or accessible via the internet (and you know how to access the address/url)
  • Company information that you would like to include on your Facebook Page
  • Your user name and password for Facebook, Twitter and You-Tube (if you have these social networking accounts already set up)
  • A network card is mandatory to access the Acadia University server

What You Will Learn
    • How to build a custom Facebook page for your business
    • How to activate Facebook Apps, install third-party Apps, and integrate Twitter and YouTube with your FB Page.

      What You Will Accomplish:
      • Set up a custom Facebook page for your business
      • Create a custom welcome page for Facebook to promote “Likes”
      • Create custom tabs to engage and enhance your brand identity
      • Create custom Facebook profile image
      • Create custom Facebook content using iFrames
      • Customize your page with photos, video's and links, pictures and content
      • Integrate your You-Tube and Twitter accounts with your Facebook page
      • Select and install the best applications to expand your Facebook experience
      • Integrate your email marketing application for lead capture and newsletter campaigns
      • Leverage your personal Facebook profile to achieve business goals
      • Use Facebook Insights and Analytics to measure your results
      • Use social plug-ins to promote your Facebook page on your main website
      • Share web site content on Facebook
      • Monitor your company chatter using Hootsuite

        PLUS:
        • Hands-on computer instruction to help you confidently navigate the Facebook platform
        • Apply strategies to communicate with existing customers, while attracting and growing an active fan base
        • Claim your Facebook Place

        What You Will Take Away:
        • A customized, optimized and engaging Facebook page
        • 25 Likes and a custom URL

          REGISTER BY FEBRUARY 17th:
          Contact Chad MacPherson
          Agriculture amd Agri-Food Canada
          Email: chad.macpherson@agr.gc.ca                                                                                   
          Phone: 902-426-8903     Fax: 902-426-3439

          PARTNERS:

          • Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
          • Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture
          • Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture
          • Nova Scotia Department of Economic and Rural Development and Trade






          TRAINING PROVIDED BY    
                 

          Author: Nancy Beth Guptill
          Founder of Sweet Spot Marketing Canada
          Digital Marketing & Social Media Training Consultant



          About Sweet Spot Marketing: Sweet Spot Marketing is a new media marketing training and education company that lives by the motto "It is better to know than to think you know, there is power in knowledge". We have a host of education programs in the areas of digital technology, new and social media, marketing automation, creativity, commercial innovation and entrepreneurial thinking. To learn how we work with government, business organizations and corporate clients, please book a complimentary assessment appointment: http://sweet-spot-marketing-canada.genbook.com  
    February 07, 06:02 AM
    Today I’d like to talk about how to turn prospects into customers and retain them for future marketing to. While, your marketing is doing its job, you need to be working on turning those prospects into customers. There are a few key ways to draw them in and seal the deal. You need to be:
    • Inviting
    • Informative
    • Enjoyable

    The biggest fear of most new customers is the dread buyer’s remorse. You want to avoid this at all costs and this should be mitigated if you’ve provided a quality product/service that delivers on the marketing claims you’ve made.  However, this can still occur. There are two ways to deal with this:
    • Offer to refund money-no questions asked
    • Offer a bonus they can keep even if they return the product

    These offers alone will also mitigate buyer’s remorse because the customer will trust you more, just for offering these things.  There are number of other ways to turn a prospect into a customer:
    1. Offer a special price as an opportunity for you to test the market.
    2. Offer a lower price with the reason of pushing inventory to pay a tax bill, for your kid’s' braces, or another tangible reason. Customers love that this makes you feel so much more human.
    3. Offer a referral incentive.
    4. Offer a smaller, more inexpensive product first to build trust.
    5. Offer package deals.
    6. Offer to charge less for their first purchase if they become a repeat customer.
    7. Offer extra incentives-longer warranties, free bonuses if ordered by a set date.
    8. Offer financing options, if applicable.
    9. Offer a bonus if they pay in full.
    10. Offer special packaging or delivery.
    11. Offer “name your own price” incentives.
    12. Offer comparative data or other comparison tools.
    13. Offer a trade-up or upgrade to something they already have.
    14. Offer additional, educational information to help them make the decision.
    The options really are as limitless as you make it. You can use these or other ideas to find what works the best for your business, products/service and target market. Remember this…

    By making it inviting, easy, informative, non-threatening, educational, inspiring and fun to do business with you, you’ll loft your company above the competition.” Jay Abraham

    Need help with figuring out the best strategy for converting prospects into customers? Our FREE test drive gives you exclusive access to the mountain of resources and tools, along with information from some of the greatest marketing minds on Earth.



    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Author: Nancy Beth Guptill
    Founder of Sweet Spot Marketing Canada
    Digital Marketing & Social Media Training Consultant
    http://www.SweetSpotMarketing.ca
    http://www.SweetSpotInternetAcademy.ca
    http://www.SweetSpotMarketingAcademy.ca
    Twitter: @SweetMarketing
    Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SweetMarketing

    About Sweet Spot Marketing: Sweet Spot Marketing is a new media marketing training and education company that lives by the motto "It is better to know than to think you know, there is power in knowledge". We have a host of education programs in the areas of digital technology, new and social media, marketing automation, creativity, commercial innovation and entrepreneurial thinking. To learn how we work with government, business organizations and corporate clients, please book a complimentary assessment appointment: http://sweet-spot-marketing-canada.genbook.com
    January 30, 06:26 PM
    There are 5 major components to good advertising copy: (The order of these is essential to success)
             Command Attention
             Showcase Benefits of Products/Services
             Prove the Benefits
             Persuade People to Embrace the Benefits
             Call to Action

    Advertising is sales in print. So, you need to think about the unique benefits your products/services offer and showcase that in a persuasive way. You need to emphasize
    results, not features.

    Let’s take a minute to talk about each of these components:

    1. Command Attention: This is usually accomplished with the headline. You need an attention-getter that makes people want to know more about your products/services. The best headlines give a vivid portrayal of the benefits or show how a problem can be avoided with your products/services. The headline is the advertisement for the advertisement.
    2. Showcase Benefits: You have to showcase the benefits of your products and services and, more importantly, show how they will solve or prevent a problem.  They need to know what’s in it for them. Include useful, factual and clear information to show precisely what the benefits are and how they are going to help the customer.
    3. Offer Proof: This is where you prove what the advertisement is offering. You need to establish you have a method to deliver. Consider information that establishes credibility and past performance.
    4. Persuade: You need to add compelling reasons for your potential customers to purchase your products/services. Use a hard sell approach and create scarcity. This will enact your potential customers to feel like they have to act now. Which leads into the last component.
    5. Call to Action: You need to compel your potential customers to DO something. They need to check out your site, sign up for your newsletter, purchase your products, contact you about services…something. Offer a freebie-a booklet, sample, product, bonus, demo, consult, limited time price…the list goes on.  There are lots of ways to get potential customers excited about ordering and help them feel like they are getting an amazing deal.

    Good advertisements include all of these components and are not complete without any of them. You can sit down and think through any one of these components, then figure out how to best place them together for the most effectiveness. 


    We can help you with this too. Try our FREE test drive to learn how to put together great advertisements from some of the best in the business. 
    http://www.SweetSpotMarketingAcademy.ca



    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Author: Nancy Beth Guptill
    Founder of Sweet Spot Marketing Canada
    Digital Marketing & Social Media Training Consultant
    http://www.SweetSpotMarketing.ca
    http://www.SweetSpotInternetAcademy.ca
    http://www.SweetSpotMarketingAcademy.ca
    Twitter: @SweetMarketing
    Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SweetMarketing


    About Sweet Spot Marketing: Sweet Spot Marketing is a new media marketing training and education company that lives by the motto "It is better to know than to think you know, there is power in knowledge". We have a host of education programs in the areas of digital technology, new and social media, marketing automation, creativity, commercial innovation and entrepreneurial thinking. To learn how we work with government, business organizations and corporate clients, please book a complimentary assessment appointment: http://sweet-spot-marketing-canada.genbook.com
    January 03, 04:46 PM
    PLEASE NOTE:  This is an initial announcement with full details coming soon.

