Family Day Outing

It was -6 degrees outside and a freezing cold Sunday morning. One would love to stay at home with blankets covered and sleep for hours. But destiny had something else in store for us. As I and my hubby got up in the morning, the first thought that came across our mind was to get ready and get going. We were excited. We packed our bags and an hour later, we were on our way to a destiny unknown.

Ashok, a good friend of ours, had planned to take us trekking to a nearby area - about 60km from Toronto. We met him at Downtown and headed towards Hanks for an awesome brunch. After a sumptuous meal, we headed towards our destination - We were on our way to Hamilton. On reaching the place, we grabbed some coffee and then started trekking. As we walked in the beauty of nature, we could hear slight sound of waterfalls. I turned towards Ashok and asked him- 'Are you taking us to a water fall?' He just smiled and said 'Have patience and discover your destination.' My curiosity knew no bounds. The roads were slippery but the weather was awesome and the experience of trekking was exhilarating. As we walked, the sound of the waterfall grew prominent. Finally, I saw the Falls from far.The view was mesmerizing.Ashok told us that the fall was privately owned and was called the Sherman Falls. The 17m high curtain waterfall in Ancaster Heights looked beautiful. We walked close to the Falls and the ice cold water ran a shiver down our spine. Ashok, who is a passionate Photographer and nature lover, started clicking pictures and we were busy posing. It was a fun experience and I was amazed to see Ashok's dedication towards nature. His pictures tell stories and each picture is a masterpiece.

After enjoying the falls and basking in the beauty of nature, we started moving towards the car and decided to get back to town.On our way back, Ashok took us to China town and the place reminded me of Hongkong. There were Chinese groceries, shops and restaurants everywhere. There was a beautiful Dragon Gate in the middle of the street. There were streetcars buzzing with people on the streets even at 9pm in the night. People seemed to be comfortable shopping and queuing outside those Chinese Restaurants. Chinese being my favourite cuisine, we decided to have dinner at a restaurant there. We had loads (yes!) of crab soup, shrimps and chicken. We chatted for hours, laughed and loved the food. Having had a great dinner, we realized that it got quite late and we said goodbye to Ashok and headed back home.

On reaching home, as I and my husband sat on the couch, we were all in praise for Ashok for planning such an awesome adventurous trip and convincing us to go out on a cold Sunday morning. Had we not gone out that day, we would have never explored the beauty of nature. We would have never known that there was beauty out there that needs to be admired.

So if I were to sum up my experiences about this trip, I learnt three things from Ashok

Explore the world: Ashok is a person who loves to explore the world. We should all have fun and go out and find out what is new. Had we sat at home watching TV or sleeping a few additional hours, we would have missed the fun.

Follow your passion: Ashok religiously follows his passion for photography and that makes him happy in life. We all have a passion but it is up to us to what extent we follow our passion and enjoy our life.

Live the moment: He knew we love Chinese food and he wanted to make sure that we lived the moment. He took us to a great resturant in China Town so that we could feel and live the Chinese experience. As we had a good laugh and enjoyed the food, we forgot about our worries of past and future.

Ash as we call him is a happy go lucky guy and having him as a friend is a gift for one and all.

9 Hot Tips for Small Business Marketing on Facebook

I just read an article that provides 9 Hot Tips for Small Business Marketing on Facebook. Very interesting read.

Here are the tips from the article:

1. See if Your Vanity URL Is Available on Name Vine

2.Use a Third-Party Platform (like Hootsuite) to Distribute Social Content

3.Use an Application Publishing Platform (like North Social)

4.Utilize Social Plugins (free) Wherever Possible

5.Find Out When and What to Post on Facebook (using Edgerank Checker)

6.Use Facebook Insights

7.Provide Local Content

8.Create a QR Code for Your Facebook Fan Page

9.Buy Facebook Ads

QR Codes?

Do people really use them? They are so ugly. I tried them a few times, but all they do is connect us to the websites. So, should they really be there?
My husband asked me these questions as we had breakfast at Hanks and he looked at some of the paintings that had a QR (Quick Response) code listed below them for the details.

For some time now, you'll notice that a lot of the ads have the QR codes placed in them. The QR codes were introduced by Toyota and since then Marketers have had many justifications on using them. With the surge in smart phones, there are apps designed for smart phones where individuals can point their devices at the codes for a few seconds and are sent to a website. If you are a savvy marketer, going QR is a way to go digital from the traditional style of print advertisement.

