The Patriots and Giants will be lining up on the 50 yard line, but the Super Bowl’s MVP – social media, got into the game weeks ago. Here’s a look at what’s going on in the streets and on screens. How has social media affected your Super Bowl experience so far?

Live from Super Bowl Village

With the Super Bowl buzz building to a loud crescendo, I had to see for myself what in the world was going on in Indianapolis. So, I did – on Groundhog’s Day.

In a trip that lasted 10.5 hours, include 7 hours of driving, I experienced first hand the excitement, energy and enthusiasm in the air. Strolling around on a blazingly sunny and unreasonably warm 60 degree day, I encountered a street party that went on for blocks and blocks.

What I most wanted to see, I didn’t get to: a 2,800-square-foot “Super Bowl Social Media Command Center” staffed by folks ready to answer questions coming in via social networks.

I did, however, score a live interview from Radio Row in Super Bowl Village with producer Ted Gregorek.

Super Fast Super Bowl Village Wi-Fi

Ever been to a tech event where you can’t get a signal? Me too. Knowing that thousands of people would want to connect simultaneously, I planned on having a weak signal on the street – not so in Indy. Thanks Verizon!

“Superbowl XVLI in Indianapolis will be the first-ever with widespread 4G and WiFi access. Verizon Wireless spent $160 million on cellular technology in Indiana in 2011. Most of the money was spent building new cell towers but some was targeted specifically at upcoming Superbowl XLVI.”

Super Bowl Ads, as seen on TV and . . .

“Running a Super Bowl ad will cost $3.5 million for a 30-second spot, not including production expenses. 80% of Super Bowl ads will feature social and/or mobile app integration.”

“The Washington Post said this year’s game will be the first ‘second screen’ Super Bowl, since advertisers, the football industry and others will all be trying to get your attention via other venues when you’re not focusing on your television.”

Social46 Bands Together to Back Up Super Bowl Host Committee

Thanks to Chris Theisen, for reaching out on behalf of Social 46. According to Jay Baer, also a Social 46 member, this is “a group of social media representatives selected to help make Super Bowl 46 in Indianapolis the ‘most connected’ Super Bowl ever.” Jay’s post is required reading for any event organizers considering recruiting social media ambassadors.

Here’s Chris Theisen‘s video tour . . .

Super Bowl Coverage Brought to You by Google, YouTube and the NFL

Check out Google’s Super Bowl Game Day dashboard.

Browse YouTube’s Super Bowl Ad Blitz channel.

Watch the NFL’s Super Bowl coverage via live stream on your mobile device.

How about you – how many screens will you be watching during the game?

Image: copyright 2012 by Barbara Rozgonyi from the Super Bowl XLVI collection, which includes a fun Super Bowl Village zip line video.

Today’s guest post is by Stacey Acevero, Social Media Community Manager at PR Web.

Looking for a way to boost your social media and PR?  We have the perfect tool to deepen your engagement with consumers and provide your online marketing with a creative spark.

Skype can give your business the face-to-face time with consumers that might otherwise be missing in your marketing.  You can use it in a number of ways to increase your public presence through the social realm.

Check out these 9 tips:

1. Install A Skype Button On Your Website

Give consumers immediate and direct access to your company by installing a Skype button on your website.  The person who manages your social media campaigns, responds to customer and writer inquiries can be the contact for all Skype calls.   

2. Create Video Contests

Because Skype and Facebook are integrated, you have the perfect opportunity to create a live platform for audience contests, combining social media and PR to produce powerful marketing results.

Try offering special rewards for contestants who answer questions correctly or demonstrate how your product worked for them.

For example, invite followers to put together groups and show all the places they ate your pizza or drank your coffee.

3.     Provide Question and Answer Sessions

Introducing a new product or service?  Skype can help you converse directly with potential customers.  Arrange a pre-set question and answer session and put out invitations via all your social channels for followers to join in

4.     Encourage Followers To Speak

One of the best ways to stay engaged with consumers is to ask for their feedback.  They get to share their opinions and you get the benefit of knowing how well you are giving them what they need.

Create regular feedback sessions and reward contributors with special coupons.  You can tweet or post the results and give credit to the folks who participated.

5.     Connect Your Audiences With Your Spokesperson

Do you have a celebrity spokesperson or CEO who conducts interviews for your brand?  Create a schedule of Skype interviews to connect journalists and bloggers directly, and then share the best moments on your website.