    This is a new 12 week Training Program intended for women ages 30-54.  There will be three separate intake sessions during 2012, with the first intake starting immediately as the first session starts Monday, January 16th.  I am pleased to partner with Andy Lou Sommers of East Prince Women's Information Centre (EPWIC) in Summerside.


    Program Summary 
    • Women’s Program  – Ages 30-54
    • 12 weeks Total – 8 weeks - enhancing employability skills, 4 weeks - work experience
    • Monday – Friday, 9-3, Start Date: January 16, 2012
    • Training allowance provided
    • Child care and travel for those that qualify
    • Women cannot be on EI or EI eligible


    To apply or for more information contact:
    Andy Lou Somers
    East Prince Women’s Information Centre
    109 Water Street
    Summerside, PEI
    C1N 1A8
    Tel: 902-436-9856
    Fax: 902-888-2344

    Funded by: Skills PEI, Interministerial Women’s Secretariat, Province of PEI, Status of Women Canada


    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Author: Nancy Beth Guptill
    Founder of Sweet Spot Marketing Canada
    Digital Marketing, Social Media & Leadership Training Consultant
    http://www.sweetspotmarketing.ca
    http://www.sweetspotmarketingacademy.ca
    http://www.sweetspotinternetacademy.ca
    Twitter: @SweetMarketing
    Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SweetMarketing 

    About Sweet Spot Marketing: Sweet Spot Marketing is a new media marketing training and education company that lives by the motto "It is better to know than to think you know, there is power in knowledge". We have a host of education programs in the areas of digital technology, new and social media, marketing automation, creativity, commercial innovation and entrepreneurial thinking. To learn how we work with government, business organizations and corporate clients, please book a complimentary assessment appointment: http://sweet-spot-marketing-canada.genbook.com
    January 03, 04:44 PM
    Today I’d like to teach you about the three most important start up marketing tools you need to get and keep using with new customers.

    1. In person It’s essential you meet with customers/clients in person whenever possible. This shows you respect them and take the time to work with your clients to give personal attention to each of them.

    2. Follow up letter:  Always take a moment to send a follow up letter about what you talked about, new agreements or partnerships made and to thank them for taking the time to meet with you. Likewise, you should always send thank you letters or small gifts to partners you find success with.

    3. Phone call:  Use a telephone call to follow up with them to talk again about the matters you talked about in your meeting and offer any assistance you can to help their business run smoothly and more successfully.

    None of these will work if you don’t have a quality product/service to back you up!

    Here are the key steps for putting together your start-up marketing tools:
    1. Research potential customers, buyers, competitors and their preferred methods of distribution. 
    2. Talk to potential customers. Take a hard look at your product from a customer’s perspective and see what it needs to be successful.
    3. Follow up with your 3-step process from above. 
    4. Develop systems for contact follow through, quality control standards and customer service.
    5. Develop post-sale follow up system to keep lines of communication open is key to customers, and to build on your current relationship which increases future purchases.

    “Marketing and innovation produce results; all the rest are costs” Peter Drucker, management consultant

    Here’s another one I love from an icon:
    “If there is any one secret of success, it lies in the ability to get the other person’s point of view and see things from that person’s angle as well as from your own.” Henry Ford, Founder of Ford Motor Company

    This lesson has offered you the tools to put together a start-up marketing plan that can be used over and over again to help your customer base and business grow in a manageable way.

    The tools offered in our FREE test drive of our E-Learning Marketing site, offer these very same things and a whole bunch more.



    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Author: Nancy Beth Guptill
    Founder of Sweet Spot Marketing Canada
    Marketing & Social Media Training Consultant
    http://www.sweetspotmarketing.ca
    http://www.sweetspotmarketingacademy.ca
    http://www.sweetspotinternetacademy.ca
    Twitter: @SweetMarketing
    Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SweetMarketing

    About Sweet Spot Marketing: Sweet Spot Marketing is a new media marketing training and education company that lives by the motto "It is better to know than to think you know, there is power in knowledge". We have a host of education programs in the areas of digital technology, new and social media, marketing automation, creativity, commercial innovation and entrepreneurial thinking. To learn how we work with government, business organizations and corporate clients, please book a complimentary assessment appointment: http://sweet-spot-marketing-canada.genbook.com
    December 19, 12:40 PM


    For those need more information please visit:  http://conta.cc/TheConnectedFarmer


    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Author: Nancy Beth Guptill
    Founder of Sweet Spot Marketing Canada
    Digital Marketing & Social Media Training Consultant
    http://www.SweetSpotMarketing.ca
    http://sweetspotmarketingacademy.ca/

    Twitter: @SweetMarketing
    Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SweetMarketing

    About Sweet Spot Marketing: Sweet Spot Marketing is a new media marketing training and education company that lives by the motto "It is better to know than to think you know, there is power in knowledge". We have a host of education programs in the areas of digital technology, new and social media, marketing automation, creativity, commercial innovation and entrepreneurial thinking. To learn how we work with government, business organizations and corporate clients, please book a complimentary assessment appointment: http://sweet-spot-marketing-canada.genbook.com
    December 06, 07:27 AM
    No matter what type of marketing initiative you are undertaking, whether it's a direct mailing piece, email marketing program, social media campaign, mobile text messaging program, or print media campaign, there are a set of questions you must always ask yourself.  These questions help you focus on the main objectives and outcomes you hope to achieve.


    Questions to ask yourself, regardless of the Marketing Initiative:

    1) What is the purpose? Why am I undertaking this marketing initiative?
    Are you trying to drive traffic to your website or retail store front, are you list building for social media, email or text message marketing?  Clearly define your number one reason for this specific marketing initiative and design your entire campaign around that purpose.

    2) What is the main message I am trying to convey?
    What are you attempting to entrench in the minds of your audience? When they hear or view your message, what is it  that you want them to visualize in their `minds eye`, what is it that you want them to remember?

    3) Who am I trying to reach? Why am I reaching out to them? What action(s) do I want them to take?
    Your marketing should always be targeted at a specific audience and the goal is to motivate them into action to do something that engages them with your business.  Are you making a special offer, giving something away for free, hosting a workshop? running a contest, holding a sale?

    4) How am I going to reach these people? Where will I put the message so it is highly visible to them? Where are they collecting and gathering, and are these the spaces I want to present the message in?
    If you have a specific audience in mind, you want to make sure you are putting your messages in the spaces where your ideal client types `hang out`, whether that’s on social networks, reading certain print publications, listening to certain radio stations, reading certain blogs and e-zines.  Where do your ideal clients flock to, where are they collecting and gathering in large numbers, and how to you best present your message in these spaces.

    5) What action(s) do I want the audience to take, so it brings them one step closer to doing business with me?   Do you want them to visit your website to download a white paper, sign up to your e-zine, call a specific number, opt-in to a mobile text message contest, sign up for a workshop or event, booked reservations, request  information, etc.   There always must be a meaningful call to action that you can track and measure, and ultimately it should be something that helps you to grow your contact lists for ongoing permission based marketing programs, whether that is email, social media, direct mail or mobile text message marketing programs

    6) How will people reach out to me? Am I easily accessible?
    If the readers and viewers are so drawn to your message that they are ready to make a commitment to do business with you, whether it’s a consumer or business, how easily accessible are you. Did you  leave your contact details readily available so they can engage and do business with you?  Are you making yourself accessible 24/7?  What happens when they attempt to reach you  outside of typical 8-5 business hours, can they still move one step forward towards your business or are they dependant on you being open in a traditional business hour working model?  Many are overlooking that the bulk of  internet savvy consumers and business operators are accessing the online world first thing in the morning before most companies are even open, and late in the evening when most companies are closed. Is your company set up to accommodate these savvy shoppers and business people?  If not, it should be because you are likely loosing business to your competitors



    ABOUT SWEET SPOT MARKETING: 

    We are a new media marketing training and education company that lives by the motto "It is better to know than to think you know, there is power in knowledge".

    We have a host of education programs in the areas of digital technology,  new and social media, marketing automation, creativity, commercial innovation and entrepreneurial thinking.  We also work with companies who are looking to engage with their audiences in real time, through mobile text message marketing, social media marketing and online internet marketing.  

