1. I spread your idea because it makes me feel generous.
2. …because there’s a financial benefit directly to me (Amazon affiliates, mlm).
3. …because it’s funny and laughing alone is no fun.
4. …because I can use the idea to introduce people to one another, and making a match is both fun in the short run and community-building.
5. …because your service works better if all my friends use it (email, Facebook).

Like them? There are more down on his blog

Robert Scoble, blogger and entrepreneur, discusses his thoughts on how ideas spread. The public session was part of the Stanford GSB marketing course, the Power of Social Technology (Dr. Jennifer Aaker). A panel of experts, including Robert Scoble, MC Hammer, and Loic LeMeur, discussed how social media can build successful brands.

It looks like the iPad launch actually went better than iPad planned, it looks like supplies are tight because they underestimated the US demand. The thing about a new product is that you can hardly turn the outdoor lighting on it and see how brightly it will shine. Things have to be kept under wraps while the product is being developed. When Apple announced the iPad, it was already being produced and the amounts to make would already have been agreed.

Still, they can always make more huh?

I’ve never really seen one of these, but I’m curious to think what a real smoker thinks of them. Are the adequate in times of need, or are they just a fad?

There’s a lot in the news today about the profit that energy companies are making. Now, while it’s fine for companies to make profit, the man in the street takes a dim view of companies that make exorbitant profit and his expense. And this is just how this energy profit is seen. Wholesale prices have dropped, while retail prices have stayed pretty much level and consumers are feeling cheated by what has happened.

Perception is a very strong thing, and just like you need to do employee screening before you hire someone new, it’s always worth keeping an eye on public perception. your PR team should know all about this, so I’m surprised these big companies have been caught out like this.

Here’s an interesting promotion that’s being run by an American Tax filing company called E-smart tax. They have a product that lets people file their tax returns online walking you through all the steps that are needed, collecting your information and preparing all the forms you need to submit. They have a number of different offerings ranging from Basic service which is free, all the way to a Signature service that includes tax advice and actual time from a Tax Professional. As I said, the Basic service lets you file for free, but they’re introducing a promotion to make the Deluxe offering available for some people.

So, how do you know if you’re eligible for the free Deluxe service? All you have to do is answer one question “Is your last name Johnson?”. Yup, they’re making the product available for free to anyone who’s last name is Johnson, which is apparently the 2nd most common name in the USA, with more than 2 million people fitting into this bracket. It’s an interesting spin that will definitely get people talking .. especially if their surname is Johnson; and it’s one way to introduce your product to a cross-section of the population spread all around the country. So, now that you know that Johnsons file free, the question I have for you is: Are you a Johnson?

Have you ever considered that your clients may get the wrong idea of what your business is all about? Perception is pretty important and the impression that clients get of you can be tantamount to getting new business. Whether you’re talking about your store front, or even something as simple as your office supplies, all aspects that your clients meet should have a consistent image that reinforces your brand.

Can you think of any good examples of this?

It was interesting to see how different personality traits will affect behaviour. Obviously, these are all intrinsic factors, but there are others that also take their toll. The interesting thing is how you can apply these ideas to marketing. Say you’re trying to sell the best acne treatment around. You can appeal to different people based on their behaviour and what they’re looking for. You may consider it all psycho-babble, but if it can help you market your product better, it’s worth taking a look.

• CocaCola
• IBM
• Microsoft
• GE
• Nokia
• McDonalds
• Google
• Toyota
• Intel
• Disney

It’s interesting to see just how many technology firms there are in the list. You’re probably not going to find mundane items like companies selling FMCGs or fat burner in the list; the companies that make it have to be on everyone’s lips; so it’s a pretty prestigious list.

The truth is, Social Media channels are really just one of a number of channels that exist today. They need to form part of your marketing plan, and not replace any previous campaigns you had without due consideration and careful thought. Look at where your audience is heading and that will give you an indication of to where you need to go. Social Media is becoming the place to be for many companies .. but not all of them. Which one are you>