Speaking Figuratively, Of Course...

Social Media - It's Not Rocket Science!

2011-03-12T21:11:00.001-08:00

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

Social Media - It's Not Rocket Science!

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Social Media and the New Four P's of Marketing

2011-03-01T15:09:00.001-08:00

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

Social Media and the New Four P's of Marketing

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Awesome collection of background images and fonts for your blog/site.

2011-01-23T08:31:00.001-08:00

Does exactly what it says on the tin.

Amplify’d from www.grsites.com

Absolute Background Textures Archive

THE LARGEST COLLECTION OF
FREE BACKGROUND TEXTURES
ON THE INTERNET

Now with 5740 seamlessly tiling, attractive background textures

for use in web pages, graphical software or on your desktop.

Sorted by color and motif. Fully customizable!
Read more at www.grsites.com

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/bnfaj

Oldie But Goodie Tips for Facebook Pages

2010-12-22T19:41:00.001-08:00

Posted back in 2009 but still valid points.

Amplify’d from www.allfacebook.com

How To Develop A Facebook Page That Attracts Millions of Fans

Over the past few years Facebook has witnessed a dramatic rise in new user adoption and with that rise has come the opportunity for brands to interact directly with existing customers and engage new ones. At the end of 2007, Facebook announced the launch of Facebook Pages and last week they launched a revised edition which includes a number of significant upgrades. This week, those pages will be going live for all. There are numerous ways for brands to leverage Facebook but the overall branded experience is becoming increasingly integrated into a single offering as the new Pages product highlights. So what are the primary benefits and changes for the new branded pages?

1. Develop Custom Tabs for Custom Ads

3. Create a Unique Page Image

See more at www.allfacebook.com

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/j66g

Relationships in Business - Fluff or Fact?

2010-11-28T12:05:00.001-08:00

Excellent look at whether we're getting hung up just a little too much on relationships in business.

Amplify’d from www.troyclaus.com

Results vs Relationships?

What matters most in your business?

“My bottom line”

“ROI”

“Growth”

“Keeping my costs as low as possible”

“Sales”

“Leader in my industry”

What is the one answer you probably would have expected but is no where to be found?

Relationships.
Read more at www.troyclaus.com

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/gne9

Learning from Noah

2010-11-03T17:22:00.001-07:00

Most folks know the story of Noah. How God warned him about an upcoming flood that would last for 40 days and 40 nights. To preserve nature, Noah took two of every animal onto his Ark in readiness for breeding once the storm had passed.

However, you could also look at it another way. If a cow died, Noah would still have had one cow left for beef and milk. He and his family wouldn’t starve, and they could come back to land and start afresh.

Moral of the story? Always have a back-up plan.

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/ej4k

From Stats to Strats - Using Social Media Statistics to Plan an Integrated Marketing Campaign

2010-10-25T08:37:00.001-07:00

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

From Stats to Strats - Using Social Media Statistics to Plan an Integrated Marketing Campaign

View more presentations from Danny Brown.

Bloggy Goodness

2010-10-21T09:01:00.001-07:00

Great stuff from Patrick Garmoe on how to keep blogging successful and profitable, no matter what kind of blogger you are.

Amplify’d from www.puredriven.com

5 Blogging Steps To Get You Through The Dip

Don’t be fooled. If you’re doing a blog for your business, you need to post regularly. At least weekly. So you can’t just toss up a few posts when the muse strikes you. You’re not going to see results. You really do need to figure out a strategy. Otherwise you’ll slip into what best selling author and marketer Seth Godin calls the Dip, and never exit.

1. Read blogs about blogging, to get a sense of what works, and doesn’t. Two great examples are CopyBlogger, and a new one that just started up, called For Bloggers, By Bloggers. CopyBlogger includes a whole series of “must read” PDFs for free.
Read more at www.puredriven.com

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/dgom

Newspaper headline of the day :)

2010-10-14T19:59:00.001-07:00

Okay, shouldn't laugh, as the guy was seriously injured. But gotta love that headline!

Amplify’d from www.torontosun.com

Man injured in lap dance awarded $650,000

A Palm Beach, Fla., man has been awarded $650,000 after he sued a local nightclub where he was injured by a stripper's shoe during a lap dance.
Read more at www.torontosun.com

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/cpm3

Even Vegans Can Love Meat :)

2010-10-14T19:55:00.001-07:00

A cool idea across the U.S. that could be tailored into many more businesses.

Amplify’d from bonsaiinteractive.com

What Cows Can Teach Us About Community Business

Across the U.S., there’s a little mini-revolution happening that might just help change the way you look at business – cow-pooling.

Based around the same idea of car-pooling (where you share travel and commute duties to save money and help the environment), cow-pooling sees you partnering with other families and buying your beef products direct from the farmer.

But instead of a normal purchase – burgers, steak, etc – you can buy a whole cow. And that’s where the magic begins.
Read more at bonsaiinteractive.com

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/cplr

Get Your Blog Noticed

2010-10-01T05:55:00.001-07:00

Some great ways to make sure your blog is more visible - some you probably already know and do, others that make a lot of sense.

Amplify’d from blog.junta42.com

35 Ways to Market Your Blog

It never fails. Almost all the businesses we come in contact with continue to look for ways to promote their blog. Here is a handy list of common and some uncommon ways to market your blog.

Include in any press releases. By using services such as PR Newswire, Marketwire or PR Web, you can get your blog link placed in sites like Google, Yahoo! and sometimes hundreds of other sites (select the SEO option where they embed the links into the releases).

Put your blog on company invoices as well as other correspondence to customers.