    To learn more about how we can help grow your business, we invite you to

    1) Book a 30 minute complimentary needs assessment:

    2) Complete our Marketing Questionnaire: 

    3) Complete our Social Media Questionnaire:



    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Author: Nancy Beth Guptill
    Founder of Sweet Spot Marketing Canada
    Marketing & Social Media Training Consultant
    Web:  SweetSpotMarketing.ca
    Twitter: @SweetMarketing
    Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SweetMarketing
    December 01, 09:24 AM

    Marketing and Digital Technology Training For Farmers

    The Connected Farmer is an interactive, hands-on, computer based training program designed specifically for Prince Edward Island's farmers. In this 12 hour group training program, participants will learn how to optimize their marketing communications by integrating their use of social media and digital technology tools to create market interest in their products. Participants will receive a digital workbook, handouts and copies of the training presentations, and unlimited virtual support through the duration of the program via an online coaching website. On completion of the group training program, eligible participants are entitled to a two-hour one-on-one on site training session, at their farm location.



    To register, contact the Agriculture Information Desk

    1-866-734-3276 (PEIFARM) / 902-368-4145
    Please pre-register as seating is limited.


    Program Details   
    View full program details here: http://conta.cc/TheConnectedFarmer
     
    • Workshop Dates:
      January 18 & 25, February 1 & 8

    • Time of Day:
      9:30 AM – 12:30 PM Classroom Instruction
      1:00 PM – 2:30 PM Optional Help Session

    • Location:
      Atlantic Police Academy, Holland College, Slemon Park, 66 Argus Street

    • Who Should Attend:
      PEI Farmers

    • Workshop Duration:
      12 hours of group training in a computer lab
      2 hours of optional private training for eligible participants

    • Audience Size:
      Maximum 20 participants 


      Cost: $40 for all 4 workshops, $15 per workshop

    NOTE:  
    To be eligible for the private one-on-one follow-up session, participants must register for all four workshops


    WORKSHOP FACILITATOR


    Nancy Beth Guptill

         



    You should take this program if you want to:    
    • Learn how to use social media and digital tools to create market interest in your products
    • Have a thriving farm that creates a positive buzz in industry and within consumer markets
    • Increase sales by driving traffic to your website, or foot traffic to your retail operation, farmers market, road side stand, or farm location
    • Move your farm organization towards the new way of doing business in the digital economy




      View full program details here: http://conta.cc/TheConnectedFarmer

    •      


    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Posted By: Nancy Beth Guptill
    Founder of Sweet Spot Marketing Canada
    Marketing AND Social Media Training Consultant
    http://www.SweetSpotMarketing.ca
    Twitter: @SweetMarketing
    Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SweetMarketing

    About Sweet Spot Marketing: Sweet Spot Marketing is a new media marketing training and education company that lives by the motto "It is better to know than to think you know, there is power in knowledge". We have a host of education programs in the areas of digital technology, new and social media, marketing automation, creativity, commercial innovation and entrepreneurial thinking. To learn how we work with government, business organizations and corporate clients, please book a complimentary assessment appointment: http://sweet-spot-marketing-canada.genbook.com
    November 10, 09:30 AM



    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Posted By: Nancy Beth Guptill
    Founder of Sweet Spot Marketing Canada
    Marketing & Social Media Training Consultant
    http://www.sweetspotmarketing.ca
    http://flavors.me/sweetspotmarketing
    Twitter: @SweetMarketing
    Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SweetMarketing

    About Sweet Spot Marketing: Sweet Spot Marketing is a new media marketing training and education company that lives by the motto "It is better to know than to think you know, there is power in knowledge". We have a host of education programs in the areas of digital technology, new and social media, marketing automation, creativity, commercial innovation and entrepreneurial thinking. To learn how we work with government, business organizations and corporate clients, please book a complimentary assessment appointment: http://sweet-spot-marketing-canada.genbook.com
    November 05, 10:53 AM
    Article excerpted from a blog post on Small Business Computing, written by Jennifer Schiff

    Despite the rise of social media marketing, email marketing is still alive and well. And, experts say, if you want to truly optimize your small business marketing, you need to use both methods. Indeed, one of the biggest small business marketing trends is the integration of email marketing with social media.

    What other email marketing trends and tips are hot? To find the answer, Small Business Computing asked leading email marketers Constant Contact and Campaigner. Here's what they had to say.


    The Top 7 Email Marketing Trends and Tips

    1. Integrate Your Email Marketing with Your Social Media Campaigns
    2010  was definitely the Year of Social Media Marketing. And that trend is not going away anytime soon, said both Eric Groves, senior vice president of global market development at Constant Contact, and Melanie Attia, the product marketing manager at Campaigner. But rather than signaling the death knell for email marketing, both Groves and Attia see social media as a way for small (and midsized) businesses to extend and enhance their email marketing.

    I think that we’re definitely going to see a continued symbiosis between social media and email,” said Attia. Both she and Groves see that as a good thing.   We highly recommend that companies always link to their social media properties, such as their Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter pages, as well as blogs, [in their email marketing campaigns],” said Groves. “With social media only growing stronger, we're starting to see more companies using email to drive a conversation within social media."

    Groves added that it's important to link to your company’s social media pages. It encourages the conversation, and it gives your customers easy ways to engage with you. "And, even more importantly," said Groves, [they can] share your content with their networks.”

    Similarly, you can use social media sites to target and add new subscribers, thereby growing your email marketing lists and reach, said Attia.

    2. Make Your Email Marketing Campaigns Mobile
    The proliferation of mobile devices should definitely influence your email campaign strategy. “Because so many people now read their email on mobile devices, it’s important to keep in mind their experience when creating your email campaigns,” explained Groves. That means keeping images small and not using too many of them -- and keeping text short and to the point.

    Attia also offered the following mobile email marketing tips:
    • Use a single-column layout
    • Put your logo and call to action at the top of your email
    • If you offer subscribers the ability to click through on a link from their mobile device, make sure the page they’re directed to is also mobile-friendly. Many content management systems offer mobile displays that turn on automatically when they detect a smart phone browser
    • Use smart contrasts that read well on small screens. Black fonts on white backgrounds work best
    • Use white space and bullet points to make your emails easy to read
    • Have a text version available
    • Have a link at the very top of your message that allows subscribers to "view online" if their phone doesn’t display your email correctly.
    3. Engage Readers (instead of having a one-way conversation)
    If you want to get people to read your emails -- and respond to your calls to action -- you need to engage them, right from the subject line. Lure them in with a question, contest or promotion.
    "2011 is going to be all about engagement," said Groves. "It’s not enough to push your message out as a one-way conversation anymore. Social media has redefined the way consumers interact with brands, and brands need to respond with two-way communication.”

    According to Groves, you can create a two-way dialogue by asking your readers to answer a question or to take part in contests on Facebook -- or on your company website. Also consider offering readers special discounts or trackable coupon codes.

    4. Keep Content Brief and Focused
    Make sure you provide compelling, concise content. “As I like to say: be brief, be bright, and be gone,” said Groves. Campaigner's Melanie Attia advised “use short, punchy action verbs, like click, call, read and buy.” She also recommended having a single objective or focus as well as a clear call to action, instead of trying to accomplish multiple things within a single email campaign. 

    5. Don’t Go Overboard on Images or Design
    You want to project your brand, but if you include too many graphics (or audio or video), readers can get overwhelmed and ignore your message, according to Attia. “Simplicity is the key,” she said. Groves added that graphics and video can add to the experience, but they don’t trump well-written content.

    That doesn’t mean your email campaigns should not be attractive. Just be judicious in your choice of graphics, making sure they enhance your message instead of detracting from it. And instead of embedding video clips, provide links instead.

    6. Plan Ahead for More Effective Email Campaigns
    Ideally, your campaigns should correspond to holidays or down times to capture more sales. Before you launch your first campaign, map out your email marketing plan for the whole year, advised Attia. “It doesn’t have to be very formal. Just map out how many emails you plan to send and determine the key moments in your business.”

    For example, can you use seasonality to your advantage? “Most retailers make between 30 and 40 percent of their yearly revenues between Thanksgiving and Christmas,” said Attia. “And Valentine’s Day is coming up. Is there something you can tie into that? There’s also Easter, and Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. You can tie all of these events into your business.”

