fLO specializes in helping small businesses and non-profits determine the social media/online content tools that are the most effective for their unique business and customer. They provide both high-level strategic planning and mechanical implementation of online content/social media marketing programs

Social Media that WORKS

The lovely Rachel Olsen of Best Mom Products asked me to write an article for her newsletter and she also posted it to her blog. If you've been wondering about the fLO approach to social media/content and what we do all day - this is pretty much it. Get it here. Read the article! »

You say Content Strategy, I say Content Marketing

There is a bit of an argument going on regarding use of the terms “content strategy” and “content marketing”. Are they really two different things? Are the terms mutually exclusive? And what is it, exactly, that those of us who bill ourselves as “content strategists” actually providing?

Leen Jones (author of Clout) suggests that the difference is between using content specifically for marketing initiatives and using content as a commodity. Although she admits at the end of her post that the two are becoming more entwined as time and innovation chug on. 

Joe Pulizzi of Junta42 and the Content Marketing Institute (read: Big, big guy in this field) wrote a popular post late last year that basically stated that all these terms mean the same thing, what matters is who you’re talking to

After last year’s Content Strategy Forum, Newt Barrett wrote that content strategy is the “kissing cousin” to content marketing. A necessary tactic to employ to achieve effective content marketing. 

Not to be a complete cop-out....

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Facebook and Privacy and Advertising, Oh My!

 

Every other month or so, and sometimes more often, I will see in my Facebook stream a status post by someone that says essentially:

“Look out! Facebook is trying to give your personal information to unauthorized advertisers! To stop it, Click on Settings, click on “Give my Personal Information to Advertisers”, make sure the checkbox is UNMARKED, otherwise the default setting is set to be automatically marked. TELL EVERYONE!”

The truth is, as an individual, I am somewhat loathe to share my information with people who want to sell me stuff. So I often do follow these instructions without really questioning what I’m turning down or perhaps more appropriately, what I’m turning down for others. 

Hear me out. Because, unless you spend a lot of time reading about social media marketing strategy, you probably haven’t thought much about what your online shopping experience is becoming. 

 

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Microbudget Video

A couple weeks ago I tweeted/FB’d a link to a video by a couple offering “movie-making” services. I admit, I was poking a bit of fun at their lack of professional style. But there is some truth to their argument that there are many reasons that you as a business or even personally could benefit from having a video made and distributed online – and you don’t need to spend a lot to end up with a polished product.

I recently worked with a client to shoot a short informational video series for his business consulting services. To keep down expenses, we shot with a hand-held Creative Vado HD (similar to a Flip) and used no external microphone. The only snafu we ran into was when the planned outdoor shoot had to be moved inside due to rain and we were limited to the lighting instruments available in the hotel room! In the span of three short hours we were able to shoot enough footage for three videos. As for editing, we used the very fancy iMovie software that comes pre-programmed on a Mac

 

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How to Start an EFFECTIVE Social Media/Online Content Marketing Strategy

Ok. You’ve heard all the buzz. This post is going to assume that you’re already bought in to the idea that social media and/or online content is a marketing avenue you need to start using or utilize more effectively.

Now you’re thinking, How do I start?

Let me share with you the secret to beginning an effective social media/online content strategy

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Buzzwords

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