(203) 936-7761 Find our Address contact@miceliproductions.com

business

Home / Posts tagged "business" (Page 3)
31
Mar
2014
3 Killer Content Creation Tools
Posted On March 31, 2014  By Jennifer Blessing Miceli  And has No Comment

We, too, are in the business of content creation and curation. Our business itself can function that way. So, in an effort to share some B2B tips, here some killer content creation tools.

1.) Storify

The main purpose of Storify is to allow users to create stories by importing content from various forms of media into a timeline. Users can search for content related to their story from sources such as Youtube, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flickr, and Google, as well as other stories on Storify, and then drag that content into their own Storify story timelines. Users can add comments to the links that they provide within their stories, and can also embed urls in their stories. Users can also embed their own Storify stories elsewhere on the internet.

2.) List.ly

List.ly is a way to create and share lists, as well as integrate collaborative lists into your own blog posts, acting as a catalyst for others to build upon the lists you share. List.ly allows content creators to create lists, crowdsource them, give them scalability, and allow them to evolve. It is fun, engaging, and visually cool content creation tool.

 3.) InfoGr.am

Today, there is an obsession with infographics. They are easy to read, fun, engaging, and downright cool. InfoGr.am is a free content creation development tool to help you create quality infographics, online charts and data visualizations.

 

Read More

18
Mar
2014
3 Content Curation Tools for Small Businesses
Posted On March 18, 2014  By Jennifer Blessing Miceli  And has 7 Comments

Let’s face it. Creating content for blogs, eblasts, and newsletters is very time-consuming. But, with the wealth of information on the internet, you don’t have to create it all by yourself. Don’t plagiarize and submit it as if you wrote it yourself. You should always cite your sources. And actually, the more you cite sources, the more credible you, your blog, your e-blast, and your newsletter become.

Think of content curation this way. A curator of a museum is the person in charge of overseeing the art collections – how the art is presented, where it is presented, where it is stored, how it is displayed, and how it may be interpreted. A digital curator pulls information together relevant to his or her business audience and displays them across social media platforms. In a small sense, if you retweet or share a status on social media, you are curating content.

But where do you find content to curate?  Here are just a few places to start.

 

Google Alerts

According to Google itself: Google Alerts are email updates of the latest relevant Google results (web, news, etc.) based on your queries.  Enter a search query you wish to monitor. You will see a preview of the type of results you’ll receive. Some handy uses of Google Alerts include:

  • monitoring a developing news story
  • keeping current on a competitor or industry
  • getting the latest on a celebrity or event
  • keeping tabs on your favorite sports teams

 

 

Paper.li

Paper.li is awesome. With Paper.li, you can publish your own virtual newspaper which pulls in information from various social media platforms.

Paper.li is a content curation service that helps you find and share great content in your own visually appealing online newspaper. For example, you could decide that to include a selection of tweets you send in a newspaper. Subscribers and/or twitter users automatically get a copy of this online newspaper.

 

 

 

Flipboard

Flipboard is awesome as well. Millions of people use Flipboard to read and collect the news they care about, curating their favorite stories into their own magazines on any topic imaginable.

Flipboard is a social-network aggregation, magazine-format application software for Android and iOS. It collects the content of social media and other websites and presents it in magazine format and allows users to “flip” through their social-networking feeds and feeds from websites that have partnered with the company.

 

 

Want more marketing ideas from Miceli Productions?
Check out our Media Marketing posts.

Read More

12
Mar
2014
Growing Your Twitter Following
Posted On March 12, 2014  By Jennifer Blessing Miceli  And has No Comment

Twitter is an interesting, virtual place. Celebrities, like Justin Bieber, have millions of followers waiting with bated breath to see just what the Bieb ate for breakfast. People, in random places all over the world, have broken global news before any news organizations (protests in Egypt and the Boston Marathon). Even the news media sites Twitter as a credible source.

Maybe you don’t have millions of followers on Twitter, but there are a few tricks of the trade that can grow your Twitter following that are both ethical and follow Best Practices. Here are just a few of them.twitter

The More You Tweet, the More Followers You Attract

Studies have shown that the more you tweet, the more followers you’re likely to have (users who have written under 1000 tweets typically have fewer than 100 followers, while those who have tweeted more than 10,000 times usually have followings of between 1000-5000 people).

Respond to the Tweets of Others and to Tweets Directed at You

Learn about your demographic and respond to people that you are following using the @replies. That way, it shows up in their feeds and your feed. Be sure to respond to Tweets that mention you or are directed at you. It is vital. In social media, if a business does not respond to a customer, that customer’s impression of the business goes down dramatically, and then there is an emotional response linked to that lack of interaction. Don’t neglect those reaching out to you (whether it is positive or negative).

The More You Tweet, the More Comfortable You Will Be in Your Tweeting-Voice

Tweeting is not the same as posting statuses on Facebook or LinkedIn. It is short. It is editorial. Learn the basics of Twitter. Then, harness the types of content that appeal to your audience and just dive in: tweet, tweet, tweet. The more you Tweet, the more comfortable you will be Tweeting, resulting in your audience being more comfortable with you.

Follow Your Friends, Your Contacts, and Your Followers on Twitter

Twitter allows you to go into your email accounts and see if your contacts are on Twitter. Then, it allows you to follow those that are on Twitter and invite those that are not on Twitter. Follow your friends and contacts. They will see you following them, and will likely follow you.

Don’t forget to follow your followers. You may not be friends or contacts with all who are following you. By following your followers, more engagement can occur thus increasing your Twitter following in general.

Use Twitter’s Recommendations

In the #Discover section of your Twitter account (in the top left header), Twitter recommends who you should follow. If you are trying to gain a following, you must also follow businesses, groups, news organizations, and people of interest.

Always use Twitter in an ethical manor. Once it’s out there, it’s out there. It is very difficult to reign Tweets back in, especially when people Retweet and share. Always keep your online reputation in mind and use Best Practices at all times.

Use Your Twitter Name Everywhere

Add your Twitter profile name to your email signatures (on all your email accounts), on all your social media accounts, on your business cards, on QR codes, and on all marketing materials.

Join our conversation.
Follow Miceli Productions on Twitter at httpss://twitter.com/MProVideo.

Read More

10
Mar
2014
What does your LinkedIn Profile Photo say about you?
Posted On March 10, 2014  By Jennifer Blessing Miceli  And has No Comment

Many of us have a LinkedIn account. Many of us do not use it as often as we should. Unlike Facebook, LinkedIn is, in their own words, “A place to manage your professional identity, build and engage with your professional network, and access knowledge, insights and opportunities.”

One of the first impressions you make on LinkedIn is with your Profile photo. But what exactly does your profile photo say about you? On a professional networking site, how you present yourself could affect the opportunities that may (or may not) come your way particularly if you haven’t met in person.

A recent study conducted by TheLadders found that human resource personnel and recruiters spend 19% of their time on your online profile looking at your picture. If a picture is worth a thousand words, what does your LinkedIn profile photo say about you?

Do you look credible, professional, and confident? Or silly with a duck-faced selfie? Look at your profile photo. Would you hire you?

Barbara Pachter outlines some guidelines for professional profile photos in her book,  “The Essentials of Business Etiquette.”  Here are some of the basics to bring your professional profile photo up to speed.

Always use a photo.

When you don’t have a photo, it is assumed that you are not actively using your account. Not having a photo also makes recruiters suspicious. It seems strange, but consider how you feel about profiles without photos. It is worrisome. Also, since there may be multiple people with your name, having a photo allows the people who know you to make sure they are connecting to the right Tom Smith. Vivian Giang of Business Insider, “LinkedIn profiles with a photo are seven times more likely to be viewed than ones without an uploaded photo.”

Use a photo that looks like you right now.

We all want to post photos of our best selves, but sometimes, we post photos from 10 or 20 years ago. You may have changed your hair color, or maybe you no longer have hair, or maybe you have a beard now, or maybe you have gained or lost 20lbs. Your current profile photo should be a current photo of you – what you look like now.  You don’t want to show up to a job interview or a networking meeting looking vastly different than your profile photo. You want to be recognized.

Only you should be in the photo.

This is a professional profile picture of you. If you post a picture with a friend or a collegue, it may not be clear which person in the photo is you. Steer clear of photos with friends, partners, children, pets, or inanimate objects. Just you. In focus.

Be sure you are wearing professional clothing, facing forward and are smiling (at least a little).

Photos of you at the beach in swimwear, drinking at the bar wearing club clothes, or participating in recreational activities in sweats and sneakers is not appropriate for a professional profile photo. Be sure your clothing is appropriate for business and work, and always have photos of you facing (and looking forward). Steer clear of photos where you are looking over to the side pondering life or photos that resemble mug shots. Be dressed professionally, look forward confidently, and use a pleasant facial expression.

Professional headshots are best.

Consider having professional headshots made. Professional photographers that specialize in headshots know just how to help you present your best self. Having a professional headshot also conveys that you are indeed the professional that you say you are. These headshots will be clean, will look like you, and will be given to you in a number of sizes and formats for you to use. You can then take this headshot and use it on your various social media sites, as your profile for your email contacts, and more. Consider using this professional headshot on your business cards too.

 Tara Van Geons profile photosThis is Tara Van Geons, Miceli Productions’ Digital Marketing Consultant.  Which version would you hire?

Miceli Productions Photography, Product Photos and more!
Got a project in mind?  Give us a call, (203) 936-7761.

Read More

28
Feb
2014
2 Tips for Marketing H2H (Human to Human)
Posted On February 28, 2014  By Jennifer Blessing Miceli  And has No Comment

Bryan Kramer, a Social Business Strategist for PureMatter, recently published an article titled, “There Is No More B2B or B2C: There Is Only Human to Human (H2H)”.

Kramer says, “Businesses do not have emotion. People do. People want to be a part of something bigger than themselves. People want to feel something. People want to be included. People want to understand.” So, how do we market human to human, or H2H? It really is the $64,000 question in today’s marketing climate.  Here are few things we do know for an engaged Human to Human marketing strategy. 

Singer Matt Rogers posted this photo on Facebook with the caption: “This Dad is about to be deployed and is having to say goodbye to his newborn baby girl.” It received 1,612,028 likes and 49,313 comments.

Photography and video, especially those that appeal to our emotions, are particularly effective in social media arenas. Statuses are nice. Quotes are nice. But if you want engagement, you need to use compelling photography or video.

People are visual creatures by nature. You may remember the ‘Dove Beauty Sketches’. The ad has attracted 4.24 million shares across Facebook, Twitter and the blogosphere since its launch in April 2013, putting it just ahead of GEICO’s ‘Hump Day’ commercial (4.03 million) in the second spot. It’s also the most viewed online video ad of all time.

Tell your story. Using video or a photojournalistic approach, tell the story of who you are, not just what your business does.

Kathy Klotz-Guest, marketing and storytelling consultant says, “As with any company regardless of size, your purpose story is an important part of your differentiation in the world. It is important to tell that story – of how your past and passion combine to create your larger purpose.”

People are more interested in who you are and why you are in the business you are in. What is your backstory? Leverage your story. When people remember you, they remember your business. If people feel that they can relate to you in some way, they will be able to relate to your brand. Why is this important to you? Our extensive experience crafting photography and video can help get great results for you.

Got a project in mind?  Give us a call, (203) 936-7761.

Read More

20
Jan
2014
Renew Your Business in 2014: Get new pics and video
Posted On January 20, 2014  By Jennifer Blessing Miceli  And has No Comment

New Year, New Images!
Let 2014 be the year that you revitalize your business images. 

When you roll out new content, your fans, friends, clients and customers notice.  So does Google.  New content will be seen by search engines and boost your ratings on social media and search when properly tagged.  Let Miceli Productions create new images for your 2014 marketing plan.Flyer promoting photo specials for 2014 from Miceli Productions, business photo

View our Photography Portfolio for inspiration.
Got a project in mind? Give us a call (203) 936-7761

Read More

15
Jan
2014
The Value of Video Marketing
Posted On January 15, 2014  By Jennifer Blessing Miceli  And has No Comment

At Miceli Productions, we know the value of video marketing.

Here’s a recent infographic created by animoto outlining the benefits of adding online video to your website or e-business.  Want to know the top 5 reasons to use video on your website?  Click here to read more.

The Value of Video Marketing Infographic by Animoto

Miceli Productions can help you create, produce and edit video for your business. 
Got a project in mind?  Give us a call (203) 936-7761.

Read More


09
Jan
2014
Authentic Engagement. Really.
Posted On January 9, 2014  By Jennifer Blessing Miceli  And has No Comment

We all know what authentic engagement is.  We all know that it is important for our business in the realm of social media. But how does a business or brand “authentically engage” their client base?

Consider how you engage with businesses and brands. What drives you to engage? Did you “like” the post? Did you become a “fan” of a page? Did you read the hyperlinked article? Did you share a photo? Did you retweet? Did you hashtag the business?

Here are just a few ideas to authentically engage your audience and organically begin to increase your client base.

User Generated Content
Solicit your audience to post photographs of themselves on their Facebook page (tagging you) using your product in an interesting way or in the most interesting place. You can also request short videos of people using your products as well.

Think “Where’s Waldo?” or the Travelocity Gnome or “Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego?” The more participation and the more your business is tagged in photographs, the more your client base will organically grow.

On a large scale, Dunkin Donuts ran a social media campaign with the “Keep It Coolata” Campaign.

Request Guest Posts
Consider requesting guest posts from your client base. You may gain new followers simply by having some new voices on your blog. Cross-market the blog posts, hashtagging the guest writer and hyperlinking to the blog post on all your social media networks. Send out “hints” and “Guess Who’s the Guest” teasers on social media, eblasts, and email signatures. Friends of the guest writers will see the posts that their friends have been tagged in, will want to read the posts, and thus, your business is organically brought to the forefront.

Instagram and Hashtag with Real Time Engagement
It isn’t always about business. It’s about getting personal and being truly social in real time. Find creative ways to mix business with pleasure, and you will become memorable to your client base.

If you are going to a trade show, send out teasers that you will be there and what city you will be in. Ask questions about the city itself. Where’s the best food truck in Austin? Where is the World’s Best Cup of Coffee in NYC? What is a must-see in Salisbury, North Carolina?

While you are at the tradeshow itself, hashtag yourself in statuses and in photos (Facebook or Instagram or other social media you use), and take lots of pictures at the event with people and hashtag or tag EVERYONE in these photos. You will then appear on your social media networks, but on others’ as well.

What if it wasn’t just about business? What if you were simply going to a concert? What if your client base was going too? Engage your client base to take real time photos and encourage them to tag you.

Or, on Sundays, send out statuses and tweets about watching football and have your client base tag you in photos of them watching games. You know those Facebook pictures that everyone takes of their feet near the ocean? What if you encouraged people to take those photos, only it was of their feet and the football game?