Scott's Blog

If you've been following me on Twitter, you know I've been on a series of adventures, of which I tie together into a what I now call a larger journey. The more I communicated with people on Twitter, the more I began to realize, various people were getting different things out of my experiences, and tweets.

Ultimately, my primary objective in this journey was to dig into this phenomenon called Web 2.0, and learn how it works, to the best of my ability. As it relates to my business, I believe I have accomplished this goal, in several ways.

While I love Twitter, and have found much value in this platform, the time has come to go on a Tweeting hiatus, and begin to take what I have learned, and make it actionable for current clients, and future clients.

Much more to come.

Best,

Scott

I haven't blogged much lately.

This is because I've been focusing my writing on www.twitter.com, where I "regularly" microblog in 140 characters or less, per post.

Tonight I am blogging from ZuZu's Cafe, in downtown Seneca Falls, NY. This weekend, the "It's a Wonderful Life" event is taking place here in town, a tribute to the movie, and the belief that the town of Seneca Falls, "likely" inspired the 1946 American classic film. It's a Wonderful Life is now called "the #1 most inspirational film of all time" by the (AFI) American Film Institute's 100 Years, 100 Cheers.

How I arrived here tonight involves the culmination of a series of Twitter adventures that some might call synergy, and others might be so bold to call destiny, or even stubborn determination. Regardless of how I arrived (and you can retrace my steps on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ScottSays), I now have several stories, and adventures to passionately talk about, both for the present, and many years to come.

As of this blog post, I've "tweeted" (Twitter term for posts) 1213 updates, and many of them, in the last month alone. I've been actively tweeting away about many subjects, including, and not limited to:

1.) The internet revolution, and where it is likely going.
2.) Web 2.0, evolving into Web 3.0.
3.) The green movement.
4.) My 3700 mile, 10 city Twitter documentary.
5.) 21st Century marketing strategies.
6.) The state of modern journalism.
7.) Twitter, Twitter and more Twitter.
8.) The U.S. Auto Industry bailout. (see my Twitter posts in Detroit, MI)
9.) Generating a broad "grassroots" flyer campaign.
10.) Meeting with local Mayor's offices, and a visit to the NY State Capitol in Albany. NY to hand out flyers to Assembly and Senator offices.

Tonight, I write this blog humbled, honored, energized, ready to promote a wonderful town, but also, because of the coincidental timing, ready to once again "strongly" voice out in support of the U.S. Auto Industry "surviving" these tough times we all share. Tonight specifically, with regards to the collapse of the bailout bill last night, I am in line, ready for Twitter action.

Humbled and honored is how I feel about being here in Seneca Falls, NY, with the town's support to report this event on Twitter, which I've been actively doing in my own way, throughout the day and much of the last week and a half. Into this weekend, I will be Tweeting my thoughts and perspectives about the event, the town, and the movie, not to mention random tweeting about any adventures I might just stumble into.

Have found, the best way to let my experiences come alive through Twitter, is to not plan out what I will say (as much as possible), and let my voice and thoughts organically come out spontaneously, genuinely, and productively.

How ironic, the day after the U.S. Auto Industry bailout bill collapsed, threatening to send millions of Americans into unemployment, and bringing the U.S. economy to the brink of serious "catastrophe", I am here in Seneca Falls, NY, likely inspiration to the 1946 classic "It's a Wonderful Life".

In the movie, the town setting is called "Bedford Falls", and takes place just after World War 2, using great depression themes, notably the famous "bank run panic" scene. In the movie as you may know, Jimmy Stewart's character "George Bailey", teeters on the edge of desperation and suicide, and eventually rediscovers himself, his family, and finds his faith.

Honestly, once I click "post" on this blog, anything goes tonight and into this weekend on Twitter for a cause I believe in with all my heart, coupled with putting the best interests of the country I call home first.

What does all this have to do with marketing? Really, everything.. I'll explain another time.

In conclusion: Knowing I would be embarking on a weekend reporting adventure here in Bedford Falls (I mean, Seneca Falls), this morning I posted my microblog updates on Facebook, Linkedin and Myspace pages as saying:

"In the best of times, or the worst of times, just maybe, It is Wonderful Life".

Now I have a job to do.

Thank you for reading.

Scott

Change... Whether you voted or not, change is now coming.

I use the word "revolution" lightly, and save it for when it really makes practical sense. That said. Revolutions happen during times of real change, and there are now three revolutions building momentum, that will likely intersect, and converge, somehow, someway in the not to far off future. They are:

1.) A new American President
2.) Internet/Web 2.0
3.) The Eco-Green Era

The internet revolution is now being credibly hailed as the driving force as to why Barack Obama got elected. At the cornerstone of the movement is a marketing term called Web 2.0, which really means, a network platform where the user adds tangible value.

