JSMM & VBM Announce Summer 2013 Video Blog Packages: VBM Rolls Out Newest Promotion
By Valerie Jennings, CEO of JSMM & VBM
Jennings Social Media Marketing (JSMM) and Viral Bolt Media (VBM), a sister company to JSMM announced new summer video blog pricing. Video blogs (vblogs) are video weblogs that capture the essence of a subject matter expert, discussing key points of content. These short excerpts are not to be confused with a promotional Web video as they constitute the core messages of a particular topic without much editing or special effects.
Vblogs may be published on a blog, YouTube channel, social networking site(s) or embedded in a Marketwired press release. The purpose of the vblog is to direct SEO attention, subject matter expertise, content development and fast-paced social media sharing. The vblogs should not be longer than 30 seconds.
Here are a few pricing options, but custom packages are available upon request. See distribution options for additional pricing.
Basic: $600
- 3 videos: Each up to 30-seconds in length.
- May include logos, titles and simple edits to smooth out the video.
- No special effects, motion graphics, music or transitional edits such as wipes, etc. Vblogs do not require this type of editing.
- Camera includes HD Sony handycam specific for YouTube, but no professional lighting or sound.
- Scriptwriting is not included and should be discouraged to maintain the authenticity of the content. However, strategic planning, messaging and bullet points are encouraged to entice the viewer and position the brand properly.
- Keyword analysis is included, but not competitive research and development, i.e. competitive research per client/per industry.
- Social media marketing is extra, unless the business is already a client of JSMM (See pricing options for social media marketing, viralizing video content, distribution and SEO.) *See below.
Professional: $1,200
- 6 videos: Each up to 30-seconds in length.
- May include logos, titles and simple edits to smooth out the video.
- No special effects, motion graphics, music or transitional edits such as wipes, etc. Vblogs do not require this type of editing.
- Camera includes HD Sony handycam specific for YouTube, but no professional lighting or sound.
- Scriptwriting is not included and should be discouraged to maintain the authenticity of the content. However, strategic planning, messaging and bullet points are encouraged to entice the viewer and position the brand properly.
- Keyword analysis is included, but not competitive research and development, i.e. competitive research per client/per industry.
- Social media marketing is extra, unless the business is already a client of JSMM (See pricing options for social media marketing, viralizing video content, distribution and SEO.) *See below.
Enterprise: $2,000
- 10 videos: Each up to 30-seconds in length.
- May include logos, titles and simple edits to smooth out the video.
- No special effects, motion graphics, music or transitional edits such as wipes, etc. Vblogs do not require this type of editing.
- Camera includes HD Sony handycam specific for YouTube, but no professional lighting or sound.
- Scriptwriting is not included and should be discouraged to maintain the authenticity of the content. However, strategic planning, messaging and bullet points are encouraged to entice the viewer and position the brand properly.
- Keyword analysis is included, but not competitive research and development, i.e. competitive research per client/per industry.
- Social media marketing is extra, unless the business is already a client of JSMM (See pricing options for social media marketing, viralizing video content, distribution and SEO.) *See below.
Custom: Available Upon Request
*Social Media Marketing Pricing:
Jennings Social Media Marketing (JSMM) is a full-service, social media marketing agency, providing boutique-style services for small to publicly traded companies. Viral Bolt Media (VBM), a sister company to JSMM, provides viral Web videos, social sharing and distribution services. VBM also offers tailor-made videos including promotional, campaign-style, subject-matter testimonials, whitepapers and informational. These Web videos, for YouTube and other social media marketing channels, are filmed with a professional HD camera, lights and audio kit and are edited with professional software. Scripting, production setup, video editing and some special effects are included in these types of videos. Pricing is available soon for Summer 2013. For a complete list of services, please contact Valerie Jennings at 913.424.3042 or valerie@viralboltmedia.com.
*Businesses that are not already a client of JSMM, may opt-into any of the following packages for video distribution. Companies that are clients of JSMM’s may also upgrade to some of the specific video marketing services, but many of these items may already be included in the monthly packages or prices. See Valerie Jennings for additional information.
Basic: $1,000
- Promote 3 videos.
- SEO descriptions per video.
- Distribution across social media and social networking sites including Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and blog(s).
- Upload each video on one video channel or two video channels, however, the channels must already be created.
- Video reporting may include SEO results, views, shares, comments, likes, tweets or e-News open-rates.
- Additional vendor costs such as Marketwired press releases are extra and may include additional copy editing costs.
- Additional video requests may be offered via another package. (See Valerie Jennings)
Professional: $1,500 + Marketwired
- Promote 6 videos.
- SEO descriptions per video.
- Distribution across social media and social networking sites including Marketwired, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and blog(s).
- Upload each video on one video channel or two video channels, however, the channels must already be created.
- Video reporting may include SEO results, views, shares, comments, likes, tweets or e-News open-rates.
- Additional vendor costs such as Marketwired press releases are extra and may include additional copy editing costs.
- Additional video requests may be offered via another package. (See Valerie Jennings)
Enterprise: $2,500 + Marketwired
- Promote 10 videos.
- SEO descriptions per video.
- Distribution across social media and social networking sites including Marketwired, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and blog(s).
- Upload each video on one video channel or two video channels, however, the channels must already be created.
- Video reporting may include SEO results, views, shares, comments, likes, tweets or e-News open-rates.
- Additional vendor costs such as Marketwired press releases are extra and may include additional copy editing costs.
- Additional video requests may be offered via another package. (See Valerie Jennings)
Custom: Available Upon Request
How to Promote YouTube Videos On Pinterest
By Valerie Jennings, CEO of JSMM and VBM
Research from TechCrunch suggests that Pinterest is one of the fastest growing social media platforms. An increasing number of businesses are utilizing Pinterest to drive traffic to their blogs and other media sources. In particular, the value of Pinterest for promoting YouTube video content is rapidly being realized. According to Mashable, there are several steps that users can take to make their video content more accessible via Pinterest.
Image from sociableblog
Thumbnail Images. As discussed by New Antics, the thumbnail image is a video’s primary selling point on an image based platform like Pinterest. For general YouTube channels, Pinterest gives you three images to choose from. Plan for this in your production by getting a good looking shot in the middle of your video that Pinterest can pull as a possible thumbnail. Also, note that Pinterest places a large play button over the center of thumbnail images. Keep this in mind so that key elements of your image are not covered or obscure.
Descriptive Video Pins and Pinboards. The way in which you organize pins and pinboards can have a big impact on their accessibility. In terms of integrating YouTube videos with your other content, it is better to place them on the same pinboard rather than separating pins by content type. Pinboards that include static images as well as related video content can be a powerful means for promoting brands and products. Organizing content by theme rather than medium also makes it easier for people to find your content.
Short Videos and Clear Content Descriptions. Keep in mind that Pinterest is meant to be used as a way to share content in a very quick and efficient fashion. For this reason pinning shorter videos works to greater effect than promoting lengthy videos on Pinterest. Also, Mashable cites a brief description of the video content as an important factor in generating views.
Encourage Interaction. Both Mashable and New Antics highlighted the importance of calling your audience to action. As Pinterest is a fairly new platform users are not accustomed to interacting with it. Including “Pin me” notifications in videos, including links to your Pinterest page, and placing “Pin it” buttons next to video players are all methods for prompting audience interaction. This type of promotion will increase the number of times your videos are shared and in turn help to generate more views.
Do you have your own strategies for promoting content on Pinterest? Feel free to share in the comments!
Thank you Gus Wagner of Mo.com for Interviewing Valerie Jennings, CEO of Jennings Social Media Marketing and Viral Bolt Media, for Her Business Success
Posted by Micah Pratt, president of JSMM
Mo.com, a business entrepreneur website, featuring top executives, professionals and companies, recently interviewed Valerie Jennings, CEO of JSMM and VBM. Here is the interview.
Valerie Jennings – Jennings Social Media Marketing
Gus: How have you managed to launch Viral Bolt Media by leveraging the experience and success of Jennings Social Media Marketing?
