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Social media

20 Plus Years Experience In Social Media

August 26, 2010 by info@3QuartersToday.com

“Social Media”, a buzzword that people flock to and yearn to understand in business.  Entering “social media business” in Google yields over 796 million results.  Wow, just a little overwhelming?

The term “social media” is relatively new, however I have been participating in social media for almost 20 years, beginning in the early 1990’s. Anyone remember CompuServe? That is where I jumped on and I haven’t left.  I spent hours searching online forums, even during the days of limited internet participation and topics. The history of social media “technically” goes back to the 1970’s, although the audience was limited.

In 1997 I started using social media for marketing and business purposes as a marketing consultant for a niche pet supply company,  Oxbow Animal Health (aka Oxbow Pet Products). Social media was really responsible for the start of a very successful world-wide company. We were in the right place at the right time. They were one of the first pet companies in 1995 to have a website with a shopping cart and I believe one of the first companies to use and leverage social media.

Twitter Mascot Ollie the Bird Mini-FigureTwitter Mascot Ollie the Bird Mini-FigureInstant Fines Tin - Facebook AddictInstant Fines Tin – Facebook AddictHashtags Party GameHashtags Party Game

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Although we didn’t know really what to call it at the time we were often amazed at the power of online networking. UseNet groups,  typically using university servers,  spread information across the country and the world in seconds. Groups such as Etherbun, HouseBunny, and PetBunny had over 1000 passionate well-educated subscribers who received messages in their email box about pet care, news and where to buy the best hay, or toys for their house rabbits.

Many of these communities transferred to e-groups, then to Yahoo groups. Now, organization and social members use Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, etc.  Social media ADHD is now endemic. A few target portals with thousands of participating members has now fragmented into many smaller portals with less effective message streams. There are now more social media groups that you can keep track and manage, many ineffective for your business.

The Art of Social Media: Power Tips for Power UsersThe Art of Social Media: Power Tips for Power UsersInstant Social Media Marketing with HootSuiteInstant Social Media Marketing with HootSuite

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Although a lot has changed, the basics and core values that made social media powerful  20 years ago still apply today.

Basic Social Media Rules:

  • Learn where your customers live online. Visit, listen, and learn
  • Don’t try and be all places at once, be picky, choose sites wisely
  • Provide information, not just advertising
  • Participate socially and often with community leaders
  • Have something valuable to say
  • Give references on facts  (opinion is nice but everyone has one)
  • Apologize and be humble
  • Develop relationships with people
  • Read before you post, once it’s there, there is not taking it back
  • Flamers are still not welcome
  • Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Integrate your internet efforts with “real life” marketing.

I’d like to hear your early years in social media and how it affected your business, product or brand, especially if you really didn’t know what you were doing at the time.

3Quarters2Day Marketing Add a comment, send me a tweet, let me know what you think.

Photo from Deviant Art (a little known social media site)

The History of Social Media

The History of Social Media | Digital Trends

Aug 5, 2014 … Social networking didn’t start with Facebook. We examine the history of social networking, from BBSes to Friendster to Diaspora.

The History of Social Media | History Cooperative

Jun 16, 2015 … The History of Social Media. Today, social media is a term that everyone knows. Even the most remote areas of the world have at least heard of …

The Complete History of Social Media: Then And Now

May 8, 2013 … The roots of social media stretch far deeper than you might imagine. Check out the complete history of social media. You might be surprised.

The Unabridged History of Social Media

Nov 10, 2015 … Facebook wasn’t the first social network. In this post we take a look at the history of social media and make some predictions on the future.

A Brief History Of Social Media (1969-2012) [INFOGRAPHIC …

Jul 4, 2013 … But here’s the thing: the history of social media actually goes back a lot further, and its roots can be found in blogging, Google, AOL, ICQ, the …

 

Filed Under: Social media Tagged With: business, business marketing, facebook, history of social media, Marketing, oxbow animal health, oxbow pet products, Social Media, Twitter

Brody’s Tongue is Famous!

July 21, 2010 by info@3QuartersToday.com

I love photo contests, especially when they are goofy and include pets. FidoBlog sponsored a Dog’s Tongue contest, and I just happened to have a great photo of Brody’s tongue. There were so many entries they created a YouTube video. Brody is at mark 1:35, so you don’t have to watch long.

But if you’re a dog lover you will watch it through the end. The music is really fun to listen to even without watching the pictures and listened to it in the background.

Enjoy!

Filed Under: Dogs In My Life, Social media Tagged With: animals, blogs, dogs, pets, Photography, Social Media, videos

Friendly’s Restaurant

July 13, 2010 by info@3QuartersToday.com

I’m not too passionate about restaurants, but Friendly’s restaurant is my exception.  Give me two minutes of your time and I’ll tell you why.

For those of you that live west of New York you may not understand the reason why I love a restaurant and why it holds a dear place in my heart. The credit goes to my teenage years in the 1980’s. Every outing with high school friends ended with a trip to Friendly’s: the beach, tubing, movies, you name it Friendly’s was involved. Maybe it’s the reason I lost 20 pounds my freshman year of college, we didn’t have Friendly’s.

Friendly's Sundae To Go
Friendly’s Chocolate Chip Sundae To Go

Friendly’s is a New England tradition, the ice cream parlor around the corner where young and old can met in the corner booth, order a Happy Endings Sundae for 99 cents and have it served in a real glass sundae glass with whipped cream and a cherry on top.  Don’t know if Happy Ending are still 99 cents, but in the 1980’s they were just the right price. Some of my friends liked Fribbles better. (No, not Tribbles, but I wonder where they got the name) Fribbles are deliciously rich shakes, that almost need a spoon.