Use the blog as your customer FAQRead more at blog.junta42.com

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/bjjo

Lies, Lies, and Social Media

2010-09-14T20:05:00.001-07:00

Fantastic blog post from David Spinks, and awesome commentary after the post too. One to check out and join in on.

Amplify’d from davidspinks.com

The Spinks Blog

A Fresh Look Into Social Media

Businesses cannot honestly exist in the “social” realm.

Many interactions that are considered “best practices” for businesses using social media, are made to look like “social” interactions, but they’re really not.

The very fact that businesses are concerned with the returns that they get from their time spent on social media, makes it a purely market based interaction.
Read more at davidspinks.com

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/aiik

Facebook Confirms Its Idiocy

2010-09-14T09:50:00.001-07:00

Thought I'd share this (won't usually share my own stuff, promise!).

This story came from the Toronto Star newspaper, and shows Facebook's crazy ad policy.

Amplify’d from dannybrown.me

Facebook Loves Porn, Hates Health Advice

Facebook is pretty happy having full-on and open sex pictures, with some pretty funky descriptions, but not a health ad that could save a ton of lives amongst many of Facebook’s users.

I don’t know about you, but seems they have a bit of a mixed up approach, no?
Read more at dannybrown.me

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/ahoh

Facebook gets Out-Facebooked

2010-08-31T10:25:00.001-07:00

Humorous (and yet practical) look at how Facebook could make its whole user-experience more fun and interactive. With less work. Which is nice.

Amplify’d from ctkingston.com

A Kick-Ass Way to Streamline Your Facebook Experience

What I’m offering here is a way to make interaction on Facebook an easier and more fulfilling experience. Emphasis on easier.

For starters, we already have the “like” button, a great invention, but the LOL, OMG and WTF buttons are desperately needed as well and thus have been added.

Below that, comes the innovative new pull down menu:

Read more at ctkingston.com

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/9i1y

Untitled

2010-08-30T12:13:00.001-07:00

Great post from one of my favourite marketers and business bloggers about looking after your brand.

And kudos to Jason from Meltwater Buzz for leading by example and being the only monitoring company that actually responded to mentions of them...

Amplify’d from jimsmarketingblog.com

People are venting but is anyone listening?

The brands that elect not to listen, are not only missing out on some incredibly valuable feedback, they are also missing out on the opportunity to reach out to their customers and retain their business.

I was initially drawn to this post because of the mention of our tool (see- we’re listening!) but this is an interesting discussion so I thought I would leave a few thoughts.

Jason Arican

August 30, 2010 | 7:24 pm

Read more at jimsmarketingblog.com

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/9gd9

Best Weekly Collection of Resources on the Web

2010-08-28T05:38:00.001-07:00

Kristi Hines owns the blog Kikolani, and every Friday she posts a huge collection of great resources, links and articles on everything from blogging, to social media, to Facebook and much more.

You can find some examples below from the blogging mix - make sure you stop over by Kristi's blog and check the rest out. Then subscribe - she's one of the best bloggers around, period.

Amplify’d from kikolani.com

Fetching Friday – Resources Mashup and Blog World Celebrities

This post is part of a weekly series, Fetching Friday, featuring the resources mashup and a cool highlight reel from Blog World Expo 2009 on kikolani.com.

Blogging / Writing

Community and traffic takes time and patience – 8 things you need to know about building both for your blog.

Become a playful blogger and inject some energy into your blogging – video and transcript of what to experiment with to get your audience excited about your blog.

Creative social sharing to promote your blog – a look at social networking groups, repurposing content, ebooks, and more.

How to build a reputation with your blog: interact with your audience – the third article in a great series about blogging and reputation.

Long term blogging strategies: which ones are yours? A look at what will help you be successful in the long run.
Read more at kikolani.com

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/9csx

Best Piggy Bank Ever?

2010-08-27T16:09:00.001-07:00

All I'm going to say is, I want one.

Amplify’d from www.youtube.com

See more at www.youtube.com

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/9bv3

Belief is the Greatest Business Tool

2010-08-27T07:42:00.001-07:00

Valeria Maltoni is one of the smartest folks around. Her blog is always insightful and there's never a filler.

In this post, she answers a question we should all ask ourselves - why do we do what we do?

Amplify’d from www.conversationagent.com

One of the most frequent questions people ask me is why do you do it? What makes you devote so much energy to helping people connect (we're using #twconnect on Twitter, if you want to do it too) with resources, jobs, and other people?

I do it because I believe it makes a difference. Join us on the chat today and in this movement and you will see why believing is the most important thing you can do. You matter, and you can get big results by thinking and acting small (thank you, Greg).
Read more at www.conversationagent.com

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/9b4n

Are You Relaxing Enough?

2010-08-26T16:42:00.001-07:00

One of my favourite PR and marketing gals, Gini Dietrich, takes a look at whether you should unplug or not when you have downtime (or even during busy times).

Personally, I think it's hugely important to get the mix right. How about you?

And if you've never read Gini's blog before (where there are a ton of great writers contributing), make sure you pop on over and subscribe if you like what you see.

Amplify’d from www.spinsucks.com

My good friend Angelica Colantuoni asks, “How important is it to unplug? How often do you unplug to refresh?”

See more at www.spinsucks.com

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/99z2

How to Use Amplify

2010-08-26T15:56:00.001-07:00

Hey there,

So, I've been hearing cool things about Amplify, but I'm not sure if it's similar to Posterous in that it may be great, or it may be "just another time suck".

