On Mondays I post an interview with a social media marketing expert. My blog focuses on using social media to promote books (particularly self-published books), and I believe authors can really learn a lot about successful social networking by following the experts.
This week we meet Scott Meyer, COO of 9 Clouds. You can read all about Scott and the 9 Clouds “mediarologists” here: http://9clouds.com/mediarologists/
KS: Tell me about your company – how it was created and what you do.
SM: 9 Clouds was created when my brother John and I were home on Easter break. I was living and working in Norway at the time while he was in Minneapolis. When we arrived home our mom wanted to order pizza and started flipping through the phone book. We just looked at each other in amazement and knew that she needed help using technology…and if she needed help there were probably thousands like her who could make their lives easier with technology.
With the goal of improving what we call “digital literacy,” 9 Clouds was born. We now teach businesses to effectively use technology through an online educational product called DigSandbox.com, one-on-one trainings and corporate workshops and the creation and implementation of inbound marketing strategies.
KS: Who do you feel can benefit from a social media marketing strategy?
SM: Any business that feels the stress of time and wants measureable results can benefit from a social media marketing strategy. By identifying who the ideal customer is, businesses can focus their online efforts to attract the greatest number of customers with the least amount of investment in terms of time and money. You wouldn’t start calling people on the phone promoting your company if you didn’t know who you were talking to. The same applies online.
KS: How long have you been blogging and what is the primary focus of your blog?
SM: I have been personally blogging since 2003 when I traveled to Tanzania. Since that time I have been blogging on a variety platforms. We started a business blog as soon as 9 Clouds began, and we focus on inspiring and educating our readers to push their frontiers in business, learning and travel.
We provide a number of free educational tools for those looking to teach themselves more about digital technology and hope to encourage readers to dream big personally and professionally and use a little digital literacy to help them realize those dreams.
KS: What is your favorite social networking site? Why?
SM: I love LinkedIn because it cuts the noise out of social media and provides me contact with the decision-makers that can become my customers.
KS: What is your #1 piece of advice for social networking newbies?
SM: Think about how you best express yourself. Is it through the written word? Are you an out-going person that’s great in front of a camera? Through photos? Your preferred method of communication might point to the social network that will work best for you. If it’s writing, probably a blog. Good with a camera, try YouTube. Like photos, Instagram or Flickr might be the place. Want to have conversations online just like you do in your store, try Facebook. Knowing what you enjoy and are best at will help you avoid feeling overwhelmed or out of place on a social network.
To find out more about Scott Meyer and 9 Clouds, visit:
Website: http://9clouds.com
Blog: http://9clouds.com/blog
Twitter: @9Clouds
Social media marketing and search engine optimization go hand in hand, but it’s crucial to understand each on their own to fully appreciate their relationship.