Building better engagement through wax paper

Lately, I’ve been paying a lot of attention to consumer brands to see how they are adapting their current marketing efforts to improve consumer engagement.  One great example I wanted to share with you is Boar’s Head deli meats. What I liked most about this was that they not only took an existing product (the sub sandwich), but they made it social.

No, they didn’t brand the bread or meat with their social media accounts. Instead, they used their packaging to help build this audience. Here’s a brief video to show you what I mean.

Continue reading Building better engagement through wax paper

Apple launches iCloud, looks to compete with Amazon and Google

Earlier this week, Steve Jobs, the CEO of Apple, unveiled a long-awaited new service — iCloud. Upon initial glance, it seemed more like a revamped version of MobileMe, and it kind of is, except a much more powerful service.

With iCloud, users can seamlessly download any music, apps and books (hopefully there is more to come) that they have purchased through iTunes to any iOS device using simply their Apple ID.  What this means is no more cords, more free-time (no more backing up apps), and the ability to keep all of your iOS devices in sync with just one download.

I’ve been fortunate to try this new service out and it’s iCredible!  On my laptop, I Continue reading Apple launches iCloud, looks to compete with Amazon and Google

How to turn your Apple iPod Nano into an Apple Watch

As kids, we’ve been dreaming about this stuff for decades, the Dick Tracy-esque watch. When Apple launched the 6th generation of their iPod Nano, it had watch written all over it – but something was missing oh yeah, a watch strap.

As a watch connoisseur, I’ve been eagerly waiting the launch of a real iPod Nano watch. Most of the ones that I’ve seen have either been made out of silicon or were just really a strap you “clipped” your nano to — not a safe thing if you ask me.  And then it happened, Scott Wilson (a former watch designer for Nike) created two great looking watch straps — the LunaTik and the TikTok and launched them through Kickstarter.

At first I was a little skeptical. We all know that not all concepts ever make it to fruition, but these were different.  Two distinct styles, two affordable price points. Fortunately, I’ve been able to test out the LunaTik watch band for the past few weeks – and put together a video review for everyone.

So far, this has been my daily wearer and the watch band is a lot more comfortable than it looks. It’s also conveniently priced too –

Turn your Apple iPod Nano 6th Generation into a bonafide watch, here’s all you will need:

Continue reading How to turn your Apple iPod Nano into an Apple Watch

Google launches +1, looks to beat Facebook at its own game

This is pretty cool — you should check this out…

No really, that’s what Google is thinking with their new +1 button. While social media sites come and go, one thing is certain, users have gravitated towards consuming content that their friends have liked, tweeted out or said was “cool.” Why is this? Simple.

Better out than in – how many times have you gone to a restaurant because a random stranger you met on the corner said that it was good? Now tell me how many times you have gone to a restaurant that your friends have recommended whether through a Facebook status update, a tweet, an email, etc…exactly!

With the addition of the +1 button, not only will your friends be able to see what you recommend on a given website, but Continue reading Google launches +1, looks to beat Facebook at its own game

Official launch of #15seconds hashtag

Today, I’ve excited to announce that I’m launching a neat little venture – the #15seconds hashtag. What I plan to do with this is to provide short and insightful tips on social media, business, marketing and technology through videos that are 15 seconds or less. Think of it as creative storyboarding!

To participate, all you simply need to do is send me a tweet with your question and include the hashtag, #15seconds. E.g. how do I update Twitter from my Facebook page? #15seconds. Once I receive your tweet, I’ll then send you back a video response.

Thanks again everyone for supporting my endeavors.

Best,

Christian (@ckroks)

How to tag photos on your Facebook page or profile

As I previously mentioned, Facebook now allows you to tag other pages in photos. This is a welcomed addition for Facebook page users.  Another new addition is how you can tag Facebook photos.

Previously, users had to go through each individual photo to tag them.  Now you can tag photos from within a photo album without having to view them. This technique can even be applied to Facebook pages and profiles (yeah, some consistency!).

With more of our time being occupied in organizing digital media, Facebook can add another feather to its cap – a time-saver. Here’s a brief video on additional ways that you can tag photos in Facebook.

Continue reading How to tag photos on your Facebook page or profile

How to tag photos on your Facebook page

Great news Facebook pages users. Just recently, Facebook updated Facebook pages – specifically, photo tagging as a Facebook page. What this means is more spam opportunities to expose your Facebook page through photos.

In addition, retailers should jump at this chance to catch some positive publicity through social media. Image being able to tag your clothes from Banana Republic or that soda you’re holding from Coca-Cola. The possibilities are virtually endless.

To help you get started with this new feature, I’ve put together a video on how to tag photos on your Facebook page.

Continue reading How to tag photos on your Facebook page

The one tab effect

Just the other day, I shared with you 10 ways to be more productive in business and in your personal life.  One area that I felt needed additional coverage was learning to turn off distractions. Distractions are simply there to help get you off course, to drive  you further from your goals.  They can be the incessant buzzing of your smartphone, a television in the background, even browsing the web can be a distraction.

To help minimize distractions, I tend to put my phone in a drawer and turn the television off – I know, sounds a lot easier said than done. One area though that I struggled with was browsing the web. One link turns into multiple tabs or windows, which turns into hours of wasted time and that’s not good for productivity.

But there is a solution!

Continue reading The one tab effect

Review: FTJ Builders Inc

Merely having a presence on Facebook does not guarantee that you’ll suddenly start generating hundreds of thousands of likes on your Facebook page.

That’s why it is important to optimize your online presence; whether it’s Twitter, your website, Facebook or YouTube.  Remember, the only people that know about your online presence are well, yourself (and anyone else you’ve told).

In order to see a return on your investment with social media, you must also incorporate word of mouth marketing as well as additional online marketing techniques — like adding a link to your page in your email signature and displaying your online presence on your website. Without these key pieces, your fanbase will grow, but at a glacial pace.

I’ve taken the opportunity to review FTJ Builders Inc, a general contractor in Continue reading Review: FTJ Builders Inc

10 ways to be more productive

Sure, we all have a million things to do. Commuting to work, keeping up with friends on our favorite social networks, meeting with business associates, running a successful company.  For some people, it can be a daunting task to get things done. Instead of checking things off our lists, we somehow end up adding more things to that list, and it doesn’t ever seem to stop.  Then there are those people where tasks come second-nature to them.  They simply get to work and in a few short hours, everything is done.  I’m sure we would all love to be in this group. And we can!

Here is a list of 10 ways you can be more productive Continue reading 10 ways to be more productive