Valerie: I took the best assets of JSMM such as our trade secret monetization process for social media and incorporated it into the new company. I also added additional services, which JSMM was not offering via its trade secret process to add value to the YouTube videos, SEO video content and provide robust user-generated content (UGC) strategies. Additionally, JSMM had a lot of clients that required niche video content, which we were providing, but not in an exclusive model that enhances YouTube video distribution. Moreover, we are excited to test emerging distribution software that will enable clients to upload, distribute and SEO content across thousands of websites, social media channels, games and content platforms. Our biggest advantage is that we have a very secure position in the social media industry, we know how to monetize social media and we are not afraid to take calculated business risks. JSMM and VBM work hand-in-hand to achieve, successful, profitable business techniques for all types of industries, verticals or sizes ranging from startups to publicly traded companies.
Gus: What are your aspirations as a CEO of two companies? Can you share some of your strategies for balancing two demanding positions?
Valerie: It is an insurmountable task, however, I have prepared for this endeavor. I’m not afraid to assume more responsibility, size, clients and staff as long as my current team is ready for the challenge. Our team inside JSMM and VBM are both equally skilled in many areas, but their maturity to manage social media marketing is far superior that many groups out there today. We have many qualified and talented people working across the U.S. in both businesses.
Generally speaking, it is not unheard of for CEOs to have many businesses, however, it’s very difficult to understand the luxuries in life when one is overwhelmed with just work. My work/life balance is skewed more towards work, but in time it will all payoff for everyone involved, including our clients.
Gus: What are some tips for having an effective marketing campaign on You Tube?
Valerie: R&D: There is ample data, research trending topics, apps, SEO tools and even scoring techniques, to find the best and most qualitative research to design a strong creative strategy. Reviewing the right types of data can enhance the right tone, creative, messaging, branding and viral effects, but it can also take your audience to the next level, too. I think planning an aggressive strategy means solid SEO, creative and viral software to enhance the reach, virality, targeted advertising, organic search and maybe sales. If brands want to take advantage of YouTube, they need to know that branding is not just viral via creative tactics; it’s viral because you made it viral by design. Data drives all outcomes.
Gus: What are some emerging trends that you’re excited about or think that our readers should be paying attention to?
Valerie: YouTube is driving more and more sales opportunities and continues to be the best SEO resource for creating content. SEO will never go away but how and why the search engines function the way they do, continues to drive social media marketing. In the future, Google may just say: If you don’t know social, stay off the Web. That is where it’s heading today. All search engine optimization (SEO) and website traffic is being driven by social media engagement, i.e. social media optimization (SMO). Pinterest is also shaping up to be one of the most successful social networks to date. The site continues to demonstrate quality e-Commerce opportunities, website referral traffic and social engagement. If Foursquare could incorporate some of Pinterest’s advantages such as website referral traffic, it might become a better monetization resource down the road. Lastly, blogging is becoming more and more of a thing of the past, and everyone wants images, short messages and engagement. To make blogging work, more visual content and more exploration of what users want to read will become a high priority in the days ahead.
MO: Can you expand on how taking advantage of social media marketing can be one of the most effective ways to increase success of a business?
Valerie: By incorporating the use of social media marketing into an overall business plan, a company can expect to double or triple its user-base in months. If brands can think about their best creative assets, marketing materials and even content, they can build a network around low-hanging fruit that will meet the needs of quality content, engagement metrics and even robust campaigns that spin-off from the lessons learned early on it social media. It’s without a doubt that as more brands jump into social media, they will have a lot of big lessons ahead of them. Companies must think the way their customers, clients, vendors or stakeholders do and emerge themselves into their worlds before they begin talking about big picture social media strategies. Listening is typically how this is defined, however, listening only gets a business so far, if the brand is unfamiliar with SEO trends, analysis, influencer evaluations and even how to go to market fast. Companies that sit around thinking about how to build up huge internal teams are going to find themselves sitting on the sidelines while the more aggressive teams build up internal alliances across corporate communications, sales, marketing, digital and their customer service centers. If a business wants to get a head start into the social media world, think big, go small first and then get aggressive. This is how it works best when a company is just trying to get going.
Gus: What are some tips for brands who want to intrigue customers with new and exciting products via video?
Valerie: Build a content series that will pique the interest of their target audience, influencers and the media. R&D analysis reports will prove which types of content influencers, prospects, clients/customers and the press are interested in and how to combine this with a solid content strategy that supports the brand. The strategy is developing content that supports those points and intercepts somewhere in the middle to engage with a robust audience. Rich and smooth content will go viral. The proof is always in the pudding.
