Marcel the Shell with Shoes On Returns
What is interesting about YouTube videos is that their sequels are revered, while every time I hear a movie sequel is being released, I wince a little. Maybe it’s because movie sequels are notoriously terrible (“Grease 2,” anybody?) but why should they be? Can’t they follow YouTube’s suit and step up their game so we don’t have to feel like we’ve been shook down after seeing the sub-par sequels like “Lion King 2.” (Hello, incest, by the way.) YouTube stars start with a winning video and make their fame through follow-ups. For example, Pop-singer, Greyson Chance became an overnight sensation in 2010 when his YouTube video went viral. Businesses have also taken advantage publicity these viral videos garner: the Old Spice and Will it Blend? videos being, perhaps, most notable in helping to develop a brand.
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The Internet Responds to Kim Kardashian and Chris Humphries’ Divorce
Plus there was that insane head thing she wore on her wedding day. I figured it must be true love if Chris was willing to exchange rings with a broad with a shiny string across her forehead. The guy didn’t even burst into laughter or roll on the floor clutching his midsection when he saw it. It just had to be love!
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Exploring Social Media and SEO
During the live BMGChat Twitter chat last week, participants were interested in hearing more about SEO (search engine optimization) and how it relates to social media. In today’s online world, it seems that everyone is looking for a way to leverage social media. Google is linking search and social networking, proving social media to be an undeniable force that we’d be silly to ignore. Establishing a purposeful, successful SEO plan for your social media outlets can be a challenge. But there’s a few guidelines you can follow that will make creating a solid plan much easier. Let’s explore what social media SEO is (and is not), how it works, how we can make it happen, and how to measure the results of our hard work.
What Social Media SEO Is and Isn’t…
To start, one of the most important things to keep in mind is that “effective social advertising is less about attaching marketing messages to content and more about being the content.” In other words, social media participants are not looking for another space filled with advertisements they don’t trust and marketing campaigns with the same underlying messages from companies trying to get their own message out there. Social media participants want interaction. They want to read about topics that interest them. They want a space to let their guard down and freely discuss these topics with others.
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How To: Building a Firm Foundation for an Exceptional Blog
Blogging has become a crucial part of having a successful web presence. In the BMGChat on Wednesday, November 2nd at 7:30pm EST, we discussed a few key areas of blogging: content, word count, keywords, and publishing tools and platforms. Here’s a summary of the chat!
Content: Content should be “less about your client’s product, and more about the “culture that surrounds” your client’s product. Hubspot, a company that offers inbound Internet marketing software, is a prime example. Its blog offers up creatively packaged, practical information that appeals to its very own target audience. Readers will find witty, educational posts, videos, guest contributions and even cartoons that cover everything from SEO and lead generation to Charles Darwin and cupcakes…//…You should ask two key questions: Who is going to read it? What kinds of topics and issues do they care the most about?” There are a million ways to steadily produce thought-provoking content for your audience. Ask your audience what they’re interested in hearing about! After you’ve written a post, end it with questions that solicit their feedback. “Don’t be afraid to pull in experts for Q&As, give spots to guest authors, respond to news and timely topics, share the spotlight with partners and customers and provide educational how-to’s. And of course, we all love lists.”
Q: What type of content draws you to a blog? What drives you to actually comment or give feedback? What are some of your favorite blogs?
BMGChat response:
- This website has excellent blog posts and articles http://www.npr.org/
- Focused content (nothing too random)
- Strong, well worded opinions
- Current content
- Facts plus personal opinions
- Added value to the topic of discussion encourages feedback
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Barbie’s New Look
As a senior in college, my days with Barbie are long over. (Though some of those borderline orange, bleached girls around campus are disconcertingly similar.) Still, I remember my days with good ole’ Barbie as well as the next girl: the Dream House; the endless professions she held (doctor, flight attendant, teacher…that girl was busy!); the emotional ups and downs with Ken; the itsy bitsy stilettos. (Which reminds me, where did that second shoe always go?!)
Mostly, though, I remember the sparkle. Glamour is what defined Barbie. From her shimmering eye shadow, to her sequined gowns, Barbie had a Hollywood style with a kiss of Malibu. Oh, and a heck of a lot of pink.
Perhaps this is why there has been so much commotion over her latest makeover. Late this October, Mattel debuted a 50 dollar collectible Barbie for its Tokidoki line. This doll is rocking an edgy outfit (someone please tell me where I can get those leggings!), tattoos, and a light pink, blunt bob that would make pop singer, Nicki Minaj, jealous. Moms, at least it’s pink, right?
Unsurprisingly, Barbie’s new look caused a great deal of kerfluffle in the carpool circuit. Parents quickly took to the web to express their outrage in the poor example they believed the doll was setting for their daughters. Some even went as far as to say tattooing Barbie was as bad as putting a cigarette in her mouth! (Why did no one tell me tattoos cause lung cancer?!)
Personally, I think Barbie looks pretty cool. Maybe I’m a punk (though my Taylor Swift poster begs to differ) but I think I prefer this new look to her regular getup. Still, my admiration of Barbie’s bold new beat is not all too important. (Still Googling for those leggings, though!) What is more interesting is the argument behind these parents’ objections. That is; the idea that Barbie should not be made with tattoos (even if only sold as a collectible) because she is an example for our young and impressionable girls.
Wait. Barbie is an otherwise good example?
It is almost a cliché to say that Barbie sets an unrealistic ideal for women’s bodies. Her endlessly long legs and invisible waistline are unachievable for real women, yet millions of little girls are given their very own Barbie. Furthermore, with eating disorders and low self-esteem prevalent in the majority of female adolescents, it seems like the unattainable ideal Barbie embodies should not set the example. Still, there are fewer outraged by Barbie’s effect on distorted body image than there are upset that she went and got herself some ink.
But, hey, moms, let your little girls grow up wishing for a body they can never have, just please, whatever you do, don’t let them get tattoos!!!
Agree? Don’t? Weigh in!