fatBuzz Uncovered - What we do, what we really, really do - Social Media Podcast Edition 60

I started the first podcast of this year (No.50) promising to publish more podcast content in 2013 - I have failed to deliver my promise.  Once again, pressure of work and our commitment to our clients has restricted the amount of podcasts we have been able to produce.

In fact, this podcast started as a compromise but it has worked out remarkably well, I think it's a great insight into the workings of fatBuzz.  

Here we are on the 23rd December and everyone was too busy to stop for an hour to record a podcast so I decided to take the podcast to them.  I toured the office, a bit like Martin Brundle in the pit lane before a race and I spoke to every member of staff (those not on holiday) and I think the result is probably more interesting than any Grand Prix race this year.

2013 has been a momentous year for everyone in the office and this was a great opportunity to find out what each and every one of them do on a day-to-day basis.  Along the way I also managed to quiz the various team members about the particular challenges, likes and highlights of their year at fatBuzz.

It really is a most revealing insight into what we do for our clients every day of the year.

I also manage to cover a few social media and web development topics with the guys as I chat my way across the astroturf - yes, our office is completely covered in astroturf and even has fun things like golf chipping nets for clients to take our 'find the net' challenge!

It's not all social media and web design, I catch up with Brian, he heads up our accounts department and has had a busy year introducing new processes and procedures - none more taxing than the implementation of a new time sheet regime!!!

Here are some of the general topics we discuss in addition to the revealing chat about the daily goings-on at fatBuzz:

• Design for Print and why its been much busier this year than in recent years
• The emphasis on data driven social media and web development
• Podcasting and the reasons for its revival during 2013 
• Content plans - Why they are critical to what we do?
• Face-to-face meetings - Why they are critical to what we do?
• Facebook challenges - Why is the reach diminishing almost daily?
• Facebook competitions
• Facebook Stats - Are they really accurate?
• Responsive and Flat Design web sites
• Responsive Design HTML Email - Why do they continue to be a problem?

We hope you enjoy the podcast, if you have any comments to make or topics you would like us to discuss, please leave them here on the blog or on our Facebook Page.

Play the podcast here:

Subscribe/Download Social Media Podcast on iTunes

Would you like a presentation on social media and customer service?
We're offering a range of bespoke or generic presentations on the topic of social media and customer service, if you would like to find out more please go to the following link: Are you prepared to lose control?

Have you listened to the digital copyright podcast?

We continue to see people using images, video content and other files taken from the internet without consideration to potential copyright issues. We would encourage all of our listeners to download Social Media Podcast 50 which clearly outlines what you should and shouldn't do with images sourced online. Find it on iTunes now.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE US TO TALK ABOUT?
If there is a specific topic you would like us to cover in a future podcast please let us know. You can email gordon@fatbuzz.com or send us a message on Twitter @MediaPodcast or, you can post it as a comment on the Social Media Podcast Facebook page.

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January New Media Breakfast - Influence Marketing

    

  

INFLUENCE MARKETING
How to identify and use key influencers to market your business

DATE: Friday 31st January 2014
VENUE: 29, 29 Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow

Using people to influence buying decisions is not a new marketing tactic; celebrity sponsorship and celebrity endorsements have been a central part of marketing for some of the biggest brands in the world for many years. It’s not only been a tactic for the big brands, you may have used customer testimonials in the past and that is a form of Influence Marketing.

There is little doubt that it works and people are swayed by what people who influence them say about a product or service. But, it’s not just celebrities who influence us, people within our own communities and everyday lives have as much, if not more, clout when it comes to even the smallest decisions.

The emergence of social media has put Influence Marketing within the grasp of even the smallest business; it is possible for every company to harness the power of word of mouth in new and extremely effective ways.

It’s not just about turning happy customers into ambassadors, although that can be an important element; it’s about identifying who can influence a buying decision and that may not always be people you deal with directly.

Like all marketing, it is important to identify the aims and objectives. There are many ways to use Influence Marketing; it needn’t just be about influencing a buying decision. It could be to raise awareness, change a perception, or to encourage you to support a cause, there are many ways to use it effectively.

