Two great things about this app. First, it’s super simple. All you need to know how to do is:

Great things on the horizon thanks to Near-Field Communications (NFC). Check out how SITA & Orange have developed new check-in solutions to clearly trump anything else available. Cool fact: NFC works even when you phone is off.

Be sure to catch my complete overview of NFC in the next issue of the  

Be sure to catch my complete overview of NFC in the next issue of the DrivingSales Innovation Guide.

HT to Paul Hamilton for the video!

Five key things to watch this year as the trends continue. Three segments of opportunity for tremendous “mass influence” jump out to me:

Wonderful information provided regarding how (& why) businesses are using various apps, platforms and devices. I’m surprised one of the answers to the question “Why enterprises are adopting mobility” isn’t “To connect with customers” (Or at the very least – “To create a better user experience”)  Click image to enlarge.

We all understand consumers are active on their mobile phones. Very active. Now it’s time to pay attention to their usage and make these experiences even better.

Click image to enlarge

Everyone thinks they have the magic bullet when they deploy their QR code solution. The problem is, I have yet to hear someone else tell me about an amazing experience they had with a QR code. I haven’t heard about how the QR code truly helped them.

So how are these [...]]]>

Everyone thinks they have the magic bullet when they deploy their QR code solution. The problem is, I have yet to hear someone else tell me about an amazing experience they had with a QR code. I haven’t heard about how the QR code truly helped them.

So how are these QR codes making things better? If we’re going to use an otherwise clunky tool such as a QR code, why not do something memorable enough that will make the user tell anyone who ever mentions that brand? Or just mentions the words “QR Codes?”

Here’s the story I’ve told when someone tells me about their new QR code solution. If the end result of your code experiment doesn’t come close to this, I’d try again. (If it’s not helpful, is it at least memorable?)

While taking the Zappos Corporate tour a couple of months ago, I saw a single QR code taped to the wall. Below the image it simply said “Scan me for a secret message.” Who isn’t going to scan this? Curiosity got the best of me and I scanned it.

By the time I scanned it, the six others in my group had already moved on. My secret message: “Ask the closest employee for the chicken head photo opp!” Upon asking, the helpful employee turned around, cupped her mouth and shouted “Chicken Heads!”

Four other employees quickly ducked under their desk and emerged wearing chicken head masks. Boom, photo shot, Zappos memory created and the experience shared online. Best word of mouth creation I’ve seen in a long time.

Well done Zappos.

What other QR codes have you seen that made you want to tell someone about it?

Whether you’ve already created a Google Plus Business page for your business or plan on doing so eventually, here’s two simple things you can do to help make sure it stands out. One is for esthetics, the other for search.

G+ Business pages allow for a profile image and five window panes to display [...]]]>

Whether you’ve already created a Google Plus Business page for your business or plan on doing so eventually, here’s two simple things you can do to help make sure it stands out. One is for esthetics, the other for search.

G+ Business pages allow for a profile image and five window panes to display images from your scrapbook. Why not dress it up a bit? Here’s an example of what I did with the page for our Auction Direct Jacksonville store.

Use this tool to create custom profile images with G+ banners, logos and landscape shots for the window panes: Make Google Plus Banners

Once your page is set up, be sure to add a link to your site in the about page. You’ll need a link on your G+ page pointing to your website and then from your website back to your G+ page to complete the loop required to have your page indexed properly and included within Google Direct Connect. (G+ Pages don’t have custom URL’s)

You’ll also need to confirm ownership of your G+ page by adding a short snippet of code to your website. Just as Google created the new “author” attribute for individual G+ pages, they also created the “publisher” attribute for these pages.

Get the proper attribute information and the G+ badge code snippet here: Google Webmaster Tools – Google+ Pages

I hear a lot of people wish they had set up their other social properties much earlier. (Facebook, twitter, LinkedIn) – here’s your chance to plant a few seeds early.

Be sure to add us to your circles as well!

Enjoy.

One of the things I love to do is find the newest ways for people to connect with Auction Direct online. Here’s two ways that will become increasingly popular.

Everyone on the Internet is looking for Information. What’s the best information we can find? Information from trusted sources such as [...]]]>  

One of the things I love to do is find the newest ways for people to connect with Auction Direct online. Here’s two ways that will become increasingly popular.

Everyone on the Internet is looking for Information. What’s the best information we can find? Information from trusted sources such as our family, friends and co-workers. When our friends tell us about a restaurant, a clothing store or even an accountant, we listen to those recommendations because we trust the review. Word of mouth marketing is one of the most effective methods for any business to increase sales; Facebook and Google have introduced two of the most revolutionary online word of mouth marketing tools. Combine these organic tools with new Facebook marketing optimization tools such as KeyBrokerSocial and you’ll start reaching more people at various stages of the buying cycle – for any product and service.

Facebook understands one simple fact: People love to share the stuff happening in their life. Now, they’re making it even easier to for people to share life events – social consciousness. Items such as getting engaged, getting a new pet or even a new home will be shared even easier within Facebook’s new profile features. The ability for customers to update their status with “Bought a Car” can help us tremendously. Knowing the average Facebook user has 125 friends, having our customers share their new car purchases online will help increase exposure – and build trust. Click image to enlarge

Google also understands the principle behind the value of a trusted connection’s recommendation. Their new social search feature, called “Google Plus”, lets you show a form of visual word of mouth by clicking on the +1 buttons next to the search results. (You need to be logged into Google to use this feature) Click image to enlarge


When the people within your Gmail address book search for things online, they’ll see the items you have +’d and vice-versa. Notice the thumbnail images below the listings when I search for Auction Direct in Google; I can see who else +’d the result. Social validation, trust and influence will become more important to online shoppers as your connections begin to visually endorse their Facebook activities and the content they find within Google’s search results.

Are you using either of these yet?

Location based services continues it’s momentum as it finds a home within digital marketing strategies. Marketers continue to see the value of consumer usage by identifying specific intent. As consumer usage increases, so does the opportunity to market to them effectively. Click image to enlarge. 

This is one of the best mainstream uses of augmented reality by a major brand. Kudos to Starbucks for making it fun, interactive and simple.

(The app hasn’t been released yet, will try to update asap)