New Media (R)evolution – A Look Back
Published August 23, 2011 | 
Looking back in history, it seems the dinosaurs had it easy because they were able to dominate the landscape for more than 100 million years, and at a time when any evolution occurred gradually. Fast forward to now and any change today comes many times quicker. It seems like yesterday we were mailing press releases to our good friend the journalist at the local newspaper, the next year we were faxing on thermal paper and now, well now things have certainly changed, and at a pace that is hyper.
Contrasting asteroids colliding with earth millions of years ago, causing the dinosaurs to become extinct, the arrival of social media and web technology and the incredible volume of information that’s readily available merely changes the marketing landscape forever, rather than wiping communication professionals, or their relevance completely out of the marketing picture.
A very recent study of the 2010 Inc. 500 (a list of the fastest-growing private U.S. companies compiled annually by Inc. magazine) found some very important trends including approximately 83% of these companies use at least one social media channel. Even more, 50% of them have corporate blogs and 56% believe social media is “very important” component to their business and marketing strategies going forward. In addition to a strategically planned outreach to customers and prospects, the same search engines and social networking sites are also being used to not only recruit employees, but to connect and develop stronger relationships with vendors and partners.
There’s really no refuting that the immediate past, present and future marketing strategies, important public relations, crucial investor relations and all aspects and critical components of communication have changed forever. And will continue to change.
Interestingly, major news outlets are still trusted sources of news and information for some market segments or niches, which means media relations still plays a big role in reach and distribution, but the real questions are for how long, and which demographics? Even on Twitter, Facebook and other social sites, audiences still reference traditional publications like The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (especially their digital editions) when they want to pass along interesting stories, facts and articles.
The proverbial writing is on the wall for all to see, that the same major news outlets can only maintain high-value by the consumer with content that is fresh, current and even real-time in many cases, a daunting task for traditional print, television and radio media that isn’t evolving and adapting at the same rapidly increasing rate of technological change in the market.
The Zen of Success – Thanks
Published July 5, 2010 | One direct result of the Social Media Revolution’s facilitation of direct engagement with consumers has been the emerging recognition of the 
importance of “customer experience,” as the major component of customer service that directly impacts continued business existence in today’s market, and beyond.
As it continues to become more evident that in order to be successful in the market of today and the distant future, the emergent importance and increased value of the “consumer experience economy” has been established as the norm, and brands that fail to recognize and quickly adjust will find themselves on the outside looking in, and on the path to failure as a business.
Let’s face it, until recently no one ever expected the CEO of Pepsi to knock on their door or call on their birthday, or carry on conversations with followers on Twitter like the CEO’s of many large companies are doing on a regular basis. 
It wasn’t feasible or cost effective until recently, as the cost of real-time interaction has plummeted, with the introduction of free tools that make it possible to text “Thank you” (thnx) on the run between meetings from a cell phone, or hangout on a video streaming platform (Ustream) answering questions on consumer issues, or send an @reply on Twitter, and all for next to nothing in cost.
In this world of virtual markets, content creation and marketing has become imperative, essential, must do, an integral part of the initial consumer engagement, and when you are transparent and engaging right from the very beginning, you have the “consumer experience economy.” You can give away information for free including online videos, keynotes and content similar to books you might have written, if not excerpts and chapters from the very books themselves, and understand that monetizing the scenario is not as difficult as most might
think, since people in return have a way of purchasing additional books to the one they might have traditionally bought, sometimes a half dozen more, as the consumers see more value in you and what you have to offer, as a result of the awesome content you freely provide.
Every CEO and Entrepreneur in business must recognize that customer service and experience is now the primary focus of their business, and what was previously unreasonable and cost prohibitive, is now essential to the very life and success of the business, and the very empowerment of the individual consumer affects every current and future brand in the world.
Understanding Your Market Connections and Relationships
Published May 24, 2010 | The Social Media (R)evolution has created an unprecedented level of engagement between consumers and business, and shifted how customer service experiences is viewed by all parties directly involved in shaping the experience.
I think it is safe to say that consumer connections and relationship building is quickly becoming the norm in 2010 and beyond, and the brands that fail to recognize or adjust to the new and changing realities presented by the market will be quickly left behind and out in the cold, not because they aren’t good at what they do, but because they either fail or refuse to understand the importance of building lasting connections and relationships with the consumer market, that places great value on creating and maintaining strong connections and relationships.
In the world of Social Media and Social Networking your understanding of content creation is critical, as many times it is the main reason for the initial contact and engagement with your customer, and when you are perceived as transparent and engaging, the result can be powerful, especially if each subsequent occasion you have for direct engagement is as rewarding an experience as before. 
It is difficult for some to fully understand the dynamics at work with the concept of providing free information and online content such as videos, access to articles, and even eBooks, which actually adds great value to the consumer relationships and experience. So when it is time to sell your book or service the customer gladly pays, keeping the “value” of what they have already received for “free” in mind, and more times than not, they buy more product or additional services because of the “value” you have created in their experience.
Social Media” facilitates direct engagement with consumers to levels never seen before, causing a fundamental shift in the concept of customer service in the markets, where before, no one expected CEO’s to call or ring their doorbell on their birthday, because it wasn’t feasible. But Social Media Technology provides the tools, and greatly reduced the cost of direct interaction, which has plummeted to the lowest levels ever seen, as business 
leaders text simple “thank you” messages from cell phones, or hang out on video streaming platforms or chat rooms to answer questions, or send @ replies on Twitter, and all at very minimal cost.
Every CEO and business must recognize that customer service is now their primary business and focus, and what “was” unreasonable becomes essential, as the empowerment of the individual consumer through “social media” affects every brand and businesses value to the consumer, which directly translates to business success now and in the future.
Great Social Media Video! Social Media Revolution 2 (Refresh)!
Published May 23, 2010 | Team Altman Awesome Social Media Revolution 2 Video!
The number of users on the web world and social media and social network users seem to continue to grow at an amazing exponential pace, and this Social Media Revolution 2 video has been updated with the latest statistics that are just as amazing as the first great SMR video, if you haven’t seen the first video check it out at Social Media: Revolutionizing the World as We Know It!
As always enjoy, and share the Social Media Revolution!
Social Media Revolution Video! Did You Know 4.0!
Published September 21, 2009 | 
Team Altman Interesting Social Media Facts Video:
What’s Interesting about these kinds of videos are not just the facts presented in them, but the lively debates that follow on whether or not the facts are true. Regardless of the accuracy of some facts, they stir the realizations of how fast social media technology and social networking is changing the world we live in.
As always enjoy, share and Join the Social Media Revolution: