By Jillian Anderson | January 26, 2009

So, the word is out. Social media is happening. More businesses and individuals are getting involved everyday. It’s real. It’s now. And, just like all potential marketing mediums, it’s about to get really competitive.

With the exception of the last few years, NOW is the best time to hop on the social media bandwagon and get interactive. South Dakota businesses and industries, along with the vast majority of other regional mid-west businesses, have yet to tap this vital marketing, PR and customer service resource – giving you the advantage.

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By Kyle McCabe | January 22, 2009

To hear top internet marketing magnates tell it, 2009 will see social media become sentient, unify and morph into a god-like being that will dominate the entire universe!

Alright, no one says that. But there *is* a lot of buzz right now, and a lot of it contains predictions of the impending explosion of social media into the mainstream business world. Are you ready? Probably not. Most people aren’t – in fact, if you’ve actually heard the term “social media,” you’re already ahead of the game. …Read more »

By Ken | January 20, 2009

The term ‘video’ once meant that my techy uncle Bernard was coming with his VHS recorder to ‘document’ my birthday…the world of video has exploded since those early days of watching “America’s Funniest Home Videos” on television, to millions of people uploading their videos to video sharing websites like Youtube.com.

This is where the true beauty of  modern technology comes in…people begin talking, sharing what they see with other users and the video spreads…like a virus, hence the term ‘viral marketing’.

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By Jillian Anderson | January 16, 2009

In the wake of our shifty-eyed economy, a healthy competitive edge is certainly NOT the LAST thing that businesses need. Many companies are cutting prices, cutting employees and (dare I say it) even cutting marketing budgets to stay ahead.

Wait a second! Which one of these is not like the others?

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By Vincent Tyson | January 9, 2009

Imagine…as you drive along the main street of an unfamiliar city, your phone alerts you to a restaurant that your friend visited last week. It interfaces with your friends “facebook” page, where they had commented on the delicious culinary delights of the establishment to your left. “The Prime Rib was great” the screen reflects, as you drive on. An on-screen button allows you to make a reservation for two, tomorrow night at 8. The mobile device sends your name and contact details to the restaurant where a table is reserved for you.

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By Kyle McCabe | December 31, 2008

I’ve been asked by several people in the last couple months, “what is the point of Twitter?” Having read Jillian Anderson’s recent post on social media, you might be asking yourself the same question. After all, Twitter doesn’t seem very useful at first glance. But like many social media services, how you use it is more important than what its “point” might be. Yet in order to explain why Twitter can be useful to you, we need to clear up a few things. …Read more »

By Jillian Anderson | December 24, 2008

Many businesses are catching on, choosing to engage interactive social media sites and applications as marketing and PR tools. You are able to reap the benefits of networking for customer service value, staying up to date with industry conversation and public interest trends, and building RELATIONSHIPS with the PEOPLE gathered around these online watering holes. The key is to remain both Person and Business at the same time…but mostly person. …Read more »