On the same week Obama was elected into office, former Vice President Al Gore ushered in HUGE credibility for Web 2.0, when the New York Times quoted Mr. Gore on 11/7/08 as saying, "Web 2.0 has to have a purpose".

Meanwhile, if you want to tap into the next level of the environmental discussion, please do a Linkedin answer search on "Thomas L. Friedman", the NY Times columnist who wrote "The World is Flat", and his latest bestseller "Hot, Flat, and Crowded".

Before the election (11 days before 11/10/08), Mr. Friedman asked the following question on Linkedin: "Will the financial crisis be the end of green, or could green be the way to end the economic crisis?" When I participated, and answered this question on 11/6/08, there were only 14 answers. A day later, there were 97 answers. Today (on 11/10/08), as a I write this, there are 416 answers. This is a great example of the power of Web 2.0 in motion, and how it opens up a national platform so anyone can contribute.

While no one knows how these revolutionary events will play out, I am determined to get ahead of the curve and discover how they could fall into place. Ultimately, this fulfills a personal passion, and a professional goal to maximize client business objectives in a new era, and the future growth of my company.

Dear Reader--

My name is Scott, and you are reading my "speaking direct to you as Scott" blog.

Combined, I operate three blogs on this website. The other two blogs are "Unplugged" and "In The Spotlight". In the lifespan of my company, I've used these blogs to showcase interviews (both celebrity and expert) perspectives or company insights.

While the "In The Spotlight" blog is more geared towards higher profile, traffic generating topics, I'll be emphasizing each of the blogs to kick up trendy, cutting-edge, or possibly controversial topics with the intent to get people talking.

Aside from the testimonial page, all the writing on this website is mine. My style of writing is rather spontaneous, and often times renegade. Especially when my instinct kicks in that I've got something of value to share. I've quickly identified that my blogs are getting the highest click rates for all pages of this website, so I've decided to focus on the blogging voice to provide information, perspectives and insights that can be helpful to anyone who finds this website of interest. Yes, not just clients, but anyone and everyone.

Upon founding the Ace Marketing Agency six months ago, part of my business plan was to utilize the rising power of the internet to take advantage of instantaneous communication, and internet presence while positioning the company to leverage into a challenging new world of business opportunity. Along this journey, I began to tap into the rising shift of internet marketing and it has profoundly impacted how I see the future. Internet marketing is a significant movement that is building rapid momentum, but not everyone yet understands.

Over the last six months, I've embarked on an intense crash course to really understand "internet marketing". Not only have I lived and breathed developing and fine tuning this website's message, but have discovered some early success, while dabbling in the emerging world of social media marketing.

Would say the first three months of operating the company involved much experimentation. Looking for what works, what doesn't, and trying new things. The last three months have been about building momentum, enhancing what works, and minimizing what isn't working. Such is business 101 in year 2008.

Ace Marketing Agency is a "free thinking", professional and innovative minded sales and marketing business services company, operating in what is clearly a brave new world. While there are many value adds my company offers, and you can read more about my services in the "about us" page, in a nutshell, the company excels in Business Development and Creative Marketing services.

At this time, I am evolving the company to provide two core contractual services:

A.) Client Driven Services.

B.) Marketing Advisor. (Note I did not use the word consultant). Let me just say, this is a reasonably inexpensive value driven relationship service that positions Ace Marketing Agency on a platform to quickly share and interact with progressive companies (both large or small). The objective is to provide valuable marketing ideas, perspectives and knowledge (not everyone has figured out yet) that companies can use to become more dynamic and flexible in an evolving 21st century business world.

Whether you are reading my website to learn more about my company, clicked on my website link from a social media site, or possibly you are a competitor checking out the landscape, I wish to explain the following, as a methodology on how I am engineering my everyday business communications and online profile:

ON SHARING: I am generally content to share much of what I know with others. Sometimes, even indirectly with competitors. It's not like I am going out of my way to pass out information, but living in a brave new business world, if I can help you out, maybe someday down the road you will remember me, and reciprocate. Or maybe not. And that's fine. There always comes a time when a price should be attached to this service. For this era, open sharing is part of my business model.

ON OPERATING A WEBSITE: If you are a business and do not have a website, I highly suggest you consider building one. If you have a website, but do not know how to market it, I suggest learning. A website can serve a myriad of purposes, whether as a storefront, or a dynamic information resource, or an interactive communication or conversational tool. For Ace Marketing Agency, this website was created to be a resource, and marketing tool. Now I will be evolving the website to become more compatible with the social media marketing revolution. I've reached my first website traffic goal, and now it's time to set a new goal. Stay tuned.

