re: social media hustlas...

so i had a few solid responses on the last blog.

got me to thinking: i think a lot of you guys are dead on when you talk about how bad for business monetizing social media might be.

here's my short, simple solution... and it, too, is on the consumer to be selective:

the consumer has to start to value advertising and communications that improve their life (rather than try to sell them product). if brands that provide you value - be it entertainment, health benefits, love advice, etc. - start to sell more product, the advertising and marketing world will be forced to change in order to keep pace.

just look at the brands that are using twitter well right now - whole foods, target, and now best buy (based on their new commercial of a woman shouting to a football stadium of help technicians... brilliant btw). they are embracing new media, adding value to their customer experience, and grabbing share of market at a time when people are looking to start spending again.

maybe these new media channels won't need to charge for services, but they will become a forum for people to interact with brands. we need to reward those brands that are communicating well by buying their products.

this might be a little out there, so here's an example:
zappos has changed the way people think about customer service and ease-of-ordering online. of course, their competitors are starting to adopt their practices in order to survive. this improves the experience for potential online shoe-shoppers, no matter where they order from.

in the same way, if whole foods is changing their product offerings, customer service structure, etc. because a few people hit them up on twitter with suggestions, their grocery store will sell more product. their competitors will have to adjust and become more communicative themselves, and the consumer wins.

so start rewarding those entities (retail, etc.) that communicate well with you as a consumer... it'll make the world a better place for all.

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#intheheadphones :: wilco (the album)

well, wilco has done it again. in the opening title track, "wilco (the song)," jeff tweedy croons, "wilco will love you baby," and describes his sextet as a "sonic shoulder for you to cry on." this record is unbelievable. lead guitarist nels cline continues to gracefully blend art rock, jazz, and country twang to accent tweedy's insightful lyricism and composition.

buy this. ideally on vinyl...