If you’d like to get a QR Code done, it is quite easy. Choose one among these to start your own QR code
http://qrcode.kaywa.com/
http://www.qrstuff.com/
http://goqr.me/

I built one now and if you scan the below QR code, you’ll be directed to my website.

Most of the times, QR codes don’t lead to a mobile friendly content. Also, the codes are seen at areas (like the subways) where there is no telecom coverage. Thus, they serve no purpose.

Here is an interesting article I read recently on how to using QR codes for effective Marketing

When I see people reading ads that have QR codes, I often ask them if they have used it before. The youngsters have tried it a few times but did not sound very excited about it. Others, like my husband, felt it was more of a distraction. It is up to savvy marketers to make QR code content more meaningful and interesting.

Moments that matter

For a long time now, smart marketers have realized that emotions play a key role in advertising. Notice the number of ads around you that have toddlers and infants in them. For sure, there must be studies and surveys to indicate that customers buy products and services based on the way an ad communicates and makes them feel.

An interesting print ad that has caught everyone's attention in Canada is from Scotiabank - that of a new born baby with an interesting tag line on "Richness". I got to know more about it yesterday when my husband's friend made a mention of it. Our friend’s son turned one yesterday. As we all wished the little one, the proud parents happily shared with us how life had changed for them since the arrival of the little one. Anxious moments during the labor (delivery) turned into joyful moments with the arrival on the new one. Anyway, as the conversation continued, the parents commented that their emotions were best matched by the Scotiabank ad.

I did a quick search and noticed that this ad was developed by Toronto agency Bensimon Byrn. The ad was developed after a consumer research indicated that the concept of a “richer” life meant something beyond money and personal wealth for Canadians. There is also a video of the ad - a real-time shot in a hospital with the onscreen copy reading “Richness is …the moment everything changes.”! Watch the video here

Spotting talent thanks to Social Media

Infographic Courtesy: Mashable

Read the news and was glad to read that Adele swept the Grammys (six, to be exact). Social Media had a big role to get Adele noticed to the world. She was offered a recording contract after a friend posted her demonstration on Myspace.

Justin Beiber is another example. The fans (especially teenage girls) found him before the music industry discovered him. In 2007, Justin's mother had posted a video on YouTube of him singing "So Sick" by Ne-Yo. This video got very popular, went viral and in a couple of years, the young man was singing for US President Obama. In 2011, Bieber was among the most tweeted, shared and viewed celebrities on the social web.Here is an interesting article that I read a few days ago on Justin's social media presence. It is about Justin completing his 5th YouTube anniversary. Above is the infographic from there. It is awesome.

Social Media Week (Toronto)

Yes, Toronto. I am attending the events. I am volunteering for it.

The Social Media Week begins in a couple of days and I am excited to be part of the Toronto chapter. The event will be held at different locations and I’ll be there at most of the venues helping the team as a volunteer or attending the event. The event is over five consecutive days and will have thought-provoking sessions by industry leaders. The conference aims to “explore the profound impact that social media has on culture, business communications and society at large”.
Just like in Toronto, the Social Media Week is also being conducted at different locations all over the world - including New York, Singapore, DC, Sao Paulo, Rio De Janeiro, Bogotá, Buenos Aires, Mexico City, Istanbul, London, Paris, Rome, Milan, Glasgow, Berlin, Moscow, Beirut and Hong Kong and others. Last year, the event attracted more than 60,000 attendees across thousands of individually organized events, with half a million connecting to the conference online and through mobile. I am excited about the event. The week will be busy for me. See you soon!

The Greatest Movie Ever Sold!

Last week, I saw an interesting documentary (made in 2011) titled "POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold". The documentary is about product placement in films and TV shows. While creating the documentary, the director Morgan Spurlock sets out on an interesting mission - he reaches out to the corporate world asking them to sponsor his movie and in turn will promote their product in the movie calling them the "greatest" product. So, in the greatest movie ever sold, he drives the greatest car, has the greatest shoes and flies the greatest airline. The discussions that he has with the executives is very interesting. There is "no plot" in the movie, but the "plot" itself is around how the director reaches out to corporate to sell, sell and sell. The film's slogan is aptly titled "He's not selling out, he's buying in".

