Marketers, it’s getting harder to pretend your audience isn’t using Facebook.

Facebook announced today that it has reached the 500 million user mark. That’s half a million users in six years. Put another way, that’s the population of the United States, Japan and Germany…combined.

The most visited site on the Internet has marked the occasion by showcasing Facebook stories, tales of how some of its users have been impacted by using the social network.

At brainwoo, we have a different way of marking the occasion. We’ve compiled Facebook case studies across five industries (Retail, Healthcare, Tourism, Financial and Non-Profit) to showcase what to do – and what not to do – when trying to connect to your piece of Facebook’s half billion users. ...read the rest of this post»

Moms are having their day in the social media spotlight, and rightfully so. The number of moms using social media has increased from 11 percent in 2006 to 63 percent in June of 2010. Forty-four percent of moms use social media for recommendations on brands and products, and 73 percent trust online communities focused on their specific interests (such as parenting) to find information about products and services.

Of course, the word "mom" doesn’t describe just one consumer. Moms cross all demographic boxes, and can’t easily be generalized.

Babycenter.com, an online parenting community, recently released a study that broke social media moms into two categories, and five segments within those categories:

Influencers...read the rest of this post»

Recently, one of our clients, Dan Marks, Chief Marketing Officer at First Tennessee Bank, was interviewed by Social Media Conversations on the topic of ROI (Return on Investment) of Social Media.

We've worked with Dan as he's led his team at First Tennessee into what he refers to as "Web 3.0" by developing a mix of traditional and social media marketing tactics designed to reach the bank's audience. Along the way, there have been several tests implemented to determine the value of certain channels and/or tactics.

We thought we'd share Dan's interview with you here, because we think the points he outlines are valuable for any business that wants to use social media to engage its customers, whether it's a B to B or B to C environment....read the rest of this post»

Think social media is a fad?

Perhaps you should visit a kindergarten classroom.

Launched recently, Togetherville is a social media site with “training wheels” according to a recent New York Times article. Its focus is 6-to-10-year-olds who yearn to use the technology their parents are using, but need an incubator in which to do so safely.

I share this not to spark a debate about whether or not children should be socializing online, but rather as a harbinger of things to come. The littlest fingers are learning to move a mouse before they can ride a bike, and businesses need to be prepared to meet these youngsters where they inevitably will be in a few short years....read the rest of this post»

If someone tells you to forget everything you know about communication and get into social media, run the other way.

For a business to be successful in social media, strategy is the key. Doesn't that sound like the recipe for success in every other form of marketing? Yes, it's one in the same. Social media should not be treated like an invention, rather an evolution of the way we communicate. ...read the rest of this post»

This weekend, I attend Tribe Camp, a great day of learning and networking for Memphis marketers, programmers, educators and social media explorers.

Aside from all of the fantastic presentations, many of which are available through SlideShare, I picked up a few book recommendations from attendees that I thought I’d share. Some are older, and some are just-released, but all are worthwhile reads if you’re into marketing, social media and communicating.

What books would you add to the list?

Engage, by Brian Solis...read the rest of this post»

What happens when you marry crowd sourcing, discounts and social media? Ask the more than 2 million subscribers to Groupon, and the thousands of businesses who have welcomed those subscribers through their doors – happiness all around.

Groupon is one of the fastest growing “deal-a-day” Web sites. Here’s how it works: people sign up for deals in their city. Each day, Groupon features a different deal (50 percent off at a nail salon, for example). If enough subscribers sign up for the deal, the deal is “on,” and subscribers are e-mailed the coupon the next day. Subscribers must purchase the deal before printing the coupon and Groupon then pockets a 30 to 50 percent finder’s fee....read the rest of this post»