The advantages of the cloud have been widely pushed over the past couple of years. But is it really all that? Jason Scott, a digital historian and archivist, doesn’t believe that it is. However, he’s not against the cloud itself, but instead is against the term and the use of the term.
Scott told WebProNews that he believes the cloud phenomenon that is currently happening is nothing more than a marketing gimmick. The term is used in so many different contexts that its real definition is blurred.
As a historian, he is working to clearly define and provide proof for what the cloud is and what it’s not. Scott also told us that individuals and businesses should be proactive in understanding the truth about it.
Filed under Internet Marketing by on Oct 1st, 2011. 
Lately, there has been an outpouring of “best of in Social Media” lists. Maybe it’s that time of year? I don’t know. As each list comes out, I scan the names, hoping to learn about new and fabulous people. But more than that, I look for the fabulous people I see working hard every day. I look to see if other people are noticing how hard they are working. Sadly, many times they are not on these lists.
It’s tough to say that these lists are wrong. I’ve seen Jay Baer on several lists lately and you’d be hard pressed to find me a person I admire more. Danny Brown has been on several lists lately and I think he’s a fabulous guy who works hard and tries to get it right while also being a truth-teller. There’s absolutely no question that the stuff Michael Stelzner is doing is amazing.
But…I’m still left with a feeling that more people are out there who could really benefit from lists like these. People who maybe don’t have as many followers or as many subscribers but who are just as wonderful, and for whom a spotlight would mean so darned much.
I raised this issue over on Google Plus last night and Drew McClellan said, “OK, fair enough. Who would you add to these lists?” I’m so glad you asked, Drew.
There are probably hundreds of people I could list, but I’ll give you my top eleven (because I can’t count) for right now at this minute. Get to know these people. Take a day to get to know each of them. Then get to know the people they know and see how your community expands and deepens.
I encourage you to make your own list – ten people (or 11, or 20, or 50) who never make “those” lists but who really should. Influence, I strongly believe, is something we decide for ourselves. While there are people who have the scope to influence many, that doesn’t mean they have what really counts.
1. Mark Schaefer: Mark has become sort of my Jimney Cricket over the last year. His blog raises issues that are both within and outside of the world of social media. His business acumen combines with a down-to-earth, easy-to-talk-to, genuine human being.
Mark’s Blog Mark on Twitter
2. Gini Dietrich: A lot of people have heard of Gini, but does she get the credit she deserves? It seems like Gini’s name only appears on lists when there is trouble to dish out, and it makes me mad, because not only is she brilliant and brave, she is also genuine, kind, and funny as all get-out.
Gini’s Blog Gini on Twitter Gini on G+
3. Fred McClimans: Fred is one of the most brilliant people I have met in my life. His brain turns my brain into pretzel 9 times out of ten. Despite that brilliance, Fred is also entirely approachable, extremely kind, very funny, and is out there sharing his wisdom in seemingly every chat there is.
Fred’s Blog Fred on Twitter
4. Cate Colgan: It drives me nuts that Cate doesn’t get more credit for all that she does online and offline. Cate has a well of support for those around her that doesn’t seem to have a bottom. She is always full of ideas, always warm, always understanding, and can always create a smile from seemingly nowhere.
Cate on Twitter:
5. Tristan Bishop: Tristan is one of the few people in the online world who can throw out motivational wisdom and have it not be anywhere near annoying because you know he lives it and truly believes it. The more you get to know Tristan, the more you realize how very multi-faceted he is. Another brilliant fellow who doesn’t let his brain get in the way, Tristan seems to be everywhere online and he is always making people feel better about themselves.
Tristan’s Blog Tristan on G+ Tristan on Twitter
6. Sherree Worrell: If Mark has become my Jimney Cricket, Sherree has become his partner in crime. When I need advice or a sounding board, Sherree has become one of my first choices to turn to. She is warm, sharp as a tack, and she shows pictures of REALLY cute kitties if you ask her nicely 
Sherre’s Blog Sherree on G+ Sherree on Twitter
7. Jure Klepic: I only got to know Jure recently, but what an impact he has had on my online life. I would love to see lists that pay tribute to people who just jump in and bring a bright ray of light with them. Jure certainly fits into that category. A kinder, more outgoing person you’d be hard-pressed to find.
Jure on Twitter Jure on G+
8. Molly Cantrell-Kraig: How does Molly not make these social media lists? She is one of the most inspirational women you can find and uses social media the way it is supposed to be used. I am very happy that I know so many people who know and adore Molly so that I have had a chance to get to know her better. Now I’m doing that favor for you.
Molly on Twitter Molly on G+
9. Sam Fiorella: Whenever something cool is going down, Sam is sure to be there. That’s not accidental. Whether it’s UnGeeked, a great chat, or 12most, I’ve run into Sam everywhere. He’s a smart guy, he has a wicked sense of humor that often puts my own to shame, and he does social media the right way – in that he gives a lot and asks for little. He deserves far more credit than he gets.
