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Social Media and 21st Century Customer Service (case study with 6 key learnings)

Social media is changing how customer service is done. traditional call center methods of customer service are now being done via the web using twitter, facebook, blogs etc. This case study with 6 key learnings provides the reader with an exception overview of the benefits of social media customer [...]

Customer service now! (the convergence of social media and customer service 3 short case studies good and bad)

I cautioned readers about social media and the negative effect it can have on online reputation management. Here’s a quick recap: The key to a positive reputation is to look at every possible customer and prospect touchpoint and make sure it’s buttoned up tight. Every interaction, every touchpoint needs to be quality-driven, otherwise your brand is going to take a social media beating.

There’s just too much prime opportunity online — e.g., Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, blogs, etc. — for brands to get dinged when they screw up. In the few weeks I’ve been back from vacation, I’ve been thinking about this as I go about my day-to-day dealings with companies.

Twice [...]

Happy Thanksgiving from Start Social Now

All of us at Start Social Now wish you a happy and healthy Thanksgiving. And may all your black friday and cyber monday plans exceed your expectations!

2009 word of the year,

For those of you naysayers who believe that social media is a fad, a toy, or something that cannot drive business robustness, engagement and ROI, I have one word for you…

“Unfriend” What are your thoughts? [...]

Bands and Brands: How the United breaks Guitars video defines a new paradigm for 21st century customer service.

United breaks guitars video is a perfect example of how a company will get skewered in social media outlets via viral [...]

Social Media rules of engagement to live by

Over in the linkedin group I manage, (Direct Marketing Questions & Answers), we’ve been having a discussion on the zig vs. zag nature of direct marketing and social media.

In essence, the theory is this: with everybody zigging towards social media these days, does that leave a giant hole (translation: opportunity) for traditional direct marketing to [...]

Welcome to 2009 - the year of engagement and social media

Editors note: I wrote this last January.  It still holds very true now and is “suggested reading” for anyone considering or already in the social media space.

As I mentioned in my most recent column — a recap of the National Center for Database Marketing conference last month — it’s not good enough to merely serve your customers [...]

Four quick tips for networking success on Linkedin

But by far, the best networking tool to use in my opinion is LinkedIn. Most LinkedIn users already know how to link to other people in and out of their networks, but…
There are LinkedIn users and then there are LinkedIn players!
Let’s talk more about how to go from being merely listed on LinkedIn to being a networking “player,” which has helped me get job inquiries, plus writing and consulting [...]

Why you always must be networking and Linkedin is key!

uilding Your Personal Rolodex

The goal of business today is about adding new and influential contacts daily to your sphere of influence — i.e., building your networking Rolodex. In fact. it is just as important to in todays business environment to ABN (always be networking) as it it to do your job to the best of your ability. Here’s how to [...]

Social Media Lecture at Florida International University

On November 10th Jim Gilbert gave a presentation on Social Media Marketing, entitled, Welcome to the Customer-Centric World at Florida International [...]