Facebook and Social Media FUN for Marketing Locally to Worldwide

Q: How many experts does it take to make a FUN podcast about facebook (and other social media)?  A: Three apparently, but five makes it extra GRATE!  Business Incubator Center executive director Chris Reddin and Internet Development Specialist Mariah Zerbe talk with Adam of talkingDigital in two podcasts about everything from the basics of a branding strategy to being high touch in a high tech world and use the Ned Riarson character in the popular movie Ground Hog Day as a fun example of what NOT to do.    

Mariah, Chris, Rachael and Adam discussing Adam's eclectic collection of memorabilia.  His podcasts are equally intriguing as he conducts things with Adam-esque style making everyone comfortable.

Chris Reddin, as you will hear in the first podcast, always is thinking with her business strategy hat on -- who are you reaching, why, what's the message and I'm happy to say she is one of my business advisors.  My response about doing podcasts with them about marketing was that I wanted to provide other people in similar or different realms, locally or globally, with the information and a resource that's critical to helping us do at Lumigrate what we are working to do.  I've 'come home' in 2011 to focus half of my attention to local providers, many of whom also work with the Incubator.  We can do our best marketing if we all are on the same page, so this is essentially a training tool, compliments of Lumigrate, for them -- the examples Chris uses are related to alternative health care but the concepts are applicable to ANY business. 

I'm a baby boomer and am aware that many of the talented elders are working to transition into different ways of working, so wanted them to have the benefit of hearing my teachers, since Lumigrate's a nation-wide business and not everyone has the use of our Business Incubator 'grates'.  But there was just as much interest in attending a class if I had them 'live' instead, by younger people/providers related to  using facebook for their business, organization or cause.  

There are so many amazing people out there, incredible new technologies, and endless opportunities, we can benefit from learning how to work together on facebook to have things be synergistic.  (I learned it's called the 'referral cascade" from Mariah in part 2/episode 6, in my opinion well worth making 35 minutes of time with your ears and brain to listen).  

I also am proud to say that Lumigrate's format and successes are making providers more interested in learning and contributing as they feel comfortable here! Many are long-time providers who are needing to keep up/catch up related to this new 'go to' tool of facebook so they can continue to do their best outreach to find the people they can serve. I'm frequently looked to for advise about facebook as it's clearly a big part of Lumigrate's getting off the ground so well in our first two years, but I'm the first to admit I needed lots of help (still do sometimes) and so I brought you teachers and experts I know are awesome!  

So follow the links below and have a listen if you want and and see if it's of interest to you.  The first one is 20 minutes, the second is 36 and builds more 'how' upon the basic 'why' outlined in the first part. 

It's a pleasure to also say that Adam Cochran is instructor of emerging media at Colorado Mesa University, which is the first time I've said that because Colorado governor just yesterday signed the bill officially taking it from Mesa State College to a university! Much going right here in Grand Junction!  For more about the business incubator, which has a very interesting history and great website, look at www.gjincubator.com.  In my opinion they are a shining example of making a silver lining from a cloud of despair in a previous economic downturn and served over 700 businesses last year and might provide inspiration to other communities, organizations, businesses, or people in general.  I am grateful for your help and hope Lumigrate can do a small part in our local community's medical outreach with the podcast at the very least.  We made the podcasts global so they'll be of interest to anyone marketing via facebook. 

To me, our podcasts are like listening in on a conversation and Adam's the best at making conversations fun no matter what the topic. So far he's done podcasts for Lumigrate on everything from music and healing to supplements and hormones to adverse childhood experience/psychology.   

I'm providing the links for listening to them on your computer -- there are three separate podasts which come up on your computer without you having to do anything, OR the link to the iTunes store if you're into fancy gadgets like iPods.  (I don't have an iPod, I'm waiting for the iDinosaurPod to come out  -- technology and I are having an 'interesting dance' and I am just doing the bare minimum of 'optional' new learning lately).  

SO I hope that episode 5, part 1 related to facebook inspires people to see the value in doing facebook and to committing time to it.  I just listened to it and even though I was there for the recording session got new ideas or recommitted about what I do on facebook, Chris Reddin gives excellent analogies and is just as FUN as Adam is (as always)!  The link is:

Episode 005 (part 1) - http://talkingdigital.org/lumigrate/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Lumigrate-005-All-about-Facebook-pt-1.mp3

In part 2,  Mariah, who is the BICs facebook and website 'guru' answers Adam's questions related to more specifics about what kinds of pages and 'how to', with Chris continuing to add her perspectives. Want a 'vanity domain'? This'll tell you what it is and how to get it (it's easy).  She only 'geeked out' once but it was something I appreciated learning about FBML (facebook markup language), and they all discussed their opinions of what works and not for people on facebook, including the use of photos and video for business marketing. That link is:

Episode 006 (part 2) - http://talkingdigital.org/lumigrate/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Lumigrate-006-All-about-Facebook-pt-2.mp3

And 8 minutes of outtakes, bloopers, and hearing Adam's mother in law (who's not used to recording going on at this time/day) popping in looking for her daughter/Adam's wife.  WHY was his kitchen looking 'blown up'?  Who's the geekiest of them all that was cut out for the 2 podcasts we were doing?  Does Mardy Tweet?  I listened while I made lunch -- it was over before I was ready to eat... Eight minutes of fun, easy listening.... 

.... Episode 006.5 (outtakes) - http://talkingdigital.org/lumigrate/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Lumigrate-006-dot-5-the-bloopers.mp3

If you prefer to download and listen on a portable device, Lumigrate's place on iTunes is at this link andyou'll see a list of all our podcasts.  (To see our list of podcasts on Lumigrate, go to Forums and podcasts is the top one)

iTunes link - http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/lumigrate-integrative-medicine/id423144890?ign-mpt=uo%3D4 

LIVE AND LEARN! LEARN AND LIVE BETTER!! and please think of those who can learn about Lumigrate and let them know about us! ~~ Mardy

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AND THANKS TO RACHAEL GWEN, Multi-Media Specialist at the Business Incubator Center at this time from what is, as of yesterday, Western Mesa University, where Adam is instructor of Emerging Media at the "University" we used to call Mesa State College.  I truly appreciate her being with us to record a Lumigrate podcast and doing the creditable 'task' of being the photographer for this photo, and commend her on her ability to work in with a crowd and believe she'll have a wonderful future.    

Me, Mardy Ross wearing her Grate Groove-inspired peace flower shirt from Analii Cunningham's collection gifted to all members in February, Chris Reddin center, Mariah Zerbe on the right with Yenta's Peace Fleece bringing it's happy energy as it was May and Fibromyalgia Awareness Month!!  

Hope this is something GRATE to have in your portfolio, Rachael!! ~~ Mardy 

Last but NOT LEAST -- to Yenta for taking having the idea, the ambition and the LOVE to make the Peace Fleece and send it to me for the holidays in 2010 and suggest it be used for raising fibromyalgia awareness!  That it is doing and "we've only just begun".  (That inspired Analii about giving everyone at a Grate Groove meeting a tee shirt soon thereafter and the giving keeps going!). Our FM KNOWLEDGE Day of May 19 resulted in many wonderful conversations, writings, and learning which will be further developed the rest of the year.