Viral Bolt Media, Sister Company to JSMM, Produces & Distributes Frank Ancona Honda Demolition YouTube Video
By Valerie Jennings, CEO of JSMM & VBM
Last month, Viral Bolt Media (VBM), our sister company to JSMM, created new video content for a YouTube series, featuring the $6 million construction remodel at Frank Ancona Honda. We are truly honored to have an amazing project and client to begin promoting our new company. We do have a few other video projects in development, however, this is our first available case study via VBM. If you have further questions, please contact me at valerie @ viralboltmedia. com.
Jason Heard, sales manager at Frank Ancona Honda, hosted the video during the live demolition of the dealership. We wrote the script; search engine optimized the copy, tags and categories; distributed the video across all social media channels, the e-newsletter and Marketwire’s special video embed wire service; pitched the story to key influencers; and provided a high level ROI report.
Here are some of the key ROI results –
- Marketwire Video Press Release Performance: 2,054 total pageviews
- e-Newsletter ROI: Approximately five times more link clicks than previous e-newsletters
- Video Press Release SEO: The release showed up on 24 Google page results
- Major News Sites Impressions: MarketWatch, 22.8 million monthly visits, and Reuters, 14.4 million monthly visits
- YouTube Views: Pending, but more than 322 in a few weeks
Tech Attorney Praises Valerie Jennings For Being a Cutting Edge Entrepreneur in Kansas City
Posted by: Katie Stumpf, Intern at JSMM
Greg Kratofil, attorney and shareholder at Polsinelli Shughart PC, praised Valerie Jennings, CEO and founder of Viral Bolt Media and Jennings Social Media Marketing. Kratofil is an advocate for tech startups and entrepreneurs in Kansas City. He is involved with numerous tech innovations, acquisitions, patent law and Google Fiber.
Kratofil said he is glad he had the opportunity to work with Valerie and team because they are very easy to work with and very results-oriented.
“Exciting things are going on in the Kansas City area,” said Kratofil. Not only is Kansas City one of the most entrepreneurial cities in America, but Forbes Magazine recently name Kansas City one of the best cities for female entrepreneurs.
“When I think about the future and what things like Google and Google Fiber are bringing to Kansas City, the first thing that comes to mind is that YouTube and videos are going to be such a big part of that,” said Kratofil. He is excited to see what new and cutting edge things Viral Bolt Media will do in the future. “I think VBM is going to be out in the front of what we are doing in Kansas City.”
Viral Bolt Media Launch Party Reviews Best Inspirational Speeches from Top Kansas City Entrepreneurs
By Allison McGown, producer of VBM
Oct 25, 2012 marked the official launch of the Viral Bolt Media (VBM) launch party. Several top Kansas City entrepreneurs and business leaders spoke on behalf of Valerie Jennings, CEO of Jennings Social Media Marketing & Viral Bolt Media. Here are some of the most amazing speeches delivered by Valerie Jennings, Butch Rigby, owner of Screenland Theatres; Greg Kratofil, attorney/shareholder at Polsinelli Shughart PC; Steve Roatch, CEO of Twentyseven Global; Greg Elliott, director of business development at 1102 GRAND; and Kurt Ruf, principal of Ruf Strategic Solutions.
Here is something you don’t hear everyday: According to Steve Roatch, CEO of Twentyseven Global, “I am not going to tell her the ROI. It’s positive, it’s large- she would raise my rates!”
The most memorable moment was reviewing all the amazing comments these thought-leaders had to say about Valerie as an entrepreneur and leader in social media.
Butch Rigby, owner of Screenland Theatres, summarized it best when he said; “She was way ahead of her time in terms of social media. The future is in social media! The social media aspect of public relations is still, and has always been, one of the most important parts of business. I was so impressed with this back then. My own business was indeed, probably more reliant on social media. I would say that my business, Screenland Theatres receives 95 percent of its business through social media. The idea now of taking that next step and being a leader with Viral Bolt Media makes sense to me. This is a new way of looking at, what would have been, television commercials. We are getting the picture out in so many avenues and coordinating the avenues. I am not only thrilled to know Valerie as a friend, but as a business associate,” said Rigby.
