Alberta Business Marketing

So Dave Bronconnier has just announced he will be stepping down from the mayor’s chair and handing over his oversized mayoral necklace (does that thing have an actual name?) come October 2010. He will not be running for re-election.

While it is possible we could spend some time reflecting on our 35th mayor’s tenure – after all he’s been mayor of Calgary since 2001, having been elected three times, and before that was alderman of ward 6 for nine years as well – the real fun lays in what this means for the candidates that have been mulling about the starting line of the mayoral race for the past year or so.

Bronco’s announcement today almost guarentees Joe Connolly and Ric McIver will run for mayor, but who else? Will Alnoor Kassam now return for another kick at the can? Could we see Diane Colley-Urqhart or Druh Farrell step up in the coming months?

Personally, my guess is you’ll see one one Brian Pincott, who is currently ward 11 alderman, or frequent civic commenter Naheed Nenshi step up and take a serious run.

Either way, things just got interesting. Tie on your sneakers, because the race is about to begin.

On your marks, get set, GO!

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Tags: Brian Pincott, Calgary, Dave Bronconnier, Diane Colley-Urquhart, Druh Farrell, Joe Connelly, Naheed Nenshi, Politics, Ric McIver
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Travelers are social

It’s called Social Media because travelers are social about their media consumption.  Most travelers use a variety of social Web sites to watch video.  By far the largest video sharing site is Youtube, but there are other places that your videos can get exposure too.

Travelers using social MEDIA

• 42% Youtube
• 33% Facebook
• 27% Trip Advisor
• 73% search for photos on sites like Flickr.
• 19% visit blogs

Each one of these platforms is a great place to post and share your video.

Share your video where travelers are social

• Do you have a Youtube Channel?  Set one up.  Youtube is by fare largest video sharing Web site.  Upload your video to Youtube.com or better, start an account at Tubemogul.com and post your video on multiple sharing sites (Blip.tv, Vimeo, etc. ).  All at one time!
• Post your video to your Facebook Fan Page, then your Facebook Fan Box on your Web site will automagically show visitors to your Web site that you uploaded a new video.  You can also send an update to fans linking to your video.
• Flickr allows sharing of video up to 90 seconds in length to your Pro Account.
• In the owners centre on TripAdvisor, business owners can post video they create to their business profile.
• Embed video from one of the video sharing sites directly on your blog.  Video hosting sites like Youtube, Vimeo, Blip.tv and others, as well as the live video streaming services allow users to embed the video feeds directly on their Web site.  So if you blog (please tell me you blog!) you can cut and paste the embed code snippet to post video on posts or permanent pages on your blog.
• Post a link to a Webpage hosting an embedded video in your next email newsletter.

Current’cy is the new Currency.

Have you thought about posting and sharing livestreaming video?

The tools may be in the palm of your hand – iPhone 3GS has built in video capability and using tools like Ustream.tv and Qik Video users can quickly post live streaming content on the Web from your phone.  Ustream and Livestream.com both allow live streaming from video cameras or computers too. Subscribers and followers on social media platforms can get instant notification of your live stream, watch live and events, and add their contributions by commenting in real time.  That’s engagement!  There are even widgets that allow streaming video inside Facebook.

The Web and software like Boinx.tv can turn your Mac into a TV studio.  Anyone can learn how to produce live content with multiple cameras and cued footage from your computer or the Web.  Livestream’s free Livestream Procaster even lets you stream live video or your desktop screen on your free live channel with professional grade screen transitions.

All media is social

When posting videos to sharing Web sites, become an active part of the community by commenting to followers who leave messages on your videos, and you’ll get even more bang from posting and sharing video for your tourism business.

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Tags: free web marketing stuff
Posted in Alberta Business | | Comments Off