Any tips/advice? How should I best use it as a quick resource? What's the difference between clips, posts, recommending, etc (I've probably messed up the terminology already!). :)

Anyhoo, that's me, just wondering about Amplify. :)

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/99xn

2010-08-25T19:18:00.001-07:00

Checking Amplify out because Joe Hackman said I should be here http://amplify.com/u/985h

Walls and Windows

2010-05-22T09:28:00.001-07:00

The Berlin Wall was constructed for one simple reason; to divide East and West Germany.

Built shortly after the Second World War, it was a symbol to separate cultures between Western Europe and what was known as the Eastern Bloc.

Walls are solid objects, defined by their ability to separate two factions. They're built to maintain the status quo.

Windows, on the other hand, allow us to see the world around us and gain wisdom from it.

Offices could do with less walls, more windows.

Posted via web from The Other Dan(ny) Brown

Excuses and Explanations

2010-05-15T12:36:00.001-07:00

Excuses are what you offer when you do wrong but don't really care.

Excuses are the shoulders of the junior in your team.

Excuses are the lame attempts to cover your tracks.

Excuses are the charlatan's way to pull the wool over our faces.

Explanations, however, are the truths behind the excuses and the steps you're going to take to avoid having to make excuses in the future.

Which one do you think we prefer?

Posted via web from The Other Dan(ny) Brown

System Failure

2010-05-14T19:08:00.001-07:00

Companies have systems that they need to adhere to.

Without systems, the natives will run amok and sense and sensibility will come crashing down.

Without systems, nothing will be done because we'll all be headless chickens and the wolves will be circling the coop.

And yet...

Systems saw Wall Street come crashing down. Systems saw auto manufacturers on the brink of destruction. Systems saw oil companies put profits over people.

Systems don't always work.

Posted via web from The Other Dan(ny) Brown

It's Okay

2010-05-11T22:59:00.001-07:00

When the Wright Brothers first dreamed of taking to the sky, they didn't know what they were doing. But it turned out okay.

When Yuri Gargarin headed into the unknown on that historic first space flight, he didn't know what he was doing. But it turned out okay.

When Ghandi pioneered satyagraha as the non-violent counter to tyranny, he didn't know if what he was doing would work. But it turned out okay.

History's greatest moments are built on people who didn't know what they were doing. But they turned out okay.

The point?

It's okay to not know what you're doing. That could just be the spur for your own greatness.

Posted via web from The Other Dan(ny) Brown

Be a Magician

2010-05-02T08:06:00.001-07:00

David Copperfield convinced audiences that he walked through the Great Wall of China.

He also made the Statue of Liberty disappear and once flew above his TV audience.

Even though we know that walking through almost 20-feet of solid stone or hiding more than 300-feet worth of statue is impossible, we believe the illusion and wonder how he did it.

Magicians know the secret of perception. They know that if we want to believe something, we will.

How many magicians does your business have?

Posted via web from The Other Dan(ny) Brown

Promotion Commotion

2010-04-26T20:14:00.001-07:00

Businesses spend thousands (or millions) on launching new products. Ad spend, PR, marketing, media blitzes - and that's just the traditional approach. Then you have social media to add to the mix.

The bean counters look at the return and either class it a success or call for the promo team's head.

What they tend to do, though, is get lost in the promotion commotion. Not all product launches are immediate successes.

Look at The Shawshank Redemption. A failure when it hit the cinema, but now one of the most beloved movies ever and frequently on movie magazines Best Of lists, not to mention normal viewers' favourites.

Sometimes the product is right, just the timing is off. That's not to say success won't come. Plan to build for the long-term and stop watching the instant ticker tape results - you might just win in the end.

Posted via web from The Other Dan(ny) Brown

Social Media and Learning

2010-03-10T11:02:00.001-08:00

I wanted to tell you all about an event I participated in two Thursday's ago (Feb 25th). It was a CSTD (Canadian Society for Training and Development http://www.cstd.ca) chapter event in Ottawa.

On a blizzardy evening, just as the Canadian Women's Hockey Team was about to make history and win a gold medal, 60+ people gathered in a room in the Nepean Sportsplex to hear us talk about Social Networking...Social Media...Web 2.0 & Learning! I co-presented with David Ransom, Senior Knowledge and Collaboration Consultant from IBM Cda.

Some people don't automatically see the links here. Many people can connect the dots between Social Media and Marketing, but my experience has been that many don't always make the same connections for Social Media and Learning...to go further many don't make the connection of bringing in what I call the third sister...Mobile. These three sisters can provide a beautiful convergence to support both formal and informal learning. So this was our topic!

We touched on What is Social Media? and then talked about the evolution from Web 1.0 to Web 2.0...and then what does this all mean for learning? We touched on a multitude of topics but really wanted to emphasize that social media tools (facebook, twitter, blogs, etc) are catalysts that enable learning. The way I look at it, these social media or networking tools are now part of my learning environment design toolkit and I draw upon them as needed when consulting with clients.

The other topic we intertwined was the importance of using these tools to build your own Personal Learning Network (PLN). One of our attendees Treena Grevatt (@tgrevatt) tweeted throughout the session (search hashtag #CSTDOtt)...and more people commented and joined in.

It just so happened that it was #lrnchat night (it happens every thursday @8:30pm where many people in the learning space come together on Twitter and chat on predetermined topics). So the conversation was lively in the room and in the twitterverse. This worked out perfectly because it instantly showed the power of these tools to enable conversation.

Chris Van Wingerden (CSTD Ottawa exec and VP of Learning Solutions @dominknow learning systems blogged about it too...check it out here:

http://www.dominknow.com/news/blog.cfm?id=25120C6A-994C-674A-13D70E2A489321CF

Many thanks to David for the collaboration and to the CSTD Ottawa chapter and our audience for making it all happen.