Get extra spoons though because with my group of friends sharing wasn’t an option, it was mandatory. Sharing sundaes is such a tradition at the restaurant that Sharable Sundaes were created, starting with the Jim Dandy

Sure, they serve burgers, salads, fries and the like, but who really goes to Friendly’s for real food when they have a whole menu dedicated to sundaes! I loved their ice cream sundaes so much I asked for a sundae menu to take to college.

Maybe it was the name that is inviting? It just sounds like a place for friends, family and good times. As a marketing geek I love the concept from start to finish. The name, the friendly setting, and the branding of the company has transcended generations and miles. I recently met someone in Nebraska who misses the sundaes as much as me and we are both fans of the Friendly’s facebook page. With over 300,000 fans there are a lot of people that love Friendly’s. I even read their Mom’s Just Want to Have Fun blog

Friendly's ice cream is best shared with friends. The Friendly's restaurant chain can be found east of Pennslyvania in the United States and they are best know for their sundaes

So now I marry my food passion with social media passion. Every Friendly’s Facebook  post receives dozens, if not hundreds, of comments and likes. Talk about a social media success! But it proves that online social media is just not a stand alone marketing method, it starts with “real” social media with “real” customers who have a social connection. There is a Friendly’s Twitter page if you’re into Twitter.

Friendly’s ice cream couldn’t be more social in the physical world, it’s all about interacting with friends. A perfect formula that transcends into online social media.  Excitement and new products are created, in this case new ice cream flavors and new salads. Social media is a great place to listen to your audience, and comments about store locations, hours, and complaints are posted as well. What a great way to listen to your customers. Every now and then the CEO of Friendly’s get’s on to chat. I’m campaigning for a Friendly’s restaurant in Nebraska, don’t know if I’ll get it, but it’s fun asking. I love it!

No reunion with friends is complete without a trip to Friendly's restaurant
No reunion with friends is complete without a trip to Friendly’s restaurant

The only advantage to not having a neighborhood Friendly’s is I can still walk through the doorway without walking sideways. Metabolism after age forty is a terrible thing. But when I go home I still gather with my best friends and order the mint chocolate chip cookie sundae shared over laughter and tears all those years ago.

Yes, longer than 2 minutes, but it got you craving for ice cream didn’t it.

If you like to make your own ice cream then head over to my ice cream recipe article.

More Friendly’s Articles

Are You a Good Marketer or a Great One? – bly.com blog … – Bob Bly

Friendly?s restaurant, regardless of what you think of their food, is often a great marketer. Yes, when you walk in, there are always specials, enticing you to buy more during your visit. These specials often include an ice cream …
Save Huge By Cutting Out Friendly’s Printable Coupons Inside your …

You could just be shocked at how many people throw their friendly s ice cream coupons away. You may determine to shop distinct retailers for savings instead of going to one shop at a time. Dollar shops usually can help you save an excellent …

Do you have any favorite Friendly’s restaurant memories?

Let me know by leaving a comment believe, or if you liked this article share it with others. You know the share buttons, click on one.

Filed Under: Food, Social media Tagged With: dessert, dining, Food, friendlies restaurant, friendly s restaurant, Friendly's, ice cream, new england, restaurant review, restaurants, snack

What Is In A Name?

June 16, 2010 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Merry Go Round

My interest reach far and wide and encompasses many facets. I can be as laid back as the next person, but get me going on a subject I’m passionate about and it’s like sticking a quarter in me! I get wound up!

Hence the name of this page. “3 Quarters Today”. It all started with the a discussion about the break-up of the Big 12 Conference and the University of Nebraska leaving the tradition packed brotherhood of the orginal Big 8 schools. Granted I don’t understand why four school were added in 1995, but right now…it’s ALL ABOUT THE MONEY!!

The second quarter was then about the  College World Series in Omaha. What is it with the 6 foot fences! Ok, I’ve only been to a few games in the twenty years I’ve lived in Nebraska, but this event is based on community, camaraderie and family togetherness during tailgating. This is the last year the College World Series will be held at Rosenblatt Stadium and the organizers are creating an unwelcome atmosphere and discouraging people from coming back. It’s all about the money.

This leads me to my third quarter. The building of a new baseball stadium in downtown Omaha, built mind you with the whole intent of hosting the College World Series. The public didn’t want it, the fans primarily wanted to stay at Rosenblatt, for many reasons, but it didn’t matter. Millions of dollars are being spent, parking will be a nightmare, much more than paying $5 to park in a neighborhood yard, and there really isn’t room for tailgating.

Is that passionate enough for you?  Yeah, just stick a quarter in me to wind me up. This discussion happened about the time I ventured into a new phase of my professional career. I started working in partnership with a pet supply company and needed a company name.

I can be just as passionate about ideas, business and marketing. But I have learned to limit myself as sometimes passion can scare away people. One can only absorb so many ideas at a time. There needs to be time to process. In a business relationship there needs to be many pieces of the puzzle, marketing cannot contribute to adding a bottom dollar to the equation if the 4th Quarter is not supplied by the other departments and a buy in is made. Four quarters equal a dollar, and exponentially result in monetary rewards.

So with this explanation this blog will represent ideas, hobbies, news, and websites that wind me up so to speak.

Filed Under: Social media Tagged With: 3 Quarters Today, 3Quarters2Day, blogging, business, College World Series, logo, Marketing, Nebraska, Omaha, passion, Photography, work from home, working on line

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