american revolution overview

Digital History is a remarkable website with information on the American Revolution. It's set up in sections and is well organized. I came across it and wanted to share it with you.

The section I highlight here looks at the causes, fighting, and consequences of the American Revolution. There is information about the emerging patterns of resistance in the colonies, including petitions, pamphlets, intimidation, boycotts, and intercolonial meetings. 

The American Revolution was the first modern revolution. 

People fought for their independence in the name of certain universal principles such as rule of law, constitutional rights, and popular sovereignty. The website examines the causes, fighting, and consequences of the American Revolution. Learn why many colonists hesitated before declaring independence and how the Declaration of Independence summarized colonial grievances and provided a vision of a future.

Here's the link:

Digital History - Overview of the American Revolution

blogging helps business success

I wanted to put up some blogging statistics. Blogs are a key business, as you'll observe.

• 6.7MM people publish blogs
• 12MM write blogs using their social networks
• 81% of U.S. online consumers trust information and advice they get from blogs
• Companies that blog have 97% more inbound links
• The projection is that there are 128 million blog readers in the U.S.
• 92% of companies that post multiple times on their blogs acquire a customer from their blog
• B2B marketers get 67% more leads than businesses that do not blog
• 23% of online time is dedicated to social networks or blogs
• 61% of U.S. online consumers made their purchase based on a blog recommendation

Blogging helps you exceed in business.

An article from writtent.com was the inspiration for this post

that "something special"

Challenge
Create content that stands out. Blogs, news, videos distribute content.
Content must have that "something special" to get noticed.

That "something special" is high-value, interactive content.

It's content that:

• Incorporates dynamic elements such as videos, animations, and image carosels.
• Involves the participation or feedback of the end user.
• Engages the viewer by giving them a role to play in the unfolding story.

Brands are leveraging the power of interactive content. They are telling their story.

One of there interactive approaches is the e-magazine (interactive magazine). This way, cool features are shared. The latest news is published. The users get a great feel of the brands presence.

instagram use

I came across this post on socialmediaexaminer.com which gives a great overview of Instagram marketing.

Most people would probably think of Instagram as a personal platform. The home of the selfie. But the post points out that this platform goes much deeper. Visual content is huge. There have many articles posted on visual influence. You've probably read several yourself. Stories are fortified with pictures.

One item I learned from the article I mentioned earlier, is that Instagram is used to create visual content for other sites. Instagram engagement is detailed by Jenn Herman in a podcast that is very helpful. People can be reached better with Instagram. You'll learn profile optimization and strategic hashtag use. You can use as many as 30 hashtags per post! Keep in mind created images, as popularity is gaining.

many filters to choose from on Instagram

Exploring Instagram is fun and a neat learning experience. Make the time to get more familiar.

performance brand sales

Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne has stated that the Dodge needs to have SRT because Dodge is a performance brand. SRT has been folded into Dodge, but the new Viper will have the SRT badge.

Viper is technically and legally a Dodge due to ID numbers. SRT became a brand in 2011. Did you notice?

Just because Chrysler put the SRT brand onto the Viper, sales should have took off. But they didn't. In 2013 Viper sales were not stellar. Only 591 were sold that year! Granted, the Viper isn't for the general car buying public, but when put it into the performance car mix, Viper didn't rise to the top. Putting the SRT badge onto the Viper didn't drive sales. Sales through April 2014 was 255. Dealers were charges $25,000 to sell the Viper.

Performance brand, performance fee. What about performance sales?

Let's go back to my question. Did you notice that SRT became a brand in 2011? Frankly, I didn't. Perhaps a brand extension, but its own brand, no. Why? Well, no advertising foundation, except through the dealerships. An internal brand then. Is this satisfactory? I think not.

The Viper aside, Dodge has put the SRT badge onto the Charger and the Challenger. I see these two car models as brands themselves! That's just me. If the SRT badge is a brand, could Chrysler recreate it as an umbrella with the Charger and Challenger underneath it?

Should dealerships exhibit new signage? Should a new ad campaign for SRT be launched? These are questions only Chrysler can answer. I say yes, if they want to create new brand awareness.

Does your business have a performance brand or do you wish to create one? If you wish to create one, allow for promotion of that brand. When you do promote, have products in mind that will have the badge. These products need to speak for themselves. That's where visual content marketing comes in. 

An Automotive News post was a source for this story.

get blog attention

Do you want 55% more traffic to your blog? How abut a 70% increase in leads? One way to do that is optimize and promote your blog for Social Media. Promote after you create. Distribute through several channels. To decide which channels to use, define your target market.

In this article socialmediatoday they give us the "Big 4":

1. Facebook
2. Twitter
3. Google+
4. LinkedIn

They also offer more choices for you to consider.Your approach needs to focus on purpose and quality.

The preceding information is from the article authored by Genevieve Lachance.

Here's a wonderful summary of the blogging importance in this marvelous infographic from VA Simple Services:

 The one item that stood out to me was the Repurpose Content section. Simply put, this is reusing your blog content in other formats:

• Videos
• Presentations
• Infographics
• Emails
• Podcasts

This, to me, is a great idea and deserves consideration.

Here is a blogging book selection from Amazon.

google+, content and seo

Not just another social network. Google+ now has the second most highest number of monthly users, next to Facebook. Do not lump Google+ into "just another social network" category. First, it is backed by a giant search engine. Google+ is topping the list of social media changes for 2014. It is good for social networking and is vital to improve a business online presence. That brings us to online marketing. Finding that perfect fit is a challenge, but Google+ is a big help in this area. Create good content. I feel if we do this, the Google + "system" will find us. Increasing our page rank is the object of attention these days. Attraction for new visitors is a priority with many. Simply update your content on a regular basis. By updating regularly you will help search engine crawl to your blog and therefore it will help attract new visitors.

the magic 6

There is an infographic from Wildfire that was introduced recently which gives us the 6 best practices for social media success. Within the Best Practice # 1 are what I call  "the magic 6" which has to be a core for a social strategy.

These are:

1. Brand Marketing
2. Brand Management
3. Digital Media
4. Performance Marketing
5. PR/Earned Media
6. Social Media (own budget)

These are the parts of a larger strategy at work. They are the trump cards to play.

In future posts I will explore "the magic 6" in more in detail.

In the meantime explore these six areas on your own and prepare to make a plan for your social strategy.

create the plan: blog

Into content marketing? You had better be a blogger. This helps strive for excellence in a content marketing plan. Create an informative blog even if you only plan on writing about products and services. Maintain your blog by posting regularly.

Quality content is of high importance. This helps increase traffic. Content marketing has been defined as rebranding. Build trust by including educational items, entertainment and stories. Help your readers experience the world of satisfaction.

Use your costs and time wisely. Have a motive behind your blog posts.

Engage your audience by providing social media site icons. Include access to your mailing list. Include a call-to-action. Encourage sharing the information which is vital to success.

Remember, write good quality articles.

2014: content marketing ebooks

Good references for best practices.
11 Must Read eBooks to Get Content Marketing Smart for 2014

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Integrate content search and marketing. Help brands to connect. Thought leaders. Influencers.