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Updates from January, 2010

  • SEO Gets Social

    Pat McCarthy 10:22 am on January 29, 2010 | 0 Comments Permalink | Post Your Comment!
    Tags:

    Search engine optimization is in the beginning stages of a monumental paradigm shift. Back in olden times (2008), we could rely on Google to find us the most relevant websites based on an amazing algorithm. But that algorithm was a one size fits all. If I search for candy, doesn’t it matter that all me and all my friends are chocolate connoisseurs? Now that that information is available, it will be integrated into search algorithms. Both Google and Bing are doing it. Now becoming involved in social media is essential for anyone who wants to remain the top hit. Engagement is the new name of the game in SEO.
    Read more about the paradigm shift at AdAge

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  • What Now WOMMA? - Call for Case Studies Deadline: Feb 14

    Pat McCarthy 10:21 am on January 29, 2010 | 0 Comments Permalink | Post Your Comment!
    Tags: , WOM COMM,

    School of WOM Call for Case Studies:

    WOMMA is accepting applications for “faculty members” to present business case studies and best practices showcasing proven Word of Mouth & Social Media programs that generate consumer-driven conversations. Though we are looking for presentations based upon your unique ideas, here are some suggested topics to get you started:
    1. Igniting Customer Conversations by Delivering Memorable Customer Service
    2. How to Make a Mundane Brand more Talkable
    3. Using Social Media in Innovative and Measurable Ways
    4. Integrating Offline WOM with Online WOM
    5. How Listening to Customers Positively Impacts a Company’s Culture
    Remember the above are only guided suggestions we are looking for you best case studies!
    Submit yours here: http://womma.org/schoolofwom/faculty/

    Education:
    WOM-COMM is back in June
    We are offering another WOM COMM course from June 1-17 for all those who missed out on the first. It will teach the tools, techniques and best practices of WOM. You will leave the course ready to integrate WOM into your marketing campaigns. This course will make you the go to WOM pro in your office.
    Cost: $395 WOMMA & SOCAP Members ($495 Non-Members)
    Group Discounts Available!
    http://womma.org/certificate/

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  • Loyalty Shmoyolty

    Pat McCarthy 10:18 am on January 29, 2010 | 0 Comments Permalink | Post Your Comment!
    Tags:

    For a long time, marketers have used loyalty programs to retain their best customers, but a recent study shows that many still lack the ability to leverage these relationships. While they are tracking basic demographics and location at 73% and 68% respectively, only 14% track advocacy, 31% for personal preferences, and 33% for satisfaction levels. Does this mean that only 14% are interested in WOM marketing? Advocacy is one of the tenets of our work. Influencers are our golden tickets and they are being ignored by an overwhelming majority of loyalty programs. Failing to capture this data is reducing the ROI of loyalty programs.
    Read more about the study at Chief Marketer

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  • Required Reading for WOM All-Stars

    Pat McCarthy 10:17 am on January 29, 2010 | 0 Comments Permalink | Post Your Comment!
    Tags: Case Studies, ,

    17 WOM Case Studies - WOM Works
    WOM Works is now available! You can also preview the great case studies found in WOM Works, the collection of the best 2009 WOMMY Award winning case studies.
    See the preview here: http://womma.org/store/womworks/
    They make a great gift for any client or colleague. Nowhere else can you find in depth start to finish analysis of award winning WOM that was proven in the marketplace. Just $65 ($85 for non-members).
    To Order your copy visit: http://womma.org/store/

    Get ROI Focused - The Measurement and Metrics Guidebook
    No one will pay you a dollar for WOM services without the measurement and metrics to back up your work. This book explains the latest in WOM metrics by offering article written by leaders in our field. Full of how-to’s and case studies, this guidebook will get you ROI focused, guaranteed.
    Order your copy at the WOMMA store: http://womma.org/store/

    Post to Twitter

     
  • iPad: The Buzz Word that No One Knew

    Pat McCarthy 10:15 am on January 29, 2010 | 0 Comments Permalink | Post Your Comment!
    Tags: , ,

    t is worth examining Apple’s amazing ability to create buzz around products that don’t exist yet. In the months before the iPad was released, you couldn’t Google “Apple” without finding something about it. They do this by first nurturing a very active community, one they have been building since their inception. Their products are designed to work with their others, and they work well. By satisfying their customers consistently, they build buzz every time they develop a new product. A few carefully place leaks to the right people builds cost free buzz across the market. The foundation is customer satisfaction.
    Read more about how Apple is a WOM all-star at UTalkMarketing

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  • Getting Bilingual

    Pat McCarthy 11:57 am on January 28, 2010 | 1 Comments Permalink | Post Your Comment!
    Tags: ,

    It is becoming more difficult to justify not offering Spanish language versions of websites and marketing campaigns in the US. The Hispanic population accounts for over 35 million inhabitants, 41% of which are US-born. And according to a study performed by Cheskin Research found that the Hispanic population is above average in their use of new media technology. A few telling numbers:

    1. 72% of online Hispanics visit product rating site
    2. 64% consider the Web the best place to keep up with current events
    3. 57% always go to the Web to find deals
    4. 28% turn to the Web for friends’ opinions

      The Internet influences the Hispanic population’s purchases quite a bit. Ignore them at your own risk.
      Read more about the Hispanic population’s Internet habits at dotWOM

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    • Members in the Spotlight

      Pat McCarthy 11:56 am on January 28, 2010 | 0 Comments Permalink | Post Your Comment!
      Tags:

      WOMMA is proud to announce our newest members:
      Lithium Technologies
      Valle Italia

      The following WOMMA member companies made Fortune’s list of 100 Best Companies to Work for in 2010: Intuit, General Mills, Marriott International, American Express, CarMax, Microsoft, Quicken Loans, & Google. Congratulations to them and especially their employees!

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    • What Now WOMMA? - Call for Case Studies Deadline: Feb 14

      Pat McCarthy 11:54 am on January 28, 2010 | 0 Comments Permalink | Post Your Comment!
      Tags: , ,

      School of WOM Call for Case Studies:

      WOMMA is accepting applications for “faculty members” to present business case studies and best practices showcasing proven Word of Mouth & Social Media programs that generate consumer-driven conversations. Though we are looking for presentations based upon your unique ideas, here are some suggested topics to get you started:

      1. Igniting Customer Conversations by Delivering Memorable Customer Service
      2. How to Make a Mundane Brand more Talkable
      3. Using Social Media in Innovative and Measurable Ways
      4. Integrating Offline WOM with Online WOM
      5. How Listening to Customers Positively Impacts a Company’s Culture

      Remember the above are only guided suggestions we are looking for you best case studies!
      Submit yours here: http://womma.org/schoolofwom/faculty/

      Webinars:
      Jan. 28 - Brands Council Webinar with McDonald’s — Implementing a Digital Strategy Across a Decentralized Brand, Franchise Organization
      When: Today!
      Time: 12pm Pacific | 2pm Central | 3pm Eastern
      Register: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/954268235
      Heather Oldani from McDonald’s will share how a cross-functional team developed and then implemented across the US organization a digital strategy (including social media) that would engage customers with the brand both nationally and locally.
      Please note: This webinar is for WOMMA brand and non-profit members only.

      Education:
      WOM-COMM is back in June
      We are offering another WOM COMM course from June 1-17 for all those who missed out on the first. It will teach the tools, techniques and best practices of WOM. You will leave the course ready to integrate WOM into your marketing campaigns. This course will make you the go to WOM pro in your office.
      Cost: $395 WOMMA & SOCAP Members ($495 Non-Members)
      Group Discounts Available!
      http://womma.org/certificate/

      Post to Twitter

       
    • Where’s the Beef?

      Pat McCarthy 11:50 am on January 28, 2010 | 0 Comments Permalink | Post Your Comment!
      Tags: , ,

      The honeymoon with social media is finished and now we have to prove its value, namely ROI. As anyone in the industry knows, determining ROI in social media is as difficult as it is important. But some marketers get have trouble figuring out exactly what to measure. This, of course, depends on the project. The cited article has a very detailed description of three points to measure: Value per fan/follower, lead generation, & conversion rates. Each has to be determined before the project begins because their measurement needs to be integrated into the marketing plan. Without the foresight to build the measurement into the plan, you will be left scrambling after the fact.
      Read more about social media measurement at Altitude Branding

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    • Required Reading for WOM All-Stars

      Pat McCarthy 11:49 am on January 28, 2010 | 0 Comments Permalink | Post Your Comment!

      Case Studies
      WOM Works is now available! You can also preview the great case studies found in WOM Works, the collection of the best 2009 WOMMY Award winning case studies.
      See the preview here: http://womma.org/store/womworks/
      They make a great gift for any client or colleague. Nowhere else can you find in depth start to finish analysis of award winning WOM that was proven in the marketplace. Just $65 ($85 for non-members).
      To Order your copy visit:
      http://womma.org/store/

      Measurement and Metrics
      Get ROI Focused - Measurement and Metrics Guidebook
      No one will pay you a dollar for WOM services without the measurement and metrics to back up your work. This book explains the latest in WOM metrics by offering article written by leaders in our field. Full of how-to’s and case studies, this guidebook will get you ROI focused, guaranteed.
      Order your copy at the WOMMA store: http://womma.org/store/

      Post to Twitter