Claudia D'Arcy

The Subtle, Yet Emotional Dance Between Business Partners

Yes, it’s business and no, it’s not personal; but there really should be an emotional connection between a marketer and client.  When I say emotional connection, I don’t mean that you have to get all over each other’s personal life and do dinner; but it’s a relationship and like all relationships, to be healthy, there needs to be a strong foundation. Relationships are between people – not between institutions –  the companies might have the contract, but the people involved need to make it work.

Every relationship starts from a mutual demand or need for something.  It’s not as cold and clear cut as your marketing company wants your business (and the money it brings in) and you need the marketing services (and the money it brings in). While a personal relationship, whether friendship or romantic might have very different needs than a professional relationship between  internet marketers and a brand, the needs, such as more website traffic, or better search engine rankings or a more engaged social presences, should be clearly defined  as a goal that both parties are actively working towards.  Without that goal, the parties involved might very well be working towards opposite ends.
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Simple Social Media Basics to Make Both our Lives Easier

Despite the hold outs, we know that social media is here to stay especially for small businesses in these times.  It does seem like finally almost everyone is jumping on the bandwagon and starting to get the idea. You better get involved in social in some way or your business will be left behind. Plus for a small business, social media marketing can be a low cost alternative to traditional media. Read the rest of this entry »

Why Facebook will Always Equal Change

Just 6 days ago,  we put together a basic slide presentation for a small social media workshop. In it, we addresses various ways people could use  Facebook Pages for networking and how best to do so for causes, or small business,  or local event promotions.

Today, the major Facebook Page update went live and practically EVERYTHING about Facebook networking in that presentation is WRONG! Everything we said about Facebook pages is wrong. And almost every tip and trick we gave is now, you guessed it, wrong.

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Local Promotions Through Twitter and Facebook

Last Friday, a small posse of Dragons went forth to give a small basic presentation on using Social Media for promotions.  We were talking to many first time users so it was really basic..like starting with “How to Sign Up for Twitter” basic which was needed as approximately a third of our audience did NOT have Twitter accounts.

The whole purpose of the presentation was to help the local small town of Phoenicia garnish votes since they are currently #6 in the running  for  the “Top Ten Coolest Towns in the U.S.A.” by Budget Travel!” It’s quite a prestigious honor and can help boost the whole area’s tourist economy. Plus, when neighboring Saugerties won a few years ago, they got a sign on the  New York State Thruway exit.  Nice!

The presentation was sponsored by the Emerson Resort & Spa, was held in their conference facilities right outside the town of Phoenicia and was free to attend. So, while, we did stick to the basics, overall our Social Media Workshop seemed to go well for those who came to see it in person..   Read the rest of this entry »

What I Learned from BlogHer ‘10

Yes, I am still recovering from BlogHer ’10 in NYC.  As a blogger first and marketer second, I have known about BlogHer for years, so I could not miss the chance to be part of  the conference now that it was conveniently in my backyard.  As an internet marketer, it was very good to send someone from the office to observe how the brands interacted with the 2500 women bloggers at the conference. I was thrilled to be the sacrificial lamb.

After surviving both Sparklecorn and Cheeseburger parties, I have regrouped and have begun to think about the brands we represent at DragonSearch and what we can do next year.  Blogher’11 will take place at the San Diego Convention Center in California, and my chances of attending will be much greater if I go wearing my marketer hat!  I like California, so with this handy guide, I can make suggestions to some of our bigger accounts about how to appeal to the hoards of Bloggers at BlogHer. Read the rest of this entry »