Hello,

You may be wondering where the content has been for the last couple of days. Well that’s because I have shifted into a new blogging format.

I went video blog – Changing Business Culture

Now, I’ll still post here monthly for the next 6 months, but after that time, I’ll be 100% switched over to the new platform, and will have this URL (http://jmuirheadblog.com) sending you there.

So what does this mean to you?

Well, two things

1) I hope you enjoy the videos, as I feel the content will be of a higher quality

2) You’ll need to sign-up for a new RSS reader, or Email from the blog.

Have a great day,

Josh

Over the past few weeks, I have had a great time working and tinkering on Muirhead Marketing.

• First, the new website was developed (alright, that took a little longer than a few weeks). But hey, check it out: Muirhead Marketing.ca

• Second, a great coaching session with Barbara Stuhlemmer from BLITZ Business Success.

• And finally, yesterday I sat down and wrote – a ton! I don’t know if it’s just the way I am, but I need to get my thoughts out, and quickly. And if I don’t write them down, I often forget those nuggets of gold, and often try to hard to get them back.

Recently, and if you read this blog (by the way, thanks!), you’ll have noticed that I have started to talk more philosophically about things. About the way we need to ask permission in marketing. The way people in your business need a buy in.
And that’s when – it finally hit me

I’m not in the business of social media marketing; I’m in the business of changing business culture! …Currently using social media as a showcase of possibilities, aka using social media as Tools.

So when someone like me walks into your office, and says – “What business are you in?” Is the answer really “Where in the paint business?”

With the amazing, (and better written) testimonial from Kim Sanderson (click here) being published today, I thought I would be a little briefer, and a little more personal.

When I first started in online marketing (not at Muirhead Marketing) the idea was to buy online advertising such as Google AdWords, or Yahoo Ads, and build a strategy where these elements were the corner stone.

Then I opened Muirhead Marketing with the idea of utilizing FREE services, such as Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Blogging, blah blah blah – People had one big question:

How are you going to make any money?

See, for the longest time, advertisers and marketers would get a better rate for purchasing ads (they still do!). So, when a company hired them, they would pay a retainer, but the residual income came from placing ads. (This is Win Win, as the advertising cost less using a firm.)

But I had a different idea. I was going to invoice people for my gifts; understanding this media, knowing how to build effective strategies, and offer continued support (effectively becoming their offensive coordinator – if you need a football analogy).

They wouldn’t pay me unless a “gift” was exchanged. And they wouldn’t pay Muirhead Marketing unless we offered remarkable strategies, and service.

So there you have it (although not as brief).

Recently, I’ve had the pleasure of presenting in front of different groups across Ontario.

All great groups, and I hope all informative / inspirational presentations.

These are the top 5 questions I was asked while chatting with the fine people of Central / Southern Ontario

Q: What does it take to do this (social media marketing) well?

A: Two things: Commitment and Quality

Q: How long will this take?

A: As long as you like – (just kidding)

A: Generally, a 6-month starter strategy is what we recommend for most businesses. This lets them be in the environment for a while, and start to build a reputation of having critical (back to that quality statement) information

Q: How old are you?

A: How old do you want/need me to be? – True answer was never given (young enough to dream, old enough to create)

Q: What is the cost for this? (social media marketing)

A: The true cost isn’t money, it’s time. Companies like Muirhead Marketing will charge for the strategy, set-up and monitoring of campaigns but that will be small compared to traditional marketing

Q:What’s with this “GIFT” thing?

A: When I refer to a “Gift” it means something of importance that you are willing to share with others. Something that may not be available anywhere else, and something the end user (client,customer,consumer) will enjoy. It means contributing to someone’s online experience. Knowing that it’s not about YOU, it’s about THEM!

Now you know my top 5 questions during presentations, what are you top 5 questions about Social Media? I would be happy to answer (if I can)

Possibly one of the most famous movie lines of all times:

“If you build it, they will come” (Field of Dreams)

Often at presentations I deliver, the top question is: How do I get people to my blank.

Unfortunately, a cornfield full of ghosts will not populate your Facebook Fan Page, or your Blog.

But here are some ways you can:

• Build it – Yes, build it! And build it well, so that if people do find it they want to stay there
• Love it – share it with people who will also love it, and (if you’re following the first step) they’ll share it
• Connect it – pull it into what you’re doing, and utilize your already established network
• Google it – that’s right, Google it, as Google has an agreement with Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter, Blogger, WordPress, YouTube, and the list goes on. If your content is good, relevant and updated, it will show up

Now – All This Being Said – Over At The Office Of Muirhead Marketing, We Have Rebuilt Our Website

IF WE BUILD IT WILL YOU COME? I HOPE SO:  Www.MuirheadMarketing.cA

Yesterday I produced what is going to be a long line of podcast about employee, or business “Buy In”

In the post I announced that these productions can be accessed via iTunes, to be downloaded and enjoyed.

Although not a new processes, podcasting is something I do very little.

Feeling out of place, I thought I would quickly write about my experience, knowing that many of our clients  at Muirhead Marketing feel the same way about Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Linkedin, and the list goes on.

• At first I was pumped, I have done a podcast before, and had a good idea what I was getting myself into. This could be a great way for both myself and Muirhead Marketing to be shared with new people, quickly and easily

• Then I started to get frustrated. The recording device that I use wasn’t working 100%, and because I was doing my recordings from my home office, I had to contend with a dog that just didn’t want me to be alone.

• Alright – Back to being pumped. I was done my recording, happy with what I had done, and quickly published it to the blog

• Then true frustration clicked in. iTunes wouldn’t find my podcasting feed address. This meant that I would not be able to upload the new podcast that day.

Trying again today, it still isn’t 100%, but I was reminded of a great saying “Anything worth doing takes time”

And that’s what I often hint at with our clients. Using tools like podcasts, blogging, or any social media takes time, and will have many ups and downs. The key to the success is to have what Seth Godin would call a “Ship Date” or routine, and make sure to enjoy the experience.

Who are YOU?

I mean that, really who are you, what do you stand for, what morals / ethics do you abide by?

For many people, they do not view this question as something that goes with branding their company – Then who’s company is it?

The truth is, you have to be authentic, meaning – You have to be you! That doesn’t mean that your business name has to be Your name, nor does it have to embody everything about you, but it certainly should have the same feel.

(This is not a plug) – Look at my companies brand – Forget the name for this moment, but the colours we have used, and the font. The colours a little loud, but not over the top (we hope). The font is maybe a little dated, but it’s fun, and represents my history of being a snowboarder. Further more, our Brand (which is far more than just a logo) represents many of my core values, and beliefs. It doesn’t encompass every area of my life, but it certainly has a similar feel.

Remember – branding isn’t all about the “logo” it’s much more than that – Are you comfortable associating yourself with your business brand? If the answer is “No” you have some work ahead. For session One (Click Here)

If you have been a long time reader of this blog – you may have picked up that I love sharing insights, and helping people to better see the potential for use of social media in their business.

What can I say, I’m a coach at hart!

But, if you are always coaching, always sharing and always offering – well, you’re never giving your fellowship (those who read your blog, follow you on twitter, have joined your facebook / linkedin pages) an opportunity to act!

A call to action is a critical step in truly utilizing social media and the social network that you build.

So here’s my call to action for you today to help support both JoshMuirhead.ca and MuirheadMarketing.ca

(feel free to do 1, or all – and thank you for helping in advance)

1. Send either link to 10 people you know are wondering about social media

2. If you have your own personal blog, or website: Put up our Facebook badge - (and send me the link so that I may thank you personally)

3. Invite 10 people you know to follow me on Twitter @marketingjosh

Again, many thanks – and I’ll welcome those who you pass on with open concepts and creative ideas.

- Thanks for the idea from Never Stop Marketing – which can now be found on the right-hand side of this blog -

You read the title of this post correctly – Networking and Snowboarding – really it was like the first time someone put peanut butter with jelly. It was a fantastic day, that was enjoyed at Osler Bluff and was put on by BNI Ontario Central North, along with BNI Golden Horseshoe and BNI Ontario Southwest. In addition to phenomenal snowboarding, spectacular seminars, and electrifying networking, my company Muirhead Marketing got to set-up ScribbleLive and Twitter for this event, which I was proud of. But that’s enough writing, let’s get onto video watching!

Throughout the last few days, the website for my business – Muirhead Marketing, as been down. We took it down after experiencing some difficulties with people who use IE, not being able to see the videos or even get into the page.

Today we go back Live! and have made some noticeable changes.

However, I am requesting of you, is that you go there later today -Muirhead Marketing and let us know if you like it or not. We will take your feedback, and continue to make the site better for you!

Thanks for your time,

Josh