» twitter

El Gaucho Bellevue – leading the pack…

Blaine Millet — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 08:17:05 +0000

There is about to be a leading edge event tomorrow from 11:30am – 1:00pm – a “Taste and Tweet” event for El Gaucho Bellevue. This is the first of its kind we have seen where a very high end, well established restaurant is merging with the power of social media, Twitter to be exact.

They just opened their new Bellevue location in the City Center building where Microsoft is going to be occupying virtually all of the building. The restaurant is fabulously designed and very high class but not stuffy. Anyway, I digress. They are trying to introduce people to their new location and also their new luncheon menu. We suggested they use Social Media (what else?) to get the word out, have some fun and let people know they are there.

So we set up a “Taste and Tweet” event where about 35 people (mix of media personalities/writers and large twitter users) would be tasting some of their menu items (which can be found her at their Chef’s Blog) and then tweeting what they think to their followers. We don’t know how it will turn out but we know it has certainly created a lot of “buzz” in the media so far and will certainly be something others will want to copy – way to go El Gaucho, you’re the leader!!

My hat goes off to Chad Mackay and Kerri Lewis for being such forward thinkers to recognize you can take something that is such a powerful brand and mix it with the new revolution in communications, Social Media. They “Get It” for sure and will set the bar for others to copy. Regardless of how successful it is and how much press they get, the jumped in the water and will soon be the envy of many others – just watch.

You can follow the event on twitter by following El Gaucho Bellevue at @ElGauchoBell. You can also check out their awesome food items at El Gaucho Bellevue Food. Check it out – it is going to be a lot of fun and very entertaining.

Blaine

Bookmarks

Why bother with Social Media…

Blaine Millet — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 16:59:16 +0000

People everywhere are talking about the “buzz” of Social Media – in the darkest recesses of business. Twitter this, facebook that, blogs here, LinkedIn there – its everywhere. But with such mass awareness and potential adoption, there are two ugly words that raise their head – CONTROL and RISK.

However, I believe that with this new found freedom from Social Media, companies can “reach out and touch” people so much “faster, deeper and cheaper” than they ever could before while building “broader” and “stronger” relationships. At at the end of the day, isn’t that what we all want in business? As the “official tweeter” for Sharpie pens said (@SharpieSusan) said in a recent interview, “I think you’d have to be living in a cave to have missed the social media movement and the power it can wield over brands.”

Enter side stage, the “stalwarts” of traditional media and, of course, their “lock it down, don’t lose any control or assume any risk” – The Wall Street Journal. They recently published their “conduct rules” for such Social Media tools as twitter and facebook (among others). My question to them, “WHY BOTHER TO ENGAGE IN SOCIAL MEDIA?” There isn’t anything in these “conduct rules” that reinforces what Social Media is all about – engaging in a dialog with your audience in a personal, authentic and honest manner to share how you feel and what can help your audience.

My advice to the WSJ. Just keep doing what you’re doing and each morning when I back out of the driveway I won’t even realize I have run over the newspaper since it will be so thin it won’t even be a “bump” any longer.

Blaine

Bookmarks

In a “Transparent” world, “Recognition” is key

Blaine Millet — Mon, 18 May 2009 17:23:39 +0000

Regardless of whether you like it or not, we are definitely living in a “transparent” world today. There practically isn’t anything someone can’t find out about you – and with only a few clicks of the mouse. Amazing, absolutely amazing. The world wide web has turned into the world wide “diary” and “history book” of your life. If you doubt this is the case, just Google your name or do a simple search on such social media tools such as twitter, facebook and others.

One area Clay and I don’t see enough of yet is the desire to recognize the source of our information. Too often someone gives a quote or supplies information that “appears” to be something they created or found on their own. Generally, this is not the case. It is vital, critical, imperative that you recognize and give credit where credit is due when it comes to sharing information. The last thing you want to do is provide your audience with information that you found and not give the originator credit or “recognition” for this. This is both the right thing to do and your audience will give you kudos for being “transparent” with them.

The other positive is that this really helps with SEO (search engine optimization). Search engines love it when you “link out” to other sites from your blog. So do both yourself and the author a favor – give credit where credit is due and recognize others for what they have contributed. After all, the reason they are reading your post is because they like your “lens” on the world – not just because of the content.

Blaine

Bookmarks