Jennings Social Media Marketing & Viral Bolt Media want to Thank Everyone Who Attended the Launch Party
By: Allison McGown, producer Viral Bolt Media
We want to thank our guests, clients and friends who attended the Viral Bolt Media Launch (VBM) Party 2012 on October 25 at OfficePort Kansas City. Valerie Jennings, CEO of VBM, was thrilled with the turnout and the amazing speeches that were given by clients, hosts and friends.
Speakers included-
Butch Rigby, owner of Screenland Theatres
Greg Kratofil, attorney/shareholder at Polsinelli Shughart PC
Greg Elliott, business development director at 1102 GRAND
Steve Roatch, CEO of Twentyseven Global
Kurt Ruf, principal of Ruf Strategic Solutions
Hosts included -
Greg Kratofil, attorney/shareholder at Polsinelli Shughart PC
Greg Elliott, business development director at 1102 GRAND
Kurt Ruf, principal of Ruf Strategic Solutions
I had the honor of planning the event and want to thank the caterer, Moxie, Sander Cha for filming the event and OfficePort for providing the venue. I also want to thank our beautiful modes, which artistically displayed the Venetian Carnival costumes.
Viral Bolt Media, a YouTube Video Production & Social-Sharing Company, Announces Launch Party at OfficePort
Posted by: Chelsea Lewis, social media marketing manager of Jennings Social Media Marketing
Viral Bolt Media (VBM), a YouTube video production and social-sharing company, is hosting a launch party at OfficePort on Thursday, October 25, 2012 from 6-7:30 p.m.
Valerie Jennings, CEO and founder, is excited to invite many prestigious businesses in the local area to celebrate the new company. ”We are so excited to announce Viral Bolt Media in Kansas City, and want to thank everyone who has already demonstrated their support, enthusiasm and signed contracts with our new business. VBM will be an extremely complementary company to Jennings Social Media Marketing, which I have owned for more than nine years. Please join us in celebrating this next endeavor,” said Jennings.
Hosts include Greg Kratofil, shareholder and attorney at Polsinelli Shughart; Greg Elliott, director of business development at 1102 GRAND; and Kurt Ruf, principal of Ruf Strategic Solutions.
To RSVP, call 816.221.1040 or send an email to info@jenningssocialmedia.com.
Viral Bolt Media, a YouTube Video Production & Social-Sharing Company, Launches in July
By Valerie Jennings, CEO of JSMM
I’m excited to announce my second company, Viral Bolt Media. We have been producing YouTube videos for years, but we needed a separate company to push new YouTube services. This company will drive YouTube videos for various channels, contests, SEO/SMO and even PR campaigns. We are thrilled to be able to launch another amazing brand before the end of the year.
Viral Bolt Media (VBM) is a YouTube video production and social-sharing company. The business serves as a catalyst for brands that want to intrigue customers with new and exciting products via videos. Services include video production, editing, contests, SEO, SMO, channel strategies and even robust public relations campaigns for YouTube. For additional details, please contact info@jenningssocialmedia.com or 816.221.1040.
YouTube Reaches Four Billion Daily Video Views
Posted by: Valerie Jennings, CEO of JSMM
The game has changed again for online videos and this time, it’s in the favor of video marketers. YouTube, the most popular video website, has seen a 25 percent increase in streaming video in just eight months.
What has changed? The huge increase is a result of Google (the owner of YouTube) pushing to roll out mobile versions of the site and versions that play directly on televisions. Consumers now have even more access to the video website and therefore can watch more hours of video everyday. The increase in tablet users and smartphone owners this past holiday season has also helped to boost these numbers even higher.
If you haven’t already planned to up your video marketing efforts this year, it’s time to reconsider. This article from Reuters explains just how much the video site has grown and the changes its implemented recently.
Exclusive: YouTube hits 4 billion daily video views
(Reuters) – YouTube, Google Inc’s video website, is streaming 4 billion online videos every day, a 25 percent increase in the past eight months, according to the company.
The jump in video views comes as Google pushes YouTube beyond the personal computer, with versions of the site that work on smartphones and televisions, and as the company steps up efforts to offer more professional-grade content on the site.