TWITTER: There is an emerging trend called "microblogging". I just learned of someone who calls it "microsharing", and I like this term. If you have MySpace or Facebook, you may take part in this trend when you update your status. If you click on the front page of my website, you can view a "widget" called "Twitstamp". In this box is my picture, and my latest "tweet" from a website phenomenon I am now on called "Twitter" at www.twitter.com. Here I share the forum with (as I write this) 3.1 million people who can write at anytime up to 140 characters that make a sentence or two, or three. Within this format is a powerful informational medium still untapped, which either you will get, or you will not. If you find this vehicle is good for your business, I wish you all the best. If you want to learn more about me, my views, my company strategies, links to interesting news and marketing ideas, and subtle (sometimes controversial) comments or observations on marketing, politics, news, economy or whatever, you can follow me on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/ScottSays. While I use this website to give readers a good window glimpse into the Ace Marketing Agency, Twitter is where you can discover my character, (some) beliefs and personality.

CORE BUSINESS STRATEGY: My overall, long term business strategy is pretty straight forward. No secret here, as I've developed my business approach based on several years of successful, high profile and intensive selling and marketing experience.

The Ace Marketing Agency strategic business development model goes something like this:

- Be on top of my game.
- Know the market.
- Know the players.
- Know the trends.
- Be unique, fresh and original.
- Build great connections.
- Provide consistent value.
- Generate results.

To conclude, if you are seeking a company who can execute a dazzling $30 million dollar mainstream marketing campaign, might want to keep surfing the web. Should you however be seeking a down to Earth, flexible and smart business development services company who will amaze and impress at just the right time, time and again, please research the Ace Marketing Agency, a bit closer.

Thanks for reading today.

Scott

I'm just a small town marketing guy living in a big city world, and my quaint little farm town doesn't move that fast. I am not much of a technical term writer, so will expand a bit in a basic language, and spare you the $5000 seminar with the emphasis on slick marketing materials, bright lights, compelling speakers, and exciting video presentations.

The traditional way of selling is not dead by any means, but outdated in many circles, and it has become a lot tougher for the 1980's/1990's sales persona to find success in many current era markets, as the internet, e-mail, technology and globalization has dramatically evolved and altered the playing field.

Sales 1.0 represents the sales rep, or sales style of yesteryear, while sales 2.0 represents the present day and speed of the internet era (think web 2.0), and immediate future.

Sales 2.0 is a catchy term, and for the purposes of this discussion, it is fair to state, if you are not taking full advantage of available internet networking (aka Web 2.0) technology, then any one's sales initiative is likely lacking it's full potential.

No need to state a top 20 list of sales 2.0 super secret Maxwell Smart gadgets, cause I really don't have one, so I'd say, the best way to take advantage of Sales 2.0 on a practical level (I believe), goes something like this:

1.) Use the internet to your full advantage. Know how to identify good to great websites, and blogs and bookmark them, and access them. There are only over 150 million websites out there, so good luck. Also, learn how best to market your own company website, through marketing literature, business cards, presentations, and in e-mail introductions.

2.) Know how to research quickly, and identify the key statements, profound messages or useful data in what you are seeking or have discovered.

3.) Become an e-mail etiquette expert, if you aren't now. Me thinks best not to rely on e-mail as main tool, but know how to write e-mails in a polite, effective and appealing way. If you can write a good to great e-mail, it can be referenced, appreciated and forwarded around an organization quickly. Unless the spam blocker is ridiculously sensitive, or you've blown your credibility with the recipient, e-mails are generally personal, and are often read (sooner or later).

4.) Using Web 2.0 technology, come up with creative, smart ways to provide new information, or new ways of looking at things. Information is EVERYWHERE and easily accessed by most everyone in the civilized business world. This is a MAJOR opportunity, and let me explain why. The reasoning here is, information overload combined with the busy lives we all have, leads to endless potential to enlighten and inform your target market or colleagues of something interesting and valuable. A caveat. You always want to make sure your information is credible. I am a complete news hound, and most of the time, I get my news quicker then most everyone I know. When I do stumble on an interesting story that can help enlighten those I work with, I am continually taken back that they didn't even know about the development, nor would they have if I hadn't let them in on it.

5.) Yes, have fun with social media networking, and learning the ropes, but I am thinking there is a place for moderation, experimentation, and going overboard. If you want to branch out and connect to every social media outlet have fun, but remember, you have to maintain your profile, it takes work, and not everyone has the time or interest to be involved in social networking. Yes, some of these social networks are appealing (and fun), but are they really best for your market channel? You decide.

6.) Most important. Stay relevant. I mean that respectfully, with a touch of sarcasm. In this world of technology, we all risk getting way to in sync with technology and straying away how the world evolves around us. Sure, maybe the world of technology changes quickly, but I wouldn't suggest jumping on every new emerging piece of technology or social media website to stay relevant. I finally invested in a blackberry this year (great move for me), and I've been using the Day Timer system for eight years, and have absolutely no desire to change to a computer gadget to prioritize and organize. Some of us still like to write things down on paper.

Sales 2.0 is here in a coined term that feels all technology sophisticated and important like, but selling whether 1.0, 2.0 or 7.0, is still about the human experience.