So, although I loved the term(s) coined by Jeremy Pepper (Twitter-idiocy or Twitteriocy, he’s in the process of coining it), I have to concede, I am more enamored with mine: Twittiot! Okay, I’ll admit, I love Twitter.  It’s great for real time information. It’s great for networking.  It’s great for keeping in touch, and let’s face it, it’s just plain fun.  However, when used in a business setting, do I really want to know that you’re brushing your teeth? Watching television? Or eating?  Now if you were drinking a glass of wine, I’d be interested.  In fact, what kind? Vintage? I digress…

When using Twitter in a business capacity, at least try to keep it somewhat relevant.  Share information, ask a question, or create a conversation thread.  But really, if you have to go, you know, like ‘go,’ I don’t want to know about it.  In short, don’t be a Twittiot!  In fact, to avoid ‘Twitteriocy’ altogether, start here.

I recently attended a social media seminar in San Francisco and the speaker mentioned Second Life numerous times.  I must be behind the times because I didn’t know much about Second Life or how to leverage it from a marketing perspective.  I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to educate myself and the readers of this blog.  It is a fascinating concept:

First and foremost…

Dwight’ Second Life

According to Wikipedia (trust me, this is the shortest definition I could find), Second Life (abbreviated as SL) is an Internet-based 3D virtual world which came to international attention via mainstream news media in late 2006 and early 2007. A free downloadable program called the Second Life Viewer enables its users, called “Residents”, to interact with each other through representation of himself/herself (alter ego), providing an advanced level of a social network service combined with general aspects of a virtual universe. Residents can explore, meet other residents, socialize, participate in individual and group activities, and create and trade items (virtual property) and services with one another.

So how do you leverage this virtual world from a marketing perspective?

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I just returned from Solar Power International, previously called Solar Power Conference and Expo, and let me tell you, there were no signs of a recession.  After attending the Pacific Coast Building Conference (PCBC) in July, the only signs I saw there were ones featuring the big ‘R’.   It was pretty somber.  Solar Power International on the other hand was energized!

The show started in 2004 with less than 1,100 attendees.  In just four years, the attendance is approaching 13,000.  With an industry growth rate of more than 40 percent per year, be it luck or incredible foresight, these companies are growing as fast, if not faster, than the industry as a whole.  Our clients enjoyed phenomenal success at the show and from a business perspective, it was nice to see some light at the end of this challenged economic tunnel.

In the old days, when you received poor customer service, you could do one of two things: Wait on hold for an hour to speak to someone in ‘Customer Care’ or just get over it because seriously, how much impact could one person have.

Now, in the days of Web 2.0, business is becoming personal again and the beauty of it is that anyone can have a voice and they are using it! Case in point, Comcast.

Comcast is notorious for long wait times, poor service and technicians that often do more damage than good. Well, Comcast customers couldn’t take it anymore and it finally sent them over the edge. With the use of Web 2.0, the customers started fighting back.

Through the use of YouTube, one customer posted a video of a Comcast technician that fell asleep at their house while on hold with the Comcast customer service department! Another gentleman started a Web site called Comcast Must Die that allowed customers to comment with their own personal Comcast nightmare.

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According to Interbrand, Coca-Cola is the world’s most valuable brand.  Basing its rakings on sales, global reach, and strength of management, Interbrand says the Coca-Cola brand is worth $66.6 billion! Second and third on the list include IBM and Microsoft respectively.  Two questions: Who is managing your brand? And, what are you investing to build your brand?

Source: BusinessWeek

Merlot Marketing was once again named one of the Fastest-growing Companies by the Sacramento Business Journal.  Enjoying its fourth year in a row on the list, Merlot Marketing joined only four other advertising/PR firms that made the list this year.  Most of the top 10 companies on the list included solar companies and IT firms - definitely a sign of the times.  Thanks to our clients and our incredible team for helping us achieve our continued growth and success!