If you’re interesting in learning how to make your brand Facebook page better than competitors (and really, who isn’t?), consider a trial of PostAcumen. Here are a few of what we feel are the most useful insights the platform delivers:

Best Posts: A top 10 list detailing the best-performing posts from your brand and its industry competitors including post type (photos, videos, text or links) and when it was posted. By learning what posts are resonating best with our key audience members, we’re able to adjust our strategy to include more on-target content that we’ve learned makes our readers buzz.

Industry Report: This analysis helps you make sense of your rate of page likes, comments, shares, reach, clicks and virality by comparing your stats to those of your competitors as well as the industry average. We’ve found this enlightening as the jury is still out on what standard performance metrics for these key measurement areas should look like. For example, find out if having an average of 5 percent of your page fans comment on your posts means you’re performing well or poorly. Based on these metrics, you can again further refine your social media strategy. For instance, if you find your brand is ranking below your competitors and the industry average in fans sharing your Facebook content, you know you need more share-worthy content or calls-to-action.

Strategy:  A straight-forward recommendation of the best days of the week and times of day to post. These metrics show you what’s working best for your brand page, as well as those of your competitors, so you can time your posts for maximize fan engagement.

Tell us – how do you think these insights could benefit your brand? Are there other services you’ve found useful for making sense of social media data?

Image taken from PostAcumen.com.

I know I couldn’t do it. There are some things that I can put my mind to and push through. But an exile from the Internet? No Google, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Wiki and general online searches? I actually couldn’t do my job.

So cheers to those that can (and do!). I believe much of what writer Paul Miller says in this article about disconnecting for a whole year. I agree that there would be a sense of clarity and probably even inspiration.

But, I live on the internet. If I’m working, I’m researching, checking the news or monitoring social media pages. When I’m not working, I’m still on Facebook or using my iPhone apps to stay in touch.  Even my kids (ages 2 and 4) know how to properly use iPhones and iPads.

I may not always be the most savvy internet user, nor do I claim to be. But, the internet is more than just a passing fad. It’s changed the way the world works. It’s changed media, shopping and socializing (to name a few of so many numerous daily habits). It may make the world more fast-paced and cluttered, but I think it was an improvement on the way we did things “way back when.”

Could you take a hiatus from the internet? Have you taken a hiatus?

Photo Credit: Loren Zemlicka via Compfight cc

One of the nation’s premier spirits debates is hitting the road again in 2013!

Together with Beam Inc., JSH&A is asking whiskey enthusiasts “What is America’s preferred whiskey?” – American, Canadian, Scottish or Irish.  The Great Whisk(e)y Debate™ commenced this month in Charlotte, N.C. as more than 200 brand fans rallied together to show their support for Beam’s award-winning whiskey portfolio.  JSH&A’s very own Jim Kokoris moderated the debate as 7th generation Jim Beam Master Distiller Frederick “Fred” Booker Noe III pitted his award-winning Devil’s Cut™ Bourbon alongside Maker’s 46™ Bourbon, 2 GINGERS® Irish Whiskey, Laphroaig® Triple Wood Single Malt Scotch Whisky and Canadian Club™ Small Batch Classic 12.

Stay tuned for future events or follow #whiskeydebates on Twitter.

In production for two years, Hershey’s Great Chocolate Factory Mystery in 4D is a result of the combined efforts of Hershey’s Chocolate World, Jim Henson’s Creature Shop™ and Granaroli Design & Entertainment and features several industry firsts including:

• First Real-Time 4D Show: the direction of the show is determined in real-time through audience participation. There are over 100 different possible outcomes, so no guest will have to experience the same show twice.
• First Real-Time Characters in 3D: The characters are brought to life by the largest year-round team of digital puppeteers in the world, offering guests a responsive, real-time experience.

During the show audience members are invited to join their favorite characters Hershey®, Reese® and Kiss® as they embark on a mysterious adventure to find out the meaning behind suspicious activities taking place in Hershey’s Chocolate Factory. For more information on the new 4D show and to view a show trailer and behind-the-scenes video, visit www.pwrnewmedia.com/2013/HSY4DShow.

Thus, it’s only natural that while researching topics and trends for this month’s blog post, I came across the thought-provoking article “5 Tricks for Working With Millennials” on Inc. magazine’s website. You might be inclined to think that this is self-promotion as I am 27 years-old and fall into this group. However, the article does not continually praise my generation’s tech savvy or creativity. Rather, it points out the benefit of having these individuals within your organization only if you take the time to determine how best to manage them for maximum productivity. My favorite nuggets are included below as management methods I respond to:

1. Overcommunicate. All the time.
   Speaking for twenty-somethings in workplaces everywhere I can confidently state the following: We need clarity, we need communication and we need constant interaction. Despite what some people may think, we love feedback, even the negative kind, as it gives us a clear picture of how our work is being perceived and allows us to change or improve things that might not be working.
2. Go heavy on the rewards and the punishments.
   Nothing can replace an encouraging note from a superior in the work place. We don’t need constant accolades or someone to tell us, “great job,” every time an assignment is completed. However, it is helpful to know what work really stands out and impresses management. This just fuels our fire to do more and do better.
3. Keep accountability consistent and clear. I love the idea that Steve Cody, the article author and co-founder of Peppercom, shares of 360-degree performance reviews where peers, subordinates and supervisors all weigh in on employees. Knowing one will be evaluated from all sides certainly changes the game and encourages everyone within an organization to be purposeful and considerate with their communications and working relationships – keeping everyone on their toes and delivering the best work possible.

Cody shares additional tips that are equal value in the complete article. They are definitely worth a quick read!

Photo Credit: inlinguaManchester via Compfight cc

According to a recent post by Mashable, 96 percent of fans don’t go back to a brand’s Facebook page after they initially like it (if they ever went there at all).  In other words, fans aren’t visiting your page on a daily basis or wondering what you’re up to (like they might one of their friends). This presents brands with a challenge: once you build your community, how do you keep it coming back?

The key lies within EdgeRank – an equation (literally) that determines which posts appear in a user’s newsfeed. The variables in this equation are affinity, weight and time decay. That translates to three key principles to EdgeRank, as taken from this infographic from Post Rocket and our own social marketing experience:

1. Image posts have more weight than other types of updates
2. Posts with fan engagement (likes, comments, shares) trump content without fan engagement
3. Comments are king

So what does this mean for marketers? In addition to following our classic tried-and-true posting tactics, EdgeRank pushes us to always think through how our content will filter through this equation. Here are our three favorite tips for creating an effective social content strategy with EdgeRank in mind:

1. Tell your fans what you’d like them to do. Including a strong call-to-action is a great way to boost engagement and EdgeRank, especially since comments are key to propelling your content into newsfeeds. Phrases like “fill-in-the-blank,” “tell us below,” or “give us a ‘like,’” are easy ways to prompt a response from fans. Just be sure you’re including your call-to-action at the end of your post so the ask is as clear as possible
2. Be visual. Image posts will always have a better chance of appearing in your fans’ newsfeeds, so ensuring the majority of your content is visual can significantly boost engagement and reach. However, when you don’t have an image to include, make sure you’re following our first tip with a strong call-to-action. Those likes, shares and comments can help propel your content into newsfeeds despite the fact that it’s text-only
3. Capture fans’ interest in the first 10 words. Short and sweet is always the best route, but if for some reason you have to go a bit longer, be sure you’re starting your post in a way that’s going to capture fans’ interest. For example, instead of sharing an informative fact such as, “According to a recent study, 89% of Americans love grilling on Memorial Day,” try something like, “If you’re among the 89% of Americans who love grilling on Memorial Day, try this recipe for turkey sliders.” Including the interesting information in the upfront can help keep fans’ attention long enough to prompt them to engage. (Note: that Memorial Day stat is completely made up)

What are your favorite tips for prompting fan engagement and getting into newsfeeds? Tell us in the comments below (a call-to-action!).

Photo Credit: beta75.se via Compfight cc

We are entering a new era of micro-content in which brand messages must simultaneously be creative, attention-grabbing and shorter than ever.  But how much can really be shared in this short timeframe, and will it event be relevant? If we look at applications such as Vine through the eyes of a brand, we see several opportunities to further promote a company or product. Here are a number of ways brands can utilize six short seconds of content through Vine:

1. Bring back the elevator pitch by visualizing who you are and what you stand for
2. Show off your hottest product in a quick demonstration
3. Give your followers an inside look at the company headquarters
4. Tease the audience with partial images of an unreleased product

Some brands have welcomed this new way of content-sharing with open arms. Here are some of our favorite examples:

Ritz Crackers Bit by Bit

Bowling with Dove

Magic Trident

When I first heard the term gamification at SXSW in 2011, I was both confused and intrigued by the prospect of incorporating game elements into everyday activities. I grew up with video games, as have many adults under 40. Since hearing the term, I set to improve my understanding of what this emerging business practice means. I’ve come away with a single takeaway: gamifcation requires a different way of thinking.

By definition, gamification is the process of using game elements in non-game environments, contexts or experiences. Gamification is currently being used in different non-game contexts such as changing behaviors, in the workforce and in marketing communications. This doesn’t mean taking everyday tasks, like washing dishes, and turning them into a video game.  No, it’s about using game design elements to encourage, reinforce or change habits and/or behaviors within non-game contexts.

For example, designing a gamified system that teaches kids the responsibility of doing housework and using game mechanics to offer rewards (aka an allowance) for completing specific tasks might be a better gamified system for parenting. I have yet to meet a parent who would turn down a method for reducing the “nagging factor” when it comes to motivating their children to make beds, wash dishes, throw out garbage, etc. Sounds great, right?

But there is a catch. Games are as much about psychology as they are about design. Businesses that use gamification are running into issues because they are forgetting that games should be fun.

Think about it. The world spends billions of hours per week “wasting time” by playing games like Halo, Angry Birds, Farmville and Resident Evil, to name a few popular titles. Why?

Here is a different game context: why do gymnasts put themselves through multiple, brutal years of training for a chance to compete in the Olympics? Why do mountain climbers put their lives at risk to reach the peak of Mt. Everest or K2? Why?

The answer is all in the mind. It involves a combination of brain chemistry and psychology. And, mostly importantly, we humans like to challenge ourselves and compete because we enjoy it. Having fun isn’t strictly about playing games, but we do have fun playing them.

Nicole Lazzaro, a game designer, explored why people play games and what compels players to play certain games. She found the following four key takeaways for creating good game experiences that unlock certain types of emotions:

1. Hard Fun: Players like the opportunities for challenge, strategy and problem solving. Gamers focus on the game’s challenge by using strategic thinking and problem solving.
2. Easy Fun: Players enjoy intrigue and curiosity. They become immersed in a game when it absorbs their complete attention, or when it takes them on an exciting adventure. These immersive games generate emotions and experiences of wonder, awe and mystery.
3. Altered States: Players treasure the enjoyment from their internal experiences in reaction to the visceral, behavior, cognitive and social properties. They play for internal sensations such as excitement or relief from everyday thoughts and feelings.
4. The People Factor: Players use games as mechanisms for social experiences.  Gamers enjoy the emotions of amusement, schadenfreude and naches coming from the social experiences of competition and teamwork. Game lovers also like the opportunity for social bonding and personal recognition that comes from playing with others. (Source: www.xeodesign.com)

So if your company is thinking about applying a gamification program, incorporating different layers of “fun” is necessary for executing a successful experience.

JSH&A leveraged a partnership with popular cookbook author & founder of Weelicious.com Catherine McCord to encourage families to cook wholesome, healthy meals together and ‘Make the Safest Choice’ while doing so. A press release and electronic press kit announcing the partnership with McCord was distributed at the beginning of the month followed by aggressive media outreach to various food editors at both short and long-lead publications. The press materials also included custom recipes from McCord featuring eggs as the star ingredient for quick, easy dishes perfect for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Go ahead, whip up an Egg Pesto Melt or Cottage Cheese Pancakes with your little one today!

The campaign generated more than 600 sweepstakes entrants, increased the rate of new Vault subscriber enrollment and received coverage in popular media outlets including Parents.com, Stores Magazine, Daily Chronicle and Lewiston Tribune.