So why am telling you this? I wanted to inspire you to get involved! I can't say more about how Twitter and other tools have positively impacted my working life in terms of research (staying on the cutting edge of what's happening in learning, social media and mobile) and connecting directly with experts in my field and with people who do the same kind of work I do...(who I can consult with in an instant!)

Find out what is happening on twitter, etc. for your field whatever it is...and join the conversation! Magic just might happen for you too!

If you need some help to get started just reach out and I'll give you some tips.

Have fun!

Mary.

Mary Myers
Senior Instructional Designer, Learning Solutions
Maritz Canada

Posted via web from Maritz and Me

Rules of Business

2010-03-02T20:14:00.001-08:00

Rules are the sticks of those in charge to beat us with.

Rules are the lines that are drawn to stop us overstepping the mark.

Rules are the barbed wire fences of self-important power mads.

Rules are the reason companies go bust and blue collar loses while executives move to the next golden handshake.

Rules, though, are made to be broken - just ask Adam and Eve.

If two tiny people can defy God, just imagine what you could do with a little imagination and a questioning of the rules.

Rules are only rules because we let them be. Sometimes it's good to break them.

Posted via web from The Other Dan(ny) Brown

Asset Building

2010-02-28T20:08:00.001-08:00

Your people are your assets. It doesn't matter if you're a business, a blogger, a non-profit or any mix of personal and professional outlet - your people are your assets.

Want to build a legacy? No-one's going to know about anything you're doing just from your voice alone; it's what your people are saying about you that builds the legacy.

Want to create history? Your people are the ones that will share your stories down the ages.

Your people are your assets. Make sure you look after them.

Posted via web from The Other Dan(ny) Brown

10 Tips for Successful Twitter Fundraising

2010-02-26T15:16:00.000-08:00

10 Tips for Successful Twitter Fundraising

Why Simple Works

2010-02-23T17:02:00.001-08:00

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

Why Simple Works

View more presentations from Danny Brown.

Help a PR Pro Out Toronto - Job Listings #happo #happoTO

2010-02-19T09:07:00.001-08:00

Today sees a very cool event called Help a PR Pro Out, or HAPPO. Initiated by Arik Hanson and Valerie Simon, its aim is simple - to connect PR jobseekers with agencies.

I'm honoured to be part of the "team" that's bringing HAPPO to Toronto, along with PR guy supreme Dave Fleet, of Thornley Fallis. Below you'll find some current job listings in the Toronto and GTA area - please retweet on Twitter (there's a dedicated #happo and #happoTO hashtag), share on Facebook and anywhere else you can (especially if you're in the Toronto and GTA area), and let's help connect everyone together!

- Note: If you're an agency, I have details of some great people for you - please feel free to email me for more information, or leave your details in the comments below. Same if you're a jobseeker - feel free to leave your details in the comments and let's see if we can help.

Thanks!

Listings (so far):

PR Event Intern (Toronto - Remote Stylist)
Corporate Comms Consultant (Mississauga - Purolator))
Comms Specialist (Toronto - Lang Michener LLP)
Manager, Corporate Comms (Toronto, one-year contract - Toronto Public Library)
PR Manager (Burlington, one-year contract - IKEA Canada)
PR Co-Ordinator (Toronto - Hays)
PR Rep (Toronto, one year-contract - Toyota Canada)

Posted via web from The Other Dan(ny) Brown

Quality Assurance

2010-02-16T18:46:00.001-08:00

You have a new product. You need to test it before it goes public. You hire an agency to carry out a focus group for you. You pay people to tell you what, essentially, you want to hear (many focus group participants won't be completely honest since they want repeat invitations).

You've just spent five figures to find out just a tiny bit more than you knew before about your product.

Now. You have a new product. You need to test it before it goes public. You give it to your sales people; your marketing people; your customer service people. You know - the ones who have to live with its real value from the front line.

Who do you think will offer the real feedback?

Posted via web from The Other Dan(ny) Brown

Universal

2010-02-15T20:02:00.001-08:00

Ideas begin with one person, but the best ones are chewed over by many before being released to the public.

There's a reason for this. Personal bias and parental protection often makes us myopic about letting go, and this can make us miss the bigger picture. Afterward, we realize our good idea became great because of universal viewpoints.

Something to keep in mind the next time you're about to tell someone they're too junior to offer an input into your business masterplan.

Posted via web from The Other Dan(ny) Brown

dannybrown.me site details - Technorati

2010-02-15T19:29:00.000-08:00

dannybrown.me site details - Technorati

Carefree Lenders

2010-02-09T19:23:00.001-08:00

In 1986 I thought I ruled the world. I had just turned 18 and the world was mine to use as I saw fit. In 1988, I almost died in a car crash that would leave me in hospital for a month and on crutches for three.

In 1997, I was on top of the world. I was in a lucrative job and living the bachelor life to the fullest. In 1998, I had been unemployed for 6 months and two of my friends had died of AIDS.

We're only borrowing good fortune. What we do with it is up to us - carefree only gets us so far.

Posted via web from The Other Dan(ny) Brown

Belief Systems

2010-02-07T18:21:00.001-08:00

When George Lucas made Star Wars, he waived his director's fee in exchange for licensing rights. Despite most studios turning down his movie idea, Lucas believed in it and was willing to put his money where his mouth was.

Twentieth Century Fox agreed to the deal, believing that movie merchandise wasn't a big selling point. Star Wars went on to become one of the most successful movies ever, and the toys, video games, soundtracks and other merchandise made Lucas millions.

While you might not be George Lucas, there's no reason why you can't make your own blockbuster. All you need is belief.

Posted via web from The Other Dan(ny) Brown

Digital Storytellers - Danny Brown's TEDx Ottawa Presentation

2010-01-28T19:30:00.001-08:00

via dannybrown.me

Posted via web from The Other Dan(ny) Brown

Digital Storytellers - Danny Brown's TEDx Ottawa Presentation

2010-01-23T11:32:00.000-08:00

Social media consultant Danny Brown presents Digital Storytellers: What We Can Learn from George Lucas, his video from the recent TEDx Ottawa event.

Digital Storytellers - Danny Brown's TEDx Ottawa Presentation

Learning from Noah

2010-01-22T04:39:00.001-08:00

However, you could also look at it another way. If a cow died, Noah would still have had one cow left for beef and milk. He and his family wouldn't starve, and they could come back to land and start afresh.

Moral of the story? Always have a back-up plan.

Posted via web from The Other Dan(ny) Brown

Obviously...

2010-01-20T06:30:00.001-08:00

A new study by the Institute of Marriage and Family Canada comes up with some amazing facts:

Teen girls who smoke marijuana are much more likely to be sexually active
Getting drunk more often correlates with an increased likelihood of sexual activity

Um... no shit, Sherlock. (To be fair, there's also an alarming statistic about suicide).

Studies that report what we already know aren't studies; they're merely expensive validations of common sense. How about reporting what we don't know? Or is that too much like common sense, too?

Posted via web from The Other Dan(ny) Brown

Help Maritz Canada Help Haiti

2010-01-15T08:37:00.001-08:00

On Tuesday, January 12th, Haiti’s “fresh start to a new decade” was brutally interrupted by a devastating earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale. Since then, the human disaster has been unfolding right before our eyes. The earthquake ripped through the heart of the country, leaving a trail of death and destruction in its wake. There are fears that there could be more than 100,000 fatalities and countless more injured and missing. This is the immediate impact. In the long run, the threat of disease, illness, malnutrition, and more is very real.

We know this is just after the holiday season and we know we are closing out a year when people suffered financial strain but Haiti really needs every ounce of support as their country, their communities and their people's lives have been devastated by this tragedy.

Maritz Canada is calling on all its employees, friends, partners, suppliers and clients to help make a difference. We will be donating all funds to the Canadian Red Cross and they will be able to get the necessary resources on the ground, where they are needed!

Let’s make whatever difference we can. Please, tweet this, share it on Facebook and Linked In (display as your status), email folks to come here: together, we can make a real difference. You can also copy the embed code and display the widget on your own blog or site to spread awareness.

You can read about the International Red Cross efforts through their Website at:

http://www.redcross.ca/article.asp?id=33898&tid=001

Additionally, you can follow their progress in Haiti via the Red Cross Twitter account found here:

http://twitter.com/RedCross.

You could tweet: We all share the same planet - here's how Maritz Canada & you can show Haiti that we care: http://bit.ly/6cbuKi #MaritzCares

You could update your Facebook or Linked In status: Maritz Canada is supporting the Red Cross in its relief efforts in Haiti - please help however you can http://bit.ly/6cbuKi

For more information on Maritz Canada & our efforts to make a difference, contact:

Judi Samuels
Manager, Corporate Communications
Maritz Canada
416 894-3501
judi.samuels@maritz.com

Posted via email from Maritz and Me

One Size Fits All

2010-01-09T14:32:00.001-08:00

Marketing to a law firm is very different to marketing to a butcher's shop.

Implementing social media strategy for a school is not the same as implementing social media strategy for a school for spine surgeons.

Flying a kite is not the same as flying a three hundred passenger Boeing.

One size fits all solutions?

No such thing.

Posted via web from The Other Dan(ny) Brown

We're Watching

2010-01-04T19:31:00.001-08:00

We're watching.

We're watching what you say; how you say it; and the conviction behind it. We're taking in the words you use; the directions you're giving; the recommendations you're sharing. We're taking you at face value and trusting what our ears hear and our eyes see.

Our eyes are our cameras and cameras never lie.

So next time you're about to speak, remember - we're watching.

Posted via web from The Other Dan(ny) Brown

Leaders Don't Just Lead

2010-01-02T14:20:00.001-08:00

If you're considered a leader, what type of leader are you?

Do you lead from the front and refuse to ask those under your guidance to do anything you wouldn't yourself? Do you hang back in the shadows and delegate from afar? Do you have lieutenants under you that carry out your work for you, and you just sign off the paperwork?

Whatever different form of leadership you take, one thing is common across all leaders - the knowledge that they need to be led as well.

Your troops are your front line of defense. This could be a sales team; a customer service team; a tech support team; or commenters on your blog. They can tell you what's happening every day. They can see changes you miss in the ivory towers of leadership. They can be the eyes that see new opportunities and best practices.

Leaders - true leaders - don't just lead; they're led as well.

If you're considered a leader, what type of leader are you?

Posted via web from The Other Dan(ny) Brown

Old and New

2010-01-01T09:08:00.001-08:00

Old often equates to age, and wisdom. Old shows staying power and stamina, and hard battles fought and won.

New often equates to eagerness, and a willingness to experiment. New shows paths yet to be journeyed and successes to come.

Mix old and new and you have the wisdom to journey the right paths. The staying power to battle to success.

Old and new are two different words but they don't need to be two different worlds.

Posted via web from The Other Dan(ny) Brown

Friends and Family

2009-12-30T19:22:00.001-08:00

When you're down on your luck, who do you turn to?

When the world seems against you, who do you turn to?

When you want honest advice and ways to make things right, who do you turn to?

When you need to get rid of all the BS and be the person you need to be, who do you turn to?

I'm guessing friends and family. Not fairweather friends; not imagined family. But those you trust. Those you've grown with; feel comfort around; know only have your best interests at heart. Because they know you'd do the same for them.

Now.

Imagine if your customers were your friends and family. Imagine the trust you could build. Imagine the belief in each other. Imagine the greatness you could create together.

Imagine the potential.

Ready to make new, true friends?

Posted via web from The Other Dan(ny) Brown

Ten for 10 in 2010 - Blog Marketing

2009-12-30T09:16:00.000-08:00

As we approach the end of the year, I share ten things you might find interesting in 2010. This time up - 10 ways to use your blog as a marketing tool.

Ten for 10 in 2010 - Blog Marketing

12 Days, 12 Ways to Help the Homeless

2009-12-11T20:15:00.001-08:00

via 12for12k.org

Homelessness sucks at any time of year. Christmas is doubly harsh. Join 12for12k and make a difference where YOU live.

Posted via web from The Other Dan(ny) Brown

12 Days, 12 Ways to Help the Homeless

2009-12-11T20:11:00.000-08:00

Homelessness sucks at any time of year. Christmas is doubly harsh. Join 12for12k and make a difference where YOU live.

12 Days, 12 Ways to Help the Homeless

If You Think You're Cold... #12for12k

2009-12-10T19:12:00.001-08:00

via 12for12k.org

Tomorrow, Friday December 11 2009, sees the launch of the 12 Days of Christmas Homeless Push. Here’s a quick pre-launch video – hope you can join us tomorrow onward.

Posted via web from The Other Dan(ny) Brown

If You Think You're Cold...

2009-12-10T19:08:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow, Friday December 11 2009, sees the launch of the 12 Days of Christmas Homeless Push. Here’s a quick pre-launch video – hope you can join us tomorrow onward.

If You Think You're Cold...

Bedside Manners

2009-12-09T19:27:00.001-08:00

The best doctors are successful because they have immaculate bedside manners. Some of the traits of great bedside manners include:

Being a good listener.
Using easy-to-understand terminology.
Caring about their patient's concerns.
Being non-judgmental.
Respectful of their patient's time.

These traits are second nature to good doctors. Maybe more business owners should go to medical school.

Posted via web from The Other Dan(ny) Brown

The 12 Days of Christmas Homeless Push

2009-12-03T16:51:00.000-08:00

This Christmas, the 12for12k Challenge is looking to help you help those in your own town or city that need it the most, with the 12 Days of Christmas Homeless Push.

The 12 Days of Christmas Homeless Push

The 12 Days of Christmas Homeless Push

2009-12-03T16:50:00.000-08:00

Conversation Agent: 50 Ways to Make Limoncello When You've Been Laid Off

2009-12-03T07:13:00.001-08:00

via conversationagent.com

This is an absolutely awesome resource list from Valeria Maltoni (@ConversationAgent) that you should check out immediately if you've lost your job.

Posted via web from The Other Dan(ny) Brown

Give to Get

2009-11-30T20:42:00.001-08:00

Giving up is easy. Close our eyes, wait for problems to go away - anyone can do that. The highway of life is full of sleepers and short stay hotels of those that have given up.

Getting back up? That's the difficult part. But think how many times you've been ready to give up in the past, only to keep getting back in the game for more.

No-one likes giving up, but sometimes it's the only natural thing to do. How, and if, you get up is the separator.

Ready to get?

Posted via web from The Other Dan(ny) Brown

How To Sell Social Media To Your Client Or Boss

2009-11-28T17:46:00.001-08:00

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

How To Sell Social Media To Your Client Or Boss

View more presentations from Danny Brown.

Grateful for #Tweetsgiving

2009-11-25T13:39:00.001-08:00

Posted via email from The Other Dan(ny) Brown

Grateful for #Tweetsgiving

2009-11-25T13:34:00.001-08:00

Posted via email from The Other Dan(ny) Brown

Pot, Kettle, Black

2009-11-18T21:04:00.001-08:00

Kurt Greenbaum is the director of social media for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. In a recent post, he mentioned how he'd been pro-active at contacting the employers of someone who left a vulgar comment on a blog post. The person in question resigned.

The flak started flying in in the subsequent comments, and Greenbaum refuted he stepped over-the-mark, maintaining that the comment had been vulgar.

Hmm... pot, kettle, black, anyone? Or is it okay to be abusive yourself about an "abuser" whose job you played a part in taking away..?

Posted via email from The Other Dan(ny) Brown

Hollow Victories

2009-11-17T17:15:00.001-08:00

We’ve been brainwashed into thinking the materialistic matters but without those that matter to share with, the materialistic is hollow.

Do we really need to send that final email? Make that last phone call before calling it a night?

There will always be jobs for those that want to work. It may not be the jobs that we want, but they will be there. Loved ones... not so much.

Don't let your victories be hollow.

Posted via web from The Other Dan(ny) Brown

Celebrating Mountains

2009-11-14T10:54:00.001-08:00

There’s a fairly well-known phrase that goes, “Stop making mountains out of molehills.” For anyone that’s not aware of it, it’s basically saying that there’s no need to make a big deal out of something much smaller. Usually it’s aimed at people who make a song and dance about the smallest thing.

You know, the drama queens for whom the wrong kind of butter on movie popcorn is akin to the worst kind of insult you could make, and boy are you going to know about it.