According to the company, roughly 60 hours of video is now uploaded to YouTube every minute, compared with the 48 hours of video uploaded per minute in May.
YouTube, which Google acquired for $1.65 billion in 2006, represents one of Google’s key opportunities to generate new sources of revenue outside its traditional Internet search advertising business.
Last week, Google said that its business running graphical “display” ads – many of which are integrated alongside YouTube videos – was generating $5 billion in revenue on an annualized run rate basis.
Still, most of the 4 billion videos that YouTube now streams worldwide every day do not make money. Three billion YouTube videos a week are monetized, according to the company.
YouTube recently redesigned its website to more prominently showcase specialized “channels” organized around different types of content. In October, YouTube announced that it had struck 100 original video programming deals with media partners including Madonna and Jay-Z. Thomson Reuters and YouTube recently announced a partnership to create a Reuters TV channel for the website.
How to Use QR Codes and SMS with Social Media Marketing Campaigns
Posted by: Micah Pratt, director of social networking R&D
Jennings Social Media Marketing (JSMM) has incorporated QR codes and text messaging into its services. The company’s official announcement was included in a new Web video, featuring Frank Ancona Honda, KickaNotch Mobile and CEO of JSMM Valerie Jennings.
Jennings said that with the increase of smartphone users and the recent estimate on engagement with those who are using social media and scanning QR codes, the company found it imperative to add mobile to its services. “With the success of leveraging monetization with QR codes and text messaging through offers and the promotions through our channels we are hoping for some amazing results and we are looking forward to seeing this new technology as it improves and the usage goes up,” said Jennings.
“Like” us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter at @valeriejennings to stay updated on what is going on at JSMM!
Kansas City’s Data Center & Internet Hub Increases Website Traffic With Social Media and Cuts 75% of Google Adwords Budget
Posted By: Jamie Sutera, VP of R&D
1102 GRAND, Kansas City’s data center and Internet hub, saw a 200-300 percent increase in its website and blog traffic, and cut 75 percent of its Google Adwords budget. The marketing ROI is part of an ongoing social media campaign with Jennings Social Media Marketing (www.jenningssocialmedia.com).
Darren Bonawitz, principal of 1102 GRAND, said that Jennings Social Media Marketing helped 1102 GRAND have a better perspective of online marketing strategies. “We were in need of marketing experts and that is exactly what we found in Jennings Social Media Marketing. We have worked with Jennings Social Media Marketing for approximately two years. In that time 1102 GRAND has had an increase in website traffic, saved 75 percent of the budget on the Google Adwords campaign, been requested for more interviews than we can handle and been able to realize significant quantifiable results through additional revenue,” said Bonawitz.
Bonawitz added that the focus on social media is extremely beneficial. “Jennings Social Media Marketing implemented many facets of social media marketing including Facebook, Twitter, e-newsletters, blog, case studies, organic search engine optimized press releases and Web videos. Social media is such a vital tool because it is constantly working. We have had so many great results, and it is hard to argue with results,” said Bonawitz.
1102 GRAND is a Midwestern carrier hotel and network neutral collocation facility specifically enhanced with the infrastructure to host and provide services to an array of global network operators including carriers, service providers and enterprise customers who demand highly secure and connected, customized solutions for their core networking equipment. 1102 GRAND offers a wide array of collocation options including cabinets, cage space, suites and space for private data centers, all of which are connected to a carrier neutral Meet Me Room, housing nearly 30 carriers and service providers including AT&T, Level 3, TeliaSonera, tw telecom, Zayo Enterprise Networks, and Hurricane Electric (http://1102grand.com/).
4 Social Media Marketing Predictions for 2011
Posted By: Jared Cook
2010, often referred to as “the year of social media,” has come and gone. As we move forward into 2011, we will continue to see social media evolve and grow.
Below is an article from Mashable.com, written by Tim Ferriss, providing his insight into-
4 Social Media Marketing Predictions for 2011
Ah, social media marketing. Fewer things are so lavishly spent on, yet so poorly measured. Here are a few predictions for 2011 related to where the smart money and dumb money will go. Special thanks to a number of high-volume retail experts for their insights, including Ryan Holiday, director of marketing at American Apparel. Read on for our predictions and let us know in the comments what you think social media marketing will look like in the year to come. 