6.     Provide Customer Service Assistance

Suppose a consumer is trying to use your product, say an oven, to accomplish something (in this case, cook a holiday turkey) but has questions beyond what the user manual addresses.  Encourage them to Skype your customer service department for immediate support

7.     Help Your Workforce Communicate

Don’t forget the initial appeal of Skype for business.  You can use it for video conferencing between co-workers and vendors.

8.     Create A Video And Share It On Facebook

Get a number of your employees to put together a Skype group and create a video message to followers.  You can share holiday greetings or news of your next big event – and add to your social media and PR library of successful tactics.

9.     Strengthen Your Media Relationships

Perhaps there is a blogger who is especially important to your industry.  You may have sent them dozens of press releases but never met them.  Invite them to chat on Skype and add more power to your pitches.

The power of social is that it creates and sustains relationships.  When adding the immediacy of video to that formula, you’re bound to increase the connection between you and those you want to touch.

Searching for more tips? Check out this social media survival kit.

In 2011, BtoB  surveyed more than 550 executives for Emerging Trends in B-to-B Social Media Marketing: Insights From the Field.  Three charts about methods and obstacles are yours for the viewing. If you want more information, you can purchase the complete report.

Methods Used for B2B Social Media Marketing

When asked “Which of the following social media methods does your company currently use for your B2B marketing (i.e. not personal use)? (Check all that apply).“, LinkedIn and Facebook almost tied for first place with twitter coming in third. Less than half the businesses use YouTube or blogging as a marketing method. How do you think Google+ will affect these results?

The One Most Important Method of B2B Social Media Marketing

The next chart shows the answers to this question: “Which of the following social media platforms is the ONE most important method that you use for B2B marketing?” LinkedIn leads again with Facebook and blogging coming in close together at second and third place.

Obstacles to Social Media Marketing

The third set of statistics reveals obstacles to social media marketing and answers the question, “What are the top three major obstacles to adopting social media marketing in your company? (Check as many as three).”

If you’re a social media consultant or company advocate, it’s good to know about these objections. How do you overcome them?

70% Lack of resources

57% Poorly defined success metrics and key performance indicators

44% Lack of knowledge about social media

22% Management resistance

17% Confidentiality

15% Legal and regulatory issues

8% Company policies prohibit social media

It would be interesting to compare these findings with other studies or even the results from this report in the prior year. It’s clear that that B2B companies need more social media education as well as a better grip on how to define success metrics and key performance indicators. One way to do this is to work with a social media marketing consultant to align your social media marketing with your business marketing goals. Another important overlay is purpose. Do you think the answers might vary based on marketing, business development, and branding?

You have about four weeks to get ready for 2012. Don’t let another year go by watching your competition own the market you want to be in. To end 2011 on a high flame and put some kindle on the fire for 2012, I’d like to invite you attend one or both of my December webinar classes. Get WIRED with social media, content marketing and PR or Lock in LinkedIn to fire up your 2012 success.

Why are my webinars cooler? Because you get so much more: live webinar presentation, timed replay, transcripts, mp3s, bonuses and even a one on one power consultation. Sound good? Wait . . . it gets better. How about reader discounts and scholarships? 

Social Media Marketing and LinkedIn Webinar Discounts and Scholarships

Because you’re a reader, you get a generous 50% discount. If you have questions about whether these webinars are right for you, feel free to ask in the comments section here or  email me at connect at corywestmedia dot com.

You may apply for one of two scholarships for each program. To apply, leave a comment here about why you’d like to attend. If you qualify, your registration will be discounted to $49 [$450 savings] for the LinkedIn program and $97 [$600 savings] for the Social Media Success Webinar. To be clear, you will not receive the one-on-one consulting session, the transcripts, the bonuses or the mp3 files, but you will get the opportunity to participate and ask questions.

Get WIRED for 2012 Social Media Marketing Success Webinar Series

12/6 from 11:30 – 1:00 cst

Module One: WIRED Branding

12/8 from 11:30 – 1:00 cst

Social Media Sampler

We’ll tour Facebook, LinkedIn, twitter, Google+, and YouTube

12/12 from 11:30 – 1:00 cst

Digital PR

12/15 from 11:30 – 1:00 cst

Content Marketing and Planning for 2012

Register for Get WIRED For 2012 Social Media Success

To save 50% use code: reader

What you get . . . .

Four live webinars with Barbara Rozgonyi – based on actual presentations, all developed and presented to live audiences. Includes:

* Topics: WIRED Branding, Social Media, Content Marketing and Digital PR for small businesses

* Transcripts; you won’t need to take notes

* Audio recordings; you can listen in over and over again

* Workbook to keep you on track; everyone needs a system

* Study guide with resources; where to go for even more information

* Content planners and templates; ramp up success right away

* 30 minute one on one power consultation with Barbara, a $250 value

* Bonus: 3D Branding for Event and Seminar Marketers, a $49 value

Content: based on actual presentations worth over $10,000 – if you were to engage Barbara as a speaker.

Format: Live small group webinars with 45 minutes of material and at least 30 minutes of questions and answers.

Leveraging LinkedIn for you and your company NOW Webinars

12/7 from 2:30-4:00 cst

LinkedIn Power Strategies to Stand Out and Be Sought Out

12/14 from 2:30-4:00 cst

LinkedIn for Companies: Engaging Leads and People

Register for Leveraging LinkedIn Webinars for you and your company

To save 50% use code: reader

What you get . . .

Two live webinars with Barbara Rozgonyi – based on actual presentations, all developed and presented to live audiences. Includes:

* Topics: LinkedIn Power Strategies to Stand out and Be Sought Out, Engaging Leads and People

* Transcripts; you won’t need to take notes

* Audio recordings; you can listen in over and over again

* Study guide with resources; where to go for even more information

* 30 minute one on one LinkedIn review with Barbara, a $197 value

* Bonus: LinkedIn mp3 recording with Barbara and Mari Smith, a $49 value

Format: Live small group webinars with 45 minutes of material and at least 30 minutes of questions and answers.

I love teaching people, but don’t take my word for it. Here are a few reviews.

“Online marketing and PR expert, Barbara Rozgonyi, is a wealth of information, brilliant ideas, and resources for small and large companies alike.” Marla Tabaka, inc.com

“Barbara, that was an excellent LinkedIn training session today. I appreciate the corp. communications professionalism you brought to it. I admire the business you have built.” Terri Rioux

“Great presentation today on LinkedIn. I learned about skills from you today!” David H. Lasker

“Your presentation was so beneficial and I LOVE your style, Barbara. You are great with our local audience; not too preachy but very informative!! Even not being a business owner I took away so much!! I work with business in other cities from my previous line of businesses so I will make sure to pass your name on!! Thank you so much!!!” Erica Cervantes, Account Executive, Time Warner Cable Business Class, sponsor of an event for Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce

“Barbara did a great job of explaining and illustrating the value of social media to 350+ administrator and faculty from higher education institutions. She has current, relevant information to share, and a lively, engaging manner for sharing it.” Higher Learning Commission Annual Conference, Stephen D. Spangehl

“Barbara offered broad insight into the issues and concerns that SM project managers face in showing value added in business use of SM. In addition, she provided great practical tips and resources that I can immediately apply to my role.” Kathryn Moran · Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago

“While there is still a lot for me learn, I can’t tell you how comforting it is to know reputable and wonderful resources such as WiredPRWorks are available. I’ve found that trying to sift through the world of social media for reliable and relevant resources can be not only time consuming, draining and more often than not leaves me a bit disillusioned.” Sylvia Lima

“Barbara is an exceptional speaker. Her knowledge of LinkedIn and her ability to convey that knowledge is top-notch, and I truly recommend her to anyone that is trying to learn the ins and outs of social media strategy. She is entertaining as well as engaging, and she will help you go far.” David Zoltan

“I just had the pleasure of reading Barbara’s chapter on LinkedIn in the excellent book Success Secrets of Social Media Marketing Superstars (which she most certainly is that) and chatting with her on LinkedIn. Her expertise in this area is unquestionable and what I found equally helpful was the easy to read and insightful manner with which she communicates her ideas. I am a professional SEO and social media consultant so I have the privilege of getting to know many excellent consultants and I can say without reservation that Barbara is one of the very best.” David Peters, President, CMO, Director- Search Engine Optimization, Net Point Marketing

“Barb conducted a LinkedIn training session at Drury Design. Here’s my note to her: Hey Barb, you’ll never guess what happened! After all my complaining and belly-aching at your LinkedIn training last week, I shut my mouth and joined a couple of the groups like you suggested. Yesterday, a gentleman contacted me to renovate 3 bathrooms and a kitchen! I’ll keep my opinions to myself from now on! Thanks for showing me how I can use LinkedIn as a client development tool.” Brigitte Fabi, Drury Design [client]

“Barbara is so easy to work with and extremely knowledgeable. I’ve learned so much after only a few sessions with her. She will tailor the training/consulting to suit your needs.” Pam Stella, Illinois Institute of Technology

“I attended Barbara’s LinkedIn workshop offered by the Digital Innovation Forum. In 1 1/2 hours Barbara was able to communicate and demonstrate the LinkedIn tools and advantages. I then engaged her for personal consultation on improving my usage of LinkedIn. In two hours Barbara educated me further on the LinkedIn features and upgraded my profile dramatically. I would consider her a true LinkedIn guru!” Joe Krueger

“I’ve known Barbara Rozgonyi for over 8 years. During that time, she has consistently been on the cutting-edge of marketing, leveraging the latest technology to produce big results … whether teaching entrepreneurs how to write for the web, landing top blog rankings or using social media to connect with an audience. I’ve learned to listen carefully when Barbara talks about the newest tool she’s been “playing” with … because within 12 to 24 months, it’s bound to be something that mainstream marketers are using and teaching. If you want help navigating the fast-changing world of social media, Barbara Rozgonyi is your guide.” Jenny Hamby, seminarmarketingpro.com

Your Risk-free Guarantee 

When you’re happy, I’m happy. Take 60 days to test out the systems. I guarantee satisfaction, but not results. It’s up to you to take action and that’s what I’m known for: showing people how to make progress that gets real results.

Here’s the discount code again: reader. Thanks for being here today!

What topics would you like to know more about? 

Image credit: Barbara Rozgonyi copyright 2011 from the 2011 holly jolly collection. Penguins from the Grand Geneva in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.

Gratitude is the sign of noble souls.
Aesop

In the United States, we celebrate Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of every year. But, you don’t have to be a resident to count your blessings. To help you do that, here’s a refresh of a post that first appeared here in November 2007 about gratitude and PR.

When you thank someone, you recognize them for the goodness they bring to your business or your life.

When you publicly thank partners, vendors, employees – and of course, clients, your create publicity opportunities for both sides.

1. Give thanks at the first point of contact

One dreary day I strolled into a splashy gift store. After spending 20 minutes looking around, I walked out empty-handed. On my way out the door, the cashier said, “Have a nice day!” – the only words she said the entire time I was there. Is it any wonder the store was out of business a few months later?

2. Let your prospects know – right away – you’re glad they are there.

Bloggers can add a static page or a link to a blog post with a welcome message and a reader’s guide. Want to reach local journalists? A phone call, email or comment on their blog might start out with, “Thanks for the story you did on time management. Here’s how you helped me.” Online PR is a little different. You can’t “welcome” search engine spiders, but you can link to a welcoming landing page from your news release.

3. Keep affirming the relationship

When my hard drive crashed, the repair center called to give me a replacement price. I picked it up and didn’t check the receipt until a few days later. I saw they charged me for installation, but not the part. Back at the store, the associate took my payment and talked about the repair center contact in front of me, but they didn’t thank me for coming back to buy the hard drive. They were too caught up in their own conversation to notice the customer on the other side of the counter.

4. Always, always, always email or call with a thank you to someone who mentions or refers your business.

Use Google Alerts to track where your name shows up. Bloggers can email people who post a valuable comment and show thanks with links. While there’s no need to send a formal thank you note for a Facebook gift app like a cute penguin, you can acknowledge the giver with a quick thank your reply or reciprocate and send them a gift. Online PR continues from the news release to a landing page to an order page to a – you guessed it – thank you page where you can offer additional products [in addition to thanks].

5. Be Thank-full at Thanksgiving or Any day

Stand out from your competition by showing you care with a personalized message to everyone that contributes to your success. Thanksgiving is a great time to think big and write a personal note to authors, bloggers, company presidents and yes, your mom for the good things in your life. You know you wouldn’t be who you are today without them.

6. Send Gifts!

Go off of your holiday list to show gratitude to business partners. Then, reach out to prospective partners with a gift. This year, I sent out copies of Success Secrets of the Social Media Marketing Superstars. I’m the LinkedIn author. Whether you send books or brownies, everyone loves opening presents. Mine went out the Friday before Thanksgiving. Send yours out soon, so you can beat the holiday rush.

What about you? What or who are you thankful for this year?

Image credit: Thanks to Shutterstock for providing images in exchange for credit.