Sam’s Blog Sam on Twitter Sam on G+
10. Peg Fitzpatrick: Peg is another woman who seems to know everyone and who seems to be involved in everything. I remember when she first came onto the Twitter scene – she immediately struck me as someone who “gets” how be a star online. She is just full of energy, seldom has a bad word to say about anyone or anything, and can be friends with anyone she meets. Now it’s your turn.
Peggy’s Blog Peggy on Twitter Peggy on G+
11. Stanford Smith: Does anyone notice everything that Stan is doing for people? He can teach you how to blog, slap you upside the head for being lazy, and charm you by pointing out everything you’re doing right all in one post. Stan works harder than most people I know and is someone I always strive to keep up with.
Stan’s Blog Stan on Twitter Stan on G+
What do you think abou the lists that have been floating around? I’d love to talk with you about it!
Image by Stephanie Berghaeuser. http://www.sxc.hu/profile/kirsche222
Filed under Internet Marketing by on Oct 1st, 2011.
Financial issues are often difficult to address, but they are especially difficult when the issues are negative. For this reason, many businesses and startups keep this information very private. Rand Fishkin, the CEO and co-founder of SEOmoz, however, does not fit into this “typical” pattern. He believes in total transparency, which is being open with the bad as well as the good.
Fishkin spoke with WebProNews and told us about his experience with almost raising $ 24 million in investment capital. The investment firm the company was working with backed out of the agreement just days before the money was supposed to be deposited into SEOmoz’s account.
Because SEOmoz has always strived to be a transparent company, Fishkin openly blogged about their VC experience. He told us that he hoped other startups and entrepreneurs would read it and learn from it.
Filed under Internet Marketing by on Oct 2nd, 2011.
Online slander is never good for an individual or business. Steven Wyer, the founder of Reputation Advocate, knows this first hand since he saw his business and reputation destroyed after false information was spread on the Internet.
As he worked to turn his reputation around, he realized that a lot of other people and businesses have had to deal with the same issues. For this reason, he is now helping others protect their online reputation through his business and his new book called Violated Online: How Online Slander Can Destroy Your Life & What You Must Do to Protect Yourself.
He told us that people should be proactive about their reputation. He advises that they regularly monitor what is said about them online and address any issues before they get out of hand.
Filed under Internet Marketing by on Oct 2nd, 2011.
OK for most of us it’s the end of the 3rd quarter and for many it’s the end of the fiscal year. Time to peruse the balance sheet and check out our corporate health or lack thereof. Did you know that your CFO also keeps a social media balance sheet? Alright, maybe not, but your CMO certainly should. Here’s how to read one.
ASSETS
Current Assets
This is of course the “plus” side of the balance sheet. Count all of your sales that have been derived in some form or fashion from social media promotion or engagement. If you have closed loop marketing software, for example integrated HubSpot and Salesforce, this is easy to calculate. If you’re doing inbound marketing, a good proportion of your sales leads come from social media. In our case, it’s north of 30%. Include accounts receivable of course.
Non-Current Assets
This is your investment in social media that will continue to drive benefit to the bottom line over time. Include software, training, services, reusable content, recorded webinars and miles upon miles of streams of social media updates stored for posterity but retrievable via search and Facebook timelines. Include research and just-in-time “heads-ups” about competitors’ new product launches and employment moves. Include Groupon discounts for corporate lunches and travel. Include employee retention cost savings because everyone loves your liberal social media policy.
LIABILITIES
This is the cost side of the equation. Include salaries and benefits for your dedicated social media people. Include costs for other people in the office doing both productive and non-productive social media activities. A Good rule of thumb here is about 80% of everyone’s time (non-productive that is). Include legal fees for attorneys reviewing your social media policy and getting you out of serious trouble. Include outsourced services for inbound marketing and SEO agencies (this should also be about 80% – subtle self-promotion, huh?).
EQUITY
This is the long-term benefit of being a social-media-foreward company. Include increasing valuation as venture capital companies chase you around. Include buy-outs by competitors who can’t stand that you are so far ahead in the social sphere. Include huge advantage in hiring millennials and other young-at-heart professionals (like me for example). Include happy family life derived from no one ever talking, as they are always absorbed in their smart phones.
Important Accounting Note: Remember that the Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Statement are not the same thing! While your Social Media Balance Sheet may look very healthy with all of those long-term investments, you may be broke as an old shoe!
Now, go back to your CEO and convince him/her that all of this social stuff is worthwhile. You have the right document to prove your point.
Photo by Caveman Chuck Coker
Filed under Internet Marketing by on Oct 3rd, 2011.
