Automation Alley Social Media Bootcamp, Shauna Nicholson on Twitter from Shauna Nicholson on Vimeo.
Check out some of the Biznet Tweetup action:
We had a great turn out for the Biznet Tweetup.You can also check out the Biznet Tweetup Photos, thanks to Brian Ambrozy (@primesuspect).
Some of our attendees included: (more…)
I’m the type of person who values a great network–of people that is. My goal is to provide enough value to others that they don’t mind sharing their insight with me. I’ve been incredibly lucky to have a network who has taught me a ton and boosted me up. I encourage you to find your own network that does the same for you–and check out/join mine!
- @shannonpaul: Shannon Paul–She’s a PR rockstar, and (often) the second half of my brain. Shannon is always blogging great insight into public relations and social media, and posts links so I remember to visit.
- @charliecurve: Charlie Wollborg– If it isn’t hilarious insight to what’s going on in metro-Detroit, it’s remarkable branding and advertising advice pouring from his blog and tweets. (Yes, that sounds as cow-sexy as I meant it.)
- @drewie123: Alex Drewinak– Alex is Rebtel’s loudest voice in social media. Not only does he share my enthusisam for social media marketing in his blog, he continues to demonstrate how social media knows no boundries–he’s in Sweden.
- @jwphillips: John Phillips– He’s a young entrepreneur teamed up with a couple others to build websites. He’s the kind of guy you can complain to about a font type without getting laughed at.
- @kenburbary: Ken Burbary– Ken is one of those kind of guys you can always learn something from. His creative perspective and technical expertise is something I admire.
…and @mpiccinato wants to be on this list of rockstars; but I think that’s cheating (since he’s on the Biznet team)
I was lucky enough to interview Roxanne Darling of Barefeet Studios about the upcoming Podcamp Hawaii. Roxanne knows a ton about using social media to promote businesses; her podcast, Beach Walks with Rox, has helped encourage tourism to Hawaii, where she lives and works.
In this interview, Roxanne tells me about Podcamp Hawaii, podcasting, and how to keep up even when we can’t be there. I even asked her about women in social media!
Here are the links mentioned in the video. Make sure to check them out. Each has a lot to offer!
Roxanne Darling www.barefeetstudios.com www.beachwalks.tv
Podcamp Hawaii Sponsors:
Hawaii Convention Center (hawaiiconvention.com)
WiFi Vendor: Pacific Direct Connect (pdchawaii.com)
Projection Presentation Technology (projection.com)
Road Runner (roadrunner.com)
Christine Lu @christinelu http://thechinabusinessnetwork.com/
Eric Nakagawa icanhascheezburger.com
Beth Kanter @kanter
Social Media Club socialmediaworkshop.com
Shane Robinson @shane
Kyle Nishioka.com @madmarv
Judi Clark @judico
Biznet is leveraging social media and continuing to build relationships with our target markets. As a small business, Biznet operates primarily in the Southeast Michigan area. To leverage our market we talk share our expertise in a social setting, which has lead to a fantastic network.
In fact, we moderate a Detroit Tweetups Facebook group and have hosted a hugely successful tweetup; pictured is @nevrus and @kasey22b from the event! (If you’re not already following us on Twitter, feel free to follow some of our team members (@shaunabiznet, @stevebiznet, @kevinbiznet, @davebiznet, @benbiznet, & @mpiccinato).)
Other businesses are reaching out for our help doing the same. Whether it be geo-targeting, demographic targeting, or whatever the identified market, we’re creating strategies to help maximize time spent and ROI. After the strategies are complete (which usually takes a few days), we launch profiles and content to help introduce the client to their new markets. Then the fun starts with maintainance–conversations light up, media flies everywhere, connections are made!
Social media was being leveraged prior to our business application. Originally, I met a few rockstars through twitter (@terrybean @charliecurve and @tomcurve). We all met up for lunch at a skevie taco joint when the conversation turned to my skills. That conversation turned into an interview with the Biznet team and soon after, I started!
This slideshare video has been circulating the social media scene; this is ironic because many of us already using these tools are too familiar with it’s content. However, it provides some great stats and organizes a few thoughts.