At the January New Media Breakfasts, we will be exploring how the Internet, and in particular social media, is making Influence Marketing an important part of the marketing mix. We will explore the following:

• How Influence Marketing works
• Identifying your objectives
• How to identify your key influencers
• Methods of utilising influencers
• Incentivising influencers – or not?

We will also offer some examples of how businesses, large and small, are successfully adopting Influence Marketing tactics via social media to find new customers and extend their reach.

SPEAKERS
The January New Media Breakfast will be presented by Gordon White, Managing Director, fatBuzz Ltd and Derek Howie, Social Media Manager, fatBuzz Ltd

HOW TO BOOK
Venue: 29, Royal Exchages Square, Glasgow
Date: Friday 31st January 2014
Time: 7.30am for 8am
Cost: £10 +VAT

BOOK FOR NEW MEDIA BREAKFAST GLASGOW HERE:

No.29 MEMBERS GO FREE 

If you are a 29 Member you can attend the breakfast free of charge. Please email fiona@fatbuzz.com with you membership number and she will add you to the attendance list.

We hope you can make it along to this event. If so, I look forward to seeing you on the day.

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A genuine entrepreneurial exchange...

    

  

I attended the annual Entrepreneurial Exchange Awards Dinner at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow on Thursday evening; as usual this was a first class affair with lots of opportunity to catch up with old friends, meet some new ones and generally be inspired by the stories told throughout the evening.

I've been going to this event for years and, even through the recent economic downturn, I've always come away rejuvenated and encouraged by the fellow members.  And, contrary to some beliefs, it's not about people selling out for millions, it's about everyday people in Scotland building businesses of scale, creating employment and contributing greatly to the Scottish economy. 

The member's businesses are diverse.  At my table was John Boyle who built and sold Direct Holidays and now runs Hamilton Portfolio, an investment company that supports many entrepreneurial business in Scotland.  Next to John was William Frame of Breamore Estates who was enthusing about his latest business venture - Cromars, a traditional fish and chip shop in St Andrews!  Beside William was one of this year's Entrepreneur of the Year finalists, Wayne Godfrey from Browns Food Group who own and operate over a dozen well known food brands throughout the UK.

But, this is what it's really all about...
Sitting immediately on my left was Tamlin Roberts from Mercurytide, a business providing services very similar to that of fatBuzz - in most circumstances people will view us as competitors but, as fellow members of the Entrepreneurial Exchange neither of us do.  In fact, we had a very interesting and open discussion about our respective businesses, the clients we work with and the industry in general.

Even more remarkable was the fact that on almost the same day that fatBuzz launched the new Dean's Shortbread web site and eCommerce store Mercurytide launch the new web site and eCommerce store for Walkers Shortbread!  So there we were, two people operating businesses offering similar services, working with the two main players in the shortbread industry.

I found it refreshing to be able to enjoy dinner with Tamlin and to share experiences with each other, I know the evening was beneficial to me for that single experience.  Here's what Tamlin had to say about our time together, “FatBuzz has really helped businesses get hold of the Social Media world and like us are passionate about ensuring our customers are highly successful in their respective industries. It was funny to think that we were working on similar projects for similar clients at the same time".

I also took part in a video interview with Lord Willie Haughey and the interviewer asked about the value of Entrepreneurial Exchange membership and I immediately recalled an event some years ago that summed up the value for me.  

I was scheduled to visit Walmart in Bentonville, a business well know to Lord Haughey.  As a fellow Exchange member, I called to see if he could provide any pointers and without hesitation he said come straight over as he had a spare half hour.  Fours later I left his office with my pitch tweaked and fully briefed on what to expect.  The subsequent trip resulted in an order for $250,000+ which was in no small way due to the advice he gave me.

I would recommend Entrepreneurial Exchange membership to anybody who is genuinely interested in sharing knowledge and helping fellow members, even if they are "competitors".

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