According to Mashable, Facebook users around the U.S. are experiencing error messages when they update their status. Mashable reports the errors appear to be worldwide having tested with many different IP addresses. 

Have you been receiving error messages from Facebook? Sound off in the comments.

Jerry Sipple or as she was known to thousands that grew up in and around Latonia Baptist Church in Latonia, KY - Miss Jerry. Miss Jerry and her sister Miss Jeannie were the Kindergarten teachers at Latonia Baptist for over 30 years. During that time they taught by brother who was born in 1956 and my youngest nephew, born in 1987.

In that time Jerry and Jeannie touched the lives of many children, of which I am lucky to be a part.

One recurring theme of our relationship was the way her face would light up when she saw me, as if I was the only student she ever had - she would make you feel so incredibly special. In so doing, you were encouraged beyond anything else I had ever experienced. Bear in mind, I didn't see Miss Jerry every month or even every year, but no matter how much I changed, she always knew me and seemed as though I was recently on her mind.

When my sister went to an enrollment meeting in 1994, Miss Jerry informed the room, "we know that today people say adults shouldn't hug and kiss on children. Well, I want you to know that we are going to hug and kiss on your kids if their here." Boy did they! Always affectionate. Most greetings included Miss Jerry grasping my face in her hands to give me a kiss. 

One of the things that I'm certain she told every "boy" was, "You're still so handsome!" As she got older her eyesight began to dim. She could see shapes, but no detail any longer. During a recent visit with her I asked her about it. She said, "I can see you're there, but not much else." I assured her I was as handsome as ever. Her hearty laughter ended with, "oh David." 

Yesterday I got the news that Miss Jerry had died. It's brings tears as I write. This woman made such an investment in my life. I was only six years old, but my memories of being in their kindergarten class still remain as some of my most fond. Why would that be? I believe it's because she always focused on loving whomever she was with at the moment. She was my hero for that reason, among others. 

Miss Jerry you were a wonderful inspiration to many, thank you. 

A simple picture, stir in a question and "BOOM" you have instant virality. 

Like most marketers, I'm sure that Maria Kang didn't "intend" to create a viral post when she posted this picture of she and her children, but she sure did. 

She struck quite a nerve too. Over 759 shares, several hundred comments and over 2,500 LIKES. The comments range from "Where are your stretch marks b*t**!" to "wtg!" (Way to go)  So why does one thing go viral and another doesn't? Can we "produce" virality? I really don't think so, but Maria's challenge has many of the DNA markers of a viral post. 

1. An engaging image - regardless of how you feel about the image, it's message or the response it's received, by most standards she's an attractive woman (not dressed provocatively, thank you Maria), the kids are cute...there is much about this image that's appealing
2. It challenges your emotions - regardless of whether you were pissed at the audacious nature of her challenge or fired-up ready for a work out; your emotions were likely engaged.
3. It engages your curiosity - Let's face it, we are voyeuristic by nature. It's what keeps us glued to the train wreck. That's sort of what happens in this case. We will LIKE the page, COMMENT on a post, just so we can FOLLOW the adventure of someone else. 

The greatest take away in this is Maria had an opinion, she had a passionate opinion that galvanizes those around her. You can be "fer 'er" or "agin 'er" (for my friends from the NE - that would be FOR or AGAINST her) but she rouses the emotions and that what brings out comments; comments begat other comments which begat LIKES which begats SHARES!

So have an opinion. You don't have to stir things up on purpose, just share your passions and allow people to congregate around and cheer/jeer you! What do you think, should we have opinions in business?

You've probably wished people would just break it down for you quickly, after all, ain't nobody got time for that. Social media branding and marketing takes time, but where to begin and what to do?

music think tank has written a great overview that you can use to get your company started in the right direction. (Continue Reading)

Today's consumer has shut out traditional marketing. They have DVRs so they don't have to view commercials, apps and browser preferences that keep pop-ups and banners to a minimum. They are so over saturated getting their attention is more and more difficult.

So what next?
So where do you turn? Many voices, like Jay Baer, author of Youtility, say it is far easier to be useful than it is amazing and we agree.


Content marketing is that very thing; 

Like most everything else in marketing, there are some basics to content marketing as well. 

1. Have a plan
   Seems like that's a blinding flash of the obvious but we've all seen the social posts or tweets that bring literally no value to the audience. This is like the case of a company knowing they need to be involved yet unwilling to invest time or resources. 
   
   Simple things such as who are you as a company, what are you wanting to accomplish, what is your USP (unique selling proposition), who is your audience? Those are just a few of the questions that will lead you to begin to develop a content strategy.
2. Serve the audience
   In 2009, Marcus Sheridan of River Pools,  turned his failing pool business around with content marketing by simply answering "every question we've ever been asked and publishing them on a blog." If you want to get a sense of their commitment to this strategy of providing their audience with information they can use consider this; River Pools have 923 pages indexed in Google. There is little a consumer could want to know about pools and spas they won't find at www.riverpoolsandspas.com.
3. Engage the audience
   You don't simply want information consumers you want your audience to engage. Through downloadable content, calls to action and video you want to encourage your audience to take as much as they want. Do be afraid to give away your knowledge. Knowledge is only of value with the skill to execute. You will have some in your audience that can run with what you're giving them, you'll have more that can't. When they can't, who will they call, the company that has helped them with great content or one that has not?

Do you have any examples of great content marketing? We'd love to hear your comment

More and more the ages old idea of "Top of Mind Awareness" is quickly being supplanted by the idea of "Friend of Mine" awareness. In years past companies did everything they could to make sure that when the need arose, they were the supplier or provider the customer thought of first. Now, social media is turning it over to your friends to do it for them. 

Why is this happening? Well, there are at least 3 reasons:

1. Nothing is ever purchased without emotion
This has been true since the first transaction took place. We buy with emotion, we explain the reason with logic. That is not to say NO logic is used in the purchase, it's simply not dominate in the process.

2. We all seek affirmation
It's just part of the human psyche...I want you to approve of the way I think. You do the same thing. strategy varies, but we are all affirmation-seeking missiles. Therefore, if I recommend someone and you agree, you have affirmed me! (Thank you)

3. Social media is an outlet for both
It's a perfect storm of people seeking affirmation and espousing or emoting about their own decision or recommended choice.

If you click on the image to the left, you'll see a post about Stink Bugs being everywhere in Cincinnati. Simple enough. Innocuous enough, right?

As you move through the thread you see more banter on the subject, but then suddenly a "affirmation-seeking missile" rains down on the thread. "Call my guy," is essentially the post and within seconds, affirmation is provided. The thread went from the commercially unimportant to a full blown endorsement; which will be seen by each listed in the thread AND their entire networks possibly.

What are your thoughts? Share your ideas as to why social media is so effective promoting "friend of mine" awareness.