Digital Marketing, Media, PR Analysis And Insight – The Future Buzz

Mitch Joel over at Six Pixels of Separation wrote a post titled: Unlike Advertising, Social Media Can’t Save A Bad Brand, Product Or Service. I’ve taken issue with Mitch’s content previously (and also agreed with him). I’m going to take issue again today.

I wrote the other week that the idea of time normalization in social media is a fallacy. But it goes further than just time being a fallacy. The marketing industry is obsessed with looking for normalizations everywhere. And other than providing a feel good number for presentations – it’s an exercise in futility. Well, other than the fact that it generates PR for those who come up with the numbers. It’s infotainment at best, misinformation at worst.

If you’re in print media, hemorrhaging revenue and done nothing you still need to rethink your business model. The iPad, DRM or other closed platforms are not your savior. And merely putting your content online is hardly enough.

Recall law 2 of Robert Greene’s 48 laws of power: never put too much trust in friends, learn how to use enemies. The idea of using enemies is something most never even consider, but using enemies as part of your web strategy can be potent.

There’s no such thing as a blanket answer in digital marketing and PR. Just because company X is doing something is not by itself a reason your company should too.

Kendall Winstanley, a North Hastings High School student in Bancroft Ontario asks:

I am a student in grade 12 who is interested in a career in public relations. I am planning on going to Durham College in the fall for PR. Currently, I am doing a report on public relations professionals and how social media is affecting how their job is performed. I read your blog and was hoping that you could give me some more insight into the topic, so I can fully understand it and give the correct information.

I’m nervous for book publishers. I’m not talking about the pricing of ebooks on the iPad or kindle. There’s a reason authors really like publishers other than the best-in-class editors and the advances. Authors adore it when someone else does the herculean task of selling their books.

This is a classic bit from From Kevin Kelly’s New Rules for the New Economy:

The prestandard phase is the most exciting. This period is marked by tremendous innovation, high hopes, and grand ambition. “Aha!” ideas flow readily. Since there are no experts, everyone can compete, and it seems as if everyone does.

Today I’m going to share a story of how not to handle the sales process. This post is not so much about my negative experience, but more of a lesson for your business.

I’ve attended, liveblogged and presented at a plethora of marketing and technology conferences in the last year. After attending enough, you start to notice common trends in questions, presentations and even personalities. One of the most common, recurring questions asked is: “what’s one thing I can do right now?” Or perhaps a variation, “What’s one thing I can start doing today?”