    Conversely, your business could benefit from a little email marketing during its slow times. You probably know from past years when your busy and quiet seasons are, so plan your email marketing campaigns accordingly.

    7. Track Campaigns to Determine What’s Working and What’s Not
    Use tracking or analytics software to determine which email campaigns succeeded and which ones failed -- and use that information when crafting your next email campaign.

    In addition, “using a combo of link tracking, post-click analytics and coupon codes should continue to be popular,” noted Attia. “Being able to calculate exact ROI is what makes email marketing and direct marketing such valuable ways to advertise. Retailers are the first to appreciate the value of email since it directly translates into sales.”

    Jennifer Lonoff Schiff is a regular contributor to SmallBusinessComputing.com and runs a marketing communications firm focused on helping small and mid-sized businesses.



    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Posted By: Nancy Beth Guptill
    Founder of Sweet Spot Marketing Canada
    Marketing & Social Media Training Consultant
    Website:  www;SweetSpotMarketing.ca
    Twitter: @SweetMarketing
    Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SweetMarketing


    About Sweet Spot Marketing: Sweet Spot Marketing is a new media marketing training and education company that lives by the motto "It is better to know than to think you know, there is power in knowledge". We have a host of education programs in the areas of digital technology, new and social media, marketing automation, creativity, commercial innovation and entrepreneurial thinking. To learn how we work with government, business organizations and corporate clients, please book a complimentary assessment appointment: http://sweet-spot-marketing-canada.genbook.com
    November 05, 09:21 AM
    Published on: 11/04/2011, Author: Michael of HONGKIAT.COM

    How many of us had the time when you were covertly playing certain game on your workplace’s desktop, only to reflexively press Alt + Shift button at the first hint of your boss? If you are slower by a second or two, your boss would’ve caught you and gave you a good work ethic lecture.

    (Image Source: Fotolia)
    Well, it’s not uncommon for employers to frown upon such distractions, but what aboutFacebook minus the games? Can employees still work productively if they are allowed to use it freely? Also, more than games, the Facebook gives you an outlet to express yourself to others while you are stressed at work. To put simply, can it be a truly effective tool for work-stress management? We’ll discuss about this.

    Organizational Culture

    In my opinion, whether or not employees are allowed to access Facebook usually depends on the organizational culture. Put simply, organizational culture describes the psychology, attitudes, experiences, beliefs and values of an organization. The amount of freedom and trust given to the employees would probably affect the employer’s decision on whether to restrict or ban certain non-work activities.

    (Image Source: Fotolia)
    Naturally, the more freedom one possesses, the more control he or she will have. Indeed, in the field of industrial-organizational psychology, the amount of control a person can exert over his or her job can reasonably predicts job satisfaction and stress level. In that sense, a restriction of usage of social media like Facebook can decrease employees’ job control, which consequently make them less satisfied and more stressed with their work.
    Blocking access to Facebook speaks volume on the lack of trust employers have over their employees. Or for that matter, any attempt to control employees’ activities already reduces the level of trust. What’s more, the attempt may not be successful with the increasing usage of smartphones.

    Facebook Addiction

    On the other hand, just as it’s possible to get addicted to games, it’s also possible for Facebook too. It’s understandable that employers are concerned over how the habit of checking Facebook every fifteen minutes might spin out of control.
    To make things even more complicated, Facebook can be more addictive than games because it gets updated regularly whenever one of your friends post something. It’s not unusual to be distracted and get curious with what your peers are up to when your work gets repetitive and boring.

    More Than A Game

    This brings up the idea that Facebook is more than games, because it has a heavy social element in it. You can chat with your friends through it, see photos, comments and status updates and post them yourselves for others to see.
    Much as many experts have claimed that such platform does not allow for true communication between two parties, it is still undeniable that people have resorted to Facebook to satisfy their social needs. In our increasingly busy societies, would a platform like Facebook improve workplace productivity by satisfying employees’ social needs and rendering them less stressful?

    (Image Source: Shutterstock)
    One might argue though, that turning to digital communication to fulfill one’s social needs can disrupt the cohesiveness of employees at work. Can face-to-face communication between colleagues get reduced because of a certain dependency on Facebook to socialize? If so, productivity at work might be affected because some amount of attention is devoted to socializing on the networking site, instead of building lasting work relationships with co-workers.

    Solution: Setting Ground Rules?

    With the above-mentioned issues at stake, would it help if the company set some ground rules? On one hand, the employer has to establish that trust with his or her employees by providing for more job control. A happy employee is a productive employee.
    On the other hand, the employer has to ensure that the usage of Facebook would not compromise the work to be done. Facebook can be incredibly addictive, and it has the potential to substitute deep and meaningful face-to-face conversation at the workplace.

    (Image Source: Fotolia)
    As you can tell, there is a need to strike a balance between maintaining employees’ positive mood and their motivation to work. How about setting aside a certain time for employees to engage in such activities as checking their Facebook accounts? For instance, during lunch hours or tea breaks? To this point you might probably ask why not ban their Facebook usage? According to PCWorld, it is not advisable for companies to actually ban Facebook at work.

    One ‘But’: The Rise of Smart Phones

    Of course, with the prevalence of smartphones like iPhones, Blackberry and such in the market, restricting access to Facebook at work may prove to be redundant. Anyone could access their Facebook, play games, surf pornographic sites, etc with such multipurpose devices.

    (Image Source: Fotolia)
    Unless a company is authoritative enough to ban the use of such smartphones, there’s pretty much little that employers can do. Essentially speaking, much of the responsibility falls on the employees’ shoulders.

    My Two Cents’ Worth: It’s All Boils Down to Work Culture

    Given that it’s not wise to place restrictions on Facebook access, and that employees today have a lot more say with what they do at work (with advanced technology like smartphones), is there no way employers can manage the use of Facebook to maintain optimal productivity?
    Personally, I think the best way to influence how employees behave in the workplace is via theorganization’s culture. And guess what, the effect is more likely to be more lasting than imposing rules and regulations.

    (Image Source: Fotolia)
    It’s similar to how a country maintains order through laws. If people understand the rationales behind laws, they will be more than happy to follow them and be satisfied with the ruler. If, however, people do not understand why a certain law is passed, they simply follow out of fear of punishment. More people would break the law to challenge it in the latter scenario.

    Productivity, The Ultimate Goal

    Okay, back to my point, in any organization, the employers have to instil the right working attitude in employees so that they would understand that the ultimate goal is productivity, and also equally important these days, teamwork.

    (Image Source: Fotolia)
    The message should be that they are free to access Facebook anytime they want, but not at the cost of their own productivity or their relationship with colleagues. With that, employees feel that they can be trusted to make their own judgment and hence stay satisfied with the company. At the same time, they remain motivated to do what they have to do.
    Developing a strong work ethic in the workplace can go a long way too. If employees simply don’t care and access Facebook when there’s work to be done, chances are that any newcomer would follow suit as well.
    So, behold the power of cultivating a constructive work culture.




    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Nancy Beth Guptill
    Founder of Sweet Spot Marketing Canada
    Marketing & Social Media Training Consultant
    http://flavors.me/sweetspotmarketing
    http://about.me/NancyBethGuptill
    Twitter: @SweetMarketing
    Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SweetMarketing

    About Sweet Spot Marketing: Sweet Spot Marketing is a new media marketing training and education company that lives by the motto "It is better to know than to think you know, there is power in knowledge". We have a host of education programs in the areas of digital technology, new and social media, marketing automation, creativity, commercial innovation and entrepreneurial thinking. To learn how we work with government, business organizations and corporate clients, please book a complimentary assessment appointment: http://sweet-spot-marketing-canada.genbook.com
    October 20, 08:56 PM
    Back in the early 1990's, I worked in the head office of 'General Accident Assurance Company of Canada', in their Research & Development Department. I was very fortunate to be assigned to some of their most innovative marketing, product development and R&D projects.

    One of the projects I had the pleasure of working on, was helping to create General Accident's Online Storefront.  Now, in those days, e-commerce sites were built in communities like AOL and CompuServe (yikes, did I just date myself?).  Communities like this existed before the world wide web was used for commercial purposes.  It was really the only option at the time that made good business sense to executive management at GA.