Here is the trailer for the movie. Check out the last statement where the Director asks an expert that he is surrounded by ads everywhere and if he could find a place where one can see no advertisements. The expert quickly responds “in your sleep"!

The biggest surprise while watching the documentary was the revelation about Sao Paulo in Brazil. I learnt that they city has said no to advertising. So, when you come to the city, you'll notice that there are no billboards, flyers, ads or posters. I could hear the citizens saying that they can now see the beauty of the city. Very interesting!

Facebook changes you ought to know!

Here is a nice article I read this morning. It gives us some tips on how we could control the Privacy settings. I am listing them below from the site:

Total Control Over Your Photos
There's a new tool that allows you to approve or reject any picture or post you're tagged in. You can choose not to use the tool, which means everything will automatically be approved. (Even if you're not in the habit of double-fisting margs and making out with randos, we suggest you opt to use the tool.) There's one catch, though: even if you don't approve a photo you're tagged in, someone can still post the photo of you. Your tag just won't be associated with it and the alert won't pop up on your wall or in your friends’ newsfeeds”

Easy-to-Use Privacy Settings
They're no longer be buried and require a Google search to figure out how to manage them. Next to each piece of content on your profile (where you're from, your birthday, the album you just put up) there will be a mini drop-down menu. When you click, you'll be able to choose who can see that particular part of your profile.

The Ability to Share Your Status With Just a Few People
When you post an update, that same drop-down menu will appear and you can choose to share "Oh my god, can't believe there was an earthquake in NYC!" with everyone or just a select, customizable group of friends.

An Option to Tag Non-Friends
Currently, if you put up a group shot, say from a wedding, and want to tag people with whom you're not Facebook friends, you had to friend them first. Kinda awkward. As of tomorrow, you will be able to tag someone without friending them first. And others can do the same to you. Though, naturally, you'll have the chance to approve the tagging first.

See Your Profile From Others' POV
If you're ever paranoid that someone like your boss might be able to see something you don't want him/her to see, there's a tool that lets you view how your page looks from particular people's screens. There's now a button at the top right corner of your Facebook page that reads "View Profile As...". Click it and let out a sigh of relief that your ex-boyfriend can't see the album you just put up of you and your current guy on vacation. Or that your ex can see the album. Hey, we're not judging.

So take control of your Profile.All the best!

Social Media for Small Business

Often folks who own a Small Business and are interested in Social Media have the following questions for me:
- Do I really need to be on Social Media? Where do I start?
- I created a FB page, LinkedIn profile, Twitter account but now what? I’m not getting any sales from it
- I was told that everything on Social Media is free. Is that really the case?

Getting on to a social media can be a tough task for Small Business that is not familiar with how it works. So, here are a few tips for such firms:
1. One step at a time
There is an ever-growing range of social media technologies and it is important for small business to pick a few that you'd like to get started with. You are still learning how to use these technologies and until the tricks and tips are mastered, it is best to stick to the key Social Media sites. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn could be a few top ones and perhaps YouTube is where you'd like to post the videos.

2.Don't broadcast, but engage
Folks who like your page or connect with you are your fans. And remember that they are not married to you. If it is as easy as 1-2-3 to "Like" your page, it is as easy to get off your page. So, make sure that you engage your audience and not bore them with unnecessary useless feeds. As you post something or share a tweet, put yourself in the customer's shoes and ask yourself "What is it in for me?". It does not have to be promotions/discounts, but stuff that keeps them engaged. I remember a restaurant posting a YouTube video where the chef gave the viewers the recipe for the most popular dish. Interesting, isn't it?

3.Content is King
Nothing much to add here! The content on Social Media sites needs to be top class. Post something that folks can "share" or "retweet". I knew a Carpet Cleaning firm once that occasionally shared tips on how to keep the carpets neat and clean. If you run an apparel store, go ahead and let folks know what is the latest in fashion and if you can have that. It'll make you sound like an expert and build your credibility too. My experience has been that owners of Small Business have loads of wisdom. I think it is high time that these need to be shared. Of course, one of the challenges that small business face here is that they are so busy running their own business that it is not easy to create this type of content on a regular basis. But if planned well and with some help, this is not a big ask.

