For the final project most people will be posting their PowerPoint presentations directly to their blog. This can be done by uploading your presentation to a slide hosting site like Slideshare or Scribd. (I like Scribd, but know that most of you will be using Slideshare.)

So I figure that you all will be able to manage uploading your presentation to either site.

Then what you want to look for is an embed code to share your presentation. In Slideshare, right at the top of your newly uploaded presentation is a button that says "embed" and once pressed, the code drops down.

If you're using Scribd, the method is the same and the embed button can be found on the right side. After your press it, a new, small window will appear with the embed code (you will want to use the second one, the HTML5 one).

Now that you have copied your embed code from one of the presentation hosting sites, you will paste it into your blog using the "edit HTML" box (upper right corner of your blog post compose box).

Then, once you click back on the compose tab (after pasting the code into your post under the "edit HTML" tab) then voila!
Your slide show should appear!

Before Alexa had even asked the class for a consult I have been interested in the Thrift Store's Social Media attempts. It's impressive that they have a Twitter account and a Facebook page which are both updated pretty frequently and that they try and match marketing efforts with themes and events on campus, they feature their news mentions, plus one day they tweeted out some music to get people excited for summer- those are all great moves. I had a couple of brainstorms for ideas I would suggest trying out:

1. Videos. Any events (ex: fashion show) at the Thrift Store should be filmed and put up on Youtube and shared via the other outlets. It's easy to find people on campus with a flip cam and people love videos and they're easy to share. Perhaps a video (or photo) of the amount of donations received at the end of the semesters, a little blurb about how wonderful it is that these things are being recycled and not thrown away, etc. Maybe creating a few fun commercials or fun videos would be a good way to promote the store as well. Let the staff brainstorm- they're bound to come up with a few fun ideas.

2. Geolocation. While it's still free for merchants to set up their backend on Foursquare it might be cool to encourage people to check-in. Or since Foursquare might not be right for the Clarkie market, encourage them to check in on Facebook places (it'll show up on their Facebook that they were shopping at the thrift store- a free testimonial to all their friends!) and even considering a deal for those who check-in.

3. Groupon? Well, not quite, because it wouldn't really make sense for the CCTS to appear on Groupon.. but the Thrift Store could create their own Groupon deal and just sell it at the Thrift Store... what?
So say for 48 hours the Thrift Store promotes that you can come into the store a buy $10 worth of store credit for $5 (like Groupon). People can come in, purchase a voucher that can be used for up to one year (and maybe they forget to use it actually- free money, which is how a lot of places make money with free coupons and things like that). If they don't forget, then it creates a little buzz, it's innovative, and it gets people into the store.

4. Music! I loved Alexas promotion with the "Summer Girls" music and college students love sharing and discovering new music. The Thrift Store could put out a weekly (or biweekly) list of 3 or 4 songs that are based on a seasonal theme or a campus theme. A good platform for this is something like http://8tracks.com/ (they're even working on an iPhone app). Then students can even suggest music that can be added to that weeks list. And maybe the name of that weeks playlist or the title of one of the songs could be a coupon code for a $1 or 2 off at the store.


5. Blog/interesting FB page content. The Thrift Store may want to build a blog into their site, or perhaps more pertinent is to simply focus on content for the FB page (which can also be linked to via Twitter).
*One thought I had was "dress like...[insert movie or tv show]" or "decorate like...[insert movie or tv show]" which is basically putting together a little clothing or housewares collection that show students how they can "Dress like you're in That 70s Show" (which would feature an outfit or two and some shoes/accessories from/like the 70s). A design blog that I like does something like this: http://www.designspongeonline.com/2011/04/living-in-the-secret-garden.html and I think it's a good fit for the Thrift Store.
*Keeping up with themes for sales I think is great (ex: all cocktail glasses 50% for Spree Day, Back to School- all bags and backpacks $2 off, Get ready for interviews 10% off professional wear/shoes... etc).
*"The best thing I bought at the Thrift Store.../I love my _______ that I bought at the Thrift Store."
*Share articles about recycling, thrifty living, etc.
*More photos! Photos should have been posted from "Just Do It Day" and put on the FB page and then people should have been tagged- that way the Thirft Store shows up on all those peoples' Facebooks.
(Videos and music that I mentioned, will also fill content slots).
Let your management team run with ideas, maybe make one manager in charge of content each week and rotate or give them each a day of the week.

6. Twitter searches. As more content starts going up, check-ins start occurring, and more Clarkies get Twitter accounts (it's quickly on the rise already), perhaps Twitter searches will be appropriate. And searches from Clarkies/clark community about shopping/clothing/moving can be responded to to either encourage donations or inviting shopping Clarkies to check out the thrift store before they go hit the mall for their retail therapy.

Gemvara, a jewelery company (website only, I think) based in Lexington, MA is looking for interns for a variety of positions! [graphic design, marketing, marketing analytics, business intelligence, photo, social media, software development] These are also, possibly paid! Check it out!

http://www.gemvara.com/Careers/pages/v/about/careers/#career31

For some time now I've been interested in how Clark admissions could intertwine some social media efforts into their new and improved admissions/touring process. I have never worked for Scarlet Key, so I don't know for sure if these idea would be best complement the tours process, but I think embracing social media to reach out to prospective students is a good thought. I know they are pretty active on Facebook (and doing a good job responding to posts), post a lot of Youtube videos, and even attempted to use Formspring, but I think some other things can be done.