    GA's online storefront was more of an information centre for GA's Brokers and Sales Agents - it wasn't really meant for the general public, although you could visit them and learn all about their product and services.  Their main business reason for creating an online presence within CompuServe was to provide a centralized location for GA's international community of Brokers and Agents to visit, so they could download corporate overviews, product brochures, policy forms, insurance forms, and all the necessary business documents that were needed to sign up new business and serve existing customers.

    GA was an early adopter of e-commerce and were noted as being a trailblazer in the global insurance industry, as they were the first insurance company to create an online presence.  I co-developed the online storefront, and created the content that was published on the site. I also developed a training program and trained our sales agents and brokers on how to use the system. Those were some 'good old days' - where we had a lot of fun training inside sales staff, attending tradeshows, and travelling North America to debut our state of the art e-commerce site on CompuServe.

    Within two years of developing our CompuServe Storefront, the world wide web opened up for commercial use and GA's executive management were one of the first company's to build a website. Naturally, I was part of the web development team and found myself having to learn HTML coding. The coding was a daunting task so we experimented with some early versions of HTML Web Editor software. If memory serves me right, we used HotDog for a bit, then moved on to something more robust, unfortunately I can not recall the name of the product, but it was a paid service and was far superior to HotDog. Ahhh, some good memories.

    It's hard to believe almost 20 years has passed and we are now living in the digital economy, where global online sales exceeded a trillion dollars in 2010.  Canadian Consumers spent $16 billion and by 2015 it is projected that Canadian Online spending will nearly double. 

    So I'm thinking that if you haven't moved your brick and mortar business to the online world, now is a good time to start because 40% of your potential market is buying your type of services online.

    So how do you get started?  

    Here is a really good information video that will tell what you need to know about selling online:






    If you need additional help getting started, we offer a full suite of training and coaching services that support retailers, small business and producers with marketing automation, digital technology, and new and social media for business.  There is government funding available for digital skills development for small business.


    If you are ready to move your business to the online world, we offer a 60 minute complimentary needs assessment. 


    To book your session, you can:
    1. Call me at 902-724-3330
    2. Skype me at sweet.spot.marketing, or 
    3. Book online using our GenBook Scheduling Service:  

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Author: Nancy Beth Guptill
    Founder of Sweet Spot Marketing Canada
    Marketing & Social Media Training Consultant
    http://www.sweetspotmarketing.ca
    http://about.me/NancyBethGuptill
    Twitter: @SweetMarketing
    Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SweetMarketing

    About Sweet Spot Marketing: Sweet Spot Marketing is a new media marketing training and education company that lives by the motto "It is better to know than to think you know, there is power in knowledge". We have a host of education programs in the areas of digital technology, new and social media, marketing automation, creativity, commercial innovation and entrepreneurial thinking. To learn how we work with government, business organizations and corporate clients, please book a complimentary assessment appointment: http://sweet-spot-marketing-canada.genbook.com
    October 10, 11:38 AM


    MAKING IT WORK FOR YOU
    Social Media Training for Agriculture & Seafood Producers


    In this 4.5 hour workshop, Agriculture and Seafood Producers will learn how to optimize their use of social media to create market interest in their products. You will be introduced to the top 5 social networking tools with a focus on Facebook Marketing, and you will learn how to integrate these tools into an overall Facebook Marketing Strategy & Tactical Plan.


    DATES, TIME, LOCATION:
    Tuesday, October 25
    Hilton Garden Inn Halifax Airport, Nova Scotia
    9:30 AM – 3:00 PM
    http://conta.cc/MakingItWorkForYouSocialMediaTraining


    Tuesday, November 15
    Moncton, New Brunswick
    9:30 AM – 3:00 PM
    http://conta.cc/MakingItWorkForYouSocialMediaTraining_Moncton


    TO REGISTER:
    Chad MacPherson
    Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
    Government of Canada
    Email: chad.macpherson@agr.gc.ca
    Phone: 902-426-8903
    Fax: 902-426-3439
    NOTE: Seating limited to 35 participants




    E-COMMERCE - LEARNING TO SELL ONLINE
    A ProfitLearn PEI Workshop


    More and more customers are buying on-line. How can your business take advantage of the power of the internet to sell products or services on-line? This workshop is about first steps in moving towards internet selling.


    WORKSHOP TOPICS:
      • Why should I consider an on-line storefront?
      • What are the benefits and risks for my business
      • What are the first steps
      • Success stories from PEI
      • Where do I go from here
      • And more


    DATE, TIME, LOCATION:
    Wednesday, October 19
    Alberton, Prince Edward Island
    9:00 AM - 12 Noon
    http://conta.cc/E-CommerceSellOnline


    TO REGISTER:
     Barb MacDonald barb.macdonald@cbdc.ca (902) 853-3616
     David Gamble dgamble@resourceswest.pe.ca (902) 853-4555


    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Author: Nancy Beth Guptill
    Founder of Sweet Spot Marketing Canada
    Marketing, Digital Technology, Social Media Training Consultant


    http://www.sweetspotmarketing.ca
    http://flavors.me/sweetspotmarketing
    http://about.me/NancyBethGuptill
    Twitter: @SweetMarketing
    Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SweetMarketing


    About Sweet Spot Marketing: Sweet Spot Marketing is a new media marketing training and education company that lives by the motto "It is better to know than to think you know, there is power in knowledge". We have a host of education programs in the areas of digital technology, new and social media, marketing automation, creativity, commercial innovation and entrepreneurial thinking. To learn how we work with government, business organizations and corporate clients, please book a complimentary assessment appointment: http://sweet-spot-marketing-canada.genbook.com
    August 25, 10:05 AM
    This article is taken from 'Good Business' magazine.


    Image(cc) by Flickr user Per Ola Wiberg ~ Powi.


    Rural isolation is a thing of the past, says Madeleine Lewis, as social media opens new windows of opportunity for farmers around the world.
    She grew up on a dairy farm, bought her first calf when she was seven, and her husband is a dairy nutritionist. So when British farmer Michele Payn-Knoper was stumped by her Holstein dairy calf not weaning, she did what any self-respecting 21st-century dairy person would: She went onto Twitter to get some advice.
    Within 20 minutes she had six ideas. One of them (to put grain directly into the milk) solved the problem and, one year later, her calf has just been bred—a social media success story.
    Michele is the founder of AgChat, a moderated Twitter discussion that takes place every Tuesday night. Since its creation in 2009, nearly 10,000 people from ten countries have attached the hashtag #agchat to their tweets, or joined in to discuss issues and share ideas related to food and farming.
    It's a long way from the perception that Twitter is "just about what people are having for lunch," and with use of the platform growing at over 1,000 percent a year, it doesn't seem to be going away. The majority of British farmers—56 percent—are now using the internet according to the U.K.'s National Farm Research Unit's 2010 survey.