But you know what? I say let’s make mountains out of molehills. Let’s take the small things, make them larger, and let everyone know about it. Why should anything be insignificant or too small to take notice of or worry about?

Would Bill Gates or Steve Jobs have the loyalty and gratitude of millions if they had left their ideas about consumer and business technology as molehills? Maybe instead of being two of the most influential men on the planet today they’d simply be working undiscovered at a small-town IT company.

With the ease in which people can communicate today and with the support network that is social media behind us, we can all turn our molehills into mountains.

Our small idea for a business start up? Throw it to the community and get constructive feedback and help from people who’ve been there and can guide you through the pitfalls.

That dream of making a difference in people’s lives through change and charity? Social media and the people in it can help you spread the message like never before.

When we accept that molehills are the norm and that mountains are scary obstacles to overcome that should be avoided at all costs, we lose the freedom of choice that makes us who we are. We all have greatness inside us – all we need are the tools.

Social media gives us these tools. Let’s start climbing that mountain.

Posted via web from The Other Dan(ny) Brown

No CSS Coding Needed for Drop-Down Nav Menu with Headway 1.5

2009-11-14T07:29:00.000-08:00

With Headway 1.5 premium WordPress theme, you don't need CSS coding to set up a drop-down navigation menu. It's easy blog design at its best.

No CSS Coding Needed for Drop-Down Nav Menu with Headway 1.5

Everyone is a Customer

2009-11-11T17:09:00.001-08:00

Everyone is a customer - are you presenting yourself well?

Everyone is a Customer

View more presentations from Danny Brown.

Maritz Spirit(s) - Maritz and Me

2009-11-11T06:56:00.000-08:00

What kind of company has a Roman Emperor teaching a Lunch and Learn and Dr. Evil hosting an All Employee Meeting? Well, that would be Maritz, on Halloween.

Maritz Spirit(s) - Maritz and Me

Tick Tock - The Other Dan(ny) Brown

2009-11-08T20:41:00.000-08:00

Tick Tock - The Other Dan(ny) Brown

Tick Tock

2009-11-08T20:37:00.001-08:00

Tick tock. The sound of a clock. The sound of watching the minutes go by. The sound of boredom. The sound of anywhere but here.

Silence. The sound of creativity at work. The sound of not really feeling like a job. The sound of expressing yourself. The sound of making things happen the way you want them to. The sound of success.

You're not encouraging clock watching, are you?

Posted via web from The Other Dan(ny) Brown

It Just Takes One

2009-11-01T20:57:00.000-08:00

People watch; take notes. It just takes one note to start a book on your approach. Want to be a bestseller or a bargain-bin leftover?

It Just Takes One

Mapping Your Way Through Social Media

2009-10-27T19:01:00.001-07:00

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

Mapping Your Way Through Social Media

View more presentations from Danny Brown.

Instant Coffee

2009-10-23T08:53:00.001-07:00

Instant coffee is fast. Instant coffee offers the quick solution you need at that time. Instant coffee keeps you satisfied until you can get to the gourmet roast or Colombian dark coffee from your favourite bean.

As customers, we love full bean flavour but we don't always need that - sometimes all we need to keep us happy is some instant coffee.

How's your business at serving coffee?

Posted via web from The Other Dan(ny) Brown

Who Owns Social Media? No-one Does

2009-10-20T19:09:00.000-07:00

Too many companies are missing out on effective social media use by getting embroiled in the who owns social media angle. But does anyone really own it?

Who Owns Social Media? No-one Does

See You at TEDx Ottawa on December 6 | danny brown

2009-10-19T17:37:00.000-07:00

TEDx Ottawa have very kindly invited me to be one of the speakers at their inaugural event on December 6. You can find more details here.

See You at TEDx Ottawa on December 6 | danny brown

Be a Child | danny brown

2009-10-12T14:50:00.000-07:00

There's a time between childhood and adulthood that we lose a certain innocence; where everything's an adventure. Shouldn't we try to rediscover that?

Be a Child | danny brown

Rainy Days and Bad Luck | Just Kickin' It

2009-10-09T20:03:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you just know that the day is not meant to be one of your best...

Rainy Days and Bad Luck | Just Kickin' It

Do You Want Fries With That? | danny brown

2009-10-06T18:03:00.000-07:00

There's a fine line between offering pre-project advice and moving to billable hours. Are you treading it well or falling on the side of too much for free?

Do You Want Fries With That? | danny brown

Do Not Disturb | danny brown

2009-10-04T19:48:00.000-07:00

How many times do you have the equivalent of a Do Not Disturb sign on your door? Isn't it about time you pulled it down?

Do Not Disturb | danny brown

My Weekend | Just Kickin' It

2009-10-04T17:03:00.000-07:00

Every weekend should be like this! :)

My Weekend | Just Kickin' It

Bridge Builders

2009-10-04T10:34:00.001-07:00

You don't have to be a superstar. You don't have to be the top dog. You don't always have to be the number one.

It helps. It can offer kudos and creedence to your name. But superstars fade. Top dogs become old. Number ones can fall by the wayside and soon drop out the Top 10 altogether.

Stop solely concentrating on the numbers and positions. Instead, think about being a bridge builder.

We're in a people business. Yes, people work from numbers but they really believe in the connection. You're the bridge to that connection. The decisions you're making today are being viewed by others, and they will come to you for their needs. Or the needs of their clients.

They may want you to help build the numbers for their company, but it still all happened because of your bridge. Build the bridge right and the numbers will follow.

Posted via web from dannybrown's posterous

Happy Birthday and a Present for You | danny brown

2009-10-03T11:04:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe it's been a year since making the switch to self-hosted blogging. 354 posts later, here's a look back at some highlights and a gift for you!

Happy Birthday and a Present for You | danny brown

Friday Funk

2009-10-02T21:20:00.001-07:00

Friends Don't Let Friends Dial Drunk by Plain White T's
Download now or listen on posterous

05 Friends Don't Let Friends Dial Dr.mp3 (3159 KB)

Slightly late here, but better late than never! Have a great weekend folks - hope you're all having a good time so far and keep smiling!

Posted via email from dannybrown's posterous

The Healing Power of Music – Musicians on Call is October’s 12for12k Charity | 12for12k

2009-10-02T19:31:00.000-07:00

Musicians on Call offers the power of music to patients, families and caregivers. 12for12k is proud to support the Musicians on Call cause in October 2009.

The Healing Power of Music – Musicians on Call is October’s 12for12k Charity | 12for12k

Something New, Something Old | danny brown

2009-10-02T14:19:00.000-07:00

Something New, Something Old | danny brown

For all the #GG24 and #12for12k superstars - you all rock :)

2009-09-25T16:54:00.001-07:00

My Best Friend by Weezer
Download now or listen on posterous

My Best Friend.mp3 (5094 KB)

'Nuff said. :)

Posted via email from dannybrown's posterous

The Great A-Lister Myth | danny brown

2009-09-22T18:35:00.000-07:00

The term A-lister is used time and time again to describe bloggers, writers, entertainers. But are these descriptions correct or merely dependent on relevance?

The Great A-Lister Myth | danny brown

Fear

2009-09-22T17:08:00.001-07:00

Fear is just the blanket under which hope sleeps.

Posted via web from dannybrown's posterous

The Business iPod Mix | danny brown

2009-09-21T17:25:00.000-07:00

Being strong in one area of business isn't enough anymore. Now you need to have a playlist for your business iPod. How fresh is yours?

The Business iPod Mix | danny brown

Top 175 (non US) Media and Marketing Blogs by Country | PERSONALIZE MEDIA

2009-09-21T08:13:00.000-07:00

Top 175 (non US) Media and Marketing Blogs by Country

Top 175 (non US) Media and Marketing Blogs by Country | PERSONALIZE MEDIA

Making Twitter Sticky

2009-09-20T12:24:00.000-07:00

Twitter continues to grow at an impressive level. Yet it also continues to frustrate at an impressive level as well. How can Twitter make itself more sticky?

Making Twitter Sticky

Saturday Shindig

2009-09-19T15:31:00.001-07:00

One Man Wrecking Machine by Guster
Download now or listen on posterous

04 One Man Wrecking Machine.mp3 (8115 KB)

Enjoy the weekend guys - make it a good one, and continue to be great in all you do. Stay safe, keep smiling, and catch up with you all soon.

Posted via email from dannybrown's posterous

The Powerful Effect of Simplicity

2009-09-19T11:31:00.000-07:00

Life moves fast. We miss each other as we pass by. Stress takes its toll. Yet two simple words can make such a big difference to someone.

The Powerful Effect of Simplicity

Do Bloggers Make Good Authors?

2009-09-15T19:46:00.000-07:00

There are a host of books being published by renowned bloggers at the minute. But have they already shared most of the book via their blogs?

Do Bloggers Make Good Authors?

Reinventing the Wheel

2009-09-14T19:22:00.001-07:00

James Dyson looked at the vacuum cleaner and gave people a different way to do things - no bags. Simple.

EasyJet looked at international flights and gave people a different way to fly - no thrills affordability. Simple.

Sony looked at video games and gave people a different way to view gamers - cool mass appeal chic. Simple.

We don't always have to build something brand new. We don't always have to spend millions on research when the audience is already there. We don't always have to create from scratch.

Sometimes just reinventing the wheel is more than enough.

Posted via web from dannybrown's posterous

How to Define Your Digital Footprint or Lacing Your Online Shoes

2009-09-14T16:43:00.000-07:00

Whether you have an online presence or not, you have a digital footprint. Others are talking about you all the time. This series explains how to create and look after your online identity.

How to Define Your Digital Footprint or Lacing Your Online Shoes

Maybe Some Authors Should Do Their Own PR

2009-09-09T18:41:00.000-07:00

Any time a book is released, PR agencies swing into action trying to secure reviews. Check these two pitches out - which one would you go for?

Maybe Some Authors Should Do Their Own PR

Flying Blind

2009-09-08T09:31:00.000-07:00

Technology can make hard tasks easy, and the impossible possible. But we still need the human voice behind it to really build trust.

Flying Blind

Be Fearless

2009-09-07T17:54:00.001-07:00

Be fearless. Be bold. Be new. Be exciting. Be inspired. Be passionate. Be different. Be crazy.

The world is full of normality but who wants to stop at the world?

Be fearless.

Be you.

Posted via web from dannybrown's posterous

Learning Posts (Or Who Inspires Me Every Day)

2009-09-03T08:21:00.000-07:00

We can all learn from each other. Some people have that knack of teaching us every day without knowing it. Here are four of my learning posts.

Learning Posts (Or Who Inspires Me Every Day)

Impossible Possibilities

2009-09-02T19:14:00.001-07:00

600 years ago we thought the earth was flat. Just over 100 years ago we thought it was impossible for man to fly. Just over 50 years ago we still thought that steam powered was the way to travel by train. 40 years ago we hadn't put a man on the moon.

Every day we're faced with impossibilities. We're told, "You can't do that; it'll never work."

But you know... an impossibility is simply a problem that we haven't conquered yet. Consider that as you next commute to work on your electric train.

Posted via web from dannybrown's posterous