1. YouTube Beats Yahoo — Video Will Convert
YouTube
is the second largest search engine in the English-speaking world. That’s right: YouTube is bigger than Yahoo. Zappos, as one example, added simple videos of people holding shoes and moving them around to its sales pages and increased conversion rate from 6% to 30%. When I look at the traffic sources for my book trailer on YouTube, the biggest referrer isn’t my own blog. It’s The Huffington Post. I customized the video and text content to a niche (but sizeable) outlet that didn’t exist two years ago: Huffington Post Books. With proper targeting and syndication, this 50 second video almost immediately propelled my book from an Amazon rank of approximately number 150 to 30, now stabilizing at number four in all books. We usedRankForest to track this sudden change.
2. The Full Resurrection of E-mail
Groupon has an e-mail list of at least 15 million strong in the U.S. (the company says it’s 30+ million if you include international), which goes to show that a true permission asset can be worth nearly $6 billion on the bidding table. E-mail addresses are a safer long-term investment than social media features. Think about all the money companies spent advertising their MySpace
pages in 2007. Even on Facebook, your direct messages to fans are relegated to a second tier inbox no one reads. This is something you don’t have to worry about happening in e-mail marketing. Among 20- to 35-year olds, at least, their physical addresses change more frequently than their e-mail addresses. The smarter marketers will budget “social media” acquisitions based on lifetime value (or a set duration, like 6 months’ retail purchases) of e-mail addresses. One major retailer did the math and learned that an e-mail subscriber is worth roughly $20 a year in annual online revenue. Knowing this number allowed the retailer to: 
- Calculate the value of the real estate it gives the e-mail signup box at the register in stores. It turns out to be one of the most lucrative converters in an already competitive area.
- Easily say “Yes” or “No” to requests to participate in contests/sweepstakes by judging return on new e-mails acquired.
- Calculate what the company can spend to build its list.
There are companies like Opt-Intelligence that can be paid a CPA (cost per action) for what are called “co-regs.” Co-reg example: If you’re signing up for an account at NYTimes.com, and it says “Get 4 issues of Golf Magazine FREE!” someone paid for that because they knew it will make money based on lifetime value. After the above-mentioned retailer quantified what an e-mail subscriber was worth, the company was able to double its subscriber base in less than eight months. The majority of that growth came not through spending money upfront, but from the redirection of already existing resources in ways that weren’t possible before calculating that number. Let’s say that added 500,000 e-mail addresses, each worth $20 in 2011; that means an additional $10 million in revenue with no significant capital outlay. Aaron Ray uses the same tactics for the “free agent bands” (major acts who’ve left a label) at The Collective. He figures out how many tickets you sell through your fan club, how many downloads come from your e-mail list, and how much traffic you can drive through Facebook and Twitter. It’s critical for two reasons: 1) For accurate revenue/sales/attendance predictions, and 2) As ROI metrics to justify investments for growth. This also allows loss-leader campaigns. Even if the math on a Groupon deal is razor thin, a smart retailer (online or offline) can acquire e-mails through a special form they set up and add an extra $20+ per transaction, per our hypothetical example. Many companies can afford to give product away for “free” if they have the right metrics. Most companies don’t, which leads us to number three.
How to Increase Your Search Engine Optimization With LinkedIn
Watch this entertaining video and see why so many people, including celebrities, professional athletes and billionaires like LinkedIn.
With more than 70 million members in 200 different countries, LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network.
Not only is LinkedIn great for building a professional network, but it is also recommended by social media professionals to increase search engine optimization, also known as SEO.
Here are a few tips to search engine optimize your LinkedIn profile. First, complete your profile with search engine optimized keywords. Second, customize the URL to your LinkedIn profile with your name or your company’s name. Third, be sure to include the maximum amount of allowed hyperlinks in your profile.
LinkedIn is one of the best sites to take advantage of to improve your SEO. Sign up for LinkedIn today, complete your free professional profile and watch your search engine rankings increase. To join LinkedIn, visit linkedin.com
This video brought to you by Jennings Social Media Marketing, a global company located in Kansas City, Missouri.