1. Embrace Twitter. I know Clark has the @ClarkMatters Twitter account, but that focuses on general university news and announcements. Admissions should be using Twitter. Replying to any students who tweet about touring or visiting Clark or anyone announcing they just got accepted to Clark. Maybe even to promote their twitter and hear from touring students that could create a t-shirt for tour guides that on the front says "Follow me..." (since they're on a tour- that makes sense) and on the back, "...@clarkadmissions".

2. Foursquare/Gowalla/FB Places. Clark admissions should maybe consider creating their own badge for foursquare or gowalla that students (or parents!) who are touring can get when they check-in to Clark admissions. Or maybe if you check-in on Facebook places you get 10% off your Bistro purchase(or something)- because that Facebook check-in will show upon their Facebook for all their friends and family to see (and for them to like and comment on and google "Clark University").

3. Skype (VoIP) For those who are far away but applying to Clark, of course there's the virtual tour and pictures, but perhaps Clark should consider doing those interviews over Skype with those who can't travel all the way over for that 1 hour interview.

4. About.me pages for the tour guides/interviewers? Another thought I had was having the tour guides and the student interviewers making an About.Me page. They're short but can be personalized and can provide links (to twitter or blogs)/emails for prospective students to contact or feel like they can contact this person who they met while they were visiting Clark. It adds a more personal touch- then admissions can host a list with all the pages.

5. Should they consider a mobile app for admissions? I don't know if this would be worth it- but I do think it's worth considering. A mobile app that admissions can recommend visitors download prior to their visit that includes things like directions, parking help, food recommendations (which links to Yelp), a campus map (with location based abilities?), and events feature that lists all the student events going on on campus in case prospective students want to attend/check them out, a sections that features Youtube videos, take a picture with Freud prompt, a menu with what the caf is serving that day or what's on special at the bistro so the family can decide if they want to eat there, etc.
The easier and more fun it is to navigate one's way through a college/college tour the more comfortable the student is going to feel and the more positive thoughts will be associate with Clark.

Several other schools have gone forth with mobile applications that look pretty good! A lot of schools are even focusing on the mobile app for current students! This is important for making current students happy at the school so that they'll give money back in the future when they think back on fond memories :)

Vanderbilt
Stanford
Virginia Tech

Plus all of these things, would show that Clark is ahead of the curve and making it so easy for students to get in touch, or stay in touch with the University.

Brands of all sizes, but I think particularly the smaller ones, should keep in mind how conversations and word of mouth are changing and are changing the way people feel about brand loyalty.
When someone comes home, from the gym for example, and posts a Facebook status update or Tweets something like "Just had a great work out with my trainer @trainerbob!" Not only does "trainer bob" get some feedback from his client (because he was putting client experience first and made sure he/she enjoyed their session, but now this message is posted for so many to see. No longer is it just person A telling person B about their fab workout- now person A is telling anyone and everyone about it and a conversation can begin. If this were a Facebook post, now people can follow up with things like:
Person B: "I've been meaning to start working out again and was thinking a personal trainer might be the way."
Person A: "You should! I would totally recommend 'trainer bob' at Super Fitness!"
Person C: "I did a trial session with 'trainer bob' and really liked it too! It was just too expensive for me."
Trainer Bob: "@Person B, come have a free session with me this week, call me to set it up! @Person C come have another free session with me and we can try to work something out.
P.S. Thanks @Person A, you did great today!"

The same type of conversations start when people post about any experience they've had. Often people take pictures of their food or a location on their trip and people want to know about it and be recommended it if it was remarkable.
In this example, even Trainer Bob was able to insert himself into the conversation and (1)Contact a potential new client, (2)Attempt to fix a problem (the sessions were too expensive), and (3) Validate the person posting the original status and thank him/her for the mention.
People want to be validated, to be sympathized with and if your brand representative can do those things in response to people, people will feel a connection with the brand, they will recommend it, and will know if they have a problem they can get it fixed- worry free.

Besides providing free and inexpensive marketing for brands, social media also has been instrumental in changing the way consumers and companies experience customer service. I have briefly covered customer service in several of my presentations and in the Tweetdeck article, but it’s so important that I wanted to write about it a little more in depth and talk about some strategies companies can use.

While I know that not all companies have the staff to man a Twitter feed or keep up to date and respond to tweets and Facebook comments throughout the day, it is a great source of feedback, positive testimonials, and a second chance to redeem one’s brand with unhappy customers. Once you begin tweeting, using Facebook, formspring, foursquare, yelp, or whatever platforms you choose- you’ll be opening the door for comments, both good and bad. The best way to handle these is to interact with them, respond to them (good and bad) to show your customers that there is a human back there and that you are listening and willing to fix problems.
Firstly, choose the platforms that you can handle, then monitor them accordingly. Setting up Google Alerts is also a good way to monitor your brand mentions across the web and track down what people are talking, complaining, or praising about.

Then you should respond them, as timely as possible with a solution to the problem, with a reason for them to come back to your brand (a thank you, a coupon, etc.), or a friendly comment. Go out of your way to surprise loyal customers- the word of mouth will spread (and spread much faster nowadays). Keep in mind that free products, coupons, and great customer experiences will be tweeted, twit pic-ed, youtube, yelped… and so will the bad ones. So make sure your product or your service is remarkable and that customers are treated well and problems are fixed quickly. Brands now have the power to speak directly to customers, so why wouldn’t you?

Great customer service and experiences are their own free marketing.

Here is my in-class presentation from 3/23 on using social media to market yourself, to network, and brand yourself. I highly recommend creating a site for yourself, especially if you plan to go into social media, it's somewhat expected actually that you'll have something online to share with them. So as you move forward with that, I am happy to answer any questions or help walk you through any of the tools I've suggested.


Social Media for personal branding/networking