    Phil Gorringe—aka 'FarmrPhil' on Twitter—runs a mixed farm in Herefordshire, England. It's the most sparsely populated county in England, with the fourth lowest population density. For people living and working there permanently, especially farmers working out in the fields most of the day, often alone, that can be isolating.
    Gorringe believes social media is a great way to tackle that isolation. As he puts it: "Social media gives a mental advantage when farming isn't going so well. In the last few years we've been dealing with lower prices for our products, difficult weather conditions, and bovine TB. It can be a lonely place. Through social media I can share my problems and realize that others out there have problems too. It makes you feel better."
    He's not the only one. Alabama dairy farmer Will Gilmer tweeted his day's work—"209 milked, three bred"—and heard straight back from Ryan Bright in East Tennessee: "all 100 milked and two bred before breakfast." 'Farmerbright' then tweeted that his newly-repaired silo auger—an apparatus to shift grain—is still holding together, and got an offer of a new one for sale.
    But farmers are not just reaching out to each other for support. Social media is also a powerful way of talking directly with consumers. For Gorringe and his wife Heather, aka 'Wiggled,' social media has also helped to get an important second income stream off the ground.
    Heather runs Wiggly Wigglers, a natural gardening mail order business and online information source in the U.K. for everything from composting to water management. When she puts up a Wiggly offer on her Facebook page, she'll get 30 to 40 orders within an hour and a half, and 7 percent of her website visits are driven from Twitter. It's a very cost-effective form of advertising, she says.
    She's not alone. Phil Grooby, of Bishops Farm Partners of Lincolnshire, England, started using Twitter to show consumers what it takes to get peas from the field to the table. Grooby belongs to a pea vining group that harvests about 900 acres each year. He finds social media "a useful tool when it comes to setting the record straight and showing people how farmers care for the countryside."
    'FarmrPhil' agrees. "Twitter is the perfect medium for farmers to engage in differential marketing in a world of commodities." Offline, he confides: "We don't do horrendous things as farmers, but we've been brought up to be terrified of the outside world seeing in. It's been a pleasant surprise that when we tell our story via social media people aren't horrified by what we do—it's shown me that there's no need for secrecy."
    Social media also offers farmers the opportunity to engage directly with policy makers. "It gives us a level playing field that we've never had access to before," says Phil. "Recently a senior conservation spokesperson wrote on his blog that he didn't trust farmers to carry out the Campaign for the Farmed Environment (an industry initiative to improve biodiversity and resource protection on farms). I challenged him on it and he apologised and changed his blog."
    So is social media just a fad? For Payn-Knoper, the answer is unequivocally 'no.' She says it has been a "cultural shift" to connect farmers and help them get the word out about food production. That's why last year she was part of founding the AgChat Foundation with a handful of farmers passionate about social media. The nonprofit aims to empower a connected community of 'agvocates,' by training farmers to use social media. In August 2010, it organized Agvocacy 2.0, gathering 50 people from the agricultural industry to advance their social media skills at this application-only conference. They have plans for more of the same, along with outreach to the non-ag public.
    But Payn-Knoper also believes there is a challenge ahead: "The next big thing for social media and farming is a way for information to be more effectively managed through social hubs. Many people are just at the point of information overload."
    At Farming Futures we started to use social media about a year ago to do just that, creating a hub for useful information, news and views about climate change and farming from people across the agricultural sector. We run a user-generated blog, reach out to communities on Twitter to do research and share ideas, and make use of other tools and platforms such as Audioboo and Slideshare to share our information in more accessible and interesting ways. Social media can't take the place of face-to-face communication, so we still run very popular on-farm workshops—but it's a great way of getting people along.
    Madeleine Lewis is Creative Communications Manager at Forum for the Future. A former radio and online broadcast journalist and producer at the BBC, she co-manages Farming Futures.
    Image(cc) by Flickr user Per Ola Wiberg ~ Powi.

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Author: Nancy Beth Guptill
    Founder of Sweet Spot Marketing Canada
    Marketing & Social Media Training Consultant
    http://flavors.me/sweetspotmarketing
    http://about.me/NancyBethGuptill
    Twitter: @SweetMarketing
    Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SweetMarketing

    About Sweet Spot Marketing: Sweet Spot Marketing is a new media marketing training and education company that lives by the motto "It is better to know than to think you know, there is power in knowledge". We have a host of education programs in the areas of digital technology, new and social media, marketing automation, creativity, commercial innovation and entrepreneurial thinking. To learn how we work with government, business organizations and corporate clients, please book a complimentary assessment appointment: http://sweet-spot-marketing-canada.genbook.com
    August 24, 08:48 PM


    Sweet Spot Marketing is pleased to announce our involvement with the "Women's Summit" conference that is taking place in Moncton, New Brunswick September 14-15. 


    The ICT Sector in Atlantic Canada is experiencing growth and there are many employment opportunities for skilled ICT workers in Engineering, Health Sciences and Financial Services.

    If you are a High School Student, University Student or underemployed woman and you want to learn about the opportunities available in these sectors, we highly recommend this conference which is bringing together top level speakers, industry stakeholders, women organizations, governments, educational institutions.

    Below is the conference agenda. 



    Agenda at a glance

    September 14-15, 2011
    Ramada Plaza Hotel
    Dieppe, New Brunswick

    Wednesday, September 14
    5 pm           Registration
    6 pm           Networking Cocktail
                      Word of Welcome
    7 pm           Speed-dating Banquet
                      Keynote Address
                      Jane Craighead, Senior Vice President
                      Total Rewards, Scotiabank


    Thursday, September 15
    7:30 am       Breakfast

    8:30 am       Setting the Stage: Technology is
                       Borderless

    9:00 am       Plenary Round Table I: How
                       Technology is Changing the World
                       of Work
    ·      Sucharita Eashwar, Senior Director, NASSCOM, India
    ·      Sally Ng, Community Engagement & Outreach Coordinator, Tech South East
    ·      Wes Armour, President and CEO, Armour Transportation Systems
    ·     Vinita Ananth, President, Vangal, India

    10:30 am     Health Break

    11:00 am     Plenary Round Table II: Health
                       Sciences
    ·      Suzanne Robichaud, Vice-President, Primary Health Care, Vitalité Health Network
    ·      Dale Weil, Senior Vice President, Integrated Healthcare Solutions and Pharmaceutical Solutions, McKesson Canada
    ·      Lori Marshall, Vice President, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre
    ·      Trisha Coady, President, NursesNetwork.com/Medsenses

    12:30 pm     Networking Lunch

    1:30 pm       Feature Address
                       Lynn Roger, Senior Vice-President
                       Talent Strategies and Executive
                       Resourcing, BMO Financial Group

    2:30 pm       Plenary Round Table III: IT and
                       Engineering
    ·      Robin Drummond, Vice President of Sales, Speilo
    ·      Theresa Williams, CEO, Atwood Technology inc.
    ·      Lily Durepos, Owner, Alliance Assurance and Technologie Keal inc.

    4 pm           Wrap-up



    Programme en bref

    Les 14 et 15 septembre 2011
    Hôtel Ramada Plaza
    Dieppe (Nouveau-Brunswick)

    Mercredi, le 14 septembre
    17 h         Inscription
    18 h          Cocktail de réseautage
                    Mots de bienvenue
    19 h          Banquet « rencontres éclair »
                    Conférencière de marque
                    Jane Craighead, vice-présidente
                    principale, Rémunération globale,
                    Banque Scotia

    Jeudi, le 15 septembre
    7 h 30       Petit-déjeuner

    8 h 30       Mise en contexte : La technologie
                    est sans frontières

    9 h            Plénière en table ronde I:
                    Comment la technologie
                    transforme le monde du travail
    ·       Sucharita Eashwar, directrice principale, NASSCOM, Inde
    ·       Sally Ng, coordinatrice de l'engagement et des relations communautaires, Tech Sud-Est
    ·       Wes Armour, président et chef de la direction, Armour Transportation Systems
    ·      Vinita Ananth, présidente, Vangal, Inde
    10 h 30       Pause-santé

    11 h           Plénière en table ronde II : Sciences
                     de la santé
    ·       Suzanne Robichaud, vice-présidente aux Soins de santé primaires, Réseau de santé Vitalité
    ·       Dale Weil, vice-présidente principale, Solutions intégrées de santé et Solutions pharmaceutiques, McKesson Canada
    ·       Lori Marshall, vice-présidente, Centre régional des sciences de la santé de Thunder Bay
    ·       Trisha Coady, présidente, NursesNetwork.com /Medsenses

    12 h 30       Dîner de réseautage

    13 h 30       Conférencière de marque
                     Lynn Roger, première vice-présidente, 
                     Stratégies de gestion des talents et
                     Renouvellement de la haute direction,
                     BMO Group financier

    14 h 30       Plénière en table ronde III : TI et
                     ingénierie
    ·       Robin Drummond, vice-président des ventes, Speilo
    ·       Theresa Williams, PDG, Atwood Technology
    ·       Lily Durepos, propriétaire, Alliance Assurance et Technologie Keal inc.