Jennings Social Media Marketing is a full service company that utilizes the art of online storytelling with the science of measuring quantifiable results. Jennings creates comprehensive social media marketing and Web advertising strategies from website design and development to viral videos. The company represents publicly traded to medium-sized businesses across the U.S. and overseas including technology, sports, sustainability, entertainment, travel, financial, health care and real estate.
10 Beautiful Social Media Infographics
Posted by: Micah Pratt
I would like to share an article from mashable.com, by Grace Smith, about 10 infographics that present social media tools in an appealing format.
10 Beautiful Social Media Infographics
This series is supported by Ben & Jerry’s Joe, Ben & Jerry’s new line-up of Fair Trade and frozen iced coffee drinks. Learn more about it here.
Infographics help communicate information in a digestible manner as they creatively present data in an understandable and engaging format. With social media growing at an ever increasing pace, there is now a wealth of data about how people interacting with one another on the web. Naturally, infographics have proven an excellent aid in expressing high volumes of social web information in a clear, visually appealing manner.
Here are 10 infographics that prove as beautiful as they are interesting.
1. Social Web Involvement
This is a global map of social web involvement which illustrates that hundreds of millions of web users are creating and sharing content every month. It provides a clear visualization of the ways in which social technologies are adopted differently across the world, showing the number of active bloggers, social networkers, video sharers, photo uploaders and microbloggers.
Interestingly, it reveals that despite the Twitter hype, microblogging is still not a mass social activity and is nowhere near the size and scale of blogging.
2. Social Marketing Compass
A compass is a device for orientating oneself and guiding physical direction. The social marketing compass points a brand in a physical and experimental direction, allowing them to connect with their customers, peers, and influencers, where those users already interact and seek guidance online.
Created to illustrate social marketing within the book Engage: The Complete Guide for Brands and Businesses to Build, Cultivate, and Measure Success in the New Web, this infographic was also available as a poster to celebrate the book’s pre-sale.
Nike’s “Write the Future” Ad Sets Viral Record [VIDEO]
Posted by: Micah Pratt
Here is an article from mashable.com about the “Write the Future” ad, which set the record for most views of a viral video.
Nike’s “Write the Future” Ad Sets Viral Record [VIDEO]
Nike’s three-minute “Write the Future” epic, starring soccer superstars Didier Drogba, Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo, set a new record for most views of a viral video ad in its debut week, according to web video analytics company Visible Measures.
It beat the previous record holder, another Nike ad called “Earl and Tiger” featuring golfer Tiger Woods after his heavily publicized return to the sport.
Ad agency Wieden+Kennedy produced the ad, which was directed by illustrious Mexican filmmaker Alejandro González Iñárritu, who is best known for the critically-acclaimed film Babel. Nike VP Trevor Edwards was quoted in Advertising Age saying the ad is “among the best we’ve ever done.”
“Write the Future”
![ad2 Nike’s “Write the Future” Ad Sets Viral Record [VIDEO]](http://www.jenningssocialmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/ad2.jpg "ad")
Valerie Jennings Featured on FoxBusiness.com
Valerie Jennings, CEO of Jennings Social Media Marketing, Releases Small Business Tips for Viveka von Rosen’s Social Media Interview.
Read the full article here
10 WordPress Plugins to Help Build Community
By: Valerie Jennings
The following article by Jessica Faye Carter highlights 10 WordPress Plugins that can help you build a stronger “community” for your own blog.
10 WordPress Plugins to Help Build Community
By: Jessica Faye Carter
The expression of community has changed considerably since the emergence of social media technologies, but its basic foundation — the notion of individuals exchanging information, ideas, and opinions — remains firmly intact. Today, one of the most widely-used tools in developing these types of exchanges online is WordPress, the popular blogging and publishing platform. Part of its appeal is the ease with which users can build advanced functionality into their sites with plugins. If you’re interested in building a community around your site, there are plenty of third-party add-ons that can help create one.
These 10 WordPress plugins add features that will help you to engage your user base. (Read more)
Manage Your Advertising is one of 10 WordPress plug-ins available.
Valerie Jennings 
Cassie Stubs
Katie Stumpf