4.You can track progress
The best part about Social Media is that it is focused and there are some easy metrics that you could use to measure results. There are many tools available in the market to measure results but I'd suggest you stick to some simple, free metrics.
For example:
-Number of connections on LinkedIn / FB will help the business understand the profile of it customers.
- Number of followers on Twitter allows the business to understand its "popularity" on Twitter

5.Be patient to see results
I often see enthusiastic small business set up their accounts and then get disappointed that they are not seeing any results. My take: results will come over a period of time. You'll need to be a bit more disciplined with your posts, messages before you notice visible results. Till then, make best use of the Social Media. To start with, you might want to follow a discussion out in the social media about you. It costs nothing but you'll learn a lot. You'll get to know customer feedback, views and areas of improvement. These will be important for defining your future activities or tasks. Over a period of time, you'll find that new relationships can also be developed.

It is not that every Small Business needs to be on Social Media. But yes, you need to understand what it is and how it can shape your business (build awareness, generate leads, and improve customer relationship) and figure out what is best for you. The owner of a hotel believed that Facebook for Business was a waste of time until his son who was very active on Facebook had some discussions with me. The son was convinced, and as a test created a FB page for his business. He started the page with certain inputs from me. It gave them some tangible results. Excited, they had hired a Social Media manager. As I write this post today, they have about 1200 members who "like" their page. They have a clear roadmap now on how Social Media can help their business and what they'd like to do in the coming months. Not bad for someone who thought Social Media was addictive and not productive!

Social Media Humor..

The first cartoon here has a great message. As I mentioned earlier, be careful about what you post on Social Media. Remember, the golden rule - "Think Twice, Publish Once"

This one got a smile on my face. Folks who are against FB will "Like" this. Anyway, the message is nice. Go ahead and get a life. Meet people and get some "real friends" than the virtual ones.

And this is a very humorous take on explaining the different Social Media stuff

Flying People

The first thing that you want in advertisement is to get your audience interested. With various products and services in the market, it could be difficult to get the attention of your audience.But how about an effort to not only get their attention but to also have their jaws dropped? Get them excited and even scream!. Perhaps that is what some smart Marketers in NY did a few days ago.


Flying People were spotted around the skies of lower Manhattan (Video here - ). These weren't real human beings but specially designed radio controlled planes. Reason - this was a part of the viral marketing plan for the upcoming fim "Chronicle". Result - "Spectators in New York -- notoriously a hard-to-impress bunch were uniformly astounded by the flying people.". Read the story here about the folks who created this innovative act.

Must admit...This is a very innovative piece of of viral marketing. Am I excited? Of course, yes. Hence the blog. Will I see the movie? Perhaps. I am more interested in buying one of those specially designed flying people! :)

Don't be boring on Twitter

We all love to Tweet.So here is an article to help us Tweet better and in an effective way!

Based on my personal experience, I have seen individuals type in different status and updates on Twitter and Facebook. Here are some thumb rules I follow while I tweet or update my status on FB

1. Think twice, publish once.
2. Never publish something that your boss, mom or your spouse will not approve
3. Remember, even if you delete a tweet or update, people might have taken a screen shot of it. So, if you have erred, admit it when asked and apologize.
4. Publish something that folks might be interested in. Avoid too much personal info. The article gives a good example on how "People do not care what you are eating for lunch"

In the article, the author nicely sums it up "Do be useful. Do be novel. Do be compelling. Do not, under any circumstances, be boring."

Here are the key messages from the article:

ld news is no news: Twitter emphasizes real-time information, so information rapidly gets stale. Followers quickly get bored of even relatively fresh links seen multiple times.

• Contribute to the story: To keep people interested, add an opinion, a pertinent fact or otherwise add to the conversation before hitting "send" on a retweet.

• Keep it short: Twitter limits tweets to 140 characters, but followers still appreciate conciseness. Using as few characters as possible also leaves room for longer, more satisfying comments on retweets.

• Limit Twitter-specific syntax: Overuse of #hashtags, @mentions and abbreviations makes tweets hard to read. But some syntax is helpful; if posing a question, adding a hashtag helps everyone follow along.

• Keep it to yourself: The clichéd "sandwich" tweets about pedestrian, personal details were largely disliked. Reviewers reserved a special hatred for Foursquare location check-ins.

• Provide context: Tweets that are too short leave readers unable to understand their meaning. Simply linking to a blog or photo, without giving readers a reason to click on it, was described as "lame."

• Don't whine: Negative sentiments and complaints were disliked.

• Be a tease: News or professional organizations that want readers to click on their links need to hook the reader, not give away all of the news in the tweet itself.