    16 h           Conclusion




    For more information:
    Women’s Summit Secretariat
    Tel.: (506) 861-6340, 1-800-680-1211
    Fax: (506) 855-1646

    Visit us on :

     


    Twitter Hashtag: #WomensSummit




    Renseignements et inscription
    Secrétariat du sommet des femmes 
    Tél. : 506-861-6340, 1-800-680-1211
    Fax : 506-855-1646
    Courriel : info@diversIT.ca



    Hosted by / Présenté par:
                                      
                         
                      







    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Author: Nancy Beth Guptill
    Founder of Sweet Spot Marketing Canada
    Marketing & Social Media Training Consultant
    http://flavors.me/sweetspotmarketing
    http://about.me/NancyBethGuptill
    Twitter: @SweetMarketing
    Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SweetMarketing

    About Sweet Spot Marketing: Sweet Spot Marketing is a new media marketing training and education company that lives by the motto "It is better to know than to think you know, there is power in knowledge". We have a host of education programs in the areas of digital technology, new and social media, marketing automation, creativity, commercial innovation and entrepreneurial thinking. To learn how we work with government, business organizations and corporate clients, please book a complimentary assessment appointment: http://sweet-spot-marketing-canada.genbook.com
    August 15, 10:07 AM
    A trend we are beginning to see within our client base is using Social Media and Web Applications to improve communications and enhance work productivity. We are working with companies and industry groups to address these two main business goals by designing custom digital training programs for their staff and members, as they view it vital to invest in digital upskilling.


    We can help you accomplish goal and strategy development in your use of digital technology, new & social media and web applications, whether for business marketing purposes, customer relations and engagement, improving communications and workplace productivity.


    Need Help?  Call 902-724-3330 or book online at:  http://sweet-spot-marketing-canada.genbook.com

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Author: Nancy Beth Guptill
    Founder of Sweet Spot Marketing Canada
    Marketing & Social Media Training Consultant
    http://flavors.me/sweetspotmarketing
    http://about.me/NancyBethGuptill
    Twitter: @SweetMarketing
    Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SweetMarketing

    About Sweet Spot Marketing: Sweet Spot Marketing is a new media marketing training and education company that lives by the motto "It is better to know than to think you know, there is power in knowledge". We have a host of education programs in the areas of digital technology, new and social media, marketing automation, creativity, commercial innovation and entrepreneurial thinking. To learn how we work with government, business organizations and corporate clients, please book a complimentary assessment appointment: http://sweet-spot-marketing-canada.genbook.com
    June 29, 08:50 PM
    Business dominates the World Wide Web and has gained significant importance for both consumers and business operators. Atlantic Canada's business stakeholders must continue to invest in improving their competitive position on the Web, through learning how to automate marketing processes, harnessing the power of the Internet, and building social media systems that optimize their online marketing efforts and
    overall web presence.

    Research suggests there is a wide gap between consumer expectations and what is currently being delivered online by Atlantic Canadian business operators, who are not meeting the standards expected by consumers today. As consumers continue to rely on the Internet as one of their primary information sources to research various business and consumer services, it is important for Atlantic Canadian operators to build and install strong online businesses, to improve
    their individual competitiveness as well as the Atlantic Canadian region as a whole. If individual operators improve their online marketing presence it positively impacts Atlantic Canada allowing the region to improve its competitiveness in local and global markets.

    At the point a consumer's search goes from general research, to specific operator research, businesses in Atlantic Canada must be able to capture the attention of the web visitor, engaging them through their online marketing processes, providing  content rich, education based information, and creating positive experiences during the 'Jump-On-Point', when web visitors are narrowing their search to specific business operators and critically evaluating their options.

    Atlantic Canadian business operators must learn how to design websites that meet the needs and expectations of site visitors, providing them with the necessary content and information they require in order to make informed decisions. This information needs to be presented in a manner that connects and resonates with consumers, while differentiating themselves from their competition. Business operators need to understand the importance of providing positive online experiences and how take advantage of the various free online marketing and social media tools to further engage visitors, while providing enhanced positive experiences that allow web and social media visitors to experience their brand.


    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Author: Nancy Beth Guptill
    Founder of Sweet Spot Marketing Canada
    Marketing & Social Media Training Consultant
    http://flavors.me/sweetspotmarketing
    http://about.me/NancyBethGuptill
    Twitter: @SweetMarketing
    Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SweetMarketing

    About Sweet Spot Marketing: Sweet Spot Marketing is a new media marketing training and education company that lives by the motto "It is better to know than to think you know, there is power in knowledge". We have a host of education programs in the areas of digital technology, new and social media, marketing automation, creativity, commercial innovation and entrepreneurial thinking. To learn how we work with government, business organizations and corporate clients, please book a complimentary assessment appointment: http://sweet-spot-marketing-canada.genbook.com
    June 20, 12:45 PM
    So my daugther is graduating out of grade 9, heading off to High School in the Fall.  She wants to host a graduation party for some of her closest friends. We've been talking about it for a few months now and it seems most of her friends have asked her to hold it later in the summer.


    With school coming to an end this week, I've been asking her to get her party organized, set the date, get some cards, send invitations out etc. This past weekend, she finally says to me "Mom, relax, it's called Facebook Events. I don't need to get cards as invitations, I just set up an event in Facebook and inviite people'.


    Well I had to laugh because it dawned on me times have sure changed, and I was stuck in yester year when it comes to her graduation party.  It also dawned on me she doesn't get that I'm a Marketing and Social Media Training consultant that creates Facebook events all the time.


    Guess it's time to tell her what I do :)
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Author: Nancy Beth Guptill
    Founder of Sweet Spot Marketing Canada
    Marketing & Social Media Training Consultant
    http://flavors.me/sweetspotmarketing
    http://about.me/NancyBethGuptill
    Twitter: @SweetMarketing
    Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SweetMarketing


    About Sweet Spot Marketing: Sweet Spot Marketing is a new media marketing training and education company that lives by the motto "It is better to know than to think you know, there is power in knowledge". We have a host of education programs in the areas of digital technology, new and social media, marketing automation, creativity, commercial innovation and entrepreneurial thinking. To learn how we work with government, business organizations and corporate clients, please book a complimentary assessment appointment: http://sweet-spot-marketing-canada.genbook.com
    June 15, 09:33 PM



    ENROLL NOW

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Author: Nancy Beth Guptill
    Founder of Sweet Spot Marketing Canada
    Marketing & Social Media Training Consultant
    http://flavors.me/sweetspotmarketing
    http://about.me/NancyBethGuptill
    Twitter: @SweetMarketing
    Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SweetMarketing

    About Sweet Spot Marketing: Sweet Spot Marketing is a new media marketing training and education company that lives by the motto "It is better to know than to think you know, there is power in knowledge". We have a host of education programs in the areas of digital technology, new and social media, marketing automation, creativity, commercial innovation and entrepreneurial thinking. To learn how we work with government, business organizations and corporate clients, please book a complimentary assessment appointment: http://sweet-spot-marketing-canada.genbook.com
    June 06, 10:06 PM

    TURN SHOPPERS INTO BUYERS
    1/2 Day Retail Sales Bootcamp
     Register Now!

    The average retailer spends too much time and money on advertising and promotions to generate store traffic, only to convert about 20% to new customers. Most retailers need to spend more time on converting shoppers into buyers and optimizing relationships with existing customers.


    INCREASE BUSINESS BY CONVERTING MORE SHOPPERS:
    This ½ day interactive Retail Sales Bootcamp will teach your front line sales staff how to to convert more shoppers to buyers. Your sales management and staff will learn how to engage and build positive rapport with customers, decipher between serious shoppers and the looksy-loo's, qualify on the spot, close more sales and create positive talkable experiences that keep customers coming back.




    DATES & LOCATIONS:

    1. Tuesday, June 28th, 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM, Charlottetown
    2. Wednesday, June 29th, 8:30 AM - 12 Noon, Summerside
    • Cost: Individual rate is $125 per person, Team Member rate is $100 per person*
    • Pre-payment required. We accept cash, cheque, credit card and paypal payments
    • Facilitator: Nancy Beth Guptill of Sweet Spot Marketing

               * Team Member rate applies to a minimum of 3+ people


    For $125, Here's What You Get:
    • 3.5 hours of Retail Sales Training
    • E-Book “Top 20 Retail Sales Strategies”
    • Free Marketing Growth Assessment Tool
    • 60 Minute Onsite Follow Up Session


    Increase Your Conversion Rate
    Stop Spending So Much Time and Money On Promotions.
    Spend More Time Converting New Store Traffic To Customers.


    Course Content
    • Quantify Your Objectives
    • Condition Your Mind
    • Budget Your Time
    • 6 Minutes Per Customer
    • Customer Types
    • Types of Shoppers
    • Hot or Not
    • Ready for Action
    • First Impressions – Dressing the Part
    • Body Language and Non-Verbal Communication
    • The Gap Between Men and Women
    • Rules of Engagement
    • Making the Connection
    • The Retail Stance
    • Engaging & Approaching Techniques
    • Building Trust & Rapport
    • The Retail Sales Cycle
    • Engage & Approach
    • Introduction – Opening Liners
    • Qualifying
    • Sales Presentation
    • Closing the Sale - Asking For the Business
    • Follow-up and Ongoing Marketing
    • Retail Sales Skills
    • Retail Sales Etiquette
    • Asking Questions – Types of Questions
    • Overcoming Objections
    • Closing the Sale: Ask for the Business / Different Close Techniques
    • Lead Capture & Permission Based Marketing

    We will motivate and inspire your Front Line Retail Sales Team while providing them with the necessary skills, knowledge, confidence and attitude to build positive customer relationships, increase sales and create long-term customer loyalty.


    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Author: Nancy Beth Guptill
    Founder of Sweet Spot Marketing Canada
    Marketing & Social Media Training Consultant
    http://flavors.me/sweetspotmarketing
    http://about.me/NancyBethGuptill
    Twitter: @SweetMarketing
    Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SweetMarketing


    About Sweet Spot Marketing: Sweet Spot Marketing is a new media marketing training and education company that lives by the motto "It is better to know than to think you know, there is power in knowledge". We have a host of education programs in the areas of digital technology, new and social media, marketing automation, creativity, commercial innovation and entrepreneurial thinking. To learn how we work with government, business organizations and corporate clients, please book a complimentary assessment appointment: http://sweet-spot-marketing-canada.genbook.com
    May 19, 04:51 AM

    We have enhanced our online presence. So far we have updated our Facebook Business Page, Flavors.me website, Blogger, and now Amplify. Still a few things to work out with Amplify - any guru's out there that I can private message to ask a few questions? http://amplify.com/u/a13cld

    May 11, 09:49 AM

    An exciting line up of training events to kick-start your summer.

    1) RETAIL SALES BOOTCAMP is designed for any retail setting, whether it's a retail store within a shopping mall, a vendor at a farmers market, or a boutique within a hotel & conference centre.

    2) FACEBOOK PAGES BOOTCAMP is for companies and individuals who are setting up a presence for the first time, or need to revamp and overhaul an existing Page. Keep in mind, Facebook is your online storefront and you need a page that will attract your ideal customers.

    3) LIVE YOUR DREAMS LOVE YOUR LIFE is for women age 34-50 who want to improve their lifestyle by moving their career and personal lives forward.

    For full details, please visit our online Events Calendar at:
    http://tinyurl.com/SweetMarketingEvent-Spring2011


    Published By:

    Nancy Beth Guptill, Sweet Spot Marketing Canada
    Twitter: @SweetMarketing
    Facebook: SweetMarketing
    March 02, 07:51 AM
    The best way to reinforce your brand message is to actually follow through on your self promotion and marketing promises you make.  This can be achieved through the development of a Content Strategy for your Blogging, Emailing and Social Media Marketing efforts.

    All too often companies and individuals using email and social media, do not have a content strategy and are in a reactionary mode, taking a half-hazard approach to their blog posts, status updates and e-news letters.  They do things on the fly, writing and sharing content when they see something they are inspired to write about, and often include their own personal perception, slant, insight and judgment.

    While it is good to be spontaneous, because often there is pure passion coming into the piece that is being written (whether a 140 word micro-blog post or a full 500 word post) it happens time and time again .... double talk results full of contradictions, and in some cases being "Guilty of Your Own Convictions".

    Do a self assessment. Read your blog posts, social media updates, email marketing messages ... go back and do an inventory of the last six months.  Be completely honest with yourself and try to view your content from a third party perspective.  Ask yourself this question "Have I, in any way, contradicted myself and become guilty of double talk?  Or am I living true to my own personal brand values, core messaging and little rants I go on about?"

    Blogging for Business is critical in an era where Content is King!  Using Social Media to connect and engage with your different social networks is just as important.

    One thing many companies and individuals overlook is developing a content strategy that is based on their core values, marketing objectives and growth goals for their business.  By having a proper content strategy, you keep your messaging on track with what you are attempting to achieve, and you avoid double talk.

    Most importantly, you end up "Walking Your Talk", and following through on your messaging, which builds trust and confidence in your ideal customers that you want to do business with.

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Author: Nancy Beth Guptill, Founder of Sweet Spot Marketing Canada, http://about.me/NancyBethGuptill

    Date: March 2, 2011

    About Sweet Spot Marketing: Sweet Spot Marketing is a new media marketing training and education company that lives by the motto "It is better to know than to think you know,  There is power in knowledge". We have a host of education programs in the areas of digital technology, new and social media, marketing automation, creativity, commercial innovation and entrepreneurial thinking.  To learn how we work with government, business organization and corporate clients, please book a complimentary assessment appointment: http://sweet-spot-marketing-canada.genbook.com/
    February 25, 08:15 AM
    Posted: 22 Feb 2011 06:04 PM PST
    It's going to come to a head at some point soon. We're all going to realize that Twitter is the ultimate distraction.

    The problem with saying that Twitter is a distraction comes at a cost. People don't want to think (or admit) that they are wasting their time - mostly because even defining what a "waste of time" is can be subjective (and who is to say that a distraction in one's life is also a waste of time?). I try not to kid myself. I realize that watching most prime time television is a waste of time and there are many other activities that us human beings engage in that don't really add much value to our own lives and the lives of people around us. Twitter could well be the next great distraction, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that, so long as you can admit it to yourself and appreciate that we all need moments of distraction. The challenge comes in identifying when these little distractions wind up taking up too much time in our lives.
    Twitter as a distraction engine.
    Brands that turn to Twitter usually do so to ensure that:
    1. If someone is talking about their brands, they can be (somewhat) responsive.
    2. They can broadcast/engage with those who are interested in their brands.
    Ultimately, Twitter is just a short, fast and easy way to share a message. As much as it has become a distraction for the majority of people, it is also a great place to poke your nose around to find out what is being talked about, what's in the news or to find something interesting to read, watch or listen to. All of those activities are - fundamentally - activities that are distracting you from doing the work you were meant to do.


    Why is Twitter such a distraction?
    • The short messages (tweets) happen in bursts. This is both addictive to watch and so "snackable" that it's hard to resist.
    • It's easy to bang out a tweet in a couple of seconds... and it feels good to let people know what you're thinking/what you're up to.
    • It happens in real-time, so whenever you're engaged with Twitter, you are "in the moment."
    • People say, do and share interesting things.
    • It's the ultimate in reality programming. What's more interesting: to watch the story of people we don't know (or those that are made up) verses the story of people we do know or are interested in?
    • It's highly mobile. Tweeting or following Twitter is something that's easy and mindless to do when you're standing with one arm wrapped around the pole in a subway or have a handful of minutes while in-between meetings.
    • It's an easy way to follow and connect with new and interesting people.
    A distraction is still a distraction.
    Some will take this Blog post as an indictment on Twitter. That is not the case. I use, like and connect with Twitter on a more-than-daily basis, but I'm cautious of it. I can see/feel how easy it is to sucked into the vortex of interesting quips, tweets, retweets, responding to messages, links and provocations. While I love that type of back-and-forth banter, the work I do for our clients at Twist Image takes precedence. So too does my writing (this Blog, my newspaper and magazine columns, my future books), speaking and Podcasting. While I can appreciate the value of Twitter, it falls well below the value I get from creating more substantive ideas in other forums (my own art). Twitter and the tweets that go along with them are fleeting moments that disappear almost as quickly as they are published.

    I'm ok with Twitter as an engine of distraction, but I often wonder if the more serious power users see it in the same vein?

    Authored By:  Six Pixels of Separation
    Published on Sweet Spot Marketing (Canada) Blog by Nancy Beth Guptill 
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