If you made it through (or even if you didn’t), navigate your way back to slide 21. I’m among the few lucky enough to work for a web development company OBSESSED with great client ROI–and our clients are just as enthusiastic. This leads me to wonder “wtf” are the traditional television advertisers thinking… ANYWAY.
Creating value in your social networks starts with trust. Consider the infamous Comcast Twitter example: It began with one Comcast employee who began addressing customer complaints/issues as they’d gripe to their friends on Twitter (I’ve heard it’s since grown to a team of employees). These complaints/issues were ALREADY being talked about…and unaddressed, allowed to spread virally. Rather then the complaint resonating without resolution, the employee went above and beyond to solve problems–thereby incurring some great benefits:
- increased customer satisfaction
- resolved potentially viral negative press
- personal attention continues to reinforce consumer TRUST for the 2,239 users who follow the employee(s)
- News media picked up on their tactic and starting talking about it–FREE PR!
Cons? (They have to exist, right?) There is a time cost related to addressing these concerns (much like staffing a call center). Also, you have to understand social media: treating it like traditional avenues will TANK you. Stay tuned for a blog on how to use content to feed your social media conversations.
If you haven’t already, I invite you to subscribe to my RSS feed. It should keep you in the loop as to the things I get most excited about in online marketing.
The Detroit (Novi) Tweetup was more fun than I expected. It was great getting to know the people I’ve come to “know” (via their online presence). A lot of great conversations came from it. I even proclaimed myself Victoria’s Chief Evangelist after she officially quit her 9-5 today! (I’m trying to get her to move to the Metro Detroit area so if you’re looking for a graphic designer, look no further!)
@chrisbrogan convinced me to attend ITEC on Thursday morning and I’m pretty excited. I’ll update you when I get back.
Here’s a photo of the group near the end, though there were quite a few other people earlier. I had to include the photo for the visual lovers out there!

Photo by @damonhenry
Today included a blog launch and a stellar print document. I’ve applied web concepts to print media–a top 5 list–and it’s turning out pretty neat! I’ll follow up with some hints on how to incorporate the elements of the web into your print media soon
Quick update on the site: I’ve been promised a put together “draft” by tomorrow, so I should be launched by Friday. I can’t wait!
I’ve been doing a lot of networking via Twitter and I’m excited to be attending my very first Tweetup. Next Tuesday (May 20th), I will be attending ITEC along with a bunch of other tech media nerds. After the show, we’re meeting up at Buffalo Wild Wings in Novi, MI at 6pm.
I’m very excited to be able to start sharing some ideas. Victoria Pater is planning on attending, too! (I’m trying to convince her to move out this way from Lansing!) So far, I’ve seen RSVPs from people I can’t wait to meet!
Go ahead and leave a comment if you’re coming.
Where: 44375 W 12 Mile Rd, Novi, MI 48377 (Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar)
Date: 5/20/2008
Time: 6:00pm
Twitter is an incredibly basic concept that has captured a wide audience. It asks “What are you doing?” and provides 140 spaces for you to answer. 140 spaces–no more. Then it logs your entry with a time, date, and avatar next to your 240 closest followers. Simple right? That’s the point.
Twitter is successful because it requires people to get to the point with concision. Businesses need to keep this in mind when they advertise on the web. Do NOT over-complicate your products or services.
Some tips:
Keep media under 30 seconds
Keep content concise (test: If I were reading this to my 7 year old, would he still be listening?)
Organize content logically
On the note of concision… this is where I leave you. Comment if you’re interested in more information on making your content web traffic worthy.
Meet Shauna Nicholson

Working exclusively in online business strategy, Shauna Nicholson is a Detroit-based secret weapon for positioning well-known clients to effectively secure digital ROI.
Nicholson’s strategies are used in both websites and online marketing campaigns for major retail, medical, and manufacturing brands. She is known for her insight on plugging in user experience planning and social media tools for hype-free, reality-based business and marketing strategies.
Shauna enjoys generic things that everyone else loves, such as spending time with her incredible, loving family and on warm, sunny beaches. But would rather you know her dog is pretty awesome, of her obsession with slurpees, and aversion to working while wearing shoes.
Contact Shauna
Need additional information? Interested in working together? Just want to say hi? Ping me here or email hello@shaunanicholson.com.
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