Social media marketing in a recession

Lets face it – times are tough at the moment. Jobs are being cut, businesses are losing money, spending is down and the general attitude towards just about everything is negative.

There is, however, one area where things are looking good. Not only are they looking good, but they’re actually looking better than ever. I’m referring to what’s known as social media marketing. Wikipedia describes social marketing as “an engagement with online communities to generate exposure, opportunity and sales. The number-one advantage is generating exposure for the business, followed by increasing traffic and building new business partnerships.”

Social media marketing is smoking hot at the moment and it’s only going to grow. I just read a great article on ReadWriteWeb.com about how more than 50% of marketers are increasing their spending on social media marketing despite reduced budgets due to the current recession. That’s incredible news for people that believe in the future of social media marketing.

The recession has made us all more aware of our spending habits and how we need to watch every dollar, but there are certain areas that merit more attention than ever and Social Media Marketing is definitely one of them.

It’s not just a buzz word; it’s a legitimate business strategy for driving more targeted traffic to one’s site and/or business.

Keep marketing my friends…

The famous YouTube.com Guitar video

This is one of those videos that have hit the big time on youtube, but there are many people that don’t buy it. They think it’s fake. I’m posting the video so you can judge for yourself and voice your own opinion.

The most important factor from the video’s standpoint though is that the thing has generated a ridiculous number of hits. Over 58 million to date. A large percentage of these hits are from sites and blogs around the globe showcasing and discussing the video itself. They say that all publicity is good publicity and I have to agree in most cases, especially this one.

YouTube is an incredible platform for showcasing one’s work and skills to the world and the Google/YouTube partnership makes it the most powerful medium for doing so. Where else can you post a piece of work for free (unbelievable) and have it viewed by this many people!!

Watch this video and admire the simplicity that results in marketing genius for their site:

New Numa Numa video somebody’s watching me

There’s a new NumaNuma video in town. Gary Brolsma is doing his thing in a parody commercial for Geico. The video’s music is “Somebody’s watching me” by Rockwell. The cool Geico gecko dances in the background.

You’ll notice that there is no call to action (CTA) in the video. In other words, you don’t have a link to click on or a number to call. The video plays on the fame of Brolsma, the genius of Numa Numa and the cool factor of the Geico gecko to do the selling for them.

I think it’s cool.

Gina Carano MMA Deadly Beauty

Gina Carano is one of the most amazing Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighters I have ever seen. She is also without a doubt the cutest.

Wikipedia lists a detailed bio, but all you really need to know are the key facts:

• Born on April 16, 1982
• Specializes in Muay Thai
• Appeared as the gladiator “Crush” on American Gladiators
• Zero losses on her professional MMA record
• She is gorgeous
• Tough as nails

She was #5 on Yahoo’s “Top Ten Influential Women of 2008”

Here’s a taste of this powerful beauty:

Wingsuit flying extreme sports video

There are people that were born to push the limits of what is humanly possible and then there are those of us that love watching those individuals do their thing, but would not have the nerve to actually try this (at least not anytime soon).

I’m a UFC junkie and somebody that enjoys watching crazy stuff, but this is literally insane!

The sport is called Wingsuit flying and it’s basically a form of flying without the aid of anything other than a special suit that has a formfactor resembling a a human body with wings. The wingsuit flyer starts by jumping from an airplane or helicoper or they jump off a mountain. It is breathtaking and looks like the greatest adrenaline rush one could possibly experience, but what makes it even more intense is that some of these guys make it a point to fly as close as possible to the edge of mountains in order to make it more “exciting”. One mistake and it would undoubtedly turn into the last wingsuit flying experience of their lives, but that is what makes it even more exciting to them.

Unbelievable sport; breathtaking video:

Will Smith Running and Reading Are The Key

This is an old video before Will Smith became the star he is today. Watch this video and you’ll realize that he was always destined for greatness. Sometimes the best lessons are those that are so simple, you don’t want to believe them.

People, it doesn’t always have to be complicated. There’s a famous saying that is summed up by the acronym KISS – “Keep It Simple Stupid”.

Will Smith has managed to do that in this few minute speech.

Taylor Mali on what teachers make- brilliant

Once in a while you see a video somewhere that moves you. This particular video was a comedic act that I stumbled across today and thought it was absolutely brilliant.

I expected it to be a silly act about the fact that most teachers don’t make what they deserve, but let me tell you, this is a really great piece.