Tuesday, June 30, 2009

GREAT LAKES BREWING CO. Online Buzz Trend

I found a new beer that I like. It is called GREAT LAKES BREWING Co. I would probably put it right up there with select Sam Adams beers (e.g., Sam Adams Oktoberfest). I've tried several varieties of GREAT LAKES beers including Burning River and Eliot Ness. I highly recommend giving them a try.

Also, I wanted to see if anyone was raving about GREAT LAKES beers online (like I am). And while online buzz is minimal, it is trending up. I see this as a sign of encouragement for the micro-brewery based in Cleveland, Ohio.













Visit the GREAT LAKES BREWING Co. website. Grab a 6-pack or a draft next time your out, remember to drink responsibly!

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Should marketers tweet carefully when promoting brands on Twitter?

AdAge brings up very important point for marketers Tweeting their brand: "Proceed With caution." The article warns brands engaging in discussion on Twitter to be prepared for negative buzz and try to avoid directly advertising through social media. I agree with both of these points, but I'd like to layer on and add some perspective of my own.

Brands should also be transparent and reciprocal while engaging in social media. A lot of brands have a presence on social networking sites such as MySpace, Facebook and Twitter. I do not keep up brands using social media which simply talk about themselves as much as I do with brands that interact. It is great that a company has a Facebook page or a Twitter profile. How does having a Facebook page or a Twitter profile help me though?

I expect a brand to be transparent and reciprocal. Let me know why you are on Twitter and answer my questions in a timely manner. This is not to say that I do not enjoy updates, because I do. I read almost every Ford product update that Scott Monty tweets. Scott has interacted with me as well, the few times I reached out to him. In fact, Scott Monty commented on my blog at on point, which truly impressed me.

What are your thoughts on brands using Twitter and social media as a tool to reach customers? Do you feel brands should be transparent and engaging?

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Convenience Stores Leveraging Social Media

Convenience Store News reports on several convenience store chains utilizing Twitter and Facebook to bring in customers. Quick Chek is offering a free iced coffee to all its Facebook fans when the chain attains its goal of reaching 1,500 fans. Meanwhile Kum & Go, a conenience store chain in Iowa, launched what it is calling "Twitter Tuesdays." Starting this past Tuesday and going until June 23, the convenience store chain each Tuesday will select one Des Moines-area Kum & Go location as the "Secret Store." From 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., one clue per hour will be given out via Twitter to direct Kum & Go followers to the secret store.

CSNews Online, Shell Oil Co. and Chevron Corp. plan for the first time, to post hurricane season updates via Twitter this year.

Other convenience retailers with a presence on Twitter include: BP America, Wawa, Cumberland Farms, Gulf Oil, QuikTrip, Piedmont Petroleum and Express Convenience.

It is very refreshing to see convenience stores utilizing social media in such imaginative and useful ways. If only all companies could figure this out.