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Category: Social Media

CES 2011 Cooking with Connectivity

“Sears sells appliances – why are you here?” That’s the question I got, more often than not, here at CES.

Electronics? Sears? Yes and yes.

As a member of Sears Blue Blogger Crew, convened by Sears Electronics, my assignment covered technology and social media for marketing and PR practitioners, families with multi-offices and small business. Appliances? While most every one of my readers have them, this isn’t the place you come to for advice. Yet, what you may not know is I’ve been covering and writing about appliances in kitchen design for years. When Larry Costello, director of public relations for Sears Holdings Corp., invited crew members to tour the Kenmore booth, I tagged along.

Read on to find out what I learned about the latest in appliances and technology. You’ll also encounter questions designed to advance your marketing in 2011. Read More…

2011 Consumer Electronics Show Quick Start Guide

On January 5, I land in Las Vegas to cover the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show. I’m so excited to share my CES 2011 adventures with my readers!!!

To orient you to the show’s major themes and events, here’s a quick start guide with conference content from the CES site. Read More…

Social Media Predictions Preview 2011

It’s that time of year where predictions peer into the future. With 2011 only days away, here’s a quick glance at what’s to come for social media in 2011. How do you see social media advancing in 2011? Read More…

15 Event Promotion Ideas for a Blogger Book Launch

My Skechers Shape Ups arrived today. It’s neat; when you wear these shoes, you don’t walk–you sort of roll.

It’s an odd motion at first, but one that keeps you moving. That’s kind of how social media is, too. It may feel odd at first, but once you get moving you wonder how you managed to communicate before being connected to your friends online. Read More…

Small Business Confidence Rises with 2011 Business Development Plans

How’s your economic attitude these days? For many small business owners, the economy is looking up. According to Discover®‘s Small Business WatchSM

• 25 percent of small business owners reported they will increase spending on business development in the next six months, up from 22 percent in October
• 33 percent believe the economy is getting better, up from 31 percent in October and the highest since May
• 19% of small business owners expect an increase in holiday sales, up from 11% last year

And, the subset direct-to-consumer segment of small business owners registered a confidence index of 89.6 in November, up from 83.6 in October, and 65.6 in August. According to the report, the November index for this segment is the second highest recorded since October 2007.

Did you know 22 million U.S. small business owners with less than five employees produce more than a trillion dollars in annual receipts?

The Discover Small Business Watch is a monthly index that measures the relative economic confidence of this group. The Watch is based on a national random survey of 750 small business owners.

Thanks to The Business Ledger, which is where I found this report.

The statistic that jumped out at me?

In 2011, one in four small business owners will increase their business development spending.

How do you manage and measure your business development marketing plans? Do you have to invest more to get more?

Not necessarily – it’s invest in the right payoff and get more. Sometimes it’s invest less, get more – especially if the company is currently investing in marketing that costs more money than it makes.

It’s that time of year when we’re meeting with our clients to go over 2011 business development plan results. What are we working on? Building communities that develop relationships – and business.

How does building a community network fit into your 2011 business development plans?

Image Credit: Happy businessman provided by shutterstock.com, a